Chapter 9- Meeting Eric's mom

   

Eric sat on his office chair in his office writing on a book.

His thoughts wandered to what happened yesterday and he stopped writing.

He didn't know when he started laughing remembering the way Katrina pushed him when she woke up.

Gosh!!, she's really funny.

She had called him an arrogant pig. He was surprised he didn't react to it, he was supposed to be angry but he had found it funny.

He shook his head and took his pen to continue writing when his phone rang. It was his mom calling.

Why was she calling when she knew he was always busy at this time?

He answered the call.

"Hello darling," his mom said at the other end.

"Hello mom, how are you doing?" He asked.

" I'm fine baby, I know you're busy right now. I just wanted to let you know I'm at your house right now" His mom said, going straight to the point.

" But you didn't tell me you were coming. I would have stayed home" Eric argued.

"Don't worry, I'm going to wait till you get back. I'm having dinner with you tonight." His mom said.

" Won't you get bored waiting for me?" He asked.

"No, not when I have Katrina here with me. Why didn't you tell me you have a new maid who's pretty, smart and funny?" She asked.

"Umm, ooh... I forgot mom." He replied.

"Okay baby, take care of yourself. I'm hanging up now. We will talk better when you get home" she said.

"Bye mom," Eric replied.

 His mom ended the call. She met Katrina already and he thinks she likes her already.

Wow!!

_________

  Katrina sat in the sitting room laughing her ribs out. Eric's mom was really funny.

His mom was telling Katrina about her childhood experience.

Katrina couldn't stop laughing.

"I used to get chased by so many men, I played with most of their feelings, I must confess.. I was a great flirt then " Eric's mom said.

"Until I met Eric's dad, I fell in love with him. It was love at first sight, I didn't believe I would fall in love with someone, I used to think love is for the weak and foolish people because I did witness the stupid things my friends did for love "she continued.

"I met him at a party, we exchanged numbers, kept in touch, and got to know each other better. Then we started dating, we dated for a year before he proposed to me. I was so happy, we got married and then not up to five months, I became pregnant " she said.

"That was when Eric came into the picture. When he was born, I felt on top of the world, he was sooo gorgeous, my sweet little baby. His dad was very proud of him and still is. He was very pretty just like a girl and he looked like one then, people mistook him for a girl " she said laughing.

"Wow " Katrina exclaimed, she was laughing too.

"I watched him grow up with so much pride. I watched my little boy turn into an adult with so many achievements already but then he took after me in this flirting game " she said and they both laughed.

"He doesn't believe in love too and he thinks all women are after his money, that's true though."Eric's mom said.

"Can you imagine?? some of those women came to meet me asking me to say something good on their behalf in the hope that with my influence Eric might like them " she said.

"I've had my own share of experience with those women too. Molly and Helen" Katrina said laughing.

"Wow, you've seen Molly already? " His mom asked.

"Yes ma.. "Katrina replied and told her everything that happened that night. Mrs Salmadiego, Eric's mom kept on laughing.

"She's going to get engaged to Eric soon, " she said.

"I'm aware "Kat replied.

"But I don't like her. I hate her attitude " Mrs Salmadiego said.

"I don't like her too," Katrina said, agreeing with her.

They kept on talking and laughing.

Mrs Salmadiego said she was going to make lunch, so she and Katrina made lunch together and it was fun. 

Katrina stared at Mrs Salmadiego. She reminds her of her mom. Her mom died a long time ago and Katrina missed cooking with her.

Lunch was ready, Katrina served the food and gave Alvin his share. After eating, she washed the plates and cleaned the kitchen, then they sat down to watch a programme on the Tv.

-----------------------------

At exactly six O'clock, they heard the blaring of car horns.

"My baby is back " Eric's mom said and without waiting for him to come in, she went out to meet him.

_______

  Eric came down from his car after he had parked it well. His Mom came to meet him and hugged him. He hugged her back, Katrina was standing at the door watching them.

Mrs Salmadiego held her son's cheeks and stared at him lovingly.

"How was work today? " she asked.

"It was fine mom. I missed you " Eric said, pouting like a baby.

"Same here baby, come inside, you need to rest " she said and led me inside.

"Good evening Sir " Katrina greeted.

"Evening Katrina " Eric replied and started walking past her. His mom held him back.

"Just like that, you didn't ask her how her day was?? " She asked.

"Mommmm," Eric called.

"Eric, " she replied.

"It's not necessary, " he said.

