Hi guys it's me again 🌚✨

Yes I know, Two updates in one week, i know right?? Hunty Empress is back 😂 💕 cause like, when was the last time I actually gave more than one update in a week? 😭 Must be agesss😩

I hope you guys enjoy this Chapter!

Justice ✨

"Hello it's Justice, good evening dad"

I heard him gasp. Then I heard rustling, like someone that was rushing to his feet or something.

"Isime? Darling? Please tell me this is exactly you. Or is this a prank?"

A sob burst out of my mouth at the raw concern and worry in his voice.

"Daddy it's me! I'm using a new phone now not the one I used to call you the last time."

"Jesus oo!! My daughter!! I thought I would never hear from you again? You never spoke to me and I was not allowed to reach you" 

"I would have called everyday dad but mum said I should never call you again. She made me throw away your number but I memorized it and wrote it somewhere else" I replied trying not to burst into tears.

"Oh my love, you don't sound happy"

He could always sense my unhappiness from far away.

"I'm not happy dad. I'm miserable, tired and lonely. Mother is barely in the house and her new husband is a pain in the....the....life!" I half shouted. He sighed.

"I knew leaving you with that woman was a horrible mistake and all but she bribed her way in the court so I can't take you by force. I will be charged for kidnapping and you are still a minor my love, that means you can't choose to leave the house even if you want to"

"But I'm seventeen dad!" I cried out

"I know and I really wish I could get you out of there but my hands are tied. Where is your mother?"

"She has been away for weeks with Gabriel and other of her flings."

There was silence

"How about coming to spend a little time with your old man? Leave a note for her, tell her you're coming back. Although, knowing Veronica, she wouldn't even care if you were alive or dead. Curse the day I married that witch" he said with spite. The happiness that bubbled up in me felt so foreign, so sudden that I had to pinch myself to check if it was really real.

I was really going to spend time with my father after seven years.

"Don't worry, I'll arrange a driver to get you to school and back if that's what you are worried about. You do want to come right? Or is it too much for you?"

Too much? Too much?  I would sacrifice a limb to get a chance to get away from this miserable house. And now not only do I get to leave here, I get to spend time with my father?

It sounded too good to be true.

"Justice?"

"Huh? Yes! I mean, I would love to spend time you you dad. Just send the address and let me get my things. I'm coming right now"

"Wait now? I was thinking tomorrow -"

"Please dad, I can't bear another night here. Just let me come now." I responded with a pleading note in my voice.

"Okay my love. Do you have enough money for transportation? Do you need me to come get you?"

"No dad, I'll come by myself. Just send me the address and I'll be on my way and yes, I have enough money for transportation."

"Alright my darling. I will cut the call now for you to prepare. I'll see you soon my love"

"I'll see you soon too dad" I choked. He cut the call and it felt lonely again, but this time that feeling did not last. I was going to see my daddy...my beloved father.

After flinging a few of my important stuff and some clothes. I opened my phone and checked the address he sent me.

Ikeja..

Ikeja wasn't too far from here.

I walked out of the room and walked downstairs. Gozie was seated on one of the couch, watching Nollywood movies. I was slightly confused and a bit surprised to see him do such as boys of his age gap always loved watching action movies or sports.

Upon hearing my footsteps, he turned round and saw me, then with a raise of his eyebrows, he cocked his head in that boyish manner again.

"Where are you going?" He asked. I hesitated before speaking. He might look like a nice guy but I couldn't trust him with my whereabouts, I didn't want him to tell my mother or else it would cause great issues.

"I'm... going to stay over with a friend for some days" I lied, clutching my bag tightly.

"A friend?" He asked, looking at me incredulously. I nodded and picked up a textbook that I had left in the dining table the night earlier.

"Are you sure Justice? I might be your mother's...uh...sex toy but I still need to know your real whereabouts in case you need help" he said softly.

"I don't need your help!" I replied harshly. I immediately regretted it because hurt filled his face before he looked away.

"Look Gozie, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you exactly where I am going alright? I don't want issues with my mother and you happen to be her uh, sugar boy" I said in a much kinder tone. He sighed and stretched out his hand. I frowned in confusion.

"Your phone" he said.

I gave it to him, wondering what he was going to do with it.

"Here, I put in my phone number. In case you're in trouble, just call me I'll always answer" he said. I took my phone and swallowed.

"Thank you" I whispered.

"Yeah yeah, have fun with whoever you're with" he replied and focused his attention on the television. I nodded and rushed out. Thankfully, the gateman wasn't there and after looking left and right, I opened the gate and rushed out into the estate street. The Uber I had booked last minute was waiting for me at the gate and I quickly rushed to go there before anyone would stop me.

I found the driver there and off we sped to Ikeja to go meet my father.

While I was in the car, my hands were sweaty with dread and happiness. Dread from the consequences of what I was doing and happiness because I was going to meet my father again.

My phone rang again and seeing an unknown number, I picked it up and placed it in my ear.

"Hello?"

"Justice, it's Amir.."

I hissed and was about to cut the call.

"WAIT! Look I know you are mad as hell with me but please, hear me out. Please I'm begging you with the whole of my self. I'm sorry for being such a fucking asshole. Could we just talk once? Please?"

