Echoes Of Redemption

(that fateful night)

Tracy just called, she sounded worried, and I tried to understand what she was saying.

"It's everywhere Ma'am, Jonathan is on the news again" I listened, quickly picking up the remote to turn on the TV. My eyes watched in silence, it was the same story every year, that Jonathan never missed. I quickly turned it off, contempt filled me, my phone ringing nonstop. It was Jonathan, I wanted to pick, but I know him too well to come up with a good lie.

I thought today would be a good day to drop the news about my pregnancy, but once again he ruined it, Jonathan always looks for a way to ruin everything.

Slowly I turn off the shower and step out, I can't let him find out about the Twins, they were my everything and I can't lose them to Jonathan.

****

Six years later.....

"What do you mean, he is there already" I asked, my tone elevated as I tried to get clearer words of what Benita, my assistant was saying as I struggled with the steering.

"Keep it down, you two" I yelled at Tiara and Tina who were at the back of the car.

They were my sole reason reasons of surviving after such a horrible divorce, knowing I wouldn't wake up alone to an empty bed filled me with joy.

The moment I saw their little adorable faces, I knew just then, they were more than enough but right now they are giving me a migraine.

"I asked you both to share," I whispered, taking the chocolate from them. "Am sorry Benita what were you saying," I asked trying to stay focused

"He is here Ma, the person you are leasing your room to" she summed up at the other end of the line. "And he is so handsome ma'am" she giggled

"Focus Benita" What was this girl's problem with guys, she has been dumped for the 4th time and she is still not seeing the bigger picture here. "Tell him, I will be right there, dropping the Twins at my mom's" I added, ending the call.

"You said we weren't going to Grandma till the weekend," Tiara said, her voice small.

"Come on baby, don't you miss grandma," I leaned down, brushing a strand of hair off her face, she was definitely like her papa.

"I like grandma's, she gives us a lot of goodies," Tina said as she bounced excitedly.

Just 5 years old and I felt a long time had passed me by, watching them grow was the toughest and sweetest for me

I rang the doorbell, and as the door opened, Joy my mom's maid answered with a brightening smile on her face.

"Look who we have here" she teased jokingly

Tina and Tiara giggled, they were so playful sometimes I wondered where they got it from. Brushing past Joy they both headed upstairs, their laughter filling the echoes of the house.

"Be careful you two," I yelled from behind

"Is my mother inside?" I asked curiously

"You can always come in ma'am Claire" Joy ushered

But, I was too stubborn, my mom and I weren't on good terms, and ever since the divorce, she blamed me for being soft and lenient for not asking Jonathan for alimony, for wasting my life, even when insisted I didn't want anything from him.

She had said she was not doing it for me, the only reason she asked for alimony was for the kids, she loved them so much that I sometimes get jealous.

"Here is their stuff" I handed everything to Joy, who struggled to hold each of them. "Why is it so many, are they staying till Christmas" she asked curiously

"Most of it belongs to Tina, you know how demanding that little lady can be" I reminded Joy. "I will pick them up on Sunday so... Good luck" I quickly added, rushing to my car as Joy called behind. I waved, driving off

Feeling relieved, I called Benita. "Is he still waiting?" I asked curiously,

"Yes, Ma'am, should I ask him to leave" she asked

"No, am on my way" I quickly added ending the call

He must be adamant, I thought marching the speed break

I drove into the parking lot and my eyes fell on the offloaded boxes at the back of a sports car, no one told me he drove a sports car, is he going to be trouble, I was too busy to deal with a troublesome tenant

I got out of my car, picked up my handbag, and stepped into the elevator leading to my penthouse, I dialed Benita's number, and it kept ringing till she finally picked

"What with the sports car" I asked curious

"Ohh you saw that, I don't think he's that bad ma'am" she slowly added

"You don't think Benita, you don't think he is a serial killer or thief" I questioned her as she remained silent. "Who drives a sports car and stays in a lease, obviously a good for nothing do-gooder does" I slowly remind her

