Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Craig was sitting with his grandparents when the three walked in, and he got up immediately to welcome them, so they could join them. He held Samantha by the hand and asked gently, " Hope you were not angry that I couldn't be at the court house with you? She looked up at him, wondering why he worries himself too much, when he had done too much already.

"You are really unbelievable with that question, you didn't need to be there with us, your land mark was already all over the place". He smiles, as he walked her to a seat, then lifted Whitney up.

"How do you feel to finally be with your mother? He asked, tickling her. Whitney was laughing, and rolling herself, trying to get away from him, before he finally dropped her, but still holding her close.

"You should have seen my father's face, he looked like he would drop dead, he was so shocked at the entourage". The laughter continued, before his grand parents decided to excuse them. It seem as though they are people of few words, with his parents gone, Mary and Whitney went to the play ground, leaving Samantha and Craig alone in the living room.

"If you are hungry, just help yourself with whatever it is you need okay? He says and she nodded. She doesn't know why she keeps feeling awkward whenever she is alone with him. This is her chance to tell him to empower her, so that she could be independent, but she shouldn't start it immediately, she needed to thank him first.

"I am too satisfied, just seeing my daughter and having her close to me. I really do not know how to thank you Craig, I just don't know, but I owe you my life". He got up and moved closer to her.

"I am just returning the favour, you deserve it all and more. I should be thanking you" he says, holding her hands, making her look up at him and they lock eyes for what seem like forever, before she finally looked away, sending her hair backwards even though it is already backwards.

"I have one more favour to seek". She says, and he got up, went back to his seat, so that he sits opposite her, to hear what she has to say.

"Spill". He says, and she looked up at his face for the first time, instead of looking down.

"I know you are going to say you are returning favour, but soon, it will end, and I will be left on my own again, and that time, Edward might come back for me and I may not have anyone to back me up then..... (He tries to speak, but she wouldn't let him, she continues) Please let me finish. What I am saying is that I need you to help empower me. I want to work, and earn, so that I could have my own money too.

I was not able to work, because of the scandal five years ago, but I was working online, and that is what I have been surviving on. It was working because it was just me, but right now, I have to take care of Whitney and Mary. She has to go to school and all that. I really need a good job". She concluded, and instead of responding, he kept staring at her, when she didn't get any response, she added.

I know this is asking too much, don't worry, I will think of something, you have done enough, thank you". She says and got up and walked away, still thinking he would stop her, but Craig still said nothing. It was after she was out of his sight that he cleared his throat, and smiles.

"She doesn't know. How could she even be thinking of work, when I could provide everything for her? He asked out loud, then he smiles again, before getting up and going after her, he found her at the playground looking at Mary and Whitney playing, she was staring at them, looking all lost, not knowing that he was behind her, he moves even closer, until he was only an inch away from touching her. He smelt her hair, and he loves the smell, he was almost lost in the fragrance, but before she noticed his presence, he spoke.

"She is very happy here". She turned to face him, and their lips almost locked, before she bent down and moved behind him.

"Oh my Gosh! I didn't know you were standing behind me". She says and he spoke, even before turning back to face her.

"That is because you are worrying too much". She raised a brow, and then he turned to face her.

"This is my house, I live here all by myself, my Grand parents just come to visit, they have their own house too, and I have houses in different parts of the state, if you want to stay here for as long as you want, you are welcomed to it. And about work, You know I have a company, just apply, and the job is already yours. As a matter of fact, there is a baby company I am starting up. it is still very young, and I need someone I can trust, to help it grow, so you see, you didn't have to ask me with such serious face. I was actually expecting you to just dress and join me to work, that is all you need.

About Whitney, she will resume school next week, I have told her already. Mary is going to work here with us, she seems to be very good at what she does". Hearing all he said, Samantha couldn't explain how she got so lucky, she forgot herself, and jumps on him, giving him an unexpected hug, which he took joyfully, for it seems he have also wanted to do that since she came into the house.

"Thank you Craig, thank you so much". She says, sobbing softly, while Craig consoles her, by running his hands down her back, she gently disengaged from him, looking into his eyes, unsure of what she is looking at, before Whitney came running towards them, and distracted them.

"Mummy, I love the playground, I want to play some more, but Mary says, it's time to go back inside, please tell her I want to play some more". Samantha bent down, to be able to look into her eyes. "Mary knows you need rest, it has been a long day".

"And you should get something to eat too". Craig added, before leaving the mother daughter, to have their moment, but as he left, Samantha looked up and watch him , till he was out of sight.