Brian was with Maggie when Monica arrived. He'd dropped in to check on her and he was glad he'd done it since the wicked witch had appeared out of thin air. He wondered why she even came back when it was clear no one wanted her there. Did she not have any self-respect?

"Why are you here Monica?"

"Brian, how nice to see you. How have you been?" her attempt at sounding sweet came off as a snake hissing just before it sank it's fangs into your body and filled you with poison. A bit dramatic but that was how he saw it.

"I asked you why you were here. Last I checked Thomas told you to never show your face around here," he told her. Brian wasn't looking to make a scene but he really detested her. Other men might think she was beautiful but all he saw was how horrible her personality was. Being beautiful on the outside didn't count if you were rotten on the inside.

"Don't be rude. Besides this is not your house so you have no right to ask me anything"

"Fine. Maggie, ask her why she's here" he turned to Maggie who didn't hesitate to do what she was told.

"Why are you here Monica?"

"Oh, I see. So you know now how to talk. Okay then. Not that I have to answer you either but if you must know, I'm here because I'm having a baby with Thomas and he needs to take care of us"

"You're having a baby? That is so wonderful.."

"No it's not Maggie" he cut her off "I'm sure Thomas will agree with me that having a baby with that witch is the worst thing that could ever happen to him. Of course, that is if the baby is his in the first place"

"How dare you call me a liar Brian?"

"I can think of so many things to call you Monica. And none of them would be a lie"

"Whatever. I don't care what you think. As I said, this is not your house. Maggie take my luggage to the bedroom and bring me a glass of water. I'm tired from my trip"

"Okay"

Brian grabbed Maggie's hand to prevent her from doing Monica's bidding. "You've got some nerve. You haven't been here for two minutes and already you're ordering Maggie around? She's not your helper. If you want something done, then do it yourself" taking Maggie's hand he led her to the kitchen where they wouldn't have to see that woman's face.

Brian wanted to think that his Maggie had changed and that she wouldn't let anyone use her but he couldn't expect her to see through Monica's lies. The second Monica mentioned a baby, her face lit up. He understood that in her head, she was supposed to be married by now and having children but she had to know that nothing that woman said could be trusted. She was cunning and twisted. For all, he knew she could have gotten pregnant by another man and come back to pin it on Thomas. He wouldn't put it past her.

"Brian don't you like Monica's baby?"

"What baby?"

"The one she's having with Thomas"

Of course, she believed those lies, "It's not that I don't like him...."

"You just said that you don't believe that baby is Thomas'. Why? I saw them making a baby"

Brian snapped his head towards her "You what?"

"I saw them making a...."

"I heard you the first time"

"Then why did you ask me to repeat myself?"

"I didn't. I just.... Forget it"

"You haven't told me why you don't like Monica's baby" 

"I didn't say that" God, she wasn't going to give up. And how was he supposed to explain to her that Monica could be lying about being pregnant because she wanted to get back with Thomas? Maggie saw everything as white and black. If Monica said she was having a baby with Thomas then she believed it. No questions asked.

"But you just said...." he pulled into his body and kissed her just so she'd stop talking. Her hands went around his neck and Brian realized she was moving against his body while rubbing her breasts on his chest. He held her shoulders back frowning.

"Wait a minute. Who taught you how to do that?"

"Janet. She said that if I had any questions about sex, she would be happy to answer them"

She wanted to know about sex?

"Is that so?" he asked squeezing her shoulders. What exactly were they doing that ended up in that conversation? Did she tell her friend about him? "What else did she teach you?"

"You really want to know?"

From the way her eyes lit up, he definitely wanted to know "Oh yes"

"Kiss me" he indulged her and sealed their lips together. Her hands roamed all over his chest exploring and Brian wished there wasn't a T-shirt separating his skin from hers. He was about to guide her hands under the material when all of a sudden they slid down and stopped at his crotch then started rubbing up and down. Surprised by the action, he jumped back. Crap. "You didn't like it? Janet said all men liked it"

"Uh it's not that Maggie"

"Then what is it? Why did you jump back like that?"

"It's just...."

"Why the hell are you here?" Thomas' voice rang out from the living. Brian took that chance to distract Maggie. It's not that he didn't like what she was doing. Oh no, he liked it very much. But if he let himself enjoy it, he'd forget that she wasn't ready to be with him and take things too far.

