Rex is caught unaware of the question, so what i have for Ella is love? If that is true, when did it start? When did I give permission for my heart to fall in love with Ella? My heart was full of feelings for Julia, when did my innocent Ella finds her way into this heart and plant a seed of love? If is love I feel for Ella, and then am in a big mess. Because there is no way I can be with Ella while the likes of Julia are present in my life. Not this lifetime. Rex looks at the eyes of Julia. He knows he has to be convincing to prove to her, he is not in love with Ella. He holds her in both arms and draws her closer to him, staring at her beautiful eyes, "I have never been in love with Ella from the first day I met her 7 years ago. So what made you think I can develop love for her all of a sudden, I chose you back then and even after you left and came back, I still choose you?" Place a kiss on the top of her head, "Ella is my friend, and you knew that from day one. Our friendship has never deviated from such. So what you heard me telling her I can't lose you is because I feel pity for her and don't want to hurt her anymore then needed". Julia holds him and smiles into his eyes. Immediately Rex realizes he was trying to convince himself he has no feeling for Ella, it can't be and while he is still trying to figure himself out, he can't push the love of his life away.
Julia holds him tight, "then put a ring on my figure and make me yours". Rex is surprise at the length Julia will go to make sure he remains with her. Why this desperation all of a sudden? Julia separated from him," if you know I'm the only woman in your heart then make it official, make me your fiancé.
"I require a ring to make you my fiancé" Rex reply looking for and excuse, how can he engage Julia when he has just find out he might be in love with Ella, when he was at the break of going down on his kneels to make her stay? He is still confused about whom he really loves and making a hasty decision is not good. Julia holding him, "what is wrong Rex, don't you want to make me your wife?" She walks over to her handbag and brings out a small box and hands it over to Rex, " this is my mom's ring and I have never put it on, since she handed it over to me. You can put it on my finger and when you buy mine, I can exchange it.
Rex knows there is no going back if he takes this decision and move forward with this action. But he can't just refuse Julia while trying to figure out what he feels for Ella. More to that, Ella is not here, and we don't know the trick Princess Maya may pull to keep Ella besides her like before. Is Rex convincing himself to engage Julia or is he looking for a reason to engage Julia, even Rex can't bring himself to understand his predicament as he goes down on his kneel, staring at Julia, "will you marry me?". Julia said, "Yes I will" and shown her finger for him to slot the ring. Rex slut the ring on her finger and immediately he did that, he realized he may have made the biggest mistake of his being and if God doesn't intervene, this might be the beginning of his miserable ending. Julia Jump with joy, "and embraced Rex. You have made me the happiest woman on earth". Rex kisses her on her lips as she commences to take the kiss further but Rex separates with her. "Please, I have to go to the office to sign some document left for me by my Mother." Rex kissed her on her mouth again before leaving. Julia, notice the detachment and cold shoulder Rex is giving her. She may have held Rex to a tight Conner and unexpectedly forced him to make her his fiancé, but she can't force him to show her the same love he used to prophesy two years ago. "Ella may have left his side, but it will take all the magical powers of the west end to remove Ella from his heart permanently" though Julia as she sits down to absorb her near victory syndrome she is feeling for now.
Ella sweeping the frontage of her grandmother's house when the car of Princess Maya pulled beside the small gate. Before the guard can get out to help the princess out of her car, Princess Maya opens the door on her own and is running out of the car like she has seen the love of her life. "Ellaaaa" running towards her, the guard and the driver are shocked by her reaction because it is the first time they have ever seen Princess Maya this excited on meeting someone. They smile on seeing her happy and not in her bossy attitudes. Ella allows the brum to fall on the ground as she runs to embrace Princess Maya. They embraced each other, "I miss you so much" Ella said "how are you doing Ella?" touching her dress "you look so slim and tire . What have you been eating lately?" Ask Princess Maya. "You should have waited for me to visit you in the comfort of your palace, do you have to come to my grandmother's humble home my princess?" said Ella. Princess Maya holds her, as she directs Ella to sit with her on the chairs place in front of the house. "I can't wait to hear all the gist about the arrival of Julia and send curse to the generations of Rex for making you cry again" said Princess Maya. "Please calm down, I have the whole month to spend here, and we are going to talk about the events of the city, but what I wish to know is why are you still here?" request Ella. Princess Maya holds the hand of Ella as they are sitting beside each other. "I'm sorry I was not there beside you when the evitable happened, I hope by now you must have learned your lesson. I hope u remember the saying that, If that boy doesn't love you by now, he will never ever love you". Ella feels a sense of uneasy and to cry but the guard, the driver is not far off and her grandmother may catch her crying and she will worry more. "I'm fine, my Princess, I should have listened to you from the beginning. What they said is really true, what we love doesn't always finds itself to us. Life continues, I need to live and take care of my grandma." Said Ella. "If I was in that city at the time of this occurrence, Julia must have met her ancestors by now. How could she just jump in from nowhere to claim what she never border to keep, when she decides to evacuate the scenario? How could Rex take her back without a second though as to your feeling?" Princess Maya is shouting now, calling the attention of the guard and driver. Now that is the princess Maya we know. "And you Ella, you just allowed him to leave, like you were there to keep Rex for her, why did you not put up a fight?" Princess Maya takes a break from talking and tries to calm down. Princess Maya is known to control her temper as a princess. You can't figure her out, what people know about her is that, she is strict and a straight forward person. The only ones that can make Princess Maya change her reaction to things are her mother and Ella.
