Chapter 2

Sophia got to the train station as early as she could to get on the first batch heading towards Newham and she was going without informing her mom, it would do her no good if she did.

Everything worked out so fast and maybe it was because it was a weekend and people were traveling here and there to get something, the train started and throughout the ride, she was only memorizing how she would present herself to her mom.

How she would tell her that her words finally came to pass. 

Flashback to a year before; on the 15th of March, 2014.

That very afternoon her mom had walked in on them having sex, and had told her; “If later you get pregnant and he rejects it, don’t come to me!” 

The more that statement flashed in her mind, the more she felt scared but whether she likes it or not, it has happened.

After taking two more rides, she’s now in front of her mom’s house, standing like a lost dog and there she was having a rethink whether to turn back or go in.

“Sophia??” Her legs became fixed to a spot, she blinked her eyes continuously, staring at her mom who had appeared from behind her.

“Mom” she scratched her neck nervously, forgetting that she was hiding the scar he gave her.

“What’s that on your neck?” 

Sophia was alot like her mom, with every physical qualities except that she’s so thin and her mom is a plus size.

“I scratched it by….”

“It’s either you stay here or tell the truth, I have no time to listen to your lies!” She rolled her eyes and walked towards the entrance.

“I’m pregnant, for Luke!”

Her mother didn't look surprised at all by her sudden truth. She knew the next words that will spurt out her mother's mouth would not in any way be comforting.

Her mother rolled her eyes and sighed before saying "so he's finally thrown you and your baby out I see but then what exactly are you doing here?"

"I had asked you not to come running to me when your foolishness finally blows up in you face or did I not?" Her mother asked.

"He didn't exactly throw me out. I left of my own will." Sophia replied with her head bowed.

"Whether or not he threw you out, you're here anyway aren't you? And that's because he doesn't want you and the baby. True?" Sophia nods shamefully.

"Mom, can we at least go in and discuss this? We're attracting attention standing out here like this." 

"Oh so now you can feel shame. You should've thought about the consequence of your actions before spreading your legs open for that no good, two faced boy."

"What exactly is wrong with you Sophia? Do you really think being a parent is easy? Well if it was, I'm sure I would've done a better job at raising you right. That way I wouldn't have had to see this day."

"What's worse now is that the so called Luke is in denial of you and the baby. So tell me, how do you intend raising this child on your own?"

"Why for Christ's sake do you have to follow in my footstep of becoming a single mother? You saw how much I struggled just to put food on the table, send you to school, provide a roof over your head and clothes on your back and this is how you repay me Sophia?" Her mother nagged in pain.

"I lack words to say to you right now but know that I am very disappointed in you. Just when I thought you'll go to college, graduate and get a good job so we can finally live well, you go and do this. You go and get pregnant Sophia!" Her mother cried in pain.

Hearing her mother say she was disappointed in her broke Sophia to the core. All the while her mother spoke, she kept her head bowed, her long red hair covered her face as she wept silently.

"I'm sorry mom. I'm so sorry." She finally said, weeping uncontrollably

"Sophia.." her mother called softly, tears were starting to well up in her eyes too.

Sophia attempts to touch her but pulled away, unsure of the reaction she'd get but her mother quickly wrapped her arms around her in an embrace as Sophia kept crying.

Tear drops escaped Luisa's eyes but she immediately wipes her eyes dry as she sniffles, rubbing Sophia's back. She breaks the hugs and pulls back Sophia's hair, wiping her tears dry with her fingers.

"I'm sorry mom. I know I made a big mistake but I truly regret it. I didn't mean to be a disappointment." She said, her arms wrapped around her mother's waist.

"Shhh, it's alright. Regardless of what has happened, you're still my daughter, my only daughter and I can't afford to abandon you too like that loser."

"I can't promise you that it'll be easy but I can promise you that whatever it is, we'll face it together as a family okay? I love you Sophia and nothing you do would ever change that." 

"I love you too mom." Sophia responds as her mother smiles at her.

"C'mon now, let's go in. I'm sure you must be feeling stressed from coming so far especially in this state. You look like you could use some rest." Her mother said, picking up her bag as they walk in.

>>>>>>

"Mom, I'm already here at the airport but we're yet to board the plane. You keep calling every second I fear I'll miss the boarding call." Matt spoke over the phone.

"Don't nag me too. Your father keeps saying the same thing, I fear he'll confiscate my phone after this call so I don't put anymore call through to you." His mother replied.

Matt smiles at her response before saying "I think my flight is being announced now, I'll call you when I arrive and please have the driver ready to come fetch me when I do." 

