《Pregnant and Abandoned but the Billionaire to the Rescue》 One: My Life is so Messed Up One: My Life is so Messed Up Nancy Jones walked and walked without having any destination in mind. She was fed up with Life. How could Rodney do this to her? She must have been a fool to believe him. Her mother had always called her a slow wit. So, maybe that was what she was. If she weren''t how could she have fallen for his tricks and lies? It doesn''t matter now, there was nothing she could do. She just had to think of a way forward or take the easy way out. She was out of job and didn''t really have a roof over her head. The slum where she had got a cheap amodation was rat infested and the walls got soaked up easily. She had no bed of her own. She had had to sell a lot of her things just to get enough money to move out of the town. It reminded her of a lot of things that she would rather forget. She didn''t know what she would do, how to get the next meal but with her education at College, she had tried to get a job as someone''s secretary or receptionist or any type of job for that matter that would help her fend for herself rather than depend on anyone because she was tired of being dependant but her efforts had been fruitless. Now she just didn''t know if she could go on with life or not. With the heavy and big cardigan she had on her blue jean, she looked like someone who didn''t have a care in the world but that was because she had grown used to hiding her feelings behind a mask of indifference. The world had been cruel to her and she knew that exposing her feelings would only make her more vulnerable than she already was and she would not want any one tough at her or look at her with pity or scorn. So she hid her feelings deep inside of her.Rather than beg or receive charity, she was ready to give up and take her own life. Afterall, everyone seem to have abandoned her. Her mother never thought that she could amount to anything. Her father who had always supported her N?velDrama.Org owns all content. and been by her side was not strong willed enough to go against his wife for long for his beloved daughter. It had been a wonder that they had agreed to send her to college and to prove a point, she had excelled in her studies but what was the use of that in her present condition? Maybe her mother was right afterall and she was not worthy of anyone and could never do anything right. Rodney who she had loved and felt she had someone to call her own also turned out not to want her. He had been deceiving her all along and she had been too much of a fool, too much in love to had realised it. There had been signs of course which she had chosen to ignore. She had overlooked all the things that had pointed to the fact that Rodney was not the right man for her because she had fancied himself in love with him. ''Love covereth a multitude of sins'', was how the bible had put it, had it not. But Nancy did not think that it was in that context. She had merely been foolish. She had not got her facts right. If there had been a friend or anyone who had advised her about Rodney, she would have had a falling out with them. How dare they speak against her love that way. But that love had betrayed her in the worst possible way and she had been left alone to bear the brunt of her stupidity. She had allowed herself to be blinded by her love with someone who was never worthy of it. Now she was regretting every second of the time she had once cherished and thought of as the most priceless moments of her life. The tears flowed and she wiped them off vigorously. She was not going to cry for that viin. He was not worth her tears. But she knew that even though she was hurt beyond imagination, she still loved Rodney but it just could not be. He was a beast. He was the lowest of human life. He was even lower than an animal and she could not still love him. He had seen her naivety and had taken advantage of it. Thinking about Rodney was not going to help at all. It was causing her to be emotional and dwell in self pity but she just could not help herself. He was responsible for her present predicament and as much as she wanted to forget about everything, she just could not because the evidence of their alliance was always with her. She had thought of getting rid of it but she had not been able to do it. Maybe she was indeed a fool because what she was passing through was much worse due to her condition that it would have been but she had been determined to seed but now, she was too fed up to care what happened to them anymore. She was so lost in thought and lost the will to live that she did not know when she started walking on the road listless. She had lost everything, and could not make any meaning out of her life anymore. What use was there to keep loving? She was oblivious to the re of the headlights of cars passing her and the honking of their horns. Cats kept driving pass her barely hitting her until a particr caring out from a be d nearly ran her down. The screeching of the tires was deafening but he had not been fast enough to stop the car as it hit Nancy and she fell on the bo of the car unconscious. The driver immediately got out of the car and rushed to her. She was not conscious. And a crowd had gathered. ''Make way, make way!'' he kept saying to get the crowd out of his way. A path was formed for him to pass through as he was able to get to her through the path and seeing her unconscious, quickly carried her into his car and drove to the hospital. Two: Accident Two: ident ''O God, save this girl. Don''t let her die''. Jason could not remember thest time he had prayed. It must have been during their growing up years but he had since forgotten how to pray. But he was actually praying as he drove like the devil was after him to the hospital. That was the problem with Lake District. all the sceneries and paths. It was almost as though getting to the hospital was going to take the whole day but he eventually got to the hospital. He carried her in and with strict orders, Nancy was taken to the intensive care unit. He made the necessary mary depositions for the treatment tomence at once and the doctor on duty, Doc Manuel took charge. Her fore head had hit the b of his car and there was a big lump there. They tried reviving her. Jason did not want to be charged with manughter but apart from that a young life was on the line and he did not want to be responsible for the lose of such a life. Jason did not know what had troubled the girl so much that she felt the need to be careless with her life. He had been a careful driver all his life and had respect for human life. He hoped it would not be another irony of life that he who valued human life the way that he did should be the one to be charged for taking it just because a girl was careless with her life or felt that her troubles were too much for her to endure them any longer or find a solution to them but to take the easiest way out, which was taking her own life or rather getting someone to do it for her. Nancy had a bump in the head and was suffering from concussion. '' We should be careful that it was not more than concussion. A lot of people have lost their lives, some had had amnesia. memory loss and some such thing but she will soon be okay We have revived her and are doing something about her concussion. We shall give her some drugs You must make sure that she takes them'' ''Okay, doctor. Thanks so much. It is a relief to hear you say those words''. ''I can understand that but you both should be careful next time'' he said and Jason nodded. That was truely a relief. The