GROWTH

Chapter 9

Isabelle
Flipping through channels has become a new game that I play now. Two months and still in bed, this time not the hospital bed but my old room in my parents home. I stopped at a news channel and as usual they had stuff to say about me. I rolled my eyes in agitation, being in the spotlights was not my thing now I have to be there with nothing but lies and what people don't really know.

Todays was the court day, were these men were going to be sentenced. I'm aware but I didn't go, I just can't look at those monsters again. I was pardoned for not being there,  I was tagged not mentally fit to go through the stress and trauma.

My family was there to support me and I know my dad would pay the judge for more sentence, something I don't agree with. To him they deserve death for hurting his daughter but since the police is involve that is the only thing he could do to feel better at least. I unmuted the sound of the television.

"Lawrence  Inkoom has been sentenced life in prison for the murder of Daniels Lays , the kidnapping and rape of Isabelle Walter, his accomplice Ferguson Inkoom would be imprisoned for 60 years for helping Lawrence get information on Miss Walter and help do harm to her. For the physical and mental damage caused, they are asked to pay a really huge amount that is yet to be disclosed to the media " the headline read.

I looked away immediately their faces came on the screens. I was still frightened by them. Moments of Ferguson hitting me with his leather belt flashed back in mind "Sis you good"? Andre peeped. I rolled my eyes. "Yeah"
His tall self walked in the room and laid in my bed like it were his. I had became less traumatise by all men. I entertained male family now even Stanley, I'm yet to see him again after he stop by the hospital once, he claims he is busy.

I absentmindedly listened to Andre talk while I think. Apparently Lawrence worked as an intern in a security company my mom once worked for as a spy. In fact he worked under the supervision of mom but he did one with no supervising at all. He got fired by Daniels for leaking untruthful information to the media. Days after mom officially resigned.

To Lawrence he lost a passion because of my mom, he became vengeful. For a pay back he had Daniels killed, kidnapped me and did worse to me to get back at my mom. He swore to do more if he wasn't under arrest And of course his step brother Ferguson was a help.
Who knows what would have happened if I stopped and talked to him that evening. (Check chapter 28 of THE SPY to have a flashback of Lawrence)

Now I trust lesser than before, a man I worked for, respected and admire his profession did this to be. I got distracted by a beep. I frown picking it up, Stanley said he was coming over. I was not  ready to see him but okay.

Now I faced Andre now, he lazily spoke about sports and his favorite cartoons, a crack got our attention. Ahyoki walked in with Stanley, I looked at him giving him a nervous smile. He stale faced me.

"Hey champ" he greeted Andre, Andre mean mug him, frowning like our dad would do.

Andre kissed my chin whispering "call me if he plays funny, love you" he mugged Stanley again, faced him and said

"Hurt her and you gone" he threatened. This kid though

"Come on De'andre"
Ayo pulled him along to give us the much needed privacy. For two minutes he did nothing but stare, feeling uncomfortable I broke the thick silence.

"Came to talk or stare?" I asked calmly. He sigh "you look different, very different" he said
If there's something I wouldn't  regret that would be the plastic surgery I did to clear bruises. I look prettier than I was before.

"I don't think I can do this anymore, I love you but love is not enough Bella, society will criticize us even more, I have a career and fame to keep, my family won't accept something like you-"

I stopped him "it is okay if you can't do this but to refer me as an object 'something' is something I will not accept nah, you can't disrespect me like that. Clearly you've made up your mind and I respect that but to disrespect me is a no no" I stated

No, I wasn't hurt. I wasn't prepared for this but life throws lemons at you when you least expect it and  forcing things to work out is stress. "Why are you so calm? You never loved me?" He asked. I looked at him like he lost his damn brains.

Shrugging, I said "like you said, love isn't enough and clearly we are not meant to be Stanley. Uh oh you're choosing fame over me, that's okay though, makes sense"

"Okay" he said freeing his hands from his pockets. "It was a waste of time by the way. Thanks for being you" he continued. He gave me a disgusting look and went out the door.

Taking in deep breaths I bit my lips to stop the tears. I picked up a pillow and screamed in my anger. After the dramatic moments I focused on a comedy show that was on.

"Princess" I heard a familiar voice say. I followed the direction to find my dad staring holes in my face. They keep entering my room unannounced.

"How long have you been in here dad?"
He sat in my bed tapping his lap for me to sit in, I was hesitant at first because of my weight but mom was thicker so I gladly did. I felt like a 7 year old again this time with bigger problems.

"He hurt you?" He asked. I shook my head no. He raised a brow, something he does when he wants more information.

"He didn't dad, we just had a mutual break up. Like you will say it breaks when it is not meant to be" I said plainly

Sometimes I doubt this 'if it is meant to be it will be thing' but it so true that you wouldn't want to argue with the laws of nature.  My lips quivered, a crying session began I just couldn't stop them from coming. Dad stayed silent gently rubbing my back. After my little cry session he sigh.

"You sure you don't want to go for therapy baby?" I shook my head no. He nodded. "Your mom wants you" he reasoned.
"Cheer up you got bunch people who genuinely love you regardless. I never liked that boy Stan or whatever his name is" he dramatically said the last part.

"Ha, you never like any man I go out with dad" I laughed. He grinned showing his pearly white teeth. My dad was just gorgeous, it runs in the family yo.

"I did like one though, Farouk your high school sweetheart. Too bad he had to travel to another state." He teased
I rolled my eyes, he only liked Farouk because he was Uncle Geralds son, Gerald didn't know he had  a son until he was six. Genevieve, Gerald's wife now thought he wouldn't accept him since he was not the family kind of man.

Farouk was a beautiful boy since childhood days. He was a best friend not a platonic one, my first everything.

"To keep it short we still text and he coming back. he's opening one of his  businesses  here" I told. To my surprise he didn't raise a brow. That means he knew more!

"I know princess. Anyways your mom want you downstairs, she said no more indoors for you and don't make her come here"

I huffed. We were having our time to time family dinner with close people we knew. Today being extra special, I had justice on my side which is rare but socializing is the least on my agenda today, staying in bed all day is.

"You know she don't want you depressed baby" dad said

"Okay I will be down in 20minutes" I said
Shortly after he left my room, I felt tempted to lay back in bed but I over came it. I took a quick shower, did a slight make up and made my way downstairs.

Hearing laughs and manly voices nearly made me return but I knew better. Getting scolded at this age is embarrassing and I did not want that.

Everyone got mute at the realization of my presence.

Let's get interactive y'all. What's your favorite food and colour? Lemme know in the comment box🙂

And hey don't forget to vote, comment and share.💋