Chapter Five

~Christopher~

I almost rushed out of my car and go to her but I controlled myself and drove off. 'We will meet each other tomorrow and I can't wait to show you just how much I have come to love you' I said to myself as I drove off to the hotel I was lodged in.

I came down to Benue state for two things. One is that I want my woman and the other is that I want my child and, I won't leave here without the two of them.

I got into the room and decided to rest. I have been stressed lately and I really need my strength. Dad has been forcing me to go on a stupid date with that stupid pretender Cindy.

I don't even know why dad is so blinded by her fake act. She pretends to be the most docile and loving person meanwhile she is as cunning as the snake that made Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. The other day, I saw her kissing Ben. It's not like I care but why can't dad see that I don't want to have anything to do with her. She disgusts me.

Grrrr... Grrrr...

The vibration of my phone woke me up from the sleep that I so much needed. I didn't even know when I fell asleep.

"What do you want dad?"

"That's not how you answer the phone boy!"

"Just go straight to the point dad. I know you have a reason for calling so, what is it?" I urged him.

"Where are you? You were supposed to meet with Cindy yesterday but, you stood her up. What kind of a boyfriend are you?"

"What kind of question is that?" I asked him to irritate him.

"Now listen to me young man, I don't know where you are or what you are up to but, you need to come back home this minute. I didn't raise you to be this stupid and to treat your girlfriend like she means nothing to you." He shouted over the phone.

I just dropped the phone and turned it to loudspeaker so that he wouldn't spoil my eardrums with his noise. I still don't understand why he calls her my girlfriend. I have told him times without number that, I don't and will never have anything to do with Cindy. "What girlfriend are we even talking about?"

"Have I been talking to myself?"

"Have you been talking to me? Look, dad, I have told you times without number that, I can never have anything to do with Cindy but you insist on fooling her. If you like her so much why don't you just marry her?" I asked him. His insistence is seriously getting on my nerves.

"I am your dad and you don't get to talk to me like we are age mates. If you don't stop all this nonsense and come and take care of your future wife then, I will be forced to announce to the whole world that you two are engaged."

This man is funny. Let him go ahead I won't stop him. "Do whatever you want but just know that whatever the outcome, it's all on you."

"What...."

I didn't want to continue listening to his rants so I disconnected the call. If he likes he should announce but I don't care. I am going back to Lagos with a wife and child so, the shame is all on him and his obsession with Cindy Coker.

It was barely two hours since I laid down but right now, I can't go back to sleep. I need to go shopping for a gift for my daughter. We will meet officially for the first time tomorrow and I can't wait.

~ROSE~

I didn't go back to work after the shock I received from Christopher's sudden visit. Maybe it's for the best that he showed up at this stage but, what will I do if he wants to take Princess away? It will ruin me. She is all I live for.

I picked Princess up from school and she was still in a sour mood when I saw her.

"Good afternoon mom," she greeted me immediately she entered the car.

"How are you, my love? Are you still sad about your dad?" I asked her.

"Yes, I told you my friends won't believe me that I have a father! They even called me a liar..." She said and crossed her hand over her chest.

"Come here my love," I said and pulled her to my lap. "What if I told you that your dad is around?"

Immediately the words left my mouth, I saw how her eyes lit up "He is around, where is he? Is he at home? I want to ask him why he hasn't come to see me all this while! When can I meet him? Why didn't he come with you?" She said in one breath.

"Calm down my princess. Your dad is not at home but, he is around. He wants to meet with you tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow and not today?" She asked and I could see that her initial excitement was dying down.

"Let's go home and I will tell you why he wants to meet with you tomorrow. Shall we?" I asked her.

She nodded her small head and I placed her back on her seat. Throughout the ride home, I was dreading how I will tell her the truth. Or maybe I shouldn't tell her what really happened between me and her father. Maybe I should just allow it to play out. We got home and she didn't ask me a thing.

She just went into her room and changed out of her school uniforms. We eat and I took her back to her room So, she could have her usual afternoon rest. I was about to walk out of her room when she called me back.

"Mum?"

"Yes baby, is there a problem?"

"Will daddy be here when I wake up?" She asked.

I went back and sat on the bed beside her and said, "No. Your dad will be here tomorrow evening. He wants to meet you at dinner tomorrow."

"But why? Doesn't he love me?" She asked.

"Your dad loves you. He wants to settle some things and then meet you tomorrow. Am sure you will also love him when you get to meet him." I assured her. If anyone is to blame then it's me. I did all I could to hide from him so, am at fault here.

"I know I will love him. I just want to meet him. Is that wrong?"

"No baby, it's not wrong. Just be patient. Remember what I told you about patience?" She nodded her head to my question and I continued "what did I say?"

She looked at me and smiled then said "Being patient is hard but, the result is great."

I nodded my head at her and placed a kiss on her cheeks and said, "Tomorrow is just a few hours away so, be patient. Besides, you will be surprised to know who your father is."

"Is he a celebrity?" She asked me with excitement in her eyes.

"Hahaha, be patient baby. Now get some rest. I'll be back to wake you up for dinner."

I closed the door behind me and leaned against it. 'God, I pray tomorrow goes well. I know I have not been the best amongst your creations but, for my daughter's sake, let everything go well' I prayed.

Dinner was as normal as it could get with princess asking me all sorts of questions. She would always ask how I prepare everything she eats.

"Mum?" She called me with food in her mouth.

"Don't talk with food in your mouth. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"Am sorry Mummy, I just wanted to ask you how to cook chicken."

"I will teach you when you are tall enough to cook. But for now, just eat."

We finished dinner and eventually went to bed without me having to answer questions about her dad.

I woke up very early the next morning and maybe that's because I didn't sleep peacefully. I went to prepare breakfast and clean the house before going to wake my daughter up for school. It was almost 7 am by the time I got to her room but, she was wide awake. I was surprised because she hates waking up early. Sometimes, I will have to take her into the bathroom while she was half asleep.

"Why are you up so early?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Good morning mum," she greeted.

"Good morning but, you haven't answered my question. Why are you up so early and you even arranged your books into your bag,? What are you up to?"

"Am not up to anything mum, I just want to start the day fast so that, the time to meet my daddy will come faster." Her logic was funny to me but I didn't laugh at her.

"Let's get you ready for school. You don't want to be late do you?" She nodded her head and we proceeded to get her dressed for school.

After having her breakfast of bread, egg, and tea, we left the house. I dropped her off at school and went down to my office. When Ada who is like my P. A saw me, she rushed to me to help me with my handbag but, I waved her off.

I stayed for a few hours but I couldn't concentrate on the sales record in front of me. My brain was jumbled up. Since I couldn't do anything, I just stood up and walked around. I helped some customers in bagging their goods and before I knew it, it was time to pick up princess from the school.

Sometimes, my workers help me out. They would bring her to my office and then we go home together but, since I didn't feel like staying, I left.

We got home and I could see the excitement in my daughter's eyes. She didn't even take her afternoon nap. When we got back, she just freshened up and started doing her homework. When I asked, she said she didn't want to be busy when her dad gets here.

I prepared a simple meal of white rice and stew with fried plantain and fish. That is one of my daughter's favorite meals so I prepared that.

I was setting the table when we heard the knock on the door. "Daddy is here!!" Princess shouted and ran to the door.

I followed after her but she was fast. Before I could get to the door, she had opened the door. "Daddy!!" She shouted and rushed to hug Christopher who was standing outside the door.

I guess her excitement shocked her father because he didn't react to her hug. The bag he was holding even fell out of his hand. He didn't react or blink. He just kept looking at the little girl who was happily hugging his legs.