After Valeria helped her mother in sorting out the clothes she wants to sell and give to Zarah, she went back to her room to reflect on her mother's words earlier. After few minutes of thinking, she called Dennis.
"Hi Den" She greeted immediately he picked up
"Ria, how are you doing?" He greeted back happy she called him back
"I'm sorry if I expected too much from you, I've forgotten not everyone can sacrifice for me" She said feeling remorse
"I'm sorry too baby girl, I should have atleast called and ask how you are doing" He replied feeling bad too
"It's fine, study well for your exams and pass in flying colors" She said smiling
"Thank you Ria. I'm really happy you've forgiven me now I can read without thinking someone out there is pissed at me" He replied and Valeria chuckle after his last word
"Take great care of yourself and your studies first before anyone" Valeria said and hang up after hearing a response from him.
She realised after talking to him, she felt more relaxed, relieved and happy.
"If forgiving Dennis makes me happy then forgiving Francis will make me happier" Valeria said to herself and walk out of the room to talk to her little brother.
"Mother, where's Francis?" She asked walking into the sitting room
"In the room" Geraldine replied not looking at her. She walked towards the room, take deep breaths before knocking
"Francisco Melvin" She called and Francis open the door
"Ice cream date?" She asked smiling weirdly
"Really Valeria?" Francis asked back not believing his ears
"Get dressed before I change my mind" Valeria said and Francis rush to the room to dress up. Geraldine who could hear her children conversation smile happily.
Francis came out of the room and they left for their date.
****
James was on his way back from work when he saw Valeria and Francis sitting at the ice cream truck. He parked the truck he was driving and walked up to them.
"Peace offering?" He asked sitting next to Valeria
"Hi James" She greeted with a smile
"Bro" Francis greeted too
"I deserve ice cream too you know" James said teasingly
"Yes you do" Valeria said and James laughed. Valeria order ice cream for him and the siblings have their ice cream date discussing about the University of Chicago and Valeria's experience at the career talk.
The siblings went back home in James rented truck, he's a logistic driver who delivers large quantity of goods to people in their houses or companies.
"We are home" Valeria announced as they enter the house
"Good evening mother" James and Francis greeted and walk to the room
"Welcome back" Geraldine greeted her children as she sets the table
"Let me help" Valeria said walking up to her mother
"Don't bother, Benedict and Albert will help. Freshen up and come for dinner" Geraldine replied with a smile
"Okay mother" Valeria said and leave her mother and brothers to set up the table. Getting to her room, she received a call from Dennis.
"Hi Dennis" She greeted not showing the surprise in her voice
"Hello Ria" Dennis greeted back with obvious happiness
"Why are you this happy?" She asked surprisingly
"It seems today is for reconciliation, my mum and dad just reconciled" Dennis replied with happiness
"Congratulations Dennis" Valeria greeted with genuine happiness
"Thank you Ria" Dennis said with happiness
"Now you have a complete family" She said and Dennis screamed in happiness. Dennis parents relationship went down the hill the moment their wealth did. His Dad became more frustrated and annoying even when his mum try to be calm and be the good wife she has always been. There was a time Dennis called Valeria and was in tears
***FLASHBACK***
"Why are you crying Den?" Valeria asked worriedly
"My parents!" He replied with tears
"I won't hear a word you say if you keep crying" Valeria said calmly with worry in her voice
"They are going to divorce" Dennis said giving Valeria the shock of her life
"Why? Where did you hear that from?" Valeria asked trying not to be insensitive
"My Dad was calling a lawyer" Dennis replied feeling more bad
"Calm your nerves and pray for them" Valeria said calmly
"I can't Ria. I'm going to have a separated family" Dennis said with tears. It is rare to see a man vulnerable so Valeria knows how pained he might be
"Keep calm Dennis, you can actually discuss this with them and make them understand you will be the one suffering here not them" Valeria advised
"Will they listen?" Dennis asked sadly
"Theirs is the decision to make, yours is to try your best to let them know the complications" Valeria replied
"I will try my best" Dennis said and hang up. During this period, they were still friends even though Valeria already confessed her feelings for him. Few weeks later, he called Valeria again.
"Ria, they both signed the divorce paper but the judge asked them to stay together for six months" Dennis said sadly
"That's a good thing actually, you can use this period to bring them together" Valeria said childishly but was making sense
"Ria I just wanted to update you" Dennis said and hanged up angrily. Valeria didn't bother calling him back, she knows how sad it will be for him to experience his parents separation after how many years of love and care.
***FLASHBACK ENDS***
Valeria felt very happy to know his parents are finally getting back together knowing how stressed and pissed he was when they were about to separate. She wants to ask him for details but he seems too happy to explain. She freshen up and go for dinner with her family, they prayed before eating. Few minutes later, they were done eating, their mother has always been so keen on table manners so they don't try talking while eating.
"Mother makes the best dishes" Francis said drinking water
"No doubt" Benedict supported
"Thank you" Geraldine said with a smile
They had family time before everyone retire to bed.