Twisted Fate

She saw that the message was from her school. She quickly opened the email and saw that she was supposed to start her lectures the next morning.

Evidence of payment for her tuition fees were delivered and her textbooks were all paid for.

She had only nine months left to complete her degree. Her thesis must be submitted and she was starting on her project immediately.

Ella was happy. Alex kept to his words. He did exactly as he had promised and even did much more.

Why then does she still feel better about him? For the first time, she would appreciate him the next morning.

She would join him for breakfast. They needed to talk. He has the right to know how far her mother had recovered and the success of the surgery.

She doesn’t know who to share her excitement with, she called Rosa. The latter seemed as if she was waiting to answer her phone when it rang.

“I am going back to school tomorrow, Rosa. You have no idea how happy I am with this opportunity again…” Ella’s voice was filled with excitement.

“I am happy for you dear” Rosa chimed. It’s a great thing that she has a chance again to return to school.

Ella told Rosa how her contract husband paid for her all her expenses, tuition and textbooks,

Rosa told her she deserved such favour. She has given so much and only deserved to get so much as well.

When Ella ended her calls with Rosa, she threw herself on the bed. The bed was large enough for two, a perfect size for a couple.

That evening, Ella admired the beauty and decorations of the room as if she was seeing it or stepping into it for the first time.

Her mother had come out of coma and her resumption is now certain. It seemed the sun that shone that day was only meant for her.

While Ella was happy and excited, Lisa Anderson threw her phone on the wall in rage.

She knew it, when she saw Ella that morning in Alex Mansion, she knew she must be the wife he married.

How can Alex leave her and be married to that smelly woman? How can he stand her up for her?

She had been with Alex for two years, everyone knows she’s his girlfriend. Even with his reputation as a womaniser, she was distinguished among his women.

She was the only woman who had gained significant access to his life. And despite her tolerance for him, enduring his promiscuous lifestyle, he left her and got entangled with that low class bitch?

She won’t let her be happy in that union. No one can take Alex Foster away from her, she has tolerated it that other women share him with her.

But another woman owning him under the title of a wife, is something she cannot take it. She would fight till her last breath.

It was good that she played along that morning when she saw Alex with that bitch. She only needed to ask someone to investigate, and she got the answers that she sought.

No matter how much Alex’s employees disliked her, there would always be At Least one person who understands and accepts her.

She only needs to ask him a few questions and then give him a few dollars. That’s exactly what she did.

She must investigate her. In what ways was she better than her that Alex would choose that poor thing over her?

He probably was having sex with her at the moment. The thoughts of it sent chills down Lisa’s spine.

She had once humiliated this bitch the first day they met. How can she now be the young madam of the Foster family instead of her?

“That’s impossible!” Lisa screamed, she was sobbing. How can Alex do this to her? How can he?

***************

Jane was resting her head on Festus’ torso. The latter was cuddling her hair. It’s obvious something romantic had taken place as they stayed nude under the quilt.

“I had thought Alex and Ella would have gone for a honeymoon already. Isn’t your friend going to take his wife somewhere special?” Jane asked.

This is something odd about Alex and Ella’s wedding. But she cannot lay her fingers on it. It doesn’t look like it was something perfect, especially on the part of Ella.

The quietness of it is something else. Alex wouldn’t even ride in the same car with his wife from the registry.

Alex is a handsome dude, the heir apparent to the Foster’s business and properties, shouldn’t his marriage have gone public?

And now, Alex wouldn’t take his wife for a honeymoon, away from work and spend time together.

“He might not be going,” Festus answered simply. Jane should have been a detective. She would ask a question with the aim of knowing answers to a bothersome question.

He knew she was going to ask him why they wouldn’t be going. From Alex’s behaviour, he leaves room for suspicion that something isn’t right.

Ella also did not help matters. she wore a frown on her face that made her appear as if she was dragged to the wedding or that the wedding dress was forced on her.

“Oh, really? But why? Shouldn’t couples learn to spend some time together?” Jane asked further.

Why is Festus hoarding information from her? He knows something, and she equally knows that he’s not telling her.

“It’s optional. It’s not like it’s mandatory or a matter of compulsion to go for a honeymoon” Festus replied.

Jane, Jane. She was still going to ask him another question, that he’s certain about.

She might pause for another day but will definitely ask him more questions until her curiosity is satisfied.

“Could it be that they are both unhappy about the union?” Jane asked again.

Festus became speechless.

The next morning, Alex was having his breakfast when Ella came over. She took her seat adjacent to where Alex was seated.

“Good morning hubby,” she said. She was staring at him with a smile.

Alex paused. It sounded well, to call hubby. Huh! It’s better she calls him that than calling him by his first name.

“Good morning wifey,” he responded. He didn’t raise his head to look at her, just concentrated on his meal.

“Thank you for everything you did for me” Ella appreciated. This time, Alex raised his head and looked at her, their eyes locked.

They stared at each other unblinking for a few seconds before Ella looked away. She felt a cold shiver accompanied the electric kind of shock she felt when she locked eyes with Alex.

What’s that for? She asked herself. This isn’t the first time she was going to look at Alex’s eyes. But why this kind of feeling?

Alex nodded. He didn’t say anything else. They both ate their breakfast until Alex stood up.

“Mr Foster, I will..” Ella started, she was going to tell him about her resumption that morning.

“Within the walls of this house, call me hubby” Alex corrected. His voice contained that tone of finality and Ella knew she couldn’t object to it.

