Chapter 23
Rayford’s street, in the slums of despair.
The elderly lady (who we will call Dorothy Jane Greek from here on) recalled experience from last night.
******* Flashback *******
Dorothy and her firstborn son, Andre had gone back to her current home and unexpectedly met her husband.
Despite being old, traces that he was a handsome guy were visible. He looked at his wife for explanation. Dorothy stepped forward and hugged her husband.
“He’s my son, Bruce. He’s my firstborn whom I’ve not seen for years.” she explained with an emotional tone.
“Really! My son come closer let me take a good look at you” he beckoned and Andre did so.
“What is your name, my boy?” he asked after placing his right hand on his shoulder.
“I’m… I’m Andre.”
“Then, you can call me father. From now on, I’m your daddy.”
Dorothy left Bruce embrace and Andre hugged his new daddy and started to cry hard.
“Eish! A man shouldn’t cry this much. It’s okay.” he patted Andre’s back
“Thanks for taking care of my mum all these years. I love you.”
“Those words had been said many times by people all over the world and I think it’s cliche. But I love you too my boy.”
Dorothy also hugged them too. Such a happy reunion.
****** back to reality******
They were going in Andre’s car to see her other children. Her three beautiful daughters!
They soon arrived at the first daughter’s place and all three of them got down from the black Jeep.
Andre’s first sister was outside her matrimonial home with her husband and mother-in-law. They were chatting happily and her daughter told jokes too. Dorothy’s first daughter was with child. She already had a baby bump.
“Sister!” Andre ran to her and hugged her but she was confused, then she saw her mother and step-father and then looked at Andre.
“You’re… Andre” she asked, her eyes wide.
“Yes, sister Flora. It’s me” he replied. He didn’t hug her tight, afraid to hurt the baby developing inside her.
“Andre, big brother” she began to cry but Andre stopped her.
“Don’t cry. You have a baby. You should always be happy, Flora” he said while trying to hold himself back from crying.
“Ahem” Flora’s pretty mother-in-law coughed to draw attention. Immediately, both stooped hugging and Andre ran over to her.C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.
“I’m sorry for not greeting, ma’am. I was just too excited. Forgive me.”
“It’s fine, my son” she kindly said and patted his head.
Andre then took a good look at his brother-in-law. He was quite handsome and looked strong too.
“Brother-in-law…” he called.
“Don’t call me that, call me Mason” Flora’s husband said and he stood up from his seat to hug Andre with a smile.
“Mason, I’m Andre” he said, hugging him back.
“Let me get my in-laws some seats.” said Flora’s mother-in-law as she rose from her seat.
“Ah, no need. Come, Andre , let’s get the chairs ourselves ” said Dorothy .
“Alright ” said Andre as he followed his mum inside their in-laws home.
Two hours later……
Andre, Dorothy, and Bruce bade goodbye to their tearful in-laws and Flora. From the time spent with the family, they could see how industrious Mason is. He made sure his household lacked nothing, even if he went hungry. Andre asked if he had a bank account and he replied affirmatively.
Then Andre transferred 700, 000 dollars to the account and told them if they needed anything, they could call him. Their joy knew no bounds. In their life, they’d never imagine that such a big pie would fall from the sky. Flora was the happiest. Finally, she found her big brother. She was so happy he’s safe. Her husband embraced her and promised to give their unborn child the best he could.
So at present, Andre and co. were on their way to the other sister’s home. He couldn’t wait to see how big she’s grown. How many years of life had he missed!
When they arrived, they saw a black-haired lady wearing a pink gown that reached her knees discussing with a neighbour. And she was also with child. Woah! Is this a coincidence?
All alighted from the jeep, and Andre ran to hug her. She was flabbergasted and wanted to struggle, but she soon perceived a familiar scent and this stranger’s hug made her feel relaxed.
“Big brother Andre!”
“Little sister, Mirabelle”
They called out in unison.
The female neighbour chatting with Mirabelle was a grandma who usually spends time with Mirabelle to kill time since she was lonely.
“You are siblings!” she asked in shock and happiness.
“Yes,” they both replied. Mirabelle teared up.
“Don’t cry, it’s not good for my nephew. Relax. Big brother is here.”
“Ahem, what’s going on here?” they heard a rough manly voice. This made them stop hugging.
Andre turned to see a blonde-haired man with the body build of superman. He looked like he was ready to fight the universe. Andre didn’t feel intimidated by his build, nor did Mirabelle. He was her husband, okay?
“Who are you?”
“Her brother,” the grandma answered for them.
“Mimi, is it true?” he asked, scanning Andre from head to toe like he was a hooligan, pretending to be some poor, innocent, righteous man.
Mirabelle sighed and walked to him.
“Nicky, are you jealous because he’s way more handsome than you are?” she teased.
“He’s not. Your Nicky is the best-looking man on Earth.”
“Oh. Since it’s so, do you believe that this fluffy man here is my brother?” she asked again, and Andre laughed.
“Sister, seriously? I’m not fluffy at all” he defended.
‘But as a kid, you were. You enjoyed tickling my belly, and I used your belly as a pillow” she didn’t even save him a little face.
‘You…” Andre was speechless. She is his sister,, indeed!
“Fine, no more acting. Young man, welcome to my humble abode. So what should I get you all? Mother and Father-in-law, please don’t mind me” he laughed sheepishly.
“It’s nothing!” both Dorothy and Bruce said in unison.
“Let’s go inside and chat,” Mirabelle suggested. Luckily, there was light.
“Alright!” all agreed. But before going in, Andre went back to the jeep to get some groceries and 4 bottles of expensive wine and juice meant for Mirabelle. She always loved juice.
“Woah! My baby and I will finally taste juice again.” she almost cried. Memories of childhood came again, along with their awful experience after they lost their daddy. She did her best to hold back her tears and Nicholas Ruby, her husband, placed his arms around her waist.
“I love you, baby. Don’t be afraid to cry. I promise I won’t take photos this time.”
“You…” unable to say more, the tears withdrew themselves from her eyes and she seemed angry.
“Evil man,” she could only manage to speak after punching his belly. However, her punches were like a tickle.
“Honey, I can be fluffy too, you know,” he teased her.
“Bad guy” she was the first to run in causing the others to laugh.
“Sis, be careful. I don’t want my nephew to complain later,” Andre added.
“Birds of the same feather,” she yelled from inside the home.
‘Brother-in-law, let me hold the wine,” Nicholas said. His eyes were sparkling the moment he saw those wines. He used to drink those. A pity… forget it! It’s not yet time to know his history.
Four hours later.
They were now at the last sister’s home. She was being beaten by her husband because she didn’t return early from the market. He didn’t bother listening to her explanation and started beating her. Neighbours could not even hold him off. When he wanted to punch her face again, a hand grabbed him.
“Which bastard dares to stop me? Are you tired of living?” he yelled and turned around to see who was stopping him. Before he could spout another word, he received a hot punch to his right cheek, followed by several more on both cheeks, belly, and chest.
“How dare you hit my sister? You must die” Andre roared and threw the man to the ground.
He gave him a thorough beating that people could no longer recognize him. His menacing aura was gone. Now, even a beggar looked better than he currently did!
“You must die.” Andre currently looked deadlier than an assassin or seasoned fighter. He started pulling the man’s hair. No one dared approach him except Dorothy. Her heart pounded as she inched closer to her son.