THE HOLLANDS' MANSION
It was around 6:30pm in the morning, Nicole heard a knock on her door.
"Yess..., am coming." She went to the door to check who it was.
"Ma'am, please Mad. Flora wants you to join her for breakfast."
"Okay, I will be there soon." She replied.
"Okay, ma'am.
The house help replied and left. She soon joined Mad. Flora at the table.
Nicole : Good morning mum..
She gave Mad.Flora a peek and sat beside her.
Mad.Flora : Good morning, sweetheart. How are you doing dear?
" I'm good mum." she replied
Mad.Flora : Your mum called me this morning. She wants you to stay here for a while.
"This is so great." She thought to herself.
"Okay mum." She replied
Mad. Flora sat quietly for a while wondering how to break the news to Nichole.
"Nichole, I have something to tell you. I don't know how to go by it but I still have to do it."
Immediately, Nichole knew what it's all about but pretended to have no idea.
"Sure mum, go ahead." she replied
Mad. Flora told Nichole about Rosita's situation ignorant of her awareness and tried to make her understand that things are not going to work between Clifford and her.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry for everything but hope you understand."
Nichole smirked and said to herself,
"I perfectly understand"
Nichole : That's okay mum.
Their conversation was interrupted by a voice from behind. "Good morning, mum."
They swiftly turnes to the direction of the voice and it was Clifford.
"Son, come and join us." Flora muttered.
Without hesitation, clifford pulled a chair and joined them. He glanced sternly at Nichole then turned to his mother. " Mum, I'm here to pick you up as promised.
"Mum, are you going somewhere? Nicole inquired.
Mad.Flora : Yes dear, I'm going to visit Rosita at the hospital. I heard from Clifford that she will be discharge today.
Nichole : Oh really? Can I come along? She turned to look at Clifford schemely.
"Sure dear, you can." Mad.Flora replied.
Mad.Flora excused herself to get changed for them to leave. Nichole moved from her chair to where Clifford sat. She caressed his shoulders and whispered to his ears, " If I can't have you, then no one will."
Clifford stirred at her stunned. Just then, Mad.Flora joined them. "Can we leave now?" she asked.
They all set off to the hospital.
AT THE HOSPITAL
They arrived at the hospital to meet the rest of the family. They were all happy that their mum came. Rosita was not an exception. "Mum, you came?" She mumbled rhetorically.
"Yes dear, I did. I am so sorry for what I did to you. Please, forgive me dear."
"No mum, It's alright. I understand how you felt."
She hugged and congratulated her. Clifford excused himself and left to the doctors office to sign the discharge papers. Soon, they were ready to leave.
CLIFFORD'S APARTMENT
Few hours later, the car pulled up in front of Clifford's apartment. Everybody got off , Lian and Clifford packed the stuffs into the house. They were all happy to have Rosita back home again. They all chatted and laughed heartedly. Rosita felt thirsty and left for the kitchen to get some water. Nichole followed Rosita without anybody's notice.
Rosita was in the kitchen having some water when Nichole stepped in with a pretentious smile.
" Rosie.." she called
Rosita turned and smiled, welcoming her warmly, not knowing her true intentions.
Nichole : Mmm...Rosie,
She held her hands pretending to regret accepting Mad. Flora's proposal and coming over.
" I'm sorry for everything I have put you through. I didn't know Clifford was married. It's never my intention to destroy such a beautiful and happy family."
Rosita : It's not your fault Nichole, I understand mum and I also know it wasn't your intention
Nichole : Thank you Rosie.., so can we be friends?
Rosita (smiling) : Sure dear.
Nichole : Thank you Rosie
She hugged her and gave a mischievous smile,
"You will never know what hit you Rosie" She said to herself.
They break from their hug and smiled at each other and Nicole smiled," I will go now Rosie but how about I come by tomorrow so that we go for shopping for the baby?
"Wow Nichole, " Rosie returned her smike, "I will really appreciate that. Thank you."
"Then see you tomorrow" Nichole with what seemed more like a smirked than a smile.
Nichole managed to gain Rosita's trust.
IN THE LIVING ROOM
Suddenly, Clifford looked around and noticed Rosita and Nichole's absence. He got startled and asked Vanessa who was sitting next to him.
"Vanessa, have you seen Rosita and Nichole?"
"I think Rosie went to the kitchen but I don't know of Nichole." She replied.
" Okay, I will go and check the kitchen if they are both there." He replied.
Clifford moved towards the kitchen feeling uncomfortable and hoping not to meet Nichole together with his wife. Just mid way, he saw Nichole coming from the kitchen. She looked seductively at him with a devilish smile on her face. She tried walking pass Clifford but he held her back.
" What are you scheming?" He asked
She smiled mischievously and stirred at him. Just then, Clifford saw his wife approaching and let go off Nichole's hand. Rosita on seeing her husband, called out to him.
" oh sweetheart, you are here"
" yes dear, the family want to take their leave and I couldn't find you in the living room so I came here to search for you." He replied
" oh okay, am here now. Let's go and see them off." she smiled.
He held his wife and they both left to the living room.
Lian : Cliff and Rosie, I guess we will be living now. It's getting late, mum have to rest and so do you. It's been a long day for us all.
Clifford and Rosita smiled and nodded in agreement. They bid their farewells and escorted them to the car. Clifford kept keen eyes on Nichole as they set to leave. Nichole noticed and smiled.
Clifford and his wife returned to the house. She hugged and kissed her husband.
" I'm so happy today and I missed our home too. I'm glad to be back and this time with a good news " said Rosita
Clifford smiled and hugged his wife more. " And I missed you too Rosie. Now, go and freshen up whiles I get you something to eat."
"Okay Sweetheart." Rosita replied and left to the washroom.
Clifford sat on the sofa with the words of Nichole echoing in his mind. He looked worried and exhausted.
" What is she scheming?" He wondered to himself.
THE HOLLAND'S MANSION
The car pulled up in front of the mansion and Lian helped his mum and Nichole out.
"We will leave now mum" said Lian to his mother.
"Okay sweetheart, take care and drive safely." replied Mad.Flora to his son.
The workers came to welcome them on noticing their arrival.
"Welcome back ma'am"
"Thank you." Mad.Flora and Nichole replied
They both set off to the dinning room to have dinner. Mad.Flora left to her room after dinner to have some rest, Nichole volunteered to see her off.
"Mum, let me help you."
She took Mad.Flora to her room and helped her to bed.
"See you tomorrow mum." said Nichole and left to her room.
CLIFFORD'S APARTMENT
Clifford was in the washroom having his shower when his wife called from the bedroom.
"Sweetheart.., what do you think about Nichole?" she asked
There was silence for a while, he dried himself up and came out of the washroom. He sat beside his wife and cuddled her in his arms.
"I don't really know but I don't feel comfortable around her." He replied
"Why dear? She is a good person. She even promised to go shopping with me tomorrow."
"I don't think it's a good idea dear, I don't trust that woman." he replied
Rosita felt uncomfortable with his husband bad mouthing Nichole.
"Sweetheart, calm down. I know her introduction caused a lot but she is a good person".
Rosita tried to talk his husband out in painting Nichole black.
THE HOLLAND'S MANSION
Nichole sat in her room scheming what to do with Rosita. She thought for a while and dialed a number and a voice answered.
" Hello.." The voice cried.
"I have a job for you" Nichole replied with a smirked