"Dad, I know you didn't come here to check on my sleeping habits. What's up?" I felt him smack my head and I rolled my eyes again. Mum wasn't here, so no formalities needed. Wait, was she? I looked around; no, it was demon-free zone. I sometimes hated how my mother made us seem more like strangers than family.
"Darius and I are going on a business trip,” my dad said, grabbing my attention. But what he said next had me hyperventilating. “You will be staying with your mother."
It took me a second for that to sink in. Firstly, Darius was going somewhere. Why didn't Darius tell me about it? And then – Wait, what? I was staying with who?
"Oh, hell no!" I yelled, stepping back and crossing my hands. "There is no way in hell I am staying with her, dad. She will eat my brains alive and you know it. What's so wrong about staying here by myself?"
He motioned to the house. "All by yourself in this big house? I don't think so, honey."
"That's what I did for ages, dad. Did you forget?" While Darius was off doing whatever he was doing, which was nearly half a year, I was stuck here by myself. They didn't care about me then, so why start now? There was no way I am going to suffer with mom while Dad and Darius are having the time of their lives, or a boring time making business deals.
Dad began, "But you –"
I cut him off, suggesting, "I'll go live with Rose. There is no way I am spending time with Mum. She will drive me crazy, dad. You know it."
He sighed as he intently looked at me and put his hands in his pockets. "We'll see. I'll tell her you’re busy. But at least meet with her for lunch, Ivory."
"We'll see," I told him, using his own words. No, we will not see because there was nothing to see. I was not even going there. He opened his mouth but then closed it, looking over my shoulder. I followed his gaze and turned around. Darius walked down, dressed in another perfectly ironed suit.
Why on earth were they wearing those things this early in the morning? Man, I was still grumpy from my lack of sleep. As soon as they’re gone, I will head back to my darling bedroom. I can just hear it calling my name.
"I'll be in the car," Dad was telling Darius, who simply nodded, then he turned to me.
"Be safe. Wake up early. Eat properly and don't cause too much trouble," said Dad, kissing my forehead.
I scoffed as he started to walk. "Please, I never cause trouble," I muttered. I was a very mature adult who can handle myself very well. Where was Ma?
Dad looked over at me, raising an eyebrow. "Says the girl who has been suspended five times. Who did you call to pick you up, hmm?"
I felt my face intensely heat up as Dad walked out. Why on earth did he mention that!? That was when I was young and, and, and, and it was definitely not my fault!
I turned around to face Darius, who looked amused with his eyebrows up.
"Five times?" he asked with a small chuckle.
"It wasn't my fault," I whined. Okay, maybe it was. The hell it was, but he didn't need to know that. Thank you, dad, for ruining my perfectly good reputation.
"Well, I'll uh -" he began, rubbing the back of his neck. "See you in a few days."
Oh great, cue the awkwardness. "Okay," I nodded, awkwardly fiddling with my fingers.
He stepped forward and then stepped back quickly, like he was going to do something but didn't. He gave me a nod and started walking to the door, me following behind. Well, this was really awkward.
"Oh, I left Adrian’s number on the bedside table in case you need anything," he said.
"Thanks."
"Also, I left something else. Bye." With that, he quickly turned around to walk to the car. Then he stopped and looked at me.
"You have, um, paste on your face," and with one last smile and a shake of his head, he walked out.
My jaw dropped as I touched my cheek and felt something sticky. Gee, dad, thanks for telling me. I actually wished he got some of it on his suit. Sweet revenge for trying to make me stay with mum. I was wiping my face when I realised what Darius said.
Something else? He left something on my bed?
My stomach grumbled, distracting me, and I waved a hand to no one. I can check my bed later. I need food now. I walked to the door, watching the car drive away. I was about to close the door when my eyes saw the guards who waved at me. I smiled, waved back and closed the door. I'll check the bed later. I was really starving.
"Ma?" I called out. Where is Ma? I hadn't seen her the past few days. I smiled, looking around the huge kitchen.
"Whole house to myself." I smirked devilishly, remembering my teenage days when this happened. Loud music, horrible clothes and time to make myself a feast.
The knocking was insistent on the door but I was too full, too fat, and too lazy to move, even too sick to call out. Maybe I shouldn't have eaten that much. I always did this and I even mentally promised myself I wouldn't do it again, but I did. I made myself way too much to eat.
But then again it was getting really annoying. Didn't they know that they should knock once and then leave? Why did the guards let them in? With a groan, I pulled myself up and burped as I walked to the door. I felt sick.