Chapter 5 Back home

"Take me to the best boutique. I need some new clothes." Anabel said just as she entered the car. The driver drove off without talking. He knew the best boutique in the city.

In less than twenty minutes, they were there. They parked in the parking lot, and she came down.

"I will go inside by myself. I will call if I need any help." Anabel said before walking inside. The boutique is meant for the rich. A common person cannot afford the least collections in the boutique.

Anabel got interested in one of the gowns and called the sales lady to get it from her.

"The gown is over there." She pointed at the gown. "I need it. Get it for me."

The sales lady looked up and saw the cloth she was pointing at. It was one of the most expensive collections. She stared at Anabel and shook her head.

"Are you sure you know the cloth you are pointing at?" The sales lady asked.

"I'm not having an eye problem. Get the dress for me." Anabel replied.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to waste my energy. I cannot get it for you. You can choose from others. The cloth you are pointing at is not for people like you."

"What are you saying? Get those clothes for me."

"Why do you want to stress me? Those clothes is not for people like you. Don't be too stubborn." The sales lady insists.

"Are you inside my pocket? Do you know me from anywhere?" Anabel asked.

"I don't need to know you before I conclude. Merely looking at you, you will find it difficult to buy the cheapest cloth here. I can tell by the trash you are wearing right now." The sales lady said, and Anabel looked down, rechecking the clothes. It was one of the clothes Desmond bought for her.

"I have the money to pay. That's what matters. I will need five of different designs." Anabel took out her card, and the saleswoman couldn't help but laugh.

"The five will be four hundred thousand dollars. You can't do that kind of transaction with a card."

"Why don't you check the card I'm holding before spitting rubbish!" Anabel said, and the sales lady stared at the card. She was surprised and looked up at Anabel. "You are holding the black card? That's the Centurion card. Only billionaires get access to the card. Are you a billionaire? Oh! My god! I'm sorry for underrating you. Please forgive me."

"Are you getting the clothes now?"

"At your service, Ma'am." The sales lady said and package everything she wants. She escorted Anabel to the checkout counter. She paid and walked away with reckless abandon.

"Take me to the biggest hotel; I will spend the night there and get back home tomorrow." Anabel told her driver when she entered the car. The driver took her to one of the best hotels in the city. She logged in and took her bath. She ordered her favorite food and slept off afterwards. She couldn't wait to get back home tomorrow.

The next day, Anabel found herself standing at the main entrance. She smiled and rushed to embrace her father when she spotted him coming.

"Welcome back, my daughter." They hugged each other. "I've missed you so much. I'm so happy you are home."

"Thank you, Dad." Anabel replied. "I'm happy to see you as well."

"Look at you, how they have messed your face up. You insisted on marrying Desmond after he saved you. Now see what they have done to you."

"I thought he loved me. I never knew it would turn out this way. I was wrong."

"Yeah, it's good that you admit that you are wrong. You made a mistake. We all make mistakes, and that is how we learn. You were driven by love, and I won't blame you. I'm just hurt that you learned the hard way."

"It's okay, Dad. I'm back home, and I'm never going back. We signed the divorce paper, so we will never come back together again."

"That's fine. Anyway, I arranged a small feast for your return. It's just a family feast to celebrate your arrival. I didn't invite any outsiders."

"But you shouldn't have bothered yourself."

"No, don't say that. Two years is not two days. Follow me." The dad said, and she followed her.

Anabel stepped into the warm glow of her family's spacious living room. The soft light felt like balm to her weary soul. Her elder brother approached her with a wide smile. "Hey, sis! Welcome back!" He exclaimed, opening his arms for a hug. Anabel felt so loved and excited as she embraced him tightly. Jethro was her only brother.

"I've missed you so much." Jethro said.

"I missed you too." She said before releasing him. She scanned the room and saw how it had been transformed into a celebration raven. Vibrant balloons danced in the breeze as their colorful ribbons tangled together. A lush bouquet of sunflowers dominated the center of the table. Anabel smiled as she watched. Her family's love and care wrapped around her like a warm blanket. The room was aglow with candles. The air was filled with the sweet, savory aroma of roasted chicken and steaming vegetables.

"Surprise!" Her mother exclaimed from nowhere. Anabel looked and saw her mom walking towards her with smiles all over her face. "This is our special way of welcoming you back." She hugged her.

"Thank you very much, Mom. This is marvelous!"

Alex led her to the table. Different kinds of food were served with her favorite childhood dinnerware.

"Sit down, kiddo. Let's start already." Her father said. "You have a lot to enjoy yourself with."

As they sat down to eat, Anabel felt a wave of peace and joy settling over her. For this moment, at least, she was home, surrounded by true love.

"Dad, how is the company moving?" Anabel suddenly asked in the middle of the dinner.

"It's fine. But I will like you to go and inspect the company. Make out time." He replied.

"Is there any problem? What is going on?" Anabel asked.

"I've received a notice that some high-level employees are oppressing the low-level staff." He replied.

"That's terrible!"

"Yeah. If we keep quiet, it will spoil our reputation. I want you to go and fish them out, then fire them. I don't know if you will have the strength for it."

"I'm still strong. I will do it. I already have an idea of what to do." Anabel said.

"I trust you. I can always count on you."

"And...About Desmond's contract. I know you are considering canceling it." She said.

"I don't even need to do anything to deny him the contract. Remember that you always sign before we give him any contract. I've not changed the policy and process."

"I almost forgot."

"He will regret divorcing you." Her father said, and she smiled. "He will."