Kelvin
When people say looks can be deceiving, they are never wrong. I had seen Delilah to be a quiet, reserved and apathetic lady but it turns out I was wrong. She's instead the opposite of what I just mentioned. And she's very interesting. Since our first conversation that Wednesday afternoon, we have spoken to each other for a while and it has been great spending time with her.
One of the greatest perks of being with Delilah is that I forget literally everything about Irene. Since Wednesday, I've had the most minimal contact with Irene and she has noticed it too. It's either I'm busy at work or I'm chatting with Delilah. I'm never really idle for her to come bother me again and that's a good thing to me. I hope it continues for how long I stay in this house cause I've had enough.
Presently, it's Saturday morning and I was in my bedroom packing one or two clothes in my bag. Just as Mr. Hanson had granted, I would be going home today and I could return back to the house tomorrow. This was perfect timing cause Hannah finished her final exam on Thursday and I wanted to go visit her and my mom in person, in order to congratulate her on her accomplishment.
Just as I finished packing what I needed in my bag. I received a phone call and I didn't expect this phone call at all.
"Yo Eugene. What's up ?"
"Bro, it's been past a week since we last spoke," he voiced out. "And you never called or texted me to find out how I'm faring."
He's right. I had totally forgotten about him ever since I stepped foot here in the house.
"I'm sorry bro. It's not entirely my fault. Hear me out," I pleaded with a playful tone.
So, I told him everything that happened till date. But it's not everything really. I didn't tell him about the kidnapping saga or what really goes on in the house. I just made up a story on how I got a job at Mr. Hanson's house and what my job was about.
"So that's why you forgot about your buddy," he laughed. "I don't blame you. I would have done same if I were in your shoes. Lucky guy."
"Yeah," I chuckled. "It's been great here. So what's going on at Gusto's ? How has it been since I left ?"
"Hmmmm," Eugene hummed. "It's been going badly little by little after you left. When people found out you left, they hardly came to the bars. The numbers has been reducing steadily."
"What ? Why ?"
"It seemed everyone liked you at the bars," Eugene said. "So your departure kind of made them uninterested in the other waiters. Mr. Andrews has been contemplating if he should call you and offer you back the job."
"He should forget about it," I laughed heartedly. "I'm never coming back. I'm okay where I am right now. So he should stop having those thoughts."
"Bummer for him. That would teach him a lesson." Eugene chuckled.
"Right," I agreed. "Eugene, I have to get going now. I'll call you when I'm free okay ?"
"Alright. Take care bro."
"You too fam...."
We hanged up and I stood up from bed with my bag. I called for a driver as I moved downstairs. I prayed not to encounter Irene and my prayers were answered. I left the main house and the driver was waiting for me outside. I haven't spoken to Delilah today but she's aware I'm leaving the house today since I informed her about it last night. Taking one look back at the house, I entered the car and we were off.
On our way to West Legon, I stopped at a mart to buy two champagnes and a cake. We arrived at West Legon minutes later and I got down from the car. I thanked the driver and he drove off. My sister wasn't in the kiosk, so I walked straight into the house and knocked on the door.
When Hannah opened the door, she screamed excitedly when she saw me and that got me scared. She pulled me in for a hug and she almost destroyed the cake that I was holding in my hands.
"Hannah, calm down," I spoke out. "You are going to mess up the cake."
She didn't listen regardless. I heard my mom's voice from the living room. "Hannah, who has arrived and why are you screaming like that ?"
After she was satisfied with her hug, Hannah let go of me and responded to my mom. "Maa it's Kelvin. He has arrived."
"Then let him in and stop stalling him at the door." my mom ordered.
Hannah smiled and I looked down on the cake box. It seemed to be a little crushed but it was in a good condition surprisingly.
"Sorry about that," she apologized.
I just laughed and we walked into the living room. First thing I did when I got there was to greet my mom politely and I placed the cake and two champagnes on the table in the middle of the room.
"Welcome my son," my mom said as I took a seat next to Hannah. "It's been a while."
