Chapter 32

'Where are you going this early morning?' Pearl asked worriedly as James put on his dark suit, ready to go out.

'I'm going to work and you know this very well.'

He responded to her question.

'Today's Saturday, and you are supposed to be at home with us; your family. Are you supposed to be at work every day?'

Pearl retorted angrily.

'Woman, I don't have the energy to engage in any quarrels this early morning!'

James shouted at the top of his voice, causing Sonia to wake up from her sound and peaceful sleep.

'Hush baby, it's okay Sonia.'

Pearl tried to calm her down however the situation seemed to have worsened as Sonia cried more, causing Pearl to become confused. She took the baby in her arms and cuddled her. Without a word, James dashed out hurriedly as though he were being chased. Pearl was very worried. James seemed to have changed a lot. She made up her mind to confide in Samuel Goldfield.

She took her phone and dialed his number after putting Sonia to sleep.

'Hello!'

Samuel said excitedly after realizing it was Pearl who had called.

'Hello, Samuel Goldfield.' Pearl responded. 'Can we meet later in the day if possible?'

'Certainly, Pearl. I'll be there at noon.'

Samuel responded to her request, and they both hung up.

Later that day, Pearl heard a knock at her door. She suspected it was Samuel. She went to open the door and realized her guess was right.

'Good afternoon!' Samuel greeted her.

'Can I come in?' He asked and she quickly left the doorway so he could enter.

'Sure, you may come in. I'm sorry I blocked your way!'

She quickly apologized.

'No worries at all, Pearl.' He replied and sat in one of the sofas. She sat directly opposite him.

'Do you care for water?' She asked him.

'Oh don't bother about that. I'm okay.' he said. 'So, what is the purpose of our meeting today? Is everything okay?'

The worried look on her face said everything. Just then, he knew something was wrong. It's just that he didn't know what the problem was.

'Hmmm, there's a lot to talk about Samuel.'

She began.

'Your friend James, has changed a lot. I don't know whether it's because of the baby. However I don't think that should be the problem. I always make sure to make time for my husband. I attend to his needs even when I'm so tired and exhausted. I don't know why he has suddenly changed his attitude towards me and Sonia. He no longer cares about our welfare. Whether or not we have eaten, whether we are okay or..."

The tears poured out freely and Samuel went to sit beside her. He tried to comfort her by patting her on the back. He was very much aware of James's ordeals and had even cautioned him. However James was just too adamant to listen to his friend.

'It's okay Pearl. Stop crying. I'll make sure to talk sense into James. He can't be treating you this way.'

He consoled her. Just then, Sonia started to cry and Pearl went to get her from the room where she was sleeping. Samuel offered to carry her and he tried to calm the already hungry Sonia down.

He stayed with them until James got back in the evening at half past six. He was surprised to see Samuel.

'Hey bro, what's going on here?' James asked after sighting Samuel.

'You are welcome, honey.' Pearl greeted him however he didn't say a word nor respond to her greetings.

'Hey dude, let's grab some coffee down the road.' James said to Samuel who obliged. Samuel felt speaking with his friend privately would be a good idea.

'We'll soon be back Pearl.' He said before following James out.

At the coffee shop, Samuel decided to open up.

'James, what's going on between you and Pearl? You didn't even respond to her greetings. Why is this so?'

He asked James.

'Why didn't you also tell me you'd be coming over to my place?'

James asked him.

'Answer my question first James. I'm very serious about this.'

Samuel said, very much upset.

'Well, I don't have any problem with Pearl. Maybe she has a problem with me. I don't know.'

James said rather sarcastically.

'Ok ok, James. Why do you keep going after the other women in the company? You work with them remember?'

Samuel asked him. He was aware of James's frequent sexual affairs with some of the women he played roles with. He had cautioned his friend about it however James only seemed adamant.

'Well, well, well, let's just say the women tempt me. Is it my fault that they tempt me? Is it not their fault? Why do you blame me?'

'Would you just stop your foolishness, James? Just stop it!' Samuel shouted with so much anger, the waiter had to come to their table to ask whether all was well. After the waiter left them, he continued to keep a close watch on them, lest they fought and hurt themselves.

'Listen to me, James, you have a loving and beautiful wife any man would do anything to have. You must understand that your wife has needs too. Don't tempt her to fall into the arms of any other man. As we speak, your attitude towards her has contributed to making her very vulnerable.'

James looked up at Samuel with alarm. The thought of his wife in the arms of another man got him alarmed and he was filled with jealousy. He couldn't imagine another man taking his wife away from him.

That night, he apologized to Pearl who cried bitterly.

'You really made me worry about us, James. Tell me what exactly went wrong. Why do you go to work on Saturdays? Why did you suddenly abandon your daughter and me? Why, James?'

She asked amidst sobbing. James tried to calm her down.

'Sometimes the roles require us to be present on weekends that's why I sometimes go to work on weekends my Dear. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this. I'm so sorry for hurting you, dear. I'm sorry. He comforted her.

