Chapter Five
1025 Words
The sunlight flooded Rey’s room the next morning. The scent of hot coffee flared his morning senses. As he turned his eyes to the bedside drawers, a hot cup of coffee sat comfortably on a saucer set.
Immediately, he knew Mia was around. He stepped into the bathroom, showered and went down stairs. It was Saturday morning, which meant he was going to be around the whole day. He wore a causal T- shirt and a black dress pants, coming downstairs for breakfast, with the coffee cup and saucer in his hands.
It had been a month since he worked out on his parents and as he stirred at the pictures in the Elle fashion magazine he found on the table that morning, he knew he had no much time on his side.
His mind was so lost in thoughts that he did not notice when Mia walked in.
“Sir?”
“Sir?”
Rey shook up from his thoughts and he glared into her direction.
“Haven’t I warned you against calling me sir?”
“Sorry to disturb... Mr Reynaldo.” She hesitated.
“Much better. What do you have to say?”
“Uh...your breakfast is ready your mum called the land line.”
She moved forward to serve the meal and in the process, their fingers brushed and the hot coffee spilled on her palm, causing her to drop the breakfast tray in mid-air. The glass break and Its hot content burned her skin red, but Rey looked on unbothered.
“I’m sorry.” She said immediately.
“What did she say?” Rey asked.
“Who?”
“My mum.” Rey asked.
“She asked said there would be a meeting at the Davies country house today so your Father won’t be home, and she added you should think about what your Dad said, Mr. Reynaldo.” The burn stung but she didn’t flinch. Rey didn’t respond.
She noticed the lack of emotions in Rey’s voice. The way he show not a single feeling of sympathy at her burning skin and it only made her hate him more. In few minutes, she cleaned up the mess of broken glasses shattered on the marble floor.
It hurt her somehow, although she had been used to his non-chalant behaviour. She rushed back to the kitchen and made sure all the dishes were washed.
When Reynaldo went back up staircase, he dressed up and left for the Davies mansion. Back at home, by the pool, under a shade, Mia was on a call with Beatrice, her cousin.
“I mean, Beatrice, he is so rude!” anger flared into her voice.
“He’s one asshole of a billionaire if he could actually do that.” Beatrice said.
“He did it, sis. I bet he never learnt how to say sorry.”
“Just like it go, Mia. You cannot expect everyone to be nice.” Beatrice said.
“Well... that’s true.”
“Yeah...it is.”
“How is Lucio?”
“He’s good expect for the fact that he has been running temperature, momentarily.”
“And have you visited the doctor?” Mia became worried.
“The bills are expensive. So expensive that the pay I get at the end of a month is not sufficient, Mia. Our needs are piling up and I don’t want to be a burden to you.” Beatrice’s voice softened.
“It’s alright, B. We’d be fine. I’d try sending some money when I get paid.” Mia said.
“Okay, sis. I have to go. My boss is calling.” Beatrice beckoned.
“Alright, love you!”
“Love you, too!” Mia said.
Reynaldo arrived at the Davies’ Mansion just when the hour stroke ten. He was in cargo pants and a different T- shirt from the one he wore that morning. His black silky hair sleeked back in a wolf cut, dropping a few curls that fell above his brows.
Mr Davies was away on a business trip. So Mrs Davies welcomed him.
“Rey, Darling. How are you?”
“I’m fine, Mum.” Rey responded.
“I guess my message got to you.” She smiled.
“Seeing that you’re here.” She added.
“Yes. I was told. Mum please, make Dad see reasons why I can’t get married right now.” He said that her hand.
“Look, son. I know one thing is for sure. Your dad wants what’s best for you.’
“But Mum this isn’t right and you know it.”
“Son...let it be.” Mrs Davies said.
They talked at length and it was almost dinner time when Rey got home. Mia was still in the kitchen, waiting to serve him dinner.
“Join me for dinner tonight, Miss. Mia.” He said, scanning her face. A look of confusion drove into her expression. He started for the remnants of any form of surprise, but he found none.
“Okay, Sir.” She responded, trying to look unfazed.
For the first time, he called her “Miss.” For the first time, he hadn’t been rude in his appeal. For the first time, she felt something which her plump in genuine excitement. He wasn’t so bad after all...
At the dinner table, Mia served Rey’s meal and sat at the other end of the table, feeling a little awkward. Silence filled the hallway, down to the table where they sat. Her thoughts were going wild and the silence made it was.
It was so electrifying that she grew self-conscious of each air escaping her lungs. She was certain that if the forks stopped clinking on the ceramic plates, he could hear the sound of her chest, drumming.
The silence rode in till their eyes met, hers, questioning and his, reassuring. They searched her face, pulsing and intense. He spoke at last, his body angled towards her.
“Let’s do business.” He said.
Her mind scrambled with questions.
“Business? With who?” She asked.
“It was a marriage contract.” He paused.
“With me.” He finished.
- Writer
