BEN
I couldn't stop thinking about Sonia all week. I longed to go see her, and tell her I want her back.
But there were a lot of damages already done.
It was somewhat too late.
The woman lying down by my bedside was a major reason why nothing could ever happen again between Sonia and me.
"Hey baby, why are you up so early?" Olive asked, as she turned and faced me.
"Nothing, I was just thinking" I responded.
"Is everything okay?" She asked, seemingly curious.
"Yeah sure. It's about Sonia, actually" I said and looked at her face to observe her reaction. I also noticed that her demeanour changed immediately I mentioned Sonia's name.
"What about Sonia?"
"Well, nothing really. I've just been thinking about her a whole lot. She's really been through so much and keeping Cathy away from her would definitely be eating away at her. I went to her house recently, but her mum informed me she's visiting her grandmother. I'm just so worried"
"Worried about what exactly, Ben?"
I sat up.
"I want Cathy to get to know her, as her mother officially. Once she returns from her trip, I'm taking Cathy to see her so they'd officially bond together as mother and daughter. Thank God Cathy's school is going on vacation by the end of this month"
"But wait!! How can you make all these decisions without consulting me first?" She asked angrily.
"I'm talking to you about it now, aren't I? Why's it getting you all so worked up?"
"Because we're going to be married!! And it seems like Sonia's going to be an obstacle. Listen, Catherine is now my daughter in as much as she's yours, so before taking any decision that involves Sonia and Cathy, please do well to let me know" She ranted and stood up, throwing the covers and went outside the bedroom.
"Daddy, is everything okay?"
I sat up when I saw my beautiful daughter standing at the door. I stretched my hands towards her and she came to me.
"Yeah, did you sleep well, baby?"
"Why were you and Aunty Olive fighting?"
"We weren't fighting baby. We were just speaking in high tones"
"So there's no problem?" She asked and I marvelled at my daughter's intelligence. She really was smarter than most kids her age, and it made me a proud dad.
I kissed the top of her head.
"There's no problem. Now we should get you ready for school"
"Yayy, daddy did you know Miss Bell's going to show us different types of cars today. She taught us about it yesterday and today she's going to show us. Daddy I want an SUV"
I laughed as I carried her to the bathroom.
"You really want an SUV? I'll get one for you when you turn 18" I teased.
"But daddy that's too far. I'm only 5" She pouted as she, brought out her fingers and counted 5.
"You'll be 18 very soon, honey. For now, we have to get you to school"
"Okay daddy"
She kept chattering on about different things, and I kept listening, so she won't start crying.
After getting her dressed, I went to the kitchen and I couldn't believe what I beheld.
"Olive??!! You're smoking??"
I looked back to see if Cathy was close by, and when I saw she wasn't, I immediately shut the kitchen doors.
I yanked the cigarette from Olive and threw it in the kitchen sink. She looked up at me with tear-rimmed eyes.
"Olive what's going on? When did all these start?" I asked gently.
"It all started when you started prioritising your baby mother's feelings over mine"
"Is that what this is all about? Jealousy?? Look, I'm not ready to talk about all these now. You didn't even prepare breakfast for Cathy"
"Well, tell her emotionally unstable mother to do that for her" Olive retorted very rudely and walked out, banging the door loudly behind her.
"Olive!! How dare you walk out on me?!! Olive!!!" I fumed, and calmed down immediately I head soft footsteps from the staircase, indicating that Cathy had work her shoes and come down, for breakfast.
"Where's Aunty Olive?"
"She went to get something outside. She'll be back soon" I said and led her to the dining area.
She had tea and toast bread for breakfast and then I drove her to school afterwards.
When I came back, Olive wasn't there.
I got a message from my dad asking me to meet him at his house soon and it was urgent.
When I got there, both Mia and Olive were there.
Mia sat at the opposite seat from Olive shooting angry glares at her. I smiled, wondering what could have happened between Mia and Olive. They used to be best of friends when Olive and me initially started dating, but all of a sudden, I noticed they became sworn enemies.
In fact, Mia stopped visiting me solely because of Olive's presence. She still hasn't told me what transpired between them.
"Hey Dad"
I went over to my dad and gave him a brief side hug. I went over to Mia, and kissed her cheeks as well.
"What's up, Mia?"
"There's fire on the mountain and you're greeting me" She teased, and I laughed.
"Olive, what are you doing here? I came back and didn't meet you at home?" I said to her, trying to shut out every feeling of animosity I currently had towards her.
My dad cleared his throat and sat up.
"Well, Olive here came to complain to me that she's feeling insecure and wants to call off the engagement"
I looked over at Mia, then at my dad and finally my gaze rested on Olive and lingered on for a while.
"We had an issue as a couple and you came running to my dad?"
"Hey hey, Ben. Take a chill pill. That's why we summoned you here calmly. We want this issue to be resolved amicably amongst us before the Press gets to catch wind of this" Mia responded and I nodded in agreement.
"What happened between you two?" Dad asked.
"I caught her..."
"I'm actually no longer interested in a relationship with you, Ben" Olive interrupted and continued. "I've had enough, ever since your baby's mother returned from exile and I can't continue"
"I'll not stand here and watch you disrespect Sonia or talk about her in that manner" I responded in anger.
"Don't you dare yell at me!! Don't you dare!!! Not after all I've done for you. I've spoken with my dad already. He's pulling his shares out of your company and we're cutting off all business ties with this family" She responded in a tone I've never heard her use on me before.
I looked at my dad and at Mia, expecting them to say something and was infuriated when it became obvious that they weren't going to reply.
"You know what?? It's actually always been all about our joint companies, right? So yeah, it's okay. I'm equally no longer interested in a relationship with a coward like you, nor in a business relationship with your family. You can sell your company off, or rather still give it out at a fair price. Fuck you!!!" I yelled and walked out, leaving my dad, Mia and even Olive stunned.