Nicole waited patiently for it to get to her turn, she was anxious, she still didn't believe the result of the test she did at home was accurate and didn't want to get her hopes up, that she might truly be pregnant, it took a while for it to get to her turn as there were a lot of people in the laboratory she had to choose to use. when it got to her turn, she handed her bag over to Grace and went with the phlebotomist to get her sample taken after which she had to wait again for the result to be ready while waiting for the result, she was torn between praying for it to be true and wondering what she will do if it indeed turns out she was pregnant, how was she going to handle taking care of her child alone or would Rafael want to have anything to do with their child? Would he want her back if it turns out that she is pregnant and will she go back to him just for her child? The thoughts were running through her head that she didn't know when the nurse called her name and told her she was
The first good news of the new year came to him that morning when he got to the office, he had arrived late and wasn't even looking forward to having to go over the same process again, if they didn't approve this time, he was going to give it up and look for a better state in the United States to set it up, it wasn't his loss."Sir, it came,"Armani said when he walked into the office that morning feeling fresh from his weekend away from work, yes, despite Josie ruining his time in Hawaii, he hadn't come to Florida directly, he changed his mind as he boarded the plane and had decided to finish off his time off in California, he only spent one day there but it was refreshing, he met with Reuben who had been too happy to host him."What's that?""The approval, they came and it is approved,""What approval? Wait the mining?""Yes sir,"She responded in excitement, he had almost given up on that ever happening and it was such great news, he should be happy, he got what he wanted but, he w
"Are you crazy Caleb? We are still in January,"He yelled."I know right? But it's better this way, if my family do not see me they won't do shit to Armani, I don't want her getting dragged into this, I love her too much man,"He said, Rafael felt his words."So you are just going to hide away?""Yup, like a coward,""You were the one telling me to man up only a few days ago and you are not doing the same?"He accused, even though he knew they both didn’t have the same situation. Caleb had it worst, his parents aren’t making anything easy for him "We have two different situations Rafael,""That's why I said I can help, why are you being so stubborn and rebellious? You are thirty and not a kid,"Rafael responded, he still didn't know why Caleb was refusing to accept his help, not like he was saying not to pay back."I can't do that Rafael, that would be riding off you,""Call me when you are ready moron,"I will, once again, congratulations, at least one of us is winning,""Stop tryin
"What are you going to do Nicole? Are you going to tell him?"Natalie asked, they were all sitting in Nicole's room and they have both been walking on eggshells around her since Grace and her got back from the hospital, she didn't know what to do, she has been quiet the whole time as they discuss within themselves, her thoughts were running far and wide, not like she wasn't happy by the news that she had a chance of being a mom again, no, she was happy, she thought she would never get to experience what it is like to be a mom yet she was giving the chance to, she was happy but then, there were so many things not right that she has to put in place, and she didn't know how to go about doing that."You can't stay quiet all day you know, you will need to say something at one point, Nicole, don't keep it in,"Grace said."What do you want me to say?""Anything, like what are you thinking right now, you have been frowning since we got back, a baby is actually good news you know, and a perfe
"I understand and I am not going to push it, thank you for all the help, I couldn't have done it without you,""Well, you don't have to thank me, you just need to slay by Saturday night and that would be all the thanks I want,""Right, it's not my first but I am damn well nervous as this will be the biggest so far,"He said looking like a scared little cat, he was actually adorable when he acts like this and she wanted to protect him at all cost, no one can tell her that she got his character or vibes wrong, they just don't know him enough yet, she wished Grace and Natalie will see him right now."You are adorable Aron, you should know that,"She said with a smile."What?!" He asked, cringing really hard."That's not something you say to a full-grown hot-blooded man,"He said but his ears were already growing red from embarrassment."Well, red-blooded man, I find you adorable, so live with it,""I have to, I don't have a choice,"He said and they both laughed."I have to go now Aron,
Nicole rushed to where Aron stood looking nervous as fuck, the exhibition was starting soon, and well, let's just say a lot more people turned up than he had expected which was why he got nervous and his works were going to be displayed first, would she feel like this too when she hosts her first exhibition? This wasn't Aron's first and he was this nervous."Aron? Come in, you got this, don't be scared,"She said when she got to him."Nicole, there are so many people, I just saw Paul Bari, he is like my biggest inspiration and I didn't even know he would be here, now I am scared that my works aren't good enough,"He said, his hands were practically shaking."Calm down, you will be fine, you got this and I can tell you that everyone will love your work.”She said calmly, the dude was practically sweating and the weather was chilly."You think so? I am not so confident anymore, have you seen the work being displayed at Paul's shows, they are masterpieces and I can't compete with that,"
