As We Were Meant To Be.

How has it been ? chapter. 3

To Gideon marriage has become an endurance and not enjoyment. He doesn't even know how to treat his second wife, Danielle.

Every ounce of respect and filial love he once had for her seems to have
become hatred and he fears it's not so.

After what had happened that night at the party held by his colleagues in his honour he has become a shell of himself.

He was so disappointed that he had supposedly taken advantage of Danielle in his moment of weakness. He had been overcome with guilt and disgusted with himself for ever doing such with her... no doing such against her.

Against because there wasn't any reason for him to gain such level of intimacy from her. For God's sake he has always seen her as a "kid" sister. Actually one he never had, because his parents could only conceive five young men plus himself six.

Now he has lost a friend, Dustin wasn't ready and willing to let go of what he had done to his sister. What do we call this "rape" God forbid it.

Wait that got him thinking at some point if perhaps it was mutual.

Danielle never for once expressed grief pain or regret. He could remember waking up alone cladded in the same clothing he wore the other night.

How he even got to know that anything had happened was a clip sent to him through an unknown number.

Everything that happened that night had been foggy. He could only recall being with friends, colleagues and family.

And he was even scared at first to even approach her to know if he had forced himself on her. He had been super shocked, concerned and worried.

Unknown to him that his dearest "Dani" was no longer a "kid" sister but a full grown young woman who has strong, passionate feelings for him.

That had grown from a mere crush to an infatuation ( scratch that out I can't even really explain Danielle's feelings towards him but for certain they have been genuine,pure and true until she gave in to her dark thoughts).

When he had met her privately she was calm and collected. When he had asked if he had kissed her the previous nights ago he had definitely seen a blush or perhaps an assumption of his.

He had pleaded with her to forgive him for taking advantage of her kindness to attend to him in his drunken state. Which was never true,he was always miles away from alcohol; Gideon Bassey has never consumed any not even a little in a party cup.

Danielle had made up her mind to keep her own part in silence hoping to see where this will lead to.

Gideon had been very thoughtful and concerned about her than ever before. Yes of course she has craved for his sole attention all this years even before his beautiful late wife came along.

And now she wouldn't let anything take it away from her. Danielle Ijioma wouldn't be the quiet patient lady anymore she wasn't innocent anymore,she was one with him in flesh and soon spirit,soul and heart.

Danielle was never ever expecting him to ask her family to forgive him. And she saw how this game she was playing had ruined her family's relationship especially his with Dustin.

Dustin had been so angry that he had slapped his dear friend at the same time he had regret written all over his face. This scenario had pricked her heart most especially her conscience that was gradually becoming self-centered.

But still she was backing down,she had told her brother to stop crying over spilled milk reminding him that it wasn't a stranger after all.

She boldly stated that whatsoever might be the consequences she would gladly bear it all. Dustin had been surprised that his sister was saying such things and she meant every word.

Before Dustin could do anything further she came home one evening declaring that Gideon had proposed marriage to her.

This startled everyone in their both families.

Concerned for her they pleaded with her to turn down the engagement and set her heart on other matters. They were concerned because Gideon was still deeply in love with his late wife.

And they just know through human instincts and maturity that Dustin may or may not love their own daughter and sister like that.

Danielle wasn't giving up seeing this as an opportunity to become his wife now and forever she grabs it with her everything in her.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months almost into two years of a marriage full of had I known.

There was respect, honour and kindness but there was no love,their marriage was an endurance instead of an enjoyment as God has always intended it to be.

Coming down from a memory so distant Gideon realized that he had been at the parking lot for about an hour. He had just returned from one of the numerous trips related to his department and college in the university.

He has intentionally said yes to every invitation to avoid being alone with his wife. Their marriage was filled with duties.

They already have a son conceived out of duty and not passion as a married should decide on.

He was so loved by his both parents without reservation.

Whether it was discussed or not baby Arlo was loved, cherished and adored. They had made up their minds to not hurt him in anyway with their grievances.

Unknown to him that Danielle was keeping a painful secret which she had endured all these months.

She had actually miscarried their very first child before Arlo's conception.

Because of the communication gap between them devoid of pure intimacy and truth she had endured the grief alone.

How happy and grateful to God she was on receiving the news of another pregnancy although skeptical she summoned courage to inform this time.

He was indeed pleasantly surprised and grateful to God.

He was also afraid that he might lose her the same way he had lost his first wife.

Arlo's name was given intentionally by the both of them keeping their reasons to themselves.

Although in a confused state after Danielle had confessed what had really happened that night he had become more withdrawn and alone.

They had only kept the appearance of a loving couple before their son Arlo and the rest of the family.

But then Gideon knows within him that he was beginning to feel different towards her. He couldn't put a finger to identify them but they were soft and more intriguing.