Chapter 4: 4. Mrs Carter
We walk into the busy cafe and I scour the place searching for her. My eyes land on her small figure sitting at the last table in one of the corners. I walk to her and notice the broad smile she has on her face as she sees who's behind my legs, Bailey. Her eyes immediately become teary as they always do everytime she sees Bailey. "Oh my God, she's gorgeous!" Maria says gently as she moves and pushes her chair out to meet her. Bailey who's eyes are yet to land on her favourite person is looking around the cafe "Hi Baby" Maria calls out as she bends to her height and holds her tiny hand in hers
"Nana!" Bailey turns her face to the voice and yells loudly with a smile and jumps into her arms completely ignoring me. I take the sit opposite Maria's own and i watch the scene in front of me with awe.
Both of them have not been able to see each other in a week because Bailey started school and Maria has been quite preoccupied at the manor. So i decided to bring her along with me today seeing as it's a Saturday and she'll help me not to lose my cool in public due to the fact I know why Maria called to talk.
"Come sit with me baby. Oh I've missed you so much my darling" She pulls her unto her lap and kisses her cheek
Bailey is all smiles and giggles as she kisses Maria back on the cheek too.
"Aw!" Maria gasps loudly "She's so precious. You're an amazing mother Amaya"
"Oh wow, not Maya. We're being serious huh?"
"I called to have an important conversation with you Amaya, but thats going to have to wait."
I raise my brows "Why?"
She looks at me and is quiet for a while "We have someone else joining us"
"I thought it was just us. You didn't tell me about anyone else joining us"
"You don't have to wait any longer" she looks to something behind me and i turn to see what she's talking about and as I see my mum standing at the entrance. I can't tell if she's judging the establishment through her expensive, thick rimmed Dolce & Gabbana glasses or she's just waiting for people to swarm and ask for autographs. Her face turns to our direction and she smiles before heading towards us. I turn back and immediately glare at Maria for setting me up like this. She mouths a silent please to me and places her hand on the back of mine rubbing it slowly till my mother gets to us and sits beside me.
"Hello Maya" she takes off her glasses as she greets just as cordial as ever. No matter how much she tries even if it's the subtle endearments here and there, greeting between us still feels like we're business partners and not mother and child. "Is this Bailey?!" she smiles at the small playful figure on Maria's lap
"Hello Mother. And yes thats your grand daughter that you chose not to see" I reply back the same way hoping the last bit hurts like hell
"Amaya!" Maria scolds. Bailey laughs while repeating my name after her.
"May I?" My mother asks, looking at me for confirmation if she could carry her. I want to spite her by saying no but the look Maria gives me lets me know that she doesn't need permission to hand Bailey over to her grandmother and she does.
When Bailey is seated comfortably on her legs mother stares at her for the first few minutes and I can swear I could see tears form in her eyes. "Hi Bailey, I'm your grandma" She coos softly. I'm sure that introduction sounds foreign on her lips just as it sound foreign in my ears. I'm used to Bailey referring to one person as Nana which is Maria. And she only started referring to her by that name on her own, after a few lessons on family members and their designated alias during home schooling. And I guess in her own beautiful childish mind, Maria filled that role for her. I've always known Bailey to be selective about people. At her age she chooses who she wants to be free around carefully. She doesn't like everyone but also doesn't show it immediately. Which is why with the progress we've made together, with me teaching her that she can tell me any thing and her also understanding what I'm teaching, she knows all she has to do is look at me or call out for me if she wants to be removed from certain situations and I'll do it immediately. She's only a year old but it doesn't mean I have to wait to teach her certain things, she's also extremely smart for her age.
"Nana" Bailey calls out shocking not just me but my mother too
My mother gasps loudly "Oh my gosh yes, Na-"
"Nana" Bailey coos gently again before turning to Maria and stretching her hand towards her. Maria immediately gets up and carries her before settling her on her thigh
"I'm sorry ..I didn't tell her to call me that, she just-" I turn to look at my mothers face for a few seconds and the expression she has brings me immense joy. I don't care if I'm considered wicked this is just a tiny piece compared to how much she and her husband hurt me.
"There's no need to apologize Maria. it's not your fault that my daughter sees you as her actual grandmother after you stepped up. Unlike her real grandmother who did none of that" i roll my eyes before taking a sip of my drink
"Maya, i don't know why you choose to-" Maria cuts her off
"Both of you please! enough of that. Amaya... please. I called you here today because you and your mother have alot to talk about. Even though you won't get to talk about everything atleast talk about the one thing thats important now" She turns to look at mother "the contract you and your husband signed without informing Amaya" I mentally thank Maria for dishing it out straight to her the way it is
"Yes please enlighten all of us" I turn to look at Bailey who is completely enraptured with the cartoon she's watching on Maria's phone and my heart warms instantly at the joy my daughters presence brings to me and everyone around her.
