Chapter Twenty Four

Rose and Princess got to the side of the house and she was wowed. The whole area From the side she could see to the back was filled with trees of all kinds. Mango trees, oranges trees, pawpaw, avocado trees, and some she couldn't name. They walked further and, there was a wide swimming pool. The water looked so neat that one would have the urge to win in it. "Wow!" Rose breathed out.

"Let's go, mom. The house for the dogs is this way." Princess said and led Rose in another direction away from the pool. They walked among the trees and got to an open space where a small building was.

They Met Audu at the house that was built for the dogs and he was feeding them. "What are you two doing here?" He asked them as they got closer.

"Princess wanted me to come and help her pick one among the puppies and that's why we are here," Rose explained.

"Oh," Audu said and chuckled at Princess's excitement. "Please, go ahead. Just pick the one you want amongst all of them."

"What will happen to the other puppies?" Rose asked. The puppies are 8 in number. Rose wasn't a fan of pets but she doesn't hate them either. Maybe because she never had the liberty as a child to have them but, if she was to have a pet, a dog will be a good option.

"Christopher gives the children out to we the workers sometimes but, whenever she gives birth, he keeps a puppy. That's why we have about six dogs." Audu explained.

"There are six dogs here!?" Rose asked.

"There are four here. Two are in his office building. He keeps them there with the night guard." Audu said.

"Ok. That's good." Rose said and yeied to look at the mother and puppies who are peacefully sleeping. "Which of these do you want to take?" She asked as she looked at Princess.

"Hmmm, help me choose mom! I know you'll pick the best and cutest for me!!" Princess said holding onto Rose's hand.

"Hmmm," Rose thought as she looked at all the puppies. As she was scanning them all with her eyes, she saw one that wasn't sleeping or eating like the rest of them. It was looking at them curiously. "That one!! We'll take that one over there."

Audu looked at the one she pointed and smiled. "You just took my choice away from me." He said.

"What?" Rose asked.

"I have had eyes on that puppy ever since they were born. This is the first time I planned on asking for a puppy from him tho." Audu explained.

"Oh, we could take another one. I didn't know you want that one." Rose quickly added.

"Don't worry about that dear, if it's for this little angel, then she can have it. They'll both grow together." Audu added.

"Thank you!!" Princess said. Immediately her mom pointed out the puppy, she has been looking at it and she loved it immediately.

"You are welcome Princess," Audu answered as he smiled at her gently.

"Can I hold it?" Princess asked.

"You can't now, when I allow them out later, I will bring her to you," Audu said to her.

"Ok," Princess answered but doesn't move from her position. While she was admiring the dogs, Audu kept looking at Rose intently.

Rise noticed his stare and asked quietly, "Is there something you want to say to me?"

"Yes, can we talk for a minute? I promise that I won't take your time." Audu said.

"Ok," Rose answered and they moved some steps away from where Princess could hear them. "What is it?" Rose asked.

"Well, I felt like I should tell you this since you look like a nice girl," Audu said. "You are kind and I can see it but, don't be too kind. Christopher told me about how you two met each other for the first time."

"Oh no. He didn't!! That's so embarrassing." Rose interrupted and palmed her forehead.

"Haha," Audu laughed at her action and continued. "It's how God wants the both of you to meet. He searches for you for so long and he finally found you. Isn't that great? Now, my point is, his dad recently announced an engagement which is sure you might have seen on the news or on all these social media platforms. Am I right?" Audu asked.

"I am aware of that but, Christopher himself told me. I hardly have time for social media and all that stuff. Most times I don't even check my phone for the week except it's unavoidable." Rose answered him.

"That's good to hear. At least you are not the phone crazy type." Audu said and nodded his head in approval. "Well, as I was saying, you are nice and I can see it but be careful who you show all your kindness to. Your relationship will pass through tough times but, don't decide without talking about it. That's what I want you to know." Audu said.

"Thank you. I will remember what you have said. Thank you once again." Rose answered gratefully.

"It's nothing. I just want to let you know that, you can always count on me and Mrs. Rita anytime. We are here for you." Audu assured her.

"Thank you. I'll keep that in mind." Rose said.

"Stop saying thank you. It's really nothing. I see Christopher as a son and I can also see that he didn't make the wrong decision in marrying you." Audu said and led her back to where Princess was playing with the puppies. She has managed to get their attention and she is petting the one she wants to take.

"What are you doing?" Rose asked her.

"I am introducing myself to her. I was telling her how much fun we will have together." Princess said.

"Oh, how do you know it's a she?" Rose asked.

"Mr. Audu called her a she. Right, Mr. Audu?"

"Yes, little one. It's a she and I can see you two are getting along well!" Audu said and patted her head.

"Alright, Princess. Let's give Mr. Audu the space he needs to work and get back into the house." Rose said and pulled her up.

"Bye Mr. Audu!! Bye sparkle and bye sparkle's family!!" Princess said and waved at them then, walked away with Rose.

After leaving the house, Christopher drove to Sweet sensation and ordered ice cream. He bought it along with snacks for each of them. He was about to drive out of there when he got a call from his dad.

"Hi, dad!!" He said reluctantly as he picked the call.

"Where are you. I heard you are back! Come to the house right now. We have important things to talk about." His dad said.

"I can't. I am busy. Maybe some other time." Christopher answered his dad.

"What are you busy with? You didn't go to the office so, what are you busy with that you can't come to see your father?" His dad asked angrily.

"I already told you to leave me alone. I am no longer a child and I can do whatever I want. I will come to see you when I have the time." He said and hung up the call. Why does he like spoiling my mind every time? Can't he just allow me have peace? Christopher mumbled and drove out of the parking lot. He got home and was told that, Rose and Princess were at the dog house. He took the things he bought and walked towards the dog house to meet with them.

He had just rounded the corner when Princess saw him and rushed into his arms. "Daddy!!"

"How is my Princess doing?" Christopher asked as he picked her up.

"She is fine and guess what?" Princess said excitedly.

"You have chosen your dog I guess?" Christopher said.

"Wow! How did you know?" Princess asked.

"I have superpowers and I know that you went to choose a dog for yourself. Now, who wants ice cream and meat pie?" Christopher asked as he lifted the bags in his hand up.

"Me!! Me!!" Princess said excitedly.

"Well, let us go into the garden and I'll give it you." He said and put her down then said, "race you to the garden!"

After Princess was dropped, she ran away leaving Christopher and Rose to walk after her. They got to the garden and met Princess already seated and waiting for them. Christopher placed the bags on the table and brought out the things he bought.

They enjoyed it admits laughter and fun. Rose felt at peace and the same goes for Christopher. When they eventually walked out of the garden, It was almost 2 in the afternoon. They got back into the house and Rita met them halfway. "Lunch is ready. Do I serve it?"

Christopher looked at Rose for an answer. "Well, I am not hungry. I don't know about them but thank you. I won't have anything till night." Rose said.

"I am so full. Thank you, Mrs. Rita!" Princess said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Rita. You can go ahead and serve the others." Christopher said and dismissed her.

"And here I was, making special efforts. Well, I will have to make more effort for dinner." Mrs. Rita said and acted disappointed. "See you all later..." She added and walked away.

"She looked so disappointed." Rose voiced out.