There is no hope without fear and no fear without hope.
-Baruch Spinoza

Three days later. . .

The banging on the door cut across the silent night and startled the Bullock women from their sleep.

The women rushed out of their rooms and met at the end of the hallway.

Their body shook as the knocking on their front door increased.

Who could it be? They wondered.

They looked around for a weapon.

Tara raced to the kitchen and appeared with a frying pan.

Dora sprinted to the sitting room and came back swinging a baseball bat.

Armed with their weapons, they crept to the door that shook from the pressure on it.

They crawled along the wall as they reached the door.

Their hearts pounded and they said a prayer for protection and guidance.

They stalled as they came face to face with the door.

Dora took the key hanging on its hanger. Her hand shook as she grew closer to the door.

"Be careful, Mom," Tara whispered from behind her.

Dora closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Help me, Lord!"

She turned the key and pulled the door open.

The women gasped as they stared in shock at the figure at their doorstep.

Ayodeji pushed the door and staggered in. The smell of vodka followed him in.

"Home sweet ho. . ." he trailed off as he slumped on the couch and fell asleep.

His loud snore resounded through the room.

Tara stared at the person she once called Daddy. She whirled around and faced her mother who was trembling as she looked at the sleeping figure.

Tara placed the frying pan she held on the table and took a few steps forward and locked the door. She returned and took the bat from her mother's hand and kept it beside the frying pan.

Wrapping her arms around Dora, she led her to the two-seater chair opposite the couch.

Dora's eyes remained glued to the sleeping figure of her estranged husband.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Tara rubbed her mother's arm as she took a seat beside her.

Dora's hand shook and her lips trembled. "What is he doing here?" she rasped out. "Why did he come back?" Tears began to build up in her eyes.

Tara exhaled and continued rubbing her arm.

"Hasn't he caused us enough pain?" Her tears fully rushed out.

Tara blinked back tears and engulfed her mother in a comforting hug.

Dora buried her face in her neck and wailed as the horrid memories rushed back.

Tears fell out of her eyes as she caressed her mother's back.

Tara cried for her mother who was breaking down for the first time since their separation.

Dora's body shook in Tara's arms as her tears poured out. Tara felt a wet patch form on her nightgown but she didn't care.

She vowed to herself that she would be strong for her mother who had always been there for her, through thick and thin. Through her phase of naughtiness and redemption.

While the women cried, a man slept, oblivious to the torment he caused.

And the night passed over.

               ★★★★★★★★

The chirping of the birds stirred Tara from sleep.

Tara groaned as her eyes flickered open. Pain shot through her neck as she turned her head.

She slowly sat up as she surveyed her environment.

She felt a weight on her right arm. She looked down at her mother who was leaning on her shoulder sleeping peacefully.

She sighed. After several rounds of tears, Tara requested Dora to retire to her room but she blatantly refused and left no room for argument.

Her eyes darted to the slumbering figure across the room. She scowled at the man who was sprawled on the couch with a mouth hung open.

She made a fist as she glared at him. She was tempted to throw him out for what he had done to her mother but her mother's righteous teachings stopped her.

Taking a quick look at the clock, she noted the time. "8:45 am," she muttered.

She rose gingerly and placed a cushion under her mother's head. She covered her with a light red blanket that she got in the night when Dora refused to retire to the room.

She was grateful that it was Saturday, so they didn't need to rush to work.

As she ambled to the kitchen, she rubbed the side of her neck to soothe the throbbing she felt.

Making a cup of tea for herself, she sat on one of the kitchen stools and sipped on it.

The warmth of the hot liquid flowed through her body and she got lost in her thoughts.

For some reason, her thoughts drifted to Philip.

His charming smile flashed across her mind.

Her heart longed for his presence.

Her mind flew to their last meeting. It had been three days but she couldn't believe she has been promoted to the head of graphics design.

Her brows scrunched up as she remembered the tension that hovered above them when Martinez made an entrance.

Unanswered questions rose as she reviewed the conversation between the three men.

FLASHBACK

Tara watched as Philip silently fumed while Martinez gave a satisfied smirk.

Martinez eyed her before his eyes flickered to Mr. Angelo.
"So as I was saying, old man, I have as much right in this office as you."

Philip balled his feet and howled at Martinez, "Don't you dare be rude to my uncle."

Martinez chortled as he gazed at Philip with a dark expression.
"You of all people don't have a right to speak. Have you forgotten what you did?"

Philip turned his face away and gritted his teeth.

Tara's heart pounded as she watched in shock and wonder.

What was Martinez talking about? She pondered.

She turned to face Philip who had a scowl on his face as he glared at Martinez.

On the other hand, Martinez looked happy and proud.

Mr. Angelo's voice drew her attention as he calmly spoke.

"Martinez, I request you to please leave. You have made your point."

"Haha, of course, Uncle Bear doesn't want his nephew's little secret to be exposed."

