Chapter 4 Motherly Advice

Peter shook his head, rejecting the idea of sleeping with a woman for money.

He sighed and returned to the bench in front of the closed shop, staring out at the busy road. He was homeless, waiting for nightfall so he could return to the underpass where he slept.

********

Cindy arrived at her father's mansion, a grand duplex, as she was her billionaire parents' only child. She parked her red car in the garage, stepped out, and walked toward the entrance.

The white duplex was adorned with flowering green plants and glass walls. Cindy entered the living room and was greeted by her mother's helper, Esther.

"Welcome home, Aunty Cindy," Esther said.

Cindy frowned and paused, scolding Esther.

"Haven't I told you to stop calling me Aunty Cindy? Here, take these keys, get the white shopping bag from my car, and take it to my bedroom."

Cindy handed Esther the keys, disliking her presence. However, her mother emerged from the kitchen, hearing Cindy's voice.

Esther was related to Cindy through Cindy's mother, but Cindy didn't want to acknowledge her as a relative. She hated sharing and disliked how her mother had cared for Esther since bringing her from the village.

"Cindy," Mrs. Bola called, walking into the living room, and drying her hands with a white towel. She wore a brown gown and black slippers.

"When will you learn to be nicer to Esther and understand that she's not really a maid, but my aunt's daughter? She's only helping me when you're not around," Mrs. Bola said, indirectly scolding Cindy.

"Mom, good afternoon," Cindy greeted, looking toward the stairs. "I know Esther isn't a maid, but tell her to stop calling me Aunty Cindy, as it seems like we're related. We're not sisters, and I don't need her closeness."

"Cindy..." Mrs. Bola frowned, and Cindy stopped ranting. "I have to go upstairs now, Mom. I'll be back for dinner."

Cindy walked upstairs, while Mrs. Bola sighed and looked at Esther. "It's okay, you can get what she asked you to get."

"Okay, ma'am," Esther replied, walking out.

*******

Cindy entered her bedroom, remembering the handsome young man from the shopping mall. She couldn't stop thinking about him and her reaction.

She walked to the window, opened it, and let the breeze flow into her pink bedroom.

Cindy walked to her mirror, staring at her fair-skinned reflection.

She was a beautiful young woman, and she smiled at her reflection, but she couldn't stop thinking about marrying the young man.

"Imagine him and me as a couple, touching me and bathing with me," Cindy thought of herself and Peter as husband and wife.

Her door opened without a knock, and Esther walked in, startling Cindy.

Cindy glared at Esther for interrupting her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, I brought the bag you asked me to get," Esther said, apologizing immediately.

"Put it on the chair and leave," Cindy dismissed Esther, who quickly placed the bag on the nearest chair and darted out.

Cindy sighed and sat on her bed, taking off her red shoes. She stood up, not wanting to be disturbed. As she walked to the door to lock it, she heard a knock. "Who is it?" she asked.

"It's me, Cindy. Open up," Mrs. Bola replied, surprised to hear her daughter's voice by the door.

Mrs. Bola had seen Esther run out and wondered what Cindy had done to scare the young lady.

Cindy opened the door, and her mother walked in, smiling.

"What is it, Mom? I want to take a bath," Cindy asked with a frown, and her mother walked in with a smile.

Mrs. Bola said. "Close the door, Cindy, and come sit on the bed."

Cindy shut the door and walked to her mother, but refused to sit.

"I want to take a quick bath, Mom. Just tell me why you're here," Cindy said, looking away. "Okay. Your father called me and said he has accepted a marriage proposal on your behalf. Tomorrow, Jeremy Lukeman will be here to see you."

"What? Why, Mom? I'm not interested in Jeremy," Cindy replied, although she didn't know Jeremy, but she knew his father.

"You don't have a choice, Cindy, and don't misbehave before Jeremy tomorrow. Be quick, I'm waiting downstairs for dinner," Mrs. Bola said, standing up to leave the bedroom.

"But, Mom..." Cindy tried to protest, but Mrs. Bola cut in, "No excuses, Cindy. Be quick. I'll be waiting."

Mrs. Bola exited the room, hearing Cindy scream, "Oh! Is it by force to marry now?"

Mrs. Bola shook her head, wondering where she went wrong in raising her only daughter, knowing Cindy was rude despite her intelligence. Mrs. Bola went downstairs to the dining room to wait.

~~~~~

Cindy walked to her bathroom, continuing to think about Peter. She didn't know his name and felt bad about insulting him, and throwing money at him.

"I just hope to see him again," she thought.

Cindy stripped off her white gown and went to bathe, unable to stop thinking about her mother's words, considering marrying Jeremy Lukeman.

Cindy knew she had been in many failed relationships due to her arrogance and refusal to get intimate with the men. She was only twenty-four and a lawyer, so she sighed and bathed quickly, knowing she couldn't marry Jeremy.

Cindy remembered her last relationship, the last guy she had dated was a billionaire who had asked her to perform oral sex. Cindy couldn't bring herself to do it, finding it repulsive.

She had told David, "How do you expect me to do that?"

Cindy quickly packed her clothes and left, as David didn't dare stop her, knowing she was a commissioner's daughter.

Cindy remembered breaking up with her last boyfriend because of that, blocking him online and blocking his calls, telling him it was over.