Chapter 22
Chapter 22
“What?” Kathie finally said when She found her voice.
Beatrice rolled her eyes at her daughter. “Come on babe, do we have to do this every time?”
“He called to tell me that he’s almost at the house. I told him we stepped out shortly but will soon be back but Magda will be there to receive him and show him around.”
“Why do you look like you just saw some ghost? Oh no, you can’t blame me for anything now because I clearly informed you that he would be attending the wedding and would be staying with us.”
Katherine ran a hand through her hair. “Yes, you said so. But isn’t the wedding tomorrow? What the hell is he doing in California now?”
“Stop being childish darling. We only have just a couple of hours before tomorrow comes. He probably didn’t want to miss anything. Besides, I’m happy that he’s here. I can’t wait to catch up with him just like old times and I cannot wait to see the gift his father sent.”
“God, mom, is that only what you care about? Dick and material items?!!”
“Don’t start, Kathie. You know the time difference between California and Australia. Ollie said he miscalculated. He thought he would be here by morning but here he is. In fact, I love that he’s here already.”
“See, tomorrow’s my wedding and the last thing I want is for us to fight or argue over anything. Just be polite to Ollie when you see him.”
“Fuck, why am I even here having silly conversations with you?” Kathie said with anxiety, reaching for her purse on the sofa.
“Find your way home.” She said, making her way out of the changing room.
“Where the hell are you going?” Beatrice said, walking behind her daughter, trying to meet up with her fast-paced steps.
Katherine ignored. All that was on her mind was how she was going to get home miraculously in two minutes.
“Don’t you dare ditch me, Kathie, We aren’t done here. We have to wait for them to pack the white dress and I’m yet to try the second dress. Besides, we still have to go to the restaurant for the final food tasting. You can’t leave me here!” Beatrice whisper-yelled, trying to catch up with her daughter, confused as to where She was going and why She was suddenly ditching her.
“You are a grown-ass adult, mom. Sort your own shit!” She said before exiting the bridal shop.
Katherine hurried to the driver's side of the car, got in and started the car almost immediately. Having a feeling that Ollie would definitely get to the mansion before her and not wanting to risk it, She reached for her phone in her purse, Connected it to the car speaker, and then started driving.
“Pick up, Magda....” She groaned when the phone continued to ring, trying not to go beyond the required speed limit.
Kathie heaved a frustrated sigh when the call eventually went to voicemail. But that didn’t stop her from dialing Magda’s number again. This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.
Thankfully, she picked up the call after a couple of rings this time around.
“Thank goodness, Magda, where were you?”
“Sorry honey, I had to go supervise the kitchen. Your mom said she’s having people over so I was making sure everything was in place.”
Katherine cursed internally. She could swear that her mother knew Oliver was going to arrive this afternoon and yet the old woman saw it necessary to keep her in the dark.
“What’s wrong? You sound distressed. Did you get into a fight with Beatrice again?”
“Let’s leave Beatrice out of this for now. Please where are my babies?”
“They just got back from school not quite long. They are having snacks in the living room.”
“No one is at the house yet right? I mean a stranger, a visitor.”
“No. Beatrice called some minutes ago that someone will soon be here though.”
“Good. I need a favor from you, Magda.”
Before Magda could ask what the favor was or even give a reply if she could do it or not, Katherine went ahead to tell her what it was.
“Please take Sophie, Sebastian and Sammy to their playroom upstairs. Alice should watch over them. She should have finished packing their luggage for the weekend. I’ll be at the house shortly to take them to Michelle’s place.”
‘Wait...oh my...Is it Oliver that is coming soon?”
“Yeah. He should be at the house anytime from now.”
“Honey, Are you sure you want to keep pushing this?”
“Please, Magda, I don’t want to have this conversation.” Kathie shut her ex-nanny and housekeeper up politely.
“Oliver is nothing but a gold digger. He’s not worth seeing the triplets.”
“But I thought you said he’s rich and he’s from a rich family too?”
“A gold digger doesn’t refer to someone that is after mere material items only. You can’t understand Magda. Ollie is just a shitty person. Please do as I’ve said.”
“Sure, I’ll take them to the playroom now.”
“Thank you. I remember taking down some of their portraits but you can still help me check if there’s anyone I forgot to take down. And if you end up showing him around, please let him stay clear of my wing. I’ll be home shortly.”
“No problem, my dear, I’ll do as you’ve said.”
“Yeah, I’ll probably come through the backdoor to avoid any form of confrontation.”
“Okay darling, Please drive safely. I’ll do just as you’ve said. Be rest assured that I’ve got everything under control.”
“Thank you so much, Magda. Thank you.” She said, after which she ended the call.
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Making her way out of the dining room, Magda proceeded to the main living room where the triplets were.
“Hey loves,” She said, approaching them.
Sophie was lying on the long couch with a plate of popcorn, while Sebastian and Samuel were on the carpet rug, sharing a packet of cookies and some fruit juice with all their attention on the big screen before them.
“Hi, nana,” Sophie mumbled, chewing her snack, not tearing her eyes away from the TV.
