Ace
Two years ago,
My grandfather was on his way to my house for a chat. Knowing him, it could be anything. Business or him imposing on my personal life. I was waiting for him by the pool outside.
"Ace," he called with his hands stretched.
"Grandfather," I got up and went in for the hug as he patted me on the shoulder once, "To what do I owe this visit?"
"Can't I visit my grandson anymore?" he smiled, taking a seat.
"We saw each other last night," I said, taking a seat beside him.
"We have much still to discuss," he said. "I think we could use some refreshments."
"So, you are here for a while?" I asked.
"I thought we could have lunch while I'm here unless you are planning ongoing somewhere,"
"I was planning ongoing to the hospital."
"But not before you pay a visit to that flower place," I narrowed my eyes at him, "It's not a secret you have taken an i
Diya Two years ago, Mrs Dani was away for the weekend, so I was alone at the shop. I didn't have to stay until so late, but the shop had been busy for a Saturday afternoon. The rush was over, but I stayed for a while and cleaned the place up. I went to the back room to drop off some crates and almost had a fight when I came back. "Jesus." I took a deep breath. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Why are you still here?" "I'm working." I responded, walking to the cash register. "Is there something I can help you with?" "I want a bouquet of lilies." he said, looking angry as always. "What happened to the one you bought two hours ago?" "Nothing." I nodded and moved around to arrange the flowers for him. I honestly don't know what his deal was. It was like he had a bone to pick with me every time he was here. He always came when Mrs Dani was not around, too. I dropped the flowers and spun
Diya I opened my eyes and felt the soft bed as the doctor and the nurse and the midwives surrounded me. I tried to get up, but they were fast and came rushing to my aid. “I’m pregnant, not sick,” I said, shrugging them off me. “You heard the lady. Give her some space,” Elisa’s voice came in as she pushed the nurses aside and came to sit beside me on the bed, “How are you feeling? Any requests? I have asked the chefs to make something. I have also arranged for you to get a dietician who will arrive in tomorrow and-“ “Elisa, please. That’s enough,” I said, making her stop. She talks so fast that it makes my ears bleed. I was not in the mood for her rants and I didn’t have the energy to deal with her. She was too much to handle, and I needed cal
Diya Two years ago, I looked at the menu and was fidgety when I sat down. I have never had dinner with someone. Let alone a man. Sister Josephine warned me about this. Innocent women like me are taken in this manner. I looked around and felt chills. This place had only one entrance and exit. The server almost made me jump from my seat. "Can you give us a moment?" The server nodded and left. I should have told him no. When he asked, I was shocked to respond. I nodded. He shrugged. We walked out and now we were here. "Does this place make you uncomfortable?" I shook my head. "Then you should relax. You look like you were abducted." "I don't think this place is cheap," I whispered. "Don't worry about it," he leaned forward and whispered back. "It's the middle of the month and I haven't been paid yet. Their steak costs more than my week's bus fare." He smiled and looked at me.
Diya Two years ago, "Guess who?" "I don't know," I responded, laughing. "Guess." he whispered. "Ace," I said. "Wrong," he said, taking off his hands from my face and I turned back and frowned. "Who are you?" I frowned, looking at the man in front of me. "Filip," the man smiled at me and I took a few steps back. "Where is Ace?" I asked, clutching my sling back. "Inside." he grinned at me. "He told me to welcome you." "What?" I was ready to run. "You are like a little mouse," he laughed. "I'm not a mouse," I huffed. "This way, mi'lady." he bowed and walked inside. I prayed and walked in. This place looked like a fortress. I followed a little distant away from him and walked in. "You must be Diya I have been hearing about," an elderly man was in front of me the moment I walked in. "Hello," I waved.
Diya “Good morning, Diya. How are you feeling this morning?” Elisa spoke as she walked in, “Time to wake up. Patty already told me you chased her away again this morning." she sighed as she sat on the bed. “Come on. Time to get on with your day.” “I’m so tired. I need five more minutes,’ I responded, pulling on the covers. “Nope, and nope.” I groaned as I sat up. This was the only reason I hated making Elisa stay. Every day she has been making me get up so I can do something. Since my pregnancy was high risk, she has been trying to make me have a positive day always. Her positivity sometimes stressed me out. “I’m too tired to walk today. Can’t I stay in bed and have brownies? God knows I need one right now,” I pouted.
