Chapter 71: Chapter 71

5 YEARS LATER....

Valeria stood beside the kitchen counter, making breakfast for her four-year-old baby boy.

She sliced the onions, she was putting them inside the pot when she heard the loud cries of her child coming from the living room.

"Fred! Fred!" She called to her son, but when she didn't hear from him, she hurriedly turned off the gas and scurried to the living room.

She got there and she was surprised to see Fred sticking his tongue out at Shantel.

Over the years, she managed to meet good and nice people who added meaning to her life, who gave her a home when she thought there was none.

Shantel was like the sister she never had, her best friend. She's also Fred's godmother, who watched over him when she wasn't around.

Shantel was the only person who stood by her during her days of pain and sorrow.

"Shantel, what's going on? I heard Fred crying a while ago."

"Mummy! mummy!" Fred called the minute he saw her.

Valeria squatted at his level and carried Fred on her shoulder.

Fred tapped Valeria's shoulders, and pointed towards Shantel, who was glaring at him.

"Mummy!" He called and immediately hid his face from Shantel's gaze.

"Fred is really getting on my nerves," Shantel scoffed.

"C'mon Shantel, you know he's just a little boy, are we still going all over this again?" Valeria asked. She'd already guessed what happened.

"A little boy? When he was actually acting like a 50-year-old man, give me a break? Fred bit me because I was trying to retrieve a sharp pin he was playing with, knowing it might hurt him," Shantel explained, and Valeria sighed.

"Aunt Shantel slapped me," Fred said, and Shantel immediately stood up to hit him, but Valeria ran away together with Fred in her arms.

Shantel sighed and she hissed loudly.

"Suit yourself!" She scoffed and Valeria smiled.

"Don't be angry Shantel." Valeria uttered.

"Fred, you need to apologise to your aunt," Valeria added.

"I'm sorry aunt, I won't do it anymore," Fred said in his tiny babyish voice.

"Better!" Shantel scoffed, but she suddenly burst into hilarious laughter.

Valeria furrowed her brows, wondering what was actually wrong with her.

"What is it, Shantel?"

Shantel walked to Fred and pulled him over to herself.

"You know I can't be angry at you, right?" She asked, and Fred nodded.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," She said and took him in her arms.

"You should go back and prepare breakfast. You wouldn't want Fred to be late for school."

"Yeah right!" Valeria replied. She decided to leave but suddenly remembered she had to tell Shantel what to do about Fred.

"Please help me dress Fred up while I prepare breakfast."

"Okay I will. Just be fast with the cooking, it's getting late already." Shantel said and Valeria ran to the kitchen without replying to her.

****

Fred was all dressed up for school. Valeria took his backpack, she held Fred's hands and they went outside.

Shantel was already outside looking for a taxi.

"We're here," Valeria affirmed, and went to stand beside Shantel.

"Taxi!" Shantel yelled as she flagged down a taxi.

The taxi stopped in front of them, they all went in, and the man drove off immediately.

****

Kingstone academy...

They arrived at Fred's school, and they all got off out of the taxi. Shantel paid the taxi driver, before they went inside.

Fred's teacher met them outside, and she took Fred from Valeria.

"Sorry we're a little bit late." Valeria apologized.

"That's alright ma'am." The teacher said.

"And please, ma'am, the principal would like to see you in his office." The teacher said.

Valeria's heart skipped a beat, she became worried immediately.

"H h hope there's no problem ma'am." She stuttered.

"No ma'am, he just dropped the message, and that's all I can say." The teacher said. Valeria nodded.

"Come on Fred, say goodbye to mommy." The teacher said.

Fred pulled his hand from his teacher's, then he ran to Valeria and he hugged her legs.

"Awwn." Valeria smiled.

She crouched down to his level and she hugged him tightly.

"I love you so much honey, be a good boy okay, and don't trouble your teacher." She said, then she pulled out of the hug.

"Yes mommy." Fred giggled.

"Come on, give mommy a kiss." Valeria said, turning her face sideways and showing him her cheek.

Fred immediately kissed her cheek.

"I love you mommy." He said.

Valeria's heart literally melted when he said those words, and her eyes began to water.

"Mommy loves you too, son." She sniffed, then she kissed his forehead lovingly.

"Alright, that's enough now, you're making Fred even late for his class." Shantel said. Valeria chuckled.

"Come here Fred, give aunty a kiss before you leave," Shantel said.

She crouched down at Fred's level and Fred left Valeria to kiss Shantel's cheek.

"I love you, aunt," he said.

"Awwn, I love you much more honey."

"Now, go to your teacher, and be a good boy." Shantel said strictly.

Fred nodded, then he ran back to his teacher.

She took his hand, and they left.

Halfway to school, Fred turned and he waved at Valeria and Shantel, who in return waved back.

"So, let's go see the principal." Shantel said, and they both left the principal's office.

****

Shantel and Valeria sat in front of the principal.

"You asked to see me sir," Valeria said.

"Yes ma'am, the reason I asked to see you is concerning Fred's fees."

"His payment is due, and I'm afraid we'll have to stop you from bringing him to school if you can't pay up."

"I..i.. I know sir, please, just give me some more time, just a little more time and I promise I'll pay up, please sir. I..I just lost my job, please give me some more time," Valeria pleaded, almost in tears.

"We've given you enough time, ma'am, and I'm afraid we can't give you any more time." The principal stated, flatly.

"Please sir, just—." Shantel was saying when the principal interrupted her.

"That's all I have to say," the principal said, a note of finality in his tone.

Valeria wanted to say something, but Shantel held her hand.

She took a glance at Shantel and shook her head sadly, signifying that there was no use talking to the principal.

"Thank you for your patience sir," Shantel utters, and the principal nodded.

She stood up, pulling Valeria up with her, and they both left the principal's office.