Such a Rude and Noisy Woman

Rachel was rendered speechless by him. She took a deep breath before she spoke again- "Do you really think it'll matter?" I have a mind of steel and if I choose to leave you- I will go with or without my luggage! Hiram sat up on the bed and hissed at her, "What was that? What did you say just now?" "SAY IT AGAIN!"

Rachel wanted to continue but Hiram interrupted her viciously-

"Don't forget the promise you made. You need to compensate me for those 12 days," he reminded her coldly. Familiar with Rachel's stubborn streak, Hiram decided to end the argument, once and for all, with those words.

The brutality of his words defeated Rachel's courage to speak her mind. She pouted in surrender and said," Fine! Have it your way! Anyway, the only expensive thing I have is what you bought me. The rest are just cheap clothes."

She would keep her promise. Since she had agreed to compensate him, she would be at his beck and call, doing everything he asked her to do.

Hiram's eyebrows relaxed as he heard her words. His savagery had fulfilled its purpose and he felt it was best to let the matter rest, as he noted the time. "Let's forget about it. It's time to sleep- come here now!" he said gently as he lifted the quilt for her. Rachel took a deep breath, swallowed her unwillingness and walked grudgingly to the bed. She lay down at the very edge of her side and made sure to turn her body away from Hiram.

"What's this for? Are you trying to make space for the kids? They are sleeping very well in their own rooms and we don't need to change that. Now come into my arms!" he groused from behind her. Rachel made no move to acknowledge his urging. Hiram decided to honour his own demands by pulling her, petite frame, into his arms. She didn't stand a chance.

"You can never be free of me, Rachel, not here, not ever. That would be the last thing I expect from you! Do you hear me?" he whispered into her ears as he rested his head against hers.

The next day came, just like the one before it.

Rachel woke early as she did always. Since she had to go out with Hiram soon, she wanted to spend some time with little Jonny and little Joyce, who usually woke up shortly after her.

The children began to stir in their cribs near dawn but remained in torpor till six in the morning. Twins spent their childhood blessed with a perpetual playmate and if one woke, they would wake the other to play with them.

They darted towards the watering can that stood near the garden shed, screeching as they fought over who should get it. "Jonny, let your sister have this one and I will find you another one!" Rachel said ever so gently. After the morning chores, Rachel stepped out to tend to her beloved little garden: her own little paradise. The children had spotted her in the garden and scurried to help. She was watering the flowers when the twins came hurtling out of the house.

She brought another watering-can from the shed and handed it over to her son.

"Joyce! Stop pouring water so hard on the plant. Look! The poor plant is bent down to the ground!" Jonny felt he should guide his older sister if she didn't do things correctly.

Joyce, on the other hand, who had inherited her mother's obstinate nature along with her signature, pouted and said," You don't know how to water plants! Look at the dust on their leaves, I'm just trying to wash it away."

Jonny was not having it! He stuck firmly to his opinion, "No, you're wrong." He had observed his mother in the garden before and remembered her spritzing water at the base of the plant. If Joyce continued pouring water directly on top of the plant, it would slump to the ground.

"No, you're wrong, Joyce!" he persisted. Joyce was not to be put down easily, she retorted, "Mommy tell him that I am right! Haven't you ever seen rain before? The raindrops also fall on top of the plant just like I am doing! Are you saying that raindrops are wrong too?" She also knew that Jonny wouldn't give in easily, so she turned to Rachel for help.

Rachel was now in another soup, as she always was, with the twins. She didn't want to upset either of her children by supporting either side.

With the experience of mothering the twins, Rachel gently reasoned with them,"As far as I can tell, both of you are right, because you both are looking at the same problem from different views." She turned to Joyce, bent down to look into her bright eyes and said," Honey, your brother only wants you to be gentle to the flowers. He worries that the delicate petals might break due to the heavy water." Rachel knew that the way she handled such differences would impact their little minds. She must always strive to give her children the best kind of guidance. She turned to Jonny and said, "Jonny darling, you need to see that Joyce meant no harm to the flowers; she was only trying to give them a bath. She may have been slightly careless about the delicate petals, but her intentions are just as good as yours." Rachel continued, "Both of you are right in your own ways. Nobody can be completely wrong, but one can always be more careful. Joyce darling, next time you're watering the plants, remember to be gentle. One must always be gentle and kind to everything and everyone around them." Rachel let out a deep breath and she watched her children take in everything she said. Being a parent meant to always display the best of behaviors because children often replicated the actions of their parents. "Okay, kids, now put your watering cans away and go have breakfast. Remember to wash your hands squeaky clean before you sit at the table!" as she ushered the twins inside.

Joyce nodded her head as she muddled over her mother's words.

And Jonny's head bobbed up and down in satisfaction over his mother's opinion.

Rachel breathed a sigh of relief as watched her children trudge indoors; their dispute was forgotten. The best way to teach children was with firm but gentle love, the kind of love that helps children to learn and thrive.

By the time she and the children entered the living room, Hiram was already downstairs, fully dressed and ready.

"DADDY!" their daughter squealed, in delight, the moment she saw their father.

