CHAPTER 28

SUSAN

An echo of laughter is heard continually from

Henry's sitting room as both moms wouldn't stop

teasing Henry and Susan, Henrietta orders the

maid to set the table "Flora come and set the table for my son, don't let Susan beat me to it, she is the first to see my son, let us be the first to feed him" Caroline mocks her friend "says who? What if they had stopped over at an eatery to have breakfast before getting home?" Henry laughs, his mom gave him a stern look "Henry? Is it true? You found a woman now you ditched your mother? Just one-day oo! One day with her" Henry calms his mom before it gets out of hand "Not at all mom, we drove home straight from the airport, you know you will always come first in my life" Susan exchanged a worried look with her mom who shoved it off with a wave and casual statement "Henrietta, leave this two lovebirds alone, go and use all this energy on Donald, your husband" which Henrietta objects quickly "Donald's mother remains the first love of his life even me don't bother to compete. Susan clears her throat, she is starting to feel uncomfortable with the conversation whereas she and Henry haven't even discussed about relationship yet but it's obvious that their opinion doesn't even matter but the parents which are the moms especially cause the fathers will just endorse whatever these two have decided, the owner of the shot has already called the shots. She texts Henry and asked if they could talk privately before she takes her leave which he declined stating it was rude to leave the table where elder ones are sitting just for a conversation that could happen later or even on the phone. He implored her to have breakfast with them and they could talk afterward if he is free. Susan swallowed hard as

she read his response, she felt deciding their future is way more important than breakfast but she doesn't understand why Henry didn't see it as that, their mothers being friends doesn't make them one, they still need to know themselves properly. She has come too far to just dump this and say she is no longer interested whereas what choice does she even have? Not like she can get a man in the twinkle of an eye to replace him if she even disagrees that his attitude doesn't suit her. She sat put as Flora set the table and dished their food, others went on with their gist while she sat and ate in silence.

"Susan, what do you think about my son here?"

Susan felt her heart pound faster as Henry's mom called her name, what did she think about her son? She thinks her son is the most egocentric male she has ever met in her whole life, a bigot in nature, lacks manners, or wasn't even trained by his obviously pathetic mother. He is extremely full of himself little wonder why his mother has to look for a woman for him, his attitude is nasty and it is such an irony to the fact that it doesn't match the handsomeness of his face! What a waste! "Susan! Are you okay?" her mother's voice cuts through her thoughts "Yes.. yes I'm fine" Henrietta gave her a puzzled look "I just asked what you think about my son and you were lost in thoughts" Susan apologizes immediately "I am not feeling too well, I just need to rest but I think Henry here is a good man" Henry's mom beamed with a smile while Susan smiles awkwardly as she lowers her gaze to

conceal the actual thoughts in her mind, she moves her plate slightly forward "I have to go now ma, thank you for having me around, it was a lovely breakfast" Caroline squeezed her hand "I will see you at home baby" Susan gets up, Henry stands up also to walk her out "I will see her out". Both moms smile at each other acknowledging themselves for a job well-done, as the couple walks out into the compound, Caroline confesses "I caught Henry severally looking at my girl with love in his eyes!" Henrietta cuts her happily "Even Susan kept lowering her gaze! She is so shy in his presence, Looks like we have a wedding to plan, they are in love!!" Henrietta pours two glasses of wine for her and her friend to toast on "To a new beginning".