HEIRESS [JUSTICE #1]

05|| Strangers with a memory

Not friend, not enemy. Just stranger with a memory.

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Maria woke up in an unfamiliar room and panicked for a second before realising where she was. “Oh,” her mood dipped. “I am…home.”

She sluggishly got up, took her bath and dressed up. She remembered Brandon and made up her mind to go and see him.

“Stella, I was going to call you.” Marlene appeared at the door, smiling. “let’s have breakfast today. I was thinking we could go on a walk and we could go the places you used to visit.”

“Uh, Okay but I want to see Brandon first. I am worried about how hurt he got,” Maria informed. “I wonder what happened with the car? Do you know?”

“Er, it was a mechanical issue. I have talked to the mechanics and scolded them for not checking the car well,” Marlene nervously answered and Maria nodded, but she wasn’t satisfied with the answer.

Marlene and Maria arrived at the dining table and saw Roxy, Funmi and Nora at the table. They seemed to be waiting.

“Were you waiting for me?” Maria asked and felt bad at their confirmation. “I’m so sorry, you shouldn’t have woken me up.”

“What are you saying Stella? It's nothing much to wait for you, besides the food is only done now.” Marlene waved her hand dismissively, taking her seat.

They sat down and began eating after the maids served the food. Marlene turned to Funmi and Nora, “are you going to be leaving soon?”

“Oh, we planned to stay till Maria was comfortable,” Funmi awkwardly answered. “we might leave in a few days.”

“I don’t want you to leave so soon. I can’t do this without you.” Maria hurriedly said panicked and Marlene and Funmi froze.

“Let's talk about it after breakfast.” Marlene decided. “And I will follow you to the hospital, the driver will take you.”

“Are you going to see Brandon?” Roxy asked Maria and Maria nodded. “that’s good. I ought to thank Brandon, he is the reason we found you.”

Maria nodded but she felt Roxy meant something else.

After breakfast, Maria, Marlene, Funmi and Nora sat in the patio to discuss. “I want you to stay with me, please,” Maria pleaded. “you two are the reason I had the courage to come here. I don’t know if I can live here without you.”

“Maria,” Funmi felt bad. “I understand how you feel but leaving everything to come here…it's too much.”

Maria dropped her head disappointed. “I know, I'm being selfish but I really need you.”

“Please stay for my daughter’s sake. It might take her sometime to get used to us,” Marlene finally said. “your support will be good for her.”

Funmi still looked hesitant to agree. “Mom, how about I stay here? I can transfer to a university here?” Nora suggested to her mother's horror.

“Are you crazy?! No! You stay in Abuja? It's so far away.” Funmi vehemently refused but Maria perked up.

“It's a good idea. She won't be alone, she has me and everyone in this house,” Maria persuaded. “We can even pay for her tuition here.” She looked at Marlene for support and Marlene hesitantly agreed. “See aunty Funmi, please.”

Funmi pursed her lips conflicted and clenched her fist. “I need to think about this first, give me sometime,” she said and Maria was relieved. It meant there was a chance.