THE GARDEN PARTY

Brain bought an invitation card for aunty joy and did not miss out on the names of the residents of course with the assistance of Kevin who was excited and very busy for a long time.  He knew the cash corrected for the venue plus the cottage was full board and the exposure hence making their business grow. The funds raised will be able to assist aunty Joy who was the most kind and compassionate lady he had ever met to clear the mortgage bills she had outstanding and Kevin had noted were stressing her especially when the business was down. He was just wishing he could make enough money to help her clear the outstanding bills because there were greedy real estate agents who were eager to sell the cottage and make some profit. Kevin could see his aunt was disturbed by the issue although she tried to hide from him Kevin was like a son to aunty joy who had brought him up when his parents abandoned him and wanted to do all humanly possible to make sure that she was well taken care of. If only he could clear the outstanding bills but the latest sales performance was impressive and Kevin was optimistic they would clear the bills soon.

The caterer Ms. Kelly was very good and her job she delivered her tents and set them up a day before giving the residents space where they went and sat the day before the party and even lit a bonfire. Lily and tina joined them there was a bottle of wine and whisky bought by Brain and they all enjoyed the drink watching the stays and listening to the background music except for Tina who drank hot tea. She had her dinner relaxing in the tents plus the hot mixed tea then left to sleep. She had gotten used to the relaxing life of late and the hospitality of aunty Joy who treated her like a daughter and spoilt her and she could not fail to thank her lucky star forever meeting Kevin who was also treating her like a big brother and taking care of her. She noted that tomorrow she w ament to visit the gynecologist so she would ask Lily to join her and Kevin to join her. Lily had taken leave for two weeks after she came to join Tina at the cottages she also felt she needed a break and this was a better time to relax spend time with her friend and enjoy the peace and tranquility that they found near the Lake. The place was a hidden gem that was not discovered by many.

The party was starting late in the afternoon and aunty Joy made sure the girls got lunch, especially for Tina who couldn’t wait until evening. Aunty Joy had excused herself to go make lunch for Tina but the caterers were fast enough to offer a packed lunch for her. She said there was no need for auntie Joy to cook more food when they had more than enough. She organized packed lunch to be delivered to Lily’s and Tina’s room and the girls were thrilled especially when the meal was a grilled chicken tikka with fries vegetable salad and juice accompanying the meals. The girls were hungry and they ate their fill. The guests started streaming in but Tina requests Lily to leave her for some time to take a siesta. His hormones were just directing her to sleep especially after she had eaten to her full. Little did Tina know the reason why the party was organized was that the King’s family wanted to get a glimpse of her and convince her to go back so that they would help her take care of the toddlers once they were conceived. They were future heirs of the empire hence the need to take care of Tina and the kids. But Tina could not understand and due to her fragile condition they had to make it look like a coincidence.

Lily was happy at least the party would bring some excitement to the place and that Friday she would not be bored. But except for the cottage residents, she did expect to know the guests but was surprised when she went to the garden party and in the first tent, she saw Stacy and aunty Cherry sitting. When Stacy saw Tina she woke up from her seat and went to embrace her. They exchanged pleasantries with Stacy pretending not to know that Tina was also in the cottage they chatted for some time and she was introduced to aunty cherry and other members of the family. She was surprised to see almost the whole King’s family were present and that would not go well with her friend. She wanted to go and inform her friend but the two ladies did not want to let go of her. She tried to excuse herself but Stacy was stuck with her like glue.

When they were chatting while eating and drinking Lily noticed one of the resident men plus Brain also talking to Ken’s brother Lewis who she got surprised that it was almost the King’s family dinner. Lily now knew that if her friend knew King’s family was attending the party she would even want to leave the cottage. She was so stubborn because even Lily had tried to convince Tina to forgive Ken but she could not hear of it. Tina had said she’ll stay single and take care of the kids on her own. Ken had reached out to Lily and explained to Lily what happened and was sorry that his wife did not want to see him although he understood even if it was him in her shoes he could have punched the bastard. Ken, when did you become a softie go for your woman? Tina called Lily and she answered the phone and asked her to come and pick her up Lily excused herself to go. 

Ken who had been monitoring Lily’s movement and had seen her talk on the phone followed her and noted the room's number. Although he was anxious to meet his wife he did not want to scare her so he gave Lily some moments and then knocked on the door talking softly room service. The girls opened the door without a second thought and they both were wondering who ordered anything because they were to take their meals at the garden party. Lily opened the door while Lily was putting on her shawl to leave and pretended to get shocked when she saw Ken. She excused herself and Tina did not bother looking because she thought it was room service all along.

When she turned around she got very angry to see that it was Ken and became very mad. Ken who was a gentleman enough knelt and said “please forgive me love and you have to listen to my explanation. God is my witness I never cheated on you with that lady or anyone else, I love you too much and the last one week has been hell for me without your presence. Please don’t shut me out of my baby's life. I need you more Tina, the last two weeks have been the most devastating moments in my life. I never felt true love until I  met you, please let me take care of you and my babies, I promise to be with you every step of the way. Please tell me what you want from me but don’t shut me out of your lives. I love you my darlings’’ he said hugging Tina and cuddling her tummy and also shedding tears of joy because she did not want her kids to grow up without a father. Ken went on I was sleeping on the couch when she came and sat next to me but when she had the door open she pretended to be kissing me. I swear I did not even know she was present. He opened his phone and told her. Here’s the surveillance camera footage if you don’t believe me. Tina watched the video and in fact, ken was speaking the truth. She became annoyed and said bitch why did she make me mad, Ken replied it was because she wanted to break up my home but I am not letting anyone come in between us. We are a family me and the babies soon to come please darling let me take care of you, he insisted. Tina shed more tears of joy and relief and at least now she knows that Ken is faithful to her and did not betray her but that lady wanted to break us up. Honey let's go and are happy we deserve to enjoy ourselves like everybody else Ken requested her. Tina looked at him with pleading eyes and said can we take a walk. Yes, dear Ken replied so he held her tight on the waist as he would never let go, and Tina led him to the Lake. It was quiet and they sat on the bench watching the stars and talking more about their future. They stayed next to the Lake for about an hour Tina splendid the shawl down and they slept in the green grass and watched the stars. The air was cool and they talked about their future and the young ones on the way. Ken had missed the love of his life and his adrenalin could not be controlled he told her, my love can I make love to you under the stars gently to seal our love? Tina whose hormones drove her crazy could not control herself but kissed him passionately and he also kissed and caressed her in the warm Lake breeze they made her get goose pimples because of excitement and also the breeze. Ken made love to her gently under the stars and they moved in unison fulfilling their desire for one another until they were both fulfilled and excited and came together in unison. Ken used his handkerchief to gently wipe their wetness and they decided to join others in the garden party and sat quietly in an abandoned tent. They held one another and not wanting to let go while enjoying the warmth of the bonfire and Ken sipping wine given by the waiter while enjoying the cool and sentimental music which mainly love songs playing. The lovebirds were happy to be together and nothing else mattered. Lewis saw them candling and all he did was smile called his mum and pointed to them but everyone agreed that the lovebirds needed time for themselves and everyone minded their own business and were left on their own to enjoy the lost moments.