The months that followed were enjoyable for Pearl and James. James no longer went to work during the weekends and he spent time with his family. Pearl was delighted, and so was Sonia. She grew to love her father very much and always longed for his company. She had turned a year old and had already began walking around the house, scattering things around. She always gave work to Pearl and didn't want to be carried. She wanted to be left alone so she could walk around and go anywhere she wanted to.

The sounds of 'Dada' and 'Mama' filled the house as Sonia went about scattering things in the house.

Six months later, Pearl found out that she was pregnant. The pregnancy was two months old and after seven months, she gave birth to a bouncy baby girl. They named her Priscilla. She was very pretty. There was so much joy in the house. Sonia was two years old by then. She was so glad to have a baby sister whom she could play with. However she was annoyed that she had to compete with Priscilla for attention. Her parents concentrated on Priscilla very much, and it annoyed her. Sometimes when James wanted to carry Priscilla, Sonia would cry and plead to be carried instead of her sister.

James became so rich as a result of his leading role in the movies. Many people wanted to watch his movies and this gave him advantage in all aspects. His fame entered into his head and he started behaving silly again. Sometimes he got home very late, and Pearl had to wait for him before he got back. She became worried about the whole situation and complained to Samuel about it.

"Samuel, your friend is at it again oo, I don't know what to do again. The situation seems to have worsened this time. What do I do now, Samuel?"

She complained bitterly. Samuel was feeling very sorry for her. He looked at Pearl closely and saw how beautiful she looked. He wondered why James was not appreciative of the woman he was blessed with. Suddenly he wished he had met Pearl earlier than James. He would have taken good care of her.

"It's okay Dear,errmm Miss Pearl."

He added quickly hoping that Pearl hadn't heard him call her 'Dear'. He didn't want her to suspect he liked her. He was in love with Pearl and he didn't want to express it in anyway because she was married to his friend.

The months flew by quickly and Priscilla grew up very beautifully. James still stayed out late however Pearl wasn't bothered this time like before. What she desired most was he spending time with her and chatting with her. However Samuel was filling that void. He always enjoyed her company. He came to visit her anytime he closed from work. He played with the children and even Priscilla called him 'Dada'. She hardly saw James and was not used to seeing him around. Samuel was like a father to the children. He bought them gifts anytime he visited them.

Priscilla was a year old now and Pearl wanted to organize a birthday party for her. She had told James about the party however he had seemed to be very much surprised to know that his daughter was a year old. He hadn't expressed much interest in attending the party. He had only put some money down for the upkeep of the house.

"James, I miss us. You don't spend time with us anymore. You only leave us with money. What I need is for you to be there for us James."

Pearl had expressed bitterly after James had taken his bag and had been ready to leave for work.

"If I don't go out there, how would we eat?"

He had blatantly asked her.

"I mean how? I provide the money and pay the bills. Yet you don't seem to appreciate what I'm doing for you, for us, for the children. You don't."

He had said and Pearl had only wiped the tears that had streamed down her cheeks.

"You don't understand me James.You don't."

She had said quietly.

"What do I not understand? You this woman, you are so ungrateful. Do you know how many women are dying to be with me? You don't appreciate me, do you?"

He had asked her and she had just continued to wipe the tears that kept filling her eyes.

Without any more word, James had left the house angrily. He had banged the door behind him and this act had made Pearl pained the more. She felt so weak emotionally and she just broke down in tears. Her strength failed her as she could no longer stand. She just lay on their bedroom floor crying bitterly. Sonia had heard the exchange of words coming from her parents' bedroom. She was used to seeing them that way and she wasn't happy about it. Even as a three year old, she seemed to understand what was happening with her parents. After her father left, she went to comfort her mother.

"Stop crying Mummy, stop crying."

She said after seeing Pearl crying helplessly on the bedroom floor.

"Oh my Dear, don't you worry. I'm not crying. Sometimes when I'm very happy, I express it in tears."

She lied.

"So why were you fighting with Daddy Mom?"

She asked.

"Oh that! Oh we were not in anyway fighting. We were just playing a game and I won. It was so funny for me that I won. So I started laughing at Daddy, and he was laughing too."

She lied further.

Really? So why did Dad bang the door?" Sonia asked and Pearl was taken back.

"Oh it's also part of the game."

She lied again while looking away.

She didn't want her daughter to have a bad mindset towards her father.

"Oh Samuel, you're here."

Pearl exclaimed happily after sighting him when he came for Priscilla's one year birthday party.

"Yes, I'm here as promised!" Samuel responded excitedly. The children were very happy to see him as they rushed towards him to give him a hug. Pearl watched them with admiration and wished they could do same with James. However that wasn't the case.

Samuel hugged them tightly and cracked some jokes, causing them all to laugh heartily. Even Priscilla laughed as though she well understood his jokes.

"Pearl, Pearl,are you okay? Pearl!"

