Franklin Howard: Despite several attempts to call my wife, the phone call did not connect. I sighed as my office doorbell rang, and I answered Mary's call with, "Let him in." Wesley walked into my office wearing a black suit. "You sent for me, sir," he explained. "Yes." I exhaled, trying to reassure myself that Natalie would have nothing to do with Michael. I looked up at Wesley and asked, "What about the domestic staff I assigned you to find?" "Sir, I am currently processing that. I met two women, and I am not sure if you will like them," he said. "What is their age?" I asked. Wesley responded, "One is 55 years old, and the other is 45." "Invited them to come see me right away. Please let me know if they are suitable for the job, but keep an eye out for other candidates as well. In case Natalie does not like any of them," I explained. "Okay, boss. When should I invite them to come?" Wesley inquired, and I responded, "Tomorrow. Tomorrow is Friday, so you should invite them ov
Natalie Jackson:When I left Franklin's office to head home, I saw Michael waiting for me again, standing beside his car.I knew that my husband had warned me to stay away from Michael, but then I didn't want to be mean to Michael. He was a nice man to me. So, it was only right that I acknowledge him, and if what Franklin said about Michael wanting me were true, I planned to explain to Michael that it could not work out that way between us."Natalie," Michael slowly called my name. I paused and looked in his direction."Michael, are you still around? I thought you had gone home," I told him. He smiled, his usual way of smiling at me, as he moved away from his car trunk where he had been resting and replied, "No. I haven't. I assumed you would be going home, so I offered to drop you off."I frowned, wanting to refuse, and knowing that Franklin had warned me not to follow Michael, but then he was my husband's best friend. I still felt Franklin was just overreacting, and there was no cri
Natalie Jackson:I gulped and walked up to the front door. I rang the doorbell, thinking Franklin had locked the door, but as I turned the door handle, it unlocked, and I walked into the house feeling nervous after seeing Franklin standing on the balcony adjacent to the gate.I wondered how I would explain things to Franklin now. I didn't want to break his trust in me, and he might think otherwise after seeing me with Michael.I walked into the kitchen first to prepare our dinner since it was already late. I set the pot of soup we had left on the fire to prepare an African meal. A few minutes later, Franklin came downstairs, and the kitchen door slid open as he entered to meet me.I was done preparing the soup and Semovita, and I turned to face Franklin."Good evening, Frank," I bit my lower lip nervously as I looked at his handsome face.His brows drew into a thin line, and he asked me, "Where are you coming from, Natalie? Look at the time; you're just arriving home at 8 PM, and yet,
Natalie Jackson:Saturday arrived, and it was a bright sunny day. Franklin and I had been sleeping in my room, which was the master bedroom of the house.Recall this room was also Frank's, but because he was avoiding me before, he went ahead and started sleeping in the guest room.I was still sleeping on the bed when Frank came and woke me up."Babe, are you still sleeping? Wake up. It's almost 10 AM," he said, his deep voice reaching my eardrum."What?!" I sprang up on the bed and looked at the huge white wall clock in our room in shock."Oh my goodness! You caused this, Frank. We won't do anything intimate for today henceforth," I said, and Frank burst out laughing as he was wrapped in a white towel.Clearly, he had bathed while I was still lying on the bed and sleeping before he came to wake me.I pouted my lips as Franklin walked to the bed to meet me. "You know that's not possible," he said, trying to touch me, but I escaped his touch.I crawled out of the bed from the other side
Natalie Jackson:Franklin shut the car door and got into the driver's seat. He looked at me, and I smiled, meeting his gaze, before he buckled his seatbelt and turned on the car AC.After that, he honked his horn and waved over to Alex to pull the gate open.Franklin drove out of the driveway and onto the estate road. Once he was out of the estate, he navigated his car onto the expressway and drove towards his family's mansion.They were billionaires, although I didn't know much about all the assets that Franklin and his family had. But they were very influential.After a few more minutes of driving along the expressway, Franklin arrived at the estate that led down to his family house. The security men greeted him and welcomed him as he drove into the estate.We arrived at the front gate of his father's residential villa.Frank drove in after the security men had searched his car. He parked and looked at me, as we hadn't visited here for almost a year now."Welcome home, babe," Frankl
