we meet again

Chapter 2

Adola

Six years later

….

I didn’t know how much influence I had until I stepped out stylishly out of my Rolls Royce with flashlights from various cameras beaming at me in full glare. Microphones were stretched toward me by journalists desperately wanting to have as little as a glance from me.

Being superficial wasn’t my nature, but six years ago, I was evicted from my adoptive mother’s house, my adoptive sister was kidnapped, and the man whom I loved so much cheated on me after leaving his seed in my womb.

I’d been very certain that my life was over back then, but my present reality just proved that it wasn’t. If anything, I was just getting started.

The bouncers at the front steered them off, making room for me to step into the hall where the fundraiser event would be taking place.

The hall was bathed with the warm, golden hue of the chandeliers hung high on the ceilings; housing philanthropists, politicians, wealthy business people and individuals from all walks of life who wanted to be a part of a noble cause for financing treatments for sickle cell and leukemia patients.

Right after I was ushered in, the event began.

The host climbed onto the platform, welcoming us cheerfully to the event. “It’s no secret that you’re all busy people, but you made time out of your busy schedule to be a part of this auspicious night for which we are grateful for,”

When she paused, the air buzzed with applause.

She continued almost immediately. “Without further ado, we’d like to kick off this event straight away. There are important items that would be up for the bid…” she went on to explain the terms and rules of the auction and when she was sure that everyone had settled in, the auctioneer took over.

I shifted comfortably on my chair. This was my second auction ever, and it definitely wasn’t going to be my last. I had a thriving business with an inheritance hanging over my head. Being able to rise from the ashes spurred me to join meaningful projects like this.

We were all handed little placards that would be raised when we wanted to bid, and when the first item was put up for auction, I signaled to them with the placard and made my bid.

Another man bidded with a higher amount, the cycle going on and on until the limit was reached.

The second item was put up on the screen. A package for couples who'd like to go on a unique adventure. I held back since I was single and had no one to go with.

But while listening to the others wrestling for a chance to get the bid, a deep familiar baritone voice reverberated through the microphone, drawing out cold chills from my skin.

I held my breath, shutting my eyes momentarily to let the voice echo in my ears, and when he spoke again, I confirmed that it was indeed him.

Zyair Henderson.

I sucked in air, my heart thumping very hard against my ribcage.

What on God's green earth was he doing here? Why was fate this brutal?

I'd spoken at the first bid, so there was no chance in hell that he hadn't heard my voice. Worst still, he got the package with the highest amount no one could match. What was I going to do if he walked up to me and tried to talk?

I thought that I was over him. Maybe I was, but hearing him speak again after so many years and realizing that we were in the same gathering ignited mixed feelings in me that had been buried for a long time.

“Since Mr Zyair Henderson has won the bid for this round, he'll be given the chance to choose whoever he wants to go on the hot air balloon ride with,” the auctioneer announced.

My body went taut with anticipation, the persistent urge for me to leave gnawing in my chest. I was just about to give in when he stopped right in front of me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Ms Bradford," He said, his hand stretched in front of me.

Mustering courage, I swiveled my gaze at him, tension sweeping through the silence as I reached out for the handshake. His lips were pursed, his dark orbs peering straight into my soul.

Though I was quite shaken, I'd not let him see that. "Yeah, it's good to see you too," my tone was curt just the way I wanted, but my heart was on the brink of melting.

He brought my palm to his lips and kissed it, turning to the crowd after helping me to my feet. “I choose her,” he declared, a loud ovation following.

My jaw dropped in shock and when I recovered, a wave of anger washed over me.

“What the hell are you doing, Zyair? Couldn't you have chosen anyone else?” I fumed, but his smug grin showed how much fun he was having with this.

“It's my choice, darling. I don't have to explain anything to you,” he replied nonchalantly.

I shook my head, a distasteful look smeared on my expression. “I'm not going anywhere with you,” I said firmly.

He shrugged. "Oh, but you will or do you want everyone to suspect that we have a history? Besides, I didn't expect to see you here after you..."

"Disappeared?" I finished for him.

His brows knitted in a fierce knot, a tight smile fixed on his face. "You ran away after taking money from my mother just like other girls out there would do. It's not my fault that..."

"You don't know shit about what your mother did to me,” I cut in. “But I won't bother explaining. You definitely had the time of your life playing games with me,"

"Don't you dare play the victim card with me," His eyes became darker, the fake smile faltering into a sneer.

I sucked my teeth, ready to give him a piece of my mind when my phone rang, Jeanette’s name appearing on the screen. I turned away immediately, intending to keep the kids a secret from him. He had no place in our lives after everything he and his family had done to me.

"Hi, Jeanette. How are the kids?" I asked as quietly as I could, veering hurriedly toward the exit.

"Keeya caught a fever and slumped. I don't know what to do," her voice trembled with worry and fear.

"What? How? I'm on my way. Take her to the hospital right now," I demanded, ending the call and fumbling with my purse for my car keys.

Footsteps crunched behind me, my name resonating smoothly from his lips, causing me to halt temporarily on my steps.

I ignored him, pulling the car door open but he was quick to grab my wrist, preventing me from taking any further steps.

"What do you want?" I growled, yanking my hand off his grip.

Curiosity radiated in harsh waves from him while he advanced toward me, his tall frame hovering over me. I was backed against the car.

Taking a deep breath, he asked with a kind of calmness that unnerved me. "I heard everything you said so don't think of lying to me, Adola. Do we have a child together?"