This was the third day after I met that nasty Stephanie Collins.Due to the slight argument I had with Lilian I decided to go back to my foster parents.
I packed my bags down when it occured to me that they may not be staying there anymore.There was still a higher chance that they still live there.I dropped my bags and decided to check first and then come for my bags later.Lilian wasn't home yet but I hoped to leave before she comes.I pulled my hoody up and began the journey.I watched the cars zoom past me,the birds flying across the sky until I arrived at the street.I turned left.Even if it was almost summer,the cold still lingered.The street was the same,scattered debris here and there by each sides of the road."Good morning,Miss Lowell" I greeted a lady across the road.She was mowing the grasses in her little cottage.I still remember her.A very good friend of my foster parents."What are you doing back here,Diana? I thought you would have been married already."I smiled.Miss Lowell is also still the same.Always wanting to know!I'd be nineteen next month so why the rush to get married? I asked in my mind.I saw her drop the mower and wanting to cross over to me.I pretended I didn't see and increased my pace.No time for gossips!I took left again and there the house stood in its elegant beauty.The pine trees that stood at each end of the gold carved gate were cut short and the leaves blossomed happily.I placed my hands into my hoody pockets and stood in front of the gate.The last I remember was the pine tress rough and unattended to and the gate was certainly not gold carved.I smiled.It seemed like they were doing well now."Well,I made the right decision." I said to myself as I stepped up and pressed the bell.The laughters behind me attracted my attention.I turned to see a small group of children playing at the corner.I smiled at memories that came up in my head.I used to play with other kids in the orphanage and one had a crush on me.He was the one who protected me from the bullies and gave me food whenever they take mine away.Our friendship was very strong that I didn't think anything would come between us.Until my foster parents came and adopted me,still he never stopped seeing me.I rang the bell for the third time.Jake.The person who stood by me all my life.He only came around once since I started living with Lilian.He and Jamie-the other kid who'd been our friend at the orphanage.They too have foster parents and they should probably be busy with their lives now.I rang the bell for the umpteenth time before my mom's shocked face poked through the gate.At first,she didn't know what to say.I expected her to hug me,ask me where I have been all these while like you know...the way a mother reacts after meeting her child she hasn't seen for months.Instead she was giving me a look that was asking me questions like,why did you come back? A look that was telling me,We were doing fine without you.Or maybe I'm wrong.I reminded myself though that I don't have a family so I shouldn't expect that kind of treatment,right?"Hi" I managed to smile "Hi,mom" I said just Incase she'd forgotten who I am."Well..I thought you will never come back." she said.I expected just that. "Can I come in?" I repliedShe hesitated for a while before allowing me step in.Wow,the compound was in a great shape.We walked into the house and it felt empty to me.I wondered where dad was.He sometimes treated me like a human being.I looked around and only noticed my mother's shocked face.Why was she acting like she'd seen a ghost.I coughed just to comfort her that I am not a ghost."Where's dad?" I asked but I still noticed her indifferent attitude.It was like she was trying so hard to tell me that I was not needed but I ignored it because... because I didn't want to believe it.It's painful to come back to a family you learnt to take as your own,a family who one treated you like their little Princess and they act like they don't even know you."Where's dad?" I repeated."That.." she fidgeted "Uhm...He isn't around""Today's a Saturday.He should-" I began but she cut me off as she began running up the stairs."I'll be back in a jiffy." Mrs Valdez saidHowever, the cry of a baby was heard.She stopped on her tracks.I looked sideways and I saw dad emerge with a child in his arms."I'm sorry" he apologized to his wife "She wouldn't stop crying"Wow!Just wow!So they had a biological child now.I took a step back because it felt I'd faint any minute.I knew right from the start that the Valdez family adopted me because they couldn't have a child and they lost all hope.I looked from mom to dad and then to the child.Little wonder mom was acting so indifferent towards me.It hurt me to know that now that they have their long-awaited child they were going to...to abandon me.Mrs Valdez slowly descended from the stairs."It's not what you think,Diana" her voice shook then she was looking at her husband to help her out.I stared at the beautiful baby in father's arms before retracing my steps back to the door.I forced the tears back and looked them in the eye."Thank you for everything." I said "I promise to...to pay you back every cent you've spent on me.""We are sorry to break the news this way" Mrs Valdez said and I nodded.I stared at them with tears in my eyes.The tears I tried not to show but you can force a smile and not a tear."It's okay to cry" I could hear Jake's voice in my head.The tears fell immediately."Goodbye"I turned,walked slowly and then ran.**I'm trying to smile,to keep it going.But it's hurts so much**I flopped on the bed,tired and hurt.I felt like a thing,a thing they'd used to pass time away till they got their biological child.Thank goodness I hadn't carried all my luggage along.It would have been more disgraceful carrying them back.I sniffed as I wiped my tears.That reminded me,I need to speak to Lilian,see if she could give me just another month.I prayed I'll be able to knock off something bigger.I walked up to her room,she was in the shower.The bag and gown she'd worn last night lay on the bed.I sat on the bed,waiting for her to leave the shower but she was still there fifteen minutes later.Then I felt something vibrate beside me,I thought it was my phone but I had left it in my room.I raised the dress up and there I saw Lilian's phone but my mouth dropped wide open the moment I saw who it was that was calling.I held the phone up.Stephanie Collins was displayed on the screen.I tried to calm myself that it could be another Stephanie Collins but there was only one way t
