CHAPTER FIVE
1724 Words
MADISON'S POV
"Mama!" Michelle squealed as he jumped on me.
"Hey baby. Had a fun time at school?" I asked and he nodded.
"I got my sums right." He said and I chuckled.
"You did?" He nodded and I pinched his cheeks playfully.
"Good boy. For that, I'm gonna buy you popsicle." I said and he squealed as he clapped his hands.
"Let's go home."
I was about to hail a cab when my phone rang. I smiled when I saw who the caller was.
"Hey, Jamal."
"Hello, beautiful."
"Ugh! Don't make me cringe."
"Hahaha. I called you about three times but you didn't pick up your phone."
"You did?"
"Of course. Anyways, I have a surprise for you."
"A surprise? And what is that?"
"Just come home. The surprise is at your front door."
"Okay. I also have things to tell you but let me get home first."
"Hurry. Don't keep the surprise waiting."
"Bye."
The call ended and I put my phone back in my bag. What surprise could that boy have for me? Jamal was the first friend I made when I relocated here. I met him three years ago on one sunny day. I didn't want any friend. But then, Jamal was like a weed. Difficult to uproot so I just let him be. It wasn't long before we became tight friends and I got a job because of him. He traveled to France six months ago because of business.
I couldn't hold my excitement on the way home. I needed someone to tell my good news too badly. We finally got home and I was greeted by an unfamiliar car in front of my house. I walked to it and was about touching it when someone came out of the car.
"Hey, beautiful."
"Jamal!"
"Uncle Jammy!"
My son and I screamed at the same time. I rushed to him and squeezed him in a hug.
"Wh..what are you doing here?"
"What else? I'm here to see my beautiful family."
He carried Mitchell and hugged him tightly. "Hey, big man. How have you been?"
"I missed you, uncle Jammy."
"Missed you too."
I smiled as the two males conversed like long lost brothers who just got reunited. I took Jamal's hand and we both went inside the house.
"Let me guess, this is the surprise?"
"Surprise! I got you, didn't I?"
"Of course, you did. I wasn't expecting you at all. You look so good. Paris sure did good things to you."
"What can I say? Every country loves me."
Jamal, always so full of himself. I've never seen a person as confident as this guy. He hypes himself more than anyone.
***
"So how have you been?" He asked as I placed a plate of cookies in front of him.
"Everything was going good before but things got even better today."
"Really? Tell me about it."
I scooted closer to him and stared at him excitedly. "Alexa Grande came to my restaurant today." I squealed in excitement and he stared at me cluelessly.
"Who the hell is that?"
I slapped his head and he groaned. "Alexa Grande, the biggest chef in the whole wide world."
"I don't know who you're saying but she seems like a big deal so continue."
"Anyways, she came to the restaurant today and ordered a dish no one but I knew how to prepare. I cooked the dish and guess what?"
"What?"
"She liked it! No, she loved my food! She said it was the best thing she had ever tasted in her life. Isn't that amazing?"
"I'm so happy for you." He hugged me and I couldn't stop smiling. "See? I told you better days are coming ahead."
"I know. I'm so happy right now. She gave the restaurant a five star review and promised to sponsor us in any way. She also gave me something too."
I reached for my bag and brought out the brown envelope she gave me. I dipped my hand in it and brought out what was there. It was three bundles of cash and a card. I couldn't stop my eyes from widening at the sight of the dollar notes.
"Holy...
"Shit." I completed his statement. I picked up the card and showed it to Jamal.
"It's her card, right? This is a business card right?"
"It clearly says Alexa Grande, Madison."
"I know! I just can't believe it!" I squealed more loudly and he laughed. I stood up and jumped around.
"What do you wanna eat? I'm ready to cook anything. Anything!"
"That would have to wait. Firstly, call Alexa and hear what she wants to say."
"Okay."
I breathed in and out, trying to contain my excitement. I dialed the displayed number and waited patiently for her to pick up. There's no going back now.
She finally picked and I cleared my throat before talking.
"Good evening, ma'am" I greeted.
"Good evening and to whom I'm I speaking?"
"Um..this is Abigail, ma'am. The girl that cooked your order at Olivers?"
Wait, doesn't that sound stupid?
"Oh yeah..I've been waiting for your call."
"Ma'am?
"Yes..I need to talk to you..in person."
"When ma'am?"
