“Kathlyn, we’re not taking a penny from you, so stop trying. A gentleman doesn’t take advantage when a lady is in need. It was my pleasure to do it. Someone as beautiful as you should never look so sad,” Poe told her.
I saw Mom’s cheeks flush at his beautiful comment. Poe and Chad both called her by her first name at Mom’s insistence.
“Our boss left clear instructions to do whatever you asked, and that payment wasn’t required,” Chad added.
“Thank you so much, but if you won’t let me pay you, then you have to let me feed you. Would you be able to do that? Or do you have to get back to work?” she asked.
“We’re working here. But you don’t need to feed us,” Poe said.
“Oh, I insist. I can do American or Indian food. If you have a preference, just let me know. And before you say it's too much, I love to cook.”
That conversation was three hours ago. During that time, we’d unpacked only her essentials for the night, and then the two of us cooked. However, the guys didn’t kick back and did nothing. They placed her furniture pieces alongside mine, then joined us in the kitchen. They’d asked for Indian food, and all three were fascinated by how we made the various dishes.
Not once in my life had I ever seen Dad, my brothers-in-law, or Arish in the kitchen asking to watch food be prepared. They saw the kitchen as women’s domain, and cooking was our task. When Reign and I made meals together, it was fun.
We explained each item to the guys. There was butter chicken, a tomato-based, creamy chicken dish calledmurghmakhani. To go with it wasbiryani, a rice cooked with meat or vegetables and spices. As a vegetable side, we madedal tadka, a split yellow pigeon pea dish combined with tomatoes, garam masala, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, onions, cumin, ghee, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, and fenugreek leaves. It was a favorite of mine. The last item made wasjalebi,which was a spiral-shaped fried sweet soaked in sugar syrup. There were slapped fingers and lots of laughter as we made them. It was five o’clock when we sat at the table to enjoy our feast.
“Damn, my stomach is about to eat itself. Everything smells and looks so good. I can’t wait,” Poe murmured.
“I hear ya. Thank you, ladies, for doing this,” Chad added.
“You’re more than welcome. No standing on ceremony, eat.” Mom ordered.
At home, we would serve the men first, then we’d get ours. I’d always thought that it was so backward to do that. Reign wasn’t that way with me, but I automatically reached for his plate. His hand on mine stopped me. Mom had picked up Poe’s plate.
“Whoa, no, we don’t do that where I come from. You did the work. You get served first,” Poe said, taking his plate from Mom and placing scoops of everything except thejalebi, which was on the counter for afterward. When it was filled, he switched it out for Mom’s empty plate, putting the full one in front of her.
Reign was doing the same for mine. Chad sighed.
“Now you’re making me look like a pig since I don’t have a lady to serve.”
We teased him as he chuckled, and the three guys served themselves. I moaned as the first bites hit my taste buds. The praise was heavy. We took our time savoring it. I was so involved in eating and the memories of good meals that I hadn’t thought about the time or that Dad would be home by now and would discover the letter. I recalled that when there was a heavypounding at the door, while we were sitting there finishing off thejalebi.
Everyone got quiet. Mom’s slightly panicked expression met my gaze. The men knew who it was. They rose to their feet.
“Ladies, if you’d like to stay here and let us deal with this, we’re more than fine with it,” Reign offered.
Mom drew in a shaky breath as another knock came, followed by Dad’s voice yelling, “Kathlyn, Stasia, I know you’re in there. Open up.”
She shook her head and pushed back her chair. Poe was next to her, so he grabbed the back of it and eased it out so she could stand. Reign was doing the same for me. He knew there was no way I’d stay there.
As a unit, we went to the front door. Since it was my place, I went ahead and opened the door, though Reign was right behind me. Mom was off to my side and slightly behind me, with Poe and Chad behind her.
When the door opened, I took in the sight of my dad. He was furious, as evidenced by his ruddy face. His eyes snapped with anger and what might be fear. He was still in his work clothes. His suit jacket was removed, his tie loosened, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone, with the sleeves rolled up to mid-forearm.
“What the hell is the meaning of this!? Kati, get your things. We’re going home,” Dad snarled.
“Dad, stop shouting. Mom is fine here with me. You need to go home and calm down,” I told him firmly.
“I’m your father. You have no right to tell me what to do. You and I will talk about you stealing your mom away from our home. I don’t know what game you two are playing, but it ends now,” Dad stated.
“I didn't steal anyone. Mom is an adult. It was her decision to leave. I supported her. You can’t come heredemanding she return just because you say so. Mom needs time, and she can get it here,” I replied.
“Like hell I can’t. She’s my wife. That makes her mine. And if you think these three goons scare me, you’re wrong. I knew at least he’d be here.” Dad gestured to Reign and curled his upper lip.
“Mr. Shah, since this involves Anastasia, and she’s mine, then yes, you’re correct, I’m here. I know you, your son, and others don’t like listening to the women in your family when they express their views that are the opposite of what you want. Tonight is not the time for a fight. It’s been a long, tiring day for Kathlyn. She just wants to settle in and relax. I suggest you do the same. When you’re both calmer and able to think clearly, then you can talk,” Reign recommended.
“I don’t give a damn who you are. You don’t tell me what to do. Stasia, you should be ashamed of yourself. You have this man in your home. People will talk, call you a whore. And who are these other two? More men you’re in a relationship with? I won’t have you blacken our family name or your mother with the likes of them.”
