Chapter 4
Jayda looked out the window lost in her thoughts. She unconsciously wiped the steam that fogged the window. She's thinking about Brian for the umpteenth time today. All she wants to know is if he's doing well or alive and the thought of not knowing anything kills her.
She's also aware that if Brian wanted to be found he would have come back to the house. He knows where to find her unlike she who doesn't know where he is.
Her mind also wandered to Lucy who is leaving for New York in a matter of days. Jayda had contemplated moving to New York but the obvious truth is that she can't afford to live in the luxurious city. It's bad enough she's spending so much on Lucy's tuition thanks to her life savings for saving the day, the best she can do is to lodge in a cheap hotel when visiting her daughter.
On another note, Lucy leaving meant she'll have time for herself and who knows, maybe she can finally have time for someone new in her life. Someone who is not ten years younger than her. She made a mental note to work on that as she made for the stairs to prepare breakfast.
A FEW DAYS LATER
Jayda dropped her duffel bag on the cold floor after a long day helping Lucy settle in her dorm.
"Great! No TV" She whined after noticing the small size hotel room didn't have a TV.
But she was lucky to find a hotel with a cheap room fee in Brooklyn. She couldn't afford to squander money at the moment because of Lucy and in fact, she'd plan on taking more event coordinating jobs back home to help with the expense.
As much as she wanted to call it a day, the time only read a few minutes past nine and typical her would never forgive herself for not touring New York a little coupled with the fact that she's a first-timer. She'd heard that the hood gets dangerous once it's eleven and she vowed to Lucy that she'd return to her room before then. She grabbed her fur jacket and made her exit out of the room.
Unlike where she lived in Saint Louis, New York is very different from Minnesota. The streets are extremely busy, there's something to be done and the life it breaths is next to none. She brought out her cell phone and took a few pictures for her Facebook before proceeding with her night walk.
*********
Jayda returned to her room a little after ten, took a quick shower and cursed beneath her breath upon realizing the bathroom didn't have hot water.
She returned to the bed after and slept off within minutes.
THE NEXT MORNING.
Jayda hopped down from the bus to eat breakfast in a nearby restaurant before setting out to the airport to catch her flight back to Minnesota.
She was about to enter when she felt an arm grab the hem of her midi gown. She looked down to see a child of approximately five or six years old looking up at her.
"Hi, are you hungry too?" Jayda bent down to meet the little girl's height.
The little girl shook her head.
"I lost my mummy in the crowd," the child said while Jayda walked her from the entrance of the restaurant to an empty walkway.
"I'm Jayda, What's your name?" Jayda asked.
"Isabelle" she answered
"What's your Mummy's name?"
"Mummy" she answered.
"What about the name of your dad?"
"Daddy" she answered again
Jayda couldn't help but smile at the innocent-looking child. She also noticed that Isabelle was in school uniform which could only mean she was on her way to school when it happened.
"Ok Isabelle I'm going to find your school and from there I'm sure they can help contact your mum"
Jayda peeped on the name of the school from the badge attached to Isabelle's pinafore dress and google searched the name.
"Got it. Start smart Kindergarten and preparatory school is located in Manhattan and lucky for you from the map here we are not that far"
Jayda hailed a cab and carried Isabelle into the vehicle. She showed the driver the address and then fasten the seatbelt around Isabelle before the ride began.
They arrived at the school entrance and it was the security guard who saw her first, he ran to the cab.
"Isabelle, you have no idea the worry you put everyone in" He brought out the cell phone to call the school owner and informed her of Lucy's appearance.
"I saw her on the street and brought her here when I looked up the school name on Google"
"Thank you so much, ma'am. Her parents have been so worried. I'll take her inside."
"Thank you Jayda" Lucy kissed Jayda on her cheeks before storming into the school compound happily.
Jayda ran back into the cab when she realized she's forty minutes away from catching her flight. Just as her cab drove off, a black sedan car pulled over and out came one of the richest businessmen in the city, Brian Chase.
He ran into the school premises in search of his daughter and the security man was too afraid to even tell him that Lucy had been found.
"Are you okay?" Brian asked as he elevated Lucy with his arm.
Brian to the outside world is very formidable but warm when he's around his daughter or matters related to her.
Five words, 'He doesn't joke with her' even though she's a product of a one night stand with a model he'd hooked up with years back.
"Yes daddy I am. Someone brought me back to school" Lucy said.
