REPAYING A FAVOUR WITH A FAVOUR

CHAPTER 10… REPAYING A FAVOUR WITH A FAVOUR

"Mr. Scott, how would you like to become the next head of department of the technical department?" Timothy asked.

Rick froze.

Was he getting a promotion?

"That would be a dream come true, sir." He replied.

Timothy nodded. He pulled the drawer and took out the promotion later Marcella had just prepared and handed it to Rick.

"Congratulations then," he said. "You are now the head of department of the technical department. Mr. Kim would put you through before he leaves."

"Leaves?" Rick asked, already opening the letter and reading it's contents.

Timothy nodded.

"Mr. Kim would be moving to South America to become the branch director."

"I'm the new head of department?" Rick mumbled in disbelief. He pinched himself to be sure he wasn't dreaming.

"Thank you sir, I won't let you down." He almost yelled.

"You won't." Timothy replied with a nod.

"But," Rick's voice lowered. "why are you giving me the position?"

Timothy smiled and relaxed in his chair.

"You're the one I saw fit for the position. Also," he paused and met Rick's gaze. "Let's just say I'm repaying a favour with a favour."

Rick didn't understand what Timothy meant by the words 'repaying a favour with a favour'. But, he didn't ask.

After expressing his gratitude, he left the office and returned to his department, happy.

*****

"I didn't know about it, I swear" Rick yelled into the phone.

Selena nodded and shreiked.

"Congratulations, dear. We'd drink to your victory today."

"Of course," Rick replied with a chuckle and suddenly went serious.

"Hey sis, I'm confused. Do you know my boss?" He asked.

"No, what happened?" Selena asked.

"Well, I know I didn't do any favourable deed to anyone recently. When he called me into his office, he said he was only repaying a favour with a favour." Rick said with a shrug.

A favour?

Selena thought but couldn't remember encountering anyone she did a favour.

"I didn't do any favour to anyone, dearie."

Rick sighed and nodded.

"Well, only Mr. Lancaster knows what Mr. Lancaster knows. Talk to you later, dear."

Lancaster…

The name wafted into Selena's ears and she gasped.

"Who did you say is your boss?" She inquired.

"Yh, Timothy Reese Lancaster." Rick replied. "Why do you as-"

"I remember now!" Selena interrupted.

Timothy Reese Lancaster… no wonder she found the name familiar.

"We'll talk when you return, love you." Selena said and hung up on a very confused Rick.

"Timothy Reese Lancaster…"

*****

"Did you finish up the work, Bella darling?" Selena asked, referring to the maths exercises she had given her.

Bella nodded.

"I do have a little problem, Miss Selena." She muttered sadly, rubbing her nose and pointing to a particular exercise.

Selena looked at her closely before sitting down next to her. She looked at the book.

"What's wrong?"

"Question four," Bella stated

"I can't do it."

Selena chuckled and ruffled Bella's soft black hair.

"I'll help you with that, okay?" She said and Bella nodded with a smile.

Selena explained how to solve while Bella listened with a rapt attention that interested Selena.

The child, she didn't know why, but she thought they shared a lot of things in common. For instance, Bella always rubbed her nose when she spoke. So did Selena.

Also, her presence always made Selena feel satisfied. Like a certain longing -for something she couldn't quite place a finger on- had been satisfied.

It was as if anytime she looked into Bella's brown eyes, she could see herself.

A sigh broke out of her lips as she stood up from the chair and helped Bella down. Together, they headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

"Miss Selena, do you like my daddy?" Bella asked. She was sitting on the kitchen table and drinking from a glass of milk as Selena focused on slicing the vegetables.

Selena's hands froze in mid-air. She dropped the knife and turned to face Bella.

"Why do you ask such?"

Bella shrugged.

"My daddy likes you"

Selena looked at the child in silence and sat on a chair facing Bella.

"How did you know that?" She asked.

Bella looked at her and said, "He told me. Tell me that you like him. I want you to be my mommy."

Selena nodded and continued her chores.

"I'll talk to your dad about this later."

Bella nodded and clapped her hands happily. She would finally have a mommy too.

*****

"Hey," Selena called out to Timothy who was helping Bella into the car.

She was standing in front of her door. Her hands were folded in front of her chest as she leaned on the door frame.

Timothy turned to look at her with a raised brow, wondering what it was she had to say.

"Thank you." Selena said with a sincere smile. "That promotion, Rick always wanted it. You just made his dream come true and that means a lot to me. To us. Thank you."

Timohy nodded.

Without a word, he got into the car and drove out of the compound.

Selena chuckled softly and shook her head. She turned around and went into the house, closing the door behind her.

*****

"C'mon, Megan," Selena whined in the phone that was placed on the table. She put the call on speaker so that she could continue chopping the vegetables.

"He's not bad, yea. But, he's not good either." She said and shrugged, even though Megan could not see her.

Megan hissed.

She was painting her nails as she clasped the phone tightly between her shoulder and ear.

"Why?" Megan asked. "What is wrong with you girl?"

Selena shook her head and sighed.

"I like him, yes I do. But-"

"No buts!" Megan interjected fiercely. She wished she could knock some sense into her best friend right now.

"You like him and that's final."

"What if he doesn't like me? I mean he hasn't even told me anything. For all I know, his daughter could just be playing one of those childish games on me." Selena said in one breath.

Megan kept quiet for a second and sat up straight. She closed the nail polish bottle and held the phone in her hand.

Selena did make some sense. The man hadn't said anything. Could it mean he didn't like her friend?

"You're right. I'd stop pressuring you." Megan said with all sincerity in her voice. "Talk later, yea?"

"Hmm," Selena replied. "Gotta finish up dinner since you won't be coming for our small party,"

"I'm sorry. I wish I could skip this date but you know grandma and how fussy she can be." Megan said sadly.

Selena chuckled at Megan's plight.

Megan would be going on one of her weekly dates. Her grandmother was eager to get her married. As such, every week, Megan was set on a date with a different man. Each worse than the last one.

"Sorry baby. I'll save some yoghurt for you."

"You'd better. Say me well to Rick. I love you." Megan said.

"Love you too, dearie," Selena said and ended the call.

She focused on her cooking and finished just when the door bell dinged.

Hoping it was the pizza guy or Rick, she tossed her apron on the table and made way for the door.

When she pulled the door open, Selena froze.