CHAPTER 43 & 44 : Teddy’s Final Stand – The End of an Era
● BROOKS RESIDENCE ●
“It can’t be. Our child can’t be dead. The thought of seeing that child have been what have kept me going for years” Teddy said, feeling deeply hurt.
“If I had my way then you would still be oblivious about this cause it was Sophia’s wish that I said nothing to you. She didn’t want you to go through the pain she did” Lucia said.
“How did…my child die?” Teddy ask, his voice coming out in a whisper.
“What do you think?” Lucia said and that got him looking at her.
“Don’t tell me that….” He pause waiting for her to finish which she did.
“Desiree killed the child and went on to doing the same with Sophia” Lucia told him.
She watch him stay still for a while and suddenly, In a fit of anger, he lift the center table and flip it over, scaring the hell out of Lucia.
“Not only did she kill the love of my life, she also killed my child, I will make Desiree Landon pay in blood, she will suffer the same way have suffered!” Teddy said, making a vow to himself.
Lucia watch him head to his study and a while later the man that brought her walk escort her out of the house.
● LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY●
James was having a important team meeting with four of his colleagues when he got a call from May.
Since he’s very busy, he choose to ignore it but when he got a certain message from her, his gave his full attention to it.
“Listen up guys. If your woman suddenly send you a message that she’s getting an abortion, what does it mean?” James ask his male colleagues.
“She’s getting rid of your child” One of them replied.
“Am sorry guys but I need to leave, take care of the rest and send an email to me, I need to go” James said, dashing out of the meeting room.
All through his way to his car, James kept calling May number but she wouldn’t pick.
It wasn’t until he got into his car that she send him a message.
It’s the address of a hospital, James thought as he step on the accelerator.
The drive to the hospital took him an hour. He got out of his car and was running in when he heard someone call his name.
He turn to see May waiting outside and quickly, he ran towards her, pulling her into his embrace.
“Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me that you are pregnant?” James ask, pulling back to stare at her.
“That’s because I just found out today! And when I called my boyfriend to tell him about it, he ignores my call” May said, sulking.
“Am sorry. I was just….tell me you didn’t abort the child?” James demand, remembering the text that brought him there.
“Do you think am that callous!” She said hitting him on the chest and he pulled her into his arms in return.
“That’s a great relieve” he said, feeling excited at the prospect of having a child.
” Don’t tell me that you want us to have this child?” May ask, pulling back to stare at him.
“I do want us to have it. Don’t you?”
“Am not ready yet. Am not ready to be a mother, I have my career to begin with and have seen a lot of women giving up everything just to take care of their children, I don’t see myself doing that , James”
“So you want us to get rid of the child?” James ask.
“No! Yes, I don’t know. Am just so confuse right now. I want our child but I also don’t want to give up on my career” May said, utterly confuse.
“You don’t have to give up on both,May. I know a way you can have our child and also have your career”
“What way?”
“Marry me” James said, taking hold of her hand.
“This isn’t a joke, James”
“Do you think am joking? “
“You really want to marry me?” May ask, seeing the seriousness in his gaze.
“I want to. Not just because of our child, even without the child, I would have ask you to marry me because I love you,I love you May and I want to spend the rest of my life with you if you will have me” James said, proposing to her.
Tears glisten May eyes as she pull her hand out of his to wound it around his waist, revelling in being in his arms.
“Marrying me will be like a life sentence. Are you sure you want to carry on?” May ask, burying her face against his chest.
James smile and made her look at him.
“If it will entail you being by my side forever then I will gladly accept this life sentence” he said as a smile spread across her face.
“I love you,James and I will marry you” May said, consume with happiness.
The two kiss each other giving a sweet view to the passerby who walk by them.
● MORNING ~ HOTEL ●
Sally wake up to find herself in an unfamiliar room. The last thing she remember was taking the drink Adam gave her.
Did he spike it? Sally thought as she sat up, feeling a rush of nausea.
“Drink this, you will need it” on hearing Xavier voice, a gasp left her lips as she stare at him.
What happen last night? Why is he here? Did Adam do something to her?
“Quit it with the questions and drink this” Xavier said as if reading her thought.
Sally drink the strong coffee given to her and return the empty cup to him.
