My Pretty Sweetheart (Arianna)

After lunch, since we were heading into the new year, Valerie and Nerissa spontaneously decided to have a barbecue together in the yard in the afternoon. We had plenty of food to go around, thanks to Hendrix and my grocery haul from the supermarket.

When we were setting up the barbecue stand, Nerissa pulled me aside. "Leave this to the men and come with me. Let's talk!"

I got up and followed her to the backyard, a little stunned by her sudden invitation to talk. She definitely had something to say to me.

Fiona had planted some fruits in the backyard, but the soil had just been loosened, so there was nothing to see.

Nerissa sat on the swing in the pavilion and looked at me, "Are you planning to hold another wedding ceremony with Hendrix?"

I shook my head in astonishment. "No!"

She pursed her lips. "Then he..." She trailed off, glancing at me.

She paused for a moment before decidedly asking, "Have you guys been taking pregnancy precautions lately?"

This topic...

flushed with embarrassment,

second child. Anne's almost five. If you want one more, I can help take care of the child. Plus,

silent for a moment,

to Yohannes for a decade, so it's no surprise that I feel

I can talk about, and things that I can't. If I start mentioning the Granger Group, things might take a turn for the

to him. The two of them had been going head-to-head for years on the same levelled playing field. I did not understand how or why things would change so abruptly. What could Irvin possibly say the other day to have

the front yard, the barbeque had commenced. Hendrix handed me some barbecued chicken and vegetables and said, "Try them,

and smiled, "Did you barbecue

He nodded. "Try them!"

we made this morning, I could not help saying, "I don't know if Aaron is there with Yana now. Aunt Nerissa

nicely, and with Nerissa's help, the two of them made more

get Evan to send

tonight!"

but smile. "Are you the only one celebrating the New Year? Since the company