FOREVER MINE.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Jina and Richard came down the stairs a moment later. One can easily tell that they are a happy couple by the way they eye each other and treat each other with much affection. Richard looked around the living room. There was hardly anyone visible. "Where are these girls?" He wondered. Jina, noticing that he was suddenly quiet stood in front of him, her eyes seeking his attention. "Hey, what is it, dear?" She said tapping her on the shoulder and then squeezing his hand. He switches his gaze to the beauty in front of him staring at it with charm giving every appearance of being attracted to her. After gazing at her, he flashes an appreciative smile, his lean handsome face glowing, his curved pointed nose almost touching her face. He put his arm around her waist and drew her closer in an audacious manner beguiled by her beauty. Jina looked at him attentively, rolling her eyes. "I feel like kissing you, honey."

 "Ho! You are becoming horny." She said teasingly and lingered around.

"So what if I am?" He retorted and promptly stole a kiss from her. Jina dabbed a mark of lipstick from his lips and smiled, batting her eyes.

"Should I tell you something?" He smirked.

"Yeah, aught."

"I love you more every day." He wobbled and seemed eager for another kiss. Jina appeared not averse to his invitation. She closed her eyes and kissed him passionately. They were still in this heaven when Esther barged in and retreated.

"Esther!" Richard called her back.  She must have deserved that none had seen her. Hearing his voice, her heart jerked slightly. She was clouded by shame after catching them kissing. It was odd to her. In her opinion, such was meant to be private. Seldom had she seen her parents do it. She turned and bowed her head in embarrassment. Jina felt browned off with her although her face didn't portray it. "Where was she going? She can't settle her bottom, always hopping up and down as if she is fly." She thought feeling no remorse and turned a crooked smile on her lips.

"Yes, uncle." She responded in a low tone.

"Where are the other girls? Go tell them we are going out."

Esther nodded and broke away at the drop of a hat and returned a few minutes later with Mercy and Mellisa.

"Mom, dad, is it true you are going out?" Melissa asked her dark brow in surprise.

"Yes, dear," Jina responded excitedly. "Britton's birthday is around the corner and none of you has a new flock set up for the occasion."

"Wow, that's cool, mom!" Mercy was quiet for a moment and then as an afterthought asked.

 "Is Esther going to attend too? I would love her to join us come Saturday. It will be a lot of fun."

"Yes, that's true. It will be more like a day out, don't you think so, dad?" Richard was impressed by their way of thinking. There was no reason why he would refute the idea.

He walked across to Esther and coddled her and reckoned. "Esther here is part of the family. She must come with us, isn't it, my dear?" he asked as he crouched slightly and lay his hands on her shoulders. Much as she would love to, she suddenly had cold feet and didn't buy the idea. She felt she would not fit their company. Moreover, she didn't have any decent flock to wear. She didn't wish people to keep pointing fingers at her discriminatively. 

"Everyone will be staring at the shabby poor girl. It will appear as if I am a crazy girl dining with the king's family, no! Esther don't! Maybe in the future, you will find it easier, not now." She raised her misty eyes and shook her head disagreeably.

Jina seethed with anger. "That a mere house-help should follow them to her nephew's birthday! It was repulsive to her.  "She doesn't correlate with my type. Thank God the fool has not bought the idea."

Richard's countenance changed. He held her hands and inquired with concern. "Why? Don't you want to create new friends, mingle with people? It will do you good." He implored.

"Yes, Essie." Mercy horned in. "You don't want to miss those tasty dishes and a cake. That's my favourite part. Please say yes. If you don't accept then I won't go." Jina raised her eyebrows in shock.

"Me too. I won't step my foot out without you come Saturday."

Jina's brain was fogged at all these utterances. "What charm has she given everyone that they all have become putties in her hand? How it sucks! But wait, Jina, couldn't this be one of those opportunities you've been yearning for; to humiliate her in public? Don't be dope. You've got to convince her." She told herself and immediately had a change of heart. With a beam on her face, Jina advanced and coaxed Esther.

"Honey, don't be like that. It hurts me to see you indifferent. Now it occurs to me that all my relentless efforts to make it up to you were worthless. For my sake, please accept." She implored in a beseeching tone. The whole crowd converged around Esther and she felt nervous. She wandered her eyes from face to face. They all gazed at her with eagerness to know her answer.

"I must accept to please them,'' she thought and then nodded her affirmation." Jina swept her in her arms and screamed, "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you. You don't know how happy I am right now." Jina's face shone.  She put Esther down, stooped and kissed her forehead.

It was a relief to Everyone. Esther was overwhelmingly amused by Jina's coherent colouration of this whole issue. It confounded her to see that they all loved and cared for her. 

That settled, Jina thereupon started her calculations to suit her plans.

"Honey, let's go. We are getting late yet we have a lot of fish to fly. I want to take time choosing the best for everyone. That day will be a memorable one for us, especially Esther." She smirked slightly. Noticing Richard's frown she cleared the air. "I want Esther to enjoy the returns of the day particularly because it might be her first time to go to such a function, Is that not so, Esther? The latter responded with a nod and a fat smile.