Chapter Eighty-five Annabelle_ I felt I had had enough. It was then I realized that people think I'm a better person now because Henry must have been guiding me to do right. “Do you think I do not stand on my own?” The tension in the room was high and Brook kept trying to calm me by rubbing my thigh. I shrugged her hand off most of the time to keep saying whatever it was I had in mind to say. Moments later, my father looked at me and said, “I thought you've grown up. I don't think so.” He stood up and left the table. I threw my cutlery on the plate with force. Brook leaned into me, she was about to say something when I stood up and left the dining table. “I will not take any form of insult again! I'm an entity, I'm an adult.” I kept on talking to myself angrily as I packed up my bag. Brook sauntered into the room and met me packing my bags. “Annabelle, what are you doing? You know how your dad can be, you don't have to be angry. He didn't mean his words in a bad way.” “Yo
Chapter Eighty-six Travis_ I couldn't get Annabelle off my mind till I got home. I knew getting her back would be harder especially because Samantha is now back. I could not understand Samantha either. She has been cold since she got back. Just while I was sitting in my study thinking, she walked in and began questioning me. “What have you been doing about the building that got burnt or aren’t you going to do anything about it?” I was happy she took interest in it because since she got back she had just neglected me and she seemed to be angry all the time. “Come and sit, let me show you what I've been up to.” I felt things might get better if I showed her what I've been up to with the new project and it would help us talk better. She came and sat beside me, though she left a little bit of space. I opened my laptop and several files showing her the projects I've been working on as well as the project plan and the income it will generate. “I see. So you are the owner of this ri
Chapter Eighty-seven Annabelle_ I held Johnson as he cried while Brooklyn was driven out of my house. Nana, I and Johnson stood in front of the door and watched her leave. It felt like a part of us was going away. I knew it hurt Johnson more because she was always around with him whenever I missed the nights he and I were supposed to spend together. I had never seen him cry for anything or anyone. He was always a strong boy. “Mum, why does she have to go? Why are you not stopping her?” I bent down to look at him in the face, “She has to find her place. She's an adult. We will see her again. She will come to visit. You can also go and visit her whenever you want.” “No, Mum!” He yelled and ran off into the house. I stood up and looked at Nana. She just stood still staring at me. “Can you please help me explain this to him?” I don't know but Nana gets him better. She nodded and went after him. I was also hurt that Brook had gone. I didn't realize how much space she filled in
Chapter Eighty-eight Annabelle_ “Can I come in?” I opened Johnson's door later that evening so I could speak to him. With a smile, I stood by the door and peeped at him. He was reading a novel. He sat up and nodded his head. He still had a sad gait while I walked into his room. I sat beside him and wrapped him in my hands. “My boy, you know I don't like seeing you sad. It breaks my heart.” He shrugged and kept mute. “Brook just had to leave us and you have nothing to worry about. I am here for you, always.” After I said that, he pulled away from me and sat still by himself. “What is wrong?” I asked him and touched his hand. He shook his head insinuating nothing was wrong. “I need you to speak, Johnson. Talk to me. I'm your mum and you're my most priceless possession. I live for you. I know we don't get to talk that much but I want you to know that I love you so much.” He sighed and in his sweet little voice, he said. “I know you love me, Mum. But you are just never there fo
Chapter Eighty-nine Annabelle_ “Why isn't he picking?” I had called Henry's number several times and it kept going to his voicemail. “Maybe he is still angry about what had happened earlier.” “Oh well, I have called him. Whenever he's ready he will call me back.” I said to myself. Just then my dad's call came into my phone. I knew I was in trouble because I had left his house without telling him I was leaving or anything. I picked up the call and kept mute. I planned to remain quiet while he scolded me for how I behaved earlier. “Annabelle. You did not deem it fit to tell me before leaving my house. Is that how insignificant I have become to you?” He asked. Funny enough, he didn't sound as angry as I anticipated. He just spoke in a concerned manner. I kept mute and listened to him as he complained. “Are you not going to answer me?” I cleared my throat before I spoke. “I just needed to leave. I wasn't feeling too well.” “I can see that. Have you heard from Henry since he l
Chapter Ninety Annabelle_ I was very sensitive to the cars that drove past my car and the vehicles that followed behind mine all through the ride because of the letter. I couldn't wait to get Johnson to Travis's home safely. I had left him a message about what happened and why I needed to drop him off at his place. I didn't even check to see if he had seen it or responded. I kept watching Johnson as I drove. He was reading one of his story books and I just loved how he gave the book his undivided attention. “What's the title of the book you're reading?” I couldn't help but ask because he was so engrossed in it for a young boy. “The Lion King.” He responded gazed at me with a swift smile and turned back to his book. “I see. It must be so interesting. You won't mind sharing the story with me would you?” “Oh mum, I'm sorry. I won't be able to tell you all the story because I'm not done reading them myself.” He sounded like a young professor. I was still very cautious of my env
Chapter Ninety- one Annabelle _ Travis looked at me and looked back at Samantha. “Don't worry, I'd handle it,” He whispered before walking closer to Samantha. “Can we speak inside please?” He asked her gently and held her hand. I hated the fact that I had to see him be so lovely with her. I mean, did he have to hold her hand? “No. I need her gone this instant.” She insisted and forced her hand out of his hands. I walked boldly over to them and faced Samantha. “Look, save this drama for when the kids and I are not present. I'm not spending the whole day here. I will leave soon.” I called out to Johnson and Norah, “Let's go inside.” They walked slowly to us, looking at Samantha as they got closer to us. I followed after them and we made our way inside. “I'm not going to take this. You can't bring your mistress to my house and expect me to remain quiet…” I could hear Samantha as she yelled at Travis. I wasn't bothered by her empty threats. I knew Travis was not going to let he
Chapter Ninety -Two Travis_ I wondered why Samantha was behaving the way she did in front of Annabelle. Couldn't she just understand that this is a critical situation and has nothing to do with her for once? Annabelle sat still on the chair ignoring her but I knew she was disgusted with the way and manner in which Samantha spoke. “This has nothing to do with me choosing you or anyone else. Just sit down and listen.” “No, I wouldn't. Make your decision now!” I couldn't understand why Samantha was being so irrational. “Make my decision about what? I'm not making any decision. Annabelle is in a critical situation and she just has to stay here.” “Oh, I see. I see it now. You want your ex-wife to stay in this same house with me? She doesn't have other houses to go to? She doesn't have her Father's large empire to go to? It has to be my matrimonial home?” “Oh, stop being dramatic! Just let it be.” I stamped my feet on the floor and stood up. “What? I'm being dramatic? Now listen to