“Marry you? I have a wife for goodness sake! I’ve already made you a mouth watering offer and that’s the best a man can do for any woman. I asked you to be my mistress and I promise to take care of everything.”
“But…. your wife can decide to hurt my child…”
“Hey! Don’t say that nonsense. She won’t do that. Heck! How dare you speak evil of my wife, you madam?”
“But, sir…it’s true. She might label him an illegitimate child and make sure he gets no inheritance and I will be saddled with the responsibility of trying to groom him and set him in the right place all his life.”
Nathan kept quiet as if he was pondering on her words.
“Is this your fear? Is this the reason you want me to marry you?”
Maryann nodded.
“I’ve told you times without number that I’ll take care of this. I have a wife and can only make you my mistress. I’ll take care of the child and make sure he gets treated as a legitimate child because he is one. I recognise him as one. I will not marry you for any reason, I love my wife and our peaceful home. Is that clear?”
Maryann nodded timidly although she was surprised to hear Nathan profess his love for Alice.
“Now, go back to work. Alice can’t see us together. She’ll return soon.”
It was as if Nathan had seen the future because Maryann hadn’t gone far from the room when Alice appeared at the door.
On narrating what transpired between them to her friend, Grace, she said to her,
“Now, we will take a step further. You need to find something to hold him with. Something to threaten him and always get what you want at any time. Also, ask him for lot of money to care for his baby. This is your chance to greet wealth!”
Maryann laughed loudly. ‘Greet wealth indeed.’
But when they returned from the club that evening, Maryann started having different thoughts. She had met a richer man who has promised her heaven and earth. He even proved he was ready to spend on her by giving her a huge sum that evening. With that man by her side, she wouldn’t have to work for the rest of her life!
Upon getting to work the following day, Alice summoned her to the living room. Her eyes were cold, piercing and intimidating. Maryann nearly peed on herself when Alice’s gaze fell on her stomach.
“Goodness! Please, let her not be aware. I’m finished. My evil deeds have come to light. Isn’t it better that I speak up now before she does? That way, I’ll obtain pardon and mercy,” she thought.
“Maryann…” Alice called.
“Ma.”
“What is going on between you and my husband. I’ve been watching you for a while. Speak up! That bastard growing in your belly, I hope it isn’t his, you whore!”
Maryann opened her mouth to apologize but….
“Do so as soon as possible. I want the store room cleaned this evening, understood?” Alice finished.
It turned out that the first statement was just her imagination. It was only in her head but in actual life, Alice was saying something else.
“Alright ma…yes ma.. I’ll get the place ready ma.”
Phew! Alice was a very scary fellow. Alice didn’t need to speak to scare anyone. Her aura alone was intimidating. If Alice could react in this cold and frightening manner without knowing she, a maid was having an affair with her husband, what more will she do if she finds out! Maryann decided there and then to go for the other man who was richer.
Maryann was cleaning Nathan’s study and humming her favourite tune early that morning. Nathan sneaked in and held her waist. Having made up her mind on what to do, she decided to act according. She frowned and withdrew from him.
Huh? What could the problem be? Maryann never rejected his touch. In fact, she yearned for it at all times.
“What’s the matter? Is there a problem?”
“No sir. I’m alright,” she answered and faced her work with a serious face.
“Sir? For goodness sake Maryann, what’s going on? What’s with the sudden formality? And the attitude? This isn’t you!”
“I can’t do this anymore, sir.”
“Do what? What are you talking about?” Nathan quizzed.
“This. We can’t have anything again if you don’t want to be serious about me.”
“Common. Stop this nonsense. How many times do I have to tell you this? I’m serious about us, that’s why I still want you by my side, regardless.”
“I lost the baby,” she dropped the bad news.
“You…you.. what?”
“I lost it. Invariably, the child didn’t want to be born to a father who didn’t want him.”
“Did you get rid of my child? You! How dare you!” Nathan cursed.
“I did no such thing. I will not kill my own child. I lost the baby by accident. And like I said, it’s most likely the baby didn’t want to be born at the wrong place.”
“Hmmm. Maryann, common. Don’t say that. It’s fine, we will make another baby right? Let’s go one round this morning. Alice is out,” he shamelessly suggested.
“I’m sorry sir. I’m done with the cleaning. I have to leave now,” she said. She bowed low and left hurriedly. It hurt her to say no to his advances. He was the best in bed so far but she had already made her choice and had a plan underway.
Nathan stared at her retreating figure in disbelief. He shook his head and sank into his chair.
Thirty minutes later, Maryann was back on that floor. She looked around to make sure the coast was clear before making for Nathan’s study. From her calculations, he should be in his bedroom at that time. She made it into the study successfully. She looked around but everything was in place. She paced up and down in despair.
Where would she begin? How exactly was she to fish out something she could use to hold or blackmail him in future?