THE HEIR'S REVENGE

Chapter 47

Lily's birthday party came and the party started at about 6:30am.

Literally because she came knocking in my room and when I didn't open up the door, she walked in on herself and tapped my shoulder.

I looked at her.

She was dressed in purple even though it wasn't in her party dress. She wore her everyday dress with a wide smile on her face. Her hair was packed in a pun which meant that she had done that entirely by herself or she had asked help from Mrs. Pack which seemed impossible because she'd be very busy with the preparation.

“Do you like my hair? Wake up, brother. Today is a beautiful day.”

I still felt sleepy but I dared not stay in bed when I had Lily on my neck and for the fact that today was her birthday. I felt bad that I wasn't the one standing over her bed with a cake.

After everything that happened with the party planning coupled with the Hargrove case, I was so tired and needed to get some rest.

“I'm awake. I'm awake.” I said. Lily was jumping now by my bed side.

“It's my birthday!!” Lily screamed that it startled me a bit. This was probably the first time I've seen her genuinely excited.

“I know.” I said. “I helped you plan it.”

“I'm six.”

“I know.”

“Six is different from five.” She jumped again. “I feel different!”

“How different do you feel?” I asked her. I wanted to let out all that joy and happiness she felt.

“I feel more certain.”

“Hapoy birthday my princess.” I opened my arms for a hug. I could see that she was already getting emotional. The tears were threatening to fall. “Don't cry today. No. No.”

“Thank you.” She said, cleaning her teary eyes. She sat very close to me on the bed and for a moment, we sat there together in the silence.

I was grateful to have a little pretty girl with the purest eyes.

“Alright. Let's go get ready.”

“When is the party starting?” I asked her.

“11am.” She responded. “Emma is coming in by 8am.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you still in bed?” Lily asked and I realized that she wasn't wrong. I was still in bed when I should be outside helping everyone out.

“Where's agent Yemi?”

“Aunt Yemi??” Lily asked with her high pitched voice which surprised me. I wondered if this was still because she was excited about the party.

“Aunt?”

“Yes. You know you shouldn't be professional all the time. You should call her Miss. Yemi.”

I glanced at Lily. Does being six make someone more articulate and bold?

“Why?”

“I just think that's the right thing to do. And she's so nice to me. She practically did most of the planning of my party. She asked about my preference. I like her.”

I didn't ask her these things but she still talked. If she liked Yemi, then what about Emma.

“And Emma?”

“She's also nice. It just feels like she's not really here for my party. She's your friend right? Maybe she's here because of you.”

I thought about that. Even a five year old could see through Emma.

“I'll be down shortly.” I told Lily and she left. Soon I was downstairs. I saw Emma arrive. She was carrying two bags and she was wearing purple clothes which didn't make any sense.

Was she trying to impress Lily or was she just being performative as usual.

She said good morning to me and then to Mrs. Pack who was directing two staff members on where the tables should go.

She then greeted Yemi who was coming down from the stairs upstairs holding Lily's hand. You could notice that they were smiling from ear to ear which meant they were having the best conversation, possibly.

Emma smiled at Lily and took her hands when she finally came downstairs.

I watched them go.

Was this a new bond trying to grow between these two?

Yemi stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“She's been up since five thirty.” Yemi said.

“Yes, she came to my room too, so excited.”

“I know how she feels. Honestly when I was little I didn't get the chance to celebrate my birthdays and I felt so bad. Seeing her now gives me that satisfaction.”

I looked at Yemi and saw her looking into space. Was she also like me? Did she have a traumatic past like I did?

I also didn't ever celebrate my birthday. How could I when I never had anyone by my side?

Yemi smiled. She was in her working clothes but she had a small purple ribbon tied around her wrist that I had not seen before. She saw me notice it.

“Oh, it was Lily who tied it this morning. She was overly excited. She said everyone in the party needed to put on something purple.” She said, “And I see your friend did a great job at that.”

She was talking about Emma but I didn't respond to that.

“She tied mine last night.” I said and Yemi looked at the ribbon on my wrist and then she looked at me. “What about you?”

“What about me?” .

“Aren't you going to dress up for this party?”

“Dress up?” She seemed surprised that I was asking something like this. “I'm on duty.”

Yemi looked at me and there was something in that look that was warm and specific and entirely genuine.

“Well, you are free to do whatever you want. It's Lily's birthday party after all.” I said, trying to avoid her glare. I could see that she was trying hard not to smile.

“Well, I guess I have to take your advice." she said quietly like she was whispering.

I didn't know why I felt this way but my heart was beating fast. I'd never heard her use that tone on anyone and now I was thinking about it.

"Yes," I said, putting my hands in my pocket. I walked away slowly, afraid I'd make a mistake if I stayed here.

Then Mrs. Pack called her from the garden asking about the table placement.