" God i'm exhausted, How many cupcakes we did again? Thousands?" Maddison said, throwing her body on the couch.
" No it was 320 cupcakes" Angel replied, correcting the girl in front of her, " Right and it felt like thousands!"
" But they were 320 cupcakes, and you only did 30" Angel again replied.
Maddison throw a glare at Angel, "Okay Dino i got it Thanks"
The two just returned to the apartment after helping Edwards at the bakery, Maddison did help baking, and Angel helped in counting and placing the cupcakes in the boxes. They did a great job and were quite helpful.
" Want to have dinner? I will cook spaghetti and meatballs you mentioned you like them earlier, right?" Maddison suggested, at the bakery, Maddison got to know her more, they played the classic game 20 questions, she learned a lot about her, a bit about her childhood, achievements, family and everything.
Angel nodded eagerly, thrilled that Maddison was going to cook her favorite meal. Her heart fluttered at the thought, realizing that her heart seemed to have a mind of its own around the brunette, it keeps getting silly.
"Okay, chop-chop, let's head to the kitchen. You're helping me," Maddison said, jumping up from the couch and heading to the kitchen. She pulled out the ingredients and handed a chopping board, knife, tomato, and onions to Angel.
Angel just stared at the items. "It won't get chopped by itself, Dino. Come on," Maddison urged her, Already knowing why she refused, handing her gloves and encouraging her to get to work
"And what are you going to do?" Angel asked, noticing the girl already got seated.
" I will boil the spaghetti of course" and she went to the oven already, turning still the girl did not move an inch, " You know you have to use your hand to start cutting?"
"I don't know how," Angel confessed. Maddison smiled, realizing that Angel had never been in the kitchen. She knew this because Angel had opened up about her mother's plan in the bakery. She's fully aware now.
Maddison went behind Angel, placing her hand on top of hers. "First, hold the knife with your right hand and hold the tomato with your left. Cut the top, like this," she instructed, guiding Angel's hand. "Yeah, easy. You're doing a good job. Cut them into small pieces," she praised. but Maddison stayed still in the same position, she tried ignoring her heart again but it's getting sillier.
"You make my heartbeat fast" Angel confessed out of nowhere, Maddison was taken aback, stopping in her tracks. "Why?" Angel continued to ask.
Maddison was fazed by the sudden blunt of the girl, how should she answer that? Angel was serious waiting for an answer.
Maddison, still unsure how to respond, nervously replied, "Uh, I'm not sure, Dino." She pulled away slightly, giving Angel some space. In that moment, Angel took Maddison's hand and placed it over her chest. "It's never like this. I-I don't know. Does this happen to you too?" Angel asked curiously, moving her hand to feel Maddison's heart, seeking answers for the feelings she was grappling with. Not even taking in mind if it's going to make her uncomfortable. She really needed an answer for this case she's been dealing with? Who is she to make her heart go crazy like this?
" Yours is also beating fast, Good" Angel remarked, got back to cutting, Making Maddison face flushed still not uttering a word, dazed into the woman's face, the boiling pot cut their moment, making her rush to turn the oven off.
-----------------------
Dressed in elegant attire, Lauren and Camila strolled hand in hand down the bustling streets, their laughter blending with the city's vibrant energy. The soft glow of streetlights illuminated their path, creating a romantic atmosphere, they just had ice cream from their favorite shop, and having a walk in the park.
"Did you hear about Ava's math homework disaster? You supposedly helped her, but she ended up with a big fat zero," Camila teased, trying to hold back her laughter.
"No way! You're joking, right?" Lauren gasped in disbelief. "Actually, no joke. Her teacher emailed me about it, and now she has to redo it with some extra work," Camila replied, unable to contain her amusement.
"Your daughter is not happy with you. You might want to make it up to her," Camila continued, laughing at Lauren's predicament.
"I won't, and it wasn't even me who helped her. David did it," Lauren defended herself.
"Yeah, sure. Tell that to Ava," Camila said, as they strolled through the park. They found a bench under the trees, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. The night was calm, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature.
"So, what's the real reason you took me out on a date tonight?" Camila asked, sensing that Lauren wouldn't do something like this spontaneously.
Through out the years Camila learned something about Lauren, her wife is not at all romantic, rarely she will be, but again what makes her love her more she is trying her best to be, she put efforts in anniversaries, especially birthdays, occasionally she even beat her in gifts, unlike Camila always struggles to bring something for her, it feels like they have everything.
" You want the honest answer, or?" Lauren asked glancing at her wife, " What are you planning to lie to me? of course i want to know the real answer"
" Dinah told me she overheard you and Normani talking, So i thought of taking a week off just to spend some time with you" Lauren said,
"Also coming to think of it, Me too I've missed this. It feels like it's been ages since we had a proper date night." Lauren said, kissing the hand of her wife, " Yeah, it's nice isn't it? it's great too your not working tomorrow morning"
" I'm thankful, still the last trip exhausted the shit out of me, dealing with old men keeps getting harder and harder" Lauren exclaimed, ""How about a beach vacation? Just us, relaxing," Lauren suggested, already enchanted by the idea, " Yeah and leave the kids to burn down the house"
" They're not kids Camz, they can handle themselves, better yet let them stay at Nominah's. We deserve a break, we aren't getting younger " Lauren replied, " Talk about yourself, i'm doing good still young and fresh"
" Of course you are" Lauren said pulling her wife closer to her chest, as they walked.
