Chapter 5: I’M NOT A BUGULAR I HAVE MORE CLASS THAN THAT.

ADANNA'S P.O.V

TWO YEARS AGO

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"Knock knock" Someone knocks.

I open the door expecting to see Steve since he said he would come over, rather I saw an unexpected visitor.

I am shocked at the appearance of this person. When others see celebrities, they faint or lose their minds, but the sight of this person gives me a feeling I have never felt before.

"Hello sweetie" The man with sunglasses says with a faint smile.

"Ghosts aren't real" I mutter to myself

"Adanna are you going to let me in?" He asks taking his sunglasses.

"Aren't you supposed to be dead? Or am I dead already? Is this supposed to be a realm or something? What if I'm dreaming?" I ask myself these questions.

"No, you're not dreaming and yes, your dad who is supposed to be dead is standing right outside your apartment in New York. Now can you let me in?" My dad says

"What an entry" I roll my eyes and I'm still surprised at his presence.

"Classic, you still haven't changed" He chuckles. "I know you're frightened and you feel this isn't real. You want to punch me so hard because you feel I might be an imposter and you still want to punch me so hard right now because I left for years, I mean you thought I was dead for ten years. You think I abandoned you, but I have an explanation, just let me in and I'll tell you everything" He touches my hand lightly.

"LEAVE ME ALONE" I scream at him and he doesn't seem surprised at my actions. "What good explanation do you have for leaving your children? No, tell me an explanation that would condone you leaving your children and wife? She cried for you. Mum cried for you. I thought you loved her. I thought you…." I continue but he interrupts

"That was all pretense, she never cared. I'm not supposed to use this language to my children's mother in front of my child but I'm going to say it. Your mother is a whore" He says, and I punch him on the nose.

"Look, I don't know who you are, but my dad would never say such to my mum and in front of my face." I say "Oh now I get it" I let out a little laugh.

"What?" He says wiping off the blood dripping from his nose.

"You left us for a new woman and our mum, your wife is now a 'bloody whore' to you," I say with air quotes. "I mean dad what happened to you? We used to be a big happy family before you supposedly died. I didn't deal with your death very well, none of us did, and now when I'm recovering from your supposed death, you show up" I tell him loudly holding back tears.

"Let me just explain Delta and everything will make sense to you." He tells me using the nickname he has always called me.

'Delta' was what my dad always called me. Anytime I was sad, he would call me Delta and that would cheer me up immediately. He said I always reminded him of the state Delta in Nigeria, and since I was born in Delta, he called me that always and from what I heard that 'Delta' was my first word. Other babies' first words were either 'mama' or 'dada' but mine had to be something entirely different and somehow strange.

I chuckle "You think calling me 'Delta' would fix it and I'll let you in with open arms. You think I'll welcome whatever bull you'll give me?" I add in a hushed but firm tone "But guess what Dad I've grown and that's not going to work anymore and I want you to get out of here now"

"Please let's talk this out"

"There is nothing to talk about. I don't even need you in my life anymore so your apologies will do nothing" I say. I add "Now leave and don't bother coming back"

"I understand how you feel." He says and turns to leave. He stops and turns around and forces me into a tight but warm hug. I want to tell him off, but I let it slide because I missed the hugs, he always gave me. "Delta in case you change your mind you can call me, here is my phone number" He hands me a card. He adds "I know you want answers, it doesn't seem clear to me too but if you want answers to some certain questions and I'm sure of the answers you can call me"

"Leave or I'll scream there is a burglar at my house" I threaten

"I'm not a burglar, I have much more class than that"

"Then what do you want?!" I almost yell, and my eyes begin to water.

"To let you into the light. You can't be in the dark for this long" He attempts to hold my hand.

"Please leave!" I say firmly and take my hand away from his reach.

"Love you Delta" He says looking hurt and searches for some expressions or feelings in my eyes, but I break eye contact. He nods lightly and goes into the black S.U.V.

NOW

After dropping Andrew off at Salah's place, I drive back home. On the drive I think about my brother, I think of how chill he is despite the situation that's happening. He thinks that despite everything that he can still have his perfect life back.

