51

51
Chapter 51

Derek Woods

I kept glancing at Mr. Ronnie as we eat, but the whole time, his attention was on my mom, whispering to each other and smiling like the loving couples I wasn't convinced they were. Maybe I was just desperate for what was missing, but something really was.

"I'm sorry, darling. Ronnie always has this habit of-"

"It's fine, mom." I cut her off politely, smiling at her.

"So, darling... how have you been?" she asked after drinking some water.

"Hmm. I've been good." I nodded.

"I'm sorry I haven't been there, darling. You know how-"

"You don't have to apologise, mom. I'm not mad at you." I shook my head, and she smiled, nodding her head.

"Thank you."

"Your mom didn't lie about you being a considerate person. You are a good boy." Mr. Ronnie spoke, getting my attention, but I only smiled at him.

Silence assumed the atmosphere for a moment. Only the sound of cutleries dominated the dining room.

"So, Mr. Ronnie..." I broke the silence, lifting my gaze to him, and he raised an eyebrow, smiling.

"Yes, Derek?"

"Do you have a child too?"

His lips spread up in a proud smile as he nodded. "I do have a daughter. He is about the same age as you." He told me, and I nodded. That's interesting.

"She is not in the country at the moment, but I will make sure to introduce you two to each other whenever she comes over."

'I don't want to meet your daughter, man'.
I rolled my eyes mentally, but smiled at him and nodded.

"Ruby is really a sweet girl, Derek. You really need to meet him." Mom added, drawing my attention to herself.
I stared at her confusingly. Who the fuck is Ruby?"

"Ruby is Ronnie's daughter, darling. The one he was telling you about." As if she read my thoughts, she explained to me, and I mouthed an 'oh'.

"We got along pretty well, and she has been the sweetest girl ever. I told her about you, and she is really looking forward to meeting you." Mom added, and I nodded my head.

"Alright, mom."

Silence took over again.

"Do you love my mom?" I broke the silence, lifting my gaze to him.

"Huh?" He raised his eyebrows, his eyes boring into mine.

"Do you love my mom?" I repeated the question since he was deaf and couldn't hear me.

"Oh...yes, I do. I really love your mom. From the moment I set my eyes on her, I knew she was the one." He held my mom's hand as he spoke, but fuck it! He was lying. Even though he lied to me, his eyes never could.

"Don't mess with my mom's happiness, Mr. Ronnie." I spoke after a long silence, and he batted his eyelashes.

"My mom is the last woman you can mess with and go scot-free." I added, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Are you threatening me?" Mr. Ronnie huffed as he frowned. A reply I expected from a man who doesn't love his woman.

"No, I'm not. I'm only telling you that I won't let you off if you mess with my mom." I said to him calmly.

"Derek!" Mom scolded me.

"Come on, mom. We are only getting to know each other." I shrugged at mom, my eyes never leaving him.

Ronnie clenched his jaws tightly, his fingers clenched tightly around the fork he was using to eat as he glared hard at me like he would stab me any minute.

I suddenly chuckled. "I got you right there."

His face softened and he scoffed.

"I was only joking around with you, Mr. Ronnie. Of course, I know you love my mom and would never hurt her..." I paused and shrugged before I continued. "This is who I am, Mr. Ronnie. I crack jokes a lot. Ask mom about it.

"Yes, honey. Derek has always been like this." Mom chipped in, and he exhaled.

"That joke was too expensive. I love your mom, and will never hurt her."

"You better not." I muttered.

"Did you say anything?"

"Me? No, I didn't." I shook my head.

After dinner, I helped mom clear the table even though she insisted that I shouldn't.

Once we were done, we returned to the living room.

"I need to leave, mom... I've got something to take care of." I told mom.

"Aren't you sleeping over? I already prepared a place for you to sleep." Ronnie spoke as he stood up from the couch.

"I can't. I'm sorry." I apologised.

"But, son... we haven't seen each other in like years now, and I was hoping we could spend time together, catch up on old times, and discuss certain things." Mom pouted her lips, obviously sad.

I held her shoulders and smiled at him. "I will come back, mom. We will spend more than enough time together, I promise." I cupped her cheeks in my palms, and she exhaled sadly.

"But-"

"I promise, mom. We will spend more than enough time together, alright?"
She nodded slowly.

I kissed her hair before turning to Mr. Ronnie.
I walked over to him and hugged him.
"I am dead serious about what I said, Mr. Ronnie. Trust me, you don't want to see what I will do if you hurt my mom." I whispered against his ear, then pulled away and smiled at him as if nothing happened.

He clenched his jaws tightly as he glared hard at me, but I walked away.

It was already last 8pm by the time I left mom's apartment, and I arrived at mine at exactly 9pm.

"Welcome, boss." Rob came to welcome me as I walked into the living room.

"Hmm."

"I prepared your bath water, Sir. Should I make juice for you? Do you need me to do anything for you, Sir?"

"No, Rob. I will call you if I need you." I left for my room, throwing myself on the bed as soon as I walked inside my room.

"Ronnie..." I muttered his name, staring up at the ceiling. There was just something about that man that I didn't find comfortable.

I reached for my phone and dialed Ruse's number. Oh... Ruse is my private investigator.

"Boss." He picked on the first ring.

"I need information about Ronnie. Ronnie Patterson." I spoke on the phone.

"Everything about him. And right. His daughter also. Her name is Ruby." I added.

"Alright, boss. I will work on it and give you feedback first thing tomorrow morning."

After the call ended, my mom's call came in, and I picked on the first ring.

"My darling." Her sweet voice sounded through the phone, inviting a smile to my face. My mom was a sweet soul who has been through a lot in the past and didn't deserve to be hurt again. If that man should do anything as little as to hurt my mom, he and his daughter would be mourned. I will make sure of it.

"Did you get home safely?"

"Hmm. I did."

"I'm missing you already. You should've passed the night here. I was hoping you would." She whined.

"I'm sorry, mom. I will come over some time later and spend a nice time with you, alright?" I assured her, and she hummed.

After the call, I tossed my phone back on the bed before leaving for the bathroom to shower...