"You know what, tell him, the room is out of rent and give him a refund" I added

"But-but Ma'am" Benita stuttered

I quickly cut her short, "infact, don't bother, I will do it myself" I managed to say stepping out of the elevator in my apartment lobby

"Where is he," I asked Benita, whose face was filled with worry, "Benita" I yelled

"He-he is inside, he said he wanted to check it out" she stammered

"You fucking did what? how can you let a stranger into the apartment, is there something wrong with you Benita, you are getting fired after this"

"He seemed very convincing and I got so confused and -and" I stared at her trying to understand what the hell she was saying

The door opened and our eyes both stared at the figure coming out

"Hey, you could be charged for……" the words left my mouth, I must be dreaming, I moved backward, Benita stared at me concern filling her face

"Are you okay Ma'am?" she asked

"Is he the tenant?" I asked hoping he was not

"Yes ma, isn't he dreamy ma'am" Benita answered

"Will you please snap out of it" I snapped at her

"Sorry ma" I watched as he made his way towards me, and my heart skipped a beat.

"Claire" he called, his eyes filled with surprise

"Hello Jonathan" I greeted back, his eyes held mine, he still looked the same, handsome and alluring as usual, face to face with the man who broke my heart into a million pieces.

"What are you doing here, are you also here to check it out, it nice, comfortable, and homely" I let him continue with the praises since I barely got any while being with him for six fucking years

"No, Jonathan, I own this apartment" I could see the shock in his eyes, and I enjoyed every moment of it

"You must be my new tenant," I said sarcastically

He stared at me, his eyes expressionless, I knew I hit a spot but it felt good for once.

"I'm guessing you won't be staying anymore because I live here?" I asked curiously, pleading and begging that his pride get in the way

"I won't be, thanks for pitching that out" his voice was cold and hard

"Benita please do a refund" I politely asked her

I guess he wasn't that desperate for a place anyway, he is fucking rich, and he could stay in a five-star hotel, what the hell is he doing leasing a room, I stared at him in curiosity filled me

"Am sorry for wasting your time" Benita apologized, handing him an envelope full of cash

"You paid in cash," I asked now deeply curious, this was unlikely of him, paying in cash meant he was hiding or going on a low, I have lived long enough with him to know how he handles things privately without drawing attention

Was that the reason Why he needed to lease a room, was he he hiding or trying to stay low

I could feel his stares at me, "Don't overthink it, Claire, I don't need you in my business" he added, heading towards the elevator

"I never said I wanted to" I yelled behind him as he disrespectfully flung his hand in a, "I don't give a fuck manner".

Benita stared at me

"What?," I asked

"I guess am not getting fired then, since you guys know each other" A smile lit up her face

"I don't know him, Benita, I refuse to know him" I reminded her angrily, stepping into my apartment

***********

"Hey Mom" I manage to say

"Let me call the girls" she quickly added at the other end of the call.

How long will she ignore me, I know she was angry but how long

"You can't keep ignoring me forever Mom" I quickly added

"I don't know what you are talking about" Her voice was calm and reserved,

"Mom please, just stop it" she interrupted me, reminding me the girls were here

"Mummy" Tina called

"Wait let me guess who is talking, is it Tiara" I teased, I could hear their soft giggling, I missed them even if I had just seen them 5 hours ago

"No, you are wrong again, it's Tina" she corrected as I smiled

"Oh is it my beautiful Tina" I called out, "where is Tiara" I asked

"Tiara, mummy wants to speak with you" she called out to her sister. "Hello mummy"

Her voice was so warm and soft, "Why aren't you with Tina," I asked, "Grandma bought us new Barbie dolls" she said happily

"Did she? Did you guys say thank you,"

"Yeah we did," Tina on the line, "and mummy it's not a Barbie doll it's a brat doll" Tina whispered, not wanting Tiara to know cause we all know how sensitive she can be

My attention shifted to the sound of the doorbell, I stood up to answer, unlocking the door, I stared at the figure who stood there

"Jonathan" I called out

"Mummy, who are you talking to? Who's Jonathan?" I could hear Tina's voice at the other end of the call, I ended the call in a hurry, my eyes still fixed on him

"I need your help, Claire"