The Bet - Episode 12

 

"So your father wants to see you" Christy said
Jessica turned and looked at her mother
"Mom I do not have time for this now,  as far as I'm concerned I have no father,  he's dead to me"
"Jessica, have you even thought of giving him a chance...to get to know you "
"Mom I'm serious about this, i want nothing to do with him"
Christy paused
"Even when you know he's dying" she said,  Jessica turned
"He's got colon cancer, the Doctor says he's got a few years to live...." she said painfully "he's tryna right his wrongs, why don't you just forgive him and let go" 
"you can't do that, you can't use pity for him after all he did to us" she blurted
"He just, wants to spend the last few years of his life with his daughter, the one he never knew" Christy pleaded
"That Mom..... Is not my business"
 She walked away to her room pressing on her tablet as she messaged Raymond that she was coming over. 
Her exams were starting soon but she spent most of her time with him these days and on weekends she was usually at his place,  they were two weeks into dating and she was happy so far. 
"I have to go Mom,  I'm not cut out for this bullsh*t" she said taking her bag out of the house.
Christy sighed, having noticed a visible change in her daughter,  she went out more these days and had a lighter spring in her step,  she was usually smiling at her phone too... She knew it had to do with a young man having listened in on her conversation at a time but chose not to ask yet so as not to frighten her, Whatever it was going on she hoped this new Jessica continues and knew she would tell her about him, when the time was right. 
****
Jessica decided to make dinner for Raymond before he returned back from his call,  he had been at work all weekend but said he was returning that evening,  as she set the table,  he opened the door and came in, he smiled when he saw her,  she smiled back,  as he came and kissed her on her neck from behind, looking at the food he excused himself to go change and freshen up.
 When he returned,  she had set the table and was sitting on it waiting
"I didn't know you could cook" he said sitting down to a well cooked meal 
"well you ll only know that after you taste the food and certify it edible" she said, he chuckled "and do not say anything negative" she warned
He laughed out loud then put the rice in his mouth, he shut his eyes and moaned,  she thought he was a very hot guy as she smiled at her choice
"Nice," he said "I'm shocked, haven't noticed you had such a skill"
"Because I haven't taken so much time to prep a meal for you"
"yeah, we spent the past months fighting" he said
"Do just shut up and eat" she said blushing crimson, she put her hand under her chin
"so how was work?" She asked as he consumed the rest of the meal
"pretty busy but i survived, still questioning why I read medicine"
She was surprised  but crossed her arms
"but you so good at your job" she said
He thought about it then "its not just lucrative enough"
"well why don't u work abroad?"
He divided his meat" That requires a lot of logistics I'm in no mood for,  besides I love my country "
"That's a first" she said
"What can I do,  I'm patriotic" he shrugged, she reached and cleaned the side of his mouth with a napkin
"so how was your own day?" he asked dropping his spoon.
She paused,  she didn't know if to tell him about her father and his issues
"what do you think would happen to someone with colon cancer?"she asked, he looked at her and wiped his hands
"Who has colon cancer?" he asked, she looked down and didn't say anything 
"Jessica, we are dating now, you supposed to talk to me, about anything" he said reaching to hold her hand
She shook her head "its nothing"
"I think it's something if you mentioned it" he said
"I just want to know if there's a chance he ll survive"
"who?"
She paused "My father"
There was silence on the table, she felt bad that she had to loose him now she almost had him
"I'm not gonna lie to you Jess, he has but a lil time, maybe 5years?" He said, she played with her fingers
"Just don't think it's fair,  I hardly knew him and now.. he's just gonna go away"
He was silent as he watched her tear up and cry then he took her hand and pulled her to him,  she sat on his lap while he held her to him 
"it's gonna be okay Jessica,  I feel you've been through a lot but it's gonna be fine now" he said as he raised his hand to trace her lip, he leaned and kissed her slowly and she responded after a time but it soon got heated. He carried her up and put her on the table,  a plate fell and broke before he put her against the wall, while they made out roughly,  he kissed down her neck, roving down her
"oh god Jess, I want you so much "he m*aned against her neck,  she pulled him back to her lips and kissed him hard, her legs wrapping around him as he carried her up and into the room. 
****
Jessica carried popcorn and came to the sitting room where Mariam was seated
"What are you watching?" she asked sitting down
"Nothing much, what's up,  you didn't come back last night" Mariam observed
Jessica paused" i thought I told you I would be at Raymond's "
"uh-huh,  your exams on Wednesday, i think you should restrict your visits" she said 
Jessica paused "I do think I know what I'm doing Mariam, besides I don't tell you when to visit Chris" she said dismissively 
