Chapter 8 —I'm not one of those ladies, Henderson Bain!

Several weeks had passed since Henderson enrolled Trent in school. Lena was seated in her room as usual, the workers didn't let her do any work other than taking care of Itzel and her needs. So far Lena had managed not to get on Henderson's bad books because she was always avoiding him, he noticed it and was cool with it, for him it was better than her sticking into his business. Lena's phone started to ring, a smile draped her lips when she saw the caller ID. It was her sister Irene. Irene: Hey sis, how have you been? Lena: I've been good other than the fact that I barely do any work aside from caring for Itzel's needs. The workers won't even let me help them with anything, especially Madame Carmen who is in charge of the workers. This just makes me feel like I'm being paid more than I deserve. Lena sighed. Irene: Seriously, I'm starting to consider that you don't love yourself who would complain about something like this, you should be happy. Moreover, you applied to be his daughter's not his maid but as usual, you want to be too kind. Lena: Talking to you about this was a bad idea I never should have. How are you? Irene: I'm fine. Thank you for coming to my rescue I would have been out of school and homeless if not for you. Lena: Don't mention it, I'm glad I could help. Irene: How is Trent? How is your boss doing? Lena: Trent is fine, he is at school. My boss is the same bringing different ladies to the mansion as usual. She made a scrunched-up face even though Irene couldn't see her. Irene: Come on Lena, not again didn't you tell me that this man fired you because you didn't follow his rules? Can you try to stay out of his business? He is already doing you and Trent a huge favour, he is paying for his fees in the most expensive school in the city. Just overlook the bad side you think he has and focus on the good side. Remember you've always advised me not to be judgemental and now you are doing it. Lena and Irene talked about other things before ending the call. Irene made sure to sound it a warning to Lena's ears that she had to stay out of Henderson's business as he had warned her and even though Lena accepted she didn't think that she was going to be able to hearken to it. Lena spent the rest of her day thinking about what she could possibly do concerning Henderson's behaviour, she didn't think that it was something she was supposed to let slide since the kids were involved. They lived together, she had so many thoughts running through her head what if one day the kids were to wake up and then hear the crazy sounds or even worst walk in on them? Lena was forced to take her mind off her thoughts when Henderson brought Itzel and Trent back home from school before returning to his company. He and Lena barely said a word to each other apart from when she greeted him and he responded. Lena was delighted since the kids were back home, she felt so alone being all by herself and she was sick of having nothing to do. Next Day...... Trent and Itzel were all set for school, Lena had gotten them ready and they were seated a the dining area having breakfast with Henderson. If it was up to her she won't let Trent sit with them, she preferred eating with her son in their room. "Do you need anything else Itzel?" Lena asked Itzel who was laughing hard at the story Henderson was telling her and Trent. They were unable to bottle up their laughter whenever they sat together in the dining because Henderson was always telling them one story or the other and if he wasn't then he was cracking his numerous jokes. Sometimes Lena couldn't help but wonder if Henderson always forgot that table manners existed. "I'm fine Aunt Lena," Itzel replied with a smile. Well, Lena went from Itzel calling her Lena to Aunt Lena. Itzel had become so fond of Lena, she spoke so much of Lena to her dad, friends and whoever cared to listen and her dad was top on the list. Even though a lot of times he felt like telling Itzel to quit talking about Lena but he knew he couldn't despite the fact that he didn't like Lena he was glad that finally his daughter had someone she liked so much aside from him, and she always had that cheer whenever she talked about how great Lena was. "Ok," Lena replied and made to walk away when Henderson spoke making her pause to listen to him. As their eyes met, Henderson could see clearly in her eyes that she didn't like him and he was cool with it since the feeling was mutual. "I don't know why you do not like to eat with us here at the dining. I know what you might think, it's not my business but the kids would love to have you sit and eat here. They've been talking about it," Henderson mumbled gaping at Lena. "Yes, Aunt Lena. You should join us." Itzel giggled. "Yes Mom," Trent cooed. Now they were all gazing at Lena as they awaited her reply. They had put her in a tight spot and she felt uncomfortable, if Henderson was going to be absent from the dining area she would have wasted no time to say yes to the kids but thinking about having to sit in the same space with Henderson she couldn't. "uhmmm. Kids I would love to but I can't," she let out. She watched the happy expressions on the kids' faces turn into sad ones and it made her feel bad, she took a deep breath making them happy was more important than the ill feelings she had towards Henderson. "But don't worry I will join you guys tomorrow, I can't do that now because I have something to