Chapter 12 - Don't release anything yet

"Let me talk to Dad alone." Can you guys go to Mom please? " Chimamanda begged. Chidinma nodded and held onto Chisom, leading her to their mother's hospital room.

"I'll be right back and keep an eye on my uncle for me," she whispered to Ryan. He nodded in affirmation.

Chimamanda walked into her father's room. The room was almost silent apart from the noise the ventilating machine and monitor made to show its capacity and usefulness. 

The room was spacious. A few brown-coloured couches and a table in between were placed for visitors. A window was close to the hospital bed, but the brown curtains were not drawn. The only sources of ventilation in the room were an indoor air conditioner, which was reduced to the lowest unit, and an air purifier placed above the head of the bed.

She walked across to his bedside. He looked pale. Tears flowed down her eyes as she saw her father's state, but she cleaned it immediately. She didn't want to be in a vulnerable state in front of her father. 

She sits down and takes his hand in hers. She looks at him carefully. "Hi, Dad.

I hope you can hear the voice of your workaholic daughter, Chimamanda. " She asked rhetorically, with a smile.

She touched his bandaged forehead and ran her hand down over the face mask fitted over his face and mouth. She stopped at the tube connecting to the machine to avoid causing further complications to his health.

I'm so sorry. I wasn't there to stop the accident. I know it's your brother, Uncle Ifeanyi, who has a hand in this. He wants you dead. That's why, "she paused to wipe away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks. "He wants to take your place and wealth because you have no son," she continued, "I promise to bring the penetrators to justice." She

held him carefully, "Dad, you have to wake up." I know you are a fighter and you are going to fight this battle of coma. Please. "Dad, you've always taught me to be strong. Now it's your turn to be strong. I love you, Dad, and I'm going to wait till you stand up from this bed on your own accord. "

She kissed him on his forehead and walked towards the door. She paused and turned to look at him one final time before exiting the room.

Ryan came close and pulled her into an embrace immediately after she stepped out of the room.

"I need to be with my sisters," she said, and pulled out of his arms.

Chimamanda walked to her mother's hospital room. She was pale too, but she had a smile plastered on her face.

Chimamanda couldn't help but smile at her too. She found it endearing that she still had to smile despite her present conditions.

Her sisters noticed her presence and turned to her. "Since you are done with Dad, we will go see him then." Chidinma said, standing up and connecting her hands with Chisom's, urging her to stand up. They both kissed her cheeks and left.

She stayed and watched her mother. She didn't really have what to tell her since they were not close. She was always her daddy's girl. She didn't want to lose her; she still loves her.

The sound of the door made her turn back abruptly to see the intruder. Ryan approached her, wearing a sad look. Her mind attacked her. Her mind attacked her. "Poor Ryan, you've kept him in this position since today when he needs to get back to work," her mind attacked her.

She stood up and hugged him. This was the umpteenth time that she had hugged him today, and she didn't want to stop. His broad chest was welcoming. She felt at home; she didn't want to leave him. She felt the urge to make out.

But she couldn't bring herself to do it, not now, not in this situation, and certainly not in front of her mother. The urge kept coming till she could no longer control it.

She pulled out of his embrace and sat down. "Thank you for everything you've done for me today." "I'm truly grateful," she said, avoiding eye contact so as to distract herself from the urge.

"It's nothing, Princess; it's my duty to look after you, and I will always do so," he grinned broadly.

She couldn't take it any longer. She stood up, took a few steps towards him and connected her lips to his lips. Her fire ignited in her. Her body was screaming for freedom. The kiss came as a shock to Ryan, but he picked up his pace.

She kissed him like her whole life depended on it; she pulled back when she couldn't catch her breath again.

I'm sorry. I kissed you like that. I ___ before she could finish saying her apology. Ryan jammed his lips. 

They kissed for two more minutes before they broke the kiss.

She felt awkward and embarrassed. She couldn't look at him properly, unlike her. She knew Ryan was changing her, but she hoped it was for the best. 

"I think we should go outside," she suggested. The room was already too stuffy for her; she needed to breath fresh air.

She ran to her mother's side, kissed her on her cheek, and left the room with Ryan.

When they got out of the room, she saw her favourite aunty, Chief Uche's younger daughter, Chinyere. She was holding Chisom and crying with her. "Aunty" Chimamanda screamed and ran to her aunt.

Chinyere turned to face her tearful niece, seeing right through her anguish. She hugged her tight. Chimamanda opened her floodgates, wailing uncontrollably on her aunty's shoulder.

"Uncle Ifeanyi isgoing to pay for this." He is going to rot in jail. I know he is the one behind the accident. He always says I and my sisters are incompetent. He always lashed out at my mum for not giving my dad a boy to inherit his wealth. He even advises Dad to take a second wife. He has seen his plans can't work. That's why he wants to kill Daddy, but he's not going to succeed. I am going to stop him before he causes more harm. Chimamanda continued to rant.

Chinyere allowed her to speak her mind freely while she patted her back. It was good for her mental health. Chinyere pulled out of the hug and called the three girls together. "My babies, I know you girls are now grown up and can take care of yourselves." Be strong for your parents. But as for the person that did this to them, My God will punish them".

She cleaned her eyes with her handkerchief, sniffed into it, and continued, "I'll be checking up on the three of you at home." "Don't release anything yet to the press," she warned sternly, dragging her ears to show her seriousness.

The girls nodded in unison. "Chidinma, you have your mother's company to run; Chimamanda, you have the Odenigbo group to run; both companies can't go bankrupt, so go home now and rest." Tomorrow is another working day. 

She held them by connecting their hands together. "I will talk to the doctors. Your parents will be well taken care of. Have I made myself clear? " Chinyere asked.

"Yes ma", the girls answer simultaneously.

"Now, quickly go home," she instructed.

The girls picked up their belongings and left. When they got to the entrance of the hospital, they were surrounded by different pressmen who were asking questions and almost blinding their eyes with the flashlights from their cameras. The girls glided past them till they got to their cars without saying a word, despite their pleas to say something.

They went home in their separate cars, except Chimamanda, who had to go with Ryan since she left her car behind at Odenigbo group.