Brian, I and his father were the only ones at the dinner. I was perplexed, yet confused to think that the dinner was meant for the three of us alone. But it was. My stare couldn't stop combing around for the rest of the Fanny's.
I expected to have Opula, Kate and Eva at dinner too, but my expectations were disappointed. From the looks on their faces, I could tell the girls were jealous and angry. I wondered what could have made the billionaire host such a quarrelsome dinner.
Fanny gave a lop-sided grin. "I can see your good work on Brian," Fanny said, smiling and pouring his wine, "He looks fresher and cool now. Thank you very much Melissa," he added warmly, and smiled at Brain without getting his compliment.
Brain was playing with his strawberries, as he threw them away. I threw a glance at him, held his hands before removing the strawberry from him, hoping to feed him.
"Thank you very much, Sir. I just feel Brian has a right to life and good things just like us," I said and forced a smile before I returned my gaze on Brian.
Fanny smacked his lips, "You see, when he was very much younger, having a special dinner with him alone was our ritual until he started nursing flare for music. That very career took him away from me that I didn't even see him most summer". Fanny groaned, snorted and shook his head regrettably, "Oh music, you did my son wrong ..."
Fanny barely raised his gaze now and I believed his thought was running.
I paused masticating my food, wishing he wouldn't stop talking about Brian's music career and how it led to his madness.
I was dumbfounded when I saw silent tears trickle down the cheeks of the billionaire. "Oh sir, you are all tears." I gave him the handkerchief on the table, "Please can we forget such memories and enjoy the dinner. I don't want you to be emotional." While I spoke, Brian picked up my plate of hot stew and poured on my head before reaching out to the burr berry drink to do same to Fanny. But he was smart enough to flinch out of target.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed and flinched from the hotness.
The girls burst into mocking laughter, as they stared evilly at me.
"Bring the water and towel fast!" the billionaire invited the maidens, who hastened to my rescue.
But it was too late; the hot stew had burnt the skin on my brow and gave me a black bruised face. While they were yet battling with mine, Brian picked up another plate of hot stew and howled at his father, whom I thought had escaped.
"Can somebody hold this mad boy? Security!" Fanny yelled and a party of hefty young men stepped out to grab Brian into his chamber.
Fanny was fast enough to dodge the hot stew which landed on his white sleeves and trousers. When he stared at me and noticed my burns were great, he commanded that the security take me to the clinic in the villa.
"I am so sorry, Melissa," Fanny apologized and stared angrily at his daughters who were busy chatting and laughing mockingly at me.
Apologies, Melissa" Salsa sympathized with me and assisted the security to take me to the clinic.
"Maidens, clear off the table. This dinner is over!" Fanny declared through clenched teeth and angrily trudged into his chamber.
The girls followed me, chatting and laughing with the intention of rubbishing me.
Doctor Newman was the family doctor who was always available at the clinic in the mansion. Immediately, the security and Salsa drove me down to the clinic, a group of nurses ran to my aid to take over from the security. But there was no stopping Salsa. She followed me into the clinic until Doctor Newman protested.
"Thank you Salsa, your duty ends here. You need to return to the mansion while I attend to Melissa, "Doctor Newman said and pointed at the door.
Salsa gave me an eye. It was obvious she was telling me something with her eyes, which I may never comprehend until she spoke out.
The door slammed. Salsa had gone and was still lost in the thought of what she intended to tell me with those eyes.
"You may lie down, Melissa," Doctor Newman spoke softly and expressly too. "What happened to your face?" he asked swiftly.
I said at a breath as though I had no interest, having any discussion with him, "My mad husband poured me hot stew".
He raised a brow and frowned, "Opula wouldn't take it easy with you if she were here. She doesn't like it when people call her only brother man."
I replied. "Happily she is not here, unless you are a gossip," I said and my face grinned as he dabbed it with spirit and wool.
"I am too busy for that, Melissa." He turned on the drip bag after fusing it into my vein. "You need to be careful with your husband. You may not survive the next injury he will inflict on you," he said, and stroked my hair backward so that he could gum the plaster tightly on the burnt skin.
"How old are you, Melissa?" He asked, holding a pen and a blue register.
I wondered if he actually needed it for my medication or he was literally asking. So I asked, "Why do you ask"?
"I need if for your medical record". He pointed my attention to the card that said, AGE.
"Twenty," I replied a bit arrogantly, as I rolled my eyes.
"Quite young to be in a contract marriage with such a violent mad man. "Ok", he said and asked next, "Are you a virgin"?
I raised a brow at him, "Do you also need that for my medical record, uh?"
"Are you a virgin, Melissa? It is a question…"
"Go to hell, doctor!" I barked, "Take away this drip. I want to go home," I said and sat up.