Chapter 104—Let It Go!

Henderson and Lena were having the best time of their lives and getting to know each other better. Lena never knew that Henderson had a phobia of dogs and Lena on the other hand was dead scared of cats until they went for a walk in the park and saw both animals with their owners, it took both of them a lot of courage not to run off. "Brighton and Brian said you haven't been taking their calls," Lena said as she took her seat beside Henderson. Henderson shrugged his shoulders an indifferent look plastered on his face, "Baby, you know they deserve it after what they did. They should stop trying I'm not going to change my mind." Lena's brows puckered in a slight frown and she pursed her lips. She had been trying to convince Henderson to speak to Brian and Brighton when she found out that he stopped talking to them after he found out that they lied to him about Brighton getting into an accident. She told him that if he wanted to blame anyone then it should be her because she was the one who had asked for Brian's help to keep him from returning home early that day. Lena exhaled as she peered at Henderson, she clasped her hands together resting them on her thigh," Honey, it's not their fault. If there is anyone to blame it's me, if I hadn't called Brian up and asked for his help he wouldn't have had a reason to lie to you. Brighton didn't even know that Brian lied to you, he doesn't deserve your anger. He is innocent in all of this." Henderson shook his head in disagreement still maintaining his expression, "Don't give excuses for them, Brian lied because he wanted to, he could have used something else maybe I would have just let it slide but he used Brighton. I was so worried when I heard Brighton got into an accident." He paused for a second as a sigh escaped his lips before he continued to speak. " I rushed down to the hospital Brian had told me but when I got there Brighton wasn't there neither was Brian. I called Brian up and he said I had gone to the wrong hospital, he told me to go to another hospital and I did. After getting there I didn't find either of them, I called Brian again but he didn't pick up my calls. I got a message from Brighton asking me to come over to his house. I went there and found both of them chatting and enjoying drinks." An exasperated sigh left Henderson's lips. Reminiscing what had happened that day made him even more upset with Brian and Brighton. He was shocked to see that Brighton was okay, He asked Brian why he lied to him but Brian didn't give him a response rather he just kept laughing, and that pissed Henderson off. Brighton said he had no idea that Brian had told Henderson that he got into an accident but Henderson didn't believe Brighton's words. Lena moved closer to Henderson and took his hand in hers, Henderson lifted his head peering at her. Her lips curved into a small smile as she stroked the back of his palm. "I know you are upset by all of this but still you have to forgive them, they are your best friends." Henderson scoffed shaking his head, "Shouldn't they have thought of that before doing what they did? I really don't want to talk to them, I would but not now." Lena's lips pressed together and she heaved a breath, "Well you'll have to, they are on their way here." "What!" Henderson's brows puckered. Just then the doorbell rang. "That should be them," Lena smiled springing up to her feet and sauntering to the door. She pulled it open and Brian and Brighton stepped in. They exchanged hugs before they ambled into the living room. "Hey bro," Brian gleamed taking steps to Henderson with his arms wide open for a hug but the daunting glare from Henderson made him take steps back and drop his hands. Brighton who was behind Brian seeing what had transpired took the hint and found a place to sit. "Darling, a hug wouldn't hurt." Lena frowned taking her sit beside Henderson. "I'm sure he has forgotten how to welcome friends," Brian grumbled and got an eye roll from Henderson. "Can you just shut up Brian? You are the cause of this, you should find a way to pacify Henderson rather than run your mouth." Brighton seethed scowling at Brian. "I've always known you are the sensible one, I don't know what is wrong with Brian. Seems to me like he lost his senses to being a playboy." Henderson muttered and Brighton burst out laughing. Brighton's laughter died down when he noticed Brian's angry stare directed at him. "I think I'll give you guys time to talk," Lena cleared her throat rising from the couch, this made them turn to her. "No," Brian and