Part thirty six

Michy's POV

"Till you don't realize what I want and who I want, I'm sorry please don't call me again." My voice was thick with hurt and annoyance as I said that and hanged up despite hearing her talking.

Exhaustion and anger were what I felt as I placed my phone on the desk. Today has been one hell of a busy day at work and I wanted nothing more than going home, getting a warm bath and spending the night in the arms of Nae in my bed. I was about to skip the last hour of work when my mother called talking about the same old thing again that's annoying every single time.

Like yeah I'm her son, I do agree with that and respect her as such but that doesn't mean she has the total control over my life to decide how I should end up in life or who I should be with! Its about time she realizes that I'm an adult and such things are only in my hands and not hers. Instead of being up my case, she should focus on finding where her daughter is, how she's doing and what really happened for her to leave all of us and vanish into thin air.

After doing that, she wouldn't even try to push me on the road she wants me to go right now. She'll realize how much of a big mistake she's about to make by listening to that malicious and evil friend of hers who thinks about nothing or no one but herself.

Mother or not, I won't listen to her this time around. I won't allow her ruin the happiness I've got in my life after a long time.

As I sat with my head in my palms, thinking about my mum and life now, I heard the door open and without raising my head to look at the door, I said with an irritated tone. "I want to be left alone, cancel the rest of my schedule."

"Had a rough day huh?"

I lifted my head, tearing my eyes to the door at the man who've been more of a father figure to me than anyone could ever had..except my dad.

"You can say that again." With a smile on my face, I walked to him and stretched my hand for a shake but was pulled in for a hug. I felt my mood getting better, it always does with him around and always surprises me how different he is from the rest of his family. "Welcome back to New York, sir."

I called him days after I brought Nae home and explained the situation to him but he was stuck in a very important meeting that he couldn't just leave and come back so the minute he had the chance, he sent me a text he was going to come by and see Nae then settle things between them.

"Thank you son." The boisterous man patted my back as we pulled away.

I pulled a chair out for him to sit before going over to the mini fridge in the room, pouring him a glass of water. "I'll have my assistant bring you a cup of tea soon." I said, handing him the glass which he gladly took and mouthed a thank you.

"If you don't mind, I'd love to have tea prepared by my daughter instead." The genuine smile on his face as he said that faded and was replaced with a hurt expression. "If only she would love to see me ever again."

"Please don't say that, of course she would." Why wont she when she has wholeheartedly forgiven the very people who caused her pain? The thought of it gets me pissed but then it's her own choice, I don't have control over that and I don't even wish to.

"Listen, Monae loves you so much, she always talks about you with so much affection so I don't see why she wouldn't besides, you weren't the one who forcefully threw her out, you were even out of the country that day, everything that happened wasn't your fault."

"But I could have prevented it from happening, I always knew Morganna hated her, she disliked her the very first day she set her eyes on her, I was well aware of it. I thought she was going to warm up to her later but it got worse and worse everyday, that was a sign enough that I ought to get her out of the house fast yet I didn't and see how things ended up."

"Look, I wouldn't blame you and neither will she, it is as clear as day everything that happened had nothing to do with you. You were only trying to give her a home, a family but the family didn't want her..I don't see your fault in it though I agree you should have sent her away, somewhere safe, yeah. But then the harm has already been caused and there's no use crying over spilt milk, what we should do is being happy she's now safe with me and away from your family."

"I wish it were that easy for me but it isn't knowing I had caused her pain too. I vowed to protect her like I would to Imogen and look what I did?" Her name cropping up released a bile in my mouth, anger rippled through me as some old memories associated with her and her family came into my mind.

His voice become distant, I wasn't listening to what he was saying although I could hear him talking.I was with him yet I wasn't with him, my body was but my mind and consciousness weren't.

Memories I've tried so hard to let go, always seem to find a way to crop up. Although I've tried so hard, my life always seemed to be entangled with them and with Monae in my life I don't think they can ever leave.

Yes they're bitter and have caused me so much, the worst part is they revolve around Nae cause she's stuck with those Winchesters. What they did to me, to us, runs deeper than anything but I love Nae very much so it's better I try my best to deal with it, after all what can I do?

