Chapter Three
1403 Words
“Miss Kayla, slow down a bit!” poor Ron was on the verge of passing out. Ever since Kayla got behind the steering wheel, it's been an F1 ride.
“Alright Weasley.." chuckling slightly, she reduced the speed of the car.
" Phew” Ron breathed in relief and adjusted his sitting posture. “I thought I was gonna die"
“I didn't hold the nitro for you, I just don't want the cops on my tail today." She said her mind was occupied with how to face her mother and not causing trouble in the few minutes of her return.
Thinking about it, she was a headache for her mom, especially after college. Fights at clubs and alleys, several speed tickets from traffic cops, her regular smoking and drinking, and her favorite pastime, messing with her younger brother Zed.
Come to think of it, his absence at the airport should be because of the last reason. Poor Ronald ended up being a sacrificial lamb.
‘Oh Zed, you think you can escape?’ she thought, her lips curled at an angle peculiar to her.
“Uhm..Miss Kayla, why are you grinning like that?" Ron fearfully asked.
" Nothing,” she replied with a smirk still on her face.
Sighing, he didn't ask further. When he heard Kayla would be coming home today, he was overjoyed. She is the sister he never had but she at times gave him the same treatment as Zed. He escapes most of the time but it seems today isn't his lucky day. Thinking about Zed, he cursed him inwardly.
The ride was smooth with no traffic and other troublesome circumstances. After a few hours, they arrived at their neighborhood. Kayla and Ronald's families were neighbors.
Driving through, she sighted her mother's afar off and her heart skipped a beat. She had missed this dear mother of hers. They soon alighted.
Coming out of the car with slow but firm strides, Kayla soon stood opposite her mother. The two looked at each other for a few seconds and as if pre-planned, suddenly hugged simultaneously, letting out their pent-up emotions.
“Mom.."
“Shh..stay in my arms awhile dear. Mother has missed you” She tightened the hug and this lasted for almost five minutes.
“How have you been Mom?" she asked after separating from the hug.
Her mother, Rose, still looked young but had aged a bit due to stress. Her long brown hair flowed down to her neck and her clear blue eyes which contained the vicissitudes of life sized up her prodigal daughter.
Her mother caressed her face and said “Come on in, we have a lot to catch up on.” She then faced Ron “Thanks for bringing her home.”
“It wasn't much of an issue Mrs Smith. She is my sister too.” He replied politely.
He then took out the luggage from the car and followed them in.
The mother and daughter pair sat on the couch in the living room leaving Ron to deal with the luggage.
“I assume you knew I was coming from that traitor.” she gritted her teeth, already imagining smashing him. Her return was kept hidden from her mother and only her brother Zed was tipped on it. He was supposed to pick her up at the airport and give Rose a surprise but who knew she would find out and foil their plans.
“Your brother can't keep secrets from me, sweetheart.” Rose smiled and said.
‘Right, you should've thought about that. Even I am scared of Mother.’ she slapped her forehead, scolding herself internally.
“You left for two years, barely called, and decided to return home without telling me. Normally I'm supposed to welcome you well” Rose handed her a glass of water still retaining her smile.
Kayla trembled at the mention of 'welcome well’, her mother's welcoming after doing something naughty was something she feared. Her throat dried up and she hurriedly drank the water from the glass cup in her hands.
“Mom, I'm here now aren't I?"
“Yes, that's all that matters," Rose replied. Her eyes turned to the staircase which Ron was descending from.
“Thanks again Ronald"
“No problem Mrs Smith, I could have arranged the clothes too but I love my life,” he said in response, sneaking a glance at Kayla who snorted in response at his joke before softening her expression.
“Okay Weasley, run along now.”
Rose smiled looking at them. “My regards to your parents and tell your mom I'll be coming over to see her this evening.”
" Sure ma'am.” He replied before stepping out.
“You still call him that,” Rose said after Ron had left.
“Hehe.. not my fault"
Kayla has always been a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, especially the main characters. Since young, she had pestered everyone about it. Once she sees something or someone reminding her of the series, well she won't miss the chance to call it out. Now concerning Ronald, his name is the same as one of the characters of the series though with a different hair color hence the nickname.
“What really happened over there?" Rose suddenly asked, her expression wanting Kayla to spill the beans. She wouldn't believe her naughty girl decided to return because she was homesick.
“Nothing goes past you huh Mum?" she sighed softly then continued. " I beat up an influential figure’s heir that's all..hey it was in line with my duty as a protective officer” she added the second part upon seeing Rose about to erupt.
“So you retreated here?" Rose gave her a quizzical gaze. " Last chance, say the whole truth"
What else could Kayla do, she recounted everything that happened while she was in California including the recent episode that catalyzed her return.
“You.. you kicked him in the groin?" Out of everything, Rose was shocked at this particular point.
“ Yes, I should've kicked harder though…ouch” Rose gave her a knock on the head on hearing her.
“You're always causing trouble wherever you go, naughty girl. Anyways you should go up and get some rest. I've prepared your room for you.”
" Thanks, Mom, you're the best." rubbing her head, her expression seemed funny but the warmth in her eyes was real. She appreciated the happiness and warmth her family gave her.
Home was her place of peace and solitude and honestly, she missed this feeling. If the agents, clients, and acquaintances of Kayla witnessed the infamous Rogue being subdued by her mother, their eyes would bulge out to the point of falling off.
—–———————
Upstairs in her room, Kayla was taking in the view. It was just as she left it. Someone seemed to be taking care of the cleanup daily and she could bet her very existence that it was Rose, her mother.
“ Oh.. how I missed this!” she exclaimed in satisfaction from the softness of her bed.
She then recollected some memories of two years ago. She remembered leaving the house after a long talk with her family. No one knew when, but she vanished before daylight leaving a note on a table in the living room.
Months after that, she phoned her mother to tell her about her whereabouts and assure her of her safety. Well, she didn't escape minutes of tongue lashing which she deserved for making her mother worry so much.
“Mom's a strong woman," she muttered with a smile.
Ever since the sorrowful passing of her father a few years ago, Rose has taken the reins of the well-being of the family and she has done well. It can't be denied that it hasn't been easy but she pushes on, something Kayla admires.
“That stupid Chief should have fainted from anger by now”
Before she left California, she sold most of her properties, including some gadgets from the agency in her possession. The best part was her flight payment was from the agency's purse.
She was in first class for the flight! The agency suffered great losses in her hands.
‘Nah, he should have had a heart attack.’
That was her thought till she fell asleep.
- Writer