girl had been so still that he had thought that he had ended her life for sure. On the way home, he would make sure to give her a piece of her mind. ''And, oh, one more thing. she should be careful with the kind of activities she engages in. So that the baby is not endangered''. The doctor added. Jason was dumbfounded. ''The baby?'' He must have thought it out loud because the doctor said, ''Yes, the baby. Did you not know that she was pregnant? She was extremely lucky that no harm came to her baby. but she had to be careful from henceforth''. Jason did not even know when the doctor left. He was dazed. So if he had killed the girl, he would not have killed just one person but two? Thank God that was not the case. But now, a lot of things had be clearer. The girl must have been fed up with her life because of her pregnancy. It must be an unwanted pregnancy. And she had just wanted to kill herself because she did not know what else to do. Women with their fish brains. She must have fancied herself in love with some man who was just after her body and had run at the first sign of trouble. He wondered why always seemed to have a poor sense of judgement. They were always poor judges of character. Because of her stupidity, she had nearly got him into trouble. He was there when she came out. ''Please she need to have adequate rest. She needs it. She is much stressed and with this ident and the concussion, she needs it even more now''. Jason nodded. He looked at the girl and she was still looking dazed as though she could not believe that she was still alive or as though she could not believe what she was still doing there. ''Let''s go home!'' he said. ''Go home? Where is home?'' she asked. ''Well, I was hoping you would tell me'', he said. ''Oh, okay but what happened?'' ''We shall talk all about it in the car on our way home''. That word again. She did not consider where she lived home. It was just her hide out. She would rather stay there than allow her parents know that she had brought disgrace to them or ruined their reputation. She entered the car, making up her mind not to allow this man know exactly where she was living. She was going to make him stop a little distance away from the hell hole which was her ce of residence. She still had her pride and did not want charity from anyone but she had to find out what had happened N?velDrama.Org owns all content. and why she had ended up in the hospital and this headache. It was starting and it was severe. She could barely think straight. But she had to find out some things. ''Well, you did say you were going to tell me all that happened because I can''t seem to remember anything except going out this morning in search of a job. ''What about your husband?'' he asked. He had looked at her finger and did not find any wedding band or any other indication for that matter that she was married except her pregnancy which he would not have known about had the doctor not mentioned it. And being pregnancy alone was not proof of being legally married. So his suspicions were confirmed. It was an unwanted pregnancy and she had gone out in search of a job to be able to fend for herself and the baby. But for how long did she think that she would be able to keep it up? Even if she did find a job now, as soon as it is noticed that she was pregnant and without a husband, it was more than likely that she would be relieved of her job and other more capable hands employed Well it depended on the type of job she wanted and if she had any training or education in any profession but he doubted it. Three: No Charity! Three: No Charity! ''Please, do you know what happened and how I ended up in the hospital?'' ''And I just asked you if you were married?'' ''No, why do you ask?'' she asked him before remembering that she had been at the hospital and the doctor most probably had checked her and found out the truth about her and told this man about her pregnancy. But she was not going to reveal anything until she was sure what he knows and what he does. She was not going to reveal anything to him at all. Afterall, she owed him no exnation except thanks for helping her though how exactly he hade to help her was still what she could not fathom. ''You have my answer. I am not married at least, not yet. So would you kindly tell me what happened to me that I had to be hospitalized?'' She said and flinched as she felt a wave of pain shoot through her head. He was at once sorry that he had made her talk too much when she should have been sleeping or rxing. ''Its okay. I shall tell you all about itter, just rest your head on the chair and see if you can just rx. Don''t speak and don''t think. Well, until you tell me where your house is. She gave him directions to a roll of tall buildings before her real ce of residence.. As they neared the ce, She became fidgety. She hoped he would allow her alight there and not insist on going in with her, now that she had foolishly told him that she was unmarried. Not that she thought him capable of something as perverse as rape but because she did not want him knowing the condition of where she lived. ''You were walking listlessly as though you were fed up with Life and in the middle of the road as well. A lot of cars had been honking their horns at you but you were just not there, and Iing from a curve hit you before I could apply the brakes. You hit your head on my bumper and passed out. Everybody thought that you were dead. We checked your pulse and found a faint beat and I rushed you to the hospital. Luckily, the doctor was able to treat you and here we are''. ''I guess that I should be grateful then that you had not abandoned me to die on the road but had the courtesy to take me to the hospital''. ''But there is something I don''t understand. Why did you feel the need to end your life? What problem is it that cannot be solve except if you take the way you may consider the easiest way out? Which I''d death?'' Nancy was shocked. She hoped that he had not been able to read her and her situation correctly. She decided to be harsh with him so that he would quit disturbing her and mind his own business. ''Oh ho. Look who''s talking. You just told me that you came round a bend a d before you could hold the brakes, you hit me and you are using me of wanting to take my own life?'' she asked in an incredulous tone. ''What do you suppose would make me want to do that?'' ''Your pregnancy?'' Nancy was shocked. She had forgotten that she had just surmised that the doctor must have N?velDrama.Org owns all content. discovered her pregnancy and told him about it drawing the wrong conclusion that they were together since he brought her to the hospital. ''My pregnancy?'' ''Yes, your pregnancy. Oh, don''t pretend you were not aware that you were pregnant!'' he said and she kept silent. The fight had gone out of her before she even began. ''You could take care of yourself at least for the sake of the baby in your womb''. he advised. Nancy just kept looking straight ahead. ''I do not want you to speak much so that you don''te down with a headache. But please do not try this again. It is not just your life that is involved here, your baby''s is as well''. He gave her some wades of currency. It was really very tempting and Nancy nearly took it but she remembered that she did not want charity from anybody and her pride reared its head. ''What''s all these?''she asked. ''What does it look like? I am giving some money to help you take care of yourself while you go around for a job. It will help sustain you'' ''I do not take charity!'' ''What do you mean Charity?'' ''Exactly