Chapter 13

Jakobia's POV

"Nevermind. I'll explain later." I watched as Valdo placed the phone down without taking his eyes off me. He looked relieved to see me for some odd reason.

"Hi," I whispered, not quite sure what to say. I didn't expect him home until the next hour. What's he doing here?

He ran his hands through his hair and let out a smile. After a few seconds, he finally spoke, "Hi."

That's when it clicked. That call was about me and by the look that was on his face I could tell it was because he thought I runaway. "You thought I left, didn't you?"

He nodded, "Yes. I thought you did. I called a few times earlier, and I didn't get any answer, and so I decide to come and check if everything was okay. When I came home, the place was quiet, the things I bought were there, the only thing missing was King. I've been waiting for two hours and no sign of you. So yes, I thought you left."

I nodded understanding, "And the person on the phone?"

"Private Investigator." He answered honestly, but I could see he was hesitant at first.

"It's okay. I understand your side of the story; now you listen to mine. I got really bored. I didn't find anything on the TV remotely interesting, and I wasn't in the mood for reading. You see for the past six months I've been on the street, not locked up in some fancy apartment with four hundred different channel and so I wanted some fresh air and King looked like he needed some as well. So I decided that the park would be a great idea. With King as my compass, we went to the park, but on the way back, we got lost and were going in circles. I finally decide to ask someone for directions." That was the most straightforward way I could put today's activity in words, but I also learnt a vital lesson. Dogs are great at memory records but not necessary it the correct order.

I looked at Valdo, waiting for his response. After a few seconds of silence, he smiled, "The reason why you got lost is that when I'm coming back from the park or walks with King, we don't usually take the same route. I'm sorry for doubting you. Sorry for thinking you stole my dog."

I shrug, "We only met a few days ago. I am a pregnant stranger you decided you wanted to help. I understand if you don't trust me 100%, to be honest, I still don't trust you 100%, but I'm grateful for the help. Words can't explain how thankful I am to you. Even if you turn out to be a creep, I'll still be grateful because it's kindness anyone has been to me since I became homeless. Thank you."

He laughed, "I'm not a creep."

"That's what a creep would say."

He laughed a little harder, "I'm a creep. I'm a creep. I'm a creep."

I laughed at his childish behaviour, "Say that one time and I just might believe you."

He shook his head and smile, his blue lighting up. He mumbled, "Women are so hard to please."

"I am not hard to please." I defended with a smile. I turn around placing the key on the rack then look back at him.

"Hmmm..that's what all women say." he took a step back walked off to the couch.

"I'm not like all women." Being homeless taught me not to be picky. I'm thankful for everything I get. Some people have it worse than I do so why complain when I can be grateful?

"I'm starting to realise that," he said, looking into my eyes. He broke eye contact with me then cleared his throat, "You've been on your feet for a few hours. You should get some rest. We're having dinner with my mom and stepdad later."

"It's okay. I'm used to being on my feet all day."

He shook his head, "Yes, you are. But now you don't have to be on your feet all day anymore, you have a nice comfortable bed with silk sheets that are waiting for you to lay in it." he looked down at my feet and frowned, "Your feet is swollen. You need to lay down." I was used to my feet being swollen. It didn't pain me anymore, or I've just gotten used to the pain. I never made a big deal about it before, and now here he was, a stranger, telling me to rest my feet. I knew he wouldn't stop until I agreed, so I did.

"Okay, fine. I'll go rest but wake me up when it's time to get ready to go to your parents."

He nodded and smiled, then he waved his hands in the direction of the room. "Good. Now go get some rest."

.........................

"Are you ready?" Valdo asked as he parked in the allotted area.

I nodded my head, even though I was dying of nervousness. No one's ever introduced me to their parents before, not even Will. It was always sneaking around with us, I should have known by then that nothing good would come from our relationship, but I was naive. Too dumb to see the signs.

Valdo placed his hands on mine and squeezed, "You don't need to worry. My mother is wonderful, and Kevin is great. They'll love you, and you'll love them."

