Unappreciated Treasure

It was the next day, and Chelsy woke up feeling a bit tired from her play and taking care of Fiona the previous night.

"My oh my."

She mumbled to herself, remembering she had an eight-hour shift at Cedar House.

She had a little smile on her face.

Going to Cedar House meant having some peace of mind and doing what she loved doing; which was taking care of others. 

She dragged herself into the bathroom and took a quick shower. When she was done, she wore a navy blue short sleeve shirt. The words 'Cedar House Assisted Living' were printed on its right chest pocket.

She paired it with long black trousers and black flats. She went ahead to tie her long curly hair up in a bun.

When Chelsy was done, she looked at her reflection in the mirror, with a proud smile plastered on her face.

''Damnnn Chelsy. You are one fine ass chick. Look at those curves and that killer body. Today will be a good day.''

Chelsy was one to pep talk herself in any situation.

She was always so positive, and looked at disappointments as a learning curve.

She giggled like a baby, and went down to the kitchen and made herself a quick breakfast.

Before she could take a bite, her elder brother Leonel came back from his night shift.

Leonel Powers was Chelsy's only family member, and he worked as an Intensive care nurse at the Saint Mary's Methodist Hospital.

"Hey Lenny. You are back."

"Muahhh"

Chelsy stood up and gave him a hug and a peg on his cheek.

"I made breakfast. Would you like some?"

Leonel smiled and gently placed his hand on Chelsy's head.

''Look at my baby sister all grown and taking care of me.''

'Punch'

Chelsy playfully punched him on the chest and said.

''Come on bro, don't be so dramatic. It is just an ordinary breakfast. Wait till I start taking you to places like the Carribeans.''

Leonel chuckled as he stared at her.

''Until then. I can see you are heading to work instead of school. Ensure you finish your breakfast and don't be late, okay?''

Chelsy nodded in affirmation, and he turned around and gently walked towards the stairs which led to his bedroom.

Chelsy hurriedly finished her breakfast, picked up her tote bag and left for the bus stop which was about two minutes' walk from the house.

She took out her phone and decided to place a call to Ken one more time.

On the second ring, the call got connected and there was a husky voice at the other end of the receiver.

''Hello love''.

Chelsy's face lit up, and she was smiling from molar to molar.

''Hey baby. Are you okay?''

Ken, at the other end of the receiver, answered with a yawn.

''I am fine.''

Chelsy could not help but bombard him with questions.

''What happened? Where have you been? And what happened to your phone?''

Ken gave a little chuckle, and replied.

''My little firecracker. Slow down okay. I just got in this morning. I will pick you up later, so that we can have dinner and then, I will get to tell you everything that happened.''

Chelsy smiled and said okay.

"I missed you baby."

Ken said in a seductive voice.

Chelsy could not help but blush. She closed her eyes, placed her free hand on her red cheeks and replied.

"I have missed you too Ken."

They spoke a little longer, and said goodbye to each other.

Chelsy could not help but swoon at the thought of hearing her man's voice.

'Hee hee hee'

Chelsy giggled.

''Today will definitely be a good day.''

It took the bus twenty minutes to get to Cedar House, and Chelsy got there at eight o'clock. When she got into the lobby, Claire walked up to her and gave her a warm hug.

''Oh dear Chelsy. You coming in today has really added ten more years to my lifespan. We are really short-staffed. Erica and Jasmine called in sick.''

'Ha ha ha'

Chelsy could not help but laugh hysterically.

''Come on Claire, it's not that bad. Whatever the case may be, we will all work together as a team and ensure all our tasks for today are completed, Okay?''

Claire looked at Chelsy with so much admiration and pulled her into the lounge where the residents were sitting.

"Hey everyone. Your favorite nightingale, Miss Powers, is here".

When the residents saw Chelsy, they all smiled and gave her a warm welcome.

Janet, a sophisticated lady in her eighties, and a resident, said in a soft voice.

''Hey! Miss nightingale, it's been long since we heard you sing. I don't know about the others, but I have missed hearing your sweet voice.''

Chelsy could not help but blush, and she said with a smile plastered on her face.

''Hi Janet. It is nice seeing you too. I promise to sing for you all, once I am done with my morning task. I will join you in the lounge and sing something very nice, okay?''

Janet nodded with a smile and responded.

''I am looking forward to that, Miss nightingale.''

The atmosphere in the room was a happy and exciting one.

One could be wondering if Chelsy could actually sing. The short answer is yes. Her dad was great at playing the guitar. So he taught Chelsy how to play the guitar and the piano.

With years of constant practice and voice training, Chelsy was able to train her voice to a good point. So, many people didn't know that she had an amazing voice.

She had been concealing this talent of hers for years, because she wasn't the type of person who enjoyed any form of attention towards her. She could only sing before the residents because it made them happy, and it actually reduced the loneliness they felt.

Being away from one's family could really be boring and lonely sometimes. Singing was Chelsy's own way of showing that she actually cared about them. Her compassion and kindness made the residents adore her.

