Rosaline stretched on the bed, she glanced at the clock. It was exactly 7:00am. Renee was still sleeping, last night was more like an offloading for her.
Rosaline wished she found the right time last night to tell Renee about her pregnancy but Renee was so into her speech that Rosaline had to let her talk. Renee was always the listener, so Rosaline didn't want to surpress her excitement with her own sob story.
News about her pregnancy could wait.
The sound of the gate opening came to her,she was curious as to who it was....it was still too early for anyone to visit,she peeked through the window to see who it was.
A red SUV parked into the drive way...Rosaline saw Gina's short plump legs hurrying to where the car was parked.
Ohhh....if it isn't the bridegroom....who else would it be?
Rosaline smiled as she plopped down on the bed beside Renee.
"The eagle has landed" Rosaline whispered into Renee's ear.
Renee stretched "Are we going to have bird soup for breakfast?"
"What?....why would you think that?" Rosaline giggled.
"Gina's an entire planet on her own...you never know what's going on in her head" Renee yawned.
Rosaline gave a nod of agreement and the "look of approval" ...Gina was a lot of things,but sensible and mature was not part of it.
Rosaline!.
Realizing she'd digressed from her main agenda....she cleared her throat.
"The Eagle has landed...Ren"
"Cut the crap ,Rosy. It's too early to go cuckoo" she chuckled
Rosaline grabbed Renee's face and kissed her on the lips.
Renee experienced fear and humor with a mix of excitement....all at the same time.
Had her sister gone mad?
Curse you,Toby!
"Focus, Ren.....the eagle has landed. Your eagle has landed" Rosaline said with a serious face.
"What eagle...I don't own a-"Suddenly it hit her "-for real life?!. Noah's here?"
Rosaline nodded ,obviously proud that she got her coded message across....
"That clown!. He told me it'd take a week before he got back.
Clown?!.... Rosaline sighed,she was never going to understand modernized romance.
"Let's wash up and go down for breakfast " She smiled at the already washing up Renee.
Love truly can change a person.
"Don't bath without me!. That's an order Ren" Rosaline quickly bared herself.
" Get in here....we don't have much time" Renee said loudly
One would think they were going to see a celebrity. Rosaline rolled her eyes as she entered into the bathroom
" Who is this??.... Renee is that you?. What have you done to my sister?"
"Seriously, Rosy" Renee gave her the quit playing around look
"Fine. You were so bummed last night that he wasn't going to be around for one week. And you went on and on about how you wouldn't be able to openly show your love because of the family. You said it was better he wasn't going to be around!"
"Okay, I was lying when I said it was better.....your point has been made. Let's have our bath"
*. *. *. *. *. *.
Nolan watched from his balcony as their parents hugged Noah.
They'd always been like that,doting on him every chance they got. Noah was probably their favorite son, considering the fact that he was given a major part of the family business ,while the rest had to deal with scraps.
He'd taken a liking to Rosaline when he noticed Noah had a crush on her when they were younger.
He was hoping it was still the same,that way he can hurt him all over again. Just like he did 15 years ago.
Nolan grimaced when he heard the door of his room opening,he didn't turn to see who it was.
"Shouldn't you be used to it already?"
Nara said from behind him.
She was referring to how their parents treated Noah.
"What're you doing in my room?"
"I'm on a mission....mom told me to drag you downstairs" Nara chuckled.
"Tell her you've failed....I'm a bit busy "
"With what.....hating on your family?. Y'know you're not the only one that thinks our parents are dsyfunctional,but literally all parents are biased just that they don't show it as much as ours do.... in their defense, Dad doesn't have a favorite,he probably doesn't even know he has a daughter "
"So you're okay with having nothing" He asked her expressionless.
"Nope, but I'm okay with not having so much pressure and expections on me. And also,we have our own equal share of the inheritance,Nolan" She laughed.
"I'll be downstairs"
"That was fast....I'll wait outside your door."
"Sure"
Obviously,what was he expecting... Nara had always been okay being a plan B or a second choice. She liked being controlled that was her way of survival. Nolan found it pathetic and pitiful,though he didn't pity her. She maybe his sister but she wasn't worth his time.
