Chapter 5
863 Words
Far ahead, several dots stood out in the green expanse of land. Flowery hats drew vividly into view.
A slender woman raised herself from her crouched posture to wipe her brow.
Identical dust rimmed eyes widened on seeing Jemimah.
“Mama.” Was all Jemimah could say before her mother drew her in for a hug.
She smelled of dew, grass and strawberries.
“What happened my gem?” Mona cooed rubbing her back.
“Shouldn't you be with your husband? In…Paris right?” She continued asking.
Pulling away from her, Jemimah bit her tongue to keep from tearing up. How can she tell her mom all Richard thought of her.
A deep voice called, “Jemimah, my darling you're okay right?”
Behind them, a muscular man closed the space between them, hugging both women.
Milo, her Dad murmured, “We'd discuss everything when we get home okay.”
One look at his sad face, Jemimah figured he'd found out what Richard did.
Jemimah went over to a space to begin working.
“Milo sweetheart, what happened? What did Mr Silver say?” Mona's voice lowered.
“He said he already finalized selling it.” Milo said.
Jemimah raised her head and stared at her parents. “What did he sell?”
Mona gave her husband a scolding look for not speaking quietly.
“She'd have found out soon enough anyway.” Milo rubbed his forehead wearily.
Walking closer to her parents, Jemimah said, “He sold the plantation?”
Milo nodded, his shoulders drawn in.
“What are we going to do…our home is on the plantation…that means we'd have to leave. Where do we go?” Jemimah muttered staring at nothing, feeling the soul crushing feeling of once again being thrown out of their home.
They'd worked on this land the longest out of all the workers…surely they could beg for some time.
Her father's hand rubbed her shoulder soothingly. “We'll figure out a way. Don't worry my dove.”
Telling someone not to worry only made them worry. At least in Jemimah's case.
All through the day, she searched for a solution. But found none.
Ahead, her parents held each other as they climbed up the hill.
The sun glowed it's pink and purple in the sky. Birds flew home. At that moment, she grew a little jealous. All they needed for shelter was some leaves, twigs and feathers.
They hadn't settled down when her mother's voice cut into her head, “So why aren't you in your honeymoon with Richard?”
Milo shook his head at his wife.
“What? Don't I have a right to know?” She frowned at us both.
Best get it over with.
“He married someone else.”
Silence hung heavy. She didn't want to…but they started again.
“Oh my baby.” Mona held her daughter, making a shushh sound to calm her down. As a baby that white noise always relaxed her down.
When Jemimah had stopped crying, her mother said, “The right man will come.”
Ignacio's confession to her came again, “I only want to be loved by you…give me a year.”
“You're so quiet Milo.” Mona tilted her head at him.
He sighed. “Mr Silver already let me know in not so kind words that he wouldn't let his son get tied down to people like us.”
Looking between us both, Milo said, “I'm so sorry my loves. If only i can take care of you both better…all this insults—”
“Milo! I forbid you to say that again!” Mona's face grew turbulent. “Whatever comes out way, we face it together with hope and faith not despair.”
She turned to the kitchen. Her small shoulders shook hinting at how sad she was. Milo rushed to her side, “Don't cry. I never want to make you sad. I just want to finally be able to take care of you both.”
Her face now squished in his shirt muffling her words. “You being here is more than enough. When will you believe me Milo.”
Jemimah's heart rose watching her parents. She'd prayed for this kind of love all her life. That aside, how can she help her family from looming homelessness?
A rap on the door caused everyone to stare at the direction.
When Jemimah saw the visitor, she nearly fainted.
“Wifey I told you I'd come didn't I?”
Once again pleased to see her, his strong muscles, pulled her into him.
She may just have a heart attack at 19 years old.
Standing taller than even her father, he beamed at a confused Milo and Mona.
“I am your son-in-law, Ignacio Vilagos.”
At a flash, the answers to her family's problems were revealed to her.
This one year of contract marriage, Jemimah now had a different plan.
Worth an entire country's GDP, money was not a problem to Ignacio Vilagos.
If she asked him to buy the Strawberry Fortress in her name, he'd agree. Afterall he loved her.
Surely, Ignacio would do anything she asked. Right?
- Writer
