After Dinner

SHELDON 

"What? Denzel, she is so funny!" Kimberly chuckled. I felt like a princess doll sitting in their midst who had no sense of life. I thought that it would be better if she said, 'What? Sheldon, you're so funny!'.

"Yeah, she loves kids," Denzel replied. He sat there, looking flustered but he didn't act surprised by my response. Naturally, we are already supposed to talk about all these things as a couple. 

Gosh! How does he not miss any detail?

"We have three and they're too much of a handful. But I'm sure you can handle it." Lena said bashfully.

Sometime later, a tall lady dressed as a nurse approached Mrs. Raven and whispered in her ear. I watched how her eyeballs jumped from me to Denzel. There was a clear difference in the way she looked at us. She paid more attention to him. Something tells me she's not just a nurse in this household. 

I was amused at how insecure I was pretending to be. 

Who cares if she and Denzel have anything going on? I was here for the money.

I did more eating than talking about myself all night long, smartly fleeing from Mrs. Raven's desire to know every single bit about me. I see it in the way they look at me.

Like they don't want their beloved son and brother to marry the wrong woman. 

Speaking of Denzel, his eyes begged for attention whenever I glanced his way. 

I wished I could whisper to him to relax and let us be ourselves, either way, they'll be convinced that we are truly involved with each other.

Denzel promised we would leave early so after eating, I waited for him in the living room. They wanted to have a private conversation so I shouldn't ruin the vibe.

I was counting the seconds when I felt a tap on my thigh. I stared at the little girl whose lovely eyes glistened with tears. 

"Ca...Carry me," She asked with a frail tone. There's no doubt she has been crying. I couldn't say no to her request while watching her affectionate face.

"Hello, cutie..." I cooed and lifted her into my arms. She was heavy and I felt the impact within a few minutes. 

She dropped her head on my shoulder like she was sleeping. 

Her weight doubled but I couldn't just drop her. 

I looked around for help when I caught a glimpse of her older brother who was peering his father-like eyes at me. 

"Hey, there," I whispered.

He reluctantly drew close and I found him gazing too much at my heels. 

"What is your name?" I asked him since his sister had slept off and he was the only company I had in the magnificent living room.

He was mute for a long time and I called out to him again.

"Hey," 

He suddenly kicked my feet and I drowned my scream with my hand. The pain was buzzing.

To prevent the future drama that will occur if I overreact, I had to be strong. 

My right foot began to ache against the heel. 

'That little...'

"Sheldon! Oh, I see you've met my kids." Lena's voice came from behind and I smiled weakly. "Wow, she must like you." 

"Yeah, but he doesn't seem to like me," I replied pointing at her son who was glaring at me. 

Lena chuckled and held her son's wrist. "He takes some time before trusting people."  

"I see," I whispered. 

"Do you mind coming upstairs with me? They have to get ready for bed. We'll be spending the weekend with Grandma." She said walking past me with her kid.

I began to regret my life choices when my muscles weakened from holding the baby girl for so long and now I have to take her up the stairs.

Denzel is gonna get it when he eventually comes out of the dining.

Lena being here could mean the family is having some sort of close meeting. 

"I'm also looking forward to visiting your boutique and getting nice clothes from there." She muttered over her shoulder.

"Oh, I don't sell your kind of clothes, it's mostly wild-inspired; ripped jeans, artwork shirts, and color-blinding outfits," I replied.

Denzel already prepared a fake store ready with a sales representative. According to Denzel, he likes women that got a businesses of their own. It makes my skin crawl because I have nothing of my own. 

"Oh..." She mouthed.

"You can get pieces of jewelry instead if you want." I chipped in.

"I get it but I'll still visit." She answered stretching her smile. "I bet those clothes are not as bad as I imagine." 

I shrugged my shoulders hoping I was not a bad influence on her person. 

I sauntered along in my hurting feet and arms. After taking a hallway, we arrived at their bedroom and Lena carried the baby from my hands with the nanny taking over. 

"Thank you, Sheldon. I hope to see you again." 

She pulled me into a hug which I didn't see coming. She smelt of rose and something fluffy probably because she has a baby. We both said our final byes and I exit the room. My phone buzzed in my purse with a text message from my graceful fiancé. I tapped away to get it opened.

Zel baby: Where are you? We gotta leave.

I quickly typed that I was on my way downstairs before thrusting my phone into my bag. 

While walking in the hallway, Mr. Morgan showed up from the other side with a scowl on his face. His hands were in his pockets and he moved like a shadow. 

Good thing he's just the person I wanted to see. I was playing with fire, I know but Denzel would keep me from getting burnt. 

"Sheldon, what games are you playing? What the heck is going on between you and Denzel?" He inquired with an angry voice.

"Denzel and I are engaged." 

"A whore? Engaged?"

What a shame, Mr. Morgan, I thought you said I wasn't a whore.

"Yes, I finally want to settle down and build a family. I've been fucking around too much. You should be happy for me that I no longer want to do that." I answered, feeling smug.

"Is that why you didn't show up yesterday? I waited for a long time but I ended up calling for someone else." 

"Let's put the past behind us. I'm marrying your son for God's sake." 

"You gold digger! You are trying to use my son so you can get all our fortune. I'll make sure that never happens. Denzel can never marry a filthy rag like you. He won't waste his years with a nobody." He barked, his voice fuming.

I yawned. "See you later, father-in-law." 

My legs were moving and I was heading out but I didn't go far as his hand gripped my arm with force. His fingers did the most harm. 

I didn't cower at his violence.

"Let me go right now." I boldly demanded.

"You want to tell my wife about us, don't you? You are planning on blackmailing me." 

"Never. That is against our rules. You don't need to worry. That's never gonna happen." I sighed. "Although, you might expose yourself if you keep holding me here, sir."

"End this nonsense you're pulling with my son. This is the final warning, Sheldon. Dirt like you belong in the streets." 

"Mr. Morgan, I will give you grand babies and you'll have no choice but to love them because they're from your son." I paused. "Denzel and I love each other and there's nothing you can do about it, that's a promise." 

"You bitch!" He barked furiously. 

He flung me across the hallway and with no brakes, the side of my head crashed into the wall. I felt so light while falling to the ground and everything changed into darkness.