If there is one thing, I have learnt from living through this mess, it's that when faced with the truth, some would rather believe a lie.

Even if she shoots Andrew, he'll convince himself that she's mistaken, that she mistakenly pulled the trigger at someone's head. It's not reasonable or logical, but a victim doesn't see logic; they don't see anything but pain

I walk into the house not ready to face the outburst from my mother the moment she realizes Andrew is gone.

I open the door quietly and praise myself silently at the fact that I did that quietly without making a single sound. I check the wall clock in the living room and notice that it's eleven p.m. so it means my mother might be sleeping.

I tiptoe all the way to my room and quietly close the door only for the lights to be turned on by my mother who was waiting for me right in my room, sitting on my dresser.

"Hello, mum" I say dryly.

"Where is Andrew?" She asks, her words sharp.

"What makes you think I have an idea where he is?" I respond with a chuckle while pulling off my hoodie.

"It's not funny." She snaps standing up.

"Why do you care anyways? You drove him away from yourself" I take off my shoes

"I don't know what you fed my son with. But he's what I've got so where is he" She comes closer.

"He left at his own will and he is twenty-five; that's an adult you've got there, if he wants to call you then he will" I move back.

"So, the reason you came back was to tear the family apart like you always do." She says distastefully.

I felt a hard lump form in my throat, as I desperately fight the urge to cry over her. I don't want her to see that her words influence me. I took a deep breath in and out, as I tried to regain my composure and with a heavy sigh I say sternly "Leave my room"

"This is my house and I stay where I want to stay go to yours" She smiles mockingly.

Benjamin opens the door and asks sheepishly "What's going on?"

"You know what I'll leave" I breathe out and walk out leaving Benjamin puzzled.

ANDREW'S P.O.V

The party decorations are splendid. I must say Miranda and Adanna outdid themselves at this launch party.

I exchanged brief pleasantries with people that knew my dad or people that know my mum. What can I say, my family is very prominent and now being prominent is getting on my nerves because I need to be away from this crowd.

As I manage to get away from the crowd, I spot my mum in a white sleeveless cocktail dress talking to someone. I don't want her here, especially not now when I'm just recovering from the news that Adanna fed me. I wonder why Miranda would invite her when she knows we aren't on speaking terms, then it hit me that I never told Miranda about the issue between my mum and me.

I try to go the opposite direction of where my mum was standing but her eyes meet mine.

She starts to follow me, but I speed up my pace.

"Andrew" She calls lightly not wanting to make a scene, but I give deaf ears.

She catches up with me and drags me by the arm.

"Andrew, where have you been? I called, you didn't pick up, I looked for you, I even went to Salah and Miranda's place and they said you weren't there." She asks with concern touching my face to check for scratches.

In my head, I think is she really all I think she is? I mean a killer wouldn't act like this or possibly care if I was alive. I feel guilty for all the stress I put her through because she looks like she's worried sick about me.

She askes me series of questions and out of guilt I finally answer her saying with a huge breath "I'm fine mum" I envelope her into a hug and add "I missed you mum, a lot."

She responds to the hug and rocks me without saying a word and I tell her "I'm sorry mum"

"Shush, It's okay. Let's get you home" She comforts me.

I'm quick to say yes but I remember that I haven't seen my friends yet and leaving now would seem rude so I object "I think I'll have to stay because I haven't seen Miranda yet and leaving without seeing the host would seem rude."

She disagrees "Miranda is a nice girl and I'm sure she'll understand. Let's go, honey, you're not fit"

"I'm good ma. Don't worry about me" I tell her still in her arms.

"Okay but do come home tomorrow, I've missed you. I know you can't come home this night but do come home tomorrow morning-" She is interrupted by a phone call.

"Sorry Drew I have to take this" She excuses herself and takes the phone call. Judging by her look I see she isn't happy after the phone call. She ends the call and walks to me and tells me "I have to go so I'll see you later"

I walk to the men's room, look at myself in the mirror and try to force a smile on my face because I don't want to be the center of attraction.

I walk out of the men's room and bump into someone.

"I'm so sorry" I'm quick to apologize while wincing in pain

"Andrew?" The familiar voice questions

"How do you know my name?" I ask raising my head up.