** ** Omniscient Narrator ** **
Jennifer froze the moment Anna hit her with that question, she was silent for a few seconds before she found her voice, starting with an awkward giggle, “What do you mean? You… you must have told me.” She stuttered. “How else am I supposed to know?” She added and laughed
“Ohh,” Anna muttered and chuckled. “Of course, I always talk about Jimmy, so I have probably mentioned it to you, that boy has got a strong hold on me, his kissing skills blow my mind.” she laughed.
Jennifer laughed along; relief audible in her voice. She blew a breath and shook her head as Anna turned away from her. They both walked back to the sitting room with Jennifer following slowly behind.
“Anyways, I am going to Botswana on Friday,” Anna announced.
“Botswana? Isn’t that in Africa? Like an entirely different country and continent?” Jenny queried, curiosity etched on her face as her footsteps echoed in the room.
“Yeah, southern Africa to be precise; it is a business trip, Mr. Blackwood decided to take Megan and I along, reasons best known to him.” Annabel explained as they got to the sitting room.
“Megan? The one who doesn’t like you?” Jenny asked, as she placed her elbows on the backside top of the cushion, for relaxation, fully interested in the conversation.
Anna growled as she was reminded of that ugly fact. “Yeah, that Megan; hopefully we sort things out while over there. I tried to opt out but he seems to have a personal vendetta against me and wants nothing other than to make my life a misery, but on the other hand, it is actually a good thing, I get to visit a new country expense free, what could go wrong?” She chuckled.
“Wow, how long are you going to be away? You realize you are going halfway across the Globe?” Jennifer asked with wide eyes.
Anna laughed and sat on the couch, grabbing her phone she had previously tossed there. “Babe, you are exaggerating, it is not that far. As for duration, I have no idea, the boss hasn’t given me any details,” she said with a tone of sarcasm and huffed. “But I doubt we would be staying for long. Someone has to run the company after all.”
“Okay! I am happy for you, make sure to have fun while you are over there, and don’t break any rules. I know for a fact that you won’t like to hang out in an African prison, it is a literal hell.” Jenny joked.
“What? You are thinking too far, Mr. Blackwood probably won’t even let me leave the hotel, but thanks, I will keep an eye out for trouble.” Anna giggled.
“Alright then, I need to leave now.” Jennifer suddenly announced and stood upright, she had been acting uncomfortable for a few minutes now and Anna had no idea why.
“Huh? You are leaving?” Anna asked in surprise.
“Why? You are going to miss me?” Jennifer smirked.
Anna scoffed and rolled her eyes jokingly. “You wish! I just didn’t think that you would be leaving so soon, I thought this was supposed to be a sleep over.” She added.
“Awn! You wanted another chance to hug me through the night, sorry bunny, I am not lesbian.” Jennifer teased jokingly.
“Eww... I wouldn’t even be twelve inches close to you,” Anna laughed.
“Uhh… Bummer. Well speaking of twelve inches, that is what my man has under his pants and I am going to get a taste of it tonight, but I bet you can't relate.” Jenny retorted.
Anna chuckled, surprisingly in the mood for gross discussion. “What makes you think Jimmy doesn’t carry that much down there?” she smirked. “Just get out already!” she laughed.
“Yeah, whatever.” Jennifer blurted and flipped her hair to Anna’s face dramatically. “I will probably see you tomorrow before your trip to Botswana or whatever you called it, but if you happen to not see me before then, give me a call on arrival, hopefully they have network reception over there.” She laughed.
“Don’t be silly, you think Africa is a jungle? Okay, some part of it probably but they have big cities and advanced technology as well.”
Jennifer laughed as she grabbed her handbag. “Well, I hope you are right, because if you are not, don’t come back with rashes or malaria. I will avoid you like a plague.” She warned.
Anna burst into hysterical laughter. “Girl! You are not going to do me like that, I am your best friend.” she whined.
“Why do you think I am pre-informing you? No rashes, no malaria, and don’t get eaten by wild animals. I want my friend back in one piece.” Jenny warned and pinched Anna’s cheeks like a baby before turning to walk away.
“Alright, see you, cute pumpkin, take care of yourself.” Anna waved at her.
