Chapter 111: Chapter 111

It was Christmas Eve and the Christmas tree was already decorated.

The excitement in the air was catching.

Even Nancy who had alot of things on her mind could not help but feel the joy and magic in the air.

Phoebe had been watching Nancy since their last discussion and was happy with the brooding look that she seemed to have. She knew Nancy was forming her own opinion and was arriving at a decision. She hoped that the decision would be that she would leave soon.

But then the Christmas spirit seemed to have overtaken her as well.

Her business was doing well and this period, alot of sales had been made and alot of orders as well. She had also ordered alot of goods as well and it was going off the shelves as though, a disappearing spell had been placed on them.

She gave her sales girls break from twelve noon that eve till after the the new year when they were to resume.

She needed the break as well. They all forgot about their differences and grievances and decorated the tree with the children. There was laughter in the air.

Presents had been bought as well.

Jason hoped that Nancy would like the present he got her.

He had also bought many wonderful gifts for his niece, nephew and sister and even for Phoebe.

That evening, while the children slept, the adults brought out all the gifts and placed them under the Christmas tree.

Nancy had always stayed awake till it struck midnight. But she had either done it with a friend or Rodney.

The last Christmas, she had stayed till midnight with him and they had wished each other a merry Christmas and had gone in making love. They had done the same on the new year eve as well.

This year, she knew that she would do it all alone.

After dinner and arranging the presents under the tree, she had stayed awake on her bed thinking how messed up her life had become. Rodney had destroyed her faith in love and in herself, Jason had come along and she had foolishly thought that he was different, against her resolution to stay clear of men or at least not to involve her heart anymore, she had allowed herself to fall for Jason and had thought that he reciprocated the love but look at how things had turned out. It showed that it was not in her fate to ever find true love.

She remembered Anna and all her experiences with men and realised that Anna was indeed a brave girl. Considering the pain in her heart, she didn't think she could give herself the chance to fall in love again even if the man was an angel she saw Des ending from heaven. They were all the same when all is said and done.

Jason had the guts to accuse her of acting shamelessly wanton with Alfred but he had not only made love to Phoebe that night after kissing her so brazenly at the party though in anger, he had also invited one of his mistresses, with whom he had had a steamy session. Yet he had come for answers the next day and if she had not pushed him off, he would have taken advantage of her as well.

So, he had been toying with her emotions all these while. He had wanted to make her dependent on him in all ways including emotionally and he had succeeded. But no more. She was going to put a stop to this.

She went out. She had to go for a stroll so that she could clear her mind.

One of the days she went out on a stroll, she had found a spot that had reminded her of Christmas and new year eve.

She strolled to that spot. It was a hill, close to a lake. She got there and climbed the hill and sat on it.

She was grateful, no one else had come there,though there were people round the lake all in the spirit of the season.

She lay staring up the sky. There was always a lone star that she wished on during times like this and she was hoping it would appear so that she could wish all her problems away.

She was thus occupied when she felt someone sit beside her.

She did not start or change her position, thinking that it must be another loner like her who wanted peace and quiet as they ushered in the Christmas day.

They stayed that way for a long time before the person spoke.

'Do you come here often? I have never seen anyone here before'.

That voice!

Nancy started. Was she hallucinating? Had she somehow conjured his image by merely thinking about him?

She was speechless.

'Why did you act shock just now? Didn't you know you were not alone here anymore? I thought you could feel another's presence. I am sorry if I scared you. Since we are here, we might as well make the most of it all in the spirit of Christmas. We could start by telling each other our names.

I am Jason, what is yours?'

She stayed quiet for a long time. He didn't even know she was the one or was he pretending?

Then she remembered what he had said about making the most of being there together. Does this man not have any shred of self control? She began to wonder what his wife must have been through before she betrayed him. Sometimes,one had to ask both parties before jumping to conclusions or judging them.

'Did you hear what I said or would you rather be alone?' he asked thinking that person may not have heard what he said.

'Yes Jason, I heard all that you said and I'd rather be left alone and though you already know it, my name is Nancy'.

It was his turn to be shocked. He never thought that he would see her there.

'You? What are you doing here?' It was uncanny. It was almost the same question she had asked Phoebe when she had come to her quarters, the other day.

'Yes, me. Do you have a problem with me being here?'

'Yes, I do but only because it is dangerous and you know that you are pregnant. What if anything should happen to you?' he asked genuinely anxious.

'Wow, one would think that you really cared. Just now, you wanted to start a new alliance with a woman you did not know when you thought I was someone else but you have suddenly changed your tune. You are like a chameleon, always camouflaging as the situation demands'. she said scornfully.

Jason was bemused. 'What are you talking about?'

'Oh, it's no use. Will you leave or should I?' she asked angry at such hypocrisy.

'I shall leave but please could you explain what you meant just now about a new alliance and all?'

'Oh, forget it!'

'No. I won't and you'd better get talking'.

'Or you'd do what? I am already shaking to my boots'.

'Nancy, this is Christmas, are we going to celebrate this special season with grievances? I am aware that we have hurt each other unintentionally but this season is the season of forgiveness. Could we not forgive each other and forget our hurt and start afresh?'

The way he said it, one could almost believe that he meant it but Nancy knew better

He said it only because of one thing that he wanted from her and she was determined not to bulge.

'Is that the same line you used on Phoebe and the lady that spent the night with you on the day of the party? Will you also use the same line with her, asking her to forgive you for being with another woman because we are in the season of forgiveness?

Or had I been any other girl here and she was stupid enough to allow you have your way with her, would you have also apologised to her, asking her to forgive your impudence because it was the season of forgiveness.

Look, Jason, I am through being deceived by your hypocritical attitude. You want every woman in your bed but care for no one but yourself.

Now, I have explained myself, you either leave or I do'.

Jason was shocked. Where was all these coming from and how did she know of his night with Ruby? He had done that only because he had wanted to get back at her for being with Alfred but he did not expect her to understand and was not about to tell her that. It would worsen the situation.

'Can we forget all that and look ahead? Everyone makes mistakes a d I realize that I have made one and if you know who I am,you will know that I do not apologise easily but I am apologizing to you and this has nothing to do with the festive period but because I care deeply about you'.

Nancy looked at him. She knew that she would never stop loving him, that might be the punishment she would have to bear all her life. She also knew that she could never love any man the way she loved Jason. It was just her luck that he did not feel the same way. Maybe for just this night, they could be friends and celebrate the season to get her. Afterall, she would soon leave his house and life completely and these memories are what would keep her going.

She nodded and Jason was overjoyed.