way out of your league

Bitter

Nora's POV

I know Rita doesn't want me near Andre, it's obvious for everyone to see.I would do same if I were in her position, but what hurts more is knowing that Andre would let her cut me off.I couldn't say anything as she sweet talked her way into excluding me from hanging out with the girls,I was even more pissed when the girls went along with her plan.I felt like the outsider at that moment even though Nathan made it less awkward.I left not long after,so I don't ruin the mood of Joy's celebration.

The next day I met up with Natalie and Cathy for Lunch still feeling sad "Are you ok Nora"Natalie asked "Yea" I replied trying to act strong "Are you sure" Cathy asked "ok,fine,I'm not ok.It hurts that you girls would allow Rita treat me that way,it's not like I am pursuing her boyfriend,I just expected you guys to stick up for me"I replied with my voice breaking a little "I'm sorry you feel that way Nora,but we all have to be truly reasonable about this situation,you are Dre's ex and it is only reasonable if Rita wants to get to know us without worrying about her choice of words around you. Besides it would be biased for us to turn her down when her intentions are good. She deserves a fair opportunity Nora and though you aren't cool with her,it doesn't make her a bad person,she is a sweet girl and this affects Dre too"Natalie said making me bitter "You know when I was dating Andre,I never got that opportunity with you guys"I said in an accusing tone "Nora I think you should stop acting spoilt and actually take responsibility for your actions.You were a mean b***h while with Andre and made really bad decisions which led to this.Accept you were wrong and take responsibility for it by accepting the outcome of those choices.Yes you've changed but that doesn't erase what you did and the outcome is that he has moved on,give him time with his new girlfriend and move on too.I know this sucks but this is just a one time thing Nora,it's not like Rita would keep excluding you continuously" Cathy said "That's what I'm doing here,it's not easy for me but I'm trying" I replied."Let's all calm down a bit, I Know this is a hard pill for you to swallow Nora but I truly think you should stick to the no contact rule with Andre so situations like this don't hurt you.When you are more comfortable with every thing,you can establish contact again" Natalie said and I nodded "I'm sorry if I sounded too harsh,I just don't want you to keep getting hurt,I experienced something similar and it was until I made conscious effort to move on that I got a measure of peace.I want the same for you Nora"Cathy said.

That weekend I was surprised when the girls hanged out at my place before leaving to meet up with Rita.I left immediately they did for our family meeting, hoping it doesn't become a disaster as it always does."Hello baby, how have you been"my mom said hugging me as I walked in,I realized I missed her in that moment.I know,my mom can be truly frustrating most times but I still love her.I turned to see Ryan walking towards me, how time flies,he is not so tiny anymore "Nora" he tried called my name which made me emotional "No Ryan say Aunty" Sandra tried to correct him but he wasn't having it her way,he kept raising his hands up indicating I carry him which I did happily "He is so adorable,I miss you too Ry baby"I said kissing him."Nora, how have you been, why don't you visit daddy anymore"my dad asked and I rolled my eyes but smiled before saying "Do you guys even realize that I'm no longer twelve, I'm an adult for Christ sake" "You would always be our baby,I don't care if you are forty"my dad replied just as Nathan walked in.Ryan squealed when he saw him saying "Dada....Dada" stretching out his hands and leaving us all shocked with Nathan laughing "Hey big boy,what have you been eating,you are growing up so fast" Nathan said as he carried Ryan while Sandra smiled kissing Ryan who is in Nathan's arms "He is always so happy when you are around" Sandra told Nathan who just smiled kissing Ryan too.I wish Nelson was here to see this,it was truly breaking my heart,I turned only to see my mom wiping her tears while my dad hugged her.

