The Perfect Gentleman ✔

19: Folktales

The week went by quickly, although not fast enough in Sara's opinion. It was another Saturday today, second week in February, and another opportunity to meet with her son. Right now, the jeep was heading towards the mansion, and despite herself, she was apprehensive. She figured her temporary situation would end faster than she would expect, as Lucas was being tight lipped on how long he planned on staying in Lagos. Apparently the house being on a five year lease didn't really mean he planned to honor it. Besides, she had spent the greater part of her first visit playing with her son than actually finding out about his life these past years. Not that she wasn't thrilled about a repeat performance, she wished to know if he would need a mother figure in his life or if her sudden appearance will be detrimental instead of benign.

Soon the car pulled into the mansion and she stepped out, before the door man could open the door for her. With her focus in mind, she walked through the double brass doors of the house and was ushered into the dining room where Lucas and Freddie, surprisingly, were having a late breakfast. Lucas was eating scrambled eggs with toast and a cup of coffee, while Freddie drank his cereal. Freddie saw her first and beamed, causing Lucas eyes to fly up to her face.

"Sara! You're here," called Freddie cheerfully.

"You're early. Eager, are we?" mocked the man, smirking at her.

She flashed the son a hearty smile and scowled at the father. "It's too late for breakfast. And I'm not early," she clarified.

Lucas angled his head at her response, dropping his cutleries. "It's my house, so I decide at what time I have breakfast," he stated, feeling smug.

"Sara, daddy woke up late today. He was snoring and talking in his sleep. So I had to go wake him up because I was hungry," Freddie explained in a matter of fact way.

Lucas looked away in shame as her brows lifted at the information. "You don't say?" She murmured, barely holding back her laugh.

He glanced at her direction, smacking his lips. "Despite that, the rule still applies."

She nodded, moving to go help Freddie climb down from his chair. He grinned at her, and then bundled off to the kitchen to go drop his cereal bowl. She sat on the recently vacated chair, while waiting for her son to return. She was in fact eager to start the day, already.

She turned her focus to him and quizzed. "You woke up late?" She found it hard to believe.

He glowered at her. "Alright. Have your fun at my expense," he intoned, trying to hide a smile flickering on his lips. "But I'll let you know, I'll have the last laugh."

She nodded, as a giggle escaped her lips. "He said you were snoring and talking. I know about the light snores, but should I be worried about you talking in your sleep?" She mocked, still laughing.

He shook his head dejectedly. "I'll admit that was not my finest moment. I'll blame it on the terrible week I've had. Production has started at the company and I'm worried we might not meet our May deadline. I have powerful investors counting on our delivery," he explained, standing up from his chair. Grabbing his plate, he marched off to the kitchen area, and Sara having nothing else to do followed him.

She had just entered the familiar environment that was the kitchen when the sight in front of her stopped her. Plates were lying carelessly on the floor at the left corner broken, the pan too and a few mugs. Water was slowly covering the entire floor and Sara turned to find the source. Freddie stood near the sink, holding his left palm in his right hand with a pained expression on his face. Then she saw why. A broken plate was left on the sink counter with a red stain on it. A gasp escaped her lips at the same minute as Lucas rushed to pick him up. Quickly and without a word, he marched out of the kitchen, pausing briefly to scowl at the maid who was just entering the kitchen tired and breathless, obviously from a run.