Chapter 7

SEREIA

The first thing I noticed when I walked into the kitchen this morning was the noise. It wasn't just the soft clatter of pots and pans. This was one was loud and busy, I could hear the oil sizzling, lids clanging infact I would have sworn I could heard the oven humming.

That's how busy the kitchen was and it wasn’t a normal occurrence since the old woman Gracie always made it her life’s mission to leave early for the bakery.

So seeing her standing over the stove, her sleeves rolled up and her face contorted in a serious expression.

All but told me that this was serious business..

"Why are you cooking so early in the morning?" I asked my face twisted in a frown as I walked towards the kitchen counter to grab a blueberry muffin.

"Well good morning to you too." Gracie replied sardonically, ignoring my question.

"Good morning Gracie." I spoke with a smile. "But seriously what is the feast for?" I asked and she scoffed as she turned the meal in the boiling pot.

"When did it become a crime to cook in my own house?"

Well seeing as it six in the morning and you are usually at the bakery at this time, it sure does feel like a crime." I replied and she let out a sigh of defeat before she spoke again.

"Well my grandson is coming today."

My eyes widened. "The same grandson you always speak about!" I exclaimed. "What's his name again?"

"Valerian." She answered quickly her lips twitching into a smile for a split second.

"Wow so he exists i almost thought he was imaginary." I said with a laugh and she pointed her wooden spoon at me. "Watch your mouth child." She said and I burst into laughter holding my hands up in surrender.

"I mean I was just saying, five years no pictures, nothing, it's smart for me to assume." I added and she shook her head smiling at me.

"Go wake your child." She said trying to chase me away.

And as if summoned, small feet thundered down the marble stairs.

"Granny!!" Liyana yelled running into the kitchen her dark hair sticking out in every direction and her bright curious eyes staring at Gracie.

"What are you making granny." Liyana asked as she hugged Gracie's legs.

Gracia's entire face softened. "Food."

Liyana gasped dramatically. " I know you're making food granny, what type.."

Gracie let our a genuine laugh as she bent down to rub Liyana's head affectionately.

"I'm making your favorite food dear, they are my grandsons favorite."

Her eyes lit up. "I have a brother?."

Gracia snorted. "No dear, you have an uncle."

"Wow!" Liyana exclaimed before asking a funny question. "Then how is he your grandson?"

We burst out laughing ignoring her question because we were not about to explain that. "Come on, love bug. Let's get you dressed for school."

Liyana groaned but obeyed as I walked her into her room.

As I got her dressed my mind drifted to everything that has happened in the last five years and I couldn't be more grateful for Gracie and Liyana.

They are the reason I continued life and I could be more happy with my little life of stability. I finished dressing her up we left the house to walk to her school which was five minutes away.

Liyana skipped in front of me her hyper toddler nature evident. I held her hands firmly so she wouldn't run into the road.

She continued skipping beside me before she spoke. "Mama?"

"Yes?"

"Where is daddy?"

The question stopped me mid-step.

I looked down at her. "Why are you asking Liyana, did anyone bully you?"

"No no mummy, but all my friends have dads." she with a smile as she continued skipping down the walkway.

"Your daddy is far away dear." I said cringing at the bad answer.

"Does he know me?" She asked her curious light eyes staring at me.

I swallowed. "I don't know love bug."

She nodded like that was enough. She didn't ask anything again and I couldn't be more grateful.

We continued our walk to her school and it was like the universe hated me today because a large screen flashed across the street suddenly, catching my attention.

It was the Entertainment news and I watched as a familiar face filled the screen.

Selena. She was in one her expensive outfits, she looked flawless, expensive, she looked like the bane of my existence.

"Breaking news!! A-list Actress Selena Hayes is set to starr in another major film few weeks after announcing her engagement to millionaire CEO Lucas Sterling.”

My chest constricted as the reporter spoke.

Engagement. They were actually getting married. I thought they weren't getting married again I mean it's been five years.

Liyana tugged my hand. "Mama, are you okay?"

I looked at my daughter forcing a smile. "Yes darling mummy is just tired." I said as we finally reached her daycare.

I dropped her off and walked away trying to forget about everything that just happened and put my mind in the right place. Work.

Work was the same, Smiling, Greeting guests, Apologizing for things I didn't do and taking insults from rude customers. Nothing crazy.

And by the time my shift ended, I was exhausted my job as a front desk agent in a hotel was stressful but it's the only thing that paid the bills so I had to suck it up.

I hailed a cab to get home as I was too lazy to walk and immediately I reached I could smell the food from the door way the aroma much more than what I was smelling in the morning.

As I walked into the house Gracie was emerging from the kitchen carrying a tray in hand I ran towards her and helped her place it on the table.

"You're home." She said resting her hands on her waist, sweat dripping from her head.

"What is all this?" I asked, staring at the table now filled with dishes. "This food will literally feed an army!!" I exclaimed gesturing to the array of dishes.

Gracie smiled and nodded. "I know dear, my grandson eats like one."

I smiled and shook my head just as a knock sounded on the door my head snapped towards it and Gracie jumped for joy.

"He's here." She said excitedly. "Let him in, I need to get dessert," she said walking into the kitchen and I shook my head at her gleeful state.

The knock came again and I let out a sigh before walking towards the door and opening it.

Immediately I opened it the smell of musk and spice drifted into my nose and I looked up to see him standing there.

Tall, broad and dressed in black looking ever so familiar.

Mr. Rude.