Chapter 29: Chapter 29

The Richards

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Narrator's POV

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"I will take you to school today Emma." Anthony readjusted his tie again, he had been standing in front of the mirror for a long time now.

"But I usually follow the school bus." Emma protested

"You won't be needing the school bus today. I will drop you off at school before going to the office."

Emma wondered why, but didn't say anything, her father always hated school runs. She could count the number of times her father had dropped her off at school.

He even made a fuss about what to wear and kept asking her if he looked good. For an instant, she thought he might have lost his mind.

"Hurry up Emma, I don't want us to be late to school."

"Us?" Emma spoke out.

"I mean, you would be late for school and I for work." Anthony tried his best to sound serious but the look his daughter gave him made him realize how odd he had been acting.

Walking away to the dining table, he called his cook to make him coffee, he was not someone that ate breakfast but he needed something to hold that would keep him distracted and stop him from being so anxious.

"Dad, I'm ready," Emma said to her father who had dozed off on the couch. He had been acting strange since they came back to Nigeria and worse since they visited her mother.

The thought of her mother brought a smile to her face, she had been so excited and looked forward to staying with her this weekend. She knew it would be one of the best days in her life.

"Oh! Sorry for dozing off, I didn't have much sleep last night." He had tossed and turned throughout the night only getting an hour or less amount of sleep in the early hours of the morning.

He drove to his daughter's school in silence, he hoped Elena would also be the one dropping off Ava too. He needed to see her; to be sure she was okay. Their dinner ended abruptly yesternight.

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"Mum why are you applying your makeup, you will take all day to get it done and I would be late for school." Ava who was so excited to go to school said to her mum. She wanted to be early so she could tell the whole teachers and students her relationship with Emma.

She and Emma would be best of friends from now on, she promised herself.

"I'm ready, let's go then." Elena looked at herself one more time in the mirror. She knew she looked good, but what if Anthony wouldn't be the one taking Emma to school.

"Well I'm not going there to see him but Emma" but she hoped he would be there too, it would be nice to see him again.

Elena scanned the school parking lot but no sign of Anthony and Emma, she wondered if they had arrived earlier or probably on their way.

"Mom, look. Dad and Emma are over there."

She knew when they saw her and Ava, Anthony started walking towards them and before he got to the car Ava ran straight into his arms and Emma into hers. The whole scenario had Elena emotional, she hugged her child tightly and kissed her on both cheeks.

Both girls said their goodbyes and Ava dragged her sister along with her as they made their way into the school.

Anthony's hands in his pocket and legs slightly ajar looked at his wife, she blushed at his appraisal and he tried not to laugh because she might not understand that his laughter was because she hasn't still overcome her shyness.

"Are you better now." He asked looking serious, he wasn't one to beat around the bush and it was too late to start.

"Yes, sorry for the way I ended things last night."

"It wasn't your fault, I shouldn't have bombarded you with such questions, I should have been more patient and considerate.

Elena didn't reply, she agreed with what he said.

" I don't usually drop Emma off at school, she follows the school bus. I just wanted to see you and Ava."

"Oh!" She looked surprised.

"You both mean a lot to me, never think otherwise." His hands rested on the top of Elena's car while Elena leaned on her car. They ignored the stares they were attracting, all their attention focused on each other.

"I want to take you and the kids to some fun places on Sunday. Is that okay with you?"

"I don't mind, but I thought Emma was coming to spend the weekend with us."

"About that! I have a short business trip on Thursday, so I wanted to ask if you would take her with you after school on Wednesday. Then on Sunday, I would come over so we could all go out together. Emma has not been anywhere since we arrived in Nigeria."

"That would be great." Elena's face lit up. She couldn't wait to have both girls under one roof after so many years.

Glancing at his watch "I'm late for work already, see you on Sunday then."

"Bye."

Elena waited till Anthony drove off before she entered her car and headed home. The week was already looking exciting.

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Emma and Ava's school

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"You mean both of you are twins." The students gathered around Ava and Emma. They were surprised to see them walk into the school hand in hand; Ava had always been mean to Emma especially since she was getting a lot of attention and compliments for her brilliance, so they wanted to know what changed between them.

The story of them being twins and separated was like a Hollywood script to them.

"You both look alike though except that Emma has cropped hair, I believe your story. '' Ava's best friend said, taking her friend's side.

"Well, Emma was never one to make up stories so if she is concurring with your story, then I believe you." A student in a higher class than both girls remarked. The majority of the students agreed with her.

"What's going on here." The principal walked in on the students, they began to disperse leaving behind Ava and Emma and some students who were still interested in hearing more about their story.

"They are twins ma." A student replied.

"What? who are the twins."

"Myself and Emma. We are twins but we got separated."

"Is that true Emma." The principal asked, Ava liked to exaggerate a lot and they might just be cousins.

"Yes ma'am, our parents separated and my dad took me with him and left Ava with mum."

"Oh! That's….really tough."

"We are going to live together now," Ava said, concluding on behalf of her family.

"I see. You should all go back to your classes." Dismissing them all she walked back to her office, within minutes she got the feedback she wanted. The kids didn't lie after all. "What is this world turning into." The principal spoke into the air.

Ava didn't leave her sister's side throughout the day in school, she fought those that tried to ruffle her or her sister. Emma loved Ava after all they are twin sisters but she hoped she would give her some space to interact with others and make new friends.