Chapter Seventy - two

EDDIE'S RESIDENCE

The sun shone brilliantly in the sky. The environment was hot that afternoon. Annie walked into Eddie's room looking moody. 

" What's wrong? " Eddie asked her. 

" I'm feeling hot. " Annie replied pouting her lips like a baby as she slumped on the king sized bed. Eddie looked at her friend who always act like a sucking child.

" Go and take a cold bath. " Eddie suggested.

Annie ignored her and lay on the bed. After a while, Annie suddenly jumped up from the bed startling Eddie.  

" I got an idea. " Annie said. " Let's go to the swimming pool. " Annie said and rushed out of the room. Eddie kept looking at the door even when Annie was out of sight. That was crazy though. Her hand was still resting on her chest and her heart still pounding because of the shock she got from Annie's scream.

Meanwhile, Annie rushed to the males' side. 

*Knock* Knock *

Annie knocked at one of the doors. Freddie opened the door. He stood mouth agape as he watched Eddie standing also awkwardly looking at him but too.

" S..sorry, I ehm, is this your room? " Annie asked with a flushed face and scratched her hair when Freddie kept his gaze on her.

" Our princess' hair is itchy all of a sudden. " Freddie said to Annie and stepped out of the room. Annie retreated as he walked towards her.

" Hey what's that ! " Annie screamed at him but he didn't budge.

" Rule number 1 and 3. Number 1 first : We ought not to cross paths with your rooms. Your room and Eddie's. And for rule number 3, we should know our limits. We're not married. I wonder why those who set rules go contrary to them. " Freddie said.

" Listen, I didn't set those rules. And, I'm feeling hot... " Eddie said using her hand to fan off the imaginery sweat.

" So_ _ " Freddie interrupted Annie. That really put Annie off and she felt like bursting at that point. 

" Do you need some touching or ... " Freddie said teasing Annie. 

Annie tried to calm her temper. She looked at the man who appeared shameless and didn't know how to react.  She closed her eyes and forced out a smile. " That's not what I meant. Let's go swimming. " Annie said to him. She hung her hand on his shoulders and looked at him with pouting lips, ignoring the teasing look on his face. Freddie accepted after a while and went to notify Clifford and Harry while Annie rushed back to Eddie's room.

" Girl, we need to get a changeover asap. Let's go and swim " Annie said and snapped her finger as soon as she got into Eddie's room. 

Eddie was busy arranging some books on her shelf when Annie got in. She ignored Annie and continued with what she was doing. 

" Eddie! " Annie called out really loud. 

" You didn't apologize for scaring the shit out of me. Moreover, rule number 7 shouldn't have eluded you. ' Don't disturb the serenity of this neighborhood. ' " Eddie said to her.

" Oh this is more crazy than I thought. But, you know what, the heck with those rules. Right now ... " Annie said and she walked to Eddie till there's only few inches between them. " ... we're breaking those rules. " Annie grabbed Eddie's hand and moved quickly to the wardrobe, she opened it and began looking for Eddie's swim wears. 

" I'm not going to swim with those guys. I'm I ? " Eddie asked with her folded arms.

" We're not only going to swim with them, we're walking down the aisle with them. Right now! So, no more questions and rules, just get dress. " Annie retorted. She was already tired of Eddie's new character.

Annie forced Eddie into getting prepared for the swimming pool. She also had a changeover and both of them left to meet the guys. Eddie kept complaining on the way and Annie ignored her. " It's going to be hot in the water. The atmosphere will affect the water. " Eddie said annoyingly.

" I possess some ice powers. It's running through my veins and I will change the temperature of the water as soon as we get there. " Annie replied her.

" Movies. " Eddie muttered under her breath. 

" Wow. " Harry exclaimed as they ladies walked into the sitting room. At that point, Eddie turned red in the face. She was on bikini with a light swim jacket and a great part of her skin was exposed.

Annie held Eddie's hand and they approached the guys. " Let's go. " Annie said to them all and they headed out of the main building. Annie and Eddie led the way to the swimming pool which was within the compound.

**********

SMITHS RESIDENCE

Meanwhile, Valerie was getting ready to leave the house that afternoon. She showered after having breakfast with the Smith's family, Smith and Albert at that point. She also got dressed, applied make-up and looked at the full length mirror. She twirled around in front of the mirror and left after she got satisfied with her looks. She then picked a bag that fits her dressing and left her room.  

