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She turned to him, a smile still wearing on her face. "I see we're having dinner in style... Let me guess, takeout."

He flashed her a brief smile as he drew closer, "Nope, even better... I cooked." He replied with a beaming smile, proud of himself. She lifted her brows for a second in surprise.

"I thought you can't cook." She added, a little puzzled that he'd cooked, but he took her hand in his and led her to the table. They were to sit on the floor and he had kept throwing pillows for their comfort. He helped her take her seat opposite him.

"Well, I can learn at least one dish to impress you." He admitted.

"You don't need to impress me. You already own my heart." She confessed, and his smile broadened as he uncovered their dishes.

"I'm glad to know that." He added before picking up her spoon by her side and handing it over. She accepted it as she stared at the food.

"Jollof?"

"Better, coconut rice." He explained, beaming once more and she lifted her eyes to him, quite surprised with what he'd made. She flashed him a smile before scooping some into her mouth. He watched, waiting for that beautiful reaction from her.

She lifted her eyes to him, a glimmer in them before lifting a thumb up. He smiled in satisfaction and she was back to eating. He began eating as well, a part of him wondering how best he was going to present the gift he had for her, and he badly didn't want to mess it up. Also, he didn't want it to seem less of a special moment.

One look at her and he could see she was enjoying her food. It was best to let her finish eating. Sooner than later, she finished. "Thank you for the food." She appreciated, and he flashed her a warm smile.

"You're welcome." He added, before turning open a carton of orange juice. "Here, have some juice." He stated as he poured some into the empty wine glass by her side. She smiled at his utmost care about being careful of the babies. No wine, but they could substitute for juice. He poured himself some. They raised their glasses and clinked for a toast.

"So..." Genevieve started after what seems like a while of silence in their midst and it would seem Elliot lost himself in thoughts. "... how's the situation between you and Victor?" She had to ask, as she'd worried their relationship might have put a strain on his friendship with her brother.

Elliot wore a brief smirk before lowering his eyes, tucking a hand into the pocket of his shorts. "I guess I can say cool... I mean, he doesn't speak with me as much as before, but he doesn't entirely snob me either, so I guess we're getting there." He finished and lifted his eyes back to meet hers.

"He has his misunderstandings, but soon enough, he's going to understand us." Elliot added as he took hold of her right hand in his over the table and she gave a light nod while displaying a warm smile, grateful for his patience and understanding.

Her brows furrowed for a second as she felt something slid onto her fourth finger. He gradually released her hand and she stared down at it. She noticed a small ring wearing beautifully on her finger. Unable to hold it in, a gradual smile curved up on her face before she lifted her eyes to him, obvious to the fact that he'd slid it on while she was unaware. "It's... it's beautiful." She stated as she stared at it once more.

To think she'd wanted it for so long and now, she was having it, a family of her own. It made her teary as she reminisced about old times when she felt troubled because she didn't have this on. Not that it dictated her life, but it has always been one of her wishes.

He took hold of her hands in his once more and she barely lifted her eyes to him, not really wanting to let him know she was getting teary. "Thank you." She appreciated, and he smiled.

"No, thank you for accepting to stand by my side, regardless of what the world would say." He kissed the back of her hand. "Thank you." He added once more, and her smile brightened.

Afterwards, they'd cleared the table together and since neither would concede to leaving washing the dishes to the other, both concluded it was best to do it together and that was what they did. Well, the play of using their fingers to sprinkle water on each other and they could not avoid laughing. Soon, one was mopping the floor afterwards and together, they marched into the bedroom.

Genevieve let out a sigh before she turned on the bed and her eyes met his. She smiled and so did he. For what would seem like a while, they stayed that way.

"Can't sleep?" He asked, and she nodded. "You?" She questioned back, and he nodded as well. Another silence followed for a moment and he watched as she gradually stretched her hand to his face, her fingers stroked his cheek. He reached for that hand and gently squeezed her hand, placing a soft kiss at the back of it.

Eventually, he shifted closer to her, and she gently lifted her head so his arm laid the other side and her head relaxed back on his arm. She wrapped her arm around him, satisfied with the way they stayed. Like that, for what would seem like the longest while, they lay in silence, neither eager to say a word. Time was precious, and this was.

"Have you told your family about us?" She asked out of nowhere, and Elliot hesitated in giving her a reply. She lifted her eyes to him, and he found it hard to match her gaze. "You haven't?" She queried, able to tell that he felt guilty.

"I will." He stated, and she could see the distress on his face.

"What's wrong?" She had to ask and watched as he tried hard to pretend, but she'd already caught on and so he felt conflicted about telling her the truth.

"We're... we're not exactly on good speaking terms." He explained, and she sat up. She stared down at him. She didn't know that, but she'd suspected that something might be up since he talked little about the woman he grew up with.

"As you already know... I've never met my biological father. Not that she didn't want me meeting him, but he'd told her he wanted nothing to do with us. He has a family." He started as he lowered his eyes away from hers. Gene knew this conversation was hard for him, yet he was doing so anyway.

"Initially, mum left for the states in search of a better life. She then met and fell in love with the man who's now my stepfather. They got married, had my younger brother, and she could bring me over, but what would seem like the best thing that happened to her eventually became the worst." He lifted his eyes back to her.

"He hit her most often and she was good at hiding her bruises. I'd noticed, and each time I asked her, she would defend him. Years went by, he continued and she won't listen to me about leaving, so I got upset... I left the house and I needed a change, so I accepted to come down to Nigeria." He took hold of her hand in his, a weak smile playing on his face.

"I met you and it has never been the same again." He added, and she smiled at him before taking her place back by his side, her arm around him. There was silence in their midst for some time.

"You don't plan to ostracize her from our wedding, right?" She queried as she lifted her eyes to him. He stared down at her, not sure the exact reply to give her, but he could tell she was indirectly asking him to fix his relationship with his mother.

He let out a light sigh as he lifted his eyes away from her. "No." He replied, and her smile broadened. Finally, she was going to have a sound sleep, so she shut her eyes and awaited sleep to elude her.

Genevieve drew in a deep breath, slightly nervous and slightly proud of herself for deciding to take that step. She lifted her eyes and she could see nearly all the staff members waiting patiently for her to speak up.

"I know there has been a certain rumour going around about me being... pregnant." She started, ready to address the topic that has more than often turned her into a television.

"I'm here to let you all know... it's true." She admitted and watched as a few reacted. She wasn't about to let that ruin her spirit. Lately, she'd become more courageous than ever before.

"I've made the truth known, so you don't have to whisper behind my back anymore. Anyone who has an issue with it can speak to me in my office." She added and waited as she watched their facial reactions. She caught one staring at what would be her finger. Gene drew in a deep breath. "One more thing. Before another rumour arises, I'll like to announce that... I'm getting married." She paused and watched as their reactions played out on their faces. "And yes, he's the father of my child." She added, and watched them for another second.

She clapped her hands together. "Alright. Have a safe journey home everyone." She announced, a cue for them to dismiss and they did. As she turned away, Doris met up with her.

"Congrats." Doris cheered and Genevieve stressed a smile on her face. "Thank you." She appreciated before heading on back into her office and Doris went her own way. Once she was in, she let out a sigh of relief, proud of herself and how she'd handled the matter.