THE BLACK MARRIAGE
© Ralph Angel
EPISODE 38
Maybe, if she had asked Andy for a loan of the same ten million naira, he would have given her. He might have even dashed her something more than that because frankly, the guy is worth billions. But no, instead, she had shattered her own friend’s happiness.
She regretted her decision but there is no going back now.
She had to live with the current reality. She swallowed and the thought of making new friends came pleasantly to her mind. She grabbed her credit card and thought of how perfect it would be to have a car. She already knew how to drive. Well, her carless state would change now, she thought. ‘Let’s go and spend some cash’
===
“You don’t want to go back to being a doctor?” Andy asked as he drove. Jessica still did not know where they were headed.
Jessica shook. “No. It is frightening. After spending months attending to patients, trying to cope with the situation, I have realized that I hate hospitals. I hate them and the memories they invoke. It was because of what happened to my family that I decided to study medicine. I wanted to prevent people from dying and prevent people from experiencing what I experienced but after I got what I felt I wanted, I could not do it. The heady smell was maddening and I could not keep up because I kept remembering all the bad things that happened years back: the smell of drugs; the nauseating smell of blood that I thought was my parents and brother’s; the wheels of sick people being pushed; the unnerving and scary rush of nurses” Jessica shivered and Andy placed his palm on her lap, squeezing in a comforting manner. “I could not take it. Whenever we experienced a casualty in the hospital, the tears of people nearly drove me mad. Their wailing” she breathed. “It got stuck in my head and I just could not do it anymore. I left as fast as I could” Andy moved his hand from her lap to her hair, controlling the steering with his other hand.
“I am glad you did” he murmured.
She smiled. “I should have gone for law”.
Andy raised his brow and laughed. “Right. Being a barrister would suit you; it is in your blood”
Jessica frowned. “A subtle way of saying that I am stubborn right”
Andy grinned. “I married a stubborn woman. I would never win an argument with you if you went for law. Do you still want to pursue it?”
“No, that dream is gone. I like independence so I would like to be on my own without having a boss to scream all the way down his throat at me, just like Lizzy. It is really cute and womanly”.
Andy nodded with appreciation. “Yes. Owning a boutique would be perfect for you. Your dress sense is impeccable; it is a wonder you were able to hide it for a while. Anything you do would suit you perfectly. Frankly, I was worried that you would want to work for someone; can’t imagine another man screaming orders at my wife.” He frowned at the thought.
“Selfish, aren’t u?”
Andy grinned, “I won’t share you with anyone honey, you are mine”.
She blushed. “Where are we going Drew?” she hated suspense.
“Be patient my love” he grinned.
“Andy, this is a seaport. What are we doing here?”
Andy held on Jessica’s hand as they moved along the port environment. Jessica’s curiosity had been on the high level when they had arrived at the port. “Patience, honey, patience”.
The sea was now clearly in view and Jessica could not hide her curiosity anymore. She glanced at Andy, who smiled down at her. She was busy admiring his facial structure when Andy came to a halt, stopping her as well. “We are here”. He murmured and she turned.
She had been seeing several passenger ships but here, she was faced with a strikingly beautiful ship which was very small like… she turned a stunned face at Andy. “Is that a…a…”
“Yacht” Andy offered.
“It is so beautiful. It looks new too. I have never been on water” she said with longing, staring at the beauty before her.
“I noticed and decided to change that.”
Jessica turned to him suddenly.
“Hello Mr. Williams” someone greeted and they turned.
“Oh, Paul. Afternoon. How is she doing today?” Andy responded.
Who? Jessica wondered.
“She is good to go sir”.
Another man appeared onboard and greeted in the same manner. Jessica turned to Andy. “Why do they seem to know you so well?” she asked and when he smiled softly, realization slowly dawned. She gasped and looked from his face to the water craft. “It is not yours, is it?”
His smile widened and her eyes widened. He placed his arm around her waist and drew her close, though she was still frozen.
“This is my wife, Jessica” he said loudly to the men.
Their eyes widened and they greeted shyly. Jessica wondered why they seem to know her. Is it because she is married to a very famous man or is it that Andy had told them a lot about her? Her eyes inspected the Yacht, appreciating the structure then she saw the scribbled name. She gasped again and turned to Andy.
He grinned. “Lady Jess” he murmured.
“You… you named it after… after me?” tears streamed down her eyes.
“Who else would I name it after, if not the woman I love?”
“Oh Drew” she hugged him tightly as tears coerced down her cheeks. He pulled her slightly away and mopped off her tears. He kissed her forehead and smiled. “How would you like a cruise?”
She jumped up and down like a two year old at the mention of ice-cream. Andy grinned, feeling happiness oozing out of his pores as he walked with Jessica onboard ‘Lady Jess’………
TO BE CONTINUED…
