“Phil observed it the day Denise and Angel got married.”
The name of Olivia, whom he knew that they had renamed Angel and Denise, sent a chill down his spine, but he braved it and carried on with the conversation.
“That is serious.”
“Yes. I can’t stand Mom marrying another man, nor Father marrying another woman. Do you want that?”
“No way. Who would love us the way they love us.”
“Did you see what I mean? Then pray and do anything possible for things to work out between them.”
“I will be the happiest person if they come together. See you later, and regards to Daniel and Brother-in-law.”
“It is okay. See you later, too.”
At the Bailey Native Home
Now, Nichole kept mute and the confused Arthur gambled by driving to her house, not sure whether it was the right decision. When he got to the front of her apartment and parked, he unfastened his seatbelt and looked at Nichole, who was sitting absent-mindedly.
Then he proposed, “Let’s get out of the car, Nichole.”
However, instead of complying, she fixed her swollen eyes on him while she unfastened her seatbelt. Suddenly, she leaped to his side and rested her head on his chest. Arthur was surprised because he never thought he would get her to his bosom so easily. All the same, he played along by rubbing her head.
At that point, she raised her head and gave him a prolonged passionate kiss while rubbing his chest. To his pleasure, he held her so close to his chest, reciprocated, and moaned in contentment.
Then, he released her and complimented, “You are too lovely, Nichole.”
Nichole ignored his compliment and continued kissing and caressing his chest. Now, he whispered, “I know you still love me, Nichole. Can we go over to my apartment?”
At that point, Nichole knew that he was on cloud nine and was struck by pulling away abruptly.
“Go to your house? Funny. I dressed up to appeal to you, but you ignored me. I arranged for us to spend the weekend undisturbed at Seven Oaks, but you ruined it. Not only that, I hoped to be in the arms of my Prince Charming, but you threw my love back at me as you have always done these years. Just like you requested, I wanted to avoid keeping you waiting, but…”
Now, he was overwhelmed by guilt as he listened to her complaint. Then, he pleaded, “Stop, please. I apologize, Nichole. I was…”
Subsequently, Nichole, who was sobbing profusely, opened the door and got out. She slammed the door before walking away angrily, and Arthur watched her walk into her apartment. Her janitor walked out of the house to receive her and was shocked when she slammed the door.
‘I have hurt her again,’ he rebuked himself and remained in the car, confused.
His best bet was for him to go home because she must have gotten into her room and locked the door. Then, he turned on his ignition and drove off dejectedly. When he got out of the car, he was exhausted and walked to his room. Without delay, he lay on the bed. In any case, he sent a short text message to her.
(Nichole, dear. I remain your Prince Charming and nothing changes that. Arthur.)
Now, he was on his bed when his phone rang, and he sprang up to pick it up, hoping that the call was from Nichole. All the same, he smiled when saw the caller.
“Hello, Son. How are you?” he concealed his pains and greeted Louis.
“I’m fine, Father. How was your trip?”
“Our trip was fine.”
“I see. I’m sorry, Father, if I offended you with the joke of Mom and her Prince Charming. I didn’t mean to.”
“No, Son. You did not do anything wrong. It was my fault. I was having a thing for her, and she knew it. I was the Prince Charming she talked about. The suitcase she was carrying was her arrangement for us to be together for the weekend. You know, she initiated taking you back.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I was too careless to understand her plans.”
“Oh! She must have been disappointed.”
“Yes. She would not even talk to me.”
“Does that mean she is cross with you?”
“Yes. She slammed the door when she got out of the car.”
Now, to keep to Freya’s instruction (Then pray and do anything possible for things to work out between them.), he set the ball rolling.
“Oh! Don’t worry, Father. She will talk to you now.”
“How?”
“Never mind. Just put off your phone.”
“Put off my phone? What if she calls?”
“It is just for a while. Just put it off.”
“Okay. If you say so, Louis.”
Arthur reluctantly switched off his phone while Louis called Freya. She picked up immediately and Louis narrated all that his father told him.
Then, Freya, who was troubled, asked, “What do we do now? I can’t stand another man in Mom’s life.”
“You don’t need to worry too much. I have asked Father to turn off his phone.”
“What for? How will that solve the problem?”
“Calm down, Big sister. I know what I am doing.”
“What are you doing?” She asked excitedly.
“I will call Mom and inform her that father’s phone is off and that she should help by finding out what is going on with him. With that, she would be forced to go to him.”
Freya cheered up and stated, “That is a good idea. My husband and I will call her too.”
“Ok. I will call her now.”
Then, he called his Mom at once and she responded with an emotional voice, “Hello, Louis. How are you?”
“I’m fine, Mom. How was your trip back?”
“Our trip was OK. Thank you for checking on me.”
“Think nothing about it, Mom.”
“Take care, dear,” she said just to dismiss him so that he would not detect that she had been crying.
Nevertheless, Louis ignored her and continued, “Mom, what of Father? I called him a while ago, but his phone was switched off.”
“What do you mean, Louis? His phone is not switched off,” she explained.
“Mom, kindly try his line and find out. I will call back.”
“It is okay, Son.”
Meanwhile, she tried Arthur’s number and just like Louis said, it was switched off.
“Why is his phone off?” She mumbled.
As she was about to toss her phone aside with the conclusion that he must have been tired and turned off his phone for good, she got Freya’s call.
She played her role very well and concluded with, “Phil had tried his number too, but it was switched off. We are thinking of coming over because Daniel wants to speak with him as well.”
“There is no need for that. I will send someone to check on him,” Nichole advised her dismissively.
Unfortunately, Freya would not be dismissed easily and she insisted, “Send someone? Let me come over instead if you are too tired to do that.”
Now, Nichole had exhausted her excuses and was lost for what to say again. Above all, she would not want Freya to come over and do what she could easily do. She had no choice but to please her children.
“Don’t bother yourself, Freya. I will get back to you.”
“It is all right, Mom. We are waiting.”
Just then, Louis called again. When she picked up his call, he asked her, “Mom, did you get him?”
“No. His number is switched off as you said. I will check on him now.”
“OK, Mom. You are the best.”
“Thank you, Louis.”
Now, many negative thoughts flashed through her mind and she got out of her bed immediately. She drove to his apartment in panic.
She parked in the courtyard and asked herself, ‘What must have happened to his phone?’
The janitor who saw her parking opened the door for her before she got out of her car. Then, she walked briskly to the door.
“Good evening, Mrs. Bailey. Good…”
“Thank you, Janitor,” she interrupted him and climbed the staircase in a jiffy to Arthur’s room.