Chapter 4 04

SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA CITY ✍️

The thirty year old CEO stood in front of the mirror as he fixed his tie which went well with his million dollar suit.

Blue hooded eyes met with blue hooded eyes as he stared into the mirror, face looking stone-cold and cruel - as usual.

The door went open shortly but he didn't care to spare a glance as he had a good guess already.

Mrs Rondalph slackened her steps at the doorway as she gave a piqued stare at the room, finding it annoying that such an expensive room had to be so untidy!

The rumpled bedsheet and duvet, scattered files and pieces of papers on the bed and floor, rucked up shirts and pants over the edge of the bed, leading to the floor, and an acrid smell of alcohol and cigarette.

"Seriously, Royce" she suspire, closing the door and ambling towards him.

"Your room is a mess".

The male said nothing immediately as he finished with the tie and took up his hair brush.

"I guess that's the reason we have maids" he finally mumbled.

"Maids?" Mrs Randolph scoffed.

"The same maids you keep sending away?"

She paused and took note of his appearance.

"Hold on; where are you going?. It's weekend" she was surprised.

"I know; I'm not going to the office. Just need to meet up with some clients" he dropped the hairbrush and banded his long hair, with its ponytail touching his neck.

Afterwards, he reached for his jewelries set.

Mrs Randolph was realizing she had limited time and decided to go straight to the point.

"Getting a nanny for the kids has been really difficult" she said, rather in a hurry, but Royce didn't even flinch as he locked his gold watch round his wrist.

"Everyone is scared of the kids' attitude, and your attitude as well".

"Good for them" Royce muttered beneath his breath.

Mrs Randolph wasn't really surprised.

"We really need that nanny, Royce - as soon as possible. You know how busy I am - I can't handle the six year old twins". she grouse, but Randolph said nothing else as he took his briefcase from the bed and started towards the door.

"Really?? You're just gonna act like you heard nothing?" Mrs Randolph asked, but it didn't alter his steps.

"Why do you hate them so much??!" She yelled and that was the moment he froze at the door.

Her voice echoed with pains.

"They're your kids, Royce - your flesh and blood! Why would you hate your own daughters this much??"

His heart twitched in his chest as his brain drew close to the dreaded topic.

Lifting his head up, he took in a deep breath.

"I don't hate them, mum" he said. "I just....want them to be on their own".

"Royce...."

"Please mum" he cut her off.

"I need to go".

And with that said, he left the room while the frustrated mother plonked herself on the ruffled bed.

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BACK TO FLORIDA

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It was 7 O'clock in the morning.

Mila Thompson moved her hand around the empty space on the bed and forced her eyes opened when she realized she was alone - again.

Urgh! Jayceon was always up before her.

Sitting up and feeling the sun's reflection on her back, she reached for her clothes on the edge of the bed and wore them on. After which, she freshened up in the bathroom and left the bedroom.

Waking down the passage to the meagre sitting room, Mila could hear the giggling and laughter of her son and Jayceon. The hell?

"Yeahhh! I got you!" Jayceon laughed in his rare plangent tone, and finally coming into sight, Mila could find the father and son, rolling on the torn couch, laughing vivaciously.

They were both shirtless and her eyes quickly went round to see the scattered clothes on the floor, the empty flower vest on the floor as well, beside the table. And.....

"Really?" She scoffed, placing both hands on her waist and the duo stopped quickly to look at her.

"Mum!" Ryan was the first to leave the couch as he ran to her, arms wide open for a hug, and of course, Mila didn't deny him that.

Jayceon left the couch afterwards, sinking his fingers into his hair and still having a smile on his face..

"How're you doing, Ryan?" Mila crooned as she touched her son's hair.

"I'm fine, Mummy. And you?" He beamed, capering in front of her.

His monolid eyes like his father's, looked so happy.

"Well, I'm good" she tousled his wispy hair and moved on to Jayceon.

"And you...."

"Yeah; What did I do now?" He rolled his eyes as she stood in front of him and crossed his arms below his hairy chest.

"You really asking me that?" Mila scoffed.

"I can't believe you just woke up and the first thing you could do was turning my son into a play freak".

"What? I didn't do that" he fanned-out his hands.

"Your son was actually the one...."

"Just save it and put on your shirt already" Mila rolled her eyes as she picked the red T-shirt from the floor and placed it on his chest.

"Why? Am I getting you wet already?" Jayceon bit his bottom lip as he whispered and Jessa felt goosebumps all over her immediately.

"You're getting her wet?" They suddenly heard that tiny voice from behind.

"But, you've got no water with you".

Oh,no...

"No, Ryan..."

"It's not what you think, son..."

