7. Hot and fire

MIRABEL

“Who is she?” I heard a feminine voice from inside and I guessed it to be the woman that I saw him with banging.

What a wonderful Monday for me walking into the office to see my husband banging another woman shamelessly and thankfully I didn’t care for him enough to let his actions affect me. 

I wasn’t too surprised about the kind of person that he was because he was a big flirt back in high school and although he was a year ahead of me, he had every girl in high school wanting to be on his bed.

It’s so funny that after so many years, he hasn’t changed and he claimed to have a a girlfriend he loved. I scoffed in disbelief. 

Shortly after, the door opened and an angry-looking Giveon stood beside the door.

“Good morning Giveon…”

“It’s Sir to you henceforth and where is your manners? Did you forget it before you left the house? How dare you barge into my office without knocking and don’t know what the time is?” He uttered through his teeth, clearly pissed but my mind and eyes were somewhere else; The lipstick stain on his white T-shirt.

I was little stunned that he asked me to call him ‘Sir.’ That wasn’t a hard thing to say but his approach was rude. 

“Sir….”

“You might as well go back home because you arrived late and I don’t appreciate tardiness. Leave.” He stated firmly, cutting me off. 

I scoffed in disbelief at his attitude towards me. He barely gave me enough time to speak before reprimanding me. I didn’t like that he always spoke to me like I killed him mother or something or could be possibly know that I’m the girl he bullied when we were in high school as I was a nobody back then? 

“Firstly,  I’m sorry for coming late. Secondly, I’m sorry for not knocking on the door and I promise to do better.” 

“You don’t have to act like I saw you with that lady. I didn’t see anything so don’t worry.” I stated, my tone clipped. 

It took all it had in me to not respond to him the same way he spoke to me. I couldn’t just leave like that because I was certain my grandfather would call and ask about today.

It wasn’t like I gave a fuck about the job or for Giveon but everything that I was doing was because I had to fulfill my part of the bargain.

“I don’t give a fuck about your explanation. I don’t want to see you and that’s it.” He stated firmly.

“And also that lady, it’s none of your business and I don’t care if you see it or not because I don’t care about you and what we have between us is inexistent.” He remarked. 

“Alright,” I replied before walking away from him. I refuse to let my day go from bad to worse. 

Tomorrow I’d make sure to come early. Instead of going back home, I went to the hospital to visit my mom. I needed someone to speak to and she was my best friend. I had no one else but her. 

My grandfather transferred my mom from the general hospital in the city to a private hospital so that she’d be well cared for which I appreciated. 

Days after I agreed to marry Giveon Jameson and met up with him, my grandfather made sure that she got the surgery that was needed. My grandfather never did once stepped into the hospital or to see my mom. It was evident that he was never going to forgive her. 

The surgery was a success but she didn’t wake up until days later and when she did, she went back to sleep again but the doctor assured us that it was nothing to worry about. 

Because of the preparation for the wedding and the wedding day, I haven’t had enough time to come see her so I decided that instead of going back home, it would be better to come see her. 

When I reached my mother's room, she wasn’t sleeping. She was awake. A drop of tears slipped down my cheek when I saw her. I was happy to see her awake. 

It felt like ages since I last saw her when I saw her almost every day but we didn’t speak. She was awake and looking healthier than before. I ran towards her to hug her.

“Mom,” I called out.

“Mira,” she said, patting my back a little.

I tried not to choke her with my weight and pulled back away from her. I pulled a seat closer to the bed so I’d sit on it.

“I’m glad to see that you are awake. How are you feeling?” I asked.

She coughed a little before replying. “I’m doing fine. You don’t look bad yourself.”

I chuckled when I realized that she was referring to my outfit.

“Oh well,” I shrugged.

“I was surprised to see that I’m here. Where did you get the money from? Your outfit too, are you working? For how long was I passed out?” She asked.

“I’m working Mom,” I replied not wanting to tell her that I asked her father for help and that I was married to the son of the family that was supposed to marry into. 

“Really? But how did you get the job? What kind of job is that? How much is your pay?” She asked.

“It’s a good amount,l I replied.

“Can we not talk about that? I’m glad to see that you are awake and that’s the most important thing. How are you feeling?” I asked.

“I’m feeling better.” She replied.

“I'm so glad that I can get to see you again and speak to you. But I must ask, where did you get the money for such an expensive surgery? What are you not telling me, Mira?” She asked, looking into my eyes and I looked away not wanting to lie.

“Don’t you think you are asking too much Mom? You just came back to life after days of sleeping so focus more on you okay?” I said to her.

“Alright. I will do as you’ve said but you will have to fill me up on everything that has been happening alright?” She said and nodded my head.

I didn’t leave the hospital until night as I was with her speaking and laughing. It was so much better with her than with anyone and since I didn’t have anything doing in that mansion, I didn’t bother to go. 

The minute I stepped my foot past the gates of the mansion, I felt my stomach sink. Returning only reminded me of the hell that I was and how I was living a life that I didn’t want for myself. 

I suddenly wished I had stayed at the hospital with my mom but I had to return because of work and I had to wake up early. 

I sighed deeply once I stepped my food into the mansion. 

As I made my way to the staircase, I heard a voice from behind me.

“Guess who’s just coming back now and if you don’t mind me asking, where were you?” 

I slowly turned around to see Giveon with a rigid look masked on his face.