EPISODE 10.
🍒 (UNPREDICTED LOVE) 🍒
(C) Judytex_Stories
Flashback.
That evening, as Raymond dropped Annabelle and her son at her gate, Annabelle waved him goodbye and went inside with her son.
As soon as she entered the living room, she found Keturah sitting on the sofa, busy using her laptop.
“Babe,” Annabelle called as she walked past her to take her son into the bedroom.
“Welcome,” Keturah replied, lifting her head with a smile.
A few moments later, Annabelle, having finished bathing and putting her son to bed, returned to the living room and sat on a different sofa next to Keturah.
She sat and leaned her back on the sofa and stared steadily at the ceiling.
“Are you alright?” Keturah asked, looking at her worried and curious.
“Hmmmmmm,” Annabelle sighed deeply and sat up straight, clasping her hands. “I’m fine, just confused by everything that’s going on around me,” she said, staring at the floor.
Hearing this, Keturah quickly set her laptop aside and leaned forward to satisfy her curiosity.
“Is everything going well at the company?” she asked.
“Keturah. What does it take to make a grown man change his mind and change his behavior for good?” Annabelle asked tearfully.
“I don’t understand. And I hope this has nothing to do with that shameless man you call Deji?” Keturah asked.
“Keturah, there’s no way I can keep him out of my mouth and my life when we already have a past and a son who keeps binding us against my will. And you know I now work with him in the same company,” Annabelle lamented.
“Okay, so, what exactly happened?” Keturah asked impatiently.
“He got to meet Ebun for the first time today,” Annabelle revealed.
“Ehn? Like how? For what reason exactly?” Keturah fumed.
“You know, I told you that Ebun’s teacher called to say I should pick him up from school earlier than usual. Because something came up and the woman who babysits him after school had to leave early,” Annabelle said.
“Yes, you told me that when we spoke on the phone this afternoon,” Keturah confirmed with a nod. “But you still haven’t told me how you were able to pick him up from school and babysit him while you were busy with work. Like, how were you able to handle all of that?” Keturah asked.
“The truth is, it wasn’t me who picked Ebun up from school today,” Annabelle revealed.
“Okay, So who did?” Keturah asked.
“My colleague Raymond did,” Annabelle replied.
Hearing this, Keturah quickly changed seats.
“Raymond? Which Raymond?” she asked, sitting down next to Annabelle.
“The guy who brought my bag back the other day. He’s the same guy who drove us home tonight,” Annabelle said.
“I said it. I knew something would spring up one day. And gradually my words are coming to fruition,” Keturah said, placing both palms on her cheeks with excitement on her face.
Hearing this, Annabelle couldn’t help but stare at her in confusion.
“What is she talking about?” she asked, looking confused at Keturah.
“Well, tell me. Is he handsome? What is he like? Did he tell you anything?” Keturah asked impatiently.
“Anything like?” Annabelle asked, looking totally confused.
“My goodness! You’re such a dumbass how can you not understand what I am talking about? You know what? Let’s forget about him. Just go ahead with what you were telling me earlier,” Keturah said, waving her off.
“Well, like I was saying,” Annabelle continued. “Raymond helped me in picking Ebun up from school. And also volunteered to watch over him. It was while he was watching over Ebun, that he got carried away by a phone call he received. Then Ebun wandered off and ended up in Deji’s office,” Annabelle said.
Hearing this, Keturah shifted away from Annabelle with shock and disbelief written all over her face.
“No way! Are you seriously kidding me right now?” she asked, looking totally shocked.
“My dear, I was shocked as hell. Like of all the offices in the building, Ebun ended up in his father’s office,” Annabelle said.
“What do we call this? Blood or fate in action?” Keturah asked.
“Do I know?” Annabelle asked, shrugging.
“Hmmmm. So, how did Deji react to this? What did that devil in human form say?” Keturah asked.
