The Virgin Surrogate

Chapter 21

NICK’S P.O.V

I made sure it was late before I went back home. I got home and everywhere was dark and slipped in unnoticed to my room. I had changed my cloth and was in bed preparing to sleep when I heard someone come in. it was dark but I could still make out a shadow. I could not tell if it is a man or a woman as the person seemed to be clothed in  black, or maybe the darkness made it so. I decided to lay still and pretend to be  asleep. I watched the person creep closer to my bed, I shut my eyes and felt a presence loom over my head. Soon, the feeling was gone and I opened my eyes to see the figure heading back to the door. I said in a deep voice that i know would scare the intruder dead.

“Whoever you are, stop right there!”

“Come on Nick!” I heard Sharon say.

Damn I should have known.

I switched on the bedside lamp and sat up. For Sharon to have come in here it must be pretty important.

“Mehn! This room looks brooding, didn’t they sell you anything with a brighter shade?” she teased. I rolled my eyes and let the comment pass.

“What do you want Sharon, I need to rest as I will be leaving for work early tomorrow” with that my brain responded with a big yawn.

“It’s something important and I want you to hear me out before you decide” Sharon is serious now and I dread what is about to come out of her mouth.

“Okay, I am all ears” I said though all I wanted at the moment was sleep. But i kmow better than to convince Sharon to let whatever she has to say wait till the morrow, she can be obstinate when she wants to be.

“It’s about mum, Nick it is time you forgive her and let the past be. I know it might seem hard at the moment but just try it. I spoke with her today, we had a lengthy conversation and I think we have been judging her wrong…” Sharon narrated mum’s visit earlier in the day and the conversation they had.
Sharon knew I was not on good terms with my mother and she thinks it was because of her lifestyle. But what she didn’t know is that it goes beyond that, I found out my mum had sexual relationship with one of our late father’s friend. I had the intentions of keeping it to myself and never telling anyone but with the turn of events, i had to tell Sharon maybe then she will understand my hurt and stop making me the villain. And if i were to go by what my therapist had been saying all these while, i think talking is what i need.

“Sharon, do you know the gravity of what mum did, she slept with a friend of our late father, like she sleeping around with men half her age is not enough” I said with more emotions than I intended, maybe the hurt never really healed. Remembering the incident brought a bitter taste to my mouth.

“I never heard about that but now that we know what the problem is I think we should let go and move on. She is making efforts to change and she needs us now than ever. Nick just promise me you will think about it. And I think since tomorrow is Sunday we should all have dinner together at home, just like old times” Sharon said.

I should forgive her and I will forgive her, I just need time to accept it. Eventually i will have to allow her back into my life, for my babies's sake but dinner is too early.

“No Sharon, I will think of forgiving her but the dinner is too early...” I said trying to convince Sharon even though I know it is a lost cause.

“No it is not too early, Tara will be going with us. So pleaaasseee?” she said giving me her puppy eyes and I had to give in.

“If you insist. Now can you please get out so I can sleep?” Thankfully Sharon left then and I could finally rest.

This morning I woke up early and left for work early but I also came back home earlier than usual, I went straight to my room to shower and change for our outing. The dinner would be at our family home and we were running late already. I hurriedly showered and wore a casual outfit of denim and polo, with simple sandals.

I went down the stairs and I met Tara and Sharon already waiting for me. Tara was stunning in her denim dress and flat sandals. Her bump was getting bigger by the day but it only added to her beauty. I made to say something to her but the words were stuck in my throat. So I turned going sttaight to the door, while I motioned for them to follow me, we got to my car, and soon we were on our way to my mum’s home, our home.

Dinner was lovely and fun. It was like the good old days, I guess spilling my heart was exactly what I needed. It was getting late and it was time for us to leave, I told Sharon to prepare to leave but she pleaded to stay back, claiming she had some catching up to do with mum. Now I and Tara will be going home alone.

We got home late due to the heavy traffic, we were let in by Joy and she asked if we wanted anything, I declined and bade her goodnight and she went to the staff quarters. Now it is only I and Tara in the house. Tara bade me goodnight and made to leave the room but I stopped her, there is no better time to apologize for my actions.

“Tara, I know I have been saying this often of recent but please accept my sincere apologies, I promise to be on my best behavior around you” I said walking to where she stood and trying to sound sorry but God knows I am not. If at all I was sorry it is because I didn’t do more than just kiss her.

“It is fine” she answered sharply. She is still mad at me, that much is apparent in her voice.

“I just apologized and you are still mad at me. What else do you want me to do to show you how sorry I am?” I was close to her now, she was just an arm stretch away from me and I had fold my palm in a fist to keep myself from pulling her closer.

“Can’t you see Nick?, I don’t want your apologies” she said dejectedly, almost like the answer is there for me to see but i chose to ignore. But the truth can't be farther from that.

“Then what do you want Tara?” I said, my hands itching to pull her closer and tell her all will be well but instead tightened  my fists.

“Nothing” she said now resignedly. We both know that is a lie and I will not take that, we end this tonight, right now.

“Tell me Tara, what do you want?” I said moving closer to her now, daring her to say what it was.

“You Nick, I want you. Now what do you want to do about it?” she answered taking the challenge and throwing it back in my face. There was a certain shine in her eyes, she was angry again, but there was something else.

I was shocked, i knew she desired me, hell! She kissed me back when i kissed her  but i never thought she would have the courage to say it outloud and definitely not to me. And God knows i wanted to take the offer as it is, i felt my groin tighten at the prospect of taking Tara. But sense took over nad i knew it would be the worst mistake of my life and i would live to regret my decision
She will too, she deserves better, someone that can offer her more.
So instead of taking what i was plainly offered, I heard myself say

“Nothing!”

To my lovely fans urging me to update soon, i dedicate this chapter to you.

While writing this the question that came to my mind is 'what would you do if you do if you were in Tara's shoes?'
Drop your reply in the comments, i promise to read and reply
Also vote and follow, i will definitely follow back,
😊😘