As soon as the kids walked in chattering excitedly, I began to feel dejected. They were already enjoying their holiday here in Chihuahua and I was about to take it away from them, but the truth was that, I had no other choice. It was for our own safety.
"Did you guys enjoy your day?" I asked, even when I already knew the answer.
"Of course mummy. We met Mario's dad today and he made us Tamales. Have you tasted Tamales before? It was so delicious. And then we went to the swimming pool" Amanda rambled on, oblivious as to what wss happening, but the twins were already fidgeting. They were waiting for Amanda to finish talking and leave, so hey can ask me what the problem was.
"Mum, what is it this time around?" Andrew asked gently as soon as Amanda went to the room to take off her clothes.
"It's nothing to be..."
"Do not tell us that it's nothing to be worried about, when we're already obviously feeling worried. Spill mum" Alex interjected, making me smile.
"We're leaving Chihuahua tomorrow morning" I announced.
"And why's that?" Andrew asked.
"Becayse this place is no longer safe"
Alex scoffed and sat on the chair pulling off her shoes, and trying to draw attention to herself.
"Mum look around you. This isn't New York. This is a very small City, in a small country. This place is literally a safe haven. Everyone relates well with each other, so why would this place no longer be safe?"
I sighed.
This was going to be harder than I thought.
Alex was very smart.
Andrew was the mature one though.
"Mum, talk to us. What's happening? Were you threatened by anyone? Do we need to call Mason or the FBI? Are we in serious danger?"
I decided to tell them the truth.
Amanda came out then and sat down to listen as well. I didn't push her away, because she also needed to know the truth.
And by telling the truth, I meant to tell them how I supposedly killed my father.
And I told them, everything that happened during my childhood and even how their father had been cheating, and how he was involved with a Mafia before he died. I also told them that their uncle Alfred kidnapped my mum and is asking for one million naira.
"And I hope you're not planning to give him?" Alex interrupted again.
"Do we even have one million naira?" Andrew asked.
"Of course, why are you underestimating my mum?" Amanda asked and whacked him on the leg with a baseball bat, eliciting a laugh from all of us.
"Alright. I was going to give him the money, but then he's a criminal, just like your father, just like my father, just like Allison..."
I shut my eyes tight, hoping they didn't hear that last part, but oversmart Alex apparently heard it.
"Did you just say Allison?"
"She was having an affair with your dad too. So she was working with him"
"Oh my! This is really interesting. I feel like if I start a book based on this history, it's gonna pay off. What do you think, Alex?" Andrew smiled. I hugged my children warmly.
"Whatever happens sweethearts, I'm gonna protect you all. I'll make sure nothing happens. If my dad wants revenge, he'll get it in full force, because I'll make sure he dies this time around" I raged.
Alex rubbed my shoulder calmly. "I support you, mama" She leaned her head on my shoulder and I smiled, grateful to God for having amazing children.
Andrew stood up and held Amanda. "Let's go pack. Mum and Alex would be making dinner"
Alex and I looked at each other, wondering when we made the decision to prepare dinner together. These kids of mine were definitely hilarious.
"Alright mum. I'm stuck with you in the kitchen" Alex stood up, dragging me up with her. I raised my eyebrows in relation to her statement.
"Yeah mum. You and I know that I'm better than you in cooking"
"Says who?" I asked.
"Says Amanda and Andrew. You can ask them later to confirm" She said with a victorious glint in her eyes and smiled.
"This isn't cool at all. This isn't cool" Amanda kept muttering in the plane. The twins understood why we had to leave early but Amanda want happy. She had in fact taken a liking to my home country. I made up my mind that I was going to bring them back someday, but for now it was better to be safe than sorry. Aunty Terry was really devastated when I told her we had to go back and it was urgent. She made me promise to bring back the kids during their next vacation.
As soon as we arrived New York and were settled at home, with Alex, getting started on dinner, Andrew arranging his bedroom and Amanda sulking and talking to her dolls, I decided to call Mason.
"How could you leave just like that without telling me Laura? What happened to sharing secrets with each other and never hiding anything from each other?"
"Mason, I ..."
"You what, Laura?"
Before I could reply, he ended the call. Damn! He was so angry. I shrugged and kept my phone down as I went to supervise my daughter in the kitchen.
"Mum we still have two weeks left till our holiday is over" She stated while trying to chop carrots. I wondered what exactly she was making, because there were some parsley leaves, with green peas on the kitchen sink, and a lot of other spices.
"Of course I know. I see no reason why you need to tell me that" I replied.
"I was just telling you because I know you. Once the next call from work comes in, VOOM! you're out, and I'm just telling you because I'm not gonna let that happen"
I laughed.
"Alexandra Mia. I made a solemn promise to be with you guys till your holiday is over. In fact I've sent a message to the FBI to request for leave and they..." I stopped when I realized that I hadn't actually received any reply from the Assistant Director Charles, because I didn't give him any chance to send a reply.
"They what mum? Do not touch that phone!!! I said do not!!!" She yelled as she saw me walking towards my phone.
"I can't help it baby" I whispered to her as I turned on the phone. I read the first line and I dropped the phone, and screamed. My kids ran out to check what made me scream like that. Alex grabbed the phone and read the message. Her eyes widened as she passed the phone to her brother.
"You've been fired??!!" Andrew asked, in shock. Amanda started jumping in excitement.
"Yayy!! Now mummy's gonna have enough time for us, right Alex?? Our prayers have been answered"
I stood up and walked outside. Andrew followed me and placed his hands around my neck.
"It's alright mum. Everything's gonna be fine. I'm gonna take up a job somewhere so I can assist in..."
"Assist in what?!" I interrupted him sharply, and placed both my hands on his shoulders.
"Now you listen to me, my son. You aren't gonna take up any job. You're gonna continue your education, and your soccer games and be the best son in the world. We aren't broke. We'll never be. I've moved past that stage, and I'm never going back to that stage, ever again!!! Okay?"
"Okay mum. I love you" He said and hugged me.
"I love you too" I sniffled. "Everything's gonna be okay"
We walked back inside together and I shut the door. I took back my phone and saw a message from Tasha. She was inviting me for a get-together with the FBI. I called her instantly.
"Are you crazy?" I asked.
"Charles didn't fire you. Nathan did" She replied.
"Mum, dinner is ready!!" Alex shouted, from the kitchen. I completely ignored her.
"What do you mean Nathan did? It's not in his jurisdiction to do that. Where's Charles? And why the hell would Nathan fire me?"
"Because I asked him to"
"What?!" I couldn't believe my ears.
"Well, Nathan was promoted to assistant director and then I want you to open your god-damned door so we can continue the rest of our conversation in person"
I opened the door immediately and in walked the devil. I scoffed.
"I've missed you too, Laura" She hugged me.
"Aunty Natasha" Amanda came running out of her bedroom as soon as she heard her voice. I have reasons to believe those two have begun conspiracy against me.
"Hello Mandy bear. Guess what I got you"
Amanda formed a very weird face and she screamed. "Coloury lollipop!!" She highfived Tasha and Tasha brought out three of those 80% sugar-filled sweets.
"Oh my God!! Tasha I swear I'm gonna kill you and bury you in my kitchen. Now start talking"