CAPTIVE OF LOVE - CHAPTER 17&18
CHAPTER 17💞18
★ HIS MISTAKE ★
<< JEROME’S RESIDENCE >>
“You really are asking for it!” Jerome said as he made a move towards Max but Pearl stopped him.
“You really are shameless! How dare you come into my marital home to tell me your crap! It is true that Jerome and I married for the wrong reason but I love him now, am in love with my husband so get rid of the thought that I will ever go back to you. I belong to Jerome now and I will keep on being his wife for as long as he wants me” Pearl yelled and while Max felt saddened by her reply, Jerome couldn’t help but to feel proud.
He pushed off Max hand and pulled her close to him before saying.
“You heard her, she’s mine now and not in this world would I let her go. Get out before I throw you out myself” Jerome thr_@tened and Max left.
“Am sorry, I should have been more careful before opening the door” Pearl apologise.
“You don’t have to be sorry and besides am glad you sent him away. You…don’t love him anymore right?” Jerome asked.
“How can you ask that? You of all people should know that I feel nothing but h@?? for him” she replied and he flashed a smile at her.
Pearl had to look away cause that smile of his made him look more handsome.
“I feel a bit tired, I need to…”
“What you said earlier, did you mean it?” He asked as he cornered her against the wall.
“I said a lot of things” she replied watching as he move closer to her.
“About you being in love with me” He reminded.
“That? It’s nothing, I just said it to make him leave and besides you of all people should know that it’s fake” she replied.
“It felt so real…I wonder what I will do to make you mean those things you said earlier” he muttered.
“Pardon?”
“I said you should go and get some rest, you look pale” he said pulling her cheek.
She was about doing as he said when they heard the bell again.
“Why is everyone visiting us today” Jerome let out in annoyance while Pearl went to check who it was.
“You’ve got to hide” Pearl said as she ran towards him.
“Why?”
“My colleagues are here. They don’t know about our marriage and so…”
“I get it, I will be in my room until they leave” he replied looking a bit angry.
“Am sorry” she yelled after him and when he was out of sight, she went to open the door.
“Hey, Cassie, Charlie. What a lovely surprise ” Pearl greeted trying to hide her nervousness.
“Hello,Pearl. Sorry for the sudden visit but I need you to sign these, it’s very important” Cassie showed her the report in hand.
“Are you alone?” Charlie who had been looking around the sitting room for a while suddenly ask.
“Of course, who else will I be with?” Pearl asked.
“With a man. When we first arrive, we saw a handsome dude in glasses leaving your house and then a macho dude who went into your home and left a short while later”
They must have seen Larry and Max…Pearl thought.
“And?” Pearl prompt.
“And have to a conclusion that you sent those two handsome dude away because you’ve got another man, he must still be here with you right?” Charlie asked as Pearl grew agitated.
In no circumstance must they find out that Jerome Is the other man.
“Quit snooping around. If Pearl refuse those guys just for one guy then it’s none of our business!” Cassie admonish.
“You guys are getting it wrong. The guy in the glasses is just a friend and the other is my ex and I certainly don’t have a man in the house” Pearl denied hotly.
“Why do I still smell a lie coming from you, I better check it out myself” Charlie said as he quickly went upstairs while Pearl and Cassie followed suit.
“This is your room” Charlie said as he walk around.
“It is and now that you’ve confirm your suspicion, you might as well leave” Pearl said hoping he wouldn’t check Jerome’s room.
“Fine then. I will believe you” Charlie said, a naughty smirk on his face as they all left her room.
“If I had known Charlie would be a pain in the @zz then I never would have brought him, am sorry Pearl” Cassie apologise.
“Stop making a fuss? It’s because I care about her that am doing…” Charlie stopped talking they heard a thud from Jerome’s room.
“There is someone in this room. Seems like I caught your lover” Charlie said before opening Jerome’s door.
Pearl scream for him to stop was too late and so she went him wondering how she will explain to them why their boss is in the room but there was no sign of Jerome.
“How come there’s no one, I clearly heard a thud, you heard it right?” He asked Cassie who shook her head at him.
“You are starting to get annoying,let’s go or you might end up getting kicked out ” Cassie said as she pulled Charlie out of the lid.
Pearl looked around the room again before leaving, wondering where Jerome is.
As soon as Cassie and Charlie left a while later, she quickly dashed up the stairs heading to Jerome’s room.
There was still no sign of him as she search the bathroom.
She was about to leave when she noticed the closet.
Moving towards it, she opened it and saw him folded up inside and he was asleep.
It must have been uncomfortable, she thought as she crouch in front of him staring at his sleeping face.
