After he got out of the call, he gave Denise a reassuring look and announced, “It is possible he just picked up his phone from wherever. He will call you back now. Take your tea and let us go.”
“It is okay, Godfather,” Denise agreed and sipped his tea while Nicholas waited for him.
Meanwhile, he had already picked up his car keys and was ready to leave. When Denise was done with his tea, he stood up just like Nicholas, and they walked to the car before they drove off. While in the car, they continued their discussion on the marriage between Arthur and Nichole. After about ten minutes’ drive, they arrived at Nicholas’ apartment.
He parked at the car park and spoke, “Denise, I understand how you feel about your brother. It is obvious that Louis did not want to speak with you for a reason we are yet to find out.”
Then, Denise unfastened his seatbelt and let out a dry smile before he said, “I knew he was not going to call. All the same, I appreciate you for urging me to call him. Otherwise, I would not have known that he deliberately disappointed me on my wedding day because he was envious of my achievement.”
“Don’t conclude yet, please. We will talk more on this. By the way, how is your wife feeling about his behavior?”
“I did not involve her in it. You are the first person I am discussing it with.”
“That is perfect. You have done well by keeping her out of it. Like I said, we will talk more about it.”
“Okay, Godfather. Thank you for your encouragement.”
“It is my pleasure.”
They got out of the car and got into the parlor. Mrs. Fields, who was playing piano on the keyboard, paused and walked up to them before she welcomed them.
“Welcome back. How was your outing?”
“Our outing was fine. And where is Angel?” Nicholas asked her.
“She is resting in the guest room.”
Denise, who had been standing silently beside Nicholas since they walked into the parlor, began to walk to the guest room. Just then, his phone rang.
At the Bailey Native Home
“You are right Arthur. Being with the right partner is the key. Anything short of that is suicidal.”
“Yes, being with the appropriate partner will guarantee the success of the relationship if each person works hard to be the appropriate partner.”
At that point, Arthur’s assertion made Stephen edgy because it put him on the spot. He had not thought of being a good partner but wished to have one. It occurred to him that his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his son might be a good partner if he had thought of being one too. However, he went ahead to make his purpose of the visit and intentions known to Arthur.
“Just like I said, Arthur, I have made up my mind to get a wife and I need the right partner that would help me to relish my life to the fullest.”
“I am delighted to hear that, and you have my full support as the Head of my Branch of Bailey’s family.”
Now, Arthur sipped his tea and waited for him to continue.
Then Stephen sipped his t ea t oo before he declared, “Yes. As the Head of your branch of the Bailey family, I need your support and consent, and that is why I am here. There is no other woman who can make me live my life to the fullest apart from the woman who has been tested and trusted. She was a good wife and a loving mother and I know that with your encouragement, she may give my proposal a thought.”
Stephen’s request bewildered Arthur because he could not figure out whom he could be talking about. He ran a mental search for the person he could have in mind, but he was unable to find any woman who fitted into his description and who required his encouragement.
To avoid taking more of his time, he asked a leading question, “That is good to hear, Stephen. If I may ask, who is this woman you think needs my encouragement to give your proposal a thought?”
“Thank you, Arthur, r for your interest in my marital pursuit. She is no other person than Nichole. The widow of your late brother, Williams,” he explained confidently and sipped his coffee.
Before Stephen could complete his description, Arthur had butterflies in his belly. He picked up his teacup and began to sip his tea just to cover up his despondency. Meanwhile, Stephen was relieved because he had broached the subject that had put his confidence at the lowest ebb. As he presumed, with Arthur in the picture, achieving his desire would be a walk in the park.
Afterward, Arthur dropped his teacup on the saucer and shot him an overbearing glance, which he misinterpreted to mean astonishment as a result of his impressive choice. However, Arthur believed that it was only a dog who did not know its limit that would dare to bark in a lion’s den.
He smirked and asked with the demeanor of a tyrant, “Did she tell you that she wants to remarry?”
Now, to him, their conversation was gaining momentum and he answered excitedly, “No. She did not. I have not discussed it with …”
However, Arthur interrupted him without caution. Not wanting his anger to bleed into his voice, he asked him a probing question, “Why?”
With the change in his tone, Stephen found himself in a precarious situation and began to fidget, “I felt I should put you in the picture first.”
Now, Arthur dismissed him with one sentence, “There is no need for that.”
At that point, Stephen knew it was time to drop the discussion. His dismissive facial expression said it all. To keep the atmosphere lively, he let out a sheepish smile and confirmed Arthur’s viewpoint.
“Yes. There is no need for that. I think I should just go ahead and talk to her directly.”
The look on Arthur’s face said it all. ‘When do wild dogs become lion’s opponent?’ Arthur thought.
When Stephen waited for a word from him and none came, he knew that it was time to leave. He sipped the last drop of his coffee, covered his cup on the saucer, and announced, “I have to take my leave, Arthur. Thank you for the coffee and your time.”
Arthur gave him a hateful glance before he muttered perfunctorily, “It is my pleasure. Thank you for coming.”
At that point. Stephen walked out of the house in trepidation by himself. He wondered if he had said anything that must have provoked Arthur. When he could not think of any unpleasant behavior, he shrugged his shoulders and got into his car.
“Does he want her to spend all her life taking care of his children for him? This is selfishness. After all, the children are all grown up,” he murmured
The moon can only shine when the sun sets. Stephen could only ask those questions in Arthur’s absence.
After he left, Arthur took a deep breath and relaxed on his couch. He rested his head on the headrest and reflected on the theatrical scene that just took place.
‘He wants me to encourage the woman who I bedded all through the night to be his wife. I wonder how many more battles I have to face because of Nichole.’
‘What if they abduct her?’ he thought.
The thought of abducting her made him to be quick-witted. He stood up with a start and walked to his bedroom only to meet Nichole still sleeping peacefully and looking more beautiful.
‘Why do they suddenly become interested in her?’ He thought to himself as he admired her.
‘What if she prefers another man to me?’
At that point, he developed a cold sweat before he joined her on the bed against his wish. After the busy night, he wanted her to have a good rest, but he could not help it. He needed to reassure himself that she was his.
Meanwhile, Nichole felt his presence on the bed and woke up. He felt guilty but drew her closer and made her to rest her head on his chest.
“You can go back to sleep, my dear,” he urged her.