Chapter 54

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Two YEARS LATER;

" Whitney dear, " Jack called. x x x x x

" What is it Jack? " Whitney asked, she was seated on the dressing seat, looking at the mirror.

" You haven't been paying attention to work, " he said.

" I have got a lot of money that can feed me and the people in the world for a century. We both know why I'm walking, " she said as she broke down in tears. 

Jack walked to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder. " You can't keep doing this, you know? Cheer up and please focus on work. Lemme go find our little princess. Make sure to come down soon, so we can have dinner together. "

He left the room. " Clio baby, it's time to have dinner. Dad's is downstairs. Bring mum along. "

After some minutes, Whitney and Clio came downstairs.

Jack stood and brought out a chair for Whitney to sit down.

" Oh Jack, you don't have to do this everyday, " Whitney said, as she smiled.

" It's my pleasure, " Jack said, opening the the bowl of food.

" Mum, dad is really a gentleman. There is no man like my daddy, " Clio said.

" Of course baby, " Whitney said instantly. " But you are only two years old___ "

" Nah, I'm three years old, " she corrected. 

" You are running faster than the month, " Jack spoke up.

" Do you have a problem with that? " Clio asked.

" Yes. "

" Really dad? "

" Of course. I don't want you to feel older than your age, so you don't get to look older than your age, " Jack said openly.

Clio laughed. " Okay dad. "

" Can we eat now? " Whitney asked looking famished.

" Yes mum. I can't wait to eat. "

Somewhere in the country was Mr Smith. He lived in a small, ugly and faded house all alone. The remaining properties of his, he sold to be able to cater for himself. He rarely ate. He looked weak and stricken. He had become like that after finding out what his son did with his properties. He couldn't stand the media's questions, he couldn't stand insults and being judged as well by the media. His reputation and name would be tarnished if he came out in open and confided in the media telling them, he has automatically lost everything. Once a billionaire, now a poor man. Everyday, he would curse his life and wonder why his own son repaid him with this after all he did for him. Life had to move on but for him, it was life with regrets. If he should ever comes across Daniel, God help him but he won't look twice at him, because the day he moved into this shabby house was the day he realized that he had no child. Had his wife been alive, maybe the situation would have been different. He wasn't a good father but Daniel had never tried to be a good son either.

He prepared dinner and carried it to the old shattered dinning of his. He placed the food on the dining table and sat down to eat. He took a full spoon of the meal. It couldn't have tasted worse if it was another person who cooked it. He dropped his spoon in dismay and stood up. He carried the food and kept it in his small fridge. He had been indoors for a month but today he decided to go out and tour the city. He put on his coat. It was the only expensive thing he had in the old shabby house of his.

He left the house and strolled to a grocery store. He searched the pocket of his coat. He only had two dollars on him. He planned on buying some groceries for himself. 

He searched his trousers and found a hundred dollars. He happily went into the store and bought the things his money could buy. 

He left the store in excitement. 

He ran into a car. And fell with his groceries.

The car's driver came out of his car immediately and rushed to Mr Smith.

" I'm sorry sir. Are you okay? "

Mr Smith tried to place the accent but he couldn't. He picked up his groceries and stood up and began to go. He suspected the voice to be one of his business partners, members or tycoons. He began to walk fast, afraid that if his thoughts were right, the person would create a chaos and the media would realize who he really was.

" Excuse me sir, " the man called. " Are you okay? I could drop you off. "

When the man realised that people had began to gather, he entered into his car. One thing he hated was crowd. 

He began to drive away.

Mr Smith rushed home discreetly and locked his door.

For the next three days, he stayed indoors.

Meanwhile, Daniel had picked up his shattered life and moved on with no one but him in his life. He had started from the scratch and during the two years after the incidence, he built himself away from the world. He lived in a shadow of himself and guilt. He worked hard and earned thousands of dollars, then he secured a house for himself. Daniel had been searching the city for the past two years for Whitney. He wanted to tell her what really happened on that fateful day. But he finally stopped and focused on life. Sometimes, he would visit his once but no more house and company hoping he would see his father but all to no avail.

Life looked like a cyclone and nothing more for him. Exercising, eating, working, strolling and sleeping was a normal routine for him. He stayed away from girls and friends. He avoided them infact. His fear was justified. Friendships are never perfect. His was not perfect and making new friends didn't seem like an option to him. Most of his work partners tried to know him more but he didn't let them. His words to them was ' hello or hi ' and that was enough pleasantries, nothing more, nothing less.

A knock sounded on Mr Smith's door. 

