Chapter Two

Meira stared at the phone in her hand as she sat in the backseat of the cab she was riding back to school.  She’d tried to unlock the phone but didn’t know the new password Richard used which surprised her because he knew hers. 

The password for her phone, bank app and email were all the same and funny thing he knew who her close friends were and acquaintances as well but it would seem that he liked to keep his secret which made her curious so she took out her phone and dialed her best friend’s number again and got the same switched off reply.

“What the hell is going on with you Angela?”. She wondered.

“Fountain valley madam.” The cabbie announced jerking her out of her thoughts.

Meira dug out money from her purse, passed it to him and got out of the cab then rushed into the school premises.  Thankfully she was only a subject teacher and her students didn’t have her until fourth period.

“Good morning Mrs Gilbert.” The security man greeted her at the gate.

“Good morning Marcus. How’s your day going?”.

“it’s just starting but I hope it ends well.” Marcus replied.

“That’s good.” She smiled and hurried off.

During lunch Meira sat alone in the staff canteen lost in thought but she was soon joined by her friends Sandra and Stella which made her sigh inwardly.

Sandra and Stella were good people but they were also the world’s biggest gossips so majority of the time she loved to keep confidential matters to herself especially matters concerning her marriage to Richard.

“Hey. We didn’t see you in the hall today.” Sandra said.

“Traffic.” She said succinctly.

“Or you woke up late because Richard kept you awake all night.” Stella teased.

Stella was the tactless one of the two women but Meira wasn’t one to call anybody out for their attitude so she just sent Stella a forced smile and nodded.

Funny enough she and Richard had not been intimate for a few months now. Every time she tried to get close to him in bed, he’d always complain that he was tired and needed to rest. She stopped trying after two weeks.

“I just remembered that I have some books to grade.” She stood up before they could say anything and walked away.

“That doesn’t look like a woman who got it good from her man last night.” Sandra commented.

“Where is Angela anyway? She’s supposed to have resumed by now right?”. Stella inquired.

“I went to visit her yesterday but her neighbor told me she’s not been home for a few days now.” Sandra said. "She just packed some bags and left with her children.”

“Maybe she’s finally found the father of her children.” Stella quipped.

“Maybe.” Sandra shrugged. "Or maybe she’s found someone to pin her bastard children on.”

Stella cackled.

