Chapter Three

Nicole.

I stared at her waiting to see if she was joking but the look on her face told me everything I needed to know that she meant this. She really wants me to go pick up whatever she’s expecting.

“I….I can’t do that.” I answered and her eyes hardened.

“What did you say?” She asked.

I brought my eyes down and repeated what I had said earlier, I was met with silence after, and for a minute she didn’t say anything.

She burst into laughter breaking the silence and causing me to squirm in my spot.

Mrs Davenport was a woman no one wanted to mess with, not even me.

“Look here, your only job in this house is to do as I say and then please my son since that’s what you’re good at.” Her words stung but I forced myself not to say anything.

They all think I’m good for nothing because I’m unable to give my husband a child. But I’m not useless, I’m pregnant now.

“Your main purpose here is this,” she pushed the piece of paper into my chest.

“Remember we can easily pull our shares out and stop supporting your father's wretched company, Nicole. So choose wisely before doing anything.” She said and I didn’t fail to notice the threat in it.

She wouldn’t stop reminding me about this even though my father's company was doing well.

Jackson and I didn’t get married like other married couples who fell in love and decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

It was an arranged marriage but by then I was in love with him and I had this feeling he liked me too even though his mother and his entire family hated me.

“You don’t have any choice, Nicole.” Shirley said with a grin. She probably enjoyed seeing me treated this way.

She’s right though. I don’t really have a choice.

I had no other choice but to take the piece of paper from her hand and stare at it. It was a flower store and it had the address there.

I brought my head up and stared at her,

“What do we need flowers for?” I asked. I don’t remember Jack telling me there will be a party.

“That is none of your concern. I want those flowers here before noon.” She barked, eyeing me for the last time before leaving with the younger demon trailing behind her.

I let out a sigh of relief as I squeezed the paper and went back into the room.

I slumped on the bed as I tried not to tear up, I find myself in situations like this almost every day. Jackson's mom and his sister always find ways of tormenting me, making my life hell for agreeing to marry their son and brother.

It wasn’t my fault they didn’t get the woman they wanted for him. If Jackson didn’t want me he wouldn’t have agreed to the deal either.

Then the picture of last night popped into my head.

I wanted to believe nothing was going on between them, Jackson promised he wouldn’t cheat on me. We have been living peacefully for the last three years and I haven’t seen him with any woman once—he hasn’t shown any sign he was cheating on me. So I know he was there for her as a friend and not as anything.

I couldn’t sleep after Mrs Davenport and Shirley left, I took a bath and wouldn’t stop staring at the time. It was almost ten now and yet Jackson wasn’t still back. I have tried calling him and just like his mother, he didn’t pick up.

I decided to go to his office before going to pick up the flowers. I'm worried about him even though I know I shouldn’t be.

The driver was ready when I stepped out after eating breakfast, I had no appetite but I had to force myself since I wasn’t alone.

“Good morning, Mrs Davenport.” He greeted me with his usual smile on his face.

I haven’t seen him frown or get mad at anything, he’s always smiling and that seems to rub off on me.

“Good morning, Jacob.” I put on my seatbelt as I handed the paper to him but without telling him to stop at Jackson’s company.

Fifty-seven minutes later I found myself in the parking lot of Davenports Group.

I walked past the receptionist who smiled and greeted me while I took the elevator to the top floor.

If it was another day, I would have gone over and had a chat with her but I’m running out of time. I just need to know if Jack is at his office or not.

The elevator opened and I stepped out, I paused at Jackson’s secretary's desk which was empty. Strange. She was always at her desk.

“Did you see the news?” I paused when I heard her familiar voice coming from the conference room.

I waited to know what they were talking about.

“I did. I can’t believe Laura Grey is back!!!” Another said.

“God I didn’t know how much I missed her until I saw the news of her return last night.” The secretary said.

“And the pictures, wasn’t that the boss beside her?” The second person asked.

My heart started beating loudly.

“It was. Gosh it felt so good seeing them together again.”

“Me too. They look so good together, and back then I thought they were going to get married. I even envisioned their kids.” The second one said with a sigh.

“I also had my hopes up but all of a sudden he got married to that woman. Who on earth would be so dumb to marry someone like that? She isn’t classy or rich enough for our boss. Laura is and will always be the one for him, not her.” The secretary said and I clenched my fists.

“I think the same, but who knows why he married her. Maybe they have a child together or something.” I heard a mocking laugh from the secretary.

“A child? She hasn’t been able to give him one since they got married. I think she’s barren.” The last part was in a whisper but because I was standing just right outside the door I heard her.

I don’t think I can listen to more of this, the mere thought of them judging me because I couldn’t bear a child hurts me.

“I think the right thing Mr Davenport could do is divorce her and then marry his first love. I don’t see anything……” I forced my legs to take me out of the place.

I blindingly pressed the elevator button since my eyes were covered with tears.

I wonder how many times they must have judged me, hell I have always thought Jackson’s secretary was sweet because she always smiled whenever I was around but guess I was wrong.

Not only does his family hate me, but his employees also do. Right now, I wonder who doesn’t hate me.