Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Rowland

Waking up feeling angry and awful was no big deal,it was my thing and everyone who knew me knows about that. But this morning, my anger was on a whole new level. I was furious and at the same time irritated at everything. I haven't forgotten what my father had made me do for that lazy bum. It's been a week and all I've wished for is for him to tell me I could stop helping her to work but it hadn't happened. I have had to wake up to see the face of mother and daughter as if it was normal. And my father? All he does is his PDA with his new hag.

I had an important meeting at the office at 9am and so,I had to finish up as quick as I could. I have an excuse to leave her at home and let her find her way. I rolled my eyes again as I remembered how she had warned me sternly that night. I thought I had the hand and suddenly she changed course as if she was the victim. I took my phone from the vanity table and got downstairs. The house was silent as a grave, except for the opening and closing of the drawers in the kitchen by the cook.

Coffee was already ready and was brewing on the heater. I took a mug and poured myself a cup. It was dark and thick, exactly as I wanted it. I sipped it slowly, looking at my wrist watch. I drank the last drop in the mug , making goosebumps appear on my skin as the bitterness settled in my throat and I cringed.

I opened the door as discreetly as I could as I didn't want her to hear the creaking of the door. Thankfully,I got to the car and opened the door and got in. I pressed the ignition button and the engine of the car roared to life. I smiled as I heard the sound of that car. I am finally going to be free from seeing either of them even if it was just for a few hours.

Suddenly,I heard knocking on the side of the car and I jumped in fright. I closed my eyes in frustration. I knew who it was even before opening my eyes. This has to be some joke. Why is this girl hell bent on suffocating life out of me? I muttered. She waved at me smiling and signaled to me to press the unlock button. I contemplated refusing to press it but remembered that my father wouldn't spare to diss me if he found out and finally pressed the button and she entered.

“A good morning to you Rowland,” she said as soon as she entered the car. I didn't answer her but instead kept muttering angrily to myself as I didn't know what exactly was good about the morning. I thought I was finally able to get away from her but I still have to deal with her in the morning. I focused on maneuvering my way out of the car.

“I take it you are not happy to see me? Well, I'm not too keen on seeing you either because I want nothing more than to be out of this house, but my hands are tied. Anyways, even if you are not a morning person, you should at least try to answer greetings. You know, it's something called courtesy.” She lectured.

‘The effrontery,’ I thought, she wants me to be courteous towards her? I stepped on the brake suddenly and she had no time to brace herself. She screamed as she held onto the seat belt and was barely able to prevent herself from hitting her head on the dashboard.

“I know you don't like me but don't kill me Rowland!” She exclaimed breathlessly.

“If you don't want to be killed,then you better mind the way you speak to me. You think you and I are of the same caliber? I'm only doing this because of my father. Now that, and be mindful of your speech or you'll regret it.” I said in anger.

“Oh! I'm so afraid of you”! She exclaimed and I knew from her tone that it wasn't exactly as she said. “And Rowland? Better be careful what you wish for others or it might find the way back to you. Karma is such a big bitch.” she retorted.

I clenched my fist round the steering, trying to stop myself from a counter speech because it wasn't worth it. It would be so slow of me to engage in a sort of argument with her and so, I just overlooked it and faced the road squarely. I drove in anger , wanting nothing but to get her to work and get to my own business. I got to the last bus stop just before her work place, when she suddenly told me to stop.

“What's going on? Why do you want to stop here?” I asked in awe as I suddenly hit the break

“I'll walk down from here. I don't want anyone seeing me with you.” she replied.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked and frowned. She looked around as if she didn't want anyone to see her. Was she truly serious about that? I'm Rowland Johnson for goodness sake!

“I hate to say this, but Rowland. Everyone knows how…ruthless and brutal you can be…I don't want anyone associating me with you in any way.”

Her words stung me surprisingly, making me angry. Even if that was what most people thought of me, how dare she say it to my face? I was what? Ruthless and brutal? Well, I am going to show her exactly what it meant to be cruel. I was about to unlock the door but thought about it again. I ignited the car once more and stepped on the pedal.

“What are you doing? Rowland, stop the car right away,” she said and I laughed happily. It felt good to do that, especially since I saw how distressed she was

“We've arrived, " I said as I got to the front of the company, feeling better. Who the hell does she think she was to boss me around? If she was going to play stupid games, then she must know that I am the boss.

“You.. you,’ she stuttered and shot me an angry look but I looked away. It was payback time. She hissed and opened the door. She slammed the door and was infuriated with me but I really didn't care. It just felt good to see her frustrated just like I have been too.

She walked inside , covering her face with her bag as if she didn't want to be seen with me. Did she really mean what she had said? I thought and frowned before taking a U-turn and headed to my office