that. I do not take what I have not earned. If you really want to help me, then find me a good job so that I can fend for myself and not depend on you or on anyone for that matter''. He had thought about that. She was in no condition going round looking for a job. She looked malnourished, which was why he had offered her the money she was rejecting. He admired her courage but he felt that she was foolish to reject it. ''Of course. I had that in mind but for you to start there, you have to transport yourself to the ce and I doubt that you have the wherewithal for that and you have to take more nourishing food and fruits so that your baby can be healthy. I am not offering you charity but just being realistic and I suggest that you swallow your pride and be as well at least for the sake of your baby''. he said looking at her with pity. Nancy could not dare to hope that he was serious about his promise about getting her a job. Something good seem to being out of the ident afterall. She looked at him and seeing an expression she interpreted to be sincerity, she stretched forth her hands and collected the money What he had said was the truth. She needed the money more than he needed it and she was not going to allow her pride to stand in the way. Four: Dare to Hope Four: Dare to Hope ''Thank you for the money but how are you going to get me the job?'' ''I now know where you are living, that was one reason I wanted to take you home. So, I shall get in touch with you. I have to speak with my friend and see what vacancies he has at this firm. I shall call in a favour he owes me and get you the job. But he is a perfectionist. He likes his employers being dedicated to duty. If you arex with your work, then he just might relieve you of the job and I would be unable to do anything about it''. ''You do not have to worry. I shall not disappoint him. He will never regret giving me the job and neither will you for getting me the job'', she gushed out excitedly. The excitement on her face was something to behold. ''I have not spoken to him yet. You don''t have to thank me yet''. ''No matter what his response is, that you have thought of it is enough for me and I am sure that even if he does not have a vacancy, you would find another ce for me, I am sure of that''. ''So much confidence. I hope that live up to your expectations. But I have a question, is there any skill that you learnt or if you went to college, what did you study?'' He asked so that he would know how best to help her and what job would best suit her. ''I went to a nursing school, so I have idea of medicine and nursing. I am also very good at typing, so any secretarial job would not be difficult for me'', she supplied hopefully. Jason nodded. He thought as much. Her speech was polished and showed that she must have acquired some form of education. ''What is your name?'' he asked realising that since they had met, he didn''t know her name and neither did she know his. ''I am Nancy. Nancy Jones''. she said looking at him questioningly. He saw her look and smiled ''I am Mr. Jason Campbell''. ''Well Mr. Campbell,I must say it has been a pleasure meeting you irrespective of the usual circumstance of our meet''. ''The pleasure is all mine, Miss Nancy. Well we are here.'' He said as he applied the brakes and got out of the car and went round to open her side of the car. She alighted and said goodbye to him. She found that she was hungry and dizzy and just wanted to get to her room as soon as possible and eat some of the stale food that she had kept there. ''Bye, I shall expect your call'' She said, remembering that she had given him her number while still in the car with him when they were talking about him visiting her to tell her of the oue of his discussion with his friend about the possibility of getting her employed. ''No,no. You are forgetting that I need to know exactly which of part of this buildings you stay in, so that I don''t need to start asking questions when Ie to visit for any reason. And you are dizzy and weak, I need to assist you to your room or apartment and ensure you ate asleep before leaving It is my duty,you know''. Nancy was in a state of panic. What was she going to say to him to make him change his mind about going in with her? She couldn''t possibly allow him get in and find the horrible situation she was living in. She had too much pride for that. ''Could you not mind your business for once? I have already given you my number. If youe here next time and cannot locate me, could you not call on the phone? I am not in the mood to receive N?velDrama.Org owns all ? content. visitors no matter how indebted I feel towards them and my apartment is unkept at the moment So please go. We shall be in touch''. Jason could not understand why she was being so secretive but he saw that she was not in the mood for argument and he would have carried her into the apartment but it was clear that she didn''t want him in her apartment that day and wondered if her boyfriend was in there and if that was the reason she didn''t want him entering her room. ''It''s okay. You don''t have to get so worked up. I shall note in if you don''t want me to but I shall remain here till you get in. This is just to ensure your safety''. ''Thank you very much but that will not be necessary. You have done the important part which is to take me to the hospital, foot the bills of my treatment and giving me a lift home. The rest isn''t really that important and I am not a helpless woman no matter what you might think''. He nodded. She was not helpless and that was why she had wanted to end her life just this morning, he thought to himself but he just waved bye ,got into his car and drove off. He was not really interested in her other than the fact that he felt extreme pity for her and her plight. He wondered if her boyfriend had really been in the apartment, why he had not called her even once since she had been away because he could not remember hearing her phone ring. Anyways, that was their problem If he could get her employed, then he would have satisfied himself that he had done his part in making life a little better for a fellow human being and preventing a further attempt of hers tomit suicide for that was what she had intended this morning and nothing could convince him otherwise. He forgot all about her as he drove not to his house but to the office. He was surprised to find that his personal secretary was not at work. This was quite unlike her. He asked his other employees and they told him that Mrs. Amos had had to go back home because she was not too strong. She hade to work but could do nothing and had had to go back home but only several attempts to reach him had failed. Five: Jason Campbell Five: Jason Campbell Jason Campbell was a divorcee who was dedicated to his work or anything he set his mind to do. He had decided that he was not going to get married again after his divorce. His wife Reba who he had loved dearly and had done everything to satisfy in every way had run away with his best friend. He could not believe it at first. They had all been so close that even when Brian had visited his wife in his absence, he had not thought much of it. Of course he hade home unexpectedly a few times because he had forgotten something and had met them together chatting andughing and he had thought nothing of it and had also left them alone and gone back to work. Little had he known that they had been having an affair. When Reba started acting funny, it was his best friend Terry that he had gone to. ''Terry, did Rebain about anything to you?'' Terry had been shocked