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 to fall out as I watched him fill my plate.Jamie stood with arms crossed"So what's your name?" he asked"Diana" I replied"Diana what?"I thought for a while.It wouldn't be right to claim the Valdez family name since I was no longer theirs."Just Diana."* * *"Why did you bring a woman to the house?! In the presence of Jamie!" Mrs Bryan beganJake sighed"Mom,can we not talk about this now?""You're hurting Jamie's feelings."That did it.He hated everytime his mother says this word.How is he hurting her? He was hurting himself by staying away from the one he truly loves just to be with her! Wasn't that enough?"You spent all your time with that woman while Jamie was waiting for you""Mom,Jamie has no reason to feel insecure" he said calmly "If you keep behaving this way you're gonna create unnecessary problems between I and Jamie""I'm only looking out for Jamie" Mrs Bryan explained "You both will get married soon"Jake looked away but she made him face her."Look, Jake... Jamie's very fragile.You know she's had no one else in her life ever since she was little""Mom,you know what I think?" he was speaking harshly now "Jamie's lucky.She has a home and all she wants.So many kids never found a home and some never got adopted.She should be grateful"He turned and walked away.He met Jamie at the door with tears in her eyes.She ran."Jamie,wait" he shouted but she was already gone.When he went back to the living room he saw that dad and Diana were having a good time.He walked up to them"Dad, you've got to believe me." he interrupted their convo "If you keep putting more food on her plate she'll burst any minute"I laughed.but he was right.I was terribly filled but I couldn't say no to this yummy food."That's enough,dad." Jake said "It's time to go to bed"Mr Bryan nodded as he manages to stand on his feet.Jake helped him up the stairs and I was left alone with my thoughts.What a nice man! The father that I never had.I heard footsteps approaching me,thinking it was Jake I stood up on my feet and met with the crying face of Jamie."I don't know what I've done to you Diana but ever since you stepped into that orphanage and into my life,it has been hell!" she said"What? What are you talking about,Jamie?""Oh,you damn well know what I'm talking about.Stay away from Jake!" she glared at me"I'm not after him.I know the both of you are engaged so no big deal." I stated"But he loves you,I know that! And the more you keep staying around him the more he'll keep loving you, let's face reality here!""C'mon Jamie,I cannot steal Jake from you.You should have a little faith in him." I replied"The next I see you with him you will be surprised what I will do!" she stormed.Did she just threaten me?"Pft!" I scoffedJake came down minutes later and took me up to the guest room.It wasnt cleaned so we cleaned it together.I might as well add his mother in the cleaning,because she came in every five minutes to give him a glass of water.I understood though.The room was all set after a thorough cleaning and I thankee Jake for his help."You don't need to thank me,Diana.I'll always be there for you"I smiled "Goodnight""Goodnight" he replied as he switched off the light."Jake?" I stopped him as he was about to close the door"Please tell your mother not to keep peeping at me? I'm not a witch I can assure her,I won't fly away with any of her jewelries." I joked.He laughed and winked at me "Go to sleep,Diana.Your stomach needs it"* * *Jake met Jamie crying at the corner of their bedroom.He sighed.Do men ever rest?!He walked up to her and sat down beside her."Jamie" he whispered in the dark.She raised her face to meet his.He wiped her tears."You were with her all those while right?" she sniffed "I have been waiting for you for hours to share a good news with you only to find out you were with her"Jake knew better than to reply so he just kept holding her.She stared at him "You're going to become a father,Jake" she smiled through her tears "I'm pregnant"Jake was shocked for a moment and then he smiled warmly as he drew her close and kissed her forehead."Oh Jamie." he hugged her "That's the most wonderful thing you've ever told me"He wiped her tears again and placed his hand on her belly.He held her gaze."There's no reason for you to feel insecure,Jamie." he spoke gently "This is proof that I'll be with you forever"She shook her head as she opened her mouth to say something.Her lips trembled"Seeing her reminds me of the fact that you will never love me""You have me,Jamie.I think that's the most important" he said"That's the worst." she stared at him "It's like you're doing me a favor"Jake stood up."It's better than not having me at all"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.
I remained in the restroom ten minutes longer until a loud knock heightened my anxiety."Stephanie are you alright? You've been in there long enough" Hailey said from outside.I adjusted my gown and stepped "I'm fine mother,just needed to-""It's okay" she said as she pulled me back to where I don't want to go.The silver stilettos were still there.She sat me down on the couch."Wear them now.Before Edward gets her you'll still need to take a sole photo"I took the heels with trembling hands.The diamond stone on it glittered on my white legs and it was beautiful but I cannot walk with this!I grabbed the second one and the moment I slipped it in, my ankles began to hurt.Mother gave me a hand"C'mon let me help you"I gave her my hand and she helped me stand on my feet but my legs wobbled that instant.She wanted to let go but I held onto her"Are you alright?"I smiled "Of course mom.It's just that...af-after the accident the doctor adviced me not to wear stilettos for a while""Ste
The moment Jamie Lowell saw Stephanie she rushed from the car over to her with smiles all over her face."Oh my God, Stephanie!!" it was a dream come true for Jamie "It's a pleasure to meet you!"I didn't know what to say or do.Jake came up beside his wife staring intently at Stephanie."Meet my husband!" Jamie was saying "Jake Lowell" Edward's ears shut up the moment he heard that name.His terrifying gaze went to Jake Lowell who stretched his hand for a shake.Edward reluctantly took it."You weren't present at the meeting,Mr Collins but I supposed your assistant must have put in a word or two"Edward said nothing.All those while he noticed how nervous and perplexed Stephanie was.I avoided any of them gaze until..."Hello there,Mrs Collins" he stretched his hand again for a shake.I looked up and consequently smiled while purposely rejecting his stretched out hand.But I totally forgot that if anyone can forget my smile Jake Lowell cannot.The smile on his face instantly disappear