05

Chapter Five: The Truth And Nothing Else 

   Maurene'S POV

  

  Her well carved brows slowly pulled up as her eyes narrowed on me. “Maurene?” She called my name again as if she couldn’t believe that I was sitting before her. 

Amanda had a nice shape, in fact, she had the body of a model and that she was. She flaunted that body so well that men flocked around her like bees. Maybe that was what got Nathaniel  attracted to her, considering I was a plus sized woman. I knew he always had a thing for petite ladies and foolish me had even considered doing surgery or even hitting the gym to reduce my body weight, thankfully, I didn't do it. Right now, all I did was make sure my body was fit and strong. Liam had been quite a helpful hand since the day I decided to hit the gym.

  

  I did not say anything as she turned a questioning glare at Grayson who gave her a blank look then back to Nathaniel  who let out a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nostrils. “She is not my Maurene, Amanda.” 

  

  My Maurene. Was I hearing wrong? Did Nathaniel  just refer to me as His Maurene? I must definitely have heard wrong because there was no way…

  

  “I don’t think that is right, and point of correction,  she is not your Maurene. You are mine.” The way she staked her claim on him made bile rise to my throat. “Anyway, she looked way too much like…”

  

  “If you do not mind, we would love to take our leave.” Liam cut in, rising to his feet and helping me up. Nathaniel  quickly pushed himself up as if he wanted to escape Amanda.

  

  “Sorry for the inconveniences, Liam and…” He looked at me. “Miss Maurene.” He acknowledged me with a nod. I looked away, swallowing down the lump in my throat. I glanced back at the untouched doughnuts and suddenly, the cravings I had for it had been lost. 

  

  Just as I moved to leave, Amanda rushed toward me, blocking my path and staring into my eyes with narrowed eyes too. I blinked, my jaw hardening at his useless I felt right now. I wanted to do nothing but slap and beat the hell out of her. I released the tense muscles on my face and straightened my shoulder to match her glare. “How may I help you?” I inclined my head to the side.

  

  “You…” She stepped closer, like she was going to finally peel off the disguise I was wearing but Liam moved swiftly before me, blocking me away from her.

  

  “Touch her and you will have yourself to blame. I don't know what part of the fact that she does not know you all you didn't get. Please, we will take our leave.” Like that, he reached for my hand and dragged  me out of the place before they devoured me. As we reached the car, he pulled the door open for me and went in through the other side. I settled back with a deep sigh and Liam told the driver that we could leave. 

  

  I knew that at this time he would have his questions but he was not asking. His eyes were on me during the entire drive but I did a great job of avoiding them. I needed to think of a better way I could explain to him. We soon reached the penthouse and he was the first to hop off before I did. I trailed after him, guilt eating me deep from within.

  

  The moment I stepped into the living room and I heard the excited screams of my children, everything I was thinking vanished and they were the only one that mattered right now. They rushed toward me and I crouched to receive them in an embrace. “Mommy! I missed you!” Kylie, my only girl, said, still hugging me.

  

  I snuggled my head on theirs as I smiled. God knows how I have been, staying away from them was not an easy thing for me.

  

  “Mommy! Miss D taught me how to write!” Kyle said, grinning wolfishly at me and I acted surprised.

  

  “Hope you did not disturb your babysitter?” I asked them, giving them a knowing look.

  

  “We—“

  

  “No, ma'am. They didn’t.” Their babysitter, Miss D, replied and I looked up to see her smiling. I returned her smile. Emmalyne must have gone when Diana came. 

  

  “Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help and patience with the kids.” 

  

  She shook her head. “There is absolutely no need to thank me because they are also a bundle of joy. They gladden my heart everytime.” She beamed a bright smile. 

  

  Of course, they are who they are. Bundle of joy. They came into my life when I had lost all hope and the will to keep living. They became the reason I was stronger and braver. They were my strength and I did not joke with them at all.

  

  “Of course, Miss D. We know you cannot do without us.” Kaichipped in and we all laughed. You must be shocked that his name was that, actually when he was born, he had this strange temperature so I decided to name him that.

  

  After I had settled in the room and was done. I knew where Liam would be. I had overheard him discussing it with the kids but I was too guilty to face him even though I knew we had lots of work to do together. I decided to go and meet him. I should. I was the one who had hidden lots of things from him and he was my best friend, he would understand. 

  

  My fist rapped against the door of his office and he ushered me in, “Come in.”

  

  I clicked the door knob open and stepped in.  As soon as he sighted me, he returned to the file he was working on, or maybe he was pretending to. I cleared my throat and yet he did not raise his head up.

  

  “Liam, I know you have many questions and I am going to answer them all.” I said, choosing my words carefully.

  

  “Liam, I—“

  

  “Maurene,” He cut me off, dropping the file as he lifted his head up to me, his glare cutting deep within me. “Tell me, do you ever consider me a friend?” His question caught me off guard. 

  

  “Yes, I do. I consider you as my best friend and I am sorry that—“

  

  “Then why? Why was I just finding out that my best friend was actually Luna? Why didn't you tell me even when you knew I would protect you at all costs?” He asked, pain evident in his eyes.

  

  My chest tightened with a pang of guilt. “I'm sorry.” That was all I could utter. There was nothing else I could say to unhurt him.

  

  We were friends and only I knew the efforts he had put into making me trust him. To make me feel safe around him.

  

  He gulped hard before rising to his feet. “Tell me. Explain. Tell me the truth and nothing else but it.”

  

  His steps toward me made dread creep into me. I once again cornered into admitting the truth after these years. “Nathaniel  is the father of my kids and I was his Luna.”