Chapter 21
On the walk back home, Jayda couldn't excuse the event that just happened in her store from her thoughts even if she tried. At some point, she absentmindedly smiles but was quick enough to replace it with furrowed brows so as not to let Shawn catch on.Jayda couldn't deny the fact that that the rest of their celebratory dinner turned awry following the incident. She had been silently praying to God that Shawn doesn't bring up the issue because of the continuous awkwardness it would breathe.
Who would have thought? All these years she'd been constantly hating on herself for letting him go and worse, letting her friend down. She'd been praying to God every single day for his wellbeing wherever he may be and for God to make them see each other at least one last time.
The little boy she knew is no longer little, he's a man. A married man and father to a girl she adores. While he almost kissed her, Jayda found
Chapter 22It’s been three days since the Tuesday incident as well as the last time she heard from both Shawn and Brian. She’d worried more about the latter than the former. Life gave her another chance to mark a clean slate with her godson but Brian ruined that chance when he tried to uproot the same mistake that drove a wedge of distance between them nine years ago. She feels very remorseful for not pushing him away the minute he pulled her close…. She’s far older and should know better.After carefully thinking about everything, Jayda came to the conclusion that she and Brian need to sit down and talk about this in a more civil manner… One that does not involve any sexual tension.She also wondered if what happened in her office was payback for throwing him out because why else would a married man do such a despicable thing and worse, with his child around? This only made her feel dirty, one,
Chapter 23“Mum please get the door, I’m still in the shower,” Lucy said at the top of her voice prompting Jayda to get the door from the kitchen. She twisted the knob open to see Brian standing in front of her. She gasped in shock and almost closed the door but, he stuck his foot out to halt the movement. Jayda had no idea why she wanted to close the door: It is not like she is doing anything illegal. Just then, Isabelle slid her head out behind Brian.“Aunt Jayda,” She said with an enchanting giggle and hurried to her embrace. Jayda hugged her while still in shock as to how Brian knew her address.“Brian, you are here!’’ Lucy exclaimed on her way to the door while still slightly dripping from the shower she just had.Jayda watched in awe as Lucy ushered both Brian and Isabelle in.“And you must be Isabelle? I have heard so much about you. Come here you little cutie” Luc
Chapter 24Jayda scooped her phone off the nightstand table and turned off the annoying ring of the alarm. It’s a bright Monday morning yet, Jayda didn’t feel like stopping by at the store today. Some days she wished she’d hired a manager on her behalf so that she can excuse herself from work on days like this but, she’s yet to afford extra hands.Shortly after, her phone rings from an unknown number.“Hello…” She said wearily.“Is this Euphoria?”Jayda quickly sits properly on the bed to receive the call in an appropriate tone. She most times forgets her line is on Euphoria’s social media accounts. It’s too late to do anything about the unpleasant early morning client calls; she will just have to purchase another number in place of her line.“Yes it is”“I k
Chapter 1Before"Everything is going to be fine Brian, I'm going to drive you back home so you can stay with Lucy ok?" Jayda said, trying to soothe little Brian from thinking the worst of their current situation."No, I want to stay here Godmother," He said, firmly.Jayda exhaled a deep breath and just simply pulled him into a tight embrace."Everything is going to be fine okay?" She assuredBrian although far too young, understands life way better than an adult and it's mostly because he learned to appreciate life from the moment he could say 'mom'."Are they going to die?" He asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty."No, I promise they won't. God would never take them away from you"Even Jayda wasn't so sure but she was willing to say anything to keep the nine-year-old san
Chapter 2"I am so sorry, we lost her" The Doctor announced after he came out from Adeline's ward.Jayda could feel her chest sinking and thankfully Donnie was there to catch her from falling flat on the floor."Oh my God," She said under her breath"Donnie, they lost her, What am I going to say to Brian? How am I going to tell him his mother is dead?" She was intentionally trying to conceal her pain.Tears welled up her eyes as Donnie pulled her into a tight hug."I'm so sorry J," He said, stroking the length of her hair as she sniffled in silence.TWO YEARS LATERIt's Lucy's fifth birthday party and their place was as usual crowded with children from the neighbourhood. It's an outdoor event in the front yard with round tables and chairs coupled with balloons and other decorations. Jay
Chapter 3PRESENT DAYNineteen years old Lucy squealed into the living in excitement with a sheet of paper in her hand."Mom!" She screamed into the hands of her curious mother and handed her the piece of paper."Dear Applicant," Jayda starts to read."The faculty of Film and Television business wish to congratulate you on your successful enrollment and admission into TISCH of the arts at our great academy. The entire board of the New York University welcome you into this new chapter...and a splendid academic experience""Congratulations sweetie, I am so proud of you my darling" Jayda gave her a tight squeeze."I miss you already""Minnesota to New York is just two and a half hours Mom you can always catch a flight if you miss me too much," Lucy said still in the spirit of excitement.
Chapter 4Jayda looked out the window lost in her thoughts. She unconsciously wiped the steam that fogged the window. She's thinking about Brian for the umpteenth time today. All she wants to know is if he's doing well or alive and the thought of not knowing anything kills her.She's also aware that if Brian wanted to be found he would have come back to the house. He knows where to find her unlike she who doesn't know where he is.Her mind also wandered to Lucy who is leaving for New York in a matter of days. Jayda had contemplated moving to New York but the obvious truth is that she can't afford to live in the luxurious city. It's bad enough she's spending so much on Lucy's tuition thanks to her life savings for saving the day, the best she can do is to lodge in a cheap hotel when visiting her daughter.On another note, Lucy leaving meant she'll have time for herself and who knows, maybe she can finall
Chapter 5Khloé hurried into Brian's office."I am so sorry Brian, I didn't know how it happened" I don't care how it happened, it's the level of your incompetence I have a problem with," Brian said as he scanned through the screen of the laptop in front of him."It won't happen again, I swear. Please don't take Lucy away from me" She begged"It's too late to apologize""This is the first and last occurrence""You don't get it, do you?" He suddenly stood up from his chair."Something bad could have happened to Isabelle if she didn't meet the person who brought her back." Brian feared the worst might have happened the moment he received Khloé's call earlier."You can do anything to get back at me but please don't take the custody of our child away from me"She walked c