The four days quickly swept by and I really enjoyed every bits of it.
He would prepare breakfast for me, spoon fed me and even take care of me for a while before he made his way to work.
Sitting by the window, I imagined what he might be doing in the company at the moment, 'maybe inspecting his employee's work' I wondered.
The big Villa was empty, left with only I and my roaming thoughts.
I immediately rushed to the kitchen, picking a few strands of vegetables and tomato paste, then headed to my room to execute the 'beautiful thought' in my head.
I saw some drawing papers on the shelf, a piece of charcoal and a few chunks of eraser and I immediately set to work.
After spending some hours applying different shades, I picked up the respective images with which I projected and I couldn't help but smile.
The first realistic drawing was about me, being an innocent little girl. Putting on diapers, with no clean clothes..
The shoes I wore were torn at the soles and my delicate legs were exposed to the hot sun, but I didn't care much because I was happy the way I was and that was everything that mattered - happiness.
The drawing reminded me of myself, when I was younger. A poor chubby child,who lacked good clothing and whose parents weren't able to afford good meals, yet I still survived.
The second drawing was centered on me - A teenager…
Now, I had grown and already in elementary school. The picture showed me, my head bowed on the desk as I cried.
Most times, I cried in the past when I was hungry or when my mates made fun of my torn clothing. To an extent ,I wasn't able to afford the needed textbooks and was sent out of the class on countless occasions. The pigmented tomato paste on the image made it look very real, and In real sense,I started crying.
The third drawing was centered on my recent life and strife - I had a drawing of myself,that particular day I heard about Clinton's disappearance…
The rope I had bought that afternoon,to commit suicide in my room was there, sitting on my reading table.
The image had a contrasting image next to it which showed Richard Lieu. Richard burning in anger that terrible day which we met by accident.
The last drawing was a very funny one. I had an image of Richard and I dressed in a wedding outfit. The satisfaction on our faces, and the way we held hands, walking down the aisle, made my heart race in excitement.
In moments, I started painting my future with this strange man - imagining getting married to him and having two kids for him, perhaps twin children - a baby boy and a baby girl.
I imagined one of the babies, being handsome with nice features like his Father and the other dazzling in beauty as her Mom.
All thanks to being a minor of fine and applied arts in the university.
I neatly pinned the drawing on the smooth surface of my wardrobe, took my bath and feeling refreshed, I happily jumped on my bed,in a bid to take a short nap.
__________
He stared at the documents before him,but his mind seemed to wander far away from him, jumbled from the realities of life.
His pen continued circling around the marbled table, round and round, without no reason or mission.
At some intervals, he would sigh unendimgly, and sometimes he would just pinch the edges of his eyebrow in frustration and at other times, he would frown so deeply - as if he was having a battle with his thoughts.
The young man standing beside him couldn't hold his calm anymore. His weak soles pleaded for mercy, indirectly begging Richard to give him his attention, but the timid Secretary got none.
In actual sense, Mr Jones Walker, wasn't in anyway, a match for his boss..
Jones had other activities, calling his attention too..
Just then, a hysterical thought hit Jones mind, and he immediately feigned falling down, while the scripts in his hands littered all over Richard's table.
Richard looked up, staring angrily at his Secretary and Jones smiled in his head, he finally succeeded in gaining his attention. "Mister Lieu, the meeting is about to commence..."
"Suspend it. " Richard's voice reasonated, without even waiting for Jones to finish up with his sentence.
Jones almost shouted:
'SUSPEND WHAT?
'DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH RLCHARDSON' S IMPERIAL WILL BE LOOSING AGAIN?
Jones tried to convince his boss, perhaps to attend the meeting, even if he would spend a minute or two, but Richard remained unfazed.
Jones gave up. "Okay. I will inform the Board of Directors about the latest changes as soon as possible," said Jones, as he took a bow, behaving like a faithful dog to its owner.
Indeed, there was a very big problem looming before Richard!
As expected, Molly had gone to inform his parents concerning everything that sprouted up during her arrival, making things complicated for him.
His step-father had threatened to send him into exile, if he found out the authencity of Molly's story.
What about his mother?
