The hours passed by slowly as if the evening wasn't in the mood of approaching. At 5pm, the girl regained consciousness...there was no one in the room and so she was just in bed feeling lost in her thoughts trying to figure out how she got into a room like this? Who she saw, what happened to her. Whose room and whose house was she in. All these made her head ache as she sat upright. Her mind drifted to the last day at school where she had a hurtful feeling because of Harry Jnr. The feeling made her aware of the project submission. She quickly ran out of the bed and opening the door, she fell due to the weakness in her joints and struck her frontal again against an edge of a table that sat by the door. She tried to massage the portion and felt a liquid slowing flowing out. Looking at her hand, she saw the blood and relaxed feeling all down. Where was her phone? Her dad might have been calling since. She looked at the blood stain on the floor and forcefully stood up. Making jerky movements into the room due to the pain she was experiencing. The mansion was all quiet as if everyone was out. Harry Jnr came out of his room to get water from the kitchen. He walked slowly downstairs and into the kitchen. He met the head servant.
" Oh, you need not to have come all the way here to get water." He said.
" What? Why?" Harry Jnr asked looking stunned at him for further explanation.
" I meant you could have called for us to bring it to you instead of coming all the way here". Mr. Davis told him
" Why are you making this sound like i came a long way to get here. Meanwhile its just a flight of stairs that i descended to get down here. Come on Mr. D, there's no big deal in this. Thanks anyway." Jnr appreciated and turned to go.
" Are you hungry?" One of them asked him.
" Not yet thanks". He simply said and looked around the kitchen, they were all busy.
" Wait, I'm i lost or I'm simply missing something?" He said confused at the sight of different dishes being brought up actively.
" Um.. there's a family and friends dinner tonight. Master couldn't reach you ,so he called me to set the dishes rolling." Mr. Davis informed him. Harry quietly walked out with the bottle of water. Just about entering his room, he heard a falling sound of an object and rushed into the room from which the noise came from. He saw blood stain just infront of the door and pushed the door opened. There, his curious facial expression dimmed when he saw the girl lying almost lifeless. His thoughts nearly failed him. He called for assistance from Mr. Davis and the others who came rushing in as he carried the girl back into the bed.
" Please I have something urgent to attend to. If not he will never speak to me again please". The girl soberly said as tears run down the corner of her eyes.
" Please get me the first aid ,let me dress up her bruise. And clean the blood stain at the door too. Don't forget to call mom. Hurry!" Harry commanded respectfully. Mr. Davis rushed to bring the first aid kit and divided the servants and maids such that most of them remained in the kitchen cooking whiles others helped Harry Jnr and two called Mrs. Yates. After doing the needed, they left to continue their assignment as Harry told them to go and finish. He gave her some water and set to nurse her pain up. She winced when Harry touched it.
He blew air gently towards the wound and carefully nursed it. Once done, he put her back to bed , washed his hands and took the kit away. He later came back to see her. He sat quietly by her bedside. It was then he remembered that he was thirsty and drank the rest of the water. After time ticked a few minutes, he walked to get another bottle of water. This time, he took two...one for himself and the other for the girl in bed. He wondered what was wrong with her. Was he the one who caused this? Is their misunderstanding related to this situation? Or she was actually going through something he was ignorant about?. Getting bored by sitting idle, he walked to the window and watched the beautiful city from his end. This was intervened by a voice that called him. It sounded familiar.
" Kiki , he responded and turned walking back to the bed.
" Are you okay? Are you hungry? Do you want food? I can get it for you okay? Or you want water?" The questions just flowed but the girl didn't respond to any of them. She only sat up and tried getting down again.
" You are still weak. Please just stay still. My mom will get back to you soon. She's on her way. " He told her.
" Im sorry, I need to submit the project. You are still mad at me right? Just let me go". She pleaded.
" Its already too late. Its been two days since that day. Three days exactly today if I'm to be precise. The grace period is over. You need not to worry." Harry Jnr explained.
" So we got no marks for the project? Harry I'm really sorry. Its all my fault." Kiki cried and Harry ran his hand through his hair in embarrassment.
" Kiki, listen...its nothing okay. I got another set made in place that very day. We got a huge mark." Harry convinced her.
" Is there something you want?". He asked her and she shook her head in disapproval.
They heard voices downstairs.
" Stay here. I will go and check it out. I think its mom and dad and Larry in addition. Just relax...will be back ok?" He assured her and walked out to see the owners of the voices he heard. It wasn't as he expected but the people were happy to meet him. They were talking to Mr. Davis when he got there.
" Oh he's here." Mr. Davis said in satisfaction.
" Hi, Mr. Grandé. Thanks for the invitation. I really appreciate. This is my daughter...Janice. Your son's childhood playmate." The man introduced.
" High" Janice said in a shy tone. Harry responded and smiled.
"Where is he?" The man asked.
