Chapter 4

That night I couldn't sleep. After taking a shower, I changed into a mini white satin spaghetti nightgown and laid on the big bed. My face gaze at the ceiling with my arms above my head.

It's almost twelve midnight and sleep hasn't come yet. The whole environment is quiet except for the noisy crickets in the bushes and flowers.

I began to imagine everything mom told me earlier.

Was she right?

Will George come one day and steal Corey away from me?

No!

I won't let that happen. Not while am alive.

I'll fight him to keep my son to myself.

I once gave him my heart, he broke it as well as my trust too. I won't let him come one metre near my only child. He told me he was not going to touch that Italian woman. He said everything was going to be an act so his parents would stop pressuring him and so we could keep our marriage.

But what about the sex he had with her? Was it just an act?

And the kiss too?

Ugh!

Thinking about those scenes right now makes me wanna cry. I regretted ever knowing a man like him. I shouldn't have let in when we first met.

Now I feel so cheap of myself. For the past four years of my life, I've been feeling this way. Blaming myself for giving into his sweet coated words and lies.

I feel used. George used me. I'll never forgive him till I die.

Mom doesn't understand how I feel right now – in fact, nobody does because they've never really experienced what I already had. It's a thing of life no one ever wishes for.

I never wished for this type of life. I wished for a life full of fulfilment, happiness, love, understanding, peace and joy. But what fate gave me was something opposite of my demands.

Something twisted from my request. Pain, sorrows and bitterness.

I don't want to ever see him again. Ever.

I hate him and I hate him more.

...

My alarm woke me up the next morning, I won't lie, I didn't had a good night sleep. I cried all through the night, busy recalling every moment I spent with my ex and how our relationship ended.

It was hurting, burning and killing me deep down I couldn't control.

I got out of bed and went to the bathroom for a warm bath. After soaking myself warm in the tub, I walked out with a towel on my chest and another one on my hair.

I took my phone to check the time – I saw Nadia's message. She suggested we wear blue blouse and black skirt today.

I tried to keep a smile. It did work on my face but it died down immediately I dropped my phone.

I went to my closet. I have dozens of blouses and skirt. Especially pencil skirts and body hugs blouse.

I picked a perfect pair as told by Nadia. And a black handbag and a black five inches peep toe heels.

I looked at my image in the mirror. I was looking perfect, gorgeous, beautiful and good-looking.

The urge of tearing up again was coming when a slight sense of the scene popped in. I blew it away, trying to stay strong for myself. I can't allow myself cry for my past.

He has moved on. So should I.

I tied my blonde hair into a neat ponytail and painted my lips bright red.

Hmm…..I love the watermelon scent.

I grabbed my handbag and phone and checked myself in the mirror one more time before walking out the door.

...

I got to Corey's room. I was expecting to see him asleep because time was still too early to prepare for the day. I didn't even do my jogging today. I've missed two days workouts now because I needed to save time for my morning obligations.

But when I got into his room, mom had already dressed him up for school. She was knotting his little black cufflinks. My son was looking dashing in a white short sleeve and black shorts. Mom combed his messy hair neatly and wore him his white socks and black pair of shoes as he stood on the bed, holding her shoulders.

The moment he saw me, his face lit up like the morning sunshine. Mom knew he saw someone, so she followed his gaze and saw that it was just me standing by the door.

I don't know what mom witnessed in my face or appearance but she just nodded her head helplessly for me.

I imagine all mothers has fore eyesight. Mom definitely knew I spent the entire night weeping my ass out. She knew why I cried but she never cared to ask.

We've already said enough last night.

"Ready?" Mom grinned at Corey like am not important.

Corey shook his head and jumped off the bed to meet me. I squatted down in front of him when he stopped in front of me. His eyes were welling and I knew he was going to cry.

"No, sweetheart." I caution him and he pouted his lips. "Tell me, was it a nightmare?"

He lifted his head and shook his head.

