Chapter 10
They were visiting!...
That was all Sophia heard for her mind to go berserk.
She was sat in her wheelchair in the kitchen, while Maureen went about making lunch for them.
Stanley was at work. He had earlier left saying he was called in to be part of a major operation at the hospital. And Sophia cleaned up to return downstairs surprisingly she found Maureen busy in the kitchen ordering the house helps.
While she was wondering what the occasion was, Maureen hollered at her to join her and in full spirit narrated how the previous day at the station went.
Every bit became clear as she watched her stepmother bustled about cheerfully placing varieties of side dishes on the counter.
Maureen wasn't one to cook on a daily but today was different and Sophia just realized why. The realization brought chills all over her.
She wasn't ready to meet anyone in her depressed state. Not the culprit nor his entire family.
Maureen was talking endlessly while Sophia was drowned in her little world. She thought how shallow her stepmother could be and to take her by surprise without her consent.
"Sophia!" Maureen called, holding up a kitchen knife that she used in cutting onions.
"Are you listening to what I've been saying since?."
"Oh, what did you say?."
Maureen dropped the knife and wiped her hands.
"Stan and I discussed this and we thought it best for you to accept their apologies. Mr. Ernest Bestman is a very nice and upright man. He was so pained and against what his son did. He felt ashamed of his son I tell you. So it's nothing alright?" Maureen cajoled.
Furious, Sophia searched for the right words to tell off her stepmother and release the tensive ache in her chest.
"I already did forgive him, but I don't need then crawling back into my life! Or they can just send a message I don't need to reopen healing wounds!" She cried.
"It's not opening old wounds, Sophia, these people have money" Maureen whispered.
"They can take care of you and me forever. He is a senator, he's the deputy Senate president in the house of assembly and can provide us with anything we need so long as we play our cards very wisely!" She spoke sternly leaning towards Sophia.
Sophia on the other hand was baffled by what Maureen was spilling and the connivance she sensed.
Was it the money Maureen cared for or was it her safety? She couldn't tell.
Though her memories were still blurry it didn't mean her instincts were gone.
Her stepmother wasn't exactly what she had portrayed herself to be. She seemed interested in settling for the highest bidder.
She thought about Stan and how he felt about the decision.
"I'll... I'll just be in my room" She moved her wheelchair towards the door when Maureen spoke icily.
"No one wants a burden, Sophia! especially an undeserved one. you might be happy and relaxed here but it'll not be for long" she spoke and continued with her cooking.
Sophia left for her room immediately. She felt her belly twist in knots.
Uncontrollable tears found their way down her cheeks and she let it fall knowing her blunt stepmother just struck a sensitive chord.
She shivered at the thought of being a burden to everyone. Maureen was right.
She shouldn't refuse a little help from people who wanted to because she was in no position to. At least if she had her legs working, She would've found herself a job and paid Stan back for his generosity.
She dragged herself to the mirror at the other end of the bed and let her dark curls fall.
She watched herself in the mirror. She didn't look the same.
Even though her skin looked alive and smooth, the effects of being indoors only. But Her eyes... They lacked life in them.
All the things good food and healthy living could give her skin couldn't make up for the guilt that ate her up every day. The guilt and pain are well hidden in her features but not her eyes. Anyone who knew her well would know when she wasn't alright.
She smiled at the thought of Stan. He was so nice to her. But he was a very busy man. Hardly at home. So he had little opportunity to get closer to her and since her stepmother was around, he saw lesser reasons too. Or maybe because he knew Sophia loved the silence.
The ones who knew her very well were already looking at her from above. "Such cliche," she thought.
"Ma, lunch is ready, your mother asked for you. Do you want help?" One of the two maids Stan hired to assist her asked, jerking Sophia back to reality.
"No dear. Just help me pack my hair into something comfy, right?" She asked politely.
"Sure" she smiled, Drew closer, and helped Sophia out.
"You have really beautiful hair which gives a fine background to your lovely skin," she remarked with a blush.
"Oh?" Sophia was surprised at such revelation. It'd been so long since she heard such comments from anyone.
"What's your name?."
"Blessing" She stated confused.
"Well, blessing thank you so much, you look very young how old?" Sophia watched curiously through the mirror.
"Yes am twenty-two" she stated.
"Uh, you must be enjoying your prime then" She smiled weakly.
***
"This is ridiculous! It's not necessary anymore Dad!" Jason yelled at his father who sat in his home office.
"Ridiculous you say?" Ernest asked bitterly.
"It's you and your mind that is ridiculous Jason. I knew you were wayward and irresponsible but to become so inhumane... That! I never thought you'd become."
"It was an accident dad and I beat my conscience every day about it. You don't know how much penance I've had to do because of the guilt I feel. Getting more involved with them isn't necessary..." Jason cried.
"You speak like you're the victim here? Have you sat to think how bad she must feel? Or how much wrecked her whole life is? No!... You only think the world revolves around you. We'll all visit their home and I'll conclude what to do about this situation. But as long as am alive and your father! You'll have to make positive changes to your life!!."
Jason stared at his strange father for long not knowing what to do. He hated this situation and for the fact that everyone was on edge about it. Now he had to be dragged down to visiting those people.
He stormed off in fury heading downstairs, he met his mother on his way out. She was eavesdropping.
Jason sighed and continued on his track. He searched his phone from his pocket and called Sean.
Sean was the only one who would understand him now. Though Sean was part and the main reason why he was in such trouble. But he'd never rat a friend out, he understood Sean was only looking out for him.
He took his spider for a short drive to their meeting point at a bar. While he thought about his father's rash decisions.
At the bar, Sean was already seated at a corner.
"You look like you just go out of a wrecked train what happened?" Sean insisted.
"Dad and I argued, he wants to visit the family and tender his apologies, he wants to drag me there. I can't do that. I don't want to see her face, I feel like the scenario is enough to haunt me. But this?... Is too much I can't!."
"But I don't see reasons why not. It's not like you're being forced to marry her or what. Just for a day. It's enough man to show how sorry you are. I don't think it should be a problem to you" Sean stated.
Jason wasn't expecting that, he sighed and ordered a drink.
"So have you spoken to Charlotte since the party?."
Shook his head "Nah, I have a lot in my head. I can't stand Charlotte now."
"So you're saying you don't care about her anymore?" He asked surprised.
"No!... I never said that, I still love her very much but we're giving each other space. That's what we need. And I need it to settle my conscience."
"Well, I don't think she sees it the way you do. Because she's on my neck all day asking why you don't pick her calls and even avoid gatherings where she could find you?."
"Doesn't she have a clue?!... I've been in jail for a whole day and all she talks about is herself?!!! As my girlfriend she's supposed to visit but no! She calls you to complain about my incompetence. Am tired of all this shit around me, my dad, Charlotte! Everything!!!" He cried aloud and stood to leave the premises.
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