“Now before you ask me any question. I want to make something clear to you. I don’t want to ever see you hanging out with that Adam guy or I swear, I will break his bones” Xavier said, his voice sounding dangerous to the ears.
Sally swallowed hard and gave a nod.
Xavier sat beside her on the bed and explain the whole thing to her.
“I can’t believe Adam and Genova will do that just to make us separate” Sally said, feeling hurt by this.
“Adam wants you and Genova wants me. They are doing their best to get the people they love but what they don’t know is that even if you and I part, I will always love you” As soon as he said that, Sally stared at him,shock written all over her face.
“What’s wrong?”Xavier ask.
“You just said you love me” Sally said, ray of hope shimmering through her.
” Is that something new?”
“It is. You’ve never said it before and so I thought you didn’t love me. I was at first reluctant to marry you when I knew that I love you and you didn’t but I decided to give it a try hoping that someday you will love me” Sally reveal.
“I will admit that at first, I only thought of you as a suitable bride but when I got to know you, I was caught in your web” Xavier told her and too choke with happiness to say a thing.
Sally move towards him to claim his lips.
“Oh! Am naked” she said, pulling the cover over her body but Xavier stop her, a naughty smile splaying on his lips.
“You can’t really want to….”
“You know I want to”
“But this room…”
“Have been book by Genova. She wanted to use it for her evil deeds but it back fired on her” Xavier said, trailing kisses down her throat while his hand fondle her bre@st.
” Should we still stop?” Xavier ask, his hand working wonder on her bre@st.
“Don’t stop. Love me all you want” Sally said, wrapping her arms around him.
“Your wish is my command, my love” Xavier said before claiming her lips.
● BROOKS RESIDENCE ●
“Are you sure about this boss?” Robbin, Teddy’s hit man said as he stood in his boss study.
“I am sure. I want us to hit Desiree where it will hurt her the most” Teddy said
“And that is by killing Xavier Landon?” Robbin ask.
“Yes. Kill Xavier and once he’s out of the way, you go after Desiree” Teddy said.
“Got it boss”
“I want Xavier done today and no mistake ” Teddy added, his head filled with the pain Desiree will feel when she loses her belove grandson.
● LANDON RESIDENCE ●
“This just arrive for you, madam” the maid said, giving Desiree a box which has a gift wrap around it.
Desiree smile as she took the gift from the maid.
No matter what happen between her and Xavier, he wouldn’t forget her birthday.
Desiree thought as she unwrap the gift only to throw the box away when she saw the content.
There was a picture of Xavier covered in blood and next to it had her picture which had some words on it.
★ THIS WILL BE THE PICTURE THEY USE ON YOUR OBITUARY. BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY YOUR TIME IS NEAR, DESIREE LANDON BUT FIRST, I WILL MAKE YOU MOURN JUST LIKE YOU MADE ME MOURN ★
“S…S…Stella! ” Desiree yell and immediately the maid return.
“Call Xavier, Call him now!” Desiree scream.
● LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY●
“Are you sure you can drive back home, I can come with you” Xavier said as he stood outside the company with Sally.
“And do what exactly?” Sally ask, knowing what he had in mind.
“I really want to come with you” Xavier said, pouting like a baby.
“No. You’ve got work to attend to and I need to take care of some things”.
“Things like what?”
“It’s a secret”
“Tell me about it, don’t hide anything from me” Xavier said, giving her light kisses on the cheek.
They were so engross with each other that they fail to see the car that pull up some distance away.
“Xavier Landon” a man in a mask called, pointing his gun at them and firing a shot at Xavier……..
CHAPTER 45 & 46 : Moving Forward – Xavier and Sally’s Future
● LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY●
As soon as the man fired the gun both Sally and Xavier stood in shock without moving and the bullet would have hit Xavier if Genova hadn’t got in the way.
Everyone watch in shock as Genova held onto her bleeding stomach before going down on her knees.
Xavier arms came around her so she wouldn’t hit her head on the floor.
“Genova” Xavier called, looking very worried.
“Someone call for an ambulance!” Sally yell as she crouch beside the two watching a bleeding Genova try to speak.
“A…am…so…rry” Genova said, wincing whenever she felt pain.