" Since your already taking a week off, and the kids will be starting their spring break next week, Normani and I thought we could go to the beach house this weekend to unwind, and relax" Camila suggested, "Whatever you want love, but staying there for how long? " Lauren asked with a raised eyebrow, considering the length of the proposed getaway.
"Just four or five days. I think we all need it, to disconnect from the city and enjoy the nature," Camila replied, hoping to persuade Lauren to consider. She yearned for a change of scenery and a break from their routine.
Lauren pondered for a moment, thinking about her packed schedules, she did take a week off but she thought she could at least work home in her office "It might be a bit challenging. There are some pending online meetings, I have to attend."
Camila shot her head up, glancing at her, " What online meetings? either you fully take a break from work or don't bother. We don't need you we will go by ourselves Thanks"
" Come on babe, you know how important work is" Lauren said softly, knowing well it will piss Camila more.
" You always do that Lauren, You should manage your time okay it's great you do spend time with your kids, but i need some of your time too, We need time with you, it's a while honestly i can't even remember when was the last time we went out together as a family"
Camila scoffed got up walking away, deciding to ignore her wife instead of turning this conversation into an argument, " Okay Okay we will stay for a week if you want, as long as it makes you happy. As i said the week off is purposely for you"
" As you should" Camila muttered under her breath as she pulled her wife closer kissing her
" And just so you know , That was an order, we already planned and organized the trip" Camila scoffed flipping her hair, as they continued to walk, " And we should get back, your daughters are probably starving right now, Ella keeps texting me" reminding their selves, they still have dinner as it's Friday mean family dinner.
Lauren drew nearer, her fingers tenderly tracing Camila's cheek. "Sure, Anything for my stunning and favorite wife," she murmured softly, prompting a playful hit from Camila. "Yeah, I'm your only wife," Camila teased, her lips grazing against Lauren's as she gave her a quick kiss.
"Nah, I left Karla at home," Lauren playfully quipped, moving in for a more intimate kiss. Camila chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hmm, Karla will be eagerly waiting for you at home... on the bed," she teased, leaning closer to whisper into Lauren's ear, gently nibbling and adding, "Completely naked."
Lauren's eyes widened at Camila's sudden comment, and she swiftly got up, pulling her wife along. "We better get home now," she said with a playful grin.
"Give me a piggyback ride!" Camila exclaimed, pouting playfully. Without hesitation, Lauren scooped her wife up bridal style, carrying her swiftly with no effort needed towards the car. Camila chuckled and teased her, enjoying the playful rush of the moment.
They strolled back to the house, the proximity of the park making the walk short. Lauren still carried Camila on her back, a testament to Lauren's impressive fitness maintained through daily gym sessions over the years, which was such a turn on for Camila.
"Look who's back, the lovebirds!" teased Amelia as she saw them approaching. "Mom, you took forever. We're starving!" complained Emma loudly, showing her impatience.
"Woah, Ma, you can carry Mom! That's impressive," Ella added playfully. "Ha ha, very funny, kids," Lauren responded, rolling her eyes at their teasing while trying to hide the fact that she was a bit out of breath. She finally put Camila down.
"Lauren, scold your daughters. They always bully me," Camila complained, hitting her wife's arm and pouting, earning laughter from Amelia.
"Okay, kids, stop it. Let's go have dinner," Lauren said, pulling Camila close by her waist as they made their way to the dining table. "Ah, ah, not yet. Angel isn't home, Ma," Amelia announced
"Did you call her or check the backyard? She's probably watching TV or something," Camila suggested, taking a seat.
"Yup, Ella checked, and I called her. She's not picking up," Amelia replied.
"That's not like her. It's already past dinner time," Camila expressed her concern, and Lauren sensed it.
"She's probably with that Keylen," Lauren said, rolling her eyes, attempting to assure her wife that everything was okay.
"Ma !, stop being rude. She's a family member," Amelia exclaimed complaining. "And no, she's not with her. Maybe she's at work."
"No, isn't she not allowed in the building? Where could she be at this hour?" Camila asked, visibly stressed.
"Babe, calm down. It's just 8 PM," Lauren tried to reassure her wife. "Did none of you figure out that she's not home? Did you ask David? Nancy?" Camila couldn't hide her concern any longer.
"We did that—Mom, she just arrived at Keylen's. No need to worry; she just texted," Amelia answered, elbowing her sister discreetly. "Ouch, Ams," Ella huffed.
"Okay, great. But why isn't she at dinner?" Camila asked, feeling relieved. "Ah, they're playing chess. She lost track of time," Amelia confidently lied, knowing her sister's tendency to get completely absorbed in her chess games. Also not wanting to ruin the atmosphere.