“Hi, Magda.” Sammie said, sipping some fruit juice from his cup while Sebby rose to his feet and ran to hug her.
Magda smiled, returning the little boy’s hug.
“You want some cookies?” He offered.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“Someone is coming to clean the living room now. So you guys will have to go to the playroom upstairs.”
Sammie frowned, turning around to look at her. “I thought they’ve cleaned here today. We can always go to the other living room instead of going upstairs.”
Magda internally rolled her eyes at the little smart pants.
“Grandma’s wedding is tomorrow so we need to clean as many times as possible since we would be having guests over.”
“Mama says we can’t attend the wedding. Please can you help us talk to her? Mama listens to you.” Sophie said as she approached Magda.
“Sweetheart, the party is for adults only. I’m sure she explained that to you.”
“But we are going to miss all the food, cake, sweets and the fun stuff.”
“Don’t be sad, honey.” She caressed the little girl’s cheek. “I’m sure you’re going to have more fun at Michelle’s place.”
“Yessss,” Sammy yelled, biting into his cookie.
“Come on, let’s go up.” Since Sophie and Sebby were already on their feet, She gestured for Samuel to stand up too.
“Where’s Alice?” Magda asked the triplets. She was hardly away from them unless She had errands to run.
“Upstairs, packing our bags,” Sophie mumbled, reaching for her popcorn.
Once Sammy was up, Magda directed the trio to their playroom upstairs.
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“So have you called her?” Charles asked his son from the other side.
“Yeah. She’s not home but She said She already arranged for someone who would receive me. She promises to be back soon though. We are very close to her place.”
“That’s good news. I’m sure you will have a good time.”
“I wish you didn’t insist that I stayed at her home. Would have loved my personal space. A presidential suite in the finest hotel here would do.”
“Come on, Son. I know you. It’s easy for you to get carried away. There’s no way in hell I’m going to give in to that. But being with Beatrice gives me peace of mind. She would be responsible for you.”
Oliver rolled his eyes at his father’s statement. “What do you take me for? A seven-year-old? You need to start staying out of my life and my affairs, Dad.”
“It’s not too late for me to ditch this. This is a perfect time since She’s not home. I’ll just drop the gifts with the security and then turn back.”
“Don’t you dare, Ollie. Beatrice is expecting you. Don’t you dare break her heart!”
“Whatever! I just can’t wait for this to be over.”
“Woah! You don’t have to be in a hurry to come back.”
“I didn’t say I would be coming back to Australia as soon as possible. But it’s certain that I will leave Beatrice’s place as soon as I can.”
“You are there to make her happy so it would be good for you to behave yourself, Son.”
“Sometimes you seem to forget that I’m 36. I blame myself for always wanting to please you.”
Charles chuckled. “That’s why you remain my favorite person. We fight, we argue, and we piss each other off but you still have that fatherly respect for me. I love you, Son.”
“Ewww. Please stop that, Dad.”
“There goes the Son who claims I don’t show him any ounce of affection.”
“Go give your affection to your chicks. They need it more.”
“You seem so cranky. Are you alone over there?”
“What’s your deal, Dad?”
“You didn’t go with any escort?”
Ollie didn’t say anything.
“No escort, mistress?”
“For christ’s sake Dad, can you just shut the fuck up?”
“Calm down dude. I was only looking out for you.”
Oliver rolled his eyes “Indeed.”
“Anyways I know Beatrice will ensure you have a good time. Just don’t do anything stupid.”
“Are you done, Dad? We are almost at the gate.”
“Don’t push me away. I’m sure you will be happy to see Katherine. She must have grown into a beautiful woman.”
“She’s still alive?” Ollie said surprisingly.
“Why are you being so negative?”
“Didn’t you say She died or something?”
“And I remember retracting that.”
“Whatever, Dad. Gotta go. Will talk to you later.”
Charles was about to say something else but Oliver shut him up by purposely ending the call.
.....................
“Oliver Gusto.” He said the moment the driver pulled up at the gate and the security came to check the car for who it was.
“You’re welcome, Sir. Madam Magda is waiting inside to receive you.”
Oliver nodded from where he was seated in the back passenger’s seat.
The security pressed a button on a small device he was holding after which the gate opened itself, then the driver drove in.
Oliver stared at the surroundings through the window without any emotions. The driver pulled up right in front of the house. Oliver helped himself out of the car while the driver took out his luggage from the trunk of the car.
........
Getting a text notification on her phone from the security that their guest had arrived, Magda made her way out of the house. She saw a car parked and the driver taking out the luggage from the trunk. Then she saw a man in casual clothes, standing by the back passenger seat of the car. He had a good physique but She had not seen him properly because he had his back turned against her and he had his shades on.
She took slow steps towards the individual who also had his hands in his pocket.
Since She was the housekeeper and had a duty to make their guests feel welcome, Magda reached out to the not-so-familiar guest.
“You’re welcome, Mr Gusto.”
Upon hearing the same voice, Oliver turned around, taking off his shades at the same time.
“Gracious goodness.” Magda froze where she was the moment she sighted Oliver.