chapter 1

Prologue

"Andrew no longer lives here" the old man said with an accent heavily laced in yoruba.

I stood motionless, trying to comprehend the meaning of his words, my heart racing like a thread mill.

"Is anything the matter?" the old man spoke again his gaze trained on me. I look away quickly

At 17 it was hard to hide my naivety. How was I supposed to tell him I was pregnant for his now defunct tenant Andrew.

"No Mr. It just feels strange. I was with him yesterday, he never said anything about traveling. And Today you say he lives here no more"

My boyfriend Andrew was a New recruite at the Military school close to the Pub where I work.

" Yes. I think it was duty. Must have been an Emergency summon. He told me to give You this "

I snatch the piece of paper from his hands and glance through it. Immediately,my heart breaks into a million pieces.

" I won't be coming back" short and crisp. No explanation, no apologies no details.

I slump to the floor, my back resting on the red brick wall. It's all I could do to help with the sudden onset of dizziness.

How could He just leave like that?

What does He mean by 'I won't be coming back'?

Who leaves his Girlfriend without saying Goodbye?

What am I supposed to do about our Baby?

The baby part takes me to my wits end

I should have told him earlier but it never did feel like the right time.

Andrew had no excuse to leave me like that.

Was I a joke to him?

Or maybe a comic relief for his stressful military drills?

The war! or Gush! There was a War up North.

I admonished myself for not thinking in that direction earlier. Had he gone to fight against the insurgents? But He was barely a Soldier.

Anyways, I am sure He loves me and will be back soon.

Or maybe He won't.

I am in deep deep trouble, I say to myself.

"You should call him" the old man advised.

He gave me his phone after I broke mine. Said He wanted me to have it. I guess it was a parting gift.

I don't say this to the old man. Instead, I dial his number hoping for a miracle.

Switched off.

I brush the dirt of my skirt, bid the old man farewell before trudging off his property.

"You can't be pregnant" Genevieve says to me. Her feet made a dull thud on the carpet less floor as she paced. Genevieve is 8 years my senior, the closest person I had to a sister. Her mom owned the pub where I worked. The Same pub where I had first met Andrew.

It was her who convinced my Mother, who convinced my Father to let me leave home.

Livingstone was 5km away

"Claire you can't be pregnant!" Genevieve says again

Maybe if she says it more times it might turn out to be true. "Your mom is going to freak out"

"I know!"

"And your Dad. No telling what He might do"

"I know what my Dad would do, Kill me!"

Dad already had plans to Marry Me off to Reverend Murphy once I turned 18. The plan was to grant me a little exposure as my mom put it, so I can become a good wife. Dad begrudgingly agreed. My dad is Lord of Livingstone. His wishes were Law.

"You have got to have an abortion" Gen suggested

"No! Gen. No! I don't want to die"

"You won't die. People do that shit all the time "

"Have you ever had one?"

"No I haven't "

"If you were pregnant, would you have an abortion?" I ask her honestly

"No, I don't think so "

7 years Later

Yeah, it's been 7 years.

I didn't get to see Andrew again. I am over him now.

I kept the pregnancy and named my baby boy Drew to remind me of him. Silly me.

I didn't get married to Rev Murphy. He got shot by 'thugs' days to the wedding.

Trust my dad to compel me into another Political marriage with Dan who is the towns first mayor. Everyone knows my dad still governs the town though. 'My husband' is just for PR.

My dad's word is Law here in Livingstone. Unfortunately so.....

I woke up to see Dan 'my husband '

clad in a blue Tuxedo. A black leather bag with his laptop laid unzipped at the foot of the bed.

We have been Married for 5 months yet calling us strangers was not far from the truth. My husband is the Mayor of Livingstone and that is one of the few things I care to know about him.

My dad made me Marry Dan after Rev Murphy got shot by thugs. He said he hated to see me alone. In hindsight, He only wanted to get rid of me.

"You are traveling?" I ask Dan 'my husband' That's my way of Saying good morning to him.

"Obviously" he replies, that's his own way.

"And when will you be back?"

His broad frame covered the entire width of the 9ft mirror, his hands are busy working his tie. He says nothing back to me.

"Do you need help with that?" I asked probing

"And when did you start showing interest in my business?" he replied matching my tone

"I am your wife. Remember? it's my duty or don't you think that?"

I could almost hear him scoff. "I am only doing your family a favour"

His favorite line right there, reminding me how less this marriage means to him. I don't believe him. Sometimes when I am not looking I see how he looks at Me. Besides it was my Dad who helped him become Mayor after he agreed to marry Me.

