Yours, Never Again

Eloise’s povThis content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

I pulled Victor close to me, grabbed him tight and I placed a kiss on his lips. Suddenly we got interrupted by the butler with the news that my mom was dead.

What circumstance would have killed Rose? I didn’t miss the shock everyone expressed on their faces when the butler showed them an article from her phone except Victor. Perhaps he figured Rose is my stepmom.

She came to show me too. It turned out to be my late birth mother.

“This is my birth mom and she died while she had me.” I reacted when she showed me. “This probably surfaced because her memorial is coming up soon. My stepmom and Dad are coming to the anniversary. I will introduce them to you. I am sorry if this startled you all.”

“I am so sorry ma’am for bringing unverified news to your eyes.” The Butler apologized and Kate dismissed her. Victor patted my lower back, which soothe the pain I was feeling there. I need a proper massage.

“It’s fine. We should all come for the memorial Service.” Celine said. “Shouldn’t we?” She asked them.

“We should.” Victoria and her brother chorused.

“Of course, we are family now,” Kate added.

The air felt weird like we couldn’t communicate with each other freely. It was awkward.

“I think we should get ready for the party.” I managed to say to break the silence.

“We should.” They chorused again, now this is so weird. We all went to our rooms to prepare for the party.

“Did you notice Victoria has been so quiet?” I asked Victor as I lay on the bed. I wanted to take a quick nap.

“Has she? I think she’s maturing if she has been quiet.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“What do you mean Eloise?”

“She is not talking to us like usual. She just says a few things, she didn’t even put any food in her mouth while we had lunch. Are things fine with her and David?”

“What does that have to do with David?”

“They are seeing each other. Didn’t you notice? I am not supposed to tell you this because it’s our secret and we don’t want you to overreact. Older brothers that don’t like sisters dating their friends, you are one of them, aren’t you?”

He got on the bed and he leaned on me. “I see you have not quit your habit of jumping to conclusions.”

“Get off me.” I pushed him to the floor. He winced in pain, I knew he was pretending because I didn’t push him hard.

“Anyway, I only told you this because I can feel she’s not fine. Call your best friend and tell him to make things right.”

“I am going to mind my business, they didn’t tell me they were dating so I am not involving myself. I will keep an eye on Victoria though.”

“I will do the same. You always mind the wrong businesses anyway, I didn’t expect much from you.”

“Shut it, Eloise. I won’t allow you to provoke me tonight My mom is going to send our clothes for the events up soon.” He lay on his side, he was still on the floor.

“I need to sleep, boy. I am tired. Wake me up when they come. Do me a favour of picking up my phone if Tory calls, she’s coming in to do my hair and my makeup.”

“I got you a black card, don’t spend your money on anything Mrs. Harts spend mine.”

“Hey, are you trying to make me feel butterflies in my stomach? What’s with the spoiling? The Lambo truck you got me earlier and the black card.”

“It’s just to show how I don’t want you to lack any material thing wifey.”

“You can’t go back on your word, Hubby. I plan on spending your money recklessly.” I joked.

“I don’t mind, I am working for you, and for our kids in the future, if we have one.” My mood changed on hearing that and he noticed. I am not over my baby, the one I lost. None of us said anything to each other till I slept off.

***

“Look at the hosts of our gracious party,” Kate yelled waking me and Victor up. That sly boy had slipped into the bed covering the two of us with the bed covers. I saw Tory, Victoria, and some maids come in with her.

The two of us disentangled from each other swiftly and jumped out of the bed. I could hear the maids giggling softly, this is embarrassing.

“It’s not what you think mum.” Kate ignored Victor and she gave me a hug.

“I heard how hard you have worked this week and how that weird boy made you take lessons for this. After the party, we are going to have some girl time.” She assured me and I nodded in affirmation.

“You guys should go easy with her hair and makeup.” She added, and she glared at Victor then she left our room.

Victoria handed him his tuxedo and he went to the closet to get ready. He came out when they were doing my hair.

“I love you Eloise and you know it.” He said before leaving the room.

“Was he being sweet?” Victoria questioned me. “David is so right about him.”

“What did David say about him?” Tory asked her. I knew was she was driving at, Tory is so nosy.

“He said Victor got free fucks in college for his looks and his girlfriends in high school broke up with him because he wasn’t romantic enough.”

“My husband is so romantic. Take a look at this.” I showed them the black card he dropped on the vanishing table for me. The two of them laughed so hard leaving me in confusion.

“Victoria, you can’t blame her, she is just like her husband. A pair of unromantic people, she doesn’t understand pick-up lines.” They continued to laugh.

“David said my brother doesn’t know how to say a pickup line.”

“If you guys don’t want me to scream like a banshee, stop talking and finish up, you have worn your dresses let me wear mine too. I love my husband the way he is.”

“Okay ma’am,” They both said and we did some catching up while they dress me up.