Richard fell silent at the other end of the line, it seems he didn't understand exactly what she said "I don't get it, what do you mean?"
"In literal sense, I am married", she replied this time with more ease and confidence as though it's a common occurrence but recalling the scowl on Davis face when he was forced to sign the marriage registration form, she couldn't help but laugh.
She never expected that in a space of 72 hours, she will be called out from the countryside where she resides with her grandmother to return to the Brown family and the next moment she will find herself bearing the name of Davis Allen's wife, — a whirlwind of events that swept through her life unexpectedly.
Richard sighed, he was thinking that Jessica will be coming over to attend to some of the projects at hand after she had made a trip to the Brown family but it seems the situation is going to change.
"What about the various projects you are handling as well as orders that came in?" Richard asked skeptical.
"I will handle some from here while you take care of all the operations and send down a capable assistant who can handle my tasks from here. Also schedule my meetings online pending when they will be a change." She instructed further.
"Alright, I will do just that but you must be careful. Allen family isn't just a playground."
"I know and am not that weak besides you seem to have forgotten that am just a simple, unloved daughter of the Brown family from the countryside."she smirked.
Seeing she is in the mood for telling jokes then it's not yet bad. "Your identity?" He asked.
"With the current phase of things, I can only answer the Brown family daughter so no need to worry.", she concluded and ended the call in one swift motion gazing into the distance with memories of the past she had buried so deep resurfacing.
Jessica and Richard had always been friends since their paths first crossed on that fateful rainy day fifteen years ago, when Jessica was sent to the countryside following her mother's death.
At the age of seven, Jessica lost her mother (Nora) to the cold hands of death at Merits Hospital. Before her death, she spent several months on the hospital sick bed but the doctor failed to provide a detailed report of her ailment or the potential cure.
Jessica though a little child will lie down beside her, offering silent comfort and will sometimes cry herself to sleep. At some point Nora began vomiting blood anytime she coughed, she became frail and weak but George never visited or come anywhere close during her hospitalization. Jessica not wanting to lose her mother took it up on herself to go to Brown's company to seek out his father in the bid to get him to relocate her mother to another hospital with advanced technology.
Jessica arrived the company and took the elevator up to her father's office with the aid of a staff who knew her identity. The secretary wasn't on seat, so not seeing anyone outside she decided to check her father in the office. Without knocking, she pushed the door and the sight before her made her froze in shock.
His father was entangled with a woman in the office while her mother (his wife) was dying in the hospital; she was hurt, she was sad and not been able to do anything her tears streamed down her face in torrents. She felt for her mother, she had given her all to the family but the payback —betrayal.
George felt no shame about his behavior but only felt angry about her intrusion and without a glance at her pushed her out of the door. The challenging smirk of the lady who had deprived her the love of her father still fresh in her memory.
After three days she made the trip her mother passed away. On her death bed, her mother had taken off the necklace she wore and gently placed it around her neck "When the time comes it will guide you", she muttered softly before her hand fell lifelessly to her side.
Within the space of one month after her mother's death, her life took a different turn; her mother was buried , her father brought in the mistress and her daughter, the same lady she met in the office and she was sent to the countryside to live with her grandmother.
The journey to the countryside was memorable because it was filled with thorns. The Brown family just called in the taxi and paid him to take her there, nobody cared about her age, security or feelings. At some point of the journey, the driver ousted her out of the car in the middle of nowhere and drove off.
With no hope and option left, she had to walk the road trying to recall the path according to the direction her mother always takes anytime they make a trip. It was this journey that had brought them together— her, Richard and an older boy she couldn't remember his name.
Because Richard was heading to the countryside they were able to keep contact but the older boy bade them farewell promising to seek them out before he left for the city.
A gentle tap on the door brought her out of her reverie, it was then she noticed her faces had been wetted with her tears. She never thought this memory will ever resurface; she had buried it deep in her heart because it hurts anytime she remembers it and she promised to make them pay for every ounce of hurt she felt.
Glancing at the time, "It must be Ethan", she murmured. She had expected a response from Ethan concerning Davis situation and true to her guess, Ethan's voice filtered through.
"Madam, are you awake", Ethan asked outside the door, his tone cautious as though not to disturb her.
"I am awake, do you need anything?", she croaked. She needed time to gather herself and cleanse her reddened eyes. So, she must avert his attention.
"Not really, Sir had been asleep for the past five hours, is that okay?", he asked. He had been happy that Davis was finally able to sleep but he didn't expect he will sleep this long.
"There's no problem, just let him sleep until he wakes up naturally and then inform the cook to add more of vegetables in his dish, he needs more of it", she concluded.
Ethan nodded his understanding before leaving. Jessica stretched as she headed to the bathroom for a refreshing bath. Emerging moments later, she felt light as her pent up emotions gradually faded out. She walked over to the soft bed and laid down and waited for the comforting embrace of slumber to lull her to sleep.