A Devilish Soul

"Not, by me, I guess. I believe they are irritated because I keep them waiting." She concluded in her mind and cleared her throat, "let's go inside then and we can start the introduction from there."

She lead them inside and the aroma that hit them was heavenly. She might not be a good person but she is definitely a good cook.

"Welcome to my place," she said and gestured for her guests to sit down

All three of them settled down and Noami looked up expectantly at Frederick.

Frederick needed not to be told that she was still waiting for him to introduce Gabby to her.

"Meet my younger brother, Gabby and Gabby meet Noami, a lovely soul." Frederick introduced the two to each other.

"You mean a devilish soul?"

Gabby thought and stretched out his hand for a handshake towards Noami who took it happily, "nice to meet, Gabby. I had no idea that Frederick had a cute brother."

"What do you expect? He is handsome, I should be handsome too." Gabby said and smiled for the first time since they arrived.

"Alright, enough of the greetings, how are you my darling?" Frederick asked, drawing Noami's attention away from Gabby.

"Noami was displeased for a moment yet she never let it show, not because she was protecting Frederick's feelings but because she did not want to scare Gabby away from her. She is not daft to see that he is irritated by her.

"Alright, I am sure we will not sit here and look at ourselves, let's move over to the dining, I made lunch."

All three stood up but before each could take a step, a scratch sound was heard outside. Noami rushed to the window to see what the sound was all about and she was left stunned by who she saw.

Right in the driveway, Kristen stood in a black gown, with her hand stretched out to the driver of the cab that brought her, she was obviously paying the man. For a split second, her world stood still. A lot of questions were running through her mind.

She wasn't scared because Kristen visited but afraid because Frederick was there.

What happens if she remembers him and decides to get back with him?

She feared yet she stood unfazed staring at her neighbor with her mind trembling.

Frederick saw how frightened Noami was and walked to her to know what was keeping her standing like that at the window.

Frederick was surprised to see Kristen as well. The last person he expected to see.

"What is she doing here, did she remember?"

Those two questions, he desperately needed an answer to them.

Gabby wondered what was keeping her brother and the lady still at the window side and walked to see and he was equally surprised to see Kristen.

He was delighted to see her and when Kristen turned after the driver drove off, he noticed she hesitated before walking towards her apartment. He did not know but he felt she saw them staring but her attitude shows no recognition which means she has not remembered a thing. It was a coincidence that they are in one place at a time and he believed maybe, just maybe, his brother will be united with her soon. His only prayer; should be before her wedding but then her wedding comes up in two days. Will a miracle happen?

"Your neighbor is here, I thought she is getting married soon?"

Frederick said and stylishly watched Noami's expression. He had recovered from his state of shock, however, he masked his feelings for Noami not to support a thing.

Noami turned and faced him, she watched his face for a while but saw nothing that created doubt in her mind, Frederick's tone of voice stated his lack of interest so she had nothing to be afraid of. She took a deep breath and smiled like nothing was going through her mind.

"I believe she is here to pick something?"

Noami said and hesitated before saying another thing, "If you both will excuse me, let's go see how she is doing. I don't know if she is staying long enough."

Without waiting for them to agree, she pointed out the dining room to them. She knows it was uncultured for her to ask her guests to attend to themselves but there was nothing she could do. If she did not talk to Kristen, she would be restless.

Frederick and Gabby exchanged glances but said nothing, her absence will be a relief to them.

As she made her way towards the exit door, both men sat down and crossed their legs with Frederick wishing he was the one going to see Kristen instead of Noami, his fake girlfriend.

************

Kristen breathed in and lay squarely on her couch, it was good to be back home. Though she felt something is missing yet the peace she had now is something that has eluded her for two weeks.

"If only I would go back to my normal life, no wedding in mind and no…"

She couldn't complete it when she felt her tummy, "Of course, I want you, dear. I just feel your father isn't your father. How I wish I am right, that Lucian is truly not your father."

She sighed and turned to the other side of the couch, she sneezed immediately. The couch was dusty, and so were the rest of the couches and her living room as a whole. In fact, her entire apartment is dusty and will need thorough cleaning but poor her, she can't even lift herself to clean the place. She has become quite lazy after becoming pregnant.

She flipped and sneezed again, this time twice. She sat up and rubbed her nose then stood up to go to her room when a knock came at the main door. She knew who it would be and so, she wouldn't want to answer the door. She is tired and what she needs now is rest, not her nosey neighbor bugging her.

The knock came again and she ignored it as she started leaving. If the knock persists, she then terms her neighbor jobless.

She almost successfully ignored the knock when the door opened slightly and as she turned to see who dared to open her door, she tripped and nearly fell when a hand grabbed her, steadying her on the ground.