Chapter 4 That time of the year

Relentless of his instincts, Alvin had to visit his mother who was more than happy to see him. Quinn ran out of the sitting room to welcome him.

" Dad, look what grandma got for me," he said joyfully in a childish voice which Alvin understood.

" Let's take a look" he replied then took a look at his customized wristwatch and tapped it. "Can you operate it?" Quinn huffed offended then pressed then on button dialing Alvin's number. He laughed at his childishness and ruffled his hair proudly knowing Quinn was a genius when it comes to technology.

" That's my boy. So smart" he complimented picking him up then walked to the guest house while Bianca, Alvin's mother followed suite.

" He's been complaining about going back to school. I'm sure you know that" she informed him reaching her hands for Quinn who refused while fiddling with his father's necktie.

" I know. That simply means he's schooling from here" Bianca narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. She knew her son pretty well that he wouldn't cast Quinn aside.

" What's going on?" He sighed then dropped Quinn on his feet .

" Son, go to the game house. I need to talk to your grandma" he shrugged " I know adult talk. Don't leave without me" he chuckled crossing his chest as he watched Quinn leave. He suddenly felt guilty.

" I'm listening. You know how much he loves you. why are you doing this to him?"Bianca asked. Alvin sighed helplessly then he's lookin at his mother.

" Mom, I'm not pushing him away. He's my son. He means the world to me. I have a good reason for sending him here. He's not safe out there. At least not for now"

" What do you mean?"She got scared but Alvin rather has it that way than to reveal the truth.

" Just keep him here" he stated as Bianca nods determinedly to save her grandson at all cost.

" Be careful okay? You're a parent now. Your son is looking up to you. Think of his safety before anything else" she advised. They have rekindled their relationship as mother and son for the past few years all Thanks to Quinn's birth. Although she had to explain her absence during his upbringing which was mostly done by the nannies. She had promised to make things right by devoting her time to babysit his son.

" He's my priority. I better talk to him about it.. thanks mom" he pecked her smiling as he walked towards the game house.

Regardless of Kate's wealth, she didn't flaunt it as she wasn't a happy woman. Her family was proud of her though she hasn't seen them physically for years. All she does is write letters to them and they seemed to understand her after she disclosed the death of her unborn baby to them.

The thought of not seeing her mother had taken her to a convenience store to purchase gift items for them. Yes, she was going to Jamaica then she felt someone's lingering eyes boring holes in her back, that urged her to turn around to find Naomi staring at her in awe and shock. She looked frozen like she saw a ghost thus she ignored her to resume shopping.

Naomi wiped her face over and over and over again just to be sure she wasn't dreaming and to think David didn't tell her about her return surprised her. Step by step she approached her but couldn't form the right words to say till the last minute hence Kate left the store but after catching a glimpse of her and shook her in pity.

" Unbelievable!" She exclaimed slipping her hands into her bag for her phone to call David. He picked up after a few rings"Yes?" Came his response.

" You're back? Why didn't you tell me? I made a fool of myself today which could have been prevented had you told me Sooner" she accused pacing .

" What are you talking about? And watch your tongue" he snapped at her which had her lowering her voice.

" What happened to Kate? She has the look of some depressed bitch on when I saw her" David furrowed his brows offended by her statement.

" What do you mean? "

" I mean she's so stiff and cold. She didn't acknowledge me. Can you imagine?" She demonstrated with her hands like he was there, to prove her frustration.

" And that bothers you? C'mon, she has been through a lot. It's normal to act that way. She has gone through therapy and all and they deemed her fine. There's nothing to worry about. Kate Patterson is as harmless as a dove" he assures her staring at a wallpaper of her receiving an award on his laptop.

" And sexy. She's practically glowing. No wonder Alvin is head over heels in love with her" he added.

" Why is she here? This isn't her town for goodness sake. What does she want? "She snapped seemingly offended by David's comment. David laughed at her outburst like he reopened a closed wound.

" To divorce him of course. What were you thinking? Don't tell me four years wasn't enough to get in his bed. I'm sure he isn't that hard to get. Wait, you haven't won his heart?" He tsked his tongue in disappointment though amused.

" She can't know about us. You promised me" she said wearily running a hand through her hair. Kate was her best friend and she would hate for her to learn about her connection to David. All she wanted was Alvin Reagan nothing else.

" Yes, yes, I know that. Now out of my phone. You're disturbing me"he ended the call, picked a glass of brandy, and raised it as if cheering to Kate with eyes darting to the piece of paper on his desk about Alvin's gold mine and squeezed it.

Despite his attempt to dethrone him from the business world, he was still richer than him. The gold mine was his secret. A secret he found with Kate's help though she has refused to reveal herself to him which will make it easier to accomplish his goals then he sneered.

He couldn't guess what was going through her mind ever since she lost her son. She had a mind of her own even though she followed him to USSR where her change began. Not only did she single out a catering certificate but bagged first class in hotel management unfortunately it had nothing to do with him.

She stopped relying on him the moment they disembarked the plane until her late son's birthday which ignited their relationship leading to his numerous advances at her which she refused without a second thought. Grief does affect the strongest of minds though differently. Kate's way of grieving was by shutting people out which boost her morale in business. She had achieved a lot within three years then again she was reminded of the son she lost to Alvin's cruelty which was his cue to coerce her and it has worked so far.

Conspicuously, he gulped the whole wine recalling it was that time of the year again. Simon's birthday was getting close.