"CYNTHIA"
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(# You don't threaten a Queen #)
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This is life for her, family support, at peace and healthy, not facing Collins wrath.
They father's word still lingering in the air.
" what ? No father, I want a boy that will look exactly like Collins" she mused
" don't tell me you still love him, not after what he did " Samuel asked
" I'm not In love with him Samuel, but at least he has every right to know about his child, as a prove" she said .
" what" Samuel asked surprisingly "what do you mean as a prove" he asked again
" Do you love these child or you just want he/she as a bait?" Samuel inquired furiously, his veins popping out to show that his anger is on the thin line.
" that's not what I mean " mary-jane said
" then what do you mean!!!!!" Samuel fired loosing his shit already " you want to use my niece as a bait?"
"no Samuel, I'm not " she said crying already
"hey Samuel take it easy on her" their father chipped
"no father I'm not. She wants to use the baby as a bait..."
" no Samuel I'm not!!!!" mary-jane shouted cutting him off abruptly.
" I want him to know that at least I didn't cheat on him or something..." she added sobbing profusely.
Their father raised an eyebrow staring at her like she has grown two heads, shaking his head in exasperation. Is she for real right now?
"OMG Mary, you're unbelievable. At least? At least to the man that rejected you? At least to the same man that's sick, demented, cracked-headed and obsessed with nothing but about his selfish desires." Samuel asked incrediously squatting in front of her.
" he doesn't deserve you mary " he muttered wiping her ever flowing tears. " you deserve more than being treated like a trash" he added
"your brother is right Mary " their father chipped in.
"As far as I can remember, these same man that wants your baby aborted" their father added.
Mary-jane looked at her father in a haste. How did he know, she doesn't remember telling them what happened or how she slept in a forest for seven months.
" old lady Lucy told us everything that happened " her father said sensing her discomfort.
"he rejected you now you're carrying the baby, what makes you think he will accept the baby when it's already born?" her father asked
" I don't know. I just hope he will accept us" she said hopefully.
" don't keep your hopes high. It's might fall when you least expected" her father advised
" forget him and move on. You have us " Samuel soothed
" fine. But I'm not promising anything. I'm giving him the last chance of seeing his baby" she said determined.
Samuel and Mr. Emmanuel stared at each other and sighed exhausted giving up.
" that's fine" their father said.
" it's okay " Samuel sighed
" Reminder, aunt Catherine wants to see you" Samuel said. " she heard what happened "he added
Mary-jane sighed frustrated. She knows who she's dealing with. Aunt Catherine, a very cunning and conniving human being she has every met.
She's her uncle's wife and has birthed four children, but lost one. Stephanie the elder sister, Adam the second child and elder brother to Nora, the baby of the house. Among all the children, she's never in good terms with Adams
His the most cunning and brutal among the siblings. She could remember when they were six he told her wash his undies, or when he forced her into going to fetch water at night for his bath.
Good thing, his through with college and preparing to travel and work hard for himself which is a good thing for her. At least she might not get to see him for a while.
She already knows what's she's going to face ones she goes to aunt Catherine house though it's not far, just close to theirs. They're really and will surely make a jest of her for being pregnant at a young age, but she's ready to face them all, she has her family support and that's all that matters. She has never like aunt Catherine family for an unknown reason but at the same time she has to bottle that hatred in Cuz' she was there when their mother left them.
She knocked casually on the door and the face of Nora came to view. She's putting on a skimmy wear that accentuated her curves, her boobs pooping out. She's pretty, she won't deny with her flawless white skin shimmering with any body oil she must have rubbed.
She cleared her throat staring at Mary skeptically and a mocking ' finally pregnant out of wedlock' smile.
"yes?" she asked despite knowing her purpose for coming.
"I'm here to see your mother " she said.
"ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha "
Nora laughed out.
" really " she asked squinting her face disgustingly like she smells.
" yes " mary-jane replied forcing her tears back to where they belong. She can't cry now, it will be such a blow to her pride.
"well my MOTHER isn't around, so you should probably leave" she said stressing the ' mother' tuantly with a devilish smirk.
' To be a hero, learn to face your enemies courageously'
The mysterious man's voice from the forest sounding to her ears.
" you're mocking me Cuz I lost my mom and became pregnant, at least I'm better than you that has but all her attention at directed towards me" she dared
Nora balled her fist staring at her with blazing eyes, if eyes could kill she would've been long dead.
