CHAPTER 7: Breaking Down

Elaine rubbed her neck and exhaled as she walked out of the hotel she booked for her parents to spend the night and next few days.

Her parents had been so traumatised by the incident that they refused to spend the night in their own house, afraid that as they closed their eyes to sleep, someone might harm them.

So she had to find a hotel with good enough security for them based on what she could afford. She also gave them money to feed for the next few days.

They had packed a few clothes and toiletries from home, so there was no need for new ones.

Standing outside the 'average' but good enough hotel, her eyes trailed over the building and she felt the tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

She was tired. Of everything.

"If you decide to destroy your life because of a man whose family do not regard you, I will kill myself and end all of this. I refuse to stay alive and watch my only child live a shameful life because of a man…."

Elaine shivered violently as the angry words from her mother's lips, Beatrice Smith echoed in her mind.

By the look on her mother's face, she knew Beatrice meant every word she said.

Elaine needed someone to talk to. She boarded a cab heading to her friend's house. She planned to spend the night there.

When the door pulled open, a black American woman screamed…..

"Elainnnne" Jessica Davis rushed forward and pulled her into a wholesome hug.

Elaine couldn't tell whether it was the welcoming hug, her complete exhaustion or the sweet smell of fried chicken coming from Jessica's kitchen….

But the moment Jessica smiled at her and hugged her, all her defences crashed and she broke down as hot tears spilled from her eyes.

Elaine felt Jessica pull back quickly, her expression filled with confusion. "Girl, are you alright? Come over here"

Jessica pulled her into her sitting room and passed a box of tissue to her. "Hold on. Cry it all out. I'll be right back. I be frying some chicken, don't wanna get us fried up in some house fire too"

Elaine chuckled even as the tears still flowed. She dried the tears from her face and breathed in and out. Glancing at the clock, the time showed 6:37pm.

What a day!

Jessica walked in with two plates of fried chicken and Elaine's stomach rumbled in response.

"That's a loud one. You ain't eaten since three weeks ago?" Jessica joked as she passed a plate to her.

Elaine laughed, though her eyes didn't light up. "Just today. I'm starving"

"So what's up? Don't tell me it's the old witch again"

Elaine gave a small smile and nodded when she heard Jessica referring to Margaret Rogers as the old witch.

"No way. Not again! That woman be testing my patience. What really happened?"

Elaine calmly narrated the events of the past five days from when she was sick to this present moment. By the time she was done talking, there were two empty plates with chicken bones.

Jessica remained quiet for a moment, a frown on her face.

"Won't you say something?" Elaine nudged, uncomfortable by her silence.

"Girl, what you want me to say? We already talked about this before. I told you. I told you that things are gonna get worse cause that woman be ready to kick you out by all means…."

"....I ain't really surprised." Jessica continued. "I ain't giving any excuses for her. She treated you real bad but I agree with your mother. It's time for you to move on with your life. How can they treat a freaking genius like you this way? You too hot for them, girl"

"I can't just leave Alexander. Not after everything we've planned together."

"I actually feel sorry for him. He is so kind yet his mother be making things hard for him. The thing is if you choose him, you lose both your parents and me, your lovely friend…." Jessica winked at her.

A beep from Elaine's phone made them pause. Elaine picked her phone, scrolled through it for a moment and suddenly screamed.

"Oh my Goodness! Oh my Goodness!" Elaine muttered repeatedly, staring at her phone like she had just seen a ghost.

"Girl, fill me in. What's going on?"

"I j—i just got accepted as a resident orthopaedic surgeon in one of those hospitals I applied to last year"

"Oh my…." Jessica jumped from her seat and wrapped Elaine in a warm embrace. "....finally. Finally!"

Elaine paused and looked at her friend. A sad smile settled on her lips "It's in Italy. Seems like even the heavens want me far from his family"

"You better take the offer. You were the best graduating student in your field. Don't take this for granted. Show them what you got"

"Can't I have both? Both the job and Alexander?"

"Unfortunately, not with a mother-in-law like that." Jessica soon her head in disapproval. "She's the problem. Normally, your husband wouldn't mind if he had to move with you but if the old witch discovers you're still with her son despite everything….."

"....she's gonna get bloody, you know what I mean?" Jessica paced around. "....I can't believe she actually said she was going to make me lose the competition by all means. She's a coward."

Elaine nodded in approval.

"Remind me never to date a man from an elite family if I see one. Their mothers be too scary most times"

Elaine laughed. "I agree. Too scary"

"Does Alexander know you're spending the night here?"

"Yes, I told him after I dropped my parents at the hotel"

"Does he know about what happened today?"

Elaine shook her head. "I doubt. His mother got really angry when I said I would tell her son what happened today so I doubt he knows anything about it"

"Don't tell him anything about this. Girl, I need you to process everything that has happened so far then pack your bags and run over to Italy. Build your own life for your own self."

Elaine sighed. "I get what you mean but am I supposed to act like I didn't make marriage vows to him and just leave?"

"I d—I don't know how this marriage thing be working sometimes but what I do know is that you're too bright to be locked up with a crazy mother-in-law like that. You'll figure it all out"

Elaine closed her eyes. "Are you sure about that? I can't seem to figure anything out lately."

Jessica tapped her shoulders. "Girl, look me in the eyes"

Elaine rolled her eyes. "You want to do that motivation thing again? Aspire to perspire?"

"I'm serious girl. See, you need to remember all the nasty things you've been through so far and use that energy of those painful memories to push forward…."

"....if you continue acting this way, a lot of things could go wrong. You know your mother be saying some really weird things sometimes but she could really kill herself if you keep slaving your life away. You can do better, you know? You have so much potential "

Elaine sat down and stretched her legs. "I need another plate of that fried chicken. Also, get ready cause I still have a lot to say"

Jessica laughed. "I'm here for you girl. I'm here for you"