Chapter Seventy - one

Valerie became restless after the meeting with the Master. Back at home, she laid on her bed in deep thoughts. " How was she going to get pregnant? " That question hit her so hard like a sword been stabbed on her chest. She thought about sleeping with someone and shook her head in disagreement on a second thought.

" That's absurd. " Valerie mused. But, she needed to do something, else, she loses at last. She knew deep down, just as the Master said , that she can't lure Albert to sleep with her. 

" There got to be another way out. " She tried to convince herself. There were other methods of getting pregnant aside penetrative s*x. " I'll need to visit a doctor. " She concluded inwardly. Her decision lifted a bit of the heaviness in her heart and she was able to sleep that night after her final decision.

LIFE  SAVING HOSPITAL

Clifford walked into Aunt Mary's ward. Sofia, Alma, Lady Lily and Mira was with Aunt Mary when he arrived. His face beamed with smiles when he saw them talking and laughing.

" Hello guys. " He greeted the happily.

" Hello. " They replied in unison. As he approached them. He touched Alma's face fondly and asked about her health. Then he took Aunt Mary's hand,  and touched the back of her palm on his forehead.

" It's well with you Ma. " Clifford said to her and everyone chorused an "Amen. "

" I have good news for you. " Clifford exclaimed happily. Everyone looked at him in askance and he began to narrate all that the doctor said to him. Aunt Mary and Alma was going to be released in two weeks time but placed under constant medical checkup. Everyone was happy when they heard the news but Aunt Mary still had mixed feelings. 

" Please cheer up, Aunt. " Sofia said to her Aunt when she noticed the moody expression on her face.

" I'm scared of encountering such an incident again. "  Aunt Mary said. The rest understood her reasons for acting that way. Clifford assured her that he was going to take care of her. He would give her a new place to live but she should promise him that she was going to help out in her recovery. More especially in her brain and leg recovery. She shouldn't think too much and she would use a wheelchair from then till further notice. Aunt Mary promised to obey all the medical instructions.

" I want to attend your wedding, healthy and hearty. " Aunt Mary said to Sofia.

Sofia blushed on hearing that and everyone laughed seeing her facial reaction. 

***********

Clifford went to the Smiths residence to meet Albert. Before that, he alerted Albert about his coming. So, Albert waited patiently for him to arrive. He honked on reaching the gate and drove in when the security guard confirmed the visitor and allowed him in. As he walked through the sitting room to upstairs from where he'll go to Albert's room, Andy walked up to him and informed him that Smith wanted to see him. He followed Andy to Smith's Attendance room. 

Andy left when Clifford came face-to-face with Smith. " Good afternoon Dad. " Clifford greeted.

" Have a sit. " Smith said to him, ignoring his greeting. Clifford obeyed and sat down. He could tell from Smith's facial reaction that he wasn't happy. Smith glared at him but he didn't waver instead he looked at him in the same vein. 

" Confident. " Smith exclaimed nodding simultaneously. He started with asking Clifford of his whereabouts. Because, he felt Clifford appeared scarce recently.

Clifford told him that he sometimes sleeps at his friends' house from where he would go to visit Sofia and her family in the hospital.

" That's outrageous! " Smith protested. At that point he wanted to evict Clifford from his house, if not that it will destroy the web of connection between him and Clifford and Valerie's father.

" Your sister will soon be officially pronounced as Albert's fiancee and you're busy jumping from pillar to post? Do you know what that may cost you in the future? " Smith was pissed off at that moment and gestured Clifford to leave the room. 

Clifford fell in deep thoughts after the conversation he had with Smith. He wondered why he hated Sofia to that extent. Truth be told, he lived with his sister for years and loved her so much. But, he knew that Sofia was much better than his sister, Valerie. He diverted to Valerie's room immediately and knocked on reaching her room. Valerie asked who the person was. She rose to open the door when she heard her brother's voice.

She opened the door and went back to her bed ignoring Clifford. Clifford didn't really care about that as he had other important things in mind.

