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Aside from Nana Esther, whom Ella trusted with her whole heart, she had faith in Ivory. She knew that Ivory sincerely cared for her and loved her like a sister. She also knew that in the Treshvire family, only Ivory and Nana Esther were the only two persons to whom she could relate freely. Hence, she felt that it was better to have someone on her side when Leon finally learns the truth about her pregnancy.

“Ivory, do you have any idea why your brother hates kids?”

“Huh! Leon hates kids! That’s new!” Ivory’s eyes shone in disbelief. “I never knew my brother to hate kids. Although, I may be wrong but I have seen the way he plays with Yvonne’s son. A person like that would definitely love kids. However, my brother is the most discreet and private man in the world. Hence there are still some things that I am learning about him.”

“Really! Wow!” Ella forced out a gush of air and leaned back in her seat.

From the way Ivory talked about Leon, Ella was convinced that there were a lot of things she didn’t know about her brother. She gambled in her thoughts as she scrutinized Ivory with eagle eyes.

“Is there something you’re trying to tell me? You know that you can trust me, right” Ivory’s curiosity got the better part of her. She could see that Ella was contemplating whether to open be open to her or not.

“Okay, I think I have to be honest with you at this point. But...” Ella stood up from her seat and walked around the desk to where Ivory was sitting. She pulled a seat closer to her and sat down. Then she took Ivory’s hands into hers and stared pleadingly into her eyes. “...you can’t share whatever I’m about to tell you with anyone in your family. Can you keep a secret?”

Ivory felt heat rise up to her face. She took in a deep breath to steady her thumping heart before responding to Ella’s question.

.....

“Yes, I promise to keep your secret. No member of my family, even my brother will make me break my promise to you.

Ella smiled and hug her. “Thank you,” she said before releasing her.

“Before your brother and I got married, I signed a contract that the marriage will only last for six months. Also, the contract came with some conditions.”

Ivory’s jaws dropped as she gawked at Ella as though she was speaking in a funny weird language.

“I said it! I said it!!” Ivory abruptly stood up and started pacing around. “I knew that Leon had no plans of settling down until dad came up with that ultimatum that he must get married. And out of the blue, you just came along, agreeing to marry him just like that. I knew there had to be a catch.”

“Ivory!” Ella’s forehead furrowed.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” She walked back to her seat and sat down. “Please forgive me, I never meant to act that way. You just took me unaware.”

“It’s okay!” Ella smiled with tightened lips. “Try not to get too excited while I continue my story.”

“I’m sorry dear,” Ivory stroked Ella’s cheek softly. “I will compose myself going forward.”

“Thanks,” Ella’s face brightened up. “So, as I was saying, we both got married on the following conditions; firstly, we agreed never to fall in love with each other. Secondly, we both agreed that the relationship will be sex free. Thirdly, Leon stressed that if we ever had sex in the future, he never wanted kids. Finally, we both agreed never to meddle in each other’s business or family life.”

“Wow!” Ivory’s eyes sparkled. It’s almost like I’m listening to an interesting soap opera. Knowing who my brother is, he can never keep to the second condition. He will seduce you till you fall for his charms. So, did you guys break the second condition?” She whispered and smiled expectantly.

Ella blushed and nodded her head in reply. Memories of the night she gave Leon her all flooded her mind and made her already flushed face redden.

“When exactly did you guys do it?” Ivory pushed on with ears standing erect and eyes sparkling like a million stars. She felt electrified and intoxicated by Ella’s love story.

“Ivory!” Ella turned her face away in embarrassment.

“Oh, Ella, please tell me. I’ll die if you don’t. Don’t you know that the end of a story is juicier than the beginning?” Ivory asked animatedly.

Ella stuck her little right finger into her mouth and nibbled on it, like a teenage girl being wooed by her crush. Her behavior was so charming that it got Ivory giggling.

