Chapter Eighty -one Annabelle _ Everywhere seemed so loud. Glass cups were clattering here and there, men laughing, and several prestigious people were gathered at my dad's home. I would have preferred he threw the party somewhere else. “Annabelle, you're late,” Prisca yelled from afar to me as I walked into the sitting room. “Ohh, shit. She? What's she doing here m” I grumbled in my mind but wore a smile as she approached me. “You've always been late to parties since I ever knew you. It's more like you don't like gatherings but you're always forced to attend anyway.” She kept talking to me and I was not interested in hearing whatever it was she had to say but yet again, I just had to listen with a smile, using my eyes to scan for my father. Finally, I saw him. Talking to one of the wealthiest men in the country, Sir Mackenzie. “Excuse me for a minute,” I walked out on her without waiting for a response and walked to my father, joining the conversation he was having with Sir
Chapter Eighty -two Annabelle_ “Where are you heading to?” Henry asked me as though he would love to accompany me. “I just need to address something. I'd be back.” I turned away from him in haste and went down the stairs. Before I got down, I slowed the pace I used to walk so that I wouldn't attract unnecessary attention to myself. I scanned around for Travis before walking towards the crowd after I saw where he was. He was speaking to someone so I had to talk with the person too so I could have access to him. “Good evening sirs. I see we are having a good time. May I join your conversation?” It seemed as though the man knew who I was because he was quick to give me an audience. “Sure! If we are looking for someone with more authority to speak tonight, it's you.” I smiled. “Thank you.” Travis looked at me with a little grin. “You look beautiful tonight.” It was as though he scanned me with his eyes before saying his word. “Thank you.” I smiled. The man seemed to underst
Chapter Eighty -three Annabelle_ After my short speech. I was looking at Henry who stood in front of me while I spoke with a very proud look. I expected my dad to introduce him next after me and I think he expected that as well. I got down and went to stand by Henry, after shaking everyone that was standing around where I passed to stand beside Henry. Henry leaned in on me. “You spoke so well.” He whispered. I wiggled. “Now to my ever-excellent son-in-law-to-be.” I didn't like that phrase. I enforced a fake smile because everyone began looking at the two of us. I looked at the other end of the room and sat Travis looking with a painful smile. He smiled and nodded his head. Then he walked away from where he stood like he was about to leave. My father praised Henry as expected and he also gained more influence after that. “Now great men and women, we can all sit and enjoy our meal.” They all clapped as my father left the center of the floor. I was eating on a long table speci
Chapter Eighty-four Annabelle_ I walked in with a forced smile on my face. “Annabelle, I've been looking for you.” My dad called out to me as I approached the table smiling. I did not say anything, I just smiled and took my seat. Henry walked to the other side of the table and sat beside Prisca. My dad cracked several jokes all through the meal. From politics to family and back to politics. The night was a successful one for him and I was happy. I had even forgotten Travis was there that evening. I wore a smile against my will as I had to be my dad's right hand while he greeted everyone before they left. After the most prestigious people had gone, I went upstairs to my room and called it a night for me. I did not plan to go down the stairs again. “Why are you here? Aren't you coming for the after-party?” She walked into the room and met me wrapped in bed. I had taken off my jewelry and the dress. I was ready to sleep. I did not change my position while she approached me. I sta
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