The two couple quickly turned and chorused in fear.

Realizing the rhythm, they snorted with laughter.

"Okay....So, what're we having for breakfast?" Mila started walking towards the kitchen.

"Some plantains, egg and sauce!" Ryan frisked.

"Sorry son, but we don't have such provisions right now. At the moment....we can only make...."

A heavy knock on the door interrupted them - one that sounded like it was coming from an irked, tetchy person. And perhaps, the couple knew who it was already.

"I know you're in there! So, open up!" The irate voice came, making Mila flinch.

"I think it's Susan" Mila said huskily as she sidled towards Jayceon who was already putting on his shirt.

"Jayceon! Mila! You sure wouldn't want me to break in here 'cause my boys are more than willing to carry out that operation" the raucous voice came again.

"Boys?" Mila flinched.

"Don't worry, I'll just check it out" Jayceon tapped her shoulder, glanced at his son and finally went for the door.

Well, Ryan was already used to such dramas and didn't look completely freaked out.

Opening the door, Jayceon's eyes counted four people in front of him - one galled looking female, and three boys that looked like hired fighters.

The lady actually turned out to be Vanessa, and not Susan like Mila had thought. Either ways, both of them were creditors.

"You made a wise decision by opening up" the plump looking lady said.

"Cause, if you had stalled one more minute...."

"Calm down, Vanessa. This doesn't call for a...."

"Oh! Of course, it does, Jayceon. Of course, it does!" She rasped.

"I've been patient enough and right now, don't have more time for games. So, go in there and get me what you know I want".

Mila showed up immediately.

"Wow..." She gave a stare at all of them, wearing an amusing smile.

"Miss Vanessa, I can't believe you came here with all these men just to get sixty bucks. You need to stay calm, you know?"

"You had better watched that tongue of yours, Mila. Else, I'd...."

"I'm so sorry, I'd have loved to watch it, but I can't walk around with a mirror all the time, just staring into my mouth" she said with a respectful smile - one that angered the creditor the more.

She had to take in deep breaths and returned her gaze to Jayceon.

"I don't wanna talk much. Just go in there and get me my money. Now!!" She clapped her hands angrily and Jayceon, realizing it would be completely futile pleading with her, turned around slowly and went into the house.

While they waited, Mila just leaned on the doorway with her hands crossed below her chest, ignoring the threatening glares she received from Vanessa.

Jayceon returned shortly with some cash and handed it to her. That was actually the money he had gotten from selling the TV the previous days and had planned on taking it to Mr Pablo after breakfast. But, unfortunately ...

"You've done well" Vanessa huffed after confirming the money.

"Try to keep your family away from debt". She turned around and started leaving.

"And I sincerely hope this is the last time we ever get to see again, Miss Vanessa!" Mila said to her back as she walked away with the boys.

"Mila! Will you just stop it already?? You've gotten us into enough trouble!" Jayceon suddenly turned to her and snapped.

"Huh? What gtiunke?" She scoffed.

"Didn't you see the look on her face? That lady was ready to burn down this house if we hadn't given her the money. I knew one way or the other, we'll definitely have to pay her. So, I decided to make use of my last opportunity". She pouted her soft lips.

Well, Jayceon was tired already. He shook his head and was about walking into the house when his phone rang from his pocket.

Uh-uh; that phone was usually very embarrassing.

Taking it out of his pocket, he discovered it was a call from his friend. Since he was in a bad mood, he was tempted to ignore it. But then...

"Hey, man" he muttered tiredly, running his palm across his forehead as he walked in.

"Yeah, I'm cool. Just ... having a bad morning already.

"Okay.....

"Wow. Really??

"Of.... Of course! I can work perfectly on a garden.

"You should trust me, Leo; I have a vast knowledge.

"Okay; Okay; right now? Where?

"Uhm... What's the pay like?

"Wow. Really? Al... Alright. I'll be on my way shortly. Yes, Yes, right away.

"Thank you so much, man. Yeah, bye".

And the call ended.

Mila had been listening carefully and drew closer the moment he slipped the phone back into his pockets.

"What's going on?"

"It's Leo" Jayceon turned happily to look at him.

"He said he has an urgent work for me - to work on someone's garden. It's just for a day and he said the lady pays well when she's impressed".

"Impressed?" Mila scoffed.

"So, what happens if you don't impress her? You don't get paid at all?"

"Of course, I will. But....I guess I'll just work towards impressing her. This could give us some good money for today" he pecked her cheek and started towards the passage to get to the room.

"Hold on; don't tell me you're leaving right away. You need to have breakfast!" Mila yelled from behind.

"Breakfast can wait, honey" Jayceon yelled back and went out of sight.