"Dinner is ready" The chef announced relieving the sorrowful atmosphere."So Nora,I heard your deodorant and perfume line has gotten bigger in just a few months" my dad asked as we had dinner "Yea,I now have a business partner and she introduced other variants to our brand,even affordable collection for those with low budget.Natalie has been truly helpful to our brand"I said excited "You mean,she introduced cheap products meant for lowlifes into your brand, what's there to be happy about" My mom said snorting "Mom! stop it.There are expensive variants she introduced too,before our partnership,I released just one deodorant and perfume which was selling but only within a particular group but now we have 5 deodorant collection and 4perfume and right now only one each are for those with low budget.Besides our products cuts across the market now.We receive more orders than we can handle"I replied irritated "Why do I feel she is trying to use you as the social climber she is"my mom said "Can you listen to yourself and you wonder why we don't want to be around you"Nathan said "I think Natalie is taking advantage of the fact that you are an international celebrity who would sell whatever product released under your name and brand Nora,be careful" Sandra said "She doesn't have to release product under my brand or even partner with me,her other products are selling fast,if she had released her 4 variants of deodorant and 3variants of perfume alone,she would have been a huge competition for my brand and trust me Sandra even though she isn't in the entertainment industry,she is known. That Scandal which proved false increased her popularity in the country and you know it"I replied Sandra.

"You said her other products are selling fast,what products are you talking about" my dad asked "Daddy haven't you heard about Twinkle makeup, clothing and accessory line, Natalie and her friends set that up and it is trending right now" I said while Nathan smiled "That's all because that group is always leeching off my son!" My mom said "You are Frustrating mom! I just can't deal with you right now"I said exhausted "Just make sure you have a higher percentage in that partnership Nora.I won't want you to lose control of a promising business" my dad said "Besides since you are close to the girls now,you should try to become a partner or shareholder in Twinkle makeup,clothing and accessory line,My friends keep talking about the line and how promising it is,it's good you try to become a part of that plus they could use some cash if necessary to fix you in" my mom said nonchalantly."Who is trying to be a leech and golddigger now" Nathan asked sarcastically "It's called business son,the business world is harsh, there is no room for flimsy emotions"my mom replied "Enough the both of you,anyway the money we spent on Sandra's kiddies collection was a huge flop and she wants to go into the sales of jewelries.what do you all think about funding that"My dad asked "so you couldn't manage a kiddies collection line which cost less,you just happened to run that business down and you think you can manage a jewelry shop that would cost more to set up, can't you all see that this is a recipe for diaster,why not focus on your acting career,you fame is rising these days with the more projects you work on"Nathan said "I think it is perfect for her,Sandra always had an eye for authentic jewelry pieces despite her poor background so I think this would work" my mom quickly said dismissively while Sandra began fuming, it was hilarious to watch so I laughed which irritated Sandra more "No offense intended Sandra,my mom is just extra" I said while Sandra smiled stiffly."Ok so we would fund that partially,maybe seventy percent but we expect you to raise the other part on your own since you are working,Nathan would have thirty percent shares in that company and we expect half of your shares to be in Ryan's name.My lawyers would draw up the contract next week so please come over with your business plan to the office.Also Nathan you would help in managing that business just till it's stable enough for her to run solely on her own"My dad said making Sandra smile sweetly,which seemed scary but I guess she is just happy."You do realize I have a lot on my plate right dad,and I do have a personal life too" Nathan complained "Please Nathan,just help me out this time for Ryan's sake,I have to secure his future, please I need you on this,can we put any difference we have aside and work on this for Ryan's sake" Sandra begged while Ryan who is already sleepy choose that moment to call Nathan "Daddy, sleepy" so adorable, I saw Nathan melt, giving in before saying "Ok,but just so you know,with or without this business, Ryan is secure financially".

As I went back home I was happy my family meeting ended on a lighter note despite the series of outburst that occurred.I opened my loveskis account to see Rita's post with the girls on a yatch having dinner which made me sad. I was even shocked to notice that the guys later joined them.I felt left out,and bitter when I saw Rita's personal picture with her clinging to Andre who looked very happy and she announcing that he is her man to the world.I couldn't stop myself from crying cause it truly sank in that I had lost him.This was what I couldn't give him while we were together, I thought bitterly.I composed a message for Andre apologizing for everything again and how I reacted to the news of his relationship with Rita,congratulating him on his relationship even if I was bitter about it.I also send Rita a message wishing her the best in her relationship and assuring her of me stepping back. Then I blocked the both of them on all my social media accounts and my personal line before going to bed still bitter with how everything played out.