Vincent glanced at his wristwatch before sipping on his coffee. Where was his damn driver? He was growing impatient. He had gone on a solo run, leaving the mansion at dawn. He loved watching the town wake up to the calm chaos, locals going about daily activities while tourists explored the old mining town.
His gaze fell on a souvenir shop across the street, where figurines of various animals were beautifully arranged. It was nearly impossible not to notice. He took another sip from his coffee as he admired the beauty before him, and He answered his phone almost immediately as it rang.
"Where the hell are you?" Henry asked, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.
"Elko," he replied, then took another sip from his coffee. "Taking a break from the chaos." He added
He heard Henry sigh. "I haven't heard from you," he was annoyed
"I'm not impressed with the portfolio." Vincent rubbed his temple and glanced at his watch again.
"What is wrong with it?"
"One says her hobby is toe wrestling, the other pigeon racing, who does that?" he retorted
"I know you can do better, Henry," he paused. Just find me someone who can keep a secret and have a normal hobby."
He heard Henry take a deep breath
"How about Jennifer, she-"
"No, not her," he said sharply, resisting the urge to slam his fist against the coffee table.
Silence settled between them for some seconds. "The court date is in a week." Henry broke the uneasy silence. "You have a week to get anyone of your choice. Use your time in Elko."
He arched his brows as he saw an eagle figurine. He focused his gaze as he admired the craft.
"I'll be going to check the mines later."
"I'd love to hop on the next flight to Elko, but I have some matters to take care of over here."
"Very well then."
"Try not to kill anyone," Henry warned before ending the call.
Vincent placed the phone back on the table, his gaze focused on the figurine. The eagle was midair, its wings spread with a strength that intimidated the other birds. He couldn't see the detailing but was sure it was well-carved. He was going to have it. He decided as he called the waiter.
***********************
"Oh, poor child, why didn't you tell me?" her mother cooed. "You should have told me, baby."
"I didn't want you to worry."
Her mum sat up, back well propped against the headboard. "I'm just worried about you, baby, you shouldn't be going through that alone. Losing a job can be heartbreaking."
Genesis smiled, "But I want to start a home bakery, at least that will pay the bills." She watched her mother, hoping she would approve, "People love my baking." She added a hint of pride laced in her tone.
Her mother sighed, "You're a grown girl now, you can do whatever you want as long as it's not illegal," she approved, reaching for Genesis' cheeks and tugging at them playfully. "You're still my baby." She joked, making them laugh.
"And they love my baking cos I taught you how to bake," she added, "you learnt from the best."
Genesis threw her hair backward as they both laughed. Her phone buzzed, making her reach for it almost immediately. It was a text from Chelsea. She gasped, eyes wide open in surprise, as she dropped her phone onto the bed.
"What's going on, sweetie?" her mum leaned forward, palms wide open as she inquired.
"You won't believe it." Her voice was high-pitched, excitement coursing through her veins.
A small smile danced at the corner of her mother's lips, her body relaxed, "Go on," she urged.
"Chelsea just texted," she took a deep breath, "she asked me if I can make a wedding cake on short notice."
"That's good news!" her mother exclaimed.
Genesis aggressively typed her response, grinning ear to ear.
"She said they want samples of three different flavors of my choosing." Her eyes shone. "I think I'll go with Butterscotch Bourbon, Pistachio, and Dark Chocolate." She added
"Oh, honey, add Lavender Earl Grey. I used that flavor for my wedding, and it was amazing." Her mother suggested. Her smile was nostalgic.
Her wedding had been grand, the kind Genesis had fantasized about as a little girl. It puzzled her that despite having a big wedding with the elite of America in attendance, she couldn't find anything about it on the internet. There was nothing about her father or their wedding. Were they living a lie? What was her mother hiding?
"Why don't you ever talk about Dad?"
Her mum's gaze held hers, there was that fear in them she always saw each time she asked about her father.
"I thought we talked about it" she retorted
"Yes, but I-"
Her mother held her hand mid-air, interrupting her, "I'll write the recipe for Lavender Earl Gray," she sighed, "I need my rest now."
Her heart dropped. "I'll be in my room, waiting for Chelsea," she said, her voice shaking as she stood from the bed.
***********************
"Don't you think it's weird we can't find anything about my father on the internet or anywhere?" Genesis asked
Chelsea looked up from her phone, "that's true and fucking wired." She tapped a finger on the table. "It was done on purpose."
Genesis hummed as she propped the cake pan into the oven. "Too sad, I can't afford a private investigator." She closed the door. "What is she hiding?" she asked.
"A whole lot to keep you in the dark." They exchanged glances." Maybe she's protecting you from something." Chelsea suggested. Genesis arched her head to the side. Protect her from who or what. She pondered. She bit her nail. She has cake samples to make; she'll think about that later.
"How were you able to get the license? They said it won't be ready for two weeks to a month."
Chelsea pulled out a chair and sat. "Kelvin pulled a few strings." She blushed.
"Oh, the things he does for you." Genesis crooned longingly. "If only I had a guy like that."
"Errrm, news flash, you keep rejecting every guy since you broke up with." She paused, "What's his name again?" Chelsea asked, leaning forward.
Genesis scrunched her nose, she wasn't going to answer that. Chelsea never liked Jethro, she claimed he wasn't deserving of her.
"Sometimes you confuse me, you date a guy for personality and then decide to be single."
Genesis sat on the table, "classic me."
Chelsea rolled her eyes. "Please, try personality and wealth." She winked, "You'll thank me later."
"I'm more focused on taking care of mum."
"Even mum wants you to have a life girlfriend."
Genesis gazed at her, searching for words
"I can't remember when last you kissed."
They laughed. "You've starved your lips and the ones down there." She said, pointing between Genesis' legs.
"Chelsea!" Genesis exclaimed, laughing.
"I speak only the truth."
"I don't get enough credit for listening to your-"she made an inverted comma in the air, "truth"
"I'll hook you up with one of Kelvin's friends." She held up her nails. "That's the least I can do." She shrugged, grinning mischievously.
"I'm good."
"That's too bad, I already have someone in mind."
The oven tingled. Genesis jumped down from the table and headed for the oven. The scent of lavender filled the room, making her long for fresh flowers. She couldn't remember the last time she had received flowers from anyone. She opened the oven and pulled out the cake pan.
Chelsea was right, she had to leave her cave and live for once.