2 months later...

"Jessica what are you doing?" Gillis asked putting one hand on his hip.

Jessica sat in front of the dressing mirror with a container of black gel. She dipped her fingers into the container, scooping up some of its content then applied it to the front of hair. Jesica looked at Gillis through the mirror and hissed loudly before she continued her routine.

"Jessica is this necess—"

"Oh-ho Gillis!" She snapped as she turned around sharply, "What is it nah? What is it! What is your problem this early morning?"

"My problem is why are you packing that insane amount of gel on your forehead," he said.

"Ogbeni can you not see that my hair is receding? Or what would you rather I follow you to the airport looking like a bald monkey?" She retorted.

"And you think you painting this thing on your head looking like Rambo-gone-wrong is better than a bald monkey?"

"It's not your fault," she shrugged, "Is me that answered you. Sorry."

He sighed. And he said dealing with three months pregnant Jessica was tasking, five months pregnant Jessica is a nightmare. She was extremely cranky, moody, sarcastic and self-conscious.

"Jessica," Gillis cooed coming up behind her. He rubbed her shoulders and said, "I've told you that you look fine babe."

"I don't!" She snapped shrugging off his hands, "Stop patronizing me, Gillis. Look at me, my nose has enlarged, my feet is swollen and now my damn hair line is starting at the middle of my bloody head."

Gillis sighed, "Jessica—"

"Gillis just stop, okay? Stop!" She rose to her feet, slamming the gel container on the table before walking away from it. She purposely bumped into him before climbing on their bed.

Gillis stood back watching her as she slid in under the covers, muttering and wrapping her arms under her breast in anger. He stared at her in frustration, he didn't like how she was acting but he didn't voice it out.

With a heavy sigh, he continued folding his clothes.

He folded the shirt in his hands neatly and he tucked it into his traveling box. Later today, Gillis would be traveling to Germany for the second half of the Crafts Competition and he would be gone for three months. The visa and expenses for the entire trip was covered by the sponsors of the convention for the Gi-Tech team and for the remaining top five winners.

Gillis was excited for the trip but Jessica's mood swings was dampening his mood.

"So you're not going to say anything?" Jessica said.

He turned back to her then turned away again with scoff.

"You're now giving me silent treat—"

"Jessica biko," he threw the trouser he wanted to fold over his shoulder and clasped his hands together, rubbing them as he pleaded, "Jessica please, please and please, I'm not in the mood for that...that...that thing you want to do now so please just stop, biko, just drop it."

She sat up on the bed, "And what's that supposed to mean?"

He simply ignored her, pulling the trouser off from his shoulder and folding it into his box.

His actions riled her, she pulled away the covers and moved to the edge of the bed to answer him.
"And what 'thing' am I doing?" She added making air quotes with her fingers, "I simply asked you a question and you ignored me but you're the one saying that I'm doing a 'thing'."

He turned fully to his box, thereby backing her. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the box just so he wouldn't forget anything important.

"Gillis."

"Gillis!"

"Gillis!"

"Jessica what is it?" He retorted, "What is it? You said I'm not answering but weren't you the one that said I should stop? Now I've stopped, you say I'm giving you silent treatment. What again do you want, nah? No, what?"

She felt and looked like a child who was being chided by her parents. She turned to her side fingering the intricate seams of her bed duvet. She could relate to his frustration, she too was feeling frustrated with how inconstant her emotions had become; one minute she was bubbling with joy and the next, she was the boogie man.

"I didn't mean it," she began, "It's just that—"

He knelt in between her legs and held her hands, "Jessica," he called out softly with a smile, "you are and forever will be the most beautiful woman in the world to me."

She scoffed. Sorry but I definitely don't feel way.

"Jessica for goodness sake, your enlarged nose, feet and receding hairline is not you're fault it's all hormones," he stated, "and it's not permanent, it doesn't define you. All these things don't matter to me because it doesn't stop me from seeing my angel," he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.

A teardrop fell rolled her cheeks and she cried as she said, "But everyone at the airport will take one look at me and say I'm ugly."

