"Andre! Son?" Alice called but he just hugged her and sniffled before walking past her into his room. Alice turned herself and watched his retreating back view, how will he take it?

She only glanced back at Felix when Andre disappeared from sight. Her tears ran down her cheeks. She already knew something was wrong, Regina had made her guess; her daughter had been married off to another man.

"I'm sorry Aunt, that I couldn't stop the wedding" Felix said with a reddened eyes. Andre had sacrificed everything for love and relationship. He could slit his throat if that would make Jasmine satisfied and what did she think? She said he was blind to reality all his life.

Alice nodded and sniffled before saying "Thank you for bringing him home to me" he doesn't need to tell her, she knows he must have pulled Andre from that venue with difficulty.

For the rest of that day, Andre didn't step out of his room. He was broken. Why would she do this to him? He was working hard to meet both his immediate family needs and that of Jasmine and her parents. It appeared his hard work was not good enough.

She's his childhood friend. Since he was adopted, Jasmine had been his friend. Her parents were friends to his mother and that automatically made them friends too. But they started dating five years ago and three years ago he promised to marry her.

She knows him as much as his mother. He'd only loved her and they were going to get married early the next year. Patrick is rich, no doubt. She'd told him once that Patrick was asking her out but she loves him alone and that was it, he needed thought she would betray him.

Are women these evil or was it because he was poor, from the orphanage and doesn't have identity? Perhaps all these reasons are summed up to result in her betrayal. He heard his mom banging on his door pleading with him to open the door but he refused.

Alice, sad and unhappy, decided to go to see her friend Regina. She should have told her son to stay away from her daughter instead of using him to meet their needs and keep them alive and dumped him.

She got there and met a group of people partying. The Logan's are so poor that Andre had to sponsor Jasmine's university education. But how could they have gotten so much money to host people like this?

"Celebrating right, Regina?"Alice seethed. Her eyes were spitting fire. Her son was sad and they are happy. What a life. To be happy, someone else's life must be ruined?

"You came at the nick of time, Alice. We're celebrating the happiness of our daughter and how she was lucky enough not to end up in the hands of a nobody like your son. Join us in the joyous occasion..." Regina declared and released the glass of wine in her hands, letting it crash on the floor and sending a splashing stain on Alice.

Ignoring her drama, Alice sniffled and asked "You and I have been friends in the past. We raised our kids together and today, you throw a celebration to my son's loss and ruin? Betrayal and heartbreak? His sadness and abuse meant nothing to you? If he were your son, would you be happy?

If this had happened to Jasmine, how would you feel? I thought Andre is like a son to you and you would consider him for all he'd done for you? He saved your daughter's life, she now lives with his kidney and not once did he give his blood..." Alice was saying when Regina interrupted her.

"Enough! Watch your words when you talk to me henceforth. I am no longer in your class anymore. You should respect me. First, you can't compare yourself with me. I am a mother and I was pregnant with my belly.

You don't know what being a mother is. You're a barren woman all your life and Andre is just a lost good for nothing you picked up to run errands for you. So don't consider me on the same grade level as you.

Secondly, don't you ever compare my high class daughter with your lowlife slum you called a son! How dare you compare the East to the West? Only a senseless woman like you can raise a stupid son like Andre. My daughter can never be in Andre's shoes, don't ever compare them!

If you think your so-called son has done something little for my daughter and my family, name your price. My son in-law is capable. He'll pay back with interest. From this moment, consider our friendship over, I can't condescend so low after a glimpse of this better life to keep company with you.." Regina declared.

Turning to the waiting guests, Regina said "Let's make a toast to a life of wealth and prosperity" she raised her glass and others clicked theirs together

"To health, prosperity and happiness" Alice heard as she gently turned around and left. There's nothing left for Andre in Logan's family. She would return to console her son. Wealth and riches have smiled on Regina and her family and those who were dearest to her in the past have become her enemies.

She left and just before stepping out of sight, she turned back and wished them every single pain they've caused her son. Every tear that Andre drops because of their daughter, will be forever remembered.

For the next two days, Andre didn't step out. His mom had cried, begging him to step out and take something but he wouldn't answer. Felix also came with his girlfriend Lisa and did the same but Andre will not talk to anyone.

On the third day, Andre stepped out, his wounds getting healed but needed to be treated again. Alice saw him and she gasped, it's Christmas eve and he stepped out. May the blessings of this season wash away his pains and replace them with happiness untold.

