Chapter 6 6th chapter

Rose woke up with a migraine. She was perturbed the entire night waiting for her husband and caught sleep towards the wee hours of the morning.

"Honey," she muttered his name with an impression that he could have arrived when she drifted into sleep. When she stretched her arm to his usual sleeping position, all she could feel was a space with cold bedsheets which implied that he didn't sleep on the bed. A smile crinkled at the corner of her mouth as she muttered, "He chose to sleep with his daughter! Alright. I hope Shalom realises how sweet and loving her father is despite his shortcomings." She intuited and lay her head down until the headache would subside

because she was laden with sleep and felt lazy waking up to prepare breakfast. It wouldn't be a hassle: She would notify one of the female workers at the ranch to come and prepare one for her husband before he went to work. Most times, she would get assistance from her other employees in circumstances when her house helps would go on leave for days. Now that Lidia, her housemaid hadn't returned, she had no other choice but to notify Jenny who was one of the most trusted workers at the ranch.

After sending her a message, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

Shalom got out of bed excited to talk to her father. She floated down the stairs her mind guessing what kind of surprise he had for her for he had promised her one. Suddenly, she heard a clatter in the kitchen and with the impression that it was her mom, decided to greet her first and perhaps ask about her dad's surprise that was heightening her curiosity every passing minute.

Jenny turned to check on the boiling water on the heater and saw her.

"Hey, dear, how are you?"

She said, the freckles on her eyes creasing into a warm smile. Jenny was a beautiful and cheerful middle-aged lady, loving and approachable and a favourite with children. Rose had given her a double increment of her salary because she was a hardworking and faithful worker whom she could count on for anything concerning the ranch. Aside from that, she was more of a friend than just an employee. It's no wonder that Rose often confided in her about her private matters.

She walked towards Shalom curling her hand around her and stroking her hair tenderly.

"I am okay, aunt Jenny. Have you seen dad?" The woman nodded.

"Perhaps he's still in bed."

Shalom raised her eyes to the clock that was dangling on the wall. It was 8:30 am already, which was past Lim's usual time to leave for work.

"No, I don't think so. Perhaps he came back tired and won't go to the office today, don't you think so?" She said with certainty as her eyes dazzled in anticipation for her response.

"Oh, maybe you are right, my dear. I am not sure though because I have not seen him with my eyes."

"Blessed are those who believe without seeing." She retorted with a giggle taking a seat on the dining table.

"Ah, Shalom, the genius one! Where did you get that? I think you should be a nun, but living in a monastery doesn't suit you, my dear." Jenny said in retrospect with a sense of humour. Shalom smiled bubbly and contemplated in silence, her ears open to her father's voice. She had gotten used to Jenny's company and always wanted to be around her probably because the latter treated her with the kind of love and affection that she would her child.

"Aunt,"

"Hmh,"

"Do you think dad is capable of lying to me?" She asked with a solemn face. Jenny was stumped and hesitant to respond. She turned and gazed at her, her mind rummaging for the suitable answer which she had to wisely consider before letting it out. Her eyes narrowed studying Shalom's expression; something was haunting her mind. Jenny had known Shalom since she was a toddler and understood that she was a sensitive child. "Something is not right," she muttered after reading Shalom's mind. She poured the tea into the teapot and having wiped her hands with the apron she had tied around her waist, trotted to her and said,

"Dear, is something bothering you?"

Shalom nodded and turned her face away staring in space. It was definite she was not ready to open up to her, and she, not wishing to goad her into answering her question, patted her shoulder and went to set the table for breakfast.

Rose came in later, her face looking pale. She had come for a glass of water to cool her head. Jenny smiled at her arrival and then offered her a seat at the table. Jenny needed not to ask her if she was alright unless she was a fool because Rose's sickness was bare on her face.

"Is it fatigue- I mean the weariness?"

Shalom coughed to attract her attention and the latter instantly jerked turning to the direction of the sound.

"Ah, baby you scared me!" She said opening her arms and Shalom sprinted to her.

"I don't need to inquire how your night was because I know it was a fantastic one," Rose said with discernible content and smirked as she cuddled her daughter's hair.

Shalom twisted and turned to eye her miserably, her sudden expression contradicting the latter's initial perception.

"No, mom, I had a wake-up night waiting for dad's surprise until I was robbed by sleep." Did he show you what it was, may I go and see it?" Rose glimpsed at Jenny who had been listening to their conversation and then lowered her eyes as she shrunk in her seat not knowing how or what to tell her expectant daughter because it was now clear to her that Lim had spent the night out. In a moment, someone pounded the door. They all gazed at one another frightened.

"Rose, open this door or I will break it," Lim shouted as he hammered it with his fist.