Hired To Be Mine

Chapter 20

Salim slept peacefully after a really long time. His hand around Nicole's waist tightened and he snuggled his face deeper into the crook of her neck. He inhaled her scent greedily and sighed. She was the most pleasant smell, he had ever inhaled.

A knock on the bedroom disturbed him from his slumber. He groggily opened his eyes and looked at the offending door, which was once again met by a pair of knuckles. He sighed lazily and got out of the bed, carefully to not wake her up and walked towards the door.

Agatha and Marco stood their, looking fresh and ready to leave. He frowned at them, "What happened", he asked closing the door behind him and stepping out of the room.

"It's Sunday", Marco said like that mere statement would explain it all,

"I know that", Salim replied looking at Agatha for a more reasonable answer. Agatha caught Salim's look and slapped Marco's hand playfully,

"Stop it now", she scowled at him and turned to Salim with a smile, "It's Sunday, which means that the business will be on rocket speed at the cafe. So, we have to leave now", she added with a sad smile,

"Oh. Okay", Salim said glancing at the watch. It was half past six, which according to him was really early. "I will tell Nicole about it and...", he trailed off wondering whether he should tell the elderly couple that he planned to take the mother and the kids away for a small vacation, or keep quiet about it. Then it struck him, in Nicole's absence somebody had to inform the rest of the staff at Amore about it and take care of the cafe, so why not Marco, he thought and turned to them, "I intend to take the boys and Nicole on a small vacation. I hope you can take care of the cafe till she's back",

Agatha clapped her hands in glee, which Marco just regarded him impassively, "It's wonderful", the elder woman said with a beaming smile, "That girl needs a vacation and the boys will just love it", she said with a glint in her eyes.

"Yeah. I hope so", Salim smiled at her charmingly, to which she just awed. Marco scrunched up his nose,

"Let's go", he barked at his wife, who was still beaming at Salim. "And you", he turned to Salim, "Take care of them", he said softly,

"I will", Salim replied honestly.

"We will leave, okay?", Agatha asked looking at him lovingly, "There is coffee machine. Nicole will wake up in half an hour and the boys, an hour after that. You should actually let them sleep in today, after last night's drama. Everything is in the fridge, if you need anything", Marco rolled his eyes at her wife and started dragging her out by her elbow.

"Thanks guys. I appreciate your help", he called after them with a wave. He could hear the elderly couple banter over something and shook his head with smile,

"Nice couple", he muttered and walked back in to the room.

Nicole was stirring up from her sleep as Salim walked towards her. He sat on his knees beside her and kissed her cheek, "Good morning", he whispered against her skin. He didn't intend to, but he couldn't stop himself from kissing her cheek again and again, trailing up kisses from her cheek to her throat and lower.

"Good morning", Nicole beamed at him and stretched her hands. "This is something I can get used to", she mumbled as he continued to kiss her skin, wherever he can.

"Hmm", he hummed in approval. This was definitely something he intended to get used to. "Come on, I need to brush my teeth", she whispered into his ear, as he nibbled on hers, "Later", he whispered back, pushing her into the mattress and getting on top of her.

After half an hour or so, they both emerged out of the shower, completely clean and sated. "I need to make a few arrangements for the trip so, I will be back in a couple of hours to get you and the kids", he told her at the door and kissed her good bye.

***

Nicole was on cloud nine by the time Salim left. She leaned against the door and laughed merrily. This was the first real laugh she had, after a really long time. She skipped to the kitchen and brewed some coffee for herself.

As she drank it, she saw that there was still time for the boys to wake up. They never took too long to get ready so it would be fine to let them sleep a little longer, she thought. In the mean while, she opened her laptop, which Salim gave her when she joined him company and worked on some paperwork that Salim assigned her a week ago.

There wasn't much to do on it, so she quickly shut the laptop off and walked towards the boys' room. She pushed the door open only to be greeted by the light snores. She chuckled softly and walked to the bunk bed. She bent low where Ray slept on the lower bed and ran her hands through his hair. "Ray sweety", she called him and ran her hands through his hair once again. He stirred slowly but snuggled into the duvet to sleep.

She shook his shoulders gently, "Come one now. Wake up", she heard him mumble something incoherent and shook her head.

"Ryan, Zion, wake up", she called and ran her hands on their legs, pulling the duvet off them.

"Mama", "No", they chorused their disapproval and rolled around to lay on their stomach, turning their hands to the other side,

"Boys. Wake up. You need to get ready", she said loudly, to let them know that she was serious, but they didn't pay any attention to her.

