Chapter one: old wounds

"Mom, can I go with you to see Grandpa" my daughter asked as she burst into my room.

"You'll get to see him another day, okay!" "This isn't the right time" I answered, dressing my hair.

Crystal's face fell. Why can't I meet Grandpa, Mommy?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to tell her.

I forced a smile and knelt beside her cupping her cheeks "Sweetie. Grandpa lives far away, and you wouldn't want to miss school."

She nodded.

Now smile for mummy. She smiled opening her small teeth. I tickled her causing her to giggle. And she freed herself from me and ran out of my room.

Ever since I told her about her grandpa, she has been so eager to meet him. Crystal was born out of wedlock.

The doorbell interrupted my thought. "Mummy, Miss Gold is here," Crystal shouted in her high-pitched voice. I went to look through my door camera to be sure Crystal saw it right before opening the door.

I checked the door camera and let Gold in.

"Hi Gold, how are you doing?" My lips curled into a smile as I embraced her.

"I'm fine Arielle," she smiled back, and Crystal rushed to hug her nanny's leg.

Like I said, I'll be back in three days, if there's anything you need, please call me.

"I'll miss you so much, Mom," Crystal whispered, her eyes already teary. " I'll miss you too," I replied and I squatted to hug her and she started sniffing.

Don't cry, darling, we'll go get ice cream when I get back.

I took my small luggage and left the apartment. As they closed behind, I took a moment to collect my thoughts. I hope Crystal will be safe and nothing will happen before I get back.

Crystal's tearful goodbye still lingered in my mind. Shaking off the emotion, I focused on the task at hand: facing my father.

The driver's polite smile greeted me as I entered the car. 'Good morning,' I replied, settling in for the ride to the airport."

My phone rang, and I smiled as I  picked up

"Hi Aunt, I'm on my way now."

"Ok darling. I hope you'll come to visit when you get here."

Sweet Aunt, why would I not come to visit my favorite aunt in the whole wide world?

"Don't flatter me," she said, giggling.

" Aunt, what if Dad's just pretending and he has found out about Crystal"

"Why do you say so darling?"

When we talked over the phone a few times I sensed something off from the way he spoke. Something like betrayal I don't know.

"I don't think he knows dear". I know my brother. If he does, he won't hide it, and he'll state his mind, be it over a text, phone call or whatever.

I sighed.

"Arielle, sweetie, your father loves you. He wouldn't cut you off like he did me," Aunt replied reassuringly.

Tell him, Arielle Crystal is four years old now; you're wasting time.

I bit my lips. "Alright, aunt, talk to you later".

After an hour I got to the airport, paid the driver and went in.  I boarded my flight, lost in thought.

It wasn't even an hour when we took off. My eyes lingered on the clouds wishing I could talk to my mom again.

The hours passed, and before I knew it, we landed. I collected my luggage and called Dad.

He sent his driver to pick me up.

"Hey, Miss Arielle," a driver said as he pulled over in front of me, his smile so wide that I found it creepy.

"Mr. Bennett sent me to pick you up,"

I asked him to introduce himself before I entered the car since I was always on guard.

As the car moved, I couldn't help but notice how a lot had changed since the last time I visited, and it made me more nervous.

My dad and mom had always been my role models. They were of good principles and morals, and I let them down by getting pregnant at the university. But I was determined to tell him about Crystal during this visit.

The drive to Dad's house felt shorter than I remembered. As we arrived, nostalgia washed over me.

The driver brought down my luggage and handed it to me. I took a deep breath, and just then, my father came out. "Oh my princess," he exclaimed. Upon seeing me, his voice was silvery. I hugged him, my eyes already getting watery.

"How was your flight?" he asked, disengaging the hug and holding my shoulders."It was alright, Daddy".

You know I have missed you so much, and you look even more beautiful now; you are practically glowing like the sun. I just chuckled at my dad's compliments." I missed you too, Dad." "I just haven't had time to come see you." I replied guiltily.

We were already in the living room sitting, and the maid came in. I ran to hug her. I never knew you would still be working here I said to her. She was very kind to me the last time I visited when my mother died, and I couldn't forget her that easily.

"Yes, I am," she said, smiling. "You're welcome back." She said, picking up Arielle's small luggage. "No, it's fine. I'll take it in myself."

"How's your son?" "He's fine, thanks for asking,  We've missed you around here." "Aw, thanks. I've missed being here too."

"Would you like something to drink?" she inquired. Water would be fine, thanks.

My dad cleared his throat. "Let me leave you to relax and freshen up; I'll be back for dinner. I'm needed at the company," he uttered getting up and looking apologetic. I just now realized that he was dressed professionally, which meant he came from work just to welcome me. A lump formed in my throat as Dad's kindness washed over me. He pecked me on the cheek and headed out.

I went up to my old room, and nothing in it changed, so I just lay on my bed staring at the stars on my ceiling. It was like the design I had back in university. Shivers ran down my spine as I remembered the incident with my ex-boyfriend.

I snapped back to reality, cursing the thought I didn't want to think about my past. Before I knew it, I drifted to sleep. When I woke up, it was already evening. I was so jetlagged earlier.

I pulled out my phone from my bag; I wanted to see how my daughter was doing, so I called Gold. She picked up at once, and Crystal was already asleep.

I stepped out of the room and inhaled the aroma of a nice dish.

I met the maid setting the table. "Where's my dad?" I asked her. "He just got back, and he's having his bath. He'll soon come down for dinner" she replied. "Okay, I'll just wait for  him."

I sat on the dining chair, scrolling through my phone. After a few minutes, my dad came down.

As we sat down to eat, my dad's earlier warmth was replaced by a distant gaze.

"Arielle, tell me, what's been going on in your life? Anything new?" His tone was innocent, but I sensed a hidden agenda. I hesitated, unsure of what to say. "Just work. Nothing exciting."

"So, there's no boyfriend, fiancé, or any man in your life?" My heart missed a beat.

"There's no one yet, Dad."

With what I experienced with Crystal's father, I don't think I'll even get married. I don't trust men.

"Dad, you said you wanted to discuss something important with  me." I reminded him. "Oh yes, but that can wait till tomorrow," he said. I couldn't help but notice how his voice changed; it was so inaudible, and he avoided my gaze.

"I'm feeling sleepy now," he said, standing up, and he kissed my cheek. "Good night, my princess." "Good night, Dad," I replied, biting my lips. When he was gone, I saw the maid and asked her if there was something she knew that I didn't. She said she didn't know, but my dad had been acting strange lately. I sighed, going to my room.