I hooked the strap on the wagon I'd brought for the day in case Aiden and Avery needed it. We were going hiking for a volunteering event for orphans and homeless, and I didn't think the kids would be able to walk sixty miles, hence, the wagon.The kids saw Brent coming, and ran to him, and I had to sigh. Who said taking children for a hike would be easy. We had not started, yet they were already stressing me out, wanting to see everything.Brent lifted Aiden and held Avery's hands as he waved at me.“You found this place easily, right?” He asked when he got to me, and I nodded.Brent had invited me to the event since his company was the one hosting it and even though it was a bit risky for me to be with him, especially with the twins. It was for a good cause and rejecting the invite seemed selfish on my part, so here I was. The event was pay to enter and all the proceeds from the entrance fee as well as everything that was sold at the rest stops were going to goodwill.I looked at the
What the heck? WHAT THE HECK???I started struggling to stand upright, and Brent pushed me until we weren’t so dangerously close anymore. My face was burning, and I wanted to disappear. I grabbed the wagon from Brent and stormed ahead, desperate to put some distance between us.BRENT’S POVI sighed and watched as Priscilla sought to escape me and I could guess how she was feeling, so I stayed put and watched her until she disappeared from my sight. After that, I couldn’t hide the stupid smile that came to my face. It had been years since I’d felt the touch of a woman against me since when I tried after the divorce, Priscilla’s face had been what I’d seen and dang, it had felt good.We still had about ten miles to go, but I was sure we were still going to meet. It was high time I told her what I felt. I gave her ten minutes because of the gentleman in me and after the time had expired, I started after my ex-wife. Life, I could feel, was about to get a lot more interesting.Sure enough,
PRISCILLA'S POVWe walked for several minutes without walking before I finally got the courage to glance at Brent from beneath my lash and I found him looking at me and smiling. I cleared my throat, trying to force out the embarrassment I was feeling. I had teared up because someone offered to be my friend. If that wasn't middle schoolish, I didn't know what that was.“It’s just been a while.” I explained vaguely and he nodded as if understanding all that sentence encompassed.“You mean since somebody looked at you and decided to lend a helping hand without you asking for it and not demanding your soul in return?”I stared at him, jaw in the air. He had explained it perfectly. “That's right. There is the consideration for you since you are a friend of her husband but she didn't have to offer…” To be my friend, I didn't finish the sentence. “Plus, she probably doesn't know about us, so it's a nice change of pace. I need a woman that will be on my side when we have an argument, especial
I tapped the floor and smiled as Aiden and Avery's face lit up with excitement as they sat down. I made it a duty to have this kind of conversation with the kids every few months when it feels like things were overwhelming for them and so far, I was sure this period was going to take the crown of overwhelming.“Did you enjoy the hike?” I asked and they both nodded. Avery sometimes wanted a break from silence and she had been stimming with some of her loud toys so her hearing aid was in.“I loved it.” Aiden said, nodding multiple times and I ran my hair through his hair, smiling at the adorableness.“I miss Ava and Eva.” Avery said and I nodded.“You had fun with them right?” I asked.“Yes. Can we go see them?” Avery asked and Aiden nodded. “I want to see Ava's books. She said she has a lot. I have a lot too.” He boasted.“Yes you do. Do they draw or paint?” I asked Avery and she shook her head.“Does that make you sad? That they can read with Aiden but not draw with you?”She shrugged
BRENT'S POVI basked in the sounds of machine whirring, forklifts humming and people shouting instructions as I entered the company warehouse. I was lucky enough to have been able to buy the lands that were near the warehouse, so expansion was possible, and now I had the warehouse of my dreams. It was sectioned into each of the things we were involved in. there was a different section for the hotel wears and items, restaurants and the management of art, but the best part of it was the fact that neither section could disturb the other.Ever since I was a child, this had been the place that had appealed to me the most. It was so easy for me to get caught up in the stress and boundaries that surrounded me in my office, but the warehouse was the place I was able to let out everything and de-stress. I breathed in the familiar scent of dryness and checked my watch. I had about ten minutes to kill before I had to show Sylvester around. All the contracts had been signed, and we were official
SYLVESTER’S POVI watched my boss car drive off and I entered the warehouse. The call he had gotten had probably been urgent but kids? I wasn’t jobless enough to stalk him wherever I could get more information on him from, but from the little I’d seen about him, it wasn’t public knowledge that he had kids. Well, that was new information I could file away for better use.I continued touring the warehouse, amazed by how organized and strategic things had been arranged. That made me know my boss a little better. I’d been surprised when I had seen the offer, and had been even more surprised that I’d gotten it, I could scarcely believe it even now. For someone that hadn’t known any favours in their childhood, this was a great game changer for me, and I was going to use it wisely. Now, if my other wish could be granted, and I could see her again, my life would be even more fulfilled. But even this level of fulfilled was almost unbelievable. It was almost unheard of that someone with Brent’
