Mrs Bloom sighed and rose to her feet. She folded her palms before Henry as if she was praying. "I'm sorry son. I don't know what has gotten into my husband. He's not like that." she apologised."Mom is right. We are all surprised that Dad is acting this way." Liam said. Eleanor agreed with a nod.Henry waved his hand down. "It's okay guys. Maybe it's a mood swing or he had a bad day. I understand." he said with a half smile.Mrs Bloom heaved another sigh. "I'll go and talk to him." She turned to Eve. "No one must leave," she warned. Eve agreed with a nod and pulled back her chair. She sat. Henry sighed and reluctantly crashed beside her.Henry leaned toward Eve and whispered into her left ear. "I can still leave. It's not a big deal.""My mom said no one must leave," she replied to everyone's hearing. An awkward silence took over the room.Eleanor decided to break the awkward silence hovering around the dining. "Does anyone know why dad acted the way he did?""It's freaking me out.
"You knew my father?" Henry asked with a surprised expression taking over his face."Richard Carter and I were not just high school buddies. We attended the same college before our fallout." Mr Bloom replied.Henry and Eve exchanged glances. "Fall out?" asked a confused Eve.Her father nodded and went on. Mrs Bloom who heard a part of the story from her husband a while ago was the only one who wasn't displaying any element of surprise."Richard and I were the best of friends. Sadly, we had a fallout and it's all because of him." Mr Bloom said and gave Henry a hard stare. Henry's face was reminding him of Richard and his treachery."On our final day in college, Richard and I came up with a business idea but couldn't put it on the line because we were both these struggling young guys. Then the moment we had been waiting for finally came. Some investors showed up at school and decided to give all final year students a chance to put their business ideas to display." Liam dropped his plat
"I'm sorry Henry. You are not your father. You are my daughter's guest. You deserve proper treatment." said Mr Bloom.Eve smiled. Her father turned to her. "Eve!""Yes, father.""I'm sorry for the way I treated your boss. That was unfair. He's my guest and doesn't have to pay for all his father did to me.""Thank you, Dad." Eve appreciated him with a loving blink.Mr Bloom rose to his feet and smiled at Henry for the first time. "Enjoy your dinner. I'll be in my room."No one stopped Mr Bloom from walking away. His anger was justified and even though he claims to have no grudge against Henry, his mood was bound to turn ice.Mrs Bloom stood up and grabbed two plates from the table. "There's more in the kitchen. You all should pull off those long faces and have fun," she said and left the table to join her husband with a smile. Henry cleared his throat. "I'm very sorry everyone." he began. "My father was a jerk. What he did to your father is..." he sighed and shook his head in disappoi
Henry opened his eyes with a slight groan. Eve was standing by the open window. She turned to him with a smile, slightly blocking the sun rays penetrating the room."Good morning." She greeted with a warm smile.Henry sat up and rolled the sheet down to his waist. "Good morning," he said and rubbed his eyes with the edge of his palms.Eve walked up to him and dumped a pair of new clothes on the bed. Henry watched her with inquisitive eyes. She was dressed in blue jean trousers and had slapped a pink top on it. Henry gazed at the blue wall clock hung above him. It was a few minutes past 8 am."Eleanor and Liam had a trick on their sleeves. They invited our close friends and well-wishers in the neighbourhood for a party this afternoon which I just learnt of. I can't go to work today. I'm sorry. You'll have to leave this morning without me." Eve told Henry.Henry shifted his gaze to the clothes by the bed. "And these?""Oh, those are for you. I had Liam pick them down from the store thi
Mrs Bloom motioned to Eleanor to head out. The girl shifted to the kitchen. Mrs Bloom moved behind Eve and wrapped her arms around her.Even lifted her head and clasped her mother's hands to her shoulder. "I'm deeply sorry mom. I got involved with a married man. I'm so ashamed and..." she went on crying.Mrs Bloom sighed and gave Eve a tight hug from behind. "It's okay my child. I'm sorry for yelling at you Eve. I just couldn't help it. I was pissed."Mrs Bloom pulled out the chair next to Eve and sat. She took charge of the girl's hands."You don't know how difficult it is for me mom. I have tried countless times to stay away from him but I always get back to the same spot." She looked her mother straight in the eyes and confessed. "You don't know how guilty I feel mom."Mrs Bloom pulled Eve to herself. The crying Eve buried her face in her mother's chest and wept. Her mother kept stroking her back tenderly till her wails died."Do you love him?" Mrs Bloom demanded. Eve pulled away
Henry cleared his throat loudly and presented the same offer to Eve. "Just a little dance.""I'll be right back." Mike excused himself from the scene.Finally, he'll now have her to himself Henry thought. He turned to Eve who seemed uninterested in his request."I'm sorry sir. I can't dance with you." was Eve's reply. Her tone was cold and to Henry's ears, it sounded mean.Henry placed both his hands on his waist. Did she just call him sir? He thought she addressed him as such because of her ex earlier but now, he was gone. "Come on Eve. It's just a dance." He pointed to the dance floor that was getting crowded. "Look everyone is dancing, don't be such a bore," he said with a smile."I'm sorry Sir. I just can't dance with you. I had already promised Mike earlier that I will be his dance partner." Even disclosed.Henry's lips parted and "what the hell slipped out? Mike is gone Eve, so you and I can hit the dance floor.""He just went to get something, sir. He'll be back." Eve replied