If there was anything he learnt from his parents, it's that one should let go of useless things and Nara was dead weight.
The Moores were more of a charity thing to his parents, not like they were helping them financially, but it was something they boasted about at parties or any social gathering.....that they were so humble they were long time friends with average people.
He,himself thought of the Moores as a nuisance,so he couldn't judge his parents. The Moore's were just too righteous and they were somewhat delusional. How can they be so happy when they barely had anything. To them ,they were comfortable but to him ,it was a truly an appalling life.
He couldn't think of himself in their position.
Despite,his despise for their lifestyle.....he had his hat set on making Rosaline his.
She was meant for him, he knew it and she knew it too, she was just having a hard time accepting it.
He took his shirt and put it on....then went to the front of the mirror. It was a blue shirt, and it didn't feel the way he wanted it to.
He wanted to feel cool and unbothered yet elegant. He needed a feel of royalty.
Something black would do.
He took out a black pant and a loose black silk shirt.
"Perfect" he said after he put it on.
He undid the two top buttons of his shirt to expose his chest a little then he wore a silver chain necklace.
He styled his blonde hair to make him look boyish and effortlessly cool.
He struck a few poses in front of the mirror and was satisfied.
He took his cologne and sprayed it around him.
"Nolan!" Nara knocked.
"Pipe down...I'm coming out" he said as he wore his stud.... one last look in the mirror and he went out.
"You should've spent the whole d-ouuu looking good,big bruh" Nara smiled
" I love your cologne, it's an EDT-" Nolan shot her a confused glance "- y'know Eau de toilette, slightly strong, long lasting type of cologne"
"Spoken like a true Nose....and no I don't know what you're talking about" Nolan snickered.
"Is it Tom Ford??...can I have it?"
"If you like it so much...go get yours"
" Hmm...is it a gift-" seeing that he didn't respond,Nara gasped "- from Stephanie??"
He nodded a yes.
" So, you guys are like in love?"
Stephanie was once his business partner. She was a more exposed and made woman unlike Rosaline. She was a woman who liked being in control and she was more his type. But to say he was in love with her was a bit far fetched.
"We're just friends"
"If you say so" Nara ran down the stairs.
Why did she run down the stairs?? Nolan laughed. She was sometimes unpredictable.
*. *. *. *. *. *.
As much as she didn't want to be too involved with this household,she couldn't tolerate bad food especially in the morning. Beatrice went downstairs to the kitchen, she had to oversee the cooking before they poisoned them all to eternal defecation.
When she got to the kitchen, Gina was already there.
Great,just what she needed.
Lord , grant me the strength to keep my mouth shut and not insult her. What is she wearing?!!. Oh lord ,why must you test your daughter so?.
Beatrice eyed Gina's purple gown that had way too many organza lacings
Was she going to an audition for a role in Little Mermaid?
"She'd pass as an uglier version of Ursula" Beatrice muttered to herself before closing her eyes.
She's not Ursula, she is an uglier version ...she is also Nathan's wife. There's nothing wrong with her dress or her head,she's just an ugly person.
Beatrice inhaled then exhaled,when she was sure she had calm herself...
"Good morning all" she said in a chirpy tone.
"Oh, Beatrice. You didn't have to come...Good morning"
"I guess it's because I'm used to cooking for the family early in the morning"
" Oh I totally understand, but you don't have to. I wouldn't want you messing up my kitchen"
Good Lord!!
"Of course, we wouldn't want that, that's why I brought my crockpot and a little cooker....I just wanted to ask if you could find a space for me to place them or you'd rather....I cook in the room and burn your house down?" Beatrice smiled.
Gina opened her mouth to say something,but closed it before gestering to a large chest cupboard beside the kitchen window.
"Why,thank you"
"You're welcome"
"What's for breakfast??"Beatrice asked
"Avocado toasts and salad"
"That's lovely. "
"What will you be preparing??"
"Arroz con huevo" Beatrice smiled.
"What is that?"
"You don't know?. Shocking!"
With a hmph,Gina left the kitchen.
" Stop the avocado toasts....bring me rice,egg, meat, some veggies, sausages ,chicken and pouched shrimp. Sh*ts about to get real. Look alive people " Beatrice did a small victory dance and laugh.
