"Why don't you say what is on your mind?" Joshua said shaking Aletta back to reality.
"What?" she shuddered as she squeezed the cards in her hands."I am sure the cards would tell a story of how the mighty and fierce Aletta Brunswick gave them a new shape" Alethea said making Aletta release the cards in her hand."You have been so distracted all through the game what is wrong?" Jeanne asked before Joshua could ask.After Joshua and Jeanne had successfully washed the dishes they decided to play a card game but Aletta kept spacing out every chance she got."Nothing" she said pretending like she was not distracted. "Am I next?""If your mind was here you wouldn't ask that question" Alethea said putting down her cards on her lap and then clapping her hand. "You have been fine all morning so what's suddenly wrong?" Alethea asked."Nothing is wrong" Aletta jumped to defend herself."Strong denial is approval, guess w"Are you going to be staying for lunch?" Alethea asked as she glanced at the time.It was way past lunch time and they were yet to go. It seemed like they were having such a fun time that they had not made a move to leave."We can stay for lunch right?" Jeanne asked turning to face her brother."That would be a nice idea," Joshua said with a shrug. They did not have anything to do anyway so spending the entire day there was not a bad idea.Although three of them were on board with the idea their eyes immediately landed on Aletta as if they were seeking her permission about the matter. She shifted uncomfortably in the chair as her eyes darted to each of them."What?" she murmured in a questioning manner."Is it okay if they stay for lunch?" Alethea voiced the opinion of the whole group."Why not? it's not a bad idea" Aletta responded."Wonderful then," Alethea said clasping her hand together."Aren't you going to need some help?" Jeanne asked ready to jump in the kitchen and give the l
"What do you suggest we make?" "Well I am no expert in the kitchen and I only know how to make two dishes with perfection" Joshua responded with a head tilt."What are those?" Alethea asked curious to know what kind of dishes he knew how to make."Well, lasagna and macaroni and cheese" he said and she gasped."What?" "Yeah" "Let me guess your mom taught you didn't she?" "She was very keen on us knowing and having simple life skills" he said with air quotes around the words life skills. "She had always gone out of her way to ensure we had these skills" he added."I think your mom is one heck of a spectacular person" Alethea commented."She is," Joshua said in agreement as she nodded."So do I prepare the ingredients for Mac and cheese or lasagna?" Alethea asked opening up the cupboard above their head."Let's do Mac and cheese" he said and she nodded."That's a good idea" Alethea said going around the kitchen trying to get everything they would need out."Do you happen to have a s
"He showed up this morning and I managed to get him out of here by myself" she said and he did not like the sound of it."What did he show up for?" Joshua asked. If he was an ex why the hell was he around her? "I will just have you know that he cheated on her and got married to the woman he cheated on her with and then he showed up today trying to get to see her talking about how he missed her" "That son of a b**ch" Joshua cussed angrily.Alethea's eyes widened in fear and shock. She had never thought of the possibility that he could swear like that."What?" she asked."Why was he looking for her? Did he want to get back together?" he asked worried that was what he wanted from her."I did not let him say because I chased him away before he could say anything. I was so lucky that she was not the one who opened the door today" Alethea said. She explained everything to him hoping he would understand. "I am telling you all this because I want you to know that he just suddenly showed up
"I thought you were cooking a feast considering the time it took you in there," Aletta said as she sat down at the table."I am sure you would change that thought as soon as you taste this" Alethea said filling her plate with a spoonful of the food."Who cooked?" Jeanne asked sipping water."Him," Alethea said pointing to Joshua."I know that I should not say this and it hurts my pride as a sibling to say this but Mac and cheese is about the only meal that Joshua is quite fluent in" "Fluent?" Aletta asked taking up her spoon to her mouth."Yeah for lack of better words and in case I mistakenly compliment him in the process" Jeanne replied with a rigour head nod as her head went from side to side."This is actually very good" Aletta commented after silently chewing."Did you think it won't be?" Joshua asked shocked."Well, a billionaire with good cooking abilities? Hard to find" Aletta said taking a spoon of it. "It's actually too good, I can't believe it" she added."Told you," Alet
"I had so much fun today, let us do this some other time soon," Jeanne said as she gave Alethea a hug before moving to Aletta.They were standing by the door and Joshua had announced that they better go before his mom called. Joshua had said that she was not calling because she missed them but rather because they had not come with her."Of course," Alethea said squeezing her hand fondly."Bye," Joshua said."Bye," Aletta responded."Wait what was that?" Alethea asked."I meant to say that too" Jeanne followed up."What was what?" Aletta asked turning around them to see if there was something wrong."You don't see it?" Jeanne asked turning to Alethea. "You see it though?" "Of course I see it," Alethea responded with an eye roll. "They almost made me puke at lunch but now that it's time to say good bye they are acting all formal" Aletta rolled her eyes and hissed when she understood what they were both yapping about."Or maybe they are feeling shy?" Jeanne asked trying to make an excu
"What about that?" Aletta asked. She was trying to act nonchalant but the expression on her face gave her away."I would tell you but promise you won't be mad" "I already have a bad feeling about this" Aletta said as she saw her sister make herself comfortable on the couch."I don't want you to get mad at all," Alethea said. She knew her sister could throw a fury party when she heard what happened and she did not want that. "Okay I promise I won't get angry" Aletta replied."Are you sure?" Alethea asked. Aletta smiled and nodded her head."Of course," Aletta said."Okay so you know this morning when I was out for so long and I told you it was a stranger who had missed his way?" Alethea began and Aletta nodded."Well it was Paul, he had come to see you" she said and gave pause to see how she would react.Aletta gulped and nodded her head. "He was here? but what for?" "He wanted to see you, he claimed to miss you but don't worry I chased him away" Alethea said trying to assure her."
