BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 11
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved
‘Love, Grissel.’ Tom called out dragging the crib along with him.
He checked the kitchen and there was no sign of her so he left the crib by the stairs and rushed upstairs.
Grissel was swamped up with work since morning that Tom had to leave her home. It seems that’s all she seems to be doing for the whole month he’s been home.
He appeared behind her and tickled her. She didn’t notice he had come in as she was so focused on reading her files.
She jumped up immediately closing the files abruptly in front of her.
‘Tom, you are back already.’
‘Yes, it’s afternoon Grissel.’
‘Oh really, I didn’t realize that,’ she glanced at her wrist watch and hit her head slightly.
‘Of course, you didn’t notice because you’ve been up all day flipping through those boring files.’
‘They are not boring papers.’ She gave him a cold stare.
‘Okay you win, but come on you need a break and I got a surprise for you.’
‘Surprise? I love the sound of that.’
‘Ahaaa.’ He muttered pulling her off the floor.
‘This better be food and a delicious one as such.’ She said putting her legs in her flip flops.
‘I have something better. You will love it.’ He said on their way down the stairs.
Within some few seconds they were facing the new baby crib.
Grissel stopped midway and stared.
Tom quickly rushed off the stairs and dragged it closer to the couch while beckoning on her to follow him.
Grissel wiped a tear when he was not looking and froze at the same spot.
Tom turned around and found her still at the spot he left her.
‘Oo ooh, you don’t like the surprise?’ He asked moving towards her.
When he got no response he taped her.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yeah, this is beautiful Tom?’
‘You sure about that, because you seemed lost a while ago.’
‘I’m sorry. I was just overwhelmed.’ Grissel clarified.
‘Why don’t I believe you?’
‘You should because I love the color you bought.’
‘I have good eyes then.’ He smiled coyly pulling her to the couch.
Suddenly, there was a short moment of silence. ‘But Tom, I’m not pregnant yet.’ She said carefully in order not to make him feel disappointed.
‘You are not?’ He asked confused and disappointed.
‘Tom, you would have been the first to know if I were pregnant.’
‘Ermm but you look fat.’ He replied scratching his head.
‘Ohh I get you now. So that was the reason you kept calling me fat lately.’ She laughed hilariously and poked his nose playfully.
‘Don’t blame me when you’ve been quite and cranky all month.’
‘Wow, for the record I’ve always been quiet and about cranky, probably work stress.’ She clarified with her hands supporting her jaw.
‘And you’ve suddenly put on weight.’
‘So you figured we are having a baby.’ She asked.
‘Sure, every woman put on weight when they are pregnant.’ He replied with an embarrassed grin.
‘And you know that how?’
‘Trust me, I know these stuffs.’ He glorified himself.
‘Ahaaa, Amy?’
‘Oh come on, Grissel.’
‘What? So far as I’m concerned, she’s the only one you got pregnant while I was busy planning our wedding.’ She said before realizing what came out of her mouth.
‘Wow, now she got it all out of her system.’
‘I didn’t mean it that way.’ She tapped him.
‘I know that sooner or later it will come up again but believe me it was a mistake.’
‘I knew it was a mistake even before you told me the last time your sister was the Master mind.’
‘Thank you but I’m still disappointed we are not having a baby yet but we still have enough time to make some babies this evening.’ He teased.
‘Ermm, Tom we are just five months old in this marriage and I’m not sure I want to start making babies yet.’
‘Alright but I’m very hungry now.’ He said just to avoid having any further arguments though he wasn’t so sure about the waiting part.
‘Mashed potatoes and Cabbage stew coming right up.’ She whispered while standing up.
‘Could you not mash the potatoes? I would prefer it boiled this time. Thanks.’
‘Sure, just hold on. Let me get the crib to the next room.’ She dragged the crib along with her.
‘Grissel, is everything alright.’ He called out after a few seconds away from him.
‘Why not?’ She asked.
‘Because that’s not the way to the next room.’
Grissel was dragging the crib to the kitchen.
‘Oops, I just had a lot on my mind.’ She made to smile but Tom was smarter.
‘Whatever it is, I know you won’t talk about it but I’m always here if you decide to.’
‘It’s nothing. Just work.’ She replied.
‘As usual.’ He said while Grissel retracted her steps upstairs.
Tom brought out his phone and sent a text with directions of a meet up.
He got a reply of change of time and venue. Tom scoffed and laid on the couch while waiting for his food.
He was however thankful another week will start tomorrow.
***
‘Lisa?’ Her aunt yelled out from her room.
She hissed on her bed and dragged her morning gown on.
She knocked on the door quietly.
‘Are you alone?’ She asked peeping through the slightly opened door.
‘Annoying. Who else would I be with?’ Julia told her when she entered with a mischievous grin on her face.
‘Who knows? Maybe Joe.’ She walked closer to her.
‘Huh, who told you he was here.’ She asked abruptly.
Melisa was confused and sat beside her immediately.
‘So he was here.’
‘Who was here?’ Julia asked hoping to cover up what she said earlier.
‘Aunty, I heard you loud and clear. It’s not a crime to love Joe.’
‘Did I mention I love Joe?’ She blushed.
She laughed so loud that Julia was confused. ‘It’s alright to be shy, but tell me how it went.’
‘How what went Lisa?’
‘Don’t be shy Aunty?’
‘I have no idea what you are driving at but some D guy called.’ Julia changed their topic.
‘D? I don’t know anyone by that name.’
‘He said to tell you to send your account details for the payment of her daughter’s successful party as he’s not able to reach you on phone.’
‘Ooh Dane.’ She said anxiously and softly.
‘What’s that?’ Julia asked as she didn’t hear what she said earlier.
‘I would give him a call later. But is that what you called me for.’
‘Yes, he sounded worried. Was it the Dallas event?’
‘Yes, that one.’
‘It’s been a month and you haven’t asked for payment yet?’
‘I left in a hurry but I will give him a call later in the day.’ She said scratching her head.
‘That’s alright and you look unwell.’
‘I’m fine, just a flu.’ She said quickly raising herself off the bed and walking away.
‘Not so fast. Who is D?’
Julia asked a Melisa seemed to find it difficult turning around.
‘I told you he’s the party guy.’.’
‘Come and sit with me.’ Julia taped her bedside and Melisa reluctantly walked closer.
‘Aunty, I will get the payment sorted out.’ She tried to maneuver her way out of there but Julia kept staring at her.
‘You haven’t gone out since you came back.’
‘I told you about my flu, Aunty.’
‘I stay in this house with you and I’ve not seen a sign of flu on your face since you got back.’
‘Maybe you haven’t noticed.’
‘Lisa, you can talk to me. I know something is bothering you.’
‘I’m very fine.’ She replied.
‘I guess this D guy wasn’t just a client.’
‘He was.’
‘No, thinking about it now. I think I heard him refer to you as beauty.’
‘He did?’ A broad smile crossed her face.
‘Yes, it didn’t make any sense until the look on your face earlier when I mentioned him.’
‘He’s no one actually.’
‘He is someone Lisa. Do you like him?’
‘Why would you even ask me that?’ She blushed.
‘Because you are shy and can’t stop that smile from appearing on your face even if you want to.’
She looked up at Julia and smiled yet again. ‘What if I did? I believe I’m not a baby anymore.’
She announced and changed to a lying down position while Julia also did same.
‘It’s alright if you like him but what I don’t understand is why you are avoiding his calls.’
‘I just have a feeling he’s not right for me.’
‘And how would you know that.’
‘Aunty, you’ve not met him. The kind of life he’s used to I don’t think I can keep up with it.’
‘Is he some kind of a drug dealer?’
‘No, I mean he’s rich and these rich white guys are bad news.’
‘Okay, he has money and you have what?’
‘I can’t compare what I have to what he has.’
‘So?’ Julia asked staring at her.
‘So we are bad for each other.’
‘Says the lady who has dated all the rich guys in her class.’
Melisa’s face was plastered with embarrassment. ‘But this guy is just out of my league.’
‘You mean handsome.’ Julia asked her.
‘Yes.’
‘I’ve heard that too before. Say something I haven’t heard yet.’
‘He’s got an eight year old sweet daughter.’ Melisa finally mentioned her fear.
‘Okay that’s new.’ Julia admitted.
‘Finally, you got my point.’ Melisa muttered.
‘From what you just said, he’s rich, handsome and you like him.’
‘Don’t forget the part that says he has a child.’ She stressed.
‘How much like are we talking about here.’
‘I’m not too sure yet but at first I didn’t exactly like him but spending a few days with him and his daughter I figured he’s likeable.’
‘Do you want to give him a chance?’
‘Should I?’ She asked Julia.
‘I know you too well, this guy has grabbed your attention unlike the rest that came and left.’
‘So you think I should give him a chance?’
‘Yeah, but this time don’t stress yourself going an extra mile.’
‘Thank you. But what about his daughter.’
‘What about her?’ Julia responded.
‘What if I can’t handle her?’
‘I handled you two.’
‘But aunty, Tom and I are family.’
‘Have an open mind. Besides you mentioned she’s a sweet girl. I’m sure she won’t give you much problems.’
‘I hope so.’
‘You know what, I will ask around about his family so you don’t worry too much.’
‘Ooh, I have. According to his house helps, he lost his wife during childbirth and has been single since.’
‘OMG, my daughter is in love.’
‘No, I’m not. Just trying to be careful this time around.’
‘Why don’t you return his calls now?’
‘You are right. When I get to my room I will do that.’
‘Just use my phone. I’m eager to know how you work this out.’ Julia picked up her phone and dialed the number that called her earlier that morning.
It rang twice and she handed it to Melisa when it seemed Dane had picked up.
Melisa was quiet at her end while Dane kept saying hello. Julia kept gesturing her to speak out.
‘Hello, I know it’s you Lisa. If you don’t want to talk to me you must as well see me. I’m in front of your gate.’
‘Huh!’ She exclaimed finally.
‘Yes, red painting, black gate. I’m here just come out.’
Melisa dropped the call and stared at Julia.
‘What happened?’
‘He said he’s at the gate.’
‘Here? How?’ Julia asked.
‘You see what I was telling you about? What kind of guy keeps checking me out on my website? I’m sure that’s where he got my address from.’
‘Relax.’
‘He’s weird aunty.’
‘I guess you didn’t give him options so he had to do whatever it takes to find you.’
‘I would even take off our personal details from the website and leave our email. That should be enough for our clients to reach out to us.’
‘Good idea, but he’s still waiting for you.’
‘What if I don’t want to see him?’
‘You will. Let’s get going. ‘Julia dragged her off the bed. They both forgot they were still in their morning gown.
‘Why do I feel like you are eager to marry me off because I give you too much trouble?’
‘Whatever,’ Julia replied signaling the security to open the gate.
They both froze as Dane was standing by the car be brought, probably a rented one. His sea blue Jeans and white polo shirt looks nearly ironed as if he didn’t drive himself.
By the time they realized he was in front of them.
‘I guess someone just woke up.’
He spoke up and reached out to Julia for a handshake that was when they both realized their morning gown was still on them.
‘You are welcome. Sorry we came out this way but let’s go in so we could properly get dressed.
‘That’s fine.’ He smirked while Melisa looked on.
Julia shoulder tap her and she smiled.
‘I don’t like men who stalk me.’ She finally broke her silence.
‘Lisa.’ Julia called out with a stern look.
‘Sorry,’ she whispered and walked away from them.
‘Sorry about that. Can we go in now?’ Julia told Dane and led the way.
‘Thank you.’ He said and followed her.

Read more episodes here - www.youngicee.com/category/blemished-love

Thanks boss

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 12
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

'There's lunch in the microwave and fresh juice in the fridge. If you need anything jus.....'
'Just call you. Copy that.' Tom replied seeing her off to the gate.
'Love you.' She yelled out from her car and drove off to work.
Tom went back in, picked up his car keys and drove out of the house. He knew Grissel loved a fresh week without worries so he was sure not to give her some that morning.
*
'You are not talking to me now.' Dane asked.
Julia had earlier left the house for them.
'What are you doing here?'
'I apologize I came here unannounced but I just wanted to talk to you.'
'You could have called Dane.'
'I did call severally for a whole month, remember?' He stood up from his chair and sat close to her holding her hands.
'I can't let this happen between us.'
'But nothing is happening.'
'Dane.' She called with a stern look.
'Alright, you don't want anything to happen. I get it but at least acknowledge my presence here.'
Melisa looked up at him and shook her head and thought he’s right to have asked that of her.
'Should I get you something to eat or drink?'
'No, I'm fine. I would prefer we talk about us being friends.'
'Friends?' She muttered with surprised.
'Of course, with no strings attached.'
'But you were clear you wanted us to be more than that.'
'And you made it clear nothing of that sort would happen.'
'Yeah I did but I meant the other thing.’ She said with a glitter of smiles.
‘Ohh, sorry. I’m not going to sleep with you under your mother’s roof so relax.’
‘Aunty.’ She finally raised up her head.
‘You mean she’s your aunt?’
Melisa nodded.
‘You have her looks and I’m sure your mom has that beautiful look too.’
‘Yeah she had.’
Dane read the expression on her face and knew he might have overstepped. ‘I’m sorry about your mom.’
‘That’s fine, Julia is more than a mother to us.’
He reached playfully touching her cheeks. ‘So I guess we are a couple now.’
‘I hope so Dane.’
‘You hope so?’ He questioned with a confused look.
‘Look I'm just scared we are not right for each other.'
'And who gets to decide that.’ He asked with concern. ‘To make you feel better I’m scared too.’
‘You are?’
A smile appeared on his face. ‘I mean I haven’t felt like this since Dani’s mom died but I guess it’s time to come out of my shells and I want to do that with you so just let me in.' He muttered reaching out for her hands which she made readily available.
'Yes.' she replied smiling when Dane hasn’t asked any question yet.
'Yes, as in you want us to date.'
She nodded and he reached out for a hug. 'On one condition.'
'Ooh ooh.' He drew back.
'Can we take it slow? Nothing big yet. I have a few things I need to clear up first.'
'That works for me so long as it's in my favor.'
'Great, now can we talk about how you got here?' She smiled relaxing against the couch.
'I think I would take you up on that drink now.' He tried to change the topic.
'Is someone running away from their stalking schemes?' She teased and stood up.
'We will talk about that when I get my drink.'
'Alright, grape juice coming right up.'
'Thank you.' He said after she vanished to the kitchen.
***
'Jessy, thank you for meeting me.'
'No problem, you sound worried over the phone. Is Grissel okay?'
'I was hoping you could tell me that.'
'What do you mean, you were hoping I could tell you?'
'Grissel has been acting up lately.'
'I still don't understand you Tom.'
'Has she said anything to you?'
'Not that I can remember but I haven't heard from her since the wedding.'
'Since the wedding.'
Jessy nodded. 'Yes, she's avoiding my calls.'
'But that's like four months ago.' Tom mentioned with a confused look on his face.
'Ahaaa. I didn't want to push it.'
'That's weird. She's been acting withdrawn and lost.'
'Did you guys have an argument?' Jessy asked.
'No, except I resigned a month ago and we talked about it.'
'Maybe she's still bothered about it but did you talk to her about your worries.'
'You know Grissel, she talks at her own time and I can see whatever she got herself mixed up with is affecting our marriage.'
'What do you want me to do now?'
'Come over for dinner. Maybe you can get something out of her. I'm just so worried about her.'
'If you are that worried you should find a way reaching out to her.'
'I just think it would be better if she talked to someone she's familiar with.'
'Okay, I will come on Saturday.' She thought for a while and thinks he is right about Grissel acting weird.
'You know we are still new to all this marriage stuff but thank you.’ He replied signaling the waitress to come over.
***
Soon enough Saturday came and Tom was aware Jessy would be around so he was being helpful so his wife wouldn’t suspect anything.
'Can you get someone for the position and stop calling my phone every time?'
Grissel watched keenly while Tom yelled on the phone.
He hanged up before Stella could say another word.
'Is that chicken ready yet? He asked after a few minutes when Grissel was stealing glances.
Tom who decided to help in the kitchen sat on a chair flipping his phone.
'Not yet, but what was that all about.'
'That over pampered boss just asked me out for a drink.'
'She did?' Grissel asked surprising him.
'Yeah, it's been a month and I was hoping that position would have been filled up already.'
'Maybe nobody is up for the task.'
'That's not my problem Grissel and I'm hungry now.'
'I'm almost done here but don't you think your boss just wants to hang out with you.'
'Call her and remind her I'm married.'
'Ease up Tom. It's just a drink.'
'With a married man.'
'Come on, your wife is not complaining. I can tag along if you want me to.'
'No thank you.' He said and the bell rang.
They looked at each other and Tom left to get the door. As it seemed they were both not expecting anyone.
Grissel, see who we have here?'
Grissel left what she was doing and came out.
'Hey,' Jessy reached out for a hug.
'I didn't know you were coming.' Grissel muttered.
'Yeah, I was in the neighborhood and decided to pass by.'
'You are right in time for dinner. Have a seat here.'
'Thank you.'
'Tom can you please keep her company, I want to get dinner sorted.'
'Sure, I'm right behind you.' He replied and walked Jessy to get a seat.
***
'Is Lisa going to be my new mom? 'Dani asked her dad suddenly after their dinner.
'Where did you hear that?'
'I have eyes and ears Daddy.'
'You have? But you just got here.' He inquired.
'Why is she hiding throughout this week in the guest room?'
'Hiding? Guest room?'
'Come on Daddy, you never enter the guest room but you did this evening and lately I seem to be going away to Grams very often.'
'Oh I forgot to tell you I have a problem with my bed so I'm crushing there this week.'
'Daddy?' She sheepishly called out.
'Yes love.'
'Are you lying t...?’ She was saying when her nanny interrupted.
'It's time for your bath.' Her nanny called out.
Dane sighed heavily and walked out to the far end of the house and knocked quietly on Melisa's door while he waited for a reply.
When he got no answer, he walked in and heard drops of water from the shower.
Dane smiled coyly and grabbed a seat on her bed.
Few minutes after Melisa came out luckily with a towel wrapped to cover her body.
'Ready for bed.' He questioned when she came out.
'Gosh, you scared me.' She made sure her towel was well tied.
'Sorry but we need to talk.'
'Am I in trouble?'
'Yes we both are.' He replied with a gesture.
'A Dani problem?' She questioned walking over to sit.
He nodded. 'She came home this evening.
'I thought you said she would be with your parents throughout my visit.'
'I did but they sent her over for the night.'
'Okay, so what's the problem if she's going back tomorrow?'
'Emm that seems to be the problem.'
'She has no plans of leaving?' She asked reading meaning into what he said.
'Yes and she knows about us.'
'How? I mean she just got here and she already figured that out.'
'I don't know how yet, but she asked why you are hiding in the guest room. She's a smart kid Lisa.'
'For an eight year old, I think she's just nosy.'
'Come on, don't you think two months is enough dating period to talk to her about us.'
'We talked about this D. I'm not ready for that responsibility.'
'Responsibility? What's that supposed to mean.' He flared up.
'This was what i kept telling you I had to work out first and you wouldn't listen.'
He stood up pacing around. 'Dani is my responsibility, not yours.'
'And she becomes mine as soon as we make it public.'
'It's not even like that.' He said still pacing around.
'How is it like then?' She questioned with confusion on her face.
'I just want her to know so you could stop sneaking around the house.'
'Well, I'm okay with how things are now besides we don't want to confuse Dani and when things don't work out between us she crawls back into her shells.'
'This is childish and insensitive at the same time.' He replied.
Before she could say anything else, he was out of the door.
***
'Your dad told me you have some questions.' Melisa decided to talk to Dani the next day after dinner.
'Emmm, yes.'
'I would try and answer honestly.' Melisa told her.
'Ahaaa, why were you hiding in there?' She mentioned as if she forgot what she wanted to say initially.
'I wasn't exactly hiding. I would have come to find you just after your dinner this evening.'
'Okay, so are you my new mom.' She asked with all seriousness.
'Not exactly but I could just be another add up to the family if you don't mind.'
'Would that make Daddy happy?'
Melisa made a mental note. 'I guess so.'
'Welcome to the family.' Dani muttered. Just then Dane came knocking.
'Daddy is that you?' She queried.
He peeped in and was surprised Melisa was in her daughter's room.
'Hey.' He gestured to her.
'Hello.' She responded nonchalantly.
'Daddy, did you get that ice cream for me.'
'I did but it's almost your bed time so you can have that tomorrow.'
'Okay.' Dani glanced at the two of them.
'Can I borrow your friend for a minute?' He announced after a few seconds as the whole room was quiet.
'You can have her.' She smiled.
Melisa tucked her in properly while Dane walked over kissing her on the fore head.
'Goodnight Dad. Lisa, I would see you at breakfast tomorrow.'
'Alright, I would be there.' She smiled to her and walked out with Dane.
*
'So you two talked?' He asked her beaming with smiles.
'It was the right thing to do.'
'And I'm guessing I wouldn't be getting the gist.'
'No, all you need to know is she's a smart kid.'
'Okay, but I'm sorry I snapped last night.'
'That’s fine, at least we can be seen together now.' Melisa assured him.
He nodded holding her hands by his door.
'I wish you could come in but I.....'
'I understand you D.'
He glared at her and drew her closer after a few minutes of silence.
'What are you doing Dane?'
'Shhhh,' he gestured with his hands and slowly kissed her on the lips.
'Come with me Lisa.' He dragged her along to his room and quickly shutting the door behind him.
'You don't want to do this Dane.' She said when he was pulling her gently towards his bed.
'I know what we agreed on.' He reached out for her lips once more as they laid on the bed.

Read episode 13 here - http://youngicee.com/2018/06/blemished-love-episode-13.html

Ayemi oo. No do ham ooo.


Like dani wella, dani to sha pra pra


Tanks a lot for the update

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 13
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

'Your cooking skills hasn't changed.' Jessy said when they were done at the table.
'Actually, I made this one.' Tom interrupted them while packing the plates.
'In your dreams,' Grissel muttered standing up too.
'Grissel, can we talk after you are done.' Jessy asked.
'Of course, let me just help Tom before he breaks the plates.’ She teased.
'Don’t worry, I can handle this. Just see to our visitor.'
'Sure?'
'I would be okay.' He reassured.
Grissel walked with Jessy to the hall while Tom left to the kitchen.
*
Their silence was weird. Jessy and Grissel always had something to say when they were together but that night was different.
'I know by now Adam must have told you about York.' She asked with guilt.
Jessy was confused as she only came to her house because Tom asked her to but it seems Grissel is guilty of something else.
'What are you talking about?' Jessy tapped her as it seemed she was lost in her own thoughts.
She fumbled. 'You must be angry but I didn't tell you about York because I thought you would stop me from marrying Tom.'
'Stop you? Why would I want to do that?'
Grissel raised her head and stared at her holding her tears back.
A whole minute no one spoke until Jessy snapped her thumb and second finger together.
'Grissel, what is going on with you and why does the name York sounds familiar.'
'It's okay Jessy. I thought Adam talked to you.' She shifted uncomfortably.
'What was my husband supposed to talk to me about? And it's not okay Grissel.'
'Let’s forget it, you wanted to talk to me. What about?' Grissel suddenly found the courage to change the topic.
Jessy looked on as if she was trying to remember something.
'York? I remember Adam wanting me to give him an opinion based on a story he read. What does that have to do with you?'
Grissel kept glancing and tried to say something but words failed her.
'Wait a minute, was that you. No, I would have known.' Jessy was always the smart one when she was leaving with her and Adam.
She nodded quietly surprising her sister.
'OMG. Do I even know you at all?' The anger and surprise in her voice was glaring.
'I'm sorry.'
'Sorry? Do you know what that means?'
'I do and I'm trying to forget it ever happened.'
'That's crap. I'm out of here.' She stood up with her bag.
'Jessy wait.'
She turned around at the door.
'A word of advice. Talk to your husband, he's worried about you.'
'I can't tell him all that Jessy.'
'You are on your own then.' She slammed the door in her face.
Grissel knew she would have to let her go and speak to her another time.
Tom came out of the kitchen when he heard the door earlier.
'What's going on?' He saw Grissel standing at the door.
'She left and I think I need a drink.' She walked indecisively to the couch.
'What happened? Did you two fight?'
'No just a misunderstanding.’ She replied worried. ‘She would get over it.'
'You are lying Grissel.'
'I am? Suit yourself then.'
‘That’s unfair Grissel.’
‘Unfair? I know you asked Jessy here to talk to me and that’s unfair too.’ She muttered with a straight face.
'Where are you going?' He asked when she stood up.
'I told you I needed a drink.’ She scoffed and walked away.
‘But you don’t drink.’
‘Watch me Tom.’ Grissel sounded depressed.
Tom didn’t understand what was going on. He watched his wife who was happy earlier strangely and took out his phone from his pocket. Tom called Jessy who didn't answer but he was more concerned about making things right before the next day.
***
'Good morning love.' Dane muttered.
'Were you watching me sleep all night?' Melisa tried rubbing the sleep off her face with her palm.
'Something like that.'
'You are weird D.'
'Am I?'
'I'm leaving today.' Melisa suddenly said.
'This is about last night right?'
'No, I was going to tell you my aunty called when you got back but you obviously had other plans for me.'
'Plans, that flopped.'
'It’s not your fault Dane. We could just try another time besides you didn't want us to start having sex yet.'
'And you are fine with that?'
'Of course,' but I need to get to the guest room so I can prepare to leave.' Melisa was finding an excuse to leave the room.
'Can't we just lie here for a while?'
There came a knock on the door.
'Daddy, should I come in.'
He glanced at Melisa who was already picking up her dress from the floor and rushing to the washroom with the sheets covering her body.
He shook his head while dragging his pants on and headed for the door.
'Hey, you are early today.' He asked Dani when he opened the door.
'Today is Sunday Dad.'
'Yes, did I forget something?'
'Sunday jogging.'
'Oh, sorry.' He walked her in.
'Where's Lisa, she's not in her room?'
'I'm here.' She appeared behind them.
'Are you joining us for Sunday jogging?'
'I can do that.' She replied while Dane scratched his head.
'Let’s go then.' She dragged her along while Dane grabbed his shirt quickly from the floor and walked behind them.
***
Tom decided to go to work the next week as Mr. Medt called on Sunday to apologize on his daughter's behalf. He could never say no to him since he started working for him.
Tom also thought that would make Grissel happy. He called a few people at work just to be sure his position is still available.
'Ana, who is in the manager’s office?' Stella asked when she came in that afternoon and saw the key left in the door. She had to do some rounds before coming to work.
'Mr. Addison is back.'
'Tom?' She was surprised.
'Yes, he came in demanding for the key to the office and I had no choice than to give it to him. He's been working since morning and almost done with the pile up work you assigned to Jones.'
'Good.' She smiled, walked to his door but changed her route to her office. She had talked to her dad to help bring him back.
*
Tom in his office was sweating even when the air conditioner was on. He seemed really busy when his phone rang.
'Hey, how's your first day at work going?'
'Busy. Are you okay.'
'Yeah, I'm meeting Julia after work. Do you want to come?'
'No I'm busy and might be late for dinner.'
'That's no problem.' She was saying when a knock came on the door.
'Hold on for me.' He muttered to Grissel.
Stella peeped her head and then came in when Tom hadn't said anything.
'Emmm welcome back.'
'Thank you.' He responded.
'Do you think we could do lunch, I heard you've been working all morning.'
'Do you mind? I'm on a call.' He asked harshly.
'I'm sorry,' Stella said quietly and walked out.
'Who was that?' Grissel asked when he said hello.
'Who else.' My boss came to ask me out for lunch.
'That should be fun.' She teased.
'Okay, you are officially annoying right now.'
'I know I am, hey it's not a big deal. She just wants to make up.'
'In her dreams. Let me know when you are leaving Julia's end so I set off. Don't worry about dinner, I would grab something for you.' He offered.
'I love you.' She replied.
'Get off my line.' He smiled and hanged up.
About 30 minutes after, he thought grabbing that lunch with Stella wouldn't be that bad.
He picked up his jacket and headed for her office.
'Does that offer still stand?' He knocked once and entered before realizing Stella was already eating.
Stella stood up like a school girl and immediately sat down when she realized she acted weirdly.
'I think I have a second pack, if you are still up for it.'
'Why not?' He walked closer, grabbed a chair and the other pack of food.
'This is my favorite. How did you know?'
'I didn't but it's my favorite too.'
'You don't say.' Tom paused and stared.
'Ahaaa.'
'At least we have one thing in common.'
He had no idea she was this comfortable to talk to. So he smiled and continued his food.
'I apologize for the way I treated you since I arrived here.' She announced after a long while of silence.
'Apology accepted but on one condition.' Tom quickly replied as if he knew she was going to apologize.
'You name it.'
'You buy lunch every time I don't get packed food from home.'
'We have a deal Tom.'
'Works for me.' He munched on his fried chicken.
'So your wife, how long have you guys been m....'
'Friends for a year, dated for another year and married for 5months.'
'She is a lucky one.'
'No, I'm the lucky one.'
'I can call you Mr. Lucky then.'
'Miss Lucky.' He teased.
'But for what it's worth, I'm glad we are on the same page now.' She mentioned happily.
'Uhmmm, and thank you for lunch.'
She flashed him a smile.
***
Grissel packed outside and entered the house.
She was surprised to see Julia waiting for her at the door.
'Good evening Aunty.'
'Jessy just left here.' She stared at her and Grissel could read disappoint written on her face.
Grissel's face turned pale.
Julia noticed it. 'So it's true.'
'I'm so.. r.. ry, I planned on telling you bef....'
'But you didn't.'
She fumbled with her hands.
'Get the hell out of my sight and don't come back.' She yelled so loud that Grissel drew back and bumped into Melisa who heard the noise and came through the back door.
Grissel said sorry and decided to leave because she has never seen Julia react that way towards her.
'And don't you dare tell Tom about this.' She yelled out to Grissel who nodded unconsciously and vanished through the gate.
She held on to her steering immediately she entered her car. Pulled out a chunk of tissue from the dashboard and wiped her face.
She doesn’t know if she should go home or talk to Jessy. After a few minutes of indecisive moments, she drove off.
*
'Aunty, don't you think you were too hard on her?'
'Too hard you say. Do you know how much this will destroy your brother?'
'I know but I think you should have listened to her side of the story.'
'So she could lie to my face?' Julia glared.
'Somehow she deserves the worse and that was why I never liked her but spending a night in their home, I realized she probably just made a mistake so I let her off the hook.'
'Mistake? I can't believe you knew all these while and said nothing.' Julia gave her a scornful look.
Melisa scoffed. 'As if anything I say ever made sense in this house.'
Julia and Melisa both sat on the steps in front of the room while still exchanging words.
*
Melisa overheard the conversation between Jessy and Julia when she came around which she confirmed to her Aunt was the truth.
They had earlier moved back inside and had their dinner when Tom's number popped on Julia's phone.
'Do you think he knows?'
'I'm not sure, besides you told Grissel not to say a word to him.' Melisa replied her with a worried tone.
Julia sighed heavily and picked up the call.
'Tom, how are you.'
'Where's my wife? That was the first thing he asked instead of answering her question.
'She left my end over four hours ago.' Julia raised her brows in shock.
'Grissel is not home yet and it's unlike her not to call me. You were the last to see her, what was the meeting about.'
Julia froze on the phone.
'Julia, I'm talking to you. What happened to my wife?' He yelled at her.
'Calm down, I asked her here to pick up some muffins for you.'
'Then where is she. She's not answering her phone either.'
'Let me reach out to her and call you back.'
'Okay but make sure you find her.' He yelled again and hanged up.
Melisa gave her the look that her aunty understood she wants to know what has happened.
'I don't know Lisa, he said Grissel wasn't home yet.'
'Oooh, that's understandable due to how she left here. I'm sure she will go home.’ She touched her cheeks involuntarily. ‘Probably waiting for Tom to sleep so she could sneak inside in order to avoid facing him.'
'But it's almost ten in the evening.' Julia sounded worried.
They were still trying a few numbers when Melisa's phone rang.
'Not now, Henry.' She quickly said answering it and glancing at Julia.
'Can you come down to Seattle Emergency center?'
'Henry I'm not in the mood for your chit chats.'
'Grissel is here at the hospital.'
'Grissel? Hospital?' Melisa raised her voice.
'She was run down by a truck.'
'What? How long ago?' She asked pacing around probably forgetting she only needed to hang up and rush off.
'Around seven pm.'
'And how do you know all this.' She further asked.
'Just come down here and stop asking all these questions.' He flared up.
'I guess I know. We will be on our way now and you better leave there before Tom arrives.' She hanged up and realized Julia was already at the door with her car keys.
'Come on, I've called Mike to pick up Tom since he's closer to his place.' Julia probably was eavesdropping.
'That's good, we all know how Tom can drive under pressure.'
'Let's go already.' Julia went out of the door and Lisa followed.
*
Melisa and Julia got there and met Henry pacing around.
'Where's she?' Julia asked looking around.
'In the intensive care unit. Surgery was successful but she's unstable.'
She heaved a sigh of relief and held on to Melisa who slowly walked her to the seat behind the nurses.
'Aunty you got to relax, you heard she will be okay.'
Julia nodded reaching out for her phone while Melisa walked up to Henry and dragged him to a corner.
'Start talking before I flare up.'
'Relax, I was on my way to your place when I saw her driving away so I decided to follow. I guess she thought I was stalking her again so she pulled out of her lane.’
‘Were you stalking her?’
‘I knew she stopped because of me so I decided to park as well. The next thing I heard was a bang. ’ Henry stated with a weak tone. ‘I guess she didn't see the car coming towards her but the driver said it looked like she didn't care if she got knocked down.'
'So all these was your fault and you were still sitting around here.'
'I had to, because I signed the consent form as her husband and the doctor wants to see me in some few minutes.'
'You did what?' You are not meeting anyone.’ She smoldered. ‘Get out of here before Tom gets here because he will strangle you alive.'
'But I have to be here.'
'I said get out.' Melisa yelled unconsciously and realized all eyes were on her.
Henry hasn't seen her that angry and serious before so he quietly walked away to the nurse’s area, spoke with them for a few minutes and left.
He was lucky not to meet Tom and Mike on the way.
Melisa saw him rushing towards the nurses table and gave him way while Julia watched from a far.
He however ignored them while Mike walked towards their direction.
'I heard Grissel has been brought to this hospital.'
'Sir, can I have the patient’s full name.'
'Grissel Addison.'
'I can’t see that here though I have Grissel Bannerman.'
'Yes, that's my wife.'
'Wife?' The nurse with the name tag Pamela asked surprised.
'Can you just give me her room number or get me the doctor on her case.'
'Hold on, someone else signed as her husband. Let me just confirm from the doctor.'
'What are you talking about?'
Melisa realized his brother was going to cause a scene so she met the nurse half way and explained to her Henry was a family friend while pointing to Tom.
'So where is she?' He asked impatiently when it looked like whatever Melisa told her worked.
'ICU but you need to see the doctor now since you are the husband.' Pamela said and gestured him to follow her.
He followed and walked pass Julia without another word.

