CHAPTER 1

Oh, no... Where the heck could that be coming from?, I really need to sleep in peace, but I can't.
I opened my eyes due to the cracking
the noise I heard downstairs, I yawned and checked the time and it was 12:30 am.

I slowly climbed off the bed to make my way downstairs; I furrowed my eyes at the thought of what could be downstairs.

I have always been the only one at home since I was 13, and that was five years ago.

Oh... I have forgotten that I had parents sometimes. 
I pray I didn't forget my name too.

Oh... I'm still Reya.

Ya... that's my name.

Ok... lets me do the proper introduction to my pathetic life.

I am the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Collins Johnson, the famous owner of Collins &Co international; I mean one of the richest companies in Nigeria.

My parent has always been on a business expedition from one country to another since they were successfully famous.

They've incessantly left me alone with my Nanny Mrs. Amadi, who is no longer with me since I'm matured enough to cater to my needs. She was a very nice woman that took care of me just like her own daughter.

I tentatively strained my ear to be heard the sound.

"Like some people are mumbling something," I said thoughtfully, scrunching my nose.

I moved warily downstairs to know where the noise was coming from, "is it a thief", oh I'm kidding, I mean who could breach my parent's house with the tight security. 
My parent hired so many bodyguards to watch over me, or should I say caged me since they are not always around.

I slyly strode down the stairs to see what's hunting my parent's house.

Then I heard someone chuckled, and that brings me to my senses that my parent is home.

Ok..seems to disremember that they arrived last night. 
I was bemused when I saw them, but they explained to me that their deal was canceled, so they decided to check up on me before leaving for France.

Not as if they really care.

I decided to leave both of them at the dining table because I was not in the mood to talk to them.

It's of no use to me. I have a parent like no parent.

Parents that only care about their business, not their child, knowing that they were downstairs; I cunningly go back to my room.
I said it earlier "not in the mood to talk to them,"

Then I heard something which made me froze in my track.

"Daniel's mum called ... herm... Mrs. EJikeme and she asked about our children's relationship" mum said and that's when I decided to eavesdrop on their conversation, not that I'm interested in their discussion but I can't stop myself when I heard Daniel's name. I need to explore.

Daniel Anthony EJikeme is the second son of Mr. Richard Ejikeme, my daddy's business partner. Apart from being a partner with Collins&co international, he is also the famous owner of The KWETRANS international. They import any types of vehicles from all countries to Nigeria. (I Made the company up).

I guessed our parents' friendship couldn't override the antipathy between Daniel and me.
Oh.... wondering the main reason for this antipathy between us?.

Ok... Let's go with the word "not compatible" for both of us.

His world is not the same as mine.

Sometimes I wonder how a handsome guy, not just handsome but blessed with those fantastic packs and a great height, can be such a jerk. Oh.....his 6.5ft for all I care...

Daniel is an all-girl wanted guy, but he's definitely not for me.

His player, arrogant, snooty, saucy, impudent.

Phew.... what word again can describe that big-headed guy?

Oh. He has that beautiful visage... plus his heartless too.

With those full pink lips that have been having basorexia for Omg, he's so hot.

Oh no Reya wakes up...I'm only interested in the lips, not him.

I shouldn't be interested in him at all. I really don't want to have any relationship with that monster, but I just want to know the personal matters between my parents and the EJikemes. I mean, I'm curious.

"Don't you think we should discuss it with Reya, we don't know what she would say to this," mom said.

"She has no choice darling, she is our daughter and she will have to obey anything we say," dad said.

I gasped at the thoughts of what my parents were saying.

"Am I thinking about what they are thinking? I widen my eyes at the realization of what my parent was saying.

No! I shook my head at the bad thoughts.

Why will my parents be this cruel and heartless, they didn't even give a thought to my needs and what my heart desired?

"We don't need to tell her now, let's discuss with Daniel's parents and let them finalize the agreement which will be done by tomorrow, then we can make it a surprise for her "dad said.

"you are right honey, she's grown up now, not bad setting a relationship for her which I know our choice is the best for her." mom said with a low voice.

"After all, we are trying to give her the best life "mom shrug.

I feel the heaviness in my heart at the thought of my parents, how can they do this to me.

