Heartbreaks to Love

Two families brought together, both in partnership in public and friendship in private.

Their children brought them closer with their relationship to which they accepted and gave their blessings.

It all started 5 years ago, She came to the park to receive fresh air. She was putting on a long fitted blue-colored gown with her hair packed in a ponytail and wore low heeled sandals to complement her look.

Merely looking at her, you would notice she was from a wealthy home even with the simple look, she had on.

He came to the park, straight from the office, intending to clear his head, away from any noise or disturbance. He noticed there was no one around in the park as he entered.

Immediately, he sat down and looked up, he sighted her. She was sitting on a swinging chair, texting and smiling at her phone, he guessed she was from a wealthy home. And at that moment, he fell for her simplicity.

He balanced himself to continue his staring, his gaze moved from her face down, till it got to her feet. He noticed her diamond earrings and the pure gold anklet on her left leg. He smiled on realizing he had guessed right.

Suddenly, she raised her head from her phone, looked around, and saw him. She waved and came toward him.

"Hey. Could you help me with some shots, please?" She tucked her phone into his hands.

He stood up, nodding, "Oh yeah... I could help you with that." He replied, smiling at her.

She gave different poses and he took each shot. She thanked him, gave a toothy smile, and left. He stood at that spot, mesmerized by her smile, and was in a trance till she left the park.

As soon as he came back to his senses, he rushed out of the park in search of her but couldn't find her. "She couldn't have gone that far." He thoughts.

He entered his car and drove off. Now and then, he would out of his car, checking around for her maybe miraculously he will see her.

He got home late and couldn't concentrate on anything because he was distracted by her thoughts.

He couldn't get her out of his mind for days and weeks, he told his friends about her. "What is her name?" A friend of his asked.

He sighed, "I don't know."

"So you don't have any idea of who you're looking for." Another asked.

"I was in a trance when she left." He replied.

They laughed at him, trying to convince him that maybe the girl he saw was a ghost but he gave them a deaf ear.

"Fate would make us meet one day." He thoughts.

A week later, He had dressed for work and came downstairs to eat. He had settled down to eat in the dining when his mom called him to the kitchen.

Entering the kitchen, he met his mom and his sister, Mercy, in the kitchen.

"Have you eaten your breakfast?" His mom asked.

"No mom, I was about to when you called me."

"Go and eat, then we would talk."

He went to eat his breakfast and came back to the kitchen. "Am true with eating, Mom."

"Son, I want you to escort your sister to the mall." He glanced at Mercy to see her looking at him with puppy eyes.

"Jeez... Mom, I am late for work." He said groaning.

"Your dad never asked you to drown yourself in this work of yours or to be a workaholic."

Mercy gave him the puppy eyes, "Big Brother." She pouted childishly, "Please."

His mom moved closer and held his cheeks, "Just escort her for me, dear." She pecked him

"Oh, mom." He sighed, closing his eyes.

"Okay let's go, I don't have much time." He told Mercy. "I might even see her today. Please, Lord." He thoughts as his mind went to the girl.

They bade their Mom bye, entered Ray's car, and drove off to the mall.

On getting to the mall, he parked his car in the parking lot, "Are you buying a lot of things?" He asked Mercy before they came down from the car.

"No brother." She shook her head negatively.

He smiled, "Thank God."

They came down from the car. He went toward the mall with Mercy, who was rushing after him. He was about to enter but unfortunately bumped into someone coming from inside.

A soft voice apologized, "Sorry." The person picked up his car keys.

He became speechless, on seeing the person, "You!"

She looked up at him, "Your car keys." Stretching the keys to him.

He blinked rapidly, "You are the one!!!" Exclaiming loudly.

Mercy tapped his shoulder from behind, "Bro let's go in." She walked around him to go inside.

"Go in... Am coming." He gently pushed her inside without looking at her, afraid the girl in front of him might disappear.

He brought out his phone and placed it in her hand before collecting his car keys. She looked at his phone then back to his face, confused.

"Your phone number." He pointed at his phone.

She laughed, "Excuse me. I said collect your car keys, not my phone number.

He smiled at her, "Do you remember this face?" She moved closer to him, "I can't recollect, Am sorry."

His eyes went to her lips then back to her eyes, "I could rewind your memory." She smiled, giving him a go-ahead, "You gave me your phone to take some shots of you, left me in a trance because of your beauty. I looked for you after I got myself but couldn't find you."

"Wow... Interesting." She laughed lightly.

"You had me thinking of you for days, even weeks, and now that have seen you, I want your number to be able to hear your voice and meet again."