Mr Smith was shocked and afraid at the same time. No one has ever visited him. No one has been to this slum of place except for his apartment owner.

Perhaps it was him.

Feeling unsecured, he moved to the door and peeped through the door's hole. The sight was blur, so, he couldn't see the person knocking.

He unlocked the door and hid behind the door.

The person knocking realised, the door was unlocked, so he opened the door.

"  Is anyone home? " the man asked.

Mr Smith came out of the door and walked to the man who was faced backwards.

" Clinton, " Mr Smith called with tears in his eyes.

The man turned and hugged Mr Smith. " Uncle, how are you doing? "

" You are alive? I can't believe this, " he cried. " They said you were dead. They said that monster killed you. "

" I survived. But Mr Smith what are you doing here? " Clinton asked.

" This is where I live son. You are looking good, " Mr Smith commented. " How did you find me and here? "

" I've been looking for you for the past two years and I hoped I would find you one day, " Clinton began. " And I did, three days ago. "

" Three days ago? " Mr Smith asked looking confused.

" I am sorry but it was my car you ran into. At first I didn't know it was you until I followed you to here. I was disturbed and pained seeing a man at your age leaving alone in this kind of place, " he paused. " I sneaked into your house on that day and stayed with you until yesterday without you knowing. And that was when I found out, it was you Mr Smith. I'm so sorry for what has happened to you for the past two years. All this was my fault and I've come to correct my mistake. I wished I found you a long time ago then I could have corrected my mistakes. " He began to kneel down but Mr Smith stopped him. 

" Don't do this son. I don't blame for anything. Nanny Felicity told me every single thing that happened. If I was in your shoes or Whitney's shoes, I would have done the same thing. I'm certain that wherever Whitney is, she must still be blaming herself for every single thing that happened. "

" I don't think so. I'm certain she has moved on in life____ "

" No don't say that Clinton, I know Whitney a lot. She's just like a daughter to me. If she loves someone, she will hold on to that person, no matter what, until that person makes it clear to her that he doesn't want her. "

" And what if, he is dead? "

" She would rather live a lonely life than involve in a relationship or love someone, " Mr Smith said brusquely.

" I hope you are right Mr Smith. But I don't care because she's dead to me. "

" What do you mean? " Mr Smith looked nervous and disturbed.

" I didn't mean it that way. I just meant I have a girlfriend. "

" You moved on with your life so quick. "

" Not as quick as Whitney did. I mean she's a very smart and rich business billionaire, men will certainly rush her. "

" I doubt she will ever accept them, " Mr Smith said sensibly.

" Let's go home. You don't belong here, " Clinton said quickly.

" Do you know that Whitney sold all the properties out___ "

" And kept the money? "

" I don't know. Nanny Felicity wanted to stay with me but I made her leave. She has her life to leave. She was only a worker but since I had no money, I didn't want to keep her as a helper. So ever since she left, I stopped hearing news about Whitney. "

" What about Daniel? " Clinton asked.

" That fool? Nothing about him interest me anymore. "

" Your son didn't shoot me. "

" There is no need for you to lie Clint. It's obvious. There were witnesses. "

" I would never lie to you, your son only tried to threaten me. It was an outsider who shut me, " Clinton said.

" How did you survive? " Mr Smith asked.

" Through the help of a lady. When I was shot. The last thing I could remember was calling Whitney's name and then I collapsed. 

I was shocked to see another lady by my side instead of Whitney. Infact I thought I had died but I didn't die all thanks to the lady.  I was discharged, she brought me to her house and took good care of me. I owe her my life. 

" I will like to see this lady to know if she's anything like Whitney, " Mr Smith said coolly.

" We have to go Mr Smith, she has arranged a welcome party for you. "

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 

" Clio come here, " Whitney said.

Clio rushed to her mum. " What's it mum? "

" Have you done your homework? "

" Mrs Daphne is busy so she can't help me with my homework. "

" Do it yourself, " Whitney said.

" But mum, I'm only two years old. "

" I thought you said you were three years old. "

" It's my age, I can't change it whenever I want. "

" It's your homework, you can do it on your own. Besides, you are way smarter and better than your mates. "

" Okay mum, " she said and went away.

Jack approached Whitney who was standing, from behind. He held her waist.

Whitney turned to him. " Jack, " she called. " I thought you are supposed to go to the company today. "

" I decided to skip work today. You and Clio is more important to me than work. "

" Daddy, " Clio called and ran to him.

Jack picked her up. " My princess. "

" Yes daddy. You didn't go to work? "

" Do you want me to go? " Jack asked plaintively.