Angela Yohanna was Meira’s childhood friend who was a single mother of two and was Meira’s colleague at work as well but she was yet to come back to work since the school resumed for the new session and she’d not sent in her resignation letter.

~~~~

Meira waited for her kids in their school hours later sitting with the security man who was trying very hard to get her to flirt back but wasn’t succeeding until he gave up and left her alone.

She dialed Angela’s number again and someone picked up this time which made her happy but she was disappointed when she heard Angela’s mother’s voice instead.

“Hello.” The old woman greeted. 

“Mummy… It’s me Meira.” Meira said.  

“Oh Meira. How are you?”. 

“I’m fine ma. Um… Mom, what about Angie? I’ve been trying to reach her but her number has been switched off until now that I tried it again.”

“Oh Angela. She has travelled.”

“Really? Without telling me? Where to Mom?”.

“She said she’s going abroad to meet her children’s father. He called her to come.” The woman said.

“She didn’t tell you anything else?”.

“She said she couldn’t until she’s ready.”

“I see.” Meira said. "Thank you Mom. Take care of yourself.”

“You too.”

Meira hung up looking confused.  She wondered when Angela began to keep secrets from her – her own best friend, her sister from another mother.  Who could the mysterious man be?.

The school bell rang signalling the end of the school day and Meira got up from the bench.

“It was nice talking to you Thomas.” She said and walked off.

“Mommy!”. Gabi squealed and rushed to hug her.

“Hey baby. How was school today?”. She smiled down at her daughter.

“It was fine. As usual Timothy the class clown made a fool of himself.” She laughed.

“You didn’t laugh at him did you?”. Meira asked.

“I tried not to but he was so funny.” Gabi looked sheepish.

“Where’s your brother?”.

“Here.” Gabriel spoke up as he walked out with his best friend Simon. "See you tomorrow S.” He bumped fists with his friend before Simon ran ahead to meet his driver.

“You look neat today.” She observed. "No football?”.

“Not today.” Gabriel shook his head. "And I always look neat.”

“Right.” Mother and daughter said in unison and they laughed.

“Let’s just go.” Gabe muttered and walked ahead.

“Mommy… Have you spoken to daddy? Is he coming home today?”.

“Um… No sweetie.” Meira shook her head. "He should be back by next week.”

“Doesn’t his boss know he has a family? Maybe dad should resign and find another job.” Gabe said.

“His job is a good one Gabe.” Meira told him.  The job he obviously didn’t have anymore.

“I doubt it.” Gabe murmured.

“Can we get ice cream mommy?”. Gabi asked.

“Um… Let me check if I have enough money.” Meira said.

They got outside the gate and waited for a cab on the sidewalk while Meira counted the money in her purse. Not up to a minute later a black Range Rover sport pulled up in front of them causing the children’s eyes to widen in surprise as they wondered who the owner was but they didn’t have to wait long as the passenger window rolled down and Raine Cruz smiled at them.

“Uncle Raine!”. Gabi squealed. "Hi!”.

“Hey princess.” He waved. "Meira. Gabriel." He nodded at them.

“Mr Cruz.” She greeted in a flat voice. "What are you doing here?”.

“I was just driving by when I saw you guys. Heading home?”. He asked.

“Yeah. We are waiting for a cab.” She replied.

“I’ll take you home. Get in.”

“We don’t want to bother you.” She said. "Surely you have somewhere to be.”

“No I don’t. I’m heading home as well.” He said. Get in.”

Meira rolled her eyes at his commanding tone and nodded so she opened the back door for the kids and they hopped in. She was about to get in with them when his voice stopped her.

“You can sit in front here Meira.” He said.

Meira glared at him but did as he said and after she fastened her seatbelt, he drove off. She didn’t understand why he was being nice after he acted like a jerk to her this morning.

“Cool car.” Gabe said.

“Thanks Gabe.” Raine smiled. "I have a prototype at home. Exactly like this one but for a kid your age.”

“Really?”. Gabe’s eyes bulged.

“Yeah. If you want it, it’s yours.” Raine told him.

“Um… Thank you sir but I can’t accept it.” Gabe said.  "My dad would get mad if I do.”

“Okay.”

Meira said nothing to Raine because she didn’t want the kids to find out about their father’s disappearance so she waited until he dropped them off in front of the gate and the kids ran inside the compound before she rounded the hood and knocked on the window then waited as it rolled down automatically.

“You’re welcome.”  He said before she could speak.

“Can we talk now?”. She asked.

“No.” He said deadpan.

“Why not?”. She looked bewildered. "You obviously know something about Richard’s disappearance and you won’t tell me.” Her eyes narrowed.  "What exactly did he do?”.

“I told you Meira. I’m not repeating myself.” He drawled.  "He doesn’t deserve you.”

“And how would you know? You’ve never gotten married or even had a girlfriend.” She snapped.

“So you have done your homework.” He smirked sardonically.

“Are you gay Mr Cruz?”. She tilted her head to the side.

“If I were gay… I wouldn’t dream about banging you Meira.” He replied huskily. "In different positions.”

“You’re sick.” She looked disgusted. "You should go see a doctor.”

Raine reached out his hand and caressed her cheek making her flinch and step back.

“You should go in. Your kids are probably wondering where you are.”

“You have not answered any of my questions Mr Cruz.”

“You should call me Raine. Mr Cruz makes me feel old.” He smiled at her. "Go on Meira.”

“I hate you.” She spat. "Don’t talk to me again.”

“I’ll see you soon mia cara.” He winked at her then started the car and sped off.

Meira huffed and stormed inside the compound then slammed the gate shut behind her.

“Are you okay Mom? Did Mr Cruz say anything to upset you?”. Gabe asked.

“No I’m fine.” She forced a smile. "I’m fine.”

She wasn’t fine. Not when the jerk had planted that scenario in her brain which made her wonder if he was only pulling her leg.

He was Raine freaking Cruz. Gorgeous multi billionaire and most wanted bachelor. He couldn’t possibly be thinking that.  He could have any woman he wanted at the snap of his fingers but somehow, strangely he was single and not searching.