"Oh my.. Eric... " she started to say but he interrupted her.

"Mom, let me go take my bath and get refreshed. I will talk to you later" he said and pecked her then hurried upstairs before his mom stopped him again.

" Don't mind him.. He's always like that " Eric's mom said to Katrina.

"I'm not surprised. I'm used to it already " Katrina replied smiling.

"Don't worry, soon he's going to change. He allows you to call him Sir? " she asked.

"Actually he insisted I call him Sir, " Kat replied.

"Wow" she said.

"I want to prepare dinner, he would like to eat anytime from now on, '' Kat reminded.

"I'm cooking dinner with you, " Mrs Salmadiego said.

"No ma, you need to rest. I can handle this " Kat refused.

"I insist. I want to cook for my boy" His mom insisted.

"Okay if you insist, " Kat replied and they went to the kitchen together.

They set about preparing dinner, they prepared Eric's favourite food. Eric's mom taught her how to prepare his favorite food. They were gisting and laughing as they cooked.

Soon the food was ready, Katrina went to set the dining table.

Eric came down looking handsome in his red shorts and white top.

The table was set already and the food neatly placed on the table.

"Wow, my favourite " Eric exclaimed and without wasting time, he drew a chair and sat down ready to devour the food.

 Katrina took some food to Alvin, when she returned Eric's mom was sitting beside him. She had set the table for two, why was she seeing three plates now??

"Come and eat with us," Eric's mom said.

"Huh?? " Katrina said, surprised.

"Yeah, as you can see there are three plates here. Come and eat with us" his mom said again.

"Don't worry Ma'am. I do eat in the kitchen or in my room. You guys should go ahead and eat, you have lots of things to catch up on" Katrina said, trying to excuse herself.

"I insist, we don't mind, right Eric?? " Mrs Salmadiego asked.

Eric stared at Katrina for a while before nodding.

"You see, so come and join us " she said and Katrina reluctantly sat down.

Katrina dished out her food, there was orange juice on the table too. They prayed then started eating.

 Eric was watching Katrina eat, so she felt shy.

"I've missed your cooking mom.. This is so nice " he said to his mom.

"Thanks baby. I've missed cooking for my baby " his mom replied.

"You now cook for only your husband. I'm going to keep you here and make you my wife so you would cook for only me " he said jokingly.

"Don't let your father hear this, you're going to be in hot soup" she replied laughing.

"I know. Dad's so jealous, he's even jealous of me, his son, he thinks I'm in a competition with him for your attention " Eric said laughing.

"Don't mind him. He doesn't know I love you both equally " his mom replied.

"I'm jealous of you guys, " he said.

"Then get yourself a wife"

"I'm not ready yet, I don't even like anyone " Eric said frowning.

"You should like Katrina, she can cook, she even assisted me in preparing your favorite food, she is neat, she is... "

"Mom, just stop, okay " he said.

 Katrina adjusted herself on her seat and cleared her throat.

"Ohh, I'm sorry for the awkwardness, " Mrs Salmadiego said laughing.

They kept on talking and laughing while Katrina sat listening to them and watching them. She could see the love between mother and son, they're so close.

She really misses her mom. The only family she has left was her sister. They used to be so close but after her encounter with Eric, her sister changed completely. She misses how close they used to be. Katrina was starting to get teary, so she stood up and excused herself.

She went up to her room to take her bath. She finished bathing, then wore her pajamas, then came downstairs to clear the table.

Eric and his mom were still chatting while Kat sat watching TV and pressing her phone after she was through with everything she was doing.

 She saw the pictures that Eric's mom had sent to her. Eric's mom sent pictures of Eric when he was still very little. He looked like a girl and was so cute. The pictures were funny too. 

Katrina smiled an evil smile on seeing the pictures. She was going to use the pictures to tease the hell out of Eric.

Eric's mom got ready to leave at exactly nine o'clock. She hugged Katrina and Katrina hugged her back.

"Mom, did you come with your car?? " Eric asked.

"No, you're going to drive me home, " she replied.

"Okay mom, let's go " he said and they left.

 Katrina was left alone at home, she wasn't feeling sleepy so she decided to go to the pool.

She sat down and dipped her legs into the pool when she got there. The water was cold and she loved it. 

The moon reflected on the water making it so beautiful. She was lost in thoughts just watching the pool that she didn't know how long she stayed that way.

 She felt someone's presence and she looked up. She saw Eric sitting beside her and was shocked.

 Katrina made to stand up but he held her back.