It was finally four thirty pm and Chelsy was preparing to clock out for the day. Claire suddenly walked up to her and placed her hand on Chelsy's shoulder.

''Chelsy, thank you very much for putting in so much effort today. The residents were really happy, especially with you singing for them.''

Chelsy smiled and placed her hand on Claire's.

''Come on Claire, I was just doing my job, and I am happy the residents are happy. So you don't have to thank me, okay?''

Claire looked at Chelsy with so much admiration and asked Chelsy to join her for dinner.

''Sorry Claire, but I will have to pass this time around. I have plans with my boyfriend. We will be having dinner together. I am certain he will be here any moment from now to pick me up. I am really sorry.''

Claire winked, with a mischievous smile.

''Okay then. Have lots of fun.'' 

As Claire left, Chelsy's phone started ringing and the caller ID showed it was Ken calling. Chelsy smiled and answered the call.

''Hey Ken, are you here already?''

Ken, at the other end of the receiver, said.

''Hey love, I am sorry, but there is a change in plan. Can you come over to my place so that we can make dinner together?''

Chelsy nodded as if Ken could see her. She cleared her throat and said she would be on her way, and hung up the phone. As tired as Chelsy was, she didn't mind going over and cooking for Ken. She just loved him too much and would probably do anything for him.

She decided to take a taxi instead of a bus, because the bus took longer to get to Ken's house. 

Ken's villa was located in the Northern Ridges. A very sophisticated neighborhood that could only be afforded by the rich and influential people in Wolverton. It was characterized by its well lit streets, and beautiful Italian cypresses planted along the long driveways.

Every front porch was beautified with varieties of flowers and well trimmed trees, making the neighborhood look like an image from a painting.

The taxi drove into Ken's front porch. Chelsy paid the driver twenty pounds and he drove off.

As she walked to the door, it suddenly swung open before she could ring the bell.

There, Ken was standing, wearing a white T-shirt, and gray shorts. It looked as if he had been waiting for her at the door.

He opened his arms and Chelsy rushed into them with the speed of light and wrapped her hands around his waist. He held her tight in his arms, as she buried her face into his chest.

He whispered into her ears.

''I have missed you baby.''

Chelsy could not help but sob and pressed her face into his chest, murmuring.

''It's been like forever Ken.''

He gave a gentle chuckle and whispered into her ear.

''l know baby.''

He lifted Chelsy's chin with his index finger and stared directly into her face.

''Why are you crying?''

He asked.

Chelsy snorted and replied.

''I haven't seen you in three weeks, and in those three weeks, I haven't spoken to you in one. Why would I not cry?''

Ken smiled, bent down and gently kissed her softly on the lips. Chelsy could feel chills running down her spine. She was left breathless. Ken slowly disengaged from the kiss and said.

"Do you still miss me that much?"

He let out a bright smile that potrayed his handsome facial features.

"I knew you would be tired. So I asked George to make us dinner. Let's go inside before the food gets cold."

Chelsy nodded with a smile, and followed Ken inside.

George was Ken's cook, who usually came over to cook for him whenever he had guests.

Ken held Chelsy's hand and they both walked to the dining hall. Chelsy excused herself and went to the bathroom to take off her work uniform, as well as wash her hands.

She got back after ten minutes wearing one of Ken's T-shirts and shorts. When Ken saw her, he couldn't help but ogle at her long slender legs, and he winked.

'Ouuuuu'

''That is my baby.''

They sat down and started eating. Chelsy who couldn't wait any longer, started bombarding Ken with questions.

''Can you now tell me what happened and why you were ignoring me?''

Ken who was focused on his plate, looked up and responded.

''Baby, don't be in a rush, okay? Let's finish dinner and I will tell you everything. Just chill girl.''

Chelsy knew they had enough time to talk about it. She decided to let it slide at that moment.

'Hmmmm.'

Chelsy let out a low and steady sound from the back of her throat.

"Yummy. This linguine is so good. I really missed George's cooking.'' 

George, who popped in bringing a jar of freshly squeezed pineapple juice, heard what Chelsy had said. He smiled and responded with his Italian accent.

''Graçias, señorita Powers.''

Halfway into their dinner, Ken's phone started ringing. He furrowed his brows, cleared his throat and looked away.

His entire facial expression and gesture portrayed nervousness. Chelsy looked at him and asked.

''Ken, is everything okay?''

He cleared his throat again and said.

''Excuse me, but I have to take this call.''

He stood from his seat and rushed into his study. Since his study was not far from the dining hall, Chelsy could hear part of his conversation.

''No, you don't have to come. I will be on my way.''

Ken rushed out and said to Chelsy.

''Baby, something has come up, and my attention is needed. I will be back in thirty minutes, okay?''

Before Chelsy could say anything, he rushed upstairs and changed into a blue denim trousers, a white T-shirt and a black leather jacket. He rushed out of the door and didn't say another word.

Chelsy sat there looking stunned, and could only watch him shut the door behind him.

'Bang'

The resounding sound of the shut door, jolted Chelsy back to reality.

Who was it that called Ken? And why was he in such a hurry to leave?