Chapter 39.
The two children glanced at each other while holding their spoon. Their glares alone would tell Vanessa that she isn’t welcomed in their midst.
“You’re back from hostage… welcome and who caged you?” Ben uttered staring at her.
She pulled her lips into a smile, though she felt bitter on how she was addressed by them.
They weren’t feeling pity about her disappearance, and she knows so well that it’s because they had never loved her.
“Yes I’m back, how are you two doing?” She replied.
The glanced at each other again and broke out in a mocking laugh. “As yoh can see, we are fine even when you were nowhere to be found.”
“Thank your good God that Chloe locked up your bakery, I wonder what you would have done.” Tracy spluttered.
She wasn’t smiling this time, her face was damn chiseled. “I’m sorry Miss, but you aren’t welcomed in our midst. Thank you for checking on us, you can take your leave.”
“And learn to stay far away from us especially when we’re in an important discussion.” Ben added.
She nodded. “It’s okay, we aren’t quarelling. You two can go ahead with your meal.” She turned her back on them to leave.
Tracy twisted her lips, a question skipped her mind. “Excuse me madam… where is your colleague, I mean your partner in crime.”
“You mean Lilian huh?” Nessa replied with a question too.
She nodded. “Yes, Lilian. You know she’s a bitch and forbidden in this family just like you are?”
“For goodness sake, don’t use swear words on me. You can say whatever you want, but don’t use swear words on me.” Vanessa scolded her.
She felt like pouncing on the girl for referring her as a bitch and forbidden. She wouldn’t keep mute if she repeats that again.
“Please, take your leave. I have nothing to do with you.” Tracy stated.
She swallowed deeply and left. Heaven knows that her love for those children are irreplaceable. She can’t heart them less despite the way they talk to her.
But then, she wouldn’t keep mute and watch them talk to her like she depends on them for survival, besides… her salary is not her major means of getting income.
Tracy glanced at her brother. Sgw noticed he’s lost in thought.
“Are you okay Ben? Is anything the matter?” She tried inquiring.
He licked his lips taking a glance at her. “Uhmmm! I’m not that okay, but you don’t need to worry… I’ll be fine.”
Tracy got on his feet and moved towards him. “Tell me, what’s the matter with you? Your facial expression doesn’t show that you will be fine later.”
“You don’t need to feel haunted Tracy. I’ll be okay, it’s a matter of time.” He insisted.
She felt sad within her, this is the first time he’s seeing her brother in such mood and decides to keep the worries to himself.
“Don’t tell you’re still thinking about Melissa? Hope it isn’t her?” She referred to him.
Ben lifted his head staring at her. He’s so sure that Tracy wasn’t lying. That girl has occupied a certain place in her.
“It’s her. Tracy you won’t believe the kind of love I have for her. I love that girl so much.” He narrated.
Tracy stared at her for a while. She couldn’t believe her own brother would be dieing of bitterness because of a girl he isn’t sure will love him.
“You’re killing yourself here because of Melissa huh? By the way, is she the only girl in school? Aren’t other damsels around?” She questioned.
Ben twisted his lips, there’s nothing meaningful about what Tracy is uttering this time.
Whether there are millions of girls in their school or not, the only person he needs to himself is Melissa… and that’s all.
“Please comport yourself and eat your food. Melissa will not provide lunch for you, she might not even love you.” Tracy stated, she picked her spoon again and began eating while Ben kept staring at her. “There are many girls flirting themselves around you, yet you overlook them all because of Melissa. Pick one amongst them and get addicted to her.”
“Enough of this Tracy, I’ve made my choice and you can’t change it okay.” Ben retorted.
She threw him a glare and bent her head.
*********
The next day.
Vanessa had left the previous day with the bakery’s key. She unlocked it and took the key to her house.
She made sure to wake up on time the previous day and arrive at Xavier’s residence to get Chloe ready for school.
The little girl was so overwhelmed with joy when she woke up to sight Vanessa seated on her bed. A wide smile appeared on her face.
“Good morning ma’am Vanessa…” she greeted standing from the bed.
She responded to her greeting and helped her up. “You need to hurry up okay.”
Chloe nodded and twitched into the bathroom to brush her teeth. Vanessa for her ready and she moved to the dinning room to take her breakfast.
Her plan is just to leave instantly before or after the kids. While stepping down the stairs, she sighted Xavier in the sitting room about to dash out.
“Mr. Xavier…” she called distracting him.
He turned to see her and smiled. “How are you doing Vanessa?”
She returned the smile moving closer to him. “I’m very fine sir, just wanted to ask you a question.”
“Go ahead, I’m all ears.” He assured.
Vanessa swallowed her saliva. “I’ve not set my eyes on Lilian since yesterday, hope you’re in good terms with her? Look Mr Xavier, I don’t ever want to be the reason you’re having issues with your fiancee.”
Xavier looked off, she found that question pulling the past to his brain, thereby getting him irritated.
“I knew she’s responsible for your disappearance, because she’s been tackling you. And so, I threatened to deal with her if you aren’t back before sunset. And you were back before sunset proving that I wasn’t wrong.” He narrated.
She heaved a big sigh of relief. “Yeah! Truly she’s behind my disappearance, but now I want you to forgive her and reunite with her too. Let all this come to an end.”
“Vanessa, it’s so easy for you to say, but you don’t know what’s going on in her mind. That’s just hy the way for now, because she left my house herself… I didn’t send her out.” He added.
Vanessa nodded and picked her handbag and cell phone from the sofa. “I’ll be leaving now, I have a lot to do in my bakery.”
He acceded to that and watched her leave the house.
“I’ll be leaving you three behind, when you’re done then you can go okay.” He shouted to their hearing.
“Okay Dad… have a nice day.” They all replied in unison.
He left the room too and drove to his office.
When they kids were through, they left to the car and the driver drove off from the house.
********
While at school, Ben sat at a corner watching the cheerleading team as they all gathered some miles away from him.
He had caught the presence of Tracy within them, and then Melissa who is their leader.
“What’s going on Ben, come over with us let’s play some jokes.” One of his friend drew him outta his thoughts.NôvelDrama.Org is the owner.
He glanced at him and looked off. “I’m not in the mood.”
“Why are you looking at the cheerleading teams, they’re playing their role… come let’s go fo ours.” The same guy uttered.
This time he felt irritated. “But you heard me well now, I’m not in the mood of playing games.”
He shuddered. “Okay then, see you in the classroom.” He stated and left him alone.
Ben watched the dude leave his presence, and then he hissed.
“I’ll wait over here until you’re done with your team.” He remarked inwardly.
He felt a tap on his thigh.
“Hi Ben, how are you? Why are you seating alone?” A feminine voice hit his ear.
He stared at the girl. He had known her to be one of those flirting themselves around him.
“Who called for your presence? Please you aren’t needed here.” He referred to her.
She pouted her lips in a sexy manner. “But…”
“Stop disturbing me please, I need to be alone.” He shut her up.
The girl sighed. “Okay then, if you persist.” She uttered and left.
Ben hissed loudly, he wouldn’t take it easy with anyone that distracts him again.
He watched the cheerleading teams as they all left serially. But he wasn’t able to see Melissa again.
His heart was filled with sorrow, he wondered when the girl left that he wasn’t aware.
“Gosh! I’m looking for her now.” He muttered getting on his feet.
While moving to the place that had gathered, he caught her stepping ahead of him but he stood staring.
He felt shy. Thinking of how to approach her and explain his feelings to her, he wasn’t able to do that.
He stood watching Melissa as she walked away from his sight.