Mom interfered. "Children can see, Diamond." She placed her hands on her waist. "How many more times do you wish to hurt yourself, dear? Just look at you. Beautiful and alluring. Let bye gones be bye gones."

"Am still trying, mom." The tears couldn't hold back anymore as they run down my cheeks. I remember Corey's presence. I sniffed my nose and wiped my eyes or else, he'll start crying too. "It's just too hard….he hurt me. I spent all night thinking about everything."

"Of course, I know, dear. Be strong….for Corey. He's not happy seeing you like this. It hurts my little boy."

I wiped my eyes and looked down at Corey who was looking up at me. Tears already gathered in his eyes. I squatted down and chuckled. "You look so much like your father in appearance." I carried him up to my side and kissed his forehead. "My darling sweetheart."

Suddenly the pain in his eyes were replaced with joy and serenity.

He hid his face on my chest and I kissed the top of his head. "I love you so much, son."

Mom's lips curled into a sweet smile. "See? This is what you should say everyday. You have a wonderful son in your life. Be grateful. He should be the one you think of and not your ex. Corey is a blessing."

Mom is right. Corey has changed my life. He is my number one priority. Nothing else.

I carried him and we went out. I bumped into Nadia at the hallway and we both walked our way to prepare breakfast with mom and Aunt Debbie. They're the ones in charge of breakfast today.

Gordon Ramsay was made for breakfast. I ate little and fed Corey much. I set his lunch kit. He only takes one of his favorites to school which are 'Waffle, mayo, fruit salad and calamari.'

I set them into his lunch kit and wore him his little backpack. Nadia helped me with his lunch kit as we strode out.

I already serviced my old 1989 beetle so it's working fine now. Corey sat at the back while Nadia took the passenger side.

Grandpa waved at us from the farmyard when he saw the car driving out of the premises. Corey clipped to the window and waved him back with excitement.

...

Today is kinda hectic for me. I just exited that conference hall after a three hours meeting with the teams of my department.

It was like sitting in a seminar or sermon for hours. Or should I say bible studies?

So weird for me. The head of our department kept talking about his financial problems and family issues like it was an example or sample of a GIS data.

I'm the happiest person to run out first from the hall. I needed a glass of water to cool my head. My throat was too dried and my saliva was thick like a lump in my mouth.

Next time when he calls for a meeting, I'll make sure to take some miscellaneous along with me.

He is such a drag.

I crashed on my chair and lift my face to the ceiling and let out a deep breath.

Whew!

Gosh. I'm so exhausted right now.

I glance at my wristwatch. Time says 1 noon. Damn me. I have my son to pick up from school.

I wish I could get help from home. But unfortunately, today is harvest day. Our plants and crops are ready to be harvested and taken to the market.

Grandpa told me two days ago that the potatoes, yams, roots and tubers are ready to be traded. We'd keep some for feeding while the rest goes to the market and factories.

I believe we made so many gallons of milk from the cows last week. We had some skimmed and fermented in the factory then we kept few in the house and sold the others.

You can see that farming tasks are not easy. We have to plant, harvest and trade.

My families are working in the farm right now as am speaking. Whereas some are already in the factories and market. So who would I send to help me pick Corey from school?

The teenagers of the family are in school right now and the new adults are in college receiving class.

Seriously, I don't know who to call for my rescue.

Because getting up from this chair am seated and walking out that door and getting into that old beetle is gonna be very difficult for me to do as at now.

Am as weak as a very ripe plantain in hot oil.

I check my watch again. Time is truly running away. It waits for no one. Not even for me.

I took my phone lazily from the desk and dialed a number. After two rings, the other person answered.

"Hi, Aunt."

"Sasha, sorry to bother you at this moment – are you still in school?" Sasha is Trey's younger sister. She's sixteen and still in highschool.

"Um – not really. Class just ended and my boyfriend is taking me out for lunch break."

