CHAPTER NINE

Tamara
A few hours later......
I was about to leave the house for the foundation my mother owned before she died, she loved that place because it was like a second home to her, the foundation was an escape from the shitty life she was leaving with my father so she kept it a secret from him and till today he still doesn’t know and I will keep it that way because now it's serves as safe place like it did for my mother.

The foundation provides daily care for single working mothers who have nowhere to place their kids while at work and it is being funded by an anonymous benefactor.

The benefactor has never revealed his or her identity to the members of the foundation but the welfare checks always come in on time and it always comes with strange notes of motivation that always lifts up my spirit and keeps me moving because there where times where I wanted to end it all but those notes kept me going.

I was then brought out of my thoughts when I heard a familiar voice call my name from the entrance of the kitchen, I looked up to find my father watching me with an annoyed expression.

I’m pretty sure that I haven’t done anything to piss him off today but in my father’s case the fact that I’m breathing pisses him off, “Hello father, you must need something from me, because you always act like I don’t exists” I said stopping what I was doing to give him my undivided attention, “I don’t need anything from you but your Fiancé needs to see you at a restaurant called Oceanside by 2:00pm, be early or so help me Tamara I will make your remaining time with us in this house hell on earth, if I find out that you disgrace us in front of that man” my father said a scowl forming on his wrinkled face making him look a lot older than he was.

My father was not an handsome man but he is easy on the eyes and he wasn’t that rich when they first got married, which makes me wonder what my mother saw in him that she stayed with him until the day she die, if someone told me it was love, I would actually punch them in the face, what form of love makes you want to stay with someone who hurts and belittle you every single day of your life.

The funny thing is that I had already got used to the way I was being treated by him when my got sick till the day she died and even when it got worse after he got married to my dear stepmother. Her children were spawns of the devil when they were little.

“Yes father I will get there on time, you and Mr Kingston don’t need to worry about that and I won’t disgrace your name” I responded quickly hoping he would leave immediately after that and stay away from me after that, I was still recovering from the last punishment I received from him because I talked back at him when Mr Kingston announced our engagement.

But he didn’t leave l, he stood there staring at me, “were where you planning on going before I came in” my father asked giving me a questioning look his questioning gaze never left me

I tried to think of a place that won’t make him suspicious, then it clicked, “to the park sir” I kept my answer brief to avoid further questions, “hmmm forget about that and go straight to the restaurant, I don’t care if you have to wait for him, go there now” he repeated again turning towards the entrance to leave. “Yes father” with that said he left me to gather my thoughts, what did that insufferable man want again, he has already destroyed my life with this sham of a marriage now he wants to meet with me again. I would do anything to end this marriage, but I can’t back away. If I do the company my mother worked her ass off building will be taken away by that man and I would rather die than watch that happen.

Since I don’t have a car, I take the subway to wherever I want to go and it also makes it easier for my dear loving family to know where I go everyday, not that they care. I picked up the picnic basket I prepared for the kids at the foundation.

Taking the back door I was able to sneak out of the house without being noticed, when I was finally out of the Compound I walked straight to the subway, after I had bought a ticket I went Into the train placing the picnic basket on my lap as I took my seat.

Thirty minutes later the driver announced the next stop and the train came to a stop. I got off the train before walking out of the station and towards the foundation which was a few blocks away. As soon as I got into the foundation the kids started running towards me yelling my name, “Tamara, Tamara, Tamara”.

I wrapped my hands around all of them placing a kiss on the cheek of every child, “how are my little Princes and Princesses doing, I missed you guys so much” I smiled at the group of kids surrounding me, “we missed you too Miss Tamara,” the group of kids said at once. “I brought you guys something to eat before I leave again but I will be back right after ''.

“Awn we don’t want you to leave, Miss Tamara, please don’t go” Emily said, she is a really beautiful girl she will break a lot of hearts when she grows up, her mother works has a nurse in the local hospital nearby, so she doesn’t have the time to take care of her during the day so we help her out till she is out of work.

“I’m sorry Emily but I have to go, it’s really important but I promise I will be back and I will buy you guys ice cream, so do we have a deal” I asked know the bribe was going to make them forgive me for not spending enough time with them after not seeing them for a week.

“okay but we get two scoops this time” Tyler spoke up from the back with a wide smile showing of his missing tooth which came out a few days ago, Tyler stays with his father who works as an engineer for a manufacturing company, his mother die of cancer when he was five so his father as been taking care of him ever since.

So many kids here come from single parent homes, Ella lost her dad in Iraq, Emma lost her mother in a shootout, Robert lost both parents and he his leaving with his aunt Mary who works as a kindergarten teacher and finally Shane who lives with his grandmother Esther, she comes with him to play with the other kids from time to time.

“Okay we have a deal but not more than two” I said as they all broke out in cheers, “thank you Miss Tamara you are the best, we love you” the kids say at once. “I love you too my little Princes and Princesses “ I responded giving them one last hug before they all went back to the game they were playing before I arrived taking their snacks with them.

I smiled at them before going to check up on the staff. We have a total of four staff, three females and one male. Tina volunteered here for a school project and decided to stay afterwards. The kids love her. Annabella works here part-time as a nurse in case one of the kids get hurt, Tatiana works full-time, she is the oldest worker here and my mum’s closest friend and finally Thomas my only friend in the whole wide world. I would be lost without him, he keeps me sane.

“hey Tatiana, how is the family” I turned to ask one of the caretakers while the kids where still surrounding me, “they are doing fine dear, the kids really miss you”

“I miss them too, you know I would come visit if I could” I responded with a sad smile, “is everything going well still home, you know you can tell me dear” Tatiana asked worry crossed her face. “it’s nothing I can’t handle Tatiana, you don’t have to worry about me”.

“I will always , you are like a daughter to me, I love you” Tatiana said, placing a kiss on my cheek, “I love you too Tatiana, don’t you worry, I’m okay”.

“is that my favourite person in the world’s voice I hear” a familiar voice said down the hallway way, I turned and Tommy was smiling at me down the hallway, “hey Tommy, I have missed you so much” I said as I walked down to engulf him in a big hug, “you could always call, pumpkin” he wrapped his hands around me tightly, “you good” he whispered so that I was the only one that could hear.

“I’m trying to be” I answered truthful before pulling away to look into is worried eyes, “I’m always here if you need me, I’m also here if you decide on killing your whole family and you need someone to help you get rid of their bodies” he said playfully lifting up my spirits before I have to deliver the news of my engagement to them.

“you are crazy you know that Tommy”

“Oh I know but you love me anyways” Tommy said, kissing me on the cheek, my gaze scanned the room Tina and Anna was nowhere to be seen.

“Anna and Tina didn’t come in today,” I asked.

“Na Tina has a test today, so we gave her the week off to study and Annabella went to pick up some things for the foundation, so she will be back later” Tatiana answered.

“Well I guess only two of you will get to hear this, and I don’t want you guys to freak out, promise me you won’t freak out” I asked, knowing they might probably freak out.

“We promise but you are scaring us, what is going on dear” Tatiana asked, her worried expression was back, Tommy was just watching, showing no emotion.

“They are forcing me to get married to save the company and my fiancé is Damien Kingston” I said letting out a sigh waiting for their reaction, Tommy was the first to react, “what the fuck did you just say Pumpkin” Tommy yelled anger evident in his tone.