Chapter 9

Catherine felt a sharp, pain around her waist the moment she bent down to mop. A scream escaped her mouth. Her waist hurt and she held it with her two hands. She opened her mouth and started panting.

The pain became unbearable and she didn't know when tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Are you okay"? Linda one of the waiters asked her immediately after she rushed to her. All the customers were now looking at her. Catherine was in so much pain to feel embarrassed.

"I am fine, I just have this pain in my waist, but it's nothing I guess because of the baby," She muttered trying hard not to create a scene. Unfortunately, she has already created one.

She tried to move, but her two legs were paralyzed.

She can't lift any of her legs because of pain. Before she could attempt to move her legs again another set of pain hit her. She screamed with such great force that one of the women watching rushed to her.

"Get an ambulance. I think her baby is coming" the woman yelled to no one in particular. Two men rushed to them with Mr. Wilson who wanted to know what the commotion was all about.

Quickly she was carried inside Mr. Wilson's car and was taken to the hospital.

Catherine looked at the beautiful baby in her arms, and tears started dripping down her cheeks. She smiled and kissed him

"This is a miracle" She whispered. Still looking at the baby in her arms.

"The baby is so cute," Ruth said.

Ruth was a few years older than Catherine. They were friends and neighbors. She had been of great help to Cathy. Ruth finished her senior high school two years ago and she is now working at the local library as an attendant.

"Catherine the midwife told me that you did a great job. She also said that you are a strong woman. The truth is that I was scared to death. I don't know that giving birth could be this tough." She said.

"I thank God that my boy is here with me now. I never regretted the pains I passed through because of him, seeing him makes every pain count'. She said smiling at the little bundle of joy in his arms. Just when she thought she was all alone God chose to bless her with a son.

"I will go and get you something to eat," Ruth said.

"Thank you so much, Ruth. I am grateful" she said.

"You're welcome dear, I will be back," Ruth replied and left the hospital.

In as much as she loves the baby in her arms, Catherine couldn't help but feel scared of how she would raise her son alone. She knew that being a single parent would never be easy.

***

Catherine smiled at her adorable baby Elise. She touched his cheeks playfully and he smiled back. She looked into his beautiful blue eyes. Those eyes keep reminding her about her one-night-stand lover. It was those eyes that caught her attention to the boy. His slim body and handsome-looking face. Baby Elise sure looks like his father.

"Just that you get my blonde hair and my beautiful smiles," She said " I wonder what your father will be doing now. Did he even remember me? He never knew you were there," she said. She lay him down on the small cradle and went back to attend to her customers.

After her delivery, Catherine used her savings to open fast-food joints in the slums. Ruth's mum was of great help to her, she always carried Elise to her nearby shop where she sold provisions. This kind gesture enables Catherine to run her business without much stress. Elise on the other hand was an adorable baby, he only cried when he was hungry. Once you feed him, he will be happy and smile at any little touch.

The Little knowledge Catherine learned at Toprank while helping in the kitchen helped her a lot. She learned different recipes from the restaurant where she worked before she went to bed. Her foods were mouth-watering and delicious. Some of her recipes were not common in the slum where she does her business and this made her food famous and brought so many customers to her fast-food joint. She usually prepares small food so that she can be able to dismiss on time and take care of her baby.

"I think you should employ someone that will help you in your business," Ruth's mum said when she came to take Elise to her shop.

"You know, people are patronizing your food and in such case, you need to expand your business. She said

"I have that in mind, but I just wanted my baby to start school before I can expand. Catherine said.

"Moreover I......

Catherine was cut short from whatever she wanted to say by the appearance of an expensive car that drove in front of her fast food joint. Her mouth opens in awe as she admires the beautiful car.

Within a moment, an elegant-looking man stepped out of the car. He looks even more beautiful than the wonderful car he drove. The man pulled his suit and started buttoning up his suit.

He pushed his sunglasses a little bit and strode towards Catherine's restaurant.

Catherine was brought back to her senses by Mrs. Brown who was still telling her the reasons she should expand her business.

"Catherine are you okay," the older woman said as she jerks her on her clothes.

"Oh I am fine" She replied as the handsome man stepped into her shop.

"Go. Good day, sir" Cathy greeted.

"Good day" came the deep thick voice that sounded even sexier than the man that spoke it. The man looked around and sat down.

This was the only clean restaurant he found around the area. He had been searching for hours now looking for a decent place where he could eat something but found none until his foreman told him about this place.