Vanessa and her two sisters walked closely behind Mrs Archie till they got to her extravagant office. After the door was closed behind them, Vanessa collapsed into one of the sofa, raised her eyes to look at Mrs Archie and said;
"Rosemary, you knew she'd be here. Didn't you?"
"She's a student here, in my school" Mrs Archie replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Van asked angrily.
"So you would graciously decline my invitation?" Rosemary asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No, I just....I just" Van stammered.
"You just what?" Rosemary asked nonchalantly.
"Can you two stop pretending, Ciara and I don't exist? Anyway, who are you talking about? Some bad bitch?" Cindy asked with curiosity written all over her features.
"Well, as a matter of fact, Aida Michaels is in this school. I think she left after Van's introduction" Rosemary replied.
"What?" Cindy and Ciara asked in a chorus.
"So that's why you halted" Cindy asked with her eyes fixed on Vanessa.
Vanessa nodded and covered her face with her palm. 'My baby...she must hate me. I can't face her. I think she knows who I am. Aida, how can I make it up to you?' Vanessa thought.
"Van, are you alright" Ciara asked cautiously.
"We both know she isn't" Cindy snapped.
"Yeah, you're right" Rosemary agreed.
"Van, what will you do now?" Ciara asked as she glanced worriedly at her sister.
Without uttering a word, Vanessa withdrew her phone from her bag and dialed an unknown number.
"Hello" said the voice.
"Hi! It's been a while. Long time, no see, Colonel!" Vanessa replied.
"Vanessa?"
"Arnold, you seem surprised"
"Are you in Westland?"
"Yes, I am. I would like to meet you. Now if possible"
"Alright, let's meet at the Del Loungé's cafeteria"
"Sure! I'll be there in 15 minutes"
****
Aida looked at Raymond and saw him fighting his tears.
"Let them flow, dad. You need it as much as I do" Aida coaxed.
As if his tears were controlled by his daughter's words, he bursted into tears and Aida hugged him as tightly as she could, crying as well. After a while, Raymond stopped tearing and hugged Aida, whose tears were still flowing, tightly and said;
"I'm sorry, Aida. For all the pain I have caused you. I'm truly sorry. Let's get back in to the car"
After they were both seated, he drove to his favorite cafeteria, Del Loungé Cafeteria.
"Dad, what are we doing here?" Aida asked when she realized where they were.
"We need some good food after our wonderful cry out there. At least to replenish the energy we just lost. Come on, let's go inside" Raymond coaxed.
"I've lost my appetite, dad. Let's just go home, dad. I want to rest."
Raymond saw her stealing glances at herself from the side mirror and quickly understood her. Her eyes were swollen and weary from crying.
"Here, you can have this" Raymond said and handed her, his dark shades.
"Thank you. But I still want to go home" Aida replied gratefully.
"Aida, there are things I want us to discuss at the meal. It's afternoon. I doubt you ate anything this morning"
Just then her tummy growled and she felt too embarrassed to look at her father who had raised an eyebrow.
"Well, no arguing. We're so... going in there" Raymond said and opened the door for Aida.
"Thanks, dad" Aida said.
"After you my lady" Raymond said and made the gesture with his hand for her to move. "Go on, I want to use the washroom".
Aida giggled and entered the cafeteria.
Raymond was walking out of the washroom when he saw a very luxurious car parking near his car. 'That car makes mine look kind of a joke' he thought and smiled at himself. He suddenly remembered he didn't lock his car and walked towards it to lock it. Just then the driver of the luxurious car alighted and their eyes met. Truthfully and honestly, he knew the day had a lot of surprises for him but he wasn't emotionally prepared for any of the surprise!
Hello, lovely readers! I'm sorry for keeping you waiting and thank you for waiting! I will try to upload a chapter or 2 per a day. Kindly comment on my story🤗 if you like it. I'd be grateful if you leave a comment for me. Love y'all 🥰🥰🥰