Chapter 20

Ava p.o.v

Few meters from the garden I can smell the scent of fresh flowers, from its sweet fragrance I could tell that it's the scent of Rose flowers. The scent made me held my breath, wanting it to remain in my system. The scent only grew stronger as I approach and enter the garden filled with plants from different varieties

Flowers of different colors amazed and invites me to stand or sit anything to stay for a while. The row of flowering plants started from the very start of the garden, two rows of drift wood planted with different varieties and colors of Vanda are arranged so it formed an alse from the start of the garden, volent, White, yellow and crimson are the dominant colors in the row.

On the inner left of the garden are big flower pots planted with roses of different colors, the rose beamed with flowers all seasons of the year. A long bench and small table made of recycled wood are found beside the pots, a place to entertain visitors.

I sat on the bench, breathing in the watering scent of the flowers before opening the book in my hand, I flipped through pages just glancing through them. I have read this book a couple of times, and it's one of my favorite African American collection followed by Native Son.

"Fences" is a 1985 play by an American playwright August Wilson. August Wilson major concern for writing this play is to sympathetically put on stage the black experience and thus to arouse the community awareness for such experience.

The black people in the southern and northern America are always in constant quest for self realization and for an authentic identity. Wilson through the play believes that the only way for African American to transcend their limited existence in the white racist America is by recovering their africanness and African root.

He is Keen on reminding the black Americans of their cultural heritage and their separation from their African culture.

Conclusively, the playwright is presenting a message to remind the blacks of their identity despite their painful sense of alienation. Indeed, the blacks were been treated unpleasantly and unfairly. African culture and heritage should not be an element of inferiority, rather, it must be an evidence of pride to all blacks in America.

"Ava dear," My future mother inlaw voice broke me from my trail of thoughts, she smiled at me apologetically seeing as I'm startled from her sudden intrusion. She sat on the empty space beside me, she cleared her throat before opening her mouth to say something, all this while I've sat quietly watching her.

Now I know where Vince got his chocolate brown eyes from, but his mother's eyes is alot more warmer and softer whereas Vince's own is the complete opposite cold and empty. Every other features he got it from his father, the woman sitting beside me is an epitome of beauty.

Curly blonde hair that sat on her shoulder, and little dust of freckles around her nose and a cute dimple that pokes out when she smile bringing out the warm glint in her eyes. She's round and for her age, she still came out curvy, the way she carries herself is full of grace and confidence.

"Can I have a word with you?" she asks to which I just gave a curt nod, I really don't know how to act around her. Her being Vince mother do I need to act like a perfect wife of a rich man, or just be myself. Though her warm and inviting nature made me relaxed a bit, but I'm still sad because this is all happening because I'm been forced into it, Vince family is really welcoming and it made me want to be a part of the family.

"I'm so happy my son is finally ready to settle down, he's finally getting married. it's a relief, I thought I'd never see the day he would bring a woman home but my dear, are you happy about all of it? I mean, I've noticed you don't look esctatic like a bride should, it quite the opposite, you seemed unhappy. Is everything ok? I even saw you glare at him earlier" She asks, she really is observant.

Everything she said is true, I'm not happy with this marriage, not only that I'm mad my dad. He has caused this, and Vince just took it to extreme, offering this marriage as a payment. But do I have to tell her that? Would she be able to help me out? Maybe she can help me talk some sense into Vince.

No! That's not fair, she might be able to help me but I would leave her with a broken heart. The way she said she's happy about Vince getting married, is like she's been waiting her whole life for this and I couldn't just take her happiness away. Maybe this marriage would bring happiness to his family, let's just give this Marriage a chance.

"I'm happy with this wedding, Vince is the only Man I'll love to marry. As for earlier, we had a little fight" I plaster a fake smile on my face and pretend to be genuinely happy, as the lie smoothly left my mouth before I could even process what I just said, a blush appeared on my cheeks making me go all crimson as I talk about Vince being the only man I would marry. How did that even came out of my mouth, my stomach did a back flip. She must have bought my lie because a beaming grin spread on her face.

"I'm so relieved, please dear do not take any thing he did to heart. This is the first I've seen him really happy, he's not that sad son I'm used to seeing everyday. Everyone saw him as a cold man, but I saw a sad and lonely man, since you came into his life. He's been lively and I want he to remain like that"  She said with a sigh.

Do I mean that much to him? Is he really lively because I came into his life? I don't think so, I don't blame her for exaggerating. I mean she's been a sad mother for far too long, all she said might just be to ease herself rather than I. I can't by no means bring happiness to Vince life, one cannot change that easily, it is infact nearly impossible for someone to change.

like they said, old habits die hard.

"Vincenzo wasn't like this when he was a kid, he was  bubbly and full of energy. But life has taught him a very hard lesson, it changed a loving kid to a complete different person" She shook her head bitterly, well this made me curious. I gaze at her probing more information from her with my stare, she smiled softly before she reluctantly continued.

"Nobody knows what he actually went through, all we knew was he was kidnapped along side with his grandparents. He was visiting them at that time, he is even more closer to them than he is to us his actual parents. My Vincenzo was only nine, we mourn for them for years thinking they were dead because the people that took them were no ordinary people, they were rivals with his grandparents in business. Seven years later, my sixteen year old son came covered in blood but that changed our lives today, he conquered them." Mrs Alfonso finish.

I sat still slowly processing the information, he was away for seven sweet years? who knew what he went through. And to top it all, he was just nine, a mere naive kid, yet everyone calls him ruthless. When he has actually went to shit in his life.

"Alright I think I said enough for today, if you want any more information ask him but he has never told anyone what truly happened." Mrs Alfonso stood, she pat me on my shoulder before walking away.

"Ava," a cool voice interjected my hazy yet blank state of mind, my mind couldn't focus on one thing. Different questions swing through my head, I was tore between believing what Mrs Alfonso said and asking Vince about. Or just let it slide, she might be lying to me.

But I see no reason why she would lie, especially to me.

Maybe I should just give Vince a chance, maybe this Whole marriage thing will be able to work out. I mean I was the only one holding back before, so I should.....

"Ava?" This time the voice is thick with concern, I shook my head pushing any thought from my head.  Kara came in my line of view with a concern look. "are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine" A sickly sweet smile spread on my face.

"Ok, so I want to us to hang out today are you free?" she ask hopefully, I search my head think of anything I have to do but there was none.

"Yeah"

"Yesss!!!" Kara let out an ear piercing squeal and bounce up and down. "I've been waiting a long time for this, but Vincenzo won't let me talk to you"

"Vince?" His name left my mouth.

"Yes! He super possessive of you. He has all your attention to himself, he's jealous when someone else has your attention even at his own son." Kara end with a full laugh, I was stunned. That's can't be true right? I mean I'm just a peace offering for him right?

Shaking my head at her, I stood up and left the garden with her.