NINE

The day came and went by slowly and when Jerry took me to bed as his wife, I felt complete. We travelled to Venice for a two week honeymoon phase.

I resumed work two days after our return. I couldn't stay back any longer. Even Jerry also resumed work too. He drove me to work every morning and then picks me up from work every evening.

On a faithful day, I waited for an extra thirty minutes after the usual time for Jerry to puck me up. I called him several times but his calls were going straight to voicemail. I decided to flag down a taxi and gave the address of the law firm where he worked to the taxi driver.

I knocked on the door as soon as I got to his office. I didn't wait for a response; I opened the door immediately and was stunned by what I saw. There was a woman sitting on his chair.

Yeah, his chair.

If it were his desk, I'd have had filthy thoughts running through my mind.

"Who are you and what are you doing here? " The woman asked confidently.

"I'm Roseline Winters and I'm here to see my husband"

Just then Jerry entered and as soon as he saw me, he frowned,

"What the hell are you doing here Rosie? "

I looked at him with fury and anger. He still had the guts to yell at me in the presence of this stranger.

"What is she doing here exactly Jerry when we have unfinished business to attend to? And as you know, whatever that's being discussed here is classified " The woman in red said with a menacing tone.

I dropped my bag and moved close to her; my hands already itching to slap her, not minding who she was.

"Who is this whore here babe? I waited for you only to come and find this... "

I had hardly finished talking when Jerry picked up my bag and shoving it to me he pushed me outside roughly.

"I won't have you talking to her in that manner. Now leave. I'll meet you at home. "

I clutched my bag tightly and left the firm. I boarded a taxi and went straight to Bree's beach, my most favorite place in the world. Only when I was there did I drop to reminisce on the day's events. How could Jerry, my own husband push me out of his office and most importantly, who was that woman. Her face looked familiar. I didn't know what to think. I sat on the neat sand staring at the peaceful flow of the water for like two hours. By then, everywhere had started to get dark but I still didn't want to go home. I was scared of what I would meet when I get back home. We've never had such a quarrel before that he'd have to manhandle me so I didn't want to face confrontation.

"Roseline "

I turned my head slowly to the sound of the all too familiar voice. He placed his hand on my back.

"What do you want? "I asked silently wondering how he even knew I was here.

"I'm sorry for how I treated you back at the office. I'm so sorry. I was just annoyed that you... " I cut him abruptly hating the bitter feeling that was beginning to grow in my chest.

"Barged in on your new.... "

He interrupted me quickly "No Rosie. Don't even think that. That woman you met is Carla West. She's my replacement "

I turned slowly to him and he adjusted his sitting position, straightening his long legs in front of him .

"What do you mean? "

"I've been transferred -or promoted, as my boss calls it. I was angry at myself, at my boss and most especially at the woman who wouldn't even wait for me to give at least a month's notice. I've been transferred to Los Angeles and am on the verge of getting a promotion as the Chief Justice there and I can't just ask you to up and leave . I know how much you want to remain in close quarters with your mum and Los Angeles seems like a distant place to think of relocating to. That's what I was trying to explain to West before you came in" he explained worriedly.

I could feel his concerns. I probably messed up a situation he was about to handle back there.

I gripped the collar of his shirt roughly. "Don't you ever, Mr Winters, ever take out your frustration on me again "

He laughed. "Alright Mrs Winters. Am I forgiven? "

"Yes you are, if you kiss me " I teased him with a mischievous grin.

"Oh really!! Just that?? I'm gonna do much more than that. "

He helped me stand up and we walked to his car which he had parked close by.

We went home together.

****

That night, I had a rethink. My mum was capable of handling herself here. She had her best friend, who was also my mother in law, with her. Julia also lived close by and I could even hire a live-in house help for my mum. Truth be told, I really didn't like the idea of living in close quarters with her. I only wanted to keep an eye on her, although these days, she's the one keeping an eye on me.

I made up my mind to move to Los Angeles with my husband

When I got to work the following morning, I handed my resignation to the manager. He was reluctant to accept it. Gideon was even sobbing. Others just hugged me and promised to keep in touch.

"If you change your mind and decide to come back, this place is still very much open for you. " The assistant manager, Caroline said.

I honestly did wish to change my mind but it was made up already. I was sad to leave them but was happy to have a fresh start with my husband.

When I got home that evening, I started scrolling the internet researching about Los Angeles. I don't think I've ever been there before. The door opened slowly and Jerry came in slowly.

"Welcome honey" I said and kissed him.

"You didn't wait for me to come pick you. " he said with a feigned look of annoyance.

I laughed "I wanted you to have something to eat when you get back. And I texted you not to come pick me up. Didn't you get my text? "

"Well,that was sweet of you but There's another problem Rosie. How on earth are we going to tell our mums about the move? "

I laughed and went to the kitchen to dish out his food. He came to join me after pulling off his jacket. He grabbed a glass of wine at the bar and sat down on the counter top. "What did you make? "

"Potatoes, Cheese and beans. You like it? "

I put the plate on the table and sat beside him.

"I hope it tastes as good as it scents "

He ate the first soon and smiled in delight. "Gosh babe. You're good in every area. In chores, in the kitchen, in helping out financially and most of all ..." he winked "In bed. In fact you're the best "

I laughed.

"So we're going to see our mums tomorrow and then tell them we're leaving "

"Okay then. That'll be nice" I smiled as we continued our dinner.

****

The meeting with our mums didn't go well. In fact, it resulted to an argument. My mum gave a thousand and one reasons why New York would be favourable for us. She even went on to call a friend of hers, that I've never heard of, for a job for Jerry, just to keep us here.

When they realized they weren't going to win since Jerry's and my mind was made up already, they decided to give up and give us their blessings.

Two weeks later, Jerry and I left New York City for good to start a new life and in due time a family, in Los Angeles. He told me he made a down payment on a nice home there. I wondered what the house looked like since he wanted to make it a surprise for me.

When we got there, I was stupefied by what I saw. It was a one storey silver-painted mansion. When I entered the house, I was surrounded by high white walls and modern gadgets, just like my dream house. And best of all, it was a familial home. It was meant for a couple and their children; large and comfy.

He looked at me expectantly "You don't like the house? You know I can ask for a refund. The estate agent said... "

"No. I love it. I love you " I threw my hands round his neck in appreciation.

"Hey love. Let's explore the interior "

He showed me round the house. There were two guest sitting rooms with five guest bedrooms with a toilet in each of them, two kitchens , and stores. He took me upstairs and showed me our private family sitting room, a master bedroom for us, four bedrooms for our children ( I never planned on having more than two kids actually) and then bathrooms and a large kitchen. There was also a home office for Jerry or me anytime we feel like working from home.

"Seriously babe. It's beautiful and amazing " I hugged him again.