He loved her. She'd said she loved him but that didn't mean she was ready to be with him. He also wanted to make their first time special and memorable. Something she would remember for the rest of her life. To do that, he had to be one hundred percent sure that she was ready. Physically, mentally and age wise. Which meant he couldn't allow things to go any further than kissing. There were things they could do apart from sleeping together but it felt wrong. When she was ready, they would both decide how ready she was to venture into other things.

"Your brother is here. Let's go see what he has to say about Monica and her baby"

"But you didn't tell me if you liked it or not"

"Forget that. We have more important things to talk about" taking her hand he pulled her out of the kitchen while shushing her protests.

"I don't believe you. And even if you really are pregnant, I don't think it's mine" Thomas told Monica who jumped up.

"Don't insult me, Thomas. I'm a woman and I know these things"

"I'm not stupid Monica. If that baby was mine then you would be showing. We broke up months ago. In fact, you should be around six or seven months pregnant. There isn't even a bump on your stomach so cut the crap and get out"

Caught like a deer in headlights, she changed tactics "I still love you. Please believe me, Thomas"

"Get out"

"Thomas please, I can't stay with my parents. At least let me stay until I find my own place"

"That translates to 'Let me stay until I actually get pregnant so you wouldn't kick me out'" Brian said just to add fuel to the fire. It wasn't a secret that he didn't like Monica but what he detested most was how she treated Maggie. If she'd been nice to his girlfriend then he would have helped her.

"You shut up. This isn't your house so keep your comments to yourself or leave"

"You're the one who's leaving Monica. Right this second before I drag you out"

"You said you loved me, Thomas. How could you treat me like this?"

"Jesus, woman. Have some dignity and leave. Thomas doesn't want you here" she shot him a glare then bent down to pick her bags. He had to wonder how delusional she was. Did she think Thomas would agree to let her stay let alone believe she was having his child?

"You will pay for treating me like this. All of you"

"Good riddance Monica," Brian told her smiling. He was happy that Thomas hadn't fallen for her tricks and he really hoped to never see her again. After she was gone, Thomas dropped on the couch she had occupied sighing.

"I need to talk to you Maggie" judging by his tone, it was something serious and not pleasant. 

"Okay. I'll leave then" he tried to excuse himself but Thomas stopped him.

"No, stay. I think you should hear this too"

"What's going on?" he asked seating down. Maggie stood beside him looking as confused as he was.

"I went to the village to get Maggie's birth certificate"

"And?" Brian prompted when Thomas didn't continue.

"I couldn't get them because they don't exist" he raised his head to look at Maggie "They are not your parents" they both watched her as she dropped on the arm of the chair beside Brian. The only thing on her face was confusion and puzzlement. When she didn't say anything, Thomas told them how he'd forced his parents to tell him the truth. He also told them about the white man who had been looking for a lost baby.

The only thing Brian gathered was that whoever that man was, it would be next to impossible to find him especially when they didn't have a name. His uncle Jamal could find anyone as long as he had a name. But no one knew who that man and even if Mr. And Mrs. Baraka did, they wouldn't say a word about it. He looked at Maggie again. You'd think she'd cry or do anything like be angry or mad. Not his Maggie though. If he were to guess he'd say she was trying to figure something out in her head.

"Are you okay? You're awfully quiet"

"Maggie?" Thomas called her but she didn't answer. They both looked at each other, afraid that she was acting the same way she had when her parents had tried to kidnap her. It would be a shock to anyone if they found out that their parents weren't really their parents.

"I'll talk to her," Brian said. Taking her arm, he led her to the bedroom and closed the door. "Maggie, talk to me. Remember what I said about communication? Whenever something bothers you, don't be afraid to tell me. I'm always ready to listen"

"She said I could use my mouth too"

"What?"

"If you didn't like what I was doing with my hands then I could use my mouth"

Brian blinked a few times in shock "Did you hear what Thomas said?"

"Yes. But I was thinking if you are as thin as a carrot or thick as a cucumber. Janet said men were different and that I shouldn't be shocked if you weren't the same size as her boyfriend"

Was she serious? "Maggie, Thomas just told you that Mr. and Mrs. Baraka aren't your real parents and instead of listening you were thinking about my....."

