Trust

"What are you doing here" I asked curious

"Can we talk," Jonathan asked

"In my office" I ushered him as he followed behind, we both stepped into my office. "You can sit anyway," I told him, returning to my desk and paperwork

"So about this morning, am sorry, I never knew you both were that close," he said

"He's my boyfriend, Jonathan, going around shirtless and sprouting out about being my ex was not part of the terms or what I signed up for" I quickly reminded him.

"I know, I know, I just don't trust him" My eyes stared at him.

"You don't trust Matthew and why is that, you barely know him," I asked curiously

"I don't need to know him to know he is a good pretender and up to no good," his voice laced with bitterness and concern

"Just say you are jealous Jonathan, that would be understandable" I mocked

"Jealous?" he scoffed

"Yes jealous, cause you know he is better than you in every possible way" I added

Jonathan sighed and looked down at the floor. "Fine, I might be jealous," he admitted reluctantly, I was shocked, he was not the type to quickly admit to his feelings. "But it is not just that, There's something off about him, I can feel it, I don't want to see you get hurt"

I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms. "Look, Jonathan, I appreciate your concern, you are in no position to tell me that since you did a pretty good job at, hurting me"

"I trust Matthew, he has been nothing but supportive and kind to me, and besides, I thought we moved on past this jealousy and insecurity," I asked

"Insecurity," he asked

"Yes, I thought you understood the terms of no meddling in my personal life"

Jonathan walked over to the window and stared out the city below. "I know, I know, I've been working on it. But seeing him this morning, seeing the way you two were with each other, it just stirred up old feelings"

I stood up and walked over to join Jonathan by the window. "You have to understand that Matthew and I have a different kind of connection. It's not just about physical attraction. We've built a strong emotional bond, and I don't want to let that go."

Jonathan turned to face me, his expression softening. "I do understand, and I want you to be happy. I still don't trust him"

I smiled, "well that's your problem to do with Jonathan,"

He reached out and squeezed my hand. "Just promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want to see you get hurt."

I nodded, grateful for Jonathan's concern. "I promise, I'll always have my guard up. But for now, please leave, I would like to focus on work. I have a deadline to meet,"

Jonathan chuckled and nodded. "You and your attitude"

As he turned to leave the office, I couldn't help but feel happy about his sudden concern and jealousy.

The day passed in a blur. I desperately attempted to reach my mom, but she didn't answer. Frustrated, I decided to give Joy a call instead.

"Hey Joy, is my mom at home?" I questioned, anxiety creeping into my voice.

"No, she mentioned that she was on her way to your place with the Twins," she replied casually, unaware of the panic that had suddenly consumed me.

"She did what?" I sputtered out, abruptly ending the conversation and racing to my car. I slammed on the gas pedal, speeding home.

What on earth was she thinking? That woman was going to be the death of me. Pulling into the parking lot, I jumped out of the car and raced towards the elevator. My heart was pounding, my mind racing. There was no way my mom and daughters could meet Jonathan.

I stepped into the apartment my eyes stared at my mom, whose eyes burnt with anger and displeasement, Jonathan stood at the kitchen counter, his eyes on the Twins

"Mom" I called her softly, walking towards where she stood, I held her arm, my eyes pleading that she didn't tell him about the Twins, she blinked assuring me she didn't, I fell to the floor, relieved.

"What is he doing here" my mom's voice was cold as I turned my head and stared at her.

"He's my new tenant" I answered

My mom burst out in laughter, alerting the Twins who were busy asking Jonathan a series of questions.

"Are you my mom's new boyfriend?" Tina asked

"What happened to Uncle Matthew" Tiara added along

"You rented out your vacant room to your ex-husband, the same ex-husband, who didn't care less about your reputation" she yelled

"Mrs snow" Jonathan called but my Mom cut him short

"I don't want to hear it, Jonathan. You have no place in my daughter's life."

I stood up, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. My mom had always been protective of me, but this was an extreme reaction. I needed to understand why she was so against Jonathan being here.

"Mom, can we please talk about this? I know you have your concerns, but let me explain."

She looked at me with a mixture of disappointment and frustration. "You're too forgiving, dear. You always have been. But I won't stand by and watch you get hurt again."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I understand your worry, Mom. But it's not what you think, we are not back together."

My mom sighed and shook her head. "I just... I don't want history to repeat itself. And I certainly don't want your girls to witness any of it." she whispered in my ear

I nodded, realization sinking in. "I promise, Mom, I will always prioritize the safety and well-being of the Twins. I will take the necessary actions to protect them. but he is not back in my life Mom and neither will he know about the Twins" I whispered back

She looked at me for a long moment, her anger slowly fading. "I hope you mean that, dear. I truly do."

"I do, Mom. I love you, and I appreciate your concern. But please, just trust me."

She sighed again, her expression softening. "Okay, fine. But I'll be watching, both of you. And if anything goes wrong, I won't hesitate to step in."

I smiled, grateful for her acceptance, even if it came with conditions. "Thank you, Mom. I promise I won't let you down."

With that, we both turned our attention back to the Twins and Jonathan, who were watching our conversation uncertainly. It wasn't going to be easy, but I was determined to make this work.

"I guess I was not needed in the conversation, they are beautiful, your daughters," Jonathan said his eyes still fixed on them.

I felt a knot in my stomach, God I was lying to him, hiding the truth from him, I felt bad, and suddenly I felt a hand on mine, I stared at it, it was my mom's.

A soft smile appeared on my lips.

"What did you do this time Jonathan, another scandal, seems like you are running," my mom asked her voice filled with contempt

"Running is a strong word, Mrs. Snow, I wouldn't put it that way," he grins as he slowly knelt on one knee, his eyes fixed on Tiara and Tina

"How old are you guys," he asked

"We are 5 years old" Tiara replied

I quickly pull them away, hiding them behind me. "You should take them, home mom, it getting late" I turned to face her

"Come on girls, it's time to go," I quickly tell them

"But we want to stay," they both say at once

"Mom, please" I begged her

"Come on girls, mummy seems busy with a friend, let's not disturb her. "let's go home and order some ice cream and watch Barbie" She pulled them away towards the door

"I will call before you guys go to bed, I promise" I yelled behind me as I watched them, head out a sign of relief watched over me as I headed upstairs.

"Where is your handbag" Jonathan asked

I stared at my hand, ah that's right, I left it in my car, why heading up to avoid the chaos, that would have happened if I hadn't intervein

"Right, I left it in my car, I will go get it," I said, turning back as I headed toward the door.

Jonathan grabbed me by the arms, pulling me close, I stared at him in surprise, "What-what are you doing"

"Is there something I should know Claire?" he asked his tone filled with suspicion

"What do you mean," I managed to say, not gaining away how scared I was. " please let me go, I don't know what you are talking about" I pulled away, heading towards the door but his voice cut me short

"Whatever it is you are hiding, I will find out Claire, and trust me, it won't be friendly, especially when it has to do with what belongs to me"

I knew I was in for the longest year of my life, how long would I be able to keep lying

"Don't worry, I have nothing to hide"