EPISODE 18.
🍒 (UNPREDICTED LOVE) 🍒
(C) Judytex_Stories
Flashback.
Roseline was in her office when she heard a knock on the door.
“Yes, come in,” She said concentrating on her computer system.
The door swung open and Annabelle walked in with her letter of resignation in her hand. As soon as she walked in, Roseline raised her head and saw her fumbling with her fingers.
“Yes? What can I do for you?” Roseline asked resting her chin on her clasped hands.
Hearing this, Annabelle reluctantly walked up to her table and dropped her resignation letter.
Staring at the letter, Roseline couldn’t help but ask,
“Are you resigning?”
Annabelle responded with a nod. “Yes I am”
“But why? I thought you said you really hustled for this job and this is what you use in sustaining yourself and your son. So why are you resigning?” Roseline asked with curiosity written on her face.
Then with tears running down her eyes, Annabelle replied.
“Because that’s the only way I can make up for my mistakes towards Raymond. I feel bad for hurting him when he has been nothing but good to me and my son. I have come to love him in such a way that I don’t feel comfortable with his sudden change in attitude toward me. I have tried so many times to make up for my mistakes but, he keeps distancing himself from me and it really hurts. So that’s why I have decided to leave. That way, everyone will feel better” Annabelle said wiping off the tears that kept running down her cheeks.
“Hmmmmm” Roseline sighed deeply. “How did you do it?” She asked.
“Do what?” Annabelle asked looking confused.
“How did you manage to endure all that from Deji? How were you able to remain strong amidst all the troubles and challenges that come from being a single mother? I mean, I judged you as well. I didn’t get to know your story before jumping to the conclusion that you got pregnant from sleeping around. And I know there are other people out there who think the same way. So tell me, how does it feel being a single mother?” Roseline asked remorsefully.
“Well, I will be lying if I say being a single parent is easy. Because the truth is, being a single parent is a journey for the strong. Being a mom is a tough job on its own, and it gets more challenging when you have to play the roles of both the father and the mother. So you see, it takes a lot of strength and courage to do that. And in as much as being a single parent is hard, I would rather take care of my son by myself than be with someone who doesn’t want to. And as a single mother, it has been a challenge finding a man who will accept the fact that I have a son and accept him wholeheartedly. And being a single mother, I never wanted to be pitied by people. I just wanted to be respected for having the courage to do it alone, the strength to never give up and the love to put my son’s needs before mine. Being a single parent has not been easy on anybody but the hardest part about being a single parent is not having anyone to step in and take over when you are overwhelmed. I have had bad days, overwhelming days, too-tired days, and days that I felt like I just can’t go on. But I still have to wear a smile, show up and give it my all for the sake of my son. I have encountered many defeats in this single parenting journey, but I refused to be defeated. Honestly, I have indeed experienced quite a weird and unusual life being a single mom. But the truth is, being a single mom made me stronger in a way I never imagined. Like, I never knew how strong I am until being strong became the only option I have. So that’s how it has been for me” Annabelle said.
“You are indeed a strong woman Annabelle. And I was wrong to have judged you the way I did” Roseline said.
“It’s fine. I mean, that’s part of the stereotype we face as single moms. People get to judge and condemn you without getting to know your story. So it has become a usual thing to expect as a single mother” Annabelle said.
“To be very honest, it was wrong of me to have judged you the way I did. And I must thank you for saving me from marrying the wrong man. Thank you so much Annabelle” Roseline said.
“That’s nothing,” Annabelle said waving it off.
“Are you sure resigning is the best thing to do in a situation like this?” Roseline asked, drawing Annabelle’s attention back to her resignation letter.
“Roseline I do not know. But I just have to do this. For my peace of mind and that of Raymond’s. And also, I want to thank you so much for everything” Annabelle said.
“Hmmmm” Roseline sighed deeply leaning back in her seat.
When Annabelle finally left the company after telling Raymond about her resignation, Raymond immediately barged into Roseline’s office and retrieved the resignation letter which was still on her table.
