The Mercedes Benz parked among the rest of the exotic cars. They were back home. The driver, Montez, quickly came out of the car and rushed to open the back door; Alina stepped out of the car, as majestic as ever. Montez rushed to the other side of the back door to open for Jesse but he had the door slammed at his face as Jesse didn't really need much help. Alina strode past the water fountain and statues in the Sterling garden mansion. Home.
She sat back on one of the couches, still pondering on her past. The echoes of her parents singing an awkward song; the family song. She had once hated that song, how Mother would go off let in different verses, and her father would use his bass voice to sing in the most ridiculous way. Amazing Grace. That was the song. The song that made the Sterling's family, who is actually one of the richest family in New York, look like an ordinary happy family. Out of the whole business concept, off getting profits, just sharing love and care. She remembered going on a road trip with her parents, no bodyguards, no tracking devices, no media, just them and whole boot filled with camping equipment and lots of food. It was the best family experience; everyone in a joyous mood, untill father received that one phone call that mother just had to pick up;
" Josh? Where are you? "
" Who is this? "
" Stop playing games Josh. Amanda is in labour for your second son and wants to see you. I am at Hopkins hospital already." Mother checked the saved contact name: Mr. Wimbledton. Father was busy setting up the camp fire and hadn't noticed that his phone wasn't with him. Mother glanced over at him, trying to erase the fact that her husband is cheating on her or that it was a wrong number; but how would this wrong number know her husband's name?
He is famous. Everyone knows his name. She looked back at the phone;
" I'm sorry but I think you have the wrong Josh..."
" Look, whoever you are, Amanda needs to see her husband, Josh Sterling. He is responsible for her pregnancy." The call ended.
Strange.
Alina never forgot how that night went. The argument her parents was so heated that they had to cancel the trip and go back home.
It was the journey home that became her nightmare. That icy road that they passed became her parents last road that they would take. The screams and call for help kept echoing and her father's reassuring voice, still shaken with fear;
" Just close your eyes sweetheart, everything will be fine."
" Dad!"
Boom. That was the end. Moments later, she woke up to the news of her parents death. She felt like dying. She slowly closed her eyes and tried to calm her mind to all the chaos.
****
Jesse went to the kitchen and met the chefs. He told them to leave. Alina would feel less tensed when she has a meal prepared by the best chef ever. Me. He wore a red apron. Now. Let's begin. He reached for a cookbook and glanced through the pages much quickly for an easy recipe.
" Seared foie gras with fig jam and brioche." Sounds complicated. He decided to just let the universe decide on what to prepare, like his grandmother would always say. Cooking isn't hard. He started off by boiling some water, Alina came into the kitchen.
" Why are you wearing an apron."
" I am preparing a dime meal for you Madame." Jesse replied ina funny borrowed French accent.
" Why are you talking like...never mind. Where are the chefs?"
" I sent them away for now so that I could prepare dinner for you." He continued with his French accent that also sounded Spanish too.
" I guess take away for dinner. "
" No. I am preparing a special dish for you, Madame."
Alina looked over this shoulder and saw a pot of water.
" So the meal is boiled water?"
" it's in progress." Alina scoffed and then groaned. She rubbed her stomach gently. We need food. Now. She regretted not having lunch before going for the funeral.
" Fine. Just be quick." She walked out of the kitchen, her steps lighter than usual.
Jesse faced the pot of boiling water.
" Alright then. Let's begin."
He started off by keeping two spoons of salt, then some pepper, spices and other things he couldn't remember their names. He added different leaves: scent leaf, mint leaf and the rest. He covered the pot and started to prepare the dough for dessert. Pizza. Should be easy though. He always see how they make it on the television. He brought it out from the oven. It didn't look at all like on the television. The toppings were burnt up and the cheese was looking spoilt. Even his soup tasted like a bit of bark and broccoli. Alina opened the door gently and her popped out;
" McDonald's then?"
Jesse sighed.Cooking isn't meant for him.
"Yeah."
****
Alina's office
Naomi came in, dressed in a red corporate dress, her hair packed up in a neat ponytail revealing worry lines in her eyes. She hadn't been sleeping quite well.
" Alina ma'am, I have good news and bad news."
Alina sat back in her chair, the air-conditioning providing chilled air;
" Good news."
" Gentech Group has decided to finalize the contract!"
Alina shrugged. Her mind still accumulating that much information;
" That's great. Brilliant Naomi." She jumped up and had an awkward dance for a millisecond, then went back to her professional mode.
" The meeting is scheduled for thos Saturday by 6pm. It would be online."
" Alright. Now the bad news."
" Gregory is at the reception office." Alina's face cringed a bit. Uncle Gregory.
****
Alina walked down the white hallway in her empire to the reception and met her uncle, dressed in a black suit, holding a briefcase. She could recognise a young man wearing a spotted suit, his hair swerved to a corner, and an unkept beard that made his look more disturbing. Alina glanced at them and gestured them to come into her office. What now.
After they were all seated, the cool air coming from the air conditioner became warm due to their presence;
" What do you want now Uncle Gregory."
" What I always wanted." His old crooked smile lingered on his face which made Alina quote uneasy. Gregory pointed at the weird looking man beside him;
" This is Mr. Liam O' Connor. He is an immigration officer. He deals mostly in fraud." Uncle Gregory stopped for a moment. Allowing the name and title to sink in.
" He would like to have an interview with you and your supposed spouse." He snickered. At that moment, Jesse walked in. He was automatically given a job at the company and could see his wife anytime he wants. He saw Uncle Gregory and immediately a wave of rage hit him.
" This man says that you two have pulled the biggest fraud of the year.
Jesse glanced at Alina who was getting worried.
" Are you two really engaged?" Mr.Liam inquired.
"Yes." Jesse reassured, and held Alina's hand.
" We are engaged. I proposed to her and we would get married soon." He looked at Alina and stared at her eyes for a moment, a gaze of ' what are you saying?' showed in het eyes.
" Are your parents aware of this engagement."
Uncle Gregory looked at Jesse for a response.
" Well, we were hoping to break the news on Saturday because it's my grandmother's birthday. Right, Alina."
Alina was still lost at a point but silently shook her head and mouthed 'No'. Jesse didn't get her warning.
"And your parents are where exactly? "
" Texas."
"Texas?!"
"Yes. Texas."
Uncle Gregory let out a scoff.
" So you would be in Texas by Saturday, which is two days away." Jesse paused for a moment to think of what he just said. He has to just roll with the plan or he might end up in jail. Again.
"Of course."
"Well then." Mr. Liam stood up, so did Uncle Gregory and everyone else.
" See you in Texas."