Chapter 22
Alaia
I finished reviewing the schematics and interconnection maps for the project on my tablet. Work had already begun, and the engineers were heading to the Garnett building, which was outside the city and an hour’s drive from there. That day, my babies stayed home, so it was very quiet around there. I sighed, missing my little ones; they gave me life all the time.
“Honey, I designed this evening gown, but I’m not sure about it.” Ash entered and walked towards me. I set aside what I was doing, giving my full attention to my cousin. She showed me a beautiful and elegant blue dress with sparkles.
“It’s gorgeous,” I said, and she began to describe the detail she was unsure about, and we discussed it. My office phone rang. It was Ignacio.
“Mr. Kurt Russell is here,” he informed me. I turned to look at Ash. I silenced the call.
“Go to the children’s room,” I said in a low voice, and she nodded. “Let him in,” I said when Ash had already closed the door to the playroom. I leaned back on my chair and waited for my uncle to enter. I figured that if I refused to see him, it would be suspicious, so I’d get rid of him quickly.
“Alaia,” he said, entering like a lightning bolt followed by his bodyguards. My eyes went to the blonde one; I wanted to get a better look at him since I’d never seen him up close. Tino was right, he was attractive and very tall, and he had a scowl on his face, just the way Tino liked them.
“How can I help you?” I said, noticing how all three of them were looking around.
“I’ve come to get my daughter,” he said, fixing his gaze on me. “She’s decided to disappear, and I suspect that you and that gay friend of yours helped her,” he accused.
“The last time I saw my cousin was at the airport, where she said goodbye to us and went back home,” I said calmly.
“That’s what it seems, but she didn’t go home, I find it hard to believe she’s not with you.” He seemed worried, but he couldn’t fool me; he didn’t care about his daughter.
“Well, she’s not with me. You’ll have to keep looking for her or back off so she can come back and live the life she chooses.” I crossed my arms.
“You wouldn’t understand,” he said.
“No, I don’t understand how a father can force his child to do his will without caring about how they feel,” I retorted, and he looked at me angrily.
“You’re surely in contact with her. Just tell her to come back, or I’ll close her stores.” He turned around.
“Will you really close a business that generates so much money a month? Just out of arrogance and pride?” I said, and he stopped but said nothing and continued on his way. He signaled his men, and they left my office.
I made sure to watch their movements through the building on my office screens (I had had them installed recently). When I saw them leave, that’s when I finally went to get Ash.
“He’s a sly old fox; it didn’t take him long to get here.” Ash looked out the window as I closed the door and walked up to her.
“At least this has helped us to know that the boy’s disguise is working; they haven’t noticed it’s you,” I said, and Ash nodded. “We’ll be fine for now p>
“We are, Ash. What do you say we go to the foster home after we leave here? I want to see the place where they live and see if I can buy it, but first, we’ll go shopping p>
“I love the idea, and I’d like to help,” Ash said, “but my father has frozen the store accounts, and I’m not going to risk making any moves from my bank accounts p>
“Don’t worry, when you get the inheritance, you’ll pay me back.” I smiled, and she laughed, shaking her head.
We headed straight for the mall, looking for clothes for children of all ages and for the girls. Doing this filled my heart with joy. Along the way, we entered a designer store that had caught Ash’s eye.
“Look at these fabrics,” she said knowledgeably. I always learned about clothes whenever I was with her.
We took a tour and I picked out a few pieces that had caught my eye. I was definitely going to buy them. It was a lot of stuff, so we had the attention of the women who worked in the store.
“Excuse me, can someone help me?” we heard a woman say, and one of the girls we were talking to went over to her.
“This would look perfect on you, Grace,” said the newcomer.
“I don’t know, Barbie,” replied the woman, and they walked past us. That was when I saw that it was Bárbara and Nick’s mother.
Ash looked at them and frowned, then turned to me, and that was when I realized she had recognized them as well.
I continued shopping, downplaying Bárbara’s presence. Nick’s mother had never actually known about me, so I wasn’t interested in her either. We went to the checkout to pay for the clothes. I looked for my card and ID in my wallet.
