Chapter 8

Felix stepped out of his office, his polished shoes echoing softly against the marble floor. The elevator door slid open and he stepped in pressing the button to the ground floor with calm precision.

He walked outside, opened the car and settled into the back seat of  a sleek black, Lexus RX 350 neatly packed outside, glowing under the sun he adjusted his watch, looking  calm but focused.

"Where are we going sir", the driver asked glancing through the rear view mirror

"Let's head home", he said, then paused. But first stop by a good jewelry store u think they sell expensive stuffs , I need to get something."

The driver nodded without questions already sensing it was for someone important. 

They headed to a high end jewelry store and later went back home. Felix settled on his bed and took a small rest before, he finally took a shower.

Felix dressed like a man who who knew the night meant something, he didn't come in suit tonight, he came in culture, and class, he wore a deep royal blue senator native, smooth and perfectly tailored hugging his frame as if it was made just for him (because it was) . The  fabric was rich and slightly glossy catching the light with every steps. The top had clean embroidery around the neckline and chest  subtle not loud. His trouser matched, sharp and pressed, with an expensive black leather shoe.

He held a small velvet box, hiding the ring, he bought just for her. He kept in inside his pocket, grabbed the key of a Benz and headed outside to the living room. Alex, who was seating on the couch at the living room pressing his phone, was shocked to see his dad dressed, like that.

"Dad" his eyes scanned Felix cloth

"Where to" he asked

"Somewhere important to my life son", he replied as he descended the stairs.

Alex sat up straightened "Haha dad, where exactly, I'm sure it's not for business meeting, or business trip" he asked again.

"Well' Felix  chuckled lightly "I want to go and propose to the love of my life"

Alex blinked "You what?"

She is beautiful, kind , if you see this woman you will definitely like her, intact she has a daughter I think u guys are same in age, clearly depicting the fact that she can also have u as a son and she fits in perfectly as your step mom" he said smiling brightly.

The smile vanished from Alex's face "Dad tell me this is a joke"

"Obviously it's not" Felix said with a serious face and tone

"Dad don't fuck with me, tell me this is a joke, you and I know that's not possible" Alex's face tightened

"Well son" Felix said Firmly

"it's my life, I'm your dad and I have the final decision to make, if you like be in support of it , if you like, you can go against it, I will do whatever pleases me"

He jingled his keys and walked out.

Alex stood , tense. "Dad dad , this must not happen, not when I'm alive" he muttered, grabbing his phone.

*****************

"Mum, what's going on? You refused to allow me cook and now u are fully dressed, with make up on, i don't get this" she said with a loud voice.

"Cecilia calm down, my husband is coming over for dinner with us and I also want you to dress and join us at the dinning table" she said calmly to her, smiling brightly, also adjusting her earrings.

"What? Husband? Cecilia brows furrowed "mum u went ahead to tell him you are in, after all what I said, mum aren't you tired, can't u remain single, is it mandatory for a man to control you? Mummmmmmmmm answer" she screamed

"Cecilia—"

"I'm sorry for shouting mum, you  know I don't shout at you mum, have never disobeyed you, I always obliged and make you happy , why can't you listen to me and don't date anybody again?, can't it be only us , I mean us"She asked calmly  with a teary eyes, and trembling voice.

Florence moved towards her "Cecilia, you know, I love you ..."

Ding

A message notification lit up Florence's phone screen and interrupted the moment.

"Babe, Felix is outside, we will continue our discussion later, lemme go get the door, go and make sure you  get dressed and join us" she said restless at the same time excited cause the smile on her face could tell.

"I can never come outside, talkless of joining you" she muttered and left for her room in annoyance.

Florence unbothered checked herself in the mirror before finally steeping out to get the door.

She opened the door and Felix stepped in "welcome to my little abode" Florence said with a bright smile

"Wow this is not little babe, this is gigantic" he said scanning the interior aesthetic and designs.

"what of your daughter how is she doing, is she aware or u did not inform her , I will be coming for dinner"

"Hmmmmm, she is sleeping, yea she is sleeping" she said with a forced smile.

"I should be able to see her before leaving right, Ive been hoping to see her" he said depicting how eager he was to meet Cecilia.

"Yes babe, let's go to the dinning table, don't stress yourself over her, you will surely meet her" she said linked her arm with his and led him to the dinning table.

She served the food and, they both shared a warm meal, talking  gisting  and laughing so loudly, they spoke like an old friends, trying to fill each other in.

Florence stood to park the plates but Felix gently pulled her back to her seat , and said "let it wait. Tonight is important"

They continue with their gist, while sipping the wine.

"But babe" he said leaning closer "

"I'm surprised  by  how you reacted in my office, like I expected u to get angry and annoyed cause of the way she behaved but then, you stood up and kissed me right in front of her." He said

She chuckled and said " she likes you and she wants you, it's obvious she's jealous, I needed to hurt her little pride."

Felix stood from his seat, knelt in front of Florence, brought out the ring, opened it . Florence couldn't believe her eyes, she stared at him with her jaw dropped surprised "Felix" she whispered, stunned but flattered.

" Florence" he said, voice steady but full of emotions "I've loved you in silence, in distance, in chaos. But tonight, I want to love you out loud , for the rest of my life. Will you marry me ?"

She was excited and then stretched out her hand but before she could answer-

"If you dare take the ring from him, I swear I will burn this house down immediately, you sloth"

They both Froze

Felix turned towards the voice. "Alex"

Her hand hanged in the air, showing her readiness to collect the ring.

"Alex, how dare you say something like that, what are you doing here and how did you know this place?" Felix asked still surprised

" Dad no one is collecting this fucking ring from you, she has even stretched her hand, will you drop those fucking fingers of your? you want to carry one sloth into the house, to be my step mother?"

"Don't you dare talk to my mum like that u bastard" Cecilia's voice came in as she stormed out of her room eyes blazing.

"Mum you see what you've brought upon us, and I warned you, now this idiot thinks he can speak rudely to you"

she said facing her mom who was still seating on the chair, with her mouth widely opened.

"Ohh, it's you the sloth that was acting like a virgin at the pool, is like you ready for another insult today right, you fool" Alex snapped.

"Wow, interesting, it's the rude boy from the pool, I'm so sure u don't have mother cause if you do, you won't come here and start insulting someone , who can gave birth to you, an older woman at that" Cecilia  said angrily.

Both Felix and Florence jaw opened, they were both speechless, Felix managed to stand and moved closer to Cecilia , " my daughter please and please don't be angry"

"Don't beg me, beg the fool standing here, insulting me and my mom" she said

"Your entire generations and the one to come are the fools including the sloth seating here" Alex said angrily

"Are you mad" Felix stopped Alex from speaking further .

Cecilia grabbed one of the plates parked at one side in the dining table and smashed it on Alex's head without thinking twice

There was a sharp sound, ceramics against skull

Then silence

Alex drooped to the floor, unconscious.

Florence screamed.

Felix rushed forward, panic written all over his face.

Cecilia stood still, her chest rising and falling eyes wide, lips trembling.

Is he dead?