I unlocked the door and stepped in, the twins following closely behind me. For a moment, I was tempted to ask them to go wash their hands or something else to distract their attention, but I didn’t. I brought out my phone and dialled Priscilla’s number for probably the thirtieth time, and I started breathing fast when her phone began ringing. I picked up her phone and carefully moved into her bedroom, hoping and praying she was inside.I walked carefully but steadily into her room, and my legs almost buckled when I saw the figure that was stretched across the bed in a child’s pose. Knowing the twins were behind me, I stopped and turned to them.“Why don’t you guys go and wash your hands, and I’ll be with you? You can see that your mom is fine, right?” I tried convincing the twins.They hesitated but left reluctantly at my prodding. I walked towards Priscilla and tapped her, and my eyes widened at how hot her skin felt. I tapped her again when she didn’t respond, and didn’t stop until
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHTI was stuck under something. That was my first thought and probably what woke me up. I felt a hand on my forehead and let out a scream, rushing to save myself, falling down in that rush.“What’s going on?” A frantic voice asked.I finally opened my eyes, the groggy memories of the previous day rushing back in and saw Brent kneeling on the bed, his face a mask of terror and was that a book in his hand? “I'm sorry.” I apologized, realizing I'd scared Brent and it had been his hand that had felt like something had fallen on me.He stared at me and I could see that he was trying not to laugh and seeing the humor in that situation, I gave up and scoffed. “Laugh all you want. I can see through you.”He melted on the bed, his body racking with loud laughter and I shook my head and climbed the bed back.He stopped laughing and moved closer to me, ignoring the distance I'd intentionally kept by putting myself as far away from him as I could. “I want to check your temperatu
PAMELA’S POVUgh! This stinks as hell! I covered my nose as the stench of the abandoned house filled my nose and for the hundredth time, I cursed that bitch for taking my life away from me. Goodness! How did I end up here in the first place? I glanced around my environment and boy, was I irritated? That would be an understatement. There's so much to do yet the only thing I wanted was to lay in Brent's arms all day. I was contemplating leaving the house like this for a while until a big perched on my neck and buzzed in my ear, causing me to scream and fall over dome of the other dirty, nasty and smelly things. Uh uh, no, I can't leave it this way. I packed my luggage to a corner that was barely affected by the dirt in the house. After that, I proceeded to clean the house as much as I could. Everything was dirty and filled with the stench of loneliness and abandonment. The cushion had molds all over it while the center table and fan were covered in dust. I noticed a spider's web in
PRISCILLA’S POVOh God! I should've known! I found myself regretting it after listening to Aiden’s account of what happened at the park. Avery didn't say anything, probably because she felt bad for Brent but he still was the adult and should've remained in charge. I can't believe I let him take them out just once and he screwed up the entire thing. What if she had gotten into a bigger accident? What if she was being bullied? I pushed back the tears that threatened to spill because I couldn't let the kids see me crying. After applying first aid on her bruise, I ushered them upstairs but not without letting them say their goodbyes to Brent, because it would surely be a while before they get to go out with him like this again. He gave me an apologetic look after they left but that wasn't going to solve anything, in fact, it made things worse. The fact that he knew he should've been on his guards around them and failed to do so was just disappointing. I pulled him to the kitchen to pour
BRENT’S POVI huffed angrily while holding the kids' hands to the car. I finally got to get Avery to stop crying and I hated the fact that I couldn't do anything to the kid who bullied her but I was going to make sure it never happened again. Aiden suggested that we returned to their home immediately since Avery had gone quiet and the trip had become boring. I couldn't agree more and I secretly despised myself for being unable to give them a good day, all through. The ride wasn't silent, leaving us all to our thoughts. I wondered what it would be like if I had to take care of the two of them for five years on my own. Surely, I won't remain the same, my mental health would probably be in the bin. I considered Priscilla strong for being able to take care of the two of them as babies on her own whilst still dealing with the heartbreak I'd dished her unjustly. My mind drifted back to that day and refreshed it like it was just yesterday when I called her all sorts of unsavory names whil