Come to think of it, this could be my opportunity of help.

"Is there a problem in office?" She brought my mind back.

I let out a deep breath and shook my head. Help me, honey. "Corey's school just ended for the day. I can't go pick him up because am in the middle of something right now. As you'd know, today is a busy day for everyone at home."

I heard her chuckle and whisper to her boyfriend to stop caressing her when she's on the phone then she drifted to me. "It's okay, aunt. Corey is my baby cousin. Since it's still break time here, I'll ask my boyfriend to drive me to his school so I can drop him home."

Immediately, I felt like a heavy burden has just been taken off my shoulders. "Whew!" I sighed, satisfied. "You're a darling, Sasha. I love you. More kisses, hon."

I know there would always be a way. No how, no how, there will definitely be an option B!

Sasha just saved me and my time. It's like killing two birds with one stone.

Here I am, fully exhausted like I had ten rounds of hot sex. How would I have left here to fetch for Corey? And the distance from here to his school is a forty minutes drive. Before I drop him off and drive back to work, it'll take me two hours in total.

And I don't think the management would understand my absent.

I can't afford a chauffeur to pick my son – in fact, I don't trust anyone else other than my family and myself. What if that man is a secret spy agent in disguise? What if he's a bad guy working for George?

No.

I will never, ever hire someone to do my duties for me.

If it turns out that way, it'll be called laziness. And am not lazy. Am I?

I know Corey will be sad when he sees Sasha and a weird guy coming to pick him instead of me. First thing that'd crosses his little mind would be 'Sasha sent her boyfriend with her to kidnap him.'

Kiddies and their little mysterious way of thinking….

Not too long, I received a phone call from Corey's headmistress. She only called to ask if I permitted Sasha to take Corey home. And I answered positively.

Thereafter, Sasha called me that she has taken Corey home and now heading back to school before the break overs.

Since my table is a bit free for now, I took my phone and started going through my Instagram page.

So many post in the last few days. I ran out of subscription for a week now, so I couldn't view them. But today, I just recharged from my bank.

I was liking a post of one of my favorite female celebrities, SIA. Then Nadia walked in with a wide grin.

Oh, not now, Nadia.

We were both in the meeting hours ago and I assume she was also exhausted as I was. She's supposed to be resting in her office by now but she's –

"Bitch, you're looking like FUCK!" She squealed excitedly and slumped on the chair across my desk.

If I don't give her attention, she'll snatch my phone.

"Trust me, there are no cobwebs yet." I groaned tiredly as I put my phone away.

Her brows rose with a wide grin. "All clean?"

"Sparkling white, Nadia."

She leaned on the desk and bang her palms on it. "There's this new elite clubhouse opening tonight." Her grin widens as she drum her fingers on the desk.

Okay, I knew where she was heading to and am not in the mood to ride with her. "Nadia….." I shook my head, helplessly. "Remember the last time we went out for a drink in the club, I fooled myself."

How can I forget how I humiliated myself in front of everyone at the bar that day. Nadia begged me to go with her since it was her 25th birthday and she wanted to make it special with me. I'm a very bad influence when it comes to alcohol. Am never a fan of it. It always ends up disgracing me in public.

She laughed and shook her head, "No, bitchy. This one's different. Besides, we'll only take juice. I know your allergic to strong wine."

No, I still can't.

I refused and she kept on begging and begging and begging me. She even left her seat to come to my side. "I assure you, just one glass of berry juice and we're out."

I stare at her for a while. Even if I avoid her, she'll still come. "Just one?"

"One." She poke a little finger out. "I swear, no alcohol."

I let out a sigh. "Fine."

She whooped. "Yes and you're still a bitch."

I know she's just taking us there so she could feed her eyes on those rich, attractive men. And perhaps, gain attention from them too. But that is not my priority now – I mean, doing dating for this period of time is out of my gene.

My favorite thing for now is working and working. Men are out of my list.

I can say that again.