"No, my husband didn't get this for me," Lena responded."Then how did it get here?" Isabella furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.Lena shrugged her shoulders. "Do you remember anything about it?" She took the painting from Isabella and smoothly ran her fingers through it. "Can you tell me the things you remember about it?" She led her to the bed. They crouched down and there was a long silence between them. Isabella rested her palm on her jaw, trying to mull over everything that had happened in her life. Nothing was clear, even the ones she remembered about Raymond were not exactly clear. She sighed and looked at Lena."I wanted that and Raymond was ready to get it for me, but I can't remember what happened and why I didn't get that anymore.""Nothing at all?" Lena was disappointed. She expected more, she wanted Isabella to tell her more. She wanted to tell Darian all about what she'd discussed with Isabella, but she could only do that if she opened up to her."I can't remember anyt
Darian had been gone for two days now, two days without picking up Lena's calls or calling her to tell her his whereabouts and why he left the house in a hurry that evening. She was worried to death, it had never been like that, she and Darian had grown stronger for him to treat her like an alien. It really pissed her off, but she occupied herself with getting acquainted with Isabella, trying her best not to think too much about her husband, but then, it couldn't be helped."What's on your mind?" Isabella noticed how unhappy Lena had been over the days and she felt asking her the cause of her gloomy mood was the best to do. She was feeding, clothing her and even giving her a comfortable shelter and caring about her was the least she could do for her."Nothing," Lena increased the volume of the television, fixing her eyes on the family soap opera she used to watch with Darian whenever he wanted to spend time with her in the living room. Kissing her teeth, she glared at Isabella and s
Darian grabbed Lena's arm before she could go farther away from him, she tried to jerk her arms away from his grip, but he was stronger."Let go of me, Darian!" She yelled, her expression stern and grim. "Hey, I know that you are mad at me." He said."Of course, I am. So, you should get the fuck out and go back to where you are coming from. Go back to where you went for two days and never bothered to call, text, or pick up my calls when I called you. I was here worrying about you and all you could do was snub me. Isn't it?" She chewed her lips, stretching out her hand to Darian who had a confused expression marring his face.He knew that she was mad at him and he honestly didn't know where and how to start."I had to leave that night, Lena." He said calmly.She folded her arms against her chest, not replying to him. "So, why did you ignore me for days? I thought we were one already. Did you have to do that?" She headed towards the lounge and he followed swiftly behind."I didn't igno
It'd been a month since Isabella moved in with Darian and Lena. Things hadn't been all rosy for her and most especially for them, they'd always try to keep up with Isabella and her moods. Ever since that day she'd had a conversation with Darian, things had changed between them and she had tried to always avoid him whenever he was present. But maybe she would have to call him today if Lena didn't stop behaving funnilyLena had been roaming the living room, supporting her back with both hands. She had been complaining of headaches and backaches and Isabella had been trying to help her out with whatever she wanted. She wondered what happened to her the previous night, she was fine the previous day and she didn't have any of these strange attitudes."What do you want to eat?" Isabella asked when she'd crouched down on the sofa. Her eyes were fixed on Lena, she was looking a bit different."Chicken," Lena responded."You rejected the chicken the first time I brought it to you." Isabella s
The bodyguards drove behind Lena as she made her way to the hospital. She had stopped them from driving her this time, even after so much persuasion, she didn't let them drive her and they resorted to following behind as she drove.She halted the car's engine when she arrived at the hospital. Trepidation crammed her insides, she looked over to where Isabella was comfortably seated on the passenger's seat with a small encouraging smile tugged at the corner of her lips."Isa," she drawled, almost trembling. "I don't think I want to go in there for the test." Dropping her head on the seat, she heaved an exasperated sigh and wriggled her head in worry."Why not?" Isabella queried. "You should be excited that you are about to get one of the best news you would ever hear. Why are you being pessimistic?""Isabella," Lena huffed a sigh. Thinking carefully about her next words, she contemplated telling Isabella about her past pregnancy, but those words felt heavy. After careful thought, she le
Lena wanted to wait till dinner before breaking the news of her pregnancy to Darian but she couldn't contain the happiness she felt inside of her. After they got back home, she talked with Isabella before she fell into a deep slumber. When she was alone in the living room, she kept on thinking about it and she just had to leave the house with Harrison."I hope you didn't tell him that we are coming over." She asked once they were settled in the car. "It's meant to be a surprise visit.""I didn't tell the boss anything, Ma'am. I am adhering to your instructions." He smiled as he kicked the car, driving out of the garage. In no time, he hit the busy road that led to Darian's office."Do you still talk to Lisa?" Lena initiated a conversation with him when the silence was awkward. Lisa had stopped updating her about Harrison since she travelled back."Er," Harrison scratched his head shyly. "Ma'am, I do not know how to reply to that. I mean, we got close a few times and that was all. Th
