Chapter Seven
Two Years Later
"Benny, let's go," said Brody, holding out his hand to a 2 years and three months old Benny. He grabbed his daddy's fingers with his tiny hand and they both walked down to Brittany's house where all the children would get together to celebrate the second birthday of Brittany's youngest daughter, Vera.
Brittany invited all the children of the family, Ivory's 21 month old son, Isaac; Brooklyn's 16 month old twins, Jasper and Juliette; Briella's one year old daughter, Isabella; Alexia's six month old twins, Andrea and Austen.
Benny was excited as he was the oldest after Sierra and Justin, Brittany's older twins. He left his dad's hand and rushed into the party zone, handing the little basket full of stuffed little duck family that he bought with his dad for his sister, Vera.
"Happy bertdway, Vera," he said as she squealed with happiness seeing the little duckies.
"Oh thant you," she said, kissing his cheek as he coloured a little.
Brody smiled seeing his baby have fun. Brittany came towards him and gave him a warm hug,"I'll send him, when we're done. Brooklyn will come over and pick them up," she said.
"Yeah, have fun buddy," he yelled and with a wave, he went home.
Valentina was coming out of the warehouse with a handful of birthday supplies when she heard his voice. Was he here? It'd been 2 long years since that fateful night when she said harsh things to him. Things she didn't mean to say. Despite everything, she loved him. It was only when he was gone did she realise her feelings for him. He might have moved on. Maybe he won over the mother of his child. She really didn't know.
She didn't interact much with anyone, kept to her work. Her parents were worried about her. A few months back her father tried to get her to marry Jayson Meyers, a thirty-one year old reputable attorney based in Travis Springs. His law firm catered to all sorts of cases. He appointed the most efficient lawyers and serviced clients all over the state of Texas. He wasn't bad looking yet Valentina found no interest in him whatsoever. She told him point blank in his face that she loved someone else. Jayson, like a true gentleman, understood her and didn't pursue her.
She took the supplies to the family room which had been vacated for the party. As she was arranging the children's plates, glasses, cutlery around the table, two small hands came and clung to her leg,"My mommy," said a cute little voice.
Surprised, Valentina looked down at the cute little boy, around 2 years of age, clinging to her.
"Hey, big guy, I'm not your mommy," she said.
The little boy looked up at her,"Yes, you are. Don't you know?" He asked, smacking his forehead.
"No I don't know. What's your name?" She asked, smiling at his cute antics.
"I'm Bwandon Summus, daddy call me Benny," he informed her. Summers? So whose child was he?
"And you're mommy?" She asked, wanting to know whether he was Alexia, Brooklyn, Ivory or Briella's child.
"You're my mommy, silly," he said, holding her hand and taking her to a chair. "Sit mommy," he ordered. Valentina sat down. She already fell in love with the little boy. He climbed onto her lap.
"Why do you think I'm your mommy?" She asked, very curious by now.
"Ooff, you don't know any thwing. Bee cos my daddy has your pictwer," he said, his eyes widening as he tried to explain. Her daddy has a picture of her? Was he Brody's son?
"Picture, where?" She asked, she had to know whether he still loved her.
"On his neck, in a chwain," he said, worried that his mommy didn't know a thing.
"Oh, around his neck, on a chain?" She asked, closing her eyes. Brody wore the pendant with her picture on it around his neck?
"Yeah. He cries wen I'm asweep but I see him," he whispered. She closed her eyes, trying to keep the tears from falling at the news. Brody cried after putting his son to sleep. Her heart broke after hearing it. If only she could turn the hands of the clock to that dreadful night. She had a year with him, yet she was alone now and it was all her fault. She threw away true love when she had it.
"You're crying, mommy?" Benny asked and wiped her tears that might have fallen without her permission. When she nodded, he asked innocently, "Are you lost?"
"Yes, baby," she whispered. He hugged her tightly. She too hugged his little body as they sat there for sometime.
"Come home with me, mommy," he suggested, his eyes wide with expectations.
"I will, let me finish some work," she said,"Go enjoy the party."
"Pwomise?" He asked, eyes full of hope.
"Promise," she said. He jumped down and ran to the party.
Valentina sat for some time trying to compose herself after the talk. After doing her work, she went back to the shop. The children were playing musical chairs and she didn't disturb them. The rest of the day, she just went with the flow, hating her life.
In the evening Scarlett included her in a video conference with Alexandra and Karen. She had stopped taking Alexandra's calls two years back, ever since that dreadful night.
It was Alexandra's wedding and she wanted her to be her bridesmaid. The wedding was next week and she had already arranged for everything. She agreed to go and disconnected the call.
A week passed by and the much dreaded wedding approached. She drove to Austin to attend the wedding. She would change at the church's dressing room, so she reached early.
Parking her car, she raced to the dressing room. Inside Alexandra was getting ready for her first look.
"Here, wear this," said Scarlett, after hugging the breath out of her lungs.
"Yeah," she said, taking the dress.
"Hang on. Scarlett can you give us a moment please," said Alexandra as she nodded and left them alone.
The moment the door closed Alexandra turned to her,"Val, I'm sorry. Very very sorry. I lied to you. You see when you told me about Brody Summers, three years back, I was jealous beyond words. For two years I pursued him, when he used to study here. He never once looked at me. He treated me as a sister. I was hopelessly in love with him. I lied about everything. He's a very nice guy. He never even had a girlfriend back then. Last year I met my fiancé Everett and I know what love is. What I felt for Brody was simple attraction. Please don't say anything to my fiancé, he'll stop the wedding," she said in panic.
Valentina froze at her words. She lied to her? She believed all her lies and misbehaved with Brody. Oh what had she done? Her whole body was stiff with anger. How selfish could Alexandra get? After ensuring that Valentina lost the love of her life, she was scared that Valentina might take revenge and tell her fiancé of her deeds?
She went close to her and slapped her hard. "That's for ruining my life. I lost the love of my life because of you. I just pray to God that you pay for your sins," she said and picking up her handbag, left the dressing room. She ran with tears in her eyes to her car and left for home.
Oh what had she done? Why did she blindly believe Alexandra? Why couldn't she once confirm from Brody?
She reached home and ran up to her room. She sank into her pillow and cried her heart out. Her mom stood by her door and watched the heartbreaking scene without knowing how to help. Valentina had to cry herself out, then she would talk to her daughter.