To my Father, I was only a chip with no liberty to make my own decisions.

"What! Dan you are so unbelievable! my family has made you a Mayor! you should be thankful. You used to be nothing"

Now I clearly hear him scoff "And what do I have to do in return? Marry their cursed daughter. Your Dad treats me like a God" He says the last part with emphasis

I feel stung by his words. Yet, Dan was being modest. My Dad does treats him like a God. Which is very unnerving because everyone else treats my Dad like a God.

I take the next few seconds to rearrange my thoughts before moving over to stand behind him. His smell is a mixture of pear and Aloe vera. If I peak out, I can make out his reflection from the mirror. In his face, there is a deep scar underneath his left eye.

"Is that what you think of me? Dan is that what you say to your folks? They don't like me!"

"Claire don't start. Not today"

"Is that what you say to your Mum? She treats me like trash!"

"You want to blame anyone for This!For Us! blame your Dad Claire. I am a victim here"

He turns to look at me, his eyes are empty, no sympathy, no love, no emotions. His eyes are plain and empty.

"I want to make this work Dan. I want to be your wife" I say to him sincerely and softly

He stares at me for a long time. If this was a normal marriage, we would Kiss and make babies

"You are My wife Claire. You are the wife of the Mayor" He retrieves his phone from the dresser top before adding "As long as I remain the Mayor I shall grant your Father his wish" I watch him zip the bag and exit the room with it.

He didn't have to shut the door as He left. The door to his heart was already sealed with prejudice.

It was a 15minutes drive from The Methodist to The Bay Palace where my Parents live. Yet I ended up taking over 29minutes. Funny, for someone who has got a phobia for driving. I would usually order an Uber, but not today. A part of me couldn't care less. I needed to see my Son Drew so badly. He was the only ray of Happiness I had in this world.

Mum was glad to see Me, she wraps her hand around me in a long Embrace like she hasn't seen me in Years. I come here every other day. Mainly because my Son lives here at the command of my Father.

"You look pale" my mum says forcing me into a twirl while her eyes take in every bit of my appearance. She always has something to complain about.

"Where is my son?" I ask her putting an end to her show of motherly inspection

"School. He has extra lessons"

"It's almost five pm! Geez mum!" I let myself fall into the Sofa near me. I feel exasperated. " He is only a 6year old Child! What does He need extra lessons for?"

" Tell that to your Father" mum says pouring us both a glass of scotch before taking the seat opposite me.

I pour the entire liquor into my mouth and savour the burning sensation. How I needed the alcohol.

"I want my son Back Mum. I need to take care of him"

"Don't start a War you won't win Claire. I assure you Valentino is Doing fine. He is such a smart boy"

"His name is Drew! Why doesn't anybody ever listen to me"

I named him after his Father. Andrew.

"You are hurting Claire. That boy is nothing like his Father"

"I know but...." I have nothing else to add.

"How is The Mayor?" Mum says

"Still doesn't like me Much"

"Do you like him much?"

"I am his wife. What choice do I have"

"My child, you deserve to be Happy"

"My father doesn't think that" I pour myself another round of scotch. Mum gives me the don't-you-have-another-glass-after-that look. I don't take her seriously.

"Where is Dad? I miss his presence" I try to hide the sarcasm from my voice

"You just Missed him. He traveled to Deedsteel. They are signing the Peace treaty and he has gone to spectate it. The war has officially ended"

"So that's where Dan Traveled to!"

"He didn't inform you?"

"Dan never tells me Anything"

"Granny! Mummy!"

Drew comes running into my Arm. He is dressed in school clothes. A white long sleeve neatly tucked in black pants with a white cardigan draped over his shirt. My little gentleman.

I give him a Kiss and a tight Hug before letting him go over to his grandma.

"Go take off your school clothes" She says to me

"Not yet, Grandpa isn't Home"He says happily. To me He says "Mum did you bring me any presents?"

"Yes Drew. I am taking you Home with Me"

"Yess!" He lets out a happy quirk

My mum's eyes immediately shoot daggers towards me.

"Your Father won't like that Claire!"

"Fuck him Mum. Drew is My Son. Besides it's only for the Weekend"

"In that case you had better stay Here with us. Your husband isn't Home afteralll"

"Mum! I am taking Drew home for the Weekend. That's it!"

"Stubborn!" Mum shouts before walking out on Me