“Yeah, of course. I will be going back to school today. I received an email that my expenses had been paid. Thank you once again” Ella appreciated.

From her words, it was evident that Ella appreciated what he did for her. For the first time since meeting Ella, he felt pleased with her.

“I want you to take it as a way of saying thank you for accepting my proposal” Alex declared.

She was the perfect woman for this show. If he had chosen Lisa, he would never have been able to get his freedom again.

“You can pick any car of your choice from the garage. I don’t want to see you taking cabs anymore” Alex instructed.

“I don’t want it hubby…” Ella refused politely but Alex declared “I am ordering you, not asking you for what you want”

Ella’s smiles seemed to vanish away. Few minutes ago, she was pleased and satisfied with his kindness but now, his pride had sprouted again.

Ella didn’t say anything but walked away. Alex looked at her back view as the distance between them became broader and wondered what he had done or said that made her upset again.

Ella got a cab and went to the school. Her academic advisor was happy to meet her again.

Professor Kim was one of those lectures who went unhappy when Ella dropped out of school.

Once he suggested to Ella to take a loan from the school. She would pay back when she graduated but the latter said no.

She needed to look after her mother. Her mother’s well-being was at stake and she wasn’t willing to gamble with it.

Besides, who will pay for their bills and expenses? Ella quoted reasons why she had to pause her studies.

When professor Kim heard her reasons, he couldn’t help it. He advised her to return back to school as soon as things have become a little stable.

Professor Ella welcomed Ella back to school. Asked after her mother and Ella said she’s better now.

She deliberately omitted the fact that her mother almost died a few days ago. Neither did she say anything about her surgery.

If she doesn’t want anyone to suspect her. Her mother’s surgery cost a lot and in less than a week, she resumed back to school.

No one must know the source of her finances. The earlier she kept it a secret, the better it would be for her.

Her professor told her she was starting with her thesis. She has only a few courses left to graduate. She would register those courses and attend her classes.

Ella did and attended two lectures. When she left the school, she returned back to the hospital to check on her mother.

Her mother appeared better than the previous day. The oxygen mask was off and she raised herself a little bit.

Sarah was with Father Kaitano and Miss Kampala. They both seemed happy to see Sarah alive and happy.

“Mother” Ella said, going over to her mother and giving her a hug. Her eyes became teary again.

“Ella dear” Sarah called, hugging her daughter. A lone tear dropped. She held Ella and appeared as if she was not ready to let go.

She hasn’t been told, but she knew her daughter had gone miles and extent she cannot yet imagined, so as to save her life.

She would never have woken up back to this life if Ella hadn’t gone extra miles just for her. How would she have been able to survive without such a daughter?

“You are ali.. v. e a.. ga.. i. n”Ella said, her voice choking. She was sniffling. She was holding her mother in an embrace.

She had thought she was never going to see her mother again, let alone hear her voice, hold her in a hug.

The mother and daughter pair sobbed on each other’s shoulders. Ella only let her mother go when she realised she was too weak and she shouldn’t let her go emotional too long.

“Hello Father Kaitano and Miss Kampala” Ella finally said, cleaning the tears from her eyes.

“I’m so happy to see you again Ella,” Father Kaitano declared. Holding Ella into a warm embrace.

Miss Kampala embraced Ella as well and the adults all sat around Sarah. They talked, chatted and laughed until father Kaitano announced that he was leaving.

Sarah appreciated his kindness and prayers toward her recovery. She said she would be in the parish when she recovers.

“May the Lord be with you all” Father Kaitano blessed and they replied “And also with you, Father”

After Father Kaitano left, Sarah held Ella’s hand. She doesn’t feel like leaving her daughter nor see her leave her side.

They talked about how successful the surgery was and how the doctor said there might still be hope for Sarah to walk again.

It was as if the Earth would stand still when the doctor made the announcement. Sarah’s voice choked, she couldn’t say a word.

Ella’s heartbeat almost skipped. Her mother might be able to walk again? She opened her mouth to say something, but no word came out.

Ella sniffled and her eyes were teary again. She looked at her mother and the latter also looked at her, with her eyes’ socket filled with tears.

“You don’t have to say anything. But we are working on it already and experts have been hired, they will arrive soon.

Don’t feel surprised when you are taken back into the radiology department for proper examination…” the doctor explains.

Ella didn’t hear what the doctor was saying again. What she kept hearing in ehr mind’s ear was that her mother might be able to walk again.

She had removed the word might, and had it replaced with would. This is not about probability but she wants to be certain, her mother would walk again.

Ella was lost in her thoughts when Miss Kampala tapped her. Even Sarah couldn’t say a word still.

“Ella, the doctor is asking you a question” Miss Kampala tucked her. The doctor had asked twice and Ella didn’t hear him talking to her.

“Oh, su… re, I’m… with… you” Ella stammered. She’s with him indeed.

“Hmmmm”Miss Kampala grunted with a smile. If she was indeed with him, she would have been able to answer his question.

The doctor smiled. He was fond of this psychological effect on patients and their relatives when news of a possibility hits them against the impossible that they had known.

“Would you come with me to sign some papers concerning your mother’s next line of treatment?” The doctor repeated.

“Sure, I’m ready,” Ella chimed.

Sarah just stared. She already knows how her survival happened as a result of a kidney transplant. That alone cost millions of dollars.

She hasn’t gotten the time to ask her how she made it happen and yet, she heard the doctor talking about experts coming to examine her again.

Where had Ella gotten so much money? What had she done?