"Pen...."

"Don't even say it" he told her breathing through his mouth.

"Are you angry at me?"

"No. I'm shocked. You are supposed to be angry or sad or even shocked after finding out that the people you thought were your parents weren't. But what are you thinking about?"

"I just don't understand why didn't like what I was doing. Janet said...."

"Stop thinking about what Janet said and listen to me" he had to resort to shaking her so she'd snap out of it. When she looked up, he realized that might be in denial. If she didn't think about what Thomas had said then she wouldn't let herself be hurt "Maggie" he sat on the bed and pulled her onto his lap. "I'm sorry. I know that this hurts but you'll get through it. I promise that I will be here for you. Just talk to me when you're ready. Okay?"

"Brian, I know they're not my real parents. I've known that for a while now and I don't understand why you're so worried about it"

He jerked his head back to get a good look at her "What do you mean you've known for a while?"

"I overheard them talking about it"

"And you're telling me this now? I've been trying to make you feel better because I thought you were in denial"

"Forget about that. Just tell me why you didn't like what I did with my hands"

He groaned falling back on the bed. She wasn't going to stop pestering him about that until he told her the truth. Who knew Maggie could be so nagging? "Can I see your hands?" she held them up and he linked their fingers together "It's not that I didn't like it. I just think that you're not ready for that"

"So did you like it or not?"

"Oh my God, fine. I confess that I liked it. Very much. Are you happy now?"

"Yes. Can I do it again?" she asked grinning. Brian tightened his fingers against her when she tried to untangle them. 

"No. Why do you think I asked for your hands? Maggie, you can't do that again until I give you permission. Do you understand?"

"But why not? If you liked it then why can't I do it again? Are you lying to me?"

"Just listen to me this once and stop being so stubborn"

"But....."

"No buts Maggie. I mean it"

"Okay," they laid there silently each so deep in thought that when a knock sounded on the door, they both jumped.

"Are you guys okay?" Thomas asked from the other side making Brian wonder if okay was the right word to use. Now that she'd mentioned it, he couldn't stop picturing her mouth around him. He honestly felt like a pervert for thinking like that but he was blaming it all on that Janet person. Why the hell did she tell Maggie all those things? A cucumber or a carrot? Seriously?

"Yes, Thomas. We're fine" Maggie answered because he'd lost his ability to talk.

"I'm going for a bit. I also bought chocolates if you want some" at that Maggie sprang up.

"Chocolates? Why didn't you tell me Thomas?" she asked opening the door. Thomas pointed to the plastic bag on the table and left. Brian followed Maggie to the living room where she was sitting on the floor, trying to open the chocolate with her teeth. He grabbed it, pinched it open then handed it back to her. Halfway through the bar, she blurted out "I saw Nigel today"

"Nigel? Who is...." he stopped. Surely she didn't mean Nigel from the RS modeling agency.

"He works with Abby. Remember him?"

"Yeah. What did he want?"

"He asked if I wanted a job and I told him yes"

"What? Why Maggie? You don't need a job. You're still studying and if you need anything just ask me"

"I know. But I want to be like Abby. She's so beautiful and no one will dare treat her badly because she can take care of herself"

"Oh please, my sister relies on the money our parents give her as allowance. She's really not that great"

"Don't badmouth your sister. She's really nice and I want to be just like her. Nigel said that tomorrow he'll transform me into a beautiful woman like Abby"

"Maggie, you can't trust him. He's just lying to you" Brian pleaded, already panicking. If she started modeling, she would turn into another Abby. Arrogant and self-entitled. Absolutely not. He wasn't going to let Nigel trick her "Listen to me, that guy Nigel doesn't care about you. He's going to turn you into a monster and I won't let him. I'll talk to him tomorrow and tell him that you're not interested in his job offer. Okay? If you want to work, I'll find you a good job that doesn't require you to change yourself"

"No Brian. I already agreed to it. I've finished my computer classes so I want to do it"

"And I told you that I will find you a good job. As a secretary or a receptionist. I will also make sure the pay is good so don't worry"

"I'm not worried because I have a job, Brian. I'll be working with Abby and ride the lift every day. I don't want another job"

"What if I get mad at you for working there?"

"It's my life and I can do whatever I want!"

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Say, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Our Maggie is definitely maturing, huh 🤔