"And I'm proud to carry my baby however I want unlike some people that aborts theirs " she added
"why you think me aborting mine is because I'm running from shame? No darling, that's where you're mistaking, that's because my man has the money and is ready to stand by me during the worst part of life. But you?? Where's Collins. He abandoned you at the very dine minutes "
" that's because you're nothing but a slut to him. A whor..."
"PAK!!!!!"
A resounding slap which has aunt Catherine, Stephanie, Adam, Mr. Emmanuel and samuel flying out of their respective rooms met her face even before she could complete her word.
"How dare you!!!" Nora shriked with gritted teeth
" How dare you slap my sister you fool" Adam flared.
"Well I think you should ask your sister first before blaming me" mary-jane replied too cool for Adams' liking.
"What?" Adam asked surprised that she talked back at him confidently. The Mary he knew will never talk back at him. She always cowards back in fear, but now what's happening? They're all bewildered by her calm demeanor.
It's scary.
"Yes, ask her what she said. She called me a whore" she said calmly.
"Aren't you one?" Adam taunted trying to see Mary's reaction,but to his disappointment she was cool, even smiling at him.
"I know I am and Collins loves it that way" she mused
"OMG" Samuel whispered only to his hearing
"Oh really..then why isn't he here to defend or to the least take you back to the slum you belong " he said
"So you're trying to say that here's slum?? Which basically means you're living in slums as well" she said with a smirk surprising everyone. Aunt Catherine couldn't believe her eyes, while Stephanie and Nora stood like maniacs..
Is these really mary-jane??
How did she grow so bold overnight?
"Mary-jane... let's go in" her father said dragging her along while she continues an eye war with Adam.
An eye for an eye they will always say.
A queen isn't all about walking elegantly, having the money, or connections but it's being worthy to be called one. Standing up for yourself and facing your enemies. Looking them in the eyes to deliver the messages that you aren't weak, that you're above them and they're below your level.
Show them "once weak, but now strong"
Mary-jane has been a coward all her life. She didn't know what it meant to stand for herself or facing her problems. She always runs from them.
But ever since her encounter with the mysterious man, she now what it means to be superior.
"Mary-jane... let's go in" her father said dragging her along while she stares daringly at Adams.
Stephanie and Nora stood out ready to strike, but can't.
"Don't think all these is over Mary" Adam mouthed to her.
"I'm waiting fool" she mouthed back with a smirk
Adams eyes came wide at the word 'fool'. Mary-jane called him a fool, unbelievable.
✷
"Why Will you do that?"
"Do what?"
"You know what I mean."
"I don't know what you're talking about"
"Yes, you do. Those are our family. Yes they might not be good towards us, but you should know we're below them"
"It's only you that's below them cuz I'm not, they're the ones below me and they should start now to bow to me"
"As what? A queen?....For now you should let your guards down for the sake of your baby. Believe me, it won't be easy for the both of you after the stunt you pulled"
"Well I don't care. At least I showed them their place"
Samuel sighed staring intensely at his sister as he has been the one bantering words with mary-jane, they father sitting on the bed lost of words. Thou he couldn't show how shocked he is, but he is by the way her daughter talked to Adam and his family.
The Mary he knew wouldn't try that. She's always meek and submissive but now even him as her father is scared of her.
"Let her be Samuel" he finally chipped in trying to release the tension in the air
"Father you of all should know that Adams and his family are very manipulative, they will surely make like miserable for her" Samuel adviced
"Well they should bring the game on cuz I'm ready for them. Full time." mary-jane said with due seriousness.
"Father say something" Samuel urged
"What do you expect me to say?"
"At least put some sense into her"
"Why" their father scowled his wrinkles on view
"Father we're talking about my niece here. She should stop displaying idiocy on these matter" he tried to reason.
Mr. Emmanuel sighed.
"Maybe it's time those family are put on they place. They have done more than enough already "
"Father!!!!"
"Enough!!!!"
"Your sister is more than enough on taking care of herself, she's 20 no more a kid" he flared.
"Believe me. If anything happens to my niece, I won't be happy with the both of you" he threaten walking out.
"It's okay child" Mr. Samuel said patting her back
✷
"I seriously can't believe these....mom we have to do something about her, can't you see the way she talked to our brother" Nora said pacing back and forth the room feeling restless
"You all shouldn't bother over such trifle matter, I will talked to the father" they mother reasoned
"What?" Nora shriked
"Mother you can't be serious" Stephanie said
"What do you mean. Isn't that enough?" Aunt Catherine asked incrediously
"It's not mother. We should deal with her our own way, not talking to the father" Stephanie said
Aunt Catherine looked at her children on the face one after another. To think that she birthed these children is still a surprise to her. Always impatient into jumping into conclusions with their stupid preposterous suggestion.