Samuel called and had to shake her before she realized what was happening around her. She was lost in thoughts after seeing how Samuel played with the children. She didn't realize it and neither did she know how long she had been absentminded.

"Oooh, yeah, yes!"

She said quickly not knowing what she was saying. The children were playing and didn't realize what was going on.

"What is the matter Pearl? Are you still thinking about James?"

Samuel asked her and she nodded her head in agreement.

"I just can't help it Samuel. It breaks my heart everyday when I realize how James has changed so much. I wouldn't have believed it if anyone had told me he'd change. I wouldn't have."

She cried and Samuel went closer to her. She was standing beside the door and he helped her to sit down in one of the sofas. He sat beside her in the sofa as she cried in his arms.

"Stop crying Pearl. Stop thinking about James. I'm sure he's enjoying himself somewhere; therefore don't waste your tears over him."

He said to her and she just cried the more as she heard his words.

"It's okay baby, it's okay."

Samuel whispered to her and didn't realize he had just called Pearl "baby".

"Mummy!"

Priscilla called her and she quickly freed herself from Samuel's embrace. She stood quickly and went to the kitchen. She brought out a table and lay a cloth on it. Samuel knew that she was setting up for the birthday party. He offered to help and she allowed him. Finally they had everything set up and started the party.

Priscilla stood in front of the cake and wanted to put her hand on it. Pearl had to constantly remove her hands as they sang the 'happy birthday' song for her. She was excited and kept fighting with Pearl to put her hands on the cake. Finally Samuel had to carry her to end the fight.

"Come over here birthday girl, and don't spoil the fun!"

Samuel exclaimed as he carried her, while Pearl and Sonia laughed.

Samuel played children party songs on his phone, to entertain themselves. They popped champagne and ate jollof rice with chicken.

"Hmmm, this is very delicious Pearl."

Samuel said as he ate hungrily.

'This jollof rice is so unique and very much delicious."

He said again and Pearl smiled.

She muttered "thank you."

Samuel wondered why James had to take his family for granted.

After the celebration was over, Pearl put the girls to sleep and she was left alone with Samuel.

"Thank you so much for coming over for the party Samuel,we are very much grateful."

She said to him after joining him in the living room.

"Oh no, there's no need to thank me. I mean, what are friends for?"

He said and she smiled. He couldn't help but admire her beautiful face. There was no doubt that Pearl was very beautiful. He continued to gaze at her, making her extremely uncomfortable.

"Errrmmm Mr Sa Sam Samuel..."

She stammered.

"Just call me Samuel."

He said to her.

"Are you okay?"

He asked her.

"Yyy yes I'm very very much okay. I would like to put the girls to sleep."

She said.

"I thought you had already done that before coming."

He said.

"Oh yes,oh no. I mean I would also like to sleep."

She managed to say.

He realized she was feeling uncomfortable.

"Perhaps,is my presence here a bother to you?"

He asked, painfully. He had hoped to spend some time with her. He had become very fond of her.

"Oh no, not at all Mr Samuel."

"There you go again. Just call me Samuel."

He said to her again, disappointed that she was feeling uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry if I have offended you please. I'm really sorry."

She tried to calm him down. He looked away and she went to sit beside him in the sofa. He smelled her nice cologne and it turned him on. He tried very much to control himself by not looking at her. That action made her think he was still mad at her.

She felt bad about the whole situation. It was she who had sought Samuel's support after James had started ignoring her. It was he who had been there for her all the time.

She drew closer to him again, with their bodies touching each other this time.

She put her hand through his hair, to try to calm his supposed anger down. She did not know what her actions did to him. He moved uncomfortably in the chair and turned to face her when he couldn't help himself any longer.

He grabbed her breasts and kissed her passionately. Before they could realize what was happening, they were already making love right in the sofa.

After the act, they both felt very guilty and Samuel apologized to her. Without a word, she left him and went inside the room shedding tears bitterly. It was never her intention to cheat on her husband however his actions had caused all this to happen.

Months passed by and Samuel no longer visited Pearl. The children almost always asked about him, because they had missed him very much.

"Mummy, is everything okay with Mr Samuel? He no longer comes here. Why is this so?"

Sonia asked her one morning.

"Stop asking unnecessary questions and read your books, Sonia!"

Pearl answered her angrily and it scared the little girl. She had never seen her mother angry in that manner before. She run away from Pearl and just then, Pearl had to run to the bathroom. She felt like throwing up. After throwing up, she realized her temperature was very high. Her body felt warm and she was feeling feverish. She decided to go to the hospital because of how she was feeling. The test results came out and she was pregnant. She knew just then that she was carrying Samuel's baby.

She went home, very much lost in thoughts. Sonia knew that something was not right with her mother, however she was afraid to ask her anything for fear that she would shout at her again.

Priscilla just played with the toy baby doll she was holding in her hand.

At home, Pearl decided to call Samuel. Just then, her phone rang. It was a call from the police station. James had been arrested by the police.