Chapter 28: The Gift In The Boot

Chapter 28: Chapter 28: The Gift In The Boot

A soft click sounded,as the boot locked automatically.He made sure the boot was locked before placing both hands firmly on the steering wheel.

Then, He pressed the accelerator.

Flora slowly turned towards Simon and studied him carefully.

"What gift is the man talking about, Simon?"

Her voice was quiet, but her eyes were fixed on his face. She wondered what kind of gifts he bought with the ￡5000.

Simon tightened his hands around the steering wheel. For a moment, he looked as if he had forgotten how to speak.

"Ma, they are actually the gifts I got through ," he replied.

His voice shook slightly.

Flora raised an eyebrow. " What does he mean by that?"

Simon swallowed hard. He felt sweat gathering on his forehead despite the cold air blowing inside the car.

"You got them through what, what gift is that?." Flora asked.

Simon opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He looked at the road, then at the rear-view mirror. His fingers moved nervously against the steering wheel.

Flora noticed everything.

She had spent years dealing with people who tried to hide things from her. She knew exactly when someone is uncomfortable, and when a person is struggling to keep a secret.

Right now, Simon is doing a terrible job of hiding whatever is troubling him.

"Simon, why are you tensed?" she asked. "You are sweating as if someone has threatened your life. All I asked you was a simple question."

"Madam, sorry about that," he whispered. Please can I explain when we get to the house ?"

"Fine" she repeated.

Flora leaned back in her seat and studied him for a few seconds.

She desperately wants to know what was inside the boot and why a stranger spoke about a gift that Simon had never mentioned to her.

But then she remembered Maya.

Maya was fast asleep, her head resting on her mother’s soft, broad lap, her face looked peaceful for the first time since morning.

Flora’s expression softened.

Her daughter had already being through emotional pain. She doesn’t want to wake her with an argument or make her feel uncomfortable during the journey home.

Flora took a slow breath.

Not now, she told herself. I will definitely get my answers, since Simon has decided to behave strangely.

Flora turned towards the window, refusing to say another word. She could feel her thoughts moving in different directions.

What was Simon hiding?

Was the gift expensive? Was it something personal?

She folded her arms.

Whatever the answer was, she would discover it.

Meanwhile, Simon released a shaky breath. He felt as though he had escaped a dangerous situation, but the relief did not last long. He knew Flora would not forget what had happened.

He glanced at her, hoping to read her expression, but she gave him nothing.

The car moved forward, leaving the last junction behind.

Neither of them spoke again.

Simon entered the road to Flora’s estate ; it was quiet.

Tall trees stood on both sides, while bright streetlights illuminated the smooth road ahead. The houses are mostly beautiful, appearing behind high walls, each property looking peaceful in the darkness.

Flora watched the scenery pass through the window, but her mind remained on the mysterious gift.

Soon, the enormous black gates of her estate came into view.

The estate security guards recognised her car and waved respectfully as they opened the big gate. Simon drove through slowly, following the long driveway towards Flora’s gigantic mansion.

The mansion stood proudly beneath the night sky, and the garden’s white roses looked beautiful under the outdoor lamps.

Normally, Flora always feels a sense of satisfaction whenever she returns home to her property, she sees her years of hard work in her achievements.

But tonight, she barely noticed its beauty.

Simon continued driving towards the mansion’s main gate, knowing that the moment he had been dreading was getting closer.

The gate is tall and black, with small lights on top. The time was exactly past 9:32 pm. The street outside were dark and quiet, except for the sound of crickets and a generator humming far away. Inside the car, Maya was half sleeping and half awake. Her head still resting on her mother’s lap, with her eyes now open, she obviously knew she had gotten home.

Simon got to Flora’s gate and honked once.

It was just a one short horn, not loud.

At the gate, her mansion security guards on night duty are in dark blue uniforms.As soon as they heard the horn, they stood up straight from their chairs,their uniforms looked neat and ironed even at night.

One of them rushed to the gate handle while the other stood at attention. He pulled the heavy gate open quickly, with both hands. As Simon slowly drove in, both men stood at attention and waved their hands to welcome them.

Simon nodded at them through the window. Slowly, the guards closed the gate behind them.

The compound looked bright. The lights were on, the flowers by the walkway were sleeping, but they still looked beautiful under the yellow light.

The staff were waiting, excluding the chef and the gardener

They stood near the main entrance, like they had been told to wait and not go to sleep.

As soon as the car stopped, Zoe and Grace happily rushed to car .

Zoe opened the back door gently, while Grace stood beside her.

"Welcome, Madam... They greeted her in unison.

"Miss Maya, welcome home," they whispered.

Maya looked at them. Her eyes were red and tired. But her body was tired deep inside her bones.

"Let me help you, Zoe said reaching out her hands towards her.

"Don’t worry,I can walk," Maya said in a small voice. But her voice broke. She was not as strong as she pretended.

Zoe persisted and gently held her hand. Grace carried the bag and put her arm around Maya’s waist. They helped her out of the car slowly, like she was made of glass. Maya leaned on them, her feet were a little swollen. Each step she took was slow.

Flora gently stepped out and stood by the car, watching everything, her long, flowery designer Louis Vuitton dress spread on the ground like that of a charming queen from wonderland, but her face was not relaxed.

Her eyes were a blend of love, worry and anxiety.

She looked at Maya walking with the maids,her chest tightened.

She called Zoe and spoke quickly, but softly.

"Zoe, make sure she showers with warm water, not hot. Then tell the chef to make strawberry juice for her. Fresh one. With mildly spiced prawn ginger sauce. Also, tell her to make apple smoothie for me, with a drop of honey in it,I need to take it before 10:30 pm."

Zoe nodded fast. "Okay Ma."

Grace was already leading Maya inside. Maya looked back once at her mother and Simon, but Flora just nodded at her, as if to say, go and rest, I am here.

The housekeeper looked around, making sure the lightbulbs at the entrance were not dimmed, then she walked toward the backyard.

Now it was only Flora and Simon left outside, standing beside the car. The night air was cool. A small wind moved the leaves.

Flora looked at Simon. She was grateful to Simon for bringing them home safely. But she was also tired because she had not rested in hours.

"Simon," she said quietly.

Simon moved slightly backward and stretched his back. His shirt was rumpled.

"Ma," he answered.

Then Flora said in a commanding but calm tone.. "Open the car boot. Let me see what is inside."

Her voice was not harsh, it was firm,more like that of a woman who wanted to know the truth.

Simon hesitated for one second. His face changed a little.

Simon walked to the back of the car, his chest tightened a bit. His shoes made a soft, hesitant sound on the interlocking stones, as if they were afraid to move forward. With trembling courage, he boldly placed his shaking hands on the boot.

He took a deep breath. His heart was beating fast as he was deep in thought.."Why did the boot have to open at that time, of all time? Why did the devil choose that moment?

Flora was watched his hand ,her eyes fixed on the boot. She did not know why she was so keen to see what was inside, but she knew she had to see it.

"Open it, Simon," she said again, this time softer, almost like a plea.

Simon pressed the button and the car boot opened with a soft click.

The light inside the car boot came on, shining on everything that was inside.

Flora stepped closer to look...