She's so peeved but can't display.
"I'm talking to her father and that's all" she said with finality laced in her voice
"That's absurd" Stephanie muttered
"Well take it or not that's the only option and you all aren't trying shit with her for now" she said
"The word for now means something. I will hold on to that" Adams said walking out, followed by the sisters.
"Incompetent fools. Can't believe I birthed you all"
"Well Mary....what a great display you showed. Not bad after all, but without withstanding that, you've just walked into my hell darling."
Mmmh
"That baby is something else. I have to play my card well to cage her" she said with an evil grin on her face.
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WEEKS LATER.
Things have been hectic this past few weeks mary-jane came back.
Adams attempt on aborting her baby
Quarrels with Stephanie and Nora about her pregnancy, but thank God they've left for college. She's grateful for that at least.
"Are you not ashamed of yourself. At a young age you're becoming a mother." That's Nora
"You're a disgrace to these family. I can never be like you" that's Stephanie. They're words everyday so downgrading and infuriatingly annoying. Thou they mother isn't in support of they tantrum, but she doesn't seem to believe that woman.
Collins on the other side not coming to visit even for once.
Old lady Lucy, Mr. Zaki and aunt Bella making sure her antenatal is always on point and regularly. They always help and support her.
She's happy that at least after all these, her baby is bouncing in her all healthy ready to come out. Precisely next month which will be another year, January, she might give birth. And she's preparing solely for it.
Old Lady Lucy made sure all her needy things for child birth are all ready, everyone awaiting for the golden baby to arrive just like old lady Lucy has said.
"She's my golden baby"
Mary-jane recalled smiling heartily. She's happy, it's all written all over face when you look at her. She's going to be a mother, thou at a young age but she's happy about it, doesn't mind what people say about her.
Her brother Samuel can't seem to contain his joy as his niece is on arrival, everyone bustling with Joy.
"That's so cute sis" the voice of Chile rang out through the video call they're doing. Samuel and Mr. Emmanuel standing behind her in their room.
"Really?" She asked smiling sheepishly while showing him the fetal ultrasound.
"I can't believe I won't be there to welcome my niece" he pouted
"Stop pouting, you aren't a kid." She said
"How's work over there son" their father asked
"Not good father, but I'm trying my best" he said scratching his neck nervously
"What's wrong. You're okay over there?" Mary-jane asked concerned
"No I'm fine, just work stress. But I will push through it " he winks
"Ewwwwww" mary-jane scowled faking a disgusting face making everyone to burst into laughter. "If your boss isn't treating you well, you come back okay?" She added
"Sure" Chile smile "what are you planning on doing after birth. You know you can't stay at home, right?" He asked.
" I have everything planned out, so don't worry about me" she said
"How are you Samuel. I mean how's work" Chile asked concerned flashing through his eyes.
He squinted his brows when he didn't get any response from any of them. Thou he knows what happened with the assets being handed to him, but he wants to hears it from him.
Like the saying goes, don't judge by what you heard, judge by what you see.
The savouring silence engulfed them for minutes, no one answering to his question. Without being told he already know what to expect. So what he heard wasn't a lie after all.
"It's fine. No need to feel bad about it." He encouraged while their gave him wary smiles.
"I will check up on you.all some other time. Have to go now." He added as they bid goodbyes before disconnecting.
Mary-jane releasing the breath she didn't know was holding up for a while.
"That was close" she whispered her eyes darting towards Samuel, who was quiet after the call.
"Hey. You okay?"she asked earning a nod from him.
"It's fine okay. It's not partially your fault, you only have to help yourself and determine that you won't drink again and save up money " she said "you won't make it if you keep spending your money on drinks " she added
"It's okay son..all will be well, eventually " Mr. Emmanuel said.
"When did you all turn into motivational speakers, huh?" He joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"It's okay everyone. Let's look forward to our upcoming baby" she said jovially
"Stop saying that she's an event " Mr. Emmanuel joked with wrinkled brows.
"Of course she's an event, a big, influence event....mmh" he moaned painfully when mary-jane hit his lips cutting his words
"What's that for?" He asked feigning anger
"Stop saying that, my baby isn't a celebrity, just to remind you " she winked smiling
"That doesn't mean anything " the said
"Yeah it does. Words of the mouth is strong" she said taking a bottle of water on the center table, gulping it down.