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 14
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

'This was all your fault Adam.'
'How is it my fault?'
'You should have told me this months ago.'
'I didn't because I knew how you will react but I sure didn't ask you to tell Julia anything so Grissel's accident is on you.'
'When it comes to Grissel, you seem to be over protective. You don't do that when I'm in trouble Adam.'
'You should be ashamed of yourself right now. I thought she was both of us our responsibility the moment you brought her home.'
'I know I did but I'm just angry you two kept this away from me.'
'Put yourself in her shoes. Would you have told me if you knew I'm the type of man who can't forgive betrayal?'
'I guess not and besides I'm just angry she felt comfortable talking to you about it than me.'
'Trust me, she didn't, Andre contacted me on her behalf.'
'Andre? Her boss?'
'Yes, that was why I chose that hotel so I could meet them both there before the wedding.'
'What has he got to do with this?'
'Why don't you ask Grissel when she wakes up? Now can I drive in peace?'
Jessy gave her husband a squeeze on his shoulders and gave him the go ahead to drive towards the hospital.
*****
'Is she going to be alright?' He asked the doctor after introducing himself when he entered his office.
'Yeah, she’s a strong woman. She had two major surgeries under four hours but didn’t give up.’
‘She has always been tough.’ Tom grinned for the first time since he arrived at the hospital.
‘But we are sorry she lost the pregnancy and we hope you can wait for some time before breaking the news to her. If possible I can recommend a psychologist before you tell her she miscarried.'
'Pregnancy?' Tom repeated with a surprised face on after a few seconds of letting the doctor’s words settle in.
The doctor read in between the lines and knew he was not aware.
'I understand, Mr. Addison. This must have been a shock to you but your wife was pregnant when she was brought in here.'
He slumped on the chair and seemed as if he was trying to remember something.
‘Do you need a few minutes to settle in?’
‘No, how many weeks pregnancy.’ He managed to ask.
‘My guess is a few weeks.’ The doctor replied.
‘So it’s possible she was pregnant before last week.’
‘Of course, if I’m not wrong close to a month. We didn’t have time to check all that since she was in critical condition when they brought her in and needed immediate surgery.’
‘Thank you but when can we see her.’ He managed to ask.
‘You can all go home now and return tomorrow.’
‘Thank you.’ He said weakly.
‘And you can have full report from the police tomorrow and the man who knocked her down.’
‘That won’t be necessary.’ Tom said as if he was giving up.
He stood up and exchanged a handshake with the doctor.
Mike and Julia were talking when they saw Tom walking pass them.
‘Where are you off to?’ Mike turned to him.
‘Home?’ He replied and kept walking.
‘Home? Why? Have you seen your wife already?’
‘No.’ He turned around.
‘Then we should wait around Tom.’
‘What for Mike? I want to go home.’
‘I thought you came here to see Grissel.’
‘Why should I see her?’ Tom asked with rage on her face.
Julia and her niece exchanged glances.
‘Man, what is wrong with you.’
‘Can you drive me home or give me the car keys?’
‘What did the doctor tell you?’ He didn’t realize Julia was standing beside him.
‘What do you care when this was all your fault in the first place?’
‘I’m sorry but can we just make sure your love is okay then you can fight me all you want.’ Julia tapped him on the shoulder.
The name love must have brought him back to his senses because a smile appeared on his face and vanished immediately.
‘Aunty, I asked my wife last week if she was pregnant. She told me no.’
‘Okay what has that got to do with anything?’ Mike interrupted and he turned giving him a weird look.
Melisa led him to the chair Julia vacated earlier. He didn’t bother to push her off as he was confused.
‘She killed my baby Lisa and I can’t be here when she wakes up.’
Julia and Melisa looked at each other again.
‘I’m not sure Grissel will intentionally do that to you Tom.’ Her sister tried to calm him down.
‘Then why did she lie when I asked her if she was pregnant just to find out from the doctor she was several weeks pregnant before I even asked her.’
‘Maybe she wasn’t even aware she was pregnant.’
‘Trust me, she knew and probably didn’t want to have my baby.’ Tom wiped his face like a small kid crying over his missing ball.
‘Don’t think like that. It was an accident and there must be an explanation to why she denied being pregnant. That’s unlike Grissel.’ Melisa said looking up at Julia once more.
‘But you don’t even like her, how would you know if she didn’t lie just to escape having my children.’
‘Trust me, I’m sure even if she knew, she must have a good explanation for not telling you.’ Melisa smiled at him.
‘She was probably in denial. It happens sometimes.’ Julia finally spoke up.
‘That was why I asked her when I suspected last week.’
‘It’s okay, you would have other opportunities. Imagine what your weakness would do to her if she wakes up seeing you this way. Wipe your face.’
‘Thank you aunty and sorry I yelled at you.’
‘That’s alright son.’
‘But the doctor said we can go home and come back tomorrow.’
‘I think he’s right.’ Mike chipped in.
‘Then you can come home with us tonight so Mike can drive home as well.’ Julia supported him to stand up.
He nodded and walked from them to the nurse he spoke to earlier.
‘I need a favor Pamela.’
‘I guess I should call you once she wakes up.’
‘Exactly, thank you.’ He gave her his card and walked away while the others followed.
Their drive home was very long and quiet. Nobody said a word until Melisa pulled in front of their gate.
___
Tom however found out within the course of that week Henry was the one who found Grissel and sent her to the hospital. He didn't make much of it, though he lashed out on him for signing the consent form without his permission he also knew had it not been that Grissel would have died before they even got there.
Julia had asked him not to come around the hospital anymore and Henry seemed to be okay with that.
Melisa has been avoiding his calls even before the accident especially since Dane is now in the picture. But he was her only friend so she has been giving him update on Grissel's health.
'Do you think she'll wake up?'
Tom asked Jessy who has been blaming herself for the past week.
'She will and I can't wait to tell her how sorry I was.' She retorted and realized Tom was looking at her weirdly.
'You know, I never asked what you guys fought about.' He queried Jessy who thought she saw Grissel move her fingers.
She kept watching through the window and stylishly avoiding his questions.
'Jessy, why did you leave my house that day without a notice?'
'Tom?' She called out pointing to where Grissel laid.
'I asked you over politely to find out what her problem was, so the least you could do for me was to tell me what she said I wasn’t doing right but you left.'
He still hadn't realized what Jessy was pointing to.
'Tom, look.'
'You know what, it's alright. I would live with it if you don't want to help.' He further said and saw the doctor rushing in there which caught his attention.
'Tom? She's waking up.' Melisa came to where she stood backing the window talking to Jessy.
He turned around immediately with mixed feelings and watched while the doctor attended to her.
Dr. Steven came out briefly and signaled him.
'Doc is she okay.'
'Yes for now, we will just monitor her for a few days but the worse is over.'
'When can we see her?'
'Just give us some few minutes, she had to be moved to a more comfortable room and set up. The nurse will come pick you up after that.'
'Thank you Doctor.'
'Remember what we talked about, this is not the time to tell her she lost the pregnancy as it may have effect on her psychologically.'
'Yeah I will get her the help she needs when it comes to that.'
They shook hands and the Doctor left.
***
They all rushed in after Tom entered.
Grissel still had bandages over her head, legs and arms.
She blinked twice when Tom sat beside her on the bed.
'I'm so...'
'Shhhh, don't talk. The doctor said you are still fragile.' He kissed her on the forehead.
She tried to talk but it was faint and quiet.
The doctor came in and signaled Tom to walk out with him.
'I will be back.'
She blinked again when Tom spoke up.
'I love you' He whispered into her ears and smiled.
Jessy left the spot she was standing when Tom left the room.
Grissel allowed the tears she was holding to fall off.
'Hey, I'm sorry. You don't need to cry. We've all decided it's your secret to tell.’ She placed her hands gently on hers. ‘If you don't want Tom to know, it's your cross to carry. But then don't ever keep something like that away from me.' Jessy held her hands while Grissel focused on Julia who walked over earlier but kept staring at her.
'Than...k you.' She managed to say, then Julia nodded and Melisa smiled to her.
They were still talking when Tom came back.
***
Julia was out of sight when Tom came in that evening.
'Maybe, everyone’s asleep.' He thought and smiled to himself.
Then he remembered the argument with Grissel earlier in the morning. The smile on his face vanished. He then remembered the ice cream in his other hand so he left with it to the kitchen.
The past week that Grissel spent in the hospital and was discharged got everyone around her sympathizing her. Except Melisa whom Tom didn’t want to have around after he found out from Grissel she knew Henry was stalking his wife and as his sister she supported him.
***
‘Your Dad seemed like he didn’t like me.’ Dane complained after they left the restaurant where they met with Morris.
Melisa insisted on Dane meeting her Dad as she felt it was the right thing to do. Unlike her previous relationship she wasn’t so sure about anyone before but Dane is different.
Morris who sounded reserved and uncomfortable throughout their meet up kept to himself.
‘I noticed too but you are still my choice not his.’ She blushed and got into his car fixing her seat belt.
‘How’s your sister in law?’ He suddenly asked after a long silence.
‘She gave us quite a scare but she’s better now.’ Melisa announced picking up her phone which was ringing. ‘Hello.’ She said softly.
‘What happened? Your Dad called, something about bad feelings.’
‘He can’t stop me, neither would you?’
‘I have no intentions of doing that Lisa.’
‘Good, I’m on my way back. Let’s talk when I get to Tom’s.’ She said uncomfortably and hanged up.
‘Trouble in Paradise?’ Dane asked when she seemed lost after the call.
‘Do you know my dad prior to meeting him?’
Dane looked at her confused and pulled over at a gas station. ‘Where’s that coming from?’
‘Forget I asked. Drive on.’ She said feigning a smile.

To be continued


Read episode 15 here - http://youngicee.com/2018/06/blemished-love-episode-15.html

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 15
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved
‘Aunty, I’ve been home for three weeks since the accident and you still haven’t asked me what the real story was.’ Grissel asked when Julia was applying a covering on her belly wound though she was fit now Tom insisted her aunt do that all the time.
‘It’s not my secret to tell and I don’t intend knowing your side of the story.’
‘I’m sorry. I tried to break it off with Tom when he asked me to marry him but you made me know everyone has a past that they should keep locked up if they ever want to be happy.’
‘And you chose happiness.’ Julia asked.
She nodded.
‘Okay, though you have lost the respect I have for you, I still think you had no other choice but there’s one thing left which is you love Tom.’
‘Yes I love him.’
‘That works for me and as for whatever your reasons were I think you have to choose if you want to let him know or keep it locked up.’
‘I don’t want him to know Aunty.’
‘Good because it would break him. He’s fragile like his mom but not an entirely forgiving type.’
‘I knew all that but I still choose him.’
‘Alright, but if he gets to find out on his own just walk out peacefully.’ Julia advised.
‘He won’t find out. It’s not possible.’ Grissel reassured.
‘Melisa found out so it’s very possible.’
Grissel’s eyes lit with fear. ‘What if I get out of the marriage now? I mean we are barely even one year, it would be easier for him than waiting till we are pass the early stages.’
‘As I said it’s entirely up to you if you want to leave Tom.’ Julia heard the voice behind her.
‘Leave Tom? Who is leaving me?’ He asked and there was no response.
Grissel turned around as they were not facing the door so they didn’t see him come in.
‘I’m I not talking to human beings.’
‘Hey, watch your words son.’
‘Then answer me?’ He was still standing at his initial spot.
‘This is about Melisa’s new boyfriend.’
‘Melisa has a boyfriend?’ Tom enquired surprised.
‘Yes, some guy in Dallas.’
‘And is he called Tom, because I’m sure I heard Tom.’
‘I can’t remember his name but you heard wrong.’
‘Yes you did. We only said we have no idea if you would accept the guy.’ Grissel covered up when she realized Julia was struggling.
‘I wasn’t talking to you Grissel.’
‘Aunty, whoever Lisa ends up with is none of my business so stop discussing me with people who don’t see me good enough for them.’
Both Julia and Grissel glanced at each other.
Grissel knew it was about their fight that morning.
‘By the way, is there any food for me?’ He directed the question to Julia.
‘Of course, Grissel cooked.’
‘Good, can you please help me warm it? I’m so tired.’
‘Come with me,’ She signaled dropping the First Aid box where she picked it.
His wife looked on and smiled.
‘Stubborn as always. I thought he wouldn’t eat.’
***
‘Why were you talking to your wife in that manner?’
‘Not you too Aunty. Can I eat in peace?’
‘You can eat her food but disrespect her in front of me.’
‘I’m sorry. These past few weeks has been stressful and she’s not making it easy for me as well.’
‘Come on, she went through something scary. Cut her some slack.’
‘Something scary like killing my child.’
‘Not this again Tom.’
‘You all nearly killed me when I told you she knew and didn’t want the baby.’
‘We only didn’t want you to presume when she was still in the serious danger.’
‘Well, I told her last night about losing the baby and guess what she said.’
‘She didn’t know.’ Julia picked up the glass of juice for him as he was trying to reach out to it and talking at the same time.
Tom gulped the juice like he hasn’t drunk water the whole day.
‘She said okay.’
‘Okay?’
‘Yes, like she didn’t care what that might have done to me since I found out.’
‘That’s understandable Tom. She lost something precious too and probably in shock.’
‘That was what I thought until I confronted her this morning and she said what if she knew besides she already told me she was not ready for babies yet.’
Julia stared at his nephew and knew he was hurting at the same time she understood Grissel’s comment.
‘Tom, give her time. She’s probably still in shock.’
‘Is that not why I’m her husband? You know what you women always seem to think you can handle everything.’
‘Just give her space then.’
‘Space, you haven’t heard the rest and you asking me to give her space.’
‘I don’t want to be the one in the middle of your fights.’
‘Now you don’t want to when you were there from day one. I don’t know if I regret marrying her yet but tell her I switched the pills.’
‘What pills Tom?’
‘The birth control Pills. I saw them the day before she left the hospital. I didn’t make much of it until last night when she didn’t care about losing the baby.’
‘Take it easy on her and just maybe you might get the answers you need.’
‘I have the answers I need already. I think I pamper her too much.’ He munched on his meat.
‘Maybe but love makes you do that.’
‘Just talk to her before she turns me into what I’m not prepared to become.’
‘I will,’ Julia said and started clearing the table when Grissel came out.
She gestured her to come over and talk to him and then walked pass them.
‘I’m leaving tomorrow, as you two clearly need the space to work out your differences.’
‘Aunty, do you have to?’ He sounded sad.
She just smiled and left them at the table. They both were silence and didn’t know who was to talk first.
‘I wasn’t aware about the pregnancy. It must have occurred to me after you brought it to my attention but I shrugged it off because i thought it wasn’t possible since I was on t….’
‘On the pill?’
‘Yeah and that wasn’t because I didn’t want to have your baby as you made it seemed earlier to your aunty.’ Grissel has heard him talk about how he found the pills.
‘You were listening?’ He asked relieved.
‘I came out shortly after you two left.’
‘That was my child too, and I should have a say in whatever decision you make.’
‘Come on Tom, I didn’t intentionally stand in front of a car to get run over. It was an accident and I only made you think I knew about the pregnancy because you refused I go back to work when I seem to be strong enough to even make you dinner.’
‘Okay but the driver who knocked you down seem to be of the view that you intentionally wanted to get knocked down.’ Tom said with a calm tone now.
He realized she just lied and whatever was eating her wife up like a virus needed him to be calm and accept all her words.
‘Do you now believe a strangers word over your wife’s?’
‘No, but he sounded sure and finding the pills gave me whatever clarity I need.’
‘And if you should know, I stopped taking the pills two months before the accident and I guess I didn’t react to the news the way you wanted me to because I read my file while it was lying on my beside table and I had to ask Lisa to explain to me.’
‘Lisa?’ She’s a gossip too?’
‘No, I pressured her and I guess it prepared me to face you when you finally brought it up.’
‘I’m sorry, I judged you wrongly.’ Tom apologized warmly.
‘That’s okay, but I want to tell you what happened.’ Grissel stared at him to see his reaction.
‘Really?’
‘Yeah, keeping it would only make us have problems later.’
‘Let’s go inside, once I get my shower then we can talk and thank you for dinner.’
She flashed him a smile and took the lead.
*****
‘Can I speak to your dad now?’ Melisa told Dani over the phone.
‘Okay, Lisa but don’t tell her I told you about the surprise birthday party.’
‘I won’t, my lips are sealed.’ Melisa while on the bed kept smiling to herself.
She heard footsteps, as Dani was walking closer to her Dad.
‘Hey Love.’
‘A party huh. ‘
‘Dani told you?’
‘Ahaaa, so what do you think?’
‘I don’t want it D.’
‘Not anything big, I just thought you could bring your family over. It’s just my little way of telling you how much extra love I have for you.’
‘Extra love. That’s funny but i still don’t want it.’
‘Okay, we won’t drag this any further. We can do lunch with your brother or Aunty.’
‘My family is weird. Julia might come but not that strong head of a brother.’
‘You never told me, what happened between you two.’
‘It’s a long story which I don’t want to go into right now. Tom is just like our Dad.’
‘I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.’
‘You are right.’
‘But I really want to marry you soon.’
‘Married?’
‘Yes, I want to make you mine Lisa.’ He announced softly.
Melisa went mute suddenly staring at the ceiling. ‘Emmmm Da….’
‘This is about your Dad not liking me right?’ He asked to cut her off.
‘D, I don’t want to rush into marriage like Tom did with Grissel. I want to explore what we have a little longer’
There was a long silence again and Dane sighed heavily. ‘Lis….’
‘D, I didn’t mean it that way.’ She didn’t let him conclude his statement.
Before she could say anything else he hanged up.
‘Reasoning with you sometimes sucks Dane.’ She hit her head repeatedly and walked out to meet Julia who was in the hall watching Television.
*****
It’s been weeks since her last talk with Dane. It’s almost as if he vanished.
‘Paige.’ Lisa waved from where she stood at the other side of the road where they met for their drink up the last time.
She waved back and walked carefully crossing the road to Melisa’s end.
Bryan appeared from nowhere and came to where they stood exchanging pleasantries.
‘Hey, you again.’
‘Yes, me again.’ He replied.
‘He has been asking of you Lisa.’
‘Oh he has?’ She muttered facing him.
He scratched his head and a smile appeared on his face coyly. ‘I’m sorry I left in a hurry the last time.’
‘You don’t need to apologize for that.’
‘Can I buy you a drink?’ He asked quickly.
‘Emmm, we hav….’
‘Yes, she will be glad to have a drink with you Bryan.’ Paige cut in before Melisa could refuse.
‘Can you give me about five minutes? I want to close my shop. I will meet you two in the snack bar.’
Paige smiled to him and shook Melisa by her shoulder while Bryan hurried away to his shop.
‘What was that?’
‘What was what?’ Paige asked back.
‘The drink, I’m not comfortable.’
‘He asked you for a drink not sex.’ Paige retorted.
‘I know that and I told you I don’t accept such offers from strangers anymore.’
‘Yet, you accepted mine.’
‘Well, you are different Paige.’
‘He’s different too.’
‘Looks like he’s obsessed with me already.’ Melisa retorted.
‘It’s just a harmless drink. Enjoy yourselves.’ She tapped her and walked towards where she parked her car.
They were going to hang out for a few drinks and now she has decided to leave her alone with Bryan.
‘Paige, what are you doing?’
‘I just remembered I had to pick up my niece from school.’
‘Since when do you have a niece?’
‘I told you about Shirley and Michael. Their mom’s left them with my brother.’
‘No you didn’t.’ Melisa was still insisting she had no idea about that when Bryan announced his presence..
‘You are still here?’ Bryan asked from behind.
‘Yeah, trying to convince Paige to come with us.’
He turned to Paige’s direction and she has already crossed the road to the other side waving them.
‘I guess she’s not coming.’
‘Sounds like that.’ She replied.
‘But if you are not comfortable, we can cancel.’
‘I’m okay so let’s go in already.’ Melisa said watching Paige drive away as he followed Bryan inside the snack bar.
***
‘Thank you for the treat.’ She said slumping into the couch before her.
Tom had decided after everything they went through, she deserved a night out of the house.
‘You don’t need to thank me as it’s my responsibility and oh you can start work on Wednesday.’
‘Are you for real?’ She jumped up and already throwing herself on him on the other side of the couch.
To Grissel her work is the only way to hide behind the truth and her guilt.
‘The doctor said you are fit to start work.’
‘I love you Tom.’
‘I hear that all the time, say something new for a change.’ He smiled.
She drooled all over him. ‘I nee..d you Tom.’ She stuttered a little and buried his face under his shirt.
‘Look, who is shy now?’ He teased.
‘Don’t flatter yourself. I’m not shy, just that it’s been long since we ma…
‘Made love?’
She nodded from under the shirt dragging it with her head.
‘And that’s weird for you.’
‘Kind of and you are asking too much questions already. Let’s just skip that part.’ She giggled.
Tom shook his head. ‘Let me turn off the lights and get the doors locked so we go upstairs.’
‘No, the couch is fine.’ She immediately took the shirt off her face and whispered to him.
Grissel stared at him to be sure he got the message before caressing his face.