but when he realised that it was just an innocent question, he had said, ''What is the problem? Are you having problems with Reba?'' ''I won''t say we are having problems exactly but she is really acting wierd. I do not know what the problem is''. ''Have you tried to find out? Have you asked her?'' Terry asked. ''Yes, I have asked her to tell me what is bothering her but her response has remained the same''. ''And what is that?'' ''That there was nothing bothering her and that there was nothing wrong with her. She said that she is okay and that she is as fine as she has always been. But you know, I don''t believe it. I feel it in my guts that there is something terribly wrong. Something that I should know which I am missing''. Terry quickly said, ''Don''t overthink the whole thing. There may really be nothing the matter and it is all a figment of your imagination. You know women with their mood swings. Who knows if she is pregnant or her hormones are acting up. But if you really want, I could speak to her on your behalf'' He had been very grateful that he had offered. He was normally not one to share family secrets but he was just bothered and if sharing it with Terry would bring about a solution, then why not and Terry was not really an outsider. He was still family. He didn''t know how or when Terry had spoken to her but he had called him some dayster, asking him to give Reba some time and that she woulde clean with him but that it would be wrong to force anything from her at that stage. It had been difficult because he knew how it had been between them. Now, she didn''t even want him to He missed her terribly. On one asion when he had told her that she was denying him his rights as her husband and that he was missing her terribly, she had allowed his roaming hands to continue exploring. He had thought that it was alright then but their couption that night had been a disaster. She had not been her usual responsive self. She hadid as a log, allowing him to have his way with her. He had tried all the skill that he could possibly muster but all had been in vain. He had regretted the act and had decided since then not to make any more sexual advance towards her untill he was sure that she wanted the same thing as he did. The situation had escted and Reba had started hinting at divorce. ''Reba, our marriage has always been based on trust andck of secrets between us. What is it you are keeping away from me? What have I done that you have found it impossible to reveal to me? And if it is not me, then what is it that is troubling you so much that you feel there is no need for you to share it or them with me? Don''t you know that seeing you this way is breaking my heart? I have been in perpetual agony since you started giving me the cold treatment. I have gone through our time and life together but I can''t seem to get it - what the problem is or where I have gone wrong. Is it something you needed that I have been unable to satisfy?'' Reba had looked at him with irritation, stood up and left. Though the next day, her behaviour had been more civil and she had apologised for her short temper the previous day. ''Just leave me be for now. If there is anything I want you to know about, then I shall definitely tell you at the right time. But please do not force it out of me''. He had thought that there was going to be progress from then henceforth but that was not to be because, he got home the very next day with a bouquet of red roses that had been grown in a hot house, since it was not the season for roses,only to find the house empty. He asked the servants and they told him that the madam had called a cab and had asked them to carry her suitcases down into the cab and had driven away. ''But she left this letter for you'', the kitchen help said. Jason took the letter with trembling hands and was about to tear it to find out what was written inside. What had made his wife. A woman he had loved for so long and had been married to for about four years, to feel the need to leave him. He wanted to find out what he had done wrong and see how he could make amends for it but he became scared and put the letter into his pocket to be read at ater time. He tried calling Terry to tell him of thetest development but he did not pick his call and even disconnected it after sometime. Jason was shocked. Terry never disconnected his calls before. He always picks his calls eagerly. They were best of friends afterall. But maybe, he was in a meeting or with someone and did not want to pick his call yet because it was not convenient. He decided that that must be the case and decided to wait for sometime, say an hour before calling him again but in the meantime, he was going to sent him a short message to call him as soon as he was free of his engagements. Six: The Letter Six: The Letter ''Terry, my dearest friend, I know you must be working on a very tight schedule or in a formal gathering that has made you unable to pick my calls. I understand that but I want to plead with you to give me a call as soon as you are free of your engagements or better stille to the house. I have something very important to talk to you about. It involves Reba. I am eagerly expecting your call. Thanks.'' After writing that, he felt a little relieved. He had dismissed all the help for the day. Those who lived with him had retired to their quarters, those who came from their homes had gone back home in obedience to his instructions. He paced back and forth in the living room. But he could not help his restlessness. He went into his study but he felt ustrophobic and rushed out. He paced the garden but was impatient. He dialled Terry''s number again but this time it was switched off. ''What is happening?'' He could bear the suspense no longer so, he brought out the letter, the maid had given him as ast souvenir from Reba and tore it open. He wondered why he was so scared to read the letter. Maybe it was because reading the letter would make her decision to leave him final but at least he would be spared the agony of not knowing why she had done what she had done. He had wanted to read it when Terry got there but he would have to do it himself afterall it was meant for him alone and not for all the men in Lake District. The contents of the letter was a shock to him. He nearly had a heart seizure. It read: ''Dear Jason, I have decided to leave you for good. I can endure it no longer. The fact is that I was never in love with you. I had married you because of the material things I knew your wealth would get me. I had thought that it was enough until I started having feelings for Terry. Yes, the same Terry you know. Your best friend. As me stayed together even when you were there, we found that there was a strong chemistry between us. We tried to ignore it. Afterall, we could not do this to a husband and a best friend. If it were someone else or would have been quite easy. We fought the attraction we felt for each other for your sake but it was no use. On one asion, Terry hade to see you and tell you everything and probably move away from Lake District but you were not in but I was. He didn''t want to tell me what the problem was but I was able to get him to confess the reason for his visit to me. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. I could not bear it. I had decided that I was not going to fight my feelings for him anymore and he was here to reveal all to you and abandon me here. I could not endure it so I hugged him, begging him not to go anywhere because I was going to end my life if he did. The contact was really innocent, I promise but the current it generated between us was anything but. How it happened was beyond ourprehension but we found that we could not take our hands off each other. It was a steamy encounter that led us to being intimate with each other. We could not help it and afterwards, we knew that we could not continue pretending that there was nothing between us. I could not bear your you h after that. I now knew the difference between love and lust which was what I had had for you. I could not go back existing the way I had been. I had to start living and Terry brought me alive. Being with him made me realise what I had been missing these years.I had never been on love before but now that I had experienced it, I was not going to allow it be taken away from me at any cause. You could not understand the change in my behaviour, naturally. You were just too trusting. If you weren''t, you would have been able to read the signs but I am sure that you did not once suspect me of infidelity nor your friend at that. I had not meant to keep you on the dark because I was not ashamed of my love. That was why I spoke about divorce but Terry was feeling guilty and remorseful and asked us to wait a bit before revealing our rtionship to you. He was sure that you would be heartbroken because he felt that you really loved me. I know that as well. I was sorry that you did and that our actions would hurt you but I could not do anything about that . I could not sacrifice my happiness for someone else. You are rich, handsome and kind. I believe that you will find another woman who really deserves you. Someone who would love you the way that you deserve to be loved and not just for your money. Terry may not be as rich as you are but at least I am happy with him and I find fulfillment in his Mywyers will draw the divorce papers and mail or send it to you for signature. I hope that you will be gracious enough to oblige me by signing them without dy because we need to get married immediately. There would be no need dying the signing of the divorce papers as it would do none of us any good. I would rather continue to live with Terry as his mistress thane back to you. This is not being heartless. It is just to let you know that I shall not change my mind. Let''s end this as quickly as possible so that we can all go on with our individual lives. You are a good man and I wish you the best. But I am not the woman for you and neither are you the man for me. I have just realised that. Best wishes. Reba''. Seven: Heartbroken Seven: Heartbroken Jason felt an intense pain in his heart. He felt faint. He was sure that he was having a seizure. N?velDrama.Org content. No! this could not be happening. It must be a nightmare. He was sure he was going to wake from this soon and find that it had all been one hell of a horrible dream. What was this? How could Reba do this to him? Reba who he had loved with all his heart and done all that he could to satisfy. He thought of Terry. They had been friends from high school and then in college. They had been closer than biological brothers. They had shared everything. Okay, almost everything, except of course their girls. Terry had been his best man at his wedding.That had been the happiest day of his life. The day he made the woman he loved, his formerly. He had been happy when Terry and Reba had got along very well. It would have grieved him if they had not got along but he did not have that to contend with. He had tried to be the best husband that he could possibly be. Being very attentive and satisfying her every whim. Maybe he tried too hard. To think that he had actually called Terry toe to him so that they could see how they were going to get Reba toe back. In his stupidity, he had not realised that Terry was the source of all his problems with his wife all along. Heughed derisively at himself. ''What a fool, I have been''. Then he clutched his heart. The pain steered in his heart yet again. It felt like his heart had broken into a million tiny pieces and was breaking into smaller bits even more with each painful realization and as the reality of his situation dawned more and more on him. Terry who had been like a brother to him,could do this to him? He was the one responsible for the elevated position he held in the firm he worked with. Terry was a. brilliantwyer,no doubt about that but he had pulled strings to ensure that he was highly ced. How could he not, Terry was his best friend and the brother he did not have afterall. But Terry had not honoured that sacred rtionship. Maybe it was not as meaningful to Terry as their rtionship had been to him. He had to fall in love and elope with his own wife. He who he had gone to to help bring his wife back to her senses without knowing that he was giving them even more opportunity to betray him and plot his downfall. Jason was sure he was never going to recover from this. He was in so much pain that he felt sleeping was going to be a remedy. He got up to enter the room but slumped heavily on the settee. He was having a severe headache. He was not sure now if he had done the right thing by giving his servants the day off. He had asked them to take the day off. Those of them who lived with him had gone to their quarters behind his building and those who came from their houses had gone back home. He had tried to be a good and considerate employer but maybe he needed someone to be with him right now because he was sure that he was dying. But then again, maybe it had been the right decision to have asked them to leave because he was not sure he wanted them to see him in this pitiable state. He had been crazy in love with Reba. Their sex life had been great from his estimation and he had thought that she felt the same way because of the way she had always responded and acted. But now, he realised that she must just have been acting andughing behind him. She was really a great a tress because he never had an inkling about her thoughts and intentions. He had been faithful to her, not seeing any other woman''s beauty but hers. No woman but Reba had meant anything to him. He had tried all he could to keep her satisfied and dated. Sexual, financially and otherwise. Do where had he got it wrong? The two most important people in his whole life had betrayed him. They had not just betrayed him but had killed him. Hurt, betrayal, heartbreak didn''t even begin to describe what he was feeling. How? And by the two people he loved and trusted the most? What was he going to do now? He called one of the male servants, and Bruno came immediately. He lived in the quarters behind the house. He asked him to make him a hot cup of coffee and as Bruno was about to leave, the sudden stab of pain again on his heart as he tried to rise from the chair sent him reeling and he fell heavily on the floor. ''Sir, sir what is the matter?'' Brino asked in his fright and going to his boss, he tried to lift him but he was really very weighty and fearing the worse because his pulse was really faint, he looked around confused, not knowing what to do. He was frightened and immediately called for the doctor. ''Doctor, It''s the Campbell''s residence. pleasee, my master is dying''. He did not know how else to convey the emergency so that the doctor coulde immediately and he actually thought that Jason was dying. He had never seen his boss as weak and helpless as that since he had known him. The doctor came with his bag of medical kit and helped Bruno to carry Jason to the bed. Bruno picked the letter he saw lying on the floor and put in his pocket after going through it. He was filled with rage for the madam