"Don't worry, Joshua seemed to understand and was willing to help you out" Alethea said.Aletta was about to speak when the door opened and Eunice walked in."Where have you been all day?" Aletta asked walking to meet her at the door."Out" Eunice said taking off her jacket and holding it in her hand."Out where? You have no friends in this city to visit so where have you been?" Aletta followed up."Out," Eunice said simply again."You always nagged us about where we went when you knew we had to go out to work" Alethea said coming to stand beside Aletta."But you never told me what you did outside so why should I tell you what I did?" Eunice asked."Because I don't want you falling for any lies and falling in love and having your heart broken again" Aletta said with concern in her voice."Don't bother about me, I am not a little child?" Eunice said dismissing them."But you act like one, how could we not bother?" Alethea cried."I did not know you bothered about me, Alethea?" Eunice a
Anette sat on her bed biting her fingers. She was unable to sleep all night and she turned in the bed in annoyance.So Aletta was making fun of her all this while even when she had declared she was going to have Joshua to herself. Anette let out a strange scream as she shook violently in the bed.She felt her eyes heavy with tears but she did not want to cry. She hated that the reason she would cry was because of a lowly person like Aletta. She was not with the tears. Joshua should have chosen someone who was actually a worthy opponent. maybe she would have felt better about it."Anette honey," Leslie said as she knocked on the door.Anette has not stepped out of the room since they got back from the party on Saturday night. It was Monday morning and she was still not out of the room.Leslie had tried to understand that the news she heard was so grievous that she might be unable to get herself together. but it had been two whole days and she had not eaten a single thing."Angel" Lesli
Hello Guys this is the final chapter. I want to first appreciate everyone who has read this book, who had supported, commented, voted and called me order when I did not update for such a long time. Thank you so much for being such a support in these times. As this work comes to an end I hope you support me in upcoming works. This free Chapter is for you."Joshua we would be late" Aletta screamed from the bottom of the stairs. "Honey are we using our government names now?" Joshua screamed back at her. "Joshua you know I do not like being late for any of these events" Aletta screamed back at him. Altetta paced back and forth at the bottom of the stairs. "You know you should not be screaming while you are this pregnant"Joshua said as he came down the stairs with his daughter in his hands. "If you had come down earlier then I would have had no reason to scream that much" she retorted and he smiled. "It was my little pumpkin here who kept me waiting" Joshua replied as he got to stand b
"I am so happy for you, this is finally happening," Aletta said holding the arms of Jeanne excited."I am excited but also nervous very nervous does anyone have calming pills?" Jeanne said slipping her hands off Aletta's hand and feeling the sweat on her palm."Calm down, it's just you and Thiago, everyone else is just like a rock. I promise you once you get on that altar every of that nervousness would be gone" Aletta continued. "Thank you," Jeanne said sarcastically."Are you nervous because its mu brother? I can help you run away from this right now" Nichole suggested and Alethea rolled her eyes. "Are all sisters this way? This was the same advice you gave Aletta the other day" Alethea said and Jeanne shook her head. "How can I leave, I have been dreaming of this day" Jeanne replied. "Then calm down even though I don't know why you would dream of marrying my brother but we all choose our battles I guess" Nichole shrugged as she sat down."Nichole" Aletta chastised because she k
"You have to get to work" Aletta said rubbing the hand of Joshua gently. They had arrived back from their honeymoon over the weekend and this Monday morning was the first time Joshua was going back to work after the wedding."Can't I just lay down here with you all day?" he said taking out her hand and pulling her down to his level."You kept saying that and prolonged the honeymoon by two weeks,""Call me a criminal for wanting to spend time with my wife, I am getting the feeling that you do not want to spend any time with me" Joshua said opening one eye and giving her a judging look. "Joshua, you know that is not true, so get up now""You are no longer my assistant, you are supposed to be begging me to stay a bit more with you""What makes you think I don't want to do that?" Aletta asked taking his dishevelled morning hair back from his face."Because you keep urging me to get back to work so quickly, it's like you can't wait to get rid of me" Joshua took his head back to the pillow
"Mom don't cry again, you might get a serious headache at this rate," Aletta said rubbing the back of her mother while in a hug. The entire wedding was over already and the whole family was seeing the couple off as they were going directly to the airport for their honeymoon. "Come on, at this rate they might miss their flight" Leon said trying to pull Eunice off her daughter. She had been bawling the entire ceremony, if someone saw her they would think it was a sad occasion. "My daughter," Eunice said as she finally pulled away and took a step back. "I am so happy and so proud of you because you managed or find love for yourself even after everything" Eunice sniffled and smiled. "Thank you, Mom," Aletta said with a smile. "You better get going now" Jessica said stepping forward."We are on our way now" Joshua said pulling open the door and gesturing for Aletta to get in."Call us when you get there" Jessica called after the shut door."Do not call us" Xavier said as if he was giv