"Well whatever they say doesn't matter," he said, "let only what I say count to you. You are my love, you are my queen, you are my everything and soon you will be the mother of my children.
Enlarged nose, smelly fart," he waved his hands under his nose making her laugh, "swollen feet and all I still love you and always will, okay?"

"Yeah," she wiped her eyes, "and I love you too."

He kissed her fore head, "I love you more. Come here," he said holding his arms apart for her to hug him and she did.

He rubbed her back as he said, "Don't you worry about it, okay? It's all gonna go in due time." He kissed her head again, "I love you so much baby and I'll never stop loving you..." He paused, "unless you decide to start singing."

"Gillis!" She laughed into his chest.

"Did I lie? You don't know you sound terrible? Honestly if ever pursue a singing career not even your parents will claim you as their relative. Nah only baba God in heaven wey go dey your side oh."

"I hate you," she laughed.

He pulled her head back and kissed her lips, "No you don't."

"Ugh! I'm gonna miss you," she whined, "especially your..." She slid her hand down to his buttocks and squeezed it, "your sexy tush," she added in an exaggerated French accent.

He swatted her arms away and rose to his feet frowning, his arms behind his back massaging his throbbing butt.

She laughed, "Oh so, it's okay for you to squeeze my own bumbum but I cannot squeeze yours, right?"

"Yes!" He exclaimed, "In fact that's husband abuse so keep your hands away from my butt you weirdo." 

She threw her head back laughing, "Husband abuse indeed."

"Dirty weird person," he commented with a frown as he zipped his traveling box.

She watched him bend down to the box, he carried it up and as he did so the muscles on his shirtless upper body flexed visibly. She leaned back on the bed behind her and crossed her feet as she ogled at him.

He turned back to her after dropping the box he was carrying in the dressing room and she winked at him. He hissed at her actions muttering 'weird person' under his breathe just before lifting up the second piece of luggage.

"Gillis," she drawled out his name, "you know since you'll be gone for a while," she smirked, "Why don't you give me something to remember you by?"

"As in what? You want my sock or boxers?" He answered sarcastically with his back still turned to her.

She rolled her eyes at his words and said, "You can strip for me."

He turned around so fast that he almost fell face first. "You say?" He asked in disbelief.

She wiggled her brows and crossed her legs again. "Strip for me daddy."

He eyed her from the crown of her head to the feet twice. "Shey you're okay?"

"Oh come on," Jessica grinned, "it's for the baby."

"God forbid!" He replied almost immediately. He dropped the box down and pointing at her saying, "Come Jessica please keep your horniness to yourself, don't influence my unborn children with it."

"Stop playing hard to get Jhoor, stop all this unnecessary shakara and just strip for me."

He walked over to her and using the back of his hand he checked her temperature. After a brief test, he moved back shaking his head. "No, you're definitely not alright."

"Gillis strip nah. I promise, I will spray you money nah." Jessica pleaded.

"Oya fine," he sighed, "wait now let me get into the mood."

"Yeah baby," she smiled, "let me get money from my bag." She clapped as she jumped up to find her black purse.

Gillis on the other hand stood with arms akimbo watching her. Chai! This one too like bad thing eh.

"Oya-Oya," she clapped her hands, "chop-chop, you know you're traveling by 10am so the earlier the better oh."

He nodded wordlessly still watching her.

She grabbed herself a seat and began chanting, "Go baby! Go Gillis!"

He smiled and started a 'sexy walk' around her that made her cheer. He swayed his stiff hips in front of her a couple of times and behind her. And just as she promised she sprayed money on him as he danced and cheered him along every step of the way.

"Take off your clothes!" she added bouncing on her seat. When she first requested for him to strip, she thought he wouldn't do it but now here he stood grinding his hips to her chants. Although Gillis looked like a pair of jammed pliers she was really enjoying his performance.

"Let me get one more item that will make it kinky," he winked.

"Yes! I want, I want!" She clapped her hands together in glee.

Exa"But you have to close your eyes first," he whispered into her ears. Like a dog told to sit, she immediately clapped her eyes shot.

