In Love With His Surrogate

Chapter Ten

CELIA'S POV

Today started off like my usual Wednesday, I woke up by 5am and got myself ready for work and made sure my siblings were ready for school before 6.30, made breakfast and lunch for my siblings and mum, as I was about to leave I encountered my good for nothing father at the sitting room.

"Where's my allowance for the day?"

"What allowance? Please start this morning, I don't want to be late for work" I said trying to move past him but he blocked yet again

"I wouldn't want to ask you again Celia" he said holding out his hands again

"Okay, tell me what's this money you are requesting for? Drinks? Gambling? Or both?"

"None of your business"

"Really none of my business, but when you bring debts it will be my business. Father I don't have any money to give to you today, please let me go"

He held my arm harshly and said

"It's either you give me some money or I would beat you till you can no longer move"

I winced at the pain in my arm as he tightened his hold and I had to succumb

"Fine, I only have $20, I was supposed to use it as transport to work" I lied,

"Fine, let me have it" he said still not letting me go

I had to give him, it was a daily routine though I try to not give it but he had his ways.

Abel was old enough to get himself and Adelina to school so I didn't have to walk all the way to their school and head back to the Cafe where I now work which are in opposite directions.

I was mid way into my shift by 9.30 when Mrs Harriet called to inform me that I had to come pick Adelina up, I took a quick leave from Mr Patrick who kindly gave me the day off, I rushed out to pick her up.

All I had on me was $20, so I decided to commute which was definitely not the fastest way if you have an emergency.

On getting to Adelina's school I saw Abel out of classes too. I knew they had exams today, because I saw them both studying, so I didn't understand why they asked me to pick them, when they should be inside writing with their mates.

I walked up to Abel and he quietly handed me a newsletter which read

"Good Day Mr/Mrs Garcia,
This is to inform you that your wards Adelina (Grade school) and Abel (Freshman) have accumulated unpaid fees, and the school can no longer allow them into its premises until those debts are cleared out. Kindly convene with the school accountant for a break down on debts. We apologize for any inconvenience this might cost you".

"Is this why Adelina was sent out too?" I asked him

"Yes, we were told to wait here for you, they didn't let me take her because she is a minor and I wasn't qualified" Abel said

I faced the man sitting at the desk which was at the corner of the door.

"Can I please see the Principal for a minute"

"Hold on" he stood up and left the room only to return some minutes later and signaled me to enter, I looked at Abel and said

"Abel, stay with Adelina, I will fix this"

He nodded in agreement before I went in

I knocked and heard a faint voice say

"come in"

I opened the door and walked it to see the man was sitted on his chair glaring at me. He has been the Principal of Melford high school for over 15years now, he was here when I attended this school so he knew me

"Abigail Garcia, it's really good to see you again, after all these years" he said

"Good Morning Mr Justice, it's good to see you too"

"I'd often ask your mother about you each time she comes for the Parent Teachers meeting. How may I help you?" he asked removing his glasses and placing his elbow to the desk while peering at me

"Sir, please i am here as regards to the arrears I owe the school for both my siblings, please give me a week I will clear it, do not stop them from writing with their mates, it will take a mental toll on them"

"Abigail, what is going on? 9 years ago you dropped out two months before your SATs, I even offered to place you on a sport scholarship scheme because you were one of my best Basketball players, but your mother refused"

I was taken aback

"What do you mean my mother refused? I dropped out because we didn't have enough money for tuition"

"I offered a scholarship but your mother said your father had other plans for you and we didn't hear from you, now your siblings are about missing there exams like you did. What is the problem?"

"Nothing sir, I do not want any of them missing their exams. I had to take an excuse from my jobs when I got a call from Adelina's teacher, please sir just this time, I will pay up next week".

"I am sorry Celia, it's not in my hands, the school board came up with this policy and I can't do otherwise, I am sorry"

Despite begging and assuring him that tomorrow I would clear the debts, he remained adamant to admit them.

I left his office and returned to the room where my siblings were waiting for me. I picked them up and we left.

We walked home as their school was just few miles away from the house. On getting home I saw a notice tapped to our door.

It said that this was our final notice and we had a week to clear up our mortgage or move out. How the tables were turning up on us so quickly.

I let my siblings into the house and went up to my room to undress and call my work places to ask for a leave today. I had to make food for them, I came down to see that my siblings had already changed and sat watching their favorite program, I made to enter the kitchen and the lights went out.

I knew it was disconnected, I hadn't paid the bill because my drunk of a father stole the money and went gambling with it

"Abby, the lights are out" Adelina said

"Yes baby, I will fix it tomorrow, for now let's use the lamps at night and open up the windows during the day so sunlight can come in okay?"

I went up and brought down the candle lamps and positioned them before opening up the windows

There was a knock on the door which came as a surprise, I wasn't expecting anyone. I opened up to find my mum standing at the door looking all worn out

"Are you okay?"

"I lost my job, Mr Felix insists I must sleep with him and when I refused he fired me"

My jaw dropped, what's the worst that could happen today?