Philip's face turned red; he took a step toward Martinez. However, Tara's hand on his arm stopped him.

She gazed into his angry eyes and shook her head.

"He isn't worth it," she whispered.

Philip sighed and nodded as he released some tension but he still stood stiffly.

The duo returned their attention to Martinez who had stood up with his hand in his pocket.

"Anyway, I shall take my leave. You all can continue with your family reunion." He proceeded to the door.

However, he stopped and turned back with an evil glint in his eyes.
"However, I do hope for your sakes that nothing will ruin your happy little life." With that statement, he smirked and sauntered out the door.

The trio breathed a sigh of relief as the door clicked shut.

There was a long stretch of silence as they got lost in their thoughts.

Nevertheless, to lighten up the atmosphere, Philip insisted on taking Tara out for lunch to celebrate her promotion.

##############################

Tara drained out the last bit of her tea.

She walked over to the sink with a head heavy with questions.

How could she get answers? She pondered.

Martinez's words rang in her ear.

What secret was he talking about?

She turned on the tap and watched the water gush out.

She sighed as the questions flooded her head.

Could it all be a ploy to make her distrust Philip?

She shook her head as nothing seemed clear.

As she rinsed her cup, she came to a decision.

She would talk to Philip about her fears and ask for answers to her questions.

STOP!

HOW CAN YOU ASK PHILIP ABOUT HIS PAST WHEN YOU HAVEN'T TOLD HIM YOURS?

Her inner person queried her.

She closed her eyes and sighed as she accepted the truth.

She had no right to question Philip until she gave him the right to question her.

Sounds from the living room made her abandon her musings.

At that moment, her mother needed her and that's all that mattered.

She could ask her questions later.

As she marched out of the kitchen, she said a quick word of prayer, "Oh Lord, please take control over everything."

Arriving in the living room, she found her mother sitting up as she yawned and rubbed her face.

"Good morning, Mom," she quietly greeted.

"Good morning, dear," Dora looked at her with bloodshot eyes. She rose and walked towards her.

"Are you alright?" Tara asked as Dora reached her.

"I will be alright, dear." She placed a loving hand on Tara's cheeks.
"Let me go and get ready."

Tara nodded. "I will make you a cup of coffee." Dora smiled in appreciation and walked off.

Tara returned to the kitchen to make the coffee. Dora came to meet her dressed in a black skirt and grey top, looking somber.

Dora took the piping hot coffee and savored it.

"What would you like to have for breakfast?"

"Don't worry, dear. I am not hungry."

Tara nodded; she also found herself with a lack of appetite.

The women retreated from the kitchen and went about trying to accomplish the tasks of the day.

However, it was hard to concentrate because the sleeping figure was a constant reminder of their predicament.

            ★★★★★

Hours had passed by, the sun was high up and the two women sat on the dining table-Dora was with her Bible and Tara with a novel.

However, their attention was split between the clock and the sleeping man.

It was no surprise to Dora that her estranged husband was still asleep.

Ayodeji consumed a lot of alcohol and he could be hungover for 24-36 hours.

As the duo's attentions were drifting from— the clock, the sleeping man, and their books, they jumped out of their skin as a knock sounded through the house.

A sense of Deja vu washed over them.

They wondered again.

Who could it be?

Tara smartly rose to her feet and marched to the door with a stern face.

She pulled the door open and opened her mouth to yell.

However, she stopped and her mouth hung open and her eyes opened in surprise.

But unlike the first time, her mouth split into a smile.

"Philip!" She gazed at his face and she felt some more tension slipping off her body.

Philip gave his signature charming smile. He bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

Tara's cheeks warmed as something stirred in her stomach.

She didn't know what to do with the affection she was developing.

"Who is that, dear?" Dora called out as she approached them. "Oh, Philip! It is nice to see you." She sent him a smile.

"Likewise, Ma'am."

A quick look passed between the women as they remembered the person inside.

"Are you guys okay?" He shuffled on his feet. "Uh...did I come at the wrong time."

"Oh, no, you didn't," Tara spoke up immediately, "please come in." She moved to the side for him to pass.

Philip stepped in and Tara closed the door; she and Dora led him to the living room.

As they got to the entry of the living room, the women abruptly stopped.

"Is something wrong?" Philip asked with furrowed brows.

The women had no chance to reply before someone groaned from the couch.

Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at the male figure who was stirring up from sleep.

Tara's eyes bulged open as she panicked.

Dora began to tremble as she stared in terror.

Philip's forehead scrunched up as he gawked at the man who blinked and looked at them with dazed and distorted eyes.

"Arghh! My head!" Ayodeji groaned as he slowly sat up. He rubbed his face and blinked rapidly.

"Adaora, get me water," he commanded as he stared at Dora.

Dora remained standing as she glared at him.

"Didn't you hear me? Get me a glass of water," he shouted as he rose to his feet.