Read episode 16 here - http://youngicee.com/2018/06/blemished-love-episode-16.html

Tanks a lot for the update. U too much

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 16
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

'Are you checking me out now? We have something called privacy Dane.'
'You call meeting with a guy you barely knew for drinks privacy.'
'How did you know I met with Bryan?' She was trying so hard to control her anger that night.
'So it's true. Lisa, am I not enough for you.'
'What is this really about Dane? Because I remember cutting ties with Henry when you asked me to so what is it you want from me now?'
'You didn't, I saw you coming out of Henry's apartment last week dawn. What do you call that?'
'We call it mind your business. You can't just keep monitoring me around when I'm laying down everything for you.'
'Oh really, if you can't be with me alone and not sneak out of guys house at dawn as if you went stealing something which wasn't yours , then let's quit.'
'Have it your way.' She replied angrily and hanged up.
Just that minute her phone rang.
'What do you want now? I said it's over.'
'Lisa, are you okay?' The voice drew her attention to the caller ID.
'Bryan, I'm sorry I yelled at you but can we talk another time.'
'That's perfect. Goodnight.' He hanged up before she could.
Melisa buried her face in between her three pillows.
'He stopped calling for two weeks and suddenly thinks its okay to monitor me.' She hissed. ‘I can't remember disrespecting him too.'
'Maybe, you are doing something wrong.' Julia startled her.
Julia switched on the light and stood by the door with her arms folded.
'Aunty, you know how I so much hate it when you sneak up on me.'
'I know but I did this on purpose. You hate this so does your boyfriend also hates whatever you keep doing out there with Henry.'
'Not you too aunty. I told you he stopped calling because he thought i didn't want to marry him when I obviously don’t want to rush into marriage.'
'I heard all that and how you kept yelling at him earlier.'
'He's monitoring me and I don't like it.'
'I think that's not right too but you keep giving him reasons to.'
'I know what you are thinking.'
'Good, so?'
'I'm not having sex with Henry anymore.' In fact, I haven’t been laid since I met Dane.’
‘You took my advice?’
‘Yes, It hasn’t been easy and Henry keeps bugging me about it.’
'But you were in his house, I guess you were just sleeping by him.'
'Kind of but it's not like that aunty.'
'You see how silly you sound and look right now. Who wouldn't be angry over her girlfriend gracing another man's bed?'
'I'm sorry, I just needed so...
'Sex, because you weren't getting that from him right.'
'I wa...s go...ing to say some comfort.'
'What's the difference when it all involves touching you.' Julia walked closer and sat with her on the bed now.
'He didn't touch me, trust me.'
'I trust you but the other guy in your life won't believe you so the earlier you stop going to Henry's place the better. You aren't a kid anymore.'
'Alright, thank you.' Melisa responded.
'Don’t thank me yet and who is Bryan.'
'Just a friend of Paige. We had one drink together and that was it.'
'Just a friend and you are blushing. May I remind you I've been at your age before?'
'Aunty, believe me. I love D, and nobody else.'
'Then talk to him about what's bothering you. Make him understand you don't like to be monitored.’ Julia had her full gaze on her.
‘I will reach out to her later.’
‘And the sex, I don't know how you two can work that out but I want you to be happy. If you are not happy being with him, just walk out. I will help you cry yet again as I've been doing for years.'
'You are a God sent Julia Smith.'
'I know I am but the next time you call me by Joe's name, you will see the other part of Julia.' She smacked her niece.
'I know your other side and I also know Joe comes to sleep in this house when I'm not around.'
'Huh, who told you that lie?' She coyly asked.
'No one but your demeanor just confirmed it. Just let me know when you need the house so I can travel for a year.'
'I don't want you to go for that long. The small travels are just fine with us.'
'So it's true. Is it official yet?'
'We are not dating, if that's what you think.'
'But you are having fun right?'
'I guess so considering his ex-wife is still in the picture, I'm sure this fun will all come to an end soon.'
'Don’t think like that, besides they are divorced and that's what you wanted not to be with a married man.'
'But it felt wrong when it seemed I gave him the idea when his wife cheated on him. That was the main reason why I pushed him away.'
'No you didn't push him away, they might have tried to work it out and it didn't work.'
'You are right.' Julia said and her phone rang.
'It's Joe.' Let’s talk tomorrow morning Lisa.'
She nodded and flashed Julia a smile.
***
'What's with you and the couch anyway?' He asked pulling Grissel's long blouse to cover their naked body on the floor. Though it wasn't entirely covering everything, it did its best.
'I just love it here.' She kissed him once more.
'You never did tell me about who your first was.'
'Oh just some guy.' She frowned.
'Is that where your energy and then the couch ideas.....'
'Tom. Let's not go into that. It's unhealthy please.'
'Okay Love. I just hope I get to hear that story someday.'
She raised her head from his chest as they moved from the couch earlier to the floor. Grissel stared in his eyes and made to talk.
'What?' He stroked her hair when Grissel suddenly kept quiet.
'Nothing. Can we just lie here tonight?'
'We could, expect we are yet to take our shower and lock up.' Tom told her smiling.
'Can't that wait? Especially now that I'm ready for your children we need to spend more time cuddling.' She winked.
Tom quickly picked himself off the floor sitting against the couch.
'Are you serious?'
'Yeah though I'm not sure if I can be a good mom to your kids, I just think this is the best time to start.'
'Thank you so much.' He hugged her grinning more than usual.
'But wait, you said my kids. Why do I feel, you are just doing this for me.'
'Sorry, our kids.'
'Okay, but I will be around to help you so don't worry about how good you should be.'
'I know you will be around but you don't understand me. I’m scared Tom.'
'Come here.' Tom drew her closer and she rested on his bare chest while he encouraged her.
'I would also appreciate if you talk to me instead of Julia. I know we've been having problems a lot lately but I want you to know I listen when you talk but I just sometimes disagree.'
'I'm sorry, I didn't think Julia was going to talk to you that soon. I was hoping to call her back tomorrow.'
'She was here yesterday while you were at work.'
'Was that why you changed your mind about having kids now because if you are still not ready, I totally understand you.'
'Not at all, she aired her view and I think I was just holding back because I'm scared.'
'Alright, we can discuss this later as I know your plan is just to sleep here tonight.' He dragged her up quickly.
'Oh Tom. Let's stay for just an hour more.'
'I have work tomorrow and I have to be up early.'
'But tomorrow is a Sunday.'
'Miss Lucky wants me at work tomorrow morning. Sorry I forgot to tell you.'
'I hate going to church alone Tom.'
'Duty calls, Love.'
'Why do I feel like, you are doing all this to please your boss?'
'Come on, she's been nice to me since I got back to work.'
'Is this where you tell me she's actually a nice person.'
'Actually she is more than nice.'
'I'm coming with you to work tomo...' She was interrupted by the beep of her phone.
She looked at the number which wasn't registered.
'Tom, can you answer this call for me.' She handed over the phone to him which he was gestured asking why but Grissel had already hit the answer button so he had to speak.
'Hello, Tom here.'
The line dropped before he could say another word.
'That's weird. The caller hanged up.'
'Exactly, this is the fifth time since last week.'
'Wait, why didn't you tell me about it?'
'I figured it would stop and you were not exactly cool about Henry stalking me when I told you everything.'
'When something like this happens to you, talk to me Grissel. I don’t want to yell so you tell me I'm becoming like my Dad.'
'I'm sorry.'
'You are so used to keeping things to yourself even when you clearly need help. And may I remind you, you nearly died keeping secrets under my watch.'
'I said I'm sorry.'
'As usual, sorry fixes everything for you. Remind me to let Mike look into the name registered with that number for you.'
'I will contact Henry myself. Thank you.' She swayed the phone around.
'I'm going to take my shower now. Are you coming with me?'
'Later.' She sat back on the couch while Tom went upstairs.
Mike works with the network provider that both Grissel and Tom patronize so it's always easy setting up things with his help. Grissel that evening knew she didn’t need Mike’s help to figure out the number as she wasn’t ready to open up old wounds.
But she had to contact Mike so there wouldn’t be a problem between her and Tom. Grissel succeeded in sending the message to Mike and rushed upstairs.
*****
Tom and Stella has been getting along lately. They sometimes have drinks together Friday nights instead of his friends.
They were at the Seattle bar when Stella received a call. She excused herself and left.
'Tom, what are you doing?' Austin frowned.
'I'm doing nothing.'
'Austin is just trying to ask you what you are doing with Stella.' Mike clarified.
'She's my boss and I brought her for a drink.'
'Who takes their bosses out man? Especially at this time of the night.' Austin questioned.
'Are you insinuating something?' Tom raised his voice this time.
'You can't see the picture on the wall clearly. Dude she's falling for you.' Clive chipped in.
'She’s aware I have a wife.'
'Has that ever stopped her kind?' Austin jeered.
'Look, I didn't come here to have arguments like the last time.' Tom whispered.
'Mike and Clive, why are you two quiet. Tell your guy here something.' Austin pushed.
'I would better not assume. Tom is a big guy, I'm sure he knows what he's doing.' Mike watched him closely while talking.
'Thank you Mike, I don't know what gets into Austin anytime Grissel becomes the topic.'
'Just looking out for a friend which you never brought to have drinks with us but here we are with your boss who seems to have feelings for you.'
'But what is so wrong if Tom decides to meet other ladies after work.' Clive the insensitive one asked.
'Everything is wrong Clive. Why is he married then?'
'Austin, do you like my wife?' Tom's next question brought silence to the whole place until Stella got back.
'Hello, are you guys in a trance or something.'
Mike was the first to speak up while the rest directed their gaze to Austin's direction.
'My friend Austin here just confessed he likes you so much Stella.' Tom teased and picked his next bottle.
Stella glanced at all the guys at the table and feigned a smile.
'Thank you Austin, but Tom I have to get going. My Dad wants me home.'
'You didn't tell him, you are with me.'
She got closer to his ears. 'That's the problem.'
'Okay, let me just finish this and drop you home.'
'I can go with a cab, it’s a long drive.'
'I insist Stella. Remember I asked you to let your driver go home so I could drive you after here.'
'But you were always in a rush to see your wife every day after wok. Won't there be problems.'
All eyes fell on her instantly.
'She understands Fridays are not for her but for my friends. So relax, if you don't want to go with me, Austin here can drive you since he’s going your way.'
'Tom, you know I always hit the last bottle before I leave.' Austin declined with a scowl.
'You are stuck with me now Stella.'
She looked around and her eyes fell on Clive who signaled her to go.
'Okay let's go already. Hope you are not that drunk.'
'No, I took just two bottles.'
'Three.' Mike and Clive chorused.
He shoved them an eye and picked up his phone and keys rushing after Stella who was waving the guys.
'Hey dude, Catch.' Clive threw him a small pack of condom he pulled out from his shirt pocket earlier.
Tom quickly grabbed and shook his head while Mike waved smiling. Stella was already out of sight.
'I don't need this so Austin can go blabbing to my wife.'
'Man, I told you I'm not a snitch. Do whatever you want to because I'm done talking about Grissel.'
'Come on, it's just a joke Austin.' He said placing the condom in his jacket pocket and gave them three a handshake before leaving.
*****
Dane has been in Seattle for a while now.
He packed in front of the shop Paige and Melisa were meeting as she picked her and the kids up for a shopping treat.
'So what's with you and Bryan.'
'We had a drink the last time you stylishly left me with him alone.'
'I'm sorry, I told you I had to pick up this young ones.' Paige pointed to Shirley and her brother who were busy checking out toys in the shop.
'I believe you now but how are you able to raise all two kids by yourself.'
'It hasn't been easy but they are helpful sometimes.'
'So their mom never comes around.' Melisa kept asking as they moved from one shelf to another.
'They both vanished. I think my brother just had bad luck with those women.
'That's so sad but he didn’t tell you the truth about why they left.'
'Enough about my kids, you still haven't heard from your guy.'
'I'm done with him. I told you he's been stalking me all this time that he refused to call.'
'That's very weird.'
'He is weird, but I love him and his little girl.'
'Yeah you told me, you were hoping to give her all your best.'
'It's all over now. I'm back to being single and I must as well be with Henry.'
'You do know Henry is just using you to get to Grissel right.'
'I know and I don't really care. Grissel won't give in that easily that I'm sure of now so I'm just having fun.'
'Just make sure you don't end up falling for him.'
'I know that so well. I told you about Dane's no sex rule too.'
'That is creepy too for a man like him who has been married before and with a child. Are you sure he's not into cults.'
Melisa laughed so loud drawing the attention of the other shoppers. 'No, he's not. I think he just wants to give his wife that respect until we are married.'
'His dead wife Mel.'
'Yeah, he never talked about her again since the last time I asked and it made me wonder if he was still holding on to her.'
'Girl if you ask me, you are in for a lot of trouble. Just take care of your heart.'
'Thank you but it's over now so I get to move on.'
'I can introduce you to some other guys, even Bryan might be interested in you.'
'Not now, let's get going before we waste the whole day in here.'
They went for the kids who bought a whole lot of toys and joined the queue to pay.
'Lisa right?' The attendant asked.
'Yes, that's me. Did our kids destroy something or my bank card isn't working.' She asked hurriedly as she already gave her the card earlier after she had checked their items.
'Far from that. Your items have been paid for and you just need to take your change.'
'Paid for by whom?' She asked with a confused expression when her eyes fell on Dane leaving the shop. She kept staring at him.
'Paige, take the stuff and meet me up front.' She dropped her hand bag and rushed after him but he got into his car and drove off before she got out.
She stood at the entrance waiting for Paige.
'What was that all about?' She tapped asking her.
'That weirdo just paid and after spotting him, he drove off.'
'You mean Dane the white guy.' She asked sarcastically because Melisa mostly refer to him that way.
She nodded.
'Lisa, something is off with this guy.'
'I know Paige, he started this stalking since the day I kind of told him I wasn't ready for marriage.'
'Do you need help?'
'No, I can handle him. Let's go now, I will drop you guys home.'
They packed the items in the booth of the car and drove off.
'By the way, I went back to get that shoe for the two of us. The change was enough to get three and I got a dress for our outing next week.'
Melisa shoved her an ugly stare.
'You didn’t even know where the money came from but you bought shoes.'
'I thought from your Dad.'
'Well you thought wrong Paige.'
She didn't realize Melisa was pissed off.
'I got the matching bags too for.....'
'Paige, enough of I got this and I got that.'
'Sorry.' She looked out to check on the kids at the back who had already eaten a bar of the chocolate. Paige flashed them a smile.
Melisa watched them from the front mirror and smooched Paige's thigh.
'Is that your way of saying I'm sorry for bashing you earlier?'
'Yeah, but I didn't bash you.'
'At least, you fulfilled your promise of taking me out for a treat.' Paige announced.
They both ended up laughing while driving home.


Read more here - www.youngicee.com/category/blemished-love

Tanks a lot for the update. Jah bless

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 17
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

'Austin, you asked me here and yet haven't said anything yet.'
'I want to ask you something.'
'Okay, does your sister want to make a change to the custody schedules?'
'No, your work is just perfect, I just wanted us to talk over a drink.'
She sighed and picked up her glass of juice. 'You scared me when you said you want us to talk.'
'It's just our usual chit chat.' He clarified.
'I'm sorry I haven't made time for us lately but you know the early stages in marriage can make you lose friends.'
'Don't worry I'm not complaining. I know the kind of man you married.'
She laughed. 'I always forget you know him more than I do.'
'How's he doing with marriage?'
Grissel looked at his face and knew anytime Austin has something important to ask he beats about the real story.
'Austin, just ask already.'
'I don't want to be meddling in your marriage but are you happy with my friend.'
'Are you happy you introduced us?' She shot back.
'Of course, I am.' He replied scratching his head.
'There you have your answer.'
'So you are happy. He's treating you right.'
'I'm okay dear friend. You don't need to give me a questionnaire to fill anytime you and Tom happen to argue.'
'He told you about the drink up fight?'
‘Ahaaa that should tell you he would never treat me contrary to what you told him the first time you introduced us.'
He managed a sigh. 'Great, so how's work.'
'I just started this week and I'm hoping to blend in soon. Andre isn’t around so I'm doing all his paper works.'
'I'm happy you could put all that behind you and move on.'
'I have Tom and he makes it easy.'
'Let me get us some food then.' He changed the topic and stood up heading to the waiter.
Grissel called up Tom quickly.
'Mission accomplished but you still owe me a day out at the beach.' She quickly hanged up and smiled to Austin who was walking back to the table.
Tom had told Grissel about what happened at their drink up party without leaving anything out when she found the pack of condom in his jacket. He knew Austin was just looking out for her but he wasn't comfortable being questioned so Grissel offered to talk to him.
*****
Tom promised Julia a spa treatment so he took her out that Saturday and decided to grab an ice cream at a nearby ice cream joint since Grissel had insisted on going out with him that day.
Grissel and ice-creams were like twins. He had no other choice than to get her a big bowl of that.
‘Get an extra three. Vanilla for the house, strawberry for Julia and Chocolate for Lisa. You know her birthday is few weeks away.’
Tom gave her a look signaled to the waiter.
‘This is the part of the marriage after my heart.’ She smiled and got a smack on her back.
They were pretty much engrossed in their chats that they didn't notice Stella walking in.
She walked up to them. Grissel had her head on Tom's shoulders and he was the first to see Stella standing in front of them.
'Hey, you patronize this place too.' Tom asked cheerfully.
Grissel raised up her head and her eyes met with Stella who was smiling broadly.
'Hello,' Stella muttered.
'Hi,' Grissel responded weakly.
'This must be your better half Mr. Addi....., I mean Tom.
Stella suddenly remembered he hates to be called Mr. Addison.
'Yeah, my wife Grissel.'
'She's a beauty.' Stella suddenly said while Tom was not done introducing them.
'You can say that again.' Tom muttered.
Grissel was just quiet watching them obviously jealous.
'Seems like she's not a great talker too.'
'She can talk for the whole world.' Tom replied grinning at Grissel.'
'Sorry, I'm just a little under the weather today.' Grissel apologized and Tom thought it was weird as she was laughing earlier.
Stella smiled proudly.
'Why don't you join us, we can have a couple of drinks together, that way my wife could get to know you.' Tom chipped in.
'I was on my way out of here.'
'Oh too bad.' He said.
'Maybe I could spare five minutes of my time.' She said checking her time and grabbing a seat.
'Awesome, at least my wife could get to know my boss and not worry when I come home late.' He smiled mischievously.
'Is she the one you told me about?' Grissel finally found her voice probably surprised because they both hardly talk about their works.
'Yes, my boss Stella Medt.’ he replied.
'I can see someone has been talking about me.' Stella chipped in watching Grissel closely.
'Not really, just our first day encounter.'
'Aww, I'm shy already. Once again I'm sorry we started on the wrong foot.' Stella apologized.
'That's okay we are good now.'
'Definitely,' Stella shot back smiling.
Grissel was watching her and could count the number of times she has smiled already.
Just then Tom's phone rang.
'I have to take this call. I will be right back.'
'Okay Love,' she responded smiling at Tom who has left the table.
She kept her eyes at the direction he went until Stella's voice jerked her out of her reverie.
'Hi,' Stella whispered.
'Hello,' she found the need to reply her. Grissel’s voice was weak and her face turned pale all of a sudden.
"I miss you." Stella muttered once Tom was out of sight.
Grissel nodded fighting the urge to talk further as she was pushing back her tears every second.
'So you moved on.' Stella asked again.
Grissel just kept staring at her.
'It's good to know you were not holding on.'
Grissel glared at her now and Stella got the message.
'And you married an awesome man.' Stella said relaxing against the chair now while looking around to check where Tom vanished to.
Grissel wiped a tear when Stella was not looking.
"Thank you Ella." She finally sighed.
Stella probably understood why Grissel was thanking her so she smiled.
'I'm glad I could be of help.'
Grissel nodded quietly. ‘Medt’s?’
‘Emmm that was the only thing I never told you.’ Stella muttered.
'And my husband is off li...' She was cut off.
'Off limits, I get it Grissel and sorry for crushing on him.'
'Good, just stay off.' Grissel warned firmly.
They were both staring at each other without blinking.
You two seems to be an inseparable pair.’ Stella held her hand which she quickly pulled out of her grasp.
‘Don’t’ touch me and stop talking about my husband.’ Grissel said carefully.
'You love him that much?' Stella smiled.
'Love who?' Tom appeared beside Grissel.
'You, my love.' Grissel flirted.
She squeezed his hands romantically and kissed him on the lips quickly.
Stella shook her head smiling.
Tom glanced at his wife weirdly. Grissel was not the public romance type of woman but something was off with her.
He smiled to her and noticed Stella was still smiling.
'Why are you smiling?' She asked her.
'Been a while since I saw two people so much in love like you two here.' Stella muttered with so much humor.
'I know right. My wife is just all over me.' He teased.
'I can see that. Though I'm dying to know how this love story started, I got to hit the road.' Stella smiled glancing at Grissel who seem not to be paying attention.
'Okay sure.' Tom replied.
'Grissel right?'
She nodded.
'Nice meeting you and hope we can catch up again.
'Yeah.' She responded and Stella picked up her bag, smiling cheerfully, waved them and walked out.
They didn’t realize when she came back to their table.
‘And Tom, trust me. You married a good one, I hope you don’t ever let her go.’
Grissel glared at Tom who had a confused grin on.
‘Thank you Stella, but you just came back to say that and you are over smiling too.’
‘I couldn’t leave without letting you know. I got to go now.’ She rushed off in a hurry.
Tom watched her leave and turned to Grissel.
'That was weird?'
'What was weird?' She asked.
'Stella’s speech and she kept smiling throughout.'
'Yeah, she loves to smile a lot. I guess something’s never change.'
'What was that?' Tom queried.
'I mean she's a natural.'
'Yeah, can we get going now?'
'I want to take a walk with you along the road Tom.'
'We can do that next weekend Grissel. Right now, we have to pick up Julia.'
'I almost forgot. Let's get going.' Grissel stood up and saw Stella's car speeding off upon seeing her.
‘Your ice cream please.’ The waiter rushed to meet them with the package and Tom paid.
***
'Dad, Mom?' Stella stormed into the house after she drove on top speed nearly hitting a pole.
She slumped onto the couch sweating and was about to leave while dropping her bag abruptly when her parents came in.
'What’s going on with you?'
'Dad, i thought you attended Tom's wedding.'
'Tom again?’ He hit his fist gently on his thigh. ‘Stella he is married to a good woman and I don't want you screwing that up for him.' Her Dad cautioned.
Stella's Dad overheard her talking over the phone about how she was having a crush on Tom. He was hoping it would last for just a while knowing her daughter very well.
'This is not about Tom Dad.' She glanced at them intently.
'Then what is it about.'
'You didn't notice anything off about Tom's wife?'
'Why is she sick?’ Her mom who was confused all this while asked.
'Come off it you two. At least give me a heads up about the fact that he married my Grissel.'
'Who is your Grissel?' Both husband and wife chorused.
'Gosh, you two are dramatic right now.' She yelled and rushed up stairs.
Her parents just stared confusedly. The look on their face shows they had no idea what their daughter was referring to.
*****
‘Tom, is that not your wife lurking around?’ Mike asked pointing to Grissel’s direction.
Grissel decided to surprise Tom at his Friday hang out. She knew he wouldn’t like her being there but she was bored at home and needed some company.
‘Wow!’ Tom exclaimed.
‘What?’ Austin asked and Tom kept hiding his face behind Stella.
‘She’s beautiful.’ Clive responded.
‘But is this your first time of seeing her that beautiful?’ Mike asked while Tom kept burying his face.
‘No, but I think Tom must have done something to her after marriage.’
Tom glared at him now and he kept quiet.
Grissel was clad in the pink short blouse Tom got for her a few weeks ago when they had a fight and he needed to apologize. With her hair dangling on her shoulder, she kept searching with her pretty face without make up.
‘I think you should wave at her.’ Stella announced.
‘I didn’t invite her to come for our night out.’
‘She’s probably just bored at home.’ She smiled.
‘But it’s a boy’s night out.’ Tom cautioned.
‘Really? What is Stella doing here then?’ Austin chipped in.
‘Thank you Austin.’ She said and waved up to Grissel who finally looked in their direction.
She smiled and walked up to them hurriedly.
Stella offered her seat next to Tom and moved to the next one.
She greeted them and reached out for a beer from the crate when Tom held her hand.
‘Barman, one coke for the lady.’ Tom called the bar man’s attention.
They all glanced at each other and were holding their laughter back.
Clive on the other hand kept winking at her which was unusual.
Her coke came and he handed it over to her. ‘Christian’s don’t drink beer.’
Stella laughed first and they all burst out hilariously.
‘Tom, just let her have fun for tonight.’ Austin interrupted.
Grissel though was embarrassed she joined in the laughter.
‘No, she always preach to me about Christian’s and beer. Today is her turn to apply the Bible.’
Grissel gave her a smack. ‘No chicken for you for a month.’
“Come on, I did the right thing.”
‘I’m also doing the right thing.’ She replied him honestly.
‘You are beautiful Grissel.’ Clive suddenly chipped in.
Tom gave him the look that was capable of murdering him without a weapon.
‘Relax, Mr. Husband. I just taught you what you forgot to do when she arrived here.’ Clive clarified.
‘Grissel already knew she’s the prettiest of all the ladies around me. No offence Stella.’ He flattered and rubbed her back.
Clive hissed, then stood up excusing himself and headed towards the washroom.
Grissel sipped her Coke with the straw while the rest gulped their beer.
She felt a tap on her thighs and turned around. She forgot Stella was in their midst.
‘Be careful with Clive.’ She whispered quietly into her ears.
She glanced at Clive walking towards them smiling at her and nodded to Stella.
‘You still care about me after all these years.’ Grissel said quietly to her as the others were focused on their usual argument.
‘Of course Grissel. I shouldn’t have left you alone that night. I’m really sorry.’
‘Don’t you think it’s too late for that Stella? ’ Grissel said silently and suddenly clutched on Tom’s other arm ignoring Stella’s taps.
This was the first time they were talking after their first accidental meet up a week ago.
After a few chitchats, they announced their leave so Grissel and Tom could have the night to themselves.
*****
‘Lisa?’
‘Yes.’ She stood at her office door smiling weirdly at her sister in law.
Grissel kept staring as she wasn’t expecting her to come there.
‘Should I come in?’ Melisa asked as she seemed to be in a trance.
‘Sure.’ She responded quickly opening her door widely for her whiles rushing to fix the chair in it’s position.
Melisa watched her walk to the fridge and stood there.
‘Grissel? Water.’ She said to remind her why she went to the fridge in the first place.
Since that night in the hospital, she hasn’t seen Grissel up close. Melisa walked up to her at the fridge and gave her a surprise hug.
‘I’m so sorry Lisa.’
‘It’s okay Grissel. I’m not here to make you feel undeserving.’
‘You are not?’ Grissel came out of her arms quickly.
‘Yes, I just came to check on you and I didn’t want Tom to start asking questions.’
‘Thank you Lisa,’ she fidgeted with her hands.
‘Come and have a seat. We need to talk about Henry.’
Grissel looked up at her when she mentioned Henry.
‘I haven’t done anything with him.’ She said in a hurry.
‘I know Grissel. What should we do about him?’
‘We?’
‘Yes, he’s obsessed with you.’
‘But you are the one sleeping with him Lisa.’
Melisa watched how her hands flung to her mouth immediately after her words.
‘‘That hurts Grissel.’’
‘Sorry but what I meant was he’s your responsibility not mine.’
‘Henry was a good friend until he met you at my house the night Tom brought you home.’
‘Good man? The guy has psychological problems Lisa.’
‘You think so?
‘You tell me, besides you are the doctor here.’
Melisa stared at her for about a minute. ‘Emmm, I would recommend someone for him if you think he needs help.
‘Any plans for your birthday tomorrow?’ Grissel thought to change the topic.
‘No, I have a work trip in the morning.’
‘Too bad, maybe you can celebrate with Tom next two weeks.’
‘Tom do……’
‘I would talk to your brother.’
‘Good luck.’ She teased with a funny smile.
They had a few more talks before she asked to leave.
*****
‘I have two weeks conference in New Jersey. Would you be okay home alone? Tom asked Grissel who was
‘I will miss you Tom.’ She sounded not surprised while focused on her packing.
‘Do you want to come with me?’
‘That’s a bad idea Tom besides you have company.’
‘Stella?’
‘Yes, isn’t she going with you?’
‘She is but I wished you would come with us. Stella really likes you.’
‘Really?’ What did she say?’
‘Nothing important but tell me why you are packing your stuff into a travelling bag again.’
‘Oh those are for the laundry.’ She pointed to the bag reluctantly.
‘Are you sure? Because it seems to me as someone who plans to leave her matrimonial home.’
‘You think too much Tom.’ A sad grin appeared on her cheeks.
‘Okay, just leave that and come to bed already.’ He wore a confused grin this time.
She hesitated for a while and dropped the bag she was holding.
‘Give me just a minute.’ She rushed into the washroom and washed her face with water which was already drenched in tears.
Tom hadn’t noticed she was crying earlier while packing.
‘Is everything alright with you?’ He queried when she came out.
‘Of course. I wanted to ask if Stella has told you anything recently.’
‘Was she supposed to tell me something?’
‘No, it’s just that you spend so much time with her lately.’
‘Do you want me to stop?’
‘No, besides I trust you and somehow I know she’s harmless too.’
‘Great, she has even agreed to go on a date with Clive.’
‘Clive? Ella is too good for him.’
‘But you barely know Stella so how do you know she’s too good for Clive.’ Tom has gotten used to her wife calling her boss Ella even though he wasn’t so sure how she quickly formulated that name.
‘You talk about her all the time Tom. I would prefer you introduce her to Austin.’
‘Austin said he wasn’t interested.’
‘I will talk to him, just don’t let Clive have his way yet.’ She adjusted her pillow.
Grissel was sounding over protective and Tom was beginning to sense she wasn’t happy about his trip so before they slept that night, he called Stella to cancel but she claimed they may not find a replacement before due the time.
He stared at his wife sleeping quietly on the bed. Tom gave her a kiss and a cuddle.
*****
Grissel bid her husband goodbye after dropping him at the airport.
Stella kept watching them weirdly until she drove off.
'Do you need to go back?'
'No, she will be fine.'
'I don't think so Tom. She's acting as if you will never return.'
'You noticed that too?'
'Of course Tom. Anybody can read her expressions so I would understand if you have to go back.'
'I thought I was the only one who felt she was acting weird from last night but she will be fine.'
'I hope she's not upset I'm going with you.'
'No, she doesn't care who I go with because I asked her to come with me and she said she was okay I'm going with you.'
'She did?'
'Ahaaa!'
'I guess she trust you too much.' Stella teased.
'I'm not that bad Stella.'
'I know that, why do you think I love you th...'
She was saying and paused when she realized Tom was staring right into her eyes.
'You love me?'
'Yes, but not that kind of love.'
'You don't need to explain Stella, I always knew that was the reason you changed after I confronted you that day in the office.'
'And ooh that wasn't my fault. I was made to believe you swindled someone.'
'Me? Swindle? Where did you get that from?'
'Just an old fling called Henry.'
'Henry the bastard?'
'Bastard? Well I guess whatever he did to you, he sure deserves that name.'
'Yeah, he was stalking my wife and caused that accident?'
'I'm sorry, he wasn't ready to tell me why I should strip you off your position so I told him to face you himself.'
'That's alright.'
They were sitting in the waiting area facing each other. Stella had her hands supporting her jaw.
Tom pulled her hands from the jaw. 'So you were sleeping with him or dating him.'
'Do you have to ask that?'
'Not really but if he's sleeping with my sister and my boss friend I guess I have to know.'
'Your sister?' Stella sounded surprised.
'Melisa. We don't get along so I probably didn't mention her to you.'
'Melisa, sounds familiar.'
'Maybe Henry mentioned her. They were pretty much close.'
'Yeah I'm sure,’ She feigned a smile. ‘But with Henry, if you should know it was just friends with benefit. I met him in Mexico while on tour.'
'I guess he brought you here to take over after finding out I work with your dad.'
'You are smart Tom. I didn’t want to come back but he was persistent and my dad listens to him so I obliged.'
They were still talking when their flight number was called.
'I guess that’s our ride.' She said and got lost in her thoughts.
'Yeah, let's get going before we miss our flight.' Tom interrupted her thoughts.
'Sure.' She dragged her luggage as Tom quickly offered to help.
'Hey, I forgot to mention you look stunning today.' He flattered.
'You forgot?'
'Busted. I didn't want to disrespect my wife as she was with us.'
'I understand and thank you.' She flashed him a smile and he smiled back.

