Alice's POV
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of light knocking on my door. I got out of bed to open my door and I met the ever smiling Beatrice even though I was expecting to see Agnes. I genuinely returned her smile and beat her to greeting first.
"Your father wants to see you, he is downstairs at the table, about to have his breakfast". She told me.
"I will be on my way, thanks. But does it look like I might be in trouble?" I asked, lowering my voice at the second part. She only laughed and then assured me that my father is surprisingly in high spirits today.
"Isn't it strange?" She asked further, still in hushed whispers and I shrugged. She made her way downstairs while I proceeded to change my nightwear.
Beatrice had managed to keep a good rapport with Agnes and I, even after the crisis that led to my mother's total breakdown. Though I had been too young to understand, when I came of age, I couldn't judge her to be guilty, when she is but a victim.
I killed the thought immediately and quickly got off my nightgown while I struggled to put on the clean dress. In my haste, I forgot to unzip the dress and I was stuck. I was compressed due to the tightness plus the impact of a hard object pressing against my face. I struggled with the dress for some seconds before I emerged victorious.
I checked to see the object that intended to maim me just seconds ago. The shiny design on the dress reminded me instantly of the diamond ring lying inside my drawer. At this, the urgency with which I got dressed eased out and I sluggishly completed the rest of the process. I am the wife of one of the Mafia kings after all. There is no way my father would dare lift a finger on me anymore. As bad as this is, there are benefits attached to it.
I sat back on my bed, just to delay some more. It felt so good to defy him especially as he cannot retaliate as he would want to.
The sound of heavy footsteps climbing the stairs brought me back to reality and I realized just then how much time I have spent in my room.
I had completely lost track of time and even though I am sure I won't get hit, I couldn't help being scared.
I grabbed my hairbrush just as a gentle knock landed on my door, which was immediately followed by my door opening ajar.
The quick movement and sound forced me up on my feet while my hairbrush fell down and broke in two.
"I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry".
These were the words I heard from a voice that sounded so much like my father's. With a look of surprise mixed with fear I shifted my gaze from my broken hairbrush to the direction where the voice had come from.
It was him! My dad.
Knocking to enter my room, though for the shortest of time, and apologizing! It was too much to take in. For the seventeen years I have known him, this is the first time either of this has happened.
"I sent for you more than thirty minutes ago and you didn't show up". He said, trying so hard to sound mean. I just stood there and offered no explanation. Instead I focused on the problem I just realized I now have which is, acting as though I have no knowledge of the diamond ring.
Usually, I would be on my knees by now while he would stand over me, holding a whip but right now, I could not bring myself to kneel down and beg him for pardon, not even when it is intended to fool him.
"I will get you a new hairbrush". He said and I couldn't be more surprised. It seems the diamond ring has some magical powers with which it changed people's attitude because my father is full of surprises today.
"Come down for your breakfast". He said in a tone that was supposed to sound sternly but didn't, and left.
umph, I scoffed. Breakfast? Since when does he care if I have breakfast or not?
I headed dowstairs and located my usual spot in the table. While I waited for others, I got busy with playing games on my phone.
I looked towards the direction of the kitchen when I heard approaching footsteps.
"Where are the others? I thought we were supposed to have breakfast". I asked Beatrice as she set the tray of assorted food in front of me.
"It is just you. Your father instructed me to ensure you eat alot henceforth so that you can have your medication and heal on time". She explained carefully.
"And he also asked to tell you to get ready by noon, he plans to take you out. Beatrice squealed.
If only she knows what I know. I thought, looking indifferently at her.
"You don't look happy, I just gave you a pleasant news. Beatrice pressed on and for some reasons known to me alone I was pissed.
"Oh, pleasant it is". I managed to reply and forced a smile when Beatrice looked skeptically at me.
"You should serve the food now before it gets cold". I said, in a bid to distract her and it worked, for a few minutes though because she brought up the same topic right after.
"I am sure your father is trying to apologize for hitting you with his barrel". She started, while she uncovered the plates.
I intentionally took large bites from the bread and focused on chewing instead. She didn't seem to be bothered as she continued talking.
"Will you get me anything from your outing today?" She pressed further. I have never felt the urge to tie Beatrice up and stuff clothes into her mouth as much as I did at that moment.
"Where is Rebecca?" I asked instead, in an attempt to distract her yet again.
"She is sleeping. Can I ask you a question?" She asked, as if I permitted her to ask the other questions she has bombarded me with.
I gave her go ahead with a nod even though I had a feeling her question would make me uneasy.
"Do you think your father will marry you off anytime soon?" She asked out of the blues.
Now this is enough, I decided. With all the strength I could muster, I started coughing, making it sound as real as I could while Beatrice tried to pacify me, with shaky hands.
Beatrice served me cups after cups of water and at a point, I knew that even if I survived the "coughing", I might die of excess water. So when she dashed into the kitchen to get more water, I grabbed the tray containing food and ran to my room.
She came to my door and begged me to open for her but I assured her that I will be fine.
I didn't get to go out with my father again, I was still coughing when my father's driver came to pick me up. Or so they thought.
I spoiled myself to a treat with the snacks I had in my room for pulling up this coughing trick and for uncovering a hidden truth all by myself.
I will make a good detective someday.