Nineteen
Zeke’s POV
I arrived at my parent’s home as soon as I received my mom’s message. I stared and admired the familiar building for a while before I went in.
My parents’ home exudes an air of refined elegance, with tasteful decor and luxurious furnishings adorning every corner.
“Aha, look who found his way home.” I turned to see my mother walking gracefully towards me. She had on, one of the finest silk in London.
“Hello mother.” I greeted and gave her a hug and a peck.
“Oh son, how have you been faring?” She asked.
“I have been good.” I replied curtly.
My father strolled in just then. I took most of my features from him. He is a handsome man, just as my mom is very beautiful. Sadly, I was not privileged to have a sister as beautiful as she is.
“Good morning Sir.” I greeted formally. That’s how I was trained to address him, following the order of the ancient aristocrats.
“Hello son. Long time no see.” My father’s baritone voice echoed through the halls.
“Yes Sir. Glad to see you are in good health.” I replied.
“Thanks to your mother.” He gave her a peck and she blushed.
The sight was beautiful to behold.
“Alright gentlemen, can we now move to the garden to have our breakfast?” My mother asked. Her voice, bright as her smiles.
“Yes mother.” I replied. My father took her hands in his arms and began walking towards the garden. I followed closely behind them.
The sprawling garden was meticulously landscaped with lush greenery and exotic blooms. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the neatly trimmed lawn and vibrant flower beds.
A stone pathway wound its way through the greenery, leading to a cozy breakfast nook nestled beneath a canopy of leafy trees.
As we sat down for breakfast, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of blooming roses, created a comforting atmosphere.
It was evident that they had worked hard throughout their lives and their retirement in the suburbs was not just a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.
“So Zeke, tell us, how is it going in the city?” my father asked, his voice tinged with the wisdom of age.
“Life in the city is bustling as always,” I replied. “But I find myself craving the peace and quiet of home more.” I added in very low tones.
My mother’s gentle voice chimed in, her eyes filled with maternal affection. “You should visit us more often, dear. We miss having you around.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
“I will do my best, mother.” I replied.
I asked about their vacations and my mother kept telling me stories just like Zane and Fletcher did. I smiled.
For a while, we ate our meal in silence. We just finished our dessert when my mother’s words cut through the air like a sudden gust of wind, catching me off guard.
“Zeke, darling, you have been through two marriages without a child, what is the plan?”
Her question pierced through me like a dagger, but I remained calm. “I don’t know yet Mom,” I replied, hoping my answer would suffice, but it didn’t.
“How can you say that Zeke? You’ve always loved children, remember how you used to play with them back then when we did personal visits to orphanages? So what’s happening now?”
I could not give her a response. They had barely been around due to their endless vacations, so they did not know the reason I had to divorce Ellen.
“Why are you not saying anything Zeke?” She asked again.
“I’m sorry mother, but there is nothing more to say.” I replied.
“No Zeke, I cannot accept that. You definitely need a wife to bear you a child or do you not love children anymore?” Her voice laden with concern.
I sat silently, but my silence only fueled her words.
“Zeke, you had said you were so in love with Ellen, enough to divorce Kamille. Oh bless her soul!” She made a cross sign across her chest. It felt humorous, afterall Kamille was alive.
“I loved Kamille like my own daughter but you sent her away. If you could marry Ellen, then you can marry another young lady, right?” My mother was so persistent, I felt my head spinning from her words.
Before I could respond, my father’s voice, calm and measured, interjected. “Perhaps it’s time to consider your options carefully, son. Whether it’s surrogacy, adoption, or… other avenues.”
“I will think about it, Sir.” I replied.
“Oh, I remember you used to donate your sperm after you found out that Kamille was barren. Can you not try that again?” My mother chirped in.
“No mother. I am done with all that.” I responded.
The mention of surrogacy triggered a flood of memories. When I met Kamille, I was lured by her innocence and purity, which had always held a special place in my heart.
My grandfather and her grandmother had struck a deal. I had to marry her to become CEO of the Reid conglomerate.
Everything went smoothly until after our wedding. Ellen returned from France where she went to learn her music.
Her passion for music had captivated me in ways I couldn’t explain. But somewhere along the way, things had gone awry.
Ellen and I were in a relationship prior to her schooling in France, but due to lack of proper communication, we had to break things off.
I hated Kamille the more after Ellen’s return, that I didn’t even notice when I became a pawn in the hands of my wife’s sister.
Ellen convinced me that Kamille was barren. We had just married and yet to consummate our marriage. I could not remember if we had finally had sex or not. The memory was blurry.
My mother’s frustration boiled over, her words laced with disappointment. “So what is your plan Zeke? Kamille is dead, Ellen is out of your life, what next?”
If only mother knew Kamille was alive.
“I will think of something mom.” I replied.
She gave up and sighed. Then she stood up to go get fruits. Father asked her not to, but she insisted on going to dice it herself.
“The helps don’t do justice to the shapes like Zeke loves.” She replied and left the table.
Just as she left, my phone chimed and I looked at it. A sentence wakens my protective instincts, so I excused myself.
Two women at Kamille’s house? Who the fuck are they? Is she safe?
I quickly dialed the number I had gotten the night she was drunk. I needed to be certain she was safe. The line went through.
“Hello, Kamille.” I said.
“Hello, daddy? Is that you daddy?” I heard the little girl’s voice say. My heart skipped a beat hearing her call me daddy. Who really is the father of Kamille’s kids?
I overheard Kamille gently scold her daughter over the phone, but the little girl still asked about her daddy, then nothing.
“Kamille?” I called out not sure if she was still on the line.
“Yeah, it’s me, but who am I speaking with?”
I heard her say. It hurt me a little that she could not recognize my voice.
But why should she?
“Oh. I’m sorry it’s me Zeke. I just wanted to speak with you and check on….” I replied but my words were cut off before I could complete my sentence.
“I… I can’t talk right now,” she stammered.
“I’ll call you later.” Then she hung up.
I wasn’t satisfied with the outcome of the call. Was she in distress? Why would she end the call like that? I needed to be sure she was safe.
I texted the security at her place to inform me if no one left the house in one hour.
I would not mind her anger if I went to her place. I just need her to be safe.
I strolled back to the garden and mom just came out with the fruits, finely diced.
“Mom, Sir, I’m sorry I have to leave soon. Something important had come up. I hope you both enjoy your stay in London.” I said and made to leave.
“Zeke.” I heard my mom’s voice call out softly. I turned towards her. “Why are you leaving suddenly? Is everything alright?”
My father’s face was also etched with concern, “Is it Ellen?”
“Yeah, Ellen reached out to me sometime saying she had something to say to me. I hope she is alright?” Mom added.
“She should be fine mother.” I replied.
“Zeke, I just don’t want you to be alone anymore. I want the best for you.” Her voice was laced with motherly care and love.
“Thank you mother.” I smiled weakly.
As I walked away, my only thoughts were of Kamille. If only I had listened to Kamille’s pleas, if only I had known the damn truth.
I sat in the car as I typed a message and sent to her. I needed to meet Kamille.