ARCHIE
I was in my room still contemplating how Aria got used to Camilla in the space of a year. Is she not scared of her scar? Is she not afraid whenever she wears that mask? As an adult, I am a bit scared to look at her face. I just employed her so that Aria can eat well but Arial won't stop being clingy to her.
She's beautiful on the other side of her face yeah, but who cares about her story? I'm too busy for that. Why did I help her that night? I guess humanity. But I can lie, she need to do something to that face but where is she going to find money for the surgery? I felt pity for her.
A lot of thoughts were ravaging my mind when my phone buzzed.
I was grateful for the call that bounced me back from my weird thoughts but I wanted to go back to my thoughts when I saw the name of the person on the screen.
“It was my dad !”
I suppose now is a good time to talk? The start of the conversation made me know he wanted to talk about my grandpa’s will.
“Yeah, pretty good.”
“You have been avoiding my calls. He said dryly. I let out a humorless grin.”
“I had no reason to avoid your calls, did I?” I was trying to escape his accusations. Even if he did catch on to my ill-disposed sarcasm, he didn't show it.
Archie, you have worked hard for Williams technology and other sectors of the business. I hope you know how much effort I had put into our business, in taking it where it is. I would hate for all to go to waste and we would become homeless and classless in the country.
“I know”.
Then what have you been up to huh, silly? Do you want me to arrange many blind dates for you so that you can choose one?
“I'm seeing someone.”The words keep coming out of my mouth without me thinking twice.
After what feels like an eternity of silence he asked…. you're seeing someone?
Is it the lady I met with Aria in the garden yesterday?
Dad, did you come here yesterday?
Yes, I came with your mom…she was around taking a break from her fashion industry. Since we didn't meet you in the garden, we thought you were not at home. If you were at home yesterday, why didn't you attend your daughter's tea party? Little things matter to these kids you know. You need to pay attention to every minor detail.
No, she's not the one. It's another person.
Why not her? We loved everything about her yesterday. She was so nice and calm with Aria. Are you thinking you can't marry her because of her scar? You can contact my friend’s son in Korea who is a renowned plastic surgeon. She can get her scar off you know, it's just about money and I will gladly help with that.
No father. It's not because of her scar. I denied it even though Dad caught on.She's just not the one I like.
“So, why haven't we met her yet?”...His question came out quickly with an underlying suspicious tone.
“Well, I wanted to know her well and make sure I am not making any bad decisions like I did before.”
“Right”. Bring her for dinner this week. This told me he still had his suspicions. Well, I wasn't surprised. He's my father and he knows me really well.
“I’ll be busy throughout this week and this month dad, I made up an excuse sharply.
There are a lot of meetings but there's nothing that couldn't be rescheduled, he sneered.
I pressed my lips together in annoyance, I bet this time my lip would burst without even kissing. I know he wouldn't let it pass and I wouldn't be able to avoid him for a longer time so I told him by next month, I'll bring her over.
Well, that's settled till next month. He hung up on me.
Only after he hung up on me that my brain rebooted to the unthinkable lie I did tell without checking the consequences. Now, I have just a month to look for a girlfriend.
There's a knock on my door, I was pissed off, I can't lie. I stood up vividly and opened the door. There I met Aria who entered the room and jumped on my bed like those dudes with super power.
Sweetheart, you just have my time now? You haven't come to me for the past three days because of Camilla. Don't you know I am jealous?
But Dad, you said you're busy. I don't know why you're avoiding Camilla but I can't afford not to see her in a day.
Oh really, you love her more than me now, yeah baby? You have broken my heart and you have killed me. I fell and landed on the bed without moving, pretending to be dead.
Oh Dad! For real? Are you dead? Well, even if you die I will only cry for a few days. I have Camilla, grandmama and Grandpapa.
I acted like I didn't hear her. This girl sat on my back and was bouncing hard when I couldn't hold it in anymore, I opened my eyes.
Hurray!I woke Dad up from death.
I shaked my head, Only Jesus can do that, girl.
I am going to sleep in Camilla’s room…she said as she stood up abruptly.
Aria, you can't sleep if your body touches someone. When did you start sleeping with Camila?
Since yesterday Dad, I have loved sleeping with her because she would sing and tell me different stories which I really can't miss.
Should I say I am now jealous of Camilla? My little bunny is running to her now. But then, I am so grateful to her because she's doing a lot of work on Aria, even the ones Maria, her previous nanny finds difficult to resolve.