《The Wrath Of The Shadow Wolf》


 CHAPTER ONE - THE GRIEVING HEARTS

    CHAPTER ONE - THE GRIEVING HEARTS


    It was a little past midnight and everywhere was dark and calm. A cool and gentle breeze blew across


    the house sending a cold chill to Riona as she walked around the house in her nighties with teary eyes.


    She was covered in grief and sorrow which were as a result of the strong pain that has built up inside of


    her.


    As she takes each step, she was lost on the happenings around her and with this, she did not take


    cognizance of the darkness surrounding her. But she knows her way around the house and was able to


    dodge the obstacles in front of her.


    She arrived at the front of a frame on the wall in the sitting room and stopped in front of it. "Mum" she


    muttered and more tears dropped from her eyes.


    Still unconscious, she walked up the staircase and when she got to her dad''s door she stopped. She


    made to turn the door handle but changed her mind and withdrew her hand. She turned and continued


    to her room.


    When she got to her room, she opened the door and turned on the lights. She slowly walked to her bed


    andid down. Then she covered herself up to her shoulderd with her duvet and closed her eyes.


    As soon as Riona entered her room, Wright opened the door to his room and walked out. He was


    putting on only boxers and the upper part of his body was uncovered and left bare exposing his


    muscles and his perfect skin. He stood tall in the darkness, his physique overshadowing the coldness


    of the midnight air.


    He walked through the passage way and came to Riona¡¯s door. He stopped in front of the door and he


    decided to open it to know if Riona was awake. Carefully, he opened the door slightly and takes a peep


    inside. Wright was been careful in this as he does not want to disturb Riona by his activities by this time


    of the night and he hopes that she was deep in sleep.


    When he looked into the room, he saw her lying on her bed and with her appearance he could tell that


    she was fast asleep. The lights were on and he reached for the switch by the side of the door and put


    off the lights. After that, he closed the door gently and left. Even though he had confirmed that Riona


    was sleeping, he was still conscious of his movements and he quietly walked down the staircase to the


    sitting room to avoid making any sound that would alert Riona.


    From his look, it was obvious that he had been restless and was very exhausted. All night long, he had


    tried to get some sleep but was unable to because all through the night, his mind kept drifting to the


    events of the past month.


    As soon as he got into the sitting room, he yawns and stretches himself. After the stretch, he walks up


    to the frame on the wall which has Evolette¡¯s picture and he looked at it. With his eye still focused on


    the picture, he murmured ¡°It is today darling¡±. After saying this, he smirked.


    He hopes that the picture had heard what he said and so he stood in front of the picture looking at it for


    a little while longer. Then he gradually closed his eyes and he ced his right hand on the frame and


    keeping a sad and weary face, he slowly ran his fingers through the picture.


    His heart is bitter and he felt he cannotst a second longer. He wants to be free from all of these, from


    the pains that is within and hunting him. He wants to shade off his human skin. It has been very long he


    did this. Actually, he had vowed never to do it but right now, he was left with no choice but to be free


    and he hopes that shading off his human skin would bring him the relief that he so much desires at this


    point in his life.


    ¡°Till we met again love¡± He said to the picture.


    He slowly removed his hands from the frame and opened his eyes that were already holding some


    tears. He takes some steps backwards from it.


    He stops and looked around the sitting room and he growled. When he stopped, he once again takes a


    look around the sitting room and he growled one more time, this time louder than the first.


    He quietly takes off his clothes from his body and after that, he looks around the sitting room another


    time and in the swift of a second, in pains, he shifted in to a wolf.


    After he had shifted into his wolf, he growled once again and he ran out of the house through the back


    door and into freedom.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Wright took the tes from the kitchen and to the dining table with a heavy heart. He dropped the


    tes on the dining table and returned to clean up the kitchen and to ensure that everything is kept in


    order.


    When he was done with fixing the kitchen, he nced at his wrist watch, and it was 6:48 am. He sighs


    heavily, his hands brace against the kitchen sink.


    He stalled as he remembered the way his daughter, Riona, wept at her mother¡¯s bedside at the


    hospital. Riona had lost her mother and he had lost his beloved wife. He hadn¡¯t taken Riona back to


    see her mother after that encounter, and now he had to tell his daughter that her mother would beid


    to rest today and he just could not bring himself to do that as he does not know how to go about it


    without steering up her emotions.


    ¡°Oh God what is all this. How would I be able to go about this?¡± He said to himself.


    Even as a werewolf, he has not been able to control the hurt that he feels at the demise of his lovely


    wife, Evolette, no matter how hard he tries to. So the thought of how painful this is to his precious


    daughter, Riona only caused him more pain. He could not do anything to ease her pains even at this


    dire moment when he needs to do something. He could not bear to think about how painful this is to


    Riona who is only but a human and could not absorb pains or control her emotions.


    ¡°I need your help Lord¡± he sighs.


    He left the kitchen and walks to the staircase. He was going to go break the news of Evolette¡¯s burial to


    Riona in her room. However, he stopped at the staircase and hesitated for a while as he contemted


    on whether to continue with his mission or not.


    After fighting a morning struggle against his heart and mind he climbs the stairs with a lead filled feet.


    ¡°I have got to do this now¡± He murmured as he approaches Riona door.


    Still filled with reluctance, he stoped at her door and raised his hand with the intention of knocking. He


    slightly stalls then finally tapped on the door.


    He waited, but no reply.


    He knocks again, ¡°Riona darling are you awake?¡± He asked.


    Yet there was no reply from Riona. He contemted on what to do as he was reluctant on opening the


    door. After what seem like forever, he grabbed the handle of the door and he gently opened it.


    He saw Riona lying on the bed, she was wide awake. He stood and stared at her and she stares back


    at him. Wright heart aches as he sees her eyes, a replica of her mother¡¯s, but now reddened by


    frequent tears.


    Riona reminds him so much of Evolette, his wife and anytime that he looks at her, he remembers the


    first time that he had seen Evolette at her friend''s ce and had fallen in love with her on first sight


    even though shepletely different from him. She is human.


    Riona possesses all the attractive features of her mum, from the long brown hair, to her straight legs


    and then to her sulent pink lips and that eyes. She also has a great height just like Evolette. And


    even at age twelve, she already has the curves in all the right ces.


    After Wright had met Evolette, he had immediately revealed his werewolf identity to her. At first, she


    considered his assertions as being ridiculous but when he had gone ahead to shift right before her. At


    first, she found the whole situation very strange but epted to be with him after her had assured her


    that he has no intention of continuing with been a werewolf.


    When Riona was born, Evolette asked him to embrace his real self for the sake of their daughter


    because she could as well be a werewolf just like him. However, he and Evolette had vowed not to let


    her in on his identity until shees of age and is able to fullyprehend and handle the truth.


    Looking at how inquisitive Riona had turned out, Wright felt that keeping away his identity from her was


    the best thing to do for now at least till she bes more matured.


    He tried to soften the act in his voice before greeting her. ¡°Hey dear¡±.


    ¡°Good morning daddy¡± Riona replied.


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    She was still staring at him expressionlessly and she did not even make any attempt to get out of her


    bed.


    He takes a seat next to Riona and ced his hands on her body.


    ¡°Listen Rio, I need to tell you something that is happening today...¡±


    He falters, clearing his throat before continuing his sentence.


    Riona stares at her dad with eyes of innocence as she waspletely oblivious of the situation.


    He coughed again and tears dropped from a corner of his left eyes.


    ¡°Today is the day ¡­¡±


    A knock at the door downstairs snags Wright¡¯s attention from his daughter. He breathes a breath of


    relief and immediately stood up.


    ¡°Give me a minute Rio, let me see who is at the door¡±


    Riona did not respond to her dad¡¯s excuse, instead she rolled her eyes and immediately turned her


    back to him.


    Wright stood up and stared at Riona for a little while. Actually, he felt lost at her disposition and within


    him, he sincerely hope that Riona is a werewolf just like him. For this he has to wait until her sixteenth


    birthday to find out. Hopefully, she would shift on the full moon of her sixteenth birthday.


    And he has to get her ready for this. He alone cannot do that alone and so he ns on getting her


    close to a female werewolf who would take out her time to exin everything to her so that she would


    not find it strange if she discovers that she is a werewolf.


    ¡°I would be right back¡± Wright said and walked out.

 CHAPTER TWO - ALL FOR MUM

    CHAPTER TWO - ALL FOR MUM


    Wright rushes down the staircase and went to see who was at the door. He wasn¡¯t expecting any guest


    this early and he wondered who it was that havee to see him by this time.


    He got to the door and opened it. He managed to force some smiles as he saw Maeve and Riley


    standing right before him, each holding a bunch of flowers. They presence gave him some sort of a


    reassurance, the kind that he felt he needed at this present situation.


    Riley is Riona¡¯s ssmate and even though they had not been best of friends, they still find a way to


    get along. Maeve is Riley¡¯s mother. Maeve started showing interest anding close to the family after


    Evolette passed on.


    ¡°You are here already¡± Wright said as he weed them into the house.


    ¡°Good morning Wright¡± Maeve greeted.


    ¡°Hello Maeve, hello Riley¡± Wright greeted the both of them.


    He moved a little and gave way for the both of them to enter inside the house and with a smile on their


    faces, they entered and dropped their flowers on a table. However, they both remained standing.


    Wright closed the door and turned towards them.


    ¡°Good morning Mr. Wright. We brought some flowers for you and Riona¡± Riley announced.


    ¡°That is very thoughtful of you Riley¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°And how is Riona?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°I believe she is fine Riley¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Would I be able to go be with her?¡± Riley requested.


    ¡°I doubt she would want that, but anyways, thanks for the offer, I appreciate¡± Wright replied.


    Haven gotten a negative response from Wright, Riley went to sit on a couch.


    ¡°How is she, have you been able to tell her yet?¡± Maeve asked.


    Instead of providing a response, Wright rubbed his hands on his face.


    ¡°I can help you do that if you don¡¯t mind¡± Maeve volunteered.


    ¡°There would be no need for that Maeve, I can take care of it, I assure you of that¡± he said.


    ¡°Are you sure you do not need my help Wright?¡± Maeve asked.


    She smiles as she speaks. She knows how difficult it had been for Wright to pass this information to his


    daughter, Riona. He has been postponing this for like forever and right now, he cannot dy any longer


    and must tell her this very moment.


    ¡°Trust me already Maeve, I said I got thispletely under control¡± he responded.


    ¡°Come on Wright, I know exactly how these things are. She is human and we both know how emotional


    they can get over things like this¡± Maeve said.


    Wright quickly looked around the house to know if someone has heard Maeve¡¯sst sentence. When


    he was certain that they were the only ones in the room, he whispered ¡°please keep it low Maeve, be


    conscious of your environment¡±


    ¡°Sorry if I scared you Wright, but I know they was no other person here¡± Maeve mumbled.


    ¡°I said I got this under control, I can handle it¡± Wright snapped.


    Wright was already beginning to feel nervous and he wished he could rather do away with Maeve¡¯s


    unending questions as they were only adding to his anxiety.


    Maeve was immediately sorry for what she had said as she noticed how her statement has gotten to


    Wright and how nervous and furious that he was. So in a bid to pacify him, she said ¡°Sure, of course


    you do and I trust that it will be fine¡±


    ¡°Thank you so much foring Maeve, I really appreciate¡± Wright said as all he wanted to do was to


    dismiss them and be all alone to face Riona.


