Chapter 3

Her ajar mouth widened even more, as it did the same with her eyes. A strange man laid beside her, asleep and naked as she was. Her heart thumped against her chest as she recognized the man from last night

How did I end up?...with him?.. Naked?

She swallowed. Carefully she made her way down the bed without waking him up, and wasting no time, Beverly McCartney picked up her cloth and put them on immediately. She picked her purse, phone and spared him one last glance, having a better view of the man she assumed she had spent a night with. He looked averagely handsome. She shook her head vigorously, denying herself of the thought and quickly, made her way towards the latched door. Once outside, she leaned against the door and drew in a long inhale, only after she had looked both right and left and realized she was in a hotel.

This was a big mistake she thought and hurriedly walked away, clicking her shoe against the tiled floor.

* * *

“You had a one night stand? You??!!” Ravel yelled, shock to her core “I was drunk Ravel..” she rolled her eyes annoyingly at her “Still doesn't cover up the fact you actually had sex with a stranger” she teased, chuckling while handing her a cup of her morning steaming coffee “I was worried sick when I came home and couldn't find you, thought something happened to you?”

“I'm sorry”

“So tell me , how was it?”

“Nothing you should concern yourself with” she hissed and made her way out of the kitchen ignoring the several calls from Ravel. She smiled as she walked up to the direction of her mother's room and soon, her smiled vanished into the thin air. “Mom?” she called out the moment she softly opened the door.

“Ber.?” voiced out, Beverly's mother, Mariam managed to sit up on the bed, putting on a small smile on her dried lips.

“How're you feeling?” asked Beverly

“Sick” she tried to chuckle but coughed in return, squinting her eyes close to the sudden acute pain along her chest region. Beverly rushed to the bed immediately, plopped the mug on the coffee table and took a sit next to Mariam then picked up the medicine beside the nightstand.

“Doctor Mathew said it will help with—“

“I'm okay Ber.—”

“You'll be if you listen to me, come on” she pulled out a single capsule and carried a bottle water that had been previously placed by the nightstand too.“Yes mom” Mariam cooed and drank the pills in silence.

“You'll be fine, I'll make sure of that, I promise” she clutched her eyes closed for a moment then opened them, releasing a sharp exhale. Time was running out, she knew, her heart made a sharp beat and worries flowed in immediately, the kind that would give her headaches if she couldn't stop.

“I Know baby, I know” Mariam smiled comfortably, all of the sudden she said “um, paid a visit yet?,To him? It been so long”

“Been busy” Beverly lied. She couldn't say the truth and hurt her mother but somewhat, Mariam still knew what haunted her dreams at night, why she stayed away from him for the past few months now.

“Ber.” there both stared at each other innocently “It wasn't your fault, stop blaming yourself for something you didn't even contribute t—”

“Mom please i—” interrupted, Mariam reached for her hand and squeezed it softly and frowned.

“Pay him a visit, it would mean a lot to him—”

“I will . Now please stop, n—” cut off immediately, both ladies turned sharply to the door that was immediately burst opened by ravel, her face covered with pure excitement.“Guess what!!” she yelled “Ravel please, this isn't the time for that yet, just spill the bean” reluctantly, Beverly said, Rolling her eyes off her “Fun spoiler.. anyways, I just got mailed and Beverly's application was successfully accepted!” she shrieked, throwing her hands into the air, as Beverly's eyes widened in surprise to the news, a broad smile crept on her face the moment she jumped down from the bed happily.

“What? You're serious?”“Of course!, You can start as soon as possible, the wani's would be so glad to have you as Martha's care taker” she responded

“I'm Happy for you baby but...” she adjusted a little on her bed “Who's the wani's?”

“You didn't tell mom?” Ravel turned to Beverly

“Didn't think they would be a need, especially when we weren't sure they'll accept me”

“Right.. Mom, the Waniworth are tycoons, how should I put this, um, they're rich influencial people in today's world, not just rich but filthy rich, they run different investing companies worldwide and this companies are handed to each grandson's of the Waniworth's household.

They are known for their popularity and status mom” Ravel explained and sighed once more.

“I'm still a little confuse, how does it have to do with Beverly's job?” she asked and this time, Beverly uttered

“The oldest in the family, Martha Waniworth also known as granny mia is old and in need of a personal care taker since her children and grandchildren are way too much for her, that's when I come in, the pay is big and enough to cover up for your hospital bills..I guess but that's all there is.. satisfied?”

“Oh, I understand” she smiled warmly, starring at both her daughters.

“I've just got the wildest idea, we should celebrate...” she suggested

“Not now Ravel—”

“I won't take no for an answer, bervi. You just got ACCEPTED amongst the different candidate by the wani's!!, You should be jumping right now, so please, keep your boring ass aside..”

“Fine..!”

“Good, I'll bring the drinks and you stay Put, I'll be back” she said and walked out of the door leaving Mariam and Beverly to chuckle almost immediately.

“Just like her father” Mariam said softly, her throat not giving way for her to talk properly.

“Yeah, I know right” Beverly smiled genuinely.