** Omniscient narrator **
Mrs. Maria Forbes sits calmly in the large lounge as she watches her son pace around the room like a man whose wife was in labor. She took a sip of the champagne and sighed.
“Are you going to relax or what?” she said with a little chuckle.
“I don’t know, why am I even being nervous? It is just a girl,” he groaned.
Maria Forbes laughed softly. “You see, that is where you get it all wrong. I understand that you are new to such emotions but that is because you are still refusing to accept it. Let's start afresh, you love her?” she queried.
Maxwell nodded. “Yes mom, obviously.” He replied with spread arms.
“Good, and so have you told her?” she asked again.
Maxwell paused and shook his head. “Not exactly…” he muttered and scratched his head.
Maria wrinkled her face in disbelief. “Let me get this straight… You love her but you have not said the words to her?”
Maxwell looked confused with that question. “Yeah.” He replied bluntly.
“Are you serious? Why are you men like this? So how is she going to know that you love her?” Maria half-yelled, the wrinkles growing larger, a look of disbelief on her face
“What?” Maxwell whined. “I show it all the time, do I need to say the words before she knows?” he argued.
“Dave, you don’t just assume that people know your intentions from your actions, sometimes words do speak louder than actions, especially when it comes to ladies. We are moved by what we hear, most times even more than what we see. If you want to win her over, then maybe you should start by telling her that you love her.” She advised.
“Ugh!” Maxwell groaned, he could see his ego getting bruised by the heels of a woman. He has never said those words to a woman, how would he summon the courage to do it, especially after everything he had said to Anna.
“What are you waiting for? Go and tell her, then we can proceed with the next move. Do you want my help or not?” Maria Forbs questioned.
“Fine, I will tell her when I am free, that won't be anytime soon. Since you are here already, you should make yourself at home,” he offered.
“Oh, sure I do intend to. I forgot to mention before coming here, my bags are in the car trunk, I would be lurking around for a month or two, so get used to seeing your darling mother around.” She announced.
“Huh?” Maxwell muttered with furrowed eyebrows. “You are staying?” he asked, with a dubious expression on his face. He doubted that she would actually be staying.
“Yeah, I hope it is not a problem. I promise I won't bother you or whatever ladies you bring in here.” She giggled.
“Mom, I don’t mind, also try not to stick your nose in my business,” he joked with a little chuckle.
“Yes Sir.” she laughed and lifted the glass of champagne to an inaudible toast.
The truth was that Maria Forbes had come here not only with the intention of reuniting Maxwell and Anna, she also had plans to reunite him with his father. Because if she stayed here long enough, then Mr. Forbes would come knocking right away.
She already knew it was impossible to make Maxwell meet his father due to the hatred which he holds in his heart for him, but who says she cant bring the big bad Forbes to meet Dave?
** **
Anna’s phone dings and she growls in frustration; these spam messages would not let her be. She grabbed her phone and immediately saw the heading of the email; it was a response to her online application.
She clicked it open immediately and a smile spread across her face. “Yes!! Yes!! I did it!” she screamed at the top of her voice in excitement.
Jennifer, who was standing in the front, rushed into the sitting room immediately. “What is going on? What did you win?”
Anna burst into laughter. “Girl… I got the job! My application was approved.” She screamed happily.
“Awn, that is nice. What job?” she asked curiously.
“The library, I have been accepted for the position of Sales Director in Logic Press Publishing House, I told you I will get one!” she screamed.
Jennifer chuckled and then wore a sad face. “Happy for you, but now I am going to be all alone again, jobless.” She sighed.
Anna huffed with a small laugh. “Don’t be silly, you haven’t even sent out an application in one year. If you really wanted to get employed, then you would have applied somewhere. Or even better, you can forget your grudges and accept your father’s job offer at his company.” She advised.
“Don’t get too serious.” Jennifer laughed. “And please don’t suggest my father, I am still mad at him, he can keep his job and company, if he thinks male sons are more important, then he should keep trying for one.” She scoffed.
Anna knew too well not to push that topic as it was a sensitive one for her. “Don’t ruin the mood, come give me a hug, celebrate with me!” she screamed and spread her arms.
Jennifer smiled and came to embrace her.
Annabel knew that this was like a demotion for her, she would be earning an average of two thousand dollars in the Publishing house, which was twenty percent of her previous salary, but at least she would have a genuine job which she didn’t have to get with her body.
She could finally have a means of income to take care of herself and her unborn child. Yes, she finally made the decision to keep the baby, not only because Jennifer would not let her get rid of it but because she had thought about the disadvantages of abortion, she didn’t want to risk it.
Finally, she could see a path in life, one with a blink of hope, maybe there really was light at the end of the tunnel.
TBC!!