Chapter 8

The next morning Andrew was nowhere to be found. At first, Catherine thought nothing about it and she got ready for work. However, she was worried when she came back later in the evening and Andrew was nowhere to be found.

She alerted their neighbors, but none of them knew where he went to. For the first time in a long time, Catherine felt lonely. She kept her eyes on the old couch where he used to sleep and wondered where he could have gone.

The house suddenly became empty. Without her mother on the bed and no Austin in his drunken state. She took a deep breath and moved to the bed, she lay down and started caressing her stomach.

She placed her hand on her stomach and rubbed it gently.

"You are the only one I have now. I will love you to the end. I will make sure I provide everything for you and make you live a better life." She mumbled as sleep gradually took her away.

Andrew found himself at the front door of his good friend Luther in the early hours of the evening.

Luther was surprised to see him because he did not inform him of his visit. He had invited him over to his place severally, but Andrew simply refused to come.

"Austin my buddy, is this you? Luther asked in excitement. They hug each other and shake hands.

"Come on let's get in," Luther said and took him inside his living room.

"Man! You have done well for yourself. Look at you and your home looks great." He said looking around the room which was exclusively decorated before making himself comfortable on the soft couch.

"It has been a while, I guess three years ago," Luther said.

"No buddy it's four years since you came to visit your friends in our Northland Andrew corrected. While Luther moves to his bar and gets a bottle of wine. He poured the drink into the glasses he bought and handed over one glass to Andrew before settling down opposite him to sip from his glass.

"Thanks, man," Andrew said and sipped his drink. He seriously looked at Luther and asked

"I hope my offer still stands." His heart beat fast as he patiently waited for his response.

"Of course, it does, by the way, what makes you change your mind". Luther asked

"I lost my wife and my little girl needs my help. I need this job to survive.' he answered as a surge of emotions filled his heart.

"It was always there for you, I can't forget what you did for me back then in school. I can't pay you enough man.' Luther replied

"Thank you, thank you so much." He appreciated. He offered his hands and started shaking Luther's hand in adoration.

"You don't know what this job means to me," he told Luther as tears built up in his eyes, but he never allowed them to drop. He composed himself almost immediately.

"Sorry for your loss. By the way, why did you refuse the job offer when you knew you needed it so badly? Luther asked.

"My wife was sick, she couldn't help herself she needed me by her side. But I failed her. I wasn't always there for her. I turned into a drunk the day I molested our girl" he said as another set of tears filled his eyes. This time he allowed them to drop down his cheeks. This usually occurs each time he recalls how he shamelessly molests his stepdaughter. This is one thing he will continue to regret every moment of his life

"You did what!, Tell me that was not true," Luther exclaimed in disgust.

"Evelyn was knocked down by a car on her way to work, she broke her spine. And the doctor said she would never walk again. I got devastated and drank too much liquor that night. I got home and found our little girl on our bed, I was out of my mind I thought she was Evelyn. I started kissing and hugging her and she screamed out in horror. Her screams attracted our neighbors and they came to her rescue. Thank God I forgot to lock the door after me. That incident changed my life. I can not forgive myself for the assault, the neighbors called her biological Dad and he took her away. I became a drunk ever since." Andrew said taking a deep breath.

"So sorry about that. Please come and let me take you to your room." Luther whispered and both of them went upstairs to the guest room.

***

It has been some months since Andrew disappeared from his home. Catherine has become used to his absence. On this particular day, she woke up again to be greeted by his absence. She took her bath, got ready, and went to work.

Catherine finished mobbing the restaurant and was done washing plates before going to the kitchen to help the chefs. It was not part of her job, but since she became pregnant, she delighted in the sweet aroma that came from the kitchen. The smell draws her closer to the kitchen. While she is there she helps them in doing one or two things.

Catherine was able to learn how to prepare some delicious meals she was not able to eat in her mother's house. She sighed as the thought of her mother eluded her mind and this made her feel sad. And to think that Andrew is no we're to be found makes her worried the more.

"It's been months now since he left home." She thought in her mind and She sighed

"I hope he is fine" she whispered as she poured away the dirty water she got from raising some beef and continued preparing the beef.

It was time for her evening cleaning, so she went inside the restaurant with her mop and bucket. The place was not yet crowded so she decided to hurry up before the whole place filled up. All eyes were on her as usual, this has been the way customers stare at her since her baby bump started showing. she ignored them and continued with what she was doing.