Tip-tap tip-tap, Richard gaited across the room to the window where Jina had been glued for half an hour. The fragrance of the flowers he carried in his hands spread the room with a good feel but this didn't cut Jina a hair. She flared her nostrils and sniffed the beautiful scent and sighed heavily. "It won't be easy to coax me with your simple gifts this time. Nothing will take away the kind of humiliation you gave me today, nothing!" She thought and her face formed deep furrows citing every step that Richard took forward. Richard lay the bouquet on the bed and reduced his pace as he approached Jina.He anticipated that this anxiety too would soon result in a cheerful moment just like in the past.  He was delighted and as expectant as a woman in labour. He stood a heartbeat away and called her in a husky alluring voice. Her heart leapt and she cursed in her heart. 

It had been a long awful day and all Esther craved was a benign night's sleep. Her body felt exhausted and numb. As soon as she entered her room, She slid on her short old nightie and hauled in her blanket. Unlike before she barely said her prayers. Despite all the ardent desire, she had to lay her head down she could hardly get sleep. A reflection of all that had happened that day occupied her mind and it was hard to shut them off. She kept rolling inside the blanket from one end of the bed to the other and each time she did it seemed to remind her of the gravity of the consequences of her mistake. "What will you do now Esther? Your foolish actions have cost pain and misery to everyone. Aunt Jina must be incredibly angry to have declined to eat her dinner and it's all because of you. Uncle Richard has been sad and lonely since the incident." She th

WARNING!!!   This chapter might contain explicit scenes. Please read it at your peril.Slowly but with vigilance, Esther paced forward bestowing glances around. The voices died down as she went further. Richard became soft in the presence of a woman. Julie had it all. She had the art to lure and love without frailty in the game, but she was treacherous, selfish and greedy. She lay on top of him and soaked him with kisses.In the middle of his pleasure, he remembers Jina and becomes stiff. Julie laboured to coax him into motion by attempting every nasty move but he was raw. Romancing a man had always been a cakewalk for her, but this time it seemed her efforts were drained. "What's wrong with him? I have tried every technique but why does he seem indifferent? Am I missing something? His attitude is disquieting. I must have been deluding my

The reconciliation between Esther and Jina mesmerised Mellisa. There was confusion in the recesses of her mind. It seemed strange to her. "What has made mom change so suddenly? This is inconceivable!" She reckoned in her mind. It stands to reason that if she was really genuine, then she needed an appraisal.After a relatively long group embrace, Jina released her grip and said, "Alright, that's enough, girls. Help me set the table. I am ravenous." She was enthusiastic. She turned and strutted to serve her palatable meal. Esther smiled. She felt more relaxed than ever. Mellisa had qualms in her mind. Noticing how much Jina's repentance had thrilled Esther, she was a little bit scared. She would have told her not to read much into what her mother had said but decided to stay quiet and watch the space. Mellisa had a ready wit.

Jina's equitable behaviour towards Esther mesmerized everyone. She was no longer haughty towards her. At dinner, she pledged that henceforth she would sit beside her and be the one to serve her food. Richard furrowed his eyebrows questioningly. "How weird! Is she genuine or is there something hidden in her character?" He wondered, his eyes grumbling for the truth. It was incredibly beyond his belief and understanding that she would change profoundly in an instance. She seemed true and sincere. Richard gazed at his wife with awe. This is what he yearned for; to treat everyone without prejudice and with deserving respect. He cherished her more. Now, her character befitted her beauty and there was nothing as thrilling to him as that. Jina, after adding pieces of meat on Esther's plate, stole a fleeting glimpse at Richard. He was still staring at her astonished. She blushed and lowered her face. He was overwhelmed and couldn't hold back his feelings of gr