Delayed but his

18

Estella’s pov

Present:

I contacted uncle George about the new improvements and he was glad that we would get to meet earlier than we had planned.He made me promise to contact him once I started my venture so he could pick me up at the airport.I left out the part of coming with Arman,I thought it would be too much on him.

I turned to see Heather arranging some of my clothes that I had chosen for my trip to Houston.

“Thank you”I said and moved to join her

“Anytime dear.I’d miss you also but I also want you to have a good time with Don Arman.Hey,don’t flop this situation,just be yourself and remember you have to make this work.”she said sternly”Now come on ,we need to hurry so I can get back to work and you know the workers aren’t meant to hang around the guest wing during working hours”

She had her way of sneaking around so I wasn’t surprised when she’d appeared at my door by 6Am ,very early in the morning.

She had been nothing but a good friend ever since I got here.

At that moment,I realized that I was going to miss her more.

I looked forward to the trip also and I found myself wondering if Arman felt the same.

A knock came on my door pulling me out of my thoughts.

Heather gasped and rushed to the bathroom in an attempt to hide her presence.I chuckled and moved to see who it was.

I almost let go of my phone seeing it was Arman

He wore a black polo and plain jeans,his hair was slicked back and his smile widened as I closed the door and moved to stand in front of it.He looked so handsome and I knew he saw the admiration on my face.

“Are you ready?We have a flight in the next two hours”he said in a light headed tone.

I almost blurted out a”Flight?”but I knew better because it was the Mendez family ,I never expected them to settle for less.

“Yes I am.Almost though..I didn’t know we would be going immediately so I have to contact my uncle to be at the airport in few hours”

“This uncle of yours.Can you tell me about him?I was thinking we would meet up with your nuclear family”His expression tightened as he spoke looking like he wasn’t too comfortable with the idea.

“I don’t have one.I was raised in a foster home “I said feeling less of myself

His expression softened at my words and he seemed to relax a bit.

“It’s fine Estella.We can do it the way you want then and I’m sorry I brought up the idea of ..”

“It’s fine Arman”I said placing my hand on his chest.

I could feel his heartbeat quicken but he moved backwards ,stopping the contact between us

“You have to be open about how you feel Estella.You have a bad way of doing that and in the process,you don’t let others do the same.I hope you can trust me henceforth because I won’t demand but earn your trust.I’d be waiting for you at the lobby”he said ,giving me a last look before he left.

There was something new in the way he looked at me.

It was a look of care.

Arman’s pov

A night earlier:

We had just finished having a good family meal ,good because everyone was present except papa and the meals were succulent also.

I missed seeing Estella around whenever we did such but I was glad she had more time to herself also.

Now she would be at my beck and call.

I made to leave when mama told me to stay behind.

Simon wished us goodnight,looking tired and all and Alda gave her usual quick exit.

“How are you?Son”she asked

I looked at her across the huge dining table and replied with a smile on my face

“I’m good mama.How are you also?”

“As you can see.Fresh as a newly oven baked bread”she joked

I laughed shortly to her joke and nodded in understanding.

No lies detected…she had her glow back and I couldn’t help but notice it.

“That’s good mama”

“Well straight to business.I have a proposal for you”

I tried my best to act like I was oblivious of what she was about to say.

“What’s that mama?”

“Well I need you to accompany,Estella ,my private chef to her hometown.She deserves a vacation but I want to make sure she’s safe too”

“Why do you see the need for me to do that?”

She chuckled and relaxed on her seat

“I’m your mother.I know you’ve been dying to have an alone time with her.I know about your recent cat and mouse ventures with her also and like I said she deserves the vacation “

“Well you can always send one of the bodyguards “I said in an attempt to know her purpose of wanting such.

The desperate look lingered on her eyes just like Estella’s

“Yes I can but then I want you to do that”she said in finality.

“You don’t have an issue with her being a worker?”I countered

“Some years ago,I would’ve but I know better now.I want your happiness,son.Also Simon and Alda.I love you all so much and I hope you know that “

“We love you more mother “I said and stood up,walking to her to give her a peck.

“How do you know I’m not just having a good time with her”I muttered as I leaned close to her.

“I just know because I know you like my fingertips so that’s a yes?”she said and held me back from moving away to return my peck .

“Alright fine.Just because I love you mama”And maybe because I wanted to spend more time with Estella also.

“You have a great time,Son.Protect her as if you own her” she said.

I smirked at her words as I left.

Hell yeah I did.

I owned her from the moment I set my eyes on her .I owned her from the moment she reacted to my touch.I owned her from the moment my mama saw her relationship with me as a good one.