CHAPTER 8

Ryan left the ward and went to the hospital’s garage to take Mrs Williams' car. He drove through the gates and headed home.

There was no traffic on the road so he reached home in no time. He quickly parked the car and set off to clean up the house.

It was a very tiring work as the whole house was in a mess.

*****†*****

Mrs Williams was laying on her bed, Geraldine was beside her and Adriana was sitting on the edge of the bed.

Alicia had gone out to talk to Ryan. Within a few minutes she came back in and stood beside Geraldine.

The woman asked her daughters to help her sit and they did. She now sat in the bed with her back resting against the headrest.

She spoke to them in a questioning manner.

“ Now can any of you tell me why Ryan has grown so lean and bony, I know we are not on good terms with him but he looks very bad. What did you three do to him? ”

The woman asked

The three girls stared at her shamefully, Alicia was thinking seriously

“ What did Ryan tell her? How do I convince her now? Why is she suddenly being on Ryan's side instead of us? Now why is she asking all these questions? ” Alicia contemplated.

The woman repeated her question

“ I said what did you guys do to him”

“ Nothing ” Alicia replied blankly

“ That was just by the way, now who amongst you has that yellow car outside the compound?” Mrs Williams asked.

She asked the question in such a way that the sisters would not suspect Ryan had told her anything.

Well the three girls fell for it.

They thought their mother had seen the car herself so they had no option than to tell the truth.

Alicia and Geraldine looked at Adriana who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

Alicia nodded as if to say ‘ go on’.

Adriana looked at her mother and spoke.

“ errm… it belongs to me ” Adriana replied stammering.

Mrs Williams shook her head, looked at Adriana keenly and asked

“ How did you get to come by it? Have you girls shared your father's property already? ”

Mrs Williams asked, looking at Adriana.

Adriana shook her head in the negative.

“ Then tell me Adriana, how were you able to afford such a car? I heard it was launched only a few days ago and costs millions of dollars. How were you able to buy it if you've not shared your father's property?

Afterall your monthly allowance can not buy you that car. So tell me how you were able to acquire it? ” Mrs Williams asked again

“ It was bought for me by a friend. He bought in celebration of his birthday and gifted it to me ” Adriana replied

“ He?. So this friend is a male?. And he bought you such an expensive car as a gift for you in celebration of his birthday. Who does that? What kind of friend is that Adriana? . Now tell me the truth, Adriana. Do you have anything to do with him? .

What kind of relationship is between you two?. ”

The woman asked, raising her voice a little.

Adriana knew her mother had found out and she had no option but to tell her the truth. She looked at Geraldine, then Alicia who shook her head. Adriana was about to speak when Alicia quickly spoke.

“ Mom, you need to calm down. This is no big deal , pls your blood pressure is high already please don't increase it you know…”

Alicia couldn't continue her statement as her mother shot her an angry look.

“ Cut it Alicia!! I don't remember asking you a question. Now my blood pressure has nothing to do with this issue. I will come to you later but now let Adriana answer my question first.”.

Alicia was embarrassed, she had tried to use that to help Adriana ignore that question and probably let her mother stop asking questions; at least for that moment.

“ Now answer my question Adriana. Is this friend supposed to mean boyfriend?? ” Mrs Williams repeated her previous question while raising an eyebrow.

Adriana looked at Alicia's face again and she nodded

“ Yes mum” she replied, not looking in her mother's direction to avoid her gaze.

Mrs Williams spoke again.

“ In case you have forgotten, let me remind you. Do you remember what your father told you on his deathbed?. Do you remember he told not to have a boyfriend apart from until you are 35 or Ryan signs off from the contract marriage?. ”

She paused and looked at Adriana and she nodded.

“ I know you don't like Ryan, I know you don't want him as your husband. I don't like him either. But remember to honor your father's last wish. If you want to have a boyfriend or marry, wait until you are 35 or Ryan signs off the contract. After that you can do anything you wish. If that man is ready to wait then he should wait but if not let him go. There are still many rich men who would like to have you as a wife.

Do you understand that? ” the woman asked and Adriana noded.

Geraldine was fidgeting with unease.

She had wanted to say something but dared not speak.

Alicia in the other hand was boiling with anger

“ That is bullshit. Why will my sister have to wait till she's thirty-five years before she can have a boyfriend?

All because she's been married to a broke nobody? I wish I could do something. Father is dead now and we can do anything we want without him. Why would mum still hold on to such nonsense he said while he was dying for god's sake ”

Adriana thought. She wished she could translate her thoughts into words as she stared at her mother.

But she knew hell would break loose if she dared say such. Therefore she kept her cool and stared at her mother with her heart burning with fury.

Mrs Williams nodded and allowed her words to sink into Adriana's mind.