Six

To show you how crazy I was feeling, I turned back and went to the estate. I came down and looked for the black girl's car

It was still standing there. I heaved and leaned on the car 

Dad's words rang in my ear again. He wants me to make friends with her because of his business. Normally, I'm not the type that should care about anything and I should follow my own ways but, thinking about it, dad's business will soon be my business too 

I'll soon be in college 

I took few steps away from the car. Then I saw a locket on the floor, I picked it and opened it. 

Me: it's Andy's cousin 

I dropped it back and wanted walking forward but for the first time, my conscience itched me. 

I picked it up again 

Should I give it to her tomorrow? How I'm I even going to do that? 

I looked up and saw the girl I was thinking about, and the black girl. 

Me: hey! 

I didn't even know how that came out 

The two girls stared at me blankly. 

I didn't know what else to say, then someone came out of the black girl's car 

Loretta : OMG my locket 

She looked at my hands that clutched it. Then the guy that came out of the car spoke up 

Guy: Ugwa 

The black girl looked at him 

He is her brother, or maybe so I think 

Girl : Anibe 

She faced her friend and said something then left her. The friend came to me 

Loretta: Daniel is that my... 

I put it forth to her 

Me: I found it on the floor 

Loretta: thank you 

She took it and opened it. The other car zoomed off and we both watched it go. I sighed and made for my car

Loretta: thanks again 

I didn't reply, I just entered my car and closed the door then drove off 

     Unugwa

I sighed immediately I entered the car. Of course, Anibe stared at me suspiciously 

Anibe : did you escape from kidnappers? 

Me: nope

Anibe : the girl with the uniform, your classmate huh? 

Me: yep 

Anibe : and the guy? You have a crush on him? 

I winded the glass and sighed deeply. I forgot to answer his question

Anibe: wait? What? 

He pulled over just outside the entrance to the estate 

Me: hey 

Anibe :why would you crush on him already? 

Me: I never said so 

Anibe : well you look like a girl who got jelly knees after standing in front of her crush. And the air conditioning is on, why did you wind down the glass and breathe in?

I held his ear and pulled it. He let out a wince as I twisted it 

Me: your problem is way too bulky for me to take in

Then I released him 

Anibe : my ear. I just had that pierced and I didn't do it properly. It still hurts 

Me: I don't really like the idea of you wearing an earring. For Christ sake you're not an African American 

Anibe: then what I'm I? 

I sighed, well he's actually an African American. He was born in America, came back to Nigeria at two and returned with mom for my birth at three. 

Ever since then, he's been in USA, only leaving and returning within a week. Anibe travels a lot though, mostly follows mom to Nigeria 

Dad never let me, I don't know why 

Anibe : stop thinking too much about that dude. He's not that much of your type 

Me: drive.. Just drive 

Anibe: want some ice-cream baby? 

Me: no I'm..... 

Anibe : hahaha, I'm glad I'm a man. No four days cries 

Me: I don't get cramps that much. The doctor helped me out 

Anibe: whatever. 

He started the car and drove off 

When we got home, mom was arranging Chubi's hair in the living room. 

Me: going to the dentist again? 

Chubi : nope, going to the mall. Mom is gonna buy me video games 

Me: good evening mom

I sat on the cushion adjacent them. Anibe headed to the kitchen 

Mom: and where are you guys from? 

The dude came back with a plate of chicken wings 

Amidst munches he said 

Anibe: Ugwa forced me to follow her to see a white boy 

Me: what? 

He sat down 

Chubi : don't say that when daddy is around. Or Ugwa would be on hot seat now 

He took his stuffed animal and sat well, leaning against the soft white cushion 

Mom: I've told you to stop following this idiot around but you wouldn't listen, he'll land you in trouble some day 

She then pulled Anibe's ear and I laughed. 

Me: he kidnapped me 

Anibe: it's a lie, I... 

Then he choked on the chicken and began to cough. He quickly dropped the plate on a side stool and ran to the kitchen 

Me: my luck 

I took the plate and ran upstairs to my room 

      Andy

I dropped my school bag on the sofa few steps after my door, opposite my bed. 

I sat on the edge and removed my shoes and socks then stood up and unbuttoned my shirt but didn't take it off. 

