Page 168 of Taeja

“Gavin wants an apprentice?”

“No, but I’m his boss. He does what I say.”

She laughed. “Thanks, Damon. I appreciate it.”

Damon grinned. “Of course. Gavin’s good at practically everything. He’ll help you figure out what you want to become while you help him do whatever he needs help with.”

“What does he do?”

“He works in cybersecurity, and he’s the sound designer for my video game.”

“Hope mi can keep up with him.” Taeja nervously chuckled as she looked through the window. The clouds were clearing away. She could see the small island come into view. The two-hour flight had passed quickly. “It’s beautiful!” she mused, and Damon chuckled. She glanced at him. “What?”

“I love how you find beauty in everything.”

Her heart paced as butterflies filled her stomach. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me,” Taeja said, smiling.

“So, it’s fuck all my I love yous?”

Taeja laughed and slapped his thigh. “Stop cursing. It nuh fit yu.”

Damon rolled his eyes, and she smiled at him before looking through the window again.

The jet was zooming down the runway now, and in quick time, they were off the jet. They got through customs quickly, then headed toward outside. Taeja was in the front while her men walked on either side of her.

Stepping outside, hot air and loud chatter greeted her. The atmosphere differed from what she was used to. The place even looked brighter. The excitement of waiting patrons added to her nerves while taking some away at the same time. Everyone was so happy to greet their returnees. She hoped Cassedi would be the same.

Taeja scanned the crowd. Cassedi promised that she’d be—

Right there.

Holding the placard and looking like she saw a ghost.

Taeja was the same.

Even as the woman ran over and engulfed her in a big, tight hug. Shocked that this was real, Taeja slowly laid her hand on her mother’s back.

“Oh, my baby,” Cassedi sobbed.

Wetness settled on Taeja’s neck. It brought tears to her eyes. She held Cassedi tighter, her lips trembling. “Mom,” she breathed out.

That word sounded foreign after so many years. She always called her parents by their government names, but at that moment, the only word she could say was the rightful title.

Mom.

Cassedi pulled away, holding Taeja at arm’s length, and doing a take of her. “You’re so big and beautiful!”

Taeja smiled through a sob, wiping away her tears. She could say the same about her mother — Cassedi was beautiful. It was as if Taeja was looking into a mirror that showed the reflection of her future self.

“I’m happy to see you,” Taeja said.

“Oh, baby girl, I am, too,” Cassedi said then released her. She glanced at the men flanking Taeja. “These are your friends you told me about?”

Taeja cleared her throat. She wasn’t sure how Cassedi would react. This was a different country than she was used to, and Jerry’s words planted a seed of doubt in her. “Yeah,” she said, pointing at them. “This is Damon and Zain.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Cassedi said, shaking Damon’s hand, then pulling it back to her side when Zain only nodded. “Well, let’s go. The vehicle is waiting.”

The men dragged the suitcases to the minibus. They loaded them into the trunk. Cassedi drove away while gospel music drifted through the speakers on a low volume.

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