KATHERINEI got up from the bed. "I misplaced Emerald's file so I came for it. Kim directed me here." I waved the file for her to see.She stared at me suspiciously. "It's been a week. You don't even think of your daughter.""And I am here now. Where's she?""If only you're a bit responsible and not busy being a thief, you wouldn't have asked this." She hissed and left.Do you see that? So much attitude for an old hag.How can I care for something I never wanted?There were a lot of papers bound together and I can't wait to read all of it but not here.I hid it in Emerald's file and rushed out of the room.Once I was inside my car, I rolled the windows up and read the surrogate contract.Okay. I didn't expect this.It's written here that Mary's daughter Natalie, who I've been told is late, signed this contract with Kim and Charles. And Natalie is Dave's biological surrogate mum and not Kim.Such interesting news. So Kim is actually not Dave's mother but her husband
DAVEIt's been a week and I've been with Leona all through. I've been informed that Lando has been arrested but he's in the hospital at the moment and also, I don't know what came over Katherine but I received everything back. I learned she was also arrested but got bailed. I didn't bother to ask who did it.Raymond's last rites are yet to be done and we don't want it to happen in Leona's absence. Raymond's soul won't be happy either.Today is the day I started a peripheral blood stem cell collection on mum's insistence and I took my first injection today. It's going to continue for five days then when I turn out to be a match, I will donate the Marrow to Emerald. I pray to be a match else we'd have to start looking for a compatible match.I thought I'd have to recover first before I do it but mum spoke to the doctor and he said it's okay and that I can go through it.A WEEK LATER and I'm ready to undergo the transplant. It turned out I was a perfect match which I
LEONA"Who are you talking about?" Kim asked, looking a bit infuriated.Dave stared daggers at her and I wondered what was stirring up between them."He escaped from the police.." Dave began."What!" I exclaimed."But he's in the hospital. He still hasn't recovered and he's being monitored." Dave explained and I nodded."I want to go home." I mouthed to Dave who wouldn't stop looking at me.He nodded and got up. He looked tired and stressed even.Another day passed before I was being discharged. The rest had already gone home yesterday but Dave was here.We stepped out of the hospital and for the first time in a month, I saw the sky and the sun. It was difficult adjusting to it so I looked down till we got to his car. He sat by me while the driver took charge of the wheel. During the drive, I stole a glance at him and my heart dropped at his solemn look. He just wore a simple plain shirt with jeans and sneakers. His stubbles have grown out of the ordinary and it looks like he hasn't
LEONA"Have you seen what you've caused our family? I've always known you're a bad egg. How could you? You should've looked for a decent job like every graduate or come back home. It was out of rage I acted harshly and threw you out but you could've come back. Your father got hospitalized because of you and yet you never showed up. What kind of a daughter are you Leona? And now because of your reckless ways, you lost your brother. You caused his death, Leona. I hope you know that!" Tasha scolded me once I joined them in the guest room."Are you done, woman?" Dad asked and she rolled her eyes."Must I always remind you that if you have nothing sensible to say you should keep quiet?""You won't start again Cornelius!" She warned.I knew just then that if I don't come in, they will start fighting."Dad, Tasha is right. I fucked up..""See? She started cursing. I fear you, Leona. Especially after what we went through because of you. I know you're a murderer just like that fearful man and
LEONA“Dave.” I called once the door clicked open and he stepped in. I shuffled to my feet and adjusted my eyes to the darkness."Why are you avoiding me?”He came late and I had stayed up all night just to talk to him.He found the switch and turned the lights on."And who said I am?” I watched him hang his suit jacket."Then what? Why are you doing this? This is not you." I complained."What am I doing? We talk, don't we?" His brows furrowed as he took off his cufflinks leisurely."You know what I'm talking about. Stop being nonchalant."“Fine. I'm only giving you space because anytime I try to get close you tell me you want to leave. To leave me. I didn't want to hear that…"Dave I ...""No Leona. Please don't say anything." He cuts me off and walked out.So this is it. He thinks I will leave? Well, that was my initial plan but I aborted it long ago.I tried starting a conversation with him to try and clear his misconception but he wouldn't give me a chance.I regret s
LEONAI paid the driver and stepped down. I stared at Raymond's apartment and literally wept.A lot of memories are being embedded here. I still can't believe that I lost my brother. My only brother. What kind of fate am I carrying? Why's it that I always invite trouble for people wherever I go?Dave went through a lot because of me. My family is not an exception but they survived it and my brother couldn't. Life is so unfair and especially to me.Oh, Lord. Please save my soul and remove all this pain and sorrows. It's more than I can take.I'm living but my life is not worth living without my backbone.I looked for the key where he always keeps it, put it in the keyhole then turned it gently before pushing it.The room was just as I expected. Dust and cobwebs everywhere which is clearly indicating that it's been a long time since a human lived here.I opened his room and walked slowly into it.I saw a photograph of us together on his bedside table and picked it up. I stared at it an
"I'm taking them away, Dad," Dave answered and came to his father with a bunch of papers in his hand."What do you mean? This is their home too.""It was no longer home when you brought a devil to live in it." He retorted."Stop this, Dave. He's your brother." Charles whispered but it wasn't low enough."I refuse to accept him and you'd not change my mind.!"Who are they talking about? I didn't know Dave had a brother."Here, dad. This is all your business and ownership documents. I've resigned and signed everything out of my name. Where's mum? She should come and give them to her darling son." He looked around.I didn't understand whatever that was going on. Why's Dave giving everything back? Most importantly, was I supposed to witness this?I wished my feet would drag me out but I was too curious."I have my own company to focus on anyway.”"Is this how you behave?" Kim appeared. "You get angry at your parents when we scold you a little? We raised you better.""I'm glad you're here,
LEONAI looked at him in absolute shock, my eyes threatening to fall out. This is incredibly unbelievable. I blink multiple times to clear my vision in case I was hallucinating but no. He stood there with his bandages still on him. He didn't look strong but he's here.My hands reached to grip Dave tight and my eyes water. With a shaky voice, I asked. "How?" He limped towards me but I stumbled back. "Are you sure you're not a ghost? I saw your dead body, Raymond. I saw how pale you got. I saw everything. How can you not die?""Don't go away from me, sis." He winced and stopped limping towards me."I'm sorry for scaring all of you. I should've said this to you upfront. You know, after my car accident, I did self-medication before coming to Dave's mansion. I knew that man would try something so I couldn't stay at the hospital though I was going through a lot of pain. I took an overdose of a strong antidepressant and it helped after he shot me. I really didn't feel st