"Nuh-uh," he said, "I meant with a blindfold."

She gasped and then screamed, "You know me so well."

He grabbed her piece of cloth from the wardrobe and wrapped it around her eyes. "You're ready for this?" He asked when he was sure she wouldn't be able to see him grab the anointing oil bottle.

"I was born ready," she stated rubbing her heads together, "unleash the sexy husband."

However the only thing Gillis 'unleashed' was the oil out of the bottle and unto her head as he prayed, "I command every stripper spirit and horny spirit desperate for kinky husband, in you to be gone in Jesus name. Be unleashed anywhere else but not in Jessica's life."

Jessica fell to the floor laughing.

"Dirty-minded, weird person," Gillis chuckled.

3 weeks later...

"Jessica," Evelyn called as she walked into the parlor. Her studded briefcase in her left hand and a bag of fura yoghurt in her right.

"Jessica?" She called as she peeped into the kitchen. She dropped off the bag of yoghurt in the fridge before moving out again.

"Jessica!"

But still no response.

Evelyn pulled out her phone from the pocket of her momma jeans and dialed Jessica's number as she walked from room to room searching for Jessica. Luckily for her, she knew her way around the house like the back of her hand.

"Jessica!"

"Jessica don't make me come up there," she warned, "because if I do, it'll be just straight up ass whooping for you, trust me."

She stomped angrily up the stairs as when she got to response but she froze when she heard a muffled cry coming from Jessica's bedroom. The detective in her, quickly realized that Jessica could be in serious danger.

"Jessica?" She called out again in a tone that belied her worry. She knew that her call could've alerted the intruder but if she didn't call her, the intruder figure she knew of their intrusion which woul be fatal for Jessica.

Once again she heard a muffled cry answer her call.

She needed to be armed if she was gonna go in but she didn't carry that item around today. She grabbed a small vase and pulling out the artificial flowers she called out again, "I swear Jessica," she had her eyes fixed on the door to see if the attcaker was watching her, "I'm gonna trash the yoghurt I bought if you don't answer me now."

She grabbed the vase by its mouth and held up its base, she was ready.

"Son of a—!" She burst into the door with the vase held high ready for war but there was no attacker.

It was only Jessica lying with her bare back on the tiled floor, her arms were crossed over her face, entangled in a black cloth that looked like it was strangling her. The black lace bra she wore was a size too small and it caused red lines to form on her white skin. Her undies was rolled up into a band that tied her thighs together leaving her private section wide open.

"What in the world?" Evelyn exclaimed as she blinked.

Jessica pushed her back up as she said, "Helf!"

Evelyn stood for a moment still not able to comprehend what she was seeing.

"Helf! The Faby! The Faby!"

"Oh right! Shoot! The baby!" Evelyn yelled finally coming back to her senses. Evelyn snatched a pair of scissors form Jessica's comb rack then slid down on her knees to where Jessica lay. Then She skillfully cut through the material and freed Jesica from it.

"Ah!" Jessica exhaled loudly, "God!" She massaged her throbbing sides. She looked up to her saviour to offer her appreciation but the scowl on Evelyn's face rendered her mute.

"Get dressed. I'll get the yoghurt," Evelyn ordered as she lifted Jessica up the floor. With that she rose to her feet and walked out of the room slamming the door behind her as she walked away.

Jessica knew she was in for it now. She sighed heavily as she walked into the bathroom to retrieve one of her many robes. She threw it over her shoulders and tied it in place. The once oversized robe was skin tight.

She scoffed.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed back her hair with her fingers. She felt her insides twist in anger and disgust—.

"Jessica!"

"Coming!" She yelled back as she rushed out of the room.

Shortly she arrived in the kitchen, where Evelyn had already set two mugs on the kitchen island for the talk. The sight of the yoghurt mixed with pieces of fruits made Jessica's eyes twinkle.

Evelyn pushed one of the mugs towards Jessica before she stood back with her arms crossed under her bosom. Jessica greedily seized the mug and took a big scoop out of it. She moaned in delight and dramatically crumbled on the island.

