Chapter 72: Backstory (1)

Chapter 72: Backstory (1) Abigail looked at Jamal with rapt attention as he began the story, "So, I’m going to just tell you how it all happened, both from what Lucy and Tom told me, and what my Mom and aunt said," Jamal said, and Abigail nodded. "Your biological father’s name was Lawrence Hank. He was a one time president..." "A president?" Abigail asked, her eyes round with surprise. "You mean a president of a country or a company?" Jamal laughed, "You can google him. Lawrence Hank. He was loved by all. Most people still say he’s the best president we ever had in the country." "Really?" Abigail asked as she quickly took out her phone and typed the name on her note app so that she could check it out later when she was alone. "Yeah. I told you the Hanks are powerful. They’re a very influential family. According to what I was told, your father, Lawrence Hank used to be friends with your Mom’s father," he said, and she raised a brow. "Oh God! Are you trying to tell me I’m a product of a forbidden romance story? In love with my dad’s best friend?" She asked with a groan and Jamal laughed, liking her sense of humor. "Well, I’m not sure it was exactly a romance story. According to what I was told, it was a drunken mistake..." "Oh, it gets worse. I didn’t think it could get worse than a forbidden romance," Abigail groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I’m a product of a drunken mistake. That must be the reason my life is such a mess." Though he was amused by her reaction, Jamal looked at her, his gaze soft, "I think you’re perfect, Dawn," he said softly at her heart skipped a beat at both his words and the use of her real name. "Please go on. I will try not to interrupt you anymore," she urged him. "I actually like your inputs. Don’t stop," he said, and then continued, "Your Mom was heartbroken and your Dad being her godfather..." he trailed off with a chuckle when she groaned at that. "My mother’s godfather is my father. Brilliant," she said, gesturing to him to go on. He laughed doubting that she could really listen to all he had to say without making interjecting or making such comments. "Well, what I was trying to say is, your dad and mom got drinking while he was trying to console her after she was jilted by her fiance on her wedding day. And one thing led to another and they ended up having sex. It was a one time thing. When your mom found out she was pregnant, she didn’t want to get rid of it and she didn’t inform your father either. She lied to her parents that she had an IVF done by using a sperm bank," Jamal explained and Abigail raised a brow. "She lied to everyone? Even her parents?" She asked, then paused, "Well, it would have been hard to tell her Dad that she was pregnant for his best friend," she said after a moment. "But do you mean she didn’t tell Lawrence even after she gave birth?" Abigail asked, feeling detached from the story since she couldn’t fully process it yet as her biological parents’ story. "Yeah. She kept it a secret. Your Dad used to travel a lot. He was never in one place. He was always after one humanitarian mission or the other, traveling from place to place, so it took a while before he saw you after your birth. Hold on..." Jamal trailed off when he remembered he had not mentioned something. "What?" Abigail asked, and Jamal’s lip twitched as he wondered what sarcastic comment she was going to have for that. "Along the line, I can’t remember when but your mother had a one night stand with Tom," Jamal said, and Abigail’s jaw dropped in disbelief. "You’re kidding, right?" She asked, and Jamal winced as he shook his head. "You mean she had sex with grandfather and grandson? Oh, my God! That’s a lot. Eww! Kimberly Moore who are you?" She asked, and this time Jamal sputtered with laughter. Before he could speak, his phone rang and when he saw it was Mari, he sent Abigail an apologetic look, "Sorry. It’s Mari. I need to take it," he said, and she nodded. Jamal received the call, "Good morning, Doll," he greeted, since he knew the pet name always made her smile. "Jam, good morning. I just woke up and saw your text. Can you talk now?" She asked with a yawn as she stretched. "Not exactly. I’m busy right now so I’ll call you back later. But are you fine?" He asked, his voice tinged with concern. "I suppose I’m okay. I had a nasty dream. It was like an action movie," she said with a small laugh making Jamal chuckle, "I’ll tell you about it when you’re free to talk. How’s it going with your boss though?" She asked, referring to Genevieve. "Let’s talk about it later. Be good. And stay safe, okay?" Jamal said before hanging up. "You seem really close to them," Abigail observed and Jamal smiled. "Yeah. I’ll explain the relationships later. For now let’s get back to the story about your root," Jamal said and then continued, "So, when your father saw you, he saw the resemblance between you and his grandson, Tom. And knowing that your mom had a one night stand with Tom, he suggested they play a prank on Tom, claiming you were Tom’s daughter. What he didn’t know was that you were actually his daughter," Jamal explained and Abigail frowned. "Why would he choose to play such a prank on his grandson? It doesn’t make any sense. Don’t tell me my mom agreed to such nonsense," she asked with disbelief. "She did. At the time Lucy didn’t want to get married to Tom, so Tom’s mom asked his grandfather..." "Wait! The names and people are getting too much. I can’t process it all," she said massaging her temple. Jamal smiled, "Lucy didn’t want to get married or have kids so your father figured he played a prank on Tom to see if it would make or break his relationship with Lucy," Jamal explained. "For real? Did Tom fall for the prank? Was there no DNA test or something?" Abigail asked, and Jamal nodded. "There was. But the issue of your paternity was already causing a little friction between Tom and Lucy. Now the interesting thing is that Lucy saw your picture and fell in love with you, thinking you were Tom’s child. It was that incident that made her realize she wanted to have kids with Tom," Jamal said, and Abigail shook her head. "Why is everyone so complicated? This all sounds like a soap opera or a novel. How is this even real?" She asked, and Jamal laughed. "It’s actually written as novel. You can read it in details," Jamal said, and laughed when she facepalmed. Of all the stories Abigail had expected to hear about her background, she had not expected such a complicated story. "So, I guess she took me to Tom and Lucy and that was how you met me?" She asked, and Jamal shook his head. "No. Not exactly. The DNA test result revealed that you weren’t Tom’s child, but you both share genetic materials. By then, your maternal grandparents already thought you were Tom’s kid and were mad at your mom for keeping it a secret. They wanted Tom to take responsibility for it all," Jamal explained and Abigail shut her eyes. "I feel so embarrassed. Please tell me this whole thing didn’t make it to the media?" She said, cringing at the thought of how embarrassing it must have been. "It did thanks your Mom. Your father died shortly after he found out you were his kid. And when your maternal grandparents found out your mom had you for Lawrence, they were furious and threatened to cut her off is she failed to drop you off with the Hanks," Jamal said and Abigail shook her head. "This all does not make sense. A simple drunken mistake spiraled out of control because she lied and kept secrets from everyone who mattered," Abigail said, tryin to understand why her mom had done that. "So, it was at that time she brought you to Heden. She left you there for some days and everyone was there because of your dad’s funeral. She left you there and went back to try to convince her parents to forgive her and accept you back," Jamal explained and Abigail sighed deeply. "So how did the news get to the media?" She asked curiously. "She released news to the blogs claiming you were Tom’s child..." "No way! Tell me she didn’t!" Abigail asked, annoyed that her mother could have been that stupid. "Why would she do that?" Jamal shrugged, "She must have thought it would make Tom claim you to save his grandfather’s face. But Tom didn’t want to tarnish his reputation or do anything that might upset Lucy, so he released evidence of the DNA test and told the public that you’re his grandfather’s daughter," Jamal explained she sighed deeply. Before either of them could say another word, Jamal’s phone rang with a call from Ryan.