Chapter 52 - Alex And His Concern For Margaret

Chapter - 52

"Mom!" Alex called out for Martha the moment he entered the house.

"Why are you here, causing a ruckus?" Martha asked as she walked out of her room.

"What?" surprised by her words, Alex asked.

"I meant, why are you home so early?" Martha changed her tone when she realised what she had blurted out.

"Oh... You remember that presentation I was working on yesterday?" Alex asked to which Martha nodded, "It went pretty well. Karen was kinda happy with me. So she said I could take a half-day off. Isn't she just the nicest boss?" Alex was more excited to brag about Karen than his own presentation.

"That's good. I am sure you will do even better in the future," Martha said as she ruffled his hair.

"Mom, I need to go out today," Remembering the dinner plan, he suddenly said, "So I won't be having dinner with the two of you."

"What's the occasion? Don't tell me. Is it perhaps another dinner date with the girl from that day?" Martha asked, teasing him.

"Come on, mom, I think you should avoid dad's company. He is doing nothing but spoil you," Alex said. He did not whether to laugh or cry hearing her. His parents are pursuing the topic of him finding a girl with full throttle, "We never got a welcoming party. Now everyone has decided to throw one for us. This is why I won't be home for dinner," Alex said as he emphasised the last few words.

"Fine... Fine... I got it. No need to be so touchy about it. When are you going to go?" Martha asked, annoyed by Alex.

"Wait, let me check," Alex took out his phone and checked Hazel's last message, "Ummm... It's the Springville restaurant, and the time is eight in the evening," Alex told her.

Martha looked at the clock, "There is still some time, so rest a bit before heading out. I am also going to rest for a while," Martha said and went to her room to rest.

Alex also followed suit and dragged himself to his room. He crashed on his bed and tried to sleep but felt heavy and uncomfortable in his chest. He tossed around but could not find a comfortable posture. The image of unhealthy leftovers in Margaret's kitchen continuously played in his mind.

Finally, not able to sleep, he left his room and went downstairs.

About an hour later, when Martha walked out of her room hearing a bunch of sounds coming from outside, she found Alex wearing an apron working in the kitchen preparing dinner.

"What are you doing? I told you to rest, didn't I?" Martha asked as she walked up to him.

"I couldn't get a shut-eye," Alex told her.

"Then why are you making so much food? Did something happen? Is the party cancelled?" Martha questioned when she saw the amount of food Alex was preparing.

"No, the party is still on. It's just..." Alex hesitated to tell her.

"Alex... You never keep anything secret from me. What is it? You can tell me," Martha asked him. She could feel that he was trying to avoid telling her the details.

"It's not like I am hiding some nuclear codes, mom. I just... I just made an extra portion for Miss Cole. That's all," Alex said, trying to play it chill.

Martha looked at him with a questioning gaze, raising her eyebrow, but didn't say a word.

"What? Don't look at me weirdly. Her maid is not coming for two days. So she has been ordering takeaways. I just feel that it's not good for health," Alex finally looked at his mom and said.

"Ohhh!" Martha exclaimed as she gave Alex an understanding look.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Alex asked.

"What look?" Martha asked as she shrugged, trying to feign ignorance.

"That look... the look you were giving me just now," Alex tried to argue, but he was interfered with by Martha.

"I don't know. I am not giving you any look. You get on with your work. I am going back to rest now. Wake me up when you leave," Martha said and left without giving Alex any chance to rebut.

Alex stood in the kitchen, looking in the direction Martha left. He could very well guess what was going on in that brain of hers.

After Martha left, Alex also busied himself with preparing dishes. It took him another hour or so before he was finally done. When he was done, he looked at the clock, and it was seven in the evening. He left the dishes in the kitchen and wrote a note for her mother. After that, he went upstairs, got ready and by fifteen minutes past seven, he came down.

Alex knocked on her mother's door, "Mom! I am going," and saying this, Alex left.

After Alex left, Martha came out of her room. She walked into the kitchen and looked at the dishes prepared by Alex. There she also found the note written by Alex beneath one of the bowls. She unfolded the note and began to read,

'The dinner is ready. Heat it up before you eat. And don't forget to deliver some to Miss Cole before she orders a takeaway.'

'Silly boy, you should have done it on your own,' Martha talked to herself.

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