Chapter Three Hundred and Seventy-Four

Laura POV

My daughter got married today and am happy for her but at the same time am not comfortable cause of the presence of one man, I have been avoiding him since that wedding after he dropped me home. Jerry has been trying to have a conversation with me but I have been brushing him off, pretending to be busy. He stood in a corner talking with Max's father but I know that he is watching every movement that I made. I know that at a point I will talk to him but I don't think am ready to face him now. Josh seem to notice what is going on and asked me. Mum, did you fight with Jerry? Why will you ask that? I asked him cause I was not expecting him to ask me that question.

Come on Mum, am not a kid, I can tell that you are avoiding him, Josh answered. No, we did not fight just that I don't think that am ready to go further with this relationship yet and he is already talking about taking it to another level, I explained to him. That's understandable but I don't think avoiding him is the best way to handle this, why don't you talk things out with him, am sure he will understand, Josh suggested to me. I nodded my head in agreement cause I know that I owe him that talk at least. Jerry started walking towards me, this time I did not try to hide or avoid him, I sat down there and wait for him to approach me. 

Can we talk? He asked me. Yeah, I answered him and stood up and walked a distance away from the others. What's going on? Why are you avoiding me? Jerry asked looking so confused. That is when I realised my mistake, I shouldn't have avoided him and left him wondering what he did wrong. Am sorry, I was stupid and afraid, I answered him. Afraid of what? He asked me, he seemed more confused than before. Last time were talking at the wedding, you said something about us getting married, so I got scared, I explained to him in the best way I can. Wait you don't want to marry me? Is that what this is all about? He asked now looking hurt and disappointed. This is not going the way I expected.

No, that's not what I mean, you know about my last marriage and what I passed through, the truth is that am afraid that it will be the same thing, I told him. Laura, he called me, I looked at him. Am not your late husband, I will never lay my hands on you or any woman, I have my flaws I will not tell you that I am perfect but I am trying every day to be a better version of myself and if you don't want to marry me now, I understand, he said. While he was talking I was sobbing softly, I moved in and hugged him tightly. Am sorry Jerry, just give me some time to sort myself out, I said to him.

Sure, I can do that but you have to be fast about it cause am not getting any younger, I need you permanently in my life, he said and kissed my hair. I chuckled, sure I will be as fast as I can to make up my mind and prepare my mind for another marriage, I assured him. Am so glad that he understands me and he is ready to give me time to sort myself out and am glad that I had this talk with him.