Chapter 04

Alexa POV.

I haven’t seen so many people at our house before, it felt so surreal. They were all dressed in black suits and came back home with us in their various cars. When we got home, Mrs. Roseline had already made some food and the aroma made my stomach growl. I went straight to the kitchen, Mrs. Roseline understood because she was already putting some snacks on a plate for me. 

“Thank you Mrs. Roseline,” I said as she handed it to me.

I walked out of the kitchen and I put a big muffin in my mouth and it tasted so delicious. As I was about to take the last turn out of the hallway, I heard some ladies whispering, they were talking about how my mom abandoned her children at such a young age. But I didn’t want to believe their lies, mom would never abandon Morris and I.

The plate on my hand fell because I lost my appetite. I immediately ran in search of my dad, to ask him about what those people were saying, but both my dad and Morris were nowhere to be found. I headed to my dad’s home office, but as I was about to enter I heard him talking on the phone, explaining to someone that he was going to catch the next flight leaving this afternoon. I felt so betrayed and ran upstairs in search of Morris. 

On getting to Morris' room, his door was locked. I knocked on it but there was no answer.

“Morris, can I please enter?” I asked with my baby voice, I was already on the brink of crying. 

I knocked again but there was no response. I was about to leave when he opened his door. I looked up to him and his eyes were red and swollen, and this triggered me and I began crying. He looked at me and carried me inside his room and laid me on his bed. I don’t remember him ever carrying me, it touched a part of my heart and my tears increased. 

“Don’t cry, it’s going to be alright Alexa.”

“Pro-Promise me you will not leave me too,” I said in between tears. He looked at me and started crying. 

I woke up and noticed I was still in Morris’s room. It was already dark out. I stood up from the bed and began to scan the room. I went to his table and saw his most cherished item, a camera mom bought for his sixteenth birthday. Immediately remembering that his birthday is coming up on Tuesday and mom wouldn’t be here to celebrate it. 

As I was about to touch the camera, the door opened and Morris entered with a tray of food in his hands. 

“Come here and have something to eat, I’m sure you must be hungry,” I smiled and ran to the bed where Morris had placed the tray. It was scrambled eggs and chicken and I immediately started eating. In between bites, I looked up and found Morris staring at me with the calmest eyes.

“When is mom coming home?, I asked.

“Soon,” he replied immediately. 

“Is dad around?,” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“No, he went to make some arrangements for mom’s return.” He responded. 

I never thought a day would come when Morris would make an excuse for dad. It took me by surprise.

“Eat now, okay, everything is going to be alright.” I was filled with joy because this was the softest Morris had ever been to me. 

I woke up in my bed the next day. It was sunny outside and I was happy because I got to spend the whole of yesterday with Morris. I went downstairs in search of something to eat, hoping to find my mom so I could tell her how Morris treated me so nicely but I met Mrs. Roseline in the kitchen instead.

“Good morning Ma,” I greeted. 

“Good morning my dear, how was your night, hope you slept well?”

“Yes Ma, I did, what about mum, is she back?” I asked, not used to her leaving for so long. She looked down at me and smiled but this smile was filled with pity.

“It’s going to be okay dear, I made you pancakes.”

My stomach must have heard her cause it growled immediately causing Mrs. Roseline to laugh. I immediately thought about Morris.

“Can I take Morris’s food up to his room?” 

“My dear, I’m afraid Morris left for school early this morning.”

“Really, are you sure?” I thought Morris would take some days off but I guess he doesn’t want to disappoint mom when she gets back. 

“Do I also have to go to school?” I look up at her.

“Yes, you do. Your father said I should prepare you.”

I look down at my tiny feet, not surprised by my father's decision, even when he is not here we still have to do what he says.

“But, let’s imagine you weren’t feeling well? That means you get to stay home right?” Mrs. Roseline says, I look up at her with a happy face. Beaming from left to right.

“Let’s keep this secret between you and I, I will put your food and you can go watch cartoons on the television.”

I beamed at her, excited that I got to spend the day at home. I immediately remember that tomorrow is Morris' birthday, and think about what to do. Mom was the one planning everything, she was supposed to bake his cake and the three of us were supposed to celebrate together.

“Mrs. Roseline, can you please bake a cake for Morris tomorrow, it’s his birthday.”

“Yes my dear, of course I can.”

“Thank you Ma.” I felt a little bit of happiness, mum will be disappointed if she finds out that we didn’t celebrate Morris' birthday, so I must make her proud.

The day went by quickly and I was able to catch up on some of my Television shows. After waiting for Morris to come back from school I must have gotten tired and slept off because when I woke up Morris was beside me in my bed.

“Morris you are back? I have been waiting for you.” He looked at me with a different smile on his face.

“I brought this for you, do not open it up till tomorrow,” he said while handing something over to me. I looked down at it and noticed that it was wrapped.

“What’s inside it?” I asked, surprised. Morris had never given me any presents before. 

“It’s a surprise, you get to find out tomorrow, now sleep back, okay?” He says, covering me with a blanket. The last thing I remember was him giving me a peck as I drifted back to sleep.

I wake up the next morning and I feel energised. Today is Morris' 17th birthday. I am about to go find him when I see a wrapped present on the table. I try to recall yesterday and I remember Morris giving it to me last night. I pick it up and tear off the wrapper. Within it is a box, I open the box and I become short of air, inside is Morris' camera and a pink dairy. Morris has never allowed me to touch his camera so why would he give them to me now. I notice a note inside the box and pick it up, I read through the contents and begin to cry.

“My dear Alexa, I know you would be shocked and confused while reading this, but I want you to know everything is going to be fine. I know I have not been the best big brother and I have not treated you nicely but I want you to know that I have always loved you and I always will. I am not abandoning you now, I am just going to find myself, to know who I really am without the influence of our father. Mom has always been there to encourage and protect me, but I don’t think I can survive a day in this house without her any longer. Everything here reminds me of her and I can’t stand it. I know you are probably too young to understand and it might look like two people in your life abandoned you at the same time. I know mum won’t be proud of me but I want you to know that it’s for your own good. You will be safe here, Mrs. Roseline will always look after you, make sure you listen to her and do everything she says. I am leaving you my camera and a diary because I want you to document everything, so you can show me whenever we meet again. I love you Alexa.”