Episode Seventeen: "Happy Endings."

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The next day, Manuel sat down in his office deep in thought. He remembered how he forced Vicky to marry so he could further his business plans with Senator Uche’s help.

He called his secretary. “Teni, call Vicky to my office” Manuel said.

“Yes sir” Teni said and left. In a short while, Vicky came in. He stared at his father lazily.

“Vicky, I called you here to apologize” Manuel said and got up, “I was being selfish. Sacrificing my son just so I could further my business, I shouldn’t have blackmailed you into marrying Senator Uche’s daughter.” Vicky stared at his father surprised.

“I just realized that I did exactly what Senator Uche did to Rachel and it looked terrible” Manuel continued, sounding truly sorry for his actions. “I shouldn’t have used Austin to blackmail you either.”

Vicky looked relieved to hear his father’s apology. “I am glad you realized your mistake, and thank you for apologizing father” Vicky said touched, “it means a lot.”

Manuel nodded, feeling a burden lifted from his chest and Vicky left feeling better.

At night, Vicky arrived home. He saw Rachel doing some cleaning in the kitchen and called her. “Rachel, can I talk to you?” Vicky asked, “in my room?”

“Y-your room? Sure” Rachel nervously agreed.

Vicky left to his room and Rachel followed. She had barely ever been to his room so she was worried and nervous at the same time. She knocked on the door.

“Come in” Vicky said and Rachel walked in. She looked around and was amazed with the dark interior decoration. She saw her lunch notes stuck on the wardrobe and her heart fluttered.

“Why did you call me?” Rachel asked.

“I wanted to talk to you? Can you help me lose this?” Vicky said, pointing to his suit and neck tie.

Rachel nodded stiffly, “sure.” She crouched in front of Vicky and helped him, while avoiding eye contact. Vicky stared at her intrigued.

“I wanted to say, you were forced to marry me, we were forced to marry each other and such a thing is not ideal” Vicky said, “you should have been given a choice.”

“I am far from a man anyone would pick to marry so I think we should get a divorce.” Vicky said, getting to the point and Rachel paused as she kept his suit.

“You should be free to marry someone who will make you happy.” Vicky kept on talking not noticing Rachel’s silence. “You don’t have to worry about your family, I made a promise to take care of them so I will.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” Rachel quietly and sadly asked as she crouched to remove his neck tie. Vicky looked affected by her closeness.

“No, I want to give you a choice. I don’t want to hold you down when you could marry a man of your own choice” Vicky explained quietly.

“You are right, I never had a choice” Rachel said, eyes fixed on his tie. “but I am happy with the choice given to me. It isn’t what I chose but it’s perfect for me.”

Rachel removed the tie and looked up at Vicky. Vicky stared at her smitten and kissed her, holding the nape of her neck tightly. Rachel kissed him back without hesitation.

The next day, it was a Saturday and Testimony noticed how bashful Vicky and Rachel were around each other. “Did something happen?” he asked.

“No” Rachel immediately answered.

“I want to take you two out, what do you think?” Vicky asked, “this afternoon at one o’clock.”

“Yes, where?” Testimony answered excitedly.

“Let’s go to a Cinema and see how it goes from there” Vicky said and Testimony nodded excitedly. Vicky looked at Rachel for approval and she nodded.

For the rest of the day, Vicky went out with Testimony and Rachel. They went to the Cinema and watched a movie then went to an arcade and other recreational centers.

Rachel and Vicky arrived home satisfied with their day. “Thank you Vicky, you…have helped me a lot and I’m grateful” Rachel said sincerely, “thank you.”

Vicky held her hand and smiled. “Thank you as well, for not giving up on me and touching my heart” he said earnestly and Rachel smiled.

A few days later, It was time for Angela’s final surgery. Rachel tearfully held her mother’s hand as they wheeled her into surgery.

“It is going to be okay mom” Rachel said encouragingly, “it will all be over soon. Then you will come home and see Testimony again.”

“I will be fine, don’t cry okay?” Angela said with a smile and went into surgery. Rachel waited outside with Vicky, Patrick and Prieye.

Prieye prayed fervently with Rachel for a successful surgery. A few hours later, Angela was wheeled out of surgery and they went to the doctor.

“Doctor? Is my mother alright? How is she? Was the surgery successful?” Rachel asked worried.

“The surgery was a success, we were finally able to take care of it completely” The doctor said relieved, “she will be fine now. She just needs to stay in the hospital for a three weeks for observation and proper recovery.”

“Thank God” Rachel said in relief while Prieye couldn’t help but let out an excited whoop in celebration. Vicky grinned at Rachel relieved and she grinned back.

Meanwhile, news of Senator’s Uche’s fraudulent business activities was aired on TV and all over the internet. The police arrested him though he got out with bail. He also went to court to fight the case and he escaped imprisonment but everything he had worked hard for came crumbling down.