I walked to the mirror and sighed as I arranged my scattered hair. I took in my lips and stroke a seductive pose like a sexy model 

I'll be going into modeling next month. The contracts are getting ready 

My tummy grumbled 

I'm hungry for real food. I sighed and brought out my camera, placed it on the bed then took my clothes off before heading to the shower

When I finished showering, I tied a towel round my waist and the other towel hung over my shoulders. I entered my room and saw my mom dropping some papers on my bed 

Me: mom

Mom: Andy, I need you to take photos of dogs and print them out on these papers for me 

I rubbed the towel on my shoulders to drain of excess water 

Me: why? 

Mom: well, I need it for the new bill board. I know you'll want to take the pictures, that's why I brought them 

Me: thanks mama 

She chuckled 

Mom: dress up. And come down for dinner 

She left and I towel-dried my hair. I went to the bed and took the papers. Each were the names of the different breeds of dogs that should be printed 

My mom is actually a Vet. She owns a big veterinary clinic downtown. 

My phone buzzed. A message from Roberto 

📩guess who's back? 

📩you're back? 

📩yep, just got back 

📩and you didn't tell me you were coming today 

📩surprise

📩hahaha 

📩I'll see you tomorrow 

📩welcome back bruh 

I smiled and dropped the phone, I got dressed then went downstairs to eat. 

I sighed when I didn't see my dad. I'm going to eat in peace tonight 

Me: daddy's not back right? 

Mom: he is. He went upstairs just now. He'll be back 

I felt my breath hooking in my throat. My heart dropped to my feet 

That man is at home, I just lost appetite. Maybe I should go and eat in a restaurant 

Mom: hahaha, just joking. Look at your face, like you've seen a ghost 

I sighed deeply and covered my face with my hands in relief. Mom was still laughing 

Me: seriously mom, don't do that again. Please 

Mom: I'm still wondering why you and your father are like that. You were so close when you were little 

Me: because I chose photography and modelling over business and marketing 

I uncovered the bowls and took a spoon to dish out whatever I wanted to eat into my plate. Mom was already eating 

Mom: I don't know why he doesn't want to understand your passion 

Me: he doesn't even have time to understand his wife, talk more of his son's passion

Mom sighed, lately she has been having quarrels with dad over little things. 

Mom: I think it's because of the way his business is going lately. He's just become angered at the slightest thing 

Me: what's happening? 

I asked with open eyes. I don't really care about my dad but I know the last thing I want to happen is for his business to crash down. I can't imagine our lives if that happens 

Mom: Alberto Empire is taking the lead. That's what I heard him saying over the phone 

I clenched my wrist. That's what I fear. Daniel's father being richer than mine. Daniel has always been too proud, even when I was way richer than him. He bragged about so many things that I got really angry and punched his nose. That was in the fifth grade. 

Daniel and I have never been friends for once. Our father's have always been rivals and that rivalry entered our blood 

And now, the Alberto Empire is taking the lead? That idiot will kill himself with ego. Useless ego 

Mom: but I think he has a plan of partnering with an Australian agency. He's planning to travel next week 

Me: I hope he succeeds. His business is his number one 

Mom: by the way, how has been Loretta? I miss that little talkative so much 

I sliced some steak and gently dropped it in my mouth 

Me: that babe is fine... I... took her to a coffee shop today

Mom: are you still her only friend? Cause I remember she said she was going to stay away from her female friends, saying they were jealous of her 

Me: And they were using her to get to me 

Mom laughed and drank water 

Me: she actually made friends with a new girl in class 

Mom: you have a newcomer? 

Me: yeah, so weird black girl from Africa 

Mom: an African? That's stupid 

I smiled, mom doesn't like black people. Or should I say she feels inferior around them. She always says that black people overdo things 

But I know she secretly admired them. They were so good at what they do. And some of the best artists are blacks. And I learnt from my aunt, Loretta's mother that my mom fell in love with a black person but he ditched her and went back to Africa to get married to a lady from his own tribe

Me: I don't even like her. She's weird 

Mom: good. Stay away from her, black people are bad luck. And I'll warn Loretta too

Me: oh come on Mom! Don't you think you're a little raci.st there

She sighed and her face turned sad

Mom: I'm sorry. It's not what I mean. They're not bad luck. They're good people. Just that... Ugh! Just be careful okay

I smiled at her and she managed to fake a smile and hide the sadness clouding her mind

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