"Watch your mouth, Sir," Philip said from beside Tara

"Yes, watch your mouth. Don't talk to my mother like that." Tara frowned at him.

He ignored Tara and faced Philip. "And who are you?" He gave him a dirty look.

"He is my friend," Tara said with a raised chin.

"WHAT? You are not supposed to be having guy friends, Tara." He looked at Philip with disgust. He faced Tara and said with a low voice, "You are my little girl."

Tara shook her head. "No, I am not. You are not my father. You lost that right a long time ago."

Ayodeji chuckled. "Oh please, stop being ridiculous." He faced Dora and exclaimed, "Get some sense into your daughter!"

Dora ignored him and asked instead, "What do you want?"

He laughed. "I told you I will be back. And look—" he spread out his arms. "You welcomed me back." He smirked.

"No, I didn't. I simply gave shelter to a stranger." She scowled at him

"You know that I am not a stranger. I am your husband."

Dora shook her head."You were my husband, but not anymore. As I said before, you will soon receive the divorce notice."

Ayodeji's laughter rang out. "That's not possible. You can't get rid of me."

"I already have," Dora retorted.

"And that will change, I assure you," he said with an evil glimmer in his eyes.

Dora shivered at the thought of him returning to her life, but she didn't let him see her fear.  "I believe it is time for you to leave. You have overstayed your time here." She stared at him with hard eyes.

He looked at her appalled and exclaimed, "Are you kicking me out?"

Dora crossed her arms and affirmed, "Please leave."

Ayodeji's expression flared up, he balled his feet and rushed towards her but Philip was fast and blocked his path as he came in front of Dora and Tara.

"She said you should leave. So leave. Otherwise, you would leave here in a police van," Philip threatened as a vein worked in his jaw.

The two men stared at each other. Their eyes fought for dominance.

Finally, Ayodeji's hand fell limply by his side. He stepped back and proclaimed, "Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day, I will be back." He said with determined eyes.

His harsh glare flickered between the trio before he walked out and slammed the door.

Dora's shoulder slumped as she drew a breath.

Tara walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Mom?"

Dora looked at both Philip and Tara as tears glistened in her eyes. "I will be fine. You guys shouldn't worry. The Lord is with me." She looked at Philip with a smile.

'Thank you, Philip. I appreciate what you did." She looked back at Tara with a slight smile. "I want to go to my room and rest."

"Okay, Mom. See you later." She squeezed her mother's shoulder and stepped back.

Dora smiled at them and walked off.

The duo was left in silence. They turned around to face each other.

"I am sorry about that," Tara said as she fidgetted.

"Oh my word, why are you apologizing? It isn't your fault." He smiled softly at her.

Tara returned his smile. "And thank you for saving my mom. He could be aggressive when he is angry." Tara's eyes clouded over as she spoke.

"Don't mention it. She is like my mother too." His eyes sparkled as he took her hands and held them.

Tara looked down at their hands joined together. They looked perfect together.

The weird sensation began to stir in her heart.

What would it be like to have him hold her hand forever? She wondered.

She blushed at her thoughts and gazed at him and said, "There was a reason you came unexpectedly, so what it is?"

Philip chuckled and squeezed her hand. "You know me too well." He gave her a cheeky grin."Well I. . .uh. . .came to ask If. . . you would go on another date with me." A slight tinge of red spread across his face as he spoke.

Tara struggled not to laugh and comment about how cute he looked when he blushes.

He continued speaking, "But because of what is going on, I will understand if you decline." He ran his thumb over the back of her palm.

Tara laughed. "Don't worry, I will go on another date with you."

Philip's eyes shone brighter and he beamed at her. "Thank you so much." He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead.

Tara's cheeks turned pink.
She asked him, "Will you be telling me where we are going to?"

"Nope. It is another surprise." He grinned.

Tara pouted. "I don't like surprises."

Well, I daresay you liked the first one." He winked.

Tara smiled wider as she nodded in agreement.

"So please trust me on this." He squeezed her hand.

"Okay, I will."

He grinned and pecked her on the cheeks. And Tara's face flushed.

"I will see you soon." He left her hand, smiled, tipped his head, and ambled out the door.

Tara went about putting the living room back in order.

She felt hopeful for a bright future with no wounds and scars, and a blue-eyed man at her side.

But as the remnants of her father's cologne lingered on the cushion and the words of Martinez rang in her head, she realized that everything she hoped for could come crashing down.

★★★★★★★★★★★★

Oops!
Ayodeji is being a thorn in our side🤦‍♀️

Press the star ⭐ in the corner to give Dora and Tara moral support.

And, our beloved Philip has a past
👀😮😂

This brings us to the question of the chapter 😏
What do you think or imagine happened in Philip's past?

As the author, I have to remain silent on this matter. 😂
But I would love to see your thoughts, theories, and imaginations.

Don't forget to vote⭐, comment and share. XD

Until next time, keep your imagination alive. 😁