Broken-Broken - Episode 27

 

Lawrence

“So Franca is behind all this?”

I smiled and nodded.

We were in a restaurant, I have later changed into an ash color checkered jean, white T-shirt and a blue denim jacket while she was in a casual jean and top. We wouldn’t be going everywhere in suit and wedding gown would we?

“She is such a nice woman.” I continued after I told her everything she needed to know about myself and Franca’s involvement.

“She’s like a sister and a good friend. She took me in when I got here.” she replied, eating a spoonful of ice cream.

My phone vibrated on the table, I could tell it was either my father or my fiancé so I ignored.

“So your father had to matchmake you with her so you can avoid the company’s bankruptcy?”

I nodded . “I wouldn’t have said yes to his proposal you know…?”

She was looking at me. “Why are you telling me that?”

I reached across the table to reach out for her hand. “I only said yes on the day you got married…”

I could feel her shiver and she immediately yanked her hand away.

“Why are you telling me all these Lawrence?”

“The same reason why you were crying infront of the mirror, why I had to lie to my father and my fiancé so I could be your val for today.”

She yanked her hand away. “But I didn’t ask you to

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/broken-broken

. Besides..i’m still married you know…”

“Stop lying. No you are not married. Franca told me you are not.”

She sighed and shut her eyes. “No wonder she told me she did something I would probably hate her for. Its not her business.”

“Oh it is! She cares about you that’s why.” I reached out for her hands again. “Look at me.”

She looked around for a while before finally looking into my eyes….

“I need sincerity, honesty-no drama….can you do that?”

She pulled at her hands but I held on-

“Why does it matter Lawrence. You can’t be with me! You are getting married.”

“I can cancel the wedding at any time…”

“But your father…”

“He can go to hell for all I care. I am not a business man, my life is miserable but I found a meaning to my life when I found you. I said yes cos you were married, now that you are no longer married, why can’t I be with you? I am willing to leave everything behind, his business, everything. They are never mine. I just needed a meaning to my life which I found now when I found you.”

“It’s not that simple Lawrence.”

“Then make me understand. Tell me you don’t wanna be with me and im willing to walk away. Tell me you don’t love me and I will let you be. Tell me you were not hurting when I foind you crying before the mirror. Tell me all the time we had together was a waste..tell me…” I stopped,as we both looked at each other.

SCARELETT

My heart was racing so fast as I wanted to tell him all that I needed to tell him…how I looked for him..how I dreamt of him…how I thought of him..

“Damn it! Tell me Scarlett!” He shouted, drawing attention to us.

“please, I’m loosing my mind, ever since I kissed you, I can’t let you out of my mind…” He said quietly now. the desperation was evident in his eyes and for some reason I pulled out my hand slowly and held it against his cheek…he leaned against it and shut his eyes.

“I wanna be with you Lawrence, I looked for you everywhere even when I was with Mark…and when I found out you were getting married, It just…broke me apart. …and even with all these, knowing that I can’t give you that happiness you want, breaks me even further….” I shut my eyes as the tears flooded.

“What are you talking about? Scarlett. Having you is all the happiness I want, so what are you saying? I wanna get married to you. I want you to have my children , I want to be the father of your children. I wanna have a family with you.”

I sighed and swallowed continuously as I couldn’t swallow again.

“This can’t work!” I said, standing up and grabbing my purse.

“Sorry you had to come all the way from Nigeria but I’m not the right person for all that which you are saying. ”

LAWRENCE

I was shocked…at a time I thought I had her and now I just lost her completely. I grabbed my briefcase and followed her.

“Did I say something wrong? I was being sincere with you Scarlett.” I said standing up , but she was already walking out.

Some minutes later we were outside the restaurant, we had come in a cab so she was standing by the roadside.

I didn’t know what else to do. She was almost accepting and …was it when I said something about family…does she not want a family?

“Scarlett please, let me help you.

Read " Bleeding Petals " by the same author ( Tobi Loba )

. What are you afraid of? Is it having a family? I will not treat you like your mother I swear!”

She was backing me and I could tell she was still crying….i was getting tired of this.

“Scarlett please talk to me! What do you want me to do? I will do anything! Please!”

She wasn’t talking still so instead I pulled her towards me so we were facing each other.

“What is it about family that scares you Scarlett?” I was holding her head in my hand, forcing her to look at me.

“I need you to talk….!”

“I can’t…can’t….” She sobbed.

“You can’t what?”

“Have a family.” She concluded and I released her to make sense of what she just said.

“I was raped….aborted …seventeen years….affected my womb….”

Wow!

I used some minutes to process that. I would never have the family I wanted.

“I’m sorry Lawrence, can you see the reason why I need you to leave me alone. We are just not meant to be.”

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SCARLETT

I got back to my apartment alone. I have finally told him, that was such a relief, even though it shattered every chances I had of being with him. well, now I could deal with my pain and work on things I needed to work on.

I walked to the couch and was about to sit down when the elevator dinged---I was surprised when I saw Lawrence .

“Lawrence, what are you….”

I kept quiet as he covered his lips with mine, and then pulled away , looking at him.

“ This is the reason why we need to stay together. We can adopt. Children that have been broken like we were could have chances of having a family of their own. We can be the best parents than our parents couldn’t be for us. I don’t wanna do that with anyone else.”

I couldn’t believe my ears…

“Are you sure?”

He nodded, still holding me close.

“I love you baby and I will never let you go again. I will call my father, he could go to hell with his company and his step children. That wedding gown is gonna be your wedding gown for our wedding.”

This must be a dream….

“Lawrence what are you saying?”

Immediately, he went on his knees…

“I want you to marry me Scarlett.”

My heart was racing so fast as he brought out a little velvet box and opened it-in it was a beautiful wedding ring and …..even though Mark had done this before..this has never felt so right…i forgot about my agreement with Mark, we can fix that later, right now this is the only that matters...

"Yes! Yes! Lawrence! I swear to God  I will marry you!”

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If it were me i will be like....if i no marry you make i kpai!..hehehe..comments people!