Now let's see how Cliff has been doing for the past years.（The picture above is Cliff）

CLIFF

There was amusement in her eyes as she noticed my entrance. After swapping greetings, I settled down on the sofa adjacent to the chaise longue Mom was sitting, Dad had refurnished the house and it had gotten more beautiful over the past years as a lot of things had changed, we got numerous guardians but after so many efforts and with us growing up, mum decided to do her job herself.

I stared into mother's eyes wondering what was actually going on, she was now back to her old self, jovial as always.

She'd been extremely ill when she got into an accident that stole her eyes and ever since then she'd shut herself from everybody, not talking to anyone. My mind travelled back to some months ago when mom got back from Luxembourg.

**FLASHBACK**

"Mom has been shattering everything in her room,"Chloe announced, looking more than disturbed.

What was this again? I'd just recovered from Zuleha's loss and now Mum was the problem, she was announced to have lost her sight a month ago and ever since then, she'd been extremely depressed, peevished and had shut herself from the world.

Chloe and I ran into mom's room,as we tried all our possible best to calm her down. Minutes later, she drifted into a peaceful sleep, Chloe had left and was preparing to go to Paris for her Masters degree leaving me alone with mom in the room.

Ordering the maids to arrange the room, I sat watching my mum's beautiful face as she slept with sadness presenting itself on her face.

An hour later, she awoke.
Holding my right hand, she lectured,"I know you just got over the loss of Zuleha, so I want you to do this for me".

"What?," I queried impatiently looking straight into her eyes, the eyes that wasn't aware of my stare, I wondered what it could be.

"Get married to Zina," Mom threw the bomb. I could feel something pierce my chest.

Mum had started again with her devilish behaviours, she'd always loved Zina owing to the fact that she was her best friend's daughter. Mom knew my marriage to Zina would be a great help to Dad's company and I'm certain its one of the main reasons she wants my marriage to her.

But why? Isn't it enough that we were good friends and now marriage? How could I get married to someone I've never had feelings for?Why did she think to this extent? Why is she using pity to get her desires?

Spranging to my feet without warning, mum's hand dropped from mine.
"I can't do such," I bellowed, shaking my head vigorously.

"You have to, unless you want me dead", she screamed.

Gosh!mum can never stop, but what could I do, I had to accept it unless I actually want mum's threat to come to pass, mum could do anything to get what she wanted.
Closing my eyes,I sat back as I ran my hand through my hair.

Few weeks later, we obeyed mother's wish even though we were both forced into it. But then a miracle found its way into our family. Mother regained her sight after the wedding and mum claimed Zina was the one who brought the miraculous thing to her life.

Apparently, it wasn't a miracle, the doctor explained. There was a perfect sound medical explanation of what had happened but mom didn't believe of any of the doctor's words.

**FLASHBACK OVER**

"Cliff!," I could hear Chloe's beautiful voice call, bringing me out of the past.
Turning askance, I looked into her eyes as she screwed her hair back off her face.

"Chloe," I responded gently, pasting one of my cool smiles on my face, the smiles that had always made girls fall at my feet like ninepins.

She returned the smile with a beatific one and then pecked mom, Chloe had grown up to be a lady who smiled a lot, after all a smile is the best makeup a girl can wear, she was no longer four eyed and was now an attractive and brilliant lady who was currently having her Masters Degree at Paris.

She'd always wanted to visit Paris owing to the fact that she loved fashion and now her dream had come to pass. Mom and dad would be going to Nigeria next week, they do go there and would stay for some months before coming back.

Chloe and I do come along whenever we were on holidays but now that I was married and Chloe was going to Paris, we wouldn't go with them unless I have something important to do over there.

"How is everything?," she questioned as she sat beside mom, grinning at me, her eyes were glowing with sparks of happiness, she would be going back to Paris in few days time.

"Great," I uttered succinctly still with my cool smile.

"I met Zina at the salon, she informed me she was visiting her parents before we both left there"

As soon as my mouth opened to respond Chloe, mom stopped me by saying,"How is she?", the question being directed at me.

"Good, she's doing okay," I replied smiling at her.

"Tell her to visit me sometimes later".

"Sure," my response being quick.
After we got married, Zina and I had been getting along really well, Mom on the other was always checking on us to make sure we were happy.

Cliff is actually married now.
Anyway,lets look forward to the next chapter.If you really loved this chapter,vote and comment to show your feelings.