Chapter six

Some of the most poisonous people come in disguise as family

♥

Cassie

I stood affixed at one spot looking at the mansion which stood tall before me. Mr. bayo, the gateman had earlier greeted me when I walked in, slowly taking in the view of the environment. The compound was large and was surrounded by pine trees while at the center of the compound, was a fountain of water which had a round about brick around it. Then at the side of the compound was a garage with a fleet of cars. 

I huffed, all this money and cars and yet one can't still find happiness. It'd be very absurd to tell a random stranger that you are not happy when they find out how rich your parents are. yet, as the saying goes he who wears the crown bears the crown. 

I quickly snap out of my thoughts as I opened the door of the sitting room, well that was the entrance door and then a little further was another door to the sitting room, which was neatly and exquisitely decorated with the expensive cushions and monuments which graced all areas of the sitting room. 

At the side of the wall where my dad and mum's wedding picture hung was replaced with picture of my dad and his new wife. I glanced around at the sitting room again, how much it changed since I barely came home. I sighed taking a deep breath as I pulled my box behind me, just then the sounds of someone's heels clicking the floor halted me 

I turned to take a good view at the lady standing behind me. She was dressed in a rich buba and a huge gele which marched her buba attire. her favourite three inch golden heels adorned her feets and Her makeup which I guessed was carefully done not without wasting a lot of time though, had a result of gracing her looks making her look beautiful. Infact, 

She was beautiful, no doubt. but she ever had the long face and the grim look hanging around her face whenever she saw me. The cold atmosphere which surrounded us both quickly made me uncomfortable. 

" good afternoon " I greeted as she hummed 

" you are back " 

" yes ma "

" good for you " she replied coldly as she brushed her way past me. I shrugged my shoulders, picking up my box again as I made to go to my room

"Cassie!!!!!! "A loud shriek brought me back to life. I spurned around engulfing Sasha in a bear hug

"Owwww my baby.... How have you been? Are you okay? " I asked her excitedly 

" cool it sis. Am suppose to be asking you that. You know you are in school na "she said and I chuckled while tugging her cheeks lightly 

" I know na... You've been enjoying... "

" as in, enjoying fire! "She cut in as I laughed 

" c'mon let's go to your room "

" where is grandma? " I asked. Sasha's expression fell a little 

"She's in her room but she's a little sick though the doctor said she would get better soon "she explained as I smiled 

"Gimme a second. Lemme see her "I said standing up to go to grand ma's room. 

*****

Her room was a little dark, grandma Lucy always refuses to open the curtain for reasons which I couldn't understand and she definitely wouldn't want you pestering her about it so we just let it be. She was laying quietly on her bed, even though she was in her eighties, one wouldn't know except she said it. 

Grand ma was strong, always my pillar and if there is any reason why I was still alive then that is because of her. She was my mum, my grand mum, my best friend and , my everything. I smiled as I watched her lay peacefully on the bed. She wasn't asleep, that I knew so I walked to the side of her bed

" good afternoon mama "I greeted 

" is that you cassie? " she asked titling her head to where I stood 

" yes mama.... " I replied smiling as she threw her hands open to give me a hug 

" come here my child... " she said in a sing song voice as I hugged her tightly. she still had her rich buttercocoa and baby powder scent hanging around her 

" mama I missed you " I said and she pulled away 

" you missed me and you decided not to come back? " 

" but mama am back now " I replied and she sighed, sitting up 

"That is because you plan on leaving tomorrow "she replied and I sigh sitting down beside her 

" mama.... "I called rubbing my forehead 

" you see, that is the truth " 

"Mama... School is still in session and.... "

" how about weekends? Do you also learn then? "She asked 

" mama... "

" Cassie there is no point in dodging your home cause one day you'd face it big time "

" but ma, what do you want me to do? Dad isn't always at home and whenever he is, he avoids me like a plague, Edwina is not approachable and Green is just as good as a... "

" but you have Sasha. "She said as I groaned

" if no one wants you around what do you do? "

" you leave"I reply as she smacks my head 

" mechie onu gi ( shut up your mouth) you stay and stay well"

" why? " I asked baffled 

" why?!... Why is because you are stubborn "she replied this time looking at me straight in the eyes

" because you are a fighter, because you never give up until you lose and you never lose until you end the fight and you won't end the fight until you win.. Why? Is because your mum never gave birth to a loser " she said fixing me a stern gaze.