"Michele," he calling my name snapped me back to consciousness, I blinked, looking at him to see him still talking . "I also agree with you, she's safer with you than anyone else and I trust you'll take good care of her, even better than I did or will ever do." I'll even protect her with my life, she's my everything. "I'm only a little worried, I hope she staying with you won't cause you any problems with—"

"Trust me it won't, I can do whatever I want with my house and life. I owe no explanations to anyone and if they have have a problem, they better suck it up cause I care less." I was done having people wanting to oppose their wishes on me, I never let them in the past neither I'm I going to right now. Not even mom.

Satisfied with my answer, he relaxed in his chair and let out a relieved smile as he blew out an equal lay relieved breath.

******

Monae's POV

Wearing an oversized white tee that covered my ass paired with a black knee length biker shorts, I stepped out of the car Michy convinced me to accept after gifting it to me, into the warm sun with my phone in hand. I pushed the shoulder length twists with brown highlights I had over the weekend with my own 4c hair behind my ear cause they keep falling in my face as I locked the door.

The sun hitting my eyes again prompted me to put on the sunglasses, heading to the grocery store near La Diva beauty spa. Michy had called me earlier while I was at home, telling me he was bringing an important guest over so I should cook something nice for dinner since Asabrewaa has taken a month leave to visit her family in Louisiana.

I drove to a grocery shop immediately to purchase somethings I was going to need but was lacking at home and forgot one important spice, oregano so I had to find the nearest shop to get it before going back home and start with the cooking.

Walking into the store, I headed to the produce department where I instantly spotted some. I was lucky there wasn't a long queue at the cashier stand so within three minutes, I was out of the shop carrying a bag of oregano in hand.

As I walked to the car, I sent a text to Michy on seeing his message asking if I was done then locked the screen afterwards only to see someone I hadn't seen in a long time. Actually someone I hadn't laid eyes on since that fateful night.

Seeing Mrs Winchester standing there with a shocked and stupefied look on her face as she took in my appearance brought a smile to my face. At least I've disappointed her big time, all along she thought after throwing me out I was going to be a beggar or someone of that sort just so she could feel big and happy but hey guess what? Your girl is glowing, more than I was when I was living with her and it's all thanks to my boo boo Michy.

I finally understood why he was so hell bent on me picking up my broken self and moving on, that too striving to be better than who I was initially.

After overcoming her shock as she stared at me like she had seen a ghost, she took steps back, hitting my car in the process.

I only smirked and smiled, walking to the driver's side and unlocked the car. I then blew her a kiss and got into it, straddling the seat belt after tossing the bag at the backseat, I turned on the ignition.

Mrs Winchester was still standing beside the car, she had overcome the shock but I could still see she was in a daze. I shook my head, honking at her for her to step away from the car so I can just drive away. I have so many things to do, better ones and being gawked at wasn't one of them.

I drove out of the drive way but before I did, she and I shared an eye lock and for a second I can swear I saw confusion and regrets in there. I shrugged, it just might be me cause I wanted her to regret what she did to an innocent person but then she's Mrs Winchester, regrets aren't in her dictionary and even if they are, she has them when she failed to achieve what she wanted.

I felt hot liquid fall on my cheeks, I blinked back the tears from falling more. I've tried so hard to forget what happened that night, it hurt me deeply but seeing her again has brought back the vulnerability and pain I felt. It was like everything was still happening vividly and right in front of my eyes.

Pulling up to the side, I turned off the engine and covered my face with my hands then rested them on the steering wheel. I just sat there in the car by the roadside, crying for God knows how long. I had no idea why I was crying, I don't if it's because I saw her or how bad life fucked me up that day or how I can't seem to forget about it despite trying so hard to. It was impossible to, I still have Rex and Imo in my life, they're reminders of it.

A painful reminder of that painful incident. I'm not a drama queen but truth be told that day hurt me, the feelings run deep.

**********

After that moment in the car, I managed to drive back home in one piece cause even after it, my mind was still in a turmoil.

But now I think I'm okay, I've pushed the events of the day and that fateful night away, deep, deep down where they actually belong. Thinking about it gets me in my feelings and when I'm in my feelings it takes a long time and lots of effort to draw me out of it. And I can't be like that around Michy not when there's a guest coming home, I don't want the dinner to be ruined because of an emotional mess like me.

