It’s Christmas!!!! The long-awaited day finally graces us with its presence. I'm elated.“Come on, Patricia, we’re going to be late,” Ray announces, barging into the room in excitement. I smile at the burst of adrenaline.“I’m almost done; I just need to wear my heels." I quickly put on my nude heels and hurry downstairs to meet everyone.It's a day to celebrate love and family, and spending it with the Bakers feels great—we're able to blend in with their world of sophistication and elegance and learn a brand-new, intriguing custom. We'll be feeding and gifting the homeless people after the church service, which is an awesome idea.It's a very kind thing to do, and I'm happy to be a part of it. Being hungry, homeless, and living on the streets is not a pleasant sensation at all, though I can't say I know what it feels like. Being outside for a short moment and feeling the cold against my skin is so uncomfortable. How much more, constantly breathing the cold without having a hiding pla
As I prepare for my first day of fashion school, excitement runs through me. This is a very vital step towards achieving my desired goal. I am grateful to God for such an amazing opportunity. A dream that felt like it was almost impossible to achieve due to financial restraint has become an opportunity handed on a platter of gold. I'm a few steps away from achieving my ultimate goal, and it feels so surreal.“Jai, don’t sweat. You have an important meeting. You don’t have to come with me to school.”“It’s my süsser's first day at fashion school; of course I must, and Tony can kick off the meeting. Sweet, you look so hot; my coffee is extremely jealous right now.""I'm so flattered considering how hot your coffee usually is.""Everyone at your school today isn't prepared for what's coming their way. Because what is all this beauty and this outfit? No no. I might have a change of mind about letting you step out of this house.""Nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, Jai, not you, and defin
I take a deep breath before entering the lobby. This is it—the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one filled with aspirations of becoming a top fashion designer. I finally did it. I’m about to start my first day of fashion school. It feels like a dream. I’m here now in this building after imagining it for several years.As I enter the grand lobby, I am immediately struck by the buzz of creativity and talent that surrounds me. A polished marble reception desk stood at the centre of the lobby. Three receptionists, two females and one male, were impeccably dressed behind the desk and attending to the students by welcoming us with a warm smile, ready to provide guidance and information. I join the short queue of already-waiting students and look around my beautiful surroundings while trying not to act too stunned by how beautiful this place is.The walls are adorned with runway photographs from renowned fashion shows. In the near future, I want pictures from my fashion shows to be on
The long-awaited break time. I fell asleep without having dinner yesterday and woke up this morning way too excited to put anything into my stomach."Would that be all?" the server asks."Yes please."After such a lengthy and exquisite introduction to the basics of fashion, I just want to find a quiet corner away from humans and eat this food. I take a quick scan of the room and find a nice corner."So... Jordan?? North America's golden boy, a big catch if I must add." Melvin says, settling down beside me."You don't sound pleased." I say irritated."Well, Bryan's my friend too.""Your point, Melvin?" I ask, grabbing my tacos."I never took you for a woman who loved bad boys. Do you have any idea of his records?""I'll appreciate it if we do not talk about my fiance. Not that you deserve any explanation, but just so you know, he's a changed person."Melvin's laughter fills booms causing people to turn towards us."You are making a scene." I say through greeted teeth, suddenly feeling
I'm still in shock that Patricia spoke to me like that. I have always respected her wish, and I’ve never made her feel like this isn’t her house either. I don’t get where this is coming from, and it makes my heart sink.I leave the room wondering how a simple statement and question could lead to such an outburst. Patricia's reaction took me completely by surprise. Could it be wedding cold feet, or is she just stressed from fashion school?If she needs space, then I might as well respect her wish. I head back to my home office to finish up with work, but my mind keeps going back to her words and wondering what the cause of her outburst could be. An hour and a half later, I finally finish up. Under normal circumstances, this work should have taken me nothing less than 45 minutes at most.I sigh, rubbing my temples. I’m already tired from the day’s work, and I want to go upstairs to sleep, but I don’t want to go to bed without us talking about whatever is bothering her. I don’t want any
“Come on, Patricia, they are already on their way from the doctor’s appointment.”“I’m just trying to finish up on some things; they are almost done with the decorations.” I say, rushing out to meet him.“Is everything else ready?”“Yes, everything else is perfect." I’m so excited for this. Brittney already said she wasn't doing a baby shower, and I don’t know why, but Tony agreed with her, and as much as we want to respect their decisions, I don’t want them to look back and have regrets. It’s their first child. Why wouldn't they want a baby shower?Jordan and I are throwing them a cute and simple baby shower. The only ones present here aside from us are both their parents and Hazel, Tony’s sister. Very small and intimate.I have been planning this celebration for weeks now, ensuring every detail is perfect, and I’m glad everything has fallen into place. The decorations are now set up all over the room. Upon entering the room, Brittney and Tony’s baby shower sign is decorated with pin
My thoughts are so divided right now. I’m supposed to be fully focused on the basics of making different types of corsets, but my mind has been on my wedding dress. I know Olivia is good at what she does, but I’m so nervous. What if there’s a flop with the dress? She's human, after all. The wedding is in three weeks. I know I should be grateful that she went all out to squeeze my dress into her already-booked schedule. I pray this dress will turn out just the way I imagined it would.Why the hassle about the dress, though? I caution myself. As long as I’m getting married to Jai, the dress can be made up of pawpaw leaves. Who cares? Ok, that’s a lie. I care.Cake testing, venue selection, colour code, food options, and every other wedding arrangement have been sorted out. We didn’t have to do so much. Thank God for technology, a handy wedding planner, and sufficient funds to sort out anything.Weddings take months to plan. What was I thinking when I told Jordan we could get married in
I feel a mixture of exhilaration and a tinge of trepidation as I glance in the mirror. The wedding is drawing near, and although I'm thrilled about it, I'm still anxious about the actual day.Olivia really did a great job on the wedding dress. Although I panicked for a bit, I sort of knew I could trust her to bring the vision of my dream wedding gown to life. The dress is a vision of bridal perfection, an A-line masterpiece crafted from the finest Italian duchess satin and adorned with intricate leaver lace.The bodice is a work of art, fitting my curves perfectly with a sweetheart neckline that accentuates my body, giving off elegance and grace. Delicate lace motifs cascaded down from the bodice, creating a mesmerising, timeless design. The gown is adorned with delicate pearl beading and sequins, adding a touch of subtle sparkle.“This gown will definitely turn heads and make the headlines.” Brittany comments, and I nod, laughing.I stare at myself in the mirror, unable to tear my ey
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