Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Chapter 44

I have been driving without talking to her. It is not her fault but I know we can come up with a conclusive decision. She doesn’t know what our mum and that other woman were talking about earlier and I don’t really think I am in a position to let her in.

‘’What did Clarita tell you, Nita?’’ I ask in order to break the silence that has brewed between us. I am totally focusing on the road ahead

‘’Bro, you need to find that girl, she looked pale and she looked like she wanted to tell you something very important. That girl is fragile and from how I see things, she loves you so very much. I am trying to figure out the reason why mum and her evil friend and forcing you to marry that girl but I cannot place my hands on any reason. I tried talking to mum but she rubbed it off my face that I am not in a position to ask her questions on her decisions, she clearly said that she has the final say.’’

‘’And she makes the final decisions for her children. She never ever bothers to know whether they are going to suffer, the only thing she needs is to manipulate us, as and when she wants to do so.’’

She nods. ‘’I have interacted with my friends and I am sorry to say this brother, but I am usually ashamed to discuss my mum with them. Their mums are superb while mine is the latest version of wicked.’’

‘’Why would you say that, Nita?’’

‘’Would you just call me Anita? You are always calling me without the word A and I feel you shouldn’t call me that.’’

‘’Okay, her highness, now, can you respond to my question?’’

‘’I say she is wicked because I have studied her and I know that she is. From the way she has treated Clara before, don’t you think she is hiding something from us?’’

I shake my head. ‘’I wouldn’t know that, Anita. Maybe she should tell us if she is. I hate to say this but people who want to frustrate others who perhaps are suffering or perchance aren’t in an auspicious situations are never my pet people. As it is, I feel very exasperated because what that girl told you.’’ ‘’You heard her?’’

‘’Yes I did. I wonder how and why she would get married to me when she already know that I am gullible and my mum is devious and unscrupulous.’

‘’That’s my worry too. I am sorry to say this but I think she isn’t being honest with us. She seems to be hiding a bunch of things, don’t you think so, brother?’’

‘’Hey sis, I think so too and I am super happy that you and I are sailing in the same boat. I want to force the truth out of her and trust me she will talk.’’

‘’Good luck with that. Meanwhile, where are we going?’’

‘’I wanted to drive you to my apartment but I just change my mind. I am headed to Aliana’s. I want to talk to her about something very serious. I will then drive or maybe take a walk to her neighbor, where Clarita’s friend works and talk to her. She maybe having a hint as per where Clarita is. I don’t believe that I am unable to locate her in this small city but I will soon.’’

‘’Okay, I haven’t seen Aliana in a long time so, I will be glad to see her today. My big sister.’’

‘’You haven’t answered my question.’’ She turns to look at me when I say that. ‘’What did Clarita tell you when she came here?’’

‘’Nothing much, we spoke a little. I had promised to speak to her after she did speak to you. I had no idea that you and that viper were in the garden, I wouldn’t have brought her. I am sorry brother. It wasn’t intentional.’’

‘’Don’t worry. I totally understand. Yu wouldn’t have done that intentionally. Anyway, you got to help me, sis. Find out what is going on and I will do the same, okay?’’

‘’Okay but just don’t rush into things, don’t just marry her and make sure to find Clarita and help her understand what is going on as well as what she is not telling you, okay?’’

‘’Sure, little sis.’’ I pull up at Aliana’s vast parking lot and I smile at her as I hope out of the car. I don’t want her to look at me and think I am being defeated because that’s not the case. I will beat this situation and smile genuinely at my beautiful Clarita, again.

I put my right arm on her shoulders and we fall in step as we walk towards the house. Janet opens the door a few seconds later. She is just as naughty as I remember. She looks at me like she wants to ask something but I give her a glare and she forgets the idea.

I walk to the study when she tells me that Aliana is there and I smile faintly when I spot her. She looks elegant, my sweet sister.

‘’Hey big brother,’’

‘’Hey big sister,’’ she smiles at me. ‘’You look lovely.’’

‘’I know, right?’’ I nod at her. ‘’Too bad I cannot say the same about you. You look like shit big brother, any problem?’’

‘’A lot. She came home to see me. That stupid girl was there too and she forced a kiss on me. As we speak, I have no idea how she is doing, I don’t know who the hell was driving her in a very posh car and I have no idea what the hell she came to tell me. I tried running after them but they went away in a rush.’’

‘’She actually came to look for you?’’

‘’She did Aliana, I swear I have no idea what to do. Please help me. I need to speak to her, I need to know what she came to tell me and I need to know how she is doing.’’

‘’Okay, bro. I will help you.’’

‘’Thank you, that’s not even the worse.’’

