TRUTH AT THE DOORSTEP

The shay's mansion was quiet when Velma arrived. She didn't come dress for a war, a single blouse and jeans but her stepped carried the weight of something undeniable. Her heart pounded but her resolve was steel. she wasn't here for drama ,she was here for Justice .Olivia was lounging in the garden acting as if she had already won sipping from a glass of juice and laughing with Daniel's mother like nothing ever happened. Velma didn't hesitate. She mached in through the open gate,her head held high .Olivia smile dropped the moment she saw her ."You again?",come to embarrass yourself again", Olivia snapped.

Velma raise her hand ,"I need everyone here ,this can't be said in pieces ",she said looking at Mr and Shay who just stepped outside. Daniel had also just come out of the inner walls ,his eyes widening as he saw Velma. He looked tired ,wounded and somehow hopefully. Velma stood in the center of the compound, "call roselyn". Olivia's expression flickered just for a moment and Velma saw it. The maid came out hesitantly,her head bowed." tell them, tell them everything you told me", velma said, her voice firm .Roselyn trembled, eyes flickered to Olivia, then to Daniel ,then to the parents and then like someone moving a knife from her chest, she spoke ,"it was Olivia she gave me, money she said I should put something in boss Daniel drink , something that will make him sleep,q she told me not to say anything".

The air shattered . Mrs Shay gasped turning slowly to Olivia.Mr Shay stepped forward, his jaw locked" is this true?", he demanded. "Olivia's stammered she's lying, she's jealous,....she's just the maid".

"Enough" Mr Shay roared. silence crashed down "We trusted you ,you lied to us, you set that boy up", Mrs shay whispered. Olivia face crumbled .she opened her mouth against but before she could spin another excuse . Mr Shay pointed to the gate. "Get out ". "sir please-" ."out Olivia". Mrs shay didn't speak . She turned her back on her. Olivia broke into tears and ran inside,her heels clicking widely. Within moments,a driver was called ,her bag thrown into the car and she was driven out . Her screams muffled by the closing gate.

And then,there was silence. Velma turned slowly to Daniel . Hie eyes shimmered, the pain clear in them. she stepped closer," I she should have trusted you, I should have fought for you the way you try to fight for me", she said softly. She turned to his parents next," I didn't come back to destroy your son, I came back because I realized I couldn't run from what I felt, I was scared ,I didn't know what love was supposed to look like anymore, but I swear, I never meant to leave again". Mrs shay looked at her. Long and hard" you hurt him... twice", she said." I know but I'm here now, if there's anything left to fix, I want to fix it, Velma whispered.Mr shay exaled," we love Daniel and we fear losing him again". He looked at her one final time ," but if you two are meant to find your way back, Velma, don't let it be another cycle of heartbreak".

They turned and left leaving Velma and Daniel standing in the garden side by side surrounded by everything broken and everything still possible.