    Maeve carefully looked around the house. She wanted to ensure that everything was where they


    should be and that nothing requires her assistance.


    When she was sure that everything was fine, she asked him ¡°Is there something that I can help with


    before we leave?¡±


    ¡°No Maeve, everything is perfect, believe me, I am in control here¡± he replied.


    She looked at him intensively, as she was searching to see if he was hiding anything from her. When


    she was satisfied that he was not hiding anything, she said.


    ¡°That is good to know Wright¡±.


    ¡°So when would you guys be ready, it almost time¡± she asked.


    ¡°Do not worry Maeve¡± he replied.


    ¡°Are you sure about that?¡± she persisted.


    She was beginning to look worried. Wright had never acted this way towards her and so she wondered


    why he should be acting all cold towards her. She knows he is the reserved type, but she is actually


    doing what she believes is the best for him and his daughter.


    She has been there once too, and she knows that this is a trying time and she was only trying to assist.


    ¡°You can leave now Maeve¡± he instructed.


    Immediately the words left his lips, he realized that he was been too blunt and unfair to someone who


    has decided to stand by him at a time that he needed a friend by his side and so he quickly retracted


    his words and said.


    ¡°I sincerely appreciate your kindness Maeve¡­¡±


    He paused for a while and stared at her, he wanted to be sure that she was not misunderstanding his


    motives and so, in a bid to ensure this, he said slowly.


    ¡°Rio and I would like to go through this alone at the moment¡±


    Realizing that he might have just passed the wrong message, he quickly added.


    ¡°I am actually trying to say that I would like to be alone with her when I pass the news to her. Please


    don¡¯t get me wrong¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Wright, I believe we have to leave now¡± she said.


    Immediately Maeve said that they were about to leave, Riley got up and heads towards the door.


    As Maeve was about to take some steps towards the door, Wright grabs her by her wrist. He looks at


    her, his eyes begging her to understand the dilemma that he finds himself in at the moment and


    understand him.


    Maeve understood his plight and so did not attempt to remove her hands from his grips.


    ¡°I understand Wright, we would seeter in the day¡± Maeve said.


    Wright knows Maeve well enough to tell that those words were truly from her heart and so, he let go of


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    her wrist and she left with her daughter, Riley.


    Wright remained where he was and stared at the door for a while. When he was done, he went and


    locked it and climbed back upstairs to Riona¡¯s room.


    When he entered the room, he noticed that Riona was still lying down with her back against the door


    and so he was not sure if she was sleeping.


    ¡°Are you still awake, Rio? He asked.


    His voice was a little bit tensed.


    In response, she turned to face him.


    ¡°Okay, as I was saying¡­¡± He began.


    He walked to the chair beside the bed and sat on it. He cleared his throat in preparation for his speech.


    Riona watched her dad¡¯s countenance carefully and she noticed that he was avoiding her eyes and


    was also finding it very difficult to tell her the news that he¡¯s got for her. She tried to think about what


    could be possible reasons for that. And when she concluded that no news would be worse than the


    news of losing her mum, she decided to make it easy for him to talk to her.


    Actually, Riona has almost lost her voice as a result of her constant crying for her mum¡¯s death. But


    despite this fact, she managed to speak with her barely audible voice.


    ¡°What do you want to say dad?¡± she asked and went on to stare nkly at him.


    Wright was d at the question from Riona as he saw it as the push he needed to start, so he quickly


    grabbed it.


    ¡°You know this past month has been a very challenging and trying times for us, you and I. After we lost


    your mum, my wife¡­¡± he suddenly stopped.


    At the mention of her mum, Riona closed her eyes for a few seconds. Wright clinched his fist and


    tightened his lips.


    After Riona was done closing her eyes, she opened them and said to her dad ¡°Continue dad, I am


    listening¡±


    This was much more to the surprise of Wright because Riona has always instantly broken down


    whenever her mum was mentioned.


    ¡°Thanks Rio, your mum, my wife¡­ have to beid to rest¡­" He stammers.


    "Actually, what I mean to say is that, today, she would beid to rest today. It is actually going to be this


    morning¡± he finally said.


    He was talking in a rush, as he does not want anything to stop him or any of the word to elude him.


    Riona listened attentively as he spoke and all along, she never tried to interrupt him.


    Wright watched her countenance, and he was surprised as to how well she has received the news.


    Seeing that she was been receptive, he became more rxed and continued.


    ¡°We have to be there Rio, we have to be there for her, to pay homage and show ourst respect for


    her. She meant so much for us, and this is ourst chance to show her just how much she means to


    us¡±


    Riona listened attentively to her dad and she waited patiently for him to finish speaking before she


    responded.


    ¡°Okay dad, I will do just anything to make my mum happy¡±.


    She managed to force some smile, and Wright also managed to smile back at her.


    She got up from her bed and said ¡°Let me get ready immediately dad¡±


    ¡°Yea Rio, when you finish,e down for breakfast¡± he said as he gets up to leave the room.


    But fearing that she might declineing to the dining table and thus not taking any breakfast, he


    quickly added.


    ¡°Or I can go get it up here for you right now if you don¡¯t mind¡±


    ¡°I will be joining you dad¡± she responded.


    Her response was like a miracle to Wright. Ever since her mum¡¯s demise, she has barely eaten, let


    alone join him or any of their guest(s) at the dining.


    ¡°Dad¡± she called.


    ¡°Yes Rio¡± he responded.


    ¡°It¡¯s just the two of us now right, we¡¯ve got each other now that mum has left us?¡± she asked.


    Wright did not know the reason for her question so he hesitated to reply to it for some seconds.


    However, fearing that refusing to respond might trigger her emotions, he answered.


    ¡°Of course Rio, just you and I¡±


    She went over to him and hugged him.


    ¡°We¡¯ve got no one else, just the two of us, all to our self. And I know that mum is with us too, and even


    though we cannot see her, she would not let us be all by ourselves¡± she said.


    ¡°Just us Rio, just us¡± he said.


    She released him from her embrace.


    ¡°And dad¡± Riona called.


    ¡°What is it dear?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I know I am not hallucinating dad, but I heard some growls earlier today. I don¡¯t know what time, but it


    was still very dark and it was almost as if the maker was inside of this house. I was wondering if you


    heard it too¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that is correct Rio. You know you have been downtely and moreover, where could such


    havee from? There are no bushes around us¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Never mind dad, I will join you shortly¡± Riona said.


    ¡°And I will be expecting you downstairs Rio¡± he responded.


    ¡°And I would be there in a jiffy¡± she said.

 CHAPTER THREE – LAID TO REST

    CHAPTER THREE ¨C LAID TO REST


    It is the burial ceremony of Evolette, and the graveyard was filled with friends and loved ones who had


    bereaved family.


    With the countenance of everyone present, it was so obvious that they would miss Evolette so much as


    she had been a dear friend to them during her lifetime.


    Riona watched on absentmindedly as the priest prayed over the remains of herte mum, Evolette. All


    through the duration of the whole event, she was lost and was absent minded on all the happenings


    around her. The death of her mum had hit her so badly and it had turned her into a shadow of her


    formal self.


    Riona had not known when the priest was done with the intercession and even when he had said ¡®We


    pray oh Lord¡¯, she was still aware.


    It was everyone present had chorused ¡®Amen¡¯ that her mind was drawn back to them.


    Haven been absent minded all through the final rites, and brought her back to the present by the sound


    of amen from the crowd; she focused her gaze at the coffin in front of the priest.


    Riona wondered how such a little piece of wood would be able to hold her mum captive for a very long


    time. She reminisced on how she would be able to go on all alone without her own mother to lead,


    guide and love her and within her, she cursed the coffin and death. Of course her dad, Wright is great;


    there was no denying that fact. But there was Maeve, clung all over him, like she has been waiting for


    this very moment her whole life.


    Thinking of her dad, she turned to his direction. She saw him in grief, and she could see Maeve all


    glued to him, pretending to console him.


    The sight of Maeve beside Wright disgusted Riona. And no matter what happens, she will never trust


    Maeve¡¯s sudden friendliness and sympathy over the death of her mum. To her, Maeve should be the


    enemy.


    Riona cannot remember where Maeve emanated from and how or why she all of a sudden decided to


    be a part of their lives.


    Even in her grief, Riona was able to ess Maeve for the untempt time. To her, there was no doubt


    that Maeve was beautiful and she also appears to be lovely. But then, her beauty was nothing to Riona


    who believes that Maeve beauty goes to no issue whenpared to her mum, Evolette. As for been


    nice, Riona overlooked that fact as she believes that she was only acting that role in order to gain her


    and her father¡¯s trust. An agenda that Riona has already vowed to make impossible.


    She cannot fathom ever seeing Maeve around her family. She only sprung out after the demise of her


    mother, Evolette and Riona had never hesitated to show Maeve that even though her presence brought


    her father some constion, she will never be epted as part of them no matter how hard she tries.


    It is not as if Riona had never knew Maeve before now, on the contrary she had knew Maeve ever


    since she was little. But then, she was never this close to her family and Riona had never seen her


    close to her dad before now. So what changed after the death of her mum? This is a mystery that


    Riona is bent on unraveling.


    ¡°Hey Riona, I am so sorry that you have to go through this¡± a voice said beside Riona.


    Riona turned to see that Riley was standing next to her. Seeing Riley by her side, Riona can¡¯t tell if she


    was justing to stand beside her or if she has been there the whole time. However, Riona was not


    in any mood to amodate Riley at this moment and was ready to out rightly discharge her if she


    persisted.


    She takes a look at Riley, and she noticed that her eyes were red. Riona concluded that that might be


    as a result of crying at this asion but nevertheless, the realization did not bring any relief to Riona,


    but only further disgusted her.


    Why the hell was she crying? Riona thought. Was she the one that had lost her mum? Riona does not


    seem to understand the excess show of care and concern on the part of Riley. She could only conclude


    that she was just like her mum, a person that Riona has already termed as an opportunists.


    ¡°ept my condolence dear¡± Riley added.


    Riley was hoping Riona would embrace her kind gesture, and would not see her as an intruder. She


    knows what Riona was going through right now and how much she would need a friend to talk to and


    she was hoping that friend would be her.


    However, Riona was filled with nothing but disdain. She believes Riley is only acting up and she could


    not take this shameless show of hypocrisy any longer. The truth is that, as a ssmate, Riley was a girl


    that Riona has a little respect for, but these past weeks has revealed a whole lot to her and had made


    her to start seeing Riley as a person one needs to be conscious of.


    Rather than respond to Riley¡¯s condolences, Riona decided to go meet her dad who all along has been


    upied by Maeve. Her main concern was to go get Maeve far away from her dad since she does not


    appear to be shameless in her desperation.


    As Riona walks towards her dad, Wright, whose face had been bowed to the ground all along,


    suddenly looked up and saw Riona approaching. He brightened up a little to receive his daughter.


    ¡°Hey Riona¡±


    Wright called her as soon as she was standing in front of him.


    A tear dropped from her eyes as she could feel the pains in his voice. The death of her mum has really


    been hard on the both of them. She wishes she could do something to bring him back to how he used


    to be before the demise of her mum. Riona vowed that she would do anything, absolutely anything to


    achieve this but would not let Maeve in even if she is the solution that she seeks.


    ¡°Daddy¡± she replied.


