CHAPTER TWO

“ We worked together for five years after you forced me to come out of mourning, what does it have to do with anything? ”.

 Kyle inquired although he knew how persistent Audrey could be when she needs things to go her way. 

“ It has to do with everything, we've worked together for five and have I failed you just once”.

“ No! But Audrey this isn't about me, it's the board members who are funding this project, you are trying to go head in with Colton fashion and believe me, Audrey, with just one blow from Carter Colton, we will be sent back to the ground”.

“ I lived with that man for a year and a half, I can do it like, you just need to convince the board to approve of the project”.

“ Fine, but first you need to get back to J. and J as agreed, we need to merge stronger in other to enter the fashion market”.

“ I will get that done by the end of this week”.

“ Good! Call me when it is done, for now, I need to get back to work”.

“ Alright, thanks Kyle! ”. Audrey exclaims as she watches him hang up. 

She quickly grab the cell phone in her office and requested for Jane who rushed over in a few minutes. 

“ Ma! You requested for me”. Jane who had both her hands clung together spoke politely while wearing a black mini skirt and white fitted long sleeve that had her body presented in an orderly manner. 

“ Yes. Set a meeting for me with Colton fashion? ”.

“ Who in particular would you be having the meeting with? ”.

“ the CEO or his executive manager”.

“ Alright, ma”.

“ And Jane, get back to me with their reply as soon as possible”.

 Audrey orders and she bows her head before exiting the office. 

A few hours into drafting a presentation for the board, her phone came ringing, she noticed it was from James and quickly picked up the call. 

“ James hi! ”.

“ Aunt Audrey! It is Mona speaking” Her tiny sweet voice came through, sending a wave of excitement to Audrey. 

“ Mona dear! How are you doing? ”.

“ I am fine, I just got back from school”.

“ Did you have lots of fun? ”.

“ Yes, and I got lots of As in the homework you helped me with”.

“ Really! That is amazing”.

“ I know Aunt, and Daddy will be so proud of me”.

“ He should, you are such an amazing kid”.

Audrey spoke and Mona giggles in excitement as a result of the compliment directed to her. 

“ Thanks, Aunt, I want to celebrate with you, can I come over to your place for lunch? ”. Mona inquired excitedly with her hopes high. 

Audrey glanced at her table with piles of work waiting for her, there was so much to do considering that she just recently established the branch and Audrey didn't want to let her staff down. 

But more than anything, she knew that her daughter was very excited and would feel disappointed if she rejected her offer. 

“ Alright pumpkin, I will go home as soon as possible and prepare something special, tell me what would you like to have? ”.

“ Pasta and some turkey! ” Mona ordered loudly, the excitement still visible in her voice. 

“ Alright pumpkin, ask Uncle James to drive you over to my place once it's noon, and remember, Daddy doesn't have to know about it”.

“ It is our little secret! ” Mona chipped in as she giggles loudly. 

“ Alright pumpkin, I will see you soon ”. Audrey hung up before placing her files in her drawer in an orderly manner. 

Her cheeks were slightly lifted but she couldn't hide her excitement as she chuckled softly. 

Audrey arrived home safely although she kept looking out behind her to see if anyone was tailing her. 

She carefully made some pasta and beef sauce, and in less than ten minutes, the doorbell rang as she rushed out in excitement. 

The big smile on her face disappeared the moment the door opened. 

“ Oliver! ”.

“ You seem disappointed, were you expecting someone else? ”.

“ Not actually, why are you here, you are supposed to be at work”.

“ Yeah, I was going to ask you the same question, I came to your office but no one knew about your whereabouts”.

“ I had to rush home to get something, you should have called me before coming over, what if I wasn't at home”

 She ask tapping her left finger, but Oliver walk past right through her to the living room, his eyes scanning the entire place. 

“ Did you cook, because I can perceive something nice? ”. Oliver inquired while heading to the kitchen, and just then the doorbell rang again. 

Audrey sigh loudly as she strode to the door, her face perplexed. 

“ Aunt Audrey! ” Mona called out the instant the door flung open, tugging her waist firmly. 