I nodded again and offered a fake smile. Would they really love me? Their son is bringing home a pregnant, homeless girl, not a good first impression.

It doesn't matter; you're not his girlfriend.

Just someone he's helping out.

"Come on. They're waiting for us." He removed his hands from mine and reached for my seatbelt to unlock it, and then he reached to do his as well. I pulled opened the passenger door and exited the car.

I looked at the home in front of me with my eyes wide. I didn't notice it before because I was in my thoughts but standing in front of it, brought it to light. In the centre of the yard, there was a three-layered marble water fountain, and around it lay rose bushes. Beyond the fountain was the biggest house I'd ever seen in real life. The mansion was three stories high. It was painted in beige and dark brown. It had about six beautiful tall arched victorian windows with a few balconies.

It was beautiful, the perfect place to have a family.

Valdo stood beside me and look at the mansion, "Amazing, isn't it?"

I looked up at him and nod. It was the first time I've ever stood side by side with him, and the height difference wasn't as bad as I thought. I was 5'5, and he was around 6', not that comparing our height mattered anyway.

I look back at the house, "It's beautiful. It's like the houses you see on TV."

"It's better than the houses we see on Tv." he paused then look down at me, "Ready to go in?"

I lifted my head and stared into his blue eyes, "Yes."

He smiled down at me, "Great."

He took my elbow, and we started walking up to the door. Before we could reach the wooden doors, it opened. A woman with dirty blonde hair and a massive smile on her face was looking at us.

"Uvaldo, my baby." She walked up to her son and pulled him in a bone-crushing hug. "I missed you."

He laughed, "Mom, you saw me four days ago."

She pulled him out of her embraced and looked at him with soft eyes, "That's four days too long."

I couldn't help smiling at the two, it was sweet, and it reminded me so much of what I'm missing. I didn't have my mother to hug me like that. Would she hug me like that if she ever sees me again?

She looked over at me and smiled, "You must be Tiffany. I'm Hannah." Before I could answer her, she had her arms wrapped around me in a hug, "Vally has told me so much about you, you're one strong girl. I can't wait to get to know you better."

She pulled her arms from around me and looked at me. She pinched my cheeks and smile, "So beautiful. Thank God, Vally found you. Believe me when I say it's dangerous for a pretty girl like you to be out on the streets."

"Thanks." I tried not to blush at her words, but I've never been called beautiful and pretty by anyone except my mother. It was weird too because she has green eyes similar to my mothers.

"Let's go inside Kevin is setting the table just as we speak." Hannah laced her hands and mine and the elbow, and then we entered her home together. "Welcome to Garner's Villa. It's been in Kevin's family for centuries."

The outside of the mansion was just as beautiful as the inside. With clean white walls, filled with centuries-old paintings but modern-day furniture, the contrast was amazing. "I'll give you a tour later, but for now we should eat. You must be starving after that long drive up here." She was right, I was hungry, and the only thing I ate was two hot dogs at the park. "You're going to love what Kevin has cooked up for us."

She smiled, and we entered into the dining room together. As we entered, I noticed a very handsome man who was probably in his fifties, putting things on the dining table. He lifted his head when he noticed he had company and smiled. He looked at his wife then at me, and his eyes went wide. "You must be Tiffany." he walked over to his wife and me and pulled his hands out for me to shake. I took his hands in mine and shook it. "I'm Kevin Garner." he paused and frown then look up at his wife, "Where is Uvaldo?"

"I'm here," Valdo said, coming into the room.

The older man's face lit up as he sees his stepson, he moved towards him and hugged him, "Good to see you son. We have so much to catch up on."

If Valdo hadn't told me the story about what happened to his mother, I would have never believed that Kevin wasn't his father. The love the man showed towards his stepson was evident.

Kevin looked over at me and smile, "I always wanted a daughter, and now I have one."

My heart melted at his words.

I've always wanted a father too, and I think one just adopted me.