“Oh my God… I am so happy to see you!” Belle squealed in excitement as the girls came out of the car.
The Cruz twins along with two other female friends had arrived to meet Jennifer and Annabel in front of the mansion, expecting them. Unlike Jen who was excited to reunite with her friends, Annabel was nervous, she was scared of her pregnancy getting exposed.
Luckily for Anna, the girls didn’t notice a thing, at least not yet.
“You girls look so good! Must be having so much fun without me,” Anna teased.
“Come on, don’t kid me. Have you seen you? I am almost tempted to say you have grown fat.” Bella laughed.
Anna didn’t find that funny but she forced a smile. “Come on ladies, let's not stand out here, come inside.”
Like noisy birds, they quivered into the grand hall and jaws dropped. The ladies were mesmerized by the sight, the elegance and magnificence of the blackwood mansion, it was like a mini castle with modern designs.
Just then, as if waiting for that moment, Mr. Blackwood appeared on the inner balcony, looking down the grand hall while holding the stair rails.
“Oh. My. God.” Belle gasped.
“Who is that Demi-God?” Bella queried.
Anna blushed, feeling both proud and jealous with their remarks. She didn’t know she was that possessive of Mr. Blackwood until she saw those hawk-eyes raping him.
Jennifer, noticing her best friend’s reaction, cleared her throat to get the ladies attention. “Have some self-respect, ladies. He is off limits, take your eyes off him.” she joked.
The ladies laughed. “You are so lucky, Anna. You know I always knew beneath all the good girl shit, you had that baddie in you.” one of the ladies said and the others jeered.
“Come on, stop it,” Anna whined like a shy child, “Look he is coming,” she said quickly and they immediately composed themselves.
Mr. Blackwood walked down to them. “Hello Pretty ladies,” he started with a charming smile.
“Hi!” the girls replied in unison with a sweet giggle accompanying it.
Jennifer frowned on behalf of Anna, why were they being so excited, were they trying to seduce her friend’s man? She didn’t trust these girls.
“You are welcome to my house and thank you for coming to celebrate Anna, it means a lot to both of us.” Mr. Blackwood said.
“Awn, he is sweet.” Belle made the puppy face.
Annabel smiled, okay… maybe it is not so bad if her friends praised her man. She just needed to relax; she was getting jealous over nothing.
“Anyways, I was wondering if I could borrow Anna for a few minutes.” He requested.
“Sure, she is all yours, Mr. Blackwood,” Belle said excitedly. “Right Ann?” she added quickly.
Anna blushed. “Don’t be silly,” she muttered as she walked towards him. Mr. Blackwood opened his palm to her and she inserted her small hand.
“Awn, what a beautiful match.” Bella teased.
“Shut up Bella!” Anna screamed at her as they walked away, leaving the ladies giggling and cooing.
As they walked a distance away, Anna pulled her arm away and frowned. “You succeeded in throwing a party anyway, I hope you are happy now?” she scoffed.
“Come on, don’t act like you don’t love it.” He chuckled. “And don’t tell me that you are still mad about the Vasectomy thing.” He added.
“Huh?” Anna furrowed her eyebrows. “Are you serious right now?” she muttered and rolled her eyes at him dramatically as she looked away.
“Forget about that, tell me what you think about the party?” Maxwell asked, staring at her expecting accolades, clearly he was proud of what he had done.
“Hmm…” Anna hummed as she pressed her lips together. “I think it is nice, but still missing something.” She replied, hoping to tick him off.
“Yeah, speaking about that, there is something that I need to tell you.” he announced, with a more serious look on his face.
“Okay?” Anna muttered.
Mr. Blackwood was about to respond when Jennifer’s voice cracked through the crowd. “Mrs. Joseph!”
Anna immediately turned around, and then she froze. It can't be! Her parents were here? Her father and mother were standing at the door! How?
Anna quickly turned to Max and he smiled at her. “Yeah, that is what I was going to tell you. I brought your parents over from Italy.” He announced.
“Mom? Dad!!” Anna screamed as she ran towards them with all her strength. She quickly hugged her mom excitedly, from their expressions; anyone could tell that they also felt the same way to see her.
“Speranza, I am so happy to see you.” her mom exclaimed as they hugged heartedly.
However, as their bodies came in contact, something struck Anna and she slightly pulled back. It was the fact that she was pregnant and she feared such close contact with her mom would give it away, how would she ever explain to her mom that she was pregnant out of wedlock? They raised her better than that.
“Dad, I am so glad that you are back on your feet, you don’t know how worried I was.” Anna said as she walked over to her father.
He caressed her face like his little girl. “Oh I know, Hun. Your mother told me how many times you asked, "You didn’t think I would leave before your wedding, did you?” he smiled.
Anna smiled shyly and hugged him, she was just very excited to see him there.
“Welcome to America, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph.” Jennifer chirped in, as she walked down to them.
“Nice to meet you again, Jen. Have been looking forward to it since your last visit, how are you doing, child?” Mrs. Joseph asked with genuine concern.
“I have been great, thank you Ma.” She replied.
Just then, Maxwell joins them. “Hello Sir, Hello Ma… Glad to finally meet you in person, welcome to America.” He said in a warm voice.
“I am also very happy to meet you, thank you for everything you did for me, I owe you my life.” Mr. Joseph replied.
“I am just glad you are better now. Please feel free to tour around the place, Jennifer will show you the arrangements she had made to keep you guys comfortable while you are here, starting from the room which has been prepared for you, please do tell if there is any other thing you need.”
“Oh my son, you didn’t have to go through the table, we could have just lodged at a small hotel and not bother you.” Mrs. Joseph said.
“Come on Mom, you are too nice. This isn’t trouble at all, moreover it is my responsibility.” He said as he flashed a smile at Annabel and she blushed.
“Alright Mom, please you two should come with me, so we can have your bags kept safe before you return to the party.” Jennifer offered.
Anna didn’t even know how to feel about the whole thing. The fact that Jennifer was aware of all this and she didn’t tell her, she thought they shared everything? She was happy, proud, surprised and flabbergasted.
As Jennifer left with Anna’s parents, Anna turned to Maxwell, her eyes telling everything. She was appreciative of what he had done for her.
“Ann, I have something for you.” He said quickly before she could say a word.
“Wait!” she hushed him, placing a finger against his lips. “You don’t have to do anything more for me, or say anything to appease me. I forgive you, Max. I forgive you for lying to me and keeping a secret, your good outweighs your wrongs, thank you for tonight.” She said emotionally.
Maxwell smiled. “Awn, thank you, gives me a lot of relief.” And then he made a move to kiss her but Anna was quick to stop him, placing her hand on his chest to keep him back.
“Look, my friends are over there watching,” she said shyly as they both looked in that direction to find the girls giggling.
Maxwell laughed softly. “Girls,” he muttered. “Anyways, here is what I have for you, my birthday gift to you.” He announced as he presented her with a key.
Anna was confused, she stared at the keys and then at his face without taking it. “I am sorry, what for?”
“I already told you, it is for your birthday.” He chuckled and put it into her palms.
“Please don’t tell me it is a car key,” she muttered, trying to contain the excitement that was pulsing within her.
“Oh it is not,” he said and a little disappointment creased on her eyebrows.
If it was not a car key, then what were they keys for?
TBC!!