She blushed hard, "You are really funny."

"I might be funny to you but am serious."

"Hmmm..." Pretending to think, "I am not giving you." She teased him.

He exclaimed, "You want me dead then."

"Dead? That's serious." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"I am dead serious and... " His phone rang out, interrupting him. He gave a short sign and picked the call.

He answered the call, "Hello... Ask them to wait or postpone the meeting... Do as I say... I am doing something more important to my life right now... Later." He ended the call.

The girl looked around, "What are you doing that's preventing you from going to attend the meeting, Mr.?"

"I am collecting a Sunshine's phone number." He replied nonchalantly.

"Sunshine?" She looked around again.

"You are the one babe. Your number please." He went down on his knees.

She looked around at the passers-by, "Stand up, please. You are creating a scene."

He quickly typed in his password, "Type in your phone number, babe, and I would get up."

She collected his phone, typed in her number, and gave his phone back to him. "Here, I have."

He collected his phone, saved her contact, and stood up, "Thanks, babe."

"You are funny." She smiled at him and checked her wristwatch."I have to get going."

"Okay, babe. Bye." He waved at her as she walked away.

She walked further a bit, stopped, walked back to him, and pecked his left cheek. He looked into her eyes and moved closer but she moved back, smiled, and left.

He kept looking at her till she left. He heard a chuckle behind him,

"Hmmm..." Mercy came and stood beside him.

He didn't reply, kept his hand on his cheek, and looked ahead. Mercy sang loudly, "I love... I love you."

"Stop... It's okay." He tried not to smile.

"I just want lolo... I just want to love you... I..." He interrupted her song.

"Fine. I like her like over like her." He smiled.

"She's pretty and..." She demonstrated with her hands, "Loaded."

He laughed, "Are you true with shopping?"

"I didn't shop at all but instead I guess you did bro." She winked at him.

"Let's go. I am going to the office, let me drop you home before going."

"Anyways am telling mom when I get home." He smiled and shook his head. They went to the parking lot, entered their car, and drove off.

He dropped his sister at home and went to his office. Getting to the office, he parked his car and went straight to the conference room.

He met his secretary presenting and the other company seated, listening attentively. "Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen." They nodded to his greeting and he moved toward his seat.

"Good morning sir." His secretary greeted him.

"Morning. Well done. I will take it up from here." She sat down while he continued. The meeting went well and they all left.

At his closing hour, he called her up. "Hello."

She picked up after four rings. "You know, I wanted to give up after the third ring but later I thought you aren't worth giving up on."

"Who's on the line?" She asked confused.

"Truthfully, I thought you gave me a wrong number when you didn't answer the second ring..."

"Guess I know who's on the line." She laughed loudly.

"I wouldn't let you forget me, Kitten."

"Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Nickname giver."

Laughing, "Would you like to go on a dinner date with me?"

"Are we going on a date where I am to look dead gorgeous or a normal going for dinner with you in my office outfit?"

"You can wear anything even a sack and still look dead gorgeous in it, Kitten."

"You and your compliments." She laughed.

"You are worth more than just compliments, Kitten."

"I don't think I still know who am talking to."

He laughed, "So... Yes?"

"Would you accept " NO" as the answer?"

"My question is a yes or yes question."

She laughed, "You are funny."

"Am coming over to pick you, so the address?"

"Will send it after dropping your call." He ended the call.

She sent him her address. He searched for the address on the GPS of his phone, connected it to his car, and drove off.

AND THAT WAS HOW THEIR LOVE STORY BEGAN...

He parked outside the place and sent her a text, saying he was waiting. She parked up her things, bade her secretary goodnight, and left.

He waited till she got outside, "My car is a Camry brand and the only car parked outside." He sent her the text as she got outside.

He waved at her to get her attention, she smiled and came in his direction, "Kitten." He came down from his car to greet her.

She smiled at him, "Hey... You and this your nicknames."

"I know you love it, Kitten." He winked at her, making her blush deep red.

He went over to the passenger seat to help her in, "My Lady." He bowed slightly.

"What a gentleman... Thanks." She entered the car.

He closed her door, went over to the other side, and get in, "Where are we going precisely?" He drove away.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out."

She eyed him, "I want to be sure am not underdressed for the date." Pointing her suit pants and shirt.

"You aren't. It's a place you should be familiar with."

"If it's a place that my dressing is not appropriate for, you are dead." She turned away from him, folded her hands on her chest, and looked out of the window.

He glanced at her, "You are forgetting something."

"What would that be?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"You said only what you would do but not what I would do."

"Meaning?" She raised her eyebrows at his statement.

