Chapter 11

RAINA

“And this is the kitchen,” Uncle Rico said, completing the tour with Raina.

The kitchen was very big and was filled with several chefs busy with various chores.

“So, we make all types of dishes. Mexican, American, Italian, African, and we bake too,” Uncle Rico added.

Uncle Rico continued, “I will introduce you to the head chef, and she will find a spot for you. You can come over to my office during your lunch break so we will discuss your pay.”

Raina nodded.

“Maggie,” he called, and a light-brown-skinned lady looked their way. She was of average height and obviously in her chef uniform.

“Maggie, this is Raina; she will be joining us, and Raina, this is Maggie,” Uncle Rico introduced the ladies.

“Nice to meet you,” Raina said.

Maggie smiled at her. “You too.”

“That’s all for now, Raina. I have to return to my office. Maggie will show you what to do, and if you need anything, you know where to find me,” Uncle Rico said, after which he took his leave.

“So, what do you feel like doing today? Cooking or baking?” Maggie asked Raina.

“Cooking,” she replied excitedly.

“Good. Maybe you can help me with this Mexican dish I’m trying to finish,” she said as she ushered Raina to the spot she was before Uncle Rico called her.

***

Raina was in the changing room, resting and munching on some potato chips, when her phone vibrated.

She took it out of her pocket and saw a message from someone whose name was saved as “My love.”

She chuckled as she unlocked the phone and opened the text message.

My love

Hey.

Raina

Ronald??

She knew it was him. She just wanted to confirm.

My love

Yes babe. It’s me.

My love

How is your day going?

Raina

Fine. I’m enjoying it.

My love

Good. Have you had lunch already?

Raina

That’s what I’m doing now. I’m eating some really good chips.

My love

Okay. I just wanted to check up on you.

Raina

That’s so sweet of you. Thanks!

My love

You’re welcome babe. Daniel will come to pick you up by 5.

Raina

Okay, I have to go.

My love

Alright babe, take care

“I assume you’re texting your boyfriend,” a woman said out of the blue.

Raina looked up and saw it was Maggie. “How can you be so sure?” She tucked her phone back in her pocket and continued munching on her chips.

“You needed to see the smile on your face when you were texting,” Maggie said, which made Raina blush.

“He’s just a friend,” she responded.

“If you say so.” Maggie shrugged.

After her short break, Raina went back to work, and soon it was five p.m.

She proceeded to the changing room, where she removed her apron and dumped it in the laundry basket. She reached for her handbag, said goodbye to Uncle Rico, then exited the restaurant where Daniel was waiting for her.

Uncle Rico’s restaurant closed at midnight, so by the time Raina was done with her shift, the restaurant was still bustling.

Daniel pulled up in the driveway. She thanked him and got out of the car.

As soon as she opened the door with the spare key she got from Ronald, four tiny arms hugged her legs tightly.

“Welcome, Mommy,” Adrie said.

“We missed you, Raina,” Alexa said.

She chuckled as she freed herself from them, after which she crouched down toward them, pulled them in a hug, and kissed their cheeks.

“Hope you girls enjoyed your day?” she asked them.

“Yes,” Alexa said while Adrie nodded.

“Okay, my loves. Let me freshen up, and I will make dinner,” she said to the girls, after which they nodded and ran toward the living room to continue watching TV.

As Raina walked toward her room, she heard laughter coming from the kitchen, so she walked there to see what was happening.

“Hi,” she said as she tried to get their attention.

It was Clarice and an unfamiliar lady who was in the kitchen. She looked young and was very beautiful.

“Welcome, my child,” Clarice said as she wiped her hands with a napkin.

“This is Elena, Ronald’s sister,” she said as she pointed toward Elena.

Elena smiled and walked toward Raina, who was standing close to the refrigerator, and pulled her into a hug.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you,” Elena said.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Raina replied with a smile.

“How was work?” Clarice asked.

“Fine. I will go take a shower and come assist in making dinner,” she said.

“It’s okay, dear. You must be very tired. Go take a rest. I will take care of dinner,” Clarice offered, and Raina nodded.

To be honest, she was tired and was grateful Clarice got dinner covered.

Raina proceeded to her room, undressed, and took a shower, after which she changed into knee-length shorts and a black top.

Once she was all dressed, she jumped on her bed to take a rest and decided to keep herself occupied by playing with her phone. It was new, so she was kind of still finding her way around all the apps.

Raina had no one to reach out to. Her mom had passed away, and since her parents divorced when she was in high school, she had not heard from her dad. All she knew was that he remarried.

A few minutes later, she was interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Come in,” she answered.

The door opened, revealing Elena. “Can I hang out with you?” she asked shyly.

“Sure,” Raina smiled.

Elena helped herself into Raina’s room and shut the door behind her. She took a seat in the chair beside Raina’s bed.

“So, how are you enjoying it here?” Elena asked.

“Fine. I’m grateful for your brother’s help,” Raina replied with a sad smile; she assumed Elena must know the whole story.

“No, Raina, I should be the one saying that,” Elena said.

Raina frowned. “What do you mean?”

“My brother has been approachable and happier since you came into his life. I like you, Raina, and I know my brother likes you too.” She smiled. “Alexa even introduced Adrie to me as her sister.”

Raina sighed. “I’m sorry about that. I don’t know how she came up with that,” she whispered.

“Don’t be silly, Ray. I like that.”

“Alexa had told me several times that she wants a baby sister. I guess her dream came true with Adrie being around,” she said.

Raina shrugged. She didn’t know what to say. “So tell me about yourself?” Raina said to Elena, trying to change the conversation.

“Well, I’m 25. I just graduated from law school, and I’m currently interning at a prestigious law firm.”

“Impressive,” Raina mumbled.

Elena nodded. “Yes, but it can be tiring at times. Like today, I escaped and asked someone to cover for me.”

Raina chuckled. “That friend must really like you to do your work for you while you’re here chatting with me.”

“Maybe he does.” She shrugged.

“He?” Raina questioned with an eyebrow raised.

Elena blushed. “His name is Liam. We’ve known each other since college, and he has always been the best student. Fortunately, we got posted to intern in the same law firm.”

“Is he hot? Do you like him?” Raina asked, which made Elena blush the more.

“Well, he’s handsome, and I don’t know if I like him.”

“Why is that? Don’t you feel anything toward him?”

“Liam is just too good for me, Raina. Look at me. I’m just an average student who chose to study law because my mom keeps telling me to do something with my life and be like my brother.”

“I don’t think so, Elena.”

“Besides, guys are not to be trusted, which was why I said no to him when he asked me on a date.”

“You did what?” Raina exclaimed with a sad face.

“I had to,” she said.

Raina shifted toward Elena and took her hands in hers. “Look, Elena, I think you’re just scared.

“Trust me—Liam will be so lucky to have you. You’re an amazing woman. Sometimes in life, you just have to take the risk and see how things go, hun.

“Do you like the idea of him taking another girl out on a date?” Raina asked, and Elena frowned. She eventually shook her head.

“Give him a chance and see how it goes,” Raina advised.

“So, how will I make it up to him?” Elena asked.

“How about apologizing to him first and being nice to him afterward? I’m sure if he truly likes you, he will make it up to you,” Raina said.

Elena smiled in return as she untangled her hand from Raina’s and pulled her into a hug.

Elena was happy she had someone to talk to. She had always wanted an elder sister, and now she could look up to Raina as one.

Their hug was interrupted when someone opened the door. It was Clarice.

“Dinner is ready, ladies. Hurry up—Adrie and Alexa are very hungry.”

Both Raina and Elena chuckled as they pulled away from the hug.