Chapter Fifteen

Rose rushed out leaving Christopher alone. She rushed into the bathroom and locked the door behind her. She sprayed water on her face and looked into the mirror placed above the washing basin. Looking into the mirror, she looked at her lips and touched them. 'Why did you do that Rose? Gosh, what's wrong with me?' She thought while looking at herself in the mirror. 'What has come over me? Rose, calm down. You have kissed him and you mustn't repeat it. What will he be thinking now? God... I don fuck up. How can you do this Rose? It's not my fault tho. Who told him to have such sweet lips?' She thought again. She continued to look at herself and said out loud "Rose don't even think about what happened again. You are taking things slow and you must stick by that. No rushing." She straightened her clothes and hair then left the bathroom.

She locked up and walked towards the car and met them all sitting and waiting for her.

"What took you so long mom?" Princess asked.

"Am sorry baby. I was cleaning something up," she answered and when she lifted her head, her eyes met with Christopher's.

"Let's be fast. The ice creams are beginning to melt," Princess said.

"Buckle up everyone. Off we go!!" Christopher said and drove off. He couldn't help but steal glances at Rose. He could still feel her warm lips over his own and it was like her lips are engraved on his now. He wants more but he knows he has to wait. Princess didn't stop talking as they drove home. She was so excited about the journey she would embark on the next day that she didn't stop asking questions.

Rose looked at Ada who was sitting with Princess at the back of the car and they shared a silent conversation. Rose doesn't have a friend and she hardly goes out so, she didn't have anyone she would miss when she leaves.

They got to the house and after parking the car, they all got down and marched into the house with Princess happily skipping at the front.

Immediately they got in she said, "mom, can I take my teddy with me tomorrow?"

"Sure, we are only taking the most important things. We'll get every other thing we need when we get to Lagos." Rose answered.

"Ok, mom! When are we eating? Am hungry." Princess said.

Ada had arranged the pizza and ice cream on the table so they all sat down to eat. Rose stole a glance at Christopher and found him staring at her. She quickly averted her gaze.

"Dad?" Princess called.

"Yes, my angel!" He answered and reluctantly averted his gaze from Rose.

"How big is our new house going to be?" Princess asked.

"How big do you think it's going to be?" He asked her.

"I think it will be as big as the castle in barbie!" She exclaimed.

"Why do you think it's going to be as big as a castle?" Christopher asked her.

"It will be as big as a castle because my Mommy is a Queen, you are a king, and I am a Princess. That means we'll live in a castle." She explained and smiled proudly at herself.

"Princess?" Rose called.

"Yes, mom!"

"How many times have I told you not to talk when there is food in your mouth?" Rose asked.

"Am sorry mom," Princess apologized and stopped talking.

They all ate the pizza without noise and after they were done, Rose stood up to clean but Ada stopped her. "Let me do it. I know you have some things to pack. Go ahead and do it. I'll clean this place up."

"No, don't trouble yourself. I will do it. You are a guest." Rose said reluctantly.

"Am not a guest anymore. I'll be sleeping in this house from tomorrow onwards so, this is practically going to be my house too. Let me do it." Ada insisted.

Rose was about to say something else when Christopher interrupted, "let her do it. She is right. You need to pack some things." He held her hand and made her look into his eyes. "Go ahead and pack your bag, I'll help Princess with hers. Let Ada clean this place up. She wants to familiarize herself with the house so, let her." He said.

Rose only heard half of what he said because the moment he touched her, her brain only concentrated on his lips. She was thinking about the kiss they shared and didn't hear much of what he said. "Rose!!" Christopher called her.

"Oh, Uhm... I, I... I mean, fine. She can do it." She said and ran away.

"What's wrong with mom?" Princess asked.

"Nothing, let's go dear, daddy is going to help you pack your bags," Christopher said and picked Princess up.

They left Ada alone and she couldn't help but smile. She has always admired Rose. Rose helped her off the street and made sure she wrote her WAEC examination when she had nobody. Ada respects Rose the way anybody would respect their senior sister. Rose gave her where to sleep and also paid her a very good salary. Rose supported and encouraged her and that's why she has promised to do anything for Rose.

Despite all the help that Rose had rendered, they haven't crossed that bridge that would bring them closer. Rose has always maintained a boss and employee relationship with her. It was like she was scared of making friends or allowing anyone to come too close. Ada was happy when Rose told her that Mr. Christopher was her husband and they are getting back together. She wished they'll be happy together when they get to Lagos. She cleared the table and sat down to wait for Rose to show her the room she'll be using and some things around the house.

Rose rushed into her room and kept scolding herself about spacing out in front of her child and Ada. "What will she be thinking of me now?" She spoke to herself as she went around the room and packed up her essentials.

Rose packed up her bag and went back into the sitting room to show Ada around the house. "Sorry I took so long, come let me show you your room," she said.

Ada followed her and walked into the room beside Princess's room. "You can use this room." She said as they entered.

Ada looked around the room and smiled happily. "It's very beautiful. Thank you."

"It's ok. You'll be helping me so, I should be saying thank you to you as well." Rose said.

"No. You shouldn't thank me. You have done so much for me that I can't even mention it. You helped me without knowing a thing about me and now, you are allowing me to stay in your house without paying a dime." Ada said and made to go on her knees but was held back by Rose.

"You don't need to do that Ada," Rose said and pulled her up. "I helped you because I saw something in you. I want you to make something out of life and you have proven yourself that you are worthy of whatever I did." Rose said.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" Ada asked.

"Sure, if it's something I can do then, I will do it," Rose answered.

"Can I call you big sister?" Ada asked.

Rose was taken aback by the question. Why would Ada ask that? "Why do you want that?"

"You wouldn't allow me to call you madam neither will you allow me to call you boss. I see you as a role model and I won't mind if you can allow me to call you big sis. You helped me out of the street, you helped me acquire my secondary school certificate and you paid for all those things. You pay me salary but you didn't allow me to use them. You asked me to use whatever you pay me to take care of my upkeep and you pay me well." Ada said.

"Please, if you hadn't taken care of my shop like it's yours then, I might have gone out of business. You have always looked after princess anytime I leave for a journey and you deserve all I did. It's no big deal." Rose said.

"To you, it might not be a big deal but to me it is. You are the only person who I can ever want as a big sister so, can you take me as your younger sister?" Ada asked.

"Ok. I think you'll be a good younger sister." Rose had to agree.

Ada happily hugged her and said, "I have been wanting to do this for a long time now and I must say it feels good to hug you. If I am so happy hugging you then your husband must be over the moon anytime he hugs you."

"Get off me silly girl!" Rose said and pushed her off. "You don't know what you are talking about." She said and walked out of the room.

Christopher helped Princess pack up her bag and helped her prepare for bed. He stayed with her till she slept off then, walked out. He met Rose sitting and waiting for him.

"Hey," he said and sat down beside her.

"Hey," Rose answered.

"I'll be here early tomorrow morning. We have a long journey tomorrow. We are going by road so, we'll leave here very early so that we'll get to Lagos on time." He said.

"Ok," Rose answered.

He got up and she followed him to the door. After opening the door and moving out of the way for him, she said "good night."

She was about to lock the door but Christopher held it. "Rose, am sorry for what happened earlier. I didn't mean to rush you. I promised you that I will wait till you come to love me and I intend to do that but, I lost it. Am sorry."

"It's ok. I also lost it for a moment there. I guess it's my fault also. Good night Christopher. We have a new life waiting for us tomorrow." She said and closed the door.