"My sister loves you too. She might be a hot head sometimes but trust me, she does care about you. I see the way she looks at you." Liam said.Henry heaved a deep sigh, pondering whether the statement Liam just made was valid. Judging by her actions earlier, Henry couldn't tell whether Eve was into him as much as her brother alleges.Liam gave Henry a soft pat on the shoulder. "My sister barely trusts people. Last night, she brought a man to our home as a friend. She had never done that before. Damn, Mr Richard. you must be really special."Henry smiled. "I'll take a stroll down the street to meet some of my guys. I'm not a fan of parties especially boring ones that are meant for old people." Liam told Henry with a twinkle."Okay, Liam. Stay safe."Liam left. Henry fixed his gaze on the dance floor. Eve was resting her head on Mike's chest while his hands were wrapped around her waist. Henry tightened his jaw. He felt like disappearing from the backyard at least, he won't have to see
Henry fell back on the chair. He didn't wipe the sweat lining up on his forehead. If he had gotten a cold shoulder from Eve herself, then Eleanor's words were not a coincidence. At this point, he won't be wrong to conclude. The Bloom family now despises him.He went into the house and traced his steps back to Eve's room. The outfit he wore to the house the previous day had been washed, neatly ironed and folded. He smiled and grabbed the outfit from the bed. He marched into Eve's bathroom, took a shower and decided to move to the living room. He could hear whispers.Henry got to the living room. Liam was not yet back. Mr and Mrs Bloom were conversing with their daughters. The anniversary party was over. Eve lifted her head and saw Henry staring at them from a corner.She cleared her throat loudly. "I can see you are ready sir."Henry forced a grin and walked up to her."I'll get some of the equipment outside." Mr Bloom said and turned around to leave."Oh let it be Dad. Why don't you a
"I never thought you would show up!" Dane remarked the moment Olivia slapped her purse on the round table. "We are talking about preparations for my best friend's wedding here. I wouldn't mind seeing your annoying face." She replied and sat opposite him. Dane chuckled and crossed his legs. Henry and Eve broke the news of their engagement to them a week ago. Dane was to serve as Henry's best man while Olivia, was the chief bridesmaid. It's two weeks to the wedding and preparations were already heating up. Dane had invited Olivia that evening to the cafe so they could review their plans for the wedding. "Do you want anything?" He asked and pointed to the menu card. Olivia waved her hand down. "I'm good." Dane reclined on the chair. "You'll rather starve than have a drink with me don't you?" She broke into a laugh and grabbed the menu card. "You know what Dane? You have a way of cracking me up even when I'm being a tough girl." He sat up and blinked at her. "Maybe I was created
"So what's your plan? Staying all day in bed without a job till you have the baby?' Mrs Bloom raised her voice at Eve.Eve was sprawled on the bed, facing her phone. She was having a video call with her mother."Eve, if you don't want to get a job then at least you can tell Henry about the baby. He should have thought about his marriage before putting the baby there.""Come on mom!'"I'm serious, Eve. Child support is necessary. Meanwhile, I'm not happy with the fact that you planned to raise this baby alone. I didn't raise you alone so my grandbaby deserves a father." Mrs Bloom went on ranting.Eve sighed and stroked her forehead. "I have enough funds in my savings account that can cater for the baby so you don't have to worry about that and about speaking to Henry, I'll do that when the time is right.""You better do so.""Have you told dad about it?"Mrs Bloom arched a brow. "Didn't you say you'll do that yourself?"Eve gave repeated nods. "I'll come home mom and I'll tell him ever
Dane pulled his sports car to a halt at the entrance to the parking lot and quickly stepped out."This better be good." He muttered under his breath and charged toward Olivia who was standing under a lemon tree, a few meters away from the park entrance.It was a few minutes past 6 pm and about fifteen minutes earlier, Olivia had called Dane and asked her to meet with him, stating that they needed to speak urgently.He got to the spot she was standing and instantly flashed a smile at her. Why the hell was he grinning like a clown Olivia wondered and quickly turned away after a smirk.Dane cleared his throat loudly and gave his forehead a delicate scrape. He was not the kind of man who was used to putting his perfect set of dentition on display and he couldn't tell why he got excited and had to smile at the sight of Olivia.Olivia adjusted the leather bag hanging around her left arm and began taking steps toward Dane. He remained rooted to his spot and felt like the ground was going to
