An update as promised :) thanks for sticking with me.
Specially dedicated to Pretty_July
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Richard (Pov)

"The motive of this business idea is to create an awareness for our other competitors.." David Gentry, who was my father was speaking to the board members. I sighed exhaustedly, pulling up my sleeves to reveal my wristwatch. 3:22pm, it showed.
I glanced up at my father who was still facing the table full of people and the way they were listening to him With rapt attention. We were in Ghana for a very important board meeting. My father had forced me to fly in from Nigeria.

"So now," My father continued, "I have decided that we should demolish the 4 closed streets with 5 storey buildings located somewhere in Accra." He finished.

  "But Sir," one of the board members, a man who looked to be in his sixties spoke up, uncertainty written all over his wrinkled face. "The local government has kept a leash on that particular area of Accra. Wouldn't it cost a bit too much for us? because I understand that we will have to file an appeal before the land is open to us.."

   "And moreover, there are people living in these areas you talk about demolishing... Families that depend on the place for their livelihoods. Are we supposed to just throw them out? I think you should rethink this decision Mr Gentry." That was Mrs Coker. She was a shrewd business woman but she was also considerate. She liked to do things to everyone's advantage. Unlike my father, his own desires overruled any compassion for the less privilege.

  "As a matter of fact, I have thought about that and as we're filing an appeal for the takeover of the land, we'd be offering them millions for the severance."

   "That was the same thing you did the last time father," I cut him off, sticking a foot awkwardly on the table. The board members turned to me with surprise. This was the first time I was mentioning a word since I started attending board meetings with my father.

"What do you mean, Richie?" My father demanded. I hated when he called me that.

"You said the same thing the last time." I repeated.
"You acquired a land in a remote village in kano state, and paid a severance fee to the local government. What was heard months after?... People lost their family members to starvation and the ones that went to the forest to live were either attacked by deadly animals or never found again. People died, dad. All because you wanted to demolish a whole village. That's inhumane if you ask me."

  "I agree," Few of the others chorused.

My father glared at me before nodding his head slowly. "So.. What do you all suggest we do?"

Mrs Coker cleared her throat and stood up. "There's a business proposal my company has for you sir, if you would just check it out, I'm certain it will be more favorable for you. For everyone of us, sir."

  She turned to me with a slight smile on her face. Kind of like commending me for giving her the chance to present her project. I nodded back at her with a smile on my face as well.
Just then, my phone vibrated.

I opened it to check who it was.

It was my firecracker. Sansa.

     I miss you. Coming back when?
                                                S.

Without hesitation or permission from my father, I got up and moved to the office close to the board room. I clicked on video call and waited until she picked up.

"Hey there, firecracker" I said immediately her beautiful face appeared on my screen.

  "Will you Stop calling me that? I'm a gentle girl and you know it." Sansa asked, feigning a look of annoyance on her face.

"Gentle? Ha!" I snickered. "The last thing you are is gentle my dear. You literally pushed me into a whole pool the other day. A gentle girl wouldn't do things like that."

   She gasped. "But I wasn't the one that pushed you, uncle. You were the one that jumped into it by yourself. Why do you always accuse me wrongly all the time!"

I chuckled at the expression on her face. She had her tied up almost close to her forehead, giving her that look of a 15 year old. I studied her mouth as it moved up and down as she kept ranting on. I still couldn't believe this girl was mine.

After we had kissed at the pool, I'd taken her back to her hostel and there we'd spent over two hours talking and kissing. I hadn't dared to touch her inappropriately because I was scared of what her reaction would be. I wanted her to be comfortable and to know that I would never do what she didn't want. I would wait for as long as she wanted because I knew she was different. Special.

   "Are you even listening to me??!" She snapped, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Why did you now call me if you were going to just let me keep on talking to myself, mtchew"

  I turned my head over, laughing uncontrollably. "See what I mean by firecracker? You too dey vex!"

"Shut up. I wasn't vexed. I was just..."

   "We're having an important board meeting out there, and you're here talking to your side chicks." My father said from behind me.

"I'll call you back, hun. Take care." I said to Sansa before cutting the call.
I turned back to my father with a glare. "What do you mean by side chicks?" I demanded.

  My father chuckled lightly before shaking his head and leaning forward to place his hand on my shoulder. "I have eyes and ears in the school, Richie. I know you're currently following a student of the school, and I know her name is Sansa Osaze. The reason why I didn't bother to confront you about it was because I was certain she was just a mode of entertainment for you. But now, it looks like she's becoming a big distraction to you. Am I right?"

 
"I don't see how this concerns you father, and just a fair warning, don't you dare go near her. You did that with my last girlfriend and I let you get away with it, because she didn't mean anything to me. If you try it this time.. You will regret it. I promise sir. "

My father studied me for a few moments, then he bursted out, laughing. I felt the anger in me rise a notch higher. I could punch the man any moment from now.

