Xo Novel
Love of a father
” Who is responsible, Emma?” Antiono thundered in a question. Both ladies were surprised he had been listening to their conversation. They immediately turned to look at him.
” Let’s go inside, Mia. I will quickly prepare dinner. ” Emma answered, trying to avoid Antonio’s question.
Antiono tried to say something but he was stopped by Mia,
” Ariel is here.” She whispered.
He let her be, even though he was still interested in discussing the kidnapper.
” You can leave. I don’t want Charlotte seeing us together. She might plan another kidnap again.” Mia said as she bent to Ariel and whispered something into her ear. The little girl ran Inside.
“What are you saying? Is Charlotte responsible?” Antiono asked, confused.
” I’m not sure, but I think it would be best if we stayed away from each other.” Sfe responded.
” Why are you acting like this?”He had noticed the sudden withdrawal from him and he wasn’t going to keep quiet.
” You’re engaged to Charlotte. She has every right to get angry with me.” She answered honestly.
” You still haven’t told me the relationship you share with Charlotte.”
” I remember saying she’s my sister.”
“Why are you doing this? You know how much you mean to me. You never showed up after that, do you know I was worried about you.”
” I tried coming back to you, especially after finding out I was p…” she stopped halfway .
” What happened?” He became curious and agitated.
” It’s nothing. ” She lied before going Inside.
He watched her figure disappear into the house and knew she was hiding something.
Antiono was sure she wanted to stay with him,
But why was she scared ? Was Charlotte threatening her to stay away? He wasn’t sure but he needed to find out as soon as possible.
He entered inside and found Ariel on a small stool with a bowl of cereal. She was staring at the screen in front of her with such curiosity and rapt attention that she didn’t even notice Antiono’s presence. Antiono thought of beckoning her to tell her he was leaving but on second thought he decided to inform her mother first.
He moved towards the area he assumed was the kitchen, as he got closer he heard whispers and became inquisitive.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
He tiptoed to the door and bent his ears closely to the door.
“You can’t continue keeping him in the dark about your conflict with your sister.” He heard from someone who he presumed was Emma. He was right, it was Emma.
” It’s not time yet. I don’t think it’s the right time.”
” How about the paternity of Ariel.”
” She’s my daughter. Don’t mention anything about her.”
” But she’s his…”
” Please, don’t start now.”
” Okay, but next time I’m not going to keep my mouth shut.” She said like she meant every word.
Antiono sensed their discussion was over and tiptoed back to where Ariel was. It didn’t surprise him that she didn’t notice he left her, she was glad to the screen.
After some minutes, Emma entered the room and he felt relived for leaving early.
” You’re here? I thought you left.”
“I still want to ensure Mia us doing okay,”
” I don’t think that is necessary. I’m here to take care of her.”
” Mr. Antiono, will you come for my school presentation tommorow?” Ariel asked, she was done with the show and was munching her cereal.
“He will be busy with work , Ariel.”
Her face weren’t sad immediately and she dropped her bowl , and ran to hug Antiono.
” Is that true? You promised me.”
” I will come Ariel. I will come to cheer you up.”
” Yes. The others will know I have a daddy.”
She shouted in excitement, Emma didn’t try to stop her. Ariel too deserved a father’s Love. She moved into the room only to find Mia was evesdropping.
” Just because you didn’t get love from your father doesn’t mean you should deny that love for Ariel.”
” Your words really hurt, Emma. Please mind them.”she begged.
” But they are the truth. You know whatever I say is the truth.” Emma answered having no compassion .
” When is the time for the presentation?”Antonio asked
” 10am.”
“I will be there at 9:40, might even come before then.”
” Ohhh…Mr. Antiono. I love you like my own daddy.” He joked.
” I am your daddy, don’t you remember?”
She laughed exposing her white teeth, he hugged her once more and kissed her forehead.
” I have to go now. Expect me Tomorrow. Take care of your mum also.”
He left after planting a kiss in her forehead, he wish he could do same to Mia but she was just scared of Charlotte.
He got to his vehicle and found more than 10 missed calls from Charlotte and his mother.
He dialed his mum’s number first,
” Hello mother.” He greeted .
” Where are you? Charlotte complained you weren’t taking her calls. I was dead worried.”
” I had some urgent work to do. Can we talk later? I’m driving.”
He didn’t wait to hear her response. He disconnected the call and quickly stepped down from the car. He needed to talk to Mia. He came face to face with Mia holding Ariel’s hands, he felt relieved seeing them.
This was the perfect family he had dreamt of and now it was before him but his mother’s ambition was spoiling thingd for him.
He walked towards where Mia was and smiled at her. Ariel, who wanted her mother to get closer to Antonio, took her mother’s hands into Antonio’s. He felt the warmness of her palms and was grateful he had her to himself.
” Will you come for Ariel’s presentation tomorrow?” She asked him.
” I won’t miss it for anything.” He smiled at her, assuring her .
” Mum, invite him to have dinner mummy.” The little girl whispered in a tiny voice.
“He has some work to do now Ariel, I’m sure he will have dinner with us some other time.”
” Is that true? Will you have dinner tomorrow.”
He gave a nod as an answer.
” I have to go now, please take care of yourself.”
She nodded and smiled back at him, you too.
He walked to his car and entered, driving off to the house. He felt relieved and didn’t want to call anyone, nor check his text. That was when he realized he had forgotten to ask Emma who was responsible but he wasn’t worried. He could do that tomorrow once he sees them. He was already excited about seeing them tomorrow.