The Betting Game

Chapter 47 - Thad meets Asila

"Asila! Nina!" screamed Angelica walking through the door.

"Hey, sis," said Asila with Nina in her arms.

"Titi."

Angelica grabbed Nina and gave her a big hug.

"How was work?" asked Asila.

"I have so much to tell you. But first, what smells good?"

Angelica put Nina down and walked over to the pots on the stove.

"I'm making Carne Asada con papas, moro y maduros."

This was a typical Cuban dish, which consisted of Cuban-style pot roast with black beans and white rice cooked together and sweet plantains.

"You need my help?" asked Angelica.

"No, thanks. It's almost done."

"Oh...I invited a friend over for dinner. I think you'll like him."

"Angelica!"

"What!"

Asila shook her head and changed the subject.

"My stuff came today."

"Good."

Before leaving Miami, they changed Richard's vehicle to Asila's name. She was now the proud owner of a white 2021 Cadillac Escalade.

"Now we can go grocery shopping," said Angelica.

They sat down to talk before everyone got there. Angelica told her about Shana not letting her off the hook. So, she planned to take Shana to the cleaners. She shouldn't have tried to be such a hard ass. She also reminded Asila that Thad didn't know about the bet. He only knew that she'd slept with Damian. So, she asked her not to say anything.

"Angelica, I can't believe you."

"What?"

"That was an easy bet for you. Why did you take it to begin with? And what's going to happen to Damian when this is all over since you're with Austin?"

"I don't know and that's what worries me. Damian is a great guy. He's just been mind-fucked by Shana for too long."

She quickly apologized for cursing around Nina.

"I think it's messed up that Damian will be hurt, but you tried to get out of it," said Asila.

"I knew it was serious but not to the degree she made it."

Asila couldn't believe a wife would do that to her own husband.

Then, there was a knock at the door. It was Thad.

"Hey," said Angelica, hugging him and kissing him on the cheek.

"Hey."

"Come in. I want you to meet someone."

Angelica dragged him into the kitchen, but Asila was gone.

"Asila!" screamed Angelica.

"Coming!"

Moments later, she appeared.

"Hi," said Asila who quickly changed and freshened up a bit.

"Asila...this is Thad. Thad...this is my sister, Asila."

"Nice to meet you, Asila," said a stricken Thad, shaking her hand.

"Likewise," she said smiling.

"And this little princess is my niece, Nina," said Angelica introducing Thad to Nina. "Say hi Nina."

"Hi, Princess. How are you?"

"Fine," she said with a face making them laugh.

"She's beautiful like her mother."

Asila thanked him.

Angelica was setting the table when she heard the doorbell.

"Hi, Baby," said Angelica to Austin.

"Hey, Beautiful."

"Thad is here," whispered Angelica.

"I know," he whispered back.

Austin knew Thad would be there and invited himself. She was glad Thad knew about them.

Austin walked into the kitchen and greeted everyone. Asila hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.

"How are you?" she asked.

"Good, thank you and you?"

"Good thanks."

"Hi Nina," said Austin waving.

"I'm jealous," Thad said to Asila. "I didn't get that when I came in."

So, she gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek, too.

They all sat down to a scrumptious dinner. Thad was impressed with Asila's cooking. Angelica informed them that they learned from the best...their mother.

"You can cook?" Austin asked Angelica surprised.

"Yes!" she said laughing. "And don't say it like that."

"I mean I'm always the one cooking."

"Because you volunteer. Besides, you never asked."

Austin told Asila about Angelica getting the position. Asila was happy for her. Angelica forgot to tell her because she was talking about Damian and Shana.

"Speaking of...I have to work late tomorrow. Thad, can you take Asila to the grocery store for me?" asked Angelica.

"Yeah, sure. I'm actually off tomorrow. I can come early, take you to the store and then show you around, if you want?"

"Thanks. I'd like that," said Asila smiling.

Angelica mentioned that Asila going to school for nursing. She was following in their mother's footsteps. So, she needed to find a good school in Charlotte. Thad made some recommendations and Austin offered her a job at Sportie Fans in the meantime. Thad also mentioned good schools for Nina and some activities to do around the Charlotte area. She appreciated it and would think about everything. But at the moment, Asila was trying to grasp her new environment. Angelica understood better than anyone.

After dinner, Angelica and Austin took Nina upstairs to put her down for bed. They made her brush her teeth and read her a bedtime story. It gave Asila and Thad a chance to talk.

"So, what do you think of the city so far?" asked Thad.

"It's ok. It's different. Now, I know what Angelica felt when she first moved here."

"I hope you don't give up on us and leave."

"I'm not. There's nothing left for me in Miami and I have to give my daughter a better life."

"I think you'll be fine in a few weeks."

"I'm going to hold you to that," she said laughing.

They talked about Richard, some of her problems and her dreams. Thad told her about his past relationships, his love for motorcycles and his desire to settle down. Asila understood because she wanted to settle down, too. She wanted Nina to have a stable home life like she had.

Angelica gave Austin an air high-five as they peeked in on them. She thought Thad was perfect for Asila and would take care of her and the baby. Besides, he was a hot-looking white boy with a big dick.

Angelica and Austin left them and went to bed.