Chapter 38

It was a cool evening in the Reynolds household. Priscilla was outside with Anita, beside the fireplace. They were enjoying the cool of the evening,coupled with being beside the fireplace. Lordina was there with them, waiting on them. She tried to do everything in her power to make her boss happy. She was well aware about how Mr Reynolds treated his wife. She always felt bad about it and wished Priscilla was happier. Priscilla was very good to all of them and made them feel like people of worth.

"Lordina, I think I have had enough of the evening. I'd like to retire to bed now." Priscilla told her.

"Alright Madam,we can go inside now. I'll help to carry Anita who is already sleeping." Lordina responded.

"That's so thoughtful of you Lordina. I really appreciate your kind gesture. Thank you so much." Priscilla said, and Lordina smiled.

"It's always a pleasure attending to your needs Madam." Lordina replied.

They went inside and headed towards Anita's room. After putting her to sleep, they left her room.

"Have a good night Lordina." Priscilla said to the maid.

"Thank you so much Madam. Have a good night too." Lordina responded.

"Thank you Lordina." Priscilla replied and they both parted ways.

Priscilla went towards her room, wondering where her husband could be. She opened the door to her room and was met with a great surprise. The light in the room had been put out, and candles had been put on right from the entrance of the room to the bedside. On the bed, flowers had been spread all over and there was a note there too. She was so touched.

"Could Reynolds have done this?" She asked herself.

She took the note on the bed and read it out to herself.

"You are a beautiful woman, and I love you my Lady. Signed. Your lover, Reynolds." She smiled after reading the note and she couldn't believe it.

"When did Reynolds arrive at home? How is it that none of the servants informed me like they usually do when he gets home?" She asked herself.

"Well, I did. I told them not to let you know that I had arrived." A voice behind her replied to her question and she turned to see Reynolds staring at her seductively. He was in a pair of boxers only.

"Oh Reynolds, you did this? Anyway, thank you for the surprise. I'm grateful." She said to him, still hurt by the statements he had made concerning their baby. She turned to go to bed and he held her by the waist.

"Please don't go Priscilla. Don't go." He whispered to her ears.

"Let go of me Reynolds. You think you can just utter hurtful statements and make me feel so terrible about myself. Then you would just come in and throw some flowers and that ends it? Is it?" She asked him.

"I'm so sorry at how I made you feel Priscilla. I'm very sorry about that." He whispered to her ears again.

"I was very foolish to have asked you that question about our baby. Besides,we made love together and that's why you are pregnant." He said to her.

"Oh so you remember we made love together? That's great news." Priscilla said and wanted to leave however he still held her waist tightly and wouldn't let her go.

"I love you Priscilla." He said and kissed her neck passionately. She refused to moan although she enjoyed it.

"Please, please give us a chance to make things right between us." He pleaded and continued to kiss her neck more passionately than before.

This time she couldn't hold the feelings inside herself any longer. She had to express it and it came out in moans.

"Arrh, you are making me feel..." She paused and moaned heavily again.

He quickly helped to remove the evening gown she was wearing, so he could have easy access to her whole body. He removed her brassiere and her breasts came out, screaming at him. He grabbed them with full force and suck them with so much passion,it turned her on.

"Oh baby, yes baby, I love it, I love you." She moaned heavily and it excited him.

He lifted her onto the bed and spread her legs apart. Next, he inserted his hands into her vagina and played with her clitoris. It excited her and she continued to moan very loudly.

"I love that baby, continue, please don't stop." She said amidst moaning, her breath very heavy.

Then he went for her lips and suck them so much it began to stimulate him. His dick rose, and he removed his boxers. He mounted her and entered inside of her. She moaned as he continued to kiss her as he rode her with full force. She felt so loved again and was very much delighted. They both reached orgasm with full force. He stroke her hair playfully, to help her calm down.

"I love you so much Reynolds. I felt so much loved again." She said to him and he smiled.

"I love you too baby girl. I'm glad I made you feel loved." He said and she looked at him with joy and surprise in her eyes.

It had been a really long time since he called her 'baby girl'. She just hoped that he had really changed as he seemed to have. However she wondered what exactly had brought about this sudden change in Reynolds. Deep down in her heart, she hoped he had truly changed and wasn't fooling her in any way.

The next morning, Priscilla woke up to another surprise. Reynolds had served her with breakfast in bed. This is something he had never done in their seven years of marriage. Priscilla just kept gaping at him in wonder.

"Waooo, I don't even know what to say. I'm totally speechless. I just hope I'm not dreaming."

She said after Reynolds served her in bed, and even went to the extent of offering to feed her.

"Reynolds, can I ask you a question?" She asked him.

"Sure my love, you can ask me anything." He responded so heartily, she paused for a moment.

"Hope all is well. I mean, is everything alright?" She asked him and he smiled.

"Yes my love, everything is perfectly fine. Why do you ask?" He asked her,as though he didn't know why she was asking.

