I don't spare the life of gossips
1241 Words
As soon as I got called, I stood up hurriedly and tapped the end button.
Despite the fact that I tried not to be anxious during the interview, I flopped two to three times. Now I could only pray they would not blacklist me before one talked about hiring.
What got me more anxious was because of the time they were taking in interviewing me was extending to an hour.
I phoned the chauffeur but it didn't go through. It made more sense for me to go check to see if Max was still at school which I hoped not.
I was too hungry to even move so I branched the company's cafeteria and never thought I would see someone that would reignite my long suppressed feelings.
“James,” I called.
He looked as handsome as the last time I could remember, his attention fixed on the tablet in front of him while he munched on a burger.
He looked up, “Riele?”
*******
“It's not what it looks like, believe me,” I pleaded but James just laughed under his breathe.
His eyes drifted to my stomach, “How many months are you in?”
The question knocked the air out of me. “I was going to explain but it's complicated.”
His jaw tightened.
“Alright, I'm all ears, you can spill whatever it is that you wanna say, however nothing changes the fact that you're pregnant for someone else!” He shot back.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched him step away. How do I explain that the child I was carrying wasn't mine.
I quickly grabbed his hands.
“I'll explain everything, just listen.”
He then flinged his hands out of my hold and it caused me to loose balance and fell on the hard ground.
James eyes widened a little bit on seeing it, he didn't mean to be rough. He has always being a gentleman. It only showed how pained he was.
My hands lifted to my stomach as I felt a sharp pain. Tears were dripping down hard, I wiped it in as it fell.
“It's over between us.” He said and went away.
*******
“Hi” I didn't know what to say
“What are you doing here?” James had a curious expression
“I came for an interview. You work here huh,”
“Yeah,” He replied and silence stretched between us. Seeing him now since after our breakup, gave me mixed feelings. My eyes refused to meet his.
James stood up.
“Where are you going?” I blurted
“I'm not obligated to tell you such things Riele,” he replied and went away. I stared at his direction for god knows how long.
The food I ordered tasted bland, probably because I had lost my appetite.
After thinking for some time, I tried the chaffeur’s number one more time but wasn't reachable, I had to get to work before they became suspicious of my movements. That kid was just too clever, my daughter wouldn't hold a candle to him.
On arriving Max's house, I found him having Piano lessons. His little hands hit the keys effortlessly.
They both looked up.
“Riele!” Max exclaimed and ran up to me and jumped on me like I've been gone for a long time. I stiffed.
“You're causing a distraction, young lady,” the lanky man with round spectacles who sitted in front of a large piano complained.
“Oh, sorry” then I beckoned to Max
“Why didn't you want to return from school with chauffeur Audrey today?”
“He's always being naughty. I just decided to pick him up from school today and met him putting up a scene.” Melissa's voice came in, a cup of milk in her hands.
Max folded his arms, pouting at her words.
“Miss Melissa,” I greeted. She was putting on deep red lipstick, her dress revealing half of her bust.
She stretched the milk to him which he refused.
“Miss Melissa, let me,” I offered
“No,” she said.
“Let him go back to his lessons. Max your teacher is waiting, go on now.” Melissa said, annoyed by his behavior.
His teacher looked like he was about to have an outburst so I urged him on. He agreed and surprised me with a peck.
Melissa looked no less surprised than I was, it seemed Max had never given her a peck before.
From my perspective, Melissa had eyes for Max's father. At dinner, Melissa did everything I usually assisted Max with while I stayed at the side.
“Dad, I want a baby sister.” Max suddenly blurted.
The clink of cutlery stopped. His father's word came out sharp, “what?” Too sharp, it made me jerk.
Max shrank back in his seat at his tone, the room went still.
His father didn’t move for a second, a thin sheen of sweat formed along his temple.
“I don't wanna hear that again,” he said, but his voice wasn’t angry anymore. It was rather low.
The fork slipped from his hand and clattered against the dish. His hands began shaking, not slightly but uncontrollably.
“Xavier,” Melissa touched his shoulders while he stared at the distance, unable to stop trembling.
I had no clue what went on but Max shouldn't have to witness it.
“Max, come.” he seemed confused on what was going on with his dad.
When it was bedtime, he asked me to accompany him. The events from earlier replayed, I wasn't able to sleep.
“Mom” I placed a call over.
Wanting to also make sure Shayla had gone to bed.
“Has Shayla fallen asleep?”
“Yes, she cried a little bit this night because she wanted to see you, anyways I couldn't have her disturbing you in case the Kid's father had been present.”
My mood dampened, “I’ll be home tomorrow.”
My mother sighed over the phone, “Such is life, you're busy with someone else's child when you've got yours to look after,” her voice cracked.
“If only I was in my best of health, you wouldn't have to go through so much,” my mother said as she broke down in tears.
A knock sounded on the door.
“Mom, call you back.”
The door creaked open and Max's father came in, dressed in a night ware which lacked any form of colour.
He strolled over to Max who was fast asleep and just stood beside the bed staring at him.
He then leaned forward and smoothened his hair.
“I don't spare the life of gossips,” he suddenly spoke to me, his tone dripping with caution and I gulped.
The next day which was Saturday, I discovered that I had gotten the Job few hours after I had left the company.
It all felt surreal to me, was I dreaming?
To be honest, I have always being frustrated about my life. Not being able to find a stable and dignified job even after struggling to go through school maked my future look bleak.
I’ve had to do everything I needed to do to also provide for my family like selling my own womb to an unknown family.
- Writer
