Prelude to kisses

Chapter 32

By evening at half six, Neiko and the kids were ringing the doorbell. The house became alive as her nephews hugged her and ran inside. Neiko shouted to her husband to hurry up she was hungry. He came in a few moments later with baked cookies in his hands. "You didn't have to", she told him as she took the goods from him.

"My lovely wife insisted", he said stealing a glance at his wife.

"Have a seat, I will get the table ready", She disappeared into the kitchen before the boys came to help her. They settled down at the table and chatted away as they enjoyed their dinner.

When they'd done and the kids were sitting by the television, the adults treated themselves to a cup of coffee and cookies. "Hmm these are so good, very fluffy and sweet. Sweet but not too sweet. They have the perfect balance". Mahita gushed.

"Thank you, that's exactly what I was going for", Neiko said.

"So, sis what do you want. You never have me for dinner unless you want something".

"Firstly, that's not true. Second, I don't want anything from you. I just wanted to see the kids and Ney", She told him unconvincingly.

"You're so mean", Neiko told her husband.

"You don't know her like I do".

After some time of chatting, Mahita finally asked the question that had been on the tip of her tongue.

"Hey, you gave that woman Jackie Tanaka my phone number, right?"

"Yeah, she told me you guys met"

"Yeah, the thing is she's been on my mind since yesterday. I was at the site, and we discussed the proposal. The budget is amazingly big and not only that she seems to know what she's doing".

"She's very professional, no setbacks and very understanding too. The previous designer was a pain to work with and I thought you were her person".

"Which is funny because you almost never recommend me to anyone".

"Ouch".

"What does she do? Where did she get all the funding to start the business and more than that how old is she?"

"So that's why you invited us for dinner".

"Aren't you the least bit curious?"

"No not really, I'm not sure of her exact age but say twenty-five. It's a decent age to have saved up especially if her parents are rich. She's a secretary for a law firm and also has a printing business".

"She must have rich parents then".

"Or just smart with her money", Tariro countered.

"That too I guess".

"She could have started working when she was really young too. It's not impossible nowadays, because this generation is more about suffering now then enjoying their lives later". Neiko chipped in.

"Mommy, I'm sleepy", their youngest sat on his mom's lap. The oldest took his dad's lap.

"Let's call it a night, I have a rough day tomorrow".

She watched the car disappear into the pitch-black night. She sat on the chair out front, it's such a beautiful night, she thought. What would tomorrow bring?"

All kinds of adventures she thought, and she was readily waiting for them with open arms.

Before going to bed, she called home. Hearing her son's voice gave her strength, it energized her, gave her the will to go on.