Chapter 6: No Way Out

DAHLIA'S POV

I blow out a breath as I come down from the taxi and head toward the main gate of the estate Ms Nani sent to me. I stop to hand my ID to a security officer in the Estate's Gatehouse.

“There's a Mrs Dahlia here for Ms Nani.” He murmurs into the barely visible mic on his collar.

Then almost instantly punches the gate’s password and it lifts slowly, revealing orchards.

I don't know that my mouth is open as I watch the man and look around to see how tight the estate's security is. I am not sure why I am surprised as I already know that people as wealthy as Ms Nani would make enemies at every turn without realizing, just because they are lucky. And everyone is probably a threat to people like her, so she's always protected and careful.

“You're welcome, ma'am.” The man types in another keyword and the gate glides closed with a swish sound, followed by continuing beeping noises from overhead scan cams.

I clamp my mouth shut and walk in, taking another look behind as if I am walking into the viper's den and not sure if I'd make it out of there alive. Even if I was, there's no eye witnesses and the CCTVs around are probably under the supervision of Ms Nani’s security team so evidence could easily be erased and nobody can trace me.

No justice for my poor soul if that actually comes true, but God forbid I will die without hearing Cleo call me ‘Mommy’ again. Or Jerome looking at me with love in his eyes.

I follow another security officer who signals at me to follow as he leads me through a curvy driveway to the back of an ancient gigantic infrastructure that seems to have lost its radiance and can't withstand the wind for another season, but it stands strong and new paint smudges and roofing keeps it glowing under the morning sunlight.

It's a beautiful sight even though it's an old house, the front porch has flower pots lined up from the first steps to the entrance. This is a villa, with many houses and a mansion gracing the inner area, and servants’ quarters lining up both left and right sides of the estate.

My eyes return to the outdated building I am led towards. Some plants I don't recognize line up the side of the wall that we pass and stretches out to a wide expanse garden with overgrown trees that shades the side of the garden from the sun. Miss Nani is sitting in a lounge chair, opening pages of a novel while an older woman sets a table beside her with three armchairs.

She looks up to wave me into a seat when I enter, then nods at the security officer who bows slightly, then turns and leaves us.

“Good morning, ma'am.” I greet the older woman who keeps smiling and nodding acknowledgement. That is when I realize that she can't speak.

“Marian can't talk, but it's fine if you speak to her. She hears you.” Miss Nani says when I try to greet the woman again with sign language which sucks more than my relationship with Jerome.

“Oh.” I return her smile and she excuses herself. “This is a huge villa. I expect no one will ever cover the entire estate in a week.” I comment, still dazed by the amount of wealth a person could accumulate.

I mean, I know I have experienced the life of luxury, but only the surveillance system in the estate alone can buy my business.

“Don't worry, you'll get used to it.” Ms Nani waves it off with disinterest. “Feel at home, Dahlia. Don't let any of this discomfort you. Stay hydrated while you go over the documents.” She goes on to pass a file to me, setting her novel aside.

I only nod and bring the file to my side of the table. I don't think I can handle taking anything while my body trembles. I just feel agitated, like I shouldn't be here, but I am and this is going to happen because it is the only way for my family to survive this blow.

“I thought I'd be opportuned to meet the man in question. I just hoped to at least get to know him and the type of person I will be having a child for.” I inquire, picking up a pen to sign the none disclosure agreement which I'd read before.

I go through each paragraph again before signing where necessary to make sure no clause was tampered. When I look up afterwards, she is watching me as though she knows what is going through my mind.

“You do not have to worry, he's the nicest man you'd ever meet. He's my brother after all.” She assures me, patting my arm fondly.

“Yeah, he is. I believe he'd be as condescending as you.” I joke with a half-hearted laugh.

“No, you didn't say that. As long as I've accepted you, he'd have no choice but to love you as well. Plus, you two would barely meet once everything works out and the doctor confirms that there's nothing to worry about until the course is due.” She replies patiently.

I relax back in my seat to read the contract, digesting every word and rereading each paragraph if I don't grab its contents. When I come across anything I don't understand, I ask her to explain it.

“The contract is subject to amendment, why?” I suddenly stop to ask towards the end of the last page.

“Read the next line and you'll see that by then you've received enough funds to buy a lawyer who'd be present so you don't feel walked all over. And even if you still can't afford the best practitioner, we'll buy you one and you can always pay later with a deduction from your balance.” she answers coolly, pointing out the sentence printed in bold fonts in the last page.

“Oh, yeah. Well,” I shrug, trying hard not to show how anxious I feel. “Eighteen months is a long time to abandon one's family.” I frown, going over the whole document from the beginning.

“That's why you're free to go about your business if you are up for it when you take the first step and succeed. All you have to do is make sure you don't miss doctor's appointments, home check ups and antenatal appointments when the time is due. You are a mother of two, so you should understand that a baby needs the mother for the first few months after delivery if one hopes to raise a healthy child.” she explains quickly, obviously desperate to convince me that I've come a long way to go back now.

“I understand. I'm just wondering how to make this whole thing work without any of it affecting my family or entire life. I'm already too ruined to be involved in another disastrous scandal especially with people who can buy the country if they wish.”

The last sentence barely leaves my mouth before she bursts out laughing and I join her, feeling lightheaded by the time we were calm enough to continue.

“If you don't agree with anything, or you feel like getting your lawyer involved, you can always say it. I don't need you thinking you have no choice and, or I manipulated you into signing this contract.” Ms Nani talks slowly, looking more serious than I've ever seen her since we met.

“No, it's fine. I agreed to this and I understand every word of it. Let's keep praying it's worth the risk.” I nod my head like a lizard as I pick up the pen and start signing the pages necessary.

Once I am done, I arrange the document as it was and hand them back to her. She extends a hand for a shake with a sweet smile and I grasp it firmly with mine.

We sit quietly and drink for a bit before I stand up to leave. As if on cue, a car drives in while she walks me to the estate's gate.

“That's my brother.” Ms Nani beams as the car pulls over towards us.

I don't see the person inside as the glasses were tinted, then the door opens and a man comes out with the ease of a man already used to luxury. Then I look up at his face to meet the familiar cold eyes of my ex boss.

“Are you stalking me now?” He grumbles the exact words at the tip of my tongue and I catch my breath.

No, this is not true! I didn't just sign my life out to this…this…OMG, I can't even find the right word to describe him apart from the devil.