"I was always unsure about how I felt about you, You were always around me, taking care of me and I felt anxious whenever you were out of sight. A little secret that was the reason I always made you work overtime even when it was not necessary" Joshua said and there was a burst of small laughter across the room.They were both standing in from of the priest and altar but they had decided to take their custom written vows there. Joshua cleared his throat and looked up from his paper to stare at Aletta whose eyes never left his face. He flashed a small warm mile to her and she returned it."I never realized my feelings for you until you made that drunken confession that night that caused us to go into a relationship. I had always thought about marriage but for me, it was the only way for me to make children that would take over the company one day, being with you makes me so excited to think of waking up every morning with you by my side, I think of planting kisses on your lips and spend
"Are you feeling nervous?" Alethea asked Aletta who was sitting in the waiting room with her shaky hands. "Yes I am, who wouldn't be?" Aletta asked as she closed her eyes to steady her breath. "I mean you are very right, who would like to marry my annoying brother, as much as I would like to call you my sister in law I can help you escape if you wish to" Jeanne chimed in. "Thank you so much for the suggestion, I am nervous about this and not rethinking my decision. I can't wait to be married to him" Aletta said as her eyes shot open. "Ew" Jeanne said as she gaged. " What do you see in him?" she added as she picked at her nails. "Everything I want to see" Aletta added. "Jeanne stop trying to put ideas in her head" Jessica cautioned coming towards them. "What did I do?" Jeanne whined."I heard what you said" Jessica replied giving Jeanne a warning look. Jesica knew that her daughter was playing around but she did not want Aletta taking any of the words to heart. "I know I have s
"Mom's boyfriend would be here soon," Alethea said as she dropped the dish in her hand to the table. "I can not believe that I am being made to meet my mom's boyfriend at her age" "What I can not believe is that she can't order out but is making us to make food for him"Alethea whined as she moved back to the kitchen."What is even more crazy is that she is in a relationship again" Aletta exclaimed as she moved behind Alethea. "Don't get me wrong I guess I am glad she is finding love again" "Same here, if she is happy then there is no issue. Love is in the air" Aleteha added coming back to the table "So why don't you have anyone to share the love with?" Aletta asked. They were making the last trip from the kitchen to the table. "Says you? Who told you that I do not have someone to share this love with?" Alethea said dragging out her sentence and a weird smile climbing her face."Alethea you are hiding something from me" Aletta said going to clutch her sister's hand. "Spill now" sh
Aletta and Joshua tried to reach Anette and Richard but it was as if they had fallen off the radar. "At least we tried" Aletta said as she set down the phone to the table. "Happy now?" Joshua asked and she nodded. "I guess I have to get going now" she said taking up her phone from the table."Where to? You just got here" Joshua was sad because they had finalized her resignation and she had not been around him like he wanted her to be. He was happy regardless that she was doing what she loved. "I have to go finalize things with HR on hiring your new assistant and then I have to go shopping with your mom and sister" Aletta explained. "Can we at least have dinner together?" Joshua asked and started expressing shock when he saw the expression on her face. "We can not? I barely see you anymore these days" he whined like a child who was cheated of having any ice cream. "I am having dinner with my family, mom is introducing her boyfriend to us today and honestly, I love spending time wi
"Did you hear about Anette?" Aletta asked as she pushed the jar of pickles into the hands of Joshua. They had picked a date for the wedding and it was in three weeks. They were having one of the date nights where they stayed back home and cooked for each other. "What happened to her?" Joshua asked. Anette shook her head in bewilderment, how could this man be so oblivious to everything happening around him?"Have you seen her in a while?" Aletta asked. She wanted to know how much he did not know. "Well, since that day she came to our house, I did not think much of it when I did not see her again," Joshua said truthfully before taking off the lid of the jar. "But you know she called off her wedding and left the country so abruptly with Richard?" Aletta asked hoping that he at least knew about that fact. Yes, Anette did hurt them all but it would be too mean to not care about her when she had sincerely apologized."Maybe they did not want the wedding again?" Joshua asked shrugging. Al