When She Comes

Chapter 56 - The Line Dividing Good and Evil

Inflight, Valeria's cell repetitively illuminated the inside of her handbag announcing incoming calls, each from the exact same person.

Now Prince, he would never permit himself to leave a voicemail as he'd surely regret any words he would impart. His temper certainly had the best of him and he knew enough about Valeria to know that his anger would not be well received.

Clearly what was happening in his life mirrored what was happening in his head.

Killing every ignored call with the red end call button, he followed up with redial hoping she would give in to one of his many attempts.

Proud he was for figuring out Valeria's hustle.

But...

Prince was the least of Valeria's concerns, she was preoccupied with others.

Shortly after Herod confessed his whereabouts during the fire, she understood where his cough had come from. When Valeria learned that the fire origin and cause report was due out that afternoon, it made her jump into survival mode.

Nevermind how furious Valeria was at Herod for taking as long as he did to tell her his whereabouts. She hung in a state between conflicted with his tardiness, grateful for his Interpol curiosity and his diligence in following up on his instincts.

Like a pirate she smuggled her precious jewel out of the country knowing full well a treasure hunter would eventually be hot on her trail.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

No doubt about it, a steaming bowl of soup from Valeria had magical powers to make you feel better but this batch was even more special, one might even say potent.

After a long flight, Prince knew nothing would stop Valeria from hauling out her well seasoned, wood cutting board, perhaps her cast iron skillet and most surely that jet black, ancient clay pot. Personally, he was well acquainted with the healing properties of Abuela's cleansing concoctions and knew anyone in her care would undoubtedly thrive.

And he was right about the first part.

Valeria had her Almazan chef kitchen knife, which looked like it was from medieval times, fast at work upon their arrival smashing and mincing, peeling and dicing.

While she was busily preparing curative elements her anxiety was mounting and Herod knew what she had to do and her reluctance to do it.

"Pepper why don't you allow me to take care of the visit." His voice laced with the hope of her forgiveness he would do anything to make her happy.

"That would work if she wasn't so enamoured with you. I don't have the time to worry about her placing some black magic spell on you or spiking some drink in hospitality for your visit."

"Valeria I'm not staying for a beverage. I'd get the turmeric and return immediately." Scoffing at her ridiculous claim that he'd make urgency into a social visit, he never had before.

"No." The brevity of her answer clues him in that he wasn't to ask again because the conversation was over.

With an abrupt snatch of her apron strings she lifted it over her head and scurried to her bedroom.

Hands clasped at her midline hesitant with her next move, but she knew it was her only solution. Producing a small box from her dresser drawer, she opened another and began scooping out some of her most prized cannabis. Closing the box, she tied it with some nearby raffia disguising her intentions as a gift.

Looking in the mirror above her dresser the reflection noted a woman who was haggard, sleep deprived and distressed. Tidying her chignon made her feel better, but God help her so would some much needed sleep.