"Yes Sir. A good Samaritan brought her back to school" The Headmistress added.
"Where is this good Samaritan?" Brian asked clearly not satisfied that a stranger just dropped his daughter without asking for anything in return.
"She left immediately she dropped her" The headmistress smiled on that note.
"What do you mean she left? You let her go? What if she did something to my daughter? Did you even check if she's intact? What if she kidnapped her, to begin with?" Brian attacked.
"She didn't kidnap me, Daddy. Mummy wanted to buy something from a clothing store and we got separated in the crowd" Lucy was on the verge of crying.
"Your daughter is one of our brightest students and I think her testimony is credible."
Brian gave her a cold stare and then slowly dropped Lucy back on the floor.
"Thank you," Brian said.
He kissed Lucy's forehead before leaving the headmistress's office.
As soon as he entered the black sedan, Brian dialled Khloé's number.
"You'll be hearing from my lawyer. You are not fit to be a mother" he hung up rudely.
Chapter 5Khloé hurried into Brian's office."I am so sorry Brian, I didn't know how it happened" I don't care how it happened, it's the level of your incompetence I have a problem with," Brian said as he scanned through the screen of the laptop in front of him."It won't happen again, I swear. Please don't take Lucy away from me" She begged"It's too late to apologize""This is the first and last occurrence""You don't get it, do you?" He suddenly stood up from his chair."Something bad could have happened to Isabelle if she didn't meet the person who brought her back." Brian feared the worst might have happened the moment he received Khloé's call earlier."You can do anything to get back at me but please don't take the custody of our child away from me"She walked c
Chapter 6"OMG Mom!" Lucy said over the phone as Jayda walked into her living from outside. She'd been talking to the sheriff over last night's encounter with the other neighbours and the police department have assured the residents that there will be two patrol vehicle stationed in the area for the time being."It's been taken care of so I don't think they'll be coming back," Jayda said as she made for the couch."But still, you need to move out of that house" Lucy suggested."You know I can't""Why? Because it's grandma's house?""That and the fact that your schooling needs all the finance I can get""Well mom you don't need to overthink your pretty head about that because Keira and I got a part-time job to model for some app and the pay is a mouthful""No no mo" Jayda immediately opposed the idea. "
Chapter 7Jayda giggled like a toddler at ice cream when she and Shawn made their exit out of the cinema. They just finished watching the latest horror film titled 'forgotten and instead of coming out with a rather intense expression, the duo laughed their way to the parking lot."So where are we going next?" Jayda asked as Shawn put the car in motion unto the express."I was thinking of dinner" he said."I'm quite full from the popcorn and Soda""How about a walk in Glover?" He suggested.Jayda had heard of the new park in town but has not had the opportunity to visit the place even though she'd heard a lot of awesome reviews from the people in Ely."That'd be great," She said.They arrived in the park in half an hour and since there wasn't much to do because most of the vendors have closed for the day, Sha
Chapter 8"Where's the new commercial clip?" Brian said while flipping through the pages of the folder in his hand."We are yet to shortlist the candidates.." The fidgeting thirty-something years old creative director managed to say even amid stammer.People working under Brian always find talking to him intimidating and somewhat scary. It's hard to share the same space with his arrogant and rude attitude."You're fired," He said without flinching."Sir?" She questioned in disbelief."Are you deaf? I said you're fired! I can't have incompetent people working in my company" he didn't look at the poor lady, not even as little as a wink.Just as soon as she walked out of his office, Khloé walks in majestically while strutting her curves in the perfect motion."Hey baby" she greeted before taking her seat.
