Chapter 24: Chapter 24

CHERRY'S POV

I am at the office with Tamara sorting out some files.

Tamara is better now at least, she's back to her normal cheerful and bubbly self, skin glowing and face radiant, her pregnancy although not showing yet, really fits her I can see it.

My phone beeps, a text message comes in, I don't want to read it as it may be some useless VAT messages, or whatever, but something pushes me to pick up the phone.

I see it's a message from Jeanne telling me she'll be back today instead of next week like I expected and this will surely disrupt my plan.

Sighing, I need to go and prepare for her, make sure food's ready amongst other things.

I call Tamara and Mark, tell them about Jeanne's arrival, tell them to cancel all my schedules and after assigning them some things to do, I pick up my bag, wave goodbye and leave.

When I get home, I tell Maria to quickly make a lavish meal, I don't know if she's coming with the mysterious guest or not.

Racing upstairs to my room, I quickly take of my clothes, sprint to the bathroom and take a quick shower.

While bathing, a thought comes to my mind that whatever Jeanne's planning, I'm not going to feel good about it, but I quickly dismiss the thought.

Wearing a blue shirt, and pink singlet, trying to look as modest as possible, I brush my hair, apply hair oil and pack it to the side of my neck.

I look myself at the mirror, and I don't look to bad, I think to myself, walking downstairs I alert all my maids to clean the house and make sure it's in order, and I supervise them.

My Jeanne is coming, and everything has to be in order.

*********

I'm sitting on a chair at the balcony of my room, when I hear the gates opening and standing up, I check to see if it's Jeanne.

To my utmost surprise, I see Jeanne's car and two other very exotic cars drive into the compound. Is this her friend so rich, is he a celebrity or what? I ask myself.

Rubbing some lotion on my dry starched skin, I quickly race out of my room, and see the maids all lined up ready to receive our guest.

I told them earlier about the mysterious visitor, and looking around I can see they have done a very good job with the house cause everywhere looks so sparkly and clean.

I'm about to walk to the door and open it, when it bursts open and I see Jeanne rush inside and give me a hug.

Embracing me so tightly, she ruffles my hair and squeals, "Oh God, I missed you." She says.

"Hey, hey, calm down." I tell her but she doesn't stop, turning me round looking me up and down as if she hasn't seen me in years.

"For God's sake, Jeanne, I'm supposed to be doing all these things you are doing and not the other way round." I say and she looks at me and smiles.

"You came early, what happened?" I ask her, "Yes, apparently I did." She says and her bubbly face from before changes to a look I can't seem to decipher.

"What is it? Why's your face like......" I begin to ask, but I don't say anything further as the mysterious guest walks in and I turn cold.

What the hell is he doing here?

I look at Jeanne who has chosen at that moment to keep mute, and I feel like walking over to her and strangling her.

Like what the fuck!!!!

*********

JAYSON'S POV

I feel like asking the earth to open up and swallow me.

I'm here looking at my beautiful Cherry, who is currently staring at me with lovely eyes filled with hatred, anger and so many emotions swimming in them.

Looking from Jeanne to me, she walks away albeit slowly and I know what's going to come next is going to be so bad, I don't think I would be able to sleep in peace this night.

I sigh quietly.

I knew this was going to be a bad idea, and the idea bringer, Jeanne has currently turned dumb because she doesn't even utter a word.

What's all this? I think to myself, and summoning courage, I begin to say something, but Jeanne finally speaks up, "Jayson dear, why don't you have a seat, we'll be right back."

She says to me, quietly dismissing the maids who have being watching the awkward scene.

Still speaking she says to an elderly woman whom I think is the head chef, cause she's putting on am apron, "Maria please take his luggages to the guest room." And with that she leaves me too.

I sit on the nearest sofa, and look round.

Cherry has really done quite well for herself. Who thought the poor orphan I feel in love with years back would achieve all this things.

From the shiny gold chandelier Illuminating the room, to the accessories and appliances in the house, the gold plated staircase, and every other feature, not to make any fun, but I'm really proud of how my Cher' has fared.

Of course, I expected her to be well off, she always had dreams, dreams she always shared with me back then, but this right here is more than everything she ever dreamed or wished for, she really outdid herself, and I'm so proud of her.

God! I miss her so much.

*********

JEANNE'S POV

I quietly knock on Cherry's door, but she doesn't reply me.

I push at the door knob, but it is locked.

I sag my shoulders and beg her to open the door.

"Cherry please open the door. I beg you."

"Just go away, I'm not in the mood to talk right now." She replies whimpering, Oh my God!

She's crying, I don't like this situation, and she can't even keep me out of her room, cause I have a spare key.

Taking it out from my purse, I jam it into the keyhole and the door springs open.

"Get out!" She shouts, and I just sigh.

She's lying on the bed, hugging and rocking her pillow and looking like the lost kid she once was.

I know that memories are flooding in both past and present, of her and Jayson, the way he abandoned her and other things.

Still standing, I whisper gently, "Cher'....I...." I begin to say something but she interrupts, "Why did you bring him here? Was this what you went to do in Los Angeles and you fucking lied to me!" She begins her voice rising, "Look it's not what you think, I did this for you, in your best interest..... I never...."

She cuts in again, "You never what, you did this in my best interest. Don't even go there, you did it in my best interest and I'm jubilating now right."

She pauses, sits up, wipes her face, looks straight at me and continues, "You went behind my back Jeanne, I trusted you, I did not even tell you about me seeing him, but I guess you two already had your way. You guys have being planning this all along. God!...." She places her hands on her head.

"Do you even know how I feel right now. Do you?" She asks me and I don't even know how to answer her.

"I'm really sorry that I didn't tell you about Jayson earlier... I....." She's not even allowing me to complete any sentence as she interrupts me again, "Look, I don't want to hear anything from you, just take him back to wherever you brought him from or you can go and lodge him elsewhere. We can't stay in the same roof together, or better still I'll leave the house for the both of you."

I sit on top of the bed, coming close to her and say calmly but defiantly and I know she does not miss the stern tone of my voice, "You know that's not possible Cherry, in as much as he hurt you, he's also my friend who has a business to take care of here and he is going to spend lots of days. Besides you promised me, and you don't like breaking your promises right? You once said so." I say and she knows I've gotten her squarely.

"And actually, I never knew he was your Jayson in the first place, it was on our way here he told me and...." "Oh shut up." She scoffs and I know she has caught me lying.

"Okay, okay, I admit I knew him but...." She interrupts me again. 'When will she stop this habit of her's I think to myself'

"Enough of your pointless talks, I've forgiven you, just bear it in mind that if he's staying here, I don't want to set my eyes on him."

I ignore her talk, because to me also it's pointless, "Come here." I call out to her, stretching my arms, and she obeys and we hug each other so tightly.

"I just don't want to see him, he brings back memories I've tried so hard to forget. He, he.." She whimpers and burst into tears again.

"Shhhhh, shhhhh, it's okay my cry baby, mama's here for you now." I say patting her back and she sobs in my shoulders.

Phew, at least Jayson can stay here, and that's a very nice accomplishment.

Now it's time for Plan B.

TBC