Chapter Eleven
Dennis waited inside the cafe, picking a table near the window and away from the door. He was feeling happy and couldn't wait to see her. Once Kimberly came through the door, he immediately wave to get her attention which she wave back.
"Hey Dennis." She smile and takes the seat across from him and swiftly, the waitress came by and took their orders. "Did you waited long?"
"No, I got here a few minutes before you did." The sun was reflecting her golden brown hair and he was loving it. "So what's new with you beside working so far from here."
The waiter came by with their drinks and snack. "Thank you." She said to the waiter and return her eyes back to Dennis. "Hmm... nothing really." She takes a sip of her frappuccino and it was soo good. "What about you? You seem to be doing well."
"I'm doing ok... surprisingly." He laughed and it made Kimberly laughed as well. Dennis wasn't always the best student. He was always cutting corner. "So tell me what you do at this job?"
Kimberly hestitant not wanting him to know. "I work with this other lady..." She could see the puzzle look in Dennis eyes waiting for her to finish. "Well, basically, I'm a maid with this other lady for my boss."
"Oh...well, do you like it there and your boss?"
"Actually yes, my boss is very nice and very kind to me." Well maybe not right away, she thought and tried not to giggle.
"How old is this boss? Is he married? He's not trying to hit on you... is he??" Dennis ask, raising his left eyebrow and trying not laugh at the same time.
"Dennis! He is not married and no, he is not trying to hit on me!" She watch him burst into laughter.
"Never say never. You are not ugly and you have such a contagious smile... I won't be surpised if he's falling for you already."
She shake her head at him. "Don't talk like that about my boss. He's geniuinely nice to me. That's all."
"Ok." He raised his hand, signaling he wasn't going to ask anymore. "Actually, my company is hiring people right now and I can guarantee you the pay is much more then what you are getting now as a maid. Plus, you won't have to be away from your family. You work Monday thru Friday with the weekends and major holidays off. The bus ride from the city is only 30 minutes from here."
"Really?" Kimberly contemplated. "What exactly is the position for? Do you think I will qualify for it?" She ask knowing her expertise in anything is limited.
"Don't worry about that part. I can get you in... but the question is, are you willing to leave your nice boss?" He teased her with his eyes.
"Stop it Dennis." She pout her lips.
"Well think about it and let me know. You have my number."
"I will and I 'll let you know." She finish her drink and check her watch. "I think we should go. I need to help my mom with some stuff."
"Ok." Dennis wave for the check and paid it despite Kimberly outburst about splitting the bill. "you can pay next time when you get the new position." He said and wink at her. He offered to take her home and offer to drive her back to her job tomorrow since he was driving that way to meet some clients in the area.
Once Kimberly enter the house and find her mom in teh living room, busy sewing a rip in an old shirt. "Mom..."
"Ow," Mrs. V stop what she was doing and take off her reading glasses. "Back already?"
"Already? i've been gone for over an hour."
Her mother smile, "well i expected two hours since you and dennis probably have tons of stuff to talk about."
"Mom, stop with the teasing already... Dennis and I are only friends" she groan and Mrs. V continue smiling.
"I didn't say anything."
"Mom?"
"What is it?"
Kimberly swallow a nervous lump in her thoart. "Can you please tell me about the nightmare I keep having about Dad?"
She takes her daughter hand and held it tightly. "I need you to be calm for me while I tell you this...."
Kimberly nod her head and waited. After her mother told her the horrific story about her dad and his bestfriend. She needed to control the tears that threaten to burst out. There's no need to cry when her mother was already weeping. "How could dad do something like that mom?" she ask in a low tone... almost like a whimpy sound like. Mrs. V wipe her silent tears, "Greed and he's paying for it every single day now darling."
"It all makes sense now why he always repeated the same thing day after day."
Her mother nod. "I never wanted you to find out about this and if it wasn't for the dreams you had, i would have taken it to the grave with me."
"Oh Mom..." Kimberly hug her mom and sob quietly. This was not what she had expected to hear and never in a million years would she thought her precious father was a murder. And for her mother, it must be tough to keep this secret and bear the family burden. Sigh. Mrs. V left the house to visit some friends. She walk up the stairs and peek inside her father room and find him sitting in his chair, staring out to the empty street. She walk in and sat on the floor beside him. "Dad." She whisper and reach out to touch his hand gently. Mr. V turn his head and for first time in a long time, he smiled at her. She couldn't hold back the tears as it slip down her cheeks with so many emotions racing through her heart. She remembered how he was always kind, affectionate and loving toward her before the ugly disease took over. And now.... he had taken another man's life and torn that man's family apart..... "Why did it have to be this way??" She hid her face so she could wipe the tears away.
"Why are you crying?"
She looked up and stun by what she was hearing. For the first time in a long time, he asked her a question. Kimberly smile and wipe her tears clean. "I'm not crying dad."
"Who's your dad?" he asked with bank face.
That's right... he doesn't remember her anymore. "I'll be right back with your afternoon tea." She left the room and ran to her room, shutting the door and cried her heart out.
---
Dennis looked over to Kimberly a few times and notice how distance she was. It was like she was staring into space. "Kimberly?" No answer. "Kimberly?" He called out again and lightly touch her arm.
"Huh?" She snap out of her thoughts when Dennis hand touch hers. "Yes?"
"Is everything ok?" he ask with concern in his voice. "You've been awfully quiet here."
She didn't sleep at all last night and her eyes were sorta puffy from crying. "Sorry. I'm ok."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
She didn't want Dennis to worry so she made conversation until they reach the boss house. "Thanks Dennis for dropping me off. I really appreciate it." She smile sweetly.
"No problem." He walk out and open the car door for her for her to get out. "You really should consider coming to work for my company. This job drive is really far from your house."
Kimberly turn to look at the house and back to Dennis. "Let me think about it and I will let you know nah?"
"Ok." He reach in to give Kimberly a hug in which she accepts.. After yesterdayordeal , a hug was what she needed and it couldn't be better then Denniss giving it to her. "Let me know if you need anything." Dennis whisper into her ears. He pull back and stare at her brown eyes. "I mean it....anything."
"Thanks." She smile and watch Dennis get into his car. Kimberly wave as he drove off. As she walk up the driveway, she sees boss standing in the door way and suddenly, a big smile form on her face. Her heart leap with joy. "Boss...." her voice turn into a whisper when he didn't smile back and walk inside the house.
Aum walk back inside the house and straight to his study room with the door slam shut. His hand roll up into a fist and his blood was boiling which he didn't understand why. But one thing for sure... he wasn't going to be played like fool.