21.
***********

The sun was almost setting, Already on my pink knee tights with a green push up bra and my white and green running sneakers. I sat down on my dresser chair as I put my hair to a bun before I wore my green head hairband.

I opened the drawer as I searched for my black and green jogging belly bag once I got it I wrapped it around my waist before exiting my bedroom.

I jogged down the stairs.

I snatched my phone from the kitchen cabinet where I left it charging before I went upstairs to change, and my wireless headphones. I tuned in my favorite pop playlist on my phone then connected it to my headphones which were already on my head and ears.

I swiftly grabbed my keys and headed outside, after locking my door I put my keys and phone inside my belly bag as I stepped down the porch to the walkway. I spread my legs apart as I stretched my body with both my hands on my waist, before I started running up the street.

As usual, I passed numerous trees, on my street, people were walking their dogs while some were jogging in my opposite direction. I picked up my pace when I passed a park where there were families, couples, group of kids and pets running around playing with their owners.

Jogging was my self-composure, no matter how much anxiety I'll be going through. When I was running up the street passing people I have never seen some I had, that alone brought up peace in my mind.

In a few minutes of jogging my mind was disturbed by my buzzing phone, I pressed the answer-call button on my right side of my headphone, "hello" I focused on my ears to give attention to who was on the line.

"My little girl, " my dad quickly replied. I was happy to hear his voice as always, though he sounded cold and emotional. "Hey daddy, I'm good are you" I took a deep breath as I slowed down my running pace.

"Baby, Daddy would like to talk to you about something. Can you come over here tomorrow morning I'll give you directions to my hotel" he said still sounding not like my cheerful dad.

(Hotel) why was my dad staying in a hotel, it couldn't be what I thought it was.

"Daddy uhm what-" he cut me off as he spoke "tomorrow morning my little girl, I'll text you the address, love you bye, enjoy your jogging" I heard him chuckled, which I knew he was forcing it, his voice sounded cold and filled with emotions.

"Oh ok, tomorrow it is then, love you too dad" I heard a beep sound signaling that the call has ended, my music continued.

Right now my jogging was no longer as relaxing not after my dad told me about staying at a hotel. Again those words my mother said to Jennifer at her house started ringing in my ears, distracting my moment. I decided to turn and jog back to my apartment before I could even reach my finishing line.

*it not my fault that you can't give a man what he wants*

Those words were so bizarre coming out of my mom's mouth. How on earth can married women proudly say that she sounded sincere when she spilled out that sentence. Was it because she never loved my dad or she was just trying to pick on John's mother and she didn't mean what she said.

I didn't know what was what, exactly.

I jogged back to my apartment.

******

" yes, Zoe I'm going to him tomorrow, by the way, how is Cape Town treating the both of you love birds" Zoe and nick decided to stay back in Cape Town for a vacation. Since the confirmation of my mom and Mr. Robertson's affair they never came back.

"It great, though you still owe me the party when I get back I'll inform the girls so we can continue with it," she said, sounding much better then I was. I was supposed to be the happy one since in three weeks time I'll be getting married.

"Well if you say so, just enjoy yourself there don't worry about me I'm fine, tomorrow I'm going to see him at his hotel, then a day after tomorrow I'll also go to my mom, she said there's something she wants to talk about with me" I explained.

We continued with our chat for almost an hour, as usual, we spoke about my wedding and planning of it and other trivial stuff. Once she decided to wish me a good night and hang up the call, I was already feeling drowsy and the time read 10:45 on my wall watch.

I get off the couch after switching off the boring television and pushed my sleepy head up the stairs to my room, right after getting to bed I was already slumbering.

*****
"So how about your mom, is she ok," I asked my fiance as I was staring at him through my phone's screen since he video called me. He looked so handsome on his usual tuxedos, his blue eyes were glowing, as usual, his smile made me forget about worries but us, together under a sky full of stars. Laughing and chit-chatting about our future.

"No, she's a mess Emily how about your dad" his face immediately switched from cute to inconvenienced as he shook his head negatively. I knew he was feeling the same for his mom as I was for my dad.

"Actually he's out, he's in a hotel for now, uhhm he said something like leaving the country to Europe-" I paused -"my dad will be leaving soon John, I just-" I was discontinued by a lump forming on my throat.

I swallowed Attempting to control my emotions.

My caring husband-to-be, politely he shushed me as he spoke: "Emily don't cry, your dad won't forget about you where ever he will be, you know you're his little girl don't cry".

I sniff as I forced a smile on my face still gazing at my concerned fiance, I blinked my eyes attempting to push back the tears that were trying to drop off my eyes. "I know it just that - I halted -"you're right, thank you". I stretched my hand to my face and wiped off one tear that was able to escape my one eye.

"don't do that please," he said, running his strong hands through his black silky hair. I had to stop it because the look on his eyes was hurting me, I never liked it when he was sad it broke my heart.

"I'm fine babe, I'm alright ok" I raised both my eyebrows and forced a smile. Embarking to convince that I was fine.

I blew him a kiss, he smirked.

He pretended to catch the kiss on the air then placed his hand next to his heart he then placed his fingertips to his lips as he kisses them before he blew a kiss back to me.

