Fall to Rise

Seventeen

There was complete silence when he moved in except for Frayer who ran and gave him real hug. Clinging tight.

"I missed you," she said. He rubbed his hands over her hair. The short person she is, just above his breast line.

"I missed you pumpkin," he said kissing her forehead.

The awkward silence that followed.

I moved to the window frame.

"Going for a short cole," I knew Frayer made this up.

Leaving me here tortured, with nothing to say.

"How have you been?" he said breaking the silence.

"Thank you for the book," is all I could compose. I was still in short of words.

A bit nervous to talk.

"Am humbled," he replied. "I see you've really improved while I was gone."

I stayed silent.

"Anyways I'd come to pass the information to you. Father requires your presence today at dinner."

Turning, I stared at him like he'd gained two heads and was trying to speak a language new to me.

I was quite getting comfortable with living in his room not knowing my purpose of stay here was to please a man.

So afterall, he wanted me now. The sorrow came flooding down again. I couldn't control the tears.

How I'd wanted to be with someone I loved as my partner not old kaffo.

"Hey hey, its okay. Dont be worried," he came closer to me. "Am sure Father will take good care of you."

What this is not what I needed to hear now. I needed his support.

I want him not Kaffo or anyone.

Couldn't he just tell or want me back. What's with him, thinking I am a trophy.

Trying to lay his hands on me, " don't you dare touch me," I shouted. His comfort wasnt what i needed now.

"Okay," I could feel the pain in his voice. "What should I do?" ruffling his hair.

"Just leave me alone, what do you even want? Everything is your fault and you don't seem to see that you bastard." Wailing to the top of my voice.

It was dinner time now.

Nomita had dressed me in a very beautiful long red dress that exposed my shoulders and a bit of my back. It had straps luring around the waistline.

It was a dress for s princess, thats what Frayer referred it to.

"And you are a princess," saying, making me smile amidst my puffy eyes. I'd spent all afternoon crying about my miserable fate.

If I could just turn back time, the world would have been a better place without men.

All men, none exclusive here.

On the dinner table, I sat next to Frayer who sat opposite Caleb and a new lady, probably his girlfriend, how dare he, with Nomita opposite me. Then the grand chair was none other Kaffo Reinard occupying.

Caleb and the beautiful lady kept talking to each other, Frayer seemed busy typing on her cellphone.

How does she even have that. Worse in front of Kaffo. Maybe he was a family man amidst his bad side.

"Today one person is added to our table, Amandi Gwandi. Her father is a great friend of mine," Kaffo interfered.

And everyone paid him closer attention.

This was the most uncomfortable I'd ever been, griting my teeth. But I couldn't let tears flood now. I deserved crying in silence and alone.

I tried to control my emotions but it was trying to get the best of me.

"Treat her nicely because she's going to be my bride." Caleb with a raspberry in his mouth belched and threw it up on his plate after that mention.

Was it a good sign seeing his reaction.

"Son!" the fatherly tone from Kaffo.

"Sorry dad, I just choked. Going to the bathroom now," he stood up going to the bathroom as he'd said.

Leaving the table in total silence.