    She went to where he was standing and she intentionally stood between him and Maeve.


    Riona turned to see that Riley had actually followed behind her and was now right where they were,


    standing close to Maeve.


    Riona is strongly of the opinion that Riley and Maeve have all along been waiting for an opportunity to


    take over her family and Riona is as much ready to forestall this attempt. Riona sees them as been


    wicked for wanting to profit from her misfortune.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Riona did not want to be in thepany of Maeve and Riley as she detests their presence. So she


    held Wright by the hands and led him away from them. She wanted him all to herself.


    As she led Wright through the mist of those that havee to sympathise with them, and away from


    Riley and Maeve, her eyes wandered through the sympathisers once again.


    She could see her aunt Kyra standing beside her husband, Phillip with his right hand on her shoulders.


    Kyra and Philip had flown in from Regina this morning for the burial.


    Kyra wore a dark shade on her ck gown and even in her grief, she still looked pretty. She has not


    been able to bring herself to alter much word ever since her elder sister, Evolette passed on.


    She saw Maeve¡¯s family members, the Johnsons. She was able to recognize them as she had


    attended two or more parties at Riley¡¯s ce as a little girl. The ones that her dad had made her go as


    he ims it would make her appreciate everyone even those beneath her ss. Her mum was not in


    full support of her attending those parties but she never tried to stop her against her dad¡¯s wish.


    As a little child, Riona had this fear for the Johnsons. This fear has been built up from how she has


    always felt whenever she attended Riley¡¯s parties at their house. She wondered why there should have


    such arge expanse ofnd at the outskirts of town all to themselves and how much care they had put


    in to ward off intruders when they should have just sold a good part of it to better their lot.


    Riona knew that the Johnsons were not anywhere close to her family in terms of wealth and yet her


    dad does not have such arge expanse of property. Because of this, Riona suspects that the


    Johnsons must be hiding something in most of their rooms as they were just numerous for her to count


    and there were not in use.


    One very singr asion had almost confirmed Riona¡¯s fear and when she had gone home to


    narrate her experience to her mum, her mum had used that opportunity to stop her from attending any


    more asions at the Johnsons.


    On that day, in disregard to Mr. Johnson¡¯s instructions, Riona had wandered to the back of the house


    and for a moment she could swear that she had seen about three huge wolves right in the middle of the


    big field. What further rmed Riona was the fact that she could swear that she had heard one of the


    wolves speak and they had all ran off as soon as they had noticed her presence.


    She had been so scared to speak and in her frightened state, she had not known when Maeve had


    Upon been revived, she had narrated what she had witnessed to Maeve and her mum, Mrs. Johnson


    but they instantly brushed it aside as an hallucination on her part.


    She has gone home to narrate the event to her parents but her dad had scolded her for disobeying Mr.


    Johnson¡¯s order and her mum had restricted from ever attending any event at the Johnsons.


    Riona does not know why, but after some years, she noticed that Maeve stopped inviting her to any of


    their asions after her encounter at the back of their house so she took the task of knowing what lies


    beyond the estate of the Johnsons. Her search only revealed that the Johnsons resides at the borders


    of the city and her search did not reveal the possibility of having a wolf within the parameters of their


    property.


    Since then, Riley has remained just a ssmate, and even though both girls are not best of friends,


    they have always found a way to get along as ssmates simpliciter.


    Riona could also see her team from Re Aid, the Non-Governmental organization that is owned by


    her mum. Cindy was in their midst. She has been a dutiful and diligent staff all these years and Riona


    knows that with Cindy by her side, she would not have any difficulty in running the affairs of Re


    Aid.


    Riona led Wright to the front of the gathering. At the time they were almost close to where the priest


    was standing, the coffin was ready to be confined to mother earth.


    In fear of watching her mum gone away from her forever, she clinched onto Wright as she could not


    bear to look at the remains of her mum buried toe out no more. She wanted to scream and wail,


    perhaps that would make her mume back to her but as much as she tried, she could only let out


    some sobs.


    She has lost her strength and her voice from crying for the past month since the demise of Evolette,


    and now she has no tears left to shade anymore.


    Tears dropped from Wright¡¯s eyes as he watched the remains of histe wife been finallyid into the


    earth.


    He held his little girl to himself, he could not imagine how much she must have suffered from missing


    Evolette, her mum.


    When he broke the news of her mum¡¯s death to her, he saw how traumatised she was and how she


    could not bring herself to ept that her mum was gone to be seen no more.


    The next few days that followed after that was hell to both Wright and Riona. Riona would not stop


    wailing as she refused to eat anything and asking that her mum be brought back to her.


    During thoss times, Wright had hated more than anything else to see his beloved daughter in such


    state, but what more can he do? On his part, he could not even console himself. For days, he lived in


    denial of Evolette¡¯s death, he believed that his lovely wife was going to walk through the door and


    return to him and their precious little daughter, Riona to make their family whole and happy once again.


    It was only until this morning that Riona has stopped crying and had joined him in the dining for


    breakfast when he announced to her that Evolette would beid to rest today.


    At first, Wright had feared that Riona would not want toe for the burial. He fear was premised on


    her blunt refusal to ept the death of her mum, Evolette. Hence, he was very careful when he was


    rying the information to her.


    Riona watched as sands were poured to fill the earth. Unwilling to take it, she held her breath and also


    closed her eyes. When it became impossible for her to sustain herself without air, she opened her


    mouth slightly and began to breathe a little bit fast as she starts to gasps for air.


    ¡°It will be okay Rio, mum is fine wherever she is right now¡± Wright whispered to Riona.


    When Wright, saw that the whole scenario was bing too much for his daughter to take, he decided


    to lead her out of the premises for he too was unwilling to look on any longer.


    He led her to the back of the venue, away from everyone. He took her to an empty bench and they both


    sat on it.


    ¡°She will be fine dad¡± Riona said.


    Her voice was barely audible and it was obvious that she was only trying to reassure herself that her


    mum would be fine.


    Wright looked at his daughter, not sure whether to respond or not. In reaction, he could only shake his


    head in affirmation to what she had said.


    ¡°She loves us, and did not just leave us¡± Riona continued.


    What Riona just said touched Wright so much. Yes, it is undeniable that his wife loves him and their


    daughter, Wright was certain that if Evolette was given an option to pick, she would have chosen to


    stay with them and not leave.


    ¡°And I believe that she knows that we love her too and would forever miss her so dearly¡± She added.


    Wright ced his hands on Riona¡¯s shoulders to assure her that he is still here for her and would never


    leave her, at least not anytime soon.


    ¡°She knows dear, we love her¡± Wright managed to say.


    ¡°Hello Mr. Wright¡± Cindy called.


    Wright looks up to see Cindy standing just a little distance from them and he replied her. ¡°Hi Cindy¡±


    ¡°Please you cane inside now¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°Very well Cindy. Thank you¡± Wright replied.


    Cindy went back inside and looking at her, Riona wished she would be closer to her family in ce of


    Maeve as she has been very good to her mum and has diligently worked for her and the organization.


    Wright held her by the hands and they both stood up. They looked at each other and smiled and still


    holding hands, they both walks back inside.

 CHAPTER FOUR – MEMORIES

    CHAPTER FOUR ¨C MEMORIES


    Riona is all alone in her room and is seated on her bed and going through herptop. As she scrolled


    through her pictures on theptop, she arrived at a picture she had taken with her mum at the city¡¯s fun


    park. Riona stopped as she arrived at the picture. The picture brought back memories. Memories she


    would never want to forget, and she wished were not mere memories anymore. Unable to decide what


    her reaction should be, she only stared at the photo with feelings of love and hopes.


    Thereafter, she ced theptop on the bed beside her as her mind drifted to when she and her mum


    had taken the picture only but some months ago.


    On that day, Riona had casually requested that she and her mum went to the park together with some


    of the kids that Re Aid provides for. But then she never knew that would be thest time that she


    would ever be there with her mum.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    FLASHBACK


    Riona and Evolette were in the city fun park and they were taking selfies with their phones. Unlike


    Riona, Evolette was eager to capture every fun moment that she has with her daughter.


    Cindy was the person in charge of the kids that they hade with and she led them round the parks


    to have fun.


    Evolette kept on leading Riona round and round to different backgrounds at the park to take more


    selfies amidst subtle protest from Riona who felt that this was unending and wanted them to be rather


    engaged in other fun activities rather than just waste the whole day on selfies.


    However, in response to Riona¡¯s protests Evolette said ¡°Come on Rio, this is going to be thest one I


    promise¡±.


    She dragged Riona to the front of a roller coaster.


    ¡°But mum, you have been saying that the whole day, since we got here, we have done nothing but take


    selfies¡± Rionamented.


    ¡°Baby girl, I am serious this time. It¡¯s going to be thest one¡± Evolette assured her.


    Riona reluctantly posed and smiled for the camera as Evolette positioned her phone to take more


    selfies.


    ¡°And to think that we came here specifically on my request and now we are doing only your biddings¡±


    Rionained.


    Evolette dragged her to another side in front of the roller coaster and took more pictures. Riona kept


    as she engages in her selfie taking task.


    ¡°Mum, I had believed today was going to be about me¡± Riona put up more protest.


    Riona was almost in teras as she watched herself been dragged by her mum from one location to


    another while the kids that they had brought along with them were scattered all over the park having


    the best fun.


    ¡°Okay, we would do what you want just about now. Please pose for thest shot dear. Say cheese¡±


    Evolette requested.


    ¡°Cheese¡± they both chorused.


    After Evolette was done with the shots, she turned to Riona.


    ¡°So what would you like us to do now, would you like a game or some ride?


    Riona looked around the park as she contemted on what to choose. Her eyes settled on the merry


    go round horse and she smiled.


    Evolette noticed what Riona was up to and she could tell the choice that she was about to make. So


    she quickly put up some protest.


    ¡°No, no Rio, not that one¡± she pleaded.


    ¡°Of course not mum, I would be asking that we go for the merry go round over there¡± Riona replied.


    She pointed to exactly where her eyes had been all along, the same ride her mum had protested


    against.


    ¡°Must it be that Rio, you always pick that one¡± Evolette protested.


    ¡°Come on mum, you will enjoy it, I promise¡± Riona said.


    Riona held her mum by the hands and drags her along with her to the merry go round. Evolette had no


    other option but to give in to Riona¡¯s request after all they have been doing all she wanted since the


    time they arrived at the park and this time, it was time to allow Riona lead.


    ¡°You always say so Rio, but it is just the same every other time. Are you even aware that you are a big


    girl now Rio?¡± Evolette asked.


    Riona did not mind her mum¡¯s objection. All she knows is that she would pick exactly what she fancies.


    ¡°You will enjoy it this time mum¡± Riona replied.


    Shepletely ignored her mum¡¯sint, but continued to her destination.


    ¡°You will be 12 in just a few month time Rio. Do you even realize that?¡± Evolette asked.


    They stopped in front of the ride for Riona to go get their tickets for the ride. But before Riona left for


    the tickets, she responded to her mum¡¯sst question.


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be in 5 months mum, I just turned 11 and moreover, you know I love merry go round¡±.


    When she arrived with the tickets, Evolette brought out her phone for more selfies.


    ¡°Not again mum. The other kids are already having all the fun¡± Riona protested.


    She tried to resist her, but Evolette was having none of it.


    ¡°Just this one, and we would go in¡± Evoletteughed.


