The Howards

Chapter 5

I sighed loudly when I checked the status of my fridge. I need another groceries run. But I just send my truck for repair, which means I have to walk back home with bags of groceries. I sighed, again. As if sighing can help with my situation.

I knocked on my mum's door, "Mum, I'm going to get groceries. Do you need anything?"

I was very surprised when the door opened. My mum stood there, with her head down and an envelope in her hand. She passed it to me and shook her head before closing her door.

I stared at the closed door and the envelope in my hand. I checked the content inside the envelope and it was money. Realization dawned on me. She is asking me to use the money for groceries and she don't need anything.

A faint smile creeping on my face.

••••

I glanced at the next item in my groceries list:

Green tea. Coffee. Juice.

Someone bumped into my cart and I looked up from my list. I was about to apologise then I found Randall standing there, a smirked on his face, "You still need a list for grocery shopping?"

I rolled my eyes at him, putting the drinks into my cart, "What are you doing here?"

"Er, to rob the bank." Randall teased, "Getting groceries for my mum, duh. I didn't see your ugly truck in the carpark,"

"I walked here," I shrugged, "I send my truck for repair,"

"Mmhmm," Randall grabbed some condiments from the shelf, "If you don't mind going to the furniture store with me after this, I might consider giving you a ride."

I beamed at him, nudging his shoulder, "Considered it done! It's nice doing business with you,"

Randall cackled, helping me to unload the items on the counter, "Are you buying the whole supermarket?"

"This cart of groceries is enough to last me three weeks," I said, noticed the cashier kept looking at Randall, blushing. I smiled, nudged Randall.

"What?" Randall raised his brows, looked at the cashier direction and smiled, "Any discount?"

I smacked Randall's arm, "Shut up, goddammit,"

"Ouch," Randall grinning from ear to ear, "That'll be hundred and fifty. Payment by cash or credit?"

The cashier blushed even deeper when she realised Randall took her line. I shook my head and passed her the cash, "By cash please,"

After Randall paid for his, he didn't forget his manners, "Thank you Samantha,"

That might just made Samantha's day. I was laughing as we carry our groceries to Randall's car, I mimicked his tone, "Thank you Samantha,"

"Jealous?" Randall smiled, loading our bags into his car.

"My arse," I replied.

••••

Fred, the owner of the furniture store looked up from his newspaper and his grin widened when he saw Randall, "Yo, Howard boy, where did you go?"

"Around," Randall smirking as he looked around the store, "Has my order arrived?"

"Oh yeah, for the cott..." Fred trailed off when Randall turned towards him, blocking my view. "Thank you, Fred. Where do I need to sign?"

Fred took a stack of papers for Randall and he asked, "Who is building it?"

Randall shot me quick glances and said, "Rick and I. We robbed some of dad's worker. Big progress. I will send you some pictures,"

Fred nodded, casting me a look. Why do I feel like they are talking about me? Randall passed the whole stack back to Fred and said, "Alright. Thanks, Freddy. I will be coming back for more,"

"Sure. See you around, good luck with your latest project," Fred said and gave me a wink before Randall pushed me out of the store gently.

"What was that for?" I asked when Randall driving me back to my house.

He smirked, "Rick and I are working on a project."

"Is that why the both of you are skipping school nowadays?"

"Yup," Randall said, his eyes on the road, "Doesn't really matter if we go to school or not. Rick has a place in Yale. And, I'm definitely not going anywhere. Dad wants me to take over his company. I'm starting to take over some of his projects,"

"Hmmm," Deep in thought, "Wealthy ass people are so damn lucky,"

Randall rolled his eyes and parked in front of my house. He helped me with my groceries and asked, "Is your mum in?"

I pointed to the closed door, "She is in there,"

"I want to say hello,"

I narrowed my eyes at him. I am definitely okay with him saying hello. But I'm not sure if my mum is okay with strangers. I knocked on my door and asked, "Hey mum. Do you remember Gemma talked about her son, Randall? He is here. Do you want to say hello?"

I wasn't expecting any reply, as usual. But the door opened. My mum opened the door, but only slightly to show one side of herself.

Randall replaced his signature smirking to a polite smile, "Hi, Mrs Morgan. I'm Randall. I am fan of your books,"

I was beyond impressed. Randall read my mum's book? I looked at Randall with a tilted head, smiling. What surprised me the most, there was a small smile appearing on my mum's face, just for a few seconds. I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me.

I blinked, feeling incredulous. Randall held my hand and gave it a squeeze to confirm that my eyes wasn't playing trick on me. My mum looked at our tangled hands, her eyes dancing.

I took my hands out of Randall's and said, "No mum, we are not dating."

A disappointed smile was on Randall's face but it quickly replaced with a polite smile, "Oh, Mrs Morgan, El got a crush on me. She just doesn't want to admit it,"

I smacked Randall hard on his arm. He chuckled and looked at my mum, "I shall not disturb you any longer. I'm looking forward to your next book, Mrs Morgan,"

"Tricia," My mum said. I can barely hear it but we did.

"See you around, Tricia," Randall said and my mum nodded before closing her door.

I was over the moon. This is huge progress. She actually starting to hold her own conversation. I looked at Randall, "How..."

"My mum told us about it. Said, have thread carefully if we ever meet Tricia."

I pulled Randall in for a hug and placed my ears on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, "That was incredible. Thank you, Randall,"

His arms came around me, tightening his grip, "No, thank you,"