" Umm...sir sorry. Im Junior Harry. You mistook me for my dad." Harry said humbled.
"Oh sorry. You really are a blond replica of your father. Interesting". The man said and they both exchanged handshakes. As they continued talking, another set of people came and were welcomed in. Luckily Mr. Davis has put the place in order and the decorations were really catchy to the eye. They were welcomed by Harry Junior who most of them mistook for Senior Harry. He only smiled in response. Everything was going on well till this Janice girl began following him around. If not for his changed behavior, he would have dealt with her when she began. Its been an hour now and this girl was still hanging around him claiming she's keeping him company. After the house was halfway filled, Harry went upstairs to take a break. As he laid down, someone came inside. The sound of the closed door made him jerk up.
" Heya..umm you want something?". Harry Jnr asked.
" Oh no, i just wanted to get out from my dad's reach. Can i stay here for a while. I won't disturb you. Promise." She said and sat by him. He looked at his alarm.
" Its almost time. I need to freshen up and get dressed." He said and stood up.
" Umm..okay. I will excuse you then." Janice said and walked out. Harry also went into his bath tub to get his bathe. After thirty minutes, he came out with a towel around his waist while he had another in his hand cleaning his hair. He wore his trousers and heard a knock on the door but before he can let the person in, whoever it is ,was in. Looking at him with the door opened and standing at the entrance. He rolled his eyes in embarrassment.
He could easily tell that, the crazy girl before him, was actually hitting and fantasizing about his body. Her eyes were fixed on his bare muscled chest, revealing the toned skin of his upper body with the hairs gently curled. He was smelling fresh from his shower gel
" Please close the door and come in if you want. Im about dressing. I don't want others watching me". He said.
" Oh sorry.. I..umm.." Janice stummered.
" Just relax. Have a seat. And tell me why you are here". Harry cut in. He walked back to the mirror. The girl ,looking hypnotized couldn't help herself but fantasize. Harry came close to her smiling. He drew more closer and this increased her fantasy. She closed her eyes as imaginations struck her mind. Harry Jnr looked stunning but smiled teasingly at her. He decided to take his shirt from her side, wear and not tease the poor girl who will loose herself to him easily, if he touched her. Not able to bear his breathe around her, she grab him by the neck and pulled him back to the bed as he stood up with the shirt in his hand. She kissed him. Then something caught his eye. Someone was at the entrance. Kiki.
She immediately closed the door and went to her room.
" Im sorry Harry. Im sorry. I just couldn't hold back.". Janice pleaded.
Harry wore his shirt without a word and buttoning up, he left the room to Kiki. Her door was bolted. His parents were also in. They exchanged greetings with him and also went into their room to get ready.
" What's going on?". How is Kiki?". Ann asked her dear son.
" She's fine now. I nursed her bruises." Harry Jnr replied.
" Is everything okay?". She continued suspiciously.
" Yes mom. I can take care of that. No worries". Harry Jnr assured and he exchanged smiles with his mom who headed inside.
"Kiki please open the door". He said but there was no response. He called again and she didn't respond. He decided to wait for a while, then later try again. After some minutes, he knocked and the door opened by itself and he entered, calling her name.
She jerked at the sound of his voice and covered herself.
" Like seriously?. Can't you knock and be given permission to enter before you do?. Haven't you actually changed?" Kiki said angrily.
" Kiki listen, I know what you saw has made you angry. But you don't understand the whole thing from the beginning." Harry tried to explain.
" Keep it and get out!". Kiki ordered.
" Go and continue your kissing scene. I'll be back to witness it soon. Thank you". Kiki painfully said in anger.
" Why are you even angry at this?. We are just friends. Whats your problem? Are you jealous or something? ". Harry Jnr asked her.
" What!. You think I'll get jealous over you? ". Kiki said and turn herself towards the closet to get some clothing Mrs. Yates ordered for her. Harry Jnr grabbed her arm and pushed her to himself that she could face him well.
" Do you love me?". At once the whole pool of anger boiling inside her dried up. The room was quiet. If looking into each other's eyes could be heard, that would be very loud. She broke the stare and nestled back looking down confused in her thoughts.
" I don't". She replied and walked back to the closet, her heart pounding. She stood for a while and taking the dress, she closed the closet and walked to the bed.
" So you don't love me right?. Good deal.. I also don't love you so stop this angry behavior of yours. You can dress up now. Im out". Harry Jnr ended and walked out. Kiki was quiet for a while. After a heavy sigh, she set to dressing. The celebration was in section when she was descending the stairs. All eyes on her. Her beauty was more captivating than usual with the small touch of makeup. Her body curves were registered in the dress. One of the young business tycoons at the table, came to give her a hand which she smiled and held. He helped her descend the rest of the stairs then walked her to the table, where she sat beside him. She was opposite Harry Jnr. His eyes were gingerly fixed on her.
