Chapter 12

Emilie

"When did you get back?" I ask entering the study.

"Just now, sorry... Did I wake you up?"

"Nah, precious had to pee so... Here I am!" I say with more enthusiasm than I feel. 

My dad looks up and shrugs evenly. He carries on shuffling papers on his desk, his eyebrows knitted together in a light frown.

"What are you looking for?" 

"Nothing, don't worry. It's... I'll find it, eventually" he brushes off going through the papers carefully now.

"I know, but what is it?" I probe further, he sighs and rubs his forehead. Finally giving in, he says;

"Its an engineer's payment certificate, it was issued to me, by this company" 

He slides a paper to me across the table to face me tapping on the heading, indicating the company name.

I take it and study the logo carefully. The rest of the writing looks like gibberish but I can work on finding related papers with the same logo at least. The blue and gold lettering is impossible to miss.

"Was anyone in here while I was away?" He asks

"No"

"Are you sure? Think really hard"

"It was locked. I'm sure"

"Gah! I just- it was right here before I left, it cannot sprout legs and move" I hear the exasperation in his voice and I fidget, uneasy.

"I'll ask everyone tomorrow just to be sure"

"I have a presentation by 8:00 tomorrow!" His voice rises a few notches and I unintentionally back away. 

"I could wake them all up and ask them now" I try, praying to God I don't need to, all I really want to do now is go back to sleep, especially considering his current disposition.

"What? No! God no!" 

"I just, i need this file..." He says in a pleading voice.

"I'll help you check, just describe what it is you're looking for" I assure, pushing my sleep to the back of my mind for now. 

We begin searching, it hasn't been long but in my exhausted state, it feels like forty days and fourth nights.

My phone rings about half way through the search, the caller ID displaying Tobi's name. I consider ignoring the call, but something nags at me and finally at the last ring, I answer.

"Hey Tee, its so late, what's up?"

"Em, Em... *Sniff* its my mom, and my dad, God! Em, everything is so much worse now" she sounds so hysterical I am forced to alertness.

"Wait, calm down. What happened to your mom and dad? Wait, are you back yet?" 

"Yes"

"When?"

"I dunno, two days ago maybe, what does it even matter? My life is falling apart!" She cries dramatically. 

I hear shouts in the back ground, sounds like more than just two people talking (or more accurately... Arguing)

It matters that you didn't tell me I want to say, but instead, I swallow my words. 

I don't say anything for a bit and I hear Tobi sigh on the other end.

"I know, I know, i'm sorry for being so sour, I just..."

"Hey, hey, its okay. You have bigger things to deal with, don't sweat it... So, want to talk? Was it an accident? Is anyone hurt?"

"No, yes... I dunno, maybe. God em! There's no way to say it. Every one is okay, as far as accidents go. B-but... but, they're saying such nasty things Em, and I don't want to believe it but... Em, my mom she... I heard my aunts say... God! And my dad... Em..." She breaks off sobbing again. Her words reduced to mere babbles now.

"Hey, Tobi, its Fine. Look, et's not talk about it then, if it's okay with you. Its late now, would you like me to come over tomorrow? I'll ask my dad to drop me on his way to work." I assure, hoping it helps.

"Please, yes!"

"Alright, I'll be there okay?."

"Okay Em"

"Want me to bring my sibs? They're good at turning frowns upside down" I add as an after thought.

"Maybe, I don't know, maybe not right now though, my aunts are here, heck the entire family is here and everywhere is extra tense..."

"Alright, we could go out instead. Spend the whole day out, just the two of us, not talking just listening to music and eating comfort food"

"B-but, I'm on a diet"

"Diet can wait"

"Okay, if you say so." She agrees still sniffing, but it doesn't sound as bad.

"Of course I do" I joke

"Thanks Em" She says in a small voice, she sounds so drained and tired I feel like I'm not doing enough.

"Don't mention". I say

"I'm sorry" I add, almost as she's about to hang up.

"Why?"

"I dunno, don't people say sorry?"

"Don't be sorry Em, we'll see tomorrow. G'nite" She says, and a second later, the line's dead.

"Who was that?" My dad asks, never looking up from his papers.

"Tobi"

"Who?"

"Tobiloba"

"I don't know who that is"

"Daddy you know her! We do this every time! Every.single.time"

"The dark one? Uh, what's his name, Eze... Eze's kid?"

"Yes!" I shout. Finally!

Feeling all the suspended fatigue rest on me. I take a nearby seat and curl up. I really need that sleep.

"Ah, what is it?" 

"Her parents are having issues, didn't you know about it?"

"No, I try not to butt into people's affairs" 

"You're just aloof..."

"Thank you"

"...on purpose"

"Stop, you're making me blush" he deadpans 

"Its not a compliment" I say stifling a laugh.

"Eh? You don't say. Felt like it sha" he throws back. 

I shake my head at him, choosing instead to focus on the the paper in my hands. 

Where could the file be? I muse silently looking around, too tired to continue. 

My eyes land on his bag on the floor, its contents spilling out. I spot the familiar blue and gold lettering of the company name, boldly inscribed in the paper in my hands. I sigh in relief, I can finally go back to sleep. Finally!

"What's that?.." I say, pointing at the files by his feet, too tired to stand up.

"He looks at the papers and looks away. It takes a while before it registers and he looks back, flying out of his seat in one swift motion.

"The payment certificate!" He yells, clutching it excitedly. I hand over the file in my hand and he staples them both together.

"You owe me a big thank you!" I inform

"You've earned more than a big thank you" He says still smiling

"Can i get my own phone now?" I push 

He gives a large belly laugh and shakes his head.

"Is that bribery or blackmail?

"Its a gift, from a very thankful father to a very deserving daughter" His smile dims a bit and he looks at me almost... Sadly.

"I can't keep sharing one phone with the entire family! Its not fair!" I whine.

"Okay, I'll think about it"

"Is this one of the 'I'll think about it's' that don't ever happen? Because, there's a long list of things you haven't delivered on"

He gives a melancholic laugh.

"I'm still thinking about it"

"Sure, sure. Anyways, goodnight daddy"

"Good night Em" He says after a pause.

Maybe it's something to do with work, or maybe i'm just hearing things but his voice sounds more sad as I leave, than it sounded when I came in.