Chapter 988 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

Upstairs, in Bryan’s bedroom, Sonia got on the bed and rolled over to lie on Bryan who had turned his back to her.

“Leave me alone,” he said grudgingly.

“But Ryso wants to stay close to you,” Sonia said, and Bryan scowled as he sat up.

“Don’t lie against the baby,” he said, and Sonia sighed.

“I honestly don’t think we should be fighting over this. What your grandfather did was wrong. And I’m disappointed in Kimberly for using her daughter for such a thing. I’m going to unfollow her,” Sonia said, stylishly changing the subject.

“Kimberly? You know the lady in question?” Bryan asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Yeah. Shouldn’t you know her since she seems to be close to your grandfather?” Sonia asked as she picked up her phone to open Kimberly’s page so he would see the lady in question.

“Kimberly Moore. My grandfather used to talk about a certain Kim a lot. The little girl does look like Benne in a way. Hold on. Why would Benne believe the kid is his if he hasn’t been with her?” Bryan asked when it suddenly struck him.

“He was with her a long time ago. It was a one night stand and he didn’t know she was connected to your grandfather,” Sonia explained.

“Are you sure the result came back negative?” Bryan asked doubtfully as he eyed the picture.

“Even if it didn’t, it has been confirmed that it was a prank. Why is your mother mad at Celsie?” Sonia asked now that she sensed that they had gotten past Bryan’s annoyance.

“Celsie asked my grandfather to report himself to my parents and the rest of the family. I don’t see why that should make her mad though,” Bryan said and Sonia nodded.

“If anyone is supposed to be mad, it is Benne and Celsie. I remember how mad I was by that stupid prank Jeff and you pulled, talk more about a prank involving a child. It is very annoying and your mother should be apologizing not provoking them further,” Sonia said and Bryan raised a brow.

“Are you saying that because Celsie is your best friend?” He asked and she smirked.

“No, I’m saying that because it is the truth, and if you think otherwise then I’m going to have a problem with you. Don’t even think about supporting your mom or grandfather,” Sonia warned sternly as she got off the bed and Bryan frowned.

“What! Now you are mad at me for simply asking a question?” Bryan asked incredulously.

“I’m not mad yet. But I will be if you don’t act right. Give your mother a call and find out what the problem is,” Sonia urged him as she pointed at his phone.

“Why?”

“Before this escalates further, you should step in. You were so mad that I kept it a secret from you but now that you know about it you don’t even want to do anything to help the situation? What difference does your knowledge of the situation make then?” Sonia asked, and Bryan sighed as he did as she requested.

“Bryan, I was just about to give you a call. I was speaking with Benne and he hung up and now I can’t reach him again….”

“Speaker,” Sonia said, and Bryan placed the call on speaker so she could listen in on the conversation.

“What did you say to him?” Bryan cut in.

“I only scolded him letting Celsie handle a situation he could have handled himself. Your grandfather played an expensive prank on Benne and in as much as I’m not in support of it, letting Celsie step in that way was wrong. Your father is mad at me and I overheard him yelling at your grandfather over the phone and asking him to stay away from his family. You know how things are between them. Celsie just made it worse,” Evelyn said, and Sonia shook her head in disapproval as she tried to keep herself from saying anything.

“What exactly happened?” Bryan asked calmly, wanting to understand things from his mother’s end as well.

Evelyn tried to calm herself as she explained everything to Bryan and by the time she was done Bryan shook his head, “I can’t take your side on this one, mom. Both dad and Benne are right to be mad at you. I would be too if I were in their shoes. Instead of trying to blame Celsie for something you and grandfather caused, you should accept that you were wrong and ask for forgiveness and stop telling Benne how you think he should have handled the mess you created.”

“I never said I was right neither did I say I was not sorry. I wouldn’t have gone to your grandfather had I realized what the issue with Benne was earlier. That’s why I’m saying Celsie had no right doing what she did especially since she is partially responsible for this. If she was not so set on not getting married to Benne, your grandfather wouldn’t have had to do what he did in the first place! We did what we did because we were looking out for Benne!”

“Celsie doesn’t want to get married to Benne?” Bryan asked in confusion as he glanced at Sonia who looked very pissed now.

Because she was feeling very tempted to snatch the phone from Bryan and yell at Evelyn for making this about Celsie when it was actually all her fault, Sonia walked out of the bedroom angrily leaving Bryan to finish his conversation with Evelyn alone.

At the balcony of Benne’s bedroom, Celsie embraced Benne from behind as he silently stared into the night.

She had walked into the bedroom to see him standing out there just like that, and even when she touched him, he did not turn to look at her.

Neither of them said a word. Celsie could tell Benne was upset and didn’t want to talk, and Benne could tell that Celsie understood his need for the silence even though her presence was welcome.

“Why aren’t you asking me what happened?” Benne asked after some time, when he was sure he was calm enough to speak.

“I suppose I’m more interested in making sure you are fine than in satisfying my curiosity,” Celsie said, and Benne sighed as he turned around to face her.

He smiled wearily as he looked into her face which was etched with worry line, “I guess I should have handled things myself instead of dragging you into it. I don’t like you being blamed for any of this,” Benne said, and Celsie smiled.

“Don’t worry about me. I will handle it. Although I don’t like confrontations, but I don’t think I would mind this one very much if it comes to it,” Celsie assured him.

“I don’t want you having any problems with my mom…”

“I don’t think it is avoidable at this point. I love and respect her, but she wants to have too much control over your life and your relationship and I am not willing to let that happen as long as I’m in your life. So we will have to deal with it woman to woman. So, why don’t you relax and tell me what she said, and then I will give her a call and resolve things,” Celsie suggested.

“I don’t want you to talk to her. She is upset right now. Especially as my father is mad at her. She might say something to you I won’t be able to forgive her for. So just let it be,” Benne said calmly.

“Do you trust me?” Celsie asked, and Benne held her gaze for a moment before giving her a nod.

“Sure.”

“Then let me handle this. I don’t like to see you so worried,” Celsie said as she took his hand and led him to the seats at the balcony and they both sat down.

---