" No daddy. I want the three of us to swim together. It was supposed to be only me and mum but you showed up. How do you like our matching swimsuit? "

" I love it. It's amazing. Your mum looks so beautiful and you too. "

" Drop me down daddy, you have to go change into your swim pants. "

" Give her to me, " Whitney said, stretching out her hand.

Jack gave Clio to Whitney. " I will be right back. "

" Okay Daddy. Be fast, " she said.

" Clio, " Whitney called.

" Yes mummy. "

" Why do you look so happy today. "

" Because my mum and dad skipped work for my sake and because my birthday is coming up. "

" Hmm. You are going to become three years old very soon. "

" And I'm going to be a big princess. Daddy won't call me little princess again. "

" No matter how old you are, you will still be our little princess. "

" You're right mummy, " she said and hugged Whitney. " Mummy I want a younger sister. "

Whitney looked displeased at her statement.

" I'm sorry if I made you feel bad mum, " Clio said.

" It's not about about you. The right time will come for you to have a younger sister. "

" Daddy looks good in his swim trunks, " she said pointing to him.

Whitney turned. " That's a matching outfit. " 

" Daddy looks great, " she said smiling. " Let's go to swim. "

" Let's go and swim, " Whitney commented.

" Daddy come close. Let's have a family hug. "

" Yes my little princess___ "

" I'm turning three years old soon. "

" And that is what makes you our little princess. "

Clio laughed charmingly.

Jack walked to Whitney. He slid his round her waist and hugged his daughter together.

She laughed. " My teacher says there is nothing like a perfect family. A perfect family is everything. "

" That's deserves a clap, " Whitney said as she removed Jack's hand from her waist.

Jack smiled and clapped for Clio.

" Daddy kiss mummy, " Clio said.

" Don't be too spoiled Clio____ "

" Of course she's not. We are her parents after all, " Jack chimed in.

" Go on daddy. "

" Mummy doesn't feel like it. "

" Mummy, " she called as she rubbed her eyes. " Please. "

" You are too young to know what kiss is, " Whitney said.

" You kiss me every morning mum. So now it's daddy turn. "

Whitney hesitated but she finally gave in to Clio's. 

Jack bent low to her and showered her with a loving, tender and meaningful kiss.

Clio clapped for them.

(You can move to the next chapter, I'm only putting the narrative in the character's POV, thanks)

Whitney's POV

" Whitney dear, " Jack, my husband called.

" What is it Jack? " I asked, as I was seated on the dressing seat, looking at the mirror.

" You haven't been paying attention to work, " he said.

" I have got a lot of money that can feed me and the people in the world for a century. We both know why I'm walking, " I said as she broke down in tears. 

Jack walked to me. He placed his hand on my shoulder. " You can't keep doing this, you know? Cheer up and please focus on work. Lemme go find our little princess. Make sure to come down soon, so we can have dinner together. "

He left the room. " Clio baby, it's time to have dinner. Dad's is downstairs. Bring mum along. "

After some minutes, Whitney and Clio came downstairs.

Jack stood and brought out a chair for me to sit down.

" Oh Jack, you don't have to do this everyday, " I said, as I smiled.

" It's my pleasure, " Jack said, opening the the bowl of food.

" Mum, dad is really a gentleman. There is no man like my daddy, " Clio said.

" Of course baby, " I said instantly. " But you are only two years old___ "

" Nah, I'm three years old, " she corrected. 

" You are running faster than the month, " Jack spoke up.

" Do you have a problem with that? " Clio asked.

" Yes. "

" Really dad? "

" Of course. I don't want you to feel older than your age, so you don't get to look older than your age, " Jack said openly.

Clio laughed. " Okay dad. "

" Can we eat now? " I asked looking famished.

" Yes mum. I can't wait to eat. "

x x x x x x

Mr smith's POV

I ended up somewhere in the country. I now lived in a small, ugly and faded house all alone. The remaining properties of mine was sold to be able to cater for myself. I rarely ate. I looked weak and stricken. I had become like that after finding out what my son did with the properties. I couldn't stand the media's questions, I couldn't stand insults and being judged as well by the media. My reputation and name would be tarnished if I came out in open and confided in the media telling them, I have automatically lost everything. Once I was a billionaire, now a poor man. Everyday, I would curse my life and wonder why my own son repaid me with this after all I did for him. Life had to move on but for me, it was life with regrets. If I should ever comes across that with that son of mine, God help him but I won't look twice at him, because the day I moved into this shabby house was the day I realized that he had no child. Had his wife still been alive, maybe the situation would have been different. I wasn't a good father but Daniel had never tried to be a good son either.

