Chapter 231 100
vAMELIA stepped out of the bathroom, the warm steam still clinging to her skin, the white towel wrapped snugly around her body and another twisted atop her head like a crown. She moved to her dressing table with deliberate grace, the soft pads of her fingers massaging lotion into her arms, shoulders, and legs, her eyes catching her own reflection in the mirror. For a moment, she allowed herself to drift, letting her mind wander far from the quiet of her room.
The images came unbidden— the Bahamas, the sun dipping low on the horizon, the soft sound of waves lapping against the shore. She saw Ifeanyi behind the bar, his calm, steady presence filling the space around her. She could almost feel the warmth of the evening breeze brushing against her skin as they walked along the beach after his shift, discussing everything and nothing at once— travel, culture, music, life philosophies. There was a simplicity to it, a sweetness that made her chest tighten with a faint, unacknowledged longing.
A smile tugged at her lips, fleeting and fragile, before she quickly pushed the thoughts away. ‘Focus. Just focus,’ she told herself firmly, reminding herself that she was now back home. Home. Where there was no distractions. No romantic reveries.
Finished with the last of her lotion, she grabbed her phone from the dresser and ambled lazily toward the bed, letting the softness of the sheets welcome her as she sat down. Her fingers automatically scrolled through the contacts, her thumb hesitating over familiar names. Charles’s name flashed for a brief moment, and she couldn’t help the slight grimace that crossed her face. ‘Hmph. not now,’ she muttered, swiping past it.
Instead, her thumb landed on Ryan’s contact. She tapped it decisively, bringing the phone to her ear. A few rings later, the familiar voice answered, crisp and professional.
The boys were sprawled across the front verandah, laughing and shrieking as Wendy chased them around with a water gun, their little feet slapping against the marble floor. The sun was beginning its slow descent, casting a warm golden glow over the compound. Their laughter filled the air, blending with the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant hum of traffic.
Suddenly, a car roared into the driveway, tires squealing slightly against the gravel, its speed far too fast for such a quiet neighborhood. The sudden noise made all three of them freeze mid-chase, their eyes widening as they turned toward the entrance.
The vehicle slowed just enough to make the sharp turn into the compound, but the boys remained rooted to the spot, uncertainty and excitement flashing across their faces.
“Who is that?” Wendy asked, her voice a mix of awe and curiosity as she shielded her eyes from the sun glinting off the car.
Before either of them could answer, Gaddiel’s voice rang out, sharp and incredulous.
“Mom?!”
Gabriel and Wendy whipped their heads toward him, eyes following the path of his gaze, and then back to the car. The vehicle had stopped, the door opening with that familiar click that they hadn’t heard in what felt like forever. Their small hearts beat faster as they studied the figure stepping out.
Gabriel’s voice cracked as he screamed, barely able to contain his excitement and disbelief.
“It’s mom!”