    Riona looked at her and knowing who her mum is and that she would not be able to stop her, she


    obliged.


    After Evolette had taken the selfie, she said to Riona.


    ¡°You never can tell when you would need these memories dear, you will look back and smile. These


    are treasurable moments to be cherished forever¡± Evolette said.


    Riona inhaled and smiled. She grabs her mum by the hands and the both of them entered inside for the


    ride.


    ¡°Rio¡± a child called.


    Riona turned and saw that it was one of the kids that hade with them. Her name is Sandra and


    she said ¡°Hey Sandra¡±


    ¡°I want to join you for the merry go round¡± Sandra said.


    Sandra is a pretty little girl of six that is always glued to Evolette and Riona whenever there is an


    opportunity to. And so, Riona did not find her request unusual but was very ready to grant it.


    ¡°That would be great love, do you have a ticket already?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°No I don¡¯t have any ticket with me¡± Sandra replied.


    Riona walks up to her and hands her ticket over to Sandra


    ¡°You can have mine Sandra, I will go get another for myself¡± Riona offered.


    Sandra beamed with smile as Riona dly granted her request. She happily collected the ticket from


    Riona ¡°Thank you Rio¡± She eximed.


    As Riona goes for another ticket, Sandra ran and took Evolette¡¯s hand and drags her into the merry go


    round.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    It was the very selfie that she took with her mum in front of the merry go round horse that she saw and


    remembered the event that happened on that day.


    Riona got up from her bed and wiped the tears that had formed on her eyes. She went for her


    wardrobe and when she got to it, she opened it. She wanted to go through each and every one of her


    clothes as she wanted to have more memories of her mum.


    She began to pick out her dresses one after the other. With each of the clothes that she brings out of


    her wardrobe, she wore a smile as she reminiscence on how each of them reminds her of herte


    mum. However, when she brings out any clothes that have an exceptional memory of herte mum,


    she would chuckle. But she waspletely indifferent to a few of the clothes. She drops any cloth that


    she was done with on the floor and goes for another.


    As she continues in her search, she got to a pink blouse and stops. She sniffed the blouse, smiled and


    goes to sit on a chair.


    ¡°Mum¡± she said.


    She held out the blouse and looked at it once again and she chuckled at the memory that it brings.


    ¡°I will forever remember and love you mum, I will cherish your memory forever¡± she said.


    She held the blouse close to her bossom and a tear dropped from her eyes.


    The sight of the blouse took her down memoryne and she began to remember the whole activity


    surrounding the blouse.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    FLASHBACK


    It was over a year ago, on a Monday morning. Riona runs down the staircase of their house. She was


    putting on a singlet and little shorts and she was holding a brown short re skirt in one hand.


    Wright and Evolette were already having breakfast when Riona ran downstairs. And as Wright saw


    what she was putting on, he was surprised that she was not dressed for school yet.


    ¡°What happened, Rio, you ought to be ready for school already. Why aren¡¯t you ready yet?¡± Wright


    asked.


    Riona did not respond to her dad. Rather she rushed to her mum and hands the brown skirt that she


    was holding to her.


    Evolette collected the brown skirt from Riona but she did not know what to do with it so she held the


    skirt and stared inquisitively at Riona.


    ¡°Mum, that is the skirt I want to wear to school this morning¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay¡± Evolette replied.


    She still wasn¡¯t sure why Riona could not wear the skirt as she was supposed to. And she does not


    know what Riona wants her to do with the brown skirt that she had handed over to her or even what


    she was supposed to say to Riona.


    ¡°I said I would be wearing this skirt this morning¡± Riona repeated.


    Riona was already bing impatient. She does not understand why her mum would just respond


    okay to her without more.


    ¡°Of course Riona, you are allowed to wear it. This isn¡¯t be the first time you would be wearing this skirt


    to school honey, you will look just perfect in it¡± Evolette said.


    She looked at Wright to know what he thinks of the response that she had given Riona. The look from


    him shows that she has given Riona just the right response and she was cool. But this wasn¡¯t the same


    for Riona, whose countenance shows that she was not having any of her mum¡¯s response.


    Seeing the confusion on Evolette, Wright decided to step in and see if he can rify things with Riona.


    ¡°Is there a problem with the skirt Rio?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Not with the skirt dad¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°So what is the problem about honey?¡± He requested.


    Riona did not understand her parents at all. Why was it difficult for them to see her predicament? But


    it¡¯s already obvious that she would have to spell it all out to them if she intends to be in time for school


    today.


    She heaved, ced her hands at akimbo, and said to them


    ¡°I already have the skirt, but I would need a top to go with it¡±


    Evolette was taken by surprise by Riona¡¯s request, but she decides not to show it. Wright heaved a


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    sigh of relief and continued with his meal.


    ¡°You have tops that you use for this skirt Rio, what about them?¡± Evolette asked.


    Riona was beginning to get irritated as she finds her mum¡¯s question unnecessary. She hesitated to


    answer for a while, before she finally said.


    ¡°The top that I would have loved to use for this is dirty¡­¡±


    She discovered from the facial expression on Evolette that her response hade as a surprise to her,


    so she quickly added.


    ¡°Sorry mum, I just discovered that I did not bring it out for washing after thest time that I wore it¡±


    ¡°Okay Rio. But that¡¯s not a problem. You can use another top for it. I believe you should have one or


    two other tops that would be perfect on this skirt¡± Evolette suggested.


    Evolette turned to Wright to know if he¡¯s got anything to say, but Wright was far off from them, he was


    rather focused on the meal in front of him. So, she called his attention.


    ¡°What do you think Honey?¡± she asked.


    Wright was taken unaware by the question from Evolette. His entire disposition shows that he never


    intended to be dragged into their talk. However, seeing that there was no escape for him, he responded


    with food in his mouth.


    ¡°Sure, she can pick one top to wear with it¡±


    Wright noticed that his answer was not pleasant to either of thedies, so in order to give a more


    eptable response, he quickly swallowed the food he had in his mouth before speaking.


    ¡°Rio, why not get another nice top to go with this skirt. It¡¯s a brown and pretty skirt and I doubt if any top


    would not be just lovely on it¡± Wright said.


    Evolette could tell that once again, she has made a mistake in asking Wright his opinion on a matter


    that is so delicate to the women folk. She ignored him and turned to Riona.


    On her part, Riona looked at Evolette in an ¡®I told you so¡¯ manner before responding to her question


    that was directed to her earlier on.


    ¡°I am scared I don¡¯t have any avable top to go with it¡±


    Her eyes was pleading with her mum not to ask further question as she might not have very pleasant


    answers for them.


    ¡°I have actually been ransacking my wardrobe all morning mum, and I really want to wear this skirt¡± she


    pleaded.


    Evolette thinks about this for a while. When she was done thinking, she stood up and said to Riona.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry dear, mummy got this all under control¡±


    She smiled at Riona, who in turn, smiled back at her.


    ¡°Wait for me, I will be back in a jiffy¡± she said.


    After assuring Riona that she¡¯s got everything under control, she hands the skirt back to her and she


    went up the stairs.


    In a few minutes, she resurfaces holding a cloth in her hands and she went and sat back on the dining


    table.


    Riona who did not know what her mum was holding and was already anxious to know what her mum


    was up to, went and sat beside her.


    ¡°You can take this Rio¡± she said.


    She hands what she was holding over to Riona, who opened it to discover a pretty pink sleeveless


    blouse.


    Riona could not contain her excitement. This blouse is just so beautiful, and pink is her best color. It


    would just be perfect for her re brown skirt.


    Evolette intentionally cleared her throat before speaking.


    ¡°You see Rio, this blouse was passed on to me by my mother¡±. She began.


    Riona rolled her eyes. She was aware that her mum was about to fill her in with some long family


    history, but for the love of the blouse, she was ready to take the pain and hear it all.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Riona looked at the blouse once again. She had gone to school on the blouse on that fateful day and


    just everyone loved the blouse. They all admired it and could not seem to take their eyes away from it.


    ording to her mum¡¯s story, the gown had been worn by her great grandmother, to her grandmother,


    to her mother, and now to her.


    Riona has since taken extra care of the blouse. And even though she has not really thought about


    having kids, she hoped that one day her own daughter would wear it too.


    This is more than a mere blouse to Riona. The blouse connects her to something strong, her root.


    Standing up, Riona decided to put on the blouse.

 CHAPTER FIVE - EMOTIONAL MISERY

    CHAPTER FIVE - EMOTIONAL MISERY


    Wright was in the kitchen trying to fix dinner for Riona and himself. He diligently engages in his task as


    he hopes to make a sumptuous meal for Riona, one that she would not be able to resist. She has not


    been taking much for a long time now and he hopes to make her increase her diet.


    Knowing who Riona was, this will not be an easy task, but Wright is determined to take his chances


    with her. He knows the importance of a bnce diet for his daughter and he was going to ensure that


    she has it.


    Riona was sitting on the dining table waiting for her dad to get dinner ready, she looks all moody and


    her eyes were still swollen from the effect of the regr crying session that she never ceased to


    engage in at the slightest thought of herte mum.


    As she was waiting for her dad to get dinner ready, she unconsciously began to tap on the te in front


    of her with the fork and knife that she is holding in her left and right hands respectively.


    The sound from the fork and knife created a rhyme that generously filled the entire house. But unlike


    every other rhyme, the one thates from her action was filled with pains and sadness. It tells of the


    tale of a young a girl forced to remain in a world devoid of love for her. A young girl who had no reason


    to continue living.


    Riona was lost in her actions and as she unconsciously listened to the sound that came from her beat,


    a tear dropped for from her eyes and just like the first tear, other tears subsequently followed suit,


    pouring generously onto her clothes.


    She makes no sound as the tears flow, not even a sob. She only allowed the tears to freely pour out


    without trying to hold it back. At least that is one thing that she cannot deny her mum because even in


    death, her mum deserves the very best from her.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    Inside of the kitchen, Wright stopped what he was doing and listened to the beat from Riona. Memory


    of Evolette filled his soul and he struggled to fight back the tears that had already gathered in his eyes


    by this time from flowing.


    Even till this moment, Wright cannot deny that Evolette is the best thing that had happened to him. She


    hade into his life at a moment when it felt like his whole life was worthless. As at when he met


    Evolette, he felt as aplete failure for not been able to meet the expectations of those that he relied


    on and has as a result been abandoned.


    Evolette brought new meaning to his life and has since the first day that they met to the time of her


    death given him nothing but peace and fulfillment.


    Even when Evolette had taken herst breathe, Wright had not been able to bring himself to ept


    that she would leave him. He had secretly believed and hoped that she was going to be alive and be by


    his side even when the possibility of losing her was ring and had stared boldly at him.


    He had at first refused to ept the fact of her demise and had believed that she was only asleep and


    would be back to him when she wakes up.


    Evolette¡¯s death made him to see the weaker side of him, a part of him that goes against everything


    that he stands for as a werewolf and could not absorb pain, a part which he never knew existed.


    Back in his Pack, Shadow Rank Pack, he had been the very strongest of the werewolves and had


    never let his emotions out on any asion. He could face a perceived enemy or traitor and shred their


    skins from their bones without blinking an eye. However, all these had be the subject of the past


    since the first day that he hade in contact with Evolette.


