Chapter Five

Annabelle

"Could this be for real?" What's really going on here, my guesses going wild as I leaned to the car, reclining my tired self on it and also trying hard to put myself together.

Jamesly was equally astonished. He left the scene and came exactly to where I stood, with a firm expression and deep concern on his face. I could see him being as startled as I was as to the turn of events.

"Listen Ann," he grasped my hand, holding it affectionately, and glancing into my eye, "I love you," "I don't know what this is all about, but surely, we're going to fight this and conquer. Can you please stay strong and agree with me?"

I never thought Jamesly could be this ardent. Like looking at the situation at hand and still boldly professing his commitment to me? If he actually wanted to catch some fun, this would have been a perfect moment to seal up the deal, but this? He sounded serious.

Lost in words and feeling agitated, I was unable to ascertain what was really flowing through my mind. It was as if my hormones suddenly dried off, leaving me all alone to myself. Thus, I let out a sigh, while still holding onto his hand, with a twitchy voice, feeling eerie and with a glimpse of despair, I summoned the courage to mutter; "promise me, you'll always be there to hold my hand, that we'll pull this through together?" I never knew when all the tears in my eye were suddenly unleashed and I sobbed heavily, forcing a thrill of emotions between us.

"I promise, you'll never walk through this alone," he added. He pulled out his kerchief and cleaned my tears, which was already gushing uncontrollably.

Just when we were still lost in our emotion, mum walked in and held my face, cupping her hands on me, and with Jamesly still standing by, she adjusted from the distance she stood, looked straight into my eye and said, "Ann baby, I know how you feel, but for the sake of our name, can you please drop this proposal?"

"You're a pretty damsel and you'll have as many men at your call and beckon. Just finish up with your studies, forget the emotions and you'll be fine."

Though what mum said was true, I was caught between the trap of believing her or Jamesly. I pondered, I really wanted this, and worst of all, he took my innocence. Then why can't we be together as he's not my biological brother, it's quite simple, isn't it?

I eerily reminisced on the previous night we had together, it was magical yet so real. An experience I craved for every night. Being lost in the embrace of the one I loved, it looked so pure but here we are, in a battle, I rather fight for what I want now, or live in regret in my later life I weighed.

After I was done cogitating, I turned to mum at once and revolted. "I'll do no such thing, Mum, you're not Jamesly mum, neither is he your son."

"If this is a sacrilege, then let our names be written in gold. For the very act, I'll be glad to create history."

"So, you're choosing a boy over me?" She sobbed, feeling dumbfounded.

"Mum, Jamesly isn't a boy, he's a man, and not just any man, he's my man."

"I see," Mum straightened. "Then be ready to contend with me." she threatened, with her face turning red and deadened, afterwhich, she walked away.

"Is that supposed to be a threat or what?" I yelled. Feeling exhausted, I grabbed my luggages and eloped.

At this time, Jamesly was already out of sight, so none knew my whereabouts and wasn't ready to disclose either, no matter the amount of calls.

I reached out to my purse, pulled out my phone and glanced through a number of contacts. Finally, I was able to reach out to Clara Johnson, my childhood friend.

"Hello Clara, are you home," I asked. "Of course, I'm home, trying to catch some sleep."

"Alright, I'll be there in a few minutes." I hung up, boarded the nearest taxi and headed to Clara's residence.

Actually, Clara had been my best friend since childhood. We attended the same preschool, and later proceeded to the same high school, but were forced to break ties when I gained admission to the Washington DC University while she had to stay over here with the University of Alabama, to further her studies. Though we had our down times, there was absolutely nothing we didn't know about each other.

Yea, we were that open. I loved her though she was the easy going type and would never disobey her guardian or teachers, while I always took the role of stubborness.

I finally landed in her residence after some rides. "This place hasn't changed since the last time I visited," I scoffed. Apparently not, she replied, neither have you, despite your new environment, she jeered.

"Well, thank God you're here now. I needed a friend to accompany me to a nightclub, never knew you'd call immediately." Isn't it amazing how God answers prayers," she bluffed with some gleam of smiles.

"You're kidding right," I sat, still listening to her. "Clara, night club? eeeeeh." I've been dished with so many surprises today, I wonder what will happen next.

"So tell me, which boy is turning your head up and down, that you now attend night clubs," I chortled.

"Babe, relax, times have changed. Besides, I'm no longer a child." She explained. "Yea baby," I muffled, while cheering as she whined her waist, giving me some vibes.

"Girl, I'm seriously turning on with you" I jeered. "Of course, you don't have a choice, she added. "It's actually a friend's birthday party, and there'll be lots of cute guys in attendance, so you can't miss this," she giggled.

At her explanation, my excited state suddenly flashed to reality making my face pale.

"What's wrong," she soothed. I quickly explained my ordeal to her as she's the only friend I could open up to.

She immediately interrupted, "Jamesly Freud (Jnr), nowhere." After which she picked up her laptop and punched the search bar.

Look, she pointed. What could that be, I was totally indifferent, but yet, drawn sternly to the screen. "You're engaged to the official playboy of the century."