Mirage - Episode 33

 

Noah:

  The fact that I made Minerva cry pulls on my heart strings. Even as I teach this cute kid how to throw a punch, my whole body is tuned to her. She's been very quiet and I don't like that I made her feel this way. Everything in me is screaming to make her laugh again. It's absurd but it is intense so I do just that.
 "Peanuts look!" I shout pointing behind her and she quickly turns back to look and i take this opportunity to pull her off the lounge chair and carry her towards the wave.
  The sound of the kid's laughter is carried by the wind and I imagine Minerva and I with a cute little kid like this in the nearest future.
  Wait, what! Get it together Noah. You are marrying ivy . I look down at the woman who feels so right in my arms and heart but not in my mind. I smirk at my thinking and she narrow cute eyes at me.
"Don't you dare" she grinds out before I do. I throw her into the cold water.
"Sh-t! Its cold!" I hear her scream as she brings her head up for air and I burst into laughter beside the kid.
"Liked that?" I ask him and he nods enthusiastically. He's looking at me with adoration in his eyes. I think this kid just found his hero.
"Hel_p me

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

. I can't swim!" Minerva is currently thrashing in the water and my heart drops to my stomach.
"No____ah" she breathe out before her head goes back into the water. My feet just feels rooted to the beach sand.
"Aunty Eva! Get her out!" The kid's voice seem to snap me to action and I quickly dive into the water. I open my eyes inside the water to search for minerva but I don't see her. Salt water enter my mouth as I call out her name inside the water but I don't care. I swim around the spot I last saw her head but she's no where to be found. The burn of the salt water in my lungs remind me of falling into the sea after being shot. I start to freak out and my chest injury feels like hot cool is pressed on it.
  I bring my head out of the water  for air and my eyes meet the kid who's standing with no other person than Minerva. How the hell did she get there? They are both laughing at me. Even the kid who I thought idolizes me. I swim up shore and storm to the lounge chair to towel myself dry. I can't believe I panicked for nothing. It's probably fun for the woman to play with people's emotions. I think I am done with this stupid day on the beach.
"Yum. Who's this fine piece of meat?" I hear a cheery voice ask and I turn to see a very pregnant woman rushing towards me. A battalion of kids are following her and my brows raise curiously.
"Honey, stop running. The doctor said you should take it easy." A tall muscular man that looks like the hulk says from behind her.
"Forget the doctor. I have got to meet this cutie" she says with glee as she gets to where I am and eyes me like candy.
"Nice abs" she says and I turn to see the man who must be her husband get to where we are. Minerva is playing with one of the kids. The only girl among them.
"Umm ma'am" I say awkwardly.
  I look up to her husband expecting to get a murderous look for letting his wife ogle me but he's grinning.
"Eliza, leave the man alone. He's totally blushing" the husband tease and I blush beet red.
"Oh Eva. Why didn't you tell me you have got company. I would have won my bikini today" she continues and they all burst into laughter, the kids inclusive. Nice! Now I am the brunt of their jokes. Minerva is going to pay for this.
"Forgive my manners. Eliza, this is Noah. Noah meet our neighbors. Eliza and Robert. These are her children. You have met Robert jnr. This is Roy, Raymond, Richard, Reuben and Rebecca." Minerva introduce and I can't help but wonder how this tiny woman birthed all these children and still looks young and fresh.
"Nice to meet you" Robert grab my hand for an handshake.
"Are the both of you a couple?" Eliza asks.
"No!"
"Of course not!" Minerva and I scream at the same time.
"Strong denial also means a yes" Eliza sings and I groan.
"Oh grapes! Honey remember how we met?" Eliza asks her huge husband who grins like a love sick puppy.
"Yes babes. We boh went for the last grape in that store then argued about who saw it first. Of course, you had to distract me with a kiss before stealing my grapes and heart and running away. Never stopped thinking about you since that day." Robert recaps.
"Till now?" Eliza asks and her husband wraps his big arms around her thick waist.
"Now and forever babes" he says then press a kiss to her lips.
"Ewwww"
"Gross"
"Mom"
  All the kids lament while looking away apart from Rebecca. She is looking at her parents with a grin on her face. Rebecca isn't the only one with love puppy eyes at the public display of affection. Minerva is too. She's looking at them like she wants her own now and forever. You can give her that.

Read " Beautiful Mask " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. My heart tells me but I shut that thought down. 
"Come on kids. Let's give Minerva and her boyfriend some space. You have to take a bath. You all stink" Eliza tell her kids who frown but do as said and start moving back to wherever they came from.
"Honey. I think the babies just kicked" I hear Eliza tell her love sick husband.
"You want me to carry you?" He asks her and the overly giddy woman gladly nods. Robert pick his pregnant wife without stress and carry her bridal style as they walk behind their children.
 This is how I want my married life to look like when I get married . do you see yourself being like this with ivy? My
Subconscious ask me.
"What a sweet couple" Minerva swoon beside me and I turn my attention back to her.
"You conniving midget. I am going to get you for tricking me early" I make a grab for her but she slip away and run with full speed towards the house.

  Do you see yourself and Minerva being like eliza and Robert? My traitorous mind ask me as I chase my peanuts and the sound of her laughter blows towards me. I don't answer though because deep down, I know the answer.

"Woah! You are fast"I say as I catch up with minerva at the gate. Her attention isn't on me so I follow her eyes to a car pulling into the vicinity. The car parks beside mine and a tall, lean but muscled, good looking man gets out.
"Minerva!" He calls to her as he walks towards us.
  Who's this man? Her boyfriend?