"Well, your sudden behavioral change is really surprising me. If someone had ever told me that you Reynolds would change this much, I would never have believed the person." She told him.

"Well well well, I greatly understand how you feel about all this Priscilla. I mean, you never expected that I would be romantic in anyway. However you're seeing surprised and pleasant changes in me and I perfectly understand why you must be surprised." He told her.

"In life, one thing that is constant is change. In essence, only a fool doesn't change right? So let's just say I decided not to be a fool." He added and she just kept looking at him in wonder.

"Perhaps,had someone kidnapped her husband and done plastic surgery to replace him?" She thought to herself.

"Cheer up my lady and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about a thing. I want you to feel very comfortable. You are in your husband's house and you are supposed to enjoy." He told her and she couldn't believe her ears.

The next morning, he went to work earlier than usual.

"For today, I'm supposed to be at work very early. I have some presentations this morning and I want to ensure that everything is in order." He told her before leaving.

"Alright, I have heard you." She responded, still in disbelief at his sudden change of behavior. He seldom told her anything if he was going out. Therefore he doing it this time was a great wonder to her.

"By the way, we'd be going for dinner tonight. So prepare for it." He told her.

"Alright that's fine. I'll be going to my mother's for lunch early in the afternoon." She replied to him.

"That's a great idea. I would have loved to go with you however I wouldn't be around. Extend my regards to her." He responded and she continued to look at him in so much disbelief that he smiled.

He had never bothered about her mother. He had never even cared to ask about her welfare. Therefore he extending his regards was a shock to her.

That afternoon, she narrated everything that had happened to her mother.

"You won't believe it Mummy, however he has changed so much,it even baffles me." She told her mother as they sat down at the table for lunch.

"Really? Are you sure you're not telling me this so that I wouldn't have to confront him one day?"

Her mother asked with eyebrows raised.

"Oh mother,why would I lie to you?" She asked.

"You have never taught me to lie. Or perhaps, have you ever lied to me?" She asked Mrs Brown who was taken aback by her daughter's question.

She suddenly felt guilty for not letting her know about her adoption. She felt she had lied to her by not letting her know.

"Oh why? Errmm why would I even think of lying to you? Do you think that I'm a liar?" Her mother asked, stuttering.

"No mother, please relax. I know you're not a liar. Deep down within, I know you wouldn't ever lie to me." She told her mother who feigned a smile, still feeling guilty about not telling Priscilla about her past.

"Reynolds has suddenly changed from an annoying husband to a romantic husband oo mother. Myself, I couldn't believe it. Hmm, he even apologized." She told her mother excitedly.

"Now he even said I should prepare for dinner tonight. Hmmm mother, I couldn't believe it. By the way, he extends his regards to you." She told Mrs Brown who just stared in her eyes without any response.

"Mother? Mother!" Priscilla called out to her however there was no response.

Mrs Brown was totally lost in thoughts. Priscilla had to tap her before she regained her consciousness.

"Is everything okay with you mother?" Priscilla asked worriedly.

"Yes everything is fine with me." She lied.

"Do you care to share what exactly you're thinking about?" Priscilla asked her.

"Well, I'm just hoping your husband is not planning anything mischievous. This is because his sudden change of attitude is really questionable." Mrs Brown responded and Priscilla believed that was what had occupied her mother's thoughts.

"Exactly what I had also been thinking about mother. I had also questioned his sudden change of behavior so much that I didn't believe it was genuine at first. However right now, I think it could be genuine mother. He even served me with breakfast in bed yesterday and went to the extent of feeding me." She told her mother.

"Really? Are you really sure of what you just said?" Her mother asked.

"Yes mother. It's very much unbelievable and surprising right? That's how I also felt at first." She said.

"Waooo, that's surprising. I pray it lasts." Her mother said.

"I hope so too mother." Priscilla replied hopefully.

"That reminds me mother. You promised to show me my childhood pictures the next time I visit you for lunch." She reminded Mrs Brown who seemed to be suddenly caught off guard.

She looked like a child that had been caught right in the act, stealing meat from a pot of soup.

"Yes my darling daughter. I remember the promise I errmm I made to you the other time." She began.

"Do you remember? Your father was in possession of most of the items I had. Honestly I can't tell where exactly he kept those pictures while moving from our previous house. We moved when you were five years old. That's why you don't see such pictures around. I just hope your father didn't mistakenly leave them in the old house. I have also been searching and searching."

She said to Priscilla who was just staring at her mother in disbelief. Something didn't feel right however she couldn't place her hands on what exactly was wrong.

"Don't you believe me? Why are you staring at me in that manner Priscilla? It's beginning to make me feel uncomfortable." Mrs Brown said after becoming uncomfortable with Priscilla's stares. It made her feel like a thief that had been caught.

"Mother, you can show me where father used to keep his things. I'll gladly look for the pictures there if you would let me." Priscilla told her.

