Nicole walked into her studio with the inspiration of making a painting of a woman with child that represents the joy of motherhood, she already have the idea of how it would turnout and she planned on making it a series, all the step to motherhood from month zero to nine or ten months, she already knew she was going to love it, she got to work immediately, first puting down her idea, then making the stretch for the first part of the series but first of all she drew a woman, just like the woman in her full months that she had met at the clinic the day before yesterday, she had gone for her first official doctor visit and had seen the pretty lady in her full terms, she had asked and the pretty woman had told her she was due within the week, she had been amazed, she made sure to go into details, when she was done with the drawing, she looked adorably at her work, took a break before starting to paint, it took her about four hours to complete the painting, it looked so good that she wanted to share with her fans, so she took a few photos on her phone and posted it on her page, she logged out immediately, and decided to start working on her series, she hoped to release one each end of a particular month of her pregnancy, which means she had to release one by the end of tomorrow because by tomorrow, she will be going into her second month of pregnancy, she smiled at the thought of growing bigger with her baby until she gets to the stage of that expectant mother she had met at the clinic, she was almost done with drawing her first piece of the series when her phone rang, it was from a number she didn't no, it wasn't registered on her phone, she picked up anyway.
"Hello?"
"Nicole? It's me, Natalie ,"
"Natalie ?"
Nicole screamed when she heard her sister's voice, it's been months since she last heard from Natalie .
"Yes, it's me, Natalie ,"
"Natalie , what happened? You suddenly cut off ties with everyone, we have been so worried about you,"
"We? I thought you are the only one that knows, I am Natalie , others will be worried about you not me,"
She said, Nicole wanted to tell her then and there that they know, that both Rafael and their parents know what they did but felt it would be best to tell her when they meet physically.
"Natalie ? Where are you? When are you coming home?"
She asked.
"Soon, in two weeks to be precise,"
Natalie responded, A few months ago, Nicole would have been worried about Natalie coming back but now, not so much, Rafael loves her and won't give her up, so she wasn't scared of losing him, rather she was waiting for Natalie to return so that this whole facade can end and she can continue the life she was living now, with her man and their unborn baby.
"Thank God, I will be expecting you,"
She said. Natalie sounded like a stranger as if she was trying to create a barrier between them, maybe because they haven't spoken for a long time, they will get back their bond in no time, she was sure.
"I will go now, bye,"
"Bye Nat, see you soon,"
She said and the call ended.
She continued her work and worked in silence for the next one hour, she took a break as the doctor had told her not to sit down for too long, she walked back to the main house to get some snacks, leaving her phone behind, when she came back, she saw missed calls from both Grace and her husband, she called Rafael first but he didn't pick up, she assumed he was in a meeting and called Grace next.
"What's up girl?"
She asked when Grace picked up.
"I am calling to let you know that the new piece you just posted a while ago is mine, don't give it to someone else or I will hunt you down,"
Grace threatened Nicole laughed.
"Yes, ma,"
"Good, I mean it Nicole, don't sell please unless it is to me, it gaining a lot of attention and I asked first,"
"What? Attention?"
"Yes, you don't know? The post is blowing up and your comments section is filled with possible buyers where did you get the inspiration from, it's really nice, I know it is new because I didn't see it there last week,"
"Yes it is new, and I got inspiration while visiting the clinic for registration for antenatal, it's the joy of motherhood,"
"I knew it, it is so dope, check your comments, a lot of people are showing interest, I know you won't check until days later that's why I called, now go check but don't you dare sell, please,"
Grace begged, Nicole didn't have any plan of selling, to begin with, she just wanted to show her fans her latest work nothing more, if Grace wants it she would give it to her for free.
"Don't worry, Grace, I am not going to sell,"
"Thank you, I love you, now I am going back to class, see ya,"
She said and ended the call before Nicole could say anything else, Nicole smiled and went back to work, she wanted to finish it by the end of today but she was tired, after trying for twenty more minutes, she gave up and decided to go back to the main house, her husband would be back soon anyway when she got to the main house, she first went to take a bath by the time she came out of the restroom, she heard her husband's car enter the mansion, she was used to the sound of his car, he had a favorite among his car and he drove it each time he drives himself to work, she quickly threw on his shirt and walked fast downstairs to welcome him home.
"Hey, baby,"