"You forgot to mention my benefits."

"Hmmm... What would you want?"

"A passionate kiss." He answered bluntly, looking at her.

She gasped dramatically, "Wow... I love the fact that you added passionate to it. Now face your front, you are driving."

He nodded and faced his front, trying to hide his disappointment at her reply.

She called up her driver, "Hey... Evening... My car is still at the company... Yeah, I went out with a friend for dinner... Please take the car home... Thanks." She ended the call.

They drove in silence to the restaurant. He parked his car in their parking lot and came out. She opened the door before he could get to her side.

"You should have waited for me to open the door for you."

"Better luck next time, Dear." She winked at him.

She looked at the restaurant and around, he noticed, she was impressed with what she saw. He sighed in relief at her reaction and gave himself an imaginary pat on his back.

She turned to him, "Now... I believe am not underdressed for the occasion."

He laughed, "You are never underdressed... So... I won..." Looking at her expectantly as he got closer to her.

"Okay?" She asked in confusion.

"Seriously? You have forgotten? Never mind. Let's go inside."

She looked at him confused, trying to get what he was talking about.

He entwined their hands and led them inside. They were led to their seats at the VIP section.

He moved the chair for her to sit before he sat down. She noticed he was avoiding eye contact with her which made her break the silence.

"Why are you avoiding eye contact with me?"

"Nothing." He called over a waiter that was passing.

The waiter bowed slightly, "Sir, Ma'am... Your orders?"

He picked up the menu to check through, "What would you like, Kitten?" Hiding his face from her.

She chuckled at his childish behavior, " I want Lasagna and Oyster." She dropped the menu.

"I will go for... Steak Chicken." He dropped the menu noisily. The waiter nodded, "I will be right back." He bowed slightly and left.

She watched him for some minutes, shook her head in recognition, and went over to his side, "Is it about that benefit stuff?" Bending toward him.

"I don't know." He turned his face to the other side, not wanting to look at her.

"You sure? I was thinking of giving you what you asked of but..." The way he turned with speed, was as if he was being programmed to do so.

She laughed at his reaction, "I thought you were avoiding me."

"I wasn't just..." He looked away from her to see the waitress coming with their food.

"The waitress is coming here." She went back to her seat.

The waiter placed their order in front of them, "Your order. Have a nice time, Sir, Ma'am." He smiled and left.

They took their cutleries to eat, "I thought kissing comes after the date, not during the date." She said.

"We could change ours, we are different." He winked at her.

She coughed to hide her blush, "Hm."

Watching her drink her juice, "My wink got you blushing and coughing. Just don't choke on the juice while hiding it."

She dropped down her juice and laughed, "Don't flatter yourself."

After eating, Ray called a waiter over to park the plates and brought up a conversation, "Time for introduction... Am Raymond Russells."

"I thought you won't ask, since the time met."

He playfully glared at her, "Kitten, you were supposed to go with the flow."

She laughed, "Fine... Am Yvonne Malconde by name."

He stretched his hand for a handshake, "Nice meeting you, Yvonne."

She received the handshake, "Same here, Mond." She winked at him. "I have gotten a new nickname for you."

"Since I already like you, it's accepted."

They talked for hours, Raymond called the waiter over, "Our bills." He gave them to Raymond.

"We are splitting the bills, Sir." She spoke out immediately, opening her purse.

"I didn't complain about the bills, Kitten." Starring at her.

"It's either I pay fully or we split the bills or no passionate kiss." She said, staring back at him.

The waiter cleared his throat to end their staring contest. Raymond shook his head negatively and sighed, "Fine... You are..."

Yvonne blew him a kiss, "You love me like that." They paid their bills and left the restaurant.

Outside the restaurant, He opens the passenger seat for her, "When will I be given the passionate kiss?" He stepped closer to her, grabbing her waist.

Looking at everything around but his eyes, "I thought the kissing takes place in front of the girl's house."

"Why aren't you looking at me?" He stepped closer to her.

"You are... are standing too close for comfort."

"I am making you uncomfortable? Huh..." He was waiting for her reply when his phone started ringing.

He frowned at the ringing of his phone and stepped away from her to receive the call while she placed her hand on her chest, breathing in and out in relief.

He told her after ending the call, "My attention is needed at home."

She nodded, "Okay."

"I will drop you before going home, Kitten." He opened the car door for her.

She settled down and nodded, he went over to the driver seat, entered, and drove off.

Not too long, they got to her house, He parked his car and came down to open the door for her.

She came out of the car, "Thanks, Mond."

