As soon as I was done preparing lunch, I served Jessica and myself as well. However, she didn't come downstairs to eat until I was done eating and decided to go and take a nap in my room.
I was kind of tired you know, plus I wanted to rest from the thoughts that were running in my mind. Thoughts that would only yield bad results if the actions were to be put into practice.
Just as I was in my room, I jumped unto the bed and shut my eyes off. My belly was facing the bed and my face was turned to the right. However, despite how tired I was I couldn't still sleep. It was as if something was obstructing me from relaxing my brain.
Actually, it wasn't just anything. It was Jessica's thought, I was so eager to see Frank so we could talk about her. I had to be the one to decide whether she should be helped or not, that way she would acknowledge my place in Frank's life and would definitely be careful when trying to do what she did with Reade.
I also couldn't wait for Aunt Vicky to recover, I believe if she recovers her words would matter more to the poor girl. Now, she would start considering her mother's health first before anything. Trust me, she was worried and I could see the fear in her face. If her mother didn't survive, she would definitely lose her mind or run mad.
I couldn't remember when I first heard about my parents demise, I was devastated. My head was heavy, I felt as if the whole world was placed on my head. However, I was the calm type. I tried all my best to compose myself with the help of wishers and people that cared about my wellbeing, Aunt Vicky included.
It wasn't really easy but, gradually I became used to their absence. Sometimes though, I used to weep when I think about them. But whenever I am weeping, I would make sure nobody hear me. I didn't like it when people come and start asking what's going on with me, or start looking at my sympathetically.
I wanted to be treated like normal people, like someone whose parents were still alive and healthy. I was no difference with people with parents, being an orphan doesn't mean one is less of a human being. But also, requires a lot of patience to overcome the psychological trauma associated with it... as well as the financial constraint that may surface as a result of it.
People like Jessica might not be able to handle all that, judging from her weaknesses. She was stubborn, although kind of not anymore. But she was still self-centered and I could tell she had not overcome her nativity yet. All that would certainly make her vulnerable to depression should she find herself in my shoes.
She had lost a parent before though, yes... her dad but that doesn't count because he died when she was still little. She knew nothing and I could beat my chest to the fact that she can't construct a single line of imagery of her past moment with her dad, she might imagine her self with him though but can never recall a past memory with him because she was too small when he passed away.
Perhaps that was the reason why she didn't grow up to be a good girl. Albeit some children used to grow up in the hands of both their parents but would still turn out to be even more stubborn and crazy than her. Nevertheless, in most cases growing up in the hands of both parents is more important than growing up in the care of a single parent or guardian.
And that reminds me, I had always wanted to ask Aunt Vicky this question. Why didn't she marry someone after the death of Jessica's father, Mr Harold? He died when she was still young and beautiful, I bet many men had proposed to her or wanted courting her. What I didn't know is the reason why she refused to get married again after the demise of her husband.
I had, for a very long time wanted asking her about it but was scared of how she might view the question. I didn't want her to look at me somehow or think I was interfering into her personal life. I could only guess what the reason was, she probably promised not to marry again before or after his demise.
She might have as well refused to get married again in fear of the kind of man she would marry. He might not be as perfect as her late husband and might not be a good stepfather to her daughter, Jessica.
Another reason I had in mind was, perhaps she was scared of losing the properties left by Mr Harold to the hands of a stranger. That would be horrific, really... but if Jessica had found a good fatherly figure, she wouldn't have been this bad. That was my guess. However, until I hear more from Aunt Vicky, I wouldn't think much about it.
None of my reasons might even be correct, but asking her would be the last thing I would ever do the fact that I was scared of what the outcome might be. And if Jessica hears about it, she might be pissed. She might think I was trying to talk her mother into marrying again. And that would definitely not end well.
For that reason, it would be best if I kept my questions and thoughts to myself. If I am lucky enough to get to know why she didn't marry again, fine. And if I didn't get to know it, fine also. I shouldn't be a nosy young lady, just like the nosy neighbors we had. Always trying to know everything about us, and all that is going on in our house. Not all though, some were different. People like Mrs Smith.
When I woke up later, I found out I had slept for five hours and the time now was six fifteen. Suddenly I began hearing Frank's voice downstairs, his and Jessica's voice. They were talking and laughing. I didn't know when I withdrew from the bed and headed out, thus I tiptoed to the stairway and managed to step down to the lowest floor without being noticed.