To be continued
Read more on www.youngicee.com

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 18
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

Grissel drove straight towards the other end of the Seattle overhead.
She pulled inside a quiet environment and knew exactly where to pack as it was an open house without gates.
She got out of the car and brought out her bag. Dragged it to the door and rang the bell.
Grissel waited for some seconds and there was no response. She left the bag at the door and rushed to her car bringing out a key.
She unlocked and it seemed no one was home so she went straight to the bedroom dropped her bag and then to the kitchen as she refused dinner that evening when Tom was leaving.
*****
'Aunty why did you let him in.'
'He's been waiting all day for you and your phone was off.'
'That didn't answer my question.' She was sounding rude.
'He came with his little girl a....
'Dani is here?' She asked ignoring Dane who has been standing in front of them the whole time.
'In your room.' Julia gave the little girl some video games so she could talk to Dane alone.
She threw her bag on the couch and pushed Dane slightly out of her way.
'Lisa, I'm sorry.'
'Okay, you can leave.' She announced and hurried off without looking back.
Julia after some seconds scoffed drawing his attention.
'Let me go after her.'
'No, let her be for tonight. You can come back tomorrow.'
Dane saw the concern written on her face. 'Alright, I will wait for Dani to get down.'
'You can leave her here tonight.'
Dane didn't seem comfortable to Julia. He kept scratching his head abruptly.
'Don’t worry, she's safe with Lisa around.'
He hesitated for a while. ‘Let me get her some wears from the car.'
He checked his pocket for the car keys and went out. Dane wasn't used to leaving Dani with strangers but he needs Lisa now more than ever.
*****
'What has come over you Jessy?' Adam snarled at her.
Jessy wasn't happy seeing Grissel back home when they came home that night.
'I just wanted her to go back to her matrimonial home.'
'But you heard all that she said.'
'I did and she's not in any great danger so why pack out and turn yourself into an alcoholic overnight.'
'I understand you are still angry she hasn't told Tom yet about her betrayal but at least she is trying her best.'
'Her best you say? Leaving home in his absent won't solve their issue.'
'I agree but just look at her, she's too drunk to drive.'
Jessy glanced at Grissel who was lying on her old bed with a bottle of alcohol beside her. The Grissel she knew doesn’t drink.
Adam dragged her out of there closing the door behind them before she starts another yell at Grissel.
'That wasn't you Jessy. I thought you forgave her after the accident.'
'You are doing the defending again.'
'I'm not, I just want you to allow your sister handle her marriage on her own terms.'
'She can't handle her marriage in my house.'
'Our house Jessy. Don't force me to be harsh.'
'I'm sorry.'
'Good. So Grissel stays until Tom gets back.'
'Though I know this is wrong but I will get dinner sorted out.' Jessy said calmly and shook her head.
'Thank you.' Adam left her on the stairs and walked back into Grissel’s room.
***
Lisa was surprised she was so good at making Dani laugh as she was enjoying her time with her since Dane left that evening.
'So why are you fighting with Daddy?' Dani suddenly asked since their conversation that whole night was about school and her friend’s new toys.
Melisa paused reading her bed time story and sat up as it was late and she knew her routine so well. Surprisingly, Dani wasn't bothered about her dad leaving her behind.
'No one is fighting Dani.'
'I know you don't like my dad any more but that is fine.'
'Where did you hear that from?'
'Lisa, I'm a big girl now so I know these things.' She announced with a matured grin.
'You are?'
'Ahaaa.' Dani smiled coyly now.
'Well, we are not fighting and I like your dad a whole lot.'
'Then why haven't I seen you in weeks.'
'Sorry, I've been busy.'
Melisa glanced at her and thought she has succeeded in talking her out of her theories.
'It’s the stalking right?' She asked after a minute of silence.
'What?' Melisa muttered.
'I know daddy was stalking you Lisa.'
'You know that how?'
'I came with him to Seattle for weeks now and I've been monitoring him.'
'Monitoring him? Are you an FBI agent?' Melisa laughed so loud.
'I'm glad I made you laugh so can you forgive my daddy. I promise he is a changed man now.'
'Dani, did your dad put you up to this.' She found it so hard to believe she could be that smart with what adults are too proud to fix.
'No, and don't tell him we talked. I don't want to be grounded.'
'Your secret is safe with me.'
Her phone vibrated and she ignored after checking the caller ID.
Dani quickly picked up the phone and answered when Melisa ignored for the second time.
'Daddy, you don't need to check on me.' She said happily.
'I miss you.'
'Unfortunately, I don't Daddy.'
'Oh wow, why do I feel like my daughter is having fun without me?'
'You have no idea Dad.'
'But it's past your bed time, why are you still awake answering people's call?'
'I still have twenty minutes before bed time and Lisa doesn't mind me answering my daddy's call.'
'I just called to check on you but it seems I've not been missed so have a good night.'
'Okay Dad but I know you want to talk to Lisa.' She announced and quickly handed her the phone.
Melisa smiled coyly and held the phone to her ear while breathing heavily.
Dane heard her breathing at the other end.
'Emm, I just called to check if Dani had her milk and bedtime stories.'
Melisa wasn't going to give him that privilege to confuse her again. She was certain last week, she wants to move on but it seems her love for him won't fade away just yet.
It’s was weird how she fell in love that quickly.
'And she would need two pillows and socks.' Dane obviously is bad at apologizing.
'It's obvious you called to tell me things I already know.' She was careful not to raise her voice in front of Dani.
'I'm so bad at this right?' He asked.
'Can we not go into that now?'
‘Sure, but I really need you to know I'm sorry and didn't mean to invade your privacy. I only did it because you keep seeing Henry which you told me several times you were done with.'
'What did I just say?' She whispered hoping not to lash out on him in front of his daughter.
'You don't want to hear it but at a point we got to talk about this. We still love each other and whatever I did was because I love you and was just insecure.'
'Well you don't have to be insecure. I just need you to trust me.' She was holding her breathe in between.
'Okay, I will try.'
'Can we talk about this tomorrow over breakfast?' She offered.
'Breakfast?'
'Yes, or you prefer lunch.'
'No, breakfast is fine.' He responded.
'Great, be here before seven. Goodnight.'
'Lisa.'
'Ahuh.'
'Are we back tog..eth..er?' He stuttered.
'Goodnight Dane.' She replied and hanged up.
'I guess that went well.' Dani said immediately after Melisa hanged up.
'You were listening?' Melisa asked sternly.
'Not really.'
'Little girl, put on your socks and let me tuck you in.'
'Okay mom.' She grabbed her socks from the top of the drawer.
Melisa glanced at her and feigned a smile.
‘Come on, the mom thing was a joke Lisa.’
‘I didn’t complain my dear.’ She sighed.
‘Your heart was beating.’ Dani gave out a cheeky laugh.
‘It was?’
‘Yes and I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t worry I’m fine Dani. Just go to bed while I get my own shower.’
She tucked her in and turned off the bedside light.
‘Lisa, my daddy really likes you.’ She whispered in the dark.
‘Dani, go to bed already.’
‘Please give him a chance.’
She said hurriedly as Melisa could see her through the extra lighting from the bathroom.
*****
Grissel left Adam's house that morning to sort out a few things before Tom gets back in the evening.
Her phone has been off the whole time, but that morning she forgot to turn it off again after she picked up some details from her message box when Tom’s call came through.
She contemplated for some seconds and picked up.
'Hey, I've been busy lately.'
'Grissel, it's been two weeks and all you got to say is, you’ve been busy.'
'I'm sorry, I was out of full battery.'
'Sorry for avoiding me for the whole time I was away or sorry for turning off your phone on purpose.'
'None of the above Tom.'
'Okay, I will be back later in the evening.' He said calmly and hanged up.
Grissel called back several times but his phone was off.
***
'Tom, she is probably going through something. Just give her time.'
'You don't know my wife like I do. If you did, you would understand only pressure can make her talk about what is bothering her.'
'I’m not sure you know her better than I do?' She said quietly staring at him.
'What is that supposed to mean?'
'See you at breakfast. I want to get back to my room now and continue packing up.’ Stella hurriedly said changing the topic.
Tom watched her picked up her phone and hissed.
'Get to the restaurant on time.' He announced.
She waved back at him and went out.
*****
'Lisa, I will see you soon. I just want to attend to a few things here and get back to you.'
'I should be done with my clients by six in the evening.'
'That works for me. I got to go now. I love you.'
'Same here D.' she hanged up sighting Julia smiling at her.
'Should I even ask what my favorite aunty is smiling at?'
'I'm just happy you are handling this new relationship so well.'
'Don’t be happy yet, Dane is still checking on my whereabouts every seconds.'
'And you said you understood him now because of his ex-wife.'
'I do and i know it will take some time.'
'Good, let's have breakfast then.'
Julia has been happy lately. Melisa getting hooked up is the best news she has heard so far.
***
'Henry, so what brought you here this morning?'
'I came to see Stella, she hasn't been answering my calls lately.'
'Did you two have a fight?' Mr. Medt asked him.
Mr. Medt was fond of Henry since Stella introduced him during her tour days. He was hoping her daughter would settle with him but they grew apart when Henry moved to Seattle.
'Not that I remember.'
'Okay she went on a business trip with her manager. She should be back this evening.'
'She must be busy then.' Henry smiled mischievously.
He quickly asked permission and walked out of there as he knew Tom wasn't going to be home.
***
Grissel heard a knock on her door. She just got back home a few hours earlier and doesn’t want any disturbance as she was dressing up for a walk.
She rushed off with her hair tied in a scarf and a spots wear.
‘Who’s there?’ She called out opening the door just to meet Clive standing there with a bottle of wine.
Grissel wasn’t so happy to see him at her door especially when Tom wasn’t around.
‘Hello Pretty.’ He flattered.
‘Tom isn’t back yet.’ She told him instantly.
‘I know he isn’t Grissel.’
‘Okay, then you should go and come back tomorrow.’ She said and was walking out on him when he held her back, pulling her into his arms.
‘What are you doing Clive?’ She asked trying to snuggle out of his grasp.
‘You know I came to see you.’ He laughed.
‘You have seen me, so let me go now.’
‘Is that an order?’
‘Leave me alone.’ She struggled.
Grissel felt him kissing her hair and ears as she was backing him in his arms. ‘I love you Grissel.’
‘I would shout Clive.’ She threatened and kept frowning as he was holding her so tight.
‘No one would hear you Grissel. I made sure of that.’
She summoned her tears as she knew that was her only leverage against him.
‘Shhhh. Stop crying and turn around.’ Clive whispered in his ears.
Grissel nodded like a small girl. ‘Can I ha..ve t.he wine, then we can go inside.’
‘And you promise to turn around?’ He asked.
She nodded.
Clive not reading in between the lines gave her the bottle, releasing Grissel to turn around quietly.
Grissel turned around facing him. ‘You are my husband’s friend Clive.’
‘I know that but he doesn’t deserve you.’ He held her jaw raising up her face.
‘I don’t understand what you mean by that.’
‘He raped you Grissel.’
‘So?’ She found the courage now as her voice was feeble earlier.
‘Real men don’t rape their women.’
‘Oh I see.’
‘Yes, we were all disgusted about the news.’
‘How do you call what transpired between us earlier?’ She asked swinging the bottle.
‘I’m sorry if I hurt you. I only came to tell you nobody loves you like I do.’
‘Was that why you keep making my husband believe I was cheating on him?’
He nodded smiling. ‘Tom is naïve and could easily be fooled.’
‘Yeah I agree with you.’ She smiled roguishly.
‘And trust me, he doesn’t love you Grissel.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘He’s sleeping with his boss.’
‘You mean Stella?’
‘Exactly, and you are a good woman who doesn’t deserve that sort of treatment.’
Grissel examined his face and feigned sadness.
‘Okay so what’s the plan?’ She decided to play along.
‘We can elope or set him up with drugs for the police to find.’ He said with enthusiasm.
‘Emmmm, isn’t that too harsh.’
‘No, I want you to be mine.’ He grinned. ‘I have waited for two years to strike.’
He walked closer as Grissel seemed quiet now. She knew whatever he was telling her was just to get under her underwear because she married one of those flirty men.
Clive touched her face and was going to kiss her on the lips when she hit his head with the wine bottle.
‘Aaahh,’ He cried out.
‘You think I’m naïve to fall for a toxic man like you.’ She looked at the bottle whose contents was flowing on the floor.
‘I will deal wi..th y..ou… He stuttered, holding his head and checking his hands.
He noticed the blood coming out nonstop and scowled.
‘Incase Tom didn’t tell you, I never liked you.’
‘You are a monster.’ He said walking backwards as Grissel was walking closer with the cracked bottle still in her hands.
‘I know I am and that is why I don’t betray my love ones.
‘Stupid woman, you deserve that rape.’
She closed her eyes abruptly and opened it. ‘You are dead, just wait for Tom to hear this.’
Clive hearing her mention Tom, came to his senses. He rushed out holding his head and drove off before Grissel could get to the gate.
Grissel locked up the gate and sat behind it weeping.
‘You deserve better Tom.’ She whispered to herself and stood up.
She got to the door and realized the place needed clean up. ‘It’s over anyway.’ Grissel rolled her eyes at the content mixed with Clive’s blood on the floor and dashed inside.
***
'Hello, are you Tom Addison?'
'And who wants to know.' He turned around to face the gentleman on the next table behind him.
Tom was at the hotel’s restaurant waiting for Stella to come down for breakfast which seemed to be taking longer than usual.
'Grissel's husband.' The man muttered.
'Yes, I'm Grissel’s husband.' Tom turned sideways watching him fumble.
'No, I'm not asking if you are Grissel's husband.'
'Gentleman, what is this about? I'm not sure we've met yet.'
'Yeah we've not met yet because my wife forgot to tell you I exist.'
'Do I know your wife?' Tom wasn't so sure what the gentleman was talking about.
'As a matter of fact, you've been sleeping with her fo six months now if I'm not mistaken.'
'I beg your pardon? Who are you?'
'Tom, what I meant earlier was, I'm Grissel’s first husband.'
When he heard what the gentleman said, he faced him finally.
'First Husband? What does that even mean?' Tom wasn't really sure he understood him earlier but his mind told him, the gentleman was bluffing as he was fumbling with his words.
'Tom, you married my wife and you know what that means here in the states.'
'Wait, I think you got the wrong person because there's no way I'm married to your wife.'
He quickly dropped the files on the table and stood up.
'There you go. Feel free to call me so I come for my wife.' The gentleman said with all certainty now.
At first he was scared Tom was going to cause a scene because he found out about his violence behavior in the past.
Tom opened the files and read the first page and then closed it back.
'Come for your wife?' Tom sprung up as well.
'Yes, she is mine Tom and according to the law that's bigamy.'
'Why should I believe you?'
'Talk to Grissel, I'm sure she would give you details of our time together.' He quickly took out a picture from the files and left the rest for him.
‘You are bluffing?’
He laughed so mischievously. ‘How’s her obsession with sex on the couch?’
Tom exclaimed. ‘Huh!’ It seemed that was the only confirmation he needed.
‘Good, I’m glad that caught your attention.’ He placed his two hands into her shorts pocket and walked away.
Tom relaxed back into his seat and instead of anger swallowing him up, he shed a drop of tear and scanned through the files again and he was still in his thoughts when Stella arrived.
'Everything okay?' She tapped him on the shoulder.
Tom looked at her and anger registered on his face. Stella realized he must have been waiting for long.
'I'm sorry, I kept you waiting. My dad called.'
'You said the last time, I married a good one.'
He immediately asked.
'Yes, that was at the ice cream shop. What has that got to do with this morning’s breakfast?'
'Why do you think she's good?'
Stella wasn’t sure where this was going.
'Emmm, I just know it Tom.'
'You are sure about that?'
'Yeah, but Tom is this about Grissel not reaching out the whole time you've been away.'
'I'm not leaving with you after breakfast and is it okay if I take a few days off work.'
Stella just kept staring at him.
'You can deduct it from my salary.'
'Take all the time you need. So can we eat now?' Stella was hungry and wasn't finding his questions funny.
Tom picked up the files from the table and walked out on her.
'Tom wait up for me.' She run after him.

To be continued

Read episode 19, 20, 21 and 22 on www.youngicee.com/category/blemished-love

Hmmmmmm, wahala dey ooo



Tanks a lot for the long update. Jah bless

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 19
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved

Henry drove straight to Grissel's place and met her at the gate on foot. He came earlier and was sitting in his car outside when Clive rushed out but he decided to wait for the car to leave before he checks on Grissel.
Grissel came out after some ten minutes and was on foot.
He sounded his horn, signaling her to wait.
Grissel sighed heavily and stopped moving.
Henry came out of his car with a foolish smile on his face meeting up with her.
'Hey, how are you.'
'What are you doing here?'
'I came to apologize for the accident.'
'Okay, you can go now.'
'Grissel, I know you don't feel anything for me like I do but I want you to know I will always be here when your world finally fall apart.'
She glanced at him and didn't realize she still had tears in her eyes from earlier.
‘Another fool.’ She whispered to herself.
‘What did you say?’
'Who told you my world is falling apart.'
'You don't need to because the tears in your eyes says it all.'
She quickly raised her hands to wipe her face when he reached out with a handkerchief.
'Use this.'
Grissel could see honesty in his eyes and the care in his voice unlike Clive.
He must truly love her but she's not interested. She was still in her thoughts when he spoke up.
'It's just a piece of fabric and harmless.'
'I know but I don't need it. And please do me a favor and stop following me because I’m never going to feel anything for you.'
'I don't want you to feel anything for me Grissel. My love is enough for both of us.'
'I said I don’t want you Henry and if you love me as you claim you do, you would stop pursuing me because stalking me only hurts.' She responded and felt the pain in his demeanor.
But she cared less. Grissel walked away from him and stopped the next cab. She was taking a walk that afternoon after Clive left to clear her mind. In the cab, she saw Henry driving with speed overtaking their cab.
***
Tom had his hands on his head pacing in his hotel room the whole time he went back in and locked Stella outside. He turned on his phone and the first person he thought of calling was Melisa. Tom remembered her mentioning his marriage was a sham. That made him think she knew all along and said nothing.
He dropped his phone and hissed.
The anger consuming him made him punch the wardrobe. He bruised his knuckles.
'Why would she do this to me, when I've done nothing but defend her all the time? What should I tell my friends and family?' He sat on the floor and his eyes fell on his wrist watch.
Then he remembered the first night and even before they started dating Grissel mentioned she had a past which she wasn’t sure she was ready to talk about. Tom knew he was the one who told her to leave it in the past as she seemed not ready to talk about it.
He fumed once more and hit his leg against the bed. ‘God give me wisdom.’
He asked himself continuously what his wife would have done in his situation. Tom who wasn’t really a fun of prayer, knelt down and prayed that morning. He lasted for just four minutes and wiped his teary face.
Though he told Stella he wasn't leaving that morning, he smiled mischievously and quickly hurried up with his dressing.
Stella was hoping he would join her in the plane and luckily he came after some few hours.
'You changed your mind?'
'Yeah I figured whatever answers I need right now, I can't get them from here so I decided to go back home.'
'Good, I saved you a drink.'
'Thanks.' He grabbed his seat next to Stella and stared at the soft drink.
'You know I'm always here whenever you need to talk.'
'Stella, can we just enjoy this flight in peace.'
'Okay,' she dropped her glass and placed her head on his shoulders.
Tom glanced at her weirdly but his mind was occupied with lots of ideas popping up with regards to his wife. Though he was furious, he still believes this is one big drama which will end soon.
He smooched her hands while the plane took off. That moment, he needed comfort but Tom also knew taking advantage of her would only make things worse. He smooched his ring and wiped his eyes with his other hand while Stella was in closed eyes.
*****
Grissel waited at the airport to pick Tom up but she was told he didn't get on that plane as it got canceled for the next day. She wasn't surprised Tom hadn't called to tell her not to come as it's obvious he was still mad at her.
So she got into her car and drove off.
'At least I have one more night before I let go.' She hit her air bag and sped off.
Tom and Stella had a few stops when their plane developed a fault so they had to change flights.
They came out of the arrival area just when Grissel got tired of waiting and left.
Stella asked him to join her car so her driver could drop him home.
He looked around and somehow was hoping his wife would be around.
'Looking for your wife?'
'Huh? No, she's not even aware our flight delayed.'
'She must have left after waiting for hours.'
'Serves her right.' He replied helping the driver with directions to his place.
'What did you say?'
'I said, let’s get into the car.'
He replied once more with a sad tone.
Tom’s head was spinning as if he drowned himself in a liter of vodka at the same time he had a million thoughts on his mind. For what seemed like three hours, they got to his place.
The driver helped him with his luggage inside as he had his own key.
Grissel is an early bird and a deep sleeper as well. He hesitated at the door before climbing the stairs.
Tom knew she wasn't going to hear him no matter the loud noise from down stairs.
He dragged his luggage upstairs.
Tom paused at the door and watched her sleep peacefully.
He walked closer but wasn't so sure why he came home in the first place.
Watching his wife sleep soundly made him think she's capable of anything.
'If one could sleep this peaceful as if they don't have skeletons in their wardrobe, then I'm not safe.' Tom whispered to himself and picked up the pillow.
He fumbled with his hands and held it firmly.
Before he knew what he was doing Grissel was shouting.
'You are su.. ffoc... ating me.' She became breathless under the pillow.
Tom became rigid with the pillow.
'Stop it you are hurting me.'
That was the last yell he heard and fell on the floor when he realized Grissel was not responding neither was she yelling.

To be continued.

Read more episodes here - www.youngicee.com/category/blemished-love

Oluwa ooooo.. Oribibe ko logu orififo.

