BOOT STRAPS

The Request

"You have really nice sons." I said as I adjusted myself on the stool.

"Oh yeah they are,they took after their father. He was jovial,high spirited and he cared deeply about those around him." She smiled warmly at me as she spoke good about her late husband.

"I'm sure they took some of it from you." I chuckled as I fondled with the kitchen towel in my hands.

" I guess so." She smiled while looking down at my hands but her smile began to fade as she sat upright.

"Skai,is everything alright with you ?" She gave me a concerned look as her eyes wandered around my face.

"Yes, why do you ask ?" I chuckled but deep down I was worried because everything was not fine.

"Oh I'm a mother,I saw you last night. You looked disturbed and sad,even my son's eyes contained worry." I looked down at the towel in my hands and I tried to think of something to tell her but nothing was coming.

"Uhm I lost someone in death yesterday."I couldn't look up at her because of the sad expression on my face.

She got down from her stool and paced to where I sat,she held my arms in her palms.

"Oh darling, I'm sorry about that. Who was the person to you ?" She asked me as she rubbed my arms back and forth.

"My boss, he acted like a father to me and cared for some of my needs."I smiled remembering how Mr Orchard treated me while he was still alive.

"I thought you worked for Drake." She furrowed her brows as she looked into my face.

"Yeah I do but my working for him is based on a contract."I dropped the towel in the counter and rested my elbows on the counter top.

"Oh, I'm sorry about your loss. Just take it easy on yourself,if you have to cry, just let it all out." She said as she gave me a warm smile.

"Thanks Elena, I feel much better now. Drake and I would be visiting his family tomorrow." I smiled back at her as I rested one of my hands on her shoulder.

"Oh that's nice."She said before she walked towards the kitchen door and closed it gently. I had my brows furrowed slightly as she walked towards me.

"Skai we need to talk about something important." She gave me a stern look as she stood in front of me and rested her side on the counter.

"What is it ?"I had a serious expression on my face as I looked into her eyes.

"It's about Drake." My eyes widened as at what she said and I wondered what she wanted to say about him.

"Drake's not the same Drake that grew up in my arms. The death of his dad and brother really affected him,it was devastating for all of us but it wrecked him more." Her once excited and cheerful face was now stern and firm.

"Yeah I know." I said as I rubbed the back of her palm with my hands.

"Every time he comes here,he acts weak and fragile. He only comes here when he's in his most vulnerable state,when he's fed up with the punches life throws at him." Her eyes were now dull and pale as she spoke,as a mother she really felt the pain of her son.

"But there is a difference now that he's here with you. He's cheerful and happy."She smiled as she held my hands in hers.

"Oh I think he's just acting up because I'm around." I said as I shook my head while smiling.

"Skai, I'm his mother. I know when he's genuinely happy and when he's not, I'm sure you two have been together before now which means you spend a lot of time with him, right ?" She arched one of her brows and tilted her head to her side.

"Yes."I nodded slowly as I dropped her hands.

"Exactly ! Then you're a good impact on him and if you continue with that he's be the cheerful and happy Drake again."Her eyes lit up as she spoke and she clapped her hands in happiness.

"Uhmm what do you mean continue ?" I asked her as I faked a smile so as not to look rude.

"Oh c'mon, no body is a fool not to know that you two would end up together."She rolled her eyes at me and gave me an awkward look like I said something stupid.

"Oh no, we're just ...." She put her hands out to stop me from talking.

"Friends ? Then why did you two kiss last night ?" She let out a quiet laugh while my eyes grew larger than they were.

"Yeah that's right,I saw it. Learn to close your door properly." She chuckled as she rested her head in her palms.

"That was not planned,it just happened."I tried to defend myself but I was feeling too shy to look at her.

"So if that wasn't planned, then there's a spark between you two but I understand,you don't want to rush things and that's fine." She smiled at me as she chuckled.

"Yeah but I'd try my best to help Drake become his happy self." I got up from the stool and stood in front of her.

"That'd be highly appreciated, you'd make his mother really happy." She took my hands in hers and squeezed them tightly.

"Okay you should go freshen up now,I drycleaned your drenched clothes from last night." She said as she turned to walk out of the kitchen and I trailed behind her with a smile on my face.

I held my neatly folded clothes in my arms as I walked towards Drake's room. I slowly opened the door because I knew Drake was taking a nap.

My gaze fell on Drake who was fast asleep on the bed as I closed the door. He folded his arms as he slept on his side,his face was relaxed and calm.
The rays of sunlight coming in from the window reflected his beautiful light skin.

"You're still staring." I jumped up in where I stood as I heard him speak from his sleep with his eyes still shut.

"No I'm not !" I shouted as I paced into the bathroom and locked myself. I let out a huge sigh as I dropped the clothes on the cabinet.

I smiled as I turned on the shower remembering what happened in the room and the request made my Elena.

Even without Elena's request,I still had it in mind to get rid of the cold and unhappy Drake and my plan is sailing smoothly. It's the least I could do for him, he's been there for me and he always made me feel happy whenever I'm in my worst state.

I was like a dead flower yesterday but now look at me,smiling like a fool as I standing under the shower, it's funny how some people can make your life light up.