Criminal in love (Muslim romance)

13 Awkwardness

It's been a month since I am with Martha and her sons Tommy, Derik and Sam. All 3 of her sons hated me on sight as they figured I am the competition for Martha's affection. Following day Tommy took me to the company which he is working , where they hired me to load and unload stuff from trucks. I didn't tell them about my ivy league education or the posts I held last. Too many details can give them my identity and I don't want that.

Martha refuse to let go of me to another accommodation. So, I have the room on the basement. Though I have been insisting Martha to stop work as she cant cope due to her old age, she isn't happy to sit at home.

"I have worked all my life son. I can work a little longer. And these three can learn a thing or two from you" she said frowning at her sons.

"Mama, never trust a white man" Sam said making faces at me.

"And you stop being a racist. Steve here has done nothing but take care of me ever since he has come here, something you boys have failed to do all your lives"

I love this family. I wish I had a family as close as this. All 3 of the boys are close to each other and Martha. Though I am an outsider, they still treated me with love and respect. And for the second time in my life, I am experiencing unconditional love.

I been thinking of Talia lately. I should give a call to Sarah but I feel quite uncomfortable speaking to her after my behavior last time. I spoke to Jen couple of days ago about my case but that's all about it. May be I should go and visit her this weekend.

Martha nor the boys know anything about my family. They know what happened to me and I was in prison, but they don't know the connections. And fortunately they don't closely follow the news in this part of town.

"Steve, call for you" I heard Tommy screaming.

I have given his number to Jen to call me  just in case if she needs to get in touch with me.

"Why do only women call you?" Tommy asked me.

"Because I am better looking than you" I told him and earned a murdering scowl from him while rest of his brothers laughed and teased him.

"Steve here" I said smiling to the phone.

"Steve, Sarah. We need to talk" and my smiling kind of turned to an awkward grimace.

"Sarah, I don't think that is a good idea" I told her skeptically. The attraction and tension between us is too strong. I know she feels it too. But no good will come out of it.

"Philip, Laila and Mrs. Henry de Bourbon came to see me. I need to see you. I am off at 7. You can come and see Talia, and wait for me in the lobby" she gave me the orders.

"Okay" and she hung up. And then only I remembered everyone in the room including Martha are staring at me.

"What?" I asked them.

"Who is Sarah?" Sam asked me.

"Non of your business" I told him but if I had ever thought there is something as privacy in this house, I should have been crazy. In this house, everyone knows everything about everyone, and that includes me.

I saw Martha giving me a I know it all smile. So I went to her and give her a hug.

"Do you like her?" Martha whispered so the others wouldn't hear her.

"She isn't for me Martha. Gils like that have no use for ex criminals like me" I told her honestly.

"You are a fine man Steve and any girl is lucky to have you" she said with her motherly love.