Surprisingly, I found both Jessica and Frank in the dining table. They were both eating and chitchatting. What pained me more was the fact that they were sitting right next to each other and their bodies were brushing on one another. What was that supposed to mean? I wondered about coming out to ask what was going on but then promptly changed my mind.
Laura, calm down. I said to myself as I gently returned upstairs to my room. Then heaved a huge sigh of relief, I shouldn't act like a child. I should act like an adult who despite knowing what's going on decides to act sensibly, no chaos, no fight. I went to the bathroom and took a shower before changing into a light V-neck dress. I wasn't good at exposing my neck and some other sensible parts of my body today I felt the urge to do just that.
After wearing a V-neck dress, I parked my hair in a ponytail and sprayed one of my vintage perfumes. Then put on some powder. After that, I applied khol on my eyebrows and eyelashes, and a red lipstick on my lips. Something I wasn't used to, I was sure Jessica would get the message. She would definitely know I did it to get Frank's attention.
Thus, I glanced at my reflection on the mirror and smiled before grabbing my phone from the bedside table and heading downstairs. The two were already done eating and had began washing the dishes together when I arrived at the lower floor.
"Frank?" I uttered, pretending as if I didn't know he was around. In shock, the two turned to look at me and guess what? Frank's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Lau... Laura, is that you?" he stuttered.
"Yes, it's me. Or do I look different?" I wrinkled a brow at him. I never imagined myself trying to get a guy over to me until today, and seeing Frank confused and Jessica scared out of her wits, I couldn't help but wear a triumphal smile on my face. A face filled with make up.
"No, not really..." Frank said as he quickly rinsed his hands and dried them using a napkin. "But you look amazing, I have never seen you this... beautiful" he walked over to me, held my hand and then kissed my hardel.
"Thanks for the compliment" I said to him before glancing at Jessica who was still standing perplexedly, obviously not knowing what to say or do. She was probably jealous. When she talked about wanting Frank to sponsor her to school, I knew she was just trying to lure him into her life... nothing more.
"Are you going out or something? I mean, this whole make up... or is it just for me?" he said, still not back to his senses. I loved how confused he was, if only he could be this confused forever over my appearance, that way other women would look nothing but trash to him. Look how he totally ignored the existence of Jessica, someone he ate food with and even went far by helping her in washing the dishes.
Now I see the power of make up, it indeed adds more to one's beauty. You might be beautiful but when you apply make up, you become even more beautiful than you were. But wouldn't applying it always makes people to be bored? I mean, when you are not used to doing something and you did it one day, people would be stunned. But when you are used to it, they also get used to it. That way, they wouldn't be amazed by the effect of that thing.
That's why despite make up, you see some women still not being able to rule over their men or even lure them to bed. But nevertheless, make up has its own power but shouldn't be done constantly. That way, when you so it after a while you make be stunned and confused. Just like what was happening now in Aunt Vicky's house while she's at the hospital receiving treatment.
Love is like a wind, when it happens... Know that there are many things that makes it happen. We have feelings, infatuation, kindness... all these can trigger love. And when it happens, it needs something to keep it flaming just like fire needs air and plants needs water. For love to grow, it has to be nurtured. That's where relationship comes in, and to make a relationship last long there has to be patience and the desire to keep holding on.
In all the films and television programs I had watched, I had never seen something as powerful as true love. True love makes the impossible becomes possible. When love is true, people tend to make sacrifices for each other. To show strong love and affection. And to appear good in the eyes of their beloved. For a woman to appear good and breathtaking, she must take good care of her body and appear make up from time to time.
She must also learn to be a good wife by being loyal and supportive. She mustn't neglect her duties as a wife to her husband and as a mother to her kids. Same goes to men, they must appear good to their women. They must take good care of themselves, and they must take their responsibilities seriously. They must also protect the family against threats or any kind of danger that may come their way.
Frank and I, I would be glad if that happens. I initially wanted to wait for his parents' approval before, but now I had changed my mind. I would love to take risks of losing him in the future should in case his parents rejected me. I would love to take that risk before someone else does that. And it would be a shameful thing if Jessica turned out to be that person. It would be very shameful thing and I would never forgive myself. By the way, I am sure my message today is clear to her that I won't stand and watch her snatch my man away from me.
