Chapter 95

When Olivia left her Moms apartment, her mother got back to the sitting room. She sat down and began to digest what had transpired between Olivia and herself. She was happy for her change of mood, but the sudden way it happened gave her concerns. She recalled that it was after the story the she became lively a bit, and the question she asked also shows that there was something she missed. Her story might have connections with whatever that was troubling her,  she thought. That was the only explanation to the magical influence it had on her. The story was all about what happened to her before she finally settled down with her father. She was a young lady working in an office in their town, when Ben came to that town on a business trip. She could remember that very evening when he walked into the big supermarket and asked for a cart. She wondered why he would need a cart when almost everyone that had been there always make use of the small basket the provided. Since they had two carts, though kept inside the store, cos they weren't in use, she had to ask one of the male staff to get him one. She was particularly watchful to see what he would buy that would warrant the need for a cart. The supermarket was big though, but it was located in small town that had few people, less than a hundred thousand. Most of them were average or mid class whose spending power was limited. Her position in the office, and being a smart lady of high intelligence, she had met numerous customers and had seen the highest they could buy. While she attended to other customers she kept watching out for Ben. After a while, she saw him pushing the cart towards her, the male staff was following him with some other things he carried. When he got to her, he and the young man emptied all that was in the cart on her table, as he told her to check and calculate while he get some more things he needed. It wasn't long when he came back pushing a cart filled to the brim. Meanwhile she was still picking out and  calculating the ones he brought previously. At the end, she handed him the print out and he brought out his ATM card without asking any questions. She swiped and debited his account. This was her first encounter with him, the amount was much and the highest sale she had ever made in that market. She had to respectfully help in packing the goods in the branded nylons, then she helped to carry them to where the official car was parked. She had turned to go back, when he stopped her and handed her a complimentary card. Before she could say a word, he was already in the rear seat of the car and the driver took off. 

She looked at the card, the name was short and simple. Ben Hart, she had this mentality that people with short sweet names were always rich people. In fact she fell in love with that name first. As it had always been with women, she kept the card very well, but never called. She continued watching out for him, searching through customers that troop in and out of the market. This longing took over two weeks, she would get home, pick up the card, type the numbers but ended up deleting them without calling. One day, she had closed from work and was leaving the market, when she saw the car parked in front of the mall. She recognized it with the emblems on the door. While she was contemplating on whether that was it or not, Ben opened the door and walked up to her. He introduced himself formally, and asked that she get in so the driver would drop her. 

Did you? Olivia interrupted.

That was when she observed that she was listening to her. This made her continue the story.

Yes I did. I wasn't thinking of any thing bad, besides Ben was a very handsome young man then. He is still handsome, you can imagine how he was then. 

Both of them smiled as she continued. Ben and his driver dropped he off in the house, He came down and opened the door for her to alight. All these while, she didn't tell him her name and he never asked. Gradually the visits began increase and it led to friendship. He finally asked for a relationship as he had developed interest in her as a wife to be. At that point, her parents where brought into the picture, and everything moved on smoothly. One day Ben called her to tell her he had got a better job with a better pay package and that he would be leaving for the city. He promised not to forget her, she wasn't comfortable with that as she cried out her heart. She was used to him then, his house had become her second home and the little town knew her as his wife. When he left, they kept communicating for weeks, before she noticed she wasn't feeling fine. She went to hospital and she was confirmed pregnant.

Olivia turned again, this time facing her Mom. Though she didn't say anything. Her Mom didn't mind her guess that was directed to her face, she continued with th story. She didn't now how to tell him, so she confided with one of her female friends who advised her to let him know. Good as the advice sounded, she lacked the courage to tell him, rather she told her Mom. It was when her Mom heard it and repeated the advice, that she summoned the courage and called Ben.

What was his response? Olivia asked 

He was excited, I didn't expect him to be, so it was a big surprise to me. Her Mom responded.

She told her that Ben was so excited that he travelled down to the town the next day to see her. When her parents saw him, with the things he came with and the exciting mood he was in, they concluded that he was meant for her. Ben showered them with a lot of gifts, spent some hours with them discussing the possibility of moving her to the city. He finally left after they had agreed he should allow her Mom take care of her at that early pregnancy state. Ben took over her responsibilities from then on, and ever since then through till she gave birth ad they grew up to this age, she and their Dad had lived happily. 

It was at this point that Olivia thanked the Mom, having heard what made sense to her, but she didn't want to open up to her yet, so she left.

Mrs Ben Hart decided that whatever it was that bothered Olivia which her story changed, must have some relationship with her story. She began to suspect the dizziness she complained, the throwing up often and other signs. It could be that Olivia was pregnant she thought, but she wasn't going to conclude yet. She would rather wait for it to manifest. As a mother, she would only give her the total support needed. All she prayed was that the man whoever he was, would be responsible enough to accept the pregnancy and her daughter. As for the care and all that was needed materially and financial, Olivia was equal to the task. 

While the mother was on her own thinking and praying, Olivia was with Lucy, inside the room, arguing on whether or not she should let Mike know. Lucy was of the opinion that she do this so it wouldn't be late. 

Men are not to be giving a long rope, she said. Any woman may come his way now and sweep him off his feet. Especially now that you are keeping him in the dark. Lucy added.

Olivia could feel Lucy playing the role her mother's friend played when her mom was in that position, she hadn't told Lucy the story. She felt there was no need telling her, she was justified with the advice she was giving her. She also felt there was no need telling her Mom, since their story were the same, she would have a better understanding of it and handle it wisely. They left the room and joined Pat who was now refreshed. The three of them planned to eat out, but while they were dressing up, Mira called to inform them she was on her way, so they had to wait for her to arrive so they all would move out together. It would be first time after so long a time that the twin would be seen together. It was also an opportunity for Pat to meet Mira one on one, as she had heard so much about their semblance. She was always talking to her on phone, but they met.