"For how long will you allow people to trample over you, Ella? So you have not learned anything from me? When will you stand on your feed and say enough is enough? Have Rex not scatter, unbalanced and broken your to heart to a point where you can't seem to heal anymore and reject his advances. When I visit that city, I pray the gods are with Rex because he will get the other side of me". Ella placed her hand on Princess Maya's lap, "please stop, let what happened in Sanilar city reminds in Sanilar city and let make happy memories here in the countryside, I miss Wattu Kingdom". Ella has to change the topic or the next thing Rex will be receiving at his door step will be police questioning him on matters of love. Princess Maya can do anything to hurt anyone who touches Maya, even crazy things. Deep down in Ella, she knows Princess Maya will deal with Rex and Julia. "My father has said if I don't get married to the suitor of his choice, I will not be leaving this village anytime soon, and you know me, there is no way I will be entering the calamity of no ending in the name of satisfying my father's political desires" said Princess Maya. "Is a known fact that, all princesses of the Wattu Kingdom are obligated to have a political marriage for the betterment of their people. You are a leader, and you have to put your people first, before your happiness" said Ella. "Like you have been putting Rex first before your happiness and see where we are now, Ella royalty is not a choice and my father has to understand that, I didn't choose this life, it chooses me, and it will have to accept the decisions I make. I can't give up my happiness for the people. I'm not the one sitting on the throne. My junior brother is there to occupy that position. I'm there to help when needs arise". "But you are more educated, intelligent, and the people will prefer you assist your brother on the throne. I have seen the way you control your brother like a kid with no direction. With you by his side, the throne and the people will be safe." Said Ella. Please, my dear Ella, I did not leave the comforts of my palace to come and discomfort myself with the matters of the throne. Let not talk about my marital issues when I have to deal with your situation with Rex and Julia" looking from left to right, "where is your grandmother?" "You, just, missed her on your way here. She when out to collect her money from Ma Monica" replied Ella. Princess Maya, "I don't understand why you decide to come and spend time here, when you would have just come and stayed in the palace with me.". Ella smiled, "I need to assist my grandmother for the time been. I will come and spend some time in your royal palace and to please you too. Are you happy now?" Princess Maya smiles but changes her face immediately, not until I deal with Rex and Julia for taking the smile I have worked so hard to place on that face of yours". Princess Maya is known to take the battle to the extremes and must see the end. Ella knows better than to try to convince her to let it go. Even if Ella succeeds in doing so, Princess Maya will still not let it go. Her determination to deal with guys like Rex who take advantage of innocent girls like Ella stems from within.
Both Ella and Princess Maya engage in a serious discussion of their old days in the university for some time before she looks at her phone and realizes she has to be at the palace for a ceremony. She made Ella promise her to come and visit her the next day in the palace. Ella knows the ceremonial welcome that will be waiting for her when she visits the palace. Among all the visitors' that have ever graced the palace with their presence, none have ever please Princess Maya like when Ella visited the palace for the first time, when they were kids. The maids work overnight, the guard were told to make sure nothing happened to Ella. Before she arrived the palace, the Queen was amazed at the length Princess Maya went just to please her. It was like a celebration of another Princess or Prince coming for a visit. They were expecting to see the unthinkable but Princess Maya surprised them that it was just Ella, the granddaughter of Martha. Even thought many were disappointed for the over preparation? The Queen was so happy to have witnessed the event planning skills of Princess Maya put in place to welcome a quest. She is really intelligent, and the Queen plays along with everyone else back then.
