Chapter 34: Chapter 34
“ Oh No!” The Book dropped from his hand, he at on the floor as tears escaped his eyes. Alfred was sorry, he remembered the force he used on her that day, she tried to run away from him even though she was drugged but he was stronger than him. “ I’m sorry Vanessa” He apologized as if she was there with him.
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A week had already passed, Vanessa was back on her feet. She tried to land herself a job from any bakery so that she would start Saving money to leave the city again but none of the Bakery were in need of an employer. She had left Mara at home with Derek and was coming out from one of the bakeries when she saw Tiana. Vanessa Called her name but Tiana didn’t answer her and so, she boarded a cab and told the driver to follow Tiana. After Some minutes, Tiana alighted from the taxi, she entered in to a house that was fenced all round.. Vanessa paid the driver and followed Tiana inside. She rang the door bell and a Middle aged woman opened the door.
“ Who….” The woman was Shocked when she saw Vanessa. “ Mum who’s there?” Tiana asked and she was surprised to see Vanessa. “ What are you doing here? Who told you to tail me?” She asked in an Anger tone. Vanessa didn’t say a word to neither of them, she was looking at the woman with tears in her eyes. “ Mum” Vanessa finally spoke. “ She’s not your mum!” Tiana shouted at Vanessa. “ Mummy” Tears dropped down her face.
“ Will you just get out? She isn’t your mum” Tiana said pushing Vanessa away. The woman stood there looking at Vanessa who was been pushed away by Tiana. “ I wasn’t talking to you” Vanessa Snapped at Tiana. “ You heard her right? Just leave, we don’t want you in our lives anymore” The woman said to Vanessa and they slammed the door in her face. Vanessa knocked and knocked but none of them opened the door. She sat on the corridor and cried before leaving to the Estate.
Derek was playing with Mara in the sitting room when Vanessa walked in. Mara ran and hugged her but Derek knew something wasn’t right with Vanessa.
“ Are you okay?” He asked her but she faked a smile. “ I’m fine” Vanessa said. She put her bag on the couch and Entered inside the kitchen. Derek locked the door before following Vanessa inside the kitchen because he knew Mara might try to go out again.
“ Vanessa, what happened put there?” Derek asked. “ I saw Mum” Vanessa cleaned the tears on her face. “ Mum, where?” She asked and she sniffed. “ I tailed Tiana to the house and found out she’s living here with Mum” Derek was surprised and confused on why Vanessa would follow Tiana to the house. Tiana’s Mum was the one that raised Vanessa after she was adopted from the orphanage, they loved Vanessa so much like they loved their own Daughter Tiana. But They chased her out of the house because she got pregnant.
“ What did they do to you?” Derek asked and she sighed. “ I thought Mum will welcome me but I was wrong, she chased me away” Vanessa said painfully. “ It’s okay Vanessa, everything will be back to Normal very soon” He said and she smiled. “ Thanks Derek” Derek tapped her Shoulder and was about leaving when Vanessa called him back.
“ I’m sorry to ask you this, I’ve been thinking about it for so long now and…. I don’t know how you’ll take it” Vanessa said and he chuckled. “ Come on speak, I’m the only one you got now” He said and she nodded her head. “ Yes I know. I just want you to…uhm… I don’t know how to say this” Derek moved closer to her, he held her hand and lifted her chin up. “ Talk to me Vanessa, do not feel anything” He said.
“ I just want you to…. I want you to lend me some money, I promise to pay back after finding my parents. I know it’s sound awkward but I have no choice, No one want to hire me and I don’t know who to ask” She said looking at his face. “ It’s okay if you don’t have, I… I’ll figure it out. I’m thankful for your hospitality and the free foods. I…..” He covered her lips with his fingers. “ You talk a lot” Derek said and Vanessa bowed her head. Derek smiled at her and left the kitchen.
“ What have you done Vanessa, I shouldn’t have asked him. Oh God, How do I expect him to borrow me that huge amount” She slapped herself and shook her head vigorously. “ I’ll figure this out” She drank a cup of cold water and left the kitchen.
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Two days passed by but Derek didn’t say anything about the money, Vanessa wasn’t mad because he had done a lot for her and her daughter. She needed that money urgently as she was already planning to leave the city that week. Vanessa looked at Mara who was sleeping on the bed and Sighed, she wanted to go out and Derek wasn’t at home. She tapped Mara on the back gently and Mara opened her eyes.
“ I’m sorry baby but I want to go out and I can’t leave you here alone” She said, Mara robbed her eyes and yawned. “ Where do you want to go?” She asked her mum who was looking at her. “ Somewhere, do you want to go?” She asked her. “ Daddy’s place?” Mara asked Excitedly. “ Uhm we’ll find out” She said and Mara jumped up. “ I’ll Go”.
Vanessa dressed her and also got dressed, she picked up her bag and they left the house. She made sure everywhere was locked because there was a burglar alarm in the previous night. Mara held her hand chattering happily as they walked out of the Estate.