CHAPTER 137

Geneveive Tessa Robert

 

It was Friday afternoon. The wind blew harshly, and I drew my coat together. Tonight was our Thanksgiving dinner, and the next day was Christmas. Stores and supermarkets were already decorated, and discounts were flying everywhere. I had already gotten the kids’s Christmas presents, which were tucked in my wardrobe. The Christmas tree was overly decorated due to the kids' curiosities, and the house was designed to fulfill the righteousness of the Christmas spirit.

We were good to go. I stopped before the double doors of Nath’s Bakery. Chef Santiago had promised us one of his signature chocolate cakes, but at the last minute, a family emergency came in, and the plans changed. 

Estella was already in Arizona enjoying the Christmas holiday, and I couldn’t bake to save my life. I double-checked the order and pick-up date to be certain that I wasn’t missing anything, and I stepped in.

‘Hi, I am here to pick up my order, Miss Geneveive Robert. I called earlier today.’ I said, showing the sales rep my order number.

She nodded. ‘I am sorry, Miss Geneveive, but the chef had a little issue this morning, so you would have to wait till two to get it. I hope you don’t mind?’

I sighed, thinking about the remaining errands I needed to accomplish before dinner. I was the one in charge, and I had boasted to my parents that they were going to be mind-blown by the family recipe I planned on serving them. The sad part right now? I hadn’t gotten half of the ingredients because the week has been stressful. I looked into the pleading eyes of the sales rep and agreed. 

‘I would wait, but please inform your manager that a prior notice would have worked when I called earlier today. It’s my family dinner tonight, and I haven’t made any preparations.’ 

She apologized, ‘I am so sorry about that, ma’am. I would check in on the chef to see if he can work faster on your order, please.’

I replied, smiling a bit, ‘Alright, I will be grateful if you can make him hasten the process, but please, he shouldn't ruin the cake. I don’t want to take home a stale or rush-hour job.’ 

‘I would let him know. Please, give me a second.’ She replied, going through the door opposite her.  

I focused on my phone, scrolling through a flood of messages from Vera. She was still in France with Murphy. Her family had joined them there, and from the videos she sent, I could see Murphy was already getting frustrated. Vera’s family was a handful—not her parents but her extended family. I wondered how he was coping with her hyperactive nieces, nephews, and cousins. I sent a text.

Me: That last video showed Murphy almost crying. What did your evil cousins do to him?

She responded a few seconds later. Finally! What happened to your phone? Did the kids fling over the staircase again? My cousins aren’t evil, by the way! 

Me: They didn’t; I have been busy. If they aren’t evil, how come your husband looks scared?

Vera: It was just a harmless joke, but Murphy didn’t get it. How are you doing? I have missed you!

Me: Of course, Vee. Just don’t let your husband regret this vacation. I am alright. How are you and what is your health update?

Vera: He won’t. Can we not talk about my blood pressure, please? 

I sighed. I knew when she evaded questions like this that something had happened, and no matter how I tried to tell her to spill, she wouldn’t. 

Me: Alright. My regards to everyone. Come back soon; I have really missed you too.’

She replied with a smile. Well, that went well. I scrolled through other messages and paused at Kyle’s own. He wanted to know if I had plans after Christmas. Even after what happened at my mom’s place, he was still not giving up. I deleted his message. I was still upset about what he said. I know he had never rated me much because I left my family back then, but hearing him say it out loud felt somehow. 

I had a feeling he was jealous of my achievement and wanted some for himself. The way he had been amused by my apartment, the gameroom at my parents’s place, and his reaction when he discovered I was on the top ten list on Fortune told me one thing: he was either envious or an opportunist.

‘Hell, ma. The order is ready. I will just package you, and you can take your leave.’

I smiled, ‘Thank you very much. I hope the cake came out well. No less or little more of the ingredients, huh?’

The sales rep nodded, wrapping up the two-step cake. ‘I had to stay with the chef and his assistant to be sure they didn’t rush the job, even though we are behind schedule. Here you go, ma’am. Please, be careful.’

‘Thank you so much,’ I replied, taking the cake. ‘I have done the payment through the website, so I am good to go, right?’

‘Yes, ma. Merry Christmas, ma!’

‘Merry Christmas to you too. Enjoy the rest of the day.’ I replied, as she helped me with the doors.

One task done, ten million tasks to go!

By five o’clock, I was done with the first part of my spectacular dinner—roasting the turkey and the gravy. The next step was making the special mashed potato casserole and the pumpkin pie. My family and other extended relatives were showing up by seven o’clock. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I had to do my best and round up my cooking before then. If only Estella were here, things would have been faster. Well, the other housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, was here, but she was a bit slow and quiet.

The doorbell buzzed.  

‘Are we expecting them now? I thought they were coming by seven o’clock.’ Mrs. Hudson commented, wringing her hands. ‘Please keep an eye on the casserole while I check who’s there.’ 

I nodded, wondering if my parents had decided to show up earlier with the kids. No, it wasn’t them. They would have sent a text before they left the house.

A familiar scent stopped my thoughts. He was here. I looked up before he spoke. A black t-shirt and blue jeans. Not the typical CEO’s outfit. What was he doing here?