Chapter 9A few weeks later.Lucy walked into ChaseApp headquarters alongside Keisha for their callback interview with the brand. The duo had applied a week ago to model in a commercial much to the fact that one appearance costs so much more than the regular coffee shop attendant job they'd been doing secretly to help lift the burden a bit off their parents.Both girls gawked at the enormous elegance of wealth and class that littered the ground floor. There was so much professionalism in how the ladies who worked there walked and talked. They weren't dressed corporately. Some even wore shorts that went as far as the curve of their butts but their carriage is classy as hell."Wow. Pinch me Keisha" Lucy said trying to get out of what she thinks could be a dream.They'd researched the company ahead of their interview but the pictures didn't do the building justice. I
Chapter 10Both girls screamed out of the ChaseApp building after being among the five models picked for the commercial that was later said would continue during the final casting."Do you think if the President was seated, we would have been given the spot? I mean, considering what happened in the morning""We didn't do anything wrong! What makes you think we did? We were just talking. He seriously can't be that bad""Have you heard of this man!"They both walked down the walkway to catch the bus heading their way.********"There's something I need to tell you," Shawn said, as he arrived with Jayda under her porch."Some time ago before I met you, I had plans of transferring to NYPD for the sake of my daughter so that I can be close to her instead of having her travel down here once a while" He paused a bit before con
Chapter 11BeforeJayda 22Brian 12"Jayda!" Brian hurried outside to where Donnie and Jayda are seated, smoking."Putt off the cigarette" She whispered. She stomped on both stick with her feet before Brian's arrival.Donnie rolls his eyes in disbelief at her."It's Lucy. We were playing and then she tripped and bruised her leg. I already applied first aid but she keeps crying and won't let me put a band-aid on it."The trio hurried to the backyard to find little Lucy on the grass, crying."Hey, sweetie" Jayda bent down to inspect the scratch. "Pass me the bandaid" she collects the strip from Brian's hand and places it on Lucy's wound carefully."Check the lower kitchen cabinet by the fridge, bring the pack of candy in it," Jayda told Brian and he returned a few seconds later with the
Chapter 12Throughout the flight to New York, Jayda felt very scared and the nervous feeling from the pit of her stomach made her more scared.She'd received a call from Keisha that Lucy got into an accident and is in the hospital. She couldn't even wait to hear everything Keisha had to say and just tool off to the airport.She would die if anything happened to her daughter. The flight took longer than usual and it made Jayda regret staying far away from Lucy. She ought to be by her side and not two hours away from her. She didn't want to be a hovering type of mother, it's all she's been doing since Lucy's birth and that's why she let her do her thing by supporting her when she said she's going to study further in New York.As she makes her way out of the airport, Jayda switches off the Flight mode on her phone and begins to dial Keisha's number. She picks almost immediately.
Chapter 24Jayda scooped her phone off the nightstand table and turned off the annoying ring of the alarm. It’s a bright Monday morning yet, Jayda didn’t feel like stopping by at the store today. Some days she wished she’d hired a manager on her behalf so that she can excuse herself from work on days like this but, she’s yet to afford extra hands.Shortly after, her phone rings from an unknown number.“Hello…” She said wearily.“Is this Euphoria?”Jayda quickly sits properly on the bed to receive the call in an appropriate tone. She most times forgets her line is on Euphoria’s social media accounts. It’s too late to do anything about the unpleasant early morning client calls; she will just have to purchase another number in place of her line.“Yes it is”“I k
Chapter 23“Mum please get the door, I’m still in the shower,” Lucy said at the top of her voice prompting Jayda to get the door from the kitchen. She twisted the knob open to see Brian standing in front of her. She gasped in shock and almost closed the door but, he stuck his foot out to halt the movement. Jayda had no idea why she wanted to close the door: It is not like she is doing anything illegal. Just then, Isabelle slid her head out behind Brian.“Aunt Jayda,” She said with an enchanting giggle and hurried to her embrace. Jayda hugged her while still in shock as to how Brian knew her address.“Brian, you are here!’’ Lucy exclaimed on her way to the door while still slightly dripping from the shower she just had.Jayda watched in awe as Lucy ushered both Brian and Isabelle in.“And you must be Isabelle? I have heard so much about you. Come here you little cutie” Luc
Chapter 22It’s been three days since the Tuesday incident as well as the last time she heard from both Shawn and Brian. She’d worried more about the latter than the former. Life gave her another chance to mark a clean slate with her godson but Brian ruined that chance when he tried to uproot the same mistake that drove a wedge of distance between them nine years ago. She feels very remorseful for not pushing him away the minute he pulled her close…. She’s far older and should know better.After carefully thinking about everything, Jayda came to the conclusion that she and Brian need to sit down and talk about this in a more civil manner… One that does not involve any sexual tension.She also wondered if what happened in her office was payback for throwing him out because why else would a married man do such a despicable thing and worse, with his child around? This only made her feel dirty, one,
