44. Welcome to the family

Andre's POV

I woke up very early today to showers of rain, booming thunderstorms and lightening. The weather today wasn't favorable for a day out just like these past four days. Ann and I stayed in her old room all day long, sleeping and waking up to eat to the dislike of her father. He stayed clear of me all through out that day at the dining table, the next and today, didn't bother to come down for breakfast today. Ann and her mother weren't the least bothered they kept telling me he will come around and it's just a matter of time.

His attitude is making me feel bad in coming here. He's being a tough nut to crack. Sighing, I get off the bed, hearing a knock on my door. Ann came in my room, smiling and looking so happy after I opened the door, "what's up babe." She pecked my lips, making herself comfortable on the bed.

"I'm bored out of my mind, sleeping all day long." I want to go out and see what entails Ghana that got people flocking here all year long.

"Mnh sorry boo but guess what? I've got good news." She said excitedly, getting off the bed into my arms.

"Tell me babe, you know I'm bad at guessing."

"My dad sent me here to call you." How good is this news? The man is only going to vent out at me. But hey on the bright side I can get the avenue to explain things to him and possibly impress him, you know.

"Uhm when?" I got off the bed, changing into clothes rather than the briefs and singlet I wore.

"Like now, he says it's urgent." She was still smiling. How can she be smiling in a situation like this? When her father doesn't like me and my baby is here beaming at me, "You do know what that means don't you? He's come around! No more attitude towards you and we will be one big happy family. Aren't you excited?" She asked noticing my quietness.

"Uh I am, I am." I gave her a forced smile. So easy for her to say that. Her father isn't ever going to accept me into this family.

"You aren't Drey, I know you but don't worry we will talk afterwards." We went out of my room. Ann was going on and on about how she's happy her father has finally come around.

I wasn't hearing any of it. I was focusing more on what is ahead of me, suddenly I'm dreading meeting her father. I've already ruled out the outcome of the meeting : he isn't going to accept me, I just know it. "He's in here."

We stood outside the door to his study. Ann gently squeezed my arm, it felt so right and soothing for this moment. Her squeeze gave me some sort of bravado. I smiled at her, "I'll see you after babe, I love you no matter what, you'll be my love and life."

She pecked me on last time, looking deeply into my eyes, "you're a very good man Drey, my father will have no other choice than to accept you. No one can hate someone like you boo, I love you more."

I nodded at her and turned my back to knock, hearing a come in, I opened the door to the study. The man himself sat behind his desk, engrossed in papers before him. He got up from his chair to the couch, gesturing me to follow him. My eyes trailed his every move, it was like I was suddenly walking on egg shells, knowing the fate of Ann and I depend on this man right in front of me. "You sent for me sir." I'm I being too bland and impolite? Or I'm I doing just right? Oh God I need my baby with me here right now, she's my comforter.

"I did, sit down young man." His voice was devoided of any emotions, he crossed his legs and looked at me briefly, "I guess by now, you're already aware of the content of our discussion, don't you?"

"Yes sir."

"How do you feel about her?"

"She's my life and the very air I breathe. I love her so much and never want to lose her." I replied him in all honesty, Ann got me catching some feelings, I'd have given anything to catch before.

"To begin with everything, I want to tell you something. Anniella, your girlfriend on whom you cheated on" he paused and assessed me

"uh—"

"Let me finish young man, I'll give you all the time you'll need to redeem yourself in my eyes. For now, let me do the talking." Wrong move Andre, you know it's rude taking when elders do. Where are your manners young man? I can hear my mother scolding me in my head. She's been telling me time and time on how rude it is and sometimes I end up making that mistake. Way to impress your future father in-law.

"Okay sir, I'm sorry for interrupting."

"I was once like you, I know how it feels but that doesn't mean I like you either." He huffed and continued, "Before I was interrupted, I was saying my daughter is the Apple of my eye. The sunshine in my dark days and I'll do anything to make her happy. Her mother and I suffered for years before we gave birth to her. My little angel since her birth has been nothing but a darling and an angel, trusting people believing they're as good as her. You can imagine how I felt hearing from my brother, how Ann was lost in her own body because her so called boyfriend cheated on her and dumped her. I was angry at her for getting into a relationship and more angry at myself for allowing it to be so. I want my baby girl away from men till she's old enough to marry but she did otherwise, I can't blame her, I know it feels to be in love and I've heard what you said concerning your feelings towards her. What really happened then? I've heard from Richard and Bertha but I want to hear it from you so tell me."

"Thank you for giving me the change to prove myself, I didn't cheat on your daughter and everything you heard from Uncle Richard is true." I proceeded to tell him everything that happened from Adaline to the fake text message and to Ann rejecting me.He sat there silently, listening to the words that came out of my mouth.

"I've heard everything that you've said and I'm impressed how you fought for your love despite she telling you to stay away from her. Uh don't mind my attitude earlier, I wanted to see first hand what you can endure for your love and you proved yourself right so Andre, welcome to the family." He smiled and told me, "but one more thing, I don't expect you to make her cry or suffer ever like that again. If I hear any bad reports about you, I'll personally book the flight flight to New York and deal with you. I may be old but I'm stronger than I look, you don't want me to show you my thug side."

Thug side, I don't doubt sir. He's strongly built and more younger than the age Ann told me about. Any champagne around? I'm in dire need to pop one, two, three and four or possibly five! The only person whose final say makes or unmakes Ann and I has finally accepted me for his daughter. This calls for massive celebration, I can't wait to tell Ann that I officially have the power to make her my wife, make love to her all day long without a care in the world and start a family together! "Thank you so much sir, you've made me the happiest on earth right now. I'm head over heels in love with your daughter and I'll do everything within my power to make her happy and live like royalty just like the princess she is."

"I don't doubt that, I overheard her conversation with her mother concerning you and hers summer vacation. I'm delighted you're treating her right in our absence, thank you too." He shook my hands and parted my shoulder, "you can go back to her now but boy, no funny business and leave the door ajar when you two are together in a room."

I blushed at his words and nodded my head timidly. This joy and excitement within my heart is surely going to make my heart explode. I felt lighter and more happier as I left the study, going to look for Ann. It can't believe it was this easy and wasn't going to take any special efforts to make him like me and I was there pissing my pants trying to figure out how to get him to approve of me, wow.

She was Mrs Morrison at the living room, watching an Indian movie. Her mother noticed my smiley face and nudged her to look at me. Baby! I've got good news! I desperately wanted to shout out loud to her you know but my shyness around her mother made me keep mute and walk over to Ann.

She looked at my face expectantly, waiting to hear what's up. "Can I whisk Ann away for some minutes mother?"

"Of course lovebirds, you can have all the time you want but no funny business you two." She told us, smiling at us, making Ann blush and hide her face. Talking about funny business, that's exactly what I'm going to do to my baby right now.

I'm going to kiss the breath out of Ann after breaking the news to her. I've been denied moments like that with her since we got here. I wasn't ready to do that with her father all strict and angry towards me but now I have all the rights too and boy I'm going to do just that.

Ann got up from the couch, following me to the room. She wasn't smiling like before as she stared at me. I didn't smile either, I want to tell her about it in the room and for now, I'm going to keep her in suspense.

🤸🏽‍♀️🤸🏽‍♀️🤸🏽‍♀️🤸🏽‍♀️fucking finally, He's been accepted.