" Lets make a toast to the promotion and the victory". Harry Senior said.
" Cheers" . The crowd echoed. They began eating and drinking wine. Later, they set to dance. Each with his or her partner. Kiki stayed back at the bar, enjoying her wine and chatting with some girls her age type who also joined her at the bar.
" Please allow me to steal your friend away". A masculine voice said close to the girl. Their attentions were directed towards him. It was the same guy who had helped her earlier.
" Oh please do. Catch up with you later Kiki". They waved at her as the young tycoon took her hand and walked her away to the dance floor.
" Im sorry but please let me have this dance with you. I know this beauty will definitely grace and give me the good charm I want." His words made Kiki laugh. She saw Harry Jnr looking at them.
" If i didn't meet you here. Then i bet this ceremony was an error". The young man said again and she laughed.
" Such a vibe from a gentle looking dove". Kiki replied in her laugh. As they danced, the man was getting more closer to her than usual which drew Harry's attention more towards them. He left his dance partner to the bar...then moved to his room to release his tensed mind. The thought of seeing Kiki with some other guy was just annoying to him. He wished the party was just over. Or something will just happened and everyone would go home. An hour more to close was just too much for him. What if that Tyson guy kisses her? What if they go intimate? Or what if Tyson makes her fall in love with him? The thoughts made him feel uncomfortable but he endured it, accepting in his mind that, it was none of his business. He doesn't care so that's all. Giving himself such encouragement, he walked out down the stairs. The first person to bumped into, was his mom who was just climbing upstairs to check up on him.
" Hey mama..." He called out.
" What's wrong with you? Are you okay?. Mrs. Yates asked looking around him to see if everything was okay with her dear son. But he denied.
" Mama, I'm good. Just kinda tired. Ive been in the house for long and that's just making me go exhausted." He lied.
" But there's something to cheer you up. Its party time. Just have fun and release some tension. You already look tensed. Hun, whats the matter with you?". She questioned again.
" Look, I know of late, I've been distanced because of work. But that doesn't mean we aren't good friends or you can't share anything with me. You know you can't lie to me right? Tell me". His mother insisted.
" Oh mom.... I'm good. You know I would tell you everything. There's nothing to worry about." He said and kissed her cheek. They both headed downstairs hand-in-hand.
" Now go and get yourself something to ease you up. No alcoholic stuff remember".
"Yes mama". He said and smiled as he walked on.
Getting close to the bar, Kiki crossed his path.
" Lets dance". She offered.
" What?". Harry Jnr exclaimed.
" Don't pretend. Didn't you wish to dance with me while you were looking at us?. Mom said you need company so I came to dance with you". Kiki said.
He turned and saw his parents looking at them from different angles and quietly held Kiki's hand to the dance floor.
" Relax with your face. Whats up with you?. How can you dance with such a crooked face?. Who does that?" Kiki teased. He said nothing just danced on, with his hand around her waist and the other holding her hand. Since he wasn't talking, she also kept her words to herself and they danced on. After the dance, they decided to split up and go their ways. The party was already ending so the guests were moving out as usual after a short chat with Mr. Yates Grandé. She went into her room to get a better rest and have her hygiene, then go to bed. Mr. Davis ensured that the place was tidied and put back to its lively nature again. The house was back to its serene atmosphere. Everyone to his room. No one came out till the next day.
The morning sun, shone into the H. A. G. Y mansion making the flowers blossom. The whole place felt peaceful and alive. Harry Senior was with his wife discussing some issues arising that early morning. Their heated conversation was undertone from the start but the last part came out ignorantly.
" I said don't touch me Harry!". Ann said pulling away from her husband's grip.
" Babes just stop this. I said nothing happened. You are changing. I don't like this. Why are you making this thing so enormous?" Harry Senior retorted.
" Oh really?. I've changed?. Im making this thing enormous right?. "She nodded" Alright. See ya later ". She jerked into the closet, chose her outfit for acting and set to dress up. Harry Senior was quietly watching her. He wanted to say something but the words wouldn't pour out. His pharynx was dried. He only kept running his hand through his hair and rubbing his thigh often. Ann left the mansion quite moody but not angry. She just didn't understand why her husband must be hiding things from her and asking another person first for advice. Had she done something wrong to him? Or her part of advising wasn't good enough for him?. What is Harry Snr hiding from her? Why doesn't he want to let her know whats going on?. She focused on her day's work and heating her engine she moved out of the mansion and sped off the road. She met the director and they discussed the acting part she was to play.
" Can i put someone in my place?" She asked after the discussion.
" Umm...yes but we need a girl with good acting skills. But why do you want to be replaced?" The director asked a bit disappointed.
" Oh please i just have a big fish to fry nowadays." Ann replied and stood up.
" I will speak with my replacer and if she agrees, i will arrange for a meeting with you alright?. She picked her bag and left.