Unveiling secrets

Brian had made it a habit to ensure that his driver dropped Jessica home first before taking him to his own destination. It was something she had noticed but never questioned. The arrangement became so routine that she barely thought about it—until she saw something that stirred her curiosity.

One evening, as the car approached the usual route, Brian suddenly instructed the driver to stop near an unfamiliar neighborhood, not too far from the office. Jessica watched as he alighted, walking toward a modest-looking house with an air of secrecy. Her heart clenched at the sight. Who was he visiting? A girlfriend? A family member? The thought of Brian having someone special that she knew nothing about gnawed at her.

It continued for several nights. The driver would drop her off first, and Brian would ask to be left at that same house. Jessica's curiosity grew unbearable. She needed to know who he was seeing.

So, one evening, as they closed from work and the driver prepared to take them home, Jessica made a sudden decision.

"You can go ahead. I need to see a friend real quick," she said, adjusting her bag.

Brian frowned. "I can have my driver drop you off."

Jessica hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "No, my friend is coming to pick me up."

Brian studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright then. See you tomorrow."

She watched as the driver took off with Brian inside, her heart pounding with anticipation. The moment they were out of sight, she hailed a public transport and directed them to the very house Brian always visited.

When she arrived, she hesitated at the gate. What if she was making a mistake? Pushing the thought aside, she knocked. To her relief, the gate was opened by a familiar face—the same gateman she had seen before when Brian had sent messages to the office.

"Good evening, ma," the gateman greeted.

Jessica smiled nervously. "Good evening. Brian sent me to take something."

The man seemed to believe her instantly. After all, he had seen her with Brian before. Without question, he let her in.

Jessica stepped into the compound, her eyes scanning the area. The house was quiet, peaceful, but there was an air of melancholy about it. Then, she saw her.

A woman sat on a wooden chair, looking pale and frail. Her skin was almost sickly, her body weak. Yet, when she turned to Jessica, a warm smile broke across her face.

"Good evening, ma'am," Jessica greeted softly.

The woman's eyes lit up. "Oh, good evening, my dear. Who are you?"

Jessica hesitated before replying, "I work for Brian."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise, then softened with emotion. "Oh… you work for my son?"

Jessica blinked. "Your son?"

The woman nodded slowly. "Yes. I'm Brian's mother. What brings you here, child?"

Jessica was taken aback. She hadn't expected this. Not in the slightest. Regaining her composure, she smiled. "I… I just came to keep you company."

Brian's mother looked at her in awe before breaking into a bright smile. It was as if life had suddenly been breathed back into her. Jessica placed the small bag of groceries she had bought on the way down and handed them to her. The woman beamed as she took them, her fingers slightly trembling.

That evening, they talked for hours. Brian's mother told her about her life, her regrets, her longing to see her husband again. Jessica listened attentively, her heart aching at the story. She had left after an argument with Brian's father when Brian was just six. He had grown up without her, thinking she had abandoned him, but in truth, she had been suffering in silence. When Brian found her three years ago, he refused to let her go again. He bought her this house, filled it with servants, but kept her existence a secret from the world—including his father. He was afraid of losing her again.

"He loves me, but he doesn't understand," Brian's mother whispered. "He thinks keeping me here is for my own good. But my heart longs for my husband. I wish Brian would take me to see him."

Jessica held her hand gently. "Maybe one day he will."

Brian's mother sighed but smiled again when Jessica handed her a plate of food. To Jessica's relief, she ate every bite.

From that day on, Jessica visited often. Always during the day, when Brian was at work. She didn't want him to find out. She and Brian's mother bonded, even taking pictures together. For the first time in years, the older woman laughed and looked healthier.

Then, one fateful evening, Jessica forgot something important—her watch. She had taken it off while cooking for Brian's mother and left it on the table.

That same evening, Brian visited. He was pleased to see that his mother looked healthier than before. But as he settled into the couch, something shiny caught his eye.

A watch.

Jessica's watch.

His heart stopped. His fingers wrapped around the item, his mind racing. He had seen this watch on Jessica's wrist countless times. How in the world was it here?

"Mother, whose watch is this?" he asked, his voice strained.

His mother smiled. "Oh, that sweet girl who works for you. She's been keeping me company. She's such a kind soul. Look, we even took pictures together."

Brian's blood ran cold as he stared at the pictures. Jessica had been visiting his mother behind his back? How dare she? How could she invade his private world like this?

Without another word, he stormed out of the house.

Jessica was getting ready for bed when she heard the loud banging on her door. Startled, she rushed to open it.

There stood Brian, his eyes blazing with fury.

Before she could greet him, he threw the watch at her. "How dare you go to my mother's house behind my back?! Who do you think you are?!" he thundered.

Jessica flinched. "Brian, I—"

"Don't you respect boundaries? Don't you understand privacy? How could you interfere in something that doesn't concern you?!" His words cut deep, his tone laced with anger and betrayal.

Jessica's eyes welled with tears. "I was only trying to help. I—"

"Help?! I don't need your help, Jessica! Stay out of my business!" he roared before turning on his heels and storming off.

Jessica stood there, frozen. Her chest ached, and tears streamed down her face. What had she done wrong? She was only trying to help. Had everything between them meant nothing?

As she shut the door, she sank to the floor, her sobs breaking the silence of the night.