who had caused the good master to feel this type of pain that had made him as helpless as this and put him in this state. He did not want any other person to see this letter. So he kept it safe to give back to his boss when he recovers and he sincerely prayed that he does. Eight: Coping with the Betrayal Eight: Coping with the Betrayal The doctor, Dr. Manuel, examined Jason after giving him something that revive him. He was a renowned doctor and Jason had always employed his services. In fact, he was the family doctor of the Campbells. He checked Jason''s eyes, heartbeat, blood pressure as well as other things. Jason''s heartbeat was erratic and his blood pressure was high. He gave him some drugs to bring down the blood pressure. ''Have you been stressing yourself outtely?'' the doctor asked. Bruno looked at his master sympathetically. ''No, my boss has not been stressing himself but a Jezebel in angel''s clothing had done this dreadful thing to him'', He thought to himself. Jason sighed. He could not trust his voice so, he just shook his head. ''You will have to take it easy. Your heart isn''t very healthy at the moment. Something must have happened to give you a shock But you don''t have to say anything if you don''t want to but as much as possible do not encourage anxiety or entertain any painful thoughts. Try to forget about anything that makes you anxious or pained. You will have to take care of your heart and allow it to heal. If you don''t, it could lead to paralysis or cardiac arrest which is tantamount to losing one''s life because once the heart starts having problems, it is quite difficult to manage it. Except a heart transnt is performed. So, whatever it is, ask yourself if it is worth your losing your life over''. Dr. Manuel counselled wisely. Jason nodded to show him that he understood. Jason listened to him and heard the wisdom on those words but it was easier said than done. The doctor gave him some drugs and put him to sleep immediately. Bruno stayed by his boss''s side all through. attending to him,and his every need. Every time, he woke, he looked round to see if Reba was back but his head always fell in disappointment. He tried to follow the doctor''s advice but found that it was extremely difficult. Reba had been his life. And what had the doctor said again, that he should consider if what was causing him such anxiety and pain was worth losing his life for? Heughed at himself. What the doctor does not know is that I have already lost my life. I lost my life the moment Reba left with for my best friend. There is no more hope''. Later, the next day, when he was feeling up to it, and his servants were all at their duty posts, he called his office and told the manager to take charge of the firm like he had always done whenever he was not around. ''But what is the problem? We waited for you toe back yesterday but you never did. Is it something serious? Something we should know about?'' ''It is a serious matter but it is personal butit is being taken care of. Just take charge of all the operations. I have never found you wanting in the way you handle the firm in my absence. I trust that it would be the same this time as well''. ''You do not have to worry sir. It would be as though you were the one handling it yourself, I promise''. ''Tight then, see you soon''. After hanging up. He went to the bar for a little drink but everything seemed to remind him of her. He remembered how they woulde to the bar and he would mix her a drink and they would toast to their happy life together. He wanted to hit something because he could not deny the fact that he would miss her terribly. In fact, he was already missing her something awful. He took a sip, the dry gin went down his throat hot and scalding. That was just what he wanted. He wanted to inflict more pain on himself. Maybe, it would help counter the pain he was already feeling and which he could do nothing about. After a while, he found that he just needed more of the gin and he kept taking. By lunch time when the cook came to invite him to the dinning table, she found him slumped on a chair drunk. That started his dinking hobby. He found that he could escape his pain by drinking and felt that if that was how he was going to cope with this betrayal, hurt and bitterness, then he was going to continue. Jason became a drunk. He was always in a drunken stupor. He was often not aware of his surroundings or what was going on around him. He always woke with a headache, a hangover but after coffee or lemon juice took care of the hangover and he ate a little,he now eat less than usual and had grown emaciated, he would go into his room to his drink. It was better for him than dwelling on the pain that seemed not to want to go away. He felt that the world would me him for his wife''s infidelity and abandonment. They would say that he was not able to keep his wife in check or that he had not been able to satisfy his wife and the poor Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. woman had eloped with a better man who also happened to be his best friend. Just considering the gossip which must be making the rounds and he was sure the news had spread even through hispany and all his employee must know about it. He didn''t think he could face the world and felt that they were right. There must be something he hadn''t done right. Maybe he had not been able to satisfy her sexually despite his sexual prowess. So maybe Terry had been a better man than he. The thought was so painful that he had to drink so as not to dwell too much on it. He was having psychological trauma and ming himself for his wife''s elopement. Nine: Sally to the Rescue Nine: Sally to the Rescue Sally Whitman was Jason''s elder sister. Bruno called her and briefed her on the condition of her brother. Bruno had tried to stop his boss from drinking. But he could do so much without risking losing his job. His boss would in his state not feel that he was having his interest at heart but might think that he was now bing too presumptuous. He had taken away all the alcoholic drinks and hidden them away but Jason thinking that he had run out of drinks had sent for more. When Bruno had tried to refuse, Jason had been very angry his voice thunderous. ''Get me the drinks I ordered you to get me right away!'' he had ordered thunderously. N?velDrama.Org owns all content. The servants whispered amongst themselves. They were sorry for Mr. Campbell, their employer but they knew their ce and did not want to do anything to displease him. Bruno had called the doctor toe for a check up, which he did and found out the pitiable state of Jason. He gave him an elixir which brought him to her s senses and made him sober. He gave him counsel about the dangers of excessive intake of alcohol. ''I have now realised that your wife left you but I must assure you that is not the end of the world. You are lucky she eloped with her lover What if she had continued to pretend that she was with you while carrying on herscivious activities, then what would you do when you eventually found out? Believe me it is better this way. There are cases of wives killing their husbands for their wealth so that they could live a good life with their lovers. But yours just picked up and left. She made no demands as bout money though we shall be sure of that we hen she files for rt divorce and asks for alimony. Though, the court may not grant her that since she is going away of her own ord and with a well to do Lawyer but being awyer, one should expect anything. But you should still be thankful that it was not worse than this. It would