A/N; This conversation between Bella and her dad actually took place a day before Daphne and her mom's conversation.

Part Eighteen

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Bella's POV

The bright rays of the sun glistened my room, shining in through the french doors of which I had already taken aside the white and burgundy flowered curtains.

The light illuminated my usually dim sky blue coloured room, making it easier for Mirian and I to play Whot.
We were sprawled on the floor, laying our stomachs flat on the floor.

"Oya go market," Mirian ordered as she played her card. I did as commanded before she played another, "pick two...he he he." she gaffed at me.

"This is not fair at all oo Mirian," I grumbled while sorting my card.

"That's the fun of the game naa...ngwa hold on...continue." She continued throwing her good cards at me.
I couldn't fathom why I haven't beaten her at this game yet. We play this same game literally everyday when we're less busy so why does she beat me at it every time.

Is there something I'm probably doing wrong?' I thought to myself.

After she checked for the third time today and began shuffling the cards, we heard the opening sound of my room door. I turned to see my dad standing before us.

" Hey dad," I stood up to go embrace and give him a peck on his left cheek, "how was work today and why are you back so early?" I asked as we walked back into the room.

"Can't I come to my house anytime I feel like it?" He perked his eyebrows at me while I chuckled at the question.

"Good afternoon sir." Mirian greeted my father.

"Afternoon."

"I will come in later," she said to me. Standing up from the floor, she adjusted her black gown and arranged the cards before she left the room.

"Sweetheart, daddy needs to talk to you about something," he spoke while adjusting for me to sit beside him on my bed.

"Okay...?"

"Well, you see this is the holiday period. It's the Christmas season and I have an earlier surprise for you this time." He played around with his hands and gazing all over my room.
I don't know what could make my dad act this nervous but I'm not thrilled to know either.

"I met a woman,'' he paused and sucked in his breathe after that, "and I like her and wish to take things to the next level with her. In other words, I want to date her." He admitted.

"And you're telling me this because...?"

"Because she'll be coming over in two days time to spend a few days with us. I want you to get to know her, try and be civil and mature with her... okay darling?" He asked as if the entire thing depended on me.

At that moment I didn't know how I felt. I'm not happy that someone would be taking my mom's place in my dad's life but I want to meet this woman who it seemed got to my father. I'd like to get to know her as well.

"Okay daddy. I'll do it for you but are you sure you're happy with her?" I insisted to be sure my dad is not being pushed and actually wants to date her.

"Of course dear. How about we go shopping for one or two things to prepare for her arrival?" He asked

I nodded in the affirmative and he rose up, probably to change his clothes and get his ATM card. I arranged my room after he left and took the opportunity to freshen up. I wore a brown polo and black dungaree with black sneakers, hanging my yellow teddy purse across my shoulder and held my phone in my hand. I had every intention of taking a lot of selfies today.

"Mirian! Mirian!" I called while descending the glass stairs.

"Yes B," she replied coming out from the dinning room which is directly opposite the parlour.

"Why aren't you ready?"

"Ehm..." She tried to give an excuse before I cut in.

"No, no excuse. Go and change, daddy would be down any minute." I said to her as I plopped down on one of the black leather sofas in the parlour.

"Okay." She started making her way towards to her room.

.....

We spent the next days preparing for the arrival of the lady who's still a mystery to me. After we were done with the chores, we decided to watch a movie to pass the time.

' Ding dong' came the sound of the door bell.

"It's probably her. Hurry open the door Miriam," dad ordered her while stretching from his initial sprawled position on the couch.

We were all in the parlour watching 'Clash of the Titans' except Aboy who's guarding the gate, before the bell sounded.
I got up too and navigate my movement from the sitting room to the dinning room and then turning left to the kitchen.

When in the kitchen, I started fanning my face with my hands. I really don't know where the sudden heat came from. I took a lot of care in dressing up today.

I wore my best flared yellow sundress, tieing my short dark virgin hair into a small bun and applied a light makeup on my face with the help of Mirian.

"Welcome Angela." I heard my dad's voice say but I couldn't hear the voice of the person that replied. Despite the fact that my dad has been to almost all parts of Nigeria and even spent some
time in Cameroon, whenever he speaks his native Edo accent is slightly noticeable.

"Hey what are you doing here?" Mirian asked when she came into the kitchen.

"I don't know Mirian, I don't want to come out anymore," I replied honestly.

