Getting home from work was tiring. It was a hectic day. I had other plans that involved analyses of international and external environments to find out our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as an organization. After conducting the SWOT analysis, my management set the objectives. It is very difficult to analyze the external environment. This is because the world markets are changing continuously.

At the garage, I noticed that Xavi's car was already there. I whooshed out in a smile as incitement welled inside of me.

'Thank goodness, Xavi's home. We'd probably eat dinner together and talk things over. Ugh! It's been a while.' the thought clouded my head as I stepped in. With the guards going to their apartment, which I concluded with the construction of my house, I told them a good night before opening the living room door. 

A deep chuckle made me wonder who it was, but I entered, anyway. Maybe Xavi brought a friend over. 

"Hey, Xavi," I muttered excitedly and walked to the dining table. 

"Hey, mum!" He replied with equal excitement but what I saw made my smile drop. 

"No," My jaw dropped from the burning torment and agony that befell me. I felt the horizontal wrinkles that appeared on my forehead as my jaw went slack in the calculation of what was happening.

"What's going on here?" My eyes searched theirs, confusedly.

"Welcome, mum. Meet Chase Hudson, the guy from the hospital. Xavi introduced while Chase looked up at me, stunned. He was in a wheelchair, so he couldn't stand. "Chase, meet my mum. Alexa Torres."

"Y..your mum?" His lips stuttered as his mouth slowly dropped open, lost for words.

With a flushed face, I swallowed down the hysteria welling inside of me covering up with a fake smile. I can't believe he's here. "Nice to meet you, Chase." I faked a bright smile as we shook hands.

"Mum, why are you looking so... Red? Have you two met before?" Xavi asked, confused. 

Just then, I realized my heartbeat.

"No," I replied to him. 

"Yes." Chase's answer synchronized with mine, oppositely. 

Xavi turned to the both of us in confusion. He stared at us in stunned silence.

"Oh... It's my mistake. I didn't tell you about Chase before bringing him home. I should have called but I'll explain everything to you, Mum. Chase here got discharged from the hospital today and he has nowhere to go. “No home, no family... I hope you understand.” He briefly explained with the question on the dot. 

"Y...yes, sure. He's welcome here." I laughed curtly, with a heavy feeling in my stomach. "And let me let you know that as long as you're here, he can stay as long as he wants."

"Really?" Xavi asked with a raised eyebrow and a wide smile. He looked excited.

"Yes, son. He's welcome to the family. Umm, feel at home, okay?" I faked a smile to Chase, who had a weird smirk on his face. Looking at his silver-lined grey eyes was almost scary. A shaky, soft sigh escaped my lips.

"Umm...have fun, guys. I'll just go to my room and freshen up, then we'll gist later, Xavi." 

My nostrils slightly flared outward as I walked upstairs into my room. Closing the door behind me, I felt my shaking voice building as the surprise sank into my bones. I play my fingers out in a fan against my breastbone. 

'Why would he have to stay here?' My shaky, soft voice halted in disbelief. 'Ugh! He should have gone home from the hospital. I never saw this coming. I just hope he doesn't break my secret. I can't believe this!' An involuntary whimper escaped my lips as I scratched my head in confusion.

I took off my clothes and walked into the bathroom to have a shower. I got into my nightgown, still feeling unsettled. I shouldn't be scared. 

"What are you scared of? Why are you even feeling this way? This is your house, Ally." I told myself, still unable to go downstairs. I took my phone and dialed Shelly's number. As my most trusted maid, I give her certain privileges, unlike others. 

"Hey, Shell! Bring my dinner to my room right away."

"Okay, ma'am." She replied. I pressed the end call button and relaxed my back to a soft pillow.

Almost immediately, Shelly entered with a tray of macaroni and half chicken. Merely glancing at it, it looked yummy, but I asked her to put it in a corner. I felt tired and hungry and for some reason, unable to eat or sleep. 

Just then, I heard three fast knocks on my door. 

"Come in," I replied. 

It was Xavi. Looking at him, I noticed the glow in his eyes. Something I haven't seen in a very long time.

"Hey, mum." 

"Wow! I see you're excited to have Chase around." my eyes narrowed at my son.

"Yes, mum. Right now, I'm so happy. I never knew helping someone would feel this good. I'm just so happy I'm able to help him, you know. And... Somehow, I think we met. That night, his grandma died trying to save him. He usually lends money from those thugs to pay his tuition fees and pay his sick grandma's medical bills. He just completed his final year examinations in college. Los Angeles is where he studied business management at California State University. Also, he said..." Xavi went silent for a while. As if he went out of words to describe the feeling.

"What's it? Did he kill someone? What did he do?" I asked impatiently.

"No... Not that mum. When his grandma found drugs in the house, she became curious and questioned his relations with the gangs. Somehow, she wanted to meet the gang and warn them off. They forced Chase to deliver drugs to certain people at certain times and places. They threatened that if he didn't, they'd kill him and his grandmother. So... he told her why he got involved with them, but he isn't one of them, Yet, she wouldn't believe it. That night, she forced Chase to take her to their hideout, which he did. In the long run, they shot his grandmother and wanted to kill him. Chase had lived a terrible life, Mum. I think we should help him. Outside this house, he's just a loser. They might come for him again to complete what they started." A fearful look spread across his face. 

"Somehow, Mum, I feel he's just like me. Chase has no friends. I think if we could let him stay here and probably show him what living a good life and having a wonderful family means, he might be a happier person. A better person. He might get a good job and probably settle down with a beautiful wife someday."

"Yeah... Yeah, that's a splendid idea but... Don't you think it's kinda risky?"  I pulled closer.

"Risky?" Xavi raised an eyebrow at my last word. "Come on mum, back me up on this. Let him stay as long as he wants just like you said downstairs. Let's build a fine future for him. I never had a close friend, just take him as your second son, Mum." Xavi pleaded, his hand holding mine. 

"Yes, sure. He should stay here. Anything for you, Xavi.. there's no need to worry. But if anything goes wrong, don't blame me for that." My hand tucked my hair to the back of my ears as I wore a convincing smile.

"Well, I'll get to know him better and guide him through."

"Wow! That's going to mean a lot, mum. You're the best in the world." Out of incitement, he gave me a goodnight hug and placed a soft peck on my cheek. "See you tomorrow then." He smiled at me lovingly and walked out. 

'Oh my goodness! I know I meant nothing I've just said. He's literally into drugs. How sure am I that he doesn't take it as well? Ugh! I can't help but worry, for that, we’re welcoming a stranger into our lives with open arms. Right now, I'm not worried about him revealing my secret of crying at the theatre to Xavi. I'm worried that he might affect my innocent son with his wild lifestyle and all.' I pondered over the thought as my eyes glanced at the food on the side table. It was already cold, like the ears of a puppy during a winter night. I just closed the pizza and opened my diary. 

Dear Diary,

Today was worse. Chase would have to stay with us. The therapy session with Elle today was a kind of fun. Hopefully, she doesn't hook me up with someone again.

I closed my diary abruptly and went to bed. 

***

Boring chapter right? Don't worry, the next chapter is going to be thrilling. Just stay tuned for more updates and don't forget to vote and comment on this chapter. Have a blessed day ahead.