“Why? Don’t you want her to leave? I thought you were never going to forgive her” Roseline said as soon as he grabbed the letter from her table.
“I am only angry with her. I never said I was done with her” Raymond responded before dashing out of Roseline’s office.
But unfortunately, when he got outside, Annabelle had already left. And so he kept the resignation letter with him. Hoping to reinstate her to her position once he takes over the company.
But from time to time, he secretly dropped by Annabelle’s house to catch a glimpse of her. And that was how he got to know about her newfound job as a school teacher.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Present day.
As if Raymond knew the antidote to Annabelle’s tears, he kissed her passionately and deeply.
And when he finally pulled his lips away from hers, Annabelle quickly embraced him wrapping her hands behind him.
“Thank you for coming back for me,” She said with a bright smile.
Then gently stroking her hair, Raymond said,
“I never left your side, Annabelle. I was just trying to digest the whole thing. And in the end, I came to realize how much you’ve grown on me. And how my life would not make perfect sense without you in it. So once again, I am sorry for taking this long to come for you” Raymond said.
“It’s okay Raymond,” Annabelle said smiling profusely.
“I love you,” Raymond said.
“I love you too” Annabelle responded with a deep sigh of relief.
At the end of the day, Raymond came back and picked Annabelle and her son up from school.
He dropped them off at their gate and turned to leave after giving Annabelle a peck on her forehead. But Annabelle insisted that he must stay behind and spend some time with them.
After much persuasion, Raymond had no choice but to go in with them. And that was how he finally got to meet Keturah who ended up telling him all the funny and crazy things Annabelle did while they were apart. And Raymond couldn’t help but admire Annabelle the more.
When it was finally time for him to go, he told Annabelle that he would like to go on a proper date with her. And with gladness in her heart, Annabelle agreed to his plans. And so, they both picked a perfect date for their first proper date as a couple. And also, Raymond instructed her to take her time and make a list of some of the things she would love them to do on their first date.
And just like he instructed, Annabelle who has never been on a proper date before, took her time to write down a few things she would love to experience on their first date. And this was done under the supervision of Keturah who has been on numerous dates in time past.
When the day finally came, Raymond dropped by Annabelle’s house that night and picked her up in his car. And together, they drove to a fancy eatery where they had an enticing meal together. Then looking at the list she made, Raymond burst out laughing.
“Are you sure you wrote this yourself?” He asked amidst laughter.
“Keturah helped me out. But why are you laughing? Is it that embarrassing?” Annabelle asked with shyness in her eyes.
“Not really. It’s just childish. But all the same, I will try to do everything listed here. But you must promise to spend the night at my place today. I just want to spend quality time with you alone.” He said.
Then when he didn’t get any response from Annabelle, he said,
“But it’s still fine if you don’t want to,” Raymond said.
Hearing this, Annabelle scoffed and said,
“Of course, I would love to. I don’t have a problem with that” Annabelle said with a smile.
“Thank you!” Raymond said rubbing her hand with excitement in his eyes.
After their fancy date and fulfilling all of Annabelle’s wishes, Raymond drove Annabelle to his house. And when they both Stepped out of the car, Raymond stretched out his hand to Annabelle who put hers in his. And together, they both walked into the living room.
While in the living room, Raymond offered Annabelle a drink. And while she was drinking and watching a movie, she noticed how Raymond had been uncontrollably staring at her like it was his first time seeing her.
This made Annabelle uncomfortable and shy that she didn’t know how to behave anymore. And when it seemed like he wasn’t going to stop staring steadily at her anytime soon, she was left with no choice but to ask,
“Why have you been staring steadily at me all this while? Is there something on my face or something?” Annabelle asked with shyness in her tone.
Raymond simply shook his head and said, “Not really. I was only staring at you because you look extremely beautiful tonight”
Hearing this, Annabelle couldn’t help but blush uncontrollably.
“Now you are flattering me,” She said in a low tone with shyness.
