Joelle, Sighted her friend Jessica from afar who was busy washing dishes, smiling and singing at the same time outside her mother's shop.

Jessica was a very pretty and intelligent girl just like Joelle, but unlike Joelle, she was lighter, a year older and a bit taller.
She had inherited the height from her father as her mother was a brief woman.
Jessica and Joelle being best friends had attended same primary and high school and both graduated and hoping to get to the University.

Jessica's mother, Rose was very friendly, kind and beautiful woman with the smiles that looks like that of an angel.
Most at times Jessica and Joelle would made fun of her saying she's the only woman on earth who could cry and smile at the same time even while she's hurt.
Mrs. Rose, as life could have it, although was the friendliest and simplest woman Joelle had come across, was not living a happy and satisfying life.
Her husband was jobless and was doing nothing to change that.
She was responsible for feeding, paying of bills, school fees of the three girls Jessica and her younger sister and also every other thing that concerns the family.

"Joelle, how have you been"? Jessica smiled as Joelle approached her.
"Please you have to forgive me, I know I deserve to be flogged but please don't be mad, I should have come to see you again but this days work in the restaurant has been so stressful".
"Jessica, you where at my house on Monday and today it's Friday for goodness sake! Is just three days apart and on a day like this, you should be here at your mother's shop, customers are turning up.
Remember this is what we prayed for; it is indeed a thing of joy.
Girl! This is answered prayers don't waste this golden opportunity because of me." Joelle said smiling.

"But Joelle you need me around, I should always be there for you. So how have you been?"
"I have been fine", Joelle responded trying to keep her voice steady.
"Come have a seat"
Jessica said as she used a rag to dust a chair and then they sat.
"So how was the wedding? Everyone has been saying a lot about it" Joelle asked.

"Well it was fine, but as always I wish I never wasted my time attending.
If mother hadn't insisted, I would rather have stayed at home reading my rom com and even Jenny persistence wouldn't change my mind.

Jenny was Jessica and Joelle's friend but they weren't close. What had drawn Jenny close to Joelle and Jessica was because their names had latter " J" at the beginning which was just coincidental.

" I left the event quite early because I was'nt comfortable some guy was just staring at me like a fool. but Jenny stayed back, you know how much she loves parties".

"come on that's because your beautiful Jessica any man in his right sense would want to stare at you"
Joelle said teasing

"To be sincere I wasn't really comfortable staying there.
I hate being in places where I see so much money being wasted, while my family can't afford a comfortable life because we don't have the same money I see been spent recklessly" Jessica said with an unpleasant facial expression.

"Well you won't blame them, they are lucky to be privileged that's all.
I wish I was there with you to see for myself, any ways I had better things to handle" Joelle said smiling lightly.
"And I also heard about the handsome rich king. Did you see him?"

"I didn't care to notice" she said and quickly change the subject...
Hmm, Joelle gave her a questioning look.
"k I will update later"

"Joelle,"

Jessica called, taking her hands to hers and gently rubbing them.

"My Mom and I were just talking about you. we are worried. she was thinking of the possibility of you coming to stay in our house, though it's obvious that we might starve to death because we don't even have enough to live on.
You know how it is in my family; we are all leaving under the mercy of my mom and her shop.

But God will always make a way right?
You don't have anyone anymore and you don't even have a house or anywhere to go, mom said she will rather have you come stay with us than let you go to the streets, I'm certain that God will help us cope".
Joelle didn't know what to say,
Jessica and her mother were like her second family and she knew they weren't really comfortable, but even with that they didn't want her to stay homeless and she was grateful for that.
But she couldn't accept the offer, if she did; she was only going to be a burden and another load to the poor woman.

