Chapter 16 Verity

Aida walked to Mary's room. She was worried Raymond had not arrived yet.

"Gran, dad hasn't arrived yet?" Aida asked anxiously.

"Not yet. Why do you ask?" Mary asked.

"I'm worried. He didn't eat dinner. I didn't see him leave too. I'm just worried"

"Come here, Aida. You don't have to be worried. He'll be fine" Mary held Aida's hands and caressed her cheeks playfully.

"Gran Gran!" Aida said as she giggled.

"Is there anything you want to know, Aida?"

Aida felt Mary was not going to answer since she never answered any question she asked regarding her mother. However, she wanted to push her luck, hoping she'd answer her, truthfully, this time.

"Gran Gran, what happened between my parents?" Aida mustered all her courage and asked.

"A lot happened between them" Mary replied.

"I'm all ears, Gran Gran"

Aida watched Mary battle with herself on whether to tell or not. Just when Aida decided to her to forget she asked that question, Mary began to speak.

"When Vanessa was your age, she was a very beautiful young woman. You're a carbon copy of Vanessa, no doubt. She wasn't only beautiful, she was wise, smart, intelligent and brilliant. Let's say Vanessa was a woman who had it all. She was a beauty with brains. Vanessa was kind, very kind. Vanessa was Raymond's junior in school. They attended the same senior high school. Raymond was the tall, basketball player, who was smart, never lacking in looks as you can see. Raymond was intelligent, coupled with his physique, his patience and wealthy background, he was more like the most eligible boyfriend material in his school. Vanessa became the talk of the school the moment she was admitted. Because it was obvious the beautiful, yet shy girl was from an affluent home. Raymond had a crush on her, the first time he met her but he couldn't approach her. His crush slowly developed into a more complicated feeling. Love. He truly loved her, but couldn't approach her because Vanessa was reserved. One day, a party was held by one of the families which belonged to the affluent society. Maxwell Michaels was invited. Dr Damon Brown Wilson was also invited. Based on their surnames, you can guess who comes from whom. They're your grandparents. It's unfortunate you never met them. They were very strict yet wonderful people. At the party, Raymond discovered his father's best friend was the father of the woman he loved dearly. You can guess how happy he was when he saw Vanessa walk beside Dr Wilson and his wife. Inevitably, Vanessa caught the eyes of all the men in the room, both young and old. It was obvious, it was the first time Vanessa was being exposed to the affluent society. She made a few friends that day, mostly young girls her age. Raymond sat beside me, yet his attention was never on our conversation. Your guess is as good as mine, his mind and heart was with someone else. As the guests exchanged pleasantries, Maxwell walked towards us. He tried to inquire if we were alright since we seemed distant from the people present. Maxwell saw how Raymond stole glances of Vanessa, smiled and said;

"I'm sure you have met. She's in the same school as you"

"I know but we have never talked. I doubt she even knows me."

"Come on" Maxwell stood and stretched his hands to help me up. We walked beside him. The aura we exuded was inevitable to ignore. As we walked near Dr Wilson, the two men greeted each other, hugged and began to talk ignoring their companions. After exchanging pleasantries, Dr Wilson hugged me and Maxwell hugged Alberta, Vanessa's mom. Maxwell pulled Vanessa to himself and Vanessa laughed. I remember how she playfully scolded Maxwell.

"Uncle Max, I am growing and so are you!" We all burst into laughter. Dr Wilson was fascinated with how manly Raymond looked. Maxwell introduced Raymond to Vanessa. To everyone's surprise, she knew Raymond.

"I know him. I know he's your son because he looks a lot like you. Raymond Michaels, the 'women magnet' who doesn't spare any woman a glance" that was what Vanessa said.

"Vanessa Brown Wilson, the beauty with brains." that was Raymond's reply. Admiration was seen in their eyes. We, the adults, excused ourselves to allow them to get to know each other better. That was when it all began. They became inseparable. And we the parents did nothing to separate them, because they're union was one were looking forward to. Raymond was head over wheels in love with her and of course, Vanessa reciprocated his feelings. I don't know what happened but one day, Raymond drugged Vanessa and had his way with her. And fortunately or unfortunately, don't know how you would take it, but that was how you came about"

When Mary said that, Aida gaped in surprise. She was too surprised by the news that her reaction made Mary nervous.

"That's why she doesn't like me! I remind her of her misery. She has every right to hate me. Why did dad do that? I can't believe this" Aida said trembling as she teared. Mary hugged her and allowed her to cry.

"Gran Gran, my existence only remind her of her pain. I am a disgrace to her. Gran Gran, what do I do?" Aida kept weeping uncontrollably in Mary's arms.

"You're not a disgrace, my sweet little girl. Vanessa had the choice to legally abort you, but she didn't. She kept you. Vanessa said you were innocent, and shouldn't be a victim of her misery. Vanessa doesn't hate you. Vanessa won't even batt an eyebrow nor acknowledge your presence if she hated you. The fact that she talked to you, introduced herself to you and didn't walk away when she met you means she has a place in her heart for you. Aida, believe me. Vanessa loves you"

"Grandma, I'd like to go to my room. I want to go to bed" Aida said as she tried to free herself from Mary's hug.

"Go on, my dear" Mary released her and watched Aida's retreating back.

"Hmm...it shall be well"