His Weakness

Chapter 3

I remember my mum always telling me before she died that New York isn't such a bad place to start afresh as I walk homeless and lost in thought trying to imagine how my life would be without the Darlingtons. Remembering this, I held on to it and focused on the task ahead. I stick out my thumb each time a car passes and trudge down the highway slowly and tired hoping someone will be going my way. The evening light was fading quickly, casting long shadows across the highway. But still, I pressed on, my eyes fixed on the road ahead. The Darlingtons have always been my one and true family since I was a child but I have to run with their decision even though I know nowhere. I hopped into an old truck that waited for me that night with a loving couple with their kids in the backseat. I imagined how lovely having a loving spouse would be as I watched the emptiness of the road through the side glass of the car. I alighted from the truck when we got to Queens, a small neighbourhood in New York City where I slept in the ghetto space in the street for days before I saw an advert of a Cafe in need of a waitress in a newspaper. It read in faded letters. I reminisce in my mind that this is my new life now though I'm from a poor background but the wealth of the Darlingtons had rubbed a bit on me, but with the situation of things, I knew I had to brace myself for what was to come. With a renewed sense of purpose, I walked down to the address listed, with the hope of seizing this opportunity for a fresh start. The cafe was a quaint little place, with cosy tables and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. After my interview with the Manager. "You'll have to resume work next week" "Please, let me resume immediately" I pleaded. "Resuming immediately means you won't be paid at all for your time," he said looking at me "Yes, I accept" I responded swiftly He looked at me in confusion not knowing what to say anymore. "Okay, you can start now". "Okay, thank you," I responded. I knew with the job, I could at least eat from the crumbs remaining from the cafe every night. Getting over the rich family drama in Vegas was tough but the harder life becomes the more resolved I am to focus on my new life. I still think and long for his touch, and his taste on my lips every time I wake up to clean the tables of the cafe. I cry every night wishing for a different life Night after night, I found myself crying into my pillow, wishing for a different life, a simpler life where love wasn't tangled with lies and deceit. I worked at the cafe every night and day for a little dollar to save up to fend for my unborn child. As my belly becomes bigger, the harder it gets having to work every hour when Harry called me into his office one morning. "I'm sorry you'll have to stop working here till you deliver your child," he said in the most polite and soft manner he could. I didn't know how tears welled up in my face hearing this. "Please, I can still work," I said pleading on my knees. "It's against our policy ma'am, you can come back after delivering.” With tears streaming down my face "I have nowhere else to go, I've been sleeping in the street all this while, please!" I said with my heart racing and pondering in my chest. Hearing this, he felt pity for me and offered me a place in his basement, someone whose wife died many years ago. A man who happened to be my boss. A man in his mid-40s of over 1.5 meters tall with muscles and a v-shaped face. "You can only sleep in my basement, but you still cannot work" "Ok, thank you sir" I said happily and went back to my post. I worked the rest of the day happy knowing fully well I have a roof on my head. At least I'll have a good rest after all the struggle. After the day's activities, I waited for Harry to finish his work in his office as he started with some questions on our way home. "What brought you to QUEENS?" I couldn't tell him everything that happened so, I had to lie to him "I came to start a new life after my mum died" I responded. "I'm sorry about that" I knew he wouldn't ask many questions about my background because I already told him some lies before I got the job. Walking with Harry that night made me wish and remember Jaden but all that could come to my mind was a smile on my face I lived with him till it was hard for me to do things by myself, I was heavy and almost about to deliver when he told me to move to the main house just to help me with necessary things. He held me tight when my water broke and took me to the hospital It was an unending joy in my heart when I finally gave birth to Micheal, having to provide everything he needed but with Harry's help, I didn't feel it much because he stood as a father figure and still went to the length of sending me to college while I do some extra pay job at the cafe. After a while of living in his basement, I started having other thoughts about Harry considering his niceness, the care. Everything looked too easy with him, the job, money etc so I decided to engage him in a conversation one night on our way home from the cafe "Why are you this nice?" I asked eagerly demanding an explanation He laughed and asked "Is it a bad thing?" "No, it's not" I responded with a smile. 