“You don’t have to apologise. I should be the one thanking you, you save my life” Xavier said but she shook her head.
“I…am…gra…teful to see you…alive. At least…I get to protect you after all” Genova said softly, lightly caressing Xavier’s face with her bloody hand before falling into a dark oblivion.
● BROOKS RESIDENCE ●
“What! Genova took the shot? ” Teddy ask fuming since his plan got ruin.
“What happen to her? Is she dead?”
“I didn’t wait to see what happen but am sure the bullet hit her” Robbin reply.
“For now, forget about Xavier and focus on Desiree”
“That will be hard to achieve boss” Robbin said.
“Why?”
“After getting the message you sent her, Desiree Landon have hired some personal guards, when I disguise myself as delivery man into her home earlier, I saw those men around her house” Robbin told him.
“Well, I don’t care if she hired a million f**king guards! All I want is for you to kill her, kill Desiree Landon” Teddy burst out in anger.
“Yes boss” Robbin reply, giving a bow before turning to leave.
He was at the door when Teddy told him to stop.
“How about we plan a new strategy” Teddy suggest.
“Do you have a plan In mind?” Robbin ask as a cruel smile appear on Teddy’s face.
● HOSPITAL ●
Xavier and Sally were waiting for the operation to end when Desiree walk in, accompanied by five men.
“Xavier!” She called worriedly, taking hold of his hand to look at him.
“I heard what happen. Are you okay? Did you get hurt? There’s blood on your face , why isn’t anyone attending to you?” Desiree demand, a look of worry on her face.
This action of her surprise Sally and Xavier, who would have thought that she really care about him.
“Am fine and this isn’t my blood but that of Genova. She took the shot in my stead” Xavier explain and Desiree sigh out in relieve.
“That’s good. Am glad Genova got shot” Desiree said.
“Glad? It isn’t something for you to be glad about. That bullet was meant for me but she got shot in my stead and you are glad?”
“Should I be sad instead? ” Desiree ask going back to the cold woman everyone knew her as.
“No, you shouldn’t but I need to know if what happen today have something to do with you”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve got a lot of enemies, grandma. Who exactly is after my life?” Xavier ask.
“Why will you link me to what happen today? It has nothing to do with me!” Desiree reply while maintaining her cool.
“Are you sure that what happen today has nothing to do with you?” Sally ask earning a glare from Desiree.
“And who gave you permission to…”
“Sophia Landon!” Sally said cutting Desiree off. ” What happen today has to do with her death, right? “
“I don’t know what you are talking about”.
“You should know cause after all, she was killed by you” Xavier said while hoping with all his heart that his grandma will be innocent but before she could mask it, he notice the flash of guilt in her eyes and her shaking hands.
She had something to do with Sophia’s death,Xavier thought silently.
“How dare you accuse me of her death! Sophia is my daughter” .
“Your step daughter” Sally correct.
“I told you not to inter….”
The arrival of the doctor end whatever Desiree was going to say.
“How is she?” Xavier ask.
“We’ve manage to retrieve the bullet and she’s out of danger and she will be under observation for a while” The doctor said, taking a huge weight off their shoulder.
“Can we see her?” Sally ask.
“Yes, if you will go with the nurse, she will show you to her ward” The doctor said before leaving.
“Are you coming?” Xavier ask Desiree.
“No” She said stiffly.
Sally and Xavier went to see Genova who was up
She force a smile on her face when she saw them.
“You fool. Don’t you ever do that again” Xavier said taking hold of her hand.
“There’s something I have to tell you two” Genova said, pulling her hand away while looking very serious.
“I am not the real Genova. Genova died some years back, I am just an imposter” She reveal shocking the two.
“Can you explain that better” Sally said, starring at Xavier who had gone into silent mode.
Abigail began the story from when the real Genova died to when Teddy have her undergo surgery just to look like Genova and to when they came to the city to begin their plan on Desiree.
“Why exactly is Teddy after my grandmother?” Xavier ask, finally speaking after the revelation of Genova’s death.
“I don’t know much about it but the little I know is that Teddy was Sophia lover in the past but your grandma got in the way of their love. He left the city years ago to make a name for himself and when he return, Sophia was dead and most importantly their child too”
“Did Sophia had a child?” Sally ask.