definitely hurt you awfully now, but be determined to get over it and not drown in it. You have your life ahead of you. There are still many women who would give anything to be married to you. You might ask about love but if you give yourself a chance, you shall definitely fall in love again. Nature abhors a vum, you know. Once you empty your heart of the feelings you had for Reba your wife, and allow yourself to feel again without fear, you shall be surprised at what would happen. I can assure you, you would be the one being happy that Reba left you because you would at that time be experiencing a better kind of love that is equally reciprocated. I am speaking to you not as a doctor now bit as a friend with experience''. ''Thank you so much doctor. I shall try my best to heed them'', Jason said ashamed of himself and determined to make amends. He gave him some stabilizing drugs and left. It was easier said than done though because as soon as the doctor left, Jason was his old self trying his hardest to look happy and carefree. His meal was brought him and he ate but immediately he was left alone, the servants happy to have their master back, the loneliness filled the whole house and his whole being and he remembered the times he had spent with Terry his friend and how they had shared each other''s problems andughed at each other''s fears and he rembered how he had shared the problem he was having with Reba with him, thinking that he was sharing with the friend he had known all his life, only to be back stabbed. The pain tore through him again. He remembered the intense intimate moments he had shared with Reba and how he had considered those moments precious and the happiest moments of his life, her moans of pleasure, the frenzy with which she had caressed him and responded to his touch and stroking and how she had told him in her letter that she had never loved him but had been after his money and what it could get her. At least she had been sincere at the end. He guessed, he should be grateful like the doctor had said. But it did not reduce the pain at all Not by a long shot. He had to forget. So, he took a sip and from a dip, to a gulp and then he was back where he started. Before taking the sip, he had called for Bruno and asked of he saw his letter. Bruno knew immediately the letter he was referring to. It was the same that had broken his boss''heart and he excused himself to get it, though he wondered if it was the right thing to do in the circumstance. He came back with the letter to find his boss''s speech slurred. ''So where is the letter?'' Jason asked. ''Here it is''. Bruno said handing it to him, disappointed at the state he found him. He was determined that this must cease. He had done this once the doctor and everyone had left him but if someone was to keep himpany consistently, someone he cared deeply for and respected, he mayy of drink for a few days and after that it might just be difficult for him to go back to it. So Bruno who had been with him for longer than the other servants, called Sally Whitman, his sister. He had never seen siblings being as close as they had been. Marriage and distance was just what stopped them living together. He wondered why Jason himself had not called Sally to tell her of his heartbreak but it was notte yet because he was going to do just that. He exined the situation to her and she promised to take the flight early next morning from London to Lake District to see her brother. When she arrived, Bruno heaved a sigh of relief. Ten: Recovery... Ten: Recovery... ''Wee ma''am'', Bruno who had been anxiously awaiting her arrival said as he carried in her N?velDrama.Org owns all content. luggage. ''Thank you, Bruno, where is your boss now?'' ''He should be in his room ma''am, should I inform him of your presence?'' he asked as he took her luggage into the room that was always kept specially for her and which he had made sure to ask the cleaners to clean thoroughly. ''No, not to worry. I shall announce my presence to him myself I want to surprise him. I hope it would be a pleasant one''. ''It can be no less than a pleasant one. You know how my master loves and cares for you deeply. I have never seen such bond as the both of you share, if you will pardon my imprudence''. ''Its okay Bruno. You spoke the truth, there is no need to apologise for that. Go ahead with your chores and leave the rest to me. I am here now and must make sure there are changes''. She vowed. Bruno did not doubt it and was d he had thought of this. Sally went in and found her brother sprawled on the bed, a letter lying close by. He opened the blinds and the air and sun rays streamed through the window into the room. The stench of alcohol though faint was evident. A protective feeling for her brother washed over her. But she did not wake him immediately, though he had changed position to hide his face from the sudden light that streamed into the room. Sally, picked the letter and read and she was filled with rage. She had asked her brother not to marry that girl. Not because she had anything against Reba but she had seen her as a gold digger.Someone who was too materialistic for her liking but when her brother had insisted and she felt that marrying Reba was going to make him happy, she had given up and given her consent for their marriage. When they had been together for some years without anyints, she had been happy that she was wrong. Now this. She looked at her brother with pity and gently called his name. ''Jason? Jason'' He turned round to the direction of the voice and saw her. He thought that he was hallucinating. Sally could not be here now could she? He rubbed his hands over his eyes. He was suffering another hangover and had a splitting headache. ''Sally, is that you?'' ''The very same'', she said smiling. He got up and she hugged him. ''Am I d to see you''. ''Same here. It has been quite a while''. Then he saw the letter with her and looked at her sorrowfully. ''You now know everything if you read that letter''. She nodded. ''But I am here now. And we shall deal with the situation together and shalle out victorious. Do we have a deal?''she asked cheerfully... ''It is a deal'', he said wistfully. They smiled at each other. This was how they had always tackled difficult problems in the past before either of them got married and some time afterwards and had seeded most of the time. ''Now the first thing is for you to get over this hangover. Bruno!'' ''Yes, ma''am?'' he answered immediately as though he had been behind the door all the while which indeed he had been not because he was eavesdropping or wanted to but because he felt that they may need his services. He was as loyal as that to his boss. ''Get a ss of lemon juice for your boss'', she instructed. ''Right away, ma''am'', he said as he left immediately to get it as well as a mug of hot coffee. He ced these with cups on the table in the room and Sally made sure her brother drank the lemon juice, while she watched him. She drank the coffee and liked the way it had been made. ''Would you like coffee?'' she asked her brother. ''Later, maybe. I am okay with the juice for now''. ''That''s okay. The next thing to do now is to have a hot bath. Can you manage that?'' ''Why not?'' And he got up and went into the bathroom. While he was gone, Sally''s face changed again She had put on a cheerful, carefree appearance just for her brother. Now that he was not in the room, she looked as angry as she felt. She felt like strangling Reba and that Terry. She had suspected that Reba was not who she appeared to be but she had trusted