"Okay, but you promised sir that you will try your best to get to know her. So this is your chance" she smiled genuinely at me.

"Okay, I'm going now." I made my way back to the sitting room.

Immediately I stepped foot into the sitting room, all sounds seemed to stop. Both Father and the woman were looking carefully at my every step.

"Come darling," dad motioned me closer to them with his right hand. The two of them were seated on the couch. As I came closer he continued, "Angie meet my daughter Bella , this is Angela. The woman I told you about."

"Good afternoon Miss." I greeted

"How are you dear?" She had a beautiful smile when she replied and smiled at me.

"I'm fine,"

"She's really beautiful," she said to my dad who wriggled his eyebrows in amusement like I wasn't standing before them.

"How old are you?"

"I'm sixteen,"

"I do have a daughter your age. She's cute but can really be a handful," she explained and I forced a smile.

I was really awed to learn that she has given birth to someone who's probably as old as I am. Her figure is really great then because she doesn't look a day above twenty three.

When the formalities were done and over with, she was taken to the guest room where she freshened up and later joined us for dinner.

It was after dinner that I couldn't take it any longer, my dad and Mirian have been parading her like bees to honey, making up stories and jokes. When dad suggested we play a game of chess together after dinner, I declined.

I went up to my room claiming I had to study for my upcoming exams. The truth is that, I couldn't bear seeing my dad shower all his affection and attention on her. It's also true that I genuinely wanted to get along with her, I was happy for my dad when he delivered the news but now I'm not so enthusiastic about her stay anymore. Somewhere deep down my heart there's this fear that things won't be same between me and my dad, I don't want to be caught in the crossfire again like it was between him and my mom.

I badly needed someone to talk to and I know there's no one else who would listen to my rambling like my mom would. I picked up my phone from my reading desk and dialed her number.
She answered on the fifth ring.

M❤M: Hello sweetie, how's it going over there?

Me: Mom am I a bad person?

M❤M: No of course not baby, why would you ask me that?

Me: It's because she's here mom. She's here and I'm supposed to be happy and welcome her with open arms because she makes daddy happy but I can't mom. I'm not happy and that makes me a bad person right?

M❤M: No sweetheart. You're not a bad person, your reaction is completely understandable. It's just like when you're experienced in a particular field and suddenly someone else appears who seems to be better at it than you, the feeling of bitterness which springs up is the mind's first reaction, but with time and self-reflection you tend to make peace with the new situation. So honey, anytime you feel bitter just remember that your dad brought her into your lives because he's thinking of the best for the both of you. Eventually you'll go into the real world and live your own life but your dad would have seen all the world has to offer by then, all he's going to need is someone who's going to understand him, by his side. If you're worried that you're going to share the love of your father, then I should tell you right now that it won't happen. No matter how strong the love between a couple is, it can never amount to the love shared between a parent and their child.

I sat down on the chair facing the reading desk and replied,

Me: Thank you mom

M❤M: Always honey. So tell me, how's Christmas celebration coming up over there?

Me: I don't know mom, I've always spent Christmas with you. I don't know how it's going to be with dad.

M❤M: it's going to be great honey but do not forget to send me the photos on Facebook.

Me: 'Kay mom, thank you so much for the talk, I'm feeling a lot better now.

M❤M: Anytime honey. Keep in touch and always take care, I love you.

Me: I love you too mom, take better care of yourself.

My voice cracked towards the end of the conversation and I quickly ended the call before mom begins to worry.
She's right, I can handle this new storm, no matter what I'm still my daddy's priceless princess.

Thinking of royalty, this new drama that took place has made me forget that I've been nominated to participate in the 'Smart & Beautiful girl in GCH' coming up in two weeks time after the term's exams. The contest is eligible for females from JS2 to SS3. That we didn't write the exams didn't mean we can't participate in the school annual end-of-the-year party.

I have a lot to do, ranging from selecting appropriate outfit to my makeup and introduction speech and I'm lost of where to begin.
I can't call my mom only to bother her about this, I have to put Angela or whatever her name is, to the test. Tomorrow I'll talk to her about this and see how she would be of help.

°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Do not be confused, Bella is a Nigerian and I know the way I portrayed this chapter may not seem it but I just wanted to bring out the foreigner culture in her.

Hope I did well...Tell me how this chapter is?

Please VOTE, COMMENT and SHARE. Let your friends know about this book.

Yours sincerely,
Amyirechi🌼🌼

Current cover credit WendyOpurum212