"Three?" Ciara asked, not believing what she heard. Everyone was stunned. 'Maybe, he's joking' they all thought.
"Yes, three" Theodore answered.
"Theodore be serious" Cindy said almost in a whisper, but Theodore heard her.
"I'm serious Cee" Theodore replied looking at her.
"You can't be serious, Theodore. The house is currently guarded by fifty trained soldiers and we think they're not enough. And you think your three men are enough to guard this house? Don't be ridiculous" Caleb stated unhappily.
"Let's settle it then" Theodore said as he rose to his feet. Pulling his shirt to his elbow, he said; "All five of you should attack me. In the next five minutes, if you manage to even land a hit on me, I'll know my men are inadequate for the job. However, if you are you not able to hit me, I think the three men will do" Theodore said looking at the five soldiers in the room.
"I'm in. I have been itching for some action" Samuel said as he grinned.
It seemed they were all itching for some action and Theodore was going to give it to them.
"We'd need an open space, tho i don't mind fighting in an enclosed space" Raymond suggested.
"The living room is wider. You can use that area. Mind you, every damage is strictly payable" Vanessa warned.
"No problem" Arnold replied.
Cindy placed her hands on Theodore's and looked worriedly at him.
"Don't worry Cee. I'd be fine" Theodore said and pecked Cindy on her cheek.
****
Cedric and Mary kept attending to Maya who was visibly shaken. Theodore had left the moment he released her soul. Cedric knew Maya wasn't in the mood to talk so he refrained from bombarding her with questions. Mary prepared a bath for Maya and helped her soak in it. Cedric left after telling Mary to call him in case anything happened. After soaking in the water for a while, Maya walked back to the room wrapped in a towel.
"Is that for me?" Maya pointed at the tray with foods on it.
"Yeah, i brought you breakfast. Let me heat it for you. It must be cold" Mary said as she tried to pick the tray.
"No need. I'd eat it regardless of its temperature" Maya said as she took the tray and placed in on her laps.
"Just when I thought she's got no appetite" Mary chuckled.
*****
Aida kept rehearsing how she was going to apologize to Theodore in her room. She was so focused on it that, she didn't notice Raven's presence in her room.
"I am very sorry for how i acted earlier today. I am truly sorry. Kindly find a place in your heart to forgive, sir" Aida said as she bowed.
"I forgive you" Raven said, startling Aida.
"Oh noooo! Not you again!" Aida said angrily.
"Hey! What did I do wrong? I was just accepting your apology which seemed heartfelt. Tell me did anything happen?" Raven asked.
"Yeah, I made my aunt's husband feel bad because I left the dinning table when he joined."
"Why?" Raven asked looking concerned.
"Because he looked so grim!" Aida replied and Raven burst into laughter. He couldn't control himself because he thought it was absurd. When he was able to control himself, he saw the look of hurt in Aida's eyes and cursed silently.
"Look, Aida, I'm sorry. I thought you were joking" Raven apologized.
"I'm not joking. He looked deadly"
"Why are going to apologize to him?" Raven asked
"Because I feel i humiliated a good man" Aida replied
"What makes you think he's a good man now?" Raven pried
"My mom told me about how hurt he was when I left. And she also told me he's a good man regardless of how he looked" Aida answered.
"I see" Raven replied nodding.
Raven sensed a family aura when entered the house but he doubted it was the one he was after. The presence of the aura was getting strong and his curiosity got the best of him.
"Aida, continue rehearsing. I'd be right back" Raven said and disappeared.
Raven followed the immense aura and found himself at the living room.
"Theodore?"