Diamond In The Rough

CHAPTER THREE

FIVE YEARS LATER

MADISON'S POV

"Okay, Mrs Russell, help me with the balloons."

"Okay, dear"

It's been two years and it has been easy and at the same time hard for me. The first year in Texas was quite hard. It was hard securing a stable job. I secured a on tse room portable apartment in Texas.$2000 per year. At first, I worked at every place I could find a job but last year, I became friends with a guy and he introduced me to a restaurant. Turns out his mother was the manager of the restaurant. I got a job in the fancy restaurant and the pay is kinda okay. $250 per day. It's quite okay.

I enrolled Mitchell in school when he clocked three. Before he resumed school, I made sure I taught him myself at home. My little baby has grown into a really cute five year old. He's smart, funny and I love him so much and he loves me too.

He's the best thing that has ever happened to me aside from Jason and speaking of Jason, I do reach him frequently and he sends me money anytime he figures out I'm broke because I don't tell him. Mitchell calls him uncle Jay. He really likes Jason..like a lot.

And here in Texas, I'm living another life entirely. I'm no more Madison Campbell, I'm Abigail Maxwell. People don't know me as the daughter of the CEO of TECHMOTO so I'm glad.

I'm living happily. I have Michelle and Mrs Russell. Oh, my bad! Mrs. Russell is a 45years old lady that leaves next door. She's a really nice woman. She was the first person I got close to when I got here. She was really kind to me, making Mitchell to grow really fund if her. She also knows about my past. Yeah, I told her and surprisingly, she understood me.

She told me that I shouldn't let all those being me down. She's was just like a mother to me. She stood by me in times of hardship and challenges. Sometimes, she sleeps over at my place and sometimes Mitchell sleeps over at her place. She's really a God sent.

My little angel resembles his father a lot. The only thing he took from me are my eyes and hair. He also has afro. He looks quite feminine too. I'm sure he's going to grow into a super handsome man.

He started talking the first time he took his first step and his first word was "mama". I was so happy that day that I shed tears of joy. I can still remember that day like a play back movie.

I got home from work that day and I couldn't find him at home so I figured out he would be at Mrs Russell's place. I got there and there he was, crawling around the lawn trying to catch a butterfly. I remember smiled at that sight.

"Baby.".I called and he looked up. He smiled out his cute dimples and two growing teeth as he giggled.

I wanted to walk to him but I stopped on my tracks when I saw him stand. I was like : "what is he doing?"

He took a step forward and I blinked twice to be sure of what I saw. He took another step and he called..

"Mama"

I couldn't hold back the tears. I allowed them to pour freely.

"Mama." He called again as he took the third step, spreading his hand for a hug.

I ran to him and hugged him so tightly.

"Mama..cwy" He said as he wiped my face with his adorable little hands.

Anytime I remember this memory, I always cry. God really gifted me a gem.

"Hurry up! He'll be up soon." Mrs Russell said and I nodded. Today is my baby's birthday. He's clocking five today and we are planning a surprise birthday party.

Mrs Russell, Michelle's class teacher, Miss Gold, Kay, Michelle's favourite ice cream seller and Mrs Russell's two kids are the only ones present. I don't really have friends. My only friend, Jamal, is out of town on business.

"Mama.." We heard him call and we quickly hid.

I heard his tiny little foot step as he walked to the sitting room.

"Mum? Where are you?"

"SURPRISE!!!"

We all screamed and he covered his mouth with his hands. Yeah, he's obviously surprised.

"Ahhhh!!" He screamed with delight and we all laughed.

"Happy birthday, baby." I wore him a happy birthday hat and he giggled as he jumped up and down, clapping his hands excitedly.

"Happy Birthday my man." Kay said as he hugged him.

Mrs Russell carried him up and we made for the three layered chocolate cake that I made.

"Yay! Cake cake cake!" He squealed as she placed him gently on the chair.

"Now make a wish and blow out the candles." I said.

"Okay." He closed his hands and clasped his hands together. He murmured something we all didn't hear. He opened his eyes, blew out his candles and we all cheered.

"Now, let's go take your bath and you'll come eat..I made your favorite." I picked him up and he squealed.

"Taco salad?" He asked and I nodded

"Yay!!"

I stripped off his clothes and placed him into the bathtub which is filled with foamy water.

"I have like mama's hair." He said and I chuckled.

"Yeah, you do"

"So am I mama?" I laughed at his question and shook my head.

"No, you're not"

He giggled and he started splashing water all around.

"Hey! Mitchell, stop it"

"No." He stuck his tongue out and resumed his splashing.

"Okay then. No more taco salad." I said and he stopped splashing.

"Sorry, mama"

I pecked him on the forehead and he smiled.