I am their only child and not only abandoning me at home, but they still want to control my life like a traffic light controlling vehicles.

"oh no, is not possible," I shook my head, making it the second time am shaking my brain that hard within 10minutes that have been on the stairs.

'Be careful not to shake your brain too much' 
My subconscious jibed.

I dragged myself to my room, locked my door and I grabbed my soft pillow to roared in it, Oh what I love to do in a situation like this. Hum has never been in this copy of the situation before, but who cares now... I just need to roar into that pillow.

"Argh!......." I wailed my frustration in the pillow, then something came into my mind.

"Dave" I whispered. "

Yes, Dave.

Dave is my best friend since I was in secondary school until now that we're in 3rd year in Institution, we both went to the same Institution at CU. we had our first-semester gap, probably not a break for me because I ride from my house to school every day.

ok I guess is still a break at least I won't drive for an hour for a while.

Dave has been out of the country since semester time. His family had a vacation in New York, so definitely I'm on my own now, but he has always been the only one that I can confide in.

"Reya, they've not agreed or concluded yet, they are still thinking of it," I said pacing around my room.

"Inhale in and exhale out" I'm trying to comfort myself in other not to lose control.

I picked my phone to dial Dave's number, I stopped. "Wait, not good bombarding him with my problem at this hour of night, he would possibly be sleeping by now," I assured myself.

Not that Dave won't answer my call, he has never complained about me bothering him or anything like that, but I just don't want to disturb his happy vacation this time around.

"I should probably forward this drama of mine till dawn. I will wait till morning. I can always wait, right?.

My eyes were very active, not ready to close. Different thoughts clouded my mind.

Why are my parents doing this?

What's the deal with all this?

I can't even imagine how I can stay Under one roof with that Daniel...

What should I do.....what should I do....what can I do.....?
My vision starts ebbing away, and that was it.

Welcome to the dreamland.

...........
I woke up to see the sunlight shining slightly through my glass window. I squinted due to the brightness and my eyes fluttered open.

The whole imagination dream this midnight replayed in my head.

"Wait, a minute..... That was not a dream, it was real... Damn real, Reality hit me hard.

I try to climb off the bed and as soon as I climbed off, I feel my body very weak. "Oh, no."
My head ached.

"All this rubbish "I muttered to myself.

I dragged myself to the bathroom and brush my teeth to give myself a fresh breath. My mom told me when I was younger that the first thing I should always do early in the morning is to brush my teeth, so have gotten used to this till now. I drag myself out of the bathroom and fell back on the bed.

Wait...am I overthinking?

Did I misunderstand them?

Was I not listening well?

This can be true....maybe it's another thing they were both discussing and my brain was not intact then....maybe that's why they were rambling on my.....

Oh, no...it's not possible
How can it be?.
A girl like me doesn't have a choice than to disturb Dave by this hour.
I couldn't call Dave back since I realized my stupidity, I forgot that New York is 5hrs behind Nigeria's time. I am just realizing that this morning while trying to call Dave and checked the time, it was 8:00 am which means it's 3:00 am in New York. I know Dave will be asleep.

"Good brain Reya...how dumb," my subconscious scolded.

"Oh....what have I done now" I slapped my forehead for my own stupidity.

Hm.... what should I do now.....

The knock on the door distracted me from my thoughts. I stood up to check who was there.
Wait, what if it's mom...no she can't be, not by this time.....I really don't know my mom. Did I?

I took a sharp breath to gird up my loin for whatever she came for or to say.

I twisted the doorknob to open the door; I was greeted by our maid. Kike.

"Phew" I sighed in relief. Thank God I don't have to deal with that this morning, but I know I will have to face this soon or later.

Kike has been with us since I was ten. She is nice and a well behaved lady, but I'm not just close to her. Not that I'm a snub or some arrogant, nasty rich kid, but I'm not this kind of person that gets closed to people easily, I love private life.

"Phew" I sighed in relief. Thank God I don't have to deal with that this morning, but I know I will have to face this soon or later.

Kike has been with us since I was ten. She is nice and a well behaved lady, but I'm not just close to her. Not that I'm a snub or some arrogant, nasty rich kid, but I'm not this kind of person that gets closed to people easily, I love private life.

"Mam is calling you to the dining ma," she said.
I sighed." Kike, I told you not to use ma for me again,".