"I want her to be a nurse" she added
"What? Never. Don't force into being one just because you didn't get to fulfill yours" he said seriously
"Whether she likes it or not, she has no other option. I suffered to keep her, the least she could do is be I want of her" she declared with all seriousness
Samuel's gaze drifted to their father who also has a a worried expression on. That's what they've been hearing ever since the baby was confirmed to be a baby girl. Mary-jane has been acting all out, determining her future already.
"Mary-jane that's not right, you know that right? You might make her into hating you or worst still, running away." He tried to reason
"Well I don't care" she said as a matter of fact. "Either she takes it or leave it" she added already on her feet.
"Father do you support me or not?" Sha asked only to earn a silence from him and that means one things.
"You know what, I don't need any of your concern" she said walking out.
"Father" Samuel called immediately she was out.
"Let her be for now" he said
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UNKNOWN PERSON.
"What a family drama. Well for now mary-jane, I bet you wouldn't see what's coming. So I urged that you enjoy it while it lasts. How pathetic of you to think you don't have enemies.
Everyone in these world has an enemy and I'm your biggest one.
Tssk.... didn't even know I'm not the only one against that baby and your existence" the strange voice said smirking evily.
✯
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✯
COLLINS MATRIMONIAL HOME.
"Collins where are you going?" Collins wife, Aurora asked hands on the waist her belly slightly showing thou not that much but when you look closely, the evident is clear.
"I'm going to work " he said staring adorably at his pregnant wife.
"Really?"
"Yeah....why asking like you're doubting me or something?" He asked skeptically
"Well just wanted to know that's all" she shrugged.
"Hmm... okay see later" he said pecking her cheek before leaving. Immediately her phone rang displaying "Lydia"
"Hello?" That's Lydia
"Are you sure of what you're saying, cuz it didn't seem like it." Aurora said straightforwardly.
"Yeah. I'm sure, all you have to know is keep an eye on him that's all" Lydia advised
"Well no need for that. He knows better than to mess with me" she replied bitchly.
"Yeah right" Lydia replied a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "No need to reharsh and screw things up" she added cutting the call.
"Bitch" Aurora muttered
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✷
NIGHT
"If I've known you're pregnant, you would've aborted it straight away. What do you think you're planning on doing after putting to bed, depend on your father or worst still be a single mother which will 100% stop you from getting married!!!!!!"
"You don't have the right to lecture her when you did worst things than her" Samuel angered voice rang out.
"After so many years of abandoning us, leaving us to suffer, leaving your three months old child, leaving to wallow in self pity, and now you called cuz you heard about my pregnancy?" Mary-jane choked "calling only to utter trash" she added
"What?" Louisa voice sounded surprised "what did you just say?" She asked for confirmation
"Listen Louisa. It's our daughter we're talking about here, as a mother all she needs at these moment is your love and support " Mr. Emmanuel said
"My support you said. Never. That child is a bastard. Isn't she careful enough to protect herself during the time they were having sex, huh?" She flared
"She better sell that baby to the motherless babies home after birth, cuz if I see her I will kill her" she threatened
"You have no right" mary-jane said tuantly
"Say that again" Louisa threatened
"You have no right" mary-jane repeated confidently
"You better...."
"Shush your mouth woman" Samuel flared
"You lost the right to be called our mother the moment you decided to abandon your family and your three months old baby. That was cruel of you. You left us here to suffer at a young age. For reminder, Lawrence died, and even after hearing about it, what did you do?" He listed, his lips quivering .
"She wouldn't be pregnant today if you didn't abandoned us to the extent of giving her up to your cruel elder sister. Her being pregnant is your fault. All you have to do is accept this baby in good and bad, I'm her brother and I have a say, besides you aren't our mother anymore. I'm sure you're enjoying your new marital life." He mocked
"Don't call these line again if you don't have any thing tangible to say." He said with finality before disconnecting the phone with angered breath puffing from his nostrils.
"That was harsh son" Mr. Emmanuel said
"Well it's necessary father. She should know her place" he said, his eyes drifting towards his sister
"What's wrong?" He asked in exasperation
"Nothing I'm fine" she said blinking rapidly
"No your not. You're trying to cry?" The father asked. "It's fine" he said trying to tame her.
Samuel just stood, many thoughts in his heads running wide. To believe his runaway mother would call one day just to spew rubbish, he wouldn't believe. They're in these condition today cuz of her. At least if she was here, mary-jane wouldn't have gotten pregnant.