"uh-huh,  young love,  wait till he gets you pregnant " Mariam teased
A silence "we have not, we have not gotten to that stage yet"
"Really,  you mean you're not sleeping with him" she said it with a laugh like it was not possible 
"shut up you know,  I just think its none of your business "
"yeah it's not,  just want you to be careful"
"you wanted this to happen"Jessica said with an eyeroll
"yeah, but you just kinda in too deep"
"And that's a problem"
"yeah it is a problem "
"just mind your business" she said eyes on the TV screen,  everything was going fine,  she was finally happy,  even last night had been.... Amazing, she didn't want anybody telling her what to do, besides Mariam had introduced them but it was really none of her business. 
****
"so when am I meeting this charming man? "Gina asked her friend during their discussion session,  Jessica paused  then
"soon, we just kinda keeping it slow for now"
"uh-huh,  tell me something,  I really want to meet him"
"so you will,  maybe we all can hang out after the exams"
"so I ll have to wait till then"
"Maybe,  but if he comes around,  I ll let you know"
"hmm" Gina smiled "well my brother sends his regards,  I told him you were dating"
Jessica gawked at her,  she'd totally forgotten about Alex in her love zone
"I.. I mean why would you do something like that"
"He was happy, he's happy you no longer sad"
She relaxed but then.. It felt awkward
"He's a great guy,  just wasn't for me" she said looking down, 
Gina nodded as they continued their reading,  Jessica's phone suddenly buzzed and it was Raymond,  she smiled as she took it up
"Hey baby"
Gina watched her friend being happy and was glad for her. 
****
"so there's something I do not understand" Maxwell said" why is Raymond still dating her,  it's been three months and I'm sure he has collected severally and is still collecting" he said pained, Raymond was in no mood to talk with his friends as they relaxed in the lounge that Friday night, they had asked for the meeting but he didn't know he was going to be the topic of discussion
"why do I need to disconnect when I'm getting it good" he said
"well it's part of the game,  you made those rules, once the girl plays too hard to get you collect and dump her" Shane said, he'd lost the bet and a lot of cash, he didn't see the need for the continued love affair, he wondered if his friend had gone and fallen in love
Raymond glared at him and wondered again why they were friends
"well I do not remember making such rules,  Besides she is my girl and whatever I do with her is really none of y'alls business" he dabbed his joint on the ashtray
"it did become our business the moment you agreed to the bet" Elvis said leaning forward,  "besides its bros before hos remember,  you outing on your guys "
"she's not a ho" Raymond deadpanned,  Maxwell rubbed his beards as he watched his friend defend her, most of them had lost and were pissed at it... 
Raymond regretted that night,  the night he made the bet, he decided he was drunk lest he wouldn't have agreed to such a stupid game, but he'd thought it would be just as usual,  have fun with the chick then move on,  he d always loved the thrill of the game but now he just felt stupid...
He never knew she was gonna be different, never knew she was gonna be very deep.... 
"I told you guys he's in love" Chris said, Raymond looked at him 
"I'm not...in love with her," he said "you all don't know sh*t about her,  what she's been through,  I can't possibly do that to her"
"well pay up my balance,  I predicted you'd fall in love" Elvis said palms out
"I dont owe you no sh*t nigga" he said visibly angered "you know what, this is f*cked up," he stood up "I need to bounce" he took up his drink finished it then dropping the glass, he walked out of the Lounge.  He stared ahead thinking as he drove home that night, his thoughts were on her,  he didn't know this was going to come back and bite him in the ass, he never saw this coming... He hit the steering as he saw an open bar and drove in, he walked to the bartender and sat down
"I need the strongest liquor you have here "he said,  the bartender mixed and gave him and he took it in one gulp
"Rough night?" The bartender asked
"you have no idea" he replied and ordered for two more,  he didn't know it was going to go like this, he didn't see this coming,  he had no idea he would get burnt in the process,  she was so perfect, so pure,  had touched him in a place no one had ever dared, had been through a lot yet had remained strong,  he admired that she was a woman,  in every way... He took another shot and roved his hair...thinking hard. 
He knew he was doomed,  how was he going to tell her now, how was he supposed to even look at her, she had destroyed all his defences against women, made him feel like a cheap loser,  he flapped his shirt from the heat.. He hated himself and everything he was known for, this had all been a game but he knew he was in deeper than a game.... he knew now without a shadow of a doubt that he was in love with her... 
But knew then that it was too late.

"I think we should tell her" Maxwell said.
"I agree" Shane said and sipped his drink. 

*Drama, next episode,  watch out

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