"Ok ma... hums Miss Reya," she stammered.

I held out my index finger to stop her" just call me Reya, and I will not tell you that again" I said with a note of finality.
I shut my eyes close for a second and sighed.

"Ok. Tell her I will be there". I waved her off, and she nodded her head in response to what I said and walked out of my room.

I thought it's easy to get over this.... but I was wrong. Wish I had an escape plan from this panel of Determiner.

I dragged myself to the bathroom to have my bath and find casual clothes to wear.

Descended downstairs, walk through the sitting room that I called hall to the dining table. There were six dining chairs, my parent sat in two of the chairs beside each other, and I dragged the chair facing them to sit.

Dad cleared his throat," hum...how are you, angel?" Dad said in a sweet tone.

"I'm wonderful dad, good morning," I mumbled my greeting.

"Hope your night was good?" Mom asked with a wry smile and I rolled my eyes at what she said, knowing well that my night was horrible.

"Why can't they stop pretending as if they care and get straight to the point," I muttered.

"What did you say, honey?" Mom asked while scrutinizing my face.
I know she couldn't hear me, and I never prayed for her to hear me, anyway.

"I said it was good mom" I spoke while plastering a fake smile at the corner of my lips.

There was an awkward silence at the dining table.
I cleared my throat to start a conversation. I can't stand them both. Need to be quick with this conversation because I Can't stare them in face.

"So....when are you guys traveling back to France?" I said, trying to push back the tears forming in my eyes.

After the whole fake concern questions, they both went back on their phone, which I know is for their business. I wonder why they called me here if they will be glued on the phone.

They can't even ask me how my School or anything going on in my life. We spoke on phone though when they were out of the house, and that's only if they want to ask about my movement.... honestly they are parenting style is horror. I just want the physical discussion between us.
But I guessed that's not possible because they focused is on their business and how to expand, which made them want to get me married to Daniel I presumed.
I tried to push back the tears rolling my cheeks, but it was late.

"Reya" mom called 
I wiped my tears, then stared at her

"Reya, are you crying because of what I said?" Mom asked, looking with a mixed expression with either shock and anger or surprised.
Then I discovered that my mom has been talking while I was in my world of taught.
"Hmm...no, no mom," I swallowed.

"Something enters my eyes "I lied while dabbing my index fingers in my eyes to dry the tears rolling on my cheeks

She didn't look convinced with what I just said, she just pretended as if she believes what I said.
"Hmm... ok" she shrugged.

Then daddy looked up from his phone to speak.

"Anyway, you've heard what your mom said,"

I opened my eyes wide at the thought of me not hearing what mom has said. I can't ask her again, which means I just have to act along and try to get the information back.
"Reya!"
My dad's voice shook me out of my thought
"I'm asking you a question," he said in an indifferent tone.

"Y..es..Dad, I heard you," I stammered.
"Good," he said.
So we should call Daniel's parent that our daughter is ok for the marriage." Dad said facing mom while grinning.

Surprised was clear on their features." I taught we just discussed that with you now, " mom said, with amusement.

Oh gosh, how long have I been thinking? I bit my lower lip at my thoughts, still breathing heavily for the anger boiling in me.

"Why be cruel to me? What's my offense, hum? "I asked, standing up from my sit, lowering myself a little to face both on their sit.

' I know that you both hate me so much, I mean you never cared about me, never know what I'm feeling, you don't want to listen to what I said, you put me in the school of your own choice, not mine, you tell me how to move and where not to go. You don't even care maybe I'm dead or alive, what you do is to give me the rules"

I scoffed then continue,

"that if you know I'm even alive, you both take business as if that what you going to die for" I threw my hands in the air out of frustration

" like that what you came to life to do and upon that ..." I cracked and busted into cry" and ...upon ..that....Mom, dad," facing both of them, they looked shocked " you want to ruin my life by telling me to get married to someone I'm not even in love with for business sake!" I spat 
I started running to my room with my hands clasped In my mouth to stop me from crying.

"But you know we are doing all this for your own good," I heard my dad shouted.

"Honey, just give her sometimes to calm down," mom said.

I got to my room, pushed the door opened, then clashed down on the floor to cry out my mind.

I mean, what have done to deserve this?