Chapter Sixty

Bella was jealous and she knew it, the woman she had seen in that photograph must be a model and whatever the case, she was nowhere near her standard. What kept crossing her mind was the thought of what would happen should there be a way for that woman to work her way into Jay's life, would he leave her for his ex-wife who obviously was way hotter. Bella felt the tight knot in her throat. She began wondering if she had given herself up too cheaply. "You must be Bella ma'am ", a voice interrupted her thoughts forcing her back to reality. The woman she was seeing was middle-aged, probably in her early fifties. She looked brilliant and definitely must have explored the world. "It's just Bella ma. And yes, I am Bella, pleased to meet you ", she said trying to feel in the flow. She admired this woman and she remembered her dream to become a teacher someday. Chelsea led them to the room where her lessons would be taking place, how he managed to get it prepared overnight was a question for another day. The lessons were absolutely fun and Miss Madeline was very patient with her, she just might be liking the idea after all and she discovered that she was gradually beginning to cherish the idea. Miss Madeline noted her weakness for mathematics so she promised to come with aiding kits during their next class. After lessons, Bella discovered she had found a friend in Madeline and so had the woman because it was evident what a good natured lass Bella was. Bella invited her for lunch and after much persuasion, she dropped her bag and followed her. "Bella, such a big house I must confess ", she started and Bella agreed with her, " Probably it must be boring sometimes. What do you do for fun? ", she asked and Bella said barely audible, "Nothing, I chat with my friends and I also read ". Madeline smiled, it was obvious Jay wanted to keep her away from the world, "Do you bake or cook? ", she asked her as she took her seat in the dining area, "I know a couple of tricks ", she said in response, "Well, as time goes on I could show you some more. I bake a lot ", Madeline said and Bella's eyes lit up. She appreciated the woman and then Katherine brought in their meal. They ate in silence and after that, Bella saw her off to the car waiting to take her home. 

"Seems like you actually beginning to enjoy your lessons Bella ", Katherine was saying as soon as she entered the living room, she was smiling, "Of course I would... Wait... What are you thinking ", she asked eyeing her suspiciously, Katherine laughed, "Nothing really but I knew how damp your mood was when Mr Jay asked you for your opinion ", she said. That was Katherine, the eyes and ears of the staff, Bella smiled and followed her into the kitchen. Theresa was there and others too, preparing things for dinner. "Do we have baking items? ", Bella asked Chelsea whom answered affirmative. She explained that she would be needing them soon enough and they went about talking about other things. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, it was Mikey. She excused herself and went to take her call. "Hi Mikey ", she started but his greeting was a little too cold, so she pryed him, "Your mom is down with cancer Bella ", he said and her heart skipped a beat. She tried to tell herself it did not matter but then, that woman was still her mother regardless. "She wants to see you Bella ", he was saying, "How serious is her condition ", Bella asked and Mikey replied, " It's bad Bella. Doc said she barely have a year ". They talked briefly and Bella hung up. How fast things change, she still cared about about her mother and felt the tug in her stomach to see her. She could not imagine how her condition had grown so bad or when it had started. Had she been suffering in silence all these years or something, why now. Bella's emotions took over her being and she let the turbulent of emotions flow. She just could not loose her mother, she was guilt stricken. All these years, she blamed her mother, hated her and even cursed her but then, that pained woman had been bearing within her, a burden so great that she would definitely have no time to think straight. What a horrible excuse of a daughter she must have been. Bella stayed in her room, silently sobbing until the warm embrace of sleep comforted her soul. 

Jay Martins returned and was surprised she was not in the living room or study. It was too early to retire to bed or probably she was napping, either way, he had bought her the goodies she requested for. A cup of ice-cream and chocolates. He even bought a 1kg amount of ice-cream just for her and had it sent to the refrigerator while he headed to her room. It was high time she began making his room hers. She was asleep when he came inside, facing the other side that all he could see was her curvy outline. He sat on the edge of the bed and admired her soft snore, she must have been really exhausted as she barely snored. She definitely must have overworked herself so he chose to let her sleep, drawing close he planted a kiss on her cheek and would have left quietly but then he felt someone, his lips were warm. To be sure, he kissed her again and felt it again, she was definitely running a fever. He quickly drew her up, she was looking ill and her pillow was soaked. Had she been crying, why?. She tried to struggle against him with closed eyes, she could not even open her eyes while he steadied her. He began peeling off her clothings and baby carried her into the bathtub.