"Okay then", she planted her hands on her hips, "I will go alone on a vacation", she said loudly and started towards the door

"Vacation?" three of them chorused together. No trace of sleep evident in their voices, as they looked up at their mother with wide eyes,

"Yes. Didn't I tell you? - Salim is taking us all on a vacation. But if you guys are not going to wake up then I guess, I will have to go alone with him", she shrugged mockingly and turned around to walk out of the door,

"No Mama", Ryan yelled and got down of the bed. He came running to her and tugged her top, "I wanna come too. I will get ready in a jiffy", he said looking at her pleadingly,

"If that's the case then we will take you as well", she said pecking his forehead lovingly,

"Mama", Zion got off the bed, "I am already in the bath", he cried running past her into the bathroom. She chuckled at his eagerness, "Hey! I was fir-rst", Ryan complained stomping his feet and walking to the bathroom. He pounded his small fist on the door, pushing it with all his might,

"Mama", he whined, looking at her mother with tearful eyes, "he do this always mama", he said pointing to the door, "I woke up first", he said looking down sadly,

"Aww... my baby", she took Ryan into her arms who snuggled into her embrace. "It's okay. I will make your favorite omelette with lots of vegies okay?" she kissed his forehead as he silently whined.

"Okay", he mumbled slowly as the door opened and Zion emerged out wrapped in a towel from his waist down,

"I am done", he gave his mother a cheeky grin,

"Moov", Ryan pushed his brother from out of the way and walked into the washroom. Unlike Zion, he never locked himself in the bathroom, no matter for what business he was inside.

"Z", she gave him a warning look to which he looked at her innocently, "Did you brush your teeth properly?", Nicole asked

"Yupp", Zion replied cheekily,

"Let me see", Nicole said pushing open his mouth and looking at his teeth. She sighed and shook her head, "We need to take you to the dentist soon. Your teeth are yellowing", she said.

'ellow 'ellow dirty fellow!

She heard Ryan sing in the bathroom, under the shower and laughed. Zion just glared at the closed door and turned to her mom with a scowl.

"Come on honey. Get dressed", she told him hiding her smile. She heard him mutter something inaudible but just shook her head,

"Ray", she called out to her elder son who was still lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, "Aren't you gonna get ready?" she asked sitting beside him,

"Where are we going mama?" he asked slowly looking at her with those chocolate brown eyes and Nicole realized, she had no clue where they were going. I need to call Salim and ask what to pack for.

"That's a surprise", she replied instead and Ray's eyes dropped down as he played with his fingers, "Hey! What is it baby?" she asked slowly looking at his sad face.

"Nothing", Ray shook his head and got out of the bed and walked into the bathroom where Ryan was still having a shower.

She stared behind him for a while then shook her head. It must be nothing. She thought, but some part of her brain was still nagging with worry over Ray. It's just the way he looked at her, with so much sadness, a look she never wanted to see in her sons' eyes.

She sighed and walked into the kitchen, preparing for the breakfast. Her cell rang and she sprinted to get it, knowing that it was Salim calling to tell her about the trip.

"Hey, I was about to call you. Where are you taking us?" she asked into the phone immediately as she picked it up.

"Hey babe. Yeah about that, pack some clothes that are comfortable for camping", he said hesitantly,

"Camping?" she shrieked,

"Yeah. I planned a two day camp in the southern woods",

"But Salim", she paused biting her lip hesitantly, "Is it safe? I mean, kids...", she was immediately cut off by the kid's screaming and running towards her,

"Camping", Zion yelled excitedly jumping up and down, "Mama, we want to go camping", Ryan nodded eagerly looking at her with hopeful eyes.

Even Ray came to her with a big smile towards her, "Mama! lets go camping", he said tugging her top.

Salim spoke into the phone, "The boys told me the last time I visited that they wanted to go camping in the forest. And don't worry, I checked everything, it will be completely safe", he assured her confidently,

"Nicole", he stressed, asking for an answer. She glanced at the boys, who were all looking at her expectantly and she could easily picture Salim with a similar expression on the other side of the phone, "Let's go camping", she said and all four of them 'yayed' together.

***

"Come on boys, hurry up", she said waiting at the door with a duffle bag on her shoulders which contained all her and the boys' clothes and other necessities. She packed a few other things like first aid kits, some snacks to much on, small water bottles and other toys which the boys would want in three little back packs and gave them one each. Despite doing all the work herself, she was ready to go and the boys were still not done.

She tapped her foot impatiently, crossing her hands across her chest and checking her watch. Salim asked her to meet him at the Walmart, a couple of blocks away so that they could buy some last minute necessities. And she was already late by five minutes.

"Boys, I am leaving without you", she yelled impatiently and rattled the door to scare them a little. Footsteps echoed as they all ran to her hurriedly,

"We are here", Ray said excitedly and the other two nodded. 'Finally' she mumbled and closed the door behind them to lock it.

She held Ryan and Zion's hands as Ray walked beside Ryan, holding his hand. "Now when we go to Walmart, no more mischief like the last time", she warned them seriously, and they all mumbled a 'Yes mom'.

They reached the Walmart within no time and Nicole scanned the crowd for Salim. She was still looking through the crowd when her phone buzzed, "Hello", she spoke into it when she saw Salim's name on the caller id,

"Where are you?" she asked looking around,

"I will be there in another ten minutes", she could hear the car honks in the background.

"Is everything okay?" she asked,

"Yeah. Just some traffic. I will be there in ten minutes. Why don't you go in already and start shopping. I will join you", he said. She agreed and hung up.

"Come on boys", she called their attention as she walked into the store. The boys yelled in joy as they raced into the store before her. She sighed and prayed that Salim showed up quick.