“I can’t tell since Teddy didn’t say much about it but he says that your grandma killed Sophia and his child and he wants revenge. He sent that man to kill you just to cause Desiree pain since she love you” Genova said this to Xavier.
“Is there a way for us to see Teddy?” Xavier ask.
“Why do you want to see him?” Sally ask in return.
“To speak to him. I have some few questions for him” Xavier reply, looking very furious.
“He must know by now that I took the bullet meant for you and he certainly will know that have spill the whole truth to you so he must have leave the place we both live” Genova told him.
“But there’s a probability that he’s still there, right?” Xavier ask.
“Yes” Genova reply.
“I am coming with you” Sally said, following Xavier but he stop her.
“I can handle this. Stay here with Genova, please” he said, giving her a kiss on the lips before leaving the room.
There was no sign of Desiree when he got to the waiting room.
● SALLY’S APARTMENT●
Marie and Mathew were in the kitchen, washing the plates used for breakfast.
“Why do you keep looking at me?” Mathew ask, noticing Marie stares.
“Cause you are hot” Marie said and he turn to her.
“You can’t say that. What if mom hears?”
“Relax. She’s in the garden, we are quite safe” Marie said, walking towards him to wrap her soapy arms around his waist.
“Kiss me, it’s been so long since I had a taste of your lips. Staying away from each other is killing me” Marie said,pouting her mouth.
This got Mathew smiling as he stare at the kitchen doorway to see if they are safe, then he lean towards Marie to give her a kiss.
The shattering of of plate got them springing apart.
A shocked Lucia stood at the door, watching the two of them.
“What….did I just see?” Lucia ask, walking into the kitchen.
“It’s not what you think Mom, I can explain” Mathew said as Marie cower behind him.
“Explain what? That you two are commiting incest! For crying out loud you are siblings” Lucia yell at them.
“We are and that’s the reason why we stayed away from each other but we can’t help it, mom. We love each other” Marie said softly.
“Love each other! Get over here, you brat” Lucia launch for her but Mathew stood in her way.
“Don’t blame her mom. If you have to blame someone then blame me!” Mathew said.
“Blame you? Fine, I will blame you, I will blame you for this stupid act going on between you two” Lucia said, hitting Mathew on the arm as tears slid down her face.
“Guys!” May called as she run into the kitchen, a worried look on her face.
“What’s wrong?” Lucia ask, her heart pounding fast.
“Something has happen to Sally”
● HIGH WAY●
Xavier was heading back to the hospital after a futile search at Teddy’s home when he got a call.
“Xavier” Genova call as soon as he answered.
“You need to get back to the hospital”
“Is something wrong?” Xavier ask.
“I am fine but they…Teddy’s men have taken Sally”
CHAPTER 47 & 48 : A Surprise Twist – Xavier’s Unexpected Proposal
● HOSPITAL ●
A worried Xavier got out of his car only to receive a message from an unknown number.
★ YOUR WIFE IS WITH ME. IF YOU WANT HER SAFE THEN COME TO THIS ADDRESS WITH YOUR GRANDMOTHER, I HAVE NO INTENTION OF HURTING HER BUT IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE OF CALLING THE COPS, I WILL KILL HER ★
Xavier was checking out the address sent by Teddy when a car arrive and Lucia got out of it followed by James, Marie, Mathew and May.
“What happen? Where’s Sally? Where’s my daughter?” Lucia demand.
“She has been taken by a mad man. A man craving for revenge. He plan to use Sally as bait to get to my grandmother” Xavier said showing them the message.
“Then let’s take her to him” May suggest.
“It’s not that simple. Teddy is a mad man who has to be locked up” Xavier reply.
“Teddy? Did you just say Teddy?” Lucia question.
“Do you know him?” Mathew ask.
” I do. I know him. I told him his daughter is dead just so he can go after Desiree and not my daughter!” Lucia yell out in fear.
“What are you talking about Mrs Sawyer?” James ask but she ignore him.
“Take me to Teddy, I need to tell him something”.
“But that’s risky mom” Marie counter.
