Chapter Four: Confronting the past

Alexia's announcement that they were going to the mall sparked excitement in Rachel's eyes.

Her bright smile and sparkling eyes made her look like a ray of sunshine, and her long, curly brown hair bounced with each nod.

She was a petite girl, with a slender figure and delicate features, but her presence was larger than life.

Churchill accompanied them, offering his expertise as they navigated the bustling mall.

As they strolled through the corridors, Rachel's eyes widened with wonder. The mall was a marvel of modern architecture, with sleek lines, gleaming marble floors, and soaring ceilings.

They wandered from section to section, exploring the latest fashion trends. Churchill offered his discerning opinion as Rachel tried on dresses, tops, and pants, helping her select a stylish ensemble.

They added matching shoes and bags to complete the look, and Rachel twirled in front of the mirror, delighted with her new purchases.

After a few hours of shopping, they gathered their bags and headed for the exit. As they emerged into the bright sunlight, Rachel's gaze collided with a familiar face Alfred's.

''Hiiii''

Rachel says with a smile,

''mum look at the Man we met at the restaurant that day,''

Rachel says as she taped at Alexia who was talking with Churchill,

Alfred's His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, time stood still.

The tension between them was palpable, and Alexia's heart raced with a mix of emotions.

Churchill just stood there and scared,

Then Alfred breaks the Silence,

''Hello beautiful little one,how are you?''

''Am good,''

Rachel replies with a smile,both looking into eachothers eyes,both feeling a connection they had never felt before.

''Rachel,come let's go.''

Alexia says as she hold Rachel's hands to leave,but Alfred stopped her.

''we need to talk,''

he said this with look which showed that he really wanted to talk,

Alexia asked Churchill to take Rachel to the car and wait, while she and Alfred stepped into a nearby eatery to discuss their past.

The air was thick with tension as they sat down, their eyes locked in a silent stare. Both were still angry, yet both wanted to talk.

The love they once shared still lingered, but neither wanted to admit it. Alfred broke the silence, his voice laced with hurt.

"I thought you found Bryan a little boring back then, so why did you dump me to marry him?"

Alexia's eyes flashed.

"Dumped you? Or did you leave me?"

Alfred's expression changed from anger to shock.

"I didn't leave you, Anderson. I left the country when I received the letter you sent, saying you didn't love me anymore."

Alfred's face twisted in pain.

"What? That's a lie! You were the one who said you didn't love me anymore after I told you about...the..."

Rachel's voice trailed off, and Alfred's eyes narrowed.

"The what?"

he pressed, but Rachel cut him off.

"Never mind, Alfred. All I know is you're lying. Excuse me, my daughter is waiting in the car."

As Alexia stepped out of the eatery, tears streaming down her face, the pain of the past came flooding back.

She felt lost and confused, unsure of what to think or believe. She got into the car, her eyes fixed on the seat ahead, and asked the driver to move.

Rachel and Churchill tried to comfort her, asking if she was okay, but she remained silent, her thoughts a jumble of emotions.

When they arrived home, Alexia hastily got out of the car and rushed to her room, leaving Churchill and Rachel to carry the shopping bags upstairs.

The two exchanged worried glances, sensing the weight of Alexia's distress.

They quietly unpacked the bags, their usual cheerfulness dampened by the somber mood.

Churchill tried to reassure Rachel, who was clearly upset by her mother's tears.

"Don't worry, dear, she'll be okay. Just give her some time."

Rachel nodded, her eyes still brimming with concern.

Later, Churchill went to check on Alexia, finding her sitting on the bed, her head in her hands.

"Alexia, my dear, what's going on? You're tearing me apart with worry."

Alexia lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed from crying.

"Churchill, I'm so confused. Alfred's words have me questioning everything. Could he be telling the truth?

Did something happen that we're not aware of?

He claimed I dumped him, that he sent a letter and I never replied.

But in the letter i received,he told me he didn't love me and that he used me.

I sent the letter to him through my nanny,And yet, he's never asked about the pregnancy, which I told him about in that very letter. It doesn't add up, Churchill.

I feel like I'm losing my grip on reality.

If this is true,this only means none of us received eachothers letters.

noo... that's not true,he said he received a letter and in that letter I told him I was no longer interested,his a lier"

Alexia's voice cracked as she bowed her head, fresh tears falling. Churchill's expression softened, and he sat beside her, offering a comforting embrace.

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

Twenty minutes after Alexia's departure, Alfred emerged from the eatery, his mind reeling in shock.

He felt like a man lost at sea, unsure which direction to turn.

As he reached his car in the parking lot, his thoughts swirled in turmoil.

He drove automatically, his eyes on the road, but his mind far away.

"She claims she sent a letter and I replied saying I was no longer interested,how?"

he thought,

his brow furrowed in confusion.

"She claims I left her, but that's not true. If she's telling the truth, then someone must have conspired against us.

Someone broke us apart.

I would've known, I wouldn't have left her without a fight."

But then, a nagging doubt crept into his thoughts.

"What if she's lying? What if she's trying to make me look like the villain? What if..."

The questions swirled in his mind like a vortex, leaving him more perplexed than ever.

Alfred pulled into a dimly lit bar, the neon signs overhead reflecting off the wet pavement like a beacon calling out to him.

He stepped inside, the door creaking behind him, and strode majestically to the bar, his long strides devouring the distance.

With a confident air, he commanded the bartender,

"Whiskey on the rocks, and make it a double."

As the bartender expertly mixed his drink, Alfred's gaze wandered, and that's when he saw her a stunning woman in a red dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

She stood poised, her piercing green eyes fixed on him, a sly smile playing on her lips. The dim lighting highlighted her porcelain skin, and Alfred felt a sudden jolt of attraction.

He took his drink from the bartender and turned to face her, his eyes locking onto hers in a silent challenge.