CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I woke up early in the morning with a sleeping Akai on my hip. The moment l woke up she was by my side refusing to let go of me. Breakfast passed by in a blur and we were off to our home. I drove with her in between my thighs, although it wasn't legal or allowed, there was hardly much l could do with a wailing baby.
The house felt very stuffy and was very dusty. The dishes l had left from a week ago had started to rot causing the house to smell as if there was a dead rodent on the inside. Mom and Dad must have been sleeping in the apartment above the restaurant. I spent the next hour cleaning the house but Akai wasn't making it easy.
She wanted to be close to me and that meant keeping her on my hip cause l didn't have her baby carrier with me. When she would doze off, l would try to quietly place her in her cot but the moment her back touched the mattress, she wasn't having it.
I packed our clothes into a suitcase, mine mostly consisting of interview worthy outfits. The doorbell rang indicating someone at the door but not a lot of people knew where my house was and the handful would always call before stopping by.
I made my way to the door and before l could answer, Akai was screaming her lungs out. I could feel a tugging on my chest but there was much to do.
I opened the door to reveal my parents. My mom immediately wrapped her arms around me while trying to compose herself but l could feel the way her body was shaking and l instantly knew that something was wrong. Them knocking on the door of the house they own, with their own set of keys was a clear indication of something not being right
"mom, what's wrong?" she continued crying but this time in her husbands arms.
"Dad?"
"wait for your mother to calm down, then we will both tell you" while he was still consoling his wife, l made my way up the stairs to Akai. The moment she saw me, she stopped crying and raised her hands for me to carry her.
I cradled her in my arms and smothered her with a thousand kisses causing her to giggle while saliva dripped from her open mouth.
"whose mommy's favourite baby" l said to her causing her to laugh even more.
We went down the stairs so she could see her grandparents and my mother immediately took her from my arms. Hugging her like there is no tomorrow. Her actions were really starting to worry me
"Are you feeling better now?" l asked her. She flashed me a smile before resuming playing with her grandchild.
"So you both aren't going to tell me what happened? It's unlike you both to just come randomly. I know that this is your house but you told me that you will be staying in the apartment above the store because you want Akai and l to have our own space"
"Mrs Keys called us and told us everything" my dad finally spoke addressing the elephant in the room
"Told you everything?" l wasn't one to throw myself on the line without gathering information on what the other person knew
"Yes, all about your engagement, you moving in with them. Getting employed on your future husbands company. Akai being in hospital. All of it"
"Look guys, l was going to tell you but with Akai being in the hospital, it slipped my mind. I am sorry though for not telling you guys. And no, l didn't get offered a job "
" I am just disappointed that my own daughter wouldn't tell me about the man in her life. I had to hear from Satan's spawn. Is that why you have been ignoring my calls? How did she come to know before l did?" my mom was on the verge of tears again. I should have known that the Keys would not be honest, yet again painting me as the bad guy.
" It was also springed on me. You know l would have told you if anything regarding the opposite sex especially as big as a wedding was happening. I don't know where my phone is either so" l said. This confused them further. There was no way l was going to lie to my parents about the situation at hand
"I don't understand" my dad spoke
"It's an arranged marriage" l said finally dropping the bomb. The room went silent as both my parents digested the information
"arranged marriage?"
"yes. It was meant for Keira but since she has left us, l am the next 'suitable' candidate"
"suitable candidate?"
"Is it because of the situation or are you guys naturally slow" l joked trying to ease the tension in the room but they both glared at me and l knew that now isn't the time to be cracking such jokes
"I am Akai's guardian. Making me her mother according to the law. I did after all adopt her. So because of that, l am linked to the Keys and a 'replacement daughter' to them. That's how it all came about." l said
"why are they marrying you off?" mom asked
"They are bankrupt. So l am the only way for them to rise from the ashes" l said laughing to myself. I really am so funny.
"you know what, l am on my way to the keys . Let's go together. I am sure they will be better at explaining everything" l said before going up the stairs to get the bags. My parents were already in their car by the time l got down, with Akai glued to my mother's lap. If there was one person she loved more than me, it had to be my mom.
I put our bags in the boot before driving to the Keys estate with them following behind.
We arrived and before l could park my parents were already out of their car and on their way inside the house. I simply shook my head and got the bags out the car before making my way in after them.
The scene l walked in on was very intense. Mr Keys and my dad were in a stare down, Mr Keys was slightly wincing at the intensity of my dad's eyes. I couldn't blame him. Imagine your daughter was being forced to marry a man she hardly knew by the very people who made her life miserable.
My mom slapped Mrs Keys and didn't even look remorseful. The man broke away from each other and turned to look at the women with their mouths wide open.
I quickly jumped in the middle as a way to defuse the situation
"can we all calm down and talk with our mouths and not our hands" l said
My mom looked at Mrs Keys for a long time before sitting on one of the couches. I took Akai into my hands and followed suit with the man doing the same.