  "Oh Richie, my son. You make me laugh. Your last girlfriend was a slut and you blame me for that?" he asked, still laughing. "It's not my fault that she was too greedy and wanted to have a taste of father and son. And it won't be my fault if this... Sansa of yours wants the same thing. I'll give it to her just how she would like it—"

I didn't wait for him to finish. I grabbed him by the neck and yanked him over. "If you dare touch her, I'll kill you. I swear. Don't make the mistake of setting your eyes on her. And tell your guards and security men that if I catch them stalking her, they will be killed on the spot." I shoved him away, making him stagger and almost hitting the wall before standing straight up.

"You dare raise your hand on me son?" He whispered, his voice deadly.

"What I should have done when you humiliated mom in front of the whole world. You cheated on her with girls young enough to be your grand daughters and I had to watch mom suffer in silence, not being able to do anything about it. Not anymore. I will not let you hurt anyone close to me, by God."

I turned and started walking out but my dad stopped me. "Maybe you don't know who the girl's father is. You have Google, use it and get back to me later."

Without anymore words, I walked out of the office and crashed into the board members. they were all standing in front of the door of the office. They scrambled awkwardly and backed away, embarrassed at being caught eavesdropping on the conversation with my father.

  "I hope you all enjoyed the show," I commented with a laugh. "Meeting is over."

I stalked out of the room without a backward glance.

*********

Sansa (Pov)

"So what do you say to that? Just you and me, with any type of Netflix series." Ayomide suggested cheerfully.

"Mm hmm," I nodded as if I was listening to him, but my mind was preoccupied with thoughts about Richard. How he had abruptly ended the call. I'd heard the voice of a man in the back ground just before he'd cut the call with a frustrated look on his face. My mind was telling that it was his father and my mind was telling me his father didn't like me.

  "Or would you rather we go to the movies? Would that make you feel more comfortable?"

I didn't know why it mattered so much to me but I really hoped Richard's father didn't hate me. But to be honest, who would want a girl who has been raped and may have lost the ability to give birth in future? No one would.
And how could I even explain this to Richard? He wouldn't understand. And even if he did.. I couldn't let him subject himself to that kind of life. Not having kids of his own, not seeing his wife pregnant for him. No, I couldn't. Sooner or later, I would have to end this relationship with him before it caused deeper damages.

"I'm talking to you and you're not even responding, it's not fair, Sansa." Ayomide's frustrated voice brought me out of my reverie. I turned to him.

  "Oh, Ayo I'm So sorry. I was just thinking about... Richard." his face darkened with displeasure as soon as I mentioned his name.

"Do you like him?" He asked.

"I love him, Ayo." I replied.

"I see.." He looked away.

I felt bad for him, but I didn't want him to just keep making these unnecessary advances.

"Well.. I just hope you're happy. And be careful. He looks like the type of guy who could break your heart." He warned in a warm voice. I smiled gratefully at him.

  "Thank you, Ayo. I appreciate it." I replied.

He stood up and left my office, leaving me alone. Finally. I quickly grabbed my phone and made to dial Richard's number when a knock came on the door.

  "Who's that?" I demanded.

"Miss Sansa," it was the security man. "You have guests. She said she's your roommate and one other friend from your school."

"Oh! It's Amarachi and Jamal!" I spoke out, jumping off my chair in a hurry to get to the door. They'd promised they were going to visit me at my work place one of these days.

"Let them in!"

"Hey girllllll" Amarachi screeched as she entered into my office, following behind a grinning Jamal. I gasped as I saw their arms filled up with all kinds of foods.

"Oh my God! You guys brought all these for me??" I asked, watching as they set everything on my table.

"Yes we did!" Amara replied excitedly.
"We had food's day in class," Jamal explained, opening a box full of vegetable sauce. "So we decided to keep some for you and since you said you were lonely because your boyfriend traveled, we decided to bring them to you right here."

"Wow that's so nice! Thank you guys!"
Amarachi was already stuffing her face with chicken, making me laugh at her.

"And here," Jamal reached into his bag and brought out a note book. "I also brought the assignment we were given for history. That's five marks."

  "Thank you, Jamal. You're a life saver." I said, giving him a peck on the cheek as I collected the book.

"Uh uh. None of that pecking shit should happen beside me." Amarachi spat out, mouth full of chicken. "If not I'll report you to Gentry."

  "You're not alright, ode." I laughed.

The sound of my phone ringing made me jump.
"Oh! That must be Richard!"

  "God when!" Amarachi Wined jokingly making me giggle.

But to my greatest surprise, it was not Richard. It was someone I hadn't expected to hear from in a while. I slowly pressed on the button to receive the call.

  "Dad."

"Adesuwa," His voice was a soft purr from the other side of the phone. Like he'd been waiting to hear my voice. Like he was dying without it.

"What.. What do you want dad?"

"I want to see you, Adesuwa. I want to see my daughter."

I took in a deep breath and shut my eyes tightly. "Dad, I don't—"

"I want to see you now. I'm at your hostel and I'm waiting for you." his tone went from soft to hard.

"What?"

"I'm in front of your hostel right now. Don't keep me waiting dear daughter." He said sharply, before the line went off.

********

End of chapter 11.
The firecracker is about to clash with her father.

Watch out for next chapter guys.
Thanks for reading.
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