Greg woke up the following morning late. He spent the night awake, he couldn't sleep without his aquarium ceiling. It felt odd being in a space that wasn't his, he has never slept outside his home before even on business trip. He personalized apartments to his taste to ensure comfort and relaxation. Being vanessa's house, the best he could do was change the beddings, curtains and furniture. He missed his toy collection that stood adjacent his bed, the live fish that swims peacefully in his glass ceiling, the humming from the train that is on a constant move at the far end of his room.
He stretched while yawning widely. He strolled downstairs to the kitchen to have a late breakfast. The house buzzed with activities, the staff are back and they've commenced duties fully. He was greeted with a bow by some of the staff that saw him as he strode down the stairs.
he looked around for Vanessa but didn't see her.
"Where's my wife?" He inquired from the maid that poured him coffee.
"She's upstairs sir." The maid replied with a slight bow.
"Oh, i see!" He exclaimed.
While he ate breakfast, vanessa came downstairs to get something. She walked past him like he wasn't there. She wore a pair of glasses which indicates she's been working.
"Morning to you too." He said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes while she brought out items she needed to make a cocktail from the bar.
"You shouldn't be doing that." He blotted out.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes and went on doing what she was doing.
Knowing she wouldn't stop, he signalled to a maid standing by to make the drink.
"Don't take another step!" Vanessa fired, the maid who was walking towards her stopped dead on track and turned away, she left the room completely.
Greg sighed "vee you really shouldn't be doing that."
"Give two reasons and i'll stop." She replied without looking up.
"One, cause you have people who are paid to do it. Two, cause you're pregnant." He stated.
She chuckled then looked at him "i don't know how you treat your staff but up here, we are a family. I make my own drink when it's convenient, besides, it's not a big deal. Can i go one day without being reminded that i am pregnant? You mention it like it's some kind of plague that needs constant attention and awareness. Call it quits already." She scoffed and continued making the drink.
Greg couldn't help it, he stood up and went over to assist her, he got very close to her.
"What are you doing?" She asked in a worried tone.
He didn't answer her but instead, collected the mixer from her hand. She harrumphed and watched him from the side with folded arms. After making the drink, he turned it into a mocktail glass then passed it to her.
She collected the drink from him with an attitude "i can make my own drink for goodness' sake greg!" She brushed him as she walked past him.
"You're welcome!" He called as she walked away.
A car pulled over at her residence few minutes before noon. Greg was reading a magazine when the guest entered the house.
"Hi Greg" the guest greeted in a glee tone.
Looking up from the magazine, he saw who the guest was. "Hi clarence!" He replied with a smile.
"It's good to see you." Clarence said then made her way upstairs. It was awkward seeing greg here, in her boss' house after what he did to her. After their wedding, she heard about all he did, the good and the bad. She's always been his fan but when he broke vanessa's heart, she unfollowed him from all his pages.
"Hey biyotch!" Vanessa greeted clarence as she walked through the door.
"Hey mama!" Clarence responded in a cheerful way.
The two hugged each other tightly, they've been best friends for eight years but maintained a balanced work friendly relationship. Clarence is vanessa's assistant, she comes from a wealthy home and owned two companies of her own but decided to work for vanessa as a hubby.
"Help yourself to whatever." She gestured towards a table filled with different lunch meals and drinks.
"Ooooh vee, you know how to host company!" Clarence squealed excitedly and took a seat at the table set for two. She grabbed a plate and started filling it with different foods. "So...what's he doing here?" Referring to greg.
"Long story girl." Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"I've got time!" Clarence bickered.
Greg couldn't help but feel curious. He wondered why clarence was here and what she wanted. Earlier on, Vanessa had two maids assist the chef to prepare food for more than one person. He knew she was expecting guests but when he asked her, she teased him that his heir is more than enough guest already.
"Hey!" He called a maid who had set the table earlier. "What is going on?" He asked.
"Boss is having a meeting with her best friend and closest colleague." The maid replied.
"I know they are having a meeting, but what kind?" He asked.
"A business meeting." The maid replied.
"Hmm. Thanks for the tip." He pat her shoulder then let her go.
He paced about in the living room thinking of a probable excuse to sneak in and find out what was going on. He felt insecure about the fact that vanessa had company, even though the company was a lady.
"How petty can he possibly be?" Clarence questioned, her brows furrowing in spite for his actions.
"As petty as the word. I'll get to the bottom of this. And if i find out the slightest bit foul play, boom! He'll lose everything, the baby, his wealth, his inheritance, every thing to the last drop. I won't have a second handed marriage." Vanessa spoke with pain in her eyes.
"You're keeping the baby?" Her eyes glistening with surprise. "Why? Why would you do that for a man who left you for a total douche bag. You a surrogate now?"
"This baby is his weakness, now i have him in my palm. If he tries anything shady. He'll pay big time. I'm not losing for a second time." She adjusted on her seat.
Clarence nodded. "I'm always here for you girl.
Clarence wasn't happy when she heard about the change in plan. Vanessa told her everything that transpired between herself and her husband, she was aware he was back but staying in the same house? As couples? As co parent? Nah!