Staring at her with brotherly love as their father hugged her, patting her to stop crying.
"Her words shouldn't bother you, we're here for you remember?" His father said while Mary nooded slightly.
"It's okay" he said
"No need to dwell in regret... just list the remaining things you need so I can buy them while coming back tomorrow " Samuel said lightning the mood a little.
"Okay. Thank you " Mary muttered
"Go to sleep....you need it" Samuel said
"Okay"
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✯
JANUARY 24TH; 4:30AM
It's a brand new day. The sky still cascading it's blue hue signifing it's not properly morning. Christmas is over as well as the new month and new year leaving the atmosphere chilling.
The weather here is too cold that you would likely sleep for the entire day without getting exhausted.
Students both of college and high, you could see the attachment of the weather on their clothes, how it stick together with your body accentuating whether you're a flat ass or plumpy.
Mary-jane family are not exempted cuz as the time is they're still sleeping like their like depended on it. Everyone one of them snoring.
These past few days mary-jane had a cool and unwavering peace of mind. Stephanie and Nora not coming back home giving her free time to relax.
Few seconds later, mary-jane woke up sweating profusely like she had a nightmare while she didn't. She scoured around looking for anything at all to ease the tension.
"Thought the weather should be cold" she thought air-blowing herself.
That seems to work for a while until she felt a sharp-knife-like pain on her abdomen. As though that weren't enough, it felt like her belly is on fire. Realisation dawn on her. SHE'S IN LABOUR!!!!!
She checked the time reading "4:45am"
"What? Why so early in the morning" she winced when another breathtaking pain sliced through her back.
If it isn't someone strong enough, the pain along will let loose your vocal cord that you wouldn't know when you woke the whole neighbour. But for mary-jane, she has felt far worse than these.
Turning the flashlight of her phone, she rummage through the corner of the room, spotting what she's looking for, she grabbed getting up and walking slightly to her father's bed with tortureous step as the pain is killing.
"Father... father....." She called out, shaking him slightly
"Ahhh..." She moaned painfully. Shaking her father who sleeps like a log of wood. Not getting any reaction from him, she flashed the torchlight on his face, and that must have worked cuz he stirred immediately blocking his eye's with his hands.
"What's that?" He groaned
"Father it's me... please wake up" she said with desperation
"Father...I think I'm in labour"
"What?" That must have really worked cuz at the mention of labour he woke up immediately. "Really?" He asked while mary-jane nods in affirmation
"Call your brother immediately" he said, on cue Samuel walked with aunt Catherine.
Yeah.... aunt Catherine. These past few days she has been there like a mother figure to them. Helping in any where she can.
"What's wrong" Samuel asked.
"I think she's in labour" their father said with urgency
Samuel walked hastily towards his sister, helping her to walk out with the help of aunt Catherine.
"Father stay here. No need to come with us, we can manage" Samuel suggested not wanting to stress his old father.
Their father just nooded.
"It's still early, how will we get a ride" aunt Catherine asked
Samuel sighed.
"I don't really know" he said scratching his neck nervously, didn't know it would be like these.
"Let's just walk to the road first while I calla friend of mind that has a ride" he suggested while dailing the line.
"Hello" the hallow voice of a male rang out.
"Hey man....mind bringing your ride over. My sister is in labour" she asked
"What...by these time of the early morning" the other voice asked incredulously
"I'm sorry...just help a friend out. Please" Samuel pleaded.
"Hmm.....sure. I'm coming" he accepted after much consideration.
"Thanks man" he appreciates hanging up.
"Let's be walking a little waying time for him to come. That could also help in easing the pain, right?" Samuel suggested
Mary-jane smiled at him cuz of the excruciating pain she's feeling while aunt Catherine chuckled lightly. To think a brother like him still exists is strange to believe. He acts like a husband altogether.
Fifteen minutes into walking, a motorcycle stopped in front of them.
"Hop in..... didn't know it's these serious" the voice said a hint of guilt in his voice.
"It's fine Victor. Thanks for coming at least" Samuel said as he helped his sister on the bike while he sat behind her. He looked at aunt Catherine apologitically when he saw there's no space for her.
"No need. Just go on I'm right behind you" she said knowing his mind.
"You sure?" Samuel asked. Aunt Catherine just nod.
"You will see me within few minutes" she said.
"Okay. Let's move man" he gestured to his friend.
As they drove away, a sly smile came visibly on aunt Catherine's face.
"I'm right behind you. In death" she whispered bursting into laughter like some maniac.