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 20
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved
After a second of no sound he looked back at his wife and because the light in the room was off he couldn’t see if she could move.
When there was no sign of moving he hurriedly rushed to the bed side and shook her up in a heartbeat.
His heart was racing when Grissel didn’t say a word. ‘What did I do?’ He lamented regrettably.
‘Tom you nearly ki…lled me.’ She said innocently after two seconds of silence and rubbed the sleep off her face to be sure it was him.
‘Thank God.’ He murmured to himself and dropped back on the floor with a heavy sigh. Tom was relieved he didn’t go overboard.
‘Love are you drunk?’ Grissel asked curiously with a frown. ‘You could have killed me with th…….’
‘Shut your mouth Grissel,’ He snarled cutting her off.
‘I should shut up when you just tried to kill me.’ Grissel complained still at her sleeping position.
‘You deserve it Grissel.’
He tried to look back at her but he changed his mind as his eyes were already puffy. As if he didn’t want Grissel to find out he was crying. Tom quickly pulled the side of the sheet on the bed where he sat and wiped his face gently.
‘Okay, that’s new.’ She said holding on to her throat with tears marking her cheeks.
Tom had the pillow he tried using to suffocate his wife earlier in between his legs and lost in his thoughts.
Grissel turned on the bed side lamp.
‘Turn that off. I don’t want to see your lying face.’ He glared at her while she turned off the light.
His thunderous voice jerked her out of her own thoughts too.
‘Is this about me not calling you or picking you up.’
In as much as he wants to hear her side of the story, he couldn’t help it but nearly became what he had been working on for years.
‘T..om.’
‘Don’t Tom me?’
‘Alright I’m Sorry. How was your trip?’ She turned off the light.
Tom heaved a sign of pain and glanced at his wife in the dark. The stray lights from the window brightened her face. She looked so innocent sitting on the bed. Tom thought for a while and took off his gaze.
‘Are you married Grissel?’ He finally asked.
‘What? Of course we are married.’ She wasn’t sure where he was going with that.
‘Do you have kids?’
Grissel’s heart jumped into her stomach this time. She felt her past crawling up to her.
She was quiet and kept stealing glances with her face down.
‘I will ask again. Were you married before you met me?’
Grissel became pale all of a sudden and shook her head before realizing Tom probably can’t see her nodding.
She knew it was time to talk so she turned on the light and pulled her bedside drawer. Without a word she handed Tom a file.
‘I asked you a question not a file.’ He snarled again when her hand hit him and he turned around to find her handing him a file.
‘I know but just read it.’ She said calmly. ‘There’s a pen in there you can decide our fate after you read.’
Tom glared at her and saw the tears running down her cheeks. He wasn’t sure if he was supposed to care so he opened the file and scanned through.
‘I don’t want anything else, just your signature.’ She further said.
Tom growled. ‘So it’s true. Grissel you have killed me.’ He clasped his head with his hands tightly.
She panicked and coiled back against the bedpost. ‘I tho..ught I was doi..ng t..he r..ight thing.’ She stuttered.
‘The right thing you say?’ What happened to our vows?’ He raged.
‘Forgive me Tom.’ She muttered when she realized she had nothing else to say.
‘How dare you guilt trip me with your sorry stunts?’ He continued to yell. ‘What do I tell my family?’ Julia had so much trust in you.’
‘She a..lread..y f..ound out.’ She mumbled.
‘OMG, where did I go wrong with you? Was it wrong to love you this much?’ Tom’s anger was out of place and Grissel was constantly moving away from him.
‘Tom please…….’ She covered her ears with her hands to keep his thunderous voice out of her head.
‘Please what? You are sorry? I should forgive you?’ What do you take me for?’ He kept yelling non-stop.
‘You ne…ver yelle…d at me Tom.’ She finally said after there was a few seconds of silence.
‘And I would do that again if you don’t start talking.’ He hit his hand on the bed with his eyes glowing with rage. Grissel knew that moment her husband wasn’t joking.
She cleared her throat. ‘Tom I didn’t mean to hurt you.’
‘So it just happened? For Christ sake Grissel, this is marriage not some child’s play.’
‘You think I don’t know that?’ She cried. ‘Tom I don’t know what you’ve heard but I..…’
‘If you dare lie to me again, I would become what you feared most.’ He interrupted angrily.
Grissel shifted away uncomfortably. ‘I never lied to you, I only didn’t want to involve you in my mess.’
Tom glared at her and couldn’t stand her tears. He tried to stand up and realized Grissel was scared of him. He breathed heavily and sat back probably to figure out how to make her talk.
‘I’m hurt Grissel but I’m also already involved so start talking before I smack your face.’ He decided to go soft on her.
‘What difference would it make considering you tried to strangle me even when you haven’t heard my side of the story?
‘You are married Grissel and it’s not funny.’ He raised his voice at her again.
‘I know, that is why I need you to sign the annulment papers and we are done here.’
Tom picked the file from where he dropped it earlier.
He flipped it page by page as he obviously wasn’t making any heads way with her.
Tom was tempted to sign but paused and swallowed the bitterness in his throat. ‘Why should I sign when we aren’t even married in the first place?’
“We are married Tom.”
He wiped his face and went mute for two minutes. ‘You said earlier, I haven’t heard your side of the story.’
She nodded wiping her eyes with the sheets.
‘My other marriage was true but I don’t think you want to carry that cross.’ She quickly said to avoid him raising his voice at her.
‘You won’t do this to me again.’ He scowled. ‘Ever since I knew you, you always seem to run away from your mess.’
‘I’m not running away Tom, I just feel whatever we have right now is over so there’s no point telling you.’
Tom looked at her for a second and calmed down. ‘You know why I’m being calm here when you obviously deserve to be thrown out?’
‘You still love me.’ She responded.
‘You don’t deserve my love anymore so what I need now is to understand what is going on.’ He yelled this time scattering the files on the floor.
Grissel realized he was trying his best to contain the situation and she on the other hand doesn’t have anything to lose either. She closed her eyes for a while and opened it.
‘Okay.’ She sobbed.
‘Lisa warned me and i didn’t listen.’ He kept hissing and muttering.
‘Tom you should know I never loved you less.’
‘You call this love? A love that hurts.’
‘Tom, I tried?’
‘Well you should have tried harder.’ He tried to get up but sat down again.
‘You remember I told you I wasn’t an angel and you said whatever i wasn’t willing to share you can..’
‘Wait.’
‘What?’ She sounded confused.
‘You were going to push the blame on me?’
‘No, that wasn’t my attention Tom.’ She said weakly with a sad tone.
‘It’s okay, I know I told you I could wait until you were ready.’ He concluded.
‘You remember that?’ She asked with a little excitement.
‘Of course I do, that was the time we had our first kiss.’ Tom hadn’t noticed he was calm.
‘I was going to tell you but somehow I just wanted to forget my past and move on because I was tired of leaving with my shadows.’
Tom picked himself from the floor and sat on the bed. He saw the pain in her eyes and it broke his heart.
Grissel examined her husband and realized he wasn’t angry anymore. He was handling the whole truth better than she imagined.
“Love” She called soothingly.
Grissel was hoping he wouldn’t yell again hearing her call him Love.
Tom turned and faced her. She held his hands briefly but he let go.
“Please forgive me, I know it won’t fix things this time but I’m ready to open up now.”
Tom looked at her, bitterness filling his throat. He was struggling to be himself at the same time he was hurting.
“I should have just told you why I was holding back when we first met. ‘ She swallowed hard. ‘Trust me, I didn’t want you to find out on your own.’
‘On my own or you didn’t want me to find out at all.’ Tom was surprised he was calm and able to look into her eyes now.
“I can’t promise to make this right for us but I love you.” She wasn’t sure what she was blabbing anymore as her mind was roaming with millions of thoughts.
‘Grissel, you don’t get it. There’s no us anymore.’ He swallowed hard.
‘I can understand and I won’t stop you. Just sign the papers.’ It was hard for her to even mutter that. Grissel doesn’t want to lose Tom but she also knew he has suffered too much.
He glanced at her with so much pain registered on his face. Tom saw her eyes filled with tears and he hates to see her cry.
‘So that is it. You give up when trouble comes your way.’ He found himself asking after a minute of silence.
‘I don’t want to give up on us Tom but if that is what you want, I can leave because I’ve done enough damage to our marriage already.’ Grissel cried once more.
He closed his eyes after trying several times to look into her face that moment she was crying but he just couldn’t bring himself to watching her cry.
‘Is this marriage even legal Grissel?’ He managed not to raise his voice.
‘Yes, it is.’ She said quivering.
Tom stood up and left the room without another word. He went downstairs and fetched her a drink.
“Love?” He called out without anger this time. Seems like he remembered why he came back home in the first place.
Grissel raised up her head from the bed and he handed her the drink.
‘I think you would need this if you are going to open up an old wound.’
‘Thank you Tom.’ She was surprised how he quickly changed his demeanor and then wiped her face with the back of her hands.
She took the glass of Vodka with shaky hands and gulped the drink in the glass at once.
‘Easy, I have more here if you want.’ He raised the bottle of Vodka in the air.
‘Great,’ she dropped the glass on the bed and coiled pulling the sheets to cover herself.
For a whole five minutes nobody spoke. Grissel’s brain was hot and Tom was just staring at her playing with her eyes.
‘So what really happened to you that you hate yourself and your children?’
‘Children?’ She opened her eyes as she kept closing and opening it earlier.
‘Yes, your husband gave me a file which said you bore him twins.’
‘So he was the one who reached out to you.’ She snarled.
‘Yeah, few minutes after we spoke this morning.’
She let out a sad sigh. ‘He was right but I’m not so sure if he told you I was responsible for the other child’s demise.’
‘You lost another child?’ As if he forgot about the happenings earlier, he reached out for her hands which were quivering. For some reason he was being calm.
She sighed heavily and frowned.
‘He was five months and I left them both at the back of my car seat and went for a party with Ella.’
‘Ella?’ Tom was obviously not sure he was up for this. He picked up the bottle on the floor and opened it.
He shook the bottle and gulped the content and offered the rest to his wife.
‘Here, you will need more of this.’
Grissel grabbed the bottle and gulped down.
‘You mean Stella Medt.’
She nodded.’ I reached out to her online when I got admission and was told by the school council she was going to be my roommate.
‘You two knew each other before you got here?’
‘Yeah, just online for a year but we eventually met when I got to the school.’ She smirked.
‘So you were friends?’
‘More than friends until that night in Connecticut.’
‘The night you lost your child?’
‘Yeah, she just disappeared while her brother locked me up in York state penitentiary for a whole seven months.’
‘I’m sorry.’ He wiped his own face.
‘Don’t feel sorry for me because I deserved it. I let this happen to me.’
‘Yes you did and have paid with your entire life for the past years. You locked it up and moved on Grissel.’
‘I did but it seems I’m going to lose everything all over again once he finds me.’
‘But I’m here with you Grissel. He would have to go through me.’
‘Tom were you even listening to me.’
‘I am listening to you and it doesn’t matter when you don’t owe him anything.’
‘I killed his son and that is something a father doesn’t come out of easily.’
‘But I also lost a child with you but we worked it out.’
‘A child you didn’t know existed.’ She frowned. ‘I’m sure that kind of pain is different.’
‘That’s rather unfortunate but it was an accident.’
‘An avoidable one Tom. I was young and married. But I wanted to have fun as well.’
‘It wasn’t a crime to want to have fun after nine months with a big belly and finally giving birth to two human beings. That must have been a lot to carry.’
‘Don’t feel pity for me Tom.’
‘I’m not but you were wrong to have left your young children in a car alone.’
She sighed heavily and tapped her forehead.
‘They were not alone. Stella got someone else to be with them as we didn’t want their nanny’s to snitch on us.’ She swallowed hard. ‘She left them alone to come find us when they were crying.’
Tom hit his head hard. ‘Why did you marry someone like that when you knew he was that strict?’
‘I loved him and I thought he loved me too until I killed his child.’
‘Grissel but that wasn’t your fault if you got someone to look after them.’
‘It was since they were my responsibility and I should have made sure they were fine and unharmed instead I went to one useless party to drink. Tell me who does that?’ She was fuming with tears rolling down her face.
‘Calm down. I still think you were wrongfully blamed.’
‘No one believed me, not the police nor the father of my children whom I loved back then. It took Andre who came visiting a client at the prison.’
‘Andre? Now I understand why you don’t skip work. You owe him your life.’
‘More than that. I paid every penny he spent on me since he met me at York, got me out and paid my fees to start my law school here in Seattle until Jessy and Adam took me in.’
‘And Andre didn’t touch you?’ He suddenly asked.
‘Touch me? How?’
‘You know what I mean Grissel.’ He gave her a weird look.
‘Really, that’s what you could think of right now?’
‘Don’t blame me, you are beautiful so I just want to be sure I don’t have two men to deal with.’
‘Andre was a God sent.’
‘Don’t tell me he is the second Christ we’ve been waiting for.’ Tom found himself making a joke.
She smacked him gently. ‘He just happened to be in a fix and as a first year law student who shouldn’t know half the things I knew back in York I gave him clues to a case I overheard him struggling with when he came to visit his client and he decided to help me so I wouldn’t waste my talent in there.’
‘You still haven’t answered my question.’
‘No, he never for once made advances. He was married and as I said earlier I just had to pay back with working at his firm.’

‘No, he never for once made advances. He was married and as I said earlier I just had to pay back with working at his firm.’
Tom sighed and smiled.
‘So Stella introduced you to this man.’ He further asked after a few seconds.
‘They were inseparable cousins until I came in between them. When I was sent to jail I heard she left town until the day we met at the ice-cream shop.’
‘Then I’m guessing you two have a lot to talk about.’
‘We don’t because I’m done with that family though she was helpful at the last minute getting his brother to annul the marriage, I don’t want anything to do with them anymore.’
‘Stella got him to annul your marriage?’
‘Yes, he didn’t want us annulling the marriage as punishment for what I did to our kids but with the help of Andre and Adam that night before our wedding I understood Stella made him sign the annulment papers.’
‘It all makes sense now. I mean why Clive saw you with him and your mood during the wedding and after.’
‘Clive?’ She thought about the incident that morning then brushed the thought of how he would react to it off quickly.
‘Yeah, the friend you don’t like.’
‘He was just comforting me when it seemed I won finally. Andre has been a part of my life from the beginning and a week to my wedding, I knew I had to tell someone so I chose Adam who did so well finding Stella.’
‘You could have trusted me and I wouldn’t hesitate waiting until you get your divorce.’
‘I would be doing your sister a favor and I didn’t want her mocking me all my life. I was hurting Tom and not knowing if I was going to end up your wife the next day was eating me up.’
‘Was that part of the reason why you were so lost in church?’
‘I was confused from the previous night and praying he doesn’t show up.’
‘And I took that out on you.’ He muttered regrettably.
‘That’s okay, you couldn’t have known and I equally was at fault.’ She clarified.
‘I’m so sorry Grissel, you went through all these so young, alone and naive on a foreign land and here I was yelling at you.’
‘I’ve put all that behind me and moved on with you.’
‘Come here,’ He pulled her into his arms. Grissel hesitated for a second and released herself into his warm arms.
‘Tom, if you leave me I don’t think I can continue living.’ She said softly and painfully.
He pulled her out of his arms quickly. ‘Don’t say that. Your daughter would still need you.’
Tom took off his gaze as he knew it was a sensitive topic and Grissel shifted herself to the far end of the bed.
‘What for Tom? I would just ruin her life besides I’m not sure if I ever want to see her.’
‘Grissel you are hurting, I get that but we need to face this man so you can properly move on.’
‘I don’t want to. After you let me go I would relocate again.’
‘Who said I’m letting you go?’ He asked shifting closer to her again.
‘You are not?’ She asked with a surprise tone.
‘After I met with your ex-husband this morning i was devasted but I remembered Stella said something when we met her at that ice-cream shop.’
‘You married a good one.’
‘Exactly, I asked her if she was sure after your ex-husband left.’
‘If she told you everything why did you make me talk about it again.’ She frowned.
‘She didn’t Grissel. When I asked her what she meant this morning, she smiled and repeated the same thing.’
‘That’ sounds like my Ella. She always got my back.’
‘I nearly stayed back but I knew he must have reached out to you.’ Tom stared at her. And I was worried about you.’
‘So you came home after that to kill me.’
‘I had no idea what came over me but then I remembered you wanted to tell me about your past when we met.’
Tom skipped the whole prayer part because his wife would make it her life mission to laugh at him.
‘How you felt that moment was exactly how my ex felt when he lost his son by the hands of the woman he loved and I completely understood him when he left me to rot in jail and denied me my other child.’
‘You still love him?’
Grissel paused for some seconds.
‘No, he was my first but now just a memory I want to forget.’
‘And your daughter?’
‘Tom please, Shirley belongs to her dad.’
‘That’s a nice name.’ He smiled holding his hands up to his cheeks when he noticed she wasn’t comfortable talking about her daughter.
‘Shirley is my mom’s middle name.’
He gasped as if he just remembered something. ‘Does your mom know about any of these?’
‘No, she would have killed me before our paths even crossed.’
He laughed all of a sudden. ‘That’s funny. If she had killed you, I wouldn’t have met you Grissel.’
‘Maybe my ghost.’ She replied.
‘I know you don’t want to talk about Shirley but she’s a part of your life and if we are going to give our marriage another chance you need to let me in.’
She sighed and swallowed hard. ‘Shirley is fine where she is Tom. I don’t want my presence to confuse her.’
‘I love you Grissel and this changes nothing.’ He assured her holding her hands giving up on the Shirley topic.
‘Once he finds me, he will destroy me.’ She announced worriedly.
‘We still got each other and that is enough.’
‘You say that as if it’s easy.’ She said sadly.
‘I’m sure if he wanted to torment you he wouldn’t have come to me.’
‘Tom, he called me when you were away. I turned off my phone the whole week.’
‘I guess he was behind that wrong number Mike wasn’t able to trace.’
‘Yeah, and coming to you was to make you leave me after you found out.’
‘Well he failed, I love you now more than I ever did.’
‘How is that even possible after all I kept from you?’
‘Coming to think of it, I wouldn’t have told you about it if I were faced with those circumstances so I understand.’
‘I wished Amy had kept your child, it would’ve been easier to understand why you are forgiving me so easily.’ Grissel was in deep thoughts.
‘You think too much Grissel. I love you and that’s not going away anytime soon.’
‘I’m sure it’s just lust. It would blow over soon and you would come to terms with betrayal and the pain.
He drew closer and planted a kiss on her forehead. ‘I’m not your ex-husband to hold on to grudges for long.’
‘Tom you don’t forgive that easily, I saw what you did to that poor girl.’ Grissel forced a smile. ‘And then there’s your sister you haven’t forgiven yet.’
‘I was all that before but our prayers together has changed me.’
Grissel laughed quietly now. ‘I live in this house with you and I remember praying alone all the time while you snore.’
‘Okay, then your prayers are working.’ He quickly said.
‘Tom I won’t let you trade your happiness for me. I can’t forgive myself knowing that you are unhappy.’
He shook his head as he doesn’t know how best to convince her. ‘Do you still remember my vows that we wrote together?’
‘Yes, they were just words which I ruined that day. Can’t you see everywhere i go, things don’t work out.’
‘Don’t say that Grissel? We were both two imperfect beings bonded together. Our marriage wasn’t a mistake.’
She grinned with a sob. ‘You just stole the third line of my vows.’
‘I’m glad you noticed so let’s hold on to the vows.’ He tried to smile but had to force it. ‘We can make this work Grissel.’
‘You sure about this?’ She stopped crying now and the vodka seemed to be kicking in. Grissel knew she wouldn’t win that evening. Her head was already spinning as she had a million thoughts going through her mind.
‘You probably don’t understand how I could possibly let an issue as big as this go easily but trust me, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking on my way back.’ He clarified.
‘So you decided to stay with a woman with another man’s child?’
‘What’s so wrong about that Grissel?’
‘Tom, this was one of the things you hate.’
He scratched his head. ‘I know but I don’t want to lose you Grissel.’
‘And I can’t watch you compromise all the time.’
‘Marriage is about sacrifice and if this is the sacrifice I have to make then so be it besides Shirley wouldn’t be staying with us so whatever my reservations were are not necessary now.’
Grissel gave out a slight sound. ‘Hmmm.’
Tom understood her concern. ‘I know someday you might want to have your daughter with you and that’s fine too.’ He managed to say and saw a grin appear on his wife’s face.
‘I hope you would still be in this bed when I wake up in the morning.’ She said finally wiping the stray tears on her cheeks.
‘You know what, let’s drink up and get some rest. Tomorrow is another day for us to figure this out.’ He felt waves of heat burning him. Then he remembered he was still in his attire. Tom pulled off his red shirt, leaving his chest bare.
She stared at his chest. ‘You run out of underwear or Ella stole them.’
‘Oh this,’ he pointed to his chest, ‘I forgot to put one on as I wasn’t in my right mind this morning.’
‘I understand you.’ She said staring at his chest smiling weirdly.
‘I can start with forgiving Lisa.’ He muttered when Grissel hasn’t asked him a question.
‘All the best.’ She replied staring at him.
He grabbed the bottle, drew closer to her and cuddled her for a while then they drank to the last drop and even had the sanity to meet as couples.
Tom was however surprised at a point his wife could drink that much alcohol but it was also clear there’s little he knew about his wife. Before sleep took over, she told him about his families reaction when Jessy told them about her past and that it was the reason for the accident.
Grissel was surprised he apologized for Julia and Jessy’s behavior. She felt he was being too nice so she clutched on his arms thinking he might sneak out before the next day.
***
Grissel threw her legs around the bed. That was their normal way of waking each other up. Her arms followed until she felt the bed empty.
She finally turned around and realized Tom was not there.
Fear gripped her but his short and shirt from last night were still lying on the floor. Grissel calmed herself and stood up from the bed covering herself with the sheets.
‘Tom.’ She called out standing in the middle of the room and then walked to the bathroom. There was no sign of her husband.
She rushed downstairs in a hurry as if she was coming down with something.
There was no sign of him in the kitchen either. Everything was just as she left it. Grissel rushed back upstairs as if she was imaging things. She flipped the wardrobe open with just one hand and reality dawned on her. Some of his clothing’s were gone.
‘No Tom. You promised you wouldn’t leave me.’ She sobbed falling on the floor.
A little voice asked her if she had already checked outside. She quickly pulled the sheets and rose up.
When she got to the hall, Grissel realized his car keys were not there.
The clock ticked in front of her and it was eleven in the morning.
The front door was slightly opened exactly how Tom usually forgets to close it when he’s so mad at her in the mornings.
She rushed out, checked the compound and went out of the gate.
Grissel stood on the road waving all cars passing by. Everyone who passed by thought she was deranged.
When there was no sign of him out there and the passerby’s were giving her looks she quickly went back in and remembered she hasn’t called his line yet.
She picked up her phone from the couch and dialed his number.
‘Of course, he’s not available.’ She hissed and the tears which dried up on her face earlier with a promise not to fall anytime soon begun to build up.
She called his friends and even Clive that she doesn’t really like. Grissel dialed a few more numbers but they all haven’t heard from him that morning.
‘Aunty, hav..e you he.. ard fr..om Tom.’ She called Julia next.
‘Not yet, shouldn’t he be at work.’
Grissel forgot that day was still a working day but Julia had no idea she called his office and was told he hasn’t shown up yet.
Grissel quickly hanged up without another word.
The next thing she thought of was 911.
‘You’ve called 911, what is your emergency.’
She heard that repeatedly and still kept the phone to her ears.
‘Are you there?’ The voice behind the call asked.
‘My husband is missing.’
Grissel forgot a person has to be missing for at most forty-eight hours before the police can declare him missing but she didn’t care and hasn’t come to terms with the fact that Tom couldn’t handle the truth and may have decided to leave.
‘Madam, do you mind coming down to the station.’
‘I said my husband is missing.’ She yelled.
‘Okay, relax we will come to you. How long has it been?’
‘A few hours I guess.’ She said sitting on the floor this time.
‘What is your name Madam?’
‘Are you helping me or not?’ She snarled scaring the 911 call receiver.
‘Calm down. May we have your address?’
‘Just look for my Tom and stop asking questions.’ The vodka from last night seem to still be at work.
‘Alright, his name is Tom. Did you two have a fight?’ The lady on the call asked gently.
Grissel took the phone off her ears while still in tears and hanged up.
The mention of fight might have reminded her Tom would never leave if it were their normal fights but she knew this time it was betrayal so he probably left.
She hit the phone so hard on the floor after crying for a few minutes. She seemed out for about three minutes and felt a tap on her shoulder.
‘Love.’ Tom was squatting in front of her.
‘You are still here.’ She asked still with her eyes close.
‘Of course, I’m here.’ He noticed she has been crying so he pulled her up gently.
‘You didn’t leave.’
‘No, I sent the heavy dirty clothing’s to the laundry as we discussed the last time before I travelled and I have decided to stay home for a few days.’
‘Your things were gone.’
‘I just told you I sent them to the laundry including your stuff. What is going on here?’
‘Your phone was not reachable and your car keys were gone.’
‘I sent my car to the workshop on my way back as it developed some problems.’
‘You didn’t leave a note.’ She kept asking still holding on to their hug form earlier.
‘My phone was off since last night, I thought I had it in my car so I could call you once i set off but I guess it’s still in my short from last night.’
‘Tom, you left me all alone. I had to call everyone looking for you. Why would you do that to me? I know you are disappointed in me but yo……..’
‘Would you stop it now?’ Tom yelled and disengaged from the hug. He was controlling his anger when she couldn’t stop asking questions.
Grissel looked at him and hugged him again.
‘Don’t yell at me.’ She cried.
‘Shhhh. I won’t yell again.’ He promised. That was one of the first promises he made to her when he told her about his anger issues on their first date.
‘I was just scared of being alone all over again.’ She sobbed once more.
‘It was all just in your head Grissel. I didn’t leave you a note but I made brunch knowing you wouldn’t wake up early because of the alcohol from last night.’
‘You cooked.’ She asked still in his arms.
‘Spaghetti, it’s in the microwave.’
‘Of course, the only food you knew how to make.’ She whispered.
Tom pulled her out of his arms.
‘I told you last night, I was not going to leave you. You should start believing that there are still some few good men out there.’
‘And my husband is one of the few.’ She smiled for the first time that morning.’
‘Yes, I don’t regret marrying you.’ He wiped the tears pouring from her eyes with his palms.
‘You are God sent Tom.’
‘Oh, I passed by church.’
She pinched herself and made a slight painful whisper. ‘Ouch someone wake me up. My husband went to church without being dragged there.’
‘I didn’t plan it but I took a cab as I left my car at the workshop but met this pregnant woman struggling with her son about twenty years looking for a cab. I got down as i was only a few blocks away. I paid for their ride to use my cab then I saw a church upfront.’
‘Is this where we start a Charity Organization.’
‘Oh come on. I do give Grissel.’
‘Only to your family.’
‘You have a point but I’m tired of standing and hungry too.’
‘Sorry, have a seat so I get our salty spaghetti.’
‘How did you know it’s salty?’
‘I know my husband’s capabilities.’
‘I love you Grissel but would love to eat now so we can call everyone back and explain to them why you freaked out.’
‘You are right.’ She kissed him and walked away pulling the sheets with her.
‘Your breath still stink of vodka.’ He told her.
‘Thanks, I will take care of it right away.’
Tom watched as she struggled with the sheets.
‘Should I get you something comfortable to put on?’ He asked her while she walked away from him.
‘No, I’m okay in this besides I’m up for a fifth round from last night because I’m still unclad.’ She teased from the kitchen door.
‘Of course, you are.’ He whispered to himself and smiled.
He picked up his wife’s Phone from where she threw it earlier and adjusted the battery. Tom dialed her sister’s number.
‘Happy birthday Lisa.’ He said immediately she picked up.
‘Tom?’ Melisa at the other end of the call seemed confused.
‘Yes, enjoy yo….’
She cut him off. ‘My birthday was weeks ago.’
‘Emmm, I probably mixed up the dates.’
‘That’s alright. Maybe you should buy me a drink this evening.’
‘I can’t right now, I promised my wife I would stay home.’
‘Was that why she called everyone earlier freaking out? Aunty has been trying your line.’
‘I went out without leaving a note.’
‘You must have learnt that from Aunty.’ Melisa told him.
‘Tell her, I’m safe and home.’ Tom informed.
‘Alright, Ha…..’
Tom hanged up before she could conclude her sentence.
To be continued.

Read episode 21 here- http://youngicee.com/2018/06/blemished-love-episode-21.html