“You too, sugar bunny.” Jenny smiled and headed out the door.
As Jenny walked out of the house, she muttered some inaudible words to herself and walked out to the street. As she was walking down slowly, a car pulled out beside her and stopped. She paused, quickly scanning the car with her eyes, it was not the type of car you would find in such a poor neighborhood, it was a fucking Mercedes Benz S-Class!
The windscreen rolled down to reveal a man in tailored suits and sunglasses, he beckoned on her to come closer. Jenny was scared but this was New York City, what could go wrong?
She went closer to the car and got a better glimpse of the man in the back seat, her jaws dropped in disbelief. Was she hallucinating? She was seeing him for real? She recognized this man, it had to be him.
“Hey Pretty, you got a few minutes?” he asked in a deep chilling voice.
Jenny looked around the street quickly; it was empty, she turned back to the car and nodded. “Yeah, I might, Sir.”
The man smiled. He wanted to say something but his phone began to ring immediately, the call seemed to annoy him as he ignored it after staring at the phone screen for a while and then he turned back to Jennifer Gilbert. “Good! Well, what are you waiting for? Hop in!” he ordered in an authoritative voice.
The car door opened immediately and the fragrance could be perceived from the outside, this was a Billionaire’s ride, and even though Jenny came from an average wealthy family, she had not been in something like this.
** **
Mrs. Maria Forbes paced around the large sitting room, her footsteps muffled by the plush rugs each time she stepped on it. There was a look of worry etched on her face as her eyes darted between the phone screen and the fireplace,
Why would he not answer? Why would he not take her calls? She had finally found him, so why was he avoiding her?
There is a faint musty smell in the air, which shows that the room has a long past. Through stained-glass windows, sunlight shines on the polished wood floors, making them look like a kaleidoscope of colors. The focal point of the room is a shiny wood coffee table that is covered in magazines and books.
One wall is dominated by a huge fireplace, its impressive surface inviting a person to get closer. On top of it, a fancy mantelpiece holds silver candelabras, porcelain figurines, and faded photos that are passed down through generations. The interior design of the building screamed old money!
The room is filled with old, beautiful furniture that gives off an air of timelessness. The leather on a Chesterfield couch is worn down to a buttery softness that would make a person want to sink into it. Armchairs with thick cushions and intricately carved features give plenty of room to talk or think quietly.
There are heavy silk drapes over the windows. The deep burgundy color gives the room a royal, luxurious feel. There are pictures of stern looking ancestors on the walls, and it looked like their eyes were following your every move.
Maria does not notice an elderly woman step into the sitting room from the back door, from her gray hair, you could tell that she was in her early seventies or close. Her face, although bore lines and wrinkles of age, her eyes still held so much energy beneath wispy brows, she had a white apron hung around her neck to signify that she was on duty.
The woman watches her pace around with a genuine look of concern, she was worried for her.
It took a while for Maria to notice her presence, Agnes had finally caught her attention. Maria Forbes slowly turned to face the old lady, with tears rolling down her eyes.
“He… he wouldn’t take his calls, Agnes.” She stuttered, fighting back the tears.
The woman sighed and came closer. “Don’t cry Maria, it is okay. He is probably still angry with us, he needs more time.” She consoled.
“More time? He has been away from us for over ten years, I finally found him but he doesn’t want anything to do with us.”
Agnes placed her weak hand on Maria’s left shoulder. “Maria, I have known the boy since the day he was born, I wiped his ass and watched him take his first steps. He might be angry with us right now but I assure you that your boy would never stop loving you, Maria.”
Maria sniffed in and nodded. “Thank you for the assurance and support, Agnes. You are the only one in this family that cares about my desire to reunite with Dave. I know you still see yourself as our housekeeper, even after forty years of working together, but I want you to know that I see you as family. thank you for everything that you do for us, you dedicated your whole life to serving my family and I cannot thank you enough.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Agnes. I owe you everything, you picked me from the streets and entrusted me with your household, I was nobody but you put me in charge of your family and treated me like one, you gave my life a purpose, Maria.”
Maria smiled, wiping off the tears on her face and then Agnes pulled her into a hug.
!