Chapter Twenty Seven

I was home and safe, but I needed answers, answers that only my father could give me.

Andrew had told me how they had used my watch to find me and how dad had to tell them the whole story of how Temi is my step sister so at this point, I was the only one in the dark here.

Temi and her goons were arrested, apparently they used tranquilizers to knock them out so as not to make so much noise or to mistakenly kill  them.

They were all currently in for questioning.

I had taken a shower and rested and even though the doctor says I still need more rest but the longer I stay without the information I need, the harder it is for me to rest.

So I begged my dad to come to my room and tell me the whole story himself.

"Dad I'm waiting." I told him.

We've been sitting in silence for a whole minute and he still hasn't said a word.

He sighed. "First I'm sorry for all this, I put you in all this mess and I'm sorry." He took my hand in his. "Please forgive me."

"I'm safe now dad and I know that there is some sort of explanation for all this. Everything Temi said can't be true right?"

The room door opened and in walked Ana. "God I was so scared."

She threw herself on me and I pulled my hand from dad's and hugged her back. I missed her so much.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt? Did they hit you? How's the baby?" She asked these questions as she scanned me from head to toe. She placed her hand on my stomach as if she could know if the baby was fine just like that.

"I'm fine Ana, the doctor said I'm fine and I feel fine." I assured her and her shoulders dropped in relief. "I was so scared." She held my face. "It should have been me I'm sorry." Her tears rolled down her face and I reached out to wipe them.

"Don't apologise please, it's all over now." All the tears I had tried to fight earlier all came rushing down.

The door opened again and this time mum walked in. When she saw Ana and I crying she joined us and pulled us both to herself. Dad wrapped his arms around all three of us as we all cried.

"I'm sorry," dad apologised. "I caused all this."

"Caleb I've told you, don't apologise for people's messed up minds. Her mental instability isn't your fault." Mum scolded dad.

"But if I had just tried harder to reach out, I'd have found out that they were still alive." Dad said as he wiped his eyes.

"What do you mean dad?" I think it was time he told the whole story.

"I gave them all the support they needed but one day I had someone visit me in the office. He claimed to be Jennifer's sister. He told me that Jennifer and Temi had died in a car crash that I should stop sending the money I usually do every month." He started explaining. "I begged for him to let me at least say my final goodbye. Even if I couldn't love Jennifer like I love your mum but I definitely loved Temi, she is after all my blood but he didn't allow me. I tried reaching her family despite the man's threat but I had to stop when he threatened to involve the police and get a restraining order."

"And you somehow didn't recognize Temi when she started working for me?" Ana asked the question I was just about to ask.

"I never knew what she looked like. Her mother never agreed to send me pictures of Temi. She said that if I wanted to keep the child a secret that it was best I didn't have any real connection with the child. She never even told me the child's name. All I knew was I had a daughter whose surname was Ajayi, that was all. The last time I spoke to Jennifer was when Temi was born and she was back to Nigeria. The only thing that somehow linked us was the money that was scheduled to be wired to her account every month."

"So you sent the same amount of money every ten years?" Mum asked this time.

"No, I increased the money by hundred dollars every six months." Dad answered.

"Mum were you aware of this? Of Temi?" I asked.

"No, I only found out about a month before you were kidnapped. But there was really nothing to say, we thought they were both dead." Mum placed her hand on my shoulder. "We should have told you guys despite that and we're sorry." The couple held hands while Dad held Ana's hand.

"Is there a way to find Jennifer's family?" I asked.

"No," dad shook his head. "Even Temi doesn't know them."

"But how come someone came to your office claiming to be her brother? Isn't that person still alive?" This was all messed up. How can a child not have any single connection with her mother's family.

"The police tried looking for the man but we couldn't find him. He's either dead or just in hiding." Dad shrugged.

"Jennifer's family is wierd don't you think?" I looked at all of them.

"Yeah, I think so too." Ana nodded, agreeing with me.

"I'm just glad all this is over." I admitted.

"Me too," Ana once again agreed with me.

"I'm sorry for putting you guys in harm's way, I really am." Dad apologized once again. "I love you both." He looked at mum. "All of you."

"Love you too," I leaned into his as he hugged all of us.

He left mum, Ana and I alone.

"Now that that talk is over," Ana sighed and shifted so she was sitting where dad just sat. She looked at mum and they shared a knowing look.

"Okay, what's going on?" I looked at both of them skeptically.

"It's about Andrew," Ana said.

"And Miles," mum added.

"Okay," I nodded. "What about them?"

"Which of them do you want?" Ana asked. "And don't tell me 'who am I with now?' " She rolled her eyes.

"I wasn't going to tell you that," I frowned. "While I was locked away I had some time to think. I don't think I'm ready to just jump into a relationship or in this case, remain in a relationship now. I want some time alone, to gather myself and my thoughts."

"You know you have to do that before the baby comes." Mum spoke now.

"I know mum, I know." I sighed. "I just wish both men can give me some space."

"Leave that to us," Ana smirked.

"If they'll listen to you guys," I scoffed. "I know how they are."

"They will have no choice but to listen if they want the best for you." Mum nodded in agreement.

"Okay, thank you guys so much." I hugged them. "Love you."

"Love you too honey," mum placed a kiss on my temple just as her phone rang. She ignored the call.  "Also, do you want to head back to Nigeria or you want to deliver here?"

"I'm not sure about that yet. When I make up my mind I'll let you know."

"Just be quick about your decision." She kissed my temple again and left Ana and I alone.

She helped me lie down comfortably before she left.

I turned to the side just as the door opened. I groaned. "Who's that?"

"Hey," I could hear recognize his voice anywhere and anytime.

I didn't want to hurt myself out of excitement but I turned around with a huge smile on my face.

"Hey," I held his hand.

"Ana told me to leave you be and I will, I promise, I just wanted to talk to you, even if it's for one minute."  He moved so he was very close to me then he wrapped his hands around my frame. "It's so good to have you back in my arms." He whispered which was meant for only him but I heard him anyways.

I kept shut and he pressed himself more to me. I wasn't complaining really, I missed him.

Victoria, one step at a time.  Don't get too excited.

Right.

I've made up my mind on getting back with Andrew and honestly I'm excited to get back with him but I need the space and time to get myself back.

Staying in the warehouse for days did a toll on me. It gave me the time to really think about my life and try to figure out a way to set things straight.

"I'm sorry all these happened to you," Andrew apologized as we pulled away from each other.

"You don't have to apologize, none of it is your fault." I fought the urge to place my hand over his neck so I kept my hands down.

"I should have been more watchful I sh-"

I pressed my finger to his lips. "Stop apologizing."

He breathed in and exhaled then nodded. "I promise you, nothing like this will ever happen again."

I nodded not having anything else to say.

Despite the fact that every inch of my body was pushing me to press my lips to his I held myself even when he slowly leaned in and kissed the corner of my mouth.

Without another word he was out of the room and I let out the breath I was holding.

I gave myself a mental pat on the back as I laid back on the bed and this time I closed my eyes and slept off.