Brighton blurted in unison. "Sister-in-law, that's a bad idea. I think I might end up in the hospital for real this time," Brighton muttered lowly. "That's true," Brian supported. "I'll just sit then," Lena heaved a breath plopping on the couch. "Are you guys trying to accuse me of being violent?" Henderson's upper lips curled up in annoyance, his brow slightly furrowed as his orbs darkened. "Well, I'm not answering that," Brian stated glancing at Brighton waiting to hear his own response. "Neither would I," Brighton shrugged his shoulders. "Great decision." Henderson gave a tight nod glaring at the both of them. Lena took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, "Guys enough of this. You all have to make up, right now." "Babe, you know it's not my fault," Henderson grumbled when his eyes met Lena's angry stare. "Fine, I forgive you two. You can leave now." Henderson sighed glowering at Brighton and Brian. "Honey," Lena murmured. "What? I forgave them. Do you want me to do anything else?" "Well, that doesn't sound very forgiving." Henderson drew in a sharp breath," Right. I forgive you Brian but don't do such a thing ever again." "I appreciate your forgiveness but I didn't hear you mention Brighton's name," Brian whined his face smudged with a frown. "That's because Brighton did nothing wrong. It's all your doing. He is innocent and you are the guilty one." Henderson huffed. "Thank you," Brighton smiled, soon his smile faded and was replaced by a perplexed expression as he paused midway in his statement. "Wait a second, you knew all along?" Henderson chuckled," Well, at first when you told me you didn't know about it I doubted it since I know that most of the time you and Brian are accomplices. But hearing your words here, I believe you and I have advice for you, don't let Brian rub off on you." "That's the best advice you've ever given me, I appreciate it, a lot.", Brighton said bowing slightly to spite Brian. "And I'm sorry for not believing you," Henderson apologised. Brighton's lips curved into a smile, "It's fine." Brian hissed loudly rolling his eyes at Henderson and Brighton. "I know what you two are trying to do, you want to get on my nerves but guess I'm not giving you both that chance." "Whatever," Henderson scoffed and Brighton chortled. "Henderson do you mind getting us something to eat?" Brighton smiled politely. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Why didn't you eat before coming here? This place isn't a restaurant, is it?" Henderson sassed. "Seriously?" Brian lifted an eyebrow at Henderson. "Yeah. I'm serious, if you both want to eat then go to your houses. Moreover you came here uninvited." Henderson raised his shoulders nonchalantly. "Honey that's not nice." Lena cautioned before turning to Brian and Brighton. "He is just joking. Tell me, what would you guys like to eat?" she inquired smiling. "I wasn't joking." Henderson uttered with a serious expression. "Sorry," He mumbled when Lena's angry gaze descended on him. "Lena we wouldn't want to let you stress yourself. We'll just got into the kitchen and make something for ourselves." Brian mumbled. "No, cooking isn't stressful for me." Lena smiled. "Still you don't have to cook. We will, don't worry about it." Brighton chipped in. "Yeah. Just sit and we'll make something delicious so we three can eat exemption of Henderson." Brian mustered a forced smile when his eyes met Henderson's. "I'm not going to let you two burn down my house with the excuse of cooking, ok." Henderson seethed. "Really? Then try to stop us from going into the kitchen." Brian scoffed in contempt. Henderson stood up and sauntered to the kitchen. Brighton glanced at Brian who had a gigantic grin on his face. "We both know you can't cook," Brighton let out. "As if you are any better," Brian said in a huffy manner. Brighton chuckled wriggling his finger,"I'm a better cook than you'll ever be. That aside Henderson is in the kitchen and he is certainly not going to let us cook." A smirk tugged the side of Brian's lips, "I would let your proud comment slide. And about Henderson being in the kitchen, that was the goal all along. He is going to make the food himself. We won't have to lift a finger, we'll we would give him a helping hand at least." "You are so cunning." Brighton giggled. "He sure is," Lena laughed shaking her head. Just like Brian said, Henderson ended up making the food himself. They all had lunch together, Brian and Brighton left after spending some time. "Sweetheart, there's something I want to talk to you about," Henderson mumbled