Chapter Twenty

They got downstairs and Christopher took them to the dining room. Immediately they entered, Rose couldn't hold back her comment and said, "Is this really just a house? I feel like I have walked into another world. This is just a dining room for god's sake!! Why must it be so beautiful?" Rose asked and sat down on one of the chairs placed around the table. The chairs were made of wood but it also has leather seats and was made to look golden brown. The table was made of glass and it was decorated with fresh flowers in beautiful vases. There was also a bowl of fresh fruits placed at the center of the table with the edges painted gold.

"The truth is, I had this house remodeled. I almost tore down the whole house before it could turn to all what you are seeing now." Christopher explained while scratching the back of his neck.

Rose and Princess sat down to wait for him while he went to prepare something for them to eat. He came back out after some minutes and placed plates of noodles and fried chicken on the table, "here we are!!" He said.

"Yay!! Indomie!!!" Princess shouted.

"How many times will I tell you that it's noodles and not indomie?" Rose asked. "Indomie is a brand that makes noodles. Now, say noodles," Rose instructed.

"Leave her alone. Let's eat before it gets cold." Christopher said and they all prayed before they all dug into the food. They finished eating and Rose took Princess to her new room while Christopher went to do the dishes.

"Mummy?" Princess called when Rose was dressing her up in her pajamas.

"Yes!" Rose answered.

"I love you!" Princess said.

Rose was taken aback by the sudden confession but she reacted by pulling her into a tight hug and saying, "I love you too my baby." After a few minutes of hugging each other, Rose pulled out of the hug and said, "let's get you to bed. It's way past your bedtime and you need to sleep."

She took Princess to bed and laid her down then, stayed till she dozed off then said, "good night my love." After saying that, she turned off the light and walked out of the room.

She went back into the kitchen and met Christopher on a call. The last thing she heard was, "do whatever you want, I don't care. But, don't interfere in my life." She heard him say before hanging up the call.

"What's wrong?" She asked and walked towards him.

"Oh, you are back!" Christopher said and turned to face her. "Is Princess asleep already?" He asked her.

"Yes. She fell asleep immediately her back touched the bed. This is the first time she has made such a long journey so, she should be very tired. It's a surprise she could hold up for as long as she did." Rose explained.

"I can imagine. Aren't you tired?" He asked Rose.

"Why do you ask?"

"Don't you need to rest? Come. Let me see you to your room so that you can get ready for bed." Christopher said and placed his hand at her lower back and led her out of the kitchen.

Rose noticed his expression and thought that he didn't want to talk about the call he had with his father so, she decided not to say anything. He led her into the room and stood by the door. Rose was surprised at his actions and said, "aren't you coming in?"

"I don't want to inconvenience you. Just take your bath and I will be here when you are done. You see this?" He asked and pointed to a switch on the wall to which Rose nodded. "Good. If you need me, you press on it and I will be here." He said and left the room.

Rose looked around the room before walking into the bathroom to freshen up. She came out some minutes later downed in a towel and walked through the door she saw Christopher walk into with her bags. She suspected it will be a bigger walk-in closet and she wasn't wrong. It was a walk-in closet and it was almost half the size of the main room. She looked around and there were clothes of all brands. Different designer gowns were neatly arranged on one side of the room and on another side were shirts, on another side were shoes, bags, and trousers. She just opened her bag that was placed on the table that was at the center of the closet and took out her nighties. She got dressed and walked out. She didn't call for Christopher as he asked but walked out of the room after putting on a robe to cover some parts of her body.

Christopher had gone into one of the rooms to freshen up so that he could say good night to Rose. He didn't want to seem like he was rushing her into anything so he had moved his things into one of the rooms in the house and allowed her to have the master bedroom. He was waiting for Rose to call to him but, when she didn't press the button he showed her, he walked out of the room only to be surprised by the view before him.

Rose was putting on a night robe and his brain couldn't help but create an image of what she might be putting on under that robe. She was walking downstairs but with the pace, she was going, a snail will best her at speed. She took each step slowly like as if she was relishing the feel of the stairs. He stood very far away from her and observed her.

