SONIA
"I expected you to drive past the house last Sunday morning to pick me up, but you didn't. I thought you were still brooding over the incident that happened and you'd soon get over it, but then this Sunday again, you still didn't drive past. I called your number and it wasn't reachable. What's going on Sonia?" My Aunt Helen asked.
I sighed and sat back on the love seat.
I usually drove past my Aunty's house to pick her up every Sunday morning to go to church together. That has been our routine since I graduated and started attending her church.
But I couldn't do it. I missed church last week and even this week.
Things have changed.
In fact, I don't know if I still have any routine activity anymore.
She looked round the house.
"Why does this place look empty, as if you're moving?"
"That's because I'm moving" I retorted. "And you're not to tell anyone, not even your sister"
Aunt Helen frowned. "You really should go meet your mum and talk things true Sonia. Running away isn't the best way to settle things"
"And who says I'm interested in settling things with that lying bitch?!!" I said, without realizing what I actually said.
My aunt did the unthinkable.
She slapped me hard.
I swallowed.
"Don't you ever!! Ever!!! Say that about your mother again! Because no matter whatever she did, or didn't do, she's still your mum"
Before I could say anything, the Uber I called arrived and I stood up to grab the few things I'd packed.
"Where are you going, Sonia? Please keep in touch" She said and I walked out.
I'd already arranged to stay at a hotel for two weeks, to conclude my resignation process at the bank where I worked, before leaving America for Scotland. I'd earlier planned a vacation to Scotland, before these issues with Ben and my family arose.
And now, I'm considering relocation, and with a baby on the way...
I touched my stomach. I couldn't have this baby. I couldn't. Once I get to Scotland, I'll arrange to have an abortion procedure.
"We're here ma'am" The Uber driver announced, and looked at me through the inside mirror.
"Alright, thank you" I paid him and then alighted from the car, with my stuffs and checked into the hotel.
Switching on my laptop, the first message I got was from my boss. It read "You're fired!"
I rubbed my eyes, and brought out my phone, which I had earlier placed on silent mode. There were several missed calls from several unknown numbers, from my aunt Sonia, my mum, my boss, and then Ben
There was messages left unread as well. I opened those ones.
As I read through every message, I sighed and rested my head on my palm.
Damn you Allison!!
I tried not to cry, but the tears couldn't stop falling.
Allison apparently went and told the press the whole story, how Billionaire Dr Ryan Caldwell was my stepfather and Ben was my stepbrother, and worst of all, how I was pregnant for my stepbrother.
My life, my image and my reputation has been tarnished before all New Yorkers. No doubt my name would be trending on Daily News.
So much for spending two weeks in the hotel. I booked a flight for the following morning.
I couldn't even sleep well that night.
Early the next morning, I checked out of the hotel and booked an Uber to the airport.
As I found my seat and got settled, I looked back at New York, where I was born and grew up, and I couldn't help but shed tears. It hurt so bad.
BEN
"Dad, is this your idea of sorting the issue? Sending Sonia away?? Honestly, if I find out that you're responsible for her disappearance, I'd never forgive you" I stormed into my dad's office, two months after I'd given up searching for her.
"You think it isn't hard on me too?? Finding out I have a 22 year old daughter who happens to be carrying a baby, your baby, from the press; attending interviews to answer questions I know absolutely nothing about; being the centre of discussion and gossips amongst even my employees, and you stand there to accuse me that I'm responsible for her disappearance. Watch your tone, son!!" My dad warned in a voice I've never heard him use on me before.
I sat down and folded my arms defiantly.
"I have Private investigators looking for her all over the country, but from all indications, she's no longer in America. As long as she's alive, we'll find her. I promise you" My dad assured and I nodded, and left his office.
From there, I drove straight to Allison's house. Sonia confided in Allison, and Allison apparently took the news to the Press, for God knows how much. It meant that Allison might also have an idea of where Sonia took off to.
"Ben" She started. "I didn't expect to see you here"
"You damn well know why I am here. And you better start talking. Where the hell is Sonia?" I banged on the ugly-looking crusty table in Allison's living room. She shivered.
"I don't know where she is. I didn't know she'd leave. Believe me" She pleaded, seeing how furious I was.
"Believe you!!!" I laughed angrily. "Sonia believed you. She believed you were her best friend and look how that turned out. I swear to God, if you don't tell me right now, where you think Sonia might be, I'll make sure I destroy you and everything you've worked hard for. I believe you know me, and you know what I'm capable of doing" I lashed out at her.
"Sonia once mentioned going on a vacation to Scotland, but I don't know if that's where she went because she didn't..."
That was all I needed.
If Sonia mentioned that she was going to Scotland, then she probably was in Scotland.
LISA GORDON
Everyone's been talking. I don't fail to recognize the sheer gossips and whispers anytime I'm walking along the road. Even my twin sister, Helen isn't speaking to me.
And my daughter!! Oh Sonia!!
I cried out and stood up.
I went to the cellar and brought out an alcoholic wine, with a glass cup. I poured the wine into into the cup and gulped it down at once.
Miserable.
Yeah, that's what I'd call my state right now.
I'm a miserable lonely woman.
So many times I'd wanted to tell Sonia about her dad, considering the fact that he stayed close by, in New Jersey, but I never got around to make out time to talk to her.
I was busy making money and I ignored my own daughter. I'd been selfish.
Another adjective to add to my state. Miserable, selfish.
I poured another glass of wine for myself and was about to down it, when my door opened slightly.
I frowned, wondering who had the mind to badge into my compound. I also wondered where the security man was, that he'd let anyone into my house.
"Can I come in?" I stopped when I heard the voice.
It was a voice I never thought I'd hear in decades.
"Ryan!" I said, as he walked in already.
He looked round the house, completely ignoring my greeting.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"We've been living so close to each other, yet we never bumped into each other. How's that possible?" He asked with a small smile.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"When were you ever going to tell me that Sonia was mine?" He asked.
"I was never going to tell you" I replied defiantly.
"Still stubborn as ever, I see. I hate what this revelation is doing to Ben"
"I also hate what it has done to Sonia's and my relationship. It's separated us" I said, trying to hold back the tears.
"Why didn't you tell her about me after all these years? Why hide the truth from her?"
"Can everyone just stop blaming me for once, and at least share in my pain as well?"
"You caused yourself pain. You'll endure it alone. I didn't come here to mince words with you, Lisa. I came to get the truth from you. Is Sonia really mine?"
"Of course she is. Do you think I'd intentionally put my daughter through this heartbreak if you weren't her father?" I retorted, wondering why he'd question Sonia's paternity.
And then he walked out, leaving me confused, wondering why he was actually here.
I stood up and closed the door behind him.