Chapter 67 - Can I Tell You A Secret?

Chapter 67: Can I tell you a secret?

Naya folded the last piece of clothing into the small duffle bag on her bed. Her attention was diverted to the door when it opened and Veronica came inside. 

The woman's worried countenance didn't slow Naya down or distract her from doing the task she was performing.

Veronica sat on the bed without saying anything. After Naya finished shoving two pair of flat shoes and a pair of heel into her bag, she zipped it and lifted it up.

"Naya, I..." Veronica was interrupted by Naya when she slowly lifted her finger and placed it at the center of her lips like she was saying hush.

She picked up her bag and walked out with Veronica right behind her. When they got outside, instead of taking her car she walked towards Veronica's car instead.

And on cue, the older woman entered and drove off.

"Can I talk now?" Veronica asked Naya.

"Sure. What do you want to talk about?" Naya asked her.

"Did you seriously ask me that question? Why aren't you fidgeting? Why aren't you going crazy?" Veronica kept alternating between watching the road and looking at Naya.

"Because freaking out isn't going to do shit, pardon my French. I know you are upset and I appreciate you taking me to the airport. The good thing is that, I am not your problem anymore" Naya closed her eyes temporarily to get some rest.

Veronica's jaw tightened and she suddenly stopped the car, forcing Naya to be vigilant.

"What are you talking about? That orphanage is home to you as it is to me, Naya. I know I am not big on words or affection but you are family"

Naya took her hand and gave Veronica a gentle reassuring squeeze.

"You are family to me too and...I am terrified. But I can't do what I set out to do if I am terrified.  So, I opened the vault of feelings in my head and I locked away those feelings. I am a brick wall now" Naya's eyes were clear as day. There was no hint of emotion in her voice but whatever she said seemed to pacify the orphanage manager.

"Okay" Veronica turned on the car and drove off.

Soon, they were in the airport in Blantyre Malawi. Naya's outfit was simple. Just a pair of milk colored shorts and brown singlet. If she becomes cold it was easy to take a jacket from the duffle she was holding to keep warm. But she knew she won't need it.

She looked at Veronica one more time.

"Take care of the children and be a little more approachable to them. You are good but you don't let it show, Ms Veronica. Goodbye" Naya turned to leave when Veronica grabbed her hand and pressed a wad of cash into her palm. 

"It's my rainy day fund and this is a rainy day" Veronica murmured.

"You have a wad of cash... dollars stashed for this kind of situation? Well, I am not surprised...thank you" Naya squeezed a smile and hugged her.

"Do you need me to call ahead and inform them of your arrival?" Veronica asked her.

"No. It's better this way. I have their address" Naya answered her.

"Okay. Don't let me keep you. Be careful....now bye" Veronica turned and walked away.

Naya shook her head slightly, typical Veronica.

Forty nine minutes later, she was on a flight out of Malawi.

***

McKenna stared at the mirror. The red long dress she wore clung to her body giving her the elegant yet mature look, she wanted. 

"Honey, do you think this dress is too much?!" McKenna yelled from the closet.

Jason soon entered wearing a tux. He was holding his tie. 

"Wow, you look sexy. Maybe you should take it off, we need the guests to focus on their wallet not on my beautiful wife" Jason grinned from ear to ear as his eyes wandered.

"Come on, I am serious" McKenna gave him a look.

"You look perfect, love. I am the luckiest man on earth" Jason kissed her cheek.

"Why did mom conveniently forgot to mention this announcement dinner?" McKenna asked him "and I am also weird out that she even went ahead and got suitable outfits for us"

Jason Chuckled " My mom knows I hate this kind of event...I hate to be parade around with everyone watching. This is just a trick to get me to attend"

McKenna opened the shoe rack and took out a pair of silver heels. She sat down on the stool in the closet and started to buckle it when Jason took it from her to help out.

"Your mother is really awe-inspiring; at the end of her speech even the presses were moved. I am really glad she is doing this. She will be a great role model for baby girl" McKenna adjusted her earrings.

"Yes and so are you" Jason told her too.

"Oh please, no woman can live up to Elixir Yagazie. She is a legend and it's okay" McKenna stood up and walked out of the room with a smile.

"What is going on, McKenna?" Jason asked her as soon as he got to the bedroom.

"It's nothing. I am just feeling a little bit insecure, okay?" There was a brief silence before McKenna continued "Now that you might be the governor's son... everyone's eyes will be on you...on us"

"Oma, since I was a little boy I have been judged by the public. I can't wear a pair of jeans and slippers with a blogger speculating about the reason behind it. My third grade swimming competition ended up on the front page and I came third, it doesn't bother me but… I didn't know it bothered you?"

Jason cupped her cheek, he sounded worried.

"What if everyone decides that a poor girl from the wrong side of town is not good enough for you or your family?"

"Well screw everyone and don't sell yourself short. You graduated best in a Canadian university...you went toe to toe with Canada and you won..."

"Well, I beat Luca Spencer with just a point..." McKenna interrupted him by saying but Jason wasn't finished.

"You turned a word class obnoxious player like me into a husband and you are technically a Donna, Who is like the only family that has gone up against the Yagazies and wasn't entirely extinguished from history" 

McKenna's face changed from a frown to a smile. "You are right. Thanks for the pep talk"

"Glad, I could help" Jason was relieved he was able to talk her down.

Jason took his phone and dialed Kara's phone. It rang twice but she didn't pick up.

"Shouldn't your sister be back with Kara by now?" Jason asked his wife.

"Those two get along so much that it's impossible to end their time together. I am sure they are just running late. Come on, we should go. The party is starting" McKenna stood up and picked up the small silver colored bag on the table.

"Shall we?" Jason offered his arm to her and she took it.

McKenna and Jason made it down to the party amongst the stares from both male and female guests. It didn't bother her as much now. She looked fabulous and it was time to own it.

Jason was about to introduce his wife to the commissioner of police when his phone rang.

He stopped walking and picked the call.

"Hello, this is Jason" 

There was a little pause and Jason squeezed a smile at McKenna and excused himself.

"It's work. I have to take this"

McKenna shook her head. Her husband was taking the easy way out from mingling with guests and talking about pointless things like shoes and bags with politician's wives.

She then saw her mother in law wearing a black dress and accompanied by Luca Spencer. McKenna decided to talk to Elixir and relay how awesome her speech was.

McKenna took two steps when someone suddenly grabbed her hand and she turned abruptly.

"Naya! What are you doing here?" McKenna was in shock.

Naya wore a blue short dress. Her hair was in a bun which matched perfectly with her shade of red lipstick. She was simply breathtaking.

Naya smiled. The smile didn't quite touch her eyes.

"We need to talk" 

"Now?" McKenna was puzzled. Why did she show up in the Mansion dressed like a model?

"Yes, now" Naya tensed jaw was beginning to show.

"I don't have time for this" McKenna had an exasperated look on her face.

"Well, make time. Kara has been kidnapped" Naya turned and walked away leaving a really alarmed yet pissed off McKenna behind.

McKenna knew she was Kara's biological mother but it didn't give her the right to show up and make baseless accusation about Kara. Who the hell shows up to a party to tell a parent that their daughter had been kidnapped and then just walk away?

McKenna hastened to catch up with Naya. Soon, she was outside near the garden, throwing the most murderous glare at Naya.

"How dare you show up here to tell me that baby girl has been kidnapped? What kind of a mother..."

Naya's tapped on her phone and showed it to her. 

McKenna gasped loudly and covered her mouth. "Oh God! I need to get Jason"

Naya's phone made a sound again.

"Don't bother. Kane has him too"