She even went as far as threatening the life of Vanessa, dictating WHAT SHE WOULD DO if she was to have a hold of her : "I'll make sure I drain her blood and use her as supper wine, since you aren't fit for the kingdom."
NOW, This wasn't his only problem!
A bigger issue had resurfaced.
Just this morning, he got a report from his secret ally in the Kingdom, informing him about the recent developments and the appearance of the Kingdom's delegates in WestHouse, tomorrow noon.
Richard would have silenced the delegates!
He has the power to do so, but since it was from the kingdom - they were all loyal and submissive to the Royal blood and they can never be bribed or misled.
Problems were compounding daily for him. Difficult problems that seemed hard to subdue.
Richard was in a serious dilemma at the moment - The life of Vanessa was at stake and his own chances of succeeding as the heir of Zu-Vendis Kingdom was very slim. He might lose it to his twin brother, if he didn't tread cautiously..
What would he do to save Vanessa?
His brain immediately set to work.
'Vanessa's safety first', he repeated all over and over again. He checked out the CCTV cameras around the Villa, connected solely to his mystic wrist watch, and he was relieved.
The atmosphere was calm and tightly secured, after all he had employed thousands of rogue vampires to keep an eye on Vanessa's bedroom. That alone, should keep his mind at bay.
Still, Richard was uneasy!
He had this feeling of despair and sudden loss rising and sinking in his stomach and it was still centered on Vanessa.
He calculated the time left, from now to tomorrow's noon and it was just thirteen hours, left.
Thirteen precious hours to secure Vanessa!
Suddenly, he thought of an idea.
Yes! What a great idea!
He thought about evacuating Vanessa, from the Villa back to her normal life. With that, it would be safer for her and more comfortable.
He immediately grabbed his phone, dialed a number and a voice quickly responded at the other end, "Bells University, how may we help you?" A brass tone like voice answered.
Richard clenched his teeth, a cold aura emitting from him.
The receiver could sense that everything was not normal and a familiar fright clouded him.
"Richard Lieu?" The V. C. stammered in fear.
Richard's anger slowly faded, replaced by a sudden hardness. If not for the sake of Vanessa, only God knows what he must have done to this man.
"Vanessa Higgins," he said quickly, his pitch of his tone rising, signifying he was in a haste.
The caller immediately went off for a second, checking his system for updates. "Vanessa Higgins. Female. Majoring English Language, and minor in Fine Arts. Leo's Lodge at on-campus accommodation. Missed lectures 60 times, missed exams and tests 12 times, Absent for 8 weeks,current performance; poor, currently owing $27K for utilities and tuition. Third year student. "the male voice meticulously responded at the other end.
"Good."
This was the information Richard was willing to hear.
"As for your information, she'll be arriving tomorrow. Redo the tests and retake the examinations for her. Get two presidential suites for her and also,I'll be renewing her remaining balance and other expenses. Is that understood?"
"But sir, the presidential suites are solely for lecturers," the receiver panicked.
"Except you don't want to me to shut down that little thing you run as a university." Richard ruthlessly said, cutting the conversation.
Streams of sweat poured down the Vice Chancellor's fat face.
Never in his life had he imagined that he will be having a conversation with this cold man again.
By instinct, he already knew it was Richard Lieu but why the call?
He immediately checked Vanessa's profile, nodding his head disappointingly. 'She's a young, poor and wretched Lady who hardly contribute meaningfully to the growth of the university. Once a bright student,' he whispered. 'What connection does she have with the Billionaire ?' The V. C. wondered.
For a while, Richard's mind was at ease.
After phoning about several important personalities involved - he was rest assured that she will be taken care of. To him, that was his ultimate joy.
*
After work, Richard personally drove himself to a feminine boutique : ELSA'S CLOTHING STORE. According to Linton, 'this was the best clothing store he could afford doing business with.'
Parking his Rolls Royce in the parking lot reserved for the VIPs, he entered the clothing store, all eyes transfixed on him. The security guards immediately gave him access, because they all knew the underground status of Richard.
The receptionist, seeing how handsome and influential this customer was, rushed to him, smiling all sweetly and reserved.