"Isn't it pretty?"Natalie asked pointing at the piece Nicole had her eyes on earlier."It is, I am amazed,"Grace said as they all walked closer to it, it was a painting of a mom holding on to two beautiful babies and it kind of reminded her of their nanny, Nicole wished she was still here, she would have gifted it to her."I am getting this and hanging it in our parent's room,"Natalie said, Nicole felt bad for thinking about someone else when she saw the photo, Natalie was much more considerate towards their mom than she was and she would work on herself to do more."I agree, let's get this then,"They both agreed and the piece was theirs, the rest of the event went on successfully, she was proud to know someone like Aron and glad to be part of the success."You did great today Aron, I am proud of you,"Nicole said as the four of them stood outside rom the gallery later that evening."Thank you, Nicole, I couldn't have done it without your help, you guys too, Natalie and Grace, tha
Rafael stared at the papers in his hands with a feeling of unease and unforetold jealousy, he heard about it, but he didn't know it was actually true, does that mean Nicole really moved on from him? He didn't like it, he didn't like what he saw at all, he hated the guy smiling at him in the photo and holding his woman's hand, the headline wasn't helping either, what do they mean Nicole's, new man? He was the only man Nicole had and no one else could be her man."You should have thought of that before,"The annoying voice in his head said."Just let me be, get the fuck out of my head,"He warned, he wasn't in the mood to listen to his subconsciousness, he looked at the papers one more time and closed it, they were wrong, Nicole wasn't dating the dude, she was just friends with him, she can not be over him, if she was she won't have allowed him to touch her again but she did."And you still don't remember,"The nosy voice said. Rafael wished he could remember but he had tried and tried,
Rafael looked up to see his woman walking towards him, she was wearing a simple yet pretty gown that was more of a maternity gown than a wedding gown, she looked so good, every day watching her get bigger and bigger was the new joy of his life, she was everything he never knew he wanted, she was his wife, his love, his family and his life, the reason he existed, she looked up at him and smiled, his heart warmed up seeing her pretty smile.The past three months of his life has been the best so far, every day waking up to her was a blessing, beyond what he had ever imagined, not just her but her family too, the one that also became his family, he couldn't believe he had almost lost out on the biggest love he found, a year ago, he had walked down the aisle with a woman he had thought was Natalie but turned out to be Nicole, he had a motive back them, marry her and get the right to her properties, the day he made those decisions marked the beginning of the biggest change in his life, not
Three months later...Nicole watched as the reporters made a report that was concerning her."The wedding ceremony of two most talked about couples in the past few months is happening today and we are all living for it, the couple who are expecting their first child soon decided to tie the knot before their baby is born, and the whole country is looking forward to today,"The reporter said, Nicole laughed touching her tummy which has gotten bigger over the last three months, she was currently in her sixth month of pregnancy and everything has been blissful for the past three months, her life has been perfect in every way, she had family and friends and most especially Rafael with her and nothing could beat that."You know you are going to be late if you just sit there watching TV and smiling to yourself,"Natalie announced as she walked into her room, she was ready and looked so pretty in her simple yet so beautiful bridesmaid dress, both she and Grace were her bridesmaid."I can't be
She walked back towards her ward in a sad mood, she needed to speak with Rafael and hoped he come back soon, instead of going back to the room, she opted for going to the hospital rooftop, she asked for directions and was shown the way up, she saw a few people up there and went to the more quiet side, sat down and brought out her phone from the hospital gown pocket, she had found the phone next to her when she woke up this morning, she thought she had lost it but thankfully not, she played with the phone before dialing his number, it didn't go through, maybe he turned it off, she wished he could just appear in front of her, she needed to talk to him, they have been separated for too long, she wanted him back now."Rafael,"She whispered his name."What are you doing here on your own, I have been looking everywhere for you,"She heard his voice and turned to see him waving at her, she stood up from where she sat, he appeared, she smiled when he did before bursting into tears, he ran t
