Chapter 43: Chapter 43

"There's something else I'd like to ask," I told him, "shoot" he said. "Why is Juliet not in school?" I asked, "she's 5 years old, shouldn't she at least be in kindergarten by now?"

"Yes, she should. She was supposed to start going to school September last year, but on August 11, she developed a terrible sickness, it was so bad that it seemed she wouldn't survive. She was hospitalized for 6 months, when she got better, it was too late for her to start school and so I decided that she'll start this year. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen to her," Jade answered.

"I'm positive that nothing bad will happen to her," I said comforting him.

"Speaking of something happening, Juliet's birthday is on Sunday. Due to the launch, I've been so busy that I almost forgot my daughter's 6th birthday," he said

"wow that's amazing, so what preparations have you made?" I asked

"nothing yet, I just wanted to make it simple this year, a little party in front of the house, we'd invite only close friends. I want to try avoiding too much attention on our family for some time," he replied

"how has her past birthdays been celebrated?" I asked

"I've always thrown her a grand celebration and I fear she might not appreciate the idea of having a small and simple birthday party this year," he replied

"Have you even talked to her about it?" I asked him

"No, I can't bear to see her heartbroken when she realizes that I'm not going to throw her a grand party," he answered looking down.

I went closer to him and cupped his chin, making us to lock eyes, "you don't have to bad. I know that I'm partly the reason you don't want to throw a grand party for your daughter's 6th birthday and so I'll try my best to help. I'll go talk to Juliet about it, we can plan what to do next when I'm done talking with her. It's a good thing you would be here throughout the week, together we can give Juliet a memorial birthday, grand or simple. Just let me talk to her okay," I said and he nodded, I kissed him on both cheeks and turned to leave but he held my hand.

"what would I do without you, UK?"

"Is that a compliment Mr Kale?"

"Yes, it is. You don't know how grateful I am to have you in my life, thank you," he said

"that… means a lot to me," I said smiling and left.

I went to Juliet's room to talk to her, she was really excited to share the news of her birthday coming up soon and reminded me of the promise I made to make red velvet cake for her.

I talked to her about the simple birthday arrangements "… I hope you understand, I'm sure next year will be a grand one," I told her

"I really don't care about all that, this is the first time I will be celebrating my birthday with 2 parents, I don't mind having a birthday with just you, me and daddy in the living room," was her response.

"come here," I said hugging her, "I don't deserve a daughter like you, thank you so much Juliet."

With that, everybody in the house got busy preparing for the party.

The gardener had to come earlier than usual to make the garden pretty, I called Claudia and the ladies to confirm the date and time of the birthday, Jade made arrangements for music, a clown. Toys were bought, party favors, gifts for the kids who came, Hannah and her staff made refreshments and helped in ways they could and I made a big red velvet cake for her.

Sunday morning, the garden looked so beautiful with all the decorations.

The party started 3.30 sharp, with music, games and lots of food. Juliet didn't want a candle on her cake, saying it's too childish, everyone had large chunk of cake to eat. The party lasted till 7.45pm, Juliet wouldn't sleep until she opened her presents. Katie and her mom gave her a doll house, Jade gave her kids iPad and I gave her a kick scooter. She got so many gifts from other people that came, some brought 2 gifts, some who couldn't come to the party sent gifts. I wasn't sure she slept that night due to happiness.I was assisting Sandra, one of Hannah's staff, in tiding up the garden when a guy, whom I think was one of the new bodyguards, approached me.

"Miss Udofia?" he called

"yes?" I answered

"there's a letter for you"

"really? I wonder who sent it" I said getting it from him. "umm… thanks"

There was nothing on the envelope indicating who sent it, I quickly tore the envelope. This was a letter from New York University, telling me to be in school on Monday for screening of my credentials. And to make any changes that need to be done in the course of my studies. It was dated Wednesday 6th, which was 3 days ago, so assuming I didn't see this letter today, I would have missed this exercise.

"Did you see when this letter was placed in the mail box?" I asked him

"sorry Miss, I didn't see it. I just started my shift few minutes ago and I saw someone placing an envelope in the mail box, I checked and it was for Mr Kale. It was then that I saw your letter," he answered.

"Alright, thank you. Give me that envelope, the one meant for Jade, I'll take it to him," I said and he gave it to me and left.

"Sandra? I'll be back, I need to talk with Jade," I said removing the gloves I was wearing.

