THE LOOP (Double Lines)

CHAPTER FIVE

Its been days ,since mum went to dad's office told them she would be replacing him as the chairman . No one opposed her because the business was entirely in her name , which meant that dad worked under her and she could do whatsoever she pleases with the business because they're were no share holders who partnered with the firm , they only had executives who were appointed by the chairman , each had power but not over the chairman . She let dad stay in the guest house in fear that if he had left with Mawusi he might not return . Aunty Affy was the one who made that known to mum.
They called for a second meeting involving our grand parents and Mawusi . Tomorrow was Friday and that was the day of the meeting.

School was another issue , I boiled up in anger each time I saw June . My emotions were so triggered and the fact that she sat near me tore me apart . Jeremy had begged me to forgive the foolishness he displayed last week with Zahrah and we coupled up . The day I saw June talking with him I was terrified and angry .
"Was it not enough for her? My home is in shambles because of her presence and her mothers presence ."
I felt like she wanted to take everything from me , my home and my boyfriend. I gave Jeremy a serious tongue lashing before he told me she was talking to him about me . She wanted to apologize for all the embarrassment the last meeting brought forth and she also wanted to get along just fine regardless of the fact that we were step siblings.
I wasn't having it anyway . I cared less about her friendship and I didn't want her near Jeremy . I wanted her far away from me .
The same way I treated June was the same way Valerie did with July. We went home everyday that week to our parents living in the same house but living apart . Timi was given strict instructions not to serve dad food but nevertheless he still secretly gave dad food . Dad stayed at home mostly because mum confiscated the car keys and took over dads office. I felt pity for the way dad lived now . Uncle Pius came over every 4pm to take dad for a drive and spend time with him.
Mum lived better off but you could tell that her life had stopped for a minute. From the way she talked once in thirty minutes , stared at blank spaces ,smiled lightly , you could tell her heart was gone . She was more intense than she normally was especially with the girls at her hair saloon .

I had seen Miss Mary on Monday and we had our regular session . I couldn't give a clear headed reason about why I partook in it except that I felt lonely. Miss Mary was so happy to see me . I could tell from the way she behaved . I wanted to tell her how heavy my heart felt and the burdens I had to carry from home each day . This river of unhappiness I swam in . I couldn't because somehow my lips locked themselves and words were far from me . As I left her offices , flashes of the sin I committed fell before my thoughts . I felt the pain that lived in my heart .
Jeremy tried his best to keep me sane and every time he hugged me , I wished I lived in between his arms . I loved all the little forehead kisses he gave me , they brought my butterflies to life . He told me his mum would love to meet with me and she had invited Adelaide and I for a sleep over . I as so honoured . Adelaide and I spent the relaxation hours googling how to behave around american moms . I was sure my mum wouldn't mind the sleepover besides she was usually too busy for us this past few days .
Our driver came in time today, Valerie had fallen sick so she had left school before the relaxation bell rang . Our school had a good clinic but when the school called mum. She sent the driver to get Valerie. She didn't trust the school clinical services.
We dropped Adelaide off at home . It felt good having her for the few minutes she sat with me . She was the one person that understood me exactly the I wanted to be understood.

MAXWELL MARTIN'S RESIDENCE
As at the time I got home , it looked like mum was back early . As I walked in I heard voices . I stopped at the waiting room and listened .
Mum talked with a lot of pain ,
“You've chosen to destroy me and the children . You weren't present at their birth because of that stupid woman Mawusi , now she wants to move in with you . She wants to move in with you to my house. ” the pain in her voice was so obvious
Then dad replied
“I'm truly sorry , I only married her because she had kids for me ,I don't love her . I love you ”
“Love? , you don't know what love is , you neglect me, even in pregnancy , you sleep with my maid , you rape me , you marry a second wife behind my back . If that's your definition of love then you're a demon .” Mum said sternly .
“Please I beg you Amelia , don't throw our marriage away , we can walk through this .” Dad begged .
“ We are already over , you're walking alone rather with your wife Mawusi . Be rest assured that I will take what belongs to me . You won't live in this house with Mawusi , you won't drive any of my cars and lastly I fired everyone you placed in the executive board and employed new people and you've been banned from showing up at the office premises. I hate you so much. ”  You could tell she was in the walking away process because of the way her slippers kissed the floor .
“Amelia please I'm sorry ” dad continued to beg
“One more thing , I'm placing a restraining order so you can't ever come close to my kids .”
“You can't do this to me Amelia . Amelia please. ” Dad said
At this point I stepped into the living room and I saw dad , he was sitting on the floor with tears running down from his eyes . I couldn't speak to him . I felt all the pity I've never felt . I had never seen a man break down until this day .
Valerie stood on the other side of the staircase , immediately I got up , she grabbed my arm and walked me to my room . She talked about how the toxicity grew in our family and how our lives were turning out to so different from the way we dreamed . She talked about our relationships and how Timi's food tasted .
Immediately she got to my room , she let it her main questions out “Do you think, mum is taking this a bit too far?”
“I would have said yes but everything is entirely his fault . He wasn't there for her during pregnancy and now all this extra drama .” I answered .
“Valentine, our family is dying , I don't think my heart can take this pain .” Valerie was already shaking so I drew closer to her and gave her a hug and said “We will get through this .”
“Vee promise me that no matter what happens we will stay strong together as sisters ,as a team and as a family .”
“I promise you Valerie . We will stick together as a team , a family and as sisters .” I hoped that her emotions wouldn't heighten her illness .