    There was a break in Riona¡¯s beat and Wright suddenly realizes himself, he wipes his eyes and


    immediately went on with his task.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Riona already knows that nothing can bring her mum back to life. And even though this was a sad


    reality that she hade to ept, she has consciously refused to embrace it and forge ahead with


    life.


    But for the love of her dad, she would have insisted on going after her mum, to follow her wherever the


    cold hands of death had willfully taken her to.


    Wright enters from the kitchen carrying two tes of food on both hands, one for him, and the other


    which contains some oats and scrambled eggs for her.


    She stopped her beat and stared at her dad as he walked in. She smiled amidst her tears as she


    watched the only man that she loves struggling to make sure that she was okay.


    Riona is well aware that she was not been fair to her dad, but she also felt that he would understand


    that her tears were the respect that she owns her mum.


    ¡°Riona¡± Wright called.


    ¡°Thanks dad¡± Riona managed to say.


    As Wright draws closer to her, he could see that she has been crying and this sight caused his heart


    great pain.


    ¡°Not again Rio, you don¡¯t have to be doing this¡± Wright said.


    ¡°That is what everyone thinks dad, but I am doing it for mum¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°Listen to me Riona, I told you that she would not want to see you this way. She is happy wherever she


    is right now, in heaven. She wants you to be happy too¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Are you sure about that dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Yes Rio, I am very certain about that. And I have told you this several times already, she is not going to


    ¡°Can she be in a better ce when I am not there, when the both of us are not there with her?¡± Riona


    asked.


    ¡°Yes honey and she is happy too¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Okay, she is not happy because she is without us. She is happy because she is in heaven with the


    Lord, and because she knows that someday, when the time is right we would go up there and join her.


    We would be with her¡± Wright added.


    Wright sat down and ced Riona¡¯s te in front of her.


    ¡°I added some scrambled eggs for you dear¡± Wright announced.


    ¡°I am okay with just oats dad¡± Riona protested.


    ¡°No no honey, not just oats. You insisted on having just oats in the morning and at lunch. Now allow me


    to make the choice for you here. We both agree that it is my time to. So I insist that you do some justice


    to the scrambled eggs in front of you¡± Wright insisted.


    Wright was worried that Riona might fall sick if she is allowed to continue with her diet of just oaths with


    nothing more.


    Riona had refused to eat after she heard of her mum¡¯s death, and it took an intervention from her aunt


    Kyra to make her start taking something. And since then Riona had requested to take oats simpliciter.


    ¡°Let me try it because of you dad. But promise that from tomorrow, I would be allowed to decide what I


    eat¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay dear, from tomorrow. But you would also promise me that as your dad, I would be allowed to


    asionally add one or two of my delicious recipe to your menu¡± Wright requested.


    ¡°Nothing tastes good anymore daddy¡± Riona said.


    Wright could not reply to Riona. He felt bad at the pain that his daughter was going through. Riona had


    always been a strong and carefree girl, but the pain from her mum¡¯s death is something that she could


    not handle.


    ¡°Daddy¡± Riona called.


    ¡°Yes honey¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°When would be the right time for we to join mum?¡± Riona asked.


    Wright does not understand the meaning of Riona¡¯s question ¡°Sorry¡±.


    ¡°You said mum has gone to heaven to be with the lord and that when it is the right time, we would go


    join her up there. So I want to know the right time for that¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the right time, no one knows the right time. Mum is gone because it is the right time for


    her. And truth is we don¡¯t pray for the right time toe. In fact, no one ever wishes for the right time.


    We¡¯ve only got to ept it because it is beyond our control¡± Wright said.


    Wright was very careful in exining all of these to his daughter as he knows that her thought are far


    and wild.


    Riona picks at the scrambled eggs. She does not feel like having any of it and she was going to leave


    it. But knowing the pain that her dad had gone through to fix it up for her, she forced herself to swallow


    it.


    ¡°Do you think she would want me to forget about herpletely?¡± Riona asked.


    Wright was lost one more time ¡°Who?¡±.


    Riona rephrased her question ¡°I mean mum. Do you think that mum would want me to forget about her


    ¡°No she would not honey. But she would want that you always have it at the back of your mind that she


    is up there smiling at you and that she would like to see you happy¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Do you love her?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°With all of my heart dear, I love her with all my heart and with every breath that I take. I would have


    given up everything to see her here with us today¡± Wright said.


    A tear dropped from Wright¡¯s eyes as he think of all the love that he had shared with Evolette and


    everything that they have been through.


    Riona did not like to see her dad in his present state, so she tries to console him. ¡°Don¡¯t cry dad


    because I know that she loves you too¡±


    ¡°Are you sure you want me to stop crying?¡± Wright said to Riona as he weeps his face with his palm.


    ¡°Of course dad, I don¡¯t want to see you cry¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Then you have to promise me one thing¡± Wright requested.


    ¡°Anything dad, I would do anything to see you happy¡± Riona assured.


    ¡°Promise me that from now on, you are going to eat whatever I prepare for you¡± Wright requested.


    ¡°But dad¡±


    Riona tries to put up a protest but Wright was having none of it.


    ¡°You have to do it for me Rio. That is if you don¡¯t want to leave me all alone in this ce¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay dad, I promise¡± Riona agreed.


    ¡°Thanks Rio, then I would stop crying¡± Wright assured.


    The both of them continued with their meal. After some time, Riona stops eating and said to her dad.


    ¡°I have a question dad¡± Riona said.


    Wright looked up to her and asks ¡°And what is the question?¡±


    Riona continues to eat her food and did not reply to her dad.


    ¡°I am listening Rio, what is your question?¡± Wright asked her again.


    ¡°What killed mum?¡± Riona finally asked her question.


    ¡°But honey, we have talked about this several times already¡± Wright protested.


    ¡°I agree dad, we have talked about it several times, or rather, I have asked you this same question


    several times, but you have refused to give me an answer¡± Riona said.


    ¡°She is dead Rio¡± Wright said.


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    ¡°People don¡¯t just die dad¡± Riona retorted.


    ¡°I already told you that she was ill andter on she died as a result of not responding to treatment¡±


    Wright exined.


    ¡°Even if I know nothing about how the whole death thing works dad, at least cut me some cks, I


    know that sicknesses and illnesses or diseases that kills someone have different names ascribed to


    them. And at least, I deserve to know the exact one that took my mum¡¯s life¡± Riona pleaded.


    ¡°I do not deny the fact that sicknesses have names, but what would that change now, she is gone and


    would not being back to us. We gain nothing on opening old wounds¡± Wright said.


    ¡°But why am I finding it hard to just go by your reply all this while? I am just so curious to know


    everything about her living and even now that she is no more, that desire had not changed¡± Riona


    ¡°Trust me Rio that is because you have been holding on and refusing to let go. You have to free


    yourself from this pain and live again¡± Wright advised.


    ¡°Okay dad, I would take it that you are right. I have to free myself¡± Riona concurred.


    ¡°And that is my girl, always making daddy proud¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I love you dad¡± Riona said.


    ¡°And I love you too Riona¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°I will love you forever dad as we will be together forever¡± Riona added.


    ¡°Forever honey¡± Wright concurred.


    When they have finished eating, Riona got up and begins to clear the tes that they had used to eat


    but Wright immediately stood up and held her hands.


    ¡°Daddy¡± Riona protested.


    ¡°And what do you think you are doing Rio?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Trying to clear the dishes¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°No Rio, I have got this. How many times do I need to remind you of that?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°But dad, you are already stressed taking care of me all these while. I want to help too¡± Riona


    protested.


    ¡°I am not stressed dear, and the truth is I would never be stressed taking care of you¡± Wright said.


    ¡°And for how long would this continue dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°It would continue until I am certain that you are fit to handle these things. And even then, I would make


    sure that you do not overburden yourself still¡± Wright replied.


    Riona looked at her dad and seeing the love from him, she could not keep her emotions in check


    anymore. She instantly burst into tears and began to sob. Wright held her by the hand with one hand,


    and he ced the other on her shoulder and made her to sit.


    ¡°Thank you so much dad¡± Riona said amidst her sobs.


    ¡°I am here for you honey, never forget that¡± Wright assured her.

 CHAPTER SIX – A NEW DAWN

    CHAPTER SIX ¨C A NEW DAWN


    It was the early hours of the day and Riona was still sleeping on her bed.


    After a while, she slowly opens her eyes and she rubs her eyes with her hand. She got up from the bed


    and went into the bathroom to take her shower.


    After her mum¡¯s death, Riona has not been to school for the new session and the session has been on


    for about three weeks already. The reason is because of herck of emotional control since she lost


    her mum two months ago.


    Riona has always wanted to be in art ss, but after her mum¡¯s demise, she had changed her mind


    and decided to join science in senior high school so as to be able to read medicine.


    She knows that if she is going to be epted for the science sses she must have to work hard to be


    outstanding. This Riona is bent on achieving as she was not ready to take any chances. So she


    decided that no matter the condition of her emotional state, it was time she joined others in learning.


    When she was done with bathing, she went to the wardrobe and put on her school wear. After that she


    walks out of her room and heads for the kitchen so as to quickly fix some breakfast for her dad and


    herself.


    When she got into the kitchen, she quickly made some pancakes and after she was done with


    preparing the pancakes, she went to set the table. She then took the food to the table and went to get


    her dad.


    Riona knocks on her dad¡¯s door twice before she calls out.


    ¡°Daddy¡± Riona called.


    ¡°Rio, is that you¡± Wright replied from inside.


    ¡°Yes dad¡± Riona answered.


    Riona opened the door and walked in. She finds him lying down on the bed. Riona had woken him up


    from sleep and so his eyes were still heavy.


    ¡°Still sleeping dad?¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Good morning Rio¡± Wright greeted.


    ¡°Good morning dad¡± Riona responded.


    Wright took his phone and checked the time and it was 6:48 am. He looked at Rio and wondered why


    she was up so early and also dressed for school.


    He got up from the bed as he tried to recall whether Riona had said anything about wanting to start


    school today, but he could not recall ever having such a conversation with her.


    ¡°Why are you up so early and why are you dressed for school already?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Dad, school has been on for three weeks already. I need to join them and I don¡¯t intend to repeat


    sses¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°That is true Rio, but are you sure you are fully prepared to resume?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°You see, I do want you to join your mates not just in school, but in every other sphere of life but I still


    want to make sure that you are ready for this¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°Trust me dad, I am. I may not be fully over mum, but I know that she would not want me locked up in


    this house all day long and I believe that I am ready for study. Actually, I think that is the only thing that


    I am prepared for right now¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I get you Rio, and I must say that you made the right decision¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I already made breakfast, dad, for the two of us. So you have to freshen up quickly and join me


    downstairs¡± Riona announced.


    Wright was tired and was still feeling a bit sleepy. He was not prepared to get up this early today, but for


    Riona, he was prepared to go right out of his way. But even with his resolution to do everything for


    Riona, he was still struggling to drag his leg.


    ¡°Okay¡± Wright replied as he walkedzily to his bathroom.


    ¡°You have to be a fast dad, remember you are taking me to school¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Alright dear, I will be down in a jiffy¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to bete on my first day¡± Riona said as she walked out of the room.


    ¡°I gave you my words¡± Wright replied.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Wright climbs down the stairs at a quick pace. He does not want to keep Riona waiting for him longer


    than necessary. After Riona left his room, he had taken just ten minutes to get ready as he knows how


    important today is to Riona and he would not want to spoil it for her.