do." she smiled placing a hand each on their shoulders and they smiled back at her. Lena returned to her room afterwards, the truth was that she had nothing to do but she wasn't ready to be in the same space as Henderson but by tomorrow she concluded she would have braced up enough and wore a secured armour to protect herself from Henderson's words because whenever they were around each other he loved to throw jibes at her. "Mommy, mommy," Trent called happily as he ran into the room. She smiled as she turned to face him. From his voice, she knew he was elated about something. "What's in your hands?" she asked when she noticed the package he was holding. "They are toys, Uncle Henderson gave them to me. He also got some for Itzel," Trent beamed with a smile that reach his eyes. Lena took steps to him and then a sigh left her lips before she crouched in front of him. "I see, you love the toys don't you?" she raised her brows and Trent nodded. "Mom, I have to go now. Uncle Henderson is waiting, please keep the toys for me." Trent rushed his words putting the package in her hands. He hugged her and after placing a kiss on her cheeks he scooted out of the room before she could say a word. She smiled and then stood, with the package in her hand she headed downstairs. "Who wants ice cream on their way to school?" Henderson arched his brows. "Me!" Trent and Itzel gleamed in unison making him grin. "Please, Sir can I have a word with you?" Lena muttered as she stood in front of Henderson who was surprised to see her. He didn't say a word he just nodded before turning to Trent and Itzel. "Go to the car kids. I'll be with you shortly," he told them and they bobbed their heads before sauntering outside. "What is it?" Henderson asked with the usual cold and uninterested voice he always spoke to Lena with. "Sir, thanks for the toys you got Trent...." "Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" Henderson interrupted with furrowed brows. To him talking to Lena was a waste of his time. "I wasn't done sir," Lena mumbled with a straight face. "Well go on then," impatience was evident in his voice. He hated standing here and talking to this lady. Lena took a sharp breath, "Thank you for the gift but Trent doesn't need it. I would appreciate it if you don't bother to gift him any more gifts, you've done enough already." Lena stretched the package to Henderson who watched her in awe, it was fixed on his mind that this woman had an attitude problem but now he figured out it didn't just have to do with her attitude alone, she had a strange personality. Seeing that Henderson wasn't willing to take the package from her Lena kept it on the table beside him. "Are you serious? Your hatred for me does exceed the love for your son, doesn't it? Why are you like this? Henderson had a scrunched-up expression as his eyes zeroed Lena. "Sir, this has nothing to do with you. I'm just doing what's best for my son." "Right? And what's best for your son is snatching his happiness. Did you see how happy he was when I gifted him these toys today? But that doesn't matter to you, does it?" Henderson huffed crossing his arms. Lena was trying so hard to keep her cool, what was it that this man couldn't understand? She hated standing here and talking to him for this long. All she wanted to do was to return the toys and then go back to her room but it seemed he enjoyed dragging the conversation. "Well, my son doesn't need toys to be happy. What he needs right now is to study hard and take school seriously." By the time Lena was done talking a round of applause had filled the room and it was all from Henderson. "Woah! Those words sounded good in your ears, right? Of course, they did why won't they when you are such a sadistic mother who can't bear to see the happiness of her son." Henderson frowned staring at Lena with disdain. Henderson's words irked Lena to the core, there was nothing she hated like someone questioning her parental skills. Every decision she ever made after having Trent, she did putting him into consideration. "Sir, with all due respect do not question my motherhood." her voice was bold and aired suppressed rage. Henderson could tell she was angered by the tone of her voice but that didn't stop him from saying his next statement. "It doesn't change the fact that a bad mother who is putting up a make-believe trying to make people see that she is such a great mom," he jeered. Lena chuckled, "Coming from someone who thinks that he is the best father in the world no one he keeps up with his promiscuous act of bringing numerous ladies to the house and filling everywhere with their filthy moans and dirty deeds," she retorted. Henderson's brows snapped together but soon a mocking smile embraced his lips. He could now understand the reason for Lena's recent behaviour, he had warned her on several occasions but it appeared staying away from his business was the one thing she couldn't do. "Let me guess you are jealous that you aren't one of those ladies. Or is it because I'm not interested in you, I thought I made it clear to you on the very first day we crossed paths that I will never be interested in you. Aren't you all ladies the same? I'm pretty sure you wouldn't think twice before jumping on my bed if I give you the opportunity, you are just like all the ladies you talk....." the last part of Henderson's statement never got out because Lena's palm crashed on his cheeks. "I'm not one of those ladies, Henderson Bain!"