Lena was seated at the edge of the king–sized bed, scrolling through some websites on her computer. She clicked on the screen and looked up at Darian."What has got all your attention on the computer?" Darian asked, heaving himself to the edge she was seated on. He peered into the screen and coughed out a little. "Job hunting?" "Yes, Darian. I applied for jobs in some places and I am just going through the applications to see if any have gotten back to me." She kissed her teeth. She steadied the computer on her lap and continued to type on it, not caring what her husband's thoughts would be."Really?" He grunted. She nodded her head in response, eyes still fixed on the screen. "Why do you need a job though?""Darian, can we not start with this today? You've asked me to stay off work since I stopped working at the casino and I listened to you. I can't be idle, I have to get something done." She stared sternly at him. "Please," she added, thrusting her hand at him, to stop him from dis
Darian had just concluded a meeting with the members of the Dawson family and was headed to his office when he got an unexpected call from Lena. She was panicking on the phone as they talked, something terrible had happened to Isabella and she had been rushed to the hospital by Harrison, but Lena was so scared she had to call Darian to let him know about it.Jay got to the hospital shortly after they got the call. He parked the car and Darian dashed out of the car, heading into the hospital. He met Lena at the entrance where she was pacing the passageway, he ran to hold her when he caught a glimpse of her."Hey, are you alright?" He pulled her into a bear hug, kissing the top of her head."Yes, Darian. But Isabella isn't fine and I am so scared." She relaxed in his hold."What happened?""We were together when she complained of a terrible migraine. I was confused and didn't know what to do. Darian, I was about to call you or the bodyguards to take us to the hospital when she suddenly
The tiny cries of Dala woke Lena from her afternoon nap. She had been taking care of the baby before Darian showed up and decided to help her out, letting her sleep for some time. She was only a few minutes into her sleep when her cries filled her ears, piercing into them and she just couldn't ignore the cries of her three months old baby.Yawning, Lena stretched to her feet and walked closer to the cot that was in their bedroom. "What does she want again?" She asked Darian who was trying to soothe the baby as she cried harder."I guess she's hungry." He handed the baby over to her. "You should feed her," he sighed, walking down to sit on the bed. "Darian, she eats a lot. I fed her before you came in and she wants to eat again. Why is she being like this?" Lena halted, shaking her head. She held the tiny fingers of her baby and smiled at her. "Dala, mama needs to sleep, baby." The baby chuckled, winking her large hazel eyes at her mother. Lena's heart softened, she just couldn't be
Some months later. All the members of the Dawson family mafia were still against Darian, but he knew what he wanted and he fought hard for it until victory was his. After much deliberation, several meetings and many days of resentment, Isabella was finally accepted back into the family. She didn't associate with the members of the Dawson family because she was yet to gain back her memory to figure out exactly who they were and how harshly they treated her in the past. She only maintained her distance from them and didn't go beyond where Darian told her to go. Lena rubbed her protruding tummy as she sat beside Darian on the divan in the lounge, it was late in the night and they were looking at the stars that aligned at the skies together, discussing how far they'd come in their relationship and how she was due for delivery in a few days. Darian took Lena's hand and smiled, "How do you feel now?" He asked, his eyes not leaving her tummy. He couldn't contain his happiness, he already
"Hey," Lena tapped Darian but he didn't respond to her. Tossing around on the bed, he faced the other side and pulled the duvet over his head, deterring her from seeing his face. "Darian," squinting, she wondered what was wrong with her husband. "Darian, are you good?" She wasn't having it, his silence made her so uncomfortable, and she was so eager to know what went wrong with him. He had been in a mood since he got back from work that evening and that was affecting her whole evening.Darian yanked the duvet off his body, sitting straight on the bed. He looked over to see Lena's worried face, he wriggled his head and looked away from her."Darian, did I do something wrong to you?" She asked but he didn't give her a word. "Darian," she touched him, he jerked away from her hold and she shook her head in confusion. "What's wrong with you? What happened at work?" She was concerned about him."Never mind, Lena. I just want to be alone." He got off the bed, heading towards the doorpost. L