This time, she didn't inform Andy about her whereabouts. She requested for a car key from the guard incharge and left the residence with no company. ( Guards to be precised ).

...

... 

Valerie got to the restaurant after few minutes of driving. She ordered for a fruit juice while she waited for the man she earlier spoke to. 

" Am I supposed to wait for his arrival or vice versa? " Valerie mused. It was the nth time she glanced at her watch. She sighed when she saw a man approach her corner.

" Good day Ma'am. " A young man in his mid thirties greeted her and sat down on the other vacant seat.

" What took you so long? " Valerie questioned him without replying his greeting. 

" I had an emergency to attend to. " The man who was also a doctor replied.

Valerie began to say why she wanted to see him. " It's easy said than done. " He answered Valerie.

" You're a doctor, so do your job. " Valerie said to the doctor. Valerie wanted to get pregnant by all means and wanted it to be a secret. So, she invited the doctor. Now, the options the doctor gave her may raise suspicions at home because she'll need to stay at the hospital a day or two and also have to frequent the hospital for regular checkups and scans. So, she requested for any other idea apart from the ones listed.

" Will you try out surrogacy? " The doctor asked her. She shook her head in disagreement. Valerie wanted to carry the baby in her womb for the whole world to see.

" There's this technique that you can easily try out at home. " The doctor said to her. Valerie's eyes popped out in expectation. 

" What technique is that? " Valerie inquired.

" It's the turkey baster technique. It is a cheap and easy method and can be done at home. It just requires a syringe and the sperm and there you go with the steps to achieve pregnancy. But, it's rated 22% in the assurance of pregnancy after using this method. " The doctor explained.

" I'm going for that. " Valerie concluded asap. She also promised to reward the doctor handsomely if her plans work out well. She didn't leave out, warning the doctor to keep their business a secret till death.

The doctor left after that while Valerie remained to finish her drink after which she left for The Smiths residence.

***************

EDDIE'S RESIDENCE.

The atmosphere in Eddie's residence was a joyous one. Everyone ( Clifford, Harry, Freddie, Annie and Eddie ) had finished swimming and went in to have lunch in preparation for another play together. 

Annie served them pasta with stew and some chicken and meat to spice up the meal. Also, chilled fruit juice were served.

" Today guys, we're breaking up the damn rules guiding us. Y_e_a_h ! " Annie screamed and Harry joined in the shout. Every other person in the room closed their ears to the noise that almost pierced their ear drums. Annie laughed when she saw their reactions. So, Annie kept quiet and Harry did same. " Enjoy guys. " She said and everyone began to eat. They ate to their satisfaction. Annie and Eddie cleared the table while the guys went to their rooms to change into another wear for the next segment of play.

Annie and Eddie joined the guys in the sitting room now dressed in a simple home outfit as they all matched out to the field. 

" I'm gonna be the organizer of this event. " Annie spoke to the others. We have several things outlisted here. It's going to be a group play. Eddie stays with Clifford, while I stay with this two cracked heads. " Eddie rolled her eyes at what Annie said. She wanted to protest but Clifford drew her hand back. She flinged off his hand and turned to listen to Annie.

" So we begin. This is what we're going to do... " Annie began to explain all that will be done and everyone listened with rapt attention. At the end of the instructions, they swung into actions been careful not to go contrary to the rules and regulations guiding the game.

SMITHS RESIDENCE.

Valerie got home very exhausted. She slumped on her bed and laid down a while. When she sat up, she removed her heels, undressed and went to shower. It took her about forty minutes to shower and get dressed. When she finished taking her bath, she opened her bag and brought out her cell phone. She dialed a line and waited for the recipient to answer the call.

Albert laid down in his room when his phone rang. He got up from bed and walked to the drawer to take his phone. Dark lines appeared on his forehead when he saw Valerie's name flashing on his screen.

" Why is she calling me now? " Albert mused. He pressed the receiver's key and listened to the caller.

" Hello Albert, are you at home? I want to see you. " Valerie said to him.

" I'm coming over in a jiffy. " Albert replied her.

" Thank you. " Valerie said and ended the call.

" Why does she want to see me. " Albert thought. " I'll find out. " He said and shrugged as he walked towards the entrance of his room.