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
"Welcome, mother,” I say, strolling into the house.She ignores me, heading towards her room.“I'm still mad at you for not telling me about the day for your dress fitting.”“Mother, you can't stay mad at me forever. I was being a considerate child.”“You should have allowed me to decide if I could make it or not.”“Argggh. I know you, mother, you would have moved the earth if it were possible just to get down here.”“Louis is secondary. You, my baby, will always come first. It's bad enough that I can't seem to play any role in this preparation because people have been paid to do practically everything.”“Uhmm. Mother, I'm sorry. I know videos do not do as much justice as being there. I can arrange for another fitting if you want.”“That will be an extra expense.”“Which I can comfortably pay for.”“I guess I'll have to wait till the wedding day.”“Mom, I'm sorry.”“It's fine. Your sins have been forgiven. Sin no more.”“Yes ma'am. How was the Dubai tour?”“It was good," mother says.
"Hello, this is Jordan.""I believe you are doing well."The voice on the other end of the line is warm and familiar. "Mr. Baker, it's a pleasure to hear from you. I trust everything is going nicely with your wedding preparations.""Yes, it is; thank you. I wanted to know if you’ve received the shipment you were awaiting." Patricia’s dress is ready; on the other hand, I can't say the same for mine. I’m not even sure if work has started on my suit because last I heard the designer was waiting for the fabric to be shipped."Charles Buckman, the designer making my wedding suit,comes highly recommended, as he is very good at his craft. He did a tremendous job with Tony’s. I’m trusting him to do the same with mine."Yes, Jordan, the shipment has arrived; it just arrived the night before, and it is as exquisite as we anticipated. I have started working on your suit, and I'm confident it will meet your expectations.”"Excellent. I have complete trust in your work, and I know that the suit wi
Louis' home is so beautiful. It's a homely space for anyone looking to start a family. The infinity pool and the view are mind-blowing. I like that the infinity pool has a massive glass barricade. Mother sings the praises of the house and everyone involved in making it look super flawless, according to her. One of the things I'm eager to see is the primary suite."Welcome to my home," Louis says, hugging me.If anything, Louis keeps looking less than fifty-three every time I see him. I take a minute to admire the beautiful pictures hanging at different corners of the parlour."Thank you very much. I need your recipe for ageing backwards." I say, smiling.He chuckles and places a hand on his chest."As much as I would love to take all the credit, it's a gene thing, and there's the gym too."“The gym.” I say, eyeing him.“Yeah, where I met your mother," he says, laughing.“These tiles are beautiful. Your home is beautiful.”“Thank you very much.”“Italian?”“Yes.”"I see. It smells so g
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