“This is all that girl’s fault! Can you see what you’ve done” Bisola said, blaming her husband. “stay in one place, you will not hear. Now that illegitimate daughter of your has ruined us.”

Bethany cried loudly. “What will happen to us now?! Where will we stay?! Who would marry me now?! I should have just married that cripple, daddddyyyy!!!!”

“WHAAATTT?!!!” Senator Uche yelled angrily causing Bisola and Bethany to quiet down. He looked at Bisola angrily, “you! You came up with this entire scheme! If you had just let Bethany marry that cripple, this wouldn’t be happening.”

Senator Uche lunged for his wife and began choking her. “Ah! Dad!” Bethany shouted and wrestled him to release her mother.

“Ah, this is exactly what I wanted to see” Vicky said in satisfaction, slowly being rolled in by Patrick. Rachel followed behind.

“I promised you I would ruin you” Vicky said matter of factly. “honestly you had it coming, I just ended up being the one to deliver it otherwise, someone else would.”

“This is all happening because of you, both of you” Senator Uche said, glaring deathly at Vicky and Rachel.

“Don’t blame others for your mistake, it’s a bad habit” Vicky said nonchalantly, “the only reason I am here is for Rachel to have a talk with you. For years, you have been in control of her life, not having the simplest sympathy that she is your daughter. You are so cruel.”

Senator Uche fumed angrily but looked at Rachel when she stepped forward and stared at him squarely. “Ever since I was born, I wondered if I did anything that warranted me to be hated by my own father” Rachel started.

“You treated me like nothing, why? Did you hate my mother or was it just me?” Rachel said, remembering how she grew up. “why was I punished for looking the way I did, or being born out of wedlock?”

“I never understood why and I still don’t. There are others like me and they were still loved by their fathers so why am I different?” Rachel asked tearfully, “all I wanted was for you to see me as your daughter, was that too much to ask?”

“I was only a liability to you and I realize that now. I always knew you never cared but it still hurts” Rachel said tearfully, “Testimony and I had suffered so much because of you, why did we deserve that much hatred? We may be illegitimate but we are still humans too.”

Bisola and Bethany suddenly felt reproached as if their eyes were opening to the wickedness they had done. “They tortured me so much but you never said any thing!” Rachel pointed out.

“I didn’t come here to ask you to be my father, I came here to say I am glad to escape from your grasp” Rachel said calmly, “Bethany, thank you for not agreeing to get married that day, I would never had met an amazing man.”

“I hope we never cross paths again” Rachel said to her father and his family and turned around to leave.

“Rachel! Rachel! Listen to your father!” Senator Uche roared, “I will stop paying for your mother if you leave! Stop! Stop there!”

Vicky and Rachel left with Vicky giving her his handkerchief. “You cry too much, dry your tears” He said. Rachel couldn’t help but giggle amused and dried her tears.

“You did well Rachel” Vicky said and Rachel smiled to herself. They got into the car and left.

{💮}

Weeks later, Rachel took care of her mother and her mother recovered perfectly just in time for the Christmas season.

At the house, Rachel cooked a lot of food and for good reason because, Angela was getting discharged today. Patrick brought Angela to Vicky’s house and she stared at it in wonder.

Testimony went to open the door when he heard the doorbell and he hugged his mom happily when he saw her. “Mom!” Testimony said tearfully and hugged her. “you are walking again.”

“Yes, my baby. Mommy is back and she is well” Angela said tearfully. “I missed you, I missed you so much.”

“Good afternoon ma, welcome” Vicky greeted Angela and Angela nodded. “Your daughter has been cooking all day for you.”

Vicky led Angela to the table. “Patrick, join us” Vicky said and Patrick excitedly agreed. He skipped to the table.

“Mom” Rachel said happily as she saw her mom. She dropped the pot in the kitchen and went to hug her. They hugged tightly. “I’m so glad you are back” Rachel whispered happily.

“Me too” Angela whispered in reply.

Angela took a seat and everyone sat down, including Patrick. Rachel served food and everyone talked and smiled happily. Angela shared embarrassing stories about Rachel’s childhood, ignoring Rachel’s attempts to stop her.

Everyone had a great time together and Rachel felt happy to see her family back again.

With Angela back now, That meant she would soon leave with Testimony so Rachel and Vicky could be alone together. Vicky had gifted them a house so they had a nice place to go to. Vicky perked up at the idea.

“Oh, I will really miss Testimony. It was nice having him in the house” Rachel said regretfully.

“Open your eyes and see what is in front of you” Angela said, “a married couple shouldn’t have a guest in their house for long, what happens to their privacy?”

Rachel got what her mom was driving at and looked away shyly while Vicky grinned mischievously. “Thank you mother” he said and Rachel slapped his shoulder lightly.

Angela laughed and took Rachel aside. “I am glad you didn’t end up like me Rachel” she said, “I always knew you were a smart girl. Stay with Vicky, he will keep you happy.”

“I will.” Rachel said.