“No. I am just stating the fact Annabelle. I don’t know if it’s because we have been apart for a few weeks. But I am missing you even while you are here with me” Raymond said still staring at her.
“Come on Raymond, now you are making me shy,” Annabelle said covering her face with both hands.
Seeing this, Raymond simply scoffed and looked away.
A few minutes later, while Annabelle was still drinking, she turned to Raymond and asked,
“Why aren’t you taking anything? Why am I the only one drinking since we arrived here?” She asked.
Then turning to her, Raymond said,
“There’s no need for me to drink when there’s a better way to do that,” He said with a mischievous smirk.
“How do you mean?” Annabelle asked with a shrug.
Then after a long while of silence and stare, Raymond leaned in and kissed her lips.
He then pulled away and whispered into her ears,
“What better drink could quench my thirst other than your kisses? And what other food could quench the hunger In me other than the warmth of your body?” He asked.
Then with that being said, he tried pulling away from Annabelle who held him back and whispered into his ears.
“Then I am all yours” She whispered with a smile.
Hearing this, Raymond scoffed and seductively bit his lips. He placed his palm on her cheek and slowly rubbed it in a circular motion.
Annabelle held his hand and smiled at him. Then at that moment, Raymond grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to himself after which, he leaned in and gave Annabelle a slow and passionate kiss.
Annabelle in return, wrapped her hands around his neck as she ran her fingers on his head while kissing him passionately.
When the kissing got to its climax, Raymond began fumbling with her b***s arousing her urge more. Annabelle in return reached for his n****e and started caressing it while m*****g pleasurably into Raymond’s ear.
This act triggered Raymond who lowered his hand into her thighs rubbing it slowly and gently in such a way that he got Annabelle begging to feel him inside of her already.
While rubbing her thighs, he went on to her V region fingering and igniting her urge the more. Then slowly, he lowered his lips to Annabelle’s neck kissing her passionately. After a while, he then carried her from the couch into his bedroom where he laid her on his bed and unzipped her dress. Annabelle didn’t hesitate to undress him either.
Now lying on top of Annabelle who was now fully unclothed before him, he took his time to run his tongue around her right n****e while fumbling the left with his right hand. And this got Annabelle m*****g uncontrollably.
He made sure to feel every part of her before finally sliding into her bosom. And every thrust he gave her that night, left Annabelle pleading for more. They both took turns in satisfying each other’s sexual urges and desires till they ran out of strength. That night, Annabelle had a very peaceful and sound sleep in the arms of Raymond.
Waking up the next morning, she was about to stretch her arm when she noticed a ring on her finger.
And with excitement, she quickly sat upright covering her mouth with her hand.
“Do you like it?” Raymond asked sitting upright.
Then with a nod, Annabelle responded.
“Yes, I love it. It’s so beautiful” She said with tears looming in her eyes.
“I couldn’t come up with a better way to ask you to be my wife. But I hope this is satisfactory enough” Raymond said.
“This is enough Raymond. Thank you so much” Annabelle said embracing him with her unclad body.
“Don’t you think you need to put something on before embracing me this way? You know, my machine actually reacts to rough plays as this” Raymond said.
Hearing this, Annabelle slowly tapped him and said,
“You are so naughty”
Then in a serious tone, Raymond stared steadily into her eyes and said,
“Thank you so much for agreeing to be my wife and the mother of my children. I might not be perfect enough, but I promise to be the best husband to you and the best father to our children” Raymond said holding her hands in his.
Hearing this, Annabelle pressed her lips on his. After that, she said,
“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner other than you Raymond. Thank you for loving me and for choosing to spend the rest of your life with me” She said with a smile.
Raymond then took her hand and kissed her ring finger.
“I love you,” He said.
“I love you too” Annabelle replied.
After school the next day, while Ebun was playing in the compound, Deji who had come to plead for forgiveness from Annabelle, had a change of heart and took Ebun away instead.
He was able to do that by telling Ebun that Raymond had sent him to pick him up.