I sighed and rested my head on the headrest. I wanted to do badly cut the call and ignore him for the 100th time, but then, I wanted to listen too to what he has to say. And a tiny, dark part of me missed him and his touch.

A part I was not proud of.

"School, tomorrow in the arts lab by four thirty. If you are one second late I'm leaving and that's that" I said in a harsh voice. I really didn't want to go to school, but then I was in final year and I've missed school more than enough plus exams were next week and I didn't want to flop my first term exams. Dealing with Amir and seeing Keisha would be tough, but I would handle it.

"For real? Oh my days, thank you so much Jay. You don't know what this means to me right now."

"I never said I was taking you back and we are only talking" I said dryly.

"I know Jay, I know. Thank you for giving me a chance. I miss you so much"

My heart did flips and my stomach had butterflies in them. I sighed because I knew no matter how much I might try to hate Amir, it would never happen.

Ever.

********

"Thank you ma" the driver muttered as I stuffed the cash in his hands. He entered his car and drove off, leaving me alone in front of the big black gate.

Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and banged on the gate.

"Who dey there?" A male voice shouted from within. Before I could speak, the small gate was flung open and a man dressed in blue uniform came out. He eyed me with cautiousness and closed the gate behind him.

Surely dad must have told him I'm coming. I pray he did.

"Uhm hi, my name is Justice Essiet and uh, this is my father's house" I replied.

"Justice Isime Essiet?" The man asked. I nodded my head

"Come in, oga and madam be dey expect you since"

My ears only caught one word.

Madam?

Dad remarried?

Of course he would, he was young when he divorced mother. I didn't blame him for remarrying.

The compound was beautiful, with lush green grass carpets and beautiful flowers that looked foreign, I couldn't help but gawk like a forlorn stranger.

When we got to the front of the door, he took out a walkie talkie and placed it in his ear.

"Sir she is here sir.......sir?......okay sir.... alright sir..."

He shut the walkie talkie and smiled at me

"You can go in ma"

I smiled in gratitude to him and pushed open the rich mahogany door. The inside of the house was even more beautiful. I sat down on one of the couch and claspsed my trembling hands together.

"Justice!"

My heart leapt and the sound of my dad's voice. I jumped up and turned around.

And I saw him.

He was still the same as I've remembered him, only he had sprinkles of white hair amongst the jet black ones. I could see the doe eyes I had too after and the pure innocent look.

I could also see tears gushing from them, same with mine.

"Daddy" I cried and flung myself into his arms. I cried and I held him tight, not willing to let go. He cried too, and patted my back.

Oh how I've missed him!

After a while, he pulled me away from himself and took a good look at me.

"You've grown so beautiful my love. I can't believe you lived seven hours of your life away from me." He said.

"I can't believe I'm here dad. After all these years, after everything and I'm seeing you in flesh and blood and stuff" I said and laughed through my tears.

"I miss you so much" he whispered and drew me to his chest again. It felt warm to feel him again, to scent his vanilla-perfumed clothes and skin. I held him tight somewhat scared this was a dream and I would soon wake up to a nightmare of a reality.

We heard a cough and dad drew me tenderly to his side. I saw a tall, brown skinned beautiful woman standing on the staircase dabbing her eyes with a white handkerchief. She was dressed in an expensive bubu gown and wore scarce jewelry. But even on the simplicity of her dressing, her beauty still shine.

Oh so this must be the 'madam'

I have heard stories of wicked stepmothers and I had a wicked mother already. I looked at her warily, silently hoping she wasn't cruel.

"Oh My darling, meet my wife and uhm, your stepmother Shakira. Honey, this is my daughter Justice" dad said. She smiled warmly at me, the kind of smile mothers give their children when they are proud of them. She came down from the stairs and hugged me before I could even anticipate it.

She smelled like vanilla, just like my dad and I instantly relaxed.

"Oh my dear child, I'm so glad you are here at last. It's good to have you here"

"Thank you ma'am" I replied politely.

"Oh please, call me Kira or if you want, call me mum" she said and smiled shyly at me. I smiled back, certain that I would like her.

"Mum? Is she here?" Another male voice shouted.

A boy?

"She is George! Come downstairs and greet your sister" she shouted. Then she turned to me and smiled again.

"You know, George also goes to your school" she said. Before I could speak, footsteps thundered down the stairs.

"Where is she?"

Whoever-he-was came down and came closer until I saw him.

And I gasped.

He stood still too, looking as shocked as I felt.

It couldn't be.

"Justice?" He called.

"George?"

"You guys know each other?" Dad asked.

"She's my uh classmate from school"

"What a small world" Shakira shouted

But I drowned their voices, swallowed in my thoughts, surprised out of my mind.

George from school was my brother.

George who was ever so nice to me was my step brother.

The Universe have definitely dropped the greatest bomb of all.

Damn...

Double damn...

Triple damn 😭🙏🏾

I never expected that🌚

Who was excited with Justice to meet her dad? I was. Turns out Justice got her looks from her dad 😭😂💕

And he has remarried 🌚✨ that's nice.

What do you think will happen in the next chapter?

Please 🥺 🙏🏾 vote, comment and share 😭