Wedding for Revenge

Chapter 7 – Knowing Julia

Alice Walker's POV

Julia didn’t say anything more and I didn’t have the courage to ask anything. I looked at Jacob who seemed really playing with my kids.

“Jacob loved to play with our son James. When he bought this place, the first thing he ordered was that slide and that too even before building this house. We bought the seesaw and the swing after we started living here. Thank you so much Alice for allowing Jacob to play with your kids. He never revealed his sorrow after James left us. He always masked his sadness with a smile and I know that he wanted to make me happy.” Julia said with a sigh.

“I am really sorry for your loss. What happened that took his life?” I asked hesitantly.

Julia was about to say something when Jacob came back with the kids. He was saying something to Alinda and she was laughing loudly. Jacob smiled at us as they passed us and went inside the house.

“I haven’t seen him this happy after James left. Jacob And I are actually from Arizona. We were childhood friends and gradually fell in love. Both our families are basically farmers. We used to have a lot of agricultural lands back in Arizona. Jacob came to New York for his graduation. He used to work part-time during his college days. He wanted to build a career here itself. When he told his family, they just wanted him to get married before he moved to New York. So, he proposed and I said yes. We had a simple wedding with only our family members. Then we moved here to New York. Jacob rented a one-bedroom apartment. It was actually ten years back. He struggled hard but didn’t get a job as per his qualification. I was doing my graduation at that time and so we decided not to have a baby for a few years. After three years of struggle, Jacob didn’t achieve anything and decided to go back to Arizona. That day Jacob was really sad and he went to a club. That night everything changed. He met your husband at the club. Thomas was throwing a bachelor party for his friends.” Julia said, looking at me. My heart jumped at hearing my husband’s name.

“Thomas really had a golden heart. Instead of enjoying his party, he noticed Jacob crying in a corner. That day we realised that humanity is still alive in New York. It was the first time Jacob was being treated as equal. Thomas extended his helping hand. He told Jacob to join Walker enterprises but Jacob was reluctant. Jacob always wanted to work in some financial institution. So Thomas recommended Jacob’s name and he got a job at the Imperial bank. Now, he is the manager of the bank and soon he will be promoted as the area head.” Julia said with a lot of emotions.

“So, when did you move to this remote place and why?” I asked.

“After getting the job, we first moved to a two-bedroom apartment. By that time I had completed my graduation and that too in agricultural science. I was really attached to farming and always dreamt of having my own farmland. Then I got pregnant with James. Jacob wanted his son to come to a home owned by us. He decided to buy a house and that’s when I told him about my dream. He found this place and bought it. As it didn’t cost much we were able to build the house too. We moved here when James turned one. Thomas did come here on the day of our house warming and he promised to come with you again. At that time you were pregnant with Alinda.” Julia said.

“Yes, I remember Thomas telling me about you and your house. He was really flabbergasted after seeing your place. He had a desire to buy some land and build a farmhouse here. But he didn’t have the opportunity as he became busy with the business. Then his parent’s sudden demise also made him sore. If it was not for Alinda and Toby, he would have gotten shattered.” I said remembering the past.

“That’s true and I know that you too are now being strong just for your kids.” Julia reminded me.

“So, James would have been 5 when he left you?” I asked.

“Yes, we just celebrated his 5th birthday and the very next day, that accident made us apart. We were going to receive our family members from the airport. It was night and James was sleeping in the back seat. Jacob was driving really carefully at the permitted speed. Suddenly a car came from a side road and hit the back of our car. We all were injured and taken to the hospital. James fought for his life for three days and then gave up. Our parents were the ones who received his mortal remains. I and Jacob were still in the emergency ward and we didn’t even have the chance to attend his funeral and bid him farewell.” Tears flowed down Julia’s cheeks. I didn’t have any words to console her and sat silent.

