Chapter 2

I didn’t even care if I had sustained any injuries as my back hit the bed with a thud as a result of the way I had dropped to the floor as a result of the shock that came with Duke’s statement. My legs seemed to have given up the ability to hold me up.

“What do you mean dad’s sick, he is healthy, he sounded healthy when he called me” I would not believe it. My old man was healthy and strong

“It pains me to say it but it is true” Duke’s voice had become so small like he was afraid of what I would do and he was correct to be afraid because if he was in front of me, I may have attacked him out of anger from spewing such nonsense

“Stop saying rubbish, Duke. Dad can not be on his deathbed. This is ridiculous. How could you make such an expensive joke?” I tried to laugh it off but even my laughter had doubts etched onto them like the thorns on roses. It was painful

“He has a brain tumour and it can’t be operated on. The doctors say he’ll have two weeks tops” Duke continued like I hadn’t even spoken a word earlier. I gripped the edge of the bed as I shook my head refusing to believe the false information he was forcefully feeding me

“I don’t believe you. You are just trying to make me come back home, aren’t you?” Deep down I know it wasn’t the case but I was willing to believe any other thing

“When last did you speak to your father, young mistress?” Duke’s question was like a hard blow to my chest because he had a point. I had not spoken to Dad in almost a month. I just assumed that he was giving me the space I required when he was on his deathbed

“Duke please tell me it’s a lie” I cried as fear finally crumpled me. My hand that was gripping the bed tight slowly dropped to the ground. I shook my head as tears ran down my cheeks

“You need to come home immediately, spend time with your father as much as you can” Duke spoke softly to me and it reminded me of times when I got hurt or scared as a child and he would always be there

“I am on my way now” I dried my eyes with the back of my hand and got up hurriedly. I disconnected the call and snatched my luggage from the closet. I didn’t even bother to properly fold my clothes as I snatched them from the hangers in the closet not bothering if they got ruined by the harsh way I was ripping them off the hangers in the most brutal way.

I moved through my room as swiftly as possible, snatching anything I could find and putting it into my box. Still in the outfit I wore to the gallery, I rushed out of the room towards the elevator.

Once I was inside the elevator, I quickly put on my phone and ordered a cab that would take me directly to the airport. Before I could even bother or look for a way I could get a flight ticket that would take me home immediately, I got a notification from my email.

I clicked on the mail which had the heading, flight details and saw that Duke had already booked a flight ticket for me. I thanked the heavens for bringing Duke into our lives as I hurried to the front desk, dropped the room key and told the receptionist that I was checking out

She had a look of worry as she took in my appearance and even attempted to ask me what the problem was but I was in no mood to answer any questions. I hurried off and moved swiftly out of the hotel room to find my cab waiting outside

“Please hurry, we must get to the airport on time” I guess the cab driver must have seen the look of fear or whatever it was that he saw because he zoomed off to the airport without asking any questions which I was grateful for

As the cab made its way towards the airport, my mind wandered on its own to my dad. Was he in pain? How did he look now? Was he pale? Did he eat well anymore? My mind was a puzzle of questions that didn’t have answers at the moment. Answers I would only find when I arrived home.

I made sure to give the cab driver a tip for getting me to the airport way quicker than I had anticipated. Just like I did with the receptionist, I didn’t wait to hear any word of thanks from the cab driver before I ran like a mad woman across the airport to the check-in

When I got there, the gates were about to close for the plane to take off. The staff had said I was lucky to not have arrived a minute late but I couldn't care less about what she was saying.

It was a first-class seat with a private booth and I was thankful for that because I would be able to cry myself to oblivion without worrying about questioning looks from my neighbors or seat partner.

I had crazed my way to get to the airport and board my plane but now I felt like jumping off the plane and flying home if only I was Superman or a fairy with wings. I found myself checking my time all too often and would sometimes pinch my laps out of annoyance when I saw that the time just wouldn’t go fast and the plane still had about 10 hours before we got to our destination

Throughout the flight, I could not even close my eyes for a bit even as my eyes had tears running down, begging me to close them for a bit, willing me to let them rest but I was too stubborn. My eyes were glued to my phone screen waiting for that message telling me it was all a prank to get me to come home. A message I knew deep down would never come.

I didn’t know how I managed to fall asleep or when I did. The voice of the air hostess announcing to the passengers to prepare for landing had me fully awake. I was finally home. The place I had refused to come back to in the last three months but here I was shamefully returning home just my sick father was almost dead .

I didn’t waste any time in collecting my luggage. I was about to start another marathon race to get out of the airport so I could get a cab home when I saw David standing among the others who were probably waiting for their relatives, friends or employees. He didn’t have to hold a hand sign like the others because he had worked for us for over a decade and would be able to recognize me with his eyes closed

Usually, when David picks me up from the airport or even school like he did a few times, he always had a smile on his face but today was different. He looked tired and worn out and he would not be able to hold a smile if he tried. His face was like a staggering confirmation of the terrible news I had been given a few hours ago

When I reached him, he pulled me into a hug I didn’t know I needed. As soon as his arms embraced me, I burst into another wave of tears. Tears I had thought had run out because I had cried enough to make an ocean.

I could feel people's gaze on us as they watched and wondered why I was bawling my eyes out. I also didn’t know why I was crying terribly when I had not even seen my dad yet. What then would I do when I see him if I was already crying like this when I had not even seen him

David didn’t mind at all and didn’t even make any attempt to push me off as I soaked his suit with salty disgusting tears and maybe some snot. He patted my back carefully and with a lot of understanding. He was silently telling me it was okay and I would be fine but would I be okay on my own?

Ever since Mom died, Dad has been my whole world. He was my mother, father, brother, sister and best friend but who would I become when he left me alone in this cold and brutal world? He promised not ever to leave me but now he was breaking his promise and he was never one to break his promises

By the time I had collected myself and was no longer bawling my eyes, I could not even lift my eyes to look up because I knew some nosy people would not go about their business but would stay still till they knew the cause of my troubles. Just like he always knew what I wanted, David took charge of the situation. He led me out of the airport with my eyes still cast down as though I was doing the walk of shame

“ let’s go and meet your father, young mistress. He is waiting for you” was all David said as he led me to the car that was parked outside the airport. A car I was all too familiar with as my dad’s favourite.