“Are they gone?” He asked as he open his eyes.
“They are. Am sorry, it must have been uncomfortable for you” she said.
“It’s okay. At least our secret hasn’t been exposed, I did well by hiding in the closet right?” He asked which made her more guilty.
“You must be cramped up, come on” she urge as she stood up but he took hold of her hand and pulled her into his laps.
“What do I get in return?”
“Huh?”
“What do I get in return for being a good boy, I did well by hiding our secret and it’s only right that I get something in return” he said watching her.
“What do you want?” She asked as his eyes strayed to her lips.
“Would you really give me what I want?” He asked still starring at her lips.
“If it’s within my power” she said as his hand move to the back of her head to pull it towards him.
“It’s definitely within your power” he muttered bringing her head closer but the sound of his ringing tone ended it.
“You better have a good reason for calling me?” He snap at Opal down the line.
“It’s about Mr Rogers contract. I only wanted to remind you that it will be signed tomorrow by twelve” Opal said.
“Thanks, am now reminded” he said and end the call.
He turn to find the room empty, Pearl already left.
*****
<< NEXT DAY ~ AIRPORT >>
“I can’t believe this, you are sending me away because of that girl?” Granny Cathy asked as they stood in the airport.
“Am just telling you to go back to Mexico, you don’t need to worry about me. I can take care of myself” Jerome replied.
“Jerome! That girl doesn’t love you and you also don’t love her, quit this marriage before….”
“You are wrong Granny. It might have started out as a contract but have fallen in love with her, I love Pearl and I want to make a life with her. I don’t want you to keep on ruining the little chance that I have with her which is why I want you to leave”
“If I do succeed and make her love me in return, I will bring her to Mexico and you will get to know her well and love her just as I have”
“I don’t think that will ever happen and a marriage which started with lies can never end well, it’s bound to fail. Don’t say I didn’t warn you” grandma Cathy said before walking off to get on board.
*****
<< JEROME’S RESIDENCE >>
*It’s bound to fail* his grandmother words kept bothering him as he halt his car in front of the apartment.
Is it really bound to fail? Will he be able to make Pearl fall in love with him…he kept thinking as he went into the house.
“Stop teasing me, Daniel” on hearing Pearl, he stood by the door listening on her conversation.
“Am all ready for tonight’s party. I look lovely and pretty as always” She continued oblivious of Jerome presence.
“Am definitely going to slay tonight, you will certainly drool over me. We will make enough money tonight, I can promise you that” Pearl said and laugh due to something Daniel told her.
“Same here, I love you too” she added before ending the call.
Jerome didn’t want to believe what his mind is telling him?
Daniel couldn’t possibly be Pearl lover right? He thought as Pearl came out of the kitchen looking lovely in a blue chiffon gown, she had make up on and had her hair down which gave her an enchanting look.
Never has she dressed this way for him but she’s doing it for this Daniel guy.
“You are back” she said wearing a guilty look on her face.
“I am. My grandmother made a fuss but she eventually board the plane, where are you off to?”
“To attend to something ” Pearl replied
“Do you want me to take you…”
“No! You don’t have to. I can get there myself, I have taken my key cause I might return late. See you in the morning” she said and walk past him.
Jerome didn’t want to pry but he couldn’t help himself, taking his own key, he went after her.
*****
He stopped his car some distance away and watch Pearl get out of the taxi to hug a man who was waiting by the gate.
He watch her laugh at something the man said while the man kept patting her head.
Consume by rage and Jealousy, Jerome got out of the car, walking towards them.
“Take your filthy hands off my wife!” Jerome growled as he took hold of the man hand and shoved him away.
Pearl gasp as she watch him fall hard on the floor before starring at a angry Jerome.
“What’s wrong with you!” She yelled at him.
“Isn’t he the Daniel you were talking to earlier? Does he know that you are married?” Jerome asked glaring down at her.
Not bothering to answer him, she went to man and said.
“Are you okay, Father?”
“Father, is he your biological father?” Jerome asked confused for a while.
“He is not and are you that blind to notice his collar? He is a priest you knuckle head” she yelled at him and it was then Jerome noticed the man attire.
He turned to see that they were standing in front of an orphanage home.
“You are finally here, Pearl. What’s going on?” A girl asked as she stared at the priest and then at Jerome.
“Nothing serious, Daniel. Help me take father in” Pearl said and that got him saying.
“Daniel? You mean she’s the Daniel you were talking to on the phone?”
“If you are talking about an hour ago then that’s me. Am Daniella but everyone calls me Daniel which I prefer” Daniella said as she introduce herself making Jerome realize that everything he thought is all a mistake….
❣️ TBC❣️