"Oh my dear, don't worry yourself. I'll try looking for them. But why are you so concerned about childhood pictures? That's in the past. It is pictures of your present stage you should be more concerned about. Not childhood pictures. Besides, your daughter looks like you. You can see how you looked during childhood through her pictures. Simple!" Mrs Brown said, hoping Priscilla would understand and let sleeping dogs lie.

"Mother, you even have many servants who could help you look for them in case you are tired. Look at the likes of Cecilia for example. She is very hardworking and really smart. She can help you look for them." Priscilla suggested to her mother who was thinking about what to say next.

"Okay Dear, I'll follow your suggestion." Her mother assured her.

"Listen mother, I know how difficult it is for you to engage with the servants. You are more comfortable with me. I understand that. Therefore if you need any help from me, don't hesitate to reach out to me okay mother?" She assured her mother.

"Yes my dearest baby, I have heard you. Thank you so much for always being there." Her mother said amidst smiling.

"Oh mother, you know I would do anything for you." Priscilla assured her.

That evening, Reynolds got home quite early. He was excited about the party and couldn't wait to take Priscilla along with him.

"You are welcome Darling." Priscilla welcomed him after seeing him.

"Thank you so much my love. Hope you're doing well. I hope you are prepared for the party too. No lateness right?" He asked her.

"Sure Dear, you know I'm not late for parties like these." She said to him.

"Alright,then let's get ready already. We'll be leaving in about 30 minutes. We have to be there before the party starts." He told her and she marveled.

"Please wear something very beautiful like you always do." He reminded her.

"That's alright. I'll do that." She assured him.

Within twenty two minutes, Priscilla was already dressed and ready to go for the party. Reynolds was very much happy that she was in time. She helped him put on his coat and the driver drove them away to the party.

Anita stayed behind with Lordina, who had to do everything possible within her power to make Anita comfortable.

"Where did my mummy and my daddy go to Lordina?" She asked the maid.

"That's a great question Anita." Lordina replied to her and it lifted the little girl's spirit.

"Well, your mummy and your daddy went out to have dinner." She said to her.

"Then why didn't they take me along? Why did they leave me alone in the house?". Anita asked her worriedly.

"Well, it's just that this particular party is not for children. It is for adults." Lordina explained to the impatient Anita.

"Then if this one is for adults, why didn't they take me to the one for children?" Anita asked and Lordina burst out laughing.

"Okay Anita. The one for children is not yet ready. When it is ready, your mother and your father would take you there. Do you understand?" Lordina asked her.

"Yes I'm trying my best to understand, Lordina." She responded and Lordina burst out laughing again.

Priscilla and Reynolds arrived at the party in high spirits. They were so excited to be together. They looked like a newly married couple. Priscilla was beaming with smiles throughout and Reynolds liked it.

"Keep beaming with smiles honey, I love it that way." Reynolds told her and she smiled more.

There was an usher who showed them their seats. Other businessmen were trooping in with their wives. Soon, the whole place was full.

The master of ceremony welcomed all present, and the party began. The waiters and waitresses went around serving all the guests seated behind the tables. Each table had eight seats and a table is supposed to have four different couples. Therefore Priscilla and Reynolds' seat had three other couples joining them. The place was decorated in gold and white. Soft music filled the air, making the place seem to be fun already.

Afterwards, the president of the business association gave a wonderful speech and stated the purpose of the gathering. He was supposed to hand over to another businessman who would take over from him.

"As we all are aware, I have to hand over to another fellow business partner." He began and cleared his throat.

"It's been eight years of service to the association, and it has been really nice serving you all. There isn't going to be anything like an election to nominate the next president of this wonderful association. As all the businessmen are aware, your wives are going to play a role in getting you selected. When the time comes, you will all get to know about the roles your wives would play. Thank you." There was a round of applause after the association president's speech and some husbands were spotted chatting with their wives. Everyone wondered what role wives were going to play.

Soon it was time to dine together. Each table was called one after the other, to go for their food. Soon, everyone had eaten. The association president was called upon again after some dancing and merrymaking had taken place.

"Eight people were nominated as you all are aware." He started again.

"Now I'll mention their names. Mr Michael Ferguson,Mr William Reynolds,Mr Francis Darcy,Mr Tom Smith, Mr Simon Scott,Mr Gordon Gateway,Mr Ryan Johnson and Mr Derrick Adams." There was a round of applause after each nominated individual's name was mentioned. They were each asked to come to the front with their wives and they all did so.

"My love, you didn't tell me anything about the nomination." Priscilla whispered to her husband on their way to the front.

"Shhh, I wanted it to be a surprise." He responded.

The association president continued with his speech after all the nominated individual businessmen had come to the front with their wives.

"Now, I have here in my hand a box. There are folded papers in the box. There are questions written on each paper and the wives would pick a paper themselves from the box. Then they would read the questions out and answer the question themselves.If your wife gives the best answer, you the husband of this wife would become president of the association." He stated and there was a round of applause.

"Now,we begin." He continued and the whole place became so silent, one could hear the heartbeat of the person seated close to him.