"Thank you so much Jessica, thank you for everything you don't know what this means to me" she said hugging her and trying to control her tear
"So what are you saying"? Jessica asked breaking the hug and now looking at Joelle

Joelle inhale and the exhale before responding,
"you remember Maya Right?'
"Yah I do" Jessica exclaimed.
"Oh my God Joelle,
I totally forgot about her, she's going to be a big answer to our prayer.
oh God, I am so happy you still have a family left I was so worried about you"
Joelle smiled and looked at her best friend, who has always stood by her in every situation.

"I will be going to see her. I am sure she would allow me stay with her, Joelle spoke this time smiling.
"Wow I am so happy now Joelle" Jessica said drawing her into another hug.
"I have been so worried about you thank God you still have Maya.
Thank God I now have a place to be visiting But wait, I hope she won't mind", Jessica asked
"I am sure she won't" Joelle replied nodded in approval "isn't she my sister; she has no other option than to accepted me even if she doesn't intend to.
I believe I am not going to encounter any form of rejection from her I am certain about that".
"So when would you be leaving?" Jessica asked
"Soon the landlord has already given me dat to pack out " Joelle replied.
"Are you sure you will be fine"? Jessica asked for the last time trying to be sure
"Yes I will, don't behave as though I am planning on going into a lion's den. She's my sister don't forget that"?
The girls were still chatting when Rose came and called them in to help her with her customers...

After they were done, Joelle remained there for the night where she and her friend had a long talk all of them discussing about their future, the kind of life they wanted to have and the kind of husband they wish to marry.
Jessica also told Joelle about David Joelle laugh because Jessica made it sound so funny when she got to the child part.

Mrs. Rose went to the room where Jessica and Joelle was chatting and found them on the bed happily tabling down their wishes. she thanked Joelle for helping out in the shop and then told them a good night.

***
Some days later, Joelle found someone who bought the little properties she had left in the house she and her family had shared.
Some of the important things were sold at a lower price because there were no people ready to buy them.
At first she had walked around asking neighbors if they were interested but none of them was.

She was about giving hope on ever finding a buyer when one of her neighbor had showed up and told her he wanted them but he had told her what he would pay her for them not even allowing her to tell him the price she had intended on selling them.
Joelle had no other option but to sell them to him at the amount he had wanted.
she knew he didn't need those things he was only buying them because he felt pity for her.

After Joelle had gotten the money, she packed the rest of her important properties that belonged to her in a black traveling bag and then left to look for Maya as she couldn't stand the trouble from the house owner anymore.

***
After so much asking, Joelle finally located the house she was looking for. the woman who had described the house for her was looking at her strangely maybe it was because of her old traveling bag but she didn't care all she care about was seeing her sister and that would problem was going to be solved in few minute she thought as she thanked the woman and began to walk towards the gate that had been pointed to her by the woman.

After taking some few steps, Joelle turn and discovered the woman who had pointed the house to her was still looking at her.
She now knew why the woman was staring at her that way.
The last time she had seen Maya, she had needed no prophet or mirror to tell her that she and Maya looked like twins.
She and her sister looked exactly like their mother with no visual resemblance of their father.
And she was indeed happy for that because Maya would not be able to drive away her baby sister who looks just like her when she is in need.
Her conscience wouldn't let her do that to the memory of her mother she thought.

"Oh God finally I have located the place please help me so that my sister would be happy to see me" she said silently as she was just few feet's away from the gate praying silently.

When Joelle got to the gate, she was shocked. Even without entering the house she could tell millions where spent in building it she could not find a better word to describe the house, all she knew was that the house of perfect.
Wonderful! Some people are just born to enjoy and live comfortable in this life why others are born to suffer and struggle for every meal.
She thought how this could be a house and not a hotel. It looked like a hotel she thought as she knocked on the gate.

After the third steady knock at the gate, the security came out and gave her a strong look from head to toe before asking her who she was looking for; she told him she was looking for her sister, Mr. Victor's wife Maya.
The security man asked her to come in and wait for him on a shade that was close by while he confirm from the main building if she should be allowed to come in or not.
Joelle came in still looking at the building with her mouth open and did as she was told as she sat and was waiting for what seems to be her fate.