I prepared dinner and carried it to the old shattered dinning of his. He placed the food on the dining table and sat down to eat. He took a full spoon of the meal. It couldn't have tasted worse if it was another person who cooked it. He dropped his spoon in dismay and stood up. He carried the food and kept it in his small fridge. He had been indoors for a month but today he decided to go out and tour the city. He put on his coat. It was the only expensive thing he had in the old shabby house of his.

He left the house and strolled to a grocery store. He searched the pocket of his coat. He only had two dollars on him. He planned on buying some groceries for himself. 

He searched his trousers and found a hundred dollars. He happily went into the store and bought the things his money could buy. 

He left the store in excitement. 

He ran into a car. And fell with his groceries.

The car's driver came out of his car immediately and rushed to me.

" I'm sorry sir. Are you okay? "

Mr Smith tried to place the accent but he couldn't. He picked up his groceries and stood up and began to go. He suspected the voice to be one of his business partners, members or tycoons. He began to walk fast, afraid that if his thoughts were right, the person would create a chaos and the media would realize who he really was.

" Excuse me sir, " the man called. " Are you okay? I could drop you off. "

When the man realised that people had began to gather, he entered into his car. One thing he hated was crowd. 

He began to drive away.

I rushed home discreetly and locked my door.

For the next three days, I stayed indoors.

Meanwhile, Daniel had picked up his shattered life and moved on with no one but him in his life. He had started from the scratch and during the two years after the incidence, he built himself away from the world. He lived in a shadow of himself and guilt. He worked hard and earned thousands of dollars, then he secured a house for himself. Daniel had been searching the city for the past two years for Whitney. He wanted to tell her what really happened on that fateful day. But he finally stopped and focused on life. Sometimes, he would visit his once but no more house and company hoping he would see his father but all to no avail.

Life looked like a cyclone and nothing more for him. Exercising, eating, working, strolling and sleeping was a normal routine for him. He stayed away from girls and friends. He avoided them infact. His fear was justified. Friendships are never perfect. His was not perfect and making new friends didn't seem like an option to him. Most of his work partners tried to know him more but he didn't let them. His words to them was ' hello or hi ' and that was enough pleasantries, nothing more, nothing less.

A knock sounded on Mr Smith's door. 

Mr Smith was shocked and afraid at the same time. No one has ever visited him. No one has been to this slum of place except for his apartment owner.

Perhaps it was him.

Feeling unsecured, he moved to the door and peeped through the door's hole. The sight was blur, so, he couldn't see the person knocking.

He unlocked the door and hid behind the door.

The person knocking realised, the door was unlocked, so he opened the door.

"  Is anyone home? " the man asked.

Mr Smith came out of the door and walked to the man who was faced backwards.

" Clinton, " Mr Smith called with tears in his eyes.

The man turned and hugged Mr Smith. " Uncle, how are you doing? "

" You are alive? I can't believe this, " he cried. " They said you were dead. They said that monster killed you. "

" I survived. But Mr Smith what are you doing here? " Clinton asked.

" This is where I live son. You are looking good, " Mr Smith commented. " How did you find me and here? "

" I've been looking for you for the past two years and I hoped I would find you one day, " Clinton began. " And I did, three days ago. "

" Three days ago? " Mr Smith asked looking confused.

" I am sorry but it was my car you ran into. At first I didn't know it was you until I followed you to here. I was disturbed and pained seeing a man at your age leaving alone in this kind of place, " he paused. " I sneaked into your house on that day and stayed with you until yesterday without you knowing. And that was when I found out, it was you Mr Smith. I'm so sorry for what has happened to you for the past two years. All this was my fault and I've come to correct my mistake. I wished I found you a long time ago then I could have corrected my mistakes. " He began to kneel down but Mr Smith stopped him. 

" Don't do this son. I don't blame for anything. Nanny Felicity told me every single thing that happened. If I was in your shoes or Whitney's shoes, I would have done the same thing. I'm certain that wherever Whitney is, she must still be blaming herself for every single thing that happened. "

" I don't think so. I'm certain she has moved on in life____ "

" No don't say that Clinton, I know Whitney a lot. She's just like a daughter to me. If she loves someone, she will hold on to that person, no matter what, until that person makes it clear to her that he doesn't want her. "

" And what if, he is dead? "

" She would rather live a lonely life than involve in a relationship or love someone, " Mr Smith said brusquely.

" I hope you are right Mr Smith. But I don't care because she's dead to me. "

" What do you mean? " Mr Smith looked nervous and disturbed.