“My dear, that’s the main part that bothers me. Do you know that Deji wasn’t even touched by all of this? I expected him to feel bad and at least change his behavior, but in the end, he proved he was already damaged beyond repair. And at that point, I knew I had to officially give up on him,” Annabelle said.
“Wait o. Have you been waiting the whole time, hoping that he would change and come back to you?” Keturah asked, staring at Annabelle in disbelief.
“I’m sorry Keturah. But I just felt like there was no point in waiting and hoping to fall in love again with a different man. Especially when it’s obvious that no man wants anything to do with a single mom like me,” Annabelle said.
“And so? So what if you’re a single mother? What makes a single mother different from other women?” Keturah yelled.
“Keturah, for me, being a single mother is different from being a single woman. And that’s because I’m not really single. I mean, I am, but I have a son,” Annabelle said.
“So what if you have a son? Is that why you should think low of yourself? Why do you even have to think about giving him a chance to change his behavior, after all, he put you through? You are lucky he didn’t come here apologizing. Because I would have skinned him alive before your very eyes. What nonsense” Keturah fumed.
“You won’t blame me, Keturah. I’m used to loving this young man as if my life depends on it. He was my first love. The first man who made me a woman and a mother. I just wanted Ebun to have a father figure in his life. Do you know how delighted my son was when Raymond allowed him to call him daddy? You should have seen the excitement on his face as he played with Raymond. It showed how much my son had longed for a father in his life,” said Annabelle.
“And you thought Deji would have made a better father?” Keturah asked.
“Yes, Keturah. To be truthful, I thought I just needed to make him realize his mistakes then that would help him change for good. Then that way, my son can finally reconnect with his father. It doesn’t matter if he still wants me or not. I just want him for my son. But unfortunately, he proved otherwise. Seeing how he wasn’t touched to see his son,” Annabelle said.
“And who said that only a biological father can effectively play the role of the father in a child’s life?” Keturah asked.
“I used to think so. That’s why I kept hoping that Deji would change and come back for his son. But now I’m sure that his conscience and soul have been sold to the devil. So it’s high time I moved on,” Annabelle, said rubbing her forehead.
“Exactly. And please no need for looking elsewhere when you already have Raymond. Just try and make something out of your friendship with him” Keturah said.
“How can you say something like that when you don’t even know Raymond too well?” Annabelle asked.
“I don’t need to know Raymond. But judging from how cool he is with Ebun, then there’s no doubt he’ll make a good stepfather” Keturah said.
“Although I don’t completely agree with you, it’s still weird how Ebun is so cool with Raymond. To the extent that he even calls him Daddy,” Annabelle said.
“Huh? Daddy? And Raymond is okay with that?” Keturah asked.
“Yes. Judging from how he voluntarily picked Ebun up from school and watched over him till work closed, shows how much he adores my son,” Annabelle said with a smile.
“What about you?” Keturah asked.
“Huh?” Annabelle asked confused.
“Yes. Tell yourself the truth. Don’t you feel anything for this Raymond guy? Is it all about Ebun?” Keturah asked.
“Well, I haven’t been paying attention to my feelings lately,” Annabelle replied.
“Then you better watch your heart from now on. Because Raymond seems like a good guy. And you wouldn’t want to lose him for any reason,” Keturah said.
“Hmmmm.” Annabelle sighed deeply and leaned back in her seat.
★★★★★★★
Present day.
After Mr. Tobi’s sudden announcement, the four of them stepped out of his office. After which, Deji and Roseline went their separate ways while Annabelle and Raymond returned to their duty post.
As they were walking through the hallway on their way back to their duty post, Raymond noticed the trouble on Annabelle’s face and asked:
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“I’m just worried about leaving Jasper alone,” Annabelle lamented.
“Come on, it’s only a four-day trip. And besides, you have someone to take care of him until you come back. And you can make a video call every day to see his face. And trust me, he won’t even feel your absence,” Raymond said.
“I hope so,” Annabelle said with a sigh.
“Trust me he will be fine” Raymond assured with a smile.
