Chapter 107

"Oh my god!! How is he? I hope he is fine"

"He was in a coma for over a month. His recovery is at a snail's pace but he is getting there"
"I'm sorry James. You must have been devastated"

James looked shocked at my interpretation of his feelings. I know him or at least trying to. For a man who is always busy, taking time out of his busy schedule and meeting his bodyguard means he must be really close to him.

"I was. Tank is like a brother to me. He was there for me for a long time. And I-"
"Hey," I cupped his cheeks and made him look into my eyes.

"It's not your fault. It was an accident. No one could have predicted it"
"Only it isn't"

"What do you mean?"

"Tank's car was bulldozed deliberately"

"You mean to say"

"They were trying to kill him"

I sucked my breath while my eyes closed hearing the news. How can someone do that? I only heard about this on the news but hearing such a thing in real life is nerve-wracking.

And then my mind analyzed what he said. If that can happen to his bodyguard, then what about him? A billionaire who must have enemies or who covets his power. The thought alone made me jerk in the seat.

"James, I'm scared. What if something happens to you?"

"Bella moi, nothing can happen to me. However, Tank was unfortunate. It was not his fault though"
"Does this happen often?"

"No Bella. My enemies don't dare to trifle with me like this"

"Then who?"

James gave me a knowing look that chilled my bones. I don't want to ask it. I know I won't like the answer. However-

"Was it Jacqueline?"

"Yes. I had my doubts but Tank confirmed it. The police are on her case now. Unfortunately, we were unable to capture her. She went into hiding. But not for long if I have anything to say"

"How can she alone do all this?"

"Not just her. She used my so-called family against me. Which I disposed of right away"

"But?"

"But she had the help of one of my bodyguards- David. He was working in place of Tank. He was the one who caused the accident. And not just that, he was the one behind my almost jet crash"

The color drained from my face. I clutched his arms, my nails biting into him as I thought of what could have been.

"Oh my god"

Now it all makes sense about how Jacqueline can enter that party I went to with Chris without raising any flags. She knew I would be there. She planned it because James's bodyguard must have informed her once he arrived at the party. Such evil plotting gave me chills.

Why? Why go to so much trouble when you don't love the guy? Surely, if you love someone you don't want to hurt him. And whatever Jacqueline has in her evil twisted mind does not love.
How must James have suffered tied to that wile woman?

"What? How?"

"He bribed a mechanic. Thankfully, we were able to intercept the problem before it could escalate"

Goosebumps rose over my skin at his near-death experience. I could have lost him. I could have-

Tears leaked from my eyes as I covered the distance on the seat and literally sat on him. I cupped his cheeks and kissed Mom on his lips in desperation. The fear, the pain I poured into everything I felt in that kiss.

We could have gone forever but the car came to a halt. Blushing to the tip of my hair, I slowly crawled out of his lap.

James gave a chuckle enjoying my embarrassment. I lightly smacked on his chest and whispered, "behave!"

Soon, we got busy once we entered the house. The days mixed into one another as we enjoyed each other's company.

It's not like it's new hence the glow. Nope. We behave like an old couple who have been married for decades. We joke, tease, share everything. WE make sense.

He didn't leave any part of his life in darkness. I too shared my fair share of embarrassments. If it were anyone else, they would have teased mercilessly. But James just kisses my forehead and probes me to carry on. It was endeavoring.

He even bought a team that made the app I dreamt about one day achieving. The app that helps in delivering my baked goods. And with each day passed, I stayed longer and longer at James’ home until one day I moved in with him.

Pretty soon, it was the day of reckoning. The day my mom is waiting with bated breath. The day when revenge will be hers.

If you haven't guessed already, it is the day of Josephine's marriage. Mom's nemesis' daughter.
We arrived earlier than intended to know how important this day is in mom's life. She will never forget this day in a million years. In fact, she ordered a special camera just to capture the look on Stella, mom's bitchy friend.

There are going to be fireworks and smoke. Lots of smoke.

Mom was so jittery that she got ready and sat on the front seat 2 hours before the venue time.
Dad and I both peered through the window and the happy tune mom is singing while bobbing her head.

"She is going to enjoy pulling this, doesn't she?"

"More than you can imagine sweetheart. She was praying for this day since Stella one-upped her"

"It's a good thing that I love James now, isn't it?" I asked, shifting and meeting his profile. Dad conveniently avoided my eyes.