" I didn't mean it that way. I just meant I have a girlfriend. "

" You moved on with your life so quick. "

" Not as quick as Whitney did. I mean she's a very smart and rich business billionaire, men will certainly rush her. "

" I doubt she will ever accept them, " Mr Smith said sensibly.

" Let's go home. You don't belong here, " Clinton said quickly.

" Do you know that Whitney sold all the properties out___ "

" And kept the money? "

" I don't know. Nanny Felicity wanted to stay with me but I made her leave. She has her life to leave. She was only a worker but since I had no money, I didn't want to keep her as a helper. So ever since she left, I stopped hearing news about Whitney. "

" What about Daniel? " Clinton asked.

" That fool? Nothing about him interest me anymore. "

" Your son didn't shoot me. "

" There is no need for you to lie Clint. It's obvious. There were witnesses. "

" I would never lie to you, your son only tried to threaten me. It was an outsider who shut me, " Clinton said.

" How did you survive? " Mr Smith asked.

" Through the help of a lady. When I was shot. The last thing I could remember was calling Whitney's name and then I collapsed. 

I was shocked to see another lady by my side instead of Whitney. Infact I thought I had died but I didn't die all thanks to the lady.  I was discharged, she brought me to her house and took good care of me. I owe her my life. 

" I will like to see this lady to know if she's anything like Whitney, " Mr Smith said coolly.

" We have to go Mr Smith, she has arranged a welcome party for you. "

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x 

" Clio come here, " Whitney said.

Clio rushed to her mum. " What's it mum? "

" Have you done your homework? "

" Mrs Daphne is busy so she can't help me with my homework. "

" Do it yourself, " Whitney said.

" But mum, I'm only two years old. "

" I thought you said you were three years old. "

" It's my age, I can't change it whenever I want. "

" It's your homework, you can do it on your own. Besides, you are way smarter and better than your mates. "

" Okay mum, " she said and went away.

Jack approached Whitney who was standing, from behind. He held her waist.

Whitney turned to him. " Jack, " she called. " I thought you are supposed to go to the company today. "

" I decided to skip work today. You and Clio is more important to me than work. "

" Daddy, " Clio called and ran to him.

Jack picked her up. " My princess. "

" Yes daddy. You didn't go to work? "

" Do you want me to go? " Jack asked plaintively.

" No daddy. I want the three of us to swim together. It was supposed to be only me and mum but you showed up. How do you like our matching swimsuit? "

" I love it. It's amazing. Your mum looks so beautiful and you too. "

" Drop me down daddy, you have to go change into your swim pants. "

" Give her to me, " Whitney said, stretching out her hand.

Jack gave Clio to Whitney. " I will be right back. "

" Okay Daddy. Be fast, " she said.

" Clio, " Whitney called.

" Yes mummy. "

" Why do you look so happy today. "

" Because my mum and dad skipped work for my sake and because my birthday is coming up. "

" Hmm. You are going to become three years old very soon. "

" And I'm going to be a big princess. Daddy won't call me little princess again. "

" No matter how old you are, you will still be our little princess. "

" You're right mummy, " she said and hugged Whitney. " Mummy I want a younger sister. "

Whitney looked displeased at her statement.

" I'm sorry if I made you feel bad mum, " Clio said.

" It's not about about you. The right time will come for you to have a younger sister. "

" Daddy looks good in his swim trunks, " she said pointing to him.

Whitney turned. " That's a matching outfit. " 

" Daddy looks great, " she said smiling. " Let's go to swim. "

" Let's go and swim, " Whitney commented.

" Daddy come close. Let's have a family hug. "

" Yes my little princess___ "

" I'm turning three years old soon. "

" And that is what makes you our little princess. "

Clio laughed charmingly.

Jack walked to Whitney. He slid his round her waist and hugged his daughter together.

She laughed. " My teacher says there is nothing like a perfect family. A perfect family is everything. "

" That's deserves a clap, " Whitney said as she removed Jack's hand from her waist.

Jack smiled and clapped for Clio.

" Daddy kiss mummy, " Clio said.

" Don't be too spoiled Clio____ "

" Of course she's not. We are her parents after all, " Jack chimed in.

" Go on daddy. "

" Mummy doesn't feel like it. "

" Mummy, " she called as she rubbed her eyes. " Please. "

" You are too young to know what kiss is, " Whitney said.

" You kiss me every morning mum. So now it's daddy turn. "

Whitney hesitated but she finally gave in to Clio's. 

Jack bent low to her and showered her with a loving, tender and meaningful kiss.

Clio clapped for them.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x