Chapter Eleven

     “ Hey, hey baby that’s enough now, it’s never too late you know. We could go visit your mum today if you want but I don’t want to see you cry again.”

“ I had promised her that I will be coming over this weekend to see her.”

“ Then that’s settled, we will go there by the weekend to see her and maybe bring her along with us to come and stay over here till after the wedding. What do you think?”

“ it’s perfect. but what about her job, will she agree to leave her work and come with us?”

“ Now you don’t have to worry about that leave it to me I will find a way.”

My mood lightened up immediately. “ you are the best baby!” I jumped on him and we started locking lips so passionately and the next thing he was all over me. His hand lingered as he pulled my Night gown off leaving me unclad in bed while he unhooked his belt and unleashed his monster on me. He loved to go hard on me and he knows how much it drives me nuts.

Call me crazy but this stuff happens when you are madly in love. We rounded up in an hour and I went to freshen up while he waited for me in the living room.

Once I was ready, we headed out for whichever place he had planned for us to explore today.

Before I know it, the weekend arrived so fast. Andre has already made arrangements for our flight on his private jet to New Mexico. 

While I was on the plane with Andre, all I could think of was how to face my mom. Why do I start, how am I going to face her? So much was running through my mind until finally, I found myself about to face reality, I was standing right in front of our door while Andre rang the door bell.

“ Coming!” I heard her voice from inside and I could hear my heart was about popping out of my mouth. I started feeling weak and uneasy as I try to get a grip of myself.

“ babe, are you alright?”

“ Yeah.” I said wiping the sweat drops off my face.

The door opens and I looked up directly at my mom who was standing at the door while wearing my dad’s favorite Apron. I remember sewing that Apron during my seventh Grade and I could still recall the smile on his face when I gifts sit to him on father’s day with “ World's Best Dad “ Embroidery stitch on it.

“ Hailey sweetie, please come on in. You are welcome dear.” She seemed happy seeing me and learning that made me feel a lot better as I proceeded into the house with Andre behind me.

“ Please make yourself at home while I finish up in the kitchen.” She exists the room.

“ Um Babe, I will be right back.” I stood up and followed my mom to the kitchen.

 “ Hey Mom!” I said as I walked in and stand by the kitchen cabinet with my left hand slightly leaning on it.

“ Oh Hey! What are you doing here? You just arrived go get some rest I’m almost done here.” She took the bowl of green salad to the dining merely far from the kitchen.

I followed her there and help set the plates and cutlery while she brought the meals for lunch from the kitchen to the dining table. The silence and gap between a mother and her daughter had grown so wide we barely spoke to each other, I didn’t know where to begin . I want to hug her and know how she is fairing but I don’t know how to open my mouth and let the words out. I had a lot to say and ask but I couldn’t bring myself to saying them.

Once we were done with lunch prep, I called Andre to the dining to join us. As we sat to eat, my mum went ahead with saying Grace as I opened the plate to find out she had prepared Italian pasta. Seeing this brought tears to my eyes, I picked up the fork and fetched a piece of it from the plate. The taste of it as I munched on it, it tasted just like Dad used to make ‘em. I had tears in my eyes As I ate the pasta whole heartedly.

“ My dear, Pardon my manners I know we haven’t properly introduced ourselves, I'm Barbara Barnes.”

“ It’s my pleasure meeting you ma'am, My name is Andre, Andre Rodriguez. “

“ You are welcome to my home Andre.”

“ thank you ma’am” 

“ What do you do for a living Andre, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“ I'm into business ma, I venture in any type of business I feel interests me.”

“ Oh, that’s good. “ I heard her say as she took a sip from her glass of water.

“ Ma'am, I would like to apologize on our behalf for not informing you about the engagement, it all happened so fast I couldn’t think of anything else but to spend my life with your daughter.” 

She sighed. “ I hold no grudges against the both of you my dear, all I want is to see my daughter and also get to know the man she has chosen to spend the rest of her life with. She paused. Hailey’s Dad was my strength and pillar when he was alive, he never gave me any reason to worry especially when it comes to his daughter. He took care of her, maybe that’s why I wasn’t so close as he was with Hailey, I hope you will do the same for her too?”

“ of course ma'am.” He nodded.

Hearing her talk about my dad reminded me of how much I missed him, how much I yearned for his sweet words and love. I felt tears fall from my eyes.

“ Hailey, sweetie are you Alright?” her attention and Andre’s on me just when I realized that I was crying 

“ Babe are you Alright? “ Andre held my shoulder.

“ Yeah. I'm fine.” My voice cracked as I wipe the tears from eyes.

“ Are you sure? My mom cuts in with her gaze fixed on my face. Here have some water.” She offered me a glass of water.

I took it from her and sips it a bit before placing it back on the table. I comported myself and buried my emotions the rest of our lunch period.

Once we were done I helped her clear the plates on the table and wash them afterwards. Andre escorted me to my room where I settled in and unpacked my luggage.