"Yeah." He held her by the waist, looking into her eyes for permission, wanting to be sure, she wanted it but not forcing her to do it.

She closed her eyes expectantly, standing on her toes, he took that as a yes and kissed her.

She unlocked from the kiss first, to breathe. He smiled, "Your lips are... too soft and sweet, Kitten." She blushed deep red.

He rested his forehead on hers, "I had a lovely evening with you." He whispered.

"I did too. Thanks." She whispered too.

"I would like to have more of these times with you, Kitten."

"I..." He interrupted her, thinking, she wanted to reject him.

"Yea. It's too sudden but truly I like you and won't want to be just friends or best friends not even tight friends. I want more than that. Please, give me a chance..."

"Okay... I would."

"Thanks, Kitten." He pecked her forehead and lips.

His phone rang out again, "I have to get going."

"Bye." She waved at him, he waved back, entered his car, and drove off.

Half an hour later, he got to his house, beeped the security to open the gate for him. He drove inside as the gate was opened.

He texted her as he got down from his car, "Gotten home, Kitten." He kept back his phone in his pocket and entered inside.

In the sitting room, he met his sister, "Welcome, brother."

"Thanks. Where are Mom and Dad?"

"Mom is in her bedroom while Dad is in his study waiting for you."

"Yea. He called me earlier. Thanks."

He went straight to his Dad's study and entered, "Good evening, Dad."

"Son, come in, sit..."

He and his Dad discussed for some time, after, he bade his Dad goodnight and left. He checked up on his Mom but met her sleeping, he pecked her goodnight and left for his room.

He took out his phone and saw her message, "I have been contemplating on either to call or text you. Welcome."

"Thanks, babe." He replied with a kiss emoji.

Her message came in immediately he sent his, "Goodnight, Mond."

"Night, Kitten. Sleep tight."

He went to clean up before going to sleep.

From that day onward, they do call or chat each other up and sometimes go out for dinner.

Yvonne met with Ray's parents likewise Ray met with Yvonne's parents. Their parents accepted and gave their blessings to the relationship.

One morning, Ray, his parents, and sister were at the dining, having their breakfast when Mr. Russell, Roland, brought up a topic.

"Raymond," Ray looked up from his food to his Dad, "How are things in the office?"

"All good. The sales are better than before..."

"Son, No business talks at the dining room." His mom glared at him and his dad.

They continued eating, Suddenly his Dad spoke up, "You aren't thinking of marrying that Malconde girl, right?"

He looked confused at his Dad's question, "Malconde's girl, You mean Yvonne?" His Dad nodded. "Why can't I?"

"You can't marry any of our competitor's daughters in this world of business today. It can lead to your downfall."

"Not everything is about business, Dad." He dropped his cutlery on his plate, irritated.

"What if she was sent to get information from you to bring us down? I can't allow this infatuation to bring us down."

"It's not infatuation, it's love." He replied.

"I don't care. She's still one of our competitor's daughters."

"Dad, why didn't you say all this from the onset? Why now?"

"Hmm... I thought you would use your head but..."

He interrupted his father, "Stop beating about the bush... Go straight to the point."

His mother spoke up for the first time, "You don't talk to your Dad in that manner like you are talking to one of your employees."

"Yes, Mom." He tried to calm himself down. "Am sorry, Dad."

His Dad spoke up, "A friend of mine brought a proposal. You are getting married to Mr. Fabian's daughter, Susan."

He stood up in shock, "What!!! Susan." He shook his head negatively. "No... Not her. I met her in Paris just recently."

"You took her on dates in Paris too." His Mom countered what he said.

"I did but only twice or thrice, Mom."

His Dad nodded in agreement, "It's okay, Son."

"It's not and I don't like her talk less of loving her to the extent of getting married to her. I want Yvonne."

"Susan loves you and you know she would do anything for you."

"She can do whatever she wants but I still don't want her, Dad." He adjusted the chair in anger and went back to his room.

He took his car keys and came back downstairs. On getting downstairs, he meets only his Mom in the sitting room, "Am going out, I might stay out late."

"Where are you going to?"

"I am going out to clear my head."

She nodded, "Okay." He hugged her and turned to leave but she held his hand back, he turned to look at his Mom, "You should think about what your father said earlier, please. It would benefit you likewise your Dad's interest."

He closed his eyes to calm himself down, "I will try, Mom." He squeezed his Mom's hand assuringly and went straight to the only place that came to his mind.

Soon, he got there. He messaged his friend that he was at the gate. The gate was opened to let his car into the house.

His friend, James, gave him a handshake, "Guy..."

"James, how are things?" Receiving the handshake.