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 21
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved
Grissel has been extremely happy these past week. She laughs at the little thing her husband says and she hasn’t been her moody self since her truth came out. Though Tom was glad about her new behavior, he couldn’t help but worry she was hurting all over again.
‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yes Tom. Why did you ask?’ Grissel continued knotting the edges of his tie.
‘Because you are fixing my tie.’
So? Can’t a woman fix her husband’s tie anymore?’
‘Grissel you hate fixing my tie and you are humming my favorite song which you dislike.’
‘There you go.’ She stopped humming the song and patted him on the chest.
She reached for his suitcase from the couch and dusted it with her morning gown.
‘I will see you in the evening.’
‘Grissel?’ He called out.
‘Yes, wait.’ She rushed to the kitchen and came back with his lunch box.
‘Egg sauce and plan…’
‘Plantain for lunch. I get it but are you alright.’
“Tom I’m just one happy and lucky woman.”
‘Okay but you would tell me if there’s an issue right?’
‘No more secrets and you are late for work.’ She replied grinning.
‘You are right.’ He grabbed the lunch box and rushed to the door and came back giving her a kiss.
‘Be home before seven.’
Tom waved her and left hurriedly.
***
‘Hey, I’m hitting the road. See you on Monday.’ Tom peeped into Stella’s office.
‘Wait up, happy birthday.’ She picked up a bottle of wine from her table drawer.
‘What?’ Tom seems to have forgotten it was his birthday.
‘Anna told me today is your birthday.’ She said and snapped her fingers.
Anna and some few workers he thought had left after the hectic day, they had trying to save their jobs came in with a cake and wine glasses.
‘What is all this?’ He asked looking towards Stella’s direction.
‘Don’t look at me?’ Stella said smiling.
‘But you planned this?’ He questioned.
‘No, we did.’ Jones walked towards him.
‘Yes we all did Tom. You did well standing up for us today and it’s your birthday at least drinking with your coworkers after work isn’t against the company’s rules.’ One of his colleagues replied.
‘Actually it is, Steven.’ Tom responded to his other colleague’s question.
‘I guess the boss here can pardon as for tonight.’ Anna asked looking at Stella who hasn’t stopped smiling since Tom came in.
‘That’s fine Tom, so far as no one drives home drunk.’ She finally stopped smiling.
‘Cheers.’ Jones popped the champagne he took from Stella earlier startling everyone.
***
‘Aunty that chicken is for Tom.’ Melisa cautioned.
‘I don’t see him here Lisa. I can’t come to a party and inhale chicken flavor when the host is nowhere to be found.’
‘We don’t call it host but celebrant.’ Melisa teased.
‘Whatever, he will come and meet empty plates.’ Julia picked up another chicken.
‘Your aunty is right you know.’ Jessy chipped in.
Grissel got his family and friends together for a surprise party.
‘Grissel, did you call him?’ Adam asked.
‘Yes, he’s on his way.’ She replied with a sad tone and walked away to the kitchen knowing she just lied.
Grissel started crying as soon as she was out of sight.
She sat on the kitchen floor sobbing. ‘Not again Tom.’
‘You lied out there.’ Melisa said standing at the door.
She quickly wiped her face and stood up.
‘Do you need anything?’ Grissel asked pretending not to have heard what she said.
‘He is not coming right?’ Melisa asked again.
She paused wiping her face and sat on the chair abruptly.
‘I don’t know Lisa. I did all these for him and he’s not even picking up my calls.’ She sobbed.
‘Did you call his friends?’
‘They are all here and haven’t been able to reach him either.’
‘He’s probably still at work.’
‘I doubt because I told him to come home before seven and his office line wasn’t going through earlier.’
‘I’m sorry about my brother’s behavior but I’m sure he’s probably with one of his coworkers celebrating.’
‘Don’t apologize for him?’ She stood up towards the door and signaled Austin who was standing with his friends by the stairs.
Austin hurriedly walked over.
‘Call your girlfriend and tell her to allow my husband come home.’ Grissel said angrily.
‘Girlfriend?’ He queried confused.
‘Yes, Stella.’
‘I told you I’m not interested in Stella.’
‘Whatever, just call her already?’ She snapped while Melisa looked on.
Austin and Stella has been on a few dates but he wasn’t so attracted to her. She’s not answering, he was saying when Stella said Hello.
‘Let me speak to Tom.’ He didn’t finish before Stella passed the phone on.
The others were done with the drinking and was long gone but Tom walked Stella to her car and they stood there chatting and lost track of time.
‘Man, what is it?’ He said immediately he took the phone from Stella after she told her it was Austin.
‘Your wife is furious as you just ruined your party.’
‘Which party?’ He asked and gasped as if he just figured it out.
‘Just come home already.’ Austin hanged up.
‘He’s on his way. Do you need anything else?’
‘Yes, tell Clive to stop smiling at me else he would receive another wine bottle on his head.’ She said quietly and Austin left without making much of what she said.
Melisa kept staring at her moving about helplessly.
‘You know, I’m here to listen, if Tom is not treating you right.’
‘I’m fine Lisa. He probably didn’t figure it out this morning when I told him to come home before seven.’
‘Okay, let me help you warm up the rest of the food as he’s on his way already.’
‘Thank you.’ She feigned a grin.
Tom dropped the call and couldn’t stop hissing.
***
Julia couldn’t stop chewing on the chicken so they decided to have their starter while they wait for Tom. It took an hour before his car made the screeching sound.
‘Finally!’ Clive exclaimed.
Grissel gave him an ugly look. She was angry at Austin when he brought Clive to her house after she specifically told him not to.
‘Let me get the gate.’ Grissel muttered.
‘I will get it, just relax.’ Adam offered.
Within some few minutes he came in looking scruffily dressed.
‘About time.’ Julia screened him with her eyes.
‘I apologize for keeping you all waiting. I had some emergency at work.’ He said walking towards where Grissel sat while shaking his friend’s one after the other.
‘Isn’t that the same excuse they give always?’ Julia teased.
‘As if they have a manual for it.’ Jessy chipped in while Adam shook his head.
Grissel stood up when he was almost closer.
‘Let me get a few more of these.’
She pointed to the chicken while Tom stood half way with a foolish look on.
He followed her when she walked away towards the kitchen.
‘Hey, hold up.’ He said rushing after her and disappeared into the kitchen.
Grissel wasn’t so sure if that was the time to get angry unnecessarily but she focused on what she came to the kitchen for.
‘Love.’
‘Don’t love me?’ She snarled.
‘I forgot it was my birthday and you didn’t give me any clue.’
She dropped the spoon loudly in the bowl in front of her.
‘Do you mind? I’m really busy here.’ She yelled.
Julia wasn’t so comfortable with that noise. She made an attempt to stand up when Melisa tapped her to relax.
‘Okay, but I wasn’t with Stella if you care to know.’
‘This isn’t the time to lie Tom.’
‘Maybe i was with her but a few colleagues were around for a surprise party.’
‘I don’t want to hear it. Just let it go.’
‘Okay, but at least smile for the rest of the evening. We have guests and you don’t want them thinking I don’t care about my wife.’
She angrily dropped the ladle louder this time.
‘Do you care? At least our guest will be getting the right impression.’
‘What is that supposed to mean? I stay out all the time and you never complain. What’s the difference this time?’
‘Seriously, do you even need to ask me that? We have guests Tom.’
‘I’m no magician to know we would be having guests so cut the nagging and let’s get out of here.’
‘You think I’m nagging.’
‘Yes, your silence is uncalled for.’
‘If you think I’m over reacting when you came back dressed this way,’ she pointed to his left side of the shirt that was hanging, ‘then don’t come back at all next time you decide to spend the night with her.’ Grissel hadn’t noticed their argument was reaching the hall.
‘Ooh this is about your friend right?’
‘Ella is the least of my problems right now.’
‘Okay then you should know, I’m not your ex-husband to be home all the time just because you want me to.’ Tom said without even realizing he just did the one thing he promised last night not to do after Grissel had sat him down to tell him about her previous marriage.
Grissel stared sadly at him and finally gave him the leave me alone look and got hold of the chicken bowl from the microwave. She forgot when she placed it in there a few minutes ago, her intention was to get it warmed.
Tom realized his mistake so he reached out to her and hugged her tightly whiles she kept struggling to be free from his grasp.
‘Do you two want to finish eating yourselves before your guests eat?’ They heard Julia by the kitchen door.
Seems she was loud at the door so everyone at the table laughed while Tom and Grissel jumped up like kids.
‘Aunty, sorry. She’s just getting the chicken warmed up.’
‘And you were giving her motivation right? Get out of the kitchen.’ Julia said jokingly.
Grissel feigned a smile and walked away while Tom followed.
They had a quiet dinner as everyone was hungry especially Julia who had more than enough.
Mike checked the time and prompted his friends it was almost eleven pm.
They all stood up excusing themselves from the family while signaling Tom.
‘Grissel, thanks for a beautiful meal.’ Austin said.
She smiled to her friend.
‘Yes, you cook well.’ Clive interrupted.
She nodded with her unhappy face.
Clive knew she hadn’t told anyone about their encounter so he was relieved.
The guys asked permission to leave and Tom escorted them out.
‘Man, what kept you that long.’ Clive asked when they got to their car.
‘My Coworkers wanted to have a drink up with me. I couldn’t exactly say no.’
‘Stella or your coworkers.’ Mike asked obviously not comfortable.
‘Not you too Mike.’ Tom cautioned.
‘You could have called you know. Grissel was in there alone not knowing where you were.’ Austin chipped in.
‘Come on, She wasn’t alone. My family was there.’
‘Trust me Tom, she wasn’t so comfortable in there tonight. I don’t know if they had a fight before we came but everyone was ignoring her.’
‘True, except for Adam who initiated a few conversations?’ Clive confirmed Mike’s observations.
‘I forgot to call and besides I didn’t ask her for a party.’
‘But you got one and ruined it. That’s what women do. So you got to prepare for it anytime.’ Austin replied.
‘You three should go already. I’m not sure I did anything wrong tonight.’
‘Sure, see you around.’ Clive shook his hand.
‘Clive you never told us what happened to your head the last time.’ Austin asked suddenly.
‘Emmm that, I told you guys, a lady hit me with a bottle.’
‘Oh yeah, a wine bottle I guess.’ Austin winced.
‘Yes, spilling all the wine.’ Clive said studying his friend to find out what he knew as he was so sure Grissel hasn’t told anyone yet because he was still alive. If she had, Austin alone would have killed him.
‘I’m sure that woman really despise you.’ Austin said with contempt.
The others looked at him with a spill it out look.
‘Austin, do you know something we don’t?’
‘No Mike, I’m just sympathizing with our friend here.’ He lied and feigned a smile.
They all laughed and got into their respective cars. But Austin was holding back.
***
Austin drove after Mike had left. He followed Clive until he noticed him behind him and stopped. Clive came out his car while Austin slowed down holding on to his steer.
As Clive was walking closer, he started the car and drove off hitting him when Clive tried to give him way to pack. Austin made sure he didn’t give him any permanent injury. He got out of the car and saw him lying on the floor holding his waist.
‘What was that Austin?’
‘That was for Grissel. The next time you even mention her name you’ll end up at the morgue.’
Clive raised up his head. ‘Who are you to threaten me?’
‘I’m nobody but I won’t allow you hurt any woman ever again.’
‘Any woman or just Grissel?’ He shot back.
‘I’m glad you understand me.’ He raged.
‘What is it with you and her anyway?’ He examined his left leg and tried to raise himself up.
‘That’s none of your business.’ Austin flared up.
‘Wait a minute.’ Clive tried to read his facial expression.
‘What?’ Austin asked angrily.
‘You love her too, don’t you?’
Austin took off his gaze quickly.
‘It’s true then.’ He confirmed for him when he was mute.
‘What if it’s true?’ He smirked unawares. ‘Grissel is everything to me. Put that at the back of your mind the next time you try touching her.’
‘Oh wow. The golden boy has finally agreed he’s in love with his friend’s wife.’
‘At least I’m better than you Clive.’
‘Come on, we are both fighting for the same thing.’
‘No we are not Clive. She’s with somebody else and you need to respect that.’
‘You know Tom doesn’t deserve her after all the hearts he has broken in the past.’
‘Grissel made her choice and I think she has made Tom a better man.’
‘So you want me to stay out of it.’
‘Yes, or next time, I might hit you hard.’
‘Have you told Tom?’
‘You think you would still be alive if he knew. I figured it out myself this evening and you confirmed it when we were leaving.’
He tried to say something but realized Austin was being serious so he closed his mouth.
Clive watched him walk back to his car door without another threat. He picked up himself from the floor and could barely walk.
***
Grissel was convincing Adam and Jessy to sleep over as it was already late.
Melisa and Julia had no problems sleeping over since that wasn’t going to be their first time.
She was still talking to them as they were seated by the TV.
‘That’s a beautiful Shirt. I should get one for Adam.’ Jessy pointed out which drew everyone’s attention to Tom descending from the stairs.
‘Yes, you got a good color too. I need one for a friend, did you get it online?’ Julia smiled.
‘I just saw it on my bed. I guess it’s my birthday gift.’
‘Aah, it’s obvious Grissel got this.’ Adam announced.
No one spoke again as Melisa was behind them pressing her phone.
Tom noticed they all suddenly went mute when Adam mentioned Grissel.
‘Okay,’ he sighed, ‘I didn’t want to do this, but it’s about time and I would be blunt here.’
He walked up to them and brought the coffee table to where they sat.
Julia screened his face to be sure he was okay.
‘Tom, you look scary with that look on your face.’ Adam said.
‘Adam forgive me but I’m going to step on your toes and Jessy you two are sleeping over.’
‘Is everything alright?’ Julia sounded concerned.
‘Yes aunty, I can see how you all are ignoring my wife here. She had kids and was married before so what?’
Jessy relaxed back and Julia gasped.
‘Does that make her any less of a woman? Don’t you all have things you regret doing?’
He watched them sternly as they all kept mute after their initial reactions while Grissel was already near tears.
Melisa’s phone burl and she quickly hanged up.
‘Sorry, I will turn this off.’ She whispered.
‘She betrayed your trust and I get that. But I didn’t expect you grownups to treat her like an outcast.’

‘She betrayed your trust and I get that. But I didn’t expect you grownups to treat her like an outcast.’
Adam scoffed to get his attention.
‘You are a good man Tom. Now I can relax knowing our sister here is in good hands.’ He shook his shoulder gently.
‘Thank you Adam, I heard everything you did for her.’ He tried to reach out to Grissel who quickly withdrew her hands. Tom got the message and took off her gaze watching Julia closely.
***
‘Sorry son, I handled it wrong.’ Julia finally found her voice.
‘Yeah you all did.’
‘We just wanted her to tell you the truth as it wasn’t right keeping you in the dark.’ Julia clarified.
‘Well she has, so can we put this aside and have our sleep over in peace.’ Tom replied.
‘Grissel are you okay?’ Jessy asked to break her silence.
She nodded.
‘Sorry I treated you the way I did. I just wanted you to wake up before you lose your marriage and yourself.’
‘I get it Jessy and i know you were just looking out for me.’
Jessy gestured her and Grissel understood she needs to apologize to Julia again.
Anytime she had an argument with Adam, Grissel always gave her that look, now it was her turn to do the needful.
She carried herself beside Adam and walked to where Julia sat.
‘I’m sorr..y to ha..ve disapp…ointed you.’ She stuttered a little and sat beside her.
‘It’s okay, I knew you would do the right thing. You just needed a little push.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Tom, what’s the plan now.’
‘There’s no plan, and the guy just want attention. He wants her back.’
‘But they are no more right?’ Julia asked to satisfy her curiosity.
‘Of course, I made sure of that.’ Adam interrupted before Tom could answer.
‘Good but I’m not sure I even heard the real story.’ Julia mentioned turning to Grissel.
‘Emmm, I can summarize.’ She closed her eyes sharply and opened it after a minute.
‘Are you sure you want to do this again.’
She ignored her husband and proceeded to tell her story all over again. Grissel managed without a single drop of tear this time but Jessy kept wiping her face.
‘You were young and I totally understand but what kind of a man does that.’
‘He was just hurt when he nearly lost both kids.’
‘Talking about kids, have you decided on anything yet?’
‘No, Shirley is better off with her dad.’
‘Did you say Shirley?’ Melisa who was quiet all this while asked.
‘Yeah. Why?’
‘Nothing.’ Melisa said with an uncomfortable tone.
‘But you are her mother Grissel. She needs to know you exist.’
‘I’m not sure I can be a good mother.’
‘Why do you say that?’ Julia sympathized.
‘I killed one already, what if something goes wrong.’
‘You are matured now and you found love.’ Julia encouraged.
‘Yes, you have it in you. If you took care of my two kids while I was away for weeks then you can do same for yours.’ Jessy suddenly cut in.
‘I still don’t want her besides I live with one big kid already.’ She said and everyone laughed.
Tom didn’t find it funny as he was so quiet earlier and it seemed to him, Grissel would never have his children which he was trying to adjust to.
‘I love her and that’s what matters.’ He thought quietly.
‘What’s wrong Tom?’ Melisa noticed he was murmuring to himself.
‘None of your business.’ Tom answered rudely before realizing he wasn’t alone.
‘Sorry, I interfered.’ She said and focused on her phone.
Julia showed her displeasure especially when they were not alone but in the midst of Grissel’s family.
‘Lisa, so I heard you got a guy doing your shopping now.’ Tom asked after a few seconds probably hoping to take his words back.
‘You mean, she got a boyfriend?’ Their aunt corrected.
‘Yeah, that’s just by the way. So when are you going back to being a doctor. It would be good to have one around when my wife and I decide to have little Tom’s.’
Melisa paused pressing her phone as she wasn’t sure Tom was actually talking to her.
‘Lisa, your brother is looking out for you.’ Julia encouraged her to speak up.
‘I haven’t thought of it yet.’ Melisa quietly pinched herself to be sure, she was talking to Tom.
‘You should, I can pull a few strings for you so you get a hospital closer to home.’
‘Thank you Tom.’ She smiled, and quickly pushed her tears back.
Grissel noticed that and stood up interrupting them.
‘I’ll get the rooms sorted out in five minutes.’ She announced.
‘Do you need help?’ Tom asked hoping she wouldn’t disgrace him.
‘No, please.’ She responded and walked away while Melisa quickly rushed after her.
***
‘Do you think Tom is really happy with his decision to still be with me?’ Grissel asked after they sorted out the last room.
‘Come here.’ Melisa led her to the bed they laid earlier. ‘I was surprised he made that decision but yet again my brother adores you and I guess being with you for this short while changed him.’
‘But I’m scared Lisa. What if he wakes up one day and decides to leave?’
‘You can’t know that right now but dwelling on the negatives would rather break you two apart.’ She muttered. ‘He made the decision, trust him, talk to him about your fears and continue to love him. That’s all it takes to keep a man.’
She suddenly felt tears running down her cheeks. ‘Sorry about the tears.’ Grissel wiped it with her palm.
‘That’s alright and I’m really sorry for how I treated you in the past.’
‘Thank you Lisa and it’s okay, I go everywhere with my baggage and people don’t have a choice but to be mean towards me.’
Melisa studied her for some few minutes. ‘Does he stay out late that often or it just started after he found out about your past.’
‘I’m not even sure anymore Lisa.’
She drew her closer in a hug when a knock came on the door.
‘Lisa, what are you doing to my wife in there and why is the door locked.’
They both looked at each other and realized they hadn’t noticed the door was locked.
But since they were already done with the rooms, they quickly stood up and went out. They met knock staring at them.
‘Did she make you cry again?’ He quickly asked after studying Grissel and noticed she must have been crying.
‘Tom, I di…..’ Melisa struggled with what she wanted to say.
‘No you made me cry Tom.’ Grissel cut Melisa off when she was struggling with her words.
Tom frowned and reached out to Grissel. ‘Come with me.’ He carried her away in his arms without looking back while Melisa looked on smiling.

Read episode 22 here- http://youngicee.com/2018/06/blemished-love-episode-22.html

Tanks a lot for the update boss. U too much

Well done @Oyinprince

Nice story

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 22
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved
Austin needed to tell Grissel about his encounter with Clive before she finds out. He went by her office and she decided to take him out for lunch across the road.
‘Grissel, I did something which I need to tell you.’
‘Oh really?’ Did you kill someone?’ She joked.
‘Yes, nearly.’ Austin replied her.
She stepped on the brake and pulled over.
‘Is the person okay?’
‘Yeah, he will live for now.’
‘Great then. I wished it was Clive.’ She smiled weirdly and focused on her steer.
Austin kept glancing at her.
‘It was Clive.’ He finally mentioned.
‘Wonderful. I’m tired of that guy in your lives.’
‘You resent him that much and you forgot to tell me he tried to touch you?’
‘Huh!’ She exclaimed.
‘I knew the moment you told me last night to warn him. I confronted him by running him over.’
‘Good news, I hope he cracked a few bones.’
He smiled. ‘Trust me.’
‘I didn tell anyone because i know he won’t try it anymore and besides the man I married is only patience with me and not with his friends.
‘Are you sure, it was the right thing to do?’
‘No but Tom is in a fix right now, I don’t want to complicate things.’
‘Emmm, I also heard about your other life.’
‘Your sister must have overheard when she came over to the office the other day.’
‘Exactly, but you should have told me and I would still be there for you.’
‘Why would you want to do that for me?’
He managed a sigh and glimmered at her.
‘I knew you were in love with me Austin.’
‘Really?’ He sounded uncomfortable.
‘Yeah, in fact even Tom figured it out.’
‘OMG. Why hasn’t he killed me yet?’
‘You are a good man Austin. He’s aware you out grew that kind of love when he asked your permission to date me.’
‘Great, tell him I’m still on standby so he shouldn’t mess up.’ He smiled and Grissel laughed.
‘’You are calling for another fight between you two right?”
‘Not really but how is he holding up with the whole other marriage stuff.’
‘Better than I imagined. Kindly thank him for me when next you see him.’
‘I will but can we go for lunch now.’
‘Of course.’ She shoved her hand into his hair and focused on the steer after a minute.
*****
‘Paige?’
‘Uhmmm.’ She responded with her mouth full of sausage.
Melisa had asked her out that afternoon so she could find out about Shirley. For some reason she was not so comfortable when Grissel mentioned Shirley last night.
‘Do you know Grissel?’ Melisa suddenly asked.
‘Grissel? She repeated. ‘Yes I do.’ Paige picked up the ketchup in front of Melisa.
‘You do? How?’ She asked quickly.
‘Is she not your sister in law. You mention her all the time.’ Paige clarified and Melisa sighed heavily.
‘Oh yeah, I thought you knew her from somewhere else.’
‘No, I haven’t even met her before. Why did you ask?’
She scratched her face slowly. ‘Nothing I just felt like asking.’
‘Alright, but I miss you the whole week Lisa.’
‘Have you ever met Shirley’s mom?’ Melisa suddenly asked instead of answering Paige’s question.
She paused and wondered for a while. ‘Ermm, not really. My brother just dropped her with me when she was young with the story her mother left.’
‘So he doesn’t take care of her?’
‘He comes home once a while to see them.’
‘Michael is also his son?’
‘Yes, but different mothers.’
‘So you don’t know where she met Shirley’s mom?’
‘No, it’s definitely not in this our state. But why are you suddenly interested in Shirley.’
‘Nothing, I just felt meeting you was a twist of fate.’
‘I feel it all the time and those two are my world.’
‘God bless you for being a mother to these kids.’
‘You know God?’ Paige teased.
‘Of course, I do. I pray every time.’ She replied.
‘And you still sleep around?’
‘That’s unfair, besides I’ve been trying my best since I met Dane.
‘Yeah I noticed but i also need prayers to get hooked up soon.’ Paige laughed so loud.
They were still talking when Henry appeared before them from nowhere.
‘Henry, what are you doing here?’ Melisa frowned.
‘This is Henry?’ Paige asked.
‘Yeah, the one and only.’ Melisa responded staring at him.
‘The friends with benefit guy, I never got to meet.’ She still asked to confirm.
She nodded.
‘Wow, that was all I was to you Lisa?’
‘Come on Henry, you know we never had anything special. I was clear on that and aside that we were great friends.’
‘Were? What happened to us?’
‘Nothing, I just don’t want to be in the middle of you pursuing my brother’s wife anymore.’
‘But you know I could just walk up to Tom and tell him about what you planned with Amy right?’
‘Go ahead Henry. I’m so tired of that secret anyway besides I’m not so sure that would get you Grissel so good luck.’ She rolled her eyes at him.
Henry has become a pain in her ass lately. Dane however wasn’t making it easy for her at all. She just want to cut ties with him which is so difficult to do.
‘I’m sorry, if my blackmail angered you but what would you have me do.’
Paige who was watching the drama folded her hands now after munching on her sausage.
‘Henry, leave Grissel alone. That’s all I want now. I brought her into your life and it’s my responsibility to make things right so stop stalking her.’
‘So if I stop we can go back to hanging out?’ He asked.
‘No, I’ve moved on, if you want us to have a few drinks I could manage that but not ending up in your bed.’
‘Alright, I get that Lisa. But I actually followed you here to help you with your brother and Grissel’s situation.’
‘What situation?’ She asked surprised.
‘Don’t tell me you’ve not heard they are not legally married and have been subpoenaed.
‘What?’ She shouted drawing everyone’s attention at the restaurant.
‘Are you alright?’ Paige asked.
‘I’m not sure but we have to go now.’ She dropped what she owed in the menu book and dragged Paige along leaving Henry to himself.
***
‘Where’s your boos?’ Grissel yelled at the reception that afternoon.
Anna recognizing her as Tom’s wife was pointing to Tom’s office.
Grissel ignored her and walked to Stella’s door fuming while Anna run after her.
‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth?’ She yelled when she entered.
Stella reading the expression on her face knew exactly why she came to her office.
‘I tried to stop he….’
‘Leave us alone Anna.’ Stella gestured with her hands and stood up from her seat.
She knew how furious Grissel would be when she found out what she did.
Grissel stood in the middle of the room with her two hands on her waist.
‘Are you happy now?’ She picked up the brown envelope from the bag she dropped on the floor earlier and threw it at her.
‘I’m sorry, I just wanted to be of help.’
‘Help? You ruined my life Ella.’ She was still yelling when the door opened.
‘What is going on here?’ Tom stood at the door with Anna.
It was obvious Anna went to call him.
Stella sighed and Grissel rushed into his arms.
‘Ella ruined our lives.’ She sobbed.
‘Okay, calm down.’ The fact that she wasn’t talking to him the previous night and that morning prompted Tom to tread carefully.
He disengaged from the embrace and looked into her eyes.
‘Do you know where you are?’
She nodded. ‘Your work place.’
‘Great, then we can’t cry here.’
‘Okay but she sig……’
‘Can you drive?’ Her husband quickly interrupted.
‘I drove here by myself.’
‘I’m not asking you who drove you here.’
‘Yes, I can drive.’
He wiped her face with the edge of his shirt as it was almost his closing time so he doesn’t care if he had to soil his shirt.
‘Can I have your phone?’ He demanded.
She pointed to her bag on the floor. He walked to where she dropped her bag, picked it up and took out her phone.
‘You can have my phone but you have to go home now. I’ll be late tonight.’ He pulled her closer and kissed her while glancing at Stella who quickly took off her gaze.
Tom handed her the bag after the kiss and walked her out as Anna quickly gave them way.
When they walked out the other staffs were murmuring how Tom has been cheating on his wife with Stella and Grissel came to the office to make a scene.
He escorted Grissel to her car and watched her leave.
Tom came back to his office as though nothing happened earlier.
Stella on her way home decided to explain himself as Tom didn’t drop by after Grissel left.
‘Hi.’ She greeted shyly.
‘You are done for the day?’ He asked.
‘Tom, I’m really sorry.’
‘I should be apologizing to you Stella. Grissel had no right to confront you at your work place.’
‘I’m sure she had no other choice.’
‘Yes she does Stella. What happened to calling me or waiting at home?’
‘But still I was at fault. I had no idea this would happen.’
‘That’s fine, I had a call in the morning about the subpoena before she even got here.’
‘You did?’ Stella was surprised he never mentioned it. She had the chance to read the file Grissel brought earlier.
‘Yes, I was hoping to talk to her once I get home.’
‘But we had lunch and you never mentioned it neither did you tell me you knew everything.’
‘I got to know that morning we were to leave New Jersey. He was the reason I was acting weird?’
‘He was there? You should have said something.’ Stella walked over.
‘Friendship and marriage is two different things. If I have a problem as big as that, my wife would always be my first point of contact.’ He frowned. ‘That is why I’m so mad right now that she came over to my work place to make a scene when we could have talked at home.’
‘Take it easy with her. She’s frustrated and lost reliving her past all over again.’ Stella advised.
‘I know that and I told her I wasn’t going to leave but she’s making it difficult for me to breathe.’
‘That sounds like my Grissel? She can give you a tough time but the sweetest and gentle person I’ve ever known.’ Stella blushed.
‘I love that woman Stella but I feel like she’s drifting away and I’m the only one holding on.’
Stella just stared at him. ‘You are one weird but awesome man Tom.’
‘Call me crazy but instead of being hurt, I rather want to protect her and her tears cut me deep.’
‘Grissel has that kind of effect on people.’ Stella clarified.
‘I know right, but she’s still holding back.’ Tom complained and Stella can see the hurt in his eyes.
‘Just give her as much patience as you can. You chose her for a reason and your kind of love is rare.’
He smiled at her words. ‘Your cousin on the other hand is very useless to me right now.’
‘I agree, but I promise to fix this Tom.’
‘Don’t bother. What could you possibly do now which you couldn’t do eight years ago to help your friend.’
‘I was simply a coward eight years ago and I regret leaving Grissel to take the fall for both our mistakes.’
‘She doesn’t hold any grudge against you but I would appreciate if you stay out of it. I’ll handle it.’
‘Okay, feel free to ask for help if you need it.’
‘I will Stella and by the way, do you mind if I don’t come to work tomorrow Saturday. I’m picking my mother in law at the airport this evening.’
‘Aunty Gina, is coming over?’
‘Yes, I wanted to surprise Grissel but as it stands now I’m not so sure what I’m going back to.’
‘You’ll be fine. Have the weekend off.’ She handed him the file Grissel dropped earlier.
‘Hey, thank you. You’ve really helped.’ He called after her when she was almost out of the door.
She nodded. ‘And that Kiss earlier made me jealous.’ She whispered and went out of the door before Tom could reply.
He smiled and shook his head.
***
Grissel was sleeping on the couch covered in a blanket when Tom entered with Gina.
‘I’m sorry Tom, I sh…..’
She spotted her mom when she raised herself off the couch.
‘Mom.’ She rushed hugging her and her tears begun to flow.
Gina led her to the couch and patted her back like a baby.
Tom brought them Juice as it seemed they were not going to end their talk anytime soon.
He had to eat his portion of dinner and when he was done, mom and daughter were still talking.
Tom heard Grissel apologizing several times and a few cautions from Gina which he felt was too harsh but at the end of it all they were smiling.
Since it was late, they had to continue the next morning.
Gina had dinner with Grissel and was going to bed when Grissel followed. She forgot Tom was around.
‘You have to go to your room Grissel. Your husband is pacing up and down in front of my room.’
‘Mom, as it stands now we are not legally married. I would have to start distancing myself from him.’
‘I know but you two need to talk and he’s been out there for some minutes now.’
‘It’s just standard procedure, he should be able to live without me for a few days while I think of what to do though I’m not so sure my marriage can be saved.’
‘Believe in yourself Grissel. You lawyers always have a way out but right now take it as tonight is the last time you would have to be with Tom.’
‘Okay, since you are sacking me, I would go.’ She gave her mom a hug and got out of the room meeting Tom sitting on the floor.
‘Let’s go to bed. Tomorrow is another day and we can figure this out.’ Grissel said reaching out to him on the floor.
‘How do you feel?’ He asked when they got to their bedroom.
‘I don’t know. Lisa and aunty are coming over tomorrow morning.’
‘You called them?’
‘I had to when you chased me out of your office.’ She announced weakly.
‘You know coming to my office wouldn’t have changed our marital status right?’
‘Yeah and don’t worry I called Ella to apologize.’ She replied.
‘That’s a great step and did she mention why she signed the annulment papers instead of her brother.’
‘Forget Ella. She was still in Mexico when Adam reached out and since i needed it urgently she couldn’t wait. She had to choose between whether I should leave you on the altar or she could take the risk.’
‘It’s a great risk and a favor she did for you.’
‘You think I don’t know that. I would have accepted canceling our marriage than what we are facing now.’
‘Come here, I need you tonight which may probably be our last night.’ He whispered into her ears while leading her to the bed.
‘Thank you for bringing my mom over.’
‘Shhhh.’ He kissed her softly and after a few minutes deeply.
‘Ahuh.’ She murmured.
‘I apologize for ruining my birthday party and thank you for the shirt.’ He laid her gently on the bed and kept looking into her eyes.
‘Can you stop talking?’ She whispered and raised her head up to meet his face.
Tom reached out for his phone by the side drawer on turned on a slow music ignoring her attempt to kiss him.
‘We have company and if indeed today is going to be our last night together I would want it to be memorable.’ He caressed her face.
‘You know my mom can still hear us right?’ She had her hands in his hair.
‘Do you plan on bringing the roof down?’ He teased while undressing her.
***
‘What did you do to your wife last night?’ Julia asked.
They came a while ago and noticed Grissel was still asleep. Tom didn’t want to wake her up as she spent the whole night crying in his arms hence slept late.
Paige tagged along as she was to drop Melisa over at the airport for her flight later that morning to Dallas.
It was obvious that wasn’t the only reason why she brought Paige to the house.
‘Nothing, I guess she’s just too tired to have noticed we have a full house.’
‘I don’t believe you Tom.’ Julia smiled sheepishly.
‘She was up all right working.’
‘Working with her voice I guess. Gosh you two were too loud.’ Gina chipped in smiling.
‘So I was right. Let me even go and check on her for proof of life.’ Julia teased and stood up when Tom’s phone rang and he picked up.
‘Hello, Stella.’
They exchanged pleasantries and she made him aware she was outside.
‘Huh, you are outside my gate waiting for me?’ Tom realized everyone was watching him so he toned down.
‘Relax, I didn’t come to make a scene.’
‘I know you wouldn’t do that but you know your friend is still fragile.’
‘What if I have a solution to your problems?’
‘Is that Ella?’ Gina interrupted their conversation on the call.
Tom nodded to her. ‘You can come in, I’ll wait for you at the door.’
He hanged up and Julia was watching him sternly.
‘Aunty, it’s not what you think. She’s Grissel’s friend and her ex-husband’s cousin.’
‘I remember Ella. I spoke to her a few times before Grissel left Ghana and when she got here we were in contact. She’s a good person but they both never told me what their deep relationship was all about.’ Gina was still talking when the door opened and Stella stepped in.
Stella exchanged pleasantries after hugging Tom. She took off her dark shades and walked to Gina.
‘It’s been long Ella.’ She reached out for a hug when there came a sound as if someone dropped a glass.
They all turned to the direction the sound came from.
To be continued

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 23
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved.
Melisa was standing over the broken glasses while Paige held her wobbling hands slowly out of the mess she created. They both didn’t want to wait for Stella to come in before they grabbed her a juice so Melisa dragged her friend along to the kitchen to grab a glass of juice for Stella who hadn’t come in yet.
‘Is everything okay?’ Julia asked her niece who was still standing staring at Stella.
‘I’m fine, just a sudden headache.’
‘Let me get you something for that.’ Tom offered.
Ever since Grissel’s story broke out, Melisa has been extremely helpful and Tom hasn’t shut her up in a while.
‘She will be fine,’ Paige answered him when she noticed Melisa was lying about the headache. She quickly went in for a dustpan to help her friend clear the broken glass.
‘Emmm, you are Stel..la Re..ed right?’ Melisa asked with a stammer while Paige dragged her to a seat in the far corner as she was still standing at her initial place.
‘Yes, how do you know that?’ Stella asked curiously. Wait you look familiar.’
‘Oh yes, you both have Henry as a mutual friend.’ Tom smiled teasingly.
‘I think so.’ Stella said with a weird face as if she was still trying to remember where she knew Melisa from.
‘So Miss lucky, you never told me you write Reed.’ Tom shifted his attention to Stella.
‘Oh that must be my dad’s fault, he wanted me to drop my mom’s maiden name if I was going to take over the company.’
“So you changed to Medt.’
‘Yeah, a name I totally dislike.’
“We have something in common then. I never liked my dad’s name but some people won’t let me stick to my mom’s.” Tom said glancing at her aunty childishly.
Stella kept looking around for some few minutes, as the others were still watching Melisa.
‘Are you looking for Grissel?’ Gina asked her.
‘I actually came to see her about something.’ She replied.
‘She’s still asleep.’ Tom responded from where he sat.
‘I thought as much.’ Stella knew Grissel loves an undisturbed sleep.
‘But if it’s urgent I could drag her out of bed. I know what it took you to be here.’
‘Okay, I spoke t….’
‘Tom you haven’t introduced the young lady to us.’ Julia interrupted curiously as she was sure her presence was making Melisa uncomfortable.
‘Forgive me aunty. Stella is my boss and the cousin to Grissel’s Ex-husband Dane.’
‘Dane?’ She stressed and glanced at Melisa who was already deep in thoughts.
‘Yes, do you know him?’ Tom asked as he noticed Julia was sad.
‘Dane Reed?’ She asked again to be sure and avoided Melisa’s gaze this time.
‘Yes, tall and well built.’ Tom muttered thinking Julia needed more descriptions.
‘OMG! Melisa.’ Julia exclaimed when she realized he was the same man Melisa is helplessly in love with. She could have shrugged it off since that name is a common one around there but Melisa’s earlier action flashed her mind, the more reason she asked for an introduction to be sure.
‘What is it aunty?’ Tom rushed to her side. Julia clutched her chest as if she couldn’t breathe.
‘Dane. Dani.’ She mentioned and glanced at Melisa who was wiping her tears.
‘Yes, that’s him and Dani is Grissel’s daughter.’ He mumbled. ‘Wait a minute, how do you know Dani?’
Suddenly Melisa’s sobs became deafening to the ears.
‘Lisa, why are you sobbing?’ Tom focused his attention on her sister now.
Paige held her tightly.
Gina and Stella was so lost to the extent the expression on their faces could be read from afar.
‘Can someone explain to me what is going on here?’ Tom yelled.
Melisa picked up her bag beside her and dragged Paige along to the door.
‘And where do you think you are off to?’ Tom asked on top of his voice.
‘You don’t get it do you?’ Her sister wiped her face with the edge of the shirt Dane got for her. She frowned when it seemed she noticed.
‘No I don’t and you should start talking if you want me to get it.’
‘What’s the point in telling you anyway?’
Tom left Julia who had her head against the couch and walked towards her sister at the door.
‘Paige what’s going on with your friend?’
‘Do you really care about your sister at all?’ Paige angrily asked.
‘And what is that supposed to mean?’
‘I mean if you do, that name would have meant something to you.’
‘Is this about why I’ve been hard on you?’
Melisa looked up at him and sobbed.
‘I know about Amy’s set up and I’m working on forgiving you so you can stop crying.’
‘Tom.’ He heard his name from the other side of the room and turned around.
‘Not now Stella.’ He recognized the voice and turned around while Stella stared at him.
‘I think your sister is trying to tell you Dane is the same man she’s in love with.’ She said with certainty as she remember her mom talking about Dane’s new girlfriend.
‘What?’ Both Gina and Tom chorused.
‘You’ve been sleeping with that nauseating man.’
Melisa glared at him and opened her mouth but nothing came out.
She turned the door knob and run out while Paige followed.
‘Lisa wait.’ He called after her but she was already out of the door.
‘I hope she doesn’t do anything crazy.’ Gina prayed.
‘How is this even possible? I mean she found about Grissel’s other marriage before anyone else did.’
Julia lamented. She has been happy for Lisa recently and her mind was at peace and now this.
‘I guess we were all occupied that none of you bothered to ask of his name.’ Tom clarified.
The room was so quiet for a whole five minutes as everyone’s emotion was high.
‘I think I should go now.’ Stella quickly stood up straightening her short shirt.
‘Go where?’ Grissel asked descending the stairs.
Everyone fixated their eyes on her as they were not too sure how long she has been standing there.
‘Why are you all suddenly quiet?’ She asked sounding different.
‘Nothing, Good morning.’ Tom quickly masked his fear. Knowing Grissel she would hate herself once she hears the news.

‘Good morning, I’m guessing the look on your faces tells me this secret meeting was about Lisa and Dane.’ She gestured to no one in particular.
‘Huh. Tom walked up to meet her.
‘Grissel you knew and didn’t say anything?’ Julia asked a bit relieved now. Though she was worried about Melisa going through another heart break she can’t help but sympathize with Grissel as well.
‘I spoke to her a while ago. She woke me up and don’t worry she’s fine.’
‘You spoke to Lisa? But she just left here.’ Tom asked with a surprise and worried tone.
‘Yeah, she’s on her way to meet Dane.’
‘I can’t believe this. To think all this is wrong she’s on her way to see him. Who does that?’
‘Allow Lisa to find some peace. If Dane makes her happy why not.’ Grissel said quietly.
‘Really and that doesn’t bother you.’
‘Why should it bother me besides we are separating today so I don’t have any connection with you anymore?’ Grissel walked over to her mom giving her a hug and then to Julia who she flashed a smile to.
‘We talked about this Grissel and Stella is even here to help.’ Tom was practically begging with his voice.
‘I forgot you are here Stella.’
‘Hi, I wanted to tell the cou….’
“That you faked your brother’s signature.”
Stella nodded while the others murmured.
‘I can’t have you do that, I can win this even without your testimony.’
‘Grissel, just accept her offer.’ Tom mentioned.
‘So I can stay in this house with you for another twenty-four hours.’
‘What is that even supposed to mean?’
‘It means we are not married and I have to leave today if I ever want to win this case.’
‘Where will you go?’ He asked with frustration written on his face.
‘Can’t you see my mom sitting right there. Everyone thought, I didn’t have a family so they were mean to me.’
‘I never did that Grissel.’ Tom raised his left arm up trying to control his anger.
‘Tom it’s just standard procedure.’ Stella chipped in.
‘And I’m not a fun of standard procedure. Don’t you get it?’ He snarled at Stella.
At this point everyone in the room decided to leave as they were tired of watching the drama.
Stella and Julia said their goodbyes to Gina and walked out while Gina rushed upstairs.
‘Grissel you’ve changed overnight.’
“I’m glad you noticed.” She strolled away from him towards the kitchen and Tom followed with his hands in his short pocket.
‘Come back here.’ He called out to her on his way to the kitchen.
Grissel turned around. ‘Tom, why can’t you leave me alone?’
Why would I want to do that?’ He asked still walking closer.
‘Because, you are suffocating me and I want to breathe.’ Grissel mumbled without regrets
‘How could you say that when we still love each other.’
‘Gosh, this time around it’s not love but obsession.’ She replied and took her eyes off him.
Tom watched her closely. ‘You need space?’ He waited for an answer and when he got none he added, ‘It’s unfair but take all the time.’
Grissel ignored him and wasn’t watching where she was going. She hit her head on the kitchen pillar and cursed herself.
‘Serves you right.’ Tom said quietly and walked away from her. Grissel glanced at him going and rolled her eyes. She didn’t know where all that anger came from earlier.
*****
Lisa was supposed to go to Dallas that morning but Julia decided they should see Tom first.
So when Stella mentioned Dane that morning and she left the house in a hurry, she was encouraged by Paige to call Grissel as she believed it wasn’t a coincidence that among all the men she could fall in love with is the one man who had hurt someone close to her.
Paige dropped her off at the airport and she changed her ticket to the next available flight. She wasn’t so sure what she plans on doing when she gets there but Grissel seems not to have a problem with her relationship with her ex-husband.
Dane was to pick her up that morning but Dani was complaining of nausea so he asked one of his drivers to pick her up. He had no idea she found out.
Lisa stood at the door, wiped her face from the tears she shed since she found out about Dani’s mom. She figured Dane must have changed her name from Shirley.
She entered and saw him leading Dani to her room.
‘Hey, how was your flight.’ Dane mumbled with a worried face. ‘Julia called asking if you had arrived because your brother was worried about you.’
Melisa rolled her eyes at him, ignoring his questions. Dani run into her arms and she carried her up when suddenly her tears couldn’t stop flowing.
Dani asked to be put down when she heard her sob.
‘Why are you crying Lisa?’
She asked drawing her dad’s attention to Melisa.
He walked closer to her and tried to hold her hands.
Melisa pushed his hands away.
‘Don’t you dare touch me ever again?’
Dane wasn’t so sure he understood her.
He called out to one of the nanny’s to pick up Dani.
‘Dani, wait for me inside.’
‘Daddy, you hurt her again? But you promised.’
‘I did but trust me, this wasn’t my fault.’ He pointed at Melisa.
‘Then who is making her cry.’
The little girl asked pointing to Lisa still in tears when her nanny came to carry her away.
Dane sighed after watching them disappear into the room.
‘Lisa, what is all this. You can’t do that in the presence of my daughter and make me look like a bad father.’
Melisa gave him an ugly stare. ‘You think hiding the fact that her mom is alive makes you a good dad?’
Before he could finish, Dane had walked away from where they were standing as it was so clear the whole family finally found out.
‘Look, I was just waiting for your arrival today so we talk about it but I’m glad you already found out.’ Dane said and kept walking farther away from her while Melisa kept yelling.
‘Don’t walk out on me? Grissel is alive, why did you lie to Dani her mom died.’
Melisa paused, drawing Dane’s attention to the earlier sound were cut off from their conversation when they heard something drop and turned around. Dani was standing at the door staring at them.
‘I thought I told you to stay inside.’ He yelled.
‘Would you stop yelling at everyone?’ Melisa chipped in.
Dane turned to look at her and breathed in heavily.
Dani knelt on the floor picked up her book and dragged her feet on the floor to grab her dads attention.
She turned around while going back to her room.
‘Daddy, I don’t like you anymore.’ She pouted and turned back to her door.
‘Princess, come back here.’
‘Mommy is not in heaven but you lied to me.’
‘I didn’t lie, that woman is not good for you as a mother.’
‘It’s not your decision to make.’ Dani muttered maturely.
Both Melisa and Dane was taken back at how she could say that all of a sudden.
‘How can you say that? I’m your dad and guardian.’
‘Not anymore daddy, I’m eighteen years now.’ She said walking closer.
‘You are eight years my dear.’ Dane found himself relaxing now.
‘If I add one to eight then I’m eighteen.’ She said and quickly run back to her room.
Dane stood in the middle of the side room and paced around.
‘You did this Lisa. I can’t forgive that.’
‘Neither can I forgive the fact that you were actually using me to get back at Grissel.’
He was mute for a while when his phone rang. Dane pulled it out and quickly hanged up.’
Melisa stood there watching him pace around.
‘You didn’t bring your luggage?’ He finally calmed himself with his eyes lit.
‘So you can keep using me?’ Melisa snarled.
‘Lisa, don’t say that. I love you and it has nothing to do with that woman.’
‘That woman? Was that all she was to you?’
‘She killed my son and nearly ruined my daughter’s life. How else do you expect me to call her?’
‘Grissel is a good woman, and from what I heard she didn’t leave her children in the car on purpose.’
‘And you believe her?’
‘Yes, no one in their right mind would ever do that.’
‘Then she’s crazy to have done that.’
‘Crazy people don’t go to law school and become one of the first in their class.’
He scoffed. ‘She’s a lawyer?’
‘Of course, a damn good one.’
‘She must have swindled someone to get there.’
‘That’s where you are wrong. She had family and don’t forget she was looking after herself before you met her.’
‘You mean when I took her out of her misery.’
‘Watch your mouth, I won’t stand here for you to badmouth Grissel.’
‘But you know what I’m saying is true. That woman used me and destroyed my life. She will get what is coming to her.’
‘That woman is married to my only brother. If you destroy her marriage, then you destroy me.’
‘Are you blackmailing me now? I thought you love me.’
‘I’m not but I can’t be stupid either just because I’m in love with someone who wants his ex-wife back.’
‘We were never divorced.’
‘What would you get from putting her back in jail and separating her from her husband?’
‘I won’t get anything but I can’t allow her be happy with someone else.’
‘You are smart but not wise Dane.’ She walked away from her to the couch.
‘Can we stop talking about other people’s business and talk about us?’
‘There’s no us anymore. You forgot if Grissel separates from Tom, you are not allowed to have any relationship either.’
He sat beside her and laughed hilariously.
‘What is funny?’
‘I have my ways Lisa. How then do you think I got her subpoenaed?’
‘I know you have connections and you can do whatever you want to with your money but just let Grissel be happy where she is now.’
‘Why should I do that? I’m doing this so Dani wouldn’t suffer.’
‘Trust me, she had already paid for her mistakes. And if you ever loved her, you would want to see the mother of your daughter happy than sad.’
‘I never loved her like I love you now.’
‘No you don’t love me, you were just using me.’
‘I wasn’t Lisa. I do love you but finding out from you, that criminal is related to you broke me.’
Melisa paused and glanced at him. ‘I gave her up when I mentioned her that day over the phone right?’
He reached out for her hands which she withdrew. ‘Yes, avoiding you and stalking you for weeks wasn’t because you were not ready for marriage but because you mentioned her and I was furious she’s still in the states when I thought she was deported after York.’
‘You mean your plans to get her deported didn’t work so you were not expecting to find her happy with my brother.’
‘Your brother, I sympathize with a lot. How does he cope with someone like that?’
‘It’s called love without blemish.’
‘That’s weird, but if you came here so I change my mind forget it.’
‘If you won’t change your mind for yourself do it for Shirley.’
‘Oh, she told you I changed her name to Daniella.’
‘Don’t let hatred control your life.’
‘If she wants to be free, then she should get me my son back.’
‘That’s not even possible Dane. Let this woman go or else you can’t be with me.’
‘You will leave me?’ He licked his lips sadly with love in his eyes.
‘I may because I can’t be with someone who wants to destroy my family.’ Melisa admired his lips and felt a surge going through her body. Her thoughts were filled with love.
Dane kept staring at her and pushed his lips on hers in a hurry.
‘What a.. re you do.. ing?’ She was talking in between their clenched lips and tried pushing him off when in earlier all she wanted was to be in his arms.
Dane held on tightly and kept on kissing her vigorously.
She wanted to give in at point but still stood her ground. She finally found the strength to let go but couldn’t as her emotions were wild at that moment.
‘Yuck.’
They heard that sound faintly from afar and stopped.
‘Who is there?’ Dane asked and there was no response. He looked around and there was no sign of Dani or the house helps.
He looked at the wall clock and was convinced Dani must be asleep and probably the sound was from outside.
Dane looked back at Lisa who was gasping for air.
He drew her closer and wrapped his hands around her neck.
‘Look at me and tell me you don’t want this and you have fallen out of love with me.’
Melisa whose face was down blushed.
‘I do want you and I still love you but you are hurti….’
‘Ssshhhhh.’ He raised her face up. ‘That is all I want to hear.’
She nodded and sobbed like a small girl who just lost a contest.
Dane kissed her on the forehead and gave her a tight hug.
For some few seconds in each other’s arms, their cloths were flying around.
Dane was about to take off her underwear when she spoke up.
‘Someone might come in here.’
‘No one is allowed in here unless I ask them to.’
‘But I’m sti…ll not..com..for.table.’
‘Okay, let’s go upstairs.’ He dragged her along leaving their cloths on the floor.
‘Yuck.’ Dani came out a few minutes after from behind the couch where she was hiding.
She walked to the couch, sat down and folded their wears which were scattered in the hall.
***
‘Are you okay?’ Dane asked pulling the sheets to cover her.
She nodded turning her back towards him.
‘Then why are you not looking at me.’ He asked dragging himself closer.
She sighed.
‘What we did a while ago was wrong Dane. It can’t happen again.’
‘It can’t happen again because I screwed up or because you feel guilty not to have achieved your aim of coming to Dallas.’
‘We are family now, don’t forget that.’
‘Family? OMG, you are an African.’
‘What has that got to do with anything?’
‘I read they are African values.’
‘Whatever.’ She shifted when his body touched hers.
‘Okay, I’m sorry.’
‘For sleeping with me when you said some months back you were not ready or for mentioning Grissel several times.’
‘What? He quickly sat up.
‘Yes, you are still hang up on her even if you don’t want to admit it. You think you want to make her life difficult by asking her to choose between jail time and separation from Tom but you fail to admit you still want her.’
He was so quiet for a few minutes and tapped her to look at him.
‘Daddy.’ Came Dani’s voice from the door.
He picked up his phone from the bedside and checked the time. It was pass twelve midnight.
‘Dani, is that you.’
‘Aren’t you two done yet? I’ve been waiting for hours.’ She quietly asked.
Melisa sprung up quickly and turned on the bedside lamp. Their gazes met while Danes confused eyes kept searching her eyes.
‘Are you okay?’ He shouted back.
‘Dad, I need you in my room right now.’
‘You need me?’
‘Yes, Nanny Zoe isn’t awake. I’ve been on the couch for long.’
Dane quickly got himself from under the sheets and walked unclad to his wardrobe.
‘Okay, I’m sorry, give me a minute and let me dress up.’
‘I need Lisa too.’
Melisa shook her head indicating she doesn’t want to go.
‘She’s not in here and besides she must be asleep by now. I will be right over.’
‘Lisa, I know you are in there and not asleep.’
‘You are right. I will be with you soon.’ She gave up and replied her loudly.
‘Great, you’ll need your dress. You left them in the hall.’
Melisa tried to laugh while Danes face became pale. He dragged on his boxers and angrily walked out.
‘Give me that.’ He took the wears from her and threw it over to Melisa who caught it immediately.
‘Dad, I heard everything and I want to go and live with my mom.’
‘Go back to bed, you are not going anywhere.’ He thundered.
‘You are yelling Daddy.’
‘Yes because you are being naughty Dani.’
‘It’s Shirley, not Dani.’
‘What? Where did you get that from?’
‘I heard everything, you changed my name.’
Dane at that minute was fuming while Melisa came over.
‘Your name is Shirley, I get that but kindly go back to bed. We will come over soon.’
‘Are you sure Lisa?’
‘Yes, let me talk to your dad.’
‘Okay. Daddy?’ she muttered.
‘Go already before I smack you.’
Melisa pulled him back in and waved Dani who took a step back when her Dad mentioned smacking.
***
‘She’s right Dane. And if you keep scaring her in that manner, trust me you will lose her when Grissel takes the stand in court.’
‘What is that supposed to mean?’
‘I’m saying that, you claim you are doing this for your daughter. She wants to see her mom, who left her when she was just five months old. I think she wants closure, she’s known you to be both her mom and dad all these years but now that Grissel has shown up, I believe it’s not a coincidence that I’m in your life so let Dani see her mom.’
‘You don’t expect me to let her live with that woman after all these years.’
‘Not necessarily to live with her but just meet her over the weekend so even if you decide to go ahead with your case in court, you still have your daughter on your side.’
‘You think my daughter is capable of turning on me in court.’
‘Trust me, if Grissel puts her on the stand she just might if you don’t do as she says.’
‘You think she’s capable of putting her own daughter on the stand?’
‘She’s young, I get that but if you won’t let Grissel be happy where she is, Dani might end up as a bargaining chip.’
Dane walked over to his bed, put on his flip flops as he was bare footed earlier.
‘Let’s go and meet the new Queen of the house.’ He managed a smile while Melisa followed.
To be continued

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 24
© Loudest Thoughts 2018
All Rights Reserved
They knocked and waited for an answer.
‘Am I going to see mommy this dawn.’ She picked up her book when they walked inside.
‘Sweetheart, it’s late and besides I’m not so happy with this your new behavior.’
‘I want to go and live with Grissel.’ She folded her hands across her small chest.
‘Dani, I’m your only parent. You can’t chose me over that woman.’
‘Dad?’ She called and frowned.
‘Yes my dear.’
‘She’s mom or Grissel, not that woman.’ She said and turned to her story book.
Dane opened his mouth and closed it.
Dani has been the most important thing in his life since her brother died, he wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt her.
Melisa, held his hands as they were fumbling. She gestured him when she realized he was finding it difficult to give in to his daughter. She smiled at him and nodded her head indicating it was okay for him to grant her wish.
‘Okay, I will think about your offer.’ Dane said and glanced at Lisa who smiled. .
‘You don’t need to think. You see my bag there,’ she pointed to her pink traveling back, ‘it has already been packed waiting for my plane ticket.’
Dane’s eyes suddenly shot with rage and his blood boiled instantly.
Melisa drew him closer to herself as she knew the next thing on his mind. ‘She’s just a kid, you don’t want to smack her.’ She whispered quietly into his ears.
‘What if I do Lisa?’ He said probably referring to smacking her.
‘Then you lose her and I’m sure you don’t want to lose another child.’
He glanced at her and walked closer to her daughter who was pretending not to be in the room with them.
‘I will arrange that for the two of us next weekend.’
Lisa couldn’t help but smile and when Dane was fuming with anger she looked away.
‘No, you will block my chances. I’m going with Lisa in the morning.’ Dani was being serious and had a straight face on.
Dane glanced at Lisa again but she raised her shoulders indicating she doesn’t mind.
‘Okay, anything for my princess.’ He said and walked towards the door.
‘One more thing please, I need some money for a gift for mom.’
‘That’s enough Dani.’ He yelled now.
She dropped her book and sat on the bed.
‘I just want to meet my mom. I can’t believe she was this close and you lied to me.’
Dane swallowed hard controlling his anger. ‘You will but my money is certainly not buying anything.’
‘Fine, can I have my money that Grandpa gave to me last month?’ Dani demanded innocently.
Dane shook his head and walked out without answering her. Melisa followed in a bit after tucking Dani in to bed. He was very furious and his eyes were red when she joined him outside.
‘You are doing the right thing Dane.’
‘You think allowing my daughter near that woman is the right thing to do.’
‘Don’t worry, I will be around all the time besides the Grissel I know now maybe different from the one you knew eight years ago.’
‘Is that supposed to make me feel better? What if she falls sick?’
‘Don’t you trust me?’ She asked smooching him on the back.
‘I do trust you but Dan….’
‘No buts. Trust your ex-wife has turned her life around.’
He scoffed. ‘She’s probably pretending to you and the family.’
‘She’s not Dane and give her some credit for giving you a beautiful princess.’
‘Dani is mine alone.’ He was beginning to flare up again.
It’s okay, let’s go to the room. You need to book a flight before morning.’
‘You are right but I wished you could stay for a few more days.’
‘That’s not happening. You get to see me when you dismiss that case in court.’
‘That’s not happening either.’ He replied and tickled her.
They both laughed and walked hand in hand to their room.
***
True to his words, Lisa and Dani were on the next flight to Seattle.
She didn’t want to inform anyone of their coming because she knows how Grissel might react.
Once they landed at the airport, she got into the next cab with their luggage.
Dani had packed a lot of stuff, which she had to repack. Before they left, she insisted on buying a card for Grissel which Dane made clear his money won’t buy.
She asked to borrow money from Melisa who gladly gave out.
Dani bought a drawing paper and made her own card.
Melisa has told her a lot about Grissel and Tom.
She was so excited to meet them and was also ready not to be accepted by her mom.
The cab driver dropped them in front of the house and they dragged their luggage inside.
Tom who comes home early these days, was having a conversation with Grissel’s mom when their bell rang.
They both looked at each other, because they didn’t hear the gate open.
‘It must be Grissel. Thank God, I’m starving.’ He sighed and left to open the door.
Grissel’s mom had wanted to cook but Tom insisted his wife would do it once she gets back.
Grissel was on her way home when her mom asked for an ice cream. Since she was in the mood for an ice cream herself she turned around to go get her some hence her delay in coming home.
Tom opened the door and was going to ask what she wanted when Dani appeared in front of him.
‘Hello, you must be my new daddy.’
‘Emmm, I’m no…..’
‘Tom, this is Shirley.’
He paused and kept looking at her.
‘Is my mom around?’ She jerked him out of his thoughts.
‘Hey, how are you. You must be tired.’
He led them in and introduced her to Gina.
He wasn’t surprised they got along too quickly.
Tom dragged Melisa from there while Shirley and her grandmother bonded.
‘What do you think you are doing?’
‘Fixing your wife, I guess.’
‘You think bringing Shirley here would fix anything.’
‘It would besides I didn’t want to but she was so adamant on coming.’
‘And her dad, let her go?’
‘Not easily but trust me, Shirley can be persistent and she might just be the key to getting that forever after you want with Grissel.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Dane won’t let the bigamy case go but Shirley is one thing he won’t let go either.’
‘I’m not a lawyer but are you suggesting what I think you are trying to say.’
‘Yes, and that’s the only way out.’
‘We can’t use that little girl and I’m not sure how my wife would react to you bringing her here.’
‘I don’t care how she reacts but any good lawyer would understand what I’m saying.’
‘I don’t like this but next time let me know before you do any such thing.’
‘Thank you Tom.’
‘Dani must be hungry and Grissel isn’t back yet.’
‘Dani or you?’ Melisa teased.
‘I’m hungry too but since you are here let me ask Grissel if you can use her kitchen. You know how sensitive she can be sometimes.’
‘Let me call her myself.’
‘Okay, and wait for her to come home first before you tell her about Shirley.’
Tom walked out while she dialed Grissel’s number.
‘Hello, I’m in your house and was told you are yet to come home.’
‘You are back?’
‘Yeah, I just got here, we can talk when you get back.’
‘Okay I’m almost home, just getting some ice-cream for my mom.’
‘Do you mind if I start cooking. Your husband is hungry so is everyone in this house.’
‘I’m really sorry, you can use the sauce from the freezer. That’s way faster and I have yam and potatoes.’
‘Thank you, drive safe.’
She ended the call and Dani was standing at the entrance.
‘Was that my mom?’
‘Yes, and she’s on her way home.’
‘But you didn’t tell her about me.’
‘It’s a surprise Dani.’
‘What if she doesn’t like me?’
‘Don’t be silly, who wouldn’t like a pretty you. Come and help me cook.’
Melisa said with confusion registered on her face but she managed to smile and reached out for her hands.
‘I’m scared Lisa.’ Dani complained.
‘You will make her like you.’ Melisa encouraged.
‘Yaay.’ She jubilated.

‘Melisa and Dani were still in the kitchen when they heard Grissel driving in. She thought the little girls mind wasn’t there as she didn’t make any attempt to go out even when the front door opened.
Grissel who entered found Tom helping Gina with sorting out her phone. She greeted them and dropped herself on the couch obviously exhausted.
‘Where’s Lisa?’
‘Kitchen.’ Tom answered scrutinizing her face before he could tell her about Dani.
‘Tom you are staring at me.’
‘I need to tell you something.’
‘Okay, I’m listening.’ She adjusted herself ready to listen.
‘Not here.’ He signaled towards Gina who was so engrossed with her phone.
‘Tom I’m really not in the mood this evening.’
‘Why don’t you go with your husband, you two are distracting me.’ Gina intentionally chipped in.
She looked at her mom and wanted to say something but stood up with her bag.
Tom led the way as she followed.
‘Let me check on your sist….’
‘No, come with me.’ Tom said and dragged her suspiciously.
‘What’s goi….’
She was saying when she spotted Dani at the entrance of the kitchen door.
Grissel stared at her daughter and froze at that spot.
Tom walked over and shook her out of her trance.
Dani who was tired of standing there walked to where she stood.
‘You must be my mommy.’ She said with a smile.
Grissel heard her tiny voice ringing in her ears.
‘You have to say something.’ Tom whispered.
She quickly regained her composure sounding teary.
‘And you must be my d….aughter.’ She stuttered at the end unhappily.
She drew her closer and carried her with an expression no one could read.
The next thing they knew she walked to Gina and dropped Dani there.
‘Wait here.’ She touched her cheeks and feigned a smile.
‘Okay mommy.’
Grissel turned around at the mention of mommy and that was when Tom dragged her towards the kitchen before she could say anything.
‘Lisa, do you know whose daughter you brought here.’
‘Relax, we got permission.’
‘Permission from who?’ Grissel wasn’t finding it so funny at all.
‘Her dad.’ She examined her sister in laws face and saw the anger written all over. ‘Listen she wanted to come and I couldn’t say no.’
‘You could have left.’
‘It was an impossible situation and I had no other choice than to bring her here.’
‘You had a choice Lisa.’ What if Tom had asked you two to leave?’
‘Okay that’s enough you two.’ Tom admonished. ‘She’s here already so can we act matured for a while.’
‘Tom are you in support of this. You know I’m not cut out for the whole motherhood thing right now and you are certainly not ready.’’
‘I know but she’s your daughter, we can’t exactly throw her out.’
Grissel sighed and held her head firmly.
‘Mommy are you okay.’ Came Dani’s voice again.’
‘I’m fine,’ she said with all her strength. ‘Wait for us at the table for your dinner.’
‘Thank you, I’m starving.’ She muttered and run off.
Grissel glared at Tom and then Lisa.
‘Feed her. I’m out of here.’
She shove her bag out of Tom’s hands angrily and walked out straight to her room, little did she know Dani had followed after a few minutes.
She knocked gently and heard come in.
Grissel assuming it was Tom turned around to see her standing at the entrance. He usually knocks when they get into an argument.
‘Won’t you come out for dinner?’ She asked stylishly walking closer. ‘Everyone is waiting for you.’
She took another look at her and sat up on the bed this time calmly.
Tears from nowhere begun to flow.
‘Are you crying because of my brother?’
Her words stung her as she sat closer to her giving her a warm hug.
‘I forgive you even if Daddy doesn’t want to. Lisa told me it wasn’t your fault that Shane went to heaven.’
‘I’m sorry Dani.’ Grissel quietly said still sobbing.
‘Call me Shirley.’
She brought her tiny self out of her mom’s arms and wiped her face with her small hands.
‘It’s going to be alright mommy.’
Grissel nodded easing up.
‘I made a drawing for you and it’s in my bag.’
‘Thank you. We will have a look at it later.’ She sounded at ease now.
‘You are pretty just like me.’ Dani said knowing everyone always told her she looked like her Dad.
‘And you are the prettiest Shirley.’ Grissel smiled for the first time during that moment.
‘Can we take lots of pictures with my dad’s camera so I can tell everyone at school my mom is not in heaven after all.’
Grissel was looking at her daughters mouth go up and down.
‘Pictures are my favorite.’
‘Me too.’ Dani said excitedly when her stomach grumble.
‘Let’s go and have our meal before Lisa finishes everything.’ Grissel made a joke while her daughter laughed.
She located her flip flops and carried Dani off the bed down the stairs.
***
‘Daddy doesn’t do it that way.’
Grissel who was putting her daughter to bed felt disappointed as she thought she could be good at least at tucking in bed when earlier Dani couldn’t stop blabbing about how her dad goes about her night time before bed as anything Grissel did that evening was not how Dane does it.
Tom who was standing by the entrance knew if he didn’t intervene his wife will break down.
‘So why don’t you show mommy how it’s done.’ He muttered and walked over.
‘Okay, mommy watch.’ She got out of bed and took the duvet with her. Dani gave the duvet to her mom and smiled.
‘I will lie down now and you c…..’
‘So you lie down first and we cover you with the duvet. Tom interrupted.
‘No, let me show you how daddy tucks in her little girl.’
She laid on the bed pulled the duvet over and rolled to all the sides and tucked in which Grissel had to help with at the last minute.
‘Ahuh, we get your way of tucking in now.’ Tom whispered gently.
‘Yes, this way I don’t sneak out of bed. She smiled to her mom.’ ‘Daddy said I’m too sneaky and snoopy.’
‘I’m sure you can’t get out of this tuck in.’ Grissel acknowledged just to get her attention off how Dane does it.
Dani grinned and made a metal note.
‘Alright goodnight. I will turn off the light on my way out.’ She stood up holding on to Tom.
‘But I haven’t had my milk and my bed time story yet.’
Grissel and Tom’s face turned pale.
‘It’s okay if there’s no milk but stories are important for me.’ She sat up ruining the tuck in. ‘I want to become a lawyer like you.’
‘I’m sure you will make a fine lawyer.’ She said hurriedly so she could get out of there. She was so tired after she had to spend about an hour washing her down her Dad’s way.
‘I have a book on that,’ she jumped out of the duvet. ‘Let me get it.’
Tom glanced at her and saw the frustration in her eyes and gave her a wink and a reassuring smile.
‘Wait, why don’t we just talk tonight?’ Grissel got into the duvet. ‘I’m sure you heard some scary things about me and I would want to clarify that.’ She had no idea where that energy came from.
‘That will be so cool.’ She jumped up covering her face and smiling all the time.
‘Great.’ Grissel responded.
Tom managed a smile and said goodnight.
‘Alright, don’t wait up for me.’ Grissel said when he got to the door.
Tom turned abruptly and frowned.
‘Uncle Tom, you will see mommy tomorrow.’ She smiled sheepishly.
He feigned a smile and waved them closing the door behind him when he came facing Melisa.
Melisa decided to stay out of their bedtime struggles.
‘This was all your fault.’ He admonished.
‘Come on. Do you have to sleep with your wife every day?’
‘This is not about sleeping but company.’
‘Just one night Tom.’
‘What if it continues tomorrow?’ He asked naively.
‘I’m surprised you are jealous of a little girl.’ Melisa laughed.
‘I’m not and you should have seen how Grissel pushed me away with her eyes.’
‘Just give her time to bond, it took her eight years and to me a day without her by your side doesn’t mean she loves you any less.’
‘I hear you counselor.’ He smiled and walked further away from her while she stared at him go.
‘Hey be careful around Stella.’ She paused after a while.
Tom gave her a look that suggests he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
‘I know you want to Tom and besides the way she was looking at you the other day tells me you must have already started.’
‘I’m not that person anymore.’ He scratched his head. ‘I’m in love with my wife.’
‘Okay, that alone should mean something to you anytime you are out there with her late at night.’
‘And you suddenly seem to care about me Lisa.’
‘I always did but you just didn’t notice.’
He saw the pain in her eyes and signaled her to come sit with her on the stairs.
‘I know I was so difficult to deal with from the beginning and I messed up with Amy.’
‘Let’s forget about that girl for a minute. I was never going to settle down with her.’
‘Good to know.’ She smiled with her hands supporting her cheeks. ‘So Stella.’
‘Stella what?’
‘You know what I’m talking about Tom.’
‘She’s a friend to both my wife and I.’
‘Does she know you have feelings for her friend?’
‘Bring your voice down Lisa.’
Melisa glared at him in silence.
‘Talk, I have all night.’
‘There’s nothing going on between us.’ He smirked. ‘But I must admit I do like her to a point.’
‘I knew it.’ She literally jumped up.
‘I love Grissel and nothing can take that away.’ He sounded so sure. ‘She’s always going to be the one for me.’
‘But you are worried about something.’ She poked him. ‘I’m still your big sister you know.’
‘I do worry all the time Lisa. Tom’s face went blank. ‘What happens if she decides to break it off?’
‘You think her ex-husband is back so she may want to go back to him.’
He nodded. ‘I see that happening soon. No offence to you by the way.’
She stared at him. ‘Come on that guy hurt her a lot.’
‘I know it’s impossible but I can’t help it especially when she seems distance in her actions since I found out.’
‘Trust me, she wouldn’t do that.’
‘What about your relationship with him?’
‘For now my family comes first, Dane is the least of my problems now.’
‘This might sound selfish but I don’t want him for you.’
‘I knew you would say that.’ She smacked him playfully but in her mind she was hurting.
‘I’m serious Lisa, I’ve got a lot of friends who are still single.’
‘Those one’s your wife doesn’t like.’
He laughed quietly. ‘She likes Austin.’
‘Yeah, he seems like a good one.’ Melisa said with a painful heart. She can’t imagine leaving without Dane but she had to put her family first.
They both sat on the steps while Tom hoped Grissel would come out and Lisa kept checking her phone probably expecting a call from Dane.
To be continued


Read all the episodes here - http://youngicee.com/category/blemished-love

Nice work baba, God bless!

Tanks a lot boss.. Just can't stop laughing @dani words..

Wagbayi bami

BLEMISHED LOVE EPISODE 25

© Loudest Thoughts

All Rights Reserved.

Both Gina and Julia had decided to talk to Dane when they heard he was in town. Mr. and Mrs. Medt had called to inform them he was around so they could come over to have a talk but as heartless as Dane is he turned down their pleads.

‘Dane, so you don’t want to let go of this issue.’ Stella’s mom asked after Gina and Julia had left their end.

‘No, Grissel hasn’t paid fully yet.’ Dane replied her aunty checking out Dani’s pictures that Lisa sent to him.

‘When did you turn into this bitter person?’

‘The day she killed my son and you all helped her hide in this city.’

‘You think we knew she was here?’ Mr. Medt interrupted from where he sat reading.

‘And Stella, why are you quiet?’ Her mom asked before Dane could answer.

‘Mom, I have nothing to say.’ She coiled back on the couch.

Stella and Dane were like five and six but since the incident, they hardly see eye to eye.

Dane ignored her and kept checking his phone every seconds until it rang.

He stood up and left the room smiling at them.

***

‘Hey Princess.’

‘Daddy, your daughter is fine and she’s now mommy’s princess.’ Dani knew that was going to be his first question.

‘Okay, I’m in town do you want to come around?’

‘Dad, we talked about this. No stalking.’

‘I’m not, I came to see your other Grandma.’

‘Hmmm, we both know that’s a lie.’

‘Alright, I was just worried. I will wait for the next few days so we can leave together.’

Dani was quiet at her end.

‘Dani, I can hear you breathing.’

‘I don’t want to go back.’

‘Young lady, do you want me to drive there and pick you up?’

‘Mommy won’t allow you take me away.’

‘Dani, stop being cheeky with me.’

‘I just want to stay a little longer so I could spend more time with the prettiest mom.’

‘Can I talk to Lisa?’ He changed the topic to avoid listening to her daughter make noise about Grissel.

‘Dad? We are not done talking about Mom.’

‘I don’t want to hear it, help me tell Lisa I will call in the evening.’

‘Okay, your choice.’ She said coyly and hanged up before her Dad could do anything.

Dani rushed off to where Melisa and Grissel were seated.

‘Daddy said I could stay for the whole of next week.’

‘Really? But you have school.’ Melisa asked while Grissel looked on.

‘He will talk to the teachers when he goes back.’

‘Your Dad is in town?’ Grissel asked grabbing her phone.

‘Yes, he came to see you Mom.’

‘Dani that’s a lie.’ Melisa admonished.

‘It’s true, he wants mom to bring me over to my other grand mom’s place.’

Grissel just kept her eyes on her. Dani reminds her of her old cheeky self. She quickly sent a message to Stella and dropped her phone.

‘Dani, what did your Dad say exactly.’

She turned to her mom who has been quiet all these while.’ He said to tell that woman to bring me over?’

‘Dani that’s not a nice thing to say.’ Grissel cautioned.

‘But daddy said it, not me.’

‘You are going back tomorrow instead of Sunday.’ Grissel said and picked up her phone.

‘I’m sorry I lied.’ Dani rushed onto her laps while Lisa looked at her face and poked her nose.

‘Daddy wants you to call her Lisa.’ She squirmed.

‘Mommy am I still going back tomorrow?’

‘You might if you keep lying.’

‘I will stop, I cross my heart.’ She smiled with her hands on her chest.

She wriggled her small hands in the air and run off to the kitchen probably going for her next round of ice cream.

‘How are you holding up?’

‘I will live Lisa.’ Grissel feigned a smile. ‘This isn’t a difficult case anymore, it will probably get dismissed.

‘Are you sure about that?’ She stressed.

‘Yeah, I haven’t done anything wrong this time.’

‘I know that but Dane still feels the pain and to him you betrayed him.’

‘Who wouldn’t feel such a pain?’ Her face colored up. ‘He was my son too but I did my time for that crime and I may never get over it but that shouldn’t make me heartless as Dane has become.’

‘I want to understand you two but it’s so difficult.’

‘I was thrown into a box without hearing for seven months. I just don’t understand why he won’t give me the divorce.’ She muttered painfully. ‘Shouldn’t that be enough especially when I have Dani to remind me of my failure as a mom.

‘You were not a failure, you just made a mistake.’

‘Tell that to your boyfriend who wouldn’t grant me the annulment.’

Lisa suddenly forgot what to say as she had her mouth opened for a few seconds and just closed it.

‘Am I asking him for too much?’

‘I don’t think so because I know you don’t need his money.’

‘You are right, I need only his signature and if he refuses this time I can get a default divorce.’

‘That’s a bit of relief but I can see something else is bothering you.’ Lisa stared into her eyes.

‘Stella signing that annulment paper was a wrong move.’

‘But it was verified the signature belonged to him when you sent to the judge right?’

‘Yeah it was but it could ruin everything for me if Dane decides to pursue it and I would lose the favor of the only judge who fast tracked all these for me before the wedding.’

‘So had it not been that Stella signed, this case would have been a foolish one considering the fact that you had no idea he wasn’t the one who signed it.’

‘Yes or probably argue I had no idea he was alive. If the court found out i had no contact with him I’m sure I could get my annulment.’

‘I’m really sorry.’

‘That’s fine, Dane has always been this controlling I didn’t think it would get to this but I hold no grudge.’

‘You don’t?’

‘Why should i? I’m human and I may not like it but he’s still a part of me.’

‘You still have feelings for him?’

Grissel scoffed. ‘Feelings? They died the moment he denied I wasn’t his wife and threw me in jail.’

‘But he still wants you Grissel.’

She laughed. ‘I pity him, he’s part of my life because of Shirley.’

‘Are you sure about that?’

‘You think I don’t love your brother enough? A smile appeared on her cheeks. ‘Even if I don’t, hasn’t he done too much for me already to deserve complete love from me?’

‘I know you do but it’s two different things.’ Melisa squirmed. ‘A man you have a baby with will always be part of your life and the one you love will be caught in the middle of it all.’

‘It will all blow over soon and Dane will lose what’s dear to him.’

‘Are you saying what I’m thinking?’

‘Of course, I’ve been working on custody for all these years but I never got anywhere.’

‘Won’t that affect you and Tom’s relationship?’

‘Your brother will be fine.’

‘Though the Tom I knew back then is different now but think through your decision.’

‘I will but what’s up with you and Dane.’

‘He will be dumped soon.’ She laughed painfully and Grissel joined.

‘Don’t dump him on my account Lisa. If you love him that much, it’s okay to be with him.’

‘You think I don’t already know that.’ Her face became dull suddenly. ‘How do you expect me to be with my sister-in-laws ex-husband?’

Grissel kept watching her and finally grinned. ‘You are blushing.’

‘What?’ Melisa asked and quickly reached out for her cheeks.

‘You need to look into the mirror to find out.’ Grissel teased.

‘Be serious Grissel.’

‘I am being serious but it sounds to me like you are asking me for permission.’

She kept mute for about two seconds. ‘Am I?’ Melisa asked faintly.

‘You don’t need me to make your love decisions, forget I ever existed Lisa.’

‘I can’t do that, you would always be in every conversation we have.’

‘It’s totally okay with me and besides my daughter likes you.’ She winked.

‘I see your plan now. Shirley would always be yours and that won’t change.’

‘I understand but I would be much okay with you around her than another woman I don’t know.’

‘Don’t trust me that much Grissel.’

‘I don’t but then I think I have your brother to deal with you if my daughter turns out wrong.’

She laughed and Melisa squirmed.

‘Gosh, of all the men I’ve been with why Dane.’ She covered her face with her palms like a kid.

‘Ahaaa, you just confirmed you are helplessly in love.’

Melisa rolled her eyes teasingly. ‘Dane’s kind of love is different. I just feel comfortable and relaxed in this relationship.’ She grinned. ‘Usually I do all the hard work but this time around I feel free.’

‘Then what is stopping you from being with him.’

‘I can’t stand what he is doing to you.’

‘So you love me too?’ Grissel teased.

She smacked her. ‘He does everything I ask him to but when it comes to you and his past he doesn’t want to let go.’

‘He loves you Lisa but he’s also a broken man. I did that to him and the thought of you being related to me won’t let him oblige to your opinion on this case.’

‘What do I do Grissel?’ She asked confused.

‘You keep saying he would be dumped soon but I would say just be there for him. He would need you after everything is over.’

‘Okay,’ she sighed. ‘Tom and his father won’t accept him.’

She scoffed. ‘You are scared of your brother’s reaction.’

‘I have to Grissel. I don’t want us going back to holding grudges and I can’t have him hating Dane either.’

‘I would handle Tom for you.’

‘How? He’s stubborn Grissel.

‘Your brother would do anything for me. Just trust that he would come to accept him eventually.’

‘Thank you so much.’ She reached out for her hands. ‘You know Shirley takes after you. She knows what she wants and makes sure she gets it.’

Grissel gasped. ‘Where’s she?’

Just then they heard a deafening burst in the kitchen followed by a shout and rushed there as Dani was out of sight.

***

‘Come here sweetheart.’

Dani was hiding behind the kitchen door probably petrified.

‘Mommy I was just warming my food and it went boom.’

‘I’m sorry, you could have called me.’

‘You were talking non-stop so I wanted to be a big girl.’

‘That’s alright, let me help you but next time wait for me. I can’t lose you too.’

Grissel moved away from her after a few cuddles and proceeded in getting the food ready for her.

‘Lisa did I ruin it?’ She asked Lisa who was checking out the microwave.

‘You damaged it dear.’

She became sad and walked closer.

‘Don’t worry, you can buy me a new one with your first paycheck.’ Grissel smiled at her.

They were still smiling when Tom came to the kitchen, opened the fridge and closed it.

‘Tom do you need anything?’ Grissel asked and he ignored and kept pacing around scratching his head.

‘Uncle Tom, Mommy just asked you are question.’ He probably didn’t notice Dani in the kitchen earlier.

‘I think I left what I needed upstairs.’ He feigned a smile and went out without another word.

As if on cue, they all glanced at each other and raised their shoulders.

‘He doesn’t like me here and Daddy also he would not like me.’ Shirley said quietly and sadly.

Melisa drew her closer. ‘That’s not true, Tom loves your mom and you very much.’

‘Mommy is that true?’

Grissel shook her head and focused back on the food.

‘You need to talk to him.’ Melisa mouthed faintly to Grissel who nodded slowly with pain.

*****

‘Are you sure want to do this?’ Stella who picked Grissel up few blocks from her house to her place asked.

‘I have to sooner or later.’ She replied her.

Stella led her into the house where she greeted her parents who were excited to have met the famous Grissel.

‘We are happy to finally meet our daughter’s best friend.’ Mr. Medt said.

‘Yes, I remember Stella wouldn’t come home to visit when you got pregnant because she doesn’t want to leave your side.’ Her mom chipped in.

‘I’m happy to meet the family who has been so supportive.’

Grissel said uncomfortably because her mind was hot as she doesn’t know what to expect from Dane when she comes face to face with him. The other thing too is she didn’t tell anyone where she was going that evening.

‘Grissel it’s okay, let’s go and clear this up so you can go home before Tom starts a search party.’ Stella dragged her out of there towards Dane’s room.

When they got there, Stella gestured her to knock as she would prefer staying out of their way.

Grissel knocked and heard come in. She looked back at Stella and got a nod.

‘Leave the door open.’ Stella told her. She held on to the door knobs, turned it open and sighed heavily.

When she got in Dane was sitting on the couch reading Seattle news.

‘What are you doing here?’ He sprung up from where he sat earlier and sat down again.

Grissel who hasn’t seen Dane in eight years was uncomfortable and her head was down for some few minutes.

‘I want us to talk.’ She muttered with courage.

Dane who was seeing her for the first time after he left her at the hospital that night when Shane died for the cops to take her into their custody signaled her to come closer.

Grissel walked closer and sat down without being asked to.

‘What do you possibly want to talk about?’ He stood up from where he sat and moved to his bed.

‘I’m so…rry abo….ut Sha..ne but I want to move on and I need you to sign the papers.’ Grissel stammered at a point but she braced herself up at the end.

‘You think I want you to move on and be happy while I haven’t healed yet?’ He said with anger.

Grissel raised her head finally and found him staring at her.

‘What do you want then because I did my time and nothing I say right now is going to bring Shane back and I missed out on raising Shirley.’

‘You missed out or you run off after you got out.’

‘I missed out because I know you wouldn’t want to see me back in your house.’

‘And you think you are the right parent for my daughter.’

‘A mother should raise her daughter so yes I’m the right parent for Shirley.’

‘Right parent you say. What would you probably teach her?’

‘I know you don’t trust me right now but can we come to an agreement because Shirley wants to come live with me.’

‘Stop calling her Shirley.’ He snarled and stood up. ‘She’s Dani and for your information, I don’t need you to raise my daughter to become someone that fake’s signatures.’ Dane scowled once more.

Grissel was embarrassed and she knew he had no idea Stella signed the papers.

‘You know I could always get a default annulment right?’ She suddenly became alive when earlier she could barely talk.

Dane laughed suddenly. ‘If you could, what’s stopping you now? Fraud.’ He muttered and sat back on his bed.

Grissel swallowed so hard and tried to remain calm. The Dane she knew was strict but caring.

‘You should know your sister did the signing and I’m trying so hard not to bring that out in court.’ She finally let the truth out.

Dane glanced at her. ‘You still haven’t stopped lying Grissel.’ He called her by her name for the first time since she came in.

‘I’ve never lied to you Reed besides Stella is right outside there you can ask her.’

They both suddenly became silence. Grissel knew she wasn’t making any heads way with him so she stood up to leave. When she got to the door, he stood up also.

‘Wait, I may have an offer for you.’ He mentioned with a frown.

Grissel turned around quickly. She knew whatever Dane had in mind was only going to be in his favor.

‘Okay, let’s hear it.’ She asked holding her tears back from earlier.

‘’Come live with me, that way you can have Shirley to yourself every time.’

She glared at him. ‘You are not serious Reed. Why on earth would I want to stay with you when you are still with Melisa?’

‘Melisa would understand and that’s the only way I can let my daughter ever near you again.’ He smiled mischievously. ‘I allowed her all these time to be with you because Lisa asked me to.’

‘So what do I gain from staying with you. It’s not like I would be getting my freedom.’

‘I can sign those papers when you decide to stay with us.’ He said to her surprise.

‘Why don’t you just sign them without any conditions?

‘So you take my princess away from me? No way Grissel.’ He was beginning to flare up again.

‘How would that even work Reed? I can’t stay in the same space with you.’

‘You can with no obligations.’ He said rather calmly.

Grissel wasn’t sure what has suddenly come over him to make such an offer to her.

‘No thanks, I will find a way.’ She quickly said and prayed silently not to regret her decision.

‘Suit yourself then. You know telling the court Stella signed those papers are not going to hold especially when she’s related to the both of us.’

‘You are very heartless Dane.’ She said with anger and held on to the door.

‘Thank you and by the way you look nice.’ Dane flattered.

‘And stop telling my daughter Tom doesn’t like her.’ She cautioned with anger.

Grissel slammed the door and walked out meeting Stella sitting on the floor crying.

‘Get me out of here.’ She said angrily and Stella stood up.

‘Are you okay?’ Stella asked when they left her house.

‘Don’t ask me that question and stop shedding tears in my presence.

Stella kept quiet the whole time Grissel was in her car. She dropped her off in front of her house and watched her standing at the gate obviously scared of entering the house.

‘Do you need help getting inside?’

‘No, thanks.’ She replied back and opened the gate. She entered the house and paused again.

***

‘Has anyone seen my wife?’ Tom came down worried.

Melisa who was playing with Dani’s hair paused and looked up at him.

‘Uncle Tom, do you mean Grissel?’ Shirley asked cheekily while Melisa kept quiet.

She thought allowing Shirley talk to Tom would ease the tension between them.

‘Yes, your mom. Did she go out?’ Tom asked again.

‘She didn’t tell me.’ Shirley replied looking at Melisa for confirmation. Melisa smiled at her.

‘Okay,’ he replied and turned towards the kitchen.

Melisa realized he was probably hungry.

‘Do you want me to cook something for you?’ She asked.

‘No, thanks. I would grab some juice.’

Shirley glanced at Melisa and back to Tom who was moving away.

‘Uncle Tom, maybe Grissel went to see my daddy at…...’ She said suddenly and Melisa jumped up to cover her mouth with her palms.

Tom turned around watching their reaction just then Grissel came in obviously crying. She had no idea anyone was going to be in the hall.

‘Mommy, I told Uncle Tom you went to see my dad.’ She rushed off from Melisa’s arms towards her mom at the door.

Grissel opened her mouth to talk when she noticed Tom staring at her. He got the message clear as she was quiet so he walked away to the kitchen.

‘Sweetheart, go and play with Melisa. I want to talk with Uncle Tom.’

‘Okay.’ Shirley responded and rushed off.

When Grissel got to the kitchen Tom was obviously waiting for her.

‘Can you make something quick for me? I’ve been hungry since afternoon and I thought you got my message clear when I came to the kitchen earlier.’ He said innocently.

‘Alright, but can we talk first.’ She pleaded with her eyes.

‘Grissel, whatever you do with Dane is your business not mine.’

‘Tom, that’s your anger talking. I only went there to see if I could talk him out of this whole case.’

Tom looked at her and knew she was telling the truth. ‘Just tell me next time you want to do anything like that.’

‘So you could follow me?’ I just didn’t want a fight between you two besides you were mean to me earlier when you came to the kitchen.’ Grissel muttered slowly.

‘Really, I was hungry and when I saw everyone in the kitchen I knew I would be ruining mother daughter moment if I should ask you to make something for me when I had eaten an hour earlier.’

‘Sorry, I thought you were being mean to us.’ Grissel confessed.

‘No, I was jealous though.’ He smiled cheekily like Shirley who had some drama up her sleeves.

‘I knew it.’ She tried to smack him when he moved a step back.

‘Okay, how did it go then?’ He finally asked.

She sighed and walked towards him when she realized he was calm. ‘Disastrous, he humiliated me Tom.’

‘I’m sorry, come here.’ He opened his arms wide for her. ‘You said you don’t want me talking to him so I obviously can’t do anything about this humiliation.’

‘Yes, I know and thank you for not judging me.’

‘Great, I’m starving please.’ He complained.

‘Yes, yes, let me get dinner sorted out quickly.

‘Thank you.’ He planted a kiss on her lips and rushed out.


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Thanks dear

Little Dani is so sharp and intelligent