Chapter 49: A long Morning

Hello." She spoke into the phone.

"You finally picked up." Veronica said into the phone. "I almost decided to put up an obituary poster out there with your name and picture on it. So, why haven't you been picking my calls? We heard you've wrapped your destitute box shop. Though it's none of my business but I hope all is well." Veronica asked with muffled laughter.

"What do you want ma?" Paige asked ignoring her jabs at her.

"That's the only thing I love about you. Always straight to the point. You've not sent any money for upkeep since you left, and I'm curious. Do you by any chance want myself and your sister to starve to death?" She asked Paige who laughed loud enough to be heard by her.

"So, what exactly do you want?" Paige asked. 

"I'm shocked that you're seriously asking me such a question. Paige Patterson, I need money. Money, money, money. For food, clothing and the upkeep of this house." Veronica said angrily. "I'm even shocked that you're seriously asking me such a question.

Paige smiled sadly. "Which of the houses?" She asked. "The same house you sold? Please, which of the houses ma?" 

Veronica paused for a while before replying. "Oh, so you heard about it already. It should be from your loquacious boyfriend of course. What was I even thinking. I must confess, I'm surprise that the both of you are still in talking terms though. I thought he dumped your sorry ass you know. Cause we've been seeing him around with that Morrison girl from Greywich since you left. Is he still your boyfriend? Like, are you guys still dating or did he dump you?" Veronica asked with a mocking laughter.

Paige knew what Veronica was trying to do. But she was determined not to give in to her stupid jabs. "I really don't see how my personal life became your business." She replied.

"Fine, I really am not interested in your boring life anyway. You're not that special honey. Myself and your sister are relocating to somewhere calm with more life. Elfer-town has never been my kind of place. You know I had to manage because of my amazing husband. Anyway, that place holds nothing much for us and seeing that you can't send down money to take care of the house, I had to sell it. There's no need leaving it out there to lie in waste while it's market value keep depreciating." Veronica said.

"Why then did you decide to swindle me of the few coins I have left by trying to deceive me into sending you money. When you've sold the house already. Do you know that you're so heartless? You know what, Veronica? Go to hell! burn and never return.

"I wish you same dear step daughter." Veronica replied. "Though I wish you well too and success in your life endeavors. I wish I can say that I don't wish to set my eyes on you ever again, but I just realized that you are my step daughter. So, I.........."

"Veronica!" Paige exclaimed cutting her short. "I don't mean to sound rude, but I want to hang up now."

"What! Good riddance!!" Veronica exclaimed and hung up angrily.

Paige looked at the phone screen and busted into a hilarious laughter that later turned to tears. A wave of sad emotions swept through her. She wept for a while wetting her blanket with tears and catarrh that came about as a result of crying. After a while, she cleaned her eyes, threw the soiled blanket into the hamper and replaced it with another one from the bed linen shelf. She then went into the bathroom for a warm shower. After taking a shower, she massaged her skin with lavender oil making sure to warm the oil up by rubbing her palms together before applying it on her skin. 

Her stomach growled in hunger reminding her that she didn't eat the previous night. She remembered yesterday with Simon and she blushed so hard imagining the erotic scene she must have created before him. She wondered how he could hold his cool after the scene she played out inside the mini cinema. She couldn't help but think of how she'll face him that morning. After a little consideration, she decided to request for breakfast in bed. With this decision, she rang the bell on her bedside. It took Samira less than a minute to appear in her room in response to her call.

"Good morning ma." Samira greeted.

"Hi Samira, I'll have breakfast in my room." She told her. "I'll also love a raspberry juice please."

"Alright ma'am." Samira said and left to get the breakfast ready. Paige took her time checking for a simple dress to wear. She didn't mind spending the whole day indoor. In fact, she already planned on having lunch and dinner in her room as well. After searching for a while, she finally settled for a black pant and brassiere, she pulled over a black see through free size chiffon dress on it then took her phone and went through Shonnelle's clothing website. Her mouth fell open with shock when she saw the prices of the dresses on the website.

She scrolled through the various dresses on display. They were all so lovely but she couldn't select any, the fear of their prices choked her. She immediately called Frankie. "Hey." She called when he picked up.

"Hey Babe, have you sent your choice yet?" He asked her.

"Not yet. I couldn't make a choice. All the dresses on the website are lovely. It was so hard to choose." She lied perfectly. She couldn't choose any of the dresses because of the exorbitant prices so she decided to give Frankie the option to choose any of the dress he can afford for her. She was afraid she might choose one that might be too expensive for him.

Franklin scrolled through Shonnelle's website with his computer. He already suspected that she would find it hard to make a choice because of the price of their dresses. His suspecion was due to his previous experience with her the last time they went out for lunch together. "Do you want me to choose one for you then." He asked.

"Uhhh, I think that will be nice. Judging from my indecisiveness. Just make a choice for me. I'll go with whatever you choose." She replied.

"Okay, if you say so. What color of dress do you want then?"

"Any color is good." She replied as she remembered the price of the yellow and black dresses she saw on the website. They were way pricier than others.

"You won't mind a red or black gown right?"

"Red is lovely." She replied. "Black is beautiful as well."

"What size do you wear in dresses and shoes?" 

"I wear size twelve dresses and size eight shoes." She told him.

"I'll have them delivered to you by Friday." He said to her. "Thank you so much for accepting to come on such a short notice. The invitation will come with the dress as well. Thank you once more Baby. I'm so grateful." He said.

"You're welcome Frankie." I can't wait to see you too." She told him. They bid their goodbyes before hanging up. Just then, a knock came on the door. "Come in." Paige called hoping that it was Samira who came with her breakfast. She stood before the mirror as she pushed in a hair clip to the sides of her hair to prevent them from flying over her face. Simon walked in through the door with a tray of food in his hands. He stood glued to the spot as he stared at Paige's well toned ass which was visible enough through the chiffon gown she had on. Paige who was busy with the mirror finally turned towards the door when she didn't hear any movement for a while. The usual Samira would have gone ahead with whatever she came to do.

"Oh my god!!!!!" She screamed immediately she saw Simon. She jumped to the bed and covered herself with her blanket. "What the fuck! I thought you were Samira. What the hell are you doing in my room? And with my breakfast?"