Love Eternal - Episode 1

 

"A flower for a pretty lady" The old woman at the supermarket counter says as I deposit the groceries I'm about to checkout on the counter.

Lost in thought I don't immediately compute what she said

"Pardon?"

"You look like you could use a flower to brighten up your day" She says with a smile before handing me a bouquet of baby's breath.

I blink, knowing that this must be expensive but too shy to say no I receive it, promising myself that I won't let these flowers wither.

I thank her as she rings my orders and I pay, she loads them into a nylon bag before smiling at me again.

"Remember to always take care of the flowers" She says and I blink in confusion but deciding that she must be talking about the bouquet she handed me.

"Yes, thank you" I say before leaving the line and to my car.

This is the first time I've been out of the house in a year. 

This is the first time I've spoken to someone else who isn't Ruby my bestfriend.

I clench the bag in my hand, my steps taking me closer to the parking lot and to my car where Ruby is sitting in case I pass out on this trip to the grocery store.

She must see me approach the car because she comes out to help me load the groceries in the trunk. 

"So, how was it?" She asks. 

I smile, trying to be jovial. 

"It was fine, I got groceries for us and flowers too" I say and she returns my smile. 

"You think you wil be able to drive us back?" She asks and I nod, although I'm not in the mood to but I will, I have to prove to myself that I am strong and capable of driving a car. 

"You sure Luna?" she asks, waving the car keys at me

"Yes mum" I reply before snatching the car keys from her hand. 

We get into the car and I begin the journey of taking us home safely. 

A year ago I had been in an accident, the same one caused by my husband, the same one that almost took my life. 

All I have left now to show for it is a scar on my back and hopefully divorce papers saying I am a free woman. 

I clench my fist around the steering wheel just as Ruby's hand comes to rest on my leg from the shotgun seat. 

She always knows when it's too much for me, always. 

"Pull the car over, let me drive" She says and I do so immediately, stepping out of the car and breathing in fresh air, I try to get my shaking under control as I get into the car. 

It's never easy to be inside this metal container, not after experiencing a car roll over 4 times and little bits of glass slicing into my skin. 

I grab my phone from the dashboard, immediately plugging my earphones in and listening to the song the therapist told me to when it gets too much.

I close my eyes for a bit and almost immediately the car comes to a stop and I'm out of it.

"You can go inside and make me a drink, I will get the groceries in" Ruby says and I nod, silently thanking her as I grab my bouquet and dash for the door.

When I get inside I put the flowers in water before proceeding to make a limeade for Ruby.

The kitchen doors open but I don't lift my head, just continue to stare at the flowers the old lady from the grocery store gave me.

I don't know how long I stay like that but I do know Ruby finishes making lunch and there's freshly baked bread on the table.

I lift my head when she calls my name.

A glance at the table shows that the food sitting on top of it is more than enough to feed an army..

"Whats the occasion?" I ask with a frown?

"Don't you remember? Axel is joining us"

Axel my lawyer and Ruby's lover, Axel the man who is set on getting enough alimony from Arthur my soon to be ex husband, alimony that will mean I am set for life.

Why does the thought of that not make me happy? Maybe it's because Arthur is fighting  with me over custody for Harmonie and Night.

"Oh" I whisper before nodding.

"It's gonna be fine, I'm sure he has good news" she says before leading me to the dining table.

As expected Axel comes through the back door, calling a greeting to us as he takes off his suit jacket.

"Some thing smells nice" he says, giving Ruby a kiss on her head as he takes a seat. 

"Hey Ax" 

"Hey Lulu" He says and I stare at him and he does so back. 

"Will you just give us the news instead of acting morbid?" Ruby says, giving him a hit on the chest. 

He feigns pain before giving me a wide smile. 

"Congratulations Lulu, you are officially divorced" He says and relief sweeps through my body 

"Congratulations Luna" Ruby says with a smile and sum up one to give her. 

"And we got my alimony too" Axel says in delight and I would have laughed if I had it in me. 

"That video you gave me really changed a lot of things, why didn't you give it to me sooner? you would have become a wealthy woman much more sooner" Ax says, breaking a bread and dipping it into olive oil. 

I wonder too, why didn't I give him the video sooner, was I trying to protect Arthur? Or was I too ashamed to share with the world the things my husband did to me behind closed doors.

"All we need to do is get you down to the court house to sign some documents and..." 

He begins but I cut in. 

"What about Harmonie and Night? Did.. Were you able to.." 

His face falls and I swallow, my appetite dropping. 

"I was able to get him to sign joint custody Luna, there was only so much the videos could do" He says and I nod, my head feeling light, Ruby's hand comes down on mine. 

There was only so much the videos of my husband beating and abusing me could do. 

"We need to take what we have right now Lulu, I promise we will get custody of your kids and I promise you we will be rid of Arthur once and for all" 

He says and I nod, summing up a smile. 

My poor children, they just have to be safe. 

I will kill Arthur before he does anything to harm them. 

AN

Hello, Hello. 

It's your gal right here. 

How have you been? Alright then? 

I hope you enjoy this new one, it's something that have been in my head for long while, you can say it's my baby.

Please leave feedback. 

Thanks 

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

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Read " Protected " by the same author ( Bebe Ernest )