Chapter 10

RAINA

“Thanks for inviting your friends over. I had fun chatting with them,” Raina said, after which she sipped her drink.

This was sort of a tradition for Raina and Ronald.

Every night, after they’d tucked the girls to bed, they would sit on the sofa in the living room or go to the balcony, where they talked about their day or just anything that was on their minds.

They did this almost every night, and it was something they both looked forward to.

Right now, they chose to stay inside in the living room instead of the balcony because it was chilly outside.

“I’m sure they had fun too,” he replied.

“My mom wants to meet you, Raina,” Ronald said, which made her almost choke on her drink.

“Your mom?” she replied in shock.

“Yeah. I told her about you.”

“You did?” She could not help but wonder why he told his mother about her.

“Alexa told her that she has a new sister, so I had no choice but to tell her about you since she was curious to know how she got a sister,” he said.

Raina sighed. She needed to know what Alexa was up to with this sister thing.

“You don’t have to get stressed; my mom will love you,” he said, hoping to calm her a little. “Besides, it’s not as if you would be meeting her tomorrow. She was just curious, and I told her about you.”

“Can I ask you a question?” she whispered. She was reluctant about what she wanted to ask, but he nodded encouragingly.

“What happened to Alexa’s mom?” she asked. “It’s okay if you don’t want to answer. I will wait till you’re ready to talk about it.”

Ronald sighed, after which he gulped down the remaining wine in his glass cup. “Annabelle Luca.”

Raina’s eyes almost popped out of its socket. “The famous model? She’s Alexa’s mom?” Raina replied in shock, and he nodded.

Annabelle Luca was a model. A very successful one. Young ladies wanted to be like her, and men worshipped her as if she were a goddess.

Hearing that she was Alexa’s mother also surprised her and made her jealous. The thought of Ronald getting involved with the likes of Annabelle while she was just an average member of society.

“She used to be my girlfriend, and then she got pregnant and wanted to abort the baby. She didn’t even tell me she was pregnant.

“I got a call from a doctor who was a family friend, and he knew that I was dating Annabelle.

“I confronted her. She said she wasn’t going to keep the baby, so there was no use telling me. I freaked out, but she never cared. She said she couldn’t keep the baby because it would affect her shape and all.

“Then we had an agreement. I begged her to keep the baby, and when the child was born, I would take full custody. She agreed in return for a lot of money, which I gave her.

“After Alexa was born, she disappeared, and I haven’t heard from her till now.”

“That’s so sad,” Raina mumbled as she tried to visualize what it was like for Ronald raising his daughter alone.

“I know. But I got help from my mom, sister, Gabriel, Jemma, and especially Clarice.”

“Does Alexa ever ask about her mother?” she asked.

“She did the night she turned six, and I explained that her mother left after she was born. She cried that night, saying it was her fault that her mom left because she was a bad baby.

“But I was able to calm her down, and I assured her she was not the reason her mother left us. I told her I would always be there for her, and she has my mom, my sister, and Clarice.”

“It must have been really hard for her,” Raina whispered, and he nodded.

No one knew that Annabelle Luca had a child. It was something kept as a secret. Raina could not help but wonder how a mother would abandon her own flesh and blood.

“I’m so sorry,” she said after a while.

Ronald nodded. “So what were you and Jemma talking about?” he asked, changing the subject.

***

^TWO DAYS LATER^

“No need to panic, Ray. Uncle Rico is a very nice person,” Ronald whispered as he kept his hand on her lower back, leading her into the famous, classy, and expensive restaurant owned by Uncle Rico.

As promised, Ronald had talked to Uncle Rico concerning Raina’s interest in working in his restaurant. Uncle Rico had said no problem and that he was expecting her.

So, since she was starting work today, she woke up earlier, made breakfast for everyone, took a shower while Clarice served the food, and they all had breakfast, after which she and Ronald left the house together.

Ronald was dressed in his usual suit attire, looking as handsome as ever.

Raina was dressed in skinny jeans, a tight top that showcased her chest, and comfortable shoes. Her hair was in a high bun.

They entered the restaurant, and Raina fell in love with it instantly. People were already there, ordering breakfast. The restaurant was full.

Ronald asked one of the workers where Uncle Rico was, and he replied, saying Uncle Rico was in his office. He thanked the middle-aged guy, after which they proceeded to the office.

“Ronald, you are here,” Uncle Rico said as soon as Ronald and a lady stepped into his office.

“Good morning,” Ronald said as he went over to hug the old man, who seemed to be in his early fifties.

“Morning, son.” He returned Ronald’s hug.

Raina took that moment to study Uncle Rico’s office. It was a medium-sized office painted brown. It had a big desk, which had some papers on it and a chair behind it.

Opposite the desk was the visitors’ area. There were three couches and a sofa with a small table in between, which had a flower vase, and a water dispenser beside the sofa.

“You must be Raina. I’ve heard so much about you,” Uncle Rico said to Raina.

She stretched her hand to him for a shake, which he gladly accepted. “I’ve heard so much about you too,” she replied with a smile.

“So, I guess you’re ready to start work today?” he asked, and she nodded instantly. She had been waiting for this moment forever.

“Give me a minute. I will be right back,” Uncle Rico said, after which he exited the office.

“I got something for you,” Ronald said as he put his hand in his pocket and brought out an iPhone. It was the latest type.

She groaned. “You didn’t have to.”

“I already did, so you have to accept it,” he said.

She reluctantly collected the phone from him. “Thank you,” she whispered.

He smiled. “You’re welcome. I can check up on you anytime. I saved my number already. I also saved Clarice and Jemma’s numbers too. Feel free to call me if you need anything.”

“You still have the card with you, right?” he said, referring to his credit card he told her to keep.

She nodded.

“Okay, then. Daniel will come to pick you up once your shift is over,” he said, after which he hugged her.

“I will miss you,” he whispered to her.

She chuckled. “I will miss you too. Have fun at work.” She kissed his left cheek, then pulled away from the hug.

Anyone who saw them would think they were a couple. Rather, they were secret admirers who were comfortable with each other.