Chapter 2 The shock

I opened my eyes slightly as the rays of light flashed on my face from the window

"Wake up sleepy head"l heard Ariana's voice, she had opened the curtains allowing the rays of light into my room, l sluggishly dragged myself out of the bed, looking at Ariana in confusion wondering what she was doing in my room this early

She handed my phone to me still staring at me

"Your dad has been calling "she managed to say, l used to be very close to my dad not until my mom died, and since then I blamed him for my mom's death, my father is always busy and he pays little or no attention to l and my mom, and the night my mom had a crisis he was busy at work, l called him that night without getting any response and by the time he called back it was too late...l distanced myself from him, blaming him for all that happened

We talked a couple of times over the phone and l hardly visit, since my mom died he hasn't remarried, the few times we talked on phone, he always goes on and on about me getting married which I ignored completely.

I grabbed my phone from Ariana immediately and dialed my dad's number, I always try to hide the fact that I care and love my dad so much

"Hello Maya"l heard my dad's voice from the phone, we talked for a while and he asked to see me

"It's urgent and we need to talk"his voice came again, after we were done talking, my eyes widened trying to figure out what he wanted to talk about, l looked at Ariana in confusion, she moved closer to me still gazing at me

"My dad wants to see me"l let out, and I guess our time here will be cut short because he said it's urgent....l slowly moved towards the bathroom and Arianna walked behind me

I packed my bags and was ready to go, l felt bad that the time l was supposed to spend here with my bestfriend was cut short and I won't see the handsome stranger again but nevertheless l was curious to know the reason my father sent for me, l was waiting patiently for Ariana to get ready, she has a thing for tardiness, always late in everything.

Soon our ride arrived, the driver carried our luggage to the car and we drove off, the drive was a quite one as Ariana had her earphones on and suddenly a lot of thoughts clouded my mind, is he single ?

What if the girl he was kissing is his girlfriend ?l sighed knowing that the heart wants what it wants, l want him to be mine and l don't care about anything else, l was hopeful that our path will cross again.

I took a deep breath and rested my back on the car seat, l looked out through the window and admired the work of nature, it's been long l visited home, everywhere was still the same and I easily recognized the route our driver took, not quite long and we we're home.

We alighted from the car and behold my father's giant mansion, nothing much changed, just some touch up, he repainted the mansion which was quite cool l must commend, the driver took my bags leaving Ariana's at the trunk of the car, he was going to drive Ariana to her house to go see her mom.

"I know you are nervous Maya"Ariana murmured

I nodded in affirmation, she assured me that everything will be fine, l quietly walked behind the driver as he took my luggage inside

Ma Grace, our cook, who has been with us since I was little rushed to the door to welcome me, she has always been a cheerful person...l embraced her and she caressed my hair for sometime before breaking the hug

"You're never aging "l said to her smiling from ear to ear, the dining was already set.

"I made your favorite "Ma Grace said as she lead me to the dining table

"Thank you "l said in appreciation, where is dad?l asked out of curiosity

"He will soon join you" She replied trying to dish out my food

I nodded, still feeling unease

I loved mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas with chicken fried steak and that was exactly what Ma Grace served me, l dug into my plate and moaned as the food touched my taste bud, Ma Grace prepared it just the way I like it...l was half way into the food when my dad came downstairs, he moved towards me, pecked me and sat down quietly without saying a word

"How is life in California "he finally breaks the awkward silence between us, l was about responding when his voice came yet again

"Maya your wedding is in two months "l called you here so we can start the wedding preparations , he said sternly with less emotion.