"Well, this headline is something else don't you think?"Natalie asked Nicole, she nodded without paying much attention to it, she had to finish with this stretch as she needed to get the work done soon, she had other pressing jobs too, one of which was Natalie's friend's birthday present, she was already halfway done with that and hoped to finish it today."What are you talking about?"She asked."I am talking about this, will you spare a minute and take a look, they are portraiting you and Aron as a couple,"She said, that got her interest, so she looked up and took the papers from her. She hadn't had time to check the reviews from the exhibition, she had been busy with too many things to bother about It."It doesn't look so bad,"She said after she read through."Really? Why are you guys a couple now?"Natalie asked."No, we are not, we are friends,""I don't think that's what Aron wants, it is clear he has the hots for you,""Nah, we are good, we talked about it and there is nothi
Nicole drove down to her gallery, got everything she needed and the work she needed to finish, told her receptionist she wasn't coming back today, and got into her car again, she dialed Aron's number."What's up, Nicole?"Aron's voice echoed, it was obvious that he wasn't out of bed yet, dude was a lazy human because why else would he still be in bed at almost noon."How come you are still sleeping, Aron?""I am awake, how else would I be able to take your call, or do you mean to say I sleepwalk?""Whatever, I am coming over to your studio so better get off the bed, go take a bath and come open the door for me or I am going to break in,"She threatened."What the fuck? I am on break, I am not supposed to leave the house until I have to go drop work at the academy, don't make me leave the house so early,"He lamented, she rolled her eyes."Early? It's almost twelve, literally Fifteen minutes to twelve, who the fuck stays in bed to this time?"She asked, rolling her eyes."Me, me, I do,
Rafael sat in his car watching her work, how could she choose a space like that to work? She looked so beautiful while concentrating on her work, he had been here for over thirty minutes and he still couldn't gather the courage to get out of the car and go talk to her, she stood up and went to the enclosed part of the studio, he had gone to her gallery which he knew was already running from the photo he saw of her with that dude, he still wasn't over it and still felt like strangling the guy even though he didn't do anything to him, apart from the fact that he was the first person to use the gallery and she was boldly showing him off, she was also here at his studio, her gallery was way bigger and has a bigger studio where she could work, but when he had gone to see her there, she hadn't been there, he got her location from her receptionist who didn't have a hard time telling him because she knew he was her ex-husband, well at least he got the information he needed but then he found o
"He was just leaving,"He heard Nicole say. No, no way was he going to let her get rid of him like that."I am not leaving, I am here to talk to you,"He replied raising his voice to make sure they both heard him, the two of them shared a glance that made him feel like an outsider, he shook off the feeling, waiting for the dude to do the needful and get the fuck out, the man seems to take the hint."I will let you both talk, you can lock up after you Nicole,""No, Aron, you don't have to leave, we were going to leave together since your car is faulty,"Nicole said, she had concern in her voice, she was concerned about the dude, he hated it here, hated the feeling of jealousy that built up even more inside him."Don't worry, I can take a cab, looks like he has a lot to say,"Aron, Rafael hated the name, said and touched Nicole's hair, Rafael's hand-formed into a fist, the fucking dude didn't stop there, he pulled her closer, and Rafael could only watch."Are you sure about this Aron?"
Nicole, watched through the window to make sure he left before the came out of the inner part of the studio where she had escaped to, yes it was an escape, she could barely process that he has been here wanting to talk to her, she hadn't even seen him coming in, hadn't even heard his car sound, imagine how her heart had leaped when he had called her name, she had thought she was hallucinating or having a dream, she had blinked to be sure he was the one standing there looking so handsome when she had come back to her senses, she had gone to him wondering what brought him there and how he knew she would be at Aron's studio, how did he even know Aron's studio in the first place? She had all these questions to ask but when he had looked at her, she had forgotten, forgotten that she had to ask."Stop it, time to go home,"She said getting closing the windows and doors, she willed herself not to think about their not so serious conversation, she thought he had found out about the baby and t
When she got home, she didn't meet anybody, she suspected they would all be in their rooms and went to hers too, she took a bath and changed into comfortable nighties, after which she brought out her laptop to continue with the stretch she had been working on when Rafael had shown up, this particular stretch had a deeper meaning to her than all her other works, this was the continuation of something she started a while ago but hadn't been able to complete because of the unfortunate incident that had happened, she finally could complete the maternity art series that she started when she had been pregnant with her little angel who had gone back to heaven even before she was born, of course she wasn't yet at this step yet but she wanted to start the work again and do a better job at it, she already had the first three months and was thankful she hadn't done away with it when she had wanted to, that was thanks to Grace, who had told her she might want it back some say and that day finally
Rafael decided to go for plan B, after his unsuccessful meeting with Nicole, he needed to speak with her twin and smoothen things out between them, if he wanted Natalie back then he knew he had to make up with her twin, Rafael missed Caleb's presence so much, he didn't know which way was the right way to go and he didn't have anyone that was close to him enough for him to be comfortable asking such questions from him or her.He decided meeting Natalie should do some work and lessen Nicole's hostile attitude towards him, when he had left her yesterday, he had driven away from the studio and waited for her far from it, she had passed by him about thirty minutes after he had left, he still wasn't used to her driving, and didn't think he would ever get used to it.When Rafael had gotten to work, he took his time to check through his contacts for Natalie's number but then he had them deleted a long time ago and couldn't restore them, so he tried to look for someone who had her contact, he
"What did you say?"She asked in a surprise and disbelieving tune."I said I am sorry,"He repeated, he could do this much, he could apologize to Natalie because of Nicole, not just because of Nicole but for himself and Natalie too."Why are you sorry? What are you saying sorry for Rafael?""For everything,""Everything? What's everything?"She asked."For everything that happened, for blaming you blindly for my kid's death and also for getting you arrested,"He replied."To be fair, Rafael you didn't blame me blindly, as much as my sister would beat me up for saying I am to be blamed for what happened, that's the truth and that's why I don't blame you for hating me and wanting me to go to jail,""Natalie,"He called, she put up her hand."No, let me finish Rafael, I know, I didn't push Natalie that day, it was an accident, we both didn't know it would get to that but as much as u didn't push her I did in every other way, my actions and everything that lead to that moment did and ever
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