CHAPTER 98 – A CASANOVA
As expected, Richard was discharged from the hospital the next day. He returned to meet the children, Mackenzie and Chase at home.
Mackenzie had prepared lunch just in time for his arrival, and had made sure to prepare his favorite dish; lasagna. She was happy, for the first time in forever, her family was together, and she could be sure that she was safe.
The children spent a greater part of their day helping their father and other stewards arrange their room. This time, Chase made sure Calista and Cameron got separate beds and wardrobes, enough room for all their things.
While Cameron picked out a blue bed frame, and wanted his part of the room painted blue and furnished with blue furniture, Calista picked the color white for everything. Chase was happy to join in the painting, so the kids had to stay in the new play room while waiting for their walls to dry.
At noon, Chase drove to the hospital to pick up his father and West. He was seated at the back seat of his car when he got a call from Nora.
Chase heaved a long sigh before he clicked on the “answer icon” of his phone.
“Nora, is this something new or should I get used to you calling at the best of hours?”
She chuckled at her end of the line.
“My apologies, Mr. Axford. I do hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.”
Chase smirked.
“Not yet, but at the rate which you are calling, I have a feeling you would interrupt something soon.”
He heard her giggle, and he could tell she was shaking her head wherever she was.
“Well, I called with news for you. Turns out James Lowe, Eleanor and Jeffrey weren’t the only ones in on the kidnap. The one who set the school on fire was paid by Selene, your ex-wife.”
Chase sat up and shifted in his seat. His eyes darkened as he glared at his image in the rearview mirror.
“What did you just say?”
“James Lowe called a few more names, and when they were interrogated, they confessed to being paid huge sums of money by Selene. Lucky for us, she wasn’t smart enough to cover her tracks. There are receipts of text messages, and proof of transfer of large sums of money. We have everything we need to take her down, sir. I wanted to let you know, and to ask how we can get on it.”
Chase’s frown dissolved into a smile. Selene had crossed the line this time. He had been fine with letting her off easy before, but not anymore.
“You have all the proof right?”
“Yes sir. Including an audio tape of the confession.”
Chase’s smile broadened even more.
“Very good. We would use her biggest asset against her. Get the news on every social media platform and make sure she is tagged. Her entire career would be dragged to dust before she knows what’s coming for her.”
“Yes, sir.”
“One more thing, Nora. The flight I asked you to prepare for Mr. and Mrs. Torsney, have you gotten to it?”
“Of course. I was able to contact them last night, I explained everything to them, and they would be on the first plane that leaves at noon tomorrow.”
“And you told them it’s a surprise, so they shouldn’t let Mackenzie know they’ll be coming?” Chase asked again. That part was also very important.
“Yes sir. I did that.”
“Alright then, thank you very much.”
Nora responded to his greeting and Chase ended the call immediately. When he got to the hospital, Richard was dressed and set to return home, West on the other hand seemed a bit reluctant, he seemed to have been “kicking it” with a red-haired nurse, and Chase couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched his cousin’s rather stiff attempt at being a Casanova.
By the time they returned home, Calista and Cameron were stationed at the door, anticipating their return. Immediately they caught sight of their father and grandfather, they rose from the floor – not minding to clear their toys – and ran towards them.
“Daddy!”
“Grandpa!”
Calista and Cameron cried out simultaneously. Chase spread his arms open for Calista, while Cameron jumped into his grandfather’s arms.
West stood behind them, smiling at the cute little versions of Chase.
Chase turned to West and smiled at Calista.
“Princess, this is my cousin and your uncle, West. Say hello to uncle West.”Property © NôvelDrama.Org.
Calista blushed, quite shy, and waved at him.
“Hello, uncle West.”
Richard also introduced Cameron to West, and was certain West had fallen in love with the children at first sight.
But they were not the only people who caught West’s eyes that afternoon. When they arrived at the door post, West couldn’t help but notice the young lady at the door. She wasn’t a maid, no, she was dressed too well for that.
She gathered the children’s toys in her hand and stood up straight, smiling at Chase and Richard. Calista and Cameron called out to her, and it was at that moment West understood why she looked awfully familiar.
He had seen her before! A long time ago, but they had met nevertheless, and boy! She was even more beautiful than the evening he saw her at the bar.
“Richard, Chase, you’re back.” Felicity started to speak.
“Aunty Felicity, meet Uncle West!” Calista said, giggling and clapping her hands. She seemed really excited to show her aunty to her uncle, little did she know that the two knew themselves quite well.
Felicity’s eyes danced over to West’s bruised face, a small smile spread across her cheeks.
“Hello, uncle West.” She stretched her hand for a handshake and West took her hand in his. Felicity had heard what he had done for Chase and Mackenzie, and she had to hand it to him. Perhaps he was not the spoilt, self centered and bratty rich boy she thought he was. Maybe, maybe there was more.
There was certainly more to her than a sharp mouthed evasive…well, bitch. And he was determined to try to know her again, it did not matter if she chased him away this time.
“Okay! I’m sure we can all come in and have lunch now!” Mackenzie’s voice was the only thing that snapped West and Felicity out of their range of thoughts. Neither of them had even seen her come.
Felicity snatched her hand from West’s, her cheeks flushed. She turned to look at Mackenzie and plastered a smile on her face.
“Yes, by all means. Let’s go in.”
Felicity led the way, and Richard walked in with Cameron in his arms, while Chase set Calista’s feet on the ground.
As Mackenzie turned to step in, Chase caught her left wrist in his. Mackenzie turned to look at him, her eyes glittered with a bright smile.
“What are you doing, Chase? I have to serve lunch.”
“Hmmm.” He kissed her face. “I know, I know.” He put his hands around her slender waist and stared into her eyes.
“Let’s go out tomorrow evening, shall we?”
“What?”
“Tomorrow evening, you and I. Clear your schedule, I’ll handle everything else.”
Mackenzie blushed, flustered. She looked into the house before turning to him.
“That’s lovely, Chase. But the children…”
“Would be just fine with Felicity and Charlotte around. Calista seems to really like West too.” Chase cut in, and Mackenzie giggled.
“Please, sunshine?”
Mackenzie moved closer to him and locked her fingers behind his neck as she stood on her toe.
“I can’t really say no to you now, can I?”
Chase smirked.
“No. You absolutely cannot.”