Natalie Jackson:Franklin did not look impressed that Gloria was in his family's house, and I could only wonder what was going through his mind as we started eating.The food was quite delicious, and I did not worry that it might have been drugged because we were all eating from the same pot that had been shared.After dinner ended, Mr. Howard invited Franklin and me to join him outside on the patio, and we sat there while the two men ventured into a business conversation.After a while, Mr. Howard said, "Frank, I know that you might be wondering why your mother invited Gloria Austin here to meet you and your wife. It's only because she's worried that you and Natalie haven't had any children yet. You both should consider doing that, as there are circulating rumors about you two having fertility issues, but I understand that's not the case. I am glad that you both have finally worked out your relationship, and I am happy to see that you both have accepted each other."We sat on the pla
Natalie Jackson:When Frank and I arrived home, I got out of his car and went back into the house."Natalie," Franklin called my name just as I was about to climb the stairs.I paused and waited to hear him out."I am sorry about what went on back there," he said, and I sighed, understanding that it was not his fault."It's alright. I do not hold any grudges against you," I said and turned to go upstairs.I went back to my bedroom and sank into the bed, lost in deep thoughts.I knew that Franklin and I had just reconciled our marriage, and I shouldn't take what his mother said or his family wanting him to marry Gloria seriously.I got up from the bed and went to bathe.Later, I came out from the bathroom, entered the closet, and grabbed a simple white nightgown because it was already night.As I got downstairs, Franklin was nowhere in sight in the living room, so I proceeded to the kitchen and prepared our dinner.Later at the dining table, Frank and I sat there having our dinner as t
Natalie Jackson:Walking outside of the house, the sun was high and shining brightly above me. However, the loud sounds of quarreling and arguing outside the gate caught my attention.It was Franklin's mother, and she was yelling at Alex and ordering him to open the gate."Alex! Open this damn gate, you silly gateman! Did Franklin ask you to lock me out?" she yelled. I gulped and went to the gate. I recalled I had told Alex not to allow any of my family into this compound, but I didn't remember if I told him not to allow Franklin's family either.As I arrived at the gate, my eyes grew wide to see Mrs. Kimberly arriving here with her white car. Not only that, she brought Gloria Austin with her."Good morning, Ma," I greeted Franklin's mother, who was wearing a native brown dress."Hold your greetings there, you slut! Did you order the gateman not to allow us into these premises again?" she asked, and before I could respond, her hand flew and came into contact with my left cheek, smacki
**Natalie's POV**One week later, after Amelia had welcomed her baby, Franklin's mother came to our home to see us.I was in the kitchen cooking since it was Saturday. I heard the sound of a car driving into the garage, and as I went out of the kitchen to see who it was, I was surprised to see Franklin's mother get out of the car, looking at me with irritation."Good morning, Ma," I greeted her, but she looked away without responding. I sighed and went back into the kitchen as I continued cooking.Later, I came out to the dining room to serve the meal since it was still morning."Franklin, how are you and your wife comfortable staying together when you don't have any children yet? Chris's wife has given birth to a bouncing baby boy, and yet you and Natalie don’t have any kids yet," his mother said."Mom," Franklin sighed, seated across from her in the exquisite living room."We will have kids, Mom. Stop pressuring us about it. We will have kids in God's own time," he replied to her."
Natalie's POV:Franklin and I went up to the third floor where Amelia was admitted. As we arrived, we met Amelia's mother, who was happily looking at her new grandson, but as soon as she saw me, she shouted, "What are you doing here?!"Mrs. Agnes quickly petted the baby to stop crying as the baby in the bed woke up startled by her voice."Mom, I invited Natalie over. Can you just let her be?" Amelia asked her mother, who frowned."I don't want to see Natalie here. Do you want her to infect you with her bad luck?" Mrs. Agnes asked Amelia, who frowned."Mom, that's enough. Natalie is my sister, and it's not like you gave birth to another sister for me to have. Just let her be!"Mrs. Agnes looked pained, but she quickly brushed it off and replied, "Fine. Let me just see my grandchild and leave you two alone."I sighed as James, Asher, and Felix arrived in the room and they went to congratulate their sister."Congratulations, Amelia. So finally, I am an uncle," Asher said happily as he we
Natalie's POV:"Frank, what Michael and I were discussing was only family matters. He was saying that he doesn't love Amelia enough to marry her.""But he wants you," Franklin replied, and I sighed and nodded."I already told him that we weren't going to divorce. He was asking if you will change in the long run of our marriage?" I asked Franklin as he drove the car home in silence.Franklin didn't reply to me, and I didn't bother to ask him again about whether he was going to change.As we arrived at his estate gate, Franklin slowed down his car for the security men to open the gate, then he asked me, "Do you think I am going to change?""I don't know," I replied. "Change is always constant, and anyone can change over time. Maybe if you get bored with me or if we are still unable to have children."Franklin's blue eyes darkened, and he replied, "I cannot change. I married you because I wanted to. Yes, I was childish then, but I've come to realize that a part of me is addicted to you.