“Our parents stayed with us for two months and they took care of everything. They helped us to get back to normal life. We found out about the pregnancy after two more months. Jacob asked me to move with him to somewhere in the city but I didn’t agree. This environment makes me happy and relieved. After we found out that I was having some complications in my pregnancy, Jacob was really worried about leaving me here and going to work. I was able to stop him until seven months of my pregnancy. But after that Jacob was not at all ready to leave me. He asked me to move to an apartment near his office but I was reluctant to leave my farm. Then we came to a compromise that we will stay here on the weekends and move to an apartment near his bank on the weekdays. For that, he bought a two-bedroom apartment in the city. From then on we visit here on all the weekends. We came here yesterday as it was Friday. Come let’s go inside and find out what Jacob is doing with the kids.” Julia said and stood up.

We walked inside and found Jacob and the kids in the living room watching cartoons on the TV. Seeing us coming Jacob smiled at us. I sat with Julia on an empty sofa. Both the children were so immersed in the cartoon that they didn’t even notice me. They had popcorn in their hands. It reminded me of Thomas. Thomas used to watch cartoons with them and eat popcorn.

“Alice, your friend called me yesterday as she was very worried about you. I told her what happened to your family. She was really bothered after hearing everything. She was even ready to come here to take you and the kids back to Australia. I promised her that I will take care of you and your kids until you reach Australia.” Jacob said.

“Thank you so much, Jacob. Tessa didn’t allow me to take my phone with me and I couldn’t contact Catherine until now. By the way, Jacob, do you have the things I gave you to keep safely with you?” I asked.

“I am sorry Alice, I couldn’t take those with me as there were people watching me and I feared that they may be appointed by Tessa. I didn’t want to bring any harm to you. When are you planning to move out?” Jacob asked.

“I have to move as soon as possible and for that, I need those documents. Tessa won’t sit quite once she finds out that I am not at the shelter home.” I said.

“Oh that means, it will be risky if we wait until Monday. Fine, we can go after lunch and get the bag from the bank.” Jacob said.

“No, Jacob, it won’t be safe for Alice or kids to be in the city. It’s better that you go and get the bag.” Julia said.

“But how can we leave them here alone?” Jacob asked.

“Jacob, I am not coming with you. I will stay here with Alice. I want to show her our farm.” Julia said and turned towards me.

“Alice, after moving here we haven’t bought a single vegetable from the market. We grow everything we need on our farm. I pack the vegetables for a week when we go to the apartment. I will show you everything once Mary comes.” I looked at Julia confused.  

“Mary is our maid. She lives a few kilometres from here. She and her husband take care of our house and farm when we go to the apartment. She comes to help me with the cleaning on the weekends. She will be here any time.” Julia said and turned to Jacob and said.

“Jacob, give company to Alice until I prepare lunch.” I stopped Julia before she got up.

“It’s on me, Julia. I will make lunch.” I said.

“No Alice, you are our guest and I can’t allow you to cook.” Julia refused.

“I insist Julia. Give me a chance to taste my food. Thomas used to say that I have magic in my hands.” I said with a smile.

“Thomas always used to praise your food. We will be honoured to taste your food.” Jacob said.

“Jacob, how can you ask her to cook? She is our guest.” Julia scolded her husband.

“Julia, just tell me what you want to eat. Do you crave any specific cuisine?” I asked Julia and she blushed.

“Well, I always wanted to eat Italian but Jacob never agrees to eat outside and I don’t know how to prepare any Italian food,” Julia said.

“Then give me an hour and your wish will be served hot,” I said and walked towards the kitchen.

Julia followed me to show me the ingredients I would need to prepare the food. After going through the groceries available, I still needed some ingredients. Julia asked me to make a list and she sent Jacob to get it from the market. By the time Jacob came from the market, I prepared a Caprese salad and Gnocchi. I also prepared lasagne and Ravioli.

Julia was not able to stop praising my food and she thanked me for the umpteenth time. Lasagne is the favorite dish of my kids and so I didn’t have to make any other dish for them. After lunch, Jacob left for the bank. Mary came and took over the cleaning and so we were free. I took Alinda and Toby for their nap. When I came down Julia was waiting for me to take me to show her farm.