Terry. How could he have done this to someone who was no less a brother to him? She read through the letter again and her anger increased. ''My anger isn''t going to help matters. I must just see how to get Jason free from the clutches of alcohol and then see how I can introduce him to some descent girls who would consider themselves lucky to have his attention She was determined to help him recover from his heartbreak and near addiction to alcohol by all means in record time. And once she set her mind to do something, she always achieved it. Jason came out dressed and refreshed after his bath, by which time, Sally had made sure that the table was cleared and the room tidied up by one of the servants. She had also instructed them to make Jason his favourite meal. She asked them to go downstairs and the smell of bacon and scrambled eggs was very inviting. They sat to the delicious smelling breakfast. Jason ate very well. It was obvious that he was ravenous. Sally wondered if he had been eating at all since the incident. But there was no cause for rm because whether he had been eating well or not previously,she was going to make sure he fed well from there on out. She had not broached anything with him yet. She wanted him well fed and rested so that he may be in a better mood for what she wanted to say and do to him. Eleven: Going on with Life Eleven: Going on with Life After the meal, Sally and her brother Jason retired into the Library. ''Tell me how this happened'', she said with the belief that talking about it would go a long way to helping to reduce the hurt Jason was feeling and he would be able to face his demons head - on rather than trying to escape them through drink. ''Actually, I do not know exactly how it started. All I know is that all of a sudden, Reba started acting wierd. It must have been my fault for pampering her too much and trusting the both of them so much. Much more than I trusted myself. I woulde back home suddenly to pick one confidential file or the other that I had forgotten and I''d meet them chatting and dinning in the house but because he was my best friend and the best man at our wedding and most of all because of the love I had Reba and the trust I had for both of them, I didn''t see anything wrong with that. Once I asked him what he was doing in my house at that time,you know just out of curiosity because I felt that he should be at work, afterall, I pulled strings to ensure he was epted at the firm he was working but he answered that he was not expected at the office until noon and hade to see if I''d be at home but since I wasn''t,he decided to stay and keep Rebapany before going back home to prepare for work. After that time, I never asked him anymore. I gave them both freedom not imagining that they were having an affair behind by back. Oh God! What a fool I had been. They must haveughed me to scorn'' he said, his voice breaking. Sally touched his hands to give himfort. ''Reba who would initiate intimacy between us most times and even if I initiated it,'' he continued, ''would respond like a wild cat started avoiding any intimacy between us. I should have seen the handwriting on the wall but I ignored all the signs. Those were supposed to be signs of infidelity but I never once thought towards that. And why would I, I made sure she nevercked for anything. She was always changing her wardrobe with the most expensive and trending cloths from Paris and London. Her ount was never depleted. She had everything she wanted,money, attention, good life,love, everything. What more could a woman ask for?'' Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved. Sally shook her head still saying nothing and keeping her expression nd. She wanted him to vent it all off so that he would feel relieved after emptying the venom that was eating him up and causing him to resort to drinking. ''But in her letter'', he said, ''she let me know that those were just the reason she married me but that she had now found love not with any other person but with my best friend. How could love be so cruel? Dr. Manuel told me that I should count myself lucky tht she did not do away with me to get the money for herself and her lover or that she didn''t start two timing me. He said it was better thins way and that if I could get her off my mind, someone else was bound to upy it in next to no time and he was sure that the person was going to be a better person than Reba ever was. But the problem is, how do I get over Reba? I have loved her all my life with my whole being. I could never love another the way I loved her. Could it be because we hadn''t had a child? Maybe, if a child had been involved, she would never have acted this way'', he said looking miserably at Sally. Once again, Sally felt so furious with Reba and Terry. Their duplicity was appalling. She was sure that Reba had always nned this. She hadn''t wanted to be tied down by having a baby. A baby would have spoilt her lovely shape and bound her irrevocably to Jason and what she had actually wanted was just the security marriage to Jason gave her and his wealth that would endure that she never had any want in her life. She was sure that she had made away with a lot of things her brother was not aware of yet because in his stupor he had not bothered to find out. That was secondary though. The most important thing was to make sure he was up and about and stop wallowing in self pity. ''Stop ming yourself or torturing yourself with what would or wouldn''t have been. What has happened has happened and there is no denying that it was really heartless of them to do that to anyone at all, let alone, someone like you. But I believe in picking the pieces and going on with life because no matter how we may wish otherwise or think it won''t, life continues. There is no use wasti g the rest of your life in regrets and recriminations. You may not think do now, but she is not worth it. She is not worth you destroying yourself for her. She has gone ahead with her life and so should you. I do not want to say ''I told you so'', but I did make my disapproval of her known to you but when you insisted, I felt that if marrying her would make you happy, then it was worth it but she has outdone herself this time by breaking your heart and I shall make her pay for it but you will show her that you are less a man if you appear broken and diminished by drink. You have to take a hold of yourself. Because more is yet toe. I do not think that you would like it if people called you a coward, cowing in his wardrobe since his wife left him because he is not man enough to face the world. He must have something he is hiding. If he is this much of a coward, then little wonder the wife choose to elope with a better man. Stand as a man. Try to get over her, your hurt and their betrayal. They are not worth your tears or suffering. You are doing a grave injustice to yourself after that which the both of them have already done you. Take charge of your business once more. If staying idle would cause you to be depressed,throw yourself into your job. Work like you have never worked before just don''t give depression and self pity the time of day anymore. It is just a waste of time and energy. Go to the gym. Make new friends. Have new girlfriends. Have sex. Do anything that would do divert you, keep you creatively upied and still be healthy for you. Not drink! It is harmful to your health and you just might end up destroying all you hadboured to build and that would not bring her back and even if she dide back, you already know that it would not be because of love bit to destroy you