I smiled looking at my handwork spread before me, I made a simple Ghanaian dish of fried chicken marinated in oregano, garlic and some spices, boiled rice with fried ripe plantain and chopped Greek salad but the gravy wasn't ready yet, neither were the banana brownies.

Although they weren't, I wasn't worried cause they wouldn't take long and I had already set the table. I stirred the gravy and covered it then lowered the cooker for it to simmer for sometime before checking on the dessert.

While I was at it, I felt hands wrap around me, pulling me to him as he hugged me from behind. I was startled for a brief moment cause I didn't know he was already home and I didn't even hear him come in.

"Hey sugar." I said shyly in between giggles as he continued to peck my cheeks, neck and shoulder while tickling my sides.

"Mnh it smells yummy in here babe, what did you make?"

I was spun around to face him, his lips made for mine but I stopped him pushing his head back. "Eager much, huh?" I said, looking into those beautiful pair of hazel eyes. I felt dirty, like not that kinda dirty...I smell more like food combined with sweat from all the heat and I know I didn't stop him earlier but if I don't stop him from where he's tryna go, we'll end up with a burnt dinner.

"You know I'm always eager when it comes to you." Then he flashed his toothpaste smile which made my heart flutter warmly within.

Rolling my eyes though my cheeks were flushed, I pushed him back as little to free myself so I check up on the stew. "Mnh smooth but not so slick, you heard me?"

"Yes ma." He walked to me and spun me around again. He held a serious expression this time around as he held my hands, looking into my eyes.

The little smile on my face faded and my heart began to beat, it was like something was up. "What..what's wrong?"

"I want you to meet someone very important."

"Your client?" He nodding made me relax, at least nothing grave has happened. "But I'll see him at dinner or won't he stay for it?"

"He will but I want you to meet him before then."

"Mnh okay, let's do this, let me turn the cooker off then I'll go with you, alright?"

"Okay babe."

Going back, I turned the cooker off, taking the gravy from fire and checked on the brownies which were ready and smelling so divine. Mnh, even I could feel hunger gnawing at the pit of my stomach at the sight and aroma of them.

Michy and I then left to where his client was, there was this thing about him that I couldn't put a finger to. He suddenly had changed from jovial to serious, I squeezed his hand that were entwined with mine, telling him to relax.

After taking the stairs, we headed towards the parlor where he said his client was. Opening the door, tears formed in my eyes, my heart beating faster than before as I stared at his client...my adopted father.

"Da..daddy?" It was as if my eyes were deceiving me so I blinked twice and there he was.

"My princess." That half smile on his face and the guilt hinting in his eyes and tone made me shake my head, run to him and embraced him to tell him and show him I wasn't mad at him and that everything that happened wasn't his fault.

Contrary to what he was thinking right now, I'm happy..in fact, elated and so relieved to see him here..his presence here tells me that he actually cares about me, so much.

"I'm so sorry my princess, please forgive me."

Blinking away the tears and wiping my cheeks, I shook my head at him then cupped his cheeks. "No, no daddy, please don't say that. Don't ever say that, you've done nothing to apologize for."

*******

After what I'll call a family reunion, I prepared tea for daddy after telling me how much he had missed my tea and was craving for it, we all settled down at the dinning room downstairs to eat dinner. My heart felt like it was going to burst as I looked around the table and at the faces of the two men who mattered the most to me in my life right now, my boyfriend and father who love me more than I could ever think someone will after what I've been through my whole life.

Happiness was what I was feeling and even more, I had no idea this day will turn out like this after meeting Carlotta and the little emotional moment I had in the car.

Shrugging, I told myself we all don't know what's going to happen at any point in time so what we can do is try to live our best life while we can and I'm living it we gotta make sure it's right so after or at the end of the day if we should die, we will know we will end up at a blissful place.

Dinner was great...it went smooth. The three of hours kept talking and taking and at a point in time, we forgot about the food and immersed ourselves in what we were saying. While the conversations were being made, I noticed something. Michy always cuts daddy off from saying something that I'm sure involves him and someone else, prolly someone close to him like I am cause when I look at his face afterwards, his smile is no more and his face is contorted in a deep scowl which later eases up after I rub his thighs.