“I can see why my brother is so crazy about you. If I were a guy, I would be tempted to kiss you right now. You look so adorable.” Ivory winked at Ella causing her to laugh her heart out.

“Okay Ivory, enough of all these sensitive questions.” Ella tried to force a serious look into her amused face. “I’ll answer this last one and please don’t ask me another.”

“Okay, I won’t!”

“It was on the last night of our honeymoon.”

“Ahhhhhhhh!” Ivory jubilated in a high-pitched voice and force Ella into another warm hug.

“Ivory, don’t forget this is a working place.” Ella cautioned amidst laughter.

“I can just imagine that night,” Ivory gazed up and daydream of what Ella’s honeymoon night felt like. “Romantic dinner candlelight everywhere, intoxicating wine, rose petal covered bed, soft background music....”

“Ivory! Come back to reality. Don’t you want to hear the rest of my story?” Ella shook Ivory’s hand.

“Of course, I want to hear every bit of it,” Ivory said dreamily. “Maybe I could learn a thing or two from you.”

“Hmm... I hope so,” Ella chuckled. “Well, to cut the long story short, we fell in love with one another and decided to annul the contract but one condition still stood.”

“Ugh!” Ivory frowned. “I thought there were no conditions in true love?”

“Tell me about it!” Ella’s humor vanished and was replaced with sadness.

“Wait a minute!” Ivory’s eyes widened as realization dawned on her. “Is it the condition about not having kids? Because that’s where this whole discussion started, right?”

“Yes!” Ella answered disappointedly.

“B...but that is not fair! Don’t you want kids?” Ivory queried in a puzzled tone.

“Initially, I went along with the whole arrangements, thinking I was okay with it. But things changed.” Ella replied as tears started trickling down her face.

“Oh, Ella,” Ivory pulled Ella into her arms and tried to soothe her. “Why are you crying? Please, don’t cry. If you want kids, I could talk to Leon on your behalf.”

Ella sobbed intensely at Ivory’s words. She pulled free from Ivory’s hold and stared into her sad eyes.

“Ivory, I’m almost eight weeks pregnant and I’m scared Leon is going to be mad at me. He has told me countless times that he doesn’t want kids and he made me promise never to get pregnant.”

Ivory cupped her mouth with both hands in alarm. She gawked at Ella for a while, unable to say anything. She had not prepared herself mentally for the shocking but amazing news Ella had just revealed. She didn’t know what to say to cheer Ella up. Also, she didn’t know how to convince Ella that she had just fulfilled her dying father’s last wish.

“Say something, Ivory,” Ella said pleadingly in a broken voice. “Because I have considered all the options and I don’t want to abort the baby.”

“Abortion!” Ivory finally found her voice. She took Ella’s trembling hands into her and stared intensely into her watery eyes.

“Forgive me Ella for what I’m about to say but don’t you dare mention that word again. otherwise, I will never forgive you. Do you know what it means to carry a precious Treshvire child in your tummy?”

Ella shook her head and sniffed quietly while Ivory gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

“I’m over the moon with excitement at the thought of having another nephew or niece. The only reason why I’m not screaming out in joy is because of my brother’s foolish and selfish condition. And also, it’s because you want me to keep it a secret.”

Ella cried harder and threw her hands around Ivory, who welcomed her with open arms and tenderly stroked her back. Her erratically pounding heart gradually decrease in its rate and an overwhelming peace enveloped her. The thought that Ivory was in support of her pregnancy calmed a large part of the raging storm in her.

“Thank you, Ivory.”

“No, I should be the one thanking you for opening up to me.” Ivory tightened her arms around her. Do you know that my sister has been trying to take in for almost five years now after her first child but she has been unlucky? My parents love children and to have their second grandchild from Leon’s wife would be the greatest blessing ever. In fact, when my mum finally learns of your pregnancy, she is going to be the one chasing after you and she will spoil you with a lot of gifts just as I’m going to start spoiling you starting from now.”