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's a small children's school here, so I will go there with you now," Maureen said to Jason, and he smiled sweetly at her.

"Thanks, Aunt," he said.

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

"Maureen, you cannot be so serious. Jason is my son, and I get to decide for him," I told her. While her mother has another room, Maureen and I shared her room, although I could move out and get an apartment of my own. But I didn't want to become as selfish.

I was able to attend a part-time business class with Maureen's mother's help. She looked after Jason for me until he was able to walk. My family doesn't want to have anything to do with me. Well, maybe now that they see that 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 didn't need to know about her grandchild.

I am 22 years now. And I don't need such parents as grandparents for Jason. They would never welcome him or love him like Maureen mother doesn. Although, she encouraged Maureen not to fall pregnant like I did as Maureen and I were agemate and fair in complexion.

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

While her wedding was still pending as her groom had arrived with his family, and I watch with teary eyes how my best friend got engaged to the love of her life. But remembering about Joseph Ericson and the silly promises he made to me. After that night he slept with me. Joseph never contacted me again. I searched for his home address after my parents threw me out. But the harsh reality hit me hard.

Joseph and his family had truly packed up, and none of their neighbors knew where the affluent family had gone too.

"You shouldn't worry, Amaka. Jason is my son, as I was there on the day he was born and watched him grow up. So 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 move out, too, and get a new apartment so that you can go to your new house with your Mom," I told Maureen. She was done folding Jason's clothes, as she intended to take him to a new school.

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

"My mom wouldn't send you away, even if I am going with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you seem to worry about irrelevant things?"

"Anyway, you're running late, and Jason will be late for school. So 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 name should I file for him?" Maureen asked me, as I was done applying a little pink gloss to my pink lips.

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

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

After I was sent away from my parents home, I called Maureen on the phone, knowing that she was the last best friend I had, before her mother relocated to the city. They had billionaires living in one side of the city, while industrial 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 so busy here.

"Just his name, Jason," I said, not wanting to mention my father's last name. My father said that my child wasn't 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 haven't chatted since the last time I introduced myself to him as Joseph's girlfriend.

I didn't want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I was heartbroken that Joseph blocked me and told me to get rid of his seed. So traumatic.

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

"Fine...just name him whatever name you want as his surname, but know that I don't want anything to do with his dad again," I said. And Maureen replied, "I know. You should get going, as I heard that the new company, J. E. Global, is very strict. You shouldn't get 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 bag.

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

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

"Yes, ma'am," I replied. 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, but it's quite far from here. So, I have to take a bus to get me to the area."

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

"No, ma, I'm not going there. I'm 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 advised.

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

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

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

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

I smiled and drank my tea. "Maybe," I didn't know whether Maureen want to take my son with her.