“My back!”

“Be gentle...yes, lift your leg. Like that, yes!” Elvira instructed as I obeyed.

‘Hmmmm…’ I groaned out in pain.

As if a bowling ball landed on my spine. The sweat drops from my face tickled into my ears, but I didn’t mind wiping it off. Everything was useless right now. I hardly could feel myself as I took another step.

“Ahhh! My stomach!”

“What’s it?” Elvira pulled up her eyebrows in unison as she looked at my leg. “Everything would be alright, Ally!Your water just broke. Be careful, my dear. Breath in. Breath out. Breath in. Breath out. And gradually.” She illustrated while I did as she asked.

The pain came in waves and I was in the middle of a contraction when a new one would start. All of my focus was on the pain. It was terrible, this was painful than I’d expected. I wasn’t thinking about breathing or needing to go to the bathroom. All I wanted was to get the baby out and be free of these pains.

“I want to sit.” I begged, squatting a little.

“Okay, sit a bit.” She allowed me to rest on a stool.

Elvira massaged my back and temple to help me release stress and relax. I placed my hands at the small of my back and apply a pressure. Breathing in and out.

“Let’s go.” I told Elvira.

She held my hand as I leaned on her. We gradually moved and reached the door. Elvira drove me to the hospital, and they admitted me into the labour room.

***

Elvira paid the Smiths a visit. She met Lilith Jones–Damon’s personal assistant in office and was shocked because she was in Damon’s house. She knew definitely she must have lived with their boss.

“Hello.”

“Yes, how can I help you?” She stood in a five inches heels and raises her gaze at Elvira in disgust. Although she had seen her twice in office. This was the first time of talking with her.

“I’m looking for Mrs. Julia.” Elvira asked with a fake smile.

Lilith hissed and left the door open. She walked to the living room and sat on the sofa with her legs majestically crossed.

Elvira took a seat and rolled her eyes at Lilith disgustingly. She started working with Smith Inc six months ago and she was sure because she got the job and connection through Mrs. Julia. They took the previous assistant secretary to the marketing department because of her.

Lilith took out a stick of cigarette and held it with her lips. Then brought out a lighter to burn its edge before sipping on it. She blew out the smoke to Elvira's direction and then, adjusted her seat.

Elvira coughed out the bad smoke and filled the air and hissed at her again.

“Stupid girl! She can’t work, but she came to steal someone else’s husband. Shameless slut! She her mouth like that of a duck!” Elvira gave a stern look at Lilith. She had two piercings on each sides of her nostrils.

Lilith hissed back at Elvira and put the waste of her cigarette into a white ceramic saucer, adjusting her silky, floral mini-gown and wavy, blonde hair.

“Immoral goat! When she’s blind. Puffing out smoke like a frustrated dragon. I don’t blame you!”

Elvira peeped at her from with corner of her eyes with so much hatred and hissed again. Just then, she heard the sounds of footsteps and turned to the direction. It was Mrs. Julia Smith.

“Hello ma’am. Good Afternoon.” Elvira started with a welcoming smile.

“You’re Elvira Young, right?” She answered before taking a seat right next to Lilith.

“Yes ma’am. Adelaide’s friend.”

“Hope no problem? Or have you come to insult me again like you usually do?”

“No ma. How can I insult you? You’re just like a mother to me.” Elvira defended.

“Alright.” She looked at her calmly. “But my son isn’t at home. He went to visit some friends this weekend.”

“Actually Mrs Julia. I’m here for Adelaide’s sake.” Lilith took out another stick of cigarette and lighten up its edge. Puffing out another smoke on Elvira’s face to stop her, but she continued.

“I insisted on not coming because of our past episodes, but Adelaide begged me. You know she has no one, except God and me. She tears up every day and night. And I want nothing bad to happen to my friend. Her blood pressure is high, and she’s been struggling with depression for a while now. And I don’t want her to commit suicide. So, I decided that I’d come here as she requested. Since she’s my friend. I’d do anything for my best friend. That’s why I’m here, ma’am.” Elvira paused, giving Lilith a storm gaze. Mrs. Julia looked at her interestedly. “It’s about your grandchildren, ma.”

“Mtchhheeew!” Lilith hissed and squinted her nose at Elvira’s words as if it was stinky.