"No need to come back, I can finish from her," Sandra told me

"oh alright, if you say so," I said and went in with my letter and Jade's envelope to meet him.

"Jade? where are you?" I called

"Juliet's room," he called back and I went there. He and Juliet were sitting on her bed and he was operating her new iPad.

"Mommy! come in, daddy is setting up my new iPad," Juliet shrieked in excitement.

"hey, done cleaning?" Jade asked as I got closer to him

"nah, there's something for you," I said handing his envelope to him. "And I'd like to talk to you about something else,"

"Alright, give me a minute, I'm almost done configurating Juliet's iPad, we can talk when I'm done." he said

"sure, I'll wait in your study,"

"no, go to my bedroom, that a good place to talk."

I rolled my eyes at him but still went to his room, we talked about the letter when he joined me. It was decided that I'll go to school the following day, change my programme from English education to performing art, which had to do with acting.

8.19am the following day, Max dropped me off at the department building and promised to wait for me but I told him to go that I would be having lunch with Xiao Ling and I'll call him if need be.

I went in, dressed in a leather high waist skirt paired with a black long sleeves crop top and a pair of Converse. My credentials were in a big envelope, in my handbag, I had downloaded the map of the school on my phone, so it was easy to locate the place other students, who were waiting to be attended to, sat.

Few people turned to look at me, I found an empty chair and sat, waiting for turn.

"Udofia, Ukpono Etim? please come in," I heard my name being called

it was then that people took notice of me.

"wait, Ukpono Udofia, as in face of Night Dream!"

"oh God she's really here"

''wow, she's in our department"

I quickly ran into the office before they surrounded me.It took me about an hour or so to successfully change my programme, when I got out, I was surrounded by people I could say were my Fans.

Some wanted to take pictures, some wanted to hug and some were just happy that I'll be in the department.

I quickly called Xiao Ling but she wasn't done with hers and had to cancel our plans. I stopped by a jewelry store and bought a beautiful sunshade for myself to prevent what happened in school.

Since I didn't have anything to do and I didn't want anyone seeing me as face of Night Dream while waiting for Max to bring the car, I decided to use taxi.

I haild a taxi, it stopped and I got in. Immediately I got in, I realized that someone else was in the car.

"Girlfriend, how are you doing?" he said and I felt chills run down my spine

only one person called me girlfriend and that was 3 years ago, I turned to look at him and gasped, "Victor?"

"girlfriend I'm…" he started but I stopped him

"don't you ever call me that, I am not your girlfriend." I warned him

"I was your first love, wasn't I?"

"no, it was just a stupid secondary School crush, something I wish never happened"

"but you were happy"

"yes I was, until your family sent you her to live with your uncle and then you realized that I'm not your class and all that shit, but guess what? I am over that nonsense and to me, you never existed. Driver stop, I'm not going anymore," I said

the driver pulled over and I went out, giving him a 5 dollar bill, "keep the change"

I turned to leave but Victor came out and blocked me, "I'm sorry for being a dick that time, forgive me, I'd like to start over."

"not happening, not in this life or in another life," I answered. I quickly dialled Max's number, "Miss Udofia, how may I be of help?"

"can you come pick me? I took a cab but it wasn't such a good idea and I seriously don't know where I am?"

"sorry Miss, I'm with the young Miss and I can't leave"

"Alright, thanks,"

I called Scott but he wasn't answering, I stood there for 10 minutes feeling frustrated, and Victor won't stop bugging me. A black car pulled over and the door open and Jade came out, "UK, what the heck are you doing here?"

"Oh Jade thank God it's you, I got into a cab but then I felt uncomfortable and so I came down, Max is with Juliet and Scott wasn't answering,"

"why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want to disturb in case you were in a meeting,"

"I don't care if you called in a meeting, after all, I'm the boss. Come on let's get you home,"

"sure, let us go home, I've missed you and our darling daughter," I said and looked at Victor who was in shock

"sure, how was school?" he asked as we went in

"I'm a superstar already in school,"

Scott was driving, we got in and Jade ordered him to close the privacy hatch, immediately it was done, he made me sit on his thighs and we had the best time, kissing and making out.

Thank God for tinted windows, I had the best time with the love of my life, I think he told Scott to drive around and not go home straight, because we drove for 30 minutes without reaching the house, anyway I didn't care. I was in cloud 9 already.