" I'm not going to be beating around the bush. So, I'll go straight to the point. What is this about your official proclamation as Albert's fiancee.? " Clifford asked Valerie. He needed to get the detailed information about this 

Valerie kept quiet at first. She felt that was a joke or rather a great insult to her personality. She looked at Clifford and asked, " Are you really my brother? " Valerie asked him. " Now, this whole thing is about getting married to the love of my life..."

" Or rather getting to the end of your life. " Clifford interrupted.

" Did you say something?  " Valerie asked.

Clifford shook his head and continued listening.

" When you're done with Sofia in the hospital, she'll be back to serve me. " Valerie said and let out a loud laugh that shook the entire room. At that point, Clifford was convinced that his younger sister whom he watched grow up had indeed ran crazy.

" You should know by now, who the legal wife is. " Clifford said.  Valerie was shocked to know that Clifford also knew what was happening. " I love that expression." Clifford said to her.  " You're not getting married to Albert. Because, you don't deserve him. And even if you do, you'll not enjoy your marriage because you don't own a place in your husband's heart. So, the earlier you come off those vain thoughts of yours, the better for you. " Clifford said slowly and emphatically. He stood up and left the room at once, leaving Valerie in an extremely shocked state.

Valerie broke into tears at once. What Clifford said was true. Even if she succeeds in getting married to Albert, she wasn't going to enjoy the marriage. That was a bitter truth but she wouldn't allow that to discourage her. She was determined deep down in her heart to get married to Albert by nook or by crook. That was her final decision.

She picked up her phone and dialed a line. " Hope you're getting prepared for today's meeting? " Valerie said to the person at the other end of the line. 

" Yes Ma'am. " A man replied.

" Good. " Valerie answered and ended the call. She tossed her phone angrily on the bed as she thought about Sofia and her family. 

" I'll deal with all of you. " Valerie said almost aloud.

......

Clifford left Valerie's room for Albert's. Albert was standing outside the room waiting for Clifford when he arrived. They exchanged pleasantries and Albert led the way, through the several rooms and passage to his own room. 

" Wow. "  Clifford exclaimed in shock. He didn't know there would be such a great architectural structure in the residence. 

" This place looks different from the outside. This is not just a room but a passage to rooms. " Clifford said scrutinizing the area.  

Albert nodded in reply and said, " Just as your sister said. " Albert failed to notice the dark lines that appeared on Clifford's face at that point. Clifford told Albert that he had a lot to discuss with him.

" Wait moment. " Albert rushed out and returned with a big jug and two teacups. 

 " I was brewing tea for myself before you called. So, let's enjoy. Everyday is for wine but one day is for tea. " Albert said and both of them bursted into laughter.

Clifford took one teacup when Albert filled the cup with tea. He took in some content of the cup and dropped back the cup.

" Care for more? " Albert asked.

" No, thank you. " Clifford replied. " I came with good and bad news. " Clifford said to Albert. Albert stopped what he was doing and began looking at Clifford for more information.

" The bad news is about Valerie. I was never told that the both of you will be getting married and for the good news, Aunt Mary and Nora will be discharged in two weeks time. " Clifford said.

Albert sighed when Clifford finished talking. He started by apologizing to Clifford for not telling him his father's plan about him ( Albert ) and Valerie. He also told Clifford that he had made the decision not to marry Valerie but his father wouldn't change his mind. But, come what may, his decision is final. He also expressed his happiness towards Aunt Mary and Alma's medical report.

" The problem is, where she would stay. I wouldn't allow her to go that house because it's still under check. I sent Sarah and a guard to closely watch the house. So, they'll keep on visiting there so that the servants living there wouldn't do whatever they want. " Albert said.

" I agree with you. Aunt Mary and Alma will live separately from henceforth. I'll buy them a house in the city and you'll mobilize security guards for their safe keep. " Clifford told him and they agreed to that. 

" I'll drink all since you don't want to drink again. " Albert said and they laughed.