Rose was oblivious to the fact that she had company cause she was lost in thoughts. Initially, she was admiring the house but gradually, she lost focus and her mind started to wander around. 'Am I doing the right thing? Won't he see me as someone who is too eager to marry into wealth?' She thought to herself. Her thoughts were contradictory. It was as if she was having her own inner battle. 'I think this is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life. This is all for the best.' She said to herself.

"Hey!" Christopher who had been watching her walked up to her and said.

"Hey!" She answered after being pulled back from her thoughts. "I wasn't feeling sleepy so I decided to come out instead of just staying in there." She said.

"It's ok. This is also your house now and, you can do whatever you like." He said as they walked down the stairs together.

"So, I have been meaning to ask. Do you live alone in this house?" Rose asked.

"You can say It that way. I live alone but most of the time, my friend Uzo spends the night here." Christopher explained.

"Oh. What about house helps. Do you do the chores yourself?" Rose asked.

"Well, I have helpers but only the cook and gateman along with the gaurs sleeps in the compound," Christopher answered.

"How many are they?"

"Well, they are five in total. I have the cook, the cleaners, I have two cleaners. I have a gardener and I have the gateman. I have security guards but I don't consider them as house helps. You'll meet them all tomorrow." Christopher said.

"Are you confused with numbers?" Rose asked after he finished talking.

"How? I don't understand." Christopher said sounding confused.

"You said they are five in total. Which means you included the guards you talked about. How come from what I understand, there are way more than five." Rose said to him and say down on one of the chairs in the sitting room. "Wow!" She exclaimed as she sat down. "This is so soft. You really have the eyes for fine things."

"Thank you..." Christopher said with a smile on his face. "I really do have the eyes for fine and good things and people." He said quietly.

Rose didn't hear what he said but smiled and relaxed into the couch. "This is so comfortable. I could make these chairs my favorite."

"Go ahead," he said to her.

"Christopher, can I ask you something?" Rose said and turned to look at him because he was sitting beside her.

"Sure, go ahead but, I must confess that I like my name from your lips. It's like it was made for only you to say."

"Uhm. Uhm." Rose coughed out. "Please, don't try to flatter me. It won't work on me."

"Am not trying to flatter you. I like the sound of my name on your lips." Christopher said.

"Ok, whatever! Don't make me forget about what I want to ask. Who were you talking to on the phone when I came into the kitchen? Is it your dad?" Rose asked. When she saw that Christopher did not answer immediately, she continued. "I don't mean to pry but, I just wanted to know. You sound upset and I just felt it might be better if you talk about it." She further explained.

"It's ok. I understand and, You are right. I might feel better after talking about it but the truth is, I felt better Immediately I turned to you in the kitchen. I didn't answer you because I didn't want it to bother me. You are right tho. It's my dad." He said and smiled at her.

"What happened this time around?" Rose asked.

"Well, same old story. I should come and take the wife he married for himself. I hate to bring you into my family trouble but, you will meet with him sooner than you expect. I will be surprised if he doesn't show up here tomorrow." Christopher said.

"It's ok. Just relax. You don't need to worry yourself about me meeting your dad. Let nature take its course." Rose said.

"You don't know my dad that's why you are saying all these. Don't get fooled by what you see on television and newspapers. My dad is a whole new person when you meet him." Christopher said.

"Like I said, don't stress over it. What will be will be. Let's see how it will turn out when we meet." Rose assured and stoop up. "I need to sleep. It's midnight and I need to rest this head of mine. Good night Chris. Can I call you Chris?"

"Sure. You can call me whatever you like. I'll like it as long as it's coming from your lips." He answered.

"Ok then. Good night." She said and turned away to walk out but remembered something and said. "I noticed your clothes are not in the room that you put me in. Are we taking separate rooms?"

"Yes. I didn't want to rush you. I'll be in the room across yours. Good night." He answered.

Rose nodded her head at what he said and walked up the stairs into her room.