“ Mona dear, you look pretty today, come in”. Mona rushed in while Audrey stood still staring at James and not sure what to say to him. 

“ Oliver came over unexpectedly, I am sorry but you will have to bear with him”.

“ I see… So the both of you are dating now? ”. James inquires as he slides through the door. 

“ No! And please ignore whatever he might say to you ”.

“ I can't promise”. James who had his jaw squeezed tight slid through the door while Oliver was stepping into the living room. 

“ Look who we have here”. Oliver exclaims sarcastically while holding a tray containing a big bowl of pasta. 

“ You guys are right on time, come have a seat, Audrey made some pasta and beef sauce”.

“ I know!”. Mona replied nattily as she hurried to the dining table. 

“ Aunt Audrey, is he your husband? ” Mona inquired with a frown plastered on her face. 

“ No dear, he's just a friend”. Audrey forces out a smile as she sits next to Mona. 

“ Come on pumpkin, let me help you with your plate”.

 Audrey only stopped adding pasta to the ceramic plate as she was certain that she has added just enough to satisfy Mona. 

“ Here is it baby, make sure to eat a lot”.

“ I will”. Mona replied while James slowly strode to the dining table, taking the only available seat that was next to Oliver. 

It was a small apartment, so Audrey only had a space of four chairs in the dining area. 

“ Wow! It's so delicious Auntie”.

“ Thanks, sweetie, eat more so you can grow faster”. Audrey advised as she nods her head while grinning from ear to ear. 

“ Tell me, Mona, does your mommy also prepare you such a delicious meal? ”

Oliver inquired, although his eyes were fixed on Audrey. 

“Daddy said that my mommy is out of the country and will be back soon, but I have nanny Marianne and also aunt Chloe”.

“ Chloe… I see, tell me who is she to your dad”.

“ Oliver stop that! ” Audrey instantly rebuked him, knowing fully well where he was headed to. 

“ What?!! Mona is such a lovely girl and I want to be friends with her, what do you think Mona? ”.

“ You can be my friend as long as you are Aunt Audrey's friend. Daddy is going to get married to Aunt Chloe and she is going to be my second mom”.

 Mona spoke with her lips parted while Audrey almost choked on her food. 

She kept coughing hard while clutching to her chest and James hurriedly served her a glass of water. 

“ here! Drink some”. James offered, his eyes piercing deeply at Oliver who had a smirk on his full pink lips. 

“ Are you alright Auntie? ” Mona inquired. 

“ I am fine pumpkin, just some pasta getting on the wrong pipe”.

“That's enough Mona, we have to start going now before nanny Marianne gets worried”.

“ But I am not done eating uncle”.

“ I am sorry dear, but Aunt Audrey is not feeling too well today”.

“ I am sorry Auntie, did I make you feel sick? ”. Mona lowers her eyelid as she asks. 

“ No… Not at all pumpkin, you know we can always do this next time right? ”. Audrey asks as she squeezes both her hands and nods her head before getting on her feet and embracing Audrey tightly. 

Audrey could not hold onto the tears seeing her daughter clutching onto her firmly. 

“ I love.. You so… Much baby”. Audrey spoke while trying not to break down. 

“ I am so sorry about today”. Audrey told James who was now on his feet, he remained silent as he followed Mona behind. 

Seeing they were both gone, Audrey walks towards Oliver and lands a loud slap on his face that came as a shock to him, making him startled. 

“ What the hell was that? ”.

“ I should be the one asking you that, you do not walk to my house as it pleases you unannounced and spoil the bond I was having with my daughter”.

“ And that bond is going to get her killed”. Oliver bite his lips as he got on his feet. 

“ I endured all of the pain that man made me go through because of her, but if he goes as far as touching just a strand of her hair, I will fight him to death”.

“ You know fully well that you are no match for him, why even bother”.

“ Who's side are you on Oliver? ”.

“ Your side, don't you see it, I am trying so much to protect you”.

“ If you want to protect me, give me some space, I need to feel the warmth that emanates from my daughter, please don't deny me that, that was the only thing that kept me going for six years”.

 Audrey exhaled loudly after holding her breath for a while as she stormed out of the room.