“I came to request the name you’d give Damon’s twins, as the grandmother of the children.” Elvira scratched the back of her neck as she explained. “That’s why I’m here, ma’am. May you live long to witness more blessings.”

“What do you mean, she should name the bastards? Don’t they have a mother? So the adulteress gave birth to twins?” Lilith intervened while Mrs. Julia watched her innocently. She dropped the remains of the cigarette into the saucer. “Give them any name that suits you. What’s our business with that?”

“May you never be downgraded.” Elvira explained to Mrs Smith with respect. “You’re the one I’m talking to, ma’am. Kindly give your twin grandchildren special names from you, ma’am. It’s a boy and a girl.”

“Are you trying to call me a fool or an idiot?” she tried changing the topic.

“No.”

“Because I don’t know why. You came to me when the father should name his baby. I don’t get you.”

“No, Mrs Julia. I love and respect you and your family so much. I can never call you a fool. You’re an elderly woman and I have a lot of respect for elders. You’re a wise and intelligent woman, madam.” She explained.

“Okay, I remember you didn’t meet this lady the last time you came here.”

Lilith tucked her bleached her to the back of her ears, showing off her over-pierced ears and adjusted her free, off shoulder gown.

“You must have seen her severally at work. For your information, my son is now happily married to this beautiful and humble lady. She’s two months pregnant with my grandchild.”

“Really?”

“Yes, so you know, she’s not barren.” Pride laced in Mrs. Smith’s words. “So, whatever Lily says in this house is law. She’s the legal owner of this house and I’m just a guest.”

“You see mum. Before she takes her leave, I have names for the babies.” She took a gulp of Hennessy from the wine cup beside her. “That’s if she won’t be angry. Because I’m very kind and considerate.”

“Why would she be? Perhaps, you’re like a stepmother to the children even though they’re not ours.”

“For the boy. Number one, Divel. Number 2, Lucifer. While the girl would be, Divella. Or Luciferin.”

“Both names are suitable. It sounds classy, and it’s also uncommon. So for short, you can call them Div, or Luci.”

“Hahaha!” Lilith bursted out into such boisterous laughter that Elvira felt battered. In place of showing her anger, a small smile spread across her lips.

“Beautiful names.” Elvira jerked at Lilith. “I didn’t want to insult you before, but I can see that you’re ill-mannered. You lack home training and you have no outstanding trait or moral character. I’m sure they picked you up from the gutters. You must have been raised but thugs or prisoners because, if not because you’re senseless, you should have known better before speaking to me. If you don’t have my mate as a mother, you should have my mate as an aunt. So because Damon fixed a diamond ring on your finger, you’re now feeling like the queen of the world. Who do you think you are? You’re not even qualified to sit amidst us. I was discussing with an elderly woman and you came from nowhere, with that your disgusting breath to interfere in our talk. A lunatic home must have been where you grew up. I thought she’s pregnant too.”

“Yes.” Mrs. Smith replied. Lilith touched her stomach with joy.

“Why would you give her baby’s names to Adelaide? If it’s a boy, you can name him Divel or Lucifer. And if it’s a girl, you can name her, Divella. Or what’s the other name you gave, Luciferin? And if it’s twins, they can bear the name, respectively.”

“Are you here to insult me?”

“Excuse me! I’ve respected you enough, ma’am. You know I told you I’m not here to insult you. Let me deal with this girl first.”

“You dared open your mouth to give names to a child.”

“You’ve said enough. Please, take your leave.

“Mummy, I have transferred the names you intend to give her children to hers. I don’t intend to insult you but if I stay any longer, I’d humiliate you so much. No justice could settle your case.”

“Get the fuck up and leave our house!”

“You don’t have to tell me to leave. You didn’t tell me to come here when I did. The evil that was done to your senior is in store for you.”

“Stop crying in our ears and just leave!”

“Don’t forget that. Even the devil was once an angel. The frightening monsters are the ones that exist in our minds. And the one that’s alive doesn’t know how she will die!”

“I own this house now. Leave already!” Lilith pressed. Elvira jammed the door and walked to her car.

“My dear, you shall have a safe delivery. Don’t mind her, she’s being hurt. They brought a strange pregnancy telling us we’re responsible. Forget what just happened and enjoy yourself. Nothing would evil happen to you.” Mrs. Julia encouraged as the both of them ended up in a soft chuckle.