C494 The Women's Outing

Tracy's car drove through the busy streets toward the club. Inside the car, Georgia looked at Tracy with a confused expression. “Mrs. Wood, you want us to go to a club?” she asked. “What are we, eighteen?” Mary frowned as she looked out the window. “Wait a minute. Isn't this the same club where we gathered all the family members when the Lions planned their disappearance?” Tracy laughed. “Yes. But today we have a mission.” Georgia raised an eyebrow. “A mission?” Tracy nodded seriously. “Yes. And everyone has a role to play.” Valeria smiled. “What mission?” Tracy looked at her and laughed. “My son Ben told us yesterday that his girlfriend is pregnant, but he refused to tell us who she was. All he told us was that she helps him run the club.” Mary's eyes widened. “What?” Tracy nodded. “So today, we are going to find her.” The women burst out laughing. Mary shook her head. “Well, look at you. How lucky you are. You are about to have three grandchildren.” Valeria's smile softened at Mary's words. She turned toward her friend. “Mary, I've actually been meaning to come and visit you. Ever since Emmanuel passed away, I wanted to check on you. Have you been well?”

Mary looked at her for a moment before smiling. “Oh, I didn't mean it that way. I'm fine, Valeria. I really am.” She paused before adding, “And Alicia and Mike will surely give me another grandchild someday.” Tracy smiled. “Exactly. But before we start celebrating that, we have to identify Ben's girlfriend.” Georgia laughed. “And what exactly are we supposed to do after we find her?” Tracy looked at Valeria. “That is where you come in, Mrs. Chambers.” Valeria immediately understood. “Oh, no.” Tracy laughed. “Yes. You will use your nursing skills and find out how long has she been pregnant." The women laughed again. Their little investigation had officially begun. Soon, Tracy parked the car outside the club. The women entered together and found a table where they could observe most of the room without attracting too much attention. They ordered juices and settled down. Tracy looked around. “Ben isn't here.” Mary glanced toward the entrance. “Maybe he already went home.” They waited. Every few minutes, one of them would notice a woman and quietly point her out. “What about her?” Georgia whispered. Valeria looked at the woman for a few seconds. “No.” Mary pointed toward another. “Maybe that one?” Valeria shook her head. “No.” Tracy sighed. “You are rejecting everyone.” Valeria laughed. “I'm a nurse. I have standards.”

The women continued watching. Then the doors opened. A beautiful young woman walked into the club wearing a long dress and a green coat. Mary immediately noticed her. “Look at how well-dressed that beautiful young woman is,” she said. “Unlike some of these women who came here half-dressed.” Everyone turned to look. Tracy froze. “Wow.” The woman walked confidently through the club. The young woman didn't stop at the bar. Instead, she walked straight toward the manager's office. The waiters immediately moved aside to let her through. Tracy's eyes widened. “Is it her?” She turned toward Valeria. “Valeria, talk to me.” Valeria laughed. “I don't know. I couldn't see her belly.” Georgia smiled. “Then let's wait. Maybe she'll come back out.” They waited. A few minutes later, the woman emerged from the manager's office. But this time, she had removed her coat. She walked directly toward the till point. Valeria watched her carefully. Then she smiled. “Yes.” Tracy immediately leaned forward. “Yes?” Valeria nodded. “It is her.” Tracy's face lit up. She raised her hand and waved toward one of the waiters. The waiter approached their table. “Madam, how can I help you?” Tracy smiled politely. “Can you call that young woman over for me?” The waiter looked toward the woman. “Yes, Madam.”

He walked over and spoke to her. Then he pointed toward Tracy's table. The young woman looked up. The moment she saw Tracy, she froze. She recognized Ben's mother. For a few seconds, she simply stood there. Then she took a deep breath and slowly walked toward them. When she reached the table, she greeted everyone politely. “Good afternoon, everyone.” She looked at Tracy. “Mrs. Wood, you called for me?” Tracy smiled. “You know me?” The young woman nodded. “Yes, ma'am.” Tracy smiled again. “Well, then, I suppose there is no need for me to introduce myself.” The woman blushed slightly. Tracy leaned back. “I would like to know the name of the woman who has caught my son's attention.” The young woman lowered her eyes shyly. “Madam, my name is Salma Rodriguez.” Valeria immediately reached for her hand. “Salma. Such a beautiful name.” Salma smiled. “Thank you, Madam.” Valeria released her hand. Tracy noticed the slight blush on Salma's face and smiled. “Well, Salma, let us not disturb you while you are working. You can go back to what you were doing.” Salma nodded. “Thank you, Madam. Please enjoy your stay.” She turned around and walked away.