The security man finally returned after some few minutes of leaving.
but he was not alone this time, he was together with a man, a handsome man at twenty three or twenty four at most Joelle thought who was not smiling at all that must be Maya's husband she thought in her mind.
But he was looking very young she admitted to herself, and Maya was twenty six, twenty seven she knew that well that wasn't her problem. Immediately they got to her, she stood up to greet the young handsome man trying to put on her best smile.

"Who did you say you are looking for" he asked still not smiling and didn't even responded to her greeting that got her upset but this was not the time to be upset she thought she needed to be in her best behavior if she didn't want to end in the street this night and her remaining days.
Even with his ill manner treatment, she couldn't help noticing he was very handsome.
Something she wouldn't normally notice very easily she wasn't really the kind that notice or pay attention to how people look but at this time, she couldn't help but notice the young man that was standing in front of her.
Even with that, she didn't give a dam, he was handsome, Rich, rude and arrogant but yet he wasn't her type. Rich and privileged bored her.
"My name is Joelle, I am Maya's younger sister I am here to see her" while she was still talking, an elderly man showed up and walked to them.

"Well you should be leaving because I think you are in the wrong house" Nelson said giving her a skeptical look

"What's going on Nelson "
the older man asked looking confusingly at all of them.
"My dear what are you looking for" he turned calmly at her Joelle turned and looked at the gentle calm man and couldn't help relaxing at the thought that she had met a nice face finally.
"Good evening sir, my name is Joelle I am here to see my sister Maya"
"Maya's sister"?
He asked given her a look she couldn't seems to be able to define
"Wow we never knew Maya had a sister we always thought she was the only child, but I can see the resemblances"
"I am her half sister actually we never grew up together" she said and took her lower lip lip inbetween her teeth.

"Come inside my dear your welcome I guess you would want to freshen up and rest you must be tired"
the older man smiled at her as he lead her to the main building with the handsome man called Nelson following the behind.
Joelle was sure he was not Maya's husband because she had been told Maya's husband was called victor.
The older man was such a nice man she thought as she followed Mike and Nelson to the main building and the security carrying her bag behind her.

Some hour later After Joelle had freshened and eating, there was no sign of Maya or any other person and it was getting late.
So Joelle decided to ask Nelson who was sitting together with a pretty girl upstairs about Maya
When she asked him when Maya would be back, Nelson told her that they would be going to victor's house tomorrow he ask her to get some rest and regain her strength that she needed it tomorrow.
"Are you saying that Maya my sister don't stay here"? She ask looking confuse
"Yes she doesn't"
Nelson replied and quickly turned his face to his girl,
Maybe it a long ride to Maya's house she thought as she went back to the beautiful room that been offered to her and prayed that Maya's would be happy to see her when she get to her house the next day.

The drive to Victor's house was about two hours ride; the house was in an isolated place where buildings were few.
The building was not a big only two bedrooms flat Joelle had guess and she was right it had a black gate and a black car parkedat the front. it was small and beautiful house.
Joelle kept imagining why Maya had chosen such an isolated place to stay instead of the beautiful city.
She was still in her thought when the loud cry of a baby brought her out of her thought.

After the fourth knock, the door opened and behold a older version of Nelson was standing with a baby who was crying in his arms, he was trying to calm the baby down but it looked as if the baby didn't want to be calmed at all.
The volume of the crying baby increased immediately she saw the people that were standing outside.
Victor stared at the woman who was standing with his brother, she had a strong fecal resemblance of Maya though she was smaller and younger, and she was still a child.
Could this be the sister Maya had told him about or was it just a Coincidence Victor thought in his mind and then moved backward to enable his brother and the visitor to come in.

Nelson allowed Joelle entered first before he entered and shut the door behind him. Emilia continued crying and Joelle couldn't resist the urge of getting her from the strong protective hands of her father.

