Chapter 7: Chapter seven

**Eliana Pov** Our head chef Russo just received a call from home. His mother had passed away. This is the second time i see a grown man break down due to lust of loved one. The first was my father when my mom died. I was at a very young age then, didn't understand death, but I knew my dad was heartbroken. Now that I know it and have experienced losing both my parents, I could tell I do get what Russo is going through. "I am so sorry for your loss Russo" I put a hand on his shoulder to let him know he was not alone. I gave him a hug in an attempt to console him. He hugged back. "I didn't get to say goodbye to Mama." He sniffed. Still trying to fight his tears from falling. "Now she is gone!?" Russo put his hand on the kitchen slab in front of him and closed his eyes after I released him from the hug. He must love his mother so much. Russo is a 49years old man, for a girl have quite a good height and Russo is a little bit taller than I am. His hair is dark with a few strands of gray hair and shaved face. He has been In this town a few years before I came. he has been here for ten years living all alone. I talked to him about finding a girl to settle, and maybe start a family. But he was against it, saying he doesn't want to start what might end up bad because he was too busy with cooking that he loves and won't have time for family. Russo will be leaving for Italy today to pay his last respects to his mother. I came out of the kitchen to deliver an order when I saw Jace exiting the restaurant in a hurry. "Jace! Why didn't he tell me he was here?" I put down the food on the couple's table and ask if they needed anything else, when they said 'no', I excused myself and quickly followed behind Jace. I hope he has not gone. All my effort to catch up with him was disavail. He was gone. I left out air in defeat and returned to work. *** *Two days later* It's Saturday and today Amelia's friend is having a football match that I promised to take her to. We are ready and about to leave. I decided to try and call Jace's phone but still no answer. I am worried now. I haven't seen or heard from him since the day I saw him walking out of the restaurant in a hurry. I don't know where he lives. I would have checked on him. I sighed in defeat. We left for the game which will take place at Amelia's school field. I wore a blue jeans and green top. Amelia too was in her jeans and pinky top. Her golden blonde hair is in a ponytail as she requested. Now that Amelia have started attending school, she talks more. The reason she started school late was because, she didn't start to speak early. I didn't want to risk sending her to school at that time so that she won't be picked on, and she wouldn't be able to a least defend herself. That made me let her stay a little longer before she now finally went to school. I am glad I made that decision. Now everything is going well. We arrived at the field and met with Asher's parents Mr and Mrs Williams. "I am Kate, Asher's mum. You must be Amelia's mother." Kate smiled and stretched her hand out to me after we sat on the bench in the open field. I accepted her gesture "Yeah.... I am Amelia. Nice to meet you." I smiled back. "Likewise. And this is my husband Anthony Williams" He stretched his hand from the other side of Kate and shook my hand, with a smile too. "It's nice to meet you Amelia" he must have hear when I introduced myself to his wife. "It's nice to meet you both" They seemed nice and friendly. Mr Williams too uses glasses just like his son. He is almost the same height as me. While his wife Kate, is shorter and a little on the chubby side. Kate is pretty and have a long brown hair. It turned out the football match was for their older son, Henry and not Asher, Amelia's class mate. It was still ok. At least we get to attend a social activity outside our normal life. Amelia had fun and that made me happy. We cheered and cheered them on. Henry's team was victorious and we did a little celebration there before we left. All this while, the thought of Jace was on my mind. He was still radio silence. I am becoming really worried now. I have to find out where he lives and pay him a visit. I don't know why I felt the need to do that, but I was scared for him. What if something bad has happened to him? We came down from the bus and walked towards our apartment. "Mummy I am hungry." Amelia stated immediately we walked in. "Ok love. Let me prepare something for you. But first, I need you to go wash up" I robbed her hair, smiling down at her. "Ok. I want strawberries" she grinned ran towards the toilet. "Yup!...Strawberry it is" I called it after her. I dropped my apartment keys and phone on the kitchen counter and started preparing Mac and cheese for us. But first, I sliced up some strawberries for Amelia before the food is ready. We ate our dinner and had some left over strawberry cake covered in chocolate ganache. I love chocolate and Amelia loves strawberry. So what better combination!? I am off work today. Amelia will spent her weekend with Zia. That is an opportunity for me to go into search of the mistery famous footballer that is in our town. But first, I need to make sure Jace was ok. Or has he left our town? Without saying goodbye?