Cassie’s P.O.V

“What do you mean by Moyo is sick? She didn’t tell me anything like that.” Aaron eyed Cassie as if he were seeing her for the first time.

Cassie raised her brow.

She had been trying to get him to talk with her since forever, and he never made any attempt, but the moment Moyo wasn’t in school and he couldn’t get in touch with her. He decided that she was worthy of his attention.

Well, it was her time for payback. Everything seems to be working in her favor these days.

“I already told you all I know. She’s very sick and won’t be able to come to school for now. Anything you want to tell her or give her, you can give it to me. I promise I will give it to her.”

Aaron stared at the phone in her hand before shaking his head, “Don’t worry. I’ll just come to visit them.”

Cassie frowned. So, he was going to take out of his busy schedule for her. “My mother doesn’t welcome boys to our house. She will be furious to see you there, and it will put Moyo in trouble.”
Aaron’s mouth twisted in confusion. From the way he opened and closed his mouth, she knew he didn’t know what to say. But then, she was there to help. “If you really need to pass a message across to her, I will help you.”

Aaron’s only response was the frown visible on his face. He knew Moyo wouldn’t miss school unless something was truly wrong, which made a doubt clouded his mind that Cassie might be saying the truth, but giving Cassie a message to pass to Moyo was not an option.

As far as he knew, Cassie wasn’t supposed to be back in this school, but here she was, as if she never left in the first place.

Cassie smirked at him. She could read the eagerness and doubts in his face and almost dance in joy. Now, with Moyo absent in school, the people who were supposed to be noticing her had started noticing her. Very soon, they would be conversing better.

It had taken a lot of convincing; especially from her mother to her father, before he allowed her back to school. Since no one had any idea where those called her real parents were, it was only right for her to be allowed back to school.

“It’s okay. I just wanted to know how she feels. My regards to her,” Aaron clenched his fist as he moved away from her presence. He was going to find a way to see Moyo and ask whatever was happening. There was no way he would believe Cassie’s claim.

After Aaron left, the girls swamp on Cassie. They wanted to know why she had been absent and what Aaron had been discussing her. Basking in their attention, she told them she had gone on a break from school because she felt tired. Her parents were so considerate that they had allowed her rest until she felt better. The other ladies gushed in jealousy, wishing they had parents like hers.

No one dared to ask while she was still a Zamani and not Adeleke.

The day kept getting better without Moyo in it. Even Bayo, who wasn’t into the habit of talking to other people, had approached her to ask questions, too. Although it had been about Moyo, too, at least they were finally conversing, which was an improvement compared to their formal relationship.

As the day went by and the closing time approached, she dread going home to see Moyo again. It would be so good if she was finally out of her life like this. Everything felt perfect and peaceful.
So, when the driver came to pick her up, she sent a text to the new number her father had used in calling her.

‘When are you coming for your daughter?’

The message was straight and clear. There was no need to waste pleasantries. She only needed everything back in its rightful position.
Instead of a response like she expected, her phone started ringing. She stole a glance at the driver who was preoccupied with driving before she picked up. She didn’t say anything until the other person spoke.

“It’s good to see you still care about me, daughter. But things aren’t easy for us here. I can’t just come to pick her up until we get settled.”

Cassie frowned.

“So, when exactly will you get settled?” she said with a raised brow. “Are you planning on leaving her here until she ruins my life?”

The other side was silent, and then she heard shuffling sounds. “You know you can help us, Cassandra.”

“How?” her voice was low but determined. She was ready to do anything to get rid of Moyo completely.

“You can help us with money…”

Momentarily, Cassie lost all sense of reasoning, “What? I’m just sixteen years old. Where do you expect me to see money?”

The driver had stopped the car to glance back at her, “Are you alright, Ms. Cassie?”

Cassie eyes him, “I’m fine. Can you concentrate on your driving and stop eavesdropping on my conversation?”

“But, Miss…”

She raised her hand up to shut him up, “Drive. I don’t want to listen to anything again.”

The driver murmured something under his breath before turning back towards the steering. Cassie returned the call to her ear and spoke in a lower voice, “Where do you expect me to see money? I don’t have money.”

She heard him sighed, “I know you don’t but you have parents. Your parents have money. I’m sure they will be able to spare you some if you ask. You need to help me, daughter, if you want me to help you.”

Cassie sighed. Her father wasn’t going to give her anything with the relationship between them, not especially with him acting as Moyo’s personal nanny. The only person who got his full attention right now was Moyo, and the only person who could make him spend was Moyo. She had heard Moyo asking for them to put up monetary reward for her parents.

Maybe that could be a good idea to earn money or something.
“I don’t know. I can’t promise, but I will see what I can do. But once you get the money, do you promise she will be out of my life.”

“Of course. As early as possible.”

She felt the assurance from his voice. And the fact that he had never disappointed before made her nod her head.

“I’ll try what I can to raise the money.”