"Your father and I, We know we made a mistake making that decision for you. But we're in huge debt Maya, we need the money"
I scoff "How is that any of my business? last time I checked I'm not part of that family not to talk of being involved in a will. And last time I also checked I don't need yours or fathers money. I'm doing perfectly fine on my own with my daughter. So why involve me?" I'm trying not to raise my voice in front of Bailey
"You're the only hope we have" she stated silently almost as if she was embarrassed to be confessing that "And your father and I are deeply sorry that we gave you- that we signed that contract without your consent but we really need your help" her plea doesn't hide her not so subtle correction
"That's a lie" I state without care of how she'd feel
"What?" she asks confused
"You said father is sorry"
"He is" she nods gently with pity on her face, hoping it would change my mind about everything.
I point my hand around all the empty chair spaces "Why isn't he here saying it himself then?" I utter
She lets out a short nervous laugh looking to Maria and then me "You know how your father is, his pride has always been his biggest problem. So please if you-"
"You know what YOUR problem Is? Is that you always put him before your kids. Atleast before me. You let him control and use you for all his bidding, just how he wants and all for what? You let him turn you into his servant doing his every command." I gather my phone and purse into my hand preparing to leave "When father is ready to put his pride away and talk, he should set an appointment with my assistant and come by my office on Monday. See you at the next family meeting mother. Now please if you don't mind" I ask waiting for her to stand so I can leave.
But she doesn't move and she finally speaks up "I have cancer." she pauses "It's at an early stage, according to the doctor. He says I'm lucky to have gotten it detected at this stage and with the right medication and treatment i might be able to defeat it" She says slowly trying to hold back the evident tears in her voice
I sit back down "So what's the problem?" I fear that I already know the answer to that question but I asked anyway.
"We can't afford it" She says what I already knew would be the answer
I sigh and my gaze drifts to Bailey who's still captivated by whatever she's watching beside Maria. With her head leaning on her shoulder "So you want me to agree to the contract don't you?"
"You don't have to. I understand what your father and I did was wrong but we were desperate"
"Did you know?" I sniff fighting back tears. I was ready to spend the rest of my life hating her, but cancer is one thing I wish on no one, even my annoying Mother.
"No. I'm just as surprised as you. Why didn't you tell anyone?" Maria turns to her and asks
"I did. Your father knows" she picks her napkin and dabs at the corners of her eyes gently
I scoff and roll my eyes just like i thought "And Austin?" It would hurt me if he knew and i didn't but what can I say.
"No. Just your father, and both of you now"
I sigh loudly and clean the few tears that managed to escape before looking at Maria and then Bailey.
"I don't want to do anything that will affect her, Maria" At this point I can't hold back the tears so I just let them fall.
"Oh mija. I know that, but i also know that you're a smart and amazing mother and you'll always make the right decision when it comes to your daughter. And whatever you choose, just know that you've got me. Even if you do decide to marry that playboy asshole and become Mrs Carter" I laugh and so does she "Or not, Just know that I will always be here for both of you" She places her hand on the back of mine "I promise mi amor"
My eyes tear up again and i suddenly thank whatever made me go make up free today "Thank you" I clean my tears again just in time Bailey raises her head to look at me
"Mama why you crying?" I smile at how well she's trying to make her speech more prominent
"These are happy tears baby" I tell her with a smile
She looks at Maria "Nana? Happy too?"
"Yes my love, I'm very happy. Especially when you're around" she giggles and Maria laughs playing with her cheeks
"I'll excuse you people... I don't wa-
"Stay, Tiffany. You're her family too" Maria states
"I know that, I just don't want to intrude" She insists
"You're not intruding,mom. Please stay"
"Thank you" She smiles and relaxes into her seat
Bailey smiles at us before wearing her headphones back and resuming her movie
"I'll do it. But first you, Dad and I need to have a meeting at my office first thing Monday morning. If not the deal is off. Cancer or not"
She gasps. I'm guessing from surprise "We'll be there. I promise"
I remove a pen from my purse and proceed to scribble something on the napkin before passing it to my mum after I finished. "Tell Dad to give her a call before Monday and no later than that. Things get really busy for me on Mondays" I tell her after giving her the napkin with my assistants number on it. I gather my things so Bailey and I can leave. I turn to speak to mum as Bailey and Maria say their goodbyes "And mum, Do tell dad that i mean it when i say i won't be seeing him without an appointment"
"Bye Nana!" Bailey calls out as I lift her up into my arms. She looks at mum and smiles before hiding her face in my neck. Mum smiles back. I guess thats enough progress for today.
"Take care my darlings" Maria calls behind us.
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