TAKEN forty- one
Stella breathe shakily in front of her husband. His countenance was not something she could face. His questions was not something she could answer sincerely. Not even when she was gravely at fault. She didn't know what to do, say or how to react. Was this the end of her. Her relationship with Marcus? How did Marcus find out about her and Allen. She was careful enough not to leave a trace, moreover Allen hasn't been sleeping with her for the last few days because of Flora. Then how did he find out about it all of a sudden. Who else would have known. Flora wasn't stupid enough to tell on Allen. Who did this!
"I would ask again Stella. Is there anything going on between you and my brother Allen?" Her husband roared at her.
Stella puts on a disappointed look, she had to think of something. She couldn't just accuse herself like that. It doesn't always work that way. Also she had to be careful of her words. She didn't want to say the wrong thing.
"How could you stoop so low and accuse me of that Marcus. The other time you and your mum said I was cheating, I kept calm. But now you say it's with Allen? How could you Marcus!" she didn't know if she pulled that off perfectly. But it was enough for a start. Adding a fake sob to it, she hoped it sounded real. That would have been her response if she was not guilty. Now that she is, it isn't bad acting up
"Oh. So you mean you're cheating but not with Allen?"Marcus was not making it easier for her too. He made sure he carefully accessed her words, now he's deliberately switching it. At first it was Jenifer that accused Stella, now his mum? It definitely meant there was a lot going on and only few people know what they know.
"No..."she cried. "I would never cheat on you Marcus, why would you not believe me. Who told you all this lies!" Stella couldn't afford to lose the little respect Marcus had for her. If he was this doubting, then she was swaying away.
"I do not know what to believe Stella. I do not even know if I'm the father of your baby!"he growled at her deeply frustrated.
"Baby?"Stella was surprised at his statement. No. It shouldn't be what she was thinking. What baby?
"Yes. you fainted and I called the doctor and he confirmed you're pregnant" Marcus sorely said, you could feel a crack in his voice too.
Stella didn't know if this was good news but she suddenly felt emotional. Marcus always wanted a baby. Why is he doubting if it was his now. And she was pregnant? For which of the brothers? She definitely didn't like how she was feeling presently. Her pregnancy would just be a harder way to prove that she was not cheating. A baby was already involved. It would be hard to scale through. She was going to think about this. She needed to know who the father's baby was so she could know her next step. She was nervous herself about the drama about to unfold in the house. She was not ready.
~~
Marcus could see the headlights of Allen's car from the window. He gulped his spit down his throat as he wait outside for his brother. He wish his father was alive to experience all this, he didn't know the right decision to make. He didn't know who to believe. He was angry. Everyone could see he was. Mother was on his side, but he hadn't told her his suspect was Allen. What would she say when she finds out that he was going to confront his brother. Or was it Jenifer that was lying. Did she just wanted to get to him by pulling this trick.
How about him?. What if Stella finds out he was cheating. How was she going to react. What if Jenifer lied and he was the one hurting Stella instead. What would he make her go through during her pregnancy. What if things go sideways and he ruin his family. He couldn't figure out in his head.
But it seemed right to him. Allen was a built man. A lady's man. He would see all reason for Stella to be with him. She had always complained about his round stature and bus belly weight. He use to be just like Allen. He just added a little weight, why could she not love him that way too.
Allen walked towards him and when he got to his front he gave a little how. "Why are you outside?he asked Marcus.
Marcus stared at him. The question seemed too random for someone that is guilty. Was he or not?
"You're back late"he said coldly
"Yes. On a date with Flora. I couldn't come with her cause she had to get home for somethings."Allen said making a straight face. It took him a lot of practice in the car before he could do that. "What's wrong brother. I was hoping there would be celebration in the air. You're going to have a baby"he smiled.
Marcus didn't know if Allen was truly right. This was something he had wished for a very long time. How come his mood just changed at the thought of him doubting his brother and his wife. Should he just forget about all this and celebrate instead.
But mum?
Mum had said it too. She had seen Stella at a club sometimes ago. Would she have been with Allen there. Did they sneak out if the house when he was probably with Jenifer?What was going on in his home.
"I want to ask you something"Marcus said stopping Allen from going inside. "Have you ever seen any other person in my house with Stella?"he asked.
"No. Why is that?"Allen asked.
"Well. It's nothing. Was just wondering who would have a blood bath if seen with Stella!"He gave a shirt chuckle.
Allen gulped but luckily it wasn't loud. His brother was starting to scare him. He had tried gathering enough courage to make this seem normal. But he was getting scared all ready. Was his brother going to ask him about it. Is he really going to be dead if Marcus finds out.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting. You can go inside"Marcus pat his brother's back and Allen hurriedly leaves..He ran to his room and gasp holding his chest. This was not easy as he thought. He needed to discard Stella as soon as possible. He needed a solution. This baby must not be his. It shouldn't be. At all!