Eve took sluggish steps toward the door. She had been avoiding them for quite a long time and she knew that the sooner she faced them, the better for her sanity.She stood by the door for several seconds and tried to keep her breath in check. She didn't see who was banging on her door but she could bet that it was either Olivia or Jen.After exhaling twice, she opened the door and saw the ladies standing outside. She flashed a quick smile at them and before she could usher them into the house, they flew in.She slammed the door behind her and turned to face their inquisitive faces. They were both folding their arms across their chests and staring at her like an owl."And why the hell was your phone off for two days?" Olivia flung the question at her.Eve sighed and moved to the twin couch."Some ladies from your hate club had been blowing up my phone. I don't even know why I gave them my phone number in the first place." Jen lamented.She moved to the couch and settled next to Eve by
Eve was glad that she had spoken to her mother. She was feeling a bit relieved and was glad that her mother didn't judge or condemn her. Mrs Bloom was sensitive enough to realize that at that moment, Eve needed all the support and comfort she could get.*****"I'm so happy to see you!" Phil declared and almost pulled her to the floor because he had immersed her in a tight hug. Eve smiled and hugged him. If she had her way, she would have pulled him away because she woke up that morning feeling edgy. She attributed the sudden feeling to pregnancy hormones."I never thought you would show up today," Phil commented after they broke off the embrace. "You need rest Eve. You can count on me to handle things while you are recuperating. Remember, health is wealth." Eve gave a warm smile and folded her arms across her chest. Who would have thought that she could get along with Phil? Two weeks ago, they could barely stand each other."Thank you so much, Phil." She replied. She was going to mi
Eve shut her eyes and opened them immediately. Just when she thought that she was hallucinating, she realized that the doctor was still standing by her bed.He kept the file he was holding next to her on the bed and left after flashing a bright smile.Even grabbed the file with trembling hands and her gaze instantly fell on the result after she opened it. She shut the file after a gasp and quickly turned away.She was fucking pregnant!"Damn it!" She muttered under her breath and squeezed the bedsheet. Her head began to spin in circles. She was carrying Henry's baby. According to the report, the doctor handed it over to her, she was three weeks gone.Whether she was three weeks gone, a month or two months gone, it was certain as death that the baby she is carrying is Henry's.He was the only man she had been with and on countless occasions, they had been together without using protection even though there were times she took pills, there were a few times she skipped the pills.She th
The continuous ringing of Eve's phone caused her to open her heavy eyes.She picked up the call."Hey!""Hey, baby. How is my gorgeous damsel doing this morning?" came Darcy's voice.The statement didn't provoke a smile on her face and neither did her cheeks turn red. She was even shocked at her reaction."I'm doing great Darcy." She replied and rubbed her drowsy eyes with the edge of her left palm.Did she just say, Darcy? She cleared her throat loudly. "How are you doing babe?"The phone speaker filtered Darcy's chuckle. "I'm good. You are having a work-free day?"Eve arched a brow. "A work-free day? It's not weekend.""And you are still not at work?"Eve glanced at the wall clock hanging above her. Her eyes widened in horror."Jeez!" She screamed. It was a few minutes to 9 am and she should have been at the office by now."I need to go now." She said and quickly hung up before Darcy could give a reply.She went through her phone and realised that the alarm she had set to awaken he
"Come in!" Henry responded from the inside and shut the file before him.Immediately after he lifted his head and realised that it was Eve who just walked into his office clinging to some documents, he lowered his head and opened the file he had shut earlier.She walked up to his desk. "Phil said you needed the transaction details of the cost of production for the week." She said without staring at him directly.He continued fiddling with the pages of the document before him. "And why didn't Phil obtain the document from the accounts department? Wasn't he the one I assigned the task to?" he asked without lifting his head.From that statement, Eve could tell that Henry wasn't expecting her and on the other hand, she didn't want to be in his office but she had to bring the report because Phil had a couple of other things to do."He's busy. You asked him to plan the annual meeting with the branch managers and also draft invitation letters." She reminded Henry.Lately, he had stopped assi
Eve cast her gaze to the entrance. She saw a man by the door lifting a phone to his face. Could he be her mystery man? She wondered and lowered the phone to her chest.Meanwhile, the man also lowered the phone to his chest and kept roving his eyes around the area."Pick the damn call!" Eve muttered under her breath and began taking strides toward the glass door.The man finally picked up the call and when he turned around, she froze.He placed his perfect set of dentition on display by flashing a bright smile. "You must be Eve?"She nodded repeatedly.He began taking steps toward her, maintaining the illuminating smile. He was devilishly handsome and was dressed in a gas-blue suit. Eve looked into his forest green eyes and darted her gaze to his expensive shoes. Olivia was right. The man was damn classy.When he got to Eve, he extended his right hand and ran his left hand through his blonde hair. "I'm Darcy."She remained rooted to her spot. She wondered whether she should smile, spea