PHIL

“Honey, are you okay?”

Tabby asks as she approaches me after pushing the door open.

“Your mother sounded worried over the phone and----”

Shit!

Her eyes shift from the petrified me to the girl snoring in my bed.

“Phil? What's the meaning of this? Who's she?”

She approaches the bed and pulls the covers off her.

“Oh my God!” She gasps. “She's stark naked!”

She quickly covers Chloe then turns to me. Still transfixed on the ground, a dirty slap brings me back to my senses. “Do you mind telling me who this girl is you make whore?”

“Honey please, it's not what you think.”

“Not what I think? Don't give me that crap please! You're so disgusting!”

“I was about leaving to the guest room.” I try to reason with her. See, I'm even fully dressed!”

“Like hell you are!”

She scoffs.

“So after you've had her to your fill now you want to sleep in another room? Guilt killing you huh?”

“Tabby please!”

“Don't Tabby me you liar! I should have known that all men are the same!”

I walk to her and hold her by the shoulders, trying to calm her down.

“Get your filthy hands off me!”

She shrugs me off roughly.

“You're so shameless!”

“I can't cheat on you Tabby, I can't! I'll never! Please just listen to me!”

“If you didn't touch her, why is she on your bed, stark naked?”

“I'm so sorry baby. If I knew it'd result to this, I'd have stopped her from having her drink in my bedroom.”

I'm sure this is all mother's doing and I'll deal with her later.

“Honey please!” I beseech her when she remains silent. “Let's get out of here and I'll explain everything to you!”

“No need for explanations. I trust you.”

“Really? Thankyou honey. We just took booze and I was on the couch all along while she sat on the bed, downing Brandy like a shark!”

“Enough dear. Let's go!”

The drunk girl is still snoring, oblivious of what's happening in the room.

Tabby steps out and I follow suit, leading her past the two ladies who seem to be alert waiting for our fight.

Two steps past them, I stop and eye them with content.

“Your plans failed miserably mum!” I say calmly. “When I come back and find your slut of a daughter in my bed, I'll call the cops on all of you!”

“Phil!”

Mum cautions.

“Chloe ain't a slut...this stranger here is!”

She's pointing at my girlfriend.

“You should have dumped him by now! He has another girl in his room!” she's addressing Tabby.

Tabby who has been quiet all along walks closer and faces my mother without blinking an eyelid.

“It doesn't work like that mother!”

“I'm.not.your.mother!”

Mum emphasises every word amid clenched teeth.

“Alright madam Lucy! Suit yourself! When you called me with the pretense of wanting us to sort out our differences, I came quickly, not minding about the darkness, bad people and accidents out there. I drove all the way because I've been eager to make it up to you. I thought maybe you'd finally tell me why you hate my family so much, but see what you did? You set your son up with a prostitute and thinking that he'll be allover her, you sent me in! I'd have known your intentions the moment you told me not to contact Phil while coming. You wanted it to be a surprise...look here mother in law dearest...i got the surprise of my life!” Tabby says sarcastically.

“He's not man enough...”

“I'm not done here Lucy!”

She scoffs.

“If I didn't know my fiancee better, I'd have accused him of infidelity but since I know him in and out, I trust him, I'm giving him the benefit of doubt.”

“How did you conclude that he didn't touch her?”

Chloe's mother asks.

“Simple... My fiancee is a one lady guy... He won't do anything to hurt me! He adores me...he worships me.. he loves me .. Phil cares about my feelings!”

“Enough already! Get your filthy self out of my house! You might think you've won but this is just the beginning!”

Mum scoffs at her.

“Let's go honey. It's already late!” I take her hand and walk her out.

“I hope you two have heard what I've said. That girl should be gone before I come back!”

I say over my shoulder as we exit.

“Where is your car?”

I ask Tabby immediately we get to the parking lot.

“I came in a cab. It was meant to be a surprise, remember?”

I shrug and lead her towards my car. I open the door for her and after she's securely in, I close the door and walk to the driver's side.

Mum is driving me away slowly and she'll soon lose me if she's not cautious.

What was she thinking? She thought I'll fall for that mannerless brat? She thought Tabby will find us in a compromising position?So all when wanted was for Tabby to meet the girl in my room, throw tantrums then dump me?

Mama you were so wrong! You played yourself this time round!

“Can I drop you home?”

I ask Tabby who's deeply in thoughts as I reverse out of the parking lot.

“To our new house...”

She says.

“Okay your majesty!”

I say as I salute her, making her smile.

As I drive towards our new house, I can't help but thank God for giving me such an understanding fiancee. If it were someone else, my silly ass would have been dumped by now!