She stood up from the mirror stand and undressed, placing the clothes carefully into the laundry basket, she made her way to the bathroom. The bathroom was huge and the facilities still looked new and untouched. She took her bath and came out before preparing herself for bed. Within her, she cannot fully decipher her emotions. She is not angry with her parents but a little sad because she cannot be allowed to do things she felt like doing. Maybe her parents know the best but for crying out loud, she is now an adult! A full-grown lady for that matter. She took out her phone for the first time and noticed all the calls and texts. Sighing deeply she knew she has a very bad habit with her phone. She feels that this phone thing is not cut out for her! She replied the calls with most of the calls to her colleagues in Essex County. She made the last call to Lily. Lily now works with the Metrical thanks to her ensuring that she joins the team. They spoke for a while with her confiding in her friend, explaining her fears and confusion to her. As she ended the call, she realized that they have spoken for more than two hours and it is close to midnight. She jumped out of the bed and with her long sleeping gown made her way to the wing of her parents.
Mrs. Denson opened the door and looked at her daughter intently for a while and smiled before leading her to the bedroom where Mr. Denson is. He sat up immediately on seeing his daughter who helped to place one of the soft pillows on his back to fully rest on the wide frame of the huge bed. Mrs. Denson came close and sat on the bed too, beside her husband.
" Daddy, I don't think that you are fair to me, " she started counting her words carefully as she looked at her father fully aware of her mother's scrutiny of her.
" I am fully sorry my daughter but at this stage of my life, the only person I can trust is you. I cannot slave all these years and allow it to go down the drain. you are the heiress to this throne and there should be no pretending." He said with a big smile trying to reassure the young lady before him. " But daddy my opinion counts! This is a huge responsibility and I think I should be prepared and ready for it." She said raising her voice a little.
" To the detriment of your father's health? I hope someone is not trying to be selfish here." Her mother interrupted with sternness in her voice.
" Mummy, please understand with me. All of this is just happening in one day. I need time to get all these processed. I just flew for more than six hours, barely rested, and now this appointment and responsibility?" Adah said turning to face her mother.
" Have you heard that time waits for nobody? Do you want me and your father to run this empire for eternity and you remain lost and unconcerned? This is your identity my daughter and you cannot run away from it! You have been equipped for this and there should be no excuses." Her mother said in a soft voice but Adah can sense irritation in it.
" There will be no going back on this decision. I will allow you to make your choice and take your decisions. You should know that the empire has grown beyond what you think. There will be lots of traveling both within and without this country, meetings with a whole lot of people so start telling yourself the truth for once. You can choose to get yourself a personal assistant but I will allow you to make your mistakes." Her father said with a note of finality in his voice.
" Moreover, we are here for you, You should know that what you own can never be bigger than you." Her mother said with a cheeky victorious smile.
" Now tell me who is the lucky one? her father asked changing the topic expertly with a smile and at the same time turning to gaze at his daughter who turned away.
" Nobody for now daddy... I think I will have my hands full for now with work."
"No young lady... I cannot wait forever to see my grandchildren," her mother said cynically but Adah knows that the woman meant every word. They discussed other things until the early hours of the morning before Adah's mother retired leaving both father and daughter to continue their discussion. Both of them discussed almost all the issues especially her father opening her eyes to so many realities. She felt relieved to be with him, the oura and knowledge are worth everything to her. When she excused herself to retire, she felt strong again and willing to take on the world.
She knows within her that her parents may be right after their explanations and clarification but it still does not explain the point that she should be allowed to do things her way. She has dreams and aspirations as well because the empire is entirely her father's thing. Her pursuits matter to her and this is one thing that her parents especially Lady Denson have refused vehemently to accept. Does Adah wonder why her mother is taking the matter personally? Lady Denson has a reason and her reason may seem alright but to Adah, it is born out of selfish interest. For years, the world knows that she had indeed suffered from nothing but loneliness because of the amount of work that Mr. Denson had to put in for the success of the empire. The highs and lows she has endured as well as other sacrifices she has put in. Her marriage could have collapsed when Adah was just three years old. She was overseas with her daughter. Mr.Denson was said to be in another relationship that caused a big stir in her relationship with her father. To date, nobody knows the lady but It was rumored that Lady Denson in her jealousy and possessiveness almost burnt the house down. The way the news died was another wonder despite the authorities arresting her for arson. Adah knows the extent of her mother's jealousy and like her mother, she has the same tendency if not worst. She knows that this plan is entirely her mother's idea for her father loves work. Looking at the empire as a whole, it can keep on flourishing with or without the office of the chief because of the way it had long been set up. From what her parent told her she quite knows that they have their fears, and there is every element of truth in their words but she wants to create her world and chart her course without relying on her parent's wealth and connection. Adah has a lot in her and she intends to exploit her opportunities to the maximum. Being the chief of the empire may not stop anything, but her father's legacy must be preserved, and for this reason, she will act as chief and carve a niche for herself to create her legacy. Her only tear is that love has eluded her and this is the only thing she craves to get back.
Her parents indeed want her joy and happiness and probably this is one of the ways they felt will cause it to happen. Her mother is silently interested in her love life for the way she took Bami showed it all. She gave herself away during that period. Her disappointment knew no bounds when the breakup reached her ears. As she conversed with her father, Adah recounted that her relationship with Bami only took six months! She had loved him but collected it back as soon as he showed his true character. There is nobody in her life and she does not tend to force herself on anyone. Her beauty and elegance are enough to get men chasing after her but this is not the kind of love she wants. She knows herself and her needs. She wants a man that will understand her, and be with her not for what she has but for who she is. Someone who will satisfy her in every capacity and treat her with kindness. She is not interested in wealth rather she is wealth herself! She is looking out for her man to be humble and no matter what she will be down with him. As she entered her wing, she felt she has taken the right decision, after all, she needs nothing but experience to survive and grow every of her interest. The empire will give her the platform and capacity to excel and the empire belongs to her so why leave it for another? She relaxed her mind and looked around to discover great lavishness and display of wealth and prayed for herself and the lucky person that will eventually come her way.