"The hell, where is she?" Amelia muttered under her breath, a hint of frustration in her tone, texting Keylen to keep her updated.
The family enjoyed a delightful dinner, indulging in dessert while relishing the night and engaging in lively conversations. Fridays were particularly special for Camila, as she cherished being surrounded by her family, filled with jokes and casual talks. Unlike the weekdays, where everyone was busy with work and school, Fridays provided a warm respite.
"Ma, I deserve an extra day of shopping. I got a D+ in one of my courses," Amelia proudly announced, her overconfidence in her minimal achievement evident. Lauren scoffed, and her younger sisters couldn't help but laugh.
"Huh! And you're proud of it?" Lauren questioned.
"Yes, it was a hard course!"
"What's hard in fashion design? You chose it, you love it, you want to be it. The hell, you're barely passing your courses," Lauren remarked, making her daughter pout. "Lauren, don't be mean to your daughter. I'm proud of you, sweetheart," Camila comforted her daughter with a kiss on the cheek.
"Just because you're the CEO doesn't make you smart, Ma. In fact, I believe that I got my intelligence from you," Amelia fired back, sticking her tongue out, eliciting laughter from everyone.
"I definitely agree," Camila added, making her wife glare at her. "What? It's true."
"Yeah, sure, whatever makes you sleep at night," Lauren responded.
"Ma, can I please excuse myself to go upstairs?" Emma asked politely, rising from her seat."What for?" Camila inquired.
"Study," Ava snitched before her sister could come up with a lie. Emma groaned and settled back into her seat. "Emma, no studying on Friday. You know the rules," her mother reminded her.
"But, Ma—"
"Emma, get your butt back. Just because that Richards kid got a higher mark than you doesn't mean you torture yourself. You have two weeks off," Camila interrupted her daughter's resistance, delivering a warning.
"Emma, just relax. You need a break," Lauren added.
"But, Ma, he got a freaking 99.75 on a calculus assignment after coming back from a trip from freaking LONDON on the same day, THE DAY OF THE EXAM and he has the audacity to get a mark like that!" Emma lashed out, silencing the room.
"Still, a day won't hurt, princess," Lauren insisted softly, " Who's that kid anyway? Richard you say?" asked Lauren curiously as she heard the family name
"Ummm, I believe his mother is Sarah Richards," Camila hummed in agreement.
"Nah, she has a son, I believe in his early twenties, and a daughter in her late twenties, something like that," Lauren shook her head.
"Yeah, and how do you know these informations?" Camila asked, glaring at her wife, already suspicious.
" Well i saw her yesterday she's been coming to th- And you never bothered to tell me?!"
"Why would I? She's going to be our partner for the upcoming project," Lauren shrugged confidently, oblivious to the fact that her wife was already feeling jealous. "And who agreed on that?" asked Camila, eyeing her.
" Me!, i guess? Yeah! babe why are you staring at me like that?" Lauren was a bit afraid of her wife, her daughters were enjoying the scene, their Mom jealous? Yes please, it always funny how their tough Ma gets scared.
"Mom, who is Sarah Richards?" Amelia asked, laughing.
"Ask your mother," Camila replied, rolling her eyes and turning away, making Lauren face her back.
"Babe, come on. I'm the CEO, and we're doing business," Lauren explained, whining as she turned her wife to her, and her body fell into her chest. "And why did you agree to it? Didn't her husband divorce her? What business does she have? And what does that have to do with our company?" she fired off the questions.
Sarah Richards, the hottest blonde woman alive back in the days, rumors said she was in a sextape that had driven people wild. She had married a millionaire, had two kids with him back in London, and then suddenly moved back to America, divorcing with no apparent reason.
"She is no one but a businesswoman who is a mother. She owns an exotic car agency, and that will do us a favor to present her unique cars for our launch for the new resort," Lauren explained again, hoping to comfort her wife. "Also, I think she has a boyfriend. I saw him in her house, but—YOU WENT TO HER HOUSE!" Oops, here we go again.
"No! I mean yes! Yes, I went, but only for business purposes because she was sick. Even Maggy went with me. Babe, you could ask her. Yes, ask her. She was there with me all the TIME," Lauren explained quickly.
"Yeah, and you think that's okay?" Camila was beyond annoyed, but before Lauren could respond, Angel made her presence known in the living room.
" ANGGIE!" Ava shouted wanting to rescue her Ma
"Good evening," Angel said, taking her seat, clearly happy, which didn't go unnoticed by everyone.
"My little baby, I missed you. Did you win?" Camila asked in a soft tone, clearly forgetting already about her jealousy.
"Win?" Angel asked, confused.
Amelia faked a loud cough, way too loud, making her sister hit her back. "You okay, Ams?" Ella asked.
"YES, YES. Umm, Anggie, Ella took your dinosaurs," Amelia lied, changing the subject, which made Angel rush out of the house without a word.
" Ella" Lauren warned, knowing how grumpy her elder daughter could get if someone touched her stuff especially her dinosaurs
" I DID NOT DO SUCH A THING"