At first she was scared he would ask her to mind her business and stay away from his precious daughter because he was indeed looking very rude even without anyone telling you, you could figure it out.
That got her wondering if that gentle older man she had met who was kind and had a great smile was indeed their father and if he had brought them up because they were nothing like him probably they had taking after their mother and that was not her business.

Whoever they had taking after was their own headache not hers she had her own problems to think of.
Joelle stretched her hand with a smile to get the little princess from her daddy.
Immediately Joelle brought her hand towards Emilia, Victor was about objecting when Emilia started struggle and pulling away from her dad to get to her and at point Victor had no option but to pass the baby to her even though he didn't want to do that.

After Victor handed the baby to her, Nelson asked to speak to victor in private.
"Victor please I need to talk to fast I need to get to the office as fast as I can someone is waiting for me remember that business man I told you about,
I am suppose to see him today Nelson said dragging his brother away from Joelle and the baby"
"Who is this girl" victor asked Nelson immediately they were in the corner.
That what I want to talk to about, Dad asked me to bring her to you, that you would know how to explain everything to her because we wouldn't know how to do that. Which part of the story could you and dad not tells her?
That her sister is dead or that she isn't needed here which? Victor spoke in anger and clenched teeth looking at Nelson
You never told us Maya had a sister, a half sister I mean.
She came yesterday saying she wanted to see Maya her sister.
Dad saw the facial resemblance of Maya in her and allowed her to stay for the night so she could meet you today we didn't tell her anything.
Dad's Idea actually.
He felt it would be better you be the one to tell her about her sister and I supported him.
And know what to do about her, while Nelson was still talking, victor turned and looked at the lady who was walking and dancing around with his daughter.
And Emilia on the other was already closing her eyes to sleep he could tell his daughter was enjoying herself in the arms of the beautiful young lady.

He had been trying to make her sleep for like forever and here she was sleeping just after five minute of a woman holding her.
He was trying to be both a mother and a father to her how that is going to possible he didn't know, but he knew it just needed to work Emilia would just have to learn to be contented with just him because she had no other choice.

"Victor, I need to go now so I won't be late for my appointment you would know how to settle her" Nelson said bringing his Brother's attention back to him.

Immediately Nelson left, Joelle turned to Victor with the sleeping baby in her arms, "Were can I lay her down" she asked
"Just put her there" victor responded pointing at the couch that was close to her.
"What's her name?" Joelle asked smiling
Why was she interested in knowing his baby name? Victor thought and quickly waved the thought away. It was a normal thing for someone to want to know a baby's name.
And she wasn't just someone she was her aunty whether he liked it or not.
"Emilia"
Victor answered coldly after been silent for a while
"Wow that's a beautiful name.
Where is her mother?" Joelle turn to victor after she had laid Emilia down.
Victor looked at the lady that was standing in his front, he didn't know how to tell her Maya was dead, and he didn't know why he cared how she was going to feel.

He could tell she had come to stay and spend time with the sister she had never been with, Maya had told him she would bring her to spend some times with them, but she was unable to accomplish that.
When Maya had gone to look for her sister, she had came back and told him her younger half sister look like her she was actually right the resemblance was just too great for a doubt and their mother had indeed had a stronger gene.
He would just have to tell her all that had happened and see how he could help if she needed anything.
Victor was still thinking and trying to figure out exactly what to do with her when Joelle's voice interrupted.
"Are you okay sir" she asked with her voice full concern

"Yes I am fine" victor responded gently as if he was counting his words.
"I asked you where I can fine Maya, I want to see her I am her sister Joelle" she explained again
"I heard you perfectly well, you don't need to repeat yourself .
Maya is not here Anymore" Victor responded and at that point he could see shock all over her.
"What? Where is she, has she gone to work? When is she coming back?"
"She is not coming back" victor replied
"What happened, did you guys had a fight or what, are you guys divorce, because that's what you rich people are good at" she said with her facial expression showing she was irritated about the word divorcé.
"No nothing in this word would have made me divorce my Wife.
I lost her last year, she is dead that's what I mean" victor finally got the courage to uttered those painful words that was like sword in his heart
"What"!
Dead!?
Joelle asked she turned blank and became pale instantly, and then tears began to gush out from her eyes.
Why did you let her die? She asked shouted at victor who stood like statue looking at her.
"Why did I let her died"? Victor asked in total surprise.