“It’s not! He needs to know, he has to know, take me to him before he harm Sally” Lucia said like a crazy woman.
“Okay. James do me a favour and call the cops” Xavier said as he got into the car with Lucia while the rest follow.
● ABANDON WAREHOUSE ●
Sally woke up to find herself tied to a chair, she notice some unknown men some distance away, arguing about the latest football match not noticing her.
The last thing she remember is that she left Genova’s ward to get her something to drink and on her arrival, she saw Genova arguing with some men.
Genova told her to leave to get help and when Sally tried to do that, someone caught her. A old man, not that old though, probably in his late forties or fifties.
She remember he asked Genova who she is and on getting his answer, he told his men to take her saying.
“She’s the bait I need”.
And after that, Sally doesn’t remember a thing since she black out when one of his men hit her.
“You are up” a familiar voice said and she look up to see the old man from earlier.
“Who are you? Why did you bring me here and why am I a bait?” Sally ask, trying to loosen the rope.
“Relax, I don’t plan to harm you. I told your husband that when I send him a message earlier. You are just a bait I need to get Desiree here” He said and it finally dawn on her who he is.
“You are Teddy, Teddy Brooks, right?” Sally ask.
“I am. Seem like Genova has been running her mouth” Teddy reply dryly.
“Even without Genova telling me. I already know who you are”
“Can I ask how?”
“A friend of mine is a reporter and someone send her personal details about Sophia and Desiree” Sally explain.
“Ahhh…so they did get my message. When they did nothing, I thought it didn’t reach them but it did and they chose to overlook it like everyone else!” Teddy said cynically.
“They didn’t! They didn’t overlook it. They were scared to find out Desiree is a murderer and it’s the word of Desiree against their word which is based on a letter which they don’t even know the sender” Sally explain.
“Bullshit! If they wanted to, they would have tried to find me but they didn’t. Everyone is just the same, when Sophia died years ago, I told them to investigate that there’s no way Sophia would have killed herself but no one listen to me, they all believe she committed suicide which she didn’t!” Teddy yell, hitting the desk he’s seating on.
“So, you plan to lure Desiree here and then kill her? Do you think that’s what Sophia will want for you?”
“Desiree took everything away from me? We didn’t do anything wrong. All we did was love each other but then she thought it to be impossible since I had no money. She tried to marry Sophia off to a rich man son but Sophia ran away and came to me. We were so in love then that I thought I should work hard and become someone of prestige so I can be worthy of Sophia’s love”.
“That’s why I left the city. She told me not to leave but I….but I was blinded by trying to succeed and failed to see that she will be left on her own. While away, she told me she was pregnant, I wanted to return to her but work didn’t allow it. When work lessen, I decided to come back only to meet her gone” Teddy said, relieving the pain he felt when he was told about Sophia’s death.
Sally watch the poor man wallow in pain and guilt. She sympathize with him but she couldn’t let him do something he will regret.
“I won’t deny that when I heard about Sophia’s story I was sad and hurt by the injustice which is why, we need to join hand to get Desiree punish” Sally said softly.
“By the law? The law is just a mess. Am pretty sure that she will come out unharm without being punish” Teddy said scoffing.
“But….”
“Enough! You know nothing. Desiree deserves to die and I will make sure I achieve that and no one will stop me” Teddy vow, filled with hate and vengeance.
“Boss, Xavier is here” Robbin said as he came running in.
“Did he come with Desiree?”
“No sir, he came with some people and the cops” Robbin revealed.
“So, he’s trying to protect his grandmother. Well, he made his choice. He chose his grandmother over you that’s to show how selfish the Landon are” Teddy said to Sally.
“What do we do sir?”
“Take the men and leave”.
“What? But what about you?” Robbin asked.
“I will be fine. This is my fight and it’s between the Landon and I. I will handle things from here, leave now!” Teddy said and reluctantly his men left.
“You my dear is certainly coming with me” Teddy said as he begin to untie Sally.
“Are you sure they are in there?” The officer in charge ask, starring at the building doubtfully.
“This is the address I was given” Xavier reply.
“Then my men and I will go in and under no circumstance should any of you follow us” the officer warn.
“But it’s my wife in there. I can’t just stand here doing nothing”.