I'm I the only one who smells something fishy? Like there's something up that he isn't telling me? Ya know?

I decided to brush it aside and ask him later when daddy leaves and we're settled for bed.

"I'll clear the table." I told them, a smile on my face as I stood up and pushed my chair back, after we were done eating.

Michy rose from his seat as well, "I'll help you, this is the least I can do after you going through so much to prepare dinner."

I opened my mouth to protest but quickly shut it back when daddy bitter in.

"Allow him my dear or we won't have peace." He teased Michy who's cheeks turned a bright shade of crimson, looking away from us.

I had a feeling those two go way back, otherwise how will daddy know so much about someone who's just his business partner.

After taking the second batch of plates and glasses to the kitchen, I prepared the water to start doing the dishes.

Sneaky Michy sneaked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist like before, pulling me to him.

"Stop it, I'm about to do the dishes!" I protested but was cut off from saying more when he spun me around and crashed his lips on mine. I knew he had been wanting to do this since he got back like he always does when he comes back home from work.

"What is going on here?" Daddy's voice loaded with incredulity sounding through the kitchen caused me to quickly push him off me, jump off the island table and wiped my cheeks.

I couldn't dare to look at his face after he witnessing what Michy and I were doing, I was embarrassed but that wasn't the only thing, he must be feeling disappointed in me for doing things like this with his partner who he has sent to rescue me.

Though he must, his disappointment is justified.. he's his partner who was supposed to save me that night. He did and I couldn't help but fall in love with him, after all who wouldn't. Michy is the man of any woman's dreams, his exceptional qualities alone will make you.

"Sir.. I can explain—"

"Explain what? Everything is clear, crystal clear that you're toying with—"

"No!" Michy shouted suddenly, cutting him off again.

I snapped my head to him, looking at Daddy in the process. He had this disappointed and disapproving look on his face with his eyes already on me, I decided to walk towards him and explain things to him but he held his hand up to stop me from going anywhere close to him. "Don't."

"There's no need to treat her like that sir, I said I'll explain everything to you, she's blameless. If anyone is supposed to be at the receiving end of your anger, I am." He turned to me and cupped my cheeks while looked into my eyes, I looked away..I didn't have the heart to see what they held. "I promise I'll explain everything to him and things will be alright okay? Just trust me."

I nodded, "I do, I trust you with my all."

"Thank you." Michy traced my cheeks with his thumbs, wiping the warm tears that were rolling down. "I love you." Then he pecked me before walking out with daddy.

I watched them as they left, before they disappeared, daddy turned to look at me and shook his head, his eyes held something that tore me apart.

*****

Stepping back into the room with a towel wrapped around me, I headed to the closet to change into a nightwear.

I searched through the racks absentmindedly, picking out a jeans instead of a night wear. I exhaled deeply and put it back before scooting to the left side where the sleep-wears are I've been lost since Michy left with dad to explain things to him, he hasn't come back and it's almost an hour now.

I'm growing worried with each passing second, I fear daddy isn't going to approve of us no matter what Michy says. That alone makes me feel as if my heart is being ripped out of my chest, I fell in love with Michy after sometime, it was deep but not that deep compared to how I feel about him now, he has transitioned from the man I love to my heart, my everything and I can't bear it if I'm ever separated from him.

I'm sure to be broken with no hope of ever being whole again.

This is why I hated to fall in love! You become weak and totally dependent on it but then love is a beautiful feeling especially if it's with the right person who's worth fighting for. Michy is mine, I'll fight just to have him with me. A second away from him feels like eternity full of toture—

"Baby?"

"I'm in here!"

No sooner had I yell than he entered and with a swift gait, he embraced me. The grin on his face screamed happiness, I couldn't help but smile myself, knowing he had good news to tell me.

Michy cupped my cheeks, his grin not faltering. "What did I tell you, huh?"

****************************************

I'm I the only one who smells something fishy going on🤔?

Michy is behaving shady...everything about him in this chapter is screaming...secrecy, secrecy😑 there's something he isn't telling us and I think Mr Winchester knows about that thing..I wonder what that might be😩