Natalie's POV.One week later, Franklin and I set out to attend Chris's wedding. The wedding venue was at a Catholic church, so we made preparations in our room.Frank donned a black tuxedo, and I wore a golden dress that perfectly accentuated my figure."Frank, did your brother invite my family?" I asked, to which Franklin replied, "I don't know. But I think so.""Alright."We finished dressing up and made our way downstairs to the living room. Lady Esther was still cleaning up the house, and we told her to give the key to Alex once she was through.Franklin and I got into one of his cars, as my car was parked in the garage.Franklin drove off to the wedding venue, and I was amazed at the large number of guests that were present. It was unlike my own wedding to Franklin.I watched as the wedding ceremony started. Some guests in black tuxedos who were familiar with Franklin greeted him as we watched the bride make her entry into the church hall.The pianist played the keyboard as she
Natalie's POV"Why, Frank? Why don't you want me to go and see Michael? It's not like I want to do anything with him; I just want to speak with him about accepting Amelia," I said as I pouted my lips in his car."You cannot be the one to advise Michael. Just leave him alone to decide for himself," Franklin bluntly refused, and I looked at him and asked, "Don't you trust me?"Franklin looked at me just as he parked his car and said, "I do, but not with a man who has his eyes on you. I cannot stand that chance, Natalie. Try and understand me.""Fine." I pouted, and Franklin assured me, "Don't worry, I will see Michael, or whenever we run into him again, then I can permit you to discuss with him on the way, and not in the confines of his home or office.""Alright," I replied, and Franklin turned off his car engine, and we got out of his car.I followed him, and we went into the house together.As it was nightfall, I proceeded to the kitchen to prepare our dinner. After I was through, I m
**Franklin's POV**I sat back on the couch in the living room just after my wife had left the house. I wasn't impressed with the way my mother often disrespected my wife, and I was wondering when all this would stop."So, Mom, what do you want me to do for Chris?" I asked her, as I had clearly rejected her invitation the previous week.Although I knew why she was calling me, it was about the company and about Chris having a fiancée who was pregnant with his child.I didn't know my brother's fiancée, although I knew he had posted that he was engaged, but I wasn't sure of who he was dating.This was my first time seeing her here, and to be honest, I didn't like the fact that the white dress she wore was revealing her baby bump."Franklin, I am sorry about what happened at the company the previous week. I tried negotiating with Dad, but he wouldn't comply. He feels I wouldn't manage the company well, even when I had done well in your absence the previous month," Chris said, and I looked
**Natalie's POV**The following week, Franklin and I spent time together setting up my new shop, where I intend to start selling the following week.We got all the sewing machines needed to sew some of my customers' clothes, and now he seems to appreciate my work.We went to the new hospital during the week to check if either of us had any medical issues that could be the reason I hadn't conceived yet. But the doctor said that we both were fine, and I tried not to worry about having a child again.It had been my dream to own my own store, and here we are.As the new week arrived, I was eager to start my shop and welcome my first customer for the day.I got up from bed and prepared to leave for work. The second woman who worked for us had stopped, and only Lady Esther Jacob still arrived to clean the whole house.I went to take my bath while Franklin was still sleeping on the bed.We made love the previous night, and now I had to prepare for my new business."Frank, good morning," I sa
Natalia Jackson:After Franklin and I finished touring the new shop, which was fitted with new glass at the front and freshly painted, we spoke about hiring someone to help me set up my shop.I was glad at the end of the day, and we thanked the staff before going to a restaurant for dinner.My mind was still preoccupied with thoughts about Amelia's pregnancy as Franklin and I sat across from each other at the restaurant table and chairs.Since I had grown too lazy to cook due to my unnecessary worrying, Franklin suggested we eat out, even though he doesn't usually like it."Babe, should we hire a chef?" Franklin asked me, trying to distract me from my thoughts."A chef?" I pondered it but shook my head."No. I don't need a chef. Don't worry, I will make lovely dinners for us tomorrow," I told him just as our meals arrived. We resumed eating, but just then, Gloria Austin came into the restaurant. Her face was stern as she walked in. Her expression changed as her eyes caught sight of me
Natalie Jackson,Arriving at the hospital where my family and I were registered, Franklin parked his car in the hospital parking lot, and we got out.We made our way into the hospital. The nurses in white uniforms welcomed us; they were already familiar with us."Who are you here to see?" one of the nurses asked, while the other attended to other patients.It was already afternoon, around 1 p.m., when Franklin and I arrived, and I gave the nurse Amelia's ward number."She's my sister. So we're here to see her," I told the female nurse, and she responded, "Alright. You can go there now, but note that visiting time will soon be over.""Thank you," we replied. Franklin and I went to the second floor where Amelia was admitted.As we got there, Amelia's mother was in the room. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw us enter."What are you doing here, Natalie? Get out!" she barked, her left hand pointing at the door for me to leave."Good afternoon, Ma, we are here to see Amelia," Franklin