After a while, Joelle was seated on a coach and Victor sitting on a stool that Was opposite to hers watching as she was still trying to absorb the news of her sister's death.
What he couldn't understand was why the lady who was sitting next to him should be in such a great shock when she had heard of her half sister death.
They were never close he thought, they didn't even grew up today they never even spend up to a month together Maya had only talked about her just twice or so while they were still courting when he had asked her about her family if she had any sibling and then last year when she had gone to look for her before she died.
It must have been a terrible situation that brought her to this place to look for a sister she had barley know and added to the fact that she came with her luggage not just any kind of a luggage a mighty one that could accommodate a human.
Maybe she was homeless he thought.
But it couldn't be true her father was still alive it was just her mom that had passed away so she couldn't be homeless he thought again.

"So what's that big luggage outside for?" Victor asked her dragging her thoughts back to reality.
"it's mine" she replied trying not to meet his eyes that were fixed to hers.

"I didn't ask you if they were yours or not, I only asked what there were for, that's simple English for you to understand" he sake rudely and angrily as if he had been angered by someone.
"I am waiting for you to talk" Joelle could see that rudeness actually was running in their family as much as handsomeness and wealth was. only their father was exceptional.
When she had first meet Nelson at the gate he was very rude, and if it had been for his father the gentle man who had come to her rescue, She was very sure Nelson would have had her deposited outside close the place their trash bin was.

And even when she had gone to asked him where Maya was, he was still rude he had been smiling with his spoiled girl friend that he was doing only what God know with.
But he she had showed her face, his face had turned hard as if he had seen a black ghost And here she was with Victor the elder brother, her in-law who didn't have the world nice treatment or smile in his dictionary.
And even the way he looked at her, you could tell he thought of her as garbage that needed to be deposited outside.
To hell with the rich to hell with them all she can't and would never get intimidated by them.
The way victor looked at her while he talk with the anger in his eyes made her wish the ground would open so she could hide herself from the burning anger in his eyes she even wonder if the muscle in his face could ever be compress to laugh,
What had Maya seen in this man that had made her fall in love and even married him, was it because he was fine or because of his money she thought but Maya's father had money so money wouldn't have been the reason.

She was never going to allow this man know she was scared of him, she wanted to be mad at him and asked him not to shout at her but she was scared he would send her away from his house.
It was his house and so he had all the right to it.
All she needed to do was to calm down play her card well and plead with him maybe he could understand and spare a penny out from his millions so she would be able to help her life.
She was penniless and also homeless; she had no other place to go.
She should plead with her sister husband if he could help her now that her sister was death.
"I came to plead with Maya if I could stay with her for sometimes I never knew she was dead I wouldn't have come" She turned and notices he was still looking at her.
"I wouldn't have come if I know she was no more"
"Now that you know she is dead I guess you would want to start leaving?"
"I ..... I"
Joelle tried to talk but she couldn't Victor deep his hand to his pocket and brought some thousand note and handed it to her.

" You can have this as your transport"
Was this man really heartless she though, he couldn't even ask her to stay even for a day at least give her warm welcome she know her sister was dead.

But someone still connected to her was still in this house Emilia if not because of any other thing, Victor should have considered that she was his daughter Aunty and was at least supposed to treat as someone.
She felt tears beginning to gather in her eyes, but she was not going to cry not in the presence of this heartless devil her sister had called a husband.