He smiled, looking all handsome, and sexy. Making me blast out of blazing.

As always.

I brought out a sheepish smile as I did the same, grabbing his kiss on the air, I placed my hand to my chest. "I love you, Princess, let me get back to work talk to you later. Please stop stressing, oh say hi to Olivia for me" he murmured, narrowing his eyes.

"only Olivia" I raised an eyebrow focusing on his reaction to my question.

He rolled his eyes. (Did he just roll his eyes, how cute) I chuckled, he smirked, we both ended the call after saying our goodbyes and 'I LOVE YOU's'.

I glanced at the phone and shook my head sideways with a small smile.

I laid my head back on the car seat as I allowed my brain to go all the way about us, I sniffed heavily, slowly I shut down my eyes before I knew it I was slightly drawn to my trance.

DREAM.
_______________________________________
"Come on that's a boring name for a 2024 new born, how about Summer yeah summer is a beautiful name for a girl" he shook his head disagreeing with my opinion for our unborn baby girl's name.

I brushed my belly, he did the same, we both glance at each other with happy smiles. His face was full of love and care. He leaned closer as he placed his lips onto mine, he let go as our eyes stare at each other for a moment before he leaned back.

"No, Victoria will be fine, it was grandmother's name and I'm sure she'll be happy where ever she is if I name her great-granddaughter after her" out of the blue he started, keeping himself serious over his statement.

I couldn't stop but laugh myself out loud from the name, and the reason behind it. "no I'm serious princess, it not a joke we will call her Vicki" he raised an eyebrow as he tilted his head up and down convincing me. I continued with my laughter until he couldn't keep his serious face anymore, he joined me and we both laughed together.

Our laughter was cut off by Kayden our firstborn baby boy as he ran and threw himself between us on the big fluffy couch we were sitting at, outside at our new house's veranda. "Dada, Mama," he said as he leaned his head on my big belly.

"Are you listening to your baby sis huh Kayden," his dad asked him, he giggled and nodded his head up and down with his thumb in his mouth.

"You're already tired of playing now huh Little boy" I asked him as I gazed down at him, giving him a brush with my fingers on his beautiful black hair like his dad's. I looked back to the big yard in front of us, where he was playing before he came running to us.

Bright Sunlight was heating warmly on the green garden, bringing life out of our beautiful big house. Several trees around, Kayden's bicycle was lying in the middle of the walkway while his other toys were scattered around, some under the trees while some on the grass.

Along with his rubber swimming pool filled with water.

My blossomed Flowers in front of the porch on each side. Everything was as I always dreamt of. The neighborhood was so calm and peaceful, all you could here were birds chirping.

"Yeah" he replied in his cute 4-year-old voice, my husband placed his palm on my shoulder, I tilted my head to my side and dropped my jawline at the back of his hand on my shoulder. I glanced up at him, he had a happy smile kept on his face he looked down at me than to our son, I smiled back with my hand on our son's head, admiring his hair.

"I don't think I can live without you Emily," my husband whispered, he flashed his eyes and put his lips on a thin line, with a serious but handsome face.

By doing that I knew he meant each and every word he said.

I smiled at him "John -"

I was brought back to reality by a manly voice shouting the word ma'am. Disturbing me.
_______________________________________

"Ma'am we have reached your destiny" suddenly I was awoken by my Uber driver, announcing my arrival at my parent's house. I opened my eyes quicker than normal, I was startled by his yells " John- I mean -Oh, I'm sorry, did I waste your time-" I paused then continued "don't answer that please help me with my bag" I threw my hands on the air, surrendering.

He smiled sheepishly as he shook his head sideways before he opened his door, then stepped outside.

(I'm so awkward right now)

I opened my door at the back and stepped outside, he helped me unload my bag out of his car boot "thank you, drive safe, ok " he hummed his acknowledgment then waved his goodbye and drove away.

***

(Here we are)

I inhaled and let out.

I slowly walked towards the house, I took a deep breath while I proceeded on walking towards the entrance from the driveway where the taxi dropped me. I climbed up the porch when I reach the wooden door I placed my hand on the doorknob and twisted.

I pushed the door and as usual, it swang open.

(When will my mom learn to lock the front door)

I pushed and locked the door behind me after I had fully entered my childhood house.

It was quite, I glanced at the kitchen my mom nor Olivia was there "mom I'm home!" I called out announcing my arrival but no one answered. Where was everyone, ok obviously except for my dad who was now living at a hotel soon out of the country?

"Livia!" I yelled my younger sister's name still no answer. I went up the staircase to my childhood bedroom, Once I got in a smile appeared on my face as I was looking at my old room still in the same state as when I was a teenager.

I placed my bag next to the dresser where I always kept it whenever I came for a visit, before I could move away, something caught up with my eyes.

I frowned out of confusion, "what the hell" I mumbled under my breath, still not understand what I was gazing at.

(Why though)

________🚏

THANKS FOR READING I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER.

Lol 😂SORRY FOR A CLIFFHANGER, JUST STAY TUNED, FROM NOW ON ILL BE UPDATING ONLY ON MONDAYS.

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