"Yes maa. You know I can't leave work to come here," I reminded. "But the weekends are my free days. So I came here to celebrate Hannah's departure from the university."
"That's so thoughtful of you," my mom complimented.
"Thank you so much." Hannah said as she gave me another hugging session.
"We initially did our own celebration on Thursday but it's okay if you want us to continue." my mom revealed.
"I don't mind." I replied with a smile.
"And also, thanks for sending us money this week. We appreciate it very much." my mom expressed her gratitude.
"You don't have to mention that each time I send you money, maa," I laughed casually. "It's my duty and I have to fulfill it. So no need to thank me."
My mom kept quiet and gazed at me for a while. I thought maybe she wanted to say something about my dressing or something similar but I didn't expect her next words at all.
"Are you seeing someone, Kelvin ?"
"Wait what ? Why do you ask ?" I quizzed.
"You seem different from the last time we met. I can feel it." she explained. "So are you meeting someone ?"
I thought about it for a second but I reasoned that she's my mother and there's no reason to hide it from her or Hannah. So I took my time and narrated how I met Delilah and how our friendship has been throughout the previous days. I made sure not to mention that Delilah was drunk when I met her. I didn't want to put a false image of Delilah to my mom. When I was done narrating, my mom went on to surprise me more.
She stood up from her wheelchair and started dancing, saying; "My son has finally met someone."
I wanted to get up and put her back in the wheelchair but Hannah held me back.
"I can't believe you're now friends with her," Hannah said happily. "When I was telling you about her, you weren't interested. Now look at you."
"Please don't start, Hannah." I pleaded.
When my mom danced for like a minute to her satisfaction, she sat back in her wheelchair, exhausted.
"What was that all about ?" I asked.
"Kelvin," she started. "I thought you would be single all your life and die old without having a spouse or children. That thought ached me a lot but now, my heart is free knowing that you have found a lady."
She started singing praises songs and I was speechless for a second. I found my voice later on. "No, no. It's not what it looks like. I can....."
"Kelvin," Hannah interrupted. "Let her be. Don't ruin the mood for her. Let's just celebrate and have fun whiles it lasts."
"Alright, fine." I agreed. I faced my mom. "Maa, when we are done eating, Hannah and I would go to an eatery to go enjoy there for some time and on our back, we will buy you something too."
"Okay my son," she said cheerfully. "As long as I know you've found a lady, I don't mind how long you spend there or whether you buy me something or not. My heart is satisfied."
She got up and danced again. Hannah and I shared the cake and took some champagne with it. Our mom joined later and we gisted each other on what has been going on since we last met. After talking for some time, Hannah and I decided to go to the eatery. My mom has been walking ever since I gave her the info about Delilah and she hasn't even touched the wheelchair even once.
When Hannah and I left the house, I looked back and Hannah assured me. "Don't worry about her. I'm not sure she will fall down and injure herself."
"What do you mean ?"
"I think hearing about you and Delilah has kind of turned off her paralysis."
.
Sonya
"Sonya, it's thirty minutes past ten o'clock," Olivia complained. "Why are you calling me at this time ?"
"You will never guess what I just saw..."
"You are right, I will never guess," Olivia said sarcastically. "Can I go to bed now ?"
"What ? No." I refused. "I just saw Delilah walking with that guy from the restaurant."
"So ? What's the big deal about that ?"
"You can't be serious right now. That pervert is now rolling with my sister. Obviously that's his next target." I explained boldly.
Olivia took in a deep breath and sighed. "Sonya.....remind me not to come to your place tomorrow."
"Girl, are you even listening ?" I felt annoyed. "My sister is now being targeted by that....guy."
"What do you want me to do about it, Sonya ?"
"Support me, of course." I suggested. "Give me ideas on how to prevent this from happening."
"I can't believe this is happening." She gave another long frustrated sigh. "Listen, if you think the guy is onto your sister, talk to her. I'm not supporting you with the crazy thing you are saying. I'm just giving you safe suggestions on how to tackle this issue. Now, if you excuse me, I need to sleep now. I've had a long day."