Where was she going to sleep what was she going to do, she was homeless and cashless, Her house rent was expired and even if she was to use this money for her transport where was she to go to, the landlord of the house won't even want to see her face near his house, not talk about allowing her to stay his house again.
And if she was to look for a job again she would have to work for a month before that stuff salary would show fort that means she would have to be staying in the street. How was she ever going to cope?
Why did her father had to get sick and die? if God had waited just for a while before he had taking him.
"What's going on here" she heard a voice; she had totally forgotten where she was.

"Please if you can just let me stay in your home for just a week, I don't have any where to go to I am homeless"
"Homeless?, What do you mean, by that? What about your father I know your mom is late"
"He died also I don't have anywhere to go if you would just allow me a week I will figure out what to do"
"So you want me to allow you stay in my house, for a long complete week?"

While Victor was still looking at her, Emilia woke up and was crying.
And immediately Joelle looked at him as if asking for permission with her eyes to carry her.
Victor looked at her from head to toe before talking
"I care about my Daughter health so much, and you should better be careful with her" Before he could finish his statement, Joelle was already carrying Emilia placing her tenderly in her bosom....
"You can take your luggage to the room at the left when you are done since it's just for a week" victor said and then walked out

Some days later, Joelle was playing with Emilia, when she heard someone come into the compound,
Victor had gone out an hour ago without telling her where he was going to.
She had been tempted to asked him where he was going to when she had stood at the door with Emilia and watch him leave but she didn't she was already getting use to him.
Despite how hard and rude he thought he was, there was still this tenderness when it comes to his daughter which always made Joelle smile.
She had also seen him smiling at his daughter, but when he had notice she was there his smile had instantly gone to exile.

Within the few days she had spent with victor, she was now begining to understand why he was the way was.
She could tell victor had indeed loved her sister Maya and he was still wounded after a year. When she looked out, she discovered the car that was in the compound was not the one Victor had gone out with
Who could it be she thought for she knows visitors were not welcome to this place victor was so strict with that rule.
She was still thinking when Nelson came out from the car he was putting on a white sport shirt and a gen and Joelle couldn't help but admire how he looked.

Joelle opened the door even before Nelson had attempted to knock. Immediately the door opened, Joelle was surprise, Nelson was smiling. She stood speechless as she could not believe what was happing, she could feel her face crimson under the intensity of his stare.
And then with another deep smile he finally spoke to her.

"Hi Joelle, am I right" how are you doing
"I am fine Joelle said smiling back at him"
Where Emilia he asked as he enter inside the house slightly pushing her for his body to gain access.
"She's right there"
Joelle pointed at Emilia who was already smiling at his uncle
Nelson went and kissed Emilia on her forehead and the baby began to laugh.

"Victor is not yet home" he turned and asked Joelle who was standing next to him. "No his not" she replied
"Alright I will just wait for him then I pray he doesn't waste all of my time"

Twenty minute after, Joelle was together with Nelson the television was on but she couldn't just concentrate she was not comfortable,
she kept robbing her finger till they started to hurt her she had been using Emilia to cover up but the baby had fell asleep and left her all alone.
"So Joelle how comes you and Maya never spent much time together" Nelson asked her Joelle brought face to his and immediately their eyes locked together and she carefully brought it down trying to hide her shyness but she could tell he know she was shy.
She told him all about her and Maya, and then the discuss lead to the other.
they talked about their schools Nelson told her about his life in the university and also talked about some of the funny things they had both did in their separate life.
And at that point Joelle know a bond was created between them she never thought Nelson could be cool he was great funny and wonderful to be with.
Nelson on the other hand couldn't have wished for a better person to spend his afternoon with Joelle was fun to be great and different he got to discover that.

While their discussion was still ongoing, Emilia woke up and Joelle went to get her when she returned Victor was already inside she greeted him and took Emilia and sat at the dining table to feed Emilia while Victor and Nelson went out to talk.

