CHAPTER 14

I never called it ‘home' though. To me, a home was having someone or a family to go to and I didn't had such. Mom had already called me three times to ask if I was ready for the trip to the Caymans. Jessica roamed around the house and I headed straight for my shower. I shampooed my hair, took a long shower and changed into a simple T-shirt and pants with sneakers. Afterwards, I dropped Jessica off at her work place. She wanted me to be intimate with her but I wasn't into her like that anymore. The feelings had faded and I was only tolerating her presence to get rid of the feelings that was building for Jasmine. I did not want to be involved with any of my employees. As I arrived at my father's home at six in the pm, my mom Emma greeted me with a big hug. I had missed her so much. 'Hey mommy," I greeted back as I returned her embrace. I was never afraid or shy or thought I was too manly to show my mother some affection. She was mom. I observed her carefully, she hadn't aged one bit. She was still stunning for a woman with ten more years away from sixty. 'Hi baby, how are you?" she asked with a pleasing smile on her beautiful face. 'I'm okay. Where's EJ?" EJ was my little brother and my best friend, apart from Zack. I vented any and everything about my life to him and he never passed judgement like Zack did sometimes. 'Oh he's upstairs in his room packing," mom answered. 'Okay." 'Is Emily coming to meet us here or we'll meet her in the Caribbean?" I asked with a chuckle as I thought about my sister. 'She's coming here. She wouldn't miss my birthday dinner." 'Happy Birthday mom." 'Thanks sweetie." 'Come on, let's go get something to eat. You look like you haven't eaten in days," she said and ushered me towards the dinning room. Mom spoke through the intercom, alerting my brother that I had arrived. After one minute, he came running out the elevator like a frantic Bull. 'Bro, you're here!" He ran towards me. 'Yeah I'm here." We hugged each other before sitting down then Emily arrived. Mom greeted her but EJ and I began to tease her immediately. We enjoyed seeing her face turned red from embarrassment. When she asked for dad, EJ told her he had passed away. Harsh! I couldn't help but laughed when she threw a panic attack at the table and made us earned a cold glare from our mother. Dad arrived when the dinner had already started and the conversation escalated into something completely different. Dinner was delicious though. Lobsters were my favourite thing to eat so when I saw a huge diced lobster in front of me, I devoured everything except for the shells. When desserts were being served, mom's best friend Halley came over with her husband Martin, which was dad's best friend from ever since, and their son Marquis. I brought mom a big box of chocolates and a bouquet of red roses. I knew I sucked at picking presents for a woman, even my mom, but at least I tried and she was happy with it. Emily brought her a perfume set from Paris. Dad got her a stunning diamond necklace and earrings. I was taking notes of the gifts which seemed to have put a brighter smile on her face than mine had. The next day, it was time to our family trip. Dad owned a luxury yacht courtesy of his deceased mother. I woke early and did a light packing. Then I went downstairs and met Dad and the others. We flew over Long Island and got to a harbour where the boat had been docked and stood on water. It was an amazing sight and I was itching to get onboard. 'ALL ABOARD!" dad yelled playfully and at that, we rushed into the vessel like little kids heading for the playground. 'This is so beautiful," Emily said as she walked up to the deck. It was mid June and the summer sun was already basking on my skin. I welcomed it. I had been buried and focused on my job and the company, I hadn't had some free time off in so long. 'It's so nice to finally spend time with my family," I conversed with my sister. We sat down together and stared out at the horizon. It was a beautiful day outside. The boat pulled out from the harbour and entered the open waters. The wind picked up against our skin and I smiled to myself because I knew I was going to enjoy this. The smell of the ocean sprinkled in my nose, the sun warming my skin and mom gave us a chilled bottle of coconut water to quench our thirst. I wasn't enjoying this anymore. I was tired of seeing seawater and I felt like I was going to be sick. I went below deck to my room cabin and flopped down on my bed. I missed my office already and I missed her. ′ I shouldn't even be thinking about her but why couldn't I stopped?′ A knock came outside my door. 'Come in," I said. Mom walked in. 'Hey are you alright? You're not getting seasick or anything?" she asked with concern. She was such a great mom, always looking out for us and seeking our best interest.