They continued walking down the hallway in complete silence until one of the staff, hurrying to move a stack of files, accidentally and violently grazed Annabelle’s shoulders, causing her to lose her balance.
Annabelle was about to fall when Raymond quickly grabbed her.
He grabbed her waist with his right hand and pulled her towards himself while holding her left hand to keep her from falling. And in that process, Annabelle hugged Raymond with her b***s pressed tightly against his broad chest.
Annabelle who wasn’t expecting him to show such concern towards her, slowly raised her head and her eyes caught his shapely lips. She stared closely at his face and couldn’t help but admire the perfect creation of God.
At that very moment, Keturah’s words echoed in her head.
“…you better watch your heart from now on. Because Raymond seems like a good guy. And you wouldn’t want to lose him for any reason,”
Going by that thought, it was odd how that single act got Annabelle’s heart racing.
As if to make matters worse, Raymond leaned forward and asked:
“Annabelle, are you okay? I hope you didn’t get hurt?” he asked, staring deep into her eyes with worry and concern.
Annabelle, almost swept away, quickly snapped out of her thoughts and imagination and then replied:
“Yeah sure. I’m fine. Thanks,” she said quickly, freeing herself from Raymond.
And without hesitation, she hurried away, leaving Raymond behind in uttermost confusion.
“What’s wrong with her?” he wondered.
When Annabelle came home and told Keturah about her sudden business trip, she advised her to take that opportunity and get closer to Raymond.
“You see, Annabelle. I think and believe that this is just fate at work,” she said excitedly.
“What are you talking about?” Annabelle asked, raising her brows in complete confusion.
“See, who knows? Perhaps this business trip was ordained by God to bring you and Raymond closer,” Keturah said.
“I still don’t understand what you’re saying,” Annabelle said.
“You don’t need to understand anything. All you have to do is use this opportunity to win Raymond’s heart. Come on, you’re a lady for crying out loud. So I expect you to know the drill,” Keturah said.
“You know what? I think you need an urgent medical check-up. I’m off to bed, goodnight,” Annabelle said, walking away from her.
“Why is she always clueless? Sometimes I feel like using a well-garnished slap to reset her brain and make her see things from my perspective,” Keturah said to herself.
The weekend finally came and the four of them prepared to embark on the business trip.
Early Friday morning, the four of them went to the airport and boarded a plane to the state to which they were sent.
On the plane, Annabelle, who hadn’t gotten enough sleep the previous night because she was busy doing some laundry and other household chores before the trip, suddenly felt sleepy even before the start of the trip.
And when Raymond noticed that, he simply helped her fall asleep quickly by letting her rest her head on his shoulder.
“Sleepyhead,” Raymond called out playfully as he stroked her hair gently.
Upon seeing Annabelle sleeping on Raymond’s shoulder, Roseline quickly tapped Deji, who became surprisingly jealous of what he was seeing.
When they finally arrived at the pre-booked hotel where they were to stay until the end of their stay, they were told that their boss had only booked two rooms.
“Two rooms? How do we share this?” Annabelle asked.
“I don’t think it’s a big deal. I mean, you and Roseline can stay in one room while I and Raymond take the other,” Deji said.
“Exactly,” Raymond agreed.
“No. I don’t agree with that. I and Deji will take a room to ourselves. While the newest couple can take the other room,” Roseline said, with her face looking all excited.
“What newest couple are you talking about?” Raymond asked, completely confused.
“Come on cousin. stop pretending. You love this idea, don’t you?” Roseline asked, winking at him with a smile.
“What is she talking about?” Raymond asked, completely confused.
He was still trying to understand what Roseline meant when she grabbed Deji’s arm and forcefully dragged him into one of the rooms and closed the door as they entered.
Now Raymond and Annabelle were left alone outside. They both continued to stare at the door with utter confusion and various thoughts running through their heads.
Meanwhile, Deji on the other hand, wasn’t comfortable with the idea of Annabelle sharing a single room with Raymond. As the thought of it made him restless.
I think this is a trap to know Deji’s feelings towards Roseline