CHAPTER 6

JULEKA

There was a sudden wave of calmness that took over me after speaking with Allen.

He agreed to stop pestering me with his constant troubles and assumptions, and I felt relieved.

"I should take my leave now, Mr Cadell," I said, rising to my feet.

"Wait," Allen uttered, taking hold of my hand suddenly.

My body suddenly shivered at his grip, wondering if he has returned back to that habit of his.

"After what we discussed, he still what's to repeat himself? What is wrong..."

"Let me drop you off, please, " He offered.

I felt flushed and also ashamed of my thoughts. I mistook his action for his stubbornness.

I need to control myself.

"Oh, there's no need for that. I came in my vehicle. Thank you, " I appreciated with a kind rejection, drawing my hands away from Allen's grip.

He didn't fight back or tried to stop me. I guessed he finally accepted the agreement.

Allen hummed over my decision and only offered to see me off to my car.

"There's no harm in that, right? " He asked, rising to his feet with a smile across his face.

"Well, yeah. There's no harm in that, " I agreed with a light smile, paving way for Allen to lead.

"I believe it's the lady first. So, please, after you," Allen insisted, showing the way with his hand.

I didn't argue about it but did as he wanted. I took the lead with Allen following from behind.

He escorted me to my car until I was inside the vehicle, driving away from his mansion.

My eyes didn't leave his spot while reversing out. He just stared at me, waving goodbye.

"I know he'll get over it in no time. He'll stop thinking I'm his missing wife," I believed, leaving.

It didn't take long for me to arrive home. Since I wasn't heading back to the hospital after taking a leave, I chose to head home and get lunch ready for both Ben and my son, Ethan.

"They will be back soon. I have to get things set."

My car came pulling into the parking lot of my home, only to see Ben's car there.

"He's back?" I was surprised, turning off the engine of my car.

I stepped out of the vehicle, hurrying for the door.

"I thought he said he will return by three with Ethan?" This amused me.

This was one in the afternoon.

When I stepped into the house, I found both Ethan and Ben playing around in the living room.

Ethan had a toy gun and Ben did as well. They were playing their favorite game, GET THE THIEF, and running around.

"You will never get me!" Ben roared out jollily, running away from Ethan.

My son was laughing at the top of his voice, making the sound of a gun shot.

"I will get you!" He screamed, chasing Ben.

The sight of their play brightened my heart. I just leaned close to the wall, watching them, until Ethan's gaze fell on me.

"Mommy! " He cheered out, racing towards me.

Ben finally spotted me after hearing Ethan's call. He dropped his gun aside and came forward.

"How are you my sweetheart?" I went on my knees to accept my son into my embrace.

He squeezed me tight and told me about his school and all the fun things his teacher did today.

"That's great! My baby had a good time, didn't he?" I began tickling Ethan.

He was laughing and trying to avoid being tickled any further.

"Hey Champ. Why don't you go get your new toy and show mommy?" Ben suggested to Ethan, signalling him to go.

He always does like this when he wants a privacy with me.

I also told Ethan to listen to Ben and get the new toy.

"I want to see what he bought for you."

"Okay Mommy."

Filled with excitement, Ethan raced out of the living room, still making a gun shot sound.

The moment he left...

"Why?" Ben questioned me suddenly.

I directed my attention on him and found his once jovial face looking all angry.

What is wrong?

"Why what? " I asked, rising to my feet.

"Why did you go there?!" His voice sounding tense, drawing closer to me a bit.

My body shivered at the tone of his voice, wondering if he knew where I had gone to.

I didn't want to jump to conclusions but act like I didn't understand his question.

"What do you mean by that, Ben? Go where?"

"Juleka!" He called, taking me by the hand.

I was shaken by his action, staring into his raging eyes.

That's when he revealed to me.

"You went over to see that man after all he has done? That mad man that thinks he can just claim you as his wife and have you as he wants? That annoying Cadell?!" Ben questioned in anger.

"You know?" I uttered in surprise.

"I don't just know, I saw you going there!" He tossed my hand out of his grip, foaming in fury.

I held the hand he had held, taking my steps back a bit from him.

"What is wrong with you? I am doing everything in my power to make sure that man doesn't come anywhere near you, and you carried yourself to his home?"

"Ben, Allen is just lost. He needs someone to help him see the light. And as a doctor..."

"I don't care! " He yelled, shocking me even more.

"I don't care if he's insane or losing it. I don't want to see you near that man ever again. That man calls himself a billionaire and flaunts with any woman he wants. He shows up and starts claiming you're his wife? Pathetic!"

I could understand Ben's anger. Allen's action had ignited an intense rage and will power to protect his home.

When I learnt that he had beaten Allen to a pulp for trying to meet me despite all warnings, I got so scared and worried for the poor man.

That left me thinking all night and making up the decision to make peace with Allen.

I couldn't bare to see someone get hurt over a misunderstanding.

"Ben, please listen to me. I'm sorry for going over to Allen's place without telling you. But I went there for a good reason."

I held him by the arm, but he shrugged it off, showing how upset he was.

"Ben listen. Allen and I had a talk. And from what we discussed, Allen feels lost. He lost someone in the past and he thought I was the one. We talked it over and he promised to never bother us again."

"And you believed him? " He lifted his brow at me in doubt.

Though I was feeling strange about the decision made, I still stood my ground, assuring Ben that Allen meant every word he said.

"Yes, I trust him. He just need help and people to talk to, heart to heart," I supported.

There was still disappointment in his eyes over my decision.

He gave out a sigh and said, pointing at me, " If he tries anything funny with you, I swear I'm going to end him. He'll regret ever crossing paths with me."

He walked away.

I still remained close to the wall, trying to call my body from the shock given by Ben.

His anger had made me scared that I felt I made a mistake in accepting Allen as a friend.

"Mommy," I heard my son's voice.

I navigated my gaze to the side and met him standing there with his new toy. He looked sad, clinging himself to the wall.

"Yes sweetie?" I signalled him to come closer.

Ethan came, wrapping himself around my legs.

"Where you fighting with Daddy?" He asked in his sad voice.

This left a spark in my heart, sending me lifting Ethan into my arms.

"No my love, we we're fighting. Daddy and I were... We were talking about work. It's really stressing him out, " I lied, just to calm my son.

And it's worked.

Ethan, with a smile, suggested that Ben takes a day off to relax.

"I am here to take care of him. Don't worry," Ethan promised, brightening my heart with his adorableness.

Touched, I kissed him on the cheek, thanking him for being the angel in my life.

"Mommy loves you so much, Ethan."

"I love you too," He retorted, embracing me.

His cuteness took away my worries. I was now feeling confident over my decision on Allen.

"He just need help and nothing much. It must have been tragic for him to lose the woman he loves. Now he thinks I'm the one."

I sighed, still patting my son.

"I know I made the right decision. Allen has promises to behave himself. He won't repeat his last mistake again. When Ben see this, I'm sure he'd accept Allen as well."

"All he needs is care, " I repeated to myself, lowering Ethan down.

I decided to head, to the kitchen to make lunch and also cheer Ben up.

Couldn't stand seeing him mad.