Later in the evening, Joelle made dinner it was actually Victor's favorite Nelson had told her that while there were discussing about their childhood a discussion had lead to another that made her knew about Victor's favorite food .
Emilia was seated on the table close his dad who was on a chair in the dining table glancing through some Papers.

With a smile, Joelle brought the food and kept it on the table she made sure everything was set and then she carried Emilia so she won't shatter all that was already set in the table.
The past days since she had arrived, they had been eating snacks but Joelle had decided to cook something and that made her so excited from the beginning down to end.
"Here is your food," she said to victor after she was done setting.
Victor removing his attention from the paper looked at her then to the food and then stood up
"I don't remember asking you to cook for me I don't need your impression" he said as he went to the refrigerator and grab his drink and straight he went to his room.
Joelle felt like weeping, she had not for once thought about impressing him in any way she only needed a home that was all.

What was he is thinking? She thought trying not to concentrate on her head that was aching more than how it has ever throughout her life. Was he thinking she ment seduce him or what she thought?

Whatever it was she was not in the mood to know all she was concern about was that she was angry very angry that was all that matter at that moment.
She had spent all her energy to prepare the food even if he was not going to eat. He should have told her politely and maybe that would help her just fine.
What kind of a arrogant man is this, Joelle thought biting her finger to suppress the tears that was about to gather in her eyes
If she hadn't been homeless, she would leave his house at this very instant, but there was nothing she could do.

She turn and saw Emilia looking at her with her beautiful bulgy eyes with her mouth open as though she knew what had just happened.
Joelle at that moment could no longer help but to smile at the innocent baby and then she moved forward and carry her placing her so close to her chest as though trying to gain comfort.

The next day, Joelle was still sleeping when Emilia cry woke her up. She had barely slept the previous night,
She had cry almost half of the night as she thought of how Victor had acted rudely instead of appreciating her towards her effort of preparing a real food for him instead of the junks and the rubbish alcohol he had been sipping.
Joelle quickly jump up from the bed as Emilia crying increase.
What was wrong with Emilia she thought as she open the door without minding how she look. quickly she run to confirm what was wrong with the baby.

Emilia had the attitude of waking up every morning with a cry, but not with a cry as loud as this.
On getting to Emilia's room, Joelle met Victor already standing close to Emilia's bed holding and trying to comfort her but it seems as though is his effort was all in vain in victor other hand was Emilia feeding bottle that was hopelessly held.
Let me have her Joelle said extended her hand to get Emilia, Victor stood and was staring at her as if she was a ghost.

What is going on, Joelle dld not understand,Victor knew perfectly well that she and Emilia get along real well and she was expecting victor to trust her with his child her niece.
The way victors was staring at her hands, as if they were carrying flames and were going to hurt his child made her heart break.
Emilia loud cry brought her back from her though, this time she was crying harder and robbing her eyes that were already deadly bloodshot.
"Please let me have her" Joelle said slowly this time pleading with her hand and then victor handed her Emilia.
Immediately Joelle got the baby from victor and placed her on her boson, she discovered her body was very hurt.
Then she turned face victor who was still firmly standing close to them as though expecting her to perform an instant miracle so the baby would stop crying.

"I think she is having a terrible fever" before Joelle could finish her statement,
Emilia was already throwing up and immediately Joelle felt a terrible coldness rising within her and then victor moved to Joelle, and grabbed the baby from her with shaking hands.
"I am taking her to the hospital" he said rushing out from the room with Emilia rested on his chest.
Joelle could see fear writing all over Victor face,
"Oh please help this sweet little baby she prayed in her heart running to meet up with victor and Emilia.
Victor grabbed his car key and hurried to the car,
he was about entering the car with Emilia in his other hand when he saw Joelle hand stretched to get Emilia without wasting much time, as the was no time to waste and argue.
He handed Emilia to her and before a tinkle of an eye she was already seating with Emilia rested on her shoulder and her hand gently but impatiently robbing her soft baby hair from up to down with great and unique tenderness.