Hiram was adjusting his tie when he heard Joyce and immediately his face lit up in a big smile. He bent down to pick up his little daughter whose arms were already outstretched towards him. Joyce was the size of a doll, and he held her with one hand while fondled her cheeks with the other. "Your face is so cold, little one, you must have been playing outside!" he exclaimed playfully.

"Yes, Daddy! Jonny and I helped Mommy water the flowers in the garden!" she declared proudly as she gurgled in her father's arms.

Meanwhile, Rachel lifted Jonny and placed him on the chair at the dining table. Joyce, on the other hand, chose to cling to her father every second she should.

Jonny was accustomed to watching his father and sister together. Sometimes, he looked at them longingly. He also wanted to be carried by his towering father and wondered how small the world looked from his father's height. But, he seldom asked his father to do so, because he wanted to be 'a man' just like his father.

"Jonny here is your porridge and boiled egg, please make sure to eat them both. It's good for your health! And it will make you big and strong like your father!" instructed Rachel, placing the bowl of porridge in front of him. She turned to towards Joyce who was happily clinging on to her father and urged,"Come have breakfast with your brother, sweetheart, and let Daddy eat too- he is running late to work!"

Hiram swung his daughter around one last time before placing her at the table. Joyce finally scrambled off her perch, on his shoulders, and settled down into her chair.

As the family sat at the table, Hiram glanced at his wife who was busy eating and said, "Marlon arrives today to discuss the matter with us. Will you receive him yourself?" Rachel raised her head in surprise and asked, "Me? But why?"

"Because you've known him longer than anyone else. Besides, he offered to help you out when you were in North Sea City. It's time to return the favour!' he explained. He peeled an egg and gave it to Rachel, and continued, "But only this one time!" Usually, Hiram had no problems with the company Rachel chose to keep, both men and women alike. His only condition was that he must be informed of her activities and her reasons for doing so.

However, Marlon was a different case altogether. He couldn't tolerate his wife with Marlon too much. Hiram would be much happier once Rachel cleared her debt towards him.

Rachel took the peeled egg he offered her and nodded.

"Yes, I understand," she replied softly.

She had been married to Hiram for so many years that she could comprehend what he was saying before he finished the words.

After breakfast, she cleared the table and got ready to visit the Streams Building with Hiram.

Marlon's plane was scheduled to arrive at H-City terminal at half past ten. Since she had agreed to receive him, she would go!

At ten, Rachel called on Carl to drive her to the airport.

The airport was unusually deserted that morning as she heard the H City airport PA-system announce the arrival of Marlon's flight. A few short moments later, she spotted Marlon walk out of the 'Exit' gate. Shock surged through Marlon's face as he spotted her. The flattery was visible on his face as he strode towards her. "I cannot believe my eyes! Look at who is here to receive me! Wife of the President of the almighty Streams company!" he exclaimed, and continued, "Wow, this is so overwhelming."

Rachel smiled warmly and turned to Carl, "Please help Mr. Xi with his luggage, Carl." She turned back to Marlon still smiling and said," It's my pleasure to welcome you to H City. I know we don't keep score of such things, but I feel I must return the favor for all the help you gave me in North Sea City."

"Wonderful! That is so nice of you!" Marlon responded with an equally big smile. Purely out of an old habit, he reached out and patted Rachel on the shoulder. But, he immediately snatched his hand back when he saw Carl glare at him.

To shake off the embarrassment, he glanced down at his watch and noted, "It's nearly eleven, and I am starving. Let's set the job aside for now, and have lunch first, shall we?"

Rachel had known Marlon for very long and had expected this. She grinned and said, "Of course! I have reserved a table at a fancy restaurant, and I believe you will love it!"

Marlon's eyebrows jumped up; clearly taken aback, he said, "Wow, only a few days has past, but you're really surprising me! Thank you!"

"Now let's go! I have another surprise waiting for you!" Rachel replied laughingly. Marlon was a huge foodie, and his eyes would light up every single time he heard anyone talk about food.

The restaurant Rachel had chosen was only a short distance away from the airport and they arrived after a brief journey.

When Marlon stepped inside the restaurant, his eyes widened in awe, while his mouth dangled open; he was almost drooling. Meanwhile, Carl, who walked in behind Marlon, stopped in his tracks and immediately looked down, at the ground, bashfully.

It was also Rachel's first time at the restaurant, and it was luxuriously breath-taking. But, she couldn't afford to behave like the two men; she was a lady.

"So what do you think of the restaurant, Mr. Xi? Are you satisfied?" Rachel asked jokingly.

All the waitresses at the restaurant were walking around, dressed in swim-suits, serving the dishes or pouring out the wine. Marlon nodded as he swallowed a mouth full of saliva and replied, "Wow, I cannot possibly be more satisfied!"

As they sat down, Rachel couldn't help but laugh at his honest and uninhibited reaction and shook her head. She patted Carl lightly on his shoulder; another residual old habit. Marlon made a conspicuous effort to reserve his hands which did not go unnoticed by her. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen! Would you like to see our menu or are you ready to order?" asked a pretty waitress in a turquoise blue swimming suit. She bestowed Marlon with a winning smile as she placed the menu on their table.

"Yes, please!" quipped up Marlon. "But first I need to ask you for a favour- can you do me the honour of giving me your phone number, Gorgeous?" Marlon asked teasingly, and winked at her. 000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