Two Years Later
"I need an iced coffee!"
"Jessy, table two needs two iced coffees and an Americano"
"Two lattes and an Americano for table four"
Jessica's head was filled with different orders. She wondered why her second hadn't signed in yet.
She was supposed to drop an application at a company that was recruiting workers in an hour. She had to leave early to arrive on time.
Jessica tried her best to satisfy every customer so she won't be scolded by her grumpy boss. That man would bring down the roof on her if any of the customers complained. He was too stingy to hire more workers even when he knew they required more hands.
Jessica had taken up several jobs so far and now she was working at a coffee shop just down the street. She prefers working there because there is no need for transportation. After all, it was just down the street. During lunch, she could simply skip over to the house to have her lunch.
All in a bid to save money. The twin's education had to be taken care of including rental and other miscellaneous bills.
After Jessica's father fainted a year ago, he had severe heart failure. It was so severe he had to undergo surgery. They had to sell most of their possessions to revive him through surgery. The bank collected their house and their company was shut down.
Her father's friends and relatives all deserted them, claiming her father was involved in drug trafficking. They said all sorts of bad words against him.
"You are a stain on our family name!"
"We can't be seen together with your family. You are a disgrace to the Graves"
"How could you think of doing such a thing? Now our family name's been dragged into the mud because of you!"
"Who would have thought that he was such a snake! A poisonous one at that! How could you sell such drugs? You are wiping out generations!"
" I can't believe I was friends with such a dangerous person! And he claims to be a doctor! Or is it a laboratory scientist? What a shame!"
The family of five had to move to a smaller apartment downtown where they were not known, for fear of mockery by their so-called friends and family.
Luckily for Jessica, she had paid her tuition for the final year. She just had to bear all criticism as she wrote her final year examination.
"I can't believe she came to write the exam"
"Her family is in a mess and her father is at the point of death yet she still came to write the exams"
"It's obvious she doesn't have a future yet she is trying desperately to cling to it"
"Serves her right! She always claims to be a fashionista. I wonder how horrible her dressing would turn out to be!"
Amidst all the mockery, she put on a brave front for the two weeks she had in college. After her exams, to fend for her family, she delved into any menial job that could fetch her money. They had been surviving on her little pay job.
With her results out, she had been searching for a job that could pay her better. She was still lost in her thoughts when her phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number.
"Hello…"
"Jessy! I finally got hold of you! Thank goodness! Where the hell have you hidden all these while? Even if you were hiding from everyone, will I also be included? I thought I was your friend!" An angry voice began scolding her as soon as she picked up.
Just by her voice, Jessy knew it was her bosom friend talking. Angela was her childhood friend but they had to part ways when their family relocated abroad. They lost contact when Jessy stopped using her old line as soon as they moved out of their house.
"Angie… I… I am so sorry… I just… " Jessy didn't know what to tell her friend.
"Jessy! We need two lattes and an Americano on tables four and five! Hurry up and drop that call!" Her boss's voice said, getting pissed.
Jessica was also pissed off too. Her time was over but that damn girl that was supposed to take over from her was nowhere to be found. And the annoying part was that her boss won't pay her for the additional time spent. If not that she didn't need the job, she would have quit a long time ago.
"Angie, I need to go but I will be available in four hours. I will call you as soon as I am free" Jessy said.
"Alright, Jessy. Don't forget to call me. I will be waiting" Angie said, reluctant to end the call.
"I won't, Angie!" Jessica said, cutting the call hurriedly so she could get the orders ready.
Finally, an hour later, her second came with an apology. But Jessica had no time to waste because she had to go and submit her application letter as soon as possible.
She heard they were recruiting workers for the Turner Group of Company. She wanted to try her luck if she could get the position of secretary.
Picking up her bag, she walked swiftly trying to leave the Cafe as soon as she could. Unfortunately, she bumped into a muscular chest.
"Ouch! I am so sorry, please!" Jessica said, without looking at the person. After apologizing, with her head still bowed she turned to leave.
"Where do you think you are going, bitch! Do you know who you just bumped into?" A female voice shrieked as she drew Jessica back, holding her hair.
It felt as though Jessica's head was about to be separated from her neck. The girl's grip was so strong!
"I already apologize, Miss. Please, I am sorry. I was in a hurry and I didn't look where I was going… ouch! You are hurting me!" Jessica said, whimpering in pain.
" Let her go, Jane," A sexy baritone voice said. The voice was so alluring that Jessica had the urge to see the person.
She raised her head gradually and their eyes met. The man had the most gorgeous hazel eyes ever. There was a playful smirk on his face and his sexy plump lips looked tempting.
Jessica could feel those hazel eyes roaming all over her body. She suddenly felt naked before his eyes.
"Pervert!" She cursed, softly.
Then she turned around and left not knowing she just triggered a wild beast in the man.