"You've gone against the mafia rules, Darian." Gaius declared harshly, his eyes ogling Darian's body as he stood amid every member of the Dawson family mafia. "You can't lead us anymore, we don't want a boss who works in cahoots with the enemy."Darian chuckled, "Works in cahoots with the enemy, you say?" He repeated."Yes, how do we trust you after you went back to an enemy and let her stay in your house?""Judson, I know you've always wanted the position of the Don, but I promise that you will never get here, you won't sit your ass on that throne." He stated frantically, throwing his fingers towards the throne chair.Judson chuckled devilishly. "Let's see how long you will last there."Darian lowered his gaze on Judson, he put him under the scrutiny of his eyes and after a while, he stared away from him and looked at Gaius."You have no right to come up with the decision, let the people decide if I should be reinstated or removed." He narrowed his gaze on them, everyone present in t
It was past three months and Lena's bump was yet to be visible, she rubbed her hand on her belly as she looked through the mirror. Darian had his eyes on her the whole time. Smiling, he crept out of bed and walked up to where she was standing in front of the mirror."You look so beautiful, you do not need a mirror when you have me. I am the only one who can show you how beautiful you are." He swivelled her around, cupping her face in his hands. "My wife."Lena smiled, "I am checking to see if the baby bump is out yet. I am so nervous, I really can't wait to see it.""I can't wait too, it will be the most beautiful sight to behold. My beautiful wife is pregnant with our baby." He kissed her neck. "Thanks for all that you do, Lena. You make me so complete, you make me a complete man and I love you so much.""I wouldn't settle for anyone else but you, Darian. You make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. Loving you is the best feeling I have ever felt and I don't want to
Darian pushed the door open. Waltzing in, he placed his hand on his sides and looked at his wife. A bright smile appeared on her face, she was happy to see him. She could never get enough of him."You were taking time and I just wanted to be sure that all is well with you." Darian rested his back on the door after shutting it."Yes, we were discussing." Lena retorted. "And was about to come to the dining table when you knocked at the door. Did you miss me so much you can't eat without me?"Darian chuckled at Lena's naughtiness, "You know there is something that we have to do, don't you?" He asked and she shook her head.Getting her ass off the bed, she moved closer to him. "Tell me, Darian, do you miss me?" She inquired, staring into his eyes. Isabella looked at them through the corner of her eyes, she admired and envied them. She wished her love life with Raymond was that perfect, she wished she made it to marriage with him, but she was happy that she had someone as beautiful as Dar
After Tina served the table, she proceeded to inform Darian and Lena about it. When they were settled on the dining table, Lena excused herself to get Isabella from the room.She got to the doorpost and knocked gently at the door, her waist hurt as she stood by the door. She leaned against the doorpost, hand clamped over the doorknob. She knocked four times and there wasn't any response from Isabella. She panicked, hurrying to burst into the room. She got in and met Isabella resting on the bed, her eyes shut and her head above her head."Isa?" She called but there was no response from her. Lena was scared, different thoughts ran through her mind as she approached Isabella who looked lifeless from her posture. "Isa?" She stooped to touch her face and Isabella's eyes snapped open, blinking her eyes in search of the intruder who had disturbed her reverie. "Are you alright?" Lena asked her.Nodding her head, she sat up and heaved a long sigh. "I am fine," she responded dryly."Oh, I have
"Darian," Lena called. She had noticed how he trailed off when she was talking to him about the reports she got from the Doctor earlier at the hospital. He looked at her with an expressionless face. "What's wrong with you?" She lowered the baby's onesie on the bed and sat next to Darian."Lena," he called dryly."What happened when I was away? Did you talk with Isabella?""Yes, I did," Darian replied. "She wants to leave the house.""Why would she want to leave the house? Did you say anything that prompted that decision?" She glared at him, knowing what Darian could do.He shook his head, narrowing his eyes on her. "I wanted to have a conversation with her and the first thing she said to me was that she wanted to leave the house.""Is that why you are moody?" "No, Lena. I am not moody, I am fine. There is a lot on my mind. But come here," He motioned to his lap. She crawled into his lap and rested her head on his back."What's it that you are thinking about, my love?"Darian chuckled
Lena had gone to the hospital with the bodyguards, leaving Darian at home with Isabella and Tina. He had been in his study for over an hour now and he suddenly craved coffee. When he couldn't get across Tina through the intercom, he decided to leave the study room and get to the kitchen.Isabella was seated on a couch in the living room, her eyes fixated on the blank television screen. Darian wondered what she was staring at that got her extreme attention. He ignored them and proceeded to the kitchen but he couldn't take further steps, thoughts of Isabella filled his head and he decided to stop to have a conversation with her.He paced the living room, not knowing how to incite the conversation with them. Isabella noticed him but she said nothing, when Darian didn't stop walking around the living room, she cleared her throat and spoke out."I want to leave your house."Her words caused Darian to waver, he sent a glare to her and shook his head. "Where do you plan to go if you leave my