Maid For Him

Chapter 23

Reese****

I stepped away from him, still shocked at what I just did. Rickel was a little flustered, as well. He cleared his throat a few times while I fidgeted with my blouse.

"I think our flight is ready." Rickel started walking away, completely avoiding making eye contact with me. 

I followed closely behind him as we went through customs. I was extremely nervous.

Two years. Two long years since I've seen my family and I'm going to give them a surprise visit. I couldn't wait to land in Puerto Rico.

It was my first time riding in first class and it was amazing. I made use of all the champagne I could drink.

We were a few minutes into the flight when Rickel broke the silence. "Uhmm....I think we should discuss what just happened at the airport."

My nerves were going into overdrive. I rubbed my sweaty palms on my jeans and tried to think of something to say.

"Reese, why did you do it? Do you have feelings for me?"

"No." I blurted. "That wasn't part of our deal."

"That kiss was surely filled with a lot of emotions. You can't tell me you didn't feel it too."

I remained silent. When I kissed him in the airport, I had a tingling feeling all over my body. I couldn't let him know the effect he had on me.... at least not yet.

"I felt nothing."

Rickel didn't reply to me. He stuffed his earphones in and remained quiet for the rest of the ride.

We landed in San Juan at 8:42 am. The familiar smells were bringing back so many memories, I was at the brink of tears.

Rickel never said a word to me until we were out of the airport.

"Would you like something to eat until I get my rental car?"

"No, I'm fine." I said.

I didn't want to impose. He already paid for this trip.

"Ok then."

We waited a few minutes for his rental car. It was a freaking BMW. Who rents a BMW for just one day?

"Shall we go?" He was being awfully business-like, and it was scaring me.

"We just started our relationship and you're already meeting my family." I giggled a little, trying to lighten the mood. "You sure move fast, Rickel."

His expression didn't change as he pulled out of the airport's parking lot. I am now back at square one with him after all the hard work I've put in. Damn my stupid emotions!

"Do you know which hospital my mother is staying in?"

"Yes."

"How do you know?" I tried to force him to talk. 

"Does it matter?"

"I guess not." I mumbled.

I kept my mouth shut after that and focused on the road ahead. The beautiful tropical sunshine and the lush green trees made me want to just lean back and let the wind play in my hair.

I closed my eyes and rolled down the window. I haven't felt this cool, clean breeze in a long time. Even my insides seemed to be enjoying it as I breathed in and out peacefully. Life was good.

"We're here." Rickel's voice almost made me break down.

My mother was lying in one of the beds in this hospital, sad and alone while I was living in a mansion seeking revenge on the man who sponsored this trip. I felt awful.

I stood beside the car staring at the big grey hospital. I tried to move forward but my feet wouldn't budge.

Rickel sighed as he walked around the car to my side. He stood behind me and wrapped both arms around me.

"Your mom hasn't seen you in a long while." He whispered calmly into my ears. "She's waiting for you."

I closed my eyes and relaxed at the sound of his voice. He could definitely be a counsellor because my feet slowly started to move toward the building.

"It's going to be alright." He comforted me. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll be beside you the whole time."

We entered the hospital and I sat down while Rickel went to the front desk to find out which room my mom was staying in.
A few seconds later he took a seat beside me.

"Doctors are attending to her now. We'll be able to go in once they're through."

I exhaled. "Ok." I answered.

Rickel held my hand firmly. It was then that I realized that I was shaking.

"Trust me. It's going to be alright." He looked me straight in the eyes and I found comfort. His eyes were warm and caring and somehow I felt I could trust him with my life.

"Reese Rivera." My heart started racing again when the nurse called my name. "This way please."

Rickel didn't let go of my hand as we walked toward the room. He opened the door for me and we entered.

As soon as I saw my mom I pulled away from Rickel and ran to her.

"Mama!" I embraced her in a hug and the tears started to flow. "Oh my God, Mama! How are you feeling? I missed you so much."

"Reese?.....What are you doing here?"

Her left ankle was wrapped in a cast and propped up by two pillows. I didn't want to imagine the pain she was feeling right now. I knelt by her bedside and held her hand.

"I'm right here for you, Mama."

"How.....why are you here?" There was a little smile breaking out at the corners of her mouth.

"I'm here to see you." I answered and she brought me in for a long tight hug.

She started talking about how much the whole family misses me and how they can't wait to see me again then her eyes landed on Rickel.

"¡Dios mio! Is this my son-in-law?" She made no effort to hide her fascination.

"Yes, I'm Rickel." He answered before I could.

He came closer and kissed my mother on her cheek. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Rivera.  I didn't know all Puerto Rican women were this beautiful. I can see where Reese gets her flawless features."

He was overdoing it but my mom was surely enjoying the attention.

We talked for a few minutes then I froze when she asked, "How is school, Reesie? You studying hard?"

"I had to pull her away from the books to come here." Rickel said when he saw my expression. "She'll have some extra work to do when she gets back."

Mama clapped her hand joyfully. "Wonderful! I feel like my ankle is getting better already. You will be finished with school soon and start working. Then we'll be able to pay for the house we live in. I convinced the landlady to give me two more years to pay and she agreed. I knew you would make it. The whole family knows."

The happiness in her eyes was breaking my heart. I wanted so badly to tell her that I dropped out of college but I couldn't. I didn't want to kill her before her time.

Rickel was the perfect gentleman, making conversation and complimenting my mother every chance he got. He was sitting on one edge of the bed and me on the other but I could hardly get a word in. They were chatting like they were old friends.

"So tell me, Rickel." My mother took his hand in hers. "Do you love my daughter?"

I held my breath as I waited to hear his answer.