Now, despite the option that Nichole gave to him, Arthur was infuriated, and it affected his sense of reasoning. To him, 4 PM meant that she did not plan to come back to Dover that day.
Then he mumbled to himself, ‘This is ludicrous. She wanted me to take her to her date. That would not be possible.’
Meanwhile, he combined his position as the Family Head, who must be respected, and her potential husband, who must protect the woman he loved. Then he demanded, “Why 4 O’clock? What time will we come back to Dover?”
Nevertheless, Nichole, who had resolved to put her beautiful plan to work, inquired, “Do you intend to come back?”
“Why not?” He responded angrily.
Then, without waiting for her to speak, he thundered authoritatively, “We are leaving by 1 PM. I think that is the best I can do for the two of you.”
Nonetheless, with a tone of finality, he believed that she must accept his order without further argument.
“But you said…” she tried to explain but he would not listen.
“Good night, Nichole,” he said and ended the call.
Nichole looked at her phone after he cut and swallowed hard. She wanted to remind him of his request, ‘Don’t keep me waiting for too long. I love you so much…,’ but he did not wait for her to do that.
She dried the tears that trickled down her cheeks and continued with her beautiful idea.
The next day, Arthur and Louis woke up with different feelings. Louis was sad that he would return to his house, which would remind him of Olivia. Happy that he would keep himself stable with the result of the exhibition. On the other hand, Arthur was disoriented due to the revelation he got from his discussion with Nichole. Subsequently, they had their breakfast and left for work.
At the Complex
Arthur could not concentrate on his work because the thought that Nichole was preparing to meet another man was unbearable. Likewise, to think that he would take her there disgusted him. Then, they closed from work earlier than usual and returned home. After lunch, Louis put his luggage in the car trunk, and at 1 PM, he drove to her apartment to pick her up.
“Wow! Mom, you look beautiful,” Louis complimented her.
“Thank you, Son. You can take my briefcase to the car. I will join you soon,” she appreciated him and ordered.
“It is all right, Mom.”
Louis picked it up and walked back to the car. His father’s countenance changed as soon as he saw the briefcase, but Louis was more interested in getting it into the trunk. The joy that he was returning to Seven Oaks with his parents enveloped him, and he did not notice his father’s change of mood.
Then, Nichole walked out of her house, looking so beautiful.
She was putting on the fitted jeans and body hug turtleneck, which was white. She had a pink muffler scarf around her neck which complimented her accessories. Her joggers were white but had pink stripes. She allowed her long hair to drop to her shoulders. Her makeup was beautiful and modest. That was the kind of dress that Arthur requested for the day they took Julie to the airport.
To infuriate him more, Louis suggested, “Mom, let’s take selfies.”
“Oh! Sure.” Nichole concurred happily.
“Join us, Father,” Louis suggested, but he ignored them by pretending to be busy with his newspaper.
Nevertheless, the joyous Louis posed with his Mom for selfies and afterward posted it on the family chat group with the tag.
(With My Beautiful and Loving Mom.)
After Louis got into the car, she joined Arthur in the back seat and scented the air. At that point, Arthur had two things in mind and wished to do either of them. One of them was to take her to his bedroom, give her a passionate kiss, and bed her. And two, to cancel the trip completely. Unfortunately, he had no power to do any of them. Now, Louis was already behind the wheel and ready to move.
“Good day, Arthur. Did I keep you waiting?” she greeted him with much enthusiasm.
Arthur responded even though he did not wish to, “Good day, Nichole. No, you did not keep me waiting.”
“Can we go?” Louis asked them.
“Yes. Let’s go,” Arthur responded, not wishing to give Nichole any compliment.
Now, Louis drove off. He joyously looked at the rear mirror and saw his radiating Mom.
“Mom, you are dressed as though you have a date with a Prince Charming,” he joked.
Then, Nichole cackled with excitement and responded, “Yes, Son. You’re right.”
They laughed heartily, but Arthur was indifferent; he neither laughed nor smiled. The children grew up to know him as a loving father who talked less but cared and loved so much. Louis was not expecting him to compliment his mom, but he knew he was pleased with her looks.
When Arthur logged on to the family chat group and saw the pictures of the family. He was happy and smiled inwardly. He downloaded and admired them instead of looking at the physical Nichole.
However, the pictures on the group chat made Julie happy when she saw them, and she commented.
(Beautiful mom and handsome son.)
Arthur saw the comment and waited for Freya’s own. Meanwhile, the pictures gave Freya concern, and she called her husband’s attention to the post by forwarding the selfies to him. Her husband was worried as well and called her immediately.
“Where is she going?” he asked her immediately.
“I would not know unless I ask Louis.”
“Then, comment on the group too and ask MOM, WHERE IS FATHER?”
Freya did what her partner in matchmaking advised her to do.
(Mom, where is father?)
Arthur was shocked when he saw her post, and at the same time pleased because he felt important and loved at the same time.
Now, Julie commented again.
(Mom, I’m jealous. You did not dress like this the day you took me to the airport.)
Now, Freya responded to Julie’s post.
(Good to know that. How did she dress, Julie?)
(Father said she dressed like an abducted beggar.)
They sent laughter emojis, and Arthur continued to laugh inwardly. The chatting from her daughters helped him to maintain his cool until they got to Seven Oaks.
Incidentally, only Freya and Julie were chatting. Louis was driving, Denise was still enjoying his honeymoon and Nichole was watching a film with her phone, ignoring the disorganized man by her side.
However, they arrived at Seven Oaks after one hour and twenty minutes. Louis drove into his compound with new vigor, unlike when he left a few weeks ago, and his domestic staff members were pleased to see him.
“My parents are here,” he announced to them.
He got out of the car to open the doors for his parents.
“Welcome, Mr. Bailey. Good to see you.”
“Welcome, Mrs. Bailey. Good to see you.”
The staff members greeted them one after the other.
“Father, Mom, meet Fred and Tony, my staff members.”
“Good to see you, Fred and Tony,” his parents responded one after the other. Thereafter, he walked his parents into the house excitedly.
“Welcome, Mom and Father. Please take your seats.”
“Thank you, Louis. Your house is fine,” Arthur remarked.
“Thank you, Father, this is your first visit to my house. Mom had visited many times.”
“I see.”
They took their seats and Louis turned on the television before he excused himself, “Make yourself comfortable. I will be back.”
“It is okay.”
Arthur sat on a double-seat couch, hoping that Nichole would sit on the couch opposite him to give him a chance to ogle her occasionally, but to his vexation, she sat beside him.