Chapter 23

Elena's POV.

“What was that for back there, Marie? You know Rex is the last man I ever want to set my eyes on. And you literally supported him back there over me, Marie.” She said as she sighed, exhaling sharply as she looked away.

“Come on, Elena. You just have to give him a listening ear. Can’t you see how hard he is trying to get back into your life.”

“And that is exactly what I don’t want. He doesn't expect me to just let him back into my life and also to my children’s life. For five good years, I struggled to survive, five years of struggling to get over his betrayal. How could he? He broke me when I trusted him the most. What if after he gets the chance in, he still ends up cheating on me, Marie?” She interrupted Marie as she whined as Marie stood still.

“How do you feel when they grow up to know that the man they called their friend was all along their biological father? Don’t you think they end up hating you for not allowing them to grow up with their father? You are going for dinner and that is final.” She muttered as she moved her apron.

“Mummyyyy!!!” Kanu and Kiana ran with so much speed the moment she returned home as they jumped on her body, causing her to lose balance as she fell down on the floor as they laughed.

“How was school today?” She asked them and they answered in unison. “And is there anything else you would love mommy to know?” She said in a whisper as she tickled them gently as they laughed hard.

“Umm… he gave us these to give to you.” Kanu said with a blush as he looked at Elena.

“Gave you what!? She asked again in a confused manner. “Or don’t you want to show mommy?” She teased as she tickled them.

Kiana had stretched her legs as she pecked Elena on her cheek as she pulled off. Elena smiled as she pecked her back and this time around, she also pecked Kanu too.

“That was the present, mommy!!” Kiana said as she chuckled softly. “He said we should give you a warm kiss when you get back.” She smiled as she giggled.

And looking through those eyes, I saw their innocence. Letting Rex back into their life was definitely going to change everything. “How could I possibly tell them that the man they have been seeing around lately was their dad?” “How was I going to answer their numerous questions when they started asking me why we parted ways?” She knew how they could be with their questions. And she couldn’t stop herself from loving them more every single day that passed. She loved how smart they were too, and she was super proud to have this close relationship with them.

“What if letting Rex into their life will change that?” She groaned as she arranged their room and then took them to the bathroom to bathe them.

“I hope you are not forgetting something, Elena?” Marie rushed in as she looked at me. “What in God’s name is this, Elena? Pajamas? What happened to dinner tonight?” She asked as she shook her head. “If I was you, I would have fallen right into his arms already. Can’t you see how badly he wants you back?” She shrugged as she rolled her eyes in disappointment.

“I don’t want to go. I am fine here and we could have it maybe, some other time.” I sighed in relief. “If he was really interested or badly wanted me back as you claimed he did, he should have called me. Or was he waiting for my call?” She scoffed in relief as he never called.

And before she could make the next statement, her phone rang. The caller ID had popped up in his name.

She frowned as she thought he wouldn’t have her number after the five years of being apart. “Huh? How? How did he get my contact? Or did he get it from the hotel? No way!! That isn’t possible. Darn it!!” I cursed as I remembered he could have tipped off one of the bar attendants to share my contact with him.

“I know he is the one calling.” She whined as she looked at me. “Come on, Elena. Pick up!!” She said with a smile on her face which happened to only provoke me further.

“Hello, Elena. I couldn’t walk into your building so I had to park outside.”

“Such a beautiful gentleman.” Marie sneered as she chuckled softly. She raced down the window as she looked outside. “Oh my, just come and take a look, isn’t he sweet?” She mumbled but then frowned immediately. “You may go with him but there is no way I am letting anyone take my godchildren away from me.” She whimpered as she turned to look at Kanu and Kiana who were eating their dinner and still picking at each other.

“What did I say about bite to bite competition and taste testing?” I frowned as I looked at both of them.

I could never grow tired of them. Neither could I ever grow tired of talking either. I loved how they would see who would be the first to get done with their meal or secretly tasting each other’s food without the other person’s consent.

“Take your time gently, gently and don’t bite your tongue. Or do you want to go to the hospital?” I sneered and they both shook their heads as they echoed the ‘no’ in the room.

“So, no more food competition, okay?” I said with a smile and they both reciprocated my smile as they nodded their heads.

Marie had dragged me in as she outturned my boxes and scattered my wardrobe as she was looking for a good outfit. “Are you being serious right now?” I snapped as I looked at her.

I picked up a red gown as I wore a hat.

“Fuck it!!” She pulled me back as she applied a red lipstick on my lips and arranged my eyebrows. She neatly arranged my hair in a bun and then, rested the hat in a sided manner as she smiled broadly as she walked me out.