FOREVER MINE.

Chapter Thirty-One

In this charade, where everyone sees Jina as a saint due to her presumed transformation, Esther will have to count the costs of Jina's disparaging character which she will have to disguise by crawling under the shell of innocence. Henceforth she must try to be wary and keep her game clean for her to be able to achieve the desired results.

As she sat on the stool near the dishwasher, she conceitedly feels she had done a great deal of work so far which is purposed to Esther's detriment. She is anxious to call Tony, her goon, whom she deems set fair to do a perfect job, and whose collaboration is vital in this undertaking. Together they must eat from each other's hands to reap good results. "I can't call. Someone might hear us." She mutters and instead sends him a text message and then places it again on the table. The expression on her face undoubtedly spelt every inch of delight in her. Esther clears the table and takes the utensils to the kitchen. As soon as Jina beholds her, she sprang up to give a hand. She is falling over herself to be nice to her to conceal her inner intentions. She stoops and takes the crockery from her and places them in the washer.  Esther stayed around as she watched Jina neaten up as her beefed arms kept wiggling. She admired her. Jina was incredibly a new creation. Then she remembered that she didn't appreciate her for her goodness and immediately fell on her knees, her face portraying gratitude. 

"Thanks, Auntie. I am obliged to you for your kindness." She said softly and lowered her eyes to the floor. Jina smirked. "Stupid girl. How myopic! You had better be prepared for what is yet to come. You don't know me, you don't." She thought and looked at her scornfully. Esther raised her face and the latter twisted a smile and walked to her and spoke in the warmest voice as she stroked her cheeks. "Don't mention it, my dear. It's what I should have done right from the start. I should take good care of you, my daughter. I must have been a big fool to realise it late."

"Pah! Don't say that, Auntie. You are a very good person. Everyone knows that."

"Oh, my sweet niece. Thanks for the compliment." She grinned and made her stand up. "Oh, my days! Seeing her sucks, whew! I don't know how long I will keep up this act. It irritates me to my bones." She thought and said with enthusiasm,

"Go back there and have fun. I will finish up with this and go to work later." She motioned her to the couch where Melissa and Mercy were lounging. "Ok, Auntie," she said and trotted out of the kitchen with a cheerful face. Jina glared at her form until she disappeared and then went to the sink and scrubbed her hands with a sanitiser as if she had just caught something filthy repellent.

Richard descended the stairs gently with an aura of a gentleman, his peaceful countenance easily discernible. In a moment, his phone clicked and he halted, propping his arm on the handrail and checking. It was a message from Julie, 

"Thanks, sweetheart for last night. It was a rare experience to reminisce. I wish we could do it again and again." Immediately the memory was revoked in his mind. He conceded in his heart that it had been a night like no other and thinking about it hauntingly rekindled in him a fervent desire to want to soak in the same pleasure.

His face was replete with a contagious smile. Barely did he notice that his wife had been watching him all this time. After cleaning up in the kitchen, she'd decided to sit on a chair adjacent to the corner and relax a bit before heading to her room. She gazed at Richard curiously. "Cor, look at that! What's with the excitement? As if he's won a million dollars!"  She couldn't refrain from asking.  She got to her feet and strode matronly towards him. Richard lifted his eyes and met her gaze and thereupon remembered that Julie's message was still on the phone. It was prime for him to be careful or else his secret might be discovered. "Jina mustn't see this message. If she does, it means trouble." He muttered. He had been carried away and had forgotten to erase it. He promptly scrapped it off and scrolled and took a quick peep at the premier league news. Jina advanced and stood along trying to roll a conversation, 

"You seem too excited, honey. What is it you are fantasising about?" Richard smirked and lifted his eyebrows trying to conceal a lie, "Honey, you won't believe this! Manchester is in the top position. These guys have played excellently this time." He spoke with verve. Jina smiled. She didn't have any interest in matches but knew that it was meat and drink to him.

"Ish, I should have guessed it." She said and cooled down. "Honey, will you come with me to town? It just hit me that I haven't shopped for the forthcoming party. The girls and I need something to wear -just for a change."

"Which party?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows.

"Britton's or have you forgotten it's just in two days?"

"Hmmm," he chimed, "Ah, how it slipped my mind! I also want something new and perfect for the day." He said and crinkled up a smile.

"So, shall we?" She said entwined her hand in his, giving him a coquettish look and the two warmed up to their room. 

"I must meet Tony. I hope Richard won't deter me. He doesn't know we have met each other before." She thought and suddenly a shaft of fear crept inside her. She had already notified Tony to meet her in town and he was bound to call her. "What if he bumps into us? Richard might be suspicious. Will Tony be able to play along? I am frightened."  She stole a nervous glimpse at Richard, held her breath and sighed quietly.