5years later, The international hedge funds Company invited the youngest CEO to New York to have a section with his managers and it happened that I was one of the waitresses that served at the event. I navigated through the crowded room with a tray of champagne flutes, weaving gracefully between clusters of elegantly dressed guests. The soft glow of the chandeliers cast a warm ambience over the scene, accentuating the opulence of the event. As I approached a group of managers engaged in conversation, my heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of him—Jaden, the youngest CEO in the room. Our eyes met briefly, sending a jolt of electricity through my veins before I composed myself and continued my duties. I never knew a day like this would come. The memories of the night he came to my room and the pain I felt on the ground when his mum slapped me and ordered me to abort my pregnancy flashed in my mind as he approached me. "Hello Veronica," his voice, smooth and familiar, broke through the hum of the room. "Hi Jaden," I replied, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me "You look nice," he said with a smile "Thank you" I replied with a smile "I'm sorry, I have to work before my boss takes it out on me." Jaden's old charming smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he regarded me with those piercing eyes "Aight, let me have your new number," he said, his gaze unwavering. "I'll call you." I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. But before I could formulate a response, Jaden had already taken out his phone and extended it towards me. With trembling fingers, I inputted my number, feeling the weight of our shared history hanging in the air between us. As Jaden retreated into the crowd, I turned my attention back to my duties, the memory of our encounter lingering like a bittersweet melody in my mind. Throughout the night, despite the hustle and bustle of the event, I found myself stealing glances in his direction, unable to shake the undeniable connection that still simmered beneath the surface. Hours passed in a blur of champagne toasts and whispered conversations, until finally, as the last guest bid their farewells and the room began to empty, I found myself standing alone amidst the remnants of the lavish affair. Just as I began to gather my belongings and prepare to leave, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts. "Veronica," Jaden's voice, tinged with urgency, caused me to turn around to face him once more. "Can we talk?" I nodded silently, my heart pounding in my chest as I followed him out of the now deserted ballroom and into a quiet alcove adjacent to the main hall. There, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the ornate windows, we stood facing each other, the weight of our unspoken history hanging heavy in the air. "I know I messed up, Veronica," He began, his voice tinged with remorse. "I never should have let things get so complicated." My throat constricted as I struggled to maintain my composure in the face of his confession. "You hurt me, Jaden," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. "You hurt me in ways I never thought possible." He reached out tentatively, his hand hovering in the space between them, as if unsure whether to bridge the gap or retreat. I know," he said softly. "And I'm sorry. I was foolish, I never should have listened to my mother." There I knew I wasn't completely healed and still in love with him. As our conversation kept going, there came Harry and Micheal. "Mummy, mummy, look Harry bought me an ice cream" "Hey buddy" Harry greeted. "That's wonderful dear, Harry, could you take him to the cafe? I'll be back soon" "Okay, who is he?" "I'll tell you when I get back" I responded with a smile Jaden looked at Micheal with admiration and held him by the arm as he was about leaving with Harry. He bent on his knees and asked him. "How old are you?" "I'm 5 years old" little Micheal responded. There he knew and confirmed Micheal is his child. He stood and bow his head standing Akimbo. "I have to go" i said and started moving. He held me by the waist and drag me close. "Would you come with me to Vegas?" He said with a smile and a smooth enticing voice "Stop Jaden, I can't do that, I really have to go" "Can Micheal come to Vegas and spend his holiday?" "No, he can't". I responded sharp and fast. "What's wrong with you Veronica, He's my son too, remember?" he said angrily and dominating. I could tell from his voice that he's furious but I do not care, he caused it. "Stop jaden, just stop. I never said he's not your son, You can't just show up here on announced and tell me how to take care of my child. I've been nourchuring him since he was a baby. Where were you, huh?" "I have what it takes to father the child" he said angrily. "I know, that's why he can't go with you" I said firm with my eyes looking directly into his He stood there looking trying to figure out what to do because he didn't want to miss this opportunity. He knew he wanted them both. "How about I propose a contract" "What do you mean?" I asked in curiosity "You and Micheal stays with me in Vegas for sometime for $5 million monthly and I'll give you a life of adventure" I was mystified and dazed hearing this so I raised my head up to him. "How do I know you're not lying to me?" I asked with my heart pondering unsure of whether to agree or not. He smiled and brought out his phone "I'll call my lawyer" "Okay let's do it" I responded with a smile..