“This is for the safety of everyone. Just do as I….”
A scream from the rooftop got everyone looking up.
Sally stood against the balustrade while Teddy stood behind her, pointing a gun to her head.
“I clearly told you not to call the police but you didn’t listen. Your wife will have to pay” Teddy yell at them.
On seeing this, Xavier run into the building ignoring the police.
He got to the rooftop to see Teddy pulling Sally close still having the gun to her head.
“Let her go, Teddy” Xavier yell at him.
“It’s me you want right, I am here,let my wife go and you can have me” Xavier added softly.
A cruel laugh left Teddy lips.
“You think it’s you I want? You are not the one I want, it’s Desiree I want but you didn’t bring her instead you brought the cops. I warn you, I had no intention of killing your wife but you give me no choice” Teddy said.
“No Teddy!” Xavier yell.
“Don’t do it!” Lucia scream as she got to the rooftop followed by some of the police officers.
She was breathing heavily as she put out her hands.
“Don’t kill her, please” Lucia beg.
“Why shouldn’t I? I have nothing to live for and you told me that my child is dead” Teddy said,a sad expression marring his face.
“Put your gun down Teddy Brooks” the officer in charge said as he along with his men point their gun at Teddy.
“I have no intention of doing that” Teddy return.
“Then we will just have to shoot you”.
“Don’t shoot! Do not shoot anyone. I lied Teddy, I lied about your child, she’s alive. You had a baby girl with Sophia and I took her with me and brought her up as my child, her name is Marie” Lucia reveal.
“What did you just say?” a shock Teddy ask.
“When Sophia gave birth. I was one of the nurses taking care of her and it was then she told me to take the child and have her stay with me cause Desiree threaten to kill the baby as soon as it’s born”.
“I did as she said and we lied to Desiree that the child had died. She then took Sophia to the psychiatric hospital claiming Sophia lost her sanity when her child died”.
“I couldn’t do anything to help Sophia because I had no power but I told my sister who was a nurse to watch over Sophia since she works at the psychiatric ward too but then one horrifying day”.
“We witness Sophia being killed by Desiree. She and the nurses she payed had no idea we were watching them since we had to hide. While In hiding, we saw them inject something into Sophia and then, they push her out of the window claiming that she fell while trying to escape” Lucia said this with tears on her face.
“Am sorry Teddy. Am sorry I could do nothing to help her, I really wanted to help but I was scared Desiree will come for me and the baby and so, I fled and brought Marie up as my child” Lucia reveal, making everything clear.
“Why did you lie when I asked you before?” Teddy ask, his hand loosening around Sally.
“I wanted you to get back at Desiree. I wanted you to kill her like she did to poor Sophia but instead I only made things worse”
“Where is my daughter?” Teddy ask, the gun falling from his hand.
Immediately, the cops pounce on him, handcuffing him.
“Is my daughter here?” Teddy ask as he was being led out.
“She’s downstairs. She grew up to be Sophia’s look alike” Lucia told him.
“Can I see her, can you please let me see her?” Teddy ask the police officers who were a bit doubtful.
“It’s just for a while, let him” Xavier said, his arms around Sally.
Together they went downstairs and Lucia pointed out Marie to him.
“You are right, she looks just like Sophia” Teddy said, consume with fatherly love as he stare at Marie.
“Common, get into the car” The officer said, pushing him into the car.
“Why was that man starring at me?” Marie ask when she got to Lucia side.
“It’s a long story, I will tell you when we get home” Lucia reply.
“About what you said earlier. Is there evidence that Mrs Landon killed Sophia?” The officer in charge ask Lucia.
“Yes, we do have one. You see we recorded the whole thing” Lucia reveal.
^^ LANDON RESIDENCE ^^
Desiree was in her study when the maid show up.
“I thought I told you not to bother me” Desiree said.
“You did ma’am but it’s just that the…they came to see you” The maid open the door as three police officers walk in.
“What’s going on?” Desiree ask.
“Desiree Landon, you are under arrest for the death of your stepdaughter, Sophia Landon” one of the officer said as the other two handcuff her……
CHAPTER 49 & 50 : The Final Chapter – Love, Secrets, and New Beginnings
● TWO YEARS LATER ●
“Hurry up Lucia, we will be late” Grace, Lucia sister call as she carried her bag heading to the door.