"Andre my son" Alice chimed and went to hug him. But he was cold, he didn't wrap his arms around her as expected. Alice didn't feel offended, she placed her hands on his shoulder and saw how emaciated he'd become. His eyes were red and hollow and his lips were dry like a malnourished child.

"Why are you doing this to yourself Andre. Jasmine is happy with her marriage to another man. If you keep hurting yourself besides the one she'd inflicted on you, you'll make her feel she owns your breath and she controls your heartbeat" Alice persuaded.

"I loved her mom, but she left me instead," Andre said in a shaking voice. He doesn't understand why she would leave him after so much love they shared, happiness they brought into each other's lives. Was it because of money or his unknown identity?

"Yes, she did and there's nothing we can do about her choice and decision. A phase of your life ended with her. Brace up, you've stepped into another phase now, a better one at that. And I pray for you that this season brings you a whole lot of happiness and blessings..." Alice coaxed more.

She brought him over and gave him his breakfast. Andre couldn't eat. He claimed not to have an appetite for anything. But he needed to step out and take a walk in the snow. Something that might help reduce the burdens that clumped his heart.

"Alright, go well son" Alice said and Andre stepped out cladded in a hood and a canvas. He wore gloves and placed his arms in his jacked pockets. He was gently walking the street and saw people going about, preparing for Christmas.

He could hear the jingles, the homes lights up and the Christmas tree being decorated. But unlike others, his heart was dark and his life felt empty. For many years now, Jasmine and himself always spent Christmas Eve together and it's usually a great time on the 25th of December.

But all seems empty now. No joy, no excitement and nothing intrigues him about the moment. It's like every normal day to him. How he wished this was just a midsummer's night dream that when he wakes up, he'll find it all gone and Jasmine will be by his side again.

As he kept going, he saw a car stuck in the snow. The driver was perhaps an inexperienced driver on that street. He came over and saw him struggling, he glanced at him and without a word, went over to him.

"Do you need help?" He asked, observing the tyres. They've lost traction and the only way to get it out was for it to regain it again. But the car is expensive and sophisticated.

"Yeah, buddy," the driver replied, clasping his hands together. If he hadn't been carrying his boss, it would have been better. But now, his job was not only at stake, but his life will not know peace until everything gets better.

Andre glanced around, there was no shovel or any flat object to use in clearing the snow away. Having no option, he pulled his jacket off and used his hands to clear the snow. He instructed the driver to go in and "gently rock the car back and forth by shifting between the drive and reverse.."

"Yeah" the driver said and was doing that. Andre kept clearing the snow away, moving swiftly from one tyre to the other "gently accelerate but don't keep spinning the wheels" his words were followed by steam and at this time, he was shivering and freezing.

They continued until eventually the car regained traction and moved. The driver wanted to stop because Andre was freezing and he screamed "go faster now buddy" and waved at them. Now his teeth were shattering, his clothes were soaked and covered in snow.

He needed to return home but his feet stiffened. Looks like his blood was getting frozen. The only thing he could do was bring his phone out and called Felix "I'm freezing, on the street" he said and fell down.

"Sorry ma'am" the driver apologized but his boss didn't hear him. She was glancing behind at the man that helped them. He was freezing and yet urged them to leave. What if something bad happened to him?

Her heart started beating fast when she saw that the man couldn't move "Turn around and save that man" his boss ordered. That man might get frozen because of them. How can he suffer such fate because he gave them a helping hand?

The car heater was turned on and yet, she was still hugging herself to remain warm. And the young man, he might die. But she became helpless when the driver said "We would get stuck again ma'am, that's why he said we should go quickly..." he explained.

She sighed helplessly and seeing the rain of snow falling, she hoped the man survived. He appears to be a young man but may the Almighty keep him safe for the sake of the happiness of the season.

A few hours later, Andre opened his eyes on his bed. His joints pained him and he glanced around. Felix was typing on his computer and he observed him for a while without moving or saying a word.

He came to save him. Thank goodness that he went along with his phone this time. He felt weak and was going to call Felix when he beat him to it "what were you thinking, Andre, that you stepped out without a jacket?" He asked without glancing at him.

Andre was shocked. His jacket? Oh goodness, he'd pulled it off to enable him shoved the snow away from the tyre more freely. That must be it, that is the reason why he got frozen in the snow so easily.

"I did, Felix but I pulled it off... he was saying when his mother got in and he paused. She saw Andre awake and her tears cascaded down her cheeks. He survived, he got back to himself again.

"Mom!" Andre called, seeing his mother's tears. What happened to her? Why is she crying? Is it because of him? Obviously it must be.

