chapter 1

A knock was heard, and the door was opened.

Lola smiled. "I thought you said you wouldn't be around for my engagement party."

Emelia laughed and sat. "Why would I miss such for anything in the world?" Anyway, Chris sends his regards. He has to be in Chicago tomorrow, so he wouldn't be able to meet up."

"He texted me already. Let me get you a cup of coffee before we talk." She gave a quick smile and walked to the coffee machine.

Emelia gazed at the picture frame on the table, and her expression changed. Lola noticed it.

"Emelia, is there something you aren't telling me about Steve?" You get uncomfortable when I talk about him or when he is around me." Lola stretched out the cup to her, which she took.

"Well, you and I know I never liked him from the start. He isn't just suitable for you, and my instincts tell me he is just playing around with you. I don't think he loves you."

"You think so?" Then why are you getting excited about the engagement?"

Emelia laughs. "You know I have always loved parties, and besides, I can't be robbing you of your happiness because of how I feel. I just want to be sure that you are happy, and you have got to."

Lola smiled and gave her a quick hug. "Sure, I am overly excited that he finally proposed and decided he wants to be with me and no one else. Just stay happy for me, as you have always been. Steve will always take good care of me, and he loves me very much." She grinned, staring at the picture frame on her table.

Two more days to go, and she will be officially his.

"I have heard you, love girl."

Her phone beeped. "Chris is calling. We will talk later, okay? Emelia smiled again and made for the door.

"Take care."

Lola sat, pondering what Emelia had said. Does Steve love her? Does she even want to be with him? Why was her heart still not convinced about them both?

A soft kiss on her neck jolted her out of her thoughts.

"I guess you were too deep into your thoughts to notice my presence." He placed what he was holding on the table.

Still holding her from the back as she stood up, Lola turned, facing him. She breathed deeply.

"I am sorry not to notice your presence, and besides, I am at work. Why did you come?"

An odd expression on his face told me he got pissed off by what she said.

"And what do you mean by that?" Can't I come over anymore to give you a surprise visit?"

He began to kiss her all over. Lola sighed and pushed him off without a thought.

Her deep blue eyes glinted at the rays of sunlight through the window sills. With a hand, she pushed back her hair.

"Stop it, Steve. You and I have talked about this. computer. I won't do anything until the night of our wedding, and you promised to adhere to it. computer. So, don't let this be an argument again."

Nora sat, facing her computer. Her insides were already trembling at his next reaction.

Why was she even afraid?

"Haven't I promised to marry you?" Our engagement party is in two days. What else do you need me to do, huh? What else?!."

She faced him. "Do you know what I need you to do for me?" Keep being patient and sticking to your promise!"

An email popped up on her computer, and her gaze was back on it. The next words from Steve stopped her fingers from typing.

"Lola, are you cheating on me?"

Did he come in to annoy her and cancel their engagement?

"Steve, are you out of your mind?! Why would you ask me such a question? You and I know that's the last thing I would ever do. I would rather die than cheat on you, and you know that!"

She yelled, and all of a sudden she felt the usual pain in her head, but this time it was serious.

Pretending not to notice her, he picked up his phone. "When you are done arguing with yourself, you know where to meet me." He sneered and walked out even while she was writhing in pain.

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

With a leap on his back, Jason laughed happily. "Hey guy, you can't be like this all day. I have got to visit the company."

Little Jimmy slowly loosened his grip on his father and walked to the dining table.

"Where were you last night, Dad?" You didn't read me my bedtime stories." A sad expression showed vividly on his face. Jason sighed and sat beside him, patting him as he usually does.

"Jim, you've got to get used to the fact that I won't be around all the time you need me, and besides, I got you a laptop in case you missed me so badly and wanted to talk to me."

He let down his fork. "Still, Dad, then you should get me a nanny instead. I hate staying alone, and you know that."

Jason sighed. He never liked the idea of someone else taking care of his son, but now that the deals at work are getting more complicated, he couldn't leave his assistant to do everything at once. What might be the best solution?

"I will see what I can do, and till that time, take good care of yourself and use your medications at the right time. I repeat, "at the right time." Jason laughs as he watches Jimmy stare at him.

"Dad, do you realize I am just five?" You talk as if I'm twenty already! He pouted.

Jason laughs. "And that's because I need you to think and do things smarter than your age. Don't let your age limit your thinking abilities. I see you as a man because that's who you are."

A smile crept on Jimmy's face. "Thanks, Dad, and I won't disappoint you at that."

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

With wobbly legs, Lola bit her lips nervously as her doctor stared at the computer before him.

His expression said it all. Her fears were confirmed. It's certain this time.

"Lola, you have a brain tumor, and I am so sorry to say this, but you just have at least two months to live. Discovering this late, I don't think there is anything even the best Doctor around town can do. "

Lola breathed deeply, and tears flowed freely from her eyes.

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