"He is not that much of a gem. He is ok"

"Just, ok? Come on dad. That guy gave you a cabin. And mom didn't even bat an eyelash. Can't you see how monumental it is?"

"Well... ya, fine. He is more than fine. But he better remember what I will do if he pulls the previous stunt"

"I love you dad"

James didn't pull any punches. He brought a limo for this occasion.

Once we arrived at the venue, we could already see people's eyes on us. Especially James, who cuts a fine figure.

Mom stuck to James' arm as if she had glue on her side. James for a better word remained friendly and didn't shed her grip. I love this man.

Mom as if a beacon had been placed where Stella stood, bee-lined with James in toe. I followed with a camera behind them. Dad, Nana, Scott, Sarah (Scott's plus one), and Mathew made a pretty security protocol, cutting the crowd before they could disturb the movement.

I feel like we are walking on the red carpet, Nana and mom flipping their hair as the wind blows it, and me busy clicking the camera.

Once Stella saw what the commotion is about, she turned with a frown to us. Her daughters flanked her. They looked at mom and then James with their jaws clenched nevertheless, still confused.

I for one, not leaving my post, started clicking. Once Mom stopped near Stella, she said with a flare that she was so dying to pull, "Stella, have you met my daughter's boyfriend?"
Mom didn't give time to Stella to answer her.

"He is James McKenzie, CEO of Aon Airlines Inc., a multi-billionaire"

The perfect moment arrived when Stella lost her color. Her daughters fumed behind her back.
And mom- mom was over the moon, gloating and rubbing it on their faces while I clicked picture after picture. She can give a run for his money to a peacock. What with all her crooning! It couldn't be more perfect even if we tried when her daughter wailed loudly.

The crowd's buzz intensified, finally getting alert to the presence among them.

Stella, to give her credit, composed herself and said, "oh Olivia, it's so nice of you to bring your daughter's boyfriend," she said as if it's a bad word, "to my daughter's wedding. But you can see it's for close family and friends. Surely, a fling doesn't need to be dragged here," Stella said, her nasty words conveniently barbed into politeness.

"Are you suggesting something, Miss Stella? Because I don't like when someone passes judgment on the people I cared about and Bella is special to me. She is my future bride. So I would tread carefully if I were you," James said coolly, not a flint out of the place, giving a dose of her medicine.

My ovaries exploded inside me. My cheeks reddened. And the slowly forming smirk on Stella's face vanished at his news.

"B... bride?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"Why, of course not. Bella is like my own daughter. I'm her favorite aunt in the whole world. Isn't it Bella?"

Scott snorted behind us.

"Umm..." I stood there like a lost pony.

"You must be busy Stella. We'll make ourselves comfortable here. Why don’t you handle other matters?" Mom informed her and turned her back to her, conveniently closing the conversation.
She is in her element today. Dad looked so proud as if she had achieved an Olympic medal. I can literally see her eyes conveying the message- "you are going to get so lucky tonight" which I swear I don't want to see or interpret.

Now that mom has finally gotten her petty revenge, she asked me for the camera.

Delighted to be free of my duty, I gave it to her and linked my hand with James.

"Bellaa!!!!! Where are the batteries in the camera?" Mom screeched loudly.
I bit my lip at my slip-up.

"I forgot. Oops?"

"How could you Bella?"

"Don't stress yourself, Mrs. James, I hired a photographer here. He was specifically instructed to tail you and click all the photos when you confront your friend," James waved at a photographer who gave a thumbs up.

Mom released a sigh.

"Sorry mom"

"It's ok honey. It's just I don't want to miss a single moment of it"

Still feeling ashamed, I ducked my head. How can I be so stupid? She was planning for this moment for days now.

Feeling dejected for letting her down even though James stepped in to save the day, I excused myself on the pretext of using the washroom.

I stayed there for a while, heaving a sigh. No matter what I do, I always blotch up. It's good that my family is understanding enough of my shortcomings. But still... Now that I'm no longer invisible to them, I want to contribute.

Shedding the negative thoughts, I opened the door of the washroom. A handkerchief landed on my mouth stifling my screams as two men clad in black masks swiftly dragged me to the back entrance.

I struggled, tried to scream but my efforts are in vain as I lost my consciousness slowly to the drug on the handkerchief.