“I can’t believe that out of all the days, you choose to be late today. You know how important it is for you to be present at the ceremony today” Grace said to her sister who came running down the stairs.
“I’m here now. There’s no need biting my head off” Lucia said, taking a deep breath.
“Whatever. What about Marie? Didn’t she say she’s coming with us?” Grace ask.
“She change her mind, she decided to go with Mathew, they both left an hour ago” Lucia inform.
“Marie and Mathew. Don’t you intend to do anything. Even though they aren’t siblings I still don’t feel right about them dating” Grace told her.
“At first. It didn’t feel right to me as well but I used a year to watch them both. They love each other but had to stay away for my sake, it hurt me seeing them that way and so, I gave them my blessing”.
“Are you sure it’s okay giving them your blessings?”
“It is Grace. The most important thing is that they love each other and I am glad now let’s leave for the ceremony or we will be really late” Lucia said, urging her sister out through the door.
● PRECINCT ●
Marie was seated alone at a table when the cell open and a warden walk out with her father, Teddy.
On seeing him, she got up and gave him a hug before the two settle on their seats.
Two years ago and after the ordeal of Sally’s abduction. Teddy was charge with attempted murder and abduction which the court sentence him to seven years in prison.
When Marie found out about her real family, she didn’t wanted to accept it. She had stayed indoor for a week just trying to come to terms with the truth.
And when she finally accepted it, she got to know her late mother more and after three months past, she had visited Teddy in jail for the first time.
It had been a tearful reunion and Marie had promise since then that she will keep visiting him until he serve his term finish and she had kept to her promise for two years.
“How is everyone?” Teddy ask, taking hold of his daughter hand.
“They are doing well. Everyone is happy and I am happy too. Hope you are happy, dad?” Marie ask.
“Very, very, happy. To have you come see me all the time makes me happy, thanks sweetie for not abandoning me” Teddy said, caressing her face.
“You don’t have to thank me. You are my father and I love you which is why I am always here. Just promise that during five years that remain, you will keep yourself safe and return to me unscathe. Have been watching dreadful movies lately and I see how inmates kill each other during fights” Marie said and her father chuckle.
“Don’t worry sweetheart. I will be safe and also you should stop watching such movies. Mathew is meant to take you out to watch romance movies”
“He is dad. He do take me to watch romance movies and we are happy”
“Am glad to know that and Genova, I mean Abigail. Is she handling the company well?”
“She’s performing wonders. I can’t wait to finish my business course so I can help her out”
They talk for a while more and then it was time for Marie to leave.
She watch sadly as they took him back to his cell and went out to see Mathew waiting.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Mathew ask on seeing the sad look on her face.
“I hate seeing dad in there” she said, tears sliding down her cheek.
“It’s okay. It’s just a matter of years, he will be out sooner than you can think. Let’s go” Mathew said, pulling her towards the car.
He was buckling her seatbelt when Marie kiss his cheek and whisper into his ear.
“I love you” …
He smile in return and kiss her fully on the lips before replying with “I love you too”
They kissed again for a long time and it Was Marie who ended it.
“If we don’t stop now, we will be late for the ceremony” Marie said, reminding him.
“That’s right! We can’t be late or Sally will kill me” Mathew said, kissing her briefly before going round the car to get into the driver seat.
● JAMES AND MAY APARTMENT ●
On a table in the sitting room were pictures of May and James through the two years they’ve been together.
One had their wedding picture another had the first picture they took with their child, another picture is May winning the reporter of the Year award and another is one taken during Christmas with their family and friends.
May walk out of a room putting on her earring while arranging a bag.
“Honey, are you guys ready?” May call just as James came out carrying their son, George.
“We are ready. Don’t want to be scolded” James added softly.
Through the years they’ve been married, James has been nothing but a sweet, caring husband and father though they were times that he annoys her.
But never for once have their love dissipate, the fact that she’s two weeks pregnant with their second child can prove that.
“It’s good to know that you two are ready but if we don’t leave now, Sally will chew my head off”.
“Go get the car while I take care of George” May said, wanting to take a smiling George from him but instead of letting the child go, he lean towards her and kiss her with George as an audience.
