“Hey, buddy,” Tony says while patting my back. “Hey, where’s Brittney? I have a little something for her.” I say as I stretch a bottle of vintage wine. “A Vitnipa 1906 bottle? I'm jealous.”Brittney strolls out in an army green dress, looking prettier than ever.“Is that Baker’s voice I hear?”“It sure is. Pregnant and glowing, I like.”“Hey, her husband is right here, in case you forgot.” Tony yells from the kitchen.“Can't a man speak his truth again?”“Are you sure you are okay?” Brittney asks with concern written all over her face.“Yes, Do I look not okay?” I ask jokingly, knowing fully well I'm not.“Dinner is ready.” Tony says, placing the baked potatoes alongside the other dishes on the table. We all take our seats as Brittney locks hands with Tony. He gestures for me to join mine.“Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we've come to thank you for your provision. Thank you for giving us reasons to celebrate. We ask, dear Lord, that you do not take away our happiness and you bless us r
After the tumultuous incident of the panic attack, several days have passed, and I find myself restored and well-rested. The presence of my mom has brought joy not only to everyone around but to me as well. Assisting with Ray and offering steadfast support, she has returned to her place. Meanwhile, Jordan embarked on a weekend business trip, set to return on Monday evening. Now, with just Rachel and me at home for the weekend, I anticipate the moments ahead with eager anticipation.“Miss Patricia, what do you think we should do today?” Rachael asked. We did a movie marathon last night and had a sleepover party watching movies and painting our nails, and she was the one who suggested it, so it’s my turn to come up with something.I ponder, striving to uncover activities that would delight her on this tranquil Sunday evening. Glancing out the window, I'm greeted by the sight of impeccable weather. Suddenly, a brilliant idea blooms within me, inspired by the enchanting flowers in the gard
To say I'm stupefied will be an understatement. What is this I hear about a certain Bryan creating a scene in front of my estate gate. Thank God for secluded areas who knows how fast the footage would have spread? Had to have security throw him out of the premises. How does he even know my house address? My trust my Patricia is becoming questionable because I see no reason why he should come over to my house and make a scene. If they fought and Patricia needs some space, he should respect that or at least both of them should respect my privacy!I let out a breath of relief as my jet touches down. Patricia is going to answer to me. The interview for a housekeeper starts tomorrow and I am definitely looking forward to it because the last thing I will condone is a grown-up man throwing tantrums at my gate To add insult to the injury, a stranger.“Daddy.”“Baby, how are you doing?”“I'm fine. I missed you so much even though Miss Ricia and I had a very nice weekend.”“I missed you too ba
Bryan is so unbelievable! What does he think he is doing or hoping to achieve by creating a scene outside Mr Jordan’s gate just because I haven’t been replying to his messages or calls? The last time we spoke, he was asking me for money. When did I just cash-app him money for his stupid TV? What the hell is wrong with him and more importantly with me?When I wasn’t feeling fine from fainting, he did not call me to check up on me for once, get me anything or even request to see me and now that he's in need of money to sustain himself till he gets a job, he's been calling my phone non-stop.I ignore him and he decides to put up a show. I have never seen Mr Jordan flare up like that. He was really mad at me and also raised his voice at Rachel which was the first time he ever did that since I stepped into this house. I found it rather brave that she was standing up to her father for me, she is such a sweet girl but Bryan on the other hand, is going to be having an earful. Before I pic
“You seem not to have any interest in any of the housekeepers you interviewed today. The third woman seemed to be a good choice but you let her go.”“I need the best choice.”“True.”“The good thing is they'll keep sending till I find the perfect person.”“I still can't believe Patricia’s fiancè came over to your house to cause a scene.”“Apparently, he even lied. He is just her boyfriend.”“What did she have to say about him showing up?”“She had no idea.”“It was wise that you had your lawyer reach out to him.”“I feel so bad for going hulk on her. You know how I despise my name or face popping up with ugly headlines. It's not even good for the company.”“At all. At least we know there won't be future occurrences.” I don't know if I should tell Tony what I heard yesterday. How is he going to feel about me eavesdropping on Patricia’s conversation? I came downstairs last night to notify Miss Patricia about Ray’s lesson teacher’s coming today and overheard her conversation with Bryan
I’m happy that I have not seen Mr Jordan since the day Bryan caused a scene which is two days ago and I have been avoiding him because I am still embarrassed about Bryan’s behaviour and might still have to apologize for it and after seeing Mr Jordan angry like that I don’t want to be around him too much because I‘ll keep recollecting him scolding me. It's not like I can avoid him forever anyway. I get out of bed, shower and dress up. I head to Rachel’s room to get her prepared for the day. Since it is holiday season her father wants her to learn new languages and hobbies so she will be taking piano lessons, knitting lessons and French lessons throughout the week as well as an advanced lesson for her next term. “Wakey, wakey princess, it’s time to get up.” I say in a sing song tone as I sit on her bed tapping her lightly. She stirs lightly but does not wake up so I tap her lightly again. “Wake up Ray Ray.”“Hmm, is it morning yet ? I still want to sleep.” She mumbles.“You
