Chapter 5

Erica stepped out of her room carrying herself with so much dignity, it was already 4:00pm.

She drove out of the house heading out to spend the rest of the day with her man.

Andrew lay face up on his bed, lost in between thoughts when he heard unusual movements. 

He jerked up from his bed at once and walked into the living room.

He gasped "who are you and what are you doing in my house?"

The lady smiled.

"How time flies that a father doesn't even recognize his daughter" she said looking straight at his face.

His eyes fluttered in amazement. 

She was the last person he expected to see in his house.

He ran his hand across his mouth taking a quick glance around wondering if Miriam came with her.

Joan smirked.

"Don't worry I am alone, she did not come with me" she said.

Andrew scoffed fixing his gaze on her face.

"What are you doing here Joan?" He asked.

She laughed softly.

 "No dad..., that's not the way it is done" she said.

Andrew raised his brows "really?"

Joan nodded.

"Yes... this isn't how it is done" she answered. 

Andrew looked away "I see..."

She took a deep breath walking a little closer to him.

"Don't you miss me dad? is this how you welcome your lost daughter? I expected more... like some hugging and crying" she said spreading her hands apart. 

Andrew sighed "Joan enough of this nonsense and tell me what you are doing here now."

"I came to see you dad, it has been ages and I have missed you, besides.... I survived you know..., I didn't die just like you and your beloved daughter expected" she smirked.

"Joan did your mother ever tell you that I always sent her money?" He asked.

"Lies! You chose Erica over me, but don't worry... Mother already told me why you did that" she said.

Andrew sighed "you were bound to know someday Joan, at least now she also know why your mother treated Erica the way she did."

Joan nodded "what about Erica? Does she know?"

Andrew fixed his stare on her "Erica knows nothing and I don't want her knowing anything about it."

"Really? You want to keep her away from the truth because you are afraid she might die because of the hole in her heart?" Joan cried out.

Andrew grew bitter "your mother has fed you with more than enough information, she knew everything yet she was bent on killing Erica herself."

Tears swept down Joan's cheek "then you chose Erica over me?"

"Erica needed me more, your mother was never willing to take good care of her, why did you lie to Erica?" She asked.

Joan laughed softly wiping her tears off "the ignorant little girl already ran home to cry to daddy?"

Andrew walked closer to her "Listen carefully to me Joan, stay away from Erica, I know you mean her no good."

She burst into laughter. 

"I have a smart father don't I? Why would I ever mean good for someone who took my father's love all to herself? Someone who led to my parent's divorce?" Joan asked.

"Joan stop it! What your mother was doing to her is called evil!" He yelled.

"Erica deserved worse than that!" Joan screamed.

"No she doesn't! What has Miriam been feeding you with?" He asked looking shocked.

"The truth dad... the truth" she turned around to leave. 

"Before you leave.... I want to ask for a favour" he said.

Joan turned around.

"Leave Erica out of this, if you are mad at me, just face me" he said.

She chortled "I am so sorry dad, I can't promise you that, but don't worry, Erica is still my beloved sister isn't she?"

Andrew was quiet, he stared at her.

"Don't worry, my lips are sealed" she left hurriedly. 

Andrew grew very angry.

He hit his fist on the wall over and over again and burst into tears.

"Why is Miriam doing this? Why can't she let Erica be?" He thought aloud. 

He quickly called Erica.

Erica had her hands on the steering when she noticed her phone was ringing.

She picked up the phone and stared the screen.

"Why is dad calling me?" She thought aloud.

She fixed her airpod on her ear.

"Hey dad... sorry I didn't tell you that I was leaving" she said.

Andrew sighed "it's okay, just wanted to be sure you are fine."

Erica giggled "sure... I am good dad, is everything okay with you?"

"Yeah, I am perfect" he answered. 

Erica nodded "I will see you when I get home then."

Andrew hanged up and took a deep breath.

He moved over to the couch and sat down.

He was afraid that Joan might let the truth about alot of things out which would definitely hurt Erica who had a hole in her heart.

Andrew and Miriam found out about this illness and ever since Erica was a baby and since then they have been careful with her to avoid ever being emotionally stressed, this was the main reason he kept alot of things from Erica and swore to keep it to himself but he was afraid that Joan might tell Erica since Miriam had already told her everything. 

Erica had beautiful smiles on her face as she continued driving, she did not call Liam to tell him that she was coming, she wanted to suprise him, the last time she did, he went crazy and almost ate her up.

She turned up the volume of a radio station playing a Celine Dion song, she was her favorite singer. 

The music gradually soaked into her head and in no time, she was already singing along.

Though Erica was a bad singer, singing isn't  for her at all but she was not afraid to show everyone how much of a horrible singer she was, especially if it's her favorite song, music was one thing that makes her feel better most times. 

The roof of her car was open, oh! Yes! She was in the mood for some good fun.

And here came traffic, she had to halt and wait for the lights to turn green.

This wasn't Erica's favorite moments but she still had to wait, obeying traffic rules like the good citizen that she was.

She took a glance at her right and there was this young man with a blue car, the roof of his car was open aswell and he was lost staring at beautiful Erica. 

He winked at her, Erica rolled her eyes in disgust picking her sunglasses and covering her eyes with them, she just couldn't wait for the lights to turn green so she could drive off already.

Erica gets alot of admirers daily especially in occasions like this, the last time she had to wait for the lights to turn green, a guy tried to start a conversation with her and boom the lights turned green and she drove off like the road had no ends.

Erica only have eyes for Liam who she met when she thought love was just a big fat lie.

Erica almost drank herself to death after every breakup and cry herself to sleep, all thanks to her father who always ended up carrying her to bed every night or picking her up from the bar with the help of Sarah. 

Erica parked her car in front of Liam's house, she needs to take an elevator up to his apartment, he lives in a pen house.

She has been dating her boyfriend Liam for a year now and ever since it has been one hell of a crazy beautiful ride.

They went to lots of places together, they had fun, partied together and made friends together.

Their relationship have been the most beautiful experience of what love was like and she wouldn't mind spending the rest of her life with him once he pops the question. 

Erica have always dreamed of being happy, it has being her biggest desire right from childhood, she didn't find that in her family neither did she find it in her previous relationships but she believed she has found it in Liam, her handsome boyfriend. 

She adjusted her dress, Erica wanted to look perfect for him.

Liam loved good dresses, especially when they look sexy and  she was so sure she was looking more than just sexy that evening.