Played

"Good morning Cyn, how was your night dear?" Valerie's soft voice echoed through Cynthia's mouthpiece the moment she accepted the incoming call. Cynthia felt full already, it's not that she didn't like Valerie, it had just been too long since she last had someone care for her, besides, she had grown to be someone of her own, now Valerie's concern seemed to stir something in her

"I had a great night," she replied, pausing and dropping the cloth she had been struggling to fold but couldn't because her right hand's knuckles were numb.

"Those reporters didn't come around again? did they"

"No they didn't, they'd eventually forget -" "don't get too cocky girl, you still have school and besides they've probably realized they can't catch you at home". Cynthia frowned, she really didn't want to deal with this today,

"anyway happy Monday Cyn," Valerie spoke again after the brief silence, Cynthia smiled, her mother always said that. Happy Monday, even when she knew it was all about waking early after a sweet weekend, Cynthia froze for a second and and zoned out, on the other side Valerie spoke her heart out and only realized she was alone on the call after a series of calling out Cynthia's name.

"I'm sorry aunt legs, I zoned out." Valerie paused, "it's okay, are you free this afternoon, I suppose you're coming to finalize with getting signed here-" Cynthia didn't answer immediately but her mind went back to Timothy's words, "aunt legs, do you work with Timothy Martin in any way?"  Valerie was surprised at first but then replied, "Yes, he's the company's chief photographer and also has an office at the main group offices, I don't know what position am not really into people's business". Valerie replied in a heartbeat, not knowing why Cynthia asked.

Cynthia immediately answered "I'll be there aunt legs, in a few hours, hope you won't mind."

"Of course, I'll be waiting."

First people's hospital .

A click of heels was heard in the eerily quiet floor as Drake's mother walked elegantly toward a certain door. As she arrived, the person inside immediately pretended to be asleep, turning uncomfortably as he made a few pained groans. Mrs Wilson walked in and went straight to her son's bedside then sat down and held his hands in hers, a pained expression masking her beautiful face.

"Drake, if you didn't want her, you could have just told me straight away instead of driving off in a bad mood, look at you", she cried out as she touched him on the face, her tears wetting his gown. "Wake up already okay, I won't send you any woman again just do me a favor and open those beautiful eyes of yours."

Drake's heart trembled, he just wanted to make his mother feel a little remorse for setting him up for marriage and stop it but not making her cry like a little heartbroken girl. As his mother lay her head on the bed and closed her eyes, Drake opened his and smoothened her hair with the other hand, "come-on mom, don't cry on me", he said in  the gentlest voice reserved only for his mother.

Mrs Wilson stopped sobbing and  raised her head to look at her son, she wiped away her fake tears and a wide grin appeared on her lips, Drake saw this and knew he had been played, "really? Old lady?" He said, pulling out his hands from her pretentious grip. "I knew you weren't injured, baby,"

"stop calling me that mom". Drake said and turned his back to her. Mrs Wilson sighed, "I don't know what happened yesterday, but I want you to know I was honest when I said I won't set you up anymore, okay?"

"Good, mom," Drake replied  in a grumpy huff, still mad for being played, "it's okay, baby, just promise me one thing". Drake's ears perked up, "what is it," he asked, his voice back to it's usual softness when talking to his mom.

"I want you to get a girl and start dating for real," Mrs Wilson said causing Drake's eyes to shoot up at her, "don't look at me like that, I'm giving you one year, and whoever it is, as long as she's good for you, I'll accept her". Mrs Wilson said and stood up to leave, Drake remained silent.

Mrs Wilson stood at the doorway, her hands on the handle, she looked at her dazed son and sighed, "don't give me anymore excuses son, you're twenty-seven". Drake looked at his mom and realized that in all his life, he had never seen her that serious. "I'll try mom",

she nodded her head, she would not interfere anymore, "you're not sick and it's a Monday Drake". She said and opened the door then walked out, closing it lightly behind her. Drake's eyes remained on the door, thinking about the promise he had just made, it gave him a headache.

Drake needed to check his appearance if he could get to office without turning heads so he stood up from his bed, but his stomach hurt a little, he walked to the restroom and stood before the mirror, his hands wondered to the purple left eye and a mischievous smirk appeared on his lips, "I'll find you princess", he never let things slip by. Just then, there was a knock at the door,

Drake slowly walked out and headed toward his bed then sat on the sides, "come in," his deep voice resonated with the silence in the room, the door clicked open and his assistant walked in, "this is the information you asked me Sir," Drake received the file from his assistant and opened the first page that had a crystal clear photo of a little Cynthia, wearing a sweet smile staring back at him, she looked so beautiful even as a kid and somewhat, familiar? but her eyes seemed to ask Drake a question.

At this time, Cynthia was walking leisurely into V&M , she held nothing in her hands and strode in confidently. Everyone in the building recognized her, who wouldn't, they worked in the fashion industry and were open to any gossip concerning the industry for which Cynthia was the latest. A few people took out their phones to take pictures but immediately stopped when they saw the person who was walking toward Cynthia.