"My chauffeur would come pick you at your house tomorrow by 10am. If that's okay with you."
"It's okay, ma'am. That's fine by me."
"Excellent! Your address?"
"12, Silver's avenue."
"Good. We shall see tomorrow."
"Okay, ma'am."
"Yeah."
"um...ma'am, I saw the money. Thank you so much. I really appreciate."
"Its nothing my dear."
"Thanks ma'am."
"It's okay. Bye for now and do take care of yourself."
"Goodbye, ma'am."
"hmm
The call ended and I sighed..she wants to see me?
~ALEXA GRANDE'S MANSION~
ALEXA'S POV
I placed my phone on the bed after the call. I can't wait to speak to Abigail. She has some potentials and I also wanna know the reason behind her leaving home and changing her name. Yeah, I know she's Madison Campbell. I heard about the news that happened five years ago maybe that's why she changed her name. I'll find out tomorrow.
"Hey, mum." I heard a voice behind me and I turned. It's my loving son, Romeo,.he's the best son I could ever ask for.
"Hey, sweetheart." He pecked me on the cheek and I smiled.
"How was today?" He asked as he took a seat beside me on the bed.
"Great, yours?"
"It was fine. School is kinda tiring recently." He huffed and I chuckled.
"Hmm. Making progress with your cooking dreams?" He hummed a yes and I patted his head. Well, Romeo is attending a catering school. My catering school, Alexa Grandes Catering School. The biggest catering school in the world. We recruit youths that have dreams of becoming great cooks in the future and build them into something big. Not that i forced Rommy to go. He naturally likes cooking. He says he wanna be the biggest chef in the world after me and he's working towards it. I'm so proud of him.
"And mum,Tiana extends her greetings." He said and I reluctantly hummed. Tiana is his girlfriend who I dislike a lot. That girl is the most disrespectful girl I've known. Whe lacks the word "Respect." She is ras, unmannered, I can't call her my daughter-in-law in public. She's a disappointment. U wonder what she gave Romeo to eat that he couldn't see how bad she is.
"Hmm? Is that all you're gonna say?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Did you expect me to start jumping and screaming...yay! Tania extended her greetings to me.".I screamed with unenthusiasm.
"I don't know why you don't like her"
"I didn't say that."
"Whatever. I'm going to my room. Good night." He pecked me on my forehead and left my room.
"I gotta sleep. I'm kinda tired."
❣NEW YORK CITY❣
JASON'S POV
I was doing some work on my computer when i heard a knock on my door
"Come in."
The door creaked open, revealing dad in his pajamas. Seems he's ready for bed.
"Hey dad." I said as I closed my laptop and placed it on the stool behind my bed.
"Hey,.son"
"Something you need?"
"No. I..I actually wanna talk to you." He said and I arched my brow.
"Sure, come sit." I said, tapping a space beside me. He sat beside me and sighed deeply before he talked.
"Have you been reaching Madison?" He asked and I sighed.
"Well,..um..
"I know you've been reaching her. You don't have to lie." He said and I sighed in defeat.
"What if I am?"
"I just wanna ask if..you know, if you could give me her number. Her old number isn't going. Seems she changed her line"
"If I give you her number what do you wanna use it to do?" I asked in annoyance and he paused as he looked at me sternly.
"I wanna call her..because..because I miss her. I miss my princess. She's been gone for the past five years and..and its killing me. I wanna hear her voice even if I won't get to see her. Please Jason please." He begged in the verge of tears which didn't move me one bit. I hissed and closed my laptop.
"Dad.." I called as I took his hands
"You sent her out of the house remember?" I said and he nodded
"I know..and I'm sorr. I wasn't in my right sense then. I thought it would make things better but no, it made me lose her. I'm really sorry."
I let go of his hands and walked to my closet. "Do you remember how much she cried that day? Do you remember the look on her face the day you chased her out with a newborn in her arms?"
"Jason I..
"Please!" I snapped. "Please, don't say you're sorry. It'll only make me more mad."
His face fell and I scoffed. "What if on her way to Texas that day she died? What if she had gotten into an accident? What if she wasn't able to survive in Texas? Dad, Madison is doing so much better without you in her life."
"I just want to..
"I don't think you reaching out to her is the best thing to do. When she's ready, I'll let you know."
I walked out of my room and left him there. I'm so mad right now.
- Writer