“Just look at you, I can’t believe my baby is all grown up and already married” Angela said, smiling tearfully. “I am so proud of you.”

“Thank you mom” Rachel smiled.

Angela left Rachel and went to Vicky. “Thank you for accepting my daughter. Please take care of her” she said, “I worried a lot about Rachel because she seemed to take care of everyone and had no one to look after her. Take care of her well.”

“I will” Vicky promised.

Angela nodded then added, “I will come for Testimony the day after tomorrow. Thank you for all you have done for us Vicky.”

“You are welcome ma.” Vicky said and Rachel worriedly watched Patrick drive off with her mother.

“I’m scared to lose her” Rachel said, voicing out her fears.

“You won’t lose her, I’m sure of that” Vicky said supportively and Rachel nodded encouraged.

The next few days, Rachel and Vicky spent it together with each other’s family. They even got Manuel and Juliana to meet and interact with Angela.

Though Juliana was judgy of Angela’s single mother status along with her relationship with Senator Uche, they related well. Austin was still chasing Prieye though Prieye wasn’t that resistant to him anymore. Christmas went by blissfully for everyone in the Aiyedehin family.

At the hospital, Vicky was receiving his report and Patrick was waiting outside for him. “The test results show that it is possible for you to walk again” the doctor said. “we will have to perform a surgery then carry out physiotherapy.”

“That’s great, when can I do the surgery? How long will the therapy take?” Vicky asked excited.

“You will have to travel abroad for the surgery and the physiotherapy might take more than six months” the doctor said.

“So the only place I can do the surgery is out of the country?” Vicky asked seemingly sombre. “and the therapy, must it been done there too?”

“The specialist is there so you have to stay close while you do your therapy” The doctor said. “If you are ready, we can organize everything in a week.”

Vicky looked down in deep thoughts. He nodded, “I will call you when I’m ready, thank you doctor.”

“You’re welcome” the doctor said and Vicky came out of the office. Patrick quickly took the handles of the wheelchair and pushed.

“What did the test results say sir?” Patrick asked eagerly.

“That there is a chance for me to walk. I need to do surgery and physiotherapy for that but it might take more than six months to recover” Vicky said dully.

“Six months?! That’s quite…good but a bit long” Patrick said, “but this is a chance. Why are you so hesitant to go?”

“Rachel.” Vicky quietly answered.

“Rachel will be fine, she can wait for you and she will be happy. You know the kind of person she is” Patrick said, “maybe you are the one who doesn’t want to leave her alone.”

Vicky said nothing in response.

At the house, Rachel noticed Vicky’s quiet mood. “What’s wrong? You went to the hospital today, Patrick told me” Rachel said, “did something happen?”

“I got my test results, there is a chance for me to walk” Vicky said.

“That’s great” Rachel said excitedly.

“Yes but, it is out of the country. I have to undergo surgery and physiotherapy there and it might take more than six months” Vicky said.

“Six months…” Rachel said, her enthusiasm sinking. “that is long but, it is a good chance for you. What is a few months compared to what you will get. You should do it.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone” Vicky admitted.

“I won’t be alone” Rachel said smiling, “my mom is here, Testimony, your parents, Austin. They are all here. You should go.”

“I won’t be fine without you” Vicky said upset.

Rachel smiled, “we will video chat every chance we get. Time will fly faster than you know it. Stop being childish and go.”

Vicky looked hesitant but nodded. “Okay, this is for you” he pointed out and kissed her when she smiled.

Days later, at the airport, Rachel, Prieye, Austin and Manuel were seeing Vicky and Patrick off. Patrick was going with him of course.

Vicky waved goodbye to Everyone and finally looked at Rachel. Rachel blew a kiss at him and he cheesily caught it then went in. He disappeared from their view.

“I should be going now, Austin, take them home.” Manuel said and bid goodbye to Prieye and Rachel before leaving.

“At least I am going to get peace for a few months” Austin said relaxed, “Vicky had been nagging me for weeks.”

Prieye hit him and shot a look at Rachel who sighed sadly to see that Vicky was gone. Prieye slung an arm around her neck.

“It’s alright, you guys will keep on video chatting” Prieye encouraged, “he will be back before you know it.”

“Yeah, I know,” Rachel said smiling, “let’s go.” Rachel walked away leaving Austin and Prieye.

“I have been very patient, I can’t be patient any longer” Austin said, “Prieye, please go out with me or else I will walk away and never come back.”

Prieye rolled her eyes, “stop being dramatic. You joke a lot.” She walked away, ignoring the look of hurt on Austin’s face at the call of his feelings a joke.

Prieye stop midway but didn’t look back. “I had been waiting for you to ask a direct question for a month now, you took forever.”

Austin looked in surprise but smiled when Prieye turned to him with a coy smile. “I accept, now come on” she said and grabbed his hand.

Austin looked pleased.

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Here comes the final chapter of REACH FOR MY HEART. I’m so excited because I get to start all of my pending projects.

Get ready for new stories coming your way after this.

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