Chapter 2

{Amaka's POV}

"Maureen, you know that I cannot put Jason in school now. He is only a baby, and I don't want to force books into his head," I said, looking back at my best friend and her "small husband" in her arms.

"Don't mind your mother; I will put you in school, okay? There is a small children's school here. I will go there with you now," Maureen said to Jason, and he smiled at her.

"Thanks, Aunt," he said.

"You're welcome, sweetie," she replied, telling him to wait while she prepared his bath for his new school.

"Maureen, you cannot be serious. Jason is my son, and I get to decide for him," I told her.

As her mother had another room, Maureen and I shared hers, although I could move out and get an apartment of my own. I did not want to become selfish.

I was able to attend part-time business training classes with Maureen's mother's help. She looked after Jason for me until he was able to walk.

My family does not want to have anything to do with me. Well, maybe now that they see I am well off on my own. My mother phoned me last week and claimed she wanted to know how I was, and if I still had the baby.

Unbelievable. I gritted my teeth and ended the call on her. Mom did not need to know about her grandchild.

I am 22 years old now. I do not need such parents as grandparents for Jason. They would never welcome him or love him as Maureen's mother does. She encouraged Maureen not to fall pregnant as I did—Maureen and I were agemates and fair in complexion.

Maureen is in a relationship with a good man from around here. He owns a small business that has become globally recognised, and now he is set to get married to Maureen and take her off to the city.

Her wedding was pending, but her groom had arrived with his family, and I watched with teary eyes how my best friend got engaged to the love of her life.

But remembering Joseph Ericson and the promises he made to me—after that night he slept with me, he never contacted me again. I searched for his home address after my parents threw me out, but the harsh reality hit me.

Joseph and his family had packed out, and none of their neighbours knew where the affluent family were living.

"You shouldn't worry, Amaka. Jason is my son, as I was there on the day he was born and watched him grow up. I am his big aunt and Mommy too, while my mom is his godmother," Maureen smiled.

"Fine. I have to hurry up from this business interview I told you about. You know I want to have another job to support us now that you will be getting married. I plan to pack out and get a new apartment so that you can go to your new house with your mom," I told Maureen. She was done folding out Jason's clothes, as she intended to take him to a new school.

I knew my son wants to go to school. He sees other kids around going to school, but I wanted him to grow up smarter before taking him to school.

"My mom wouldn't send you away, even if I am going with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you worry about irrelevant things? Anyway, you're running late, and Jason will be late for school. I have to hurry up and take him to school. You know, as a new student, he will need to do a lot of registration. What surname should I file for him?" Maureen asked me, as I was done applying a little pink gloss on my lips.

I donned a red top and black skirt, understanding that the company does not approve of trousers.

Although I did not want to discuss my son's dad with him, I knew that Joseph would meet him one day—so long as he was still alive and in the city. It was not far from where Maureen's mother lived.

After I was sent away from my parents' home, I had called Maureen on the phone, knowing that she was the last friend I had before her mother relocated to the city. But the billionaires lived on one side of the city, while the working-class people like us lived in another busy area. That was why I wanted my son to grow up before putting him in school. It was busy around here.

"Just his name, Jason," I said, not wanting to mention my father's surname.

My father said my child was not his, so I should take my baby to his father. But Joseph has blocked me online. Even though I have his younger brother's profile page, we had not chatted since the last time I introduced myself to him as Joseph's girlfriend.

I did not want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I was heartbroken that he blocked me online and told me to get rid of his sperm. It was definitely traumatic.

"You must be joking, Amaka. As you're Amaka Richard, I believe your son has a full birth name. That reminds me—Jason Ericson. Deal with the fact that you got pregnant by someone, and your child has to bear his father's surname in case of tomorrow," Maureen said as she stripped off Jason's pajanas to help him have his bath.

"Fine. Just give Jason whatever you want as his surname, but know that I don't have anything to do with his dad again," I said.

Maureen replied, "I know. You should get going; I heard that new company, J.E. Global, is strict. You shouldn't be late and miss your chance of securing a job with them. It will help with your studies and online job too."

"Fine." I wore my black shoe beside the bed and waved goodbye to my son as I clutched my black handbag.

Once I got out of the room, I came across Mrs. Ann Austin. She was a good woman—Maureen's mother too.

"Good morning, Ma," I greeted her, and she smiled at me. "Morning, my dear. Are you going out?"

"Yes, ma," I replied, and she asked, "Wouldn't you have breakfast first? There is still time. Or is it not school that you're going to?"

"No, ma. I am going for a new job interview. It is far from here, so I have to get a bus to take me to the area," I replied.

"Will you get on the Island?" she asked.

"No, ma, I'm not going there. Still on this mainland. It's a new branch office," I said.

"Okay. But still have your breakfast so that you appear smart at work," she said.

"Okay, ma," I agreed and went to prepare my tea in the kitchen.

"What of Maureen? Has she left the house too?" Mrs. Ann asked, walking into the kitchen to meet me.

"No, ma. Maureen is in her room, preparing Jason for school."

"Oh!" Mrs. Ann smiled and nodded her head. "Maureen loves Jason so much, and now she will soon be going to her husband's house. I wonder how she will cope—maybe take Jason along with her."

I smiled and drank my tea. "Maybe." I did not know. Maureen may want to take my son with her.