Gwen

"You guys did what?"

"We had-

"Yes!" Carina squealed, interrupting me from going on with what I had in mind to say.

"I've not said it yet." I chuckled playing with the spoon inside my ice cream. I was at a bistro, having lunch and gossiping with Carina over the phone.

"I know." A pause, I could hear the chattering of pots and pans "You know I'm busy in the kitchen right now." There was another pause. "That's it, done." I heard the slapping of palms together. My heart swelled up with amazement, because Carina was at home cooking for the family. What a relief. I hummed in satisfaction at this. "So tell me again girl. You and Leonardo Whiteactually did it together, huh?"

"Yes. I still can't believe we did it, it was all like a dream. Jord."

"Did he proclaim his undying love for you?"

"No, things didn't go according to the way I expected. He told me he can't return the feelings I have for him. That the only thing he could give is...uhm, well, you know. So, he asked if I wanted us having an affair."

"And what was your reply?"

"Of course I said yes. I can't risk losing Alex. And even if he doesn't love me, I'll make him." I said scooping some ice cream from the tube, and taking a mouthful into my mouth.

"And how do you plan on you plan on doing that?"

"Well, that's a secret."

"Hmm, I can see that you've popped and activated the buttons of the seductress in you." Carina snorted, and I could tell she was grinning from ear to ear.

"Stop it Jord." I half choked, and half laughed in embarrassment.

"So, have you told Rose about it?" Carina questioned.

"Nuh uh. But I will because, I'm going over to her place for a sleep over tonight."

"Awww, I wish I could come too. I miss us fighting for pizza, consuming large amount of beer, getting drunk. Vomiting our guts out, and pissing on the road, on people's doorway. And doing crazy stuffs together in the middle of the night. But now, I can't come because I have a family to take care of." Carina whined, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Speaking about family, how are things with you, Damien and the kids?"

A pause. I could hear a puff of breath on the background.

"Things are better than before, I had myself transferred back to my previous branch. I make sure, I cook, clean and take care of the family like a part-time house wife does. And of course I do return home as early as four pm."

"So what? You ought to be happy right? But you do sound like something is missing."

"Oh it is, My friend. Damien had the house help moved out of the house, but he's still seeing her." There was a small sniff. "She's carrying his child."

I was stunned.

"That is not true." I exclaimed softly.

"It is."

"Oh my God." I said face palming. I felt nothing but pity for her. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry Car." I soothed, so wishing I was there with her, so that I could pull her into a hug, and rub on her back for comfort. My heart ached for my friend.

"You don't have to be. Its all my fault, and I've been taught to accept it. I'll face whatever comes my way." There was another sniff, a much louder one this timeA. "I wish I could turn back the hands of time, but I can't. I'll just have to stick with sharing my husband with another woman." She finished, and I heard a throaty sob this time.

"I'm so sorry Jord, I wish I could turn back the hands of times too, Jeeez..I can't believe this is happening to you. You and Damien were like the perfect couple. I have to admit it, I was quite jealous of you. You had a loving and caring husband, you had amazing kids, and a beautiful home. But now, the tables are being turned proving the point that feelings don't last forever. That the only constant thing in life, is change. And I have to know that no marriage is perfect."

Carina's response was a snif.

"Here's what I have to tell you, okay? No matter what happens, don't leave Damien or your home. Do you understand?"

"I do." Knowing Carina, I knew she was nodding, with her lips clamped together in a tight grim line.

"Good, I'll come visit on Saturday. Maybe I could persuade Rose to come too."

Carina took a deep breath. "Yeah, that would be nice." She replied.

"Well, I've got to go now. I've got a whole lot of impatient patients waiting for me."

Carina laughed, and I felt myself smiling. I was glad I made her laugh.

"Talk to you later, give my love to the kids."

"I will."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I hung and stood up, dropping the idea of finishing the ice cream and the spring rolls. I had patients waiting for me to attend to them at the hospital.

Outside, I unlocked my car and was about hopping in when I felt a small hand tugging my skirt. I turned around to see who it was. It was a kid on rags and covered in dirt.

"Hey, do you want some money?"I queried calmly. It was probably one of those little panhandlers who went about begging along the road side.

She shook her head no.

"You're hungry? I could get you food."

She nodded enthusiastically.

Never have I spoken to a beggar before, or gone close to them. But there was something about this one that made me wanted to render help her. Even if the little I could do was to provide food.

"Wait here, let me get something for you." I wasn't through with instructing, when I felt my legs moving and hurrying into the bistro, that I just emerged from. The kid was so hungry looking and scrawny it seemed like she would loose conciousness any moment.

I came out few minutes later with the food I had bough for her.

"Here you go." I said handing her pack pd food. She grabbed it from me with trembling hands. I expected her to dig into the food that moment, since she was so hungry looking. But she didn't. Instead, she clutched the food close to her tiny chest. And then tipped her head up to looked at me, with big baby brown eyes. That has tears welled in them.

"What's wrong?" I asked, slightly concerned. But had my brows raise up in curiosity.

She shook her head, which signified it was nothing. And started walking away. I stared at her small physical frame. She was on a loosed brown shirt with tiny holes on it, which I suspected had been white, but was brown because of lack of hygiene. She had torn shots, and dirty muddy worn out shoes. Despite being clad in such attire, she didn't look like a street kid, no. She looked like a lost kid.

"Hey!" I called, practically running after her. She paused her movement, but refused to turn around.

"Hey, what's wrong..are you lost?"

She turned to me, and nodded too quickly.

"Want me to take you home?"

I didn't know who she was or where she lived, but I was willing to take her home so she could be happy again. She was too little to live on the dangerous streets of Georgia. And it was a miracle she was still alive.

"You want me to take you home?" I repeated.

She shook her head.

I groaned in frustration, she was already taking most of my time. I was supposed to be at the hospital, tending to sick patients.

"What do you want kid? I'm already late for work so speak up" I said impatiently, jerking my hands through my hair.

She made no response. I waited for about half a minute, then turned to head back to my car when she made chose to keep being mute. I was angry at her, why wouldn't she say anything? She should have been happy I was willing to take her to where ever her home was. Maybe I should call the-

"I want you to be my mummy." A small voice rang out, voice interrupting me from my thoughts.

I turned around to face the kid. She spoke at last, I was beginning to think she was a mutr.

"You want what?" I snorted, because she must have been joking.

"I said I want you to be my mummy." She repeated, much more clearer this time. Tipping her head to up at me with huge baby eyes. He voice was so soft,and her English, so polished.