A Deal With The Billionaire

EPISODE FORTY NINE

THEME: A sham

CONNECTICUT, UNITED STATE OF AMERICA

THE GOLDEN RESTAURANT

Tiana had no idea how she was to console her friend. She wondered what could have happened to make Raven break down so hard. Tiana had always known the lady to be strong, she wasn’t the type to let her guard down or try to seek for pity. It had been one of the reasons why she respected Raven so much because you would never tell she was going through so much until you probe her. But seeing her in such sore mood, it was obvious the Crawfords had hurt her so bad.

Tiana smacked a fist against her palm, she was so going to rip their hair off whenever she got a hold of any of them. Raven didn’t deserve to be treated unfairly by anyone but she deserved to be taken care of for all the trouble she had had to endure.

“That’s okay. Raven. What happened? Please talk to me mama.” Tiana murmured as she pulled Raven to herself.

Raven sniffed. “Is it my fault that I didn’t get born into a rich family?”

Tiana was taken aback by the question. “It is not your fault baby and you know it. Moreover you work hard enough and you aren’t lazy. What the hell did those bimbos say to you?” She was getting really pissed now.

“It is not them, Tiana… I mean this is not about Hope and Ava but… it is Christopher’s elder sister, Ashley.” Raven answered.

“What? What the hell is wrong with that lucky bitch?! Is she trying to act like she deserves the life she is living?!” Tiana grimaced in anger.

“Chill out… Tiana. Ashley is just paranoid and protective of her brother.” Raven sniffed.

Tiana let out a hard grunt. “Oh Raven, you are unbelievable! A woman makes you cry your heart out so much and here you are trying to defend her.” She ended up slapping her thighs in frustration.

“I just got too emotional about what she said and somehow it feels like she is right. If it ever gets out that this is a fake marriage, I would earn the tag of a gold digger.”

“Don’t you dare! Stop saying trash right now! Raven, you didn’t chose what happened to you. I mean… shit just happens.”

“But it is the actual truth.” Raven said with a shrug.

“Nothing is true in whatever that bitch said to you! She is just trying to get in your head! I am certain she must have observed you and noticed how emotional you are.” Tiana countered.

“I just don’t want to get in any brawl with anyone till all of this ends. I wish she wouldn’t judge me so bitterly. But I can’t blame her.”

“Then who the fuck is to blame?”

“She has been hurt before, Tiana. The man she once loved so dearly was a gold digger plus her best friend.”

“And how the hell does that justify her misjudging and saying hurtful things at you?” Tiana asked with a raised eyebrows.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“It is like a mental kind of thing that makes us so paranoid and feel everyone who comes into our lives is trying to make a mess of it. Just like me avoiding men since Jacob did what he did.” She tried to sound convincing.

“Very funny but I am not laughing!” Tiana scoffed. “Isn’t she the one with three bloody kids and a husband? A coincidence right?”

Raven was getting exhausted with the discussion. “Just let it go, Tiana, the wedding is already near less than seventy two hours. I just want to get it over with.”

Bringing down her guard. “And you will get over with it mama. I promise.”

Leaning into her friend, Raven sighed thankful that she had someone to count on.

“Do you think you can still keep up with work today?” Tiana asked.

Raven shook her head lightly. “Yes I can and it would make me feel more better.”

“Ok then. Let us get back to work before Allen bursts in with his red nose flaring.”

Raven laughed. “Tiana, stop being such a bully.”

“I don’t even say anything. He is the real bully for always trying to throw his weight around.”

“He is only doing what he feels is right.”

Tiana snorted. “Yeah. What is right my foot!”

Not minding Tiana’s saucy attitude as regards Allen, Raven got back to work trying to put her mind off the day happenings.

************************

RAVEN MCKENNA HOME

Raven finished up at work at her usual late time. She got home exhausted from the running around during the day. Trying not to wake her son and mother up, she pushed in the key gently, opening the door lightly while tiptoeing inside.

She switched on the light and for the second time in a day she got another scare that made her almost jump out of her skin.

“For everything godly sake mom! You scared me!” She whispered yelled just to avoid waking Rowan up.

Eva was sitting at the kitchen island sipping on a cup of what seemed like coffee in the dark.

“Why are you still up this late mom?” Raven queried, calming herself down as she got rid of her jacket and boots.

Eva slumped her shoulder. “Well I was just thinking of how lonely it will become with you leaving home in a few days.”

Raven stared at her mother as she noticed a few wrinkles on her face. She was obviously getting older and Raven was too busy to notice. She walked up next to her mom and held her head to her chest.

“I am not going faraway mom. Believe me, I will always come to visit. Moreover Rowan will be staying with you.”

Eva sighed and stared up at her daughter. “I don’t know. I just feel different. I had gotten so used to your presence that I almost forgot you would need to settle down one day.”

Her heart constricted at the thought of what sham the wedding was and how soon it was going to end before it even started.

“I really wish I didn’t have to mom. I have also gotten used to you both that I am scared to let go for just a bit.”

Eva leaned out of her daughter’s hold and she held both of her hands. “Come on baby, you really do not have to feel guilty for seeking happiness. Listen Raven, you deserve it and I am proud of the woman you became. You make me happy baby.” She sniffed.

Not being able to hold back the tears, Raven cried as her thoughts pooled together. The fact that she was fooling her own mother and people who seemed to love her so naturally. She thought of how shallow she had become to sell herself out so easily when she could have stood her ground. But then again what choice did she have and it only made her cry harder.

“Oh my dear, don’t do that. It’s okay.” Eva consoled and stood up to hug her daughter. “Christopher is a good man and he comes from a good family. He would treat you right. You chose well this time baby.”

Raven heaved, wishing her mother was right. However, it was unfortunate the case was entirely different. There was nothing like a happy ending with the deal she signed.

Her part is to ensure she lived onto her promise and that was the end of it. Reclining into her mother’s hold, she bathed in the affection as much as she could. Hoping she still had her head in place by Thursday.