"Okay son, take care alright?" She replies and the call drops.

Matt hadn't been home in a very long time and so he could understand the excitement and anxiety his mom felt awaiting his return which is why he didn't exactly feel bothered with her persistent calling. He's missed them alot too and looked forward to returning home to them. 

He moved forward to board the flight. After going through the processes of identification. The flight back home was a long and stressful one for Matt. 

"Mr Matt Davies?" A male voice called to him when he came out the airports exit.

He turned towards the direction of the voice. "And you are?" He asked.

"I'm Patrick sir. I'm the driver Mrs Davies asked to come pick you up from the airport" he replied, politely.

He quickly rushed to Matt's side, collecting the luggage from him as he led the way to the car. He puts the luggage in the trunk while Matt gets in the back seat.

Patrick gets in the car after he was done and drives off the premises. For some reason, everything seemed new and different to Matt. From the new structures laid up around corners of the road to the air he inhaled down his lungs.

"There is indeed no place like home after all." He said with a brief smile as he kept his eyes locked on the streets.

>>>>>>

The Davies house was no different from a mansion as they happen to be one of the most influential family in Newham.

The drive way through to the house was about a twenty minute drive and forty five minutes on foot.

The corners of the drive way has shrubs beautifully trimmed out lying by the side. And at the middle of the front yard was a statue from which sprout a fountain. Around the fountain lay beautiful flowers of different colours and types.

Palm trees of all sizes grew at a corner of the yard. They stood layered few metres away from each other swaying their leaves in response to the wind that blew past. 

"We're here sir." Matt heard the driver call some minutes later.

He alights from the car to see his family waiting to receive him. Excitedly, he walks to meet them, hugging his mother first.

"Welcome home son." She smiled, rubbing on his back.

"Thank you mom" he replied, breaking the hug with a smile on his face and his hands around her waist.

He moves away from her to greet the rest of the family (his sister and father). "Everything still looks exactly the same on the outside, if I remember correctly." He said with a sigh of relief as he feeds his eyes with the view.

"Come son, you must be tired and hungry from your long trip. Let's get you inside, mmm?" His mother said, pulling him by the hand inside.

"Wow! The insides looks way better than I remember. You had the whole place redecorated. Right mom?" He asked.

"Of course son, you know it's a tradition of mine to have the house redecorated every once in a while. I'm surprised you even noticed." She replied, gleefully.

"Gosh! Matt, you're lucky you were away. You were saved from the ordeals I had to go through back here with her redecorating every now and then. You know how she can be when it comes to that." Vida teased.

Nicole feigned annoyance and playfully hit Vida on her shoulder as they all burst into laughter.

"I'm a perfectionist and you can't hold me to that." Nicole said in her defense.

They arrive at the dinning table and take their seats for a meal. "Goodness! Mom, I didn't know you prepared a feast." Matt said, surprised.

"Oh Son, this is nothing. You've been away for too long, I had no idea what you'd prefer to eat so I made sure we cooked everything you'd possibly like." 

"But really mom, you didn't have to over work yourself but thank you anyway." He said.

"You know, it's been a long time since we were all like this, complete at the table. It's so good to have the all of us sitted here together again. I'm so happy you're back son and I hope you never get to go on such long trips anymore." Nicole smiled at him.

"Someone's starting to get emotional again. We best grab a napkin for the tears that are about to flow." Vida teased.

Nicole lets out a short laugh as she throws her table napkin at Vida sitted opposite her at the table. She wipes her eyes with her palm as Vida playfully picks up the napkin she had thrown at her.

"I see you still haven't given up on teasing mom at every slight opportunity you get Vida." Matt playfully queries her.

"You can't blame me Matty, she's always been like this ever since you left. She really missed you alot, we all did and we're glad you're back. I'm glad you're back, at least now I got one more person to pick on whenever I'm bored." She playfully said.

Matt shakes his head in disbelief, a smile on his face. "Anyways I'm here now and I can assure you, mom that I'm not going anywhere soon." He said, looking her in the eye.

"Urgh, enough of the sweet talks. Can we eat now? I'm starving." Vida cried out.

"A tease and a foodie, that never gets old. Does it?" Matt said, smiling at her as he playfully ruffles her hair.

Vida wears a frown and pinches him on the neck playfully. Nicole and her husband laugh at the funny display between the duo.

"That's enough you two, let's eat now." Matt's father said.

Everyone reached for the dish at the table, serving meals of their choice whilst engaging in random conversations and laughs.