Diya The pain was gone in the same second it came as the sound of the baby crying could be heard in the room. I was tired and sweaty, but I was the happiest woman in the whole wide world. I was looking at the little bundle as my heart swelled ten times over. Even the way he was in my arms, I could see Ace. The same light green eyes fluttered. “Hello, baby. I’m your mommy,” I cooed at him. The baby fell silent and relaxed in my arms. My entire world changed at that moment. I never knew love would expand to this. Tears filled my eyes as I wondered for a second how my mother would leave me after experiencing all of this joy. “Let’s get him cleaned up,” Bertha said, extending her hands. “One more minute,” I responded, looking at my son as he made
Diya Five years ago, Ace has done so much for me, and I felt like I had nothing to offer. His grandfather had welcomed me like his own. I was happy with the man I was falling in love with. It made my heart pound just thinking of the feelings I have for him. I was lucky to be with a man like him. The heavens were smiling at me for the precious man he gave me. "Hey!" Ace smiled, I grinned "You came?" I said, shifting my feet. "Of course." he smiled more. My heart was warm. Ace was not angry, frowning or glaring anymore. He was always smiling, just as much as me. It was adorable. "So," I clamped my hands, "I have a few places to show you and then we can go to the church after." "Lead the way," he laced his hands on mine. "Okay," I squeezed his hand, "I have only gone to a few places around the church. There is an old age home. The park and the church and that all," I pouted.
Diya My mind is screaming at me. Diya, what have you gotten yourself into? I was following a stranger as we walked in silence. I was glad it was not a long walk, considering the running and walking I had done since Thomas left me. I was surprised when we arrived at the house after a few minutes and walked into the lushest home ever. The house was immense, with a view of the sea. It was modern and well maintained. I was still cautious about him and was still trying to figure him out before he spoke. “This is not my house, if you are wondering,” he smiled. “No. No,” I shook my head, “I wasn’t thinking that.” “Okay,” he nodded, “This is
AceI had just parked the car in the driveway when I got a call from the hospital. Diya was being monitored more extensively than before. I don't understand what went wrong because when we left; she had been fine. The monitors were functioning normally. She didn't cause any distraught to nurse Brenda, and she was doing better than she normally is when we leave.The drive back was harder than I thought because I didn't want to go over the speed limit. Celeste had refused to stay, and we were all going back to the hospital. I did my best to get us back as fast as I could.I didn't wait for them when we were at the hospital because I needed to know exactly how things had changed when all was fine. We spent over two hours with no beeping. I was so proud of her. They both have been doing great. "Mr Torane, you can't go in there.""Why not?" the old nurse rushed and blocked my path"Calm down." "I am calm." I looked at her."Take a deep breath and have a seat. The doctor is with her.""I
Diya"What are you doing out of bed?" Ace sighed, handing the Ezra to my mom."I was beginning to think all of you abandoned me?""And you decided to get out of bed?" he asked.Ace carefully led me to the bed. I huffed and sat back on the same bed I have been couped up in for the past four months."I wanted to walk for a while.""How did you get out of bed?" Ace asked, shaking his head."I can show you how I did it,""No," he sighed, "Stop getting out of bed. Jesus," he whispered under his breath."No swearing in front of the kids," I glare at him before looking at Theo, "Wanna sit next to mommy Theo?" I asked."Daddy said I could hurt you," he looked down at his shoes."Hmm?" I glared at Ace."How are you, dear?" my mother walked closer."Fine," I grit out and looked at Theo, "It's okay, Theo. You can come give mommy a hug. I missed you."Theo looked up, beaming, and ran beside me. He looked up and his father for approval first before he climbed on the bed."Careful with you legs," A
AceI was sitting on a chair watching Diya hooked too many machines. I had left for a while to cool off and came to this development. Something bad kept happening, and I blamed myself. Doctor Bowman had advised me to make my choice soon because they needed to know what to do. I didn't want to make a choice. I wanted both so badly that it hurt. This shouldn't be happening to us. We were fine a few hours ago. "Ace," I looked up and saw my grandfather, "Let's go for a walk.""I want to be with my wife," "I understand, but staring at her like this won't help. Let's take a walk.""The last time I went for a walk, I came back to this," I pointed at my wife."You can't blame yourself for any of this and -""I don't want us talking about this in here." I rubbed my brow."Come then. We can sit outside and talk."I begrudgedly stood. I walked to give my wife a kiss and walked, following my grandfather out. He walked past the chairs. I didn't have the strength to argue, so I walked behind him
