Chapter Eighty-seven Annabelle_ I held Johnson as he cried while Brooklyn was driven out of my house. Nana, I and Johnson stood in front of the door and watched her leave. It felt like a part of us was going away. I knew it hurt Johnson more because she was always around with him whenever I missed the nights he and I were supposed to spend together. I had never seen him cry for anything or anyone. He was always a strong boy. “Mum, why does she have to go? Why are you not stopping her?” I bent down to look at him in the face, “She has to find her place. She's an adult. We will see her again. She will come to visit. You can also go and visit her whenever you want.” “No, Mum!” He yelled and ran off into the house. I stood up and looked at Nana. She just stood still staring at me. “Can you please help me explain this to him?” I don't know but Nana gets him better. She nodded and went after him. I was also hurt that Brook had gone. I didn't realize how much space she filled in
Chapter Eighty-eight Annabelle_ “Can I come in?” I opened Johnson's door later that evening so I could speak to him. With a smile, I stood by the door and peeped at him. He was reading a novel. He sat up and nodded his head. He still had a sad gait while I walked into his room. I sat beside him and wrapped him in my hands. “My boy, you know I don't like seeing you sad. It breaks my heart.” He shrugged and kept mute. “Brook just had to leave us and you have nothing to worry about. I am here for you, always.” After I said that, he pulled away from me and sat still by himself. “What is wrong?” I asked him and touched his hand. He shook his head insinuating nothing was wrong. “I need you to speak, Johnson. Talk to me. I'm your mum and you're my most priceless possession. I live for you. I know we don't get to talk that much but I want you to know that I love you so much.” He sighed and in his sweet little voice, he said. “I know you love me, Mum. But you are just never there fo
Chapter Eighty-nine Annabelle_ “Why isn't he picking?” I had called Henry's number several times and it kept going to his voicemail. “Maybe he is still angry about what had happened earlier.” “Oh well, I have called him. Whenever he's ready he will call me back.” I said to myself. Just then my dad's call came into my phone. I knew I was in trouble because I had left his house without telling him I was leaving or anything. I picked up the call and kept mute. I planned to remain quiet while he scolded me for how I behaved earlier. “Annabelle. You did not deem it fit to tell me before leaving my house. Is that how insignificant I have become to you?” He asked. Funny enough, he didn't sound as angry as I anticipated. He just spoke in a concerned manner. I kept mute and listened to him as he complained. “Are you not going to answer me?” I cleared my throat before I spoke. “I just needed to leave. I wasn't feeling too well.” “I can see that. Have you heard from Henry since he l
Chapter Ninety Annabelle_ I was very sensitive to the cars that drove past my car and the vehicles that followed behind mine all through the ride because of the letter. I couldn't wait to get Johnson to Travis's home safely. I had left him a message about what happened and why I needed to drop him off at his place. I didn't even check to see if he had seen it or responded. I kept watching Johnson as I drove. He was reading one of his story books and I just loved how he gave the book his undivided attention. “What's the title of the book you're reading?” I couldn't help but ask because he was so engrossed in it for a young boy. “The Lion King.” He responded gazed at me with a swift smile and turned back to his book. “I see. It must be so interesting. You won't mind sharing the story with me would you?” “Oh mum, I'm sorry. I won't be able to tell you all the story because I'm not done reading them myself.” He sounded like a young professor. I was still very cautious of my env
Chapter Ninety- one Annabelle _ Travis looked at me and looked back at Samantha. “Don't worry, I'd handle it,” He whispered before walking closer to Samantha. “Can we speak inside please?” He asked her gently and held her hand. I hated the fact that I had to see him be so lovely with her. I mean, did he have to hold her hand? “No. I need her gone this instant.” She insisted and forced her hand out of his hands. I walked boldly over to them and faced Samantha. “Look, save this drama for when the kids and I are not present. I'm not spending the whole day here. I will leave soon.” I called out to Johnson and Norah, “Let's go inside.” They walked slowly to us, looking at Samantha as they got closer to us. I followed after them and we made our way inside. “I'm not going to take this. You can't bring your mistress to my house and expect me to remain quiet…” I could hear Samantha as she yelled at Travis. I wasn't bothered by her empty threats. I knew Travis was not going to let he
Chapter Ninety -Two Travis_ I wondered why Samantha was behaving the way she did in front of Annabelle. Couldn't she just understand that this is a critical situation and has nothing to do with her for once? Annabelle sat still on the chair ignoring her but I knew she was disgusted with the way and manner in which Samantha spoke. “This has nothing to do with me choosing you or anyone else. Just sit down and listen.” “No, I wouldn't. Make your decision now!” I couldn't understand why Samantha was being so irrational. “Make my decision about what? I'm not making any decision. Annabelle is in a critical situation and she just has to stay here.” “Oh, I see. I see it now. You want your ex-wife to stay in this same house with me? She doesn't have other houses to go to? She doesn't have her Father's large empire to go to? It has to be my matrimonial home?” “Oh, stop being dramatic! Just let it be.” I stamped my feet on the floor and stood up. “What? I'm being dramatic? Now listen to
Chapter Ninety -three Annabelle _I couldn't stand the back and forth. More than the fact that it made me uncomfortable, it nauseated me that it seemed like I was at the mercy of Samantha. I'm far above that and she had nothing to offer me. That house would have been mine if she hadn't stolen Travis from me in the first place.Walking out in the dark made me a little scared but It was better I was walking alone. I ordered a ride so I stood by the road and waited for it to come.I stood under a boarding vehicle to wait for the arrival of the ride. After a little while, I saw two cars, one coming from my right and the other from my left.I prayed that the one coming from my left, which meant it was coming from outside the community, was the car I ordered and not one that would kidnap me. I had a knife in my bag and pepper spray just in case things ever got haywire. I held the pepper spray in my right hand as both cars drew nigh. I wasn't so bothered about the vehicle coming from my ri
Chapter Ninety -four Annabelle _ I laughed when I heard the person Henry said was behind all the issues that were going on. “Travis? You mean the same Travis I just saw minutes back who is helping me watch over Johnson, trying to inflict pain on you?” I laughed hysterically at Henry. He had to be joking. “Don't tell me all this has been a joke?” “I'm not joking about anything. I am very serious. Why would I joke about my life, yours and that of Johnson.” I stood up and walked to the wall. I leaned on the wall and said, “Okay, let me get what you're trying to say clearly. You are saying that Travis kidnapped you and is trying to kidnap me and my son.” “Yes! Yes!” Henry said, with a look that showed how sure he felt his words were. I scoffed. “Now let me ask you a simple question. Why on earth would you think that Travis would want to put my life and that of my son in danger? I know he doesn't care about you but he can never put my life in danger, that I am certain.” “You know