It took Victor few seconds than the usual normal driving timing to reach the hospital.
When they got to the hospital, victor came out and quickly took Emilia from Joelle and ranvto the emergency room.
Joelle run to catch up with him.

When the emergency room, Victor was lucky to see his family doctor, who immediately ordered for Emilia to put on the hospital bed for examination as she was still throwing up forcefully with also a high fever and her body and face was already looking pale like someone who was going to die in the next minute.

Joelle sat on the waiting room restlessly, when she couldn't seat any longer, she began to walk around praying in her mind.

"What if anything happened to Emilia?"
She thought but quickly waved the thought away she didn't want to think of such thing Emilia would not die she said slowly but yet scared.
She remember Victor's look when he had taking Emilia from her arm.
Victor love his daughter with the whole of his heart if anything should happened to Emilia, Joelle was sure victor won't be able to survival it.
Victor had hardly survival the death of Maya, there was loneliness and sorrows written all over his him each day that passes his daughter is always his comforter.
When he is sad, he goes straight to Emalia. The only time Joelle has seen her late sister's husband smiling was only with his little daughter.
And no one else even to his own family she wasn't sure he had friends because she has not seen any since she had arrived to other people, he was a beast an angry man but to his only daughter he was an angel.

"God please don't take away the only source of happiness from the man" she prayed silently.
While she was still silently walking around in the waiting room, she saw Nelson and his father coming in.
Nelson moved close to Joelle and hugged her Joelle hugged him back as tears flow slowly from her eyes.

"Where is victor and Emilia" mike asked and then they broke the hug so Joelle could respond to his father.
Joelle turned to point at the direction where victor and Emilia were then they saw victor walking ing towards them.

Few hours later, victor, Nelson mike and Joelle, were all seated around Emilia bed watching as she slept peaceful.
the way Emilia was sleeping as though she wasn't breathing got Joelle scared that she had to feel the little girls body to be sure she was still breathing.

It was already past afternoon when Mike asked victor and Emilia to go and have a change of clothes as they were still in their night dresses.

At first, Victor had refuse to go home but his father had insisted
"victor you look like someone who had not have a good night sleep for weeks please I am here she will be fine just go home take your bath change after that you can return"

Victor looked at his father, knowing he was right he was indeed tired he had barely slept in the past weeks ever since his wife younger sister had arrived.
He had known right from the time she had arrived that it was a bad idea to allow Joelle stay in the same roof with him.
Joelle was exactly like Maya, facially, structure and even in character the only different between them was that Maya had been classsic and older than her.
Every day he looks at Joelle he sees Maya and that was driving him crazy.
He had planned on getting her a place that was far away from him and Emilia to stay and also give her some money so she could stay away from them.
But that seems like the most difficult thing for him to do.
Emilia was so fund of her in such a way that made him wonder if the little girl knows she was her late mother's sister.
He couldn't blame Emilia, because she hasn't felt her mother love for long before death had taking her away from them.
And he could also tell Joelle was so attach to Emilia just as much as the little girl was to her.
But all this was not the problem; he knew that within himself, he had promise himself never to feel anything for any woman, never to allow any woman to take the place of his dear wife in his heart.
But he was already failing in keeping that promise.
His heart his mind including his emotions and feelings were betraying Maya, he was betraying her not with anyone other person but her sister, her half young sister who was just nineteen.

How could he be so wicked and selfish he thought, why could his heart be this wicked she was far too young for him, she was supposed to be like a younger sister to him and not him wanting her in his bed.

He felt as though someone had turned off the light inside his head he felt useless.
He has accepted to allow her stay till school list was out and after that she would be leaving for school. he would give her all she need and asked her never to return to their life.

He know that would hurt her badly but that is the only choice he had left he thought. Victor enter the car so did Joelle and then they drove home in silence not even the radio was put on.