AceWhat was I thinking?That’s right, I was not thinking but reacting. Doctor Bowman had suggested that Diya could be pregnant, but we both know she could not be pregnant. She can't because of Elisa. That psycho bitch was still bringing hell to my family.Even now, as I stood and watched the doctor, I knew I should have agreed to forget about this with Diya. Things were great between us. We just welcomed our son. It hasn’t been a day yet, and we were doing an ultrasound for Diya.I ran my hand on my chin, and I watched my wife. I was afraid to look anywhere else. This was going to wreck my wife. I don’t know how I will pick up the pieces. All the words I told her were encouraging, but if I cannot keep my word, then my family would never recover.“Ace,” I heard Diya’s strained voice.I looked at her and grabbed her hand. Nothing was happening, no matter how much he moved. I was not this type of man anymore, but I would have killed this man for making us briefly believe in something we
DiyaAce’s suggestion to have a baby through surrogacy had been so random, and I had been against it because it was soon and Theo was not even five yet. We had struggled with Theo before and the vacation had helped the three of us. We had only got our bearings and bringing another baby seemed like a stretch. It looked impossible, but I was glad he convinced me I agreed.Watching Ace turn into this big teddy was worth this. His happiness made me see how much he wanted a huge family. I don’t mind or feel hurt that I can’t carry children because we have options. Options I would gladly be open to doing again soon. This house was still small for us four alone.I fished my phone from my pocket and took a photo. It was adorable seeing him and Theo together, watching the baby sleep. I couldn't get over such cuteness. We had been worried Theo would be jealous, but he was happier and always asking to hold his little brother Ezra.I was surprised too because we hadn’t discussed baby names. My gr
AceI was watching Theo ride his bicycle. He has been growing up so fast. Every day, he seemed to grow an inch. I had missed two years with him and I don't think I was ready to see him grow older yet. I wish I could freeze time and get as much of him like this as I can.“Are you looking, daddy?” he shouted, looking back. "Look! See!"“Watch where you are going. You will crash.” “Are you looking?” he asked again.“Theo, watch out,” I sighed when he almost hit a guard, but he stopped his bike. “Move! Move! Move!” he shouted.“Theo?” I called, “What do you say?”“Please,” he pouted.“That’s my boy.”I smiled and watched him move his bike around again. My phone rang in my pocket before I could answer. Theo shouted again. “Daddy, you are not watching.” "We are on our way,” I responded on the phone quickly and hung up.I smiled and looked back at Theo, but he was not on his bike and he was walking to me with a frown on his face. I smirked and raised my brow. This boy was me in every sen
Diya One year later, I paused and stared at the long table set before me that was filled with laughter. I smiled and looked around, my heart relieved. The past couple of months, if not years, since the night I saw Ace kill were rough. Ace slid his hand under the table to lace mine before he leaned in closer to my ear. “You okay?” he asked as he kissed my cheek. “I’m okay,” I smiled at him as I looked around the table before looking at him, my eyes shining, “How can I not be happy?” “Mommy,” Theo screamed and my head snapped to him, but I wasn’t frightened because we were safe. We had been safe for a while now. “Faster, run faster Theo. Make the old man sweat.” Ace shouted beside me and I shook my head. Theo was running as Arnold chased him around the table, making everyone around the table laugh harder. My grandparents who I had finally met were sitting at the table laughing at something my mother had said. “Sorry guys we are late,” Ruby walked in with Filip in tow. “Slow down
Ace I opened my eyes and looked at the blinding light. I closed my eyes trying to speak, my throat dry, like someone had forcefully shoved a sandpaper through. As the sound pierced my ears, I tried to speak, but my heart rate spiked and I couldn't. The next thing I saw were people towering over me. It took me a few seconds to remember everything that had happened. Elisa. The shoot out. Matt, the fight. Diya. I tried to shove the people off me and get up. I needed to see her. Someone held my shoulders, and I felt a push back. Two people came on both sides to hold me down, as I was still fighting them. I have no idea how long I was like this, but I need all the tubes and wires off me. I was fighting a losing battle. I could feel whatever drug they had injected in my veins, and I relaxed. The pain I had felt earlier was fading slowly. The machines quieted down as I unintentionally closed my eyes. ***** The next time I opened my eyes, I was reclined, not laying flat on my back anymor
Ruby The metal benches at the hospital are colder than the howling wind outside. I got up and paced as I bit my nails. I was trying to think of everything and how it all went wrong. The doctors had said nothing. Things were looking bad. I tried to think of something else. Filip seemed aloof toward me. He looked at me as if it was my fault. I wiped the tears away. It was my fault. I was the only one who was still walking. Most people I knew were dead, hurt, or fighting for their lives. The emergency room swarmed with people in a short period. My breath hitched as I clung to the wall, trembling like a leaf. My legs felt weak before I saw Celeste walk in with the armed men. “Ruby,” she ran to me. “What is happening?” I whispered in my weak voice. "Are we still in danger?" “Where are my grandsons?” I was blinking and looking around as Celeste held me and helped me to have a seat. I looked at the men as the flashes of my first encounter with Elisa rushed through my head. All the p