Chapter 12

Josephine Dominico is upset with me. I can feel it…I can tell. Every night, he tries to convince me to sleep his bed, and every night I reject his offer and advances; but for the past week, after Jayden’s last visit, he has been avoiding me…or should I say ignoring me. He seldom makes any conversation during breakfast and dinner, and the few times that I’ve tried to make a head start on conversations, he replies with monosyllabic words. I wasn’t sure what his problem was, but when he informed me that he’s is leaving for two weeks with his bag set, I knew he was pretty mad at me. Day ten and I’m yet to hear anything from him; no phone call, no text. I’ve texted him few times but the all remained unanswered. My phone buzzed again, irritating me to the core. Hissing, I answered the call from my mother. “Hello mum.” I’m still upset with them…. Palm twitchingly mad at them. They are the reason why my life isn’t going the way I envisioned. “It’s nice of you to remember that you have a daughter.” “You’ve been ignoring my call.” She reminded me, as if it excuses her betrayal. She’s my mother for heaven’s sake! She was suppose to protect and defend me! “Don’t pull that face with me young lady!” She chastised “I’m still you’re mother.” “Oh thanks for reminding me mother, for a moment I forgot I had one.” She frowned at me, my sarcastic words having the effect I hoped for. “What do you want? I was busy before you called.” Busy doing nothing, other than waiting for my supposed fiancé to ring me. “We’re going to address your issue of disrespect later, for now, we’ll discuss why you disappeared into the thin air, then returned and refused to see us. What has come over you Josephine? You were raised better!” Just to spite her, I picked up my glass of juice and took my time savouring it. “Why do you care?” “Why do I care?” She hissed out, angry veins popping out on her forehead. “Rumours are going round that my daughter is pregnant, and I can’t refute it because I haven’t seen my daughter since she returned home.” How did people know that I’m pregnant? I’m barely even showing and I don’t leave the house often, even when I do, I avoid wearing fitted clothes. “Where did they hear such news?” I need to know if Dominico’s staffs are beginning to whisper. “Where I heard the news or their source of information isn’t important.” She took a deep breath. “All I need is your reassurance. I need you to reassure me that you are not pregnant.” I kept mute. “You know what, I’m switching to FaceTime; you better pick up when I call.” “No need to do that.” I insisted. “The rumours are true, I’m pregnant.” Five seconds and she’s yet to say the word. The only sound from her side was the raging anger in her breathing. “What did you just say?” She whispered in a grave voice. “You did not only get pregnant outside wedlock, you’re about to ruin your wedding plan.” She muttered angry words. “I’m so disappointed in you Josephine, so so disappointed.” “Mum _” “Do not call me!” She barked. “I swear to the heaven’s, if you weren’t my only child, I would have disowned you by now. You’re not worthy to be called an Eluta, not to even think of being called a Lopez.” “Mum…” I drawled, feeling drained from the constant argument from everybody. “Will you at least let me talk?” “What do you have to say something that is worth listening to? Do you honestly think Mr. Lopez will get married to you while your growing another man’s child in your womb? There are some noble men out there who will do it, but don’t be stupid enough to think Lopez will do that.” “Mum!” I called out again, this time ready to end the call if she doesn’t allow me speak. “Dominico will hand no other choice than to chose the baby because the baby is his.” “The baby is what?” Too astonished to speak, she choked on what she was drinking, her deep cough filling my ears. “What do you mean by the baby is Dominico’s? How far gone are you?” “I’m in my second trimester.” She fell silent again. “Mum listen, I need to know where you heard it from; I need to know if Dominico’s staffs are running their mouth.” “How are you pregnant with his child?” Well I guess the topic isn’t over yet. “You’ve been gone for over four months now, how can you be carrying his child? Unless you had something to do with him before you left.” “What the hell mum? Can’t we get past this topic?” I can as well quench her curiosity if I ever want to move on to other topics. “Yes, I had s*x with him before I left New York.” She inhaled sharply. “Happy?” “Drop that attitude young lady, I just discovered that my daughter is pregnant. That’s another full human being we’re talking discussing right here.” I waited patiently for her to digest the news. “So when is the wedding happening?” What the hell? “I do not know mum.” “What do you mean by you don’t know? She bellowed “Do I need to remind you that you’re pregnant? You need to be married before the baby comes.” “That’s not going to work for me.” I slammed my glass on the table and pushed it away. The noise attracted Hugo who poked his head in toto check if everything is okay with me. I gave him a reassuring nod. “You don’t get to decide what happens in my life mum, not anymore.” “I’m not deciding what will happen in your life Josephine, I’m telling you what every rational human being would do in a situation like this.” “Thanks for your advice, but it isn’t needed at the moment. I’ll inform you when we have a date “ I heard Jayden walk in. “Thanks for calling mum, but I have to go. My regards to dad.” I disconnected the call without giving her the opportunity to say goodnight. Although I hate to admit it, I have to get married to Dominico soon, the wedding had to happen before my bump is evident. I’ll let Dominico know that I’m ready to get married when he returns home, but that will be after he apologises for ghosting on me.