THE CHURCH GIRL

Chapter 9

NAOMI'S POV**

***
I stared horridly at my dad who just looked relaxed and continued his meal. How can he open his mouth, sixty degrees wide, and utter those words as if I was some handout object to give away. Ken kept eating and smirking which was cute but annoyed me. Julia just stared at her food in shock. I guess she was wondering whether my dad was on drugs. He asked me to move here minutes ago, and he just gave my room to the witch without my permission. And he even had the guts to tell me to spend time with Ken, did he think I was that stupid. Even after I said he and my friend had something. That robot doll had the audacity to smirk.

I cleared my throat and folded my arms on the table,"Pa, what did you just say?".

"You heard me. I won't have you come to my house and make decisions which isn't in your place to", now those words didn't just hurt my feelings, it pierced.

My mom dropped her fork,"Steven, watch your mouth, she isn't a stranger". I blinked back that one tear which made Sonia sneak in a smirk and a sly glare at me.

"You know what dad, I've heard enough. Sonia can have the room, after all is not mine to debate about. Oh and eerr, like I said earlier, I know Ken, I'm not interested in what you have to say next because you don't care what I have to say anyways so that's a you problem. Since you made it clear this isn't my house too, and I don't have a say in it, how about you let your new daughter Sonia, get to know Ken more. Come on Julia, help me pack." Julia got up like I did and my dad stamped his foot down on the ground making a loud noise.

"Both of you, sit down", he growled angrily. Julia obediently went back to her seat but I pulled her back from sitting. She was just so scared but I held her hand so tight letting her know I got her.

"Or what Pa, you will disown me like you did Ana Maria till she got married", or are you gonna throw me out, because if that's the case, you already did Pa. You made that clear a minute ago".

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me little girl", my dad shot up from his seat angrily. I got closer to him and levelled up to his gaze and didn't even flinch. I have never been scared of him and he knows. He is human, and I have seen all sides to him and none of it intimidates me. He couldn't hold anything against me because I was doing fine by myself. He knew money was the least of my problems and nothing scares him than me walking out on my family.

"I came home to have a nice time with my family, not to be told I'm not needed in my own father's house just because I can speak for myself. Pa, is not always about you, because unlike you, I have feelings and I know how to express them, and you just hurt them without a second thought so don't try to use the stern voice on me, it doesn't scare me. I'm not your boys, when you want to hear me, and understand me, then we can have a conversation, if not, I'm done with this dinner", for the first time ever my dad raised his hand to hit me when my mom shouted his name to stop him. I didn't move a second. I stood my ground and waited for whatever he wanted to do, happen. I just let that one tear I have been holding back fall on my face, shook my head sideways staring at my dad's sorry eyes and left the room with Julia following.

I went up to my room with Julia who sneaked cupcakes in and locked my door. She laid her back down next to me and offered me cupcake. I took a bite and sniffed."You are one brave girlfriend", I laughed with a tear falling off my face.

"All my life I have always looked up to my Pa. How perfect and collected he was. I always thought I was the wrong child because of how perfect my siblings were. They listened to him,  did everything he asked, and now they were a replica of him. They were always praised in church and me, I was just happy I was their family so walking in their shadow was an honour".

Julia poked my left cheek,"I remember when you started singing in church and your dad picked you up and announced how proud he was of you. I saw that look in his eyes again today when he raised his hand on you. He loves you Naomi".

"Well he has a funny way of showing it. Ana Maria isn't happy Julia. Denzel is a good guy but what if he doesn't make her happy?, she can't say a word because she is scared to loose her father. This isn't normal Julia. A father is supposed to be happy when his children are happy. His children are miserable and he just pretends that's what makes them tough. I'm not with that life coaching. I will act up till I'm heard".

Julia straightened up on the bed,"Ana Maria has to speak for herself Naomi, nevertheless your father adores you two. He may be blind to see the pain behind the fake smiles she gives, but one day, it will all end. And I was soo proud of you earlier. You look so hot and fierce and hen you stand up for yourself. Your siblings really need to learn a thing or two". She added excitedly while smiling in reassurance.

"Just help me pack, I need to get out of here. And Julia, I know you still like Ken, but don't worry, he and I, never gonna happen", I took her off guard but she smiled anyways hugging me from behind and then pushing me off the bed. We giggled through the tears and forgot we even had a problem.

Thirty minutes later we heard a knock on my door and we froze. We looked at eachother and then at the door. Julia pulled on my sleeve and raised her eyebrows urging me to open the door. I shook my head no and she rolled her eyes. She walked over to the door and asked who it was.

"Is me Julia, let me in. I want to talk to Naomi", it was Ken. Julia turned to me for a go ahead so I made hand signs asking what he wanted. Julia rolled her eyes again and left me for the bathroom to answer the door myself.

I sighed, cleaned my face and opened the door halfway poking only half my body out. "Did they send you here to help me pack", I asked teasingly but serious as he smiled turning his head sideways.

"No. I came here on my own accord. Can I come in?", he asked with curiousity.

"No, I think here will be fine". I said sparing Julia the terror of seeing him again.

"Okay Naomi, I know we kinda started on the wrong foot. I should have kept in contact when I left but I cut you and Julia out of my life indefinitely. I was young then, but this time is different, I'm here now", he said as I sighed calmly.

"Okay", I said tiredly waiting for him to come to his senses.

"Naomi, your dad made my words for me but he said it the wrong way. I want to know you more, and maybe build something with you", he relaxed waiting for a reaction from me.

"What is that even supposed to mean honestly?", I asked almost yelling with how annoying he was starting to sound.

*****VOTEEEEEE