    ¡°I am ready Rio¡± He calls.


    He walked up to the dining table and saw that Riona was sitting on it.


    ¡°Are you not ready yet?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I am dad¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Okay let¡¯s leave already. Hope I did not keep you waiting longer than was necessary?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°No dad, you were really fast¡± Riona responded.


    He noticed that Riona was still seated at the dining table and was making no effort to get up for them to


    leave and he wondered why this was so.


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°So, can we¡± He said, making some gestures with his hands as he pointed them to the door.


    ¡°We need to eat dad¡± Riona informed him.


    Wright suddenly realized that there were two tes covered on the dining table. He had not taken


    notice of them when he first came. He thought Riona had taken breakfast while waiting for him.


    ¡°Really, you have not eaten yet?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Actually, I was waiting for you dad¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I did not even notice¡± Wright said.


    He took a seat in front of his te of food.


    ¡°Thanks for the meal Rio. That is so thoughtful of you¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay dad, you can open now, let¡¯s start eating¡± Riona said.


    They both opened their meal and started eating. When they were done eating, they got up and went


    out of the house.


    Outside the house, Wright opened the door of the passenger¡¯s seat for Riona and she entered the car.


    He went and opened the driver¡¯s door, he got into the car, ignited the engine and started to drive.


    ¡°I am d that you are going back to school again honey¡± Wright announced.


    ¡°I am too, dad. And I would like to take the online sses so as to meet up with the rest¡± Riona said.


    ¡°That is great¡± Wright said.


    Wright is so happy at the zeal Riona had started school with. He knows that if she keeps up at this


    pace, she would be up to date with her peers in no time.


    ¡°When would that be, can you start today?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Not today dad, I n on doing that on weekends¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Yeah, weekends would be just fine. In that way, it would not interfere with your regr weekdays


    learning¡± Wright concurred.


    ¡°The other day, you were saying that you want to do science, are you still going ahead with that?¡±


    Wright asked.


    ¡°Yes dad that is what I have decided¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°Okay, you see I am not in any way trying to discourage you from this. But how would you do that


    considering the fact that you have never taken any science rted subjects in your junior high?¡± Wright


    asked.


    ¡°And that is why I intend to go the extra length to make up for them now. If I can pass my promotional


    exams, I doubt if anything would stop me from doing science in senior high school¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I see¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Dad, I am putting in my very best for this, you¡¯ve got to believe me¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I do believe you, Rio. I know you put in your best in whatever you set your mind to. I trust you on this


    one¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Thanks dad¡± Riona smiled.


    Wright gave Riona a high five, and they both hit their hands against each other.


    ¡°Go out there and make me proud Rio¡± Wright screamed.


    Riona began tough at her dad¡¯s actions.


    ¡°Come to think of it, Rio. Why the sudden change of mind? I know you have never been a science


    freak?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I want to be a medical doctor dad¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Yeah, that is what you said. But do you mind telling me the reason for that?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I only wanted to do art before, but now I want to do science. Yeah¡± Riona screamed.


    ¡°Yes my daughter wants to do science yeah¡± Wright joins her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have a reason dad, who even said that I need a reason for that. I want science, and I go for


    science¡± Riona said.


    ¡°You are right dear. We owe no one no f**king reasons¡± Wright replied.


    He brought up his right hand to Riona and he said to her.


    ¡°Hi five girl¡±


    In response to Wright''s request, Riona raised her left hand and joined with her dad¡¯s.


    ¡°You know what Rio¡± Wright said.


    ¡°What dad¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got a surprise for you¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°What is the surprise dad, and where is it?¡± Riona asked.


    Riona was so excited and could not wait to know what the surprise was about.


    ¡°What if I say I take the day off on Friday, and after school, we go and have fun at any ce of your


    choice? We can even take a short vacation for the weekend if you want¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°That would be fantastic dad¡± Riona shouts.


    ¡°With that, I can go through your online sses with you¡± Wright said.


    ¡°That is so thoughtful of you dad, sincerely I can¡¯t wait for this¡± Riona said.


    ¡°So what and where do you suggest?¡± Wright asked.


    Riona carefully thought about her dad¡¯s offer for a while to know whether she would like a vacation or


    not. When she decided that it would be a vacation for her, she replied.


    ¡°Let¡¯s take a vacation to Vancouver this weekend daddy. That is where I want to go to¡± Riona said.


    ¡°And a vacation to Vancouver it is¡± Wright announced.


    Riona was very excited when her dad epted her request to visit Vancouver. And so right now, she


    cannot wait for the weekend to arrive.


    ¡°Thank you so much dad, I love you more than anything else in the world¡± Riona said.


    ¡°You are wee honey and I love you even more¡± Wright responded.


    Wright felt that music would be just right for the asion and so he suggested ¡°Okay, why don¡¯t we


    y something good dear, something for our mood¡±.


    ¡°Wow dad, that would be great. Just like the good old days¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Yeah Rio, exactly like the good old days¡± Wright responded.


    Wright was wondering what Riona meant by referring to the good old days. She sounded like she had


    been indoors or out of life for the past twenty years when it was barely two months that she had all


    these fun and activities. Riona¡¯s response made him think that his daughter is truly one of a kind.


    ¡°So what song are we going for dad?¡± Riona requested.


    ¡°I¡¯d say we do ¡®School Life¡¯. What do you think?¡± Wright suggested.


    ¡°Yeah, ¡®School Life¡¯ by Soumya Das would be just perfect for this moment¡± Riona screamed.


    Wright screamed with Riona too, he is just so happy that his daughter is gradually returning to her old


    and cheerful self and he cannot wait to have her fully recovered from the loss of her mum, his wife,


    Evolette.


    Wright turned on the Bluetooth of his phone, and opened his boomy app to search for the song.


    When he found it, he turned it on. He and Riona sang along with the song. Riona threw her hands in


    the air, and shook her body to the beat of the song.


    Riona had not been truthful with her dad when she told him that she does not have a reason for


    wanting to go for medicine even when her mind had been in art all along. The truth is that, Riona does


    have a reason for wanting to be a medical doctor, and her reason is so as to be able to diagnose


    and understand the cause of her mum¡¯s death.

 CHAPTER SEVEN - ROGUES INVASION

    CHAPTER SEVEN - ROGUES INVASION


    Wright was inside of the gym exercising when his phone began to ring.


    ¡°Gosh it is already past 9 am¡± He said as he looked at the wall clock. ¡°And who could this caller be¡±


    Acting very reluctantly, he went for his phone.


    ¡°Philip¡± he murmured as he saw the caller.


    ¡°Hey man¡± Wright said as he picked the call.


    He wondered why Philip would be calling him this early.


    Philip is not one to call often unless he really has important news and Wright prayed that whatever this


    call was for, it should better not be what he was thinking, it should not be in any way rted to the


    Pack. Anyways, he maintained his cool and waited patiently for Philip to tell him the reason for the call


    himself.


    ¡°Wright¡± Philip responded.


    From the tone of Philip¡¯s voice, Wright could tell that he was a bit tensed and was only trying to hide it.


    Philip and Wright had grown up in Shadow Rank Pack as best of friends. In fact, if the tussle with the


    rogues had not happened, Philip would have been Wright¡¯s beta.


    Wright¡¯s dad, Alpha Lucas is the alpha of Shadow Rank Pack and Wright is his sessor before he left


    everything behind during the war with the rebels and moved to Edmonton where he had met Evolette


    and had further denounced his werewolf lineage.


    As a good friend, Philip had left the pack with him amidst the conflict but had soon left Edmonton for


    Regina for greener pasture. It was by the twist of fate that Philip had met Kyra in Regina while he had


    met Evolette here in Edmonton and both close friends had married the same sisters.


    When Evolette discovered Wright''s true nature, she was not receptive to same and so, just so as to


    please her, he had all these years live outside that part of him until the midnight of her burial when he


    had shifted and had ran into the wild to let out his grief for his self-acimed lost mate.


    Kyra on her part had been a little indifferent and receptive about the whole werewolf thing and was


    even ready to move back to Shadow Rank Pack with Philip just that Philip was unwilling to go back


    because of his love and solidarity for his friend and Alpha as he had always addressed Wright


    whenever they were alone.¡°


    My Alpha, are you there?¡± Philip inquired when Wright had not responded to him.¡°


    Gosh, this better be good¡± Wright spat.


    Now he was sure that Philip''s call was definitely rted to the Pack as he had feared.


    When Wright left Shadow Rank Pack, the rebels did not leave him as they were still out to get him. It


    was with the help of the allies that Wright built in Edmonton that he had been able to operate discreetly


    without getting the attention of his foes. All these years, Philip had been Wright¡¯s number one ally and


    had been on the lookout for possible threat to his friend, Wright and had always alerted him whenever


    there was danger.


    Wright had been able to live a quiet life until just before the death of Evolette. He tries to act normal to


    Riona, but within him, he constantly fears for her safety.


    ¡°Speak Philip, I am listening¡± Wright muttered.


    ¡°Okay Wright, where is Rio?¡± Philip asked.


    ¡°She is not in¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°What!¡± Philip eximed.


    ¡°Come on Philip. Or do you want me to pee on my pants?¡± Wright was already getting irritated and all


    he just wanted was for Philip to spill the bean.


    ¡°Sorry man¡± Philip said.


    ¡°Gosh¡± Wright spat.


    ¡°I am so sorry, I am sorry¡± Philip was tense. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what I am thinking¡±


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    ¡°Rx Philip, what is the problem?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I just got the news that some rogues from Shadow Rank are out, they are there in Edmonton since


    yester night¡± Philip announced.


    ¡°What!¡± Wright screamed. ¡°And howe you are just telling me of this now?¡±


    ¡°I just got the news right away and I quickly called you. The first thing that came to my mind was Rio¡±


    Philip exined.


    ¡°Rio¡± Wright stuttered. ¡°Rio left this morning. I think she said she was going to get Sandra toe


    spend the weekend with us¡±


    ¡°Shit¡± Philip cursed.


    ¡°O my God, o my God. What the hell?¡± Wright cursed.


    ¡°Please be cool¡± Philip said.


    ¡°I am cool, man. What is the situation with the rogues at the moment, do you by chance know that?¡±


    Wright was curious.


    Wright is so anxious and filled with anger right now and he cannot imagine any harming to his little


    girl. He promised himself that he would spare no life in Shadow Rank if there is as little as a mosquito


    bite on Riona.


    ¡°From my information, they don¡¯t have her yet and happily they don¡¯t know what she looks like just yet¡±


    Philip said.


    Wright interrupted him. ¡°What do you mean they don¡¯t know what she looks like just yet, do you n on


    showing them what she looks like?¡±


    ¡°Not at all. But you and I know that if Rio has the werewolf blood in her, finding her would be as easy as


    finding you to them¡± Philip replied.


    Philip was right. If Riona has the blood of a werewolf which Wright prays that she does, it would take


    just little effort for the rogues to know that she is his daughter if they as much as past through the same


    path as her.


    ¡°Damn¡± Wright cursed. ¡°Let me call her immediately. She has to starting back right away¡±


    Wright grabbed his other phone and ced a call to Riona. He anxiously waited for it to start ringing,


    but to his dismay, he was informed that her phone was switched off.


    ¡°Shit, shit, shit¡± Wright screamed. ¡°Her phone is switched off, Philip¡±


    ¡°Oh lord, that is not good¡± Philip muttered.