Tracy watched her for a moment. Then she looked at the other women. “I like her very much.” Mary nodded. “She is very polite.” Georgia smiled. “And she seems nervous around you.” Tracy laughed. “I noticed.” Then she turned toward Valeria. “Well?” Valeria smiled. “Don't worry.” Tracy leaned closer. “Did you find out?” Valeria nodded confidently. “Yes.” She lowered her voice. “She's probably about three weeks pregnant.” Tracy's eyes widened. “Three weeks. How can you tell?” Valeria nodded. “As the head nurse, I have my ways.” The women laughed. Tracy stood up. “Well, ladies, our mission is complete.” One after another, the women stood. They were about to leave when Tracy stopped. “Wait.” She looked toward Salma. “I want to say goodbye properly.” Tracy walked over to her. Salma looked surprised when she saw Tracy approaching again. “Salma.” “Yes, Mrs. Wood?” Tracy smiled warmly. “It was good to meet you.” Salma smiled. “It was good to meet you too.” Tracy reached into her handbag and pulled out a black card. She placed it in Salma's hand. “This is my tip.” Salma looked down at the card. Then Tracy smiled. “And a gift for my future grandchild.” Salma froze. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. “Mrs. Wood…” Tracy simply smiled. “Take it.” Salma finally smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Wood.” Tracy nodded. “Take care of yourself.” The women left the club.

The moment they disappeared through the doors, Salma looked at the black card in her hand. She stared at it for a few seconds. Then she immediately pulled out her phone. She called Ben. The call connected quickly. “Ben?” “Hey,” Ben answered. “What's wrong?” Salma hesitated. “You told her?” Ben paused. “What?” Salma smiled nervously. “No. Nothing.” Ben frowned. “Salma?” But she had already ended the call. She looked at the black card again. She couldn't help smiling. Later that afternoon, Tracy and Valeria arrived back at the Wood family home. Tracy was practically glowing with excitement. Kelvin immediately noticed. He looked at her suspiciously. “What happened? Why are you so happy?” Tracy laughed. “I met your son's girlfriend today.” Everyone looked toward Ben. Tracy continued. “She was very polite.” Ben's face changed immediately. “You went to my club?” Tracy smiled. “She didn't tell you?” Valeria laughed. “It looks like she didn't.” David looked confused. “Wait. The women's outing was at a club?” Tracy giggled. “Yes.” She looked at everyone proudly. “And guess what?” David sighed. “What?” “Your wife used her special talent.” Valeria laughed. “And found out that my grandchild is only three weeks old.”

Ben nearly jumped out of his chair. “What?” Tracy nodded. “Yes. Salma is three weeks pregnant.” Ben stared at his mother. “You even know her name?” Tracy smiled. “Of course.” Ben shook his head. “I must call her.” He immediately went outside. He took out his phone and called Salma. She answered quickly. “Hello?” “So my mother came to the club?” Salma blushed even though Ben couldn't see her. “Yes.” “I was so nervous when she called me over.” Ben smiled. “And you let them examine you?” Salma frowned. “What do you mean?” Ben laughed. “My mother told me what you told me yesterday.” Salma thought for a moment. “That I'm pregnant?” Ben nodded. “Yes.” Salma became confused. “How did they know? I never told them that. Actually I thought you told her that is why I called you after they left.” Ben laughed. “And they know that you three weeks pregnant.” “How?" Ben shook his head. “Think about it. Did any of them touch you or anything like that?” Salma suddenly remembered. “Yes.” She paused. “There was a woman sitting next to your mother. She took my hand.” Ben laughed. “See?” Salma finally understood. “So she was examining me?” Ben laughed. “Exactly.” Salma burst out laughing. How can they use such tricks?”

Ben shook his head, still laughing. “My mother is dangerous.” Salma smiled. “Well she was nice to me. She even gave our unborn child a gift.” Ben's expression softened. “Well, let me not disturb you anymore. Work well.” Salma nodded. “Okay. We will talk later.” The call ended. Ben returned to the living room. Everyone was still talking excitedly about what had happened. Tracy was especially happy. Valeria looked amused. Kelvin was shaking his head at the whole situation. Even Monica was jumping around excitedly, although she had absolutely no idea what was happening. She simply knew that everyone was happy. And for the Wood family, that small moment of laughter felt good.