I should have planned this well before summoning her. Aren't I too old for these gimmicks? I don't know if it's me but it seems like she's been avoiding me. Anyway, that's not going to be for long because while Ray is sleeping soundly, Miss Patricia and I are going to be having a long chat.”You asked to see me, sir.”“Yes. Are you good?”“Yes sir.”“Feels like you don't live here anymore. Are you avoiding me?”“No sir. I've just been busy doing what I'm being paid to do.”“I see. Good.”“Would that be all sir.”“Yeah.”“Okay.”“Wait. About the other day, I'm sorry that I spoke to you in such manner. I should have approached the situation in a more reasonable way.”“It's fine sir. You don't need to apologize, you are my boss. Besides it was wrong of me to bring a stranger to your house.”“Still, I should have been a little bit subtle and you didn't know he was coming.”“I'm sorry sir.”“It's in the past. Let's leave it there. What are you up to?”“Was about going to my room.”“Don’t t
“Jordan Baker, can you stop pacing around the room? You destroyed her phone not her life.”“I shouldn't have listened to you. She cried! You know, actual tears were streaming down her eyes.”“People cry.”“I made a grown adult cry because I decided to follow your instructions. I was perplexed. I felt bad for the rest of the day.”“Don’t worry you'll eventually be alright. All you have to do now is just delay a little before getting her another one then you guys can go to Seychelles and make her forget reasons why she chose to be with that loser in the first place.”“Stop putting things in my head. This person in question is Mrs Charity’s daughter!”“So what?”“Mrs Charity is like a mother to me. What does that make Tricia?”“That was really fast.”“What was?”“Giving nicknames now are we?”“Last I checked, Patricia is her real name.” I say confused. Is Tony going through something? “You called her Tricia some minutes ago.”“You heard wrong.”“I promise you I head right. I can bet my
Epilogue6 months later I tap my fingers on the driving wheel, humming along to the pulse of the road, feeling the beat echo within. Each song becomes a personal concert, and my audience is the world outside my window. With each note, the journey transforms into an adventure full of songs and delight, making every mile unique.The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow as I drive , my pregnant belly gently cradled by the steering wheel as I embark on a journey to pick up Ray from her mother Vanessa's house. The anticipation of seeing Ray radiates through me blending with the rhythmic kicks of the little one in my belly.Arriving at Vanessa's house, I take a moment to steady myself before ringing the doorbell. Vanessa greets me with a warm smile. "Thanks for doing this, Patricia, for allowing Ray spend the weekend even though it wasn’t my week.” Vanessa says her expression soft with gratitude."It's my pleasure. Ray and I have a special bond, and it’s important that she has that type of
“Son, we are so happy for you.” father says super proud “Your father is right and we are glad you are very happy because we see how your face lights up all the time.”“Thanks. I love how both of you show up for me every time and support me. How you guys helped me raise Ray with unwavering love.”“You are our child and she's our granddaughter. It's our duty.” father says.“All the same, thanks again.” “I’ll leave you two to discuss while I check on what's cooking.” mother says excusing us.“So how's work?”“Going smoothly, dad. Thanks for asking.”“Don’t you think it's high time you take a break?”“I was thinking so too. Tony and I are organizing a group trip for our ladies.”“Now that's my boy. How's Ray and how’s she coping with this new chapter?”“Surprisingly good. Vanessa is good with children and I'm wondering what changed.”“People change. You did too.”I nod, father's words sinking in. "Yeah, people do change," I agree, pondering the evolution of myself and those around me."Y
The car hums softly as we embark on the journey back home after an emotional reunion with Ray's birth mother, Vanessa. The air in the car is thick with a mixture of lingering tension and unspoken questions. Ray, sitting in the back seat, stares out of the window, seemingly lost in thought. I wonder how she must be feeling after meeting her mother and if she has any question on her mind. Jordan, his hands steady on the wheel, steals a glance at Ray. Concern etched on his face, he speaks gently, "Ray, how are you feeling?"Ray sighs , her gaze still fixed on the passing scenery. "I don't know, Dad. It's a lot to process." I turn in my seat reaching out to touch Ray's hand. "We're here for you, sweetheart. Whatever you're feeling, it's valid."Ray nods , a small smile playing on her lips. "I appreciate that, Mom." I love it when she calls me mom and the thought of having a little child growing in me that will call me mom as well is so exciting. The car moves in a comfortable silence