“Alaia Russell,” read the girl behind the counter, and another one handed me some shopping bags.
“Alaia Russell?” That was definitely not Ash’s voice; it was Bárbara.
My eyes went to Bárbara, and I pretended I didn’t know her.
“You’re Alaia, the girl from college, Nick’s ex…” She stopped when she saw her companion approaching.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” I asked, and her face fell.
“Of course, you know me. Don’t you remember? I was Nick’s best friend, and now his wife.” She showed off her wedding ring. “I got him to stay with me, isn’t it incredible?” It was very clear that she wanted to provoke me.
“I think I remember you vaguely, always demanding attention.” I paused. “Have you heard those words that say, ‘The one who gets him, loses p>
Her smile faded.
“Let’s go,” Ash said, handing the bags to Gavin.
“I see. I heard you dropped out of college. I imagine you’re this boy’s assistant.” She eyed Ash’s clothes, and Ash moved her body as if to say, “Excuse me p>
“No, actually, she’s my cousin. We’re the Russells, heirs to the T–World company,” Ash clarified, and Bárbara changed her demeanor as she blinked.
“Miss Russell, your card.” The clerk handed me my card and ID. The next thing I knew, Nick’s mother was already in front of us.
“I can’t believe it. I’m Grace Garnett,” she introduced herself, placing a hand on her chest. “So you’re Darius’s grandchildren, and you must be Patrick’s daughter,” Nick’s mother said.
“That’s right,” I replied. The woman seemed delighted to meet me. I was sure that if this had happened before, she wouldn’t have been so welcoming. She was just like her son, for sure.
“We have to go,” I said, feeling uncomfortable with Grace’s friendliness.
“What a shame. I would have loved for you to have coffee with us p>
“You heard her, Grace, they have to go.” Bárbara took Grace’s arm.
“But…” Grace began to speak.
“Maybe another time. Excuse us.” I said and walked past them with Ash.
“She’s such a…” Ash trailed off as we walked out to continue shopping.
“She’s insufferable,” I replied, not wanting to talk about it anymore. We put the encounter aside and finished our shopping before heading to our destination.
Once we arrived, we asked the guys to take the things inside. I saw a house; it was very big, but it wasn’t in good shape.
“This doesn’t look good at all,” Ash said, and I agreed.
They let us in, and we found Alicia.
“Girls, it’s so good that you came,” she greeted us.
“We want to help,” we said.
“That’s wonderful. Come in.” She led us into the house.
We walked through the halls of the old building and saw that they kept it tidy and very clean.
The children greeted us cheerfully, as did the women. There were several rooms divided between the girls and their children. We saw that many things were missing: no psychological support, and not much food.
“We’d like a list of everything you need, as well as the contact information for the person in charge of selling the house, if possible,” I said when we reached the office. It was the only modest place there.
“You’re angels. No one has ever taken an interest in us like you do. We have some resources, not much, but they could help with the purchase p>
“No, of course not. Use it for whatever you consider urgent, please,” Ash said, and Alicia’s smile grew wider.
We spent more time with her until we decided to go home. I got in the van and dialed my assistant’s number.
“Alaia p>
“Ignacio, I’m sending you the contact information for the person in charge of selling a house. I want you to find out the price and everything the state requires to buy it. Call me as soon as you have that information p>
“Understood,” I hung up the phone and we got in the car to go home.
“Mommy!” My children ran towards me as soon as I got to the door. I lowered myself to their level to hug them and shower them with kisses.
“How are my babies p>
“Good,” they answered in those little voices that I loved.
We walked hand–in–hand, and I greeted my family. My father was not there, only the girls and Aidan. As I was talking to them, my phone rang. I stood up and moved away a bit to answer.
“Hello p>
“Alaia.” It was Ignacio. “The house, it doesn’t belong to the state… it belongs to the Garnetts p>
I was confused at first. He told me the cost of the property.
“Make an offer in your name. I want that house,” I said.
“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and hung up.
I rested my phone on my chin after hanging up and thought about how small the damn world was.