Chapter Three

By evening, after the first day of exams, Regina met Michael just outside the faculty building. The tension of the day still clung to her shoulders, but it eased the moment she saw him waiting, hands tucked casually into his pockets, his familiar calm smile already in place. They walked side by side toward a small eatery not far from campus, the kind that buzzed softly with students unwinding after long hours of concentration.

Over simple plates of food, the conversion flowed naturally. They talked about the exams- what felt easy, what felt tricky- then slowly drifted into more personal stories. Regina spoke about her childhood, her aunt Maria, and the quiet pressure she carried to do well. Michael listened attentively, occasionally nodding, his eyes thoughtful.

In return, he told her about growing up with just his mother, the responsibilities he learned early, and how that shaped his outlook on life. There was no rush, no awkwardness- just shared laughter, honest words, and a growing sense of comfort between them, as though the evening had created a small world that belonged only to the two of them.

*****

Finally the semester exams were over, Regina visited home, Aunt Marias’ obviously, and she still maintained contact with Michael, they spoke occasionally. This particular day, Nelly demanded Regina’s presence in her home, this request was supposed to make her feel lively and cheerful, but reverse of the case.

Aside from the wish of reconnecting the mother-daughter bond, there stands one obstacle, Raymond. She loathes that man, and the feeling is mutual actually, Raymond doesn’t hide the fact that Regina’s presence scares him to the core of his bones.

Raymond was the unspoken shadow in Nelly’s household, a man who wore charm like a borrowed coat and greed like a second skin. To the world, he appeared as Nelly’s devoted partner- well-spoken, polished and calculatingly generous- beneath that façade lay a ruthless gold digger who fed shamelessly on Nelly’s wealth. Every car he drove, every deal he flaunted and every ounce of influence he wielded was funded by her name and money, though he never admitted it aloud.

Unknown to many yet whispered about in dangerous circles, Raymond was a drug baron- an infamous underground figure whose operations stretched quietly across cities and borders. He ruled from the shadows, feared by those who knew the truth and respected by those who benefited from his silence. Though his name never appeared in headlines, it echoed in backroom conversations across the country, spoken with caution and dread.

Regina unsettled him. Her presence threatened the careful balance he had built, stirring fears that she might see through him, question his grip on Nelly or expose the rot beneath his polished exterior. Raymond loathed her not out of mere dislike, but out of fear- fear that Regina, with her sharp eyes and quiet strength, could become the one person capable of dismantling the empire he had built on lies and stolen wealth.

Regina arrived at the door of her mother’s and knocked, after a few seconds the door was opened. Nelly stood elegantly, classy and neat, “Come in,” Regina nodded her head in disbelieve, guess she was expecting too much.

“I wonder what it is you have to say that can’t be said over the phone.”

“Nothing really serious,” Nelly sat tiredly on a floppy couch, “I wanted to see my daughter it’s been quite a while.”

“Wow! Unfortunately, I can’t say the same,” Regina mocked.

“Stop that! Don’t be rude to your Mum,” Nelly spats.

“Well I’m sorry if my attitude doesn’t suits you, but what do you expect from me? You can imagine I walking into my Mother’s home and I have to knock and be invited in before stepping my feet into the house. In my own Mother’s home!” Regina ratted.

Nelly shook her heads in disbelief, “I can’t believe you are still very immature at this age of yours.” Regina made no comment, she realized it would be a waste of time and effort making her Mother understand the reason for her anger.

“Well I didn’t invite you over for us to have an argument. My tenth year marriage anniversary with your step father is this week Saturday, so I expect you to be at the event with smiles, and in your best outfit, wave to every camera. And don’t bother telling me you won’t come, if you still love being educated and having three square meals, you will come over.”

“Oh no Mummy, you cannot do this to me, I am your daughter, or don’t you consider the future when you will be no more, do you want pass over the company to an illiterate?”

“Who made you believe I have you as the only successor? Yes, you are my only child but still, I’ve seen that you lack a lot, and if that doesn’t change, I’m at the edge of turning the company to a public group. I haven’t yet brought the topic up for discussion at the board of directors meeting because I have refuse to lose my faith in you, don’t let me change my mind,” Nelly replied.

Regina was broken, while she was trying to process what had been said, Raymond walked in, “Ah! What a pleasant surprise. Your majesty?” He gestured towards Regina.

“Hello Uncle Raymond,” Regina faked a smile.

“You should call me Dad, Regina, you keep hurting my feelings,” Raymond replied having his right palm on his chest.

“I’ll pass, I know who my Father is, and he is long dead.” Raymond burst into laughter and said “My love? Did you hear that? _”

“Okay that’s enough the both of you,” Nelly cuts in, “And that reminds me, Barr. John has asked a lot about you, you need to see him soon.”

“I thought about him recently, it’s really nice you know, having someone distant that cares a lot about you,” Regina replied.

“I can relate my dear,” Raymond raised his index finger.

“Now without much being said, Regina was just leaving.”

“Hell no! I just got here.”

“Yeah! And I just only began to enjoy her little company,” Raymond grinned sheepishly at Nelly.

“Regina? Till we meet again and send my regards to Barr. John when you meet.”