‘’Mh!’’ she tilts her head to the side to give me more attention.

‘’Dear mama is hiding so much from us. I just realized that she is hiding a lot and that you have always been right about her being evil. I used to think that you were the one at fault simply because all of us seemed to be okay with her.

‘’Not all of you, Harry. She loved you more than any of her real kids and she made sure that you found out wrongly that I wasn’t your real sister.’’ She says and I nod shamefully. She really made sure that Aliana and I weren’t drinking from the same cup but I decided later on that being myself really matters a lot. ‘’Am I right or am I right Harry?’’

‘’You are right, sis. Forgive my ignorance earlier.’’ She shakes her head. I remember one day when I came from my many uncountable dates, mum sat me down and told me that Aliana wasn’t my sister. That she was dad’s second wife. Aliana was a very beautiful young girl, in high school. She was my friend but I bet mum realized that our friendship was on another level, siblings being tight that she decided to break the friendship.

Talk of evil plans that are totally unsuspected.

I confronted Aliana and when I saw her reaction, I told myself that I needed to check on that story more. I later on spoke to daddy and since he loved Aliana so much, he decided that he will not tell me the truth until I spoke to myself and decided on if I wanted to go on accusing people falsely.

I went and sat in my room. I didn’t eat and I didn’t wait for the night to end because trust you me, I couldn’t eat. I went to Aliana’s room in the middle of the night and requested for her forgiveness. I promised there and then that I will respect her and respect my dad and never listen to mum on anything about her.

Mum apparently was either spying on her or maybe investigating something and guess what! She came into her room since I hadn’t locked the door and decided to screech and howl saying that Aliana was sleeping around with her son.

When I stood up, even though I was young, I knew so well that she was doing that to sully Aliana’s name and that’s when Aliana and I decided to be there for each other forever. She has been my pillar and she has always been there when I need her.

I talk to her a lot and I came to realize that Anita’s idea that I go to the rehab was hers. She cares about me, she was so broken but when I came back a reformed man, she was overjoyed and even gave me a welcome party.

Mum never understood what there is between Aliana and I but I decided that I be there for her. Love her like dad does because dad later on called a family meeting which by the way mum didn’t attend and told us all about Aliana. He said that for him, Aliana is his first born and if he is ever gonna divide his assets, she and his other three children will be given equal shares.

Mum felt bad. She was eavesdropping and when she heard that part, she stormed the meeting and now I know that all the fuss she created was all blackmail.

At the end of the day, Henry, Anita and I have never felt that she was never part of us. We’ve always treated ourselves equally and we have secret social meetings which mum never gets the privilege of knowing but dad gets to know each time we’re holding them.

I love my dad.

‘’Hey Harry!’’ She startles me from my reverie and I turn to look at her. I had zoned out and is that really good for us at this moment? I don’t think so. ‘’This is not the time to talk or think about such shit. We have way more important things to do and one of them being locating her, our beautiful …’’ I cut her off.

‘’Clarita!’’ she nods. ‘’I miss her and her going missing this past few days makes me realize the part where I love her so much. I can never live without Clarita.’’

‘’We will find her.’’

‘’I hate whining but I feel empty, I have such a big hole in my heart and if I don’t sort this out now, I will go crazy. What can I do sister? I want to find my beauty. I want to bring her back and treat her like the queen that she is. I love her.’’

‘’I know, Harry. I have never seen you so desperate.’’ She says genuinely. Um … have you tried like tracking her phone number?’’

I face palm. What a stupid way of looking for her. Why haven’t I thought of tracking the phone? I have acted stupidly, no doubt.

‘’No sister.’’

‘’And what are you waiting for? Call the guy you your mum uses, he will help you.’’ She says jovially her eyes fixed on me.

‘’No chance. Wrong idea.’’ She nods. ‘’Mum hates her and anything that concerns her. I don’t want to put her life in danger by letting mum’s goons know where she is. No way.’’

‘’Sorry about that, brother. You are right. Let’s call dad and ask for his help. Is that better?’’

‘’Sure, that’s better.’’ My fingers are already on my phone dialling dad’s number. He picks on the very first ring and I smile when his voice comes through.

‘’Son, everything okay?’’ he asks jovially from the other end and I shake my head forgetting that he cannot see me.

‘’No, dad. Can I get someone to track someone for me?’’ I ask and I hear him panic from the other end.

‘’Everything okay?’’

‘’Nope but can we speak later about it?’’

‘’Sure. Bye son.’’

‘’Bye, dad. Cheers.’’

The guy asks for a few details and after I provide them, she calls me ten minutes later, with details and I tense when I see the address sent.