Chapter 21 On the walk back home, Jayda couldn't excuse the event that just happened in her store from her thoughts even if she tried. At some point, she absentmindedly smiles but was quick enough to replace it with furrowed brows so as not to let Shawn catch on.Jayda couldn't deny the fact that that the rest of their celebratory dinner turned awry following the incident. She had been silently praying to God that Shawn doesn't bring up the issue because of the continuous awkwardness it would breathe.Who would have thought? All these years she'd been constantly hating on herself for letting him go and worse, letting her friend down. She'd been praying to God every single day for his wellbeing wherever he may be and for God to make them see each other at least one last time.The little boy she knew is no longer little, he's a man. A married man and father to a girl she adores. While he almost kissed her, Jayda found
Chapter 20"Daddy!" Isabelle hurried to Brian's embrace. He's been leaning on his car while waiting for her arrival at the school gate which just a few feet from the school building. He hardly shows up to pick her at her school- the driver or Khloé does- but today is different."Came to surprise my birthday princess" He bends down to meet her height. She gives him a tight hug.Isabelle climbed into the back seat and Brian closed to door to start the car."Mum brought me cake""Where's my chunk?""Ms Jayda shared all of it to my classmates""Ms Jayda?" He asked, curiously looking at her through the rearview."Yes, the woman from last time who saved me. She made the cake mum ordered and brought it to my school. We took pictures, danced and had so much fun." The little made so many happy gesticulations while narrating her experience."That's so kind of her" Brian said absentmind
Chapter 19After the finishing touches, Jayda stared at her just-concluded creation. The two tiers red velvet cake had red crumbs around and layered with dripping like cheese butter frosting coupled with an animated picture of Moana in the middle. It's a couple of minutes past two and she is more than happy to have finished the job on time.She took a quick peep at the cake one more time before calling it a night. Although her house is just a few blocks away, Jayda couldn't take the risk of going back home especially because of the dark ally she'll need to walk through before her house. She'd brought all her toiletries in the morning and a change of clothes. She makes a mental gratitude for that.She contemplates calling Shawn, not wanting to disturb him in case he's asleep but then again, she needs to shut her eyes too. It's been a busy opening day and coupled with this order, it is only natural for her to just go to bed. Feeling too tired to take a showe
Chapter 18"I look like a zombie," Jayda says as she enters Shawn's living room."No, you look perfect" He objects."You are only saying that because I am your girlfriend. It's only natural for you to make me feel good""Make you feel good, yes. But, its the truth. You are a very beautiful, smart, funny and stubborn woman that I love."She's not ready to say the words yet so instead, she gives him a warm smile."It's okay. I'll wait until you're ready" He kisses her passionately and it was until a knock on the door interrupted did they stop."That must be Selena," Shawn said as they break from the kiss.He hurried to the door while Jayda stayed back.He walked back in shortly holding Selena with one hand and her bag in the other. Gigi walked in after them."And this must be Jayda," She said in her almighty expensive-looking midi length fur jacket.
Chapter 17Jayda hurried to the switch to turn on the newly fixed Edison bulbs in the shop. She opens her eyes in shock at the beauty of the entire interior. The bulbs did the icing on the cake making everywhere glow up like a dreamland. She smiled at her newly accomplished goal with pride.She changed almost all the furniture as well as repainted the wall and got a few machines to add to the existing ones.The interview for a few positions will be held today and although it's scheduled for three in the afternoon, three candidates already arrived by one. She's planning on hiring a Cashier, one cleaner, for now, one barista, two salesperson and two assistant bakers.By six, she'd finished everything and gotten her workers who will be resuming the coming week which is in two days. Jayda will be using the weekend to stock up the shop with goods.Shawn arrives just before she could turn off the Edison bulbs that mostly gave the sourc
Chapter 16"It's Sunday Lucy, no one is supposed to be here" Keisha whispers as they walk further into the floor.Keisha sights a rotating CCTV camera."You do know we are being watched right?"Lucy is unmoved and at some point, Keisha stops walking behind her fearing they might get into big trouble snooping around the president's office.Lucy shuffles and quickly scan through a bunch of papers and folders on the secretary's desk. An alarm from another elevator distracts her."Someone is here, hide," She tells Keisha who hurriedly finds a safe spot to hide. Lucy scoots under the secretary's table.Brian walked into the floor and being a very neat person, the littered desk catches his eyes as he walks by and worst of all is that he saw footprints on the mopped floor.He stops and traces the footprint leading to the desk out of curiosity."I'm so sorry" Lucy apologise as soon