Achefor visits the palace and requests the guard for an audience with the King. One of the guards goes and informs the king of the presence of Achefor the son of Fokala, a well-known professor that respected the king when he was alive. Achefor is ushered into the king's presence as the bowls to greet him "good afternoon my king". Achefor said. 'Have a sit Achefor and explain the purpose for your visit?' Reply the king. Achefor sits down and one of the guards offers him a glass and pours wine into it for him. Achefor drink the strong wine and closed his eyes to express the burning sensation coming from his throat. "My king I came bearing gifts, not the visible ones but information on how to obtain your gift" said Achefor. The king stars at him suspiciously for some time, "go on Achefor". Achefor took another sip of the wine and closed his eyes again, "my king the daughter of my late cousin Martin Asufor just visited the village and by her appearance, I think she will make a fine wife for the king," said Achefor. The kings waited a beat before replying him, "you know I have my legal wife and 7 other wives who are gracing my bed as concubines, what make you think, I will wish for another maiden for a wife?" Achefor staring at the floor "all I wish for my king is for his days to be longer, this maidens is so beautiful and attractive. It's been long we heard the cry of a newborn and for the kingdom to have a reason to celebrate. As compared to our beautiful and attractive queen, this maiden is younger, innocent and will make the king experience youthfulness again. Permit my use of words, my king". The king smiles and stares at Achefor who dares not look at the king's eyes. "You do have a point, Achefor, so where can I find this maiden of yours?" Achefor smiles and stares at the king for the first time, "my king don't burden yourself with where and when to find her, I will make sure to send her your path, leave that part of the journey for me, I will do all the arrangement for her to cross your path, and you can take it from there". The king smiled , "there is nothing wrong in taking another young, vibrant wife to grace the king's bed; I look forward to hearing from you Achefor". Achefor gets up from his sit; I will take my leave to start the necessary arrangement, my king". "May the gods grace your path and see you through, but you never mention a reward for this service you are about to render" said the king. Achefor waited a moment before responding, "any reward will be enough for the humble son of Fokala my king," said Achefor. "Ok my son, I will definitely see into your needs" king replied. Achefor gets up and bowl to the King, "may you live long, my king". The king signals acceptance of his greetings and he walks out of the main chamber of the king.
Achefor smiling as he is walking out of the palace while the princess is entering the palace in her car. Achefor waits for Princess Maya's car to pass through before he continues on his way. Achefor still smiling as the first part of the plan has been achieves, if Ella gets marry to the king, she will not border about the properties of Martha because the King will not care about such. First it was Martin standing on my way and death clear that path for me and now Ella will be marrying the king soon and nothing can stop me from occupying the property, Achefor though. Even if the king doesn't reward me, I will still be rewarded handsomely.
Rex driving to the office to meet his father about some documents he is supposed to sign about his death mother's Properties. He remembers the unwanted engagement with Julia and is not happy about it. Rex can't count the number of times he had dream of getting married to Julian in her absence, he had looked for her from any and every available place available when she had lifted him. He can't count the times he had planned to marry Julia immediately he finds her, but what is happening to him? He is supposed to be happy about the engagement, not twisting his face like a man given a spoil lemon juice to quench his taste. He drives into the parking lot of the office garage and walks out of the car. Walking towards the lifter and meets with other people but did not pay attention to them.
Rex enters the office to meet his father, Mr. Watson Johnson, talking to his secretary. His father is known to be a busy man after the death of his mother 4 years ago. He didn't want to sit and idle around mourning her, and since then, he had been working nonstop to keep the company going with Rex's elder brother Simon. The secretary walks out of the office with some files and Mr. Johnson turns to Rex, "what happened to you, you look like you could use a drink". Rex sits quiet, and Mr. Johnson walks over and sits beside his favorite son. "You know, you are the only son I had with my legal married wife. Simon is an illegitimate child which can't be treated like my real son. Yes, I may have recognized him as mine but in my heart you are everything that is lifted of your mother." Said Mr. Johnson. Rex Wipes his face, "I got Julia engage" said Rex. Mr. Johnson is quiet, "do you love her? Because a man who just got the love of his life engaged after being absent for 2 years should be happy, not appear to be moody", replied Mr. Johnson.
"I had though I will be happy with her return but ever since she came back something had already changed in me and I don't know what," said Rex. "Getting married is not a child's play my son, the Julia that lifted might not be the same Julia that came back, if you have engaged her and instead of enjoying you are enduring then, something is definitely wrong." Mr. Johnson said. Rex is silence; "you have to take time to study the woman you wish to marry, my son. Jumping into it because someone forces you or circumstances warrant you to marry is worse than anything on earth." Johnson gets up pick the documents from the table and hands them over to Rex, who collects them. Mr. Johnson, "here are the company's shares belonging to your mother, I don't know what may happen tomorrow, but I don't want your brother to battle it with you after I'm gone". Rex signs the documents and handed them over to his father, "I want to take some days off work to figure things out" Rex said. You have to come back quickly for the general board meeting that is coming up soon, don't miss it for anything, I will hand over this to the company's lawyer" replied Mr. Johnson.
Rex getting up "my life without her is so confusing Dad, I have never really though her departure will affect me this much". I know that your mom's absence will effect you a lot, but imagine me living in that house without her" replied Mr. Johnson. "I'm talking about Ella Dad, not mom," Rex said, facing his father. "I miss mom too, but the death of Ella's parents' made her to understand my pain, and I was able to cope" Rex Reply. Johnson staring at his son, "and you are engaging another woman Rex, can't you see that your heart, body and soul belongs to Ella? If you can't miss your mom in her presence and same time engage to Julia….. Think, my son think". Rex embraced his father, "take some days off father, she is gone and don't kill yourself trying to forget her because you will not," Rex said and separate from his father "story of my life, I will take my leave and go to the office. I have some work to be done before taking some days off. I need to figure myself out". Rex walking out of the office as his father picks up the phone to make a call. Rex in the corridor of the office, maybe what my father said is right, if my heart, body and soul belong to Ella, then what I'm I doing engaging Julia?
To be continued