Chapter Six:The Calm Before The Storm.

The following morning, Valerie had woken up and prepared Chadrick's favorite meal, which was scrambled eggs, oatmeal and milk for breakfast. 

She was still conflicted about the way she was going to tell him that he wouldn't be going to school in the meantime.

Whereas, her mind was playing every scenario of how she was going to fully concentrate on work, and trying to keep up with checking up on Chad at their neighbor's place.

Mrs Gemma was a sweet lady that didn't treat Chad like the others do, which was why Chad had no problem staying there, since it was just her, and her husband, who treated Chad like his son too. He has been a loving fatherly figure in Chad's life for years. It's sad how unfortunate good things rarely happen to good people.

The couple didn't have children of their own, and neither were they planning on adopting. She prayed that a miracle would happen to Mrs. Gemma soon, because she truly is a sweet soul.

"Breakfast's ready, Chad!" She yelled from the kitchen, for Chad, who was taking his bath, to hurry up. She isn't planning on going to work late today, because clearly Jonathan might be waiting for an excuse but find issues with her, and fire her.

After she was done arranging the dining table and their meal, the doorbell rang, making her wonder who it was, because she wasn't expecting any visit from anyone except from the homeowner who was sure to come demanding last month's rent.

She held her breath, while already planning on a lie to tell the woman, only to come face to face with her best friends, Jolene and Tommy. She had forgotten so soon that Jolene said that she was coming over, but she didn't mention anything like Tony tagging along.

"Girl! Move." Jolene said, holding a bag of chocolate for Chad, and pushed her aside while calling for Chad. While Tommy had to come in after her.

"Are you okay? I heard what happened from Jo."He asked Valerie, who rubbed her palms to get rid of the nervousness she was feeling. 

Just like she met Jolene, Tommy has been her friend for quite some years now. Although she was aware of his feelings for her, she tried as much as possible not to respond to his green light.

She just didn't want to ruin the friendship they had, besides. Besides she wasn't ready, no! She doesn't have what it is to be in a relationship right now. 

Besides, Tommy was too good and had a bright future to settle for the likes of her, yeah! His father is the town's chief while Joanna's father is the town's sheriff. They basically had a normal life which she didn't want to ruin with her bad luck.

"As you can see, I'm just trying to settle with the flow of things." She laughed shyly, before looking at her side to see Chad already seated at the dining table with Jolene feeding him, and showing the chocolate she got for him. She spoils Chad too much, figures! That's why he likes her.

"You know I'm always here if you need anyone to talk to…''Tommy stuttered with his words, not knowing exactly how to go about making her see his real feelings for her.

"Yeah, thanks. I have to prepare for work." She forced a smile before leaving for her room. When she was in, she backed herself against the door to stop her racing heart.

Jolene shouldn't have come with him, but that will only make it awkward that she's avoiding him, right?

The last thing she needed right now was him knowing about Chad's health issue too. Tommy was too good for her liking and would try to help out. But this was her responsibility, she didn't want to feel bad or indebted to him or to Jolene.

The only thing she needed right now would be to confide in Jolene's father about Vanessa, and see if he would be able to help her out. Right now, she doesn't know how long she can still keep up with the fact that things are okay with her.

Moreover, Chad will be asking about Vanessa soon. The fact that she didn't call like she does on rare occasions, made her know that Vanessa was playing on not keeping in contact with her.

"Hurry up, Valerie. We are late!"

She snapped out of her thoughts, before she hurriedly dressed up for work. She came downstairs to watch Chad, playing video games on Tommy's phone whose eyes were on her the whole time, while she was packing Chad's lunchbox.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jolene poked her hand, "Have you told him yet that he's not going back to school?"

Valerie shook her head negatively. "He hasn't said anything, and it's way past time for him to leave for school. So, he probably knows that he's not. But i will talk to him about it tonight once I'm back."

Jolene patted her shoulder to assure her that things would be fine. "I told my father about your request to see him. He will be free when it's lunchtime."

"Thanks Jo." Valerie said, before turning to face the other two. "Time to go, big guy." She sang.

"Mrs..G..emma house?" Chad asked, he was too smart for his age and read her mind on many occasions.

Jolene looked at Valerie who was finding it hard not to break down in front of him. 

"Yes, Chad. Your sister has some issues to settle over at your school. So, you will be staying at Gemma's for a while, okay?" Jolene spoke up, and without asking any question Chad intertwined his hand with Valerie's, which made her know that it was time to leave.

After they dropped him off at the neighbors', the three friends walked out to work and Valerie saw the same car that was parked outside the building. It was still in the same spot, attracting unwanted attention because nobody was filthy rich in the neighborhood to own that car.

"Who do you think owns that?" Jolene asked Valerie, as the two stared at the tinted glass car.

A man was by the side of the car making a call, with his back facing them. When he turned around and their eyes met, Valerie was sure that she had seen that face somewhere, but she just couldn't remember where.

The man smirked at her, which made her look at Jolene just to make sure that she was not the only one that saw that.

"He's so handsome," Jolene cried, after they passed the car and that attractive stranger, whose mysterious smirk of his still lives rent f*e in her head.

"No, he's not." Tommy said, and slapped Jolene on the back of her head before running off.

"You pig!" Jolene yelled, running after him, leaving just Valerie, who felt like she was being watched. But when she turned around she saw no one. Clearly, she was being paranoid because of Vanessa.

"Guys, wait up!" She yelled after them, hoping that today would be a good day.

If only she had known that this was the calm before the storm!