Chapter 12
"Won't you tell me already why you've been hiding here for the past few days? Because I know you, Jason, these past few weeks you took me and our relationship for granted, and all of a sudden you're back like nothing happened" Charlotte queried.
Jason was on the treadmill running laps with sweat dripping all over his fit body. He paid less attention to her knowing it got on her nerves really bad.
"Do not give me that silence for an answer am talking to you Jason and as your girlfriend, I need an answer ASAP!!!" She jabbed her long-filed nails at his chest stopping him on his track.
"Look char... Am in no mood for your banter, I thought you wanted me here with you? And now am here, you're disturbing."
He walked off the mill and into their shared expensive room dabbing at his moist silky skin.
Charlotte followed suit.
"Yes you're here but half of you is here not all. Something is wrong and I can sense it, Sean isn't acting like his real self either. It's either you tell me what is happening or you leave this house!."
He turned to face her, angry.
"When will you ever get it into the thick skull that I bought this condo for you. I practically own it Charlotte. Can't I get peace here?!" Flung his hands around.
"You bastard!" She hit him on the cheek.
"How dare you rub it in my face, that I was once poor and oh yes, you picked me up and dusted me neat. And I should forever worship you right?!!!" She mockingly bowed to him.
Jason watched her for a while then returned to take a shower.
She took her purse and zoomed off to somewhere.
***
A soft knock on her door came and Sophia dropped her hair comb, quickly tying up her curls with a hairband.
"Hey, how is work?" She instinctively smiled at the handsome doctor behind her.
Stanley sat on the bed facing her.
"It went well, how are you doing? have you been having those nightmares since after the drugs I prescribed?" He asked carefully running his eyes over her for checks.
Sophia smiled at how caring he was.
"They just come once in a long while, it's harder not remembering some part of my previous life, it makes me feel incomplete. but am better now thank you. I am lucky to have someone like you care for me."
Stanley smiled at himself more like blushed without meeting her face.
"You're welcome, Sophia... But how do you feel about the proposal from the Bestman's? I want you to know that everything is your choice and decision. Your mother, I know has your interest at heart. But if it isn't what you want then dear don't go on with it. I can take care of you whenever. While you were in a coma you never asked for my help, but I did. So It won't be a problem for me to keep helping. Alright?" He finished.
"Stan... Since I'm against the idea. I can't look over this opportunity. I know you will provide for me but what about the future Stan?... When you'll decide to get your own family. Or when am through with college, I need to get a job but can't because nobody hires a cripple. What do I do with my life then? Mr. Bestman gave me an enticing offer. Even if I don't get married for love. At least I know I will be provided for till I leave this cruel world" she managed a weak smile.
Stan sat there in reverie while looking at nothing in particular. He didn't know of any other ways to help save Sophia from such a distorted arrangement.
"Am sorry..." He whispered.
"No... Am sorry you are the best and won't you ever visit me when am there?" She chuckled trying to lighten up the mood.
"Of course I will, I need to bathe I just came back from the hospital which is very gross" Stanley chipped in with a contorted face.
"Alright."
"Is Maureen around?" He asked as he stood to leave.
"No, she went out since morning, said she needed to see a friend. I didn't know she had friends around this place?" Sophia asked.
"Well.. that makes two of us." They both laughed over it.
He walked out of the room, and to his well cozy room.
****
Maureen was at her younger sister's home, a ghetto area quite different from where Stanley's home was located.
"How do you manage to live here? the air is so hot" she fanned herself with her purse while perched on a creaky worn-out armchair at Monica's tiny home.
"Wait... Is it because you've successfully lied your way into a rich home. You come here to mock mine. Don't forget I was the one who gave you the smart plan" Monica warned.
Maureen ignored her and looked around in disgust.
"But seriously, you have six children plus your husband. Don't you catch measles here or what? You could have called me since Monica, to tell me how poorly you've been living. This is a disgrace to my personality. Imagine what people would say when they see me in such places? How is that lazy husband of yours?."
Monica sighed bitterly.
"That fool! He's still a bus driver. And lets me pay all the bills. Please I don't want to talk about that useless man. How is the plan going? you've stopped me from visiting that home for no good reason, I told you she won't remember me. How many times did I visit you in your previous home?" She claimed.
"Exactly! She remembered your name" Maureen cried in acclamation.
"What?!!!."
"But she wasn't sure. She thinks it's still a dream. I can't risk this plan. Very soon am going to be an in-law to one of society's richest politician. And I'll handle Sophia's account. He wants to will his properties meant for his wayward son to Sophia if he refuses to marry."
Monica squealed. The noise could almost be heard in the streets. But Maureen shushed her.
"Keep it, low woman! Your husband might hear us and send assassins. I don't trust that idiot."
"I too" Monica added smiling ear to ear like a Cheshire cat.
"But what then happens if he accepts the marriage? Will Sophia still get any share?" Monica asked in doubt.
"Of course dear he will give her some share for her health and upkeep, which by the way I'm going to be handling" Maureen condescendingly at her younger sister.
"I'll send some money for your daughters and you, your useless husband and sons can rot. Leave him and find a better life, at least the girls are still young. And please next time we meet, it won't be here. Alright? I need to go now. I have a meeting with my in-laws tomorrow and I need to buy some nice clothes."
Monica now worshipped like a dedicated disciple. she saw her sister off and returned to her rickety house to dance gloriously.
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