"You should have asked me, I would have suggested a more convenient way to commit suicide rather than being stucked in the snow. Why didn't you ask me Andre?" Alice helped, her eyes reddened.

"What nonsense are you talking about mom?" Andre scowled.

He raised himself to a sitting position and glared at his mother. A more convenient way to commit suicide rather than being stucked in the snow. He hopes his mom is not assuming and conceiving something filthy in her heart.

"You think I'm talking nonsense right, Andre? You deliberately went out into the snow and threw your jacket away because you know I wouldn't let you step out without it. You deceived me and went out to die in the snow.

Have you no pity for me? Are you so selfish that you only thought of yourself when you took your decision to end your existence because Jasmine jilted you? You wanted to commit suicide right? Fine you are allowed to do it but before then, you'll have to watch me die first" Alice stuttered.

She picked up the knife on the tray and placed it on her neck, "watch me die, Andre then after that, you'll commit suicide just this way. It's simple and fast. It's better than doing it in the snow" Alice seethed.

"Stop it mom, I didn't try to do something silly like that. How can I do that and leave you in so much pain, mom. I love you mom, don't hurt yourself don't, make me add sorrow on my broken heart. Please don't do anything to yourself" Andre pleaded.

Why would he do something silly as committing suicide because Jasmine betrayed him? Only losers do that. He has life ahead of him and a mother to look after. How can committing suicide ever be an option?

"Please Aunt, don't do this. It's late, it's Christmas eve. Don't do anything silly to yourself. Please?" Felix persuaded and walked gently towards Alice. The older woman brought her hand down and started sobbing.

Of course she wouldn't do anything like that. She only wants Andre to know that if he does anything silly, he'd only leave her to suffer. But she heard him say he loves her.

"Promise me Andre, promise me that you will not hurt yourself?" Alice asked, sniffling. She had thought she would lose her son when Felix brought him home, cold and stiffened. She thought his blood was frozen and his jacket was not on him.

She called the doctor and Felix assisted in making fire in his room. They were all scared until they heard him sneeze. What if he passed away without anyone knowing? Thank goodness that he informed Felix through a phone call about his whereabouts.

"I promise, mother," Andre said and enveloped his mother in a hug. Just then, the chapel bell rang. It's time to come over for the Christmas eve celebration.

In a certain presidential Villa, a slender woman was seated by the balcony, covered herself with a thick. She stood looking out at the bustling city on a Christmas eve, it's late but it doesn't seem to be.

The whole city was lit up. Fire crackers going up into the sky, the jingles rending the air and the smiles of love on everyone's face. She'd not really been a fan of the Christmas celebrations or all of that.

She likes her world. Go to the chapel on the 25th for the morning mass, take the sacrament and return home. What's the big deal celebrating a baby born over two thousand millennium ago?

Her thoughts were interrupted by her assistant "ma'am, there's still no trace of that man. No one seems to know him nor recognise who owned the jacket..." he reported.

"Could that mean that he's alive?" She mumbled silently under her breath. She'd been restless when she returned. That young man helped them out without considering his wellbeing. He didn't think about himself when he worked in the snow to help them.

"I don't know what you think we should do ma'am?" Her assistant asked. He'd been in the place with the range rover a few times already, asked neighbors and passersby but no one seemed to know him nor recognise that jacket.

"Go to the various hospitals, search for him there if there's any emergency case of any sort. And leave your contact in case such comes around" She instructed. There's no way that young man will not be needing medical help.

The least that can happen is pneumonia. He would be found in one of the hospitals. She wants to reciprocate his kindness in the best way possible. Good people should be appreciated.

"How about I check the morgue? Who knows what might have happened to him" he suggested with a shrug. That dude might not have survived it. He saw him shivering, his teeth shattering and his body already getting pale back then.

"Are you a fool?" She demanded, in a tone of irritation. Someone helped them and all he could think about is perhaps he is dead? Why should a place like a morgue ever occur to him?

"Yes, people think I am" he replied and continued "And my suggestion brewed from my concerned mind. I might get there now and find him there lying peacefully. I'll give his family the jacket and thank them for the kindness of their son.

That way, your conscience will be at ease. This jacket is the only way we can get him. I'll tell them he helped us and forgot his jacket nearby..." he was saying when she interrupted him.

"I have zero tolerance for fools, Gregory. You don't know me? How dare you display your foolishness before me? You'll get lost from my sight and bear this in mind that the next time you act stupid before me, I'll have your fingers chopped and fed to the dogs.

Now give me the hospital report before night falls or consider yourself fired!" She thundered.