She took a trolley and walked down the aisles scanning the items. She stopped near the mosquito repellent creams and scooped two tubes into the trolley. She continued her shopping until she was tapped on her shoulder.

She turned around, only to find her mother standing their with a convincing smile. Her heart dropped into the stomach at the sight of her. What is she doing here? Her eyes glanced behind her to see if she was alone or with her husband.

"I am alone honey", she said tilting her head to the side, in that sweet way Nicole remembered. But unfortunately she remembered other things too. Her lack of support, her lack of compassion, especially her lack of presence when she needed her mother the most.

"I need to go", Nicole mumbled and stepped around her to pass, but Marie grabbed her arm.

"Wait Nicki. I only need a minute", she said in a pleading tone. Nicole's eyes snapped to her and she stared hard into those green eyes, which once she thought looked lovely,

"What do you want?" Nicole asked. If her mother wanted this conversation then she will have it. But right here and right now, "Talk here and be quick. I have places to be", she added taking a shaky breath. No matter how much she hated her parents, she was still, a little, somewhere in the corner of her heart, was intimidated by them. After all she was raised in a submissive way that overcoming that weakness was very tough.

"Me and your father want to meet our grand kids that is all", Nicole started to walk away, she had enough of it, but Marie grabbed her arm again, "Listen to me. We know that you are a career oriented woman and you love your work. We understand that, truly. And we want to help you. Mark Sullivan, Ray's friend, he saw you the other day with a blind nanny and the kids...",

"Her name is Annabelle. She is my friend", Nicole snapped angrily and saw Marie gulp,

"Honey, I know you need to take their help in raising those boys. When you are at work or with.... friends, you need someone to take care of them. Don't you?" she asked c*****g her head to the side. Nicole didn't answer, Where is this going? she wondered.

"We decided to help you out", Marie said with a generous smile making Nicole frown,

"How?" she asked narrowing her eyes at her mother,

"We are here to take the boys with us", Marie said with a huge smile and Nicole's eyes widened. What the hell. "We will raise them, just like they should be. They can grow up where you did, we all did and they can learn everything about their father and their other grand parents. You are always welcome to come and meet them, whenever you get time, that is. We will take good care of them..",

"Are you out of your bloody mind", Nicole yelled, not caring that she was actually grabbing attention.

"Admit it Nicki. It's been difficult for you to raise them alone", her mother said in a monotone voice. Gone was the sweetness, that gentleness in her eyes was replaced with determination and malice. "George and Phoebe are really sorry that they asked you to get an abortion. They have confessed in church and repented for it. They should get a chance to see their grand kids. They even decided to transfer all their funds to their name...",

"You are crazy. Sick. God! You need help", Nicole was fuming in anger. She never thought that her mother was capable of something like this. Her father was a selfish bastard, she knew. But her mother.. she always thought that she was like the way she was only because of the conventional family upbringing. She never thought her mother could turn into such vile monster.

"Nicole! Don't be stubborn. You cannot give the kids what they want. You will only ruin them. We can take better care of them", Marie said squeezing her hand tightly. Nicole shook her hand off and backed away,

"Yeah! like you took care of me?" she spat, "You are sick Marie. I don't know how I've been blind for all those years. You are sick and so is your husband. I will never give my kids to you. Never", she said and turned around to walk out of the store.

She reached the small play area where she could see all three of them playing tag with some other kids. "Boys", she called for them.

"Mama", they chorused and ran to her, hugging her legs tightly. She sighed, exhaling the breath she has been holding for a while.

"Let's go", she said and walked towards the store's entrance with the kids tagging along,

"Nicki", a rough hand grabbed her elbow and jerked her around.

"Marie", she regarded her mother with an angry glare, making her drop her hold on her hand.

"You might think that, that bloke who ever that is, you are sleeping with will take care of you and the kids. But you are wrong!", she spat venomously, "He will use you for your body and leave you when he had his fill. He will never be a father to your kids. No man can father a child he did not sire, what makes you think that, that bloke is any different?" she spat.

"You know where to find us, when you change your mind", Marie added calmly after a couple of minutes and walked away, leaving Nicole and the kids alone in the parking lot.

Nicole breathed heavily, holding the boys close to her. "Mama?" her son tugged at her shirt, "Who was that lady?" Ray asked slowly looking up at her. But Nicole was too shaken to answer them.

She can't let this happen. Her mother cannot get to her. No. She won't let her mother affect her like this. She is stronger than that. She let out a shaky breath, pushing her hair behind her ears and took a deep breath.

"Boys!", she focused on her kids who looked at her with confusion in their little eyes, "Let's not talk about that lady in front of Salim, okay?" she asked with a smile

"Like a secret?" Ray asked wonderingly,

"Yes honey, just like a secret between us four", she whispered and excitement flickered in their eyes.

"Okay mom", Zion fisted his small hand and pumped it in front of him, the other two followed and bumped their fists with Zion's. Nicole took the cue and did the same, laughing along with the kids.

This is her life, her entire world and she would rather die than give this up.