Nicole looked around when she woke up again, Rafael wasn't by her side anymore, she looked to where Natalie was seated with Aron by her side, they were talking in whispers, she had told him to go and not return until he has gotten enough rest, he didn't want to leave so she had yelled at him to get out of her presence, it was harsh but she needed him to take care of himself too, she didn't want him to be careless with his health, he had surgery and he wasn't taking care of himself, imagine how scared she had been when all she wanted was to playfully hit him yet she ended up hurting him, the look of pain in his eyes had sent a shiver of fear down her body, she expected to see him again at least before she went to sleep last night but he hadn't shown up, when she woke up this morning, she had looked around for him too, she knew she told him to rest and he needed it but she had things to tell him, it was almost afternoon and he still wasn't back."Nicole, you are awake,"Natalie said as
"What happened?"The doctor asked looking at his hand."I mistakenly hit it somewhere and it is so fucking painful,"He said as the doctor helped him remove his shirt, he saw that his hand was bleeding again, Nicole didn't even hit hard enough for him to be bleeding this much."This is why I told you to look after yourself but you claimed to be fine, now we have to do a restitch or it might get infected and that's not good,"The doctor said to him as he placed a call across, it happened so fast, one minute he was watching the doctor give out instructions to whoever on the other side of the call, and the next minute, he saw himself falling, his head spinning and he couldn't control himself, he heard the doctor yell for someone and that was all he could remember.When he woke up again, he was back on the bed he had run away from, with the doctor, not the one he was with earlier but another doctor fixing something on the drip near his bed."You are awake, you stubborn man, you nearly kil
Rafael looked around the room he was in, the pain in his hands finally subsided, he got up and pulled his shirt on just as the door opened."Oh, you are up,"Lance said walking up to him."Yes, were you here throughout the night?""No, I just came in, I had to go to the police station, the other man was arrested this morning, but sadly Leonard died on the way to the hospital last night,"Lance revealed."What about my wife and her sister? Are they awake yet?"He asked standing on fixing his trousers."I don't know yet, I came straight here when I was told you are here, I can go and check for you if you want,"He offered."No, that's fine I will go myself,""I don't think that's advisable seeing that you had surgery a few hours ago,"Lance said trying to block his way."I am fine, don't you have things to do?""Yes, I will be on my way, call me if you need anything,"Lance said as they both walked out of his hospital room, they parted ways as Rafael walked straight to the doctor's offi
"Nicole?"She heard her name, it wasn't just anyone calling her name it was Rafael, he came, he was here, he came for her."Don't come any closer, don't fucking come closer or she will be dead,"Leonard yelled holding on to Nicole, he pointed the gun at her, Rafael slowed down for a moment, she wanted to run to him, run into his embrace but she knew doing that would be catastrophic, so she stayed still."Rafael,"She cried"Baby, it will be fine I got you,"He said, she couldn't make out his face properly, the room wasn't dark as before but her eyes were blinded by tears and her body tried."Let her go, Leonard, let her go, she didn't do anything to you, fucking let her go,"He told Leonard who pulled her even closer and pressed the gun to her face."You think I am a fool? I should let her go? No way, if I go down, she dies,"He yelled at him pointing the gun at him."Let her go and face me, you moron,""Please don't Rafael don't provoke him, please,"She pleaded, her voice was almost
After the talk with Rafael, Nicole couldn't fall asleep or do anything else again, she just sat and listened, Rafael said he will come and get them and she didn't want to be asleep when that happened, she told her sister to sleep so that she can be on watch, it seems like the younger guy finally left because she hasn't seen him since after their talk the other day. She silently prayed that Rafael will come for them tonight, she didn't want to spend a third night here, she wanted to go home, go home not to her family's mansion but to the house she shared with Rafael, even if he doesn't want to live in the mansion anymore she would stay with him at his new house, anywhere he was would be her home, she couldn't wait to tell him that she was sorry for everything and that she loves him so much,Nicole heard the noise in the distance, not just any kind of noise, vehicles were entering where they are, she quickly got up and walked to where Natalie lay."Natie? Natie? I think help is here, th
"Baby? What baby?"He asked."Nicole is pregnant, I know she hadn't told you yet, and she would want to tell you herself but you have to know that my daughter is pregnant with your child and you have to get them back soon, this is not good for the baby,"She replied, he didn't know what to say, he didn't know Nicole was pregnant, she didn't say a word to him, he thought, God, he thought the doctor said she won't be able to get pregnant again, dies that mean. Oh God, he needed to get her back. Aron collected the phone from him and spoke to Nicole's parents while he sat there still in shock.The police, his own team, and even the twins' parents agreed that it would be better if they involved security to avoid any foul play, he reluctantly agreed.Leonard didn't call back, instead, he texted a location where they can meet for the exchange and it was game on.Preparation for the meet up was super easy, it was the easy part of the whole thing, he wanted to go alone, wanted to just give the