Vanessa stands there, seemingly untouched by time, her slender figure and unchanged appearance hinting at a timeless beauty. There's a momentary question lingering as to whether she could truly be the mother of the boys following behind, given the absence of any visible resemblance."Vanessa," I call out from the car."Welcome to my home. Jordan and Patricia, thank you very much for this. I do not take it lightly," she acknowledges."Hi, Rachel. It's so lovely to see you. I'm Vanessa.""Hi, Mom," Ray greets warmly.Vanessa's face lights up, glowing with joy like a myriad of stars."Can I give you a hug?""Yes, please," Ray responds, embracing her eagerly."These are my sons, Gabriel and Nathaniel Parker. My husband and their father are late," she announces."Sorry for your loss," we chorus, following the boys' greetings."It's alright. It was a long time ago. Shortly after I got married to him, he took ill and passed. Let's not waste any further time out here. Let's all go in."As we
It's a relief that Jordan and I were able to work through our issues and emerge with a renewed vow to never let secrets ruin our relationship. The lesson acquired from the difficult experience emphasised the critical value of honesty and transparency.What truly surprised me was Jordan's apology for his impulsive decision to ask me to leave without taking the time to process everything. Admittedly, my choice to withhold essential information felt like a significant breach of trust, casting a shadow over our relationship.However, Jordan's perspective on the dynamics of marriage startled me. Despite the hurt caused by my actions, he believed that a successful marriage necessitates navigating such challenges through open communication and forgiveness.At that moment, I felt conflicting emotions—my initial guilt for withholding information, Jordan's surprising apology, and his conviction in the essential aspects of trust and openness in a marriage. It forced me to rethink my concept of t
In the solitude of this past week, amidst the echo of my own thoughts, I've embarked on an odyssey within myself. In the wake of shattered trust, I find myself navigating a labyrinth of emotions, haunted by the echoes of betrayal. Yet, amidst the debris of fractured promises, there's a yearning to rebuild what was once a sanctuary of companionship. The road to reconciliation feels like walking on shards of glass, each step a cautious maneuver to bridge the chasm that divides us. But within this tempest of hurt lies a glimmer of hope, a desire to unearth the truth, to mend the rift, and perhaps forge a stronger bond, weathered yet resilient in the face of adversity.The air in my father's study hangs heavy with the weight of unspoken words and hidden truths. Stepping into this sanctum of memories, the familiar scent of aged books and polished wood offers solace amidst the impending revelation.Mother's absence is a blessing in this moment, sparing her the pain that lingers within the d
The ticking clock echoes in my quiet room, each passing second emphasizing the void left by three days of strained silence. The memory of the argument with Jordan replays in my mind, the pain still fresh, and the weight of regret settling in my chest.My phone lies untouched on the table, its screen devoid of messages or missed calls. I can't bring myself to break the silence, understanding that the wounds from my actions need time to heal. I feel empty without him, unable to eat or sleep properly, spending my days confined in the room, looking like a mess.Regret gnaws at my conscience as I replay the argument in my mind. I had kept a secret, thinking it would be a protective shield for Jordan, only to realize that it has become a barrier between us. Communication truly is key in a relationship; the outcome might have been totally different if I had spoken to him about it as soon as it happened and we had discussed ways on how to go about it. Now I feel like I’ve lost his trust and I
I lay in the hotel bed totally famished and emotionally drained. I don't deserve this. My head is spinning from days of trying to phantom everything that has happened.We were supposed to be on our way to Greece today. I hope she's out when I get back. I need a break from her to be able to think things through. If I'm going to have to get over her which I doubt is possible, I would have to see less of her or her things till I've made a decision. I feel so betrayed!I had to put off my phone because she kept calling non-stop. Only Tony knows my whereabouts and what's going on. I can't bring myself to tell my parents.A knock on my door draws my attention back to my surroundings. That must be room service. I can't let them see me like this.“I'm very busy at the moment, kindly check back later,” I say from behind the door.“It's Tony man.”Arghhhhhh. How do I conceal the wounds on my knuckles?“I'm waiting or else I'll have them bring down this door.”I open the door and resume back to m
The weight of reality hits me hard—I can't believe he found out before I had the chance to tell him. Not that his reaction would have been different, but I wanted to be the one to explain. The door closes behind me, leaving me on the floor, where minutes ago I was pleading with Jordan not to leave.Unable to stand, I remain seated, weeping, and wondering how it came to this. It's only been three months of marriage, and now this. What if he decides on a divorce? I can't lose him; imagining life without him feels unbearable.The gravity of the situation hits me, and I crumble into more tears, my shoulders shaking with the weight of heartache. Realizing I've lost something irreplaceable, coupled with the remorse for not trusting Jordan with the truth, devastates me. I should have mentioned it the very day Bryan sent the message, but I just couldn't. And now, my greatest fear has come true.I don’t know how long I sit crying, but by the time I wake up, it’s past nine. Summoning the courag