Icing on the Cake

Chapter Eight

The world is full of problems. Heaven is full of solutions.
Maria Fontaine.

That night, when Wayne and Ashley returned home, they announced that everyone was eating at the dinning. They went into their rooms, freshened up, and then came down to eat. Everyone sat at the table and they started eating.
“We’re expecting Sidney to come next week Monday or so. So, you all are expected to keep the house in order and make preparations for his return. We shall have to throw a small party,” Wayne had announced when they were halfway into dinner.
All the workers nodded and Ms. Humphrey spoke up.
“Is he coming back for good now?”
“Yes. He’ll be taking over the business very soon.”
“Oh! That’s nice to hear.”
Ashley smiled at Ms. Humphrey. She had been like a second mother to both Sidney and Sylvia so Ashley understood the joy Ms. Humphrey was feeling at the news that Sidney was coming back for good.
Jaden understood that Sidney was Sylvia’s older brother. So, he was in similar shoes with Sidney. Or maybe he wasn’t.
“Jaden?”
Wayne’s rich, deep voice cut into his thoughts.
“Yes sir?”
“Meet me at my office after dinner.”
“Okay sir.”
Sylvia looked from her dad to Jaden. What was it that her dad wanted to speak with Jaden about?
They ate the rest of their food in silence and when they were done, Jane and Mary cleared the table as usual after which Helen and Nancy did the dishes.
As Jaden made to follow Wayne after the dinner, Sylvia stopped him.
“Whatever he discusses with you let me know.” Jaden rolled his eyes. “Please.”
He nodded and pulled his hand free from her grip. Then, he went upstairs while Sylvia stood there staring at his retreating figure.
“There’s no need for you to be worried about what your dad will tell him.”
Sylvia turned to see Ashley beside her. She shrugged. “I can’t help it. I just kind of smell trouble and I don’t want to be the cause.”
“How on earth are you going to be the cause?”
“You’ll never know,” Sylvia sighed.
Ashley smiled and squeezed Sylvia’s hand lightly. “Just don’t fall too deep for him. He won’t be here forever.”
With that, Ashley left and went upstairs and Sylvia was again staring at her departing figure. She had suspected that her mum had known that she was attracted to Jaden but yet, she was shocked.
She mentally shook herself and also went upstairs. She also had something to do while waiting for Jaden to come and tell her about his ‘talk’ with Wayne. She got into her room and picked up her iPhone. She quickly dialled Sandra who answered on the first ring.
“Hey there.” Sandra’s greeting was cheerful.
“How are you?”
“Good as ever. You?”
“Just the same.”
“How’s everything with you and Jade?”
She silently huffed. “Quite okay.” She shrugged. “At least, it’s better than before.”
“That’s nice to hear. Sally will certainly love the news.”
Sylvia smiled.
“Guess what Sylvia.” She half – whispered.
“Um... you got that diamond accessory collection for me?”
Sandra snorted. “Not that.”
“Um... you have a date with someone special?”
“You’re a little bit close to the truth. Just try again.”
“Uh... I can’t think of any other thing.”
“Okay. You remember Alex, right?”
“Alex Williams?”
“Yes.” Her tone went a little bit down. “He came back.”
Oww! Alex was Sandra’s ex-boyfriend from the university. They had met in their third year and had gotten along pretty fast. They were very close and had started dating after about a year of friendship. Then immediately after graduating, Alex had disappeared into thin air. He had stopped calling Sandra and didn’t even bother to return her calls. Now, he was back? What in hell for?
“Please, don’t tell me he’s working in the same law firm as you?”
“Okay, I won’t.”
Crap. Now, what?
“Oh, Sandra,” Sylvia said. “Did he talk to you yet?”
“Immediately after he was given the job,” Sandra replied. “He didn’t even apologize. Just said few things like ‘hello’ and ‘long time, no see’. And then, he even had the guts to ask me to dinner with him!”
“Darn! He’s cruel.”
“Very.”
“So, what did you tell him?”
“I declined his offer of course. You wouldn’t want me to have dinner with him, would you?”
“Of course not, at least, not yet,” she corrected. “He has to apologize first. Your heart is not some tramping mat.”
“Yeah.”
“And you mustn’t give in too quickly.”
“Yeah, that’s where the problem comes in.”
“Which is?”
“I’m not sure I’ll hold out for long.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well, the thing is...”
“You still like him?”
“W-well...” she stuttered.
Sylvia sighed. “When did he start working at the firm?”
“Monday.”
“Why didn’t you let me know?”
“I don’t know. My mind was so jumbled I couldn’t think straight. And I think I wanted to sort it out myself before telling you and Sally.”
Sylvia nodded, although she wasn’t too pleased with Sandra.
“When did he ask you out to dinner?”
“Monday.”
Sylvia huffed. Wow! Alex was certainly fast.
“And has he asked you about it again since then?”
“Practically every day.”
“Well, you’ll still have to decline this coming week. Then, if he still persists, you can give in.”
Sandra sighed. “Okay.”
“But why did he choose to work in the same law firm you’re working?”
“I have no idea.”
“I’ll like to meet him anyway, face-to-face and practically chew his head off for hurting you.”
“Don’t. It’s already been done.”
“Well, if you keep on taking his side, I might be tempted to do it again.”
Sandra smiled.
“Sandra?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re still up-to-date on business, right?”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any recent news about Mr. Ludascott?”
“Um... just that he was recently admitted in the hospital. He has been discharged anyway, but he’s not been to work since he’s not too strong. His P.A. is the one in charge for the time being.”
“Do you know if he was admitted because of any heart illness?”
“No, I didn’t hear of that. Is Jaden aware?”
“Yeah, he is.”
“When is he going back? Everybody is waiting for him over there.”
“He hasn’t decided yet.”
“Okay.”
“Are you sure he wasn’t admitted because of his heart condition?”
“Hundred percent. If it was true, it would’ve been all over the net and my dad would’ve known of it.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Any time.”
“One more thing. Does Alex call you?”
“Yeah, he does. But I just ignore them, although I’m tempted at times to answer it and hear his voice.”
“Don’t worry; everything will soon be alright.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Welcome, dear. I’ll be hanging up now.”
“Okay. Take care.”
“You too.”
Sylvia ended the call and let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Thank God, Jaden’s dad didn’t have any heart failure. Now, why did she care? It’d probably be because he was related to Jaden. And to think that she haven’t even met him. Wow! Now, she was in deep shit.