*. *. *. *. *. *.
Jonathan watched his wife pace angrily around the room,she was obviously waiting for him to ask her why she was so angry but he didn't really want to know because he was sure it was related to Beatrice.
"Is breakfast ready?" He was more interested in the food and was hoping Beatrice was in the kitchen. Too much green was making him feel like a cow.
He felt too healthy, life was supposed to be half and half but the woman he was in love with and married to was a perfectionist.
"You would not believe what I just had to go through in my own home"
Here we go...
"That snake,she took over my kitchen like it was hers "
"You went to the kitchen... why??"
"Does it matter,she's trying to take over our lives because they're poor.....she was eyeing my dress and coveting it, she's jealous of me,Nathan, can't you see?"
I'm m not supposed to laugh ..Jonathan sighed.
"You do realize, Beatrice is a retired chef....saying their family is poor is a bit too much. And there's nothing wrong with her fixing the meal. You never go to the kitchen,you can't cook so let someone who understands the way of cooking make the food. Aren't you tired of seeing green in every meal?"
"Green is my favorite color and wee need to keep a healthy weight.How could you say such, I just want us to be a healthy family. Beatrice and her family look so fat and sickly,don't you think so?"
"They look better than we do, love. And I'm tired of eating salad. I love you but I need a change in my meal plan ,at least for the next one month. I also don't think she'd covet your clothes... at least not this particular one" He eyed the Tutu like dress she strapped to her neck
"You never support me" When he didn't reply,she stomped her feet and turned to leave.
"Oh, darling?" He called
"What is it??" She turned and eyed him.
"Green doesn't suit you.....purple also" Jonathan watched as she hastily went outside the room, probably angrier than she was earlier. Pity for whoever would say anything she found stupid.
*. *. *. *. *. *.
Since breakfast was not ready, Rosaline,Renee and Zoe went for a morning walk and they were on their way back.
"So you guys are together?..
That's big news... congratulations girl. I was thinking you were gay" Zoe tittered
They told her about Noah, because Renee couldn't stop smiling, giggling and sighing ,Zoe was curious and they were kind of a trio.
"Me?!.....gay?.... I can't say I haven't considered it but I don't think it's something I want for myself especially with the kind of mother I have"
They all laughed at that, Beatrice was an active believer and she was really heavy on Christianity, combined with her attitude, it was a lot.
"I see you there. Your mother is someone my guys back at my home town would call over-sabi" Zoe said
"What does it mean?" Rosaline asked as she adjusted the shawl to protect David's head from the sun.
"When someone is overly dramatic or does too much" Renee said.
Zoe nodded in agreement.
"How'd you know that??" Rosaline giggled.
"I have African friends, especially Nigerians and Southies" Renee said with pride "I really.... y'know.....put myself out there" She squeezed her face and put her hands out like she was pushing something.
Rosaline and Zoe laughed heartily.....
"Out there??. Where?...in the woods?" Rosaline said.
"Or in the mud" Zoe added.
"Haha....very funny. It's better than your lagging code this morning. Miss eagle"
"What eagle??" Zoe asked.
Renee told her about what happened in the morning.
Renee and Zoe laughed,now it was Rosaline's turn to feel embarrassed...they ran as they made fun of her height.
She tightened the baby sling before she chased after them.
She didn't want to because she was hungry.
But since they were already close to the house,she couldn't let them get away with it.
They were still playing around when Renee hit her foot on a stone and lost her footing. She fell into someone's hands.
It was Noah.
Rosaline and Zoe smiled knowingly at the sight of the couple.
Noah helped her up and kissed her.
Omigosh...so bold. Rosaline smiled.
In situations like this,anyone who was just divorced would feel pain,maybe even jealousy. But she felt like a mother.
She was so happy for Renee.
Zoe patted her as if knowing what she was feeling.
David squirmed... Rosaline opened the the shawl to check if he was okay.
"Looks like her eagle brought a golden condor along with him" Zoe said
Rosaline laughed while blinking back tears ,she looked up from the baby not understanding what Zoe was talking about.
One look at the man standing beside Noah she understood what Zoe meant.