Chapter 8

Rachel couldn't believe who was standing in front of the door. It was Mrs Jane James. The joy on her face was so evident. They both hugged each other intensely seeing the number of years they have had to dialogue only through digital means.

"Mrs James, it is so good to see you again." She said.

"Oh, Rachel I don't know if this would have been possible without you. He came over to my place last week and we talked. I saw my baby cry and apologise for distancing himself. What magic did you do? My boy was smiling. I'm happy you God brought you into our lives."

"It's nothing compared to what you and your family have done for my mother and me. What would you like to eat and would you like me to ring Aiden that you are around because he stepped out to sort somethings at the company." She said.

"No, please. I came to discuss somethings with you concerning Aiden and you."

"Oh. Really? I hope there is nothing wrong?"

"No. Rachel I know how close you and Aiden used to be before Sabrina got pregnant. At a point, before Sabrina came into his life, I thought both of you were going to get married and have babies of your own running around the house. It all happened so fast. Sabrina was pregnant and Aiden married her a few months after. Oh, Sabrina was a sweet child and so was my grandchild. I know you love him if not you wouldn't have been able to keep up with all what has happened but you stood by him and helped him heal. My child, I know it sounds so soon but I don't want another woman by his side apart from you. I want you to be his wife, the mother of his child and his forever. Time is going and I am not getting any younger. I want to see my grandchildren from you." She said.

Rachel was still trying to digest and process everything Mrs James just said. Marriage, mother of his children? It felt like she was listening to something from a script. How can she get married to somebody that sees her as his sister? How can she get married to somebody that might just see her as an instrument to his healing? If Aiden was to hear this statement he would send his mother back home and their relationship will be back to square one.

"Mrs James in as much as I would have loved to hear this as a joke, the look on your face says you are serious. You can't be serious right? Aiden sees me as his sister. He has said this to me on several occasions. The only relationship between me and Aiden is a brother and sister relationship. That I have been able to deduce."

"Then make him see what he is missing. Make him jealous, go out on dates, I can send you very expensive gifts and act like it's coming from an admirer. Anything to make him realise."

"Mrs James, I don't think this is a good idea. I really don't know if I am ready to risk our friendship for something that has seven-point nine per cent chance of succeeding. What if he finds out? I mean we know the type of girls Aiden dated and look at how perfect Sabrina was. She was like an angel in human form."

"Rachel do you have a mirror at all? Have you seen yourself? The last time I saw you, you haven't grown so much compared to now. You have grown so much especially in the right places. Please think about it and get back to me. You don't want to lose him twice. Let me rush back home before he gets back. I got some stuff for you, they are in the car. Just in case you give what I discussed with you a second thought. They will give him goosebumps."

"Mrs James, I see you've had it all planned out for a long time. I will keep them while I'm thinking about it." She replied.

Ever since Mrs James left, she had been starring at herself in the mirror. She was indeed a beautiful curvy woman. She was not one to look stare into the mirror when she was dressing. She usually had to fix her makeup in the car on days she felt it was necessary to. She was the regular ' just a lip gloss will do' type of girl. She picked up the backless leopard skin dress from the cloth collection. Thank God must of them were stretchy materials if not, it would have been a waste of good money because it been quite long she saw Mrs James in flesh and she has added some weight in the right places. They had been keeping up with each other through digital means. Why was she even thinking about the plan? Did she like him so much that she was willing to go through all this just to get his attention?

Just as she was about to get into her car and drive off to get a drink, Aiden drove in. This was the perfect time to pull that stunt Mrs James was talking about. This better work she hoped. He got down from his car and started to walk towards her direction smiling. As she got down from the car, the smile on his face changed into a confused expression followed by an angry face. She knew this was not a good idea but it was too late to go in, wash off her makeup and change into her regular. The dress was supposed to make her get his attention and not make him angry. She just wanted the ground to swallow her immediately.

"Where are you going?" he questioned.

"Hello to you too. With that tone, you sound like a husband questioning his wife. Besides, it's my off day today so I can go where I like. Just so you know, I am going to get a drink."

"A drink? You barely wear makeup to events and school and you are dolled up to get a drink? For Godsake, I have a bar in this house so why would you want to get a drink outside in that revealing dress?"

"Ok. Now you sound like the father I never had. Aiden, I can wear whatever I want to wear, go wherever I want to go and drink wherever and whatever I want to. I work for you doesn't mean my life should revolve around you. Now if you will excuse, I would like to go get that drink I was talking about."

After her outburst, she felt very bad for saying her life didn't revolve around him. She could see the hurt written all over his face before he quickly hid it with a frown. He was just recovering and her approach to the whole situation was a very bad one. She was angry at him for questioning her like that and she was also angry at herself for going an extra mile just to make him notice her in a way he wouldn't notice his sister. The dress was indeed very revealing at the back but she wasn't going to tell him she took a jacket. It hugged her body like a second skin and her nude makeup and black hoops made her look extremely hot. Too hot to get a drink and come back home to face Aiden. Maybe she should delay a little bit at the bar so she doesn't look stupid.

His was trying to control his anger so bad he was pacing all over the corridor waiting for Rachel to get back home. He can't believe he ordered a lot of drinks that he didn't have in his bar so that next time she could see what to drink and not get all dressed up to get a drink. Could it be that she was back with Brian? It couldn't possibly be. He hurt her wrist why in the world would she want to go back to him. What if she went on a date? What if there is a new guy? He would know. She was looking like she walked out of vogue cover. The dress hugged her body like a second skin and the back was too revealing for his liking. She also had makeup on. He wasn't sure he could wait any longer. He picked up his phone and called one of his men.

"Did you follow her like I said you should?"

"Yes sir she went to get a drink but a dark guy around her age range is having a conversation with her. I think they met coincidentally because she had a look of surprise written all over her face. From the look of things, they are having a friendly conversation."

"Ok. Just make sure she gets home safely. I don't want any pervert following her around and keep an eye on the guy."