smoothing Lena's hair her head laid on his thighs. "what is it? Is everything ok?" Lena cocked her head gazing at him. "It's about mom, you should speak to her. She's really sorry." "Did she put you up to this Henderson? I'm going to speak to her but I don't think I'm ready yet." Lena said sitting up. Henderson was about to say something but the ringing of his phone made him pause. "She called at the right moment," Henderson muttered picking up the call. Lena didn't need to ask, she knew it was her mom who was calling. "She wants to speak with you." Henderson extended the phone to Lena but she didn't take it from him, she just shook her head. "Mom, I'll call you back. Take care." Henderson hung up afterward before turning to Lena. "Seriously, Lee? Not too long ago you preached forgiveness to me and I listened. Just speak to your mom. Yeah, she shouldn't have tried to end her life but giving her cold shoulders isn't the best thing to do right now." Lena's forehead creased, and she nibbled on her lower lips in thought before looking away. "This is different. If she had succeeded in her attempt to end her life by now I and Irene would have been orphans. Honestly, I won't say I'm mad at her but I don't want to talk to her." Lena's eyes welled up with tears she batted her lashes and gazed upwards to prevent the tears from falling. Henderson's arm wrapped around her shoulder and he cupped her cheek with his other hand. "I'm sorry if I..." Lena bobbed her head, this time she let the tears flow down her cheeks. "You've got nothing to be sorry for. You are right, I should speak to her. I would but I just need time." Henderson smiled and embraced her, he patted her back tenderly. After they broke the hug, he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Take your time but don't take too much time. Ok, love?" "Sure." Lena chuckled. Later that night, Henderson woke up and didn't find Lena on the bed. "Baby," He called out getting out of bed but there was no response. He went into the bathroom but she wasn't there. He headed to the living room and found her seated on the couch. "You are awake," Lena mustered a smile when she took notice of his presence. Henderson took steps to her and crouched in front of her. "Babe, are you okay?" Henderson inquired seeing the gloomy look on her face. "Yeah, I'm just thinking. Maybe it's time we go back home. Don't you think?" Lena heaved a breath. "Why? You don't like it here? We can go elsewhere, wherever you want to go." Henderson's hand enveloped Lena's, a smile marred his face as he peered at her. "No, that's not it. I love it here, it's beautiful here. I love it but I'm just worried about our kids. I miss them we've spent two weeks away from them." Henderson's arms draped around Lena in a warm hug. When he pulled away a huge smile was plastered on his face, his eyes fixed on Lena. "What's amusing?" Lena pouted folding her arms across her chest. "You are cute," Henderson beamed kissing her on the lips. "Thanks but can we speak to the kids now? We should call Cleo so we can talk to them." "Uhmm, I would love that but it's midnight. They would be asleep. We should go to bed okay and we'll speak to them in the morning, okay?" "Okay. I guess I'll have to wait until morning. And I'm sorry for making you worry." Lena sighed. "It's okay, I totally understand you." Henderson smiled. At the break of dawn, Lena and Henderson called Cleo and they spoke to the kids. Surprisingly, Itzel and Trent encouraged them to enjoy themselves and have fun, they also said Lena and Henderson could come back whenever they wanted. They told Lena and Henderson that they were enjoying their grandma's company. "Can you imagine these kids? Didn't seem like they miss us at all." Lena whined keeping a sad face. Henderson on the other hand had a joyful gleam on his face but when his eyes met Lena's, he kept a straight face. "I'm sure they miss us. They are just enjoying their grandma's company. And it means we've got more time to spend together." Lena nodded, "I see. Don't you have to return to work?" "I am the boss so I can return whenever I want to. If you like we can stay here for two months more." Lena shook her head in disagreement. "I think I'll pass. If we stay here for that long trust me then the kids won't be able to recognise us when if they do we might end up being denied." Lena murmured and Henderson burst out laughing. "Babe trust me they won't do that," Henderson assured after his laughter died down. "Honey, you never can tell. Two more weeks and we'll be going back home." Lena mumbled.