Page 12 of The Omega's Secret Baby
Weren’t we?
6
Matthew
“Matthew, are you listening?”
I looked up at Frederica with what was no doubt a guilty expression on my face. I hadn’t been listening. I’d asked Frederica to have tea with me so I could hear her out about my father, but ever since the events of the night before, my attention had been drifting.
“You haven’t heard a word, have you?” Frederica wagged her finger at me, something she’d been doing since I was a young boy. I had no idea how she’d survived in my family’s service for so long when most of our other staff changed every year, but somehow, nobody dared to kick Frederica out, no matter what she did.
Which made her an invaluable source of information.
Frederica had her ears everywhere and knew everything.
About the town, my family, the rest of the staff…
I wouldn’t have been surprised if the only reason my mother didn’t kick her out was because she was afraid what this maid might tell the townsfolk if she ever let her go. This lady was sure to have some blackmail material.
I didn’t mind, though. Frederica had always been good to me. Even when she was scolding me—which actually used to happen quite a lot. “I'm sorry,” I said, giving her all my attention. “What were you saying?”
“About your father.” She took a sip of her tea. Green tea with milk. She was the only person I knew who drank it like that. “He hasn't been doing so well lately.”
“That's in line with what my sister told me. But do you think it's something serious or that he's just getting on in age?”
She shook her head. “There have been doctor visits. Your parents say it's nothing, but the secrecy around it all makes me suspect there's more going on. Your sister might have heard something. The young lady is over every Sunday. And she's still every bit as pleasant as she used to be,” she added in a low voice.
I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up in me. My sister had never been pleasant. But perhaps this one time she hadn't lied. And I wasn't sure how to feel about this news. My father and I had never been close. I'd spent too much time away from home growing up, while he'd spent too much time working. But he was still my father.
“I'm sorry my sister is giving you trouble,” I said to Frederica before I drank some of my own tea--with no milk in it.
She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “She's no trouble. I know how to deal with her. I only wish I didn't have to clean up after her son. Now that kid is abrat.“ She said it with a level of emphasis that made me chuckle again. My nephew was certainly not a well-behaved child. Every time I met the boy, I left feeling glad that I didn't have any children of my own.
Not that Danielle and I hadn'ttried.It simply hadn't happened. One more thing that had put a strain on our marriage--and on my relationship with my mother. Still, the way things had ended, it was for the best.
“Promise me that you will not let your children torture me when you have some,” Frederica said.
“I promise,” I said easily, although I didn't want to think too much about children now. When I did, I couldn't help but think of Eli and his son. His seven-year old son. “Say, Frederica, how much do you know about what goes on in town these days?” It was a long shot, but maybe...
She raised an eyebrow at me. “You want to hear gossip?”
“Notgossip, no, but--“
“Oh, I didn't think I'd get to see the day you admit an interest in gossip.” She seemed delighted now. “The stories I could tell you!”
I grimaced, and stopped her before she could tell me about the baker's son sleeping with the farmer's daughter in the parking lot of the movie theater or whatever. “I was only wondering if you'd heard anything about an omega by the name of Elias Stevens.”
Her eyes sparkled. “You like that omega?”
“He's an old friend,” I waved her off.
“Is he the boy you made out with when you were young?”
I did a double take. What had she just said?
“Oh, don't think I didn't notice you sneaking into the house with this dreamy expression on your face. I know that wasn't because of your fiancé.”
Ow, she was even more perceptive than I gave her credit for. No wonder she knew everything about everyone. I just hadn't thought that includedme.
