Chapter 11 Hurt
Vanessa stopped the car in front of a very simple yet beautiful house. 'It never gets old' she thought as she alighted. She decided to update her siblings on the sudden change of plan, only for her to realize she's missed five calls from Cindy. She returned Cindy's call. When Cindy answered her phone, she informed Vanessa, Ciara and her would be spending the rest of the day with the Debra family. However, Vanessa noticed something was off.
"Cindy, is everything ok?" Vanessa asked and waited patiently for her to reply her.
"Hmmmm..." Cindy sighed.
"Cindy, i am waiting..."
"Yeah, i know you are. I don't even know how to start. Well, Ciara just found out Derrick married Rose."
"But i thought i told Ciara to leave him because he was a scoundrel who would only waste her time after she told us how she saw Rose, who was half naked then, on his bed." Vanessa asked.
"Well, we both know she didn't listen to anything we told her."
"So how is she now? Cindy, don't scold her" Vanessa asked with concern laced in her voice.
"She's with Arnold now. He seems to be a good listener. He's taking care of her for now. But hey, Van! Do you think i am a child?"
"I never said you were a child, did i?"
"Maybe you never 'said' it but you think i am one. Why will I scold her now of all times? I won't do that."
"Yeah, i know you won't. It was only a gentle reminder because it's no lie how you despise Derrick. I was never oblivious to the fact that, you told Derrick to scram out of your sister's life several times."
"I just want to break his leg" Cindy replied angrily.
"Hey, hey! Slow down, girl! Don't act rashly. Honestly, I want him crippled too but we'll figure out how to do it. Don't do anything for now. Since Arnold is taking care of her, i don't think I have to rush over. We'll see each other tomorrow evening. Take care sweetheart. Keep an eye on Ciara. Don't let her do anything stupid"
"Roger, that!" Cindy replied before the line went dead.
Vanessa looked at the house once again and a tear drop left her eye. It was where she first met Raymond, the young, gentle and lovely boy who stole the heart of every young girl he crossed paths with. Kay's house. She approached the house and heard familiar voices. She smiled and braced herself to walk into the house. She knocked twice and nobody answered. She turned the knob on the door and realized it was not locked. She turned it only to be embraced by a giggling preschooler.
"I missed you, Aunty Nessa" Theodora greeted as she hugged Vanessa's legs.
"I missed you too, Theo" Vanessa replied as she bent down to carry her in her arms.
"Well, i didn't miss you. Not even once!" Gideon, Theodora's older brother greeted sarcastically.
"I'm glad about that, but I missed you more than food" Vanessa retorted and caught him in a bear hug which earned a chuckle from him.
"It's been a while" Kay said as she walked towards Vanessa with her arms opened wide.
"Look who we have here" Luke, Kay's husband greeted as he climbed down the stairs.
After embracing, and exchanging formalities, Luke, along with the two children left Kay and Vanessa at the living room and headed towards their rooms.
"How many hours have you been around?" Kay asked, as soon as her husband and children left.
"About six hours" Vanessa replied.
"You don't look good, Nessa. What's wrong?"
Kay pried.
"She hates me"