PRISCILLA’S POVIn my car, I thought of the things I'd say to Sylvester. I mean, it's been a while and I surely hadn't expected to run into him at a mall. I wanted to go home badly but I couldn't because my conscience won't stop hammering it to me that I owe him something for clearing my bills. I glanced around the road, in search of a Cafe that could do well for a lunch meeting and glanced at my phone to check the time. After a while of scanning the area, I finally found one and signaled to Sylvester to take the route I was taking. Five minutes after leaving the mall, we both stepped out of our cars with smiles on our faces. I took the time to scrutinize Sylvester facial features and just like always, he looked like he just stepped out of his closet. He held the door open for me as we walked into the restaurant and my eyes instantly went to a table in the corner of the restaurant. For some reason, I found myself considering what would happen if Brent or his friends found me with a
BRENT’S POVThe kids requested that I give them a tour of the company and I did that, just that it was a bit hard moving around with the staff staring at them like we were on a show. “Maybe I should've given a memo about having my kids over today.”I whispered to myself after one of the cleaners almost poured water on Avery because she didn't expect a kid to be at the company. “Dad, this place is so huge. How did you build it?” Aiden, the ever curious one asked and I smiled. His question took me down the memory lane, how I used to do everything else except having interest in the family business until dad had to force me to get a marriage, a product of which was the children walking around me. “Well, to be honest, I didn't build all of these. Yes, I own it now and I work here everyday but I didn't start any of this.” I started explaining to him and his sister when we got to an empty conference room. “This company was built by my father and mother, your grandparents, they toiled to m
PRISCILLA’S POVI sighed for the umpteenth time after Brent's call. I wished I'd gone with the kids, that way it'll be easier for me to be in charge of their activities but now that Brent was in charge, he might get really soft and let them out of their routine. It's still early in the morning and I made a resolution to rest until I was fully recuperated. Before I released the kids to Brent, a part of me knew he was going to let them do something out of schedule so I'd braced my mind, waiting for his call and just as predicted, I got the call. The kids sounded really happy with him and I didn't want them to miss out on the experience of having a father for the rest of their childhood life, not when they already missed five years of being with him. I used the free period I got to clean the house and make some changes. Although I couldn't stop thinking about them all the time. My mind drifted back to work for a minute and I made a mental note to go over the recent designs once more b
BRENT'S POV The happiness and excitement on his face was contagious that a smile spread on my face as well. I carried him up in arms and noticed Avery was not in the house and my brows furrowed in confusion. “Where's Avery?” I asked, looking around but as he started to speak, I caught a glimpse of her standing by the large portrait in my living room and staring at it so keenly. She stood there, lost from the rest of the world, staring at the piece of art work as though she wanted to know what the artist was thinking while making it. I smiled inwardly at her curiosity and for the first time since I got the portrait, it felt like it had actually done what it was meant to do. “Avery, darling, over here.” My voice startled her for the first few seconds but she came running towards me and pulled me, well maybe my legs into a hug. I laughed loudly, feeling like I'd won everything in life. I dropped Aiden and carried her in my hands instead while holding Aiden with my free hand. “Are yo
BRENT'S POV After I left Priscilla's house, I had conflicting thoughts on how to reach my parents but while driving, I decided it would be better to just call them, that way I can't see their reaction or physical outburst so when I got home, I headed to my room and found my bath prepared already. I soaked myself in the water, reliving the events of today but my thoughts most welled on Priscilla and the kids. I was more excited than I'd have imagined about finally revealing my true identity to them and the fact that they were coming to my work place made my night better. After bathing, I put on a robe and dialled my father's phone number. The call rang for about a minute before he finally answered and when he did, he sounded like he was falling asleep already. “Good evening dad. Sorry to have woken you up so late.” I started off politely in order to ease whatever subtle tension might rise later. “Glad you know it's late and you shouldn't be calling at a time like this, what is it?
Priscilla's POVDespite Brent's constant reassurance that the kids will be safe with him, I just wasn't ready to take any risk with him or his parents but the kids seemed too excited about going to his work place and I can't refuse their request, not when he's present and I have no excuse to give for not letting them go. So after assuring me for the umpteenth time that the kids will be fine and arrangements will be made with his parents, I decided to give it a shot and let them go. “Thank you for letting me help you out, Priscilla. I know it's a bit hard for you right now and that's why you always have me, we're in this together.” He held my hands which was something he'd been doing a lot, especially today. My eyes darted to our intertwined hands, reminding me of the past but I quickly shrugged it off and focused on him. “The kids are yours as much as they're mine and I have every responsibility to cater for the as much as you do so don't wear yourself out trying to act the role of