"You'll gimme taco?" He asked and I nodded

"Weeeee!" He squealed and I laughed.

Done with bathing, I wore him his clothes : a jean trouser and a black and white round neck with timber land sneakers.I combed his blonde hair and applied gloss in it making it to shine.

"Now let's go eat." He nodded and I carried him.

"Celebrant is here." Kay cheered as we got to the sitting room.

I dished out the food for everybody and we all settled down in the dinning room to eat. It's kinda funny how a one room apartment could be this beautiful. The sitting room is wide enough to contain five people, a dinning is just adjacent it. I didn't have any furniture in the dinning before but Mrs Russell helped me with that. The kitchen too is spacious. The room too is wide with built in bathroom.

It's is a one room apartment but its kinda luxurious.

"It's delicious." Michelle complimented as he munched on his food.

"Yeah. Abigail, this food is so delish." Miss Gold said and I smiled.

"You should become a chef. I bet your restaurant will run other restaurants out of business." Kay joled and we laughed

It's evening time and everyone has gone home, leaving only me and Mitchelle. That reminds me, I need to call Jason. Jason has grown into a really fine young bachelor. He came last two months to pay Mitchell and I a visit. He brought us stuff and stayed for three weeks straight before he left. He already took over dad's company and he's doing a really good job in running. He always begs me to come back home but I always said no. I promised myself I wouldn't go back there unless I become successful and besides, my so-called parents didn't care to know how I've been doing for the past five years so why bother?

"Hey Michelle, wanna face time with Uncle J?"

He nodded with excitement and scurried to my side and sat on my laps. I balanced well on the sofa and pulled a call through to Jason.

"Hey, family"

"Uncle Jay!" Michelle screamed and Jason laughed

"How are you,.little guy?"

"I'm fine, uncle Jay. You didn't come to my birthday party."

Mitchell sounded really disappointed.

"I'm so sorry, Mitch. I'm just really busy. Happy birthday."

"My gift. You have to give me my gift."

"It hasn't arrived?"

"What hasn't arrived?" I asked

"I sent something to...

*ding dong*

"I'll be back. Michelle hold the phone."

"Okay mama."

I went to the door and opened it. A man, a mail man to be precise was at the door.

"You have a package, ma'am." He said and I gave him a quizzical look.

"He stretched the package to me and I collected it."

"Have a nice day"

I smiled with a nod and closed the door.

I went back to the phone and carried Michelle on my laps.

"What was that?" Jason asked

"A package and it's from...

I checked the name of the sender and I returned my gaze back to the phone.

"You sent me a package?"

"Actually, I sent Mitchell a package. That's his present." Michelle's face lit up when he heard that.

"Open it open it!!" He squealed and I laughed.

I tore the package open and...

"A pear phone? Sorry, a pear pad?!" I exclaimed and he nodded

"Yeah..

"How would you buy a pear pad for a five year old?" I asked with widened eyes

"He deserves it. Hey Michelle, that's your present."

Michelle didn't hesitate to snatch the phone box from my hand.

"Thanks, Uncle Jay. Now mama would stop saying : don't touch my phone. Leave my phone alone."

I laughed as Mitchell mimicked me.

"Yeah, you'll be your own boss around your phone now."

Mitchell took the phone box and sat in the rug and he player with it.

"So how has been New York

"Well, fine but boring without you."

"Sorry. How's Dad and Ivory?"

"Ivory is doing fine and dad is...kinda

"What happened to him?

He sighed and threw his head backwards.

"He misses you sis."

I scoffed and he chuckled

"He really does. Most times he'll just seat and stare at your pictures and sometimes he asks me if I get in touch with you.

"And what do you say?"

"I say no but I'm sure he doesn't buy it. He has become really silent and broody. He isn't the lively pops I know anymore. He really does misses you."

"He should have thought of all these before he threw me out of his god-damn house, Jason. And I'm not buying the bullshit of him missing me and stuff. He's living with his wife. He should be doing well without me."

I looked around and sighed in relief when I didn't see Mitch around. I don't like using bad words in his presence.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you mad or anything."

"Well, you did."

"I'm sorry. I apologise."

"Apology accepted."

"Yeah. I should go. I have a meeting in about ten minutes."

"Okay Mr. CEO."

"Bye sis."

"Bye."

The line went silent and I dropped my phone beside me. I left the sitting room and went to the room to look for Mitch. I found him on the floor, trying so hard to unbox his pear pad.

"Here let me help you with it." I collected the box from him and helped him to open it. I took out the apple pad and OMG! It's sparkling. it's so flat and wide

This screen would be good for games and movies.

"Gimme my phone!" Michelle said with his hands stretched and his face frowned.

I laughed and raised my hand in surrender. I see what he's doing ; payback. I guess I have no choice.

.