“What’s that for?” May ask.
“I love you” he said and she smile.
“I’d love to show you how much I love you too but let’s wait till tonight” May said, giving him a naughty look and he laugh, giving George to her before going to the garage to get their car.
● CHURCH ●
Genova got out of her car just as she notice two people standing some distance away.
“Adam?” She called, surprise to see him.
“Genova” he call too, greeting with enthusiasm.
Ever since the crazy thing they did two years ago, no one has seen Adam.
He quit being a model and went low key for years until he came back to the limelight recently with his girlfriend, Claire.
“I was invited by Sally ” Claire inform.
“I wasn’t invited but I want to use this moment to apologise and also to see if Xavier can accept me to being his model again. I need the job to be able to take care of Claire and our little champion who’s on the way “.
“I told you it might be a princess” Claire counter as Genova laugh.
“Congrats you two and if things don’t go well with Xavier, you can come to my company. I’d be happy to work with you” Genova said just as Mathew and Marie arrive.
“Abigail ” Marie called, running towards her to give her a hug.
“Abigail? Is that another name?” Claire ask.
Since everyone knows her as Genova, she had continue using the name but it’s only the close people around her that calls her by her real name.
“It’s my real name” Genova said, hugging Marie in return.
“If we don’t go in now, we will miss the ceremony” Mathew inform and everyone went in just as May and James arrive.
Inside the big church with their family and friends around.
Sally watch Xavier holding their little daughter, Sophia in his arms.
It’s her baptism and they had invited all their love ones to celebrate it with them.
The priest call out the parents along with the godfather and mother who is none other than James and May.
The baptism ceremony began and when it ended, almost everyone wanted to carry Sophia.
An after party had been organise by Xavier.
While the men grill the meat, the women sat together, gossiping among themselves.
Sally excuse herself and went into the house to check up on a sleeping Sophia.
It’s been two years since they’ve been together through thick and thin.
Sally knew Xavier would have wanted his grandmother to be present but she’s in jail, serving her life sentence for the death of Sophia
“What are you doing up here alone? Have been looking for you” Xavier said, his arms wounding around her waist from behind.
“I came to check up on Sophia and also, I was reminiscing”.
“About what?” Xavier ask, slowly turning her around.
“About us. About how we met, how we fell for each other and how we’ve manage to get here today” Sally said.
“So, what’s your conclusion?” Xavier ask.
“My conclusion is that I am happy. Happy to have met you, happy to have falling in love with you, happy to have married you and happy to still be in your life after two years”.
“We will keep being happy as long as we are together, side by side. Happiness will always find us” Xavier added softly.
“I love you, Xavier ” .
“I love you too, Sally and am happy that I got the surgery done since I get to hear your voice now”.
They had been overwhelm when the doctor told them a year ago that Xavier could get surgery to regain his hearing ability.
The surgery had gone well and now, He’s no longer using hearing aid.
“What part of my voice do you like hearing more?” Sally ask.
“I think it’s when you scream out my name at night” he reply naughtily and she hit him on the arm while he pull her into his embrace.
“Am glad I listen to that lady”
“Which lady?” Sally ask, her brow raising.
“Just a lady who told me years ago not to let the woman in a red dress out of my life cause she’s my destiny”
“And who is this woman in a red dress?” Sally ask jealously.
“It’s you, dummy. You are the only destiny meant for me and am grateful for that” Xavier reply knowing that with Sally by his side, he will be able to overcome everything that come his way…
THE END
Last Words
Whew, after all that chaos, who knew love could blossom in the middle of such a mess? Sally and Xavier’s whirlwind story—oh, it had everything: lies, danger, heartbreak, and, yep, true love. Who knew that chasing a secret would lead to something so unexpected? And now, here they are, five years later. They’ve built a life together that nobody saw coming.
Xavier isn’t the cold, distant guy he once was. And Sally? She’s living her dream—not just as his wife, but as someone who finally learned to trust her heart. Life isn’t perfect, sure. But hey, after surviving a billionaire’s secret that almost got them both killed? Yeah, they’re stronger than ever. Sometimes, the craziest journeys lead to the best destinations.
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