Chapter125 Responsibility
"What are you boys up to?" she asked as she walked in.
Dewitt and Rodolfo exchanged a glance, and with a smile, Rodolfo replied, "Just playing around, Mom."
They quickly exited their applications, and when Eula leaned over, she saw cartoons on their screens. Her worry subsided.
"Where's this tuition money coming from? Geoffrey said you've been trading stocks with him. No more of that. You gotta work hard and earn a living, not chase after quick bucks," she admonished.
Standing up, Dewitt guided her to sit on the twin bed. It was separated by a closet from Angie's private space in the room they all shared.
"We just tried it once, Mom, and never touched it again. We used the money we made to pay your tuition," explained Rodolfo, spinning his chair to face her.
Eula looked at her sons, too clever for their own good, sometimes beyond her understanding. The only heart she could read was Angie's.
She wished her sons could be more like Angie, innocent and simple.
"Is that true?" she queried.
Both boys raised their right hands, "We swear..."
Before they could finish, Eula cut them off firmly, "Enough, I believe you."
The brothers exchanged a knowing smile, and Eula left to shower.
Hugging her clothes, she was headed to the bathroom when her phone lit up. Turning, she saw Judson's call flashing on the screen.
Part of her didn't want to pick up. It was past eight—surely he wasn't asking her to make desserts now?
But she couldn't afford to lose her job—not with debts to pay.
"Hello? I was just about to go to sleep."
"It's not even nine, and you're asleep? Eula?"
Eula pursed her lips in mock anger.
"What's up, Judson?" Eula asked.
Judson was seated in his car, fresh from a dinner party. He hadn't touched a drop of alcohol, just smoked quite a bit, his voice a tad hoarse. He lifted his hand, tugging at his tie and squinted slightly, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"Eula, just a reminder, you shouldn't take a shower tonight or the allergic reaction you have might take longer to heal," he noted.
At that moment, Judson's gaze darkened as flashes of last night's escapades flickered before his eyes. He swallowed hard, pushing away those unhealthy thoughts.
Eula widened her eyes slightly; she had almost forgotten. The ointment the doctor prescribed really did the trick back at the office. After applying it twice, the pain subsided.
Only now did she realize that she should avoid getting the area wet.
Eula chuckled, "Judson, aren't you the caring boss! I almost forgot about that, thanks for the heads up."
Judson let out a low chuckle, “After all, the mishap occurred on my account. It’s only right that I see it through.”
There was a hint of mischief in his laugh, savoring the memory of the previous night.
Eula, puzzled, asked, "Because of you?"
She touched the spot where the allergy was, failing to see his involvement.
Judson explained calmly, "I was the one who took you there last night. You drank too much and ended up with an allergic reaction. How is it not my concern?"
The girl was too naive and straightforward – an easy target for teasing, utterly at the mercy of the high-powered CEO's whimsical games.
Eula laughed, "Right, of course! Have you gotten home, Judson? Get some rest. Bye!"
She hung up hastily, and then turned off her phone.