"Okay Olivia," I said gently. "Goodnight...."
She hanged up immediately and I laid back on my bed with a sigh of relief. Olivia was right. I need to talk to Delilah about the issue. The problem is that, Delilah hasn't casually spoken to me for over three months. I wondered if she would speak back to me and let us talk the issue out. I'll find out tomorrow.
The next day, Saturday, I went to work at the textile company and did some supervision there. I also had to interview some few individuals to occupy empty slots at the factory. I got to the brewery and there wasn't much to do there. I left there after spending some time there and I moved to my catering shop. A client contacted Olivia last night and she forwarded the client to me this morning.
The client and I met at the shop and he didn't want to taste samples cause he had heard good words about the shop already. We talked for a while before he made his order, paid and left. I informed the caterers about the order and the deadline being tomorrow. The order was less hectic than last time, so I was sure the caterers could handle it.
I got in the car with when I was done spending time in the catering shop and I was taken back home. Saturdays, I spend less time at work than weekdays. So I arrived home by 3pm. The sun was still shining brightly when I got there. I hurried up to my room and got in my bathtub to take a long warm shower. I freshened up and wore my casual clothes. I sat in my sofa and turned on the TV to entertain myself for a while.
I felt cold from the air-conditioning, so I turned it off and went to my balcony to take a breather. When I got there, I looked down and saw Delilah sitting under one of the open huts. I immediately remembered what I planned last night. So, I left my room and took the elevator downstairs. I walked to the back of the house and approached Delilah at the open hut.
It seemed she was drawing something in her book. When she saw me coming, she closed the book and looked elsewhere. I felt discouraged by that and I felt she wouldn't talk to me but I still approached her and sat down under the open hut with her.
I took my time and waited for a few seconds before talking. "Delilah..... good afternoon."
That's what I could think of to start the conversation. I thought she wouldn't reply but after a few seconds of what looked like she was contemplating, she spoke up but she didn't look at me.
"Good afternoon. What can I do for you ?"
I was shocked but I maintained my composure and went straight to the point. "There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Oh really ? What is it ?"
"It's about the guy. The one who rescued us from the kidnappers." I pointed out.
Delilah turned to look at me with a straight face after I said that. "And what's there to talk about him ? Is there a problem ?"
"Actually, there is." I affirmed.
"I'm listening...."
"That guy.....he is not safe. He's dangerous and I want to—"
"What are you talking about ?" Delilah interrupted. "What do you mean Kelvin is not safe ?"
Kelvin. So that's his name. I see...
"What do you mean he is dangerous ?" Delilah went on. "He risked his life to save us, so how does that make him dangerous ?"
I haven't seen Delilah talk this much in a long time. It was obvious she was upset. So, I decided to take a gentle approach to the situation.
"Delilah, calm down and let me explain." I soothed. "He's a pervert...."
"Excuse me ?"
"He wants to take advantage of you when you let your guard down," I explained. "I'm just warning you about him for your own safety. I don't want you to end up like me."
Delilah took in a deep breath and exhaled calmly. "Since when did you care about my safety ? And what do you mean you don't want me to end up like you ? What did he do to you ?"
"I caught him peeping at me when I turned my back against him."
"So are you saying that you and Kelvin were friends before ?" she asked.
"No. We weren't friends....we just met in—"
Delilah stood up with her book and pencil and was walking quickly to the back door. I turned around to talk to her.
"Where are you going ? I'm not done." I called out.
"You sound ridiculous," she said as she halted by the poolside. "You met him only once and you are saying he's a pervert. What if he peeped at you by mistake ? This doesn't make sense."
"Delilah, listen to me," I ordered. She ignored me and continued walking to the door. "Hey, I'm talking to you and you are walking out on me ? Come back here...."
She didn't listen to me one bit. She got inside the house and shut the door loudly. I sat under the open hut, murmuring some unknown words in anger. It looks like I have to go to the extremes now.