HEIRESS [JUSTICE #1]

04|| The Princess and The Protector

From the moment I saw you, I wanted to protect you.

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Brandon tried to keep the car under control after realising what was happening while Maria was close to panic attack.

“What do we do? Why is this happening?” she gasped pale.

“Calm down Stella,” Brandon said, focused on the road and Maria gripped her seat, praying to God to save her life.

Brandon’s eyes darted around frantically as he weaved through the cars in the road to other streets with the immense speed of the car.

“Stella, climb to the back of the car now.” Brandon commanded, a crazy idea in his head already.

“What?”

“Hurry now!”

Maris suppressed her confusion and climbed to the back seat. She yelped loudly when the car took a sharp turn and a loud crash followed. She shook, crouched in the back seat.

“Brandon?”

Maria raised her head up fearfully, trying to contain her dizziness and saw Brandon in front seemingly unconscious and covered in blood. The car glass had partially shattered and injured him.

“Brandon!” Maria cried out and staggered out of the car. She looked at the damaged cinder block wall they had crashed into and the gathering crowd.

“Brandon…” she went to the driver’s seat and opened the door. Brandon groaned and turned his head slightly to see her teary face. “Are you alright? How many fingers do you see?”

Brandon ignored the two fingers she held up and looked at her with a relieved smile. “I…was able to protect you today.”

“Brandon!” Maria cried out in frustration and relief.

#

At the Esoro mansion, Nora and her mother sat in the living room awkwardly with the rest of Stella’s family. They had been waiting over twenty minutes for Stella.

“Excuse me, were they right behind you? They have been gone for too long.” Marlene said worried.

“They were. I don’t know what happened.” Funmi replied.

“How interesting things will be if she disappears again, how convenient,” Chinaza said wryly. “are we sure this isn't a trick? For all we know, they could have brought a fake–”

“Nobody would think you are mute if you don’t speak.” Marlene scolded.

“I am just stating facts.” Chinaza returned unbothered and while Funmi was upset with her words, she said nothing.

A shrill ringtone pierces the air and Marlene excuses herself to take the call. She wasn’t silent for a long while.

“What?! What do you mean?!” She exclaimed, drawing their attention. “is she alright?...you are bringing her? Okay.”

“What happened?” Becca asked.

“They said Stella and Brandon had an accident.” Nora and Funmi stared wide-eyed while the Esoro family looked alarmed. Marlene continued, “Stella is unharmed but Brandon is a bit hurt.”

“So Is she still coming?” Megan asked.

“Yes, they left Brandon at the hospital.” Marlene answered and a maid came announcing that the police were here.

Everyone held their breath as Diyemi and the Chief walked in with Maria. Megan and Cassandra paled while Becca stared in pure disbelief. Roxy looked happy while Chinaza was impassive.