Everyone was in a frenzy! It was the day of the wedding and Jessica's dress wasn't delivered yet. They didn't know if it was going to fit.Angela kept making calls and calls. She was in charge of the preparation. She was the one who chose the venue and the event planner.Jessica's mother had been around her as well. Edwin's mother was also around but she was a little wary around Jessica. They had apologized and Jessica had forgiven them but they still didn't know how to get along fully with her. Abby was even closer to Jessica during the period of the wedding. Seeing all the clothes that had been brought into the house, she totally assumed she and her mother were going to play a massive dress up game that involved Angela and her grand mums.By the eve of the wedding, the dress finally came. Jessica tested it and it was perfect."This is the only reason I'm giving a three star rating to your company!" Angela deadpanned. The tailors were very apologetic. No one knew that Edwin had call
Angela came out from nowhere to congratulate her for being engaged to Edwin. She hugged her tightly."Girl! You're getting married!" Angela squealed. "You know, I totally knew about the engagement and I shipped you guys! I gave him all the assurance he needed! You should have seen him. He was a sorry mess." Jessica glared playfully at her. "Oh so you knew and you refused to tell me? I knew something was fishy about the sudden request to go out."Edwin laughed and pulled her closer to his side. Before she could refute it, he turned her and kissed her deeply. Jessica's face went a very dark shade of red and she didn't know where to keep her face after being kissed like that in public."Pervert." She muttered."Baby, your husband to be? You call me a pervert? Do you know what this pervert can do to you?" He whispered. "I could make you scream, and in a good way.""Ahhh!" Jessica screamed and pushed him away, only to have him pull her back. Edwin held her tightly as if she was going to d
Edwin was recovering really fast, and Jessica was happy being around him. Being around him and the kids together made her feel like a wife.She would prepare breakfast in the morning, bathe the kids, feed them, and prepare them for school. Sometimes, Angela came to pick them up. Sometimes, she took them herself.Levi had been discharged but he was still recovering from the internal injuries. Jessica continued paying him because he had only entered that state because of the kids.Friday before the weekend, Edwin watched Jessica perform all her duties and his heart fluttered. He couldn't take his mind off the fact that she cared about him enough to stay beside him in the hospital, refusing to let him be touched by anyone else except her. She even learned to clean his wounds just so that she could take complete care of him."Why are you staring at me?" Jessica inquired. They were alone at home. "Isn't it time to change my bandages? I've bathed and they have not changed for three days al
Jessica took the kids to see their father. The moment of reunion was bliss for her. Although they didn't stay long, the warmth from their presence lasted till the day he was discharged.It was two weeks later. Jessica had informed Angela and her parents about the discharge. She wanted Angela to bring the kids to the hospital so that they could all go to Edwin's house straight.Angela was happy for her. She knew that it was a huge step toward their coming back together.Jessica was at the pharmacy, collecting his drugs and their prescription. Edwin refused to remain in bed. Although he couldn't move his shoulder or raise his left arm, he could actually walk very well. So while Jessica was busy downstairs, he packed their stuff with his one hand and went down to meet her, pulling the bag behind him.Once she sighted him coming, she quickly went to collect the bag from him."I told you to wait!" She scolded. "Why so stubborn?"Edwin chuckled. "I can walk. I'm not crippled. And, I'm too e
Babe, have you showered or changed since the accident?" Edwin asked."I couldn't leave your side," Jessica answered sheepishly."Well, I'm awake now. Go and shower and change and then you can return to stay with me." Edwin said. Jessica smiled. She went into the second part of the ward without much thought. Not long after, she returned with a different cloth."Have you had your changing materials the whole time?" Edwin demanded weakly.Jessica nodded."So why didn't you just change?"Jessica ignored his question. Couldn't he understand that she couldn't leave him for once Edwin tapped the space beside him. "Come lay with me." Jessica didn't waste any time. She was very exhausted too and knowing that he had survived the gunshot was able to keep her at rest.She lay beside him, careful not to touch any of the bandages or the IVs. Edwin however did not care and pulled her closer to his side.The two of them fell deep asleep. Each one takes out their exhaustion from being apart for such
Once they arrived at the hospital, Jessica watched as the nurses ran out with a stretcher where they carefully placed Edwin. They wheeled him directly into the theatre to prepare him for the operation. Jessica was invited in by the doctor before the operation could commence."Miss, I just want you to sign the documents for the operation and perform the transfer of funds." The doctor said, "There's no need to ask if you want it to be carried out because I can see that you will do anything to save your husband."Jessica tore a check from her checkbook in her purse and signed it. "Here, fill in the amount that covers the entire treatment. I just want him to be fine."The doctor collected the check and the signed paper from her. He ushered her to the waiting room while he went in to perform the surgery.Jessica didn't sit. She was pacing the hallway to and fro. Occasionally, she would make a silent prayer for his safety. Then she would sigh and begin to cry all over again. Her heart was b