"All good. You don't look bright like you use to." James noticed his dull mood.

"Yea... Let's go in first." They went into the house.

Getting into the house, Raymond explained his plight to James without hiding anything from him.

"The only advice I can give to you is to go after what you want so you won't regret it."

"It's complicated... James, I love Yvonne very much."

"The answer is in you already. Go for it."

"Thanks. I know you won't judge me, that's why I came here."

He pulled off his stockings and shoes, stretched himself on the three-seater couch to rest, and slept off. He rested for two hours.

Waking up, he saw no one around him, "James!!!"

James answered from behind, "Yea. You've woken up."

"Am sorry, I slept off. Everything is just stressing me out." He sighed.

"I understand. You got stressed from what was happening. Your baby called you."

Immediately, he picked up his phone, "Shit... 10 missed calls."

James took his seat beside him, "I didn't bother to pick up before but had to when it continued ringing. I picked up and told her you were asleep though."

"Oh... Thanks."

He called her up, she picked the call immediately like she has been expecting his call, "Hey babe. I miss you."

"I miss you too, Mond. I called earlier but James picked up and told me you were asleep... After 10 missed calls."

He playfully glared at James, "Don't mind him, Kitten."

He placed the phone on speaker, "...Yea because he doesn't have a girlfriend, that's why he doesn't understand how it feels..."

James spoke up from where he sat, "Am listening to you, Yvonne."

"Babe, you kept your phone on speaker. Ahhh." She yelled.

James talked before Raymond could, "You were saying something... I don't understand how it feels..."

Raymond turned off the loudspeaker, "Stop disturbing my Queen." He playfully eyed James.

"Am sorry your Highness." James playfully bowed for him.

Raymond nodded, "Baby, are you busy?"

"No am not. Want us to go out?" She asked excitedly.

"Yes. I want to show you my house."

She squealed, "Finally!!! I will get to see your house today."

Laughing, "You will finally get to see our house, Kitten. I am picking you up in the next 10 minutes."

"10 minutes is okay, I am almost true with what I am doing. I love you."

"Love you more, Kitten." He ended the call and dropped the phone on the center table.

James spoke up after some minutes, "You should fight for her, Man. If you love her."

"James, I love her more than I love myself. Everything is just frustrating. He knows how I feel about Yvonne and he's still telling me to end things between us and go after that spoilt brat."

"Yeah, what he said is not good, and not to forget, this Susan girl got feeling for you."

He shrugged, "I don't f**kingly care. If I had dumped her for Yvonne, maybe I would have cared enough but nothing like that so... She and her feelings should f**k off."

"To be honest, Yvonne is 10x better than Susan. You were sent an Angel so don't think of losing her."

"I am neither thinking nor planning to." He balanced on the couch.

"Ray, I, and the guys concluded on going out tonight."

"Where? I might decide to join you."

"To the club. We are going to party hard."

Ray laughed and nodded, "Am going to pick up my baby. Later." He stood up.

"Okay. I'll walk you to the door." They shook hands and Raymond left.

Raymond picked Yvonne up from her workplace and drove off to his house.

Right from inside the car before Yvonne got out, "Wow... Wow... Wow... It looks beautiful."

He smiled at her reaction, "Thanks. Wait till you get inside."

He entwined their hands and left her into the house.

She gasped in admiration and amazement, "Wow, it's warm and comfy." He helped her sit on a sofa and knelt in front of her, "Babe, you like it?"

"I don't just like, I love your house."

"Kitten, it's our house." Placing a set of keys on her palm. "Our house."

She hugged him in happiness, "Thanks, Mond."

They prepared lunch for themselves, ate, and rested. They spent the day in his house till night.

"I have to get going." Yvonne sat up straight from Ray's body, checking her phone for the time, "Am almost late."

"Kitten, what's the time?"

"Few minutes to 8. Are you going somewhere?"

He stood up in a rush, carried Yvonne on his shoulder, and went to his room.

"What's with you carrying me like this?" She asked giggling.

"Please, help me choose the outfit for tonight." He dropped her down on getting into the room.

"Where are you going to?" Going to his closet.

"The guys are going to a club to party hard as James had said." Following her to his closet. "James would kill me if he gets here and I'm not dressed."

"Is he picking you up? You are such a baby."

"Sorry, I meant if he finds am not dressed right now."

She laughed, "You should be careful at the club."

She chose a set of clothes for him to wear before going back to the sitting room to pack her things, also giving him time to dress up. He came back, "Are you true?"

"Yes. I am." She walked out first with him following her from behind.

He dropped her off at her house before driving straight to the club.