    ¡°I am going there right away¡± Wright announced.


    Philip does not really like the idea of Wright going on the look-out for Rio so he tried to dissuade him. ¡°I


    don¡¯t know how you will do it. It is already day time and you would not be able to go in search of those


    rogues. However, some of our people are already on the lookout for them and so you would have to


    remain calm for us to get updates on the development from them¡±


    ¡°Philip¡± Wright called.


    Philip could tell that Wright was not just calling him as a friend but as an alpha to a subject. He had


    called him with authority. His voice, though low, was firm.


    ¡°Yes Alpha¡± Philip responded.


    ¡°Do you realize that it is my daughter that is out there and you are insisting that I stay back here and do


    nothing, do you see me as a fool, a coward?¡± Wright thundered.


    ¡°I am so sorry Alpha, but please understand me. That is not what I am implying. Our men are already


    on the look-out¡± Philip replied.


    ¡°And these men of yours, do they know where my Rio is?¡± Wright asked.


    Philip is a loyal friend to Wright and Wright has never taken this fact for granted, not even for once. But


    this time, he begs to disagree with him. He also appreciates and had never underestimated the efforts


    of his werewolf allies but now that it has to do with his daughter, he would have to do this his way. He


    had been careless enough to allow his wife to pass away under his watch, but he would never allow the


    same thing to happen with Riona.


    ¡°No Alpha, they do not¡± Philip responded.


    ¡°Thanks Philip, but you would agree with me that no one would watch over my girl better than me¡±


    Wright said.


    ¡°Alpha¡± Philip called out.


    ¡°Please let¡¯s not go over this Philip, I would go out there myself and bring my girl back home¡± Wright


    announced.


    ¡°You can¡¯t go out there yourself Alpha, what if¡­ what if, there are consequences¡± Philip whimpered.


    ¡°Damn those f**king consequences man. I would go out for my girl and I don¡¯t care what happens¡±


    Wright said and immediately hung up.


    Filled with anger and pains, he let out a very loud growl that shook the equipment in the gym. He


    looked around the room and growled one more time before shifting to his wolf and immediately ran out.

 CHAPTER EIGHT – PANIC

    CHAPTER EIGHT ¨C PANIC


    Wright¡¯s wolf ran through the trees and along the bush paths. He tried so hard to hide from humans


    and animals alike. He knew the whole town so well and so it was easy for him to navigate through the


    town without being detected even in such a busy day and time. He also knows the possible ces that


    the rogues would take refuge if they are in town and so he was heading for such ces first.


    Wright knew better than toe out as a werewolf. But for his daughter, he was ready to do even


    more. He could havee out in search of his daughter as a human, just that if he had done so, he


    would not have been able to easily detect either his daughter or the rogues and also, he would not


    have been as fast as he wanted to be.


    In his adventure, he was almost caught a couple of times by passersby but he was fast enough to


    dodge leaving the onlookers believing that they had only been hallucinating about seeing a werewolf.


    The wolf got to a lonely part and decided to keep to the bushes. As he walked, he felt that he was


    being trailed, not by humans, but by a werewolf.


    At first, he was intrigued. He wondered if it was a rogue that was after him or if it was just a strolling


    werewolf. He knew that he had to be smart and also act very fast since he does not know the intention


    of his prowler or prowlers.


    He knows that no rogue would dare to attack him physically as they know the stuff that he was made


    of. To get to him, the best that they can do is to go for those that are close to him, but they dare not


    attack him directly.


    As he walked, he approached a bend in front. He made up his mind to take the left turn since he knew


    that the bend goes round in a circle and taking it would bring him to the back of his prowler. He


    sincerely hoped that his prowler would fall for this trick as that would ce him at an advantage and


    give him a better chance to overtake the prowler.


    Immediately he took the turn, he ran very fast and within a few seconds, he was the one walking


    behind his prowler who was unaware of his presence at her back.


    For some reasons, he was unwilling tounch an attack on the intruder immediately. He wanted to


    know who it was that would dare to trail him and also fearlessly roving around by this time of the day.


    Due to how discreet the werewolf was trying to be, he could not see the face at all but he could tell that


    it was a female werewolf. When he tried to take in her scent, he realized that she had also covered her


    smell. This made him strongly believe that it was a rogue trying to act undercover.


    ¡®This must be one of the rogues¡¯ he said to himself. ¡®It is really going to be a bad day for her¡¯


    In anger, he lifted himself from the ground and pounced on her. She cried out in pain and swung to the


    ground.


    ¡®There was something about this wolf, a sort of familiarity¡¯ he said to himself. He maintained a firm grip


    on her but was unwillingly to pounce on her.


    The werewolf was in fright, he could feel how fast her heart raced. She tried to avoid his eyes and he


    was sure that she was only trying to cook up a n for a counter attack. Even at that, he was still


    unwilling to harm her. Instead, he used his pawns to drag her face to himself.


    He paused and gazed at her.


    *Maeve* he said through the mind link.


    *Alpha* she responded.


    He quickly released her from his grip and she got up.


    *What are you doing out here by this time and in this form?* the both of them asked at once.


    *Sorry you can talk* he said.


    *No, I think you should go first* she responded.


    *I came out to look for Rio. I just got the news from Philip that some rogues are in town* he said.


    *But that is rather too risky Alpha. There is no need for you toe out in this form. We are on it


    already* she replied.


    *I just can¡¯t sit at home doing nothing. I have to get her myself. The rogues are here for her* he said.


    *No there are all gone now. And Rio is safe* she announced.


    *Really?* he eximed.


    Wright was relieved to hear that no harm had happened to his daughter.


    *Yes* she responded.


    *And why would you move around this way, Maeve? It is dangerous* he asked her.


    *Because of the rogues too. We have been on the look-out for them immediately we got wind of their


    presence* she replied.


    *We have to get back now then* he said.


    *Come on. Let¡¯s just go home like this, as our wolf without shifting* she suggested.


    *Okay, if I should agree to that, then you will have to spend a few minutes with me* he replied.


    *At your service* she agreed.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    They arrived at Wright¡¯s garden and they went to the far end of the garden and stayed there to discuss


    for a while. They do not want anybody to see them, especially Riona.


    On their way back, Maeve¡¯s steps had been uneasy as she walked and Wright had been watching her


    all along. He could tell that she was uneasy and it was obvious that even though she was not feeling


    good, she was trying so much to hide it from him.


    *Are you okay* Wright asked through the mind link.


    *It¡¯s nothing* Maeve replied.


    *What is wrong with you? I can see that you are not yourself¡± He persuaded.


    Maeve gave up trying to hide her feelings *I think I sustained some injury on my shoulders*.


    *Really, how, when did that happen?* Wright asked.


    Wright does not want anything to happen to Maeve and so he was very worried. He feared that the hurt


    would be as a result of his attack on her and if that is so, he would not forgive himself.


    *It happened when you held me down. I almost suffocated* she exined.


    *I am so sorry for that. I never knew that you were the one. If I do, you know I would never have


    attacked you that way* he pleaded.


    *It¡¯s okay. Just that I feel this injury would take some time to heal* she replied.


    *Come on, let me take a look at it* he offered and moved closer to her.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°Come on Rio, walk faster¡± Sandra called as she ran to open the door.


    Rionaughed and she followed Sandra behind. She was so happy to see how excited Sandra was.


    Sandra had called her earlier this week to inform her of her intention to spend the weekend at her


    house and she had dly obliged her and sent Cindy to go get her.


    After her mum¡¯s death, Riona had been away from the kids and Re Aid. This act was not


    intentional because she loved to have the kids over at her ce and also spend time with them


    because they mean so much to her. It¡¯s just that she found it very difficult to move on after losing her


    mum.


    ¡°The door is locked Rio,e and open it¡± Sandra announced.


    ¡°Hold on Sandra, the keys are with me¡± Riona replied.


    When Riona got to the door, she took out the keys from her hand bag and opened the door.


    ¡°Yeah¡± Sandra screamed as she entered the house.


    Riona looked around the sitting room. ¡°Is my dad around?¡±


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°No one is in Rio, you just opened the door yourself remember¡± Sandra replied.


    Riona ignored Sandra¡¯s response. Something tells her that her dad was around the house, somewhere.


    ¡°What would he be doing in the garden?¡± Riona whispered.


    She turned to Sandra. ¡°Please remain right here Sandra and don¡¯t go anywhere. I need to check out


    the garden¡±


    ¡°Okay Rio, if you say so¡± Sandra replied.


    Looking at how Riona was acting, Sandra could tell that something was not right and she was ready to


    do just as Riona had instructed her.


    She walked to the backdoor. She turned to Sandra and signaled her to go and sit. Sandra dly


    obeyed and went to sit on the couch. She ced her hands on the doorknob and after a little


    hesitation, she turned the knob.

 CHAPTER NINE – GLIMPSE OF FEAR

    CHAPTER NINE ¨C GLIMPSE OF FEAR


    Riona gently opened the door and stepped out. As soon as she stepped out, she was intrigued by the


    sight in front of her. Right before her at the extreme of the garden were two wolves standing together. It


    was clear that they were unaware of her presence and so they did not make any attempt to run away.


    Riona¡¯s jaw dropped in fear. Her legs were shaking and she could not move an inch from where she


    was standing. She wanted to run away from them as she feared she would be noticed and attacked.


    Her mind went to Sandra who was inside the house and the thought of any harming to her made


    her have goose bumps. She would not want any harm toe to Sandra while under her care.


    She tried to scream but could barely let a single word out. In her fear, she began to gasp for breath.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    *I think someone is here with us* Maeve told Wright.


    *Damn it, it''s Rio* Wright cursed. *For how long has she been here?*


    *I can¡¯t say for sure, but she has seen us and I don¡¯t know what she is nning to do* she responded.


    Wright was confused on how to handle Riona. He does not just want to hide from Riona, but also wants


    to make her forget what she had seen. He felt it was not yet time to reveal his true identity to Riona. In


    fact, he might never reveal this part of him to her unless he is very sure that she would need such


    information.


    He knew how Riona reacts to things, especially things that she could not easilyprehend. As it is,


    he cannot say the exact thing that Riona would do, but he was sure that whatever it is will not be good.


    *We have to be careful in doing this. She must never know what she is seeing. In fact, this is not real, it


    never happened* he instructed.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Riona recovered herself and immediately ran into the house. Sandra who had been sitting patiently


    waiting for Riona all along saw as Riona had run into the house quickly got up and ran after her.


    ¡°What is happening?¡± Sandra called after Riona.


    Riona did not stop to respond to Sandra but continued in her quest. She climbed up the staircase and


    rushed to bang on her dad¡¯s door.


    ¡°Open up daddy. Are you inside? Please open right now¡± Riona screamed.


    ¡°Rio¡± Sandra called.


    Riona continued to ignore Sandra ¡°daddy¡± she screamed.


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    The door opened and Wright came out. ¡°What is it Rio, why are you screaming?¡±


    ¡°Dad¡± Riona murmured. For some reason, Riona was surprised to see her dad standing before her.


    ¡°Yes Rio, this is me¡± Wright said.


    Riona looked around and then at her dad. ¡°You are here?¡±


    Wright was getting scared. Riona sounded as if she knew that he was the wolf she had seen in the


    garden just now.


    ¡°Yes I am. You cane inside¡± Wright replied.


