Above is Julie

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The rain poured heavily And Mrs. Harrison went round the house ensuring that all the doors and windows were properly shut. Contemplating if she should knock on Gab’s door, she Swiftly decided she’d rather not disturb him.

“No…!”

Julie heart raced as she heard Gabriel scream from his room. Without thinking she swung open his door and put his room light on. She found Gabriel sitting on his bed, panting like if he’s been running for days none stop.

“Gab, what’s wrong?” Julie asked diffidently, partly prepared to be yelled at and drove out of his room.

“Nothing Julie, ” He replied rather calmly, surprising Julie. “It’s just another nightmare.” He informed as he stood up to lock the whistling rainy breeze out his Window.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked slowly. Not trying to push her luck.

“No!” He yelled unintentionally. “Just go back to bed I will be fine.” He exhaled deeply.

“Goodnight then.” She said and slowly, she walked out of his room. “I hope I didn’t say anything to offend him.”  She wondered as she gently closed the door.

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It was 6:39am on Saturday morning and the whole neighborhood were busy cleaning their home. Some were jogging while some were walking their dogs.

“The weather is too hot this morning I guess it’s just to dry up the rain water from yesterday.” Julie told herself while humming her favorite song and baking pancakes.

“Morning Julie.” Julie wasn't sure of what she heard. Was Gabriel greeting her or was she hearing things? "Julie!" He called again.

"Uhhhhhh!" She wasn't even sure of what to reply. She was stunned. “It’s a good morning indeed.” She finally said something to Gab but still focused on her baking in other to avoid trouble.

“I’m sorry about last night.” Gab apologized. “And I’m sorry for all the hurtI’ve cost you to endure.” He meant what he said but right now,  to Julie, he sounded like was suffering from a head injury.

Gab doesn’t apologize much but he did, and it melted Julie’s heart. And miraculously all the hurt she felt, dried up.

“Thank you so much.” She smiled at Gabriel at the same time, a tear almost escaped her eyes. “You don’t know how happy you've made me feel. Can I hug you?” She asked daringly.

“Uhh Uhh!" shaking his head dramatically "No, no, no. please Julie let’s skip that part for the far future, ok?” He said smiling and it also made Julie feel at ease.

Being at Peace with Gabriel made things a lot easier for Julie especially around the house. Although she wasn’t sure if he was just putting up an act, she decided not to get too excited.

“Breakfast is served.” She announced. Julie set the dinning table and then they settled to eat right after Gabriel had blessed the food.

After they finished eating, Julie cleared the table and was about to do the dishes.

“I’ll be meeting up with Jason and Andrew later.” Gab informed her “We need to buy some supplies for the party.”

“Ok, just in case you guys are in search for an event planner, I can get my crew and we'll do wonders to the place.” Wasn't she getting too comfortable with this Sudden change? She smiled regardless, to hide her bemusement.

“How many jobs do you actually do?” Gab asked seeming surprised.

Julie was a talented young lady apart from the fact that she was only old enough to be Gabriel’s older sister, she was also hard working. She held different jobs, not because she needed the money, I mean, Mr. Harrison was a very wealthy business man, The C.E.O of P.H. Machineries. He gave her enough to last her as long as she want but, Julie dreaded idleness. If anything, working was like her therapy. A means to escape a reality she was born into.

She planned event, baked, modeled part-time, was a hair stylist, and makeup artist. Ever since she was young her dream was to be the most successful black woman, well it kind of happened.

She was leaving a very comfortable life, just as she wanted. Although, she lost her dad at age seven. Her mum tried to sustain the home, doing three different jobs in other to put food on the table and to train Julie and her two younger siblings. She’s as hard-working as her mum. That was success enough for her.

Paul met her in a children's festival, she was in charge of refreshments. She was motivating her team loudly to start setting the table where the food and drinks will be placed when Paul walked in and requested for a bottle of water.

She took out a bottle water from a green cooler, walked up to Paul and gave it to him, then went back to continue what she was doing. Let’s say Paul fell in love just immediately. Or, was it because he felt a vacuum that  needed to be filled in his heart after he lost his wife, Lucy?

After the event, he came looking for her but couldn’t find her. He asked around for the lady in charge of supplies and a member of her crew informed him that she had left and gave him her office address.

The next morning he went to her office, not really thinking if he was about to make a mistake. He was pleased when he saw her and as soon as they were face to face, he introduced himself as Paul Harrison.  The guy who request for a bottle of water a day before.

Of course, she remembered.  The tall light-brown skinned man who wore a red stripped Polo Shirt on a black Jean trouser to a children's festival. She smiled and said “Julie Wilson.”  taking his outstretched arms in hers.

“Can I trouble you for dinner?” He asked hoping for a yes.

“I’ll be busy tonight.” She said instead.

“How about tomorrow night?” He tried again. Wasn't he a man who knew what he wanted?

“Ok then. You’ll pick me up by eight?”

Exactly what he was hoping to hear “Definitely” He said, feeling like someone who just won a lottery.

Not every day you meet beautiful ladies. Julie was indeed beautiful. Well, as the story goes, they got to know each other, they became very close and they got married. The end. Or was it?

Gab anger was not on Julie alone but also on his father too. He thought his father moved on rather quickly after his mother’s death and he was vexed. Vexed at everything, the world, his mom for dying, his father for moving on, Julie for moving in and vexed at himself for being so angry. His emotions was strong like a volcano ready to erupt.

“Well I guess you’ll never know”, she replied but Gab had left to wash his car. Sighing at the empty seat in front of her.

“No, he won’t” a voice from behind her replied, jolting her heart.

Julie stood still, her back facing whoever it was standing behind her. She reached for the ring on her thumb and turned the circle on top of her ring as slowly as she could.

“There’s no need for that, Juliana.”

She turned around swiftly; there was only one person alive who called her by her full name “Mother!” she called happily, walking towards the woman wearing a plain white flowing gown, with her black hair braided to the back. Spreading her arms, she embraced her daughter when she drew nearer.

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