Chapter Eight

As early as 6 am, Christopher rushed out of his hotel and drove down to Rose's house.

Rose who just woke up was surprised to see him so early. She knew he would come early but not as early as 6 am. When she opened the door, the first thing that came into her mind was how handsome he looked. She couldn't sleep properly because her mind kept repeating his confession of last night. Her mind was reeling over the fact that he said he loves her.

Who would believe that the one person she was most scared of wasn't even looking to hurt her? He was only looking for her because he loves her.

"Good morning, you look beautiful," Christopher said to her.

"Good morning," she answered shyly.

"How was your night?"

"It... It was great. Yours?"

"Oh, mine was splendid. I even dreamt of you and our daughter together and speaking of our daughter, where is she?" He asked trying to look inside.

"Uhm... Please, come in. Princess is still sleeping. You can wake her up if you want," she suggested.

A bright smile spread on his face after she said that so, she hugged her and rushed to his daughter's room.

When he got there, he was surprised because he didn't find her in the bed. He was about to go back out of the room when he heard a tiny voice calling, "daddy?"

He turned and saw his little princess coming out of the bathroom with her eyes half-closed. "Yes, dear. I wanted to wake you up myself."

"Did you leave?" She asked him when she noticed his change of clothes.

"Yes. I left after putting you to bed. Now, let me get you ready for school!" He said to which she nodded in approval.

After getting her ready, he took her downstairs and met Rose who had prepared breakfast of bread, fried eggs, and tea. They had breakfast in silence and Princess went to her room to pick up her school bag.

"Let's go daddy!" She called out to him and walked ahead.

"Hey, aren't you forgetting something?" Rose called out to her daughter who seems to have forgotten about her existence.

"What's that?" She asked her mom.

"Me. You have forgotten about my existence because your father showed up. Is that good?" She said asked her daughter who forgot about her existence.

"Are you jealous mom?" She asked her mother. That question made Christopher chuckle.

"Yes. I am jealous. How can you just abandon me because your dad is taking you to school? I fell abandoned already. My daughter doesn't love me anymore." She said and sat down.

"Awnn. Mommy is jealous. Don't be a jealous mom. How can I forget my bestest mom?" Princess said and went back to her mom.

Christopher didn't want to interrupt their moment so, he just kept watching their drama silently.

"Then how come you didn't even give me a hug before rushing out," Rose said.

"But mom, I thought you were going with us," Princess said and looked at her mom.

"Your dad wants to take you to school so, I didn't want to disturb you two. Just hug mommy and you can go." Rose said and opened her arms wide.

Princess rushed into her arms and said, "I love you, mom."

"Mommy loves you too. Now, off you go. I don't want you to get to school late."

"Mom?" Princess called her.

"Yes, baby, what is it?"

"I want you and daddy to come to pick me up from school. Will that be ok with you?" She asked her mother.

"I, I don't know. Why do you ask?" Rose asked.

"I just want my friends to see my complete family."

"I'll come with your mom to pick you up from school, don't stress yourself ok?" Christopher who has been quiet ever since mother and daughter started talking said.

After his answer, a bright smile spread across the little girl's face. She hugged her father and said, "thanks, mom and dad. I love you guys."

"We love you too. Can you wait for me outside? I want to talk to your mom." Christopher said.

He waited till Princess had gone out of the house before he said, "can I come back after I drop her off in school?"

"I, I won't be home. I will be in the office." Rose answered.

Christopher could see her reluctance in her eyes and he could see that she was just trying to run away from him so, he moved to her and held her hand in his before saying, "you agreed to give me a chance. remember? You agreed that we would spend time together."

How could she forget? She couldn't sleep properly because of this man in front of her and here he is holding her hands in that warm hands of his. "I... I remember. I just don't know what to think. What if we don't work?" She said what has been troubling her.

"Then, don't go to work. Let's spend the whole day getting to know each other. Please Rose..." He pleaded.

"Ok. I'll be waiting for you. Let's see what comes out of it." She said after a moment's hesitation.

"Ok. Thank you so much, Rose. I'll be back even before you know it." He said and kissed her forehead before walking out happily.

When he got to the car, he met Princess waiting for him and she had a smile on her face. "What took you so long?" She asked while Christopher opened the car and they both got in.

"Nothing dear. I was only telling your mom something very important." He answered and drove off towards her school.

"What did you talk to mommy about?" She asked.

"Well, I was just reminding her that, she shouldn't forget to wait for me so that we could pick you up from school together." He answered.

"Can I ask you a question dad?"

"Sure. My princess can ask me anything she wants." He replied.

"Dad, are you and mom married?"

The question surprised Christopher so he asked her, "what do you think?"

"I think you and mom are not married." She answered.

"Why do you think that?" He asked her.

"You and mom don't act like a married couple. So, tell me. How did you two give birth to me and why didn't you come and see me all these while?" She asked.

Christopher had to look at her after she asked that question. He was surprised that such a small girl could notice and say such a thing. He didn't know what go day so, he just said, "Daddy is sorry for not coming to see you all these years. Am here now so, I will make it up to you and mommy. I am here to make everything right. Would you like that?"

"Yes, dad. I want you to make everything right. Will you get married to mommy?" She asked again.

"Yes. I will. I want to take you and mummy home with me. Daddy doesn't live here. I stay in Lagos. Do you know where that is?" She asked her.

"Yes. Mummy travels to Lagos sometimes but she doesn't take me with her. Is that where you stay?" She asked curiously.

"Yes. Will you love to go there with me?"

"If mommy will go with you then, yes. I will go with her. I will go where mommy goes." She answered her father.

"Am sorry I didn't come to see you sooner." He apologized to her.

"It's ok dad. You are here now and that's what matters. Make sure you make mommy fall in love with you ok?" She said with all seriousness.

"What are you saying, Princess? What do you mean to fall in love with me?" He asked her.

"Come on dad! Am not a kid. I hear people talking about it the time. I heard two people have to be in love before they can get married. When I asked mom are said, they have to love and trust each other before any relationship could work and the same goes for family. She said we need to love, trust and be honest with each other so that we can always be happy as a family." She said to her father who was surprised by her chatter.

"Ok. I get it now. Let's get you to class." He said while parking the car. He got out and carried her into the school compound.

"You can drop her dad," princess said before he could enter the main building.

"Why? I thought you wanted to show me off to your friends. Don't you want to do that anymore?" He asked her.

"I have done that already." She said.

"When?" He asked because he doesn't remember meeting any of her friends.

"With such a handsome father, all my friends would have heard that I came to school with you." She said.

"If you say so then, I have to respect you." He gave her her school bag and lunch box then said, "I'll be here with your mom to pick you up. Now, run along. I love you."

"I love you too dad!" She said and ran off happily.

He watched her running off and said to himself, "that was easier than I thought. Now, It's time to get my woman." With this thought, he drove off to Rose's house.