    He looked at Sandra. ¡°Hello Sandra¡±


    ¡°Hello Mr. Wright¡± Sandra giggled.


    As if just realizing herself, Riona said ¡°There are some wolves in the garden dad, I saw them there right


    now¡±


    ¡°What!¡± Wright eximed. ¡°And how were they able to get into my property?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve got toe take them out right away dad. I don¡¯t know how you are going to do that because


    they are very huge and fiery¡± Riona said.


    ¡°But are you sure about this?¡± Wright asked. ¡°Because there is no way any wild creature would get into


    this property¡±


    ¡°You have toe right away dad. I wouldn¡¯t want them to get away¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay dear¡± Wright said and dashed out.


    Riona and Sandra ran after him.


    When they arrived at the garden, Riona took them to where the wolves had stood. They looked around


    the area but there was no wolf in sight.


    ¡°You said you saw some wolves here, are you sure that you were not hallucinating, honey?¡± Wright


    asked.


    ¡°But dad, I am so sure about that. They were right at this spot, the extreme of this garden¡± Riona


    exined.


    ¡°But the gates are properly shot¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Dad, the wolves were right here. They were exactly like those I had seen at Maeve¡¯s ce¡± Riona


    replied.


    Riona wanted so much for her dad to believe her. Even though she cannot tell how the wolves that she


    had seen were able to escape or how they had gotten in the first ce, she knew what she had seen.


    ¡°There we go again darling. Now it is obvious that you have been hallucinating and I understand,


    believe me, I do¡± he said.


    Wright leaned on one knee in front of Riona and said to her. ¡°I understand that you are going through


    so much right now and I also understand how difficult these times are for you. Please you don¡¯t have to


    think too much¡±


    ¡°I am not hallucinating¡± Riona said.


    ¡°What is a wolf Mr. Wright, are they werewolves?¡± Sandra asked.


    ¡°That is only a myth Sandra. There are no such things as werewolves¡± Riona responded.


    Riona¡¯s response only confused Sandra the more. If just now, she was insisting that she had seen


    some wolves, why then would she still im that there is nothing like werewolves.


    ¡°But you said you saw two of them right here in this garden?¡± Sandra interrogated.


    Wright stood up and decided that it was better to keep quiet and listen to the discussion between the


    girls. Maybe that way, Riona would dismiss the whole wolf stuff and let him be.


    ¡°Yes I did. But I didn¡¯t say werewolves¡± Riona replied.


    Sandra was not ready to give up. ¡°And what difference does that make?¡±


    ¡°You see, there is a difference between the two¡± Riona began.


    Sandra cuts in ¡°Have you seen a werewolf?¡±


    ¡°I just say there is nothing as such¡± Riona replied calmly.


    ¡°If it is not real, howe there is a difference between it and a wolf?¡± Sandra asked.


    Riona thought about the best way to respond to Sandra and she figured that giving up her im would


    be the best solution.


    ¡°You know what Sandra¡± Riona said.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Sandra asked.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say that I did not see any wolves here. You see the gates are perfectly under locks and keys


    so there is no way anyone would have had ess to this ce¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°But I saw you running and panting just now¡± Sandra wanted to object but Riona stopped her


    ¡°No but here, dear. You just heard my dad say that I was hallucinating. So we would leave it at that, at


    least for now¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Of course there is no way anyone would get ess to this ce. So there was no wolf right?¡± Sandra


    asked.


    ¡°Maybe there is not¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Since we have all agreed that there is nothing here, can we all go inside? I have a great package for


    you girls¡± Wright announced.


    ¡°Yeah¡± Sandra screamed.


    Wright carried Sandra and headed for the house. Riona followed quietly behind. She knows what she


    saw and she was sure that in the nearest future, she would be able to understand all the mystery


    surrounding the existence of the wolves that she always sees.

 CHAPTER TEN – LIVING AGAIN

    CHAPTER TEN ¨C LIVING AGAIN


    It was a beautiful Friday afternoon and the sun was shining so brightly and lovely. Wright was at the


    back of the house mowing the grasses in the garden.


    He had returned home from work earlier than usual today so as to spend some time with his daughter,


    Riona. He feels that it has been a long time since he had been home to wee her back from school


    and so, he intends to do that today.


    The school bus honked to announce Riona¡¯s arrival from school. He left what he was doing and quickly


    washed and dried his hands on a towel as he wanted to be the one to personally open the door for


    Riona. After he was done with taking care of his hands, he left the garden to go open the door for


    Riona.


    Wright was sure that this would be a surprise for Riona, and he so much desired to see the look of


    excitement on her face when he opened the door for her as she would not be expecting to meet him at


    home by this time.


    In his excitement, he whistled as he entered the sitting room to go and open the door for Riona.


    At the sight of her dad, Riona was surprised and at the same time was very happy to see her dad at


    home. She immediately jumped on him and he carried her.


    ¡°Hey dad good afternoon¡± Riona greets as she jumps on his body.


    ¡°Hello honey you are wee back from school¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°You are home already. Is anything the matter?¡± Riona inquired.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you happy to see daddy back?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Of course I am. I would even want this to be a routine between us, I love it when you wee me


    back home¡± Riona said in excitement.


    ¡°And I am d to wee my princess back home¡± Wright replied.


    He gently ced Riona back on her feet and they walked into the house.


    ¡°So are you always going to be around when Ie back from school?¡± Riona inquired.


    ¡°Hmn¡­ let¡¯s say I will always give you a princess wee whenever I can spare some time to¡± Wright


    said.


    ¡°Really daddy?¡± Riona asked.


    Riona was so excited to hear her dad make a promise to wee her whenever he could and she


    silently prayed that it would be this way every other day.


    ¡°Yes Rio. What else makes me happier than to see the glow on my baby¡¯s face?¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°That would be great dad. And nothing else makes me happy than seeing you around me. It gives me


    hope and some inner peace¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Talking about hope and some inner peace, what about I say we y games and watch movies the


    entire day, just you and I?¡± Wright suggested.


    ¡°Okay¡± Riona said as she tried to consider her dad¡¯s offer.


    ¡°Come on Rio, don¡¯t say no. tomorrow is Saturday and you aren¡¯t going to school¡± Wright tries to


    persuade her.


    ¡°Of course I am not going to say no, my reply is a big yes¡± Riona eximed.


    She finds it funny that her dad would actually think that she was going to say no when she would have


    given her all for this moment.


    ¡°So what do you say, would we do the movies here, or should we visit the cinema?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I would say been in-door would be just great. So I suggest we watch the movies right here, in our


    home and by ourselves¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Okay, I vote for that too¡± Wright concurred to Riona¡¯s suggestion.


    ¡°But right now dad, I am famished¡± Riona said and yawned.


    ¡°Is there something at home?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Sure there is. I made lunch already¡± Wright announced.


    ¡°That is great dad, let me quickly rush up to my room and freshen up. I will join you for lunch shortly¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°Okay honey. I would be right at the garden by the time you return¡± Wright told her.


    ¡°In the garden, what are you doing there?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I am mowing the grasses¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°And why are you the one doing that, what about the gardener?¡± Riona inquired.


    ¡°Actually, I gave him the day off. I figured that since I would be home early, I could keep myself busy


    with that while awaiting your return¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°I see¡± Riona said.


    Riona wondered why her dad would be going back to continue with his task at the garden if he intends


    to join her for lunch so she asked him about it so as to get some rification.


    ¡°But if you would be in the garden, are we not supposed to do lunch together?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Yeah that is right. I never thought of it that way. Okay, let me quickly rush up with what is remaining


    and I would refresh up very fast I promise¡± Wright said.


    Actually, Wright never averred his mind to the fact that he was supposed to join Riona for lunch and


    now he just has to be fast with mowing the grasses and quickly freshen up after that so as not to keep


    Riona waiting for long.


    ¡°Okay dad, I will wait for you¡± Riona responded.


    Excitedly, Riona left Wright and she happily walked up the staircase while Wright in turn turned to go


    back to the garden to continue with his task.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    It was already night and Riona and Wright were already done with ying different games. So right


    now, they are watching a movie in their sitting room over two packs of popcorn and some sodas.


    They are both watching an investigative movie, where a serial killer had been responsible for the


    numerous deaths in town and the Police were on the lookout for him.


    Rio looked at her dad as he consistently checked his phone to reply to his chat and messages. From


    the look of things, she could tell that those were not just some random chats and messages, and the


    thought that the messages might be from Maeve caused her to have a little tumbling in her stomach.


    However, she tried not to make her suspicion and anxiety obvious as she would rather not discuss the


    issue since she believes that most things stop existing when you don¡¯t give them the amount of


    attention that they crave for. So she hopes that by continuing to ignore Maeve and act like she never


    exists, her dad would soon forget all about her.


    Riona was not even done with her thoughts when her dad called her attention.


    ¡°Rio¡± Wright calls.


    ¡°Yes dad¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°Riley was asking if she coulde over to study with you¡± Wright said.


    This question confirms Riona¡¯s suspicion on who her dad has been on the phone with all along.


    However, Riona still decided to y it cool with him even though she was already boiling furiously


    inside of her and was ready to get the phone off his hands.


    ¡°But her grades are okay, so why does she want to join me?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Come on Rio, it¡¯s always good to study with someone¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay dad, tell her she can¡¯te, that I don¡¯t need her¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Is it that you don¡¯t want to study with someone, Rio, it helps¡± Wright inquired.


    ¡°I have you dad, then what more can I ask for?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°But it is never the same when you study with your peers¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Of course I know dad, studying with you is way better than that¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I am talking about¡­¡±


    Wright was still speaking when Riona cut in.


    ¡°She asked for my permission, dad and I already responded that I am not disposed to such an


    arrangement¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay, if that is what you say¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°Thanks for your understanding dad. Now let us concentrate on this movie, it is beginning to get more


    interesting¡± Riona said.


    Wright knew that there was no need trying to drag this topic with Riona, so he decided to let it be and


    instead focus more on the movie showing right in front of them. Riona on her part was d that the


    issue has beenid to rest and so she continued with the movie.


    After some time, Riona turned to Wright to ask about the movie that they are watching.


    ¡°Dad¡± Riona calls.


    And Wright responds ¡°Yes honey¡±.


    ¡°Do you think the killer wouldter be discovered?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Of course he would¡± Wright answered.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t think he left any evidence behind, nothing to link him to themission of the crimes¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°Yes it may look like he left no tracks, but there is no perfect crime scene. Always remember that¡±


    Wright replied.


    ¡°Is that a truth or just a myth?¡± Riona asked.


    She had never heard that all crimes would be uncovered as there were no perfect crime scenes like


    her dad had just said. She believes that the actor in the film was too good at covering his tracks and


    might never be found.


    ¡°It is the truth dear. Unless the investigators are not looking well enough and at the right ces too,


    there is no perfect crime scene¡± Wright emphasized.


    ¡°Does that exin why my aunt Kyra is seen as one of the best private investigators in the country,


    because she looks well enough and at the right ces too?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Exactly dear, now you get my point. The main issue here is having a resilient spirit and refusing to stop


    until it is unraveled¡± Wright agreed.


    ¡°You know I had once dreamt of being an investigator too, just like my aunt Kyra and maybe someday


    work in her investigativepany. But right now, all I want to do is to be a medical doctor¡± Riona said.


    ¡°You know you would have made a very good one, