Previously On Choices...
"Sweetheart, why aren't you sitting?"

Ehn.

What did this man just call me?

Sweetie ki ni ?
×

"I said repeat yourself, Ivieose".

"Hey darling, please calm down. She didn't mean anything".
×
"I'm sorry".

"Did you hear? Ankara Night has been brought back. Finally, we can have our tradition, eat Ofada Rice and drink palm wine".

I smiled in response.
×

"Well that's one way of pronouncing Nigeria."

I chuckled at her response.
×

"You're going to be attending Benson Idahosa University in Benin, Edo State."

"The place where your husband is from?"

"Like, I said I will be following you and yes.....I...you".

☆

CHAPTER PLAYLIST:
1. Rewrite the stars By Anne Marie and James Arthur.

2. 1800-273-8255 by Logic, Khalid and Alessia Cara.

3. Away By Oxlade.

☆

🥂🤍SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL MY BEAUTIFUL WATTPADIS AND PINERS!!!!! MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND MAY THIS YULETIDE SEASON BE MORE THAN A BLESSING TO YOU ALL IN JESUS NAME AMEN!!!!🥺🥺❤💃❤❤

☆

☆☆☆☆☆

I looked at her anticipating what she was about to say.

She looked so scared to let this particular information.

Like her tongue was tied.

"He has a child. We have a child. Your sister. Your twin sister."

What?

It felt like my eyes were about to pop out of its sockets.

"My what?"

My voice was dangerously low that one would think I was about to pounce on my prey unexpectedly.

She said nothing and turned on the ignition, driving us out of the parking lot like she didn't just drop a bomb on me.

I couldn't force her to say anymore and not because I couldn't but it felt like the energy had been removed from me, completely.

The car ride was completely silent.

I faced the windows and stared at the green grass, trees and various shops that were implanted on the ground, here in Queens.

The more we went, the more I felt like puking all of a sudden.

"Stop the car."

No answer.

"Please stop the car."

"Jordan, what is it that you want? I can't..."

I didn't even wait for her to finish when I reached out to open the door quickly and she had no choice but to stop.

It took me a few minutes before I finally cleared my stomach and entered the car, thankfully there were trees around the place.

I completely ignored her looks and my silence was enough for her to start the car again.

Sigh....

I decided to use the time, to meditate and think about everything, at least the good memories and....my childhood.

My beautiful childhood that, all of a sudden, felt like it had been stolen away from me.

Technically, it was.

When my light was taken away and painted black.

I sighed.

I thought about the friends who suddenly became brothers.

If someone had come up to me and told me, I would still have friends, then I would have thought they were capping.

I pushed everyone to the extent that I became a shadow of myself.

But yet, they stayed even after I had dragged them in the mud and bullied them out of my life.

I despised every being that passed my sight all because of the painful trauma I had been succumbed to go through and now to crown it all, I was raped not less than a week ago.

Great.

I thought about the mum and daughter memories.

My mum.

The pain and unending tears she had to go through because of every unexpected situation she met me in.

By now, I should have at least been in a rehabilitation center but she believed I could get better on my own.

With the help of the boys, of course.

She still believed me.

This woman.

George's mum who never for once saw me as nothing but her daughter.

She was always around to help my mum whenever I couldn't and although, we weren't too close, she was ready to help me whenever I deemed it fit to talk to her.

I thought about the vacations we always took that removed my mind from the painful memories.

Like...

The beach.

George.

George.

"Baby, are you alright?"

I looked at her in surprise and realized we were at home already.

How long had I been thinking?

"Baby, please tell me if you're ok? You've been crying since we got here and you you vomited earlier. Are you alright?"

I looked at my shirt and saw the tear stains.

And I remembered I was thinking of George.

That boy.

"Where is he?"

"Huh?"

"George, where is George?"

She kept mute.

"Where is George?"

"He's....he went home. I wouldn't advice you to see him right now....especially after what occurred earlier in the hospital."

"I know but I have an idea which wouldn't cause my panic attack to be triggered. I need to see him at least one more time before I leave."

"Pleaseeeeeee."

I stared at her with glossy eyes.

God, I had been crying way much more than I had ever cried in my entire life.

It was just too much.

Too, too much.

"Just wait for me in the car. Let me try and wash up and don't worry, the cleaners will help me".

She nodded her head and helped me out of the car.

My personal cleaner, who only came when requested, was thankfully around and she helped me till I entered my room and sat down, lost in thought.

Lost in thought.

That's what I had been for the past few days.

I looked at my room which looked a bit empty due to the fact that some necessary stuff had been way billed to Nigeria.

Yes, it was official I was leaving and it hadn't clicked until now.

I. WAS. TRULY. LEAVING.

Everything was going to change.

I wouldn't live in this house or sleep on this bed or admire the city every morning like I used to anymore?

I wasn't sure if or when I would come back and that thought always scared me.

Would I still be the same or livid?

I walked into my bathroom and took care of myself a little slower than I would normally do since my body was just healing.

I couldn't afford to be sent to the hospital again.

My nose was already getting used to the smell of a hospital and I, for sure, didn't like it.

After I was done taking care of my body, going into my walk- in closet, it felt as if I was admiring my belongings one last time.

Although, I wasn't leaving today, I could feel the day already getting close by and I dreaded it really.

I wasn't sure how I would react to the people there.

Or my so-called twin sister.

Sister?

"Sis...ter"

The word sounded so foreign to my ears.

I never even had a girl friend, talk less a close one who I could call a sister.

Would I react the way they treated me or choose my actions myself?

Should I be closed off or open and be a totally new Jordan?

Should I try to adapt or run away and not come back?

I wouldn't know till the time comes but for now, it was time for me to pick a new clothing.

After thorough checking, I decided to go with a brown crop tank top and black cargo pants and black socks.

I looked at my hair which my mum had twisted for me while in the hospital.

I left the middle two down and packed the rest all up.

Wearing my brown crocs, taking a pen, paper, my phone and earpods on the way out, I assured my mum that I would be fine and I begged her to trust me.

It was hard, seeing all the activities that had played out since I was alone and not with George but she read my eyes and slowly, gave me a benefit of doubt.

His house wasn't hard to find at all. This was a private estate and only the wealthiest people could live here.

Pressing the door bell, I half expected him to be at the door but I saw a different face.

And no, it wasn't his mother.

Why is there a girl in his house?

She laughed.

I rose my brows, careful enough not to act or show my emotions or even raise any suspicions.

"Please calm down, ma'am. I'm Sandra, George's therapist. It's nice to meet you."

She brought out her hand with the effort of greeting me but I openly ignored.

I really wasn't in the mood to make any new friends or fake any emotion.

I just wanted to see one person and leave this country since that was the only thing left to do.

I wouldn't even remember her, her smile or her name.

None of the above.

She chuckled but it wasn't surprisingly awkward.

Hmmmm....

"Hmm. I see you're the feisty type. Well, from the act and look, I'm guessing you're George's bestfriend".

"Excuse me? Who are you and how did you know me?"

She smiled, genuinely might I add.

"For starters, you are the only daughter of Miss Freya Morgan, the Richest Lawyer in America and one of the wealthiest women in the world, how wouldn't I know you? And..... George has said a few special things about you."

Of course, he has. She's his therapist, why didn't it click?

I wonder what he said.

"Can I see him? Is he around, currently?"

"Ok, one question at a time. Yes, he's around. But..... I'm not sure I can let you see him especially after what he told me."

"He....told you?"

"Yes he did. It was too obvious not to see or ask. And please, come in. You're clearly not a visitor between the both of us".

I don't know why but I felt at peace around her.

Maybe she wasn't as bad and I didn't always have to be rude to everyone I meet.

"Thank you."

And immediately, she laughed.

Of course, she did.

"Wow, and she says polite words. OK I see you. But if you really want to see him, I can help you if you're ready and don't thank me again. It's obvious you're not used to this or me and no, George didn't say what he wasn't supposed to say about you. But you should know...."

She stood up and paused before looking at me again.

"If there was something more than love, then remember that's what George feels for you".

And she immediately left.

If I say, that didn't hit harder than I expected it to, then I'm a blatant and plain ass liar, because it did.

I tried to think of what I would tell him and how I would control myself and emotions from running wild when I see him.

Something that had been occurring way too much for the past few days.

But my thoughts were quickly interrupted by footsteps which, clearly, doubled.

I was scared to look up because I could sense his presence but luckily, he hadn't seen me yet.

I had to slowly breath in and out and speak to my body to calm down since I could feel it heating up again.

"What?"

I heard in the slightest whisper.

He had seen me.

Shit.

Why are you complaining?

Didn't you want to see him?

My conscience mocked me.

I didn't expect her not to tell him who was waiting for him, downstairs.

"What is she doing here? Huh? Why did you allow her inside? Do you want her panic attack to begin? I thought you understood?!"

Each sentence hit stronger with more pain but I quickly opened my book and wrote something and passed to her.

She read it aloud so I wouldn't have to go close to him or stress my body at all.

Talking produces emotions.

"Please don't be angry. I beg you. I had to come here and I figured I would be able to do without any attack. Please calm down, Please".

He kept quiet and I knew his eyes had finally steeled on me but I didn't care.

I continued while his eyes were still looking and observing me.

Every paper I passed to her, she took her time to read aloud.

"I'm sorry if I ever put you through any type of unwanted or messed up emotional drama and pain and I know you're sorry too".

"I know if you had a chance you would go back in time and erase everything and start it all over. I know you too well, George, and you know that".

"Your mum told me everything that happened and how you fell unconscious for awhile. I.....I'm deeply sorry from the bottom of my heart for all this. I am".

"Stop".

"Huh?"

"Sandra, please stop".

I finally had the guts to look at him and his eyes were red with tears.

I heard myself not to break or get an attack because all I could remember was the scream when the boys saw my lifeless body.

I held my mouth so I wouldn't whimper.

Fuck.

I forced my voice to finally come out after a few minutes.

"I'.....I'm sorry".

"I SAID STOP!!! Please stop apologizing for what wasn't your fault. This was all me. This... This!"

With each word, his voice broke and the tears flowed but his eyes never wavered from mine.

God, how did I ever meet this guy?

"Stop apologizing for my wrongs, ple...ase. I am the one to blame please, not you. You never did anything wrong. Ever. I shouldn't have accused you of breaking me purposely when all you've done is love me and stay by me. I should have understood you and not judge you by your past actions, I should have been with you even after then, you wouldn't have....you wouldn't have been".

"George".

"You wouldn't ".

"George".

He looked up at me again due to the pleading in my voice.

I didn't even notice until now that Sandra had left us alone and he had come down from the stairs meaning we were in the same room, now.

I couldn't be happier that my body had been in control for awhile.

Maybe it's the drugs.

I sighed.

"You're the most perfect human being I've ever seen and met. If that's even a word".

We chuckled and paused.

"I'm grateful for everything. The fights, the arguments, the car rides, the boat rides, the parties, the alcohol, the booze".

Now he actually laughed and it was actually pleasing to the ears.

My ears.

I sighed in content that I was able to calm him down and also, make him laugh.

I'm pretty sure he can't even remember that we were not this close to each other so I guess I was doing good then.

"I know...it feels like the world has finally collapsed but like they say the best things happen when the world is at its worst".

"So you leaving is the best?"

I sighed.

I knew he would bring that up.

"Honestly George I don't know. I mean if we were meant to be in that way, maybe let the future decide for us instead of fighting it. And I'm not saying it because I'm giving up. I'm saying it because one I just came out of damn hospital and goddamn, I feel like I'm carrying heavy bricks surgically placed in my body while trying to tell my body to calm the fuck down and not attack me. Two, I'm leaving and it's final. My mother has already waybilled half of my things to Nigeria and the rest will leave tomorrow leaving me with my last minute stuff.

All of a sudden, she announced to me today that I have a twin sister. A twin, George!!! There's a fucking duplicate or whatever of me at the other side of the world, literally, probably with no clue that there's another of her too. And all this while, my parents said nothing. If I even have a father.

I snorted and said with anger while trying to hold the tears at bay.

All the while, George couldn't hold his shock.

"Did you just say twin?"

"Yes George you heard me. My mum gave birth to two of us. I was never an only child. And she has refused to explain the rest to me. I'm not even going to force it again. I don't have the strength or energy to do either of them. The few times I've tried to live and make my life mine has fruitfully ended in the gutters. I'm done with that. Let life play itself out. If that's what it's meant to do.

I don't even know how I'm going to act when I get there. I don't know how my body or any part of me would react to. I don't even know if I'm numb enough to take everything coming for me in a few days. I just want to tell you that I'm not giving up on our friendship. You'll always be my big brother and I will always call you even when I enter college. Video calls, voice calls, you'll get them all. Please don't just forget about me and please heal, George. If anyone needs it, it should be you. I've put you through too much.

I.... I did love you and I still do but everything happens for a reason and I have forgiven you already. I wish I could hug you and you know, I will damn the consequences but I need to hug you one more time. I might never be able to see you again after this except through my phone.

I laughed painfully and I looked at him finally.

But I will always love you, George Carl. No matter what. And remember always think of the positive and only remember the happy times."

I didn't even realize when I ran to him but I know he didn't expect what was coming.

His eyes looked at me wondering what I was thinking of what I was about to do.

I looked up at him expectantly but before he could give me a hug, I smashed my lips against his.

Yes, the bad bitch finally kissed her best friend and only brother.

And I didn't regret it one bit.

☆☆☆☆☆

I couldn't move.

She fucking kissed me!!!!!!

Truly what was about to come out of my mouth at that point was a epilog filled with unending apologies so believe me when I say, she totally caught me off guard.

She clearly wasn't wrong when she said the best things happening when the world is at its worst.

If I knew, all this would bring her to finally kiss me.....

Calm down people, I would never let her go through all that again.

At first, I couldn't act due to the internal shock but then, my lips moved on its own accord.

I kissed her back with so much passion and showed her how much I love her through this.

If it was the only way and only kiss I would ever get, I'm satisfied.

It felt like my oxygen was draining and refilling itself all at once.

I felt whole again.

This, all felt like a non-existent dream.

Not until, her hands went to my hair and she bit my lips for entrance.

The master has become the learner.

Damn baby.

If I thought this was a huge turn-on, then her moans came unexpected and they only caused a huge wreck in my body so bad that I couldn't hold mine anymore.

I held her up and pushed her to the wall and went slowly to her neck.

I wanted her to feel loved and never forget this.

Ever.

She was clearly shivering and it made me smile.

One more time, I kissed her with everything me and made sure my hands explored what it could explore.

This could probably the first and last time it would ever happen.

I finally pulled off before I took her there and there.

She was too beautiful, gorgeous and sexy to resist.

"Fuck you didn't warn me before hand. You want me to fuck my princess here?"

Damn, this husky voice.

The one I had always been dreaming of using on her.

She laughed genuinely.

And I couldn't even hold my smile anymore.

Everything about her made me so happy and more madly in love.

How the hell was I going to survive without her?

But her words came back fresh in my memory, "But I will always love you, George Carl. No matter what. And remember always think of the positive and only remember the happy times."

"I love you with my life, my princess. And I would never forget you, ever."

The way she blushed and look at me like she was looking at a king.

My God.

"Someone can blush."

We both laughed but hers was cut short when she had started choking on air.

She suddenly became red again.

Shit, not again.

She surprisingly hugged me and ran before the attack set in.

"Bye princess."

I whispered when the door was closed.

I sighed.

This life, from here on, was going to be a hard one.

Extremely hard.

☆☆☆☆☆

By the time, we had gotten to our fashion designer's place, we were already five minutes late on our unbooked appointment.

But of course, she couldn't blame us at all.

The traffic today, being Saturday, a day in Lagos, on the island for

Weddings...

Naming Ceremonies...

Burials..God forbid.

I mentally chuckled at that thought.

End of year school parties, obviously....

Beach parties....

House parties....

Festivals....

And so many other celebrations one could think of, both existent and nonexistent, were to be blamed, not us.

Walking into the building, we were greeted by a warm smile who appeared to be the receptionist on desk.

"Good afternoon, Madam Theresa, how can I help you?"

"Oh my dear, Good afternoon. I'm shocked you remember me".

"Yes ma'am. I was the one you helped when I was stranded late in the night. There was no way I can forget an act like that especially when I was able to reach my mum home and get her drugs".

"Oh my goodness, your mother was sick?! How is she now? My regards to her".

"Yes ma. She's getting better now. It was just a migraine, malaria and typhoid. The drugs helped but God did his work first".

"Ooo my dear, he definitely did. I'm happy to hear that and you're also safe and sound. Please my daughter over here is here to pick her dress up. She just came back from school yesterday and her event is next week, if I'm not mistakened Ivie."

"Yes it is. Good afternoon ma".

The lady, whom according to the tag on her breastpocket was Miss. Tamar, finally noticed me and smiled even widely.

Undeniably, she was a very beautiful woman that I couldn't deny.

In a way she looked familiar but still her chocolate melanin glowed in a way I couldn't comprehend.

Her parking gel was so slick an deer edges were styled so beautifully.

"Wow, Madam Theresa you didn't tell me you had such gorgeous children! Ahah!! Look at her, my goodness".

I couldn't help but blush at her comments.

I mean I was used to this kind of comments but her own seemed so genuine that it made my heart flutter.

"My dear, hope you know you're very beautiful?"

"Yes ma."

"Very good. Alright did you book any appointment for today?"

"Unfortunately not but can we still collect the ensemble today?"

She was deep in thought before she finally answered.

"Well the thing is we have a very strict policies on booking of appointments but if you wait here, I can get back to you as quick as possible. It won't take too long I promise. Alright?"

"Alright thank you".

She smiled at us, before proceeding to type profusely on her laptop while we headed to the waiting seats, which were made of iron and red foam.

Taking in the inner building structure like I had done more than a hundred times, I quietly gazed around and observed how orderly people moved in and out with or without a bulk of Ankara, lace or just any other type of materials.

The chandelier bloomed on the faces of different customers who were either conversing about the expensive material they had gotten, who they were buying it for, the type of ensemble they wanted to sew or even buy or just asking for assistance and purchasing the company's services.

People trooped in and out, left and right but it wasn't bad to the extent that the place was crowded.

Their services were top notch and I was never shocked with the amount of customers they got in a day.

It was obvious that they had renovated a little bit because months ago, the colours of the walls were plain white and they had pieces of different types of materials embellished all around.

Now they went more extravagant, and painted it beige with the touch of chandeliers and paintings of great fashion designer's, models and even pictures of their clients and their past works.

It all added to the glow in the room which made it look more like an art gallery than a fashion house.

But I totally understood the message being passed.

Art is wide and can relate to anything, including fashion.

The concept of blending a fashion house and art gallery was magical and it made me realize one of the reasons why the owner of this company had been my fashion designer for years.

The Emperor Fashion House.

A fashion brand that had been existing for probably centuries, her grandmother was my grandmother's fashion designer in the 60's and 70's and so, yeah it has been passed down to generations, making her family now.

It was obvious that everything about fashion ran in their DNA, because currently, this fashion house still ranks as the first best fashion house in Lagos, the second in Nigeria and the third in Africa.

Yep, they're that good.

Clearly I could never get enough of this place.

But what took my eye was a particular glowy caramel skin.

Her.

What was she doing here?

And particularly, why does it seem like she's following me everywhere?

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
HMMM!! WHO IS THIS HER AND WHY DOES SHE FEEL LIKE SHE'S BEING FOLLOWED? DO YOU FEEL LIKE THAT TOO? (I'M PRETTY SURE YOH ALREADY KNOW WHO IT IS🙂🤣)

(Please note the day in this chapter is Saturday. I feel like I've been doing a terrible job at giving the days involved. It's the same day Jordyn went to the tailor.) HI guyss!! It is Christmas day even though I'm currently doing nothing but yh, how is everyone? Soo, I have big news for you guys, unofficially this book is coming to an end? 👀😭. Oh don't cry yet, the news is not complete yet but I'll tell the rest later. Love you guys and don't forget to vote!!!

LOVE,
FAITH 🥺🤎