Her Success

Olivia's POV

“Sweetie, what kept you so long in the washroom?” I asked, a bit worried that he had spent so much time inside. I had wanted to walk in when I had the sudden restraint to, and besides, I had to make sure Becky brought out all the luggage from the lot.

“Mum, I’m sorry I took so long in there. I met a man who looked just like me,” he snapped, and I flinched. I hadn’t raised him to talk to strangers.

“Why would you engage in a conversation with him? Haven’t I told you not to speak to strangers?” I asked, and he frowned.

“Mum, I’m sorry,” he muttered.

I crouched to his level, cupping his face in my hands. “Mum isn’t angry with you, alright? But Mum wants you to be safe at all times. Remember, you won’t talk to strangers again, alright?” I said, and he nodded.

“Now smile for Mummy,” I teased, a playful glint in my eye, and he giggled.

“But Mum, you said my real dad was in New York. What if he was my dad?” he asserted, and I shuddered.

“Uncle James will be your dad soon, alright?” I answered instead, taking his hands as we entered the vehicle while Becky parked the luggage at the back of the car.

Minutes later, the car halted in front of a splendid building that perfectly suited my taste from its exterior view. I turned to Becky and gave her a thumbs up. She had bought the house as instructed, but then I never doubted her sense of taste and selection, so I allowed her to do the choosing.

Once inside the building, my eyes widened in awe. Its exterior was nothing compared to the interior; it exuded enormous radiance and structure, with everything well arranged.

“You did a fantastic job here,” I appreciated.

“Thanks, ma,” she responded.

“Mum, this is awesome!” Jumia announced, jumping up on the couch. A grin spread across my face as I watched him. He was way smarter and more grown than his age. The reason I had kept striving all these years, and finally, I was back in New York—the place that held so many nostalgic feelings and resentment in my heart.

“Mum, let me go check out the rooms. I want two for myself and one for my toys,” he announced, already halfway up the staircase, and I smiled as I watched him disappear onto the first floor.

Seated on the couch, my gaze wandered around the living room when my phone beeped, and I reached for it in my side pocket.

“Hello, sweetheart,” I greeted. “You called at the right time.”

“That’s great. I’ve had you in my heart all this time, and that’s why I called once I sensed you were already in New York,” he replied.

“So, how’s Jumia?” he inquired.

“He’s fine. Just went upstairs to check the rooms,” I replied, but then a frown creased my forehead.

“What's wrong?” he inquired, a bit worried.

“Can't wait to have you here with us.”

“Don’t worry. I should be rounding off by this weekend to join you guys. It’s just in three days’ time, alright?” he quieted.

“Alright.”

“Just wanted to check on you both. I’ll call back later. I’ve got something to fix now in the office. Love you,” he threw a kiss, and I grabbed it and reciprocated before the call went off.

My heart swelled. I was finally with the one true man who truly loved me and worshipped the ground I walked on. James Smith had always been there for me through thick and thin, and our wedding was also part of the reason we had to return, aside from the opening of a branch of my hospital here. He preferred that we do the wedding here, since his family resides here, and also, it’s my birthplace.

“Ma’am, the grand opening of the hospital is in four hours from now. Should I shift it to tomorrow?” Becky announced.

“No, just get me the list of schools I told you to select for Jumia,” I asserted, and she lowered her head to the tablet she held and soon handed it to me.

“Here they are.”

“Alright.”

After going through the content, I was satisfied with the qualifications of one. “I think I prefer Scarlet Group of Schools. They have high standards and good qualifications, and are among the most recent schools opened. I believe their school environment will be superb,” I expressed, already feeling a sense of joy at how overwhelmed Jumia would be in his new school, which is the best of them all.

“Alright, ma. Let me go through with the admission process right away.”

*****

“Ma’am, you are welcome to our school,” the lady, whom I presumed to be the principal, greeted, offering us a seat.

“Is he the one?” she inquired, staring at Jumia, who had his eyes scanning the entire environment.

“He’s brilliant,” she praised, and I thanked her. I was grateful for the praise that always came whenever I was with him. His brilliance had made him skyrocket into the Grade 1 section, even when it wasn’t yet time. He had skipped two classes because he was way too smart for them.

The principal completed the paperwork, showed us around the school, and I was really impressed that I had chosen this particular school. It would help Jumia in his quest for knowledge and research processes.

Finally, he was taken to his class, and a grin spread across his face as he walked into the well-structured classroom that exuded both comfort and hard work.

“You like it, right?” I inquired.

“Yes, Mum, I love it!” he jumped, already walking into the classroom as I watched him take his seat.

I greeted the principal and stormed out of the school and into the car. It was already past three, and the opening would be in thirty minutes. My heart was a mix of overwhelming joy and nervousness. This was what I had always wanted—to be the best in my field and to be globally recognized. I thanked the heavens for bringing James my way. He not only loved me when we met, but he also helped me in this journey to success with his time, sweat, and hard work.

Once in the arena, I heaved a sigh of relief, clutching my chest to reaffirm myself of my rising affluence and tireless efforts to get to this point in life.

“Let’s welcome the organizer and owner of The Berks Hospital!” the conductor announced, and the spotlight shone in my direction as I walked steadily toward the podium.

A grin on my face, I said, “I want to thank everyone for honoring this invitation to be present here today. I’m so grateful. I also want to thank the one man who has stood by me through this process, though he’s unavoidably absent today. I say a big thank you. Also, I want to thank my source of joy for this inspiration and strength to always push. He’s none other than Jumia, my beloved son.” I paused, beaming brightly at the overwhelmed guests.

“I hereby declare this hospital opened today,” I announced, taking the scissors and cutting the ribbon. The crowd erupted in applause, and my joy knew no bounds.

“Ma’am, I’m super excited for you!” Becky praised from behind, and I smiled.

“Thanks for always doing your job right.”

“That’s what I’m paid for, ma,” she asserted, and I nodded, feeling blessed to have the right people by my side.

“Excuse me,” someone called from behind, and a frown creased my forehead as I turned to identify who it was.

“Yes, what can I do for you?” Becky snapped, looking at the guy, who was dressed in a shirt and slightly wrinkled jeans.

“I’m Peter, and my boss is right there,” he pointed behind, and I marveled at what he meant by that display, but then we turned.

“Olivia, is that you?” His voice asserted, jolting me.