When we arrived,the lights inside the house was on."Don't be nervous" he said to meI breathed in as he pushed open the door.Jamie immediately left the table where the family was and flung her arms around Jake's neck.He hugged her back.Mr and Mrs Bryan, Jake's foster parents stood up as well."You're late,Jake.Hurry,come have dinner" Mrs Bryan said and I smiled behind .He's lucky to have a caring family.Jamie was the first to notice me."Diana?" she called,almost like what?!I stepped in"Good evening, everyone" I greeted warmly"Who is she?" Mrs Bryan asked"She's my..." Jake stopped and continued "My childhood friend.She has no where to spend the night."Mrs Bryan suddenly grabbed him and took into a passage.I was left with the prying and jealous eyes of Jamie.I told Jake this was a bad idea!"Come join us" Mr Bryan broke the awkward silence and I was glad."Do you eat beef?" he asked as he drew out a chair for me.I nodded and smiled at the kind gesture with tears threatening
I woke up the next morning with high hopes of having a nice day with Mr Bryan.He is such a loving person to be around.I'd finished dressing when I heard cries and wails from outside.I didn't pay attention to it until it became more louder.This was when I realized it might actually be coming from this house.I hurried downstairs and outside the house.The whole family were outside.Jake had his hands on his waist and Mrs Bryan was trying to console Jamie who had a bad way of crying.Mr Bryan had a letter in his hands.I wonder what was wrong.Jamie saw me first.She immediately pointed fingers at me."Why did you have to come and ruin everything! Everything was good until you brought your badluck here!"I had no idea what she was talking about.Mr Bryan handed me the letter and something in his eyes said the words I never thought he'd ever say.He stared at me like he regretted receiving me in his home yesterday.It broke my confidence and strength because I'd looked forward to spending th
We arrived at the largest boutique I've ever seen.It was beautiful...huge and magnificent.Stephanie brought out her phone and a made a call.A man of average height came out from the building "This is Benjamin, Stephanie." she said "He's gonna perform some beautiful work on you before you meet your in laws.""Hello ma'am" the man greeted "This way please" I stepped out of the car as the chauffer pulled open the door.I followed Benjamin into the building and I marvelled at the antique design.It was just too beautiful and the dresses? God,I can't describe that."What's your favorite color,ma'am" he asked politely.I smiled.It felt like all my sadness has left me and I have now walked into the light of happiness."Red." "Red will most definitely suit you,ma'am" he complimented Few ladies came out from one of the corners.They took me for a warm spa and I can tell you it's the most relaxed thing I've ever experienced.It calmed my muscles and soothed my skin but failed to heal my brok
"Oh my son!" Hailey Collins cried out as she flung her arms around his neck.Mr Collins didn't do much as just patting his shoulders.And all these while,Edward was staring at me.So deep was the stare that I lost control of everything,even my hormones.I felt heat down there.His eyeballs were grey.His muscles and tall frame was claded in a red and black tuxedo suit.Few buttons were left undone and I caught a glimpse of his hairy chest.Damn...my colleagues at the restaurant would not ever believe me if I said I met Edward Collins..the man I had really wished to be mine.Shock fixed me rooted to the spot.I couldn't move and I knew that I might ditch the whole deal if I'm not able to act well as his wife.Fortunately,he saved me.He took huge strides towards me and my heart beat increased each step he took.He grabbed my waist and my body was pressed against his.I manage to place my hands in the right place-inside his open chest.He lowered his head and...He kissed me.This is my first
I didn't get a good sleep yesterday.I was constantly thinking of how I could back out from this.I didn't also sleep with Edward Collins in the bedroom.I had ordered the maid to show me to some other room where I only had little sleep.After I washed myself and put on a little make up,I stepped out of the room and I prayed I shouldn't bump into his cold,menacing face.They were downstairs having breakfast when I came down.Mother walked up to me."What's wrong dear? You have a sad look on your face." she said "Did Edward do something?"My eyes wandered to the man who was seated as calm as the weather before the storm.He acted like he hadn't heard what his mother said.I shook my head. "No""Well? Are you okay? Do you want me to call the doctor?" she probed furtherI smiled as I hugged her.I really needed it."I am just fine,mom" I mumbled behind her.She finally let me be as we headed to the table.Just then,"Won't you come kiss your husband good morning?" Edward stopped me in my tra
"Mom really there is no need for another wedding." the nervousness in my tone heightened. "We are already married and we have pictures of our wedding."I grabbed her arm to make her understand "Mom you can always look at the picture.Please don't waste money for another extravagant wedding""Why are you suddenly nervous, Stephanie? Is it wrong to get married to the man you married three years ago?"I shook my head "No mother it's not.I am just being considerate of the huge amount we might waste."She smiled as she held my face in her palms "You shouldn't be worried about that.Edward has just about enough"She took my wrist and pulled me in.My eyes welled up with so much tears that I couldn't admire the interior antiques and the magnificent wedding accessories that added much vigor to the place.Just when I was thinking of backing out of this contract Hailey Collins was about to get me married to her son.And I cannot let that happen.I really thought Edward Collins was a good man but
"Stephanie?"Elder Mrs Collins appeared behind me.My eyes widened."Who were you talking to?" she asked as she came and stood in front of me."Edward,mother." I said as I had no one else in mindHer face lit up "Is he coming?"Before I could reply,"It's nice of you to have called him, dear because I've seen the perfect match and I want you both to take pre-wedding photos""Mom... he's not-""C'mon dear" she pulled my wrist "Go and get dressed"Some other ladies were waiting outside.They took me from Hailey and pulled me along with them.I didn't complain because I knew Edward would never show up here.It gave me a kind of relief as I sat down comfortably and let them waste their time on my face.* * *Jamie burst into Jake's office with smiles on her face.Jake looked up from his laptop."Well guess what honey?!""What?”"Tch! Just guess!!" she probed further"Go straight to the point,Jamie.I'm busy here"She dipped her hand into her handbag and brought out a bunch of invitation cards.