"You gonna start talking?" Evelyn quizzed looking straight at Jessica.

Jessica stood straight up, stuffing her mouth with the yoghurt and fruits so she wouldn't be able to talk.

"Jessica what the hell were you doing?" Evelyn yelled slamming her palm on the island, "Have you lost your mind? What kind of stupid stunt was that? If you don't care about yourself at least care for your unborn child for Christ sake!"

"I—"

"Like what the heck was that black stuff you were all wrapped in?" Evelyn's face distorted in disgust as she recalled how she found Jessica.

"It was my lingerie," Jessica whispered still not wanting to look up at Evelyn.

"And you didn't think to get lingerie that's—I dunno—your size? What are you three years old? You can't tell your own cloth size again? Look in a bloody mirror and stop acting so stupid—"

"Stop shouting at me!" Jessica abruptly roared. Her sudden outburst frighten Evelyn and made her jump.

"You know what? Get out of my house!" Jessica retorted pointing towards the door.

The only sound that resonated in the kitchen was the sound of them panting as the two woman stood with their gaze locked on each other's.

Evelyn was the first to turn away, she knew something was on her friends mind and so she didn't blame her for her reaction. She simply started to scoop up her own yoghurt while waiting on Jessica to disclose her problems.

Jessica lost appetite for the yoghurt, she dumped the spoon noisily back into the mug and just leaned on the kitchen island.

"I'm so ugly," she said.

Evelyn scoffed and muttered "And stupid."

"I'm so ugly and fat and hideous and appalling!" She spat out angrily, "I hate how I look! I hate how I feel! This stupid baby is ruining my life!"

"Okay, Jessica," Evelyn put her arm on her friends shoulder, "calm down and—"

"No! No! No! No!" She yelled shoving Evelyn away, "Don't tell me to calm down! I'm not crazy for Chrsits sake and even if I was it'll because of this bloody baby! It's ruining my life! Look at me, I'm so ugly and fat. I have stretch marks running all over my entire body, my clothes don't fit, my feet and nose can be liken to that of a bloody elephant and my bloody hair is shedding like that of a malnourished dog!"

"Jess—" Evelyn tried to call out to her friend once again but Jessica just continued yelling like she hadn't heard anyone.

"Other woman are glowing with their own pregnancies but mine is just making me ugly and hideous! I hate this thing! Would someone just get it out of me already? I don't want it! I just want it gone before it ruins my marriage too! Did you know millions of man across the world fall out of love with their partners because of babies? They ruin everything! They make your husband despise you and chase after skinny girls instead. Girls who didn't have grey eyes and don't look like ogbanje's and—"

"Okay Jessica that's enough! You really need to calm down—"

"I said don't tell me to calmdown!" She yelled grabbing the mug and smashing it against the kitchen island, "Just get this thing out of me!" She grabbed the second mug and began to bash it over and over again on the island till Evelyn turned around and grabbed her hand.

Evelyn pulled away the glass from Jessica's bleeding hand and pinned Jessica's arms down to her sides.

"Jessica, relax, relax, it's okay. It's me, it's me. It's Evelyn. Breathe," she whispered in her ear hoping to finally pacify her.

Thankfully, Jesisca stopped and focused on her breathing. After fifteen seconds of deep breaths, she came back to her senses. She stared about at the mess she had created as her mind replayed what just happened and she turned around wrapping her arms around Evelyn as she wept.

"It's okay, it's okay," Evelyn whispered softly as she rocked Jessica in her arms.

"I honestly don't hate the baby," Jessica said in between sobs, "it's just I don't like how my pregnancy makes me look. I didn't feel like me again. I feel so ugly and different. And I'm scared Gillis is gonna leave with how much I've changed. I really don't want to be alone," she sobbed louder squeezing Evelyn's cloth tight in her hands.

"Oh honey," Evelyn sighed. She let go of Jessica and said, "Jessica look at me," she tilted Jessica's  chin upward, "Do you love Gillis?"

Sniffling Jessica responded with a nod.

"And do you believe he loves you too?" Evelyn quizzed.

"I guess so," she shrugged.

"Then if you believe this, you should know he won't abandon you, honey," she smiled, "you should able to trust him, okay?"

"Okay." She wiped her eyes.

"And don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone is different, no two women have exactly the same symptoms of pregnancy. Don't beat yourself up, Jessica, you look amazing. Stretch marks or not, you are still one of the most beautiful women I know, okay honey?" Evelyn said pinching her cheek.

Jessica nodded.

Evelyn hugged her one last time, "Now you go upstairs and take a nap while I clean up this place. I'll be right here if you need me and in fact, I just might sleep over tonight if you rest well, okay?"

"Yeah," Jessica smiled, "Thanks Evelyn."

"Don't mention, just get some rest. I love you!" Evelyn shouted after her.

Evelyn sighed when she was sure Jessica was upstairs. She rolled up her sleeves and grabbed a broom to clean up the mess. She knew this house like the back of her hand, so it was easy for her to clean up and also get to cooking. She decided to make hot pepper soup noodles for Jessica because knowing her friend whenever she erupted in anger the next thing on her agenda was some hot food.

"Whoa," she whistled as she thought back on Jessica's outburst. 

A scene like this was exactly what made her uninterested in relationships, talk more of marriage. A lot of times, she would start out with a nice guy that was her spec but the moment he asked her out, she would immediately call off things with him. She didn't have time for relationship drama.

Once she was done cooking, she plated the noodles and walked out of the kitchen to check up on Jessica. At the door, she knocked once before opening it and on entering she found Jesuca knocked out on the bed. She tucked her in and laid a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Sleep well darlin' " she smiled and then started out of the room.

As she walked out, her eyes landed on her briefcase. She sighed not out of exhaustion but out of displeasure for her real motive for being here. She grabbed the briefcase and strode confidently down to their study. As she predicted the door was open so she put on her gloves and timed herself on her wristwatch just before sliding into the room.

Jessica had given her a head start with her suspecting Gillis was cheating, now all she needed was evidence.

"Let's get to work."

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Shout out to BevyJDG777 , mimzy_bae & blackteen27 this chapter goes out to you. Thanks for all the votes and support fams.

Anyway, based on the logistics of the last chapter I posted—and removed—I just wanted to clarify to  my readers if I am a girl or boy or hermaphrodite or fish. 😂😂😂😂😂 

So here goes nothing...

Hi, my name is Judah D. Michael. I am a Nigerian Lady who hails from Akwa ibom state. Nice to meet ya ✋🏽😏. My name comes from the fact that the doctor told my parents that they were going to have a baby boy but E SHOCK DEM. 😂 My parents did in fact give me a feminine name along the line but I do enjoy the look on people's face when the discover my actual gender after seeing/hearing my name. So Judah it is!

TORRI CORNER <let's talk>

Okay so what are the top five things you have in your handbag? Or your briefcase?

Essentials for my bag.
5. A note book and a pen—you know how ideas can just sneak up on you😪.
4. Cream/ shea butter or Vaseline—You never know someone around might be looking like snowman because of harmattan or your lips can be like looking like tyre because of the weather\work.
3. Mint gum and bottle water—see sometimes when you close your mouth for a while, maybe because the food you ate a food left an aftertaste or odor in your mouth and to avoid being dehydrated. I advice you always have these.
2. Phone and earpiece—sometimes I just wanna feel the rhythm 🎶😌
1. Sanitary towel/tissue and hanky—I learnt to always carry a sanitary towel (or pad) or even tissue from high school, you never know whether the lady beside you will need one. Trust me, I've given out more pads to random people than I've actually used so, it's quite handy my friend. Hanky to handle sweat or when I want to sneak puff-puff into my mouth at a serious meeting. 😒 Cos when I dey hunger, I no dey hear something again.

There you have it my TOP FIVE essentials in my handbag, join us next week for my TOP dress accessories until next week.

Ciao 😘
Judah the girl.