Tears (Part 4)

He looked towards smiling Michelle “so finally, you decided to grace my humble abode", "just wanted to get away from so many things " she replied, he held her chin slightly,"you know you are welcome to stay as long as you want, even if it's a century, since my dad got married to your mom, we became siblings and that's what we would always be, a family!". She gave a closed smile and nodded. “Now come on! Let me show you to your room" she was about to carry their bags, " no, no, no, it would be taken care off, follow me!” They followed him, taking each step he took, stepped on each stair he stepped on till they got to the door of the room. "This is your room" he dipped his hand in his right pocket and pulled out a single key.

"Thank you so much Stark, am really overwhelmed" He raised an eyebrow, "we are family, remember!” she nodded. He looked at his watch "dinner is by 7pm, this is 6pm, freshen up!" with that he turned and was out of sight.

She unlocked the door and got into splendor. She looked down and saw her own reflection, she raised her gaze to meet a beautiful Andes white bed, everything from bedsheets to pillow cases were white, the serene green colour on the wall made her feel fresh and relieved. She spotted a white fluffy couch at the corner of the room. Her eyes shifted to a beautiful white sculptured dressing mirror. "This is beautiful" she said to herself. A slight tug on her arm brought her back, “mommy, the bed is huge" she affirmed by nodding.

"Lana would you like to shower ", “nooooooo" was the reply, she shrugged and undressed and got into the bathroom. She met an eclectic blend of horizontally patterned travertine; the mirrors were so pure, everything were modern fixtures, the limestone tiles were sparkling clean. She slides into the bathtub, turned on the tap and closed her eyes, she let out a sigh of sincere relief. She began washing her skin with a beautifully scented soap. She wanted to stay a bit longer and savour every experience but 7pm was close. She got out of the tub walked to the mirror, stared at herself all she saw was a broken woman; she closed her eyes and inhaled. She opened a drawer and saw towels; she picked one and dried herself meticulously.

7:05pm, they all sat at a Tavolo dining table, an Italian interior design and furniture, white with a glass surface. A combination of modern design with a classic style, the white lacquered structure covered with white tempered glass.

The chairs were meant for four people but only the three of them sat. Each person had a dinner plate in front of them, to the left of each plate were forks, the right were knives. They were having a simple dinner of Chicken and Pasta.

To Michelle's surprise only water was the liquid; she really expected an assorted wine along with the meal.

"You live here alone?” Lana broke the silence, "yes I did, but not anymore darling, you are here with me, mommy too” she smiled and continued eating. Suddenly her forehead had a slight frown, “but Uncle Stark, who is that woman" " my housekeeper honey, she cooks for me too, but leaves after the whole day job",” ohhhhh" she looked satisfied with the answer. Michelle let out a small laugh, shook her head at her curious daughter.

"This meal is delicious” Michelle chipped in

"Thanks to Matilda"

"She's such a wonderful cook"

"Yea, sure"

They fell silent and ate.