Tangled

CHAPTER4

Damon leaned on the kitchen counter and caught up with the elderly woman whom he referred to as mom over a cup of tea as she kneaded some dough on the counter top.

She kept looking at him and back to Zoey, who turned some chicken which was frying on the stove before them with a smile on her face.

“Zoey my dear, how long have you worked for my son and how come I've never met you?”

Zoey looked back at the woman whom she referred to as Aunt Esther with an awkward smile on her face. “Not so long, aunt. It's been one month now.”

Zoey turned back and centered her attention on the chicken which was frying on the stove. She wondered how a kind woman like this had such a rude and insensitive son. Well, at least that was what he was to her.

Zoey was fuming wildly with anger when they first got here, but this elderly woman was so kind and accommodating that she almost forgave her insensitive son for deceiving her. Nanny Esther was almost at the door when they entered the building. Damon pulled away from Maya and quickened his steps towards her as they scooped each other into a hug.

Zoey watched on in awe at her boss’s sudden shift in character. He seemed like a different person altogether, hurrying towards this woman to give her a hug. She would've never figured he had this side to him.

“You’ve been missed, son.” She held Damon in her arms with a smile on her face.

“You too, mom.” He responded, not breaking away from her.

The living area where they stood was huge. A large chandelier hung against the ceiling, illuminating the room with a soft glow against the white-painted walls. The caramel coloured sectional sofa beautifully complimented the gold drapes which hung against the four walls of the room. Logs crackled in the fireplace and gave the room a cozy, homey feel.

Nanny Esther looked over to Zoey. A smile formed on her face as she gave her a once over.

Damon quickly said the introductions. “Mom, my assistant. Zoey, my mom.”

Nanny Esther kept looking at Zoey with a smile on her face. “Welcome, my dear. You're so pretty.” She went over to Zoey and gave her a hug.

Maya rolled her eyes and firmly interlocked her arms with Damon's. Nanny Esther simply dismissed her presence.

Zoey tucked a strand of hair behind her ears and gave her an awkward smile. “Hi aunt.”

“Please make yourself comfortable. Would you like some coffee or tea?” She asked as she led the way to the kitchen with Damon behind her. Zoey strutted along.

Maya annoyingly mumbled something about going back to the pool and walked out the door.

The kitchen smelled heavenly of some vegetable soup which was boiling on a stove in the far corner. Zoey immediately took over from Nanny Esther to give her a helping hand as she prepared to fry some chicken.

She subtly listened as Nanny Esther and Damon caught up with each other. Damon let out a soft laugh occasionally as they conversed. She was still in awe and occasionally turned to look at him as she wondered what more there was to him.

Damon went over the edge of the cup which was before him with his finger. His head was buried downward and he stared at the ground. His jaw was hardened and goosebumps formed all over his hairy arms.

“Well, I asked her to give you a call to find out because I had no information pertaining to what she was asking.” Nanny Esther said to Damon as she swiftly kneaded the dough on the counter top before her.

Damon clenched his fists. “So that was why she nearly blew up my phone with calls yesterday? That was f*****g why?” He raised his voice and slammed his hands on the counter top.

“She left without looking back. Without ever looking back. What happened to Vivian after she left? Yet she never called or reached out or paid a visit. And suddenly, after all of these years, she calls to inquire about heritage?” Damon's eyes were bloodshot red.

Nanny Esther let go of the dough she was kneading and took hold of his hand. “Relax my dear. Calm down. I know you’ve always yearned for her. You’ve always yearned for her love and affection.” Damon released his hand from Nanny Esther’s grip as he removed his cap and ran a hand through his hair.

“I had no idea that was what she called for.”

He slammed his hands on the counter top again. He was restless and stood up from where he was seated. “Well, not anymore.” His breath was hot and he fumed with anger.

“I yearned for her. I yearned for her when I needed her the most. I stared at the door every day, hoping she'd barge in some day. I waited a long time without giving up. I had hope and trust in her. I think I knew the kind of person she was.”

He wiped off some beads of sweat which had formed around his lips with the back of his palms. “But not anymore.”

Zoey listened intently to the conversation which unfolded between them. Her back was turned to them, and she almost missed the moment she abruptly turned when Damon slammed his hands on the kitchen counter. His eyes were bloodshot red and strands of his hair were standing up. She watched as he fidgeted restlessly and spoke with clenched jaws. She wondered why he looked so fearful and what the issue was that might have upset him so much. She instantly turned back to focus on her frying chicken when he looked at her. His icy blue eyes pierced through her eyes with a hard, questioning stare.

“I'll be with Maya at the pool.” He ran a hand through his hair and put his cap on, straightened his shoulders and walked out.

Nanny Esther let her shoulders down and let out a long sigh as she gazed long behind him with a sad look on her face.