Chapter 91

Olivia, Chase, Lucy and Alicia left the hospital together, with Alicia behind the wheels. They were headed to the guest house where Olivia was staying since she came back from her trip. All through the journey, the car was silent, no one spoke to each other. It was when they got to a branch of KFC, which was situated in a mall,  making it easier for people to access both readily made food and other things, that Olivia demanded they stop and get some food. Alicia drove in, found a space where she parked. Olivia and Lucy were the first to go in. It was while they picked some things they would need, that Olivia spoke to Lucy about the pregnancy report. She wanted to know her opinion. By this time, Lucy had changed her mind over the entire happenings, she knew that the pregnancy was a sign for her to give up on the wild goose chase. There was no way she would win Mike's heart with the news of the pregnancy. So when the question on what she thought cane up, she had to be frank about it. 

Do you know who is responsible for it? She asked

Yes of course, Olivia responded. 

Even though she was surprised at the question, she wondered why Lucy would ask such being that she was an adult, who at her age should know who and when she slept without protection. She answered the question without asking why, because she felt that whatever reason for that was justifiable in the sense that she asked for her opinion. 

Have you told him? Lucy asked again

No I haven't, do you think I should, isn't it too early? Olivia responded.

Lucy thought for a while before giving her an answer, she told her that it was important that whoever was responsible knew early so that both of them would discuss what next to do. It was quite obvious to Olivia that Lucy was being truthful with her answers, she could see wisdom in what she was saying. The only challenge was that she wouldn't want Mike to see her as cheap. In her mind, Mike might feel she allowed it happen so as to pin him down. She thought about discussing that angle with Lucy, buy changed her mind. She would rather give it a deep thought in her quiet time. They continued their discussion while they picked the things they needed. It was more of how Olivia would manage the pregnancy with the politics, she knew that it was not going to be an easy one for her. She would need all the help she could get from family and friends. This is where Lucy and Pat had to come in, even though Pat already had a job to do. The only option she hadn't planned on how to handle was her parents. 

Do you think it's wise to tell my Mom and Dad? She asked 

Yes I think so. Lucy replied. They should be aware so you get all the support you need. She added.

Olivia thanked Lucy for her advice, and asked that she should move-in with her. Lucy wanted to say no, but considering Olivia's condition, she didn't want to hurt her feelings, she told her she would think about it. They had collected all they needed, and we're waiting for the cashier to check it for payment. 

Chase and Alicia used the opportunity of waiting, to get into the KFC where they bought food for themselves. They took the food to the car sat down and ate while watching out for anything suspicious. Alicia told Chase that it looked like Olivia was pregnant, she said she could see some signs that points to that. Chase who had no idea of what and how when it come to signs, was shocked, he told Alicia that Olivia wasn't married, so there was possibility that she might be wrong. They were almost arguing over it, when they spotted Olivia and Lucy coming back with two carts fully loaded with goods. This made them keep silent, while Chase rushed to help Olivia. They arranged the goods in the trunk of the car, then got in and drove off to the house. It was while in the car, that Olivia made up her mind to tell her Mom, once they got to the house.

Down town in Africa, it took quite some time after Brains had arrived from the stores, before Lucymang arrived. By then, Brains had rested, he was watching his favourite program on TV. She walked in, very happy to see Brains, she hugged and kissed him. Brains who was indifferent obliged her. She asked if he had eaten, while she dropped her hand bag and walked into the kitchen to dish out the food she made. Brains was surprised to see his favourite meal on the dinning table, so fresh. He so much loved cous cous with chicken soup. It was the mother's favourite too, so she mostly prepare it in the house while they were little. She was an expert in it, he could remember dragging the remaining with his siblings because of how tasty it was. This made him love the food dearly. He never expected that She would think about, not to talk of cooking such meal, what a coincidence he thought. While they ate, he took time to watch her, trying to see the beauty she possess. His thought line began to change, as he asked himself what he actually wanted in a woman, that Lucymang does not possess. She was good looking, elegant, has height that befits a woman. She knew how to take care of man, at least he had experienced it more than once. He could remember the saying that "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" now he had a better understanding of it. He wouldn't like to miss her, even as he had other things to see and know about her. When they had finished the meal, drank some wine too, she removed the plates and took the other bottles of wine to the mini bar in the parlour. Brains told her to close her eyes as he had a surprise for her, she did and even at that, he asked that she promised him she wasn't going to open it. When she did promise, he brought out the well packaged box of gift and kept it on the table. He then asked her to open her eyes, she did and saw the beautiful box. As it was and remained with women, She had thought in her mind that probably Brains wanted to propose to her,  it was always in such a style that men do propose, she had seen it happen both in real life and on movies. She hurriedly opened the box and there they were, nice designer clothes of different styles, foot wears and other things. She couldn't believe her eyes, neither was she expecting such a huge gift. The more she dug into the box, the more things she brought out, untill the last one. She looked at Brains, stood up and walked up to him. He was on a sitting position so she sat on his laps, she felt humbled, at the same time privileged. She held him so close to herself, thanked him, then gave him a passionate deep  kiss which Brains couldn't resist. Brains asked that she check them out to confirm the size, so she took them one after the other. At the end of what looked like a fashion show, cos so they made it with her trying the cat walk style, the entire clothes and foot wears fitted. This also surprised her. The rest of the day was turned into a romantic adventure. Brains forgot everything about Olivia, he began to see the beauty and the caring nature that was pushing him to Olivia in Lucymang. They had sex and after that, he refused her leaving that day, even when she bigger him. She was forced to call home to inform them she wasn't returning home that day.

The moment Olivia and the team go to the guest house, she left the offloading of the groceries and there things for Lucy to handle while she walked straight to her mother's apartment. On her way, she thought of how this happened, she could remember always using protection when she had sex with Mike, it was only once or twice that she never did, could that once have got her pregnant. She remembered her reason for allowing herself go without protection, being that she had counted her safe days and felt she was safe enough. With the evidence on ground, it was obvious that she was wrong in her calculation. She wouldn't blame anyone on this, she don't even want to blame herself. Whatever happened she had already taking responsibility. Her Mom was in her kitchen when she entered, as soon as she heard her voice calling her, she left the kitchen, walked up to her in the sitting room. When she saw her, she knew all was not well. She told her to sit down and wait for her to bring down what was on fire. She went into the kitchen, did that and cane out very fast. Just like every other mother, her concern for her children was her top priority.

My daughter, what is it, you don't seem happy? She queried

I am fine Mom, Olivia said, 

Tears ran down her eyes, Mrs Hart went close to her, held her and began to console her. She pushed Olivia's head on her shoulder, while rubbing her palms on her back to make her feel relaxed. 

My dear, whatever it is, you can confide in your Mom, she told her.

She continued to calm her down, telling her that nothing in life was impossible to be sorted out, as everything except death had solution. She also made her understand that herself and her Dad where equal to task when it comes to any financial troubles. She continued to press on her emotionally, psychologically and otherwise so she could speak up. All the while she did this, Olivia was quiet, she wasn't sobbing anymore. What Mrs Hart fail to realize was that e daughter had slept off.