"Good day. You are welcome to Elsa's clothing store and we are pleased to have you. How may we help you?"
Richard, without even staring at the receptionist, released his dominative aura and the young lady immediately got frightened, stepping away.
Meanwhile, Miss Elsa, the CEO of Elsa's clothing, was in the upper room: getting her nails polished by her makeup artist, when she received an urgent call from the receptionist.
"Madame, a customer is here. He just arrived here some minutes ago!" the receptionist sounded, feeling tense.
Miss Elsa was surprised by the sudden call. "Attend to the customer, Kimbaly. "
"No, Madame. He isn't a regular type of customer, he is..."
"What is his name?" Miss Elsa asked, cutting the receptionist short.
"Name? He never did disclose his identity Madame, but He is a tall model on sunshades, and came all in a long black coat."
At the mention of a 'a tall model on a long-black coat', Miss Elsa did not need to wait for evidence to confirm that the man in question was Richard.
She turned to the mirror, adjusting her expensive gown and dashed out, leaving her makeup artist in a confused state.
"What a beautiful reunion! The CEO of Richardson's Imperial paying a visit to the CEO of Elsa's clothing store," Miss Elsa said, smiling sweetly as she approached him.
Richard hated Elsa.
She was flirtatious and she was also an ex-girlfriend to Linton, his bosom friend.
Richard hate didn't burn down to hating Elsa because she was flirty, but she was also an unfaithful partner.
"I want the latest fashionable wears for different seasons, not too short and not exoosed, either "
Miss Elsa together with her attendants, quickly set to work to haunt for the dresses.
She showed Richard different imported wears from big clothing brands in the Asia, which Richard consented to. Elsa also selected exotic shoes and designer's handbags, some funny hats, exquisite belts and some lovely coats, too.
Richard immediately paid off the millions of dollars for the clothing and was about to leave, when Elsa tightly gripped his wrists.
"Come on, baby boy. You can't just leave your best friend's ex-girlfriend in the dark." She mouthed, faking a partial jealous smile. "Who is the lucky woman?"
Richard intense gaze almost choked Elsa. She immediately let go of his hand, as quick as possible like as if she'd seen a ghost.
*
When Richard arrived at the Villa, it was already late, deep into the night ..
Everywhere was still and silent, probably, they've all retired to bed.
The first place he went was to check his room, to checkup on Vanessa, his sharp eyes blazing in anger.
Different thoughts swirled in his mind.
Where was Vanessa?
With his hands folded into a strong ball, Richard made to storm into Julie's compartment, when he heard a sweet sigh behind him.
"You are awake?" He said,surprised.
"I wasn't asleep, either," replied Vanessa.
Richard could see the trouble written all over his face and he was worried.
"You don't look good. Did anything happen during my absence?"
He watched as Vanessa went on to narrate the dream she had while she was asleep during the afternoon, and she had been restless.
"Richard! I feel my Mom is sick. She must have had a high blood pressure in searching for me. Now, I need to see my mom, perhaps, return back to school."
Please…
Richard was surprised and simultaneously, overjoyed.
He wasn't expecting such a dream, in correlation with his plans.
"So, you want to return back to school and forget about me - what we started together?" He teased.
"Do you consent?" She asked.
"Wait, I want to show you something," Richard said, pulling Vanessa closer as he placed his right palm on her face.
"You'll only open your eyes when I tell you to do so."
He then led her to the sitting room where he had dropped the heaps of clothing littered on the couch. "Open your eyes then!" He commanded.
"What?" Vanessa exclaimed. "Who are the owner of these?"
"You'll be returning to school first thing tomorrow morning. " Richard firmly announced, his hands caressing her arm.
"Wow! How did you plan for all of these ? Are you also in my mind?" Jumping up and down, she picked up a floral hat, tossing it with her fingers and a huge grin appeared on her face. "Thanks for filling my darkness with your warmth, Richard."
"I just want the best for you, Vaness. Meeting you was never a regret to me. Richard said as he pulled Vanessa into a tight hug, caressing her silk hair - his nostrils inhaling her intoxicating scent as she cried in his embrace.