I shifted positions on the bed, scratching the back of my neck "Aah mama when did you start talking like a motivational speaker? "I asked 

"Ever since I realized I wasn't going to stay with you for so long "she replied looking away making me snap my head at her 

"What does that mean? "I asked alarmed 

" cause one day we all will die anu "(meat) she said pinching my neck playfully as I breathed a sigh of relief 

" thank goodness "

" but seriously Cassandra try to do this for Sasha. "Mama's face became serious again as she called me by my full name 

" I... "

" you are her only family right now. So please cassie root up for her in all ways " 

" but mama. You are also her family nah "

" I know... Let's try okay "she said and I nodded giving her a hug and a big smile 

" my rockie momma "I hailed as she laughed

" shi in ga puo osiso " (common get out of here) she replied laughing 

" mama how is your health now... I heard the doctors said.... '

'Don't mind those people jare. They are just busy frustrating my life with medicine "she replied as I laughed 

"But it is for your own good. Besides you seem to be getting better " I say as I pointed to her bracelets which she arranged carefully to wear, ever since she fell sick she haven't worn any of those

" yen yen yen.... Just say you want one of those "she mocked as I laughed hardly 

"Mama change ooh" I said we both laughed some more

******

I closed the door behind me as I clutched one of mama's bangles tightly to my chest. I smiled, that woman was just my bedrock and God forbid it that she dies when I still need her. 

"Well look who we have here "a voice said jolting me back to my reality 

" excuse me " I said trying to walk away as she blocked my path. Then plastering a sinister smirk on her face she rolls her eyes before speaking 

" are you done running away? " 

" what do you want Edwina? " I ask for the first time calling her, her name

" oh look, she calls me by my name now" 

" and so what? " I ask her drily

" don't you dare talk back to me! " she warns

" why? What's gonna happen " I ask her knowingly pushing her buttons 

" cause you'd regret it " she reply smiling sinsterly 

" look, I don't have time for this okay... I mean you saw me earlier and you said nothing so why now? What exactly do you even want from me? "I ask her angrily 

She walks closer to me, gently making her heels click as she whispers in my ear 

" to see you and your sister rot just like your dead whore of a mom " she said 

" good afternoon dear " she greets almost immediately as dad walks in. Leaving me stunned, I feel a tear tickle down my eyes as I go over to dad 

" good afternoon dad "

" cassie... Hi " he says as he pecks Edwina on her cheeks making me roll my eyes 

" dad... " I called

" cassie...

can whatever you want to say wait till tomorrow? " he asked rubbing his forehead lightly 

" no! "I reply bluntly as he sighs 

" here we go again " 

" dad tomorrow you gonna leave early to work and probably return when am gone so no... It can't wait " I say trying to make him understand 

" cassie must you always hound me anytime you get to see me? "

" okay so now am hounding you just because I want to talk to you? "I yell s little as I felt my eyes grow wet 

" for crying out cassie what do you want for me. Don't I provide for you and your sister, so whatelse? I mean you should be lucky you have a dad who still provides for you both so keep shut and don't you yell at me trying to make me a villain in your life " he yells 

I blink back hard tears that threatened to fall from my eyes. 

I couldn't believe I heard this come from a man I called dad

" dad! Everything isn't about money.... I mean we are family aren't we? So why do you resent us so much? It's been 5years since mum died and those years you just spend it on so much resentment.. Why!? " I ask in a shaky voice as he huffs

" so you think I resent you and Sasha? Well, maybe if I did that I wouldn't have married your step-mom... Maybe if your mother didn't.... "

" its okay Richie " Edwina said placing her neatly manicured fingers on dad's shoulders 

" she's just stressed out okay.... She will get over that thought " she said giving him a smile as I scoffed. I walked closer to dad

" oh right, if bringing in your mistress was your idea of trying then am sorry you didn't try at all " I say scoffing 

" Cassie!!!... "he tried to call me when I raised up my hands in a shushing manner

" you know what?! Infact I'm sorry dad... you are right, you just came back from work and all I do is to hound you...... Am sorry dad I just wanted to talk " I said again as I stomped off to my room. 

*****

" did you fight with the witch? " Sasha asked as soon as I plopped down on the bed

" yeah more like with dad " I said in a whisper. Just then Ada,our family cook knocked before stepping in

" dinner is ready ma " she said 

" don't worry you can bring it up here " Sasha replied 

" why?! " I asked dismissing the cook

" cause no one uses the dining ever since mom died remember? " she said more like a question as I made an ' o' sound with my mouth 

" so cassie forget about today and just remember you have me okay? " she said smiling brightly at me as I smiled too

" yeah right, so gist me about school " I said as she blushed 

" you see, Sasha you are guilty! " I exclaimed as she laughed 

" of what?"