DECEPTION

TWO MONTHS LATER

Daniel was busy working on his laptop when his phone rang. He reached out for it, checking who it was. It was Theodora. He angrily dropped the phone and turned back to his work.

" why is she still persistent on holding onto this relationship. I asked her to forget about us. Which one doesn't she understand.... gosh..."

He yelled,depressed and hanged his head with his hand.

***********

" How dare him hang up on me....?(chuckles), What...., does he think I'll let go just like that? Never....!", she exclaimed and banged her hand on the table.

" You'll be mine no matter what, Dan. I won't let go easily like that. I'll fight to the end...."

She furiously picked her bag and left the house in a haste.

THE DRAKE'S HUT

Damsel laid lazily on a mat in the hall with her small baby bump when she heard a knock on the door.

" I'm coming....", she exclaimed, faintly, slowly approaching the door.

" Hey.....,Damsel, how are you...", Leyla called at the door.

" Mrs. Leyla, come in....", she led her into the hall and made her sit.

"I'm fine ,ma'am. What can I offer you....", she added.

" Hey....I told you to address me simply by my name, Leyla and not Mrs. Leyla or ma'am...."

" Sorry....Leyla...."

" That's much better.... "

They both chuckled faintly.

" To what do I owe this pleasant surprise...."

" Hey...have you forgotten you have to visit the hospital today..?"

" No.... but...."

" But what ,Damsel. Just forget it, I came to take you there myself. So come, dress up and let's go..."

" (smiles), alright, if you say so. Give me just a minute. I'll be out soon..."

Leyla nodded with a smile while Damsel hurried to the room to change up.

DANIEL'S OFFICE

"Sir....here are the documents you asked me to work on....", said Richard, his assistant, handling over some files to him.

" Are you sure all is done....?"

" Yes ,Sir. The second one is the one from...."

" Daniel....what is the meaning of what you did? why did you hang up on me....", a voice called angrily from the door, interrupting.

Daniel and Richard swiftly turned towards the direction of the voice, stunned.

" Theodora......? What is the meaning of that...? can't you see am in the middle of something? Please leave.....,we'll talk later...", Daniel exclaimed nervously.

" I'm not going anywhere, Dan. It's better you talk to me now or live to face the consequences of your action...."

He sat in his chair, confused and marvelled by her attitude as he stared at her puzzled.

"Um....Richard, kindly excuse us. I'll call for you when I need you."

" Okay, Sir.... "

He hurriedly left the office, embarrassed at the scene.

" What do you want, Theo....? Haven't I done all you asked for....?"

" Stop ranting nonsense, Dan. You know perfectly well what I want." She drew closer to him with a pitiful look and held his hand.

" I love you, Daniel... Have you forgotten your promise? You promised to marry me after your divorce so why now....what changed", she added in tears.

" Everything, Theodora.... Everything. You know the reason why I wanted a divorce and why I wanted to marry you. But now, that reason is sorted. Leyla is pregnant and I can't leave her just like that. She needs all the love and support she can get from me because she is my wife and the child in her womb is mine so there is no reason for me to go ahead with the divorce. Just understand this and move on....."

" Oh....really?I see. You just used me for your selfish wish and desire....?"

" No.....that is not what I mean....", he uttered, holding her arms nervously.

" Just forget..... it, Daniel. There is no need to explain anything else. I get what you mean and I will make sure you live to regret it all you life.....I promise you that, Dan....."

She furiously pulled herself away from his hands, wiping her tears and dashed out of the office.

" Theodora.....! Theodora.....!."

He called behind her but she had already left.

" God...., what is all this? why can't she just let go of everything and move on... "

He faint into the chair, devastated.

HOSPITAL

Leyla and Damsel arrived at the hospital and strolled to Laura's office.

Knock.... Knock....

"Yes...come in...", Laura exclaimed from the office.

Leyla slightly opened the door and glanced through before gliding in with Damsel.

" Good afternoon, Laura...", Leyla greeted.

" Good afternoon, dear. Have a seat.."

" Thanks.....", they chorused and settled in the chairs in front of them.

" So....how can I help you....?", asked Laura.

" Um....She is Damsel Drake, I brought her for a check up. She was the lady I spoke to you about on the phone......"

" okay.....that's good. Come over here, Mrs.", she uttered directing her to a bed at the far corner of her right.

" Okay... ma'am"

Damsel got on the bed and laid, facing the roof. Laura checked and scanned her thoroughly before finally asking her to return to her seat.

" How is she and the baby...?", asked Leyla, anxiously.

" They are perfectly fine but I need to discuss something privately with you so if she can kindly excuse us. I'll be very glad...."

" Okay, Ma'am. I'll be waiting outside then...."

" Alright, I'll be with you shortly... "

Damsel quickly trod out of the office.

" She is gone. Now, tell me, what is it, Laura...?", asked Leyla, nervously.

" Nothing much, just a little good news for you...."

" Okay, am listening.... "

" She is bearing a set of twins....", she whispered to Leyla.

"Oh...my....God.....this is really, great. But, hey....I don't want her to know about that for now. We can only inform her after her delivery. And secondly, with her test results, let it be in my name. My husband wants to see my test results."

" Alright, as you wish...."

" I really appreciate your help, Laura. You are such a life saver."

Laura quickly prepared the test results just as Leyla had asked her to and handed it over to her.

" Thank you so much. I've got to go now. See you later...."

" You are most welcome dear. bye..."

Leyla dropped the file in her bag and trod out of the office, elated.