Anything for you

Her heartbeat almost skipped. She stood gazing at the two people she least expected to come and see her. Is she dreaming or hallucinating?

She blinked her eyes and opened them again, but they remained at the same spot, smiling broadly at her.

She turned and glanced at Chase, the latter shrugged. Chase went to see them, is that why she didn’t wake up to find him next to her?

She swallowed hard and wanted to say something but her words choked in her throat. Chase has impressed her over and over with his ability to reconcile people together.

“Congratulations baby” Pricillia Black was the first to make an utterance. She opened her arms and walked towards Rosalinda.

The latter mumbled “mummy” and her eyes went cloudy with tears. She got into her mom’s arms and hugged her. Her tears gave way and for some seconds, they both couldn’t say anything but remained in each other’s arms.

“Mummy, I missed you,” Rosalinda confessed. She sniffled and swallowed hard. Her mom’s tears were running down her cheeks as well.

“I don’t know who will help me solve this puzzle. Can’t women express their excitement in a better way than through tears?” Mike asked, shaking his heading helplessly.

“Honestly, I really don’t know who can help out,” Chase added.

Rosalinda and her mother let go of each other. They smiled through their tears. And next held each other’s hands.

Mike coughed slightly and said “I won’t get offended if you can’t see me. The tears have clouded your eyes…” Mike teased.

“Silly boy” Rosalinda grinned, she went to him and hugged him as well. The siblings were happy again.

“Congratulations sis” Mike said and Rosalinda hugged him again “Thank you” she appreciated.

A Month Later Chase had returned from his honeymoon with his wife. Richard and Genesis had also tied the knot and had returned from exploring the world.

They were going to have a welcome party for the two couples. Jace organised the party and decided to have it in his Mansion.

It’s something for the family alone. Besides Eduardo, Jace’s assistant, no other person was invited. The party was to commence in thirty minutes.

Richard had arrived alongside his beautiful wife, Genesis Delmark. Jace welcomed them, Eli came over and hugged her uncle and Aunt.

Jace gestured to them to take seats. The servants come over and take orders of what they want and return to get them ready to be served.

Jace admired the dignified aura that Richard now carries. He observed that change in both Richard and Chase. Is there a special honour and dignity that comes from being married?

He knew a few things might change. But he didn’t expect it to be physical and observable. After Chase returned from his honeymoon with his wife, he carried this aura that commands respect and his words are now few but more sensible.

“Where’s Arianna?” Genesis asked. She expected Arianna to come over and welcome them but Jace is doing that. But the latter doesn’t appear like he cared.

“She’s upstairs. She’ll join us soon”Jace responded and looked towards the stairs, Arianna hadn’t shown up yet. Why is she acting sluggish these days?

He’s getting choked with her attitude for days now. She either sleeps early and wakes up extremely late or eats everything that she sets her eyes on.

Genesis nodded and Richard asked “Where is Chase? He should be here already” he complained.

“He’d been here for a while but went home to take a shower and return with his wife” Jace responded.

“Oh! ok” Richard responded. Then they heard footsteps from the stairs. Without saying hi, Arianna said “Guess what Jace, your arranged fiance Tayo Dante is getting married tomorrow morning to her childhood sweetheart and father of her daughter Clement Rodgers. Will you be attending?” She teased, chuckling silently.

Jace just glared at her, is she joking? He should leave his busy schedule and attend the wedding ceremony of that lousy woman? Arianna can’t be serious about it.

“She was your rival. If you can still make up time to go, I might decide to be your chauffeur” Jace replied.

“Hell no. How can I…” Arianna was saying when she saw the servants coming over with two glasses of drinks. She perceived the smell of alcohol in one of the glasses from a distance and grabbed it, gulping down the entire content and ordering the servant to serve another glass.

“That alcohol is not proper for a woman,” Jace snapped at her. But there’s little or nothing he could do. She had gulped an entire glass down her belly.

That glass is enough to make her feel tipsy except she has a great tolerance for alcohol. Arianna’s appetite is making him suspicious.

Richard squinted, he was staring at Arianna intently. Something is off about her complexion and appetite. Besides, she’d added a few pounds.

“The smell attracted me and I felt like taking it. I will be careful of alcohol for the rest of the party” Arianna explained.

She quickly went past Jace and hugged Genesis. She did the same to Richard and the latter confirmed his suspection. Her temperature when he hugged her was enough for him to come to a conclusion.

“Sorry I took your drink. You’ll have another glass” Arianna apologised, glaring at Richard and intertwining her fingers with Genesis’.

“Oh not a problem sis. Anything for you at this period, anything for you” Richard declared. Whatever she wants, he would do it gladly for Jace’s sake and to repay for his past mistake.

Jace and Richard exchange glances and the latter winks. Jace knew what he suspected might be true. But Arianna might not be aware of it yet.

“Let’s see what’s happening in the kitchen Gene” Arianna suggested. She needed to ask Genesis how her honeymoon went, that female kind of discussion.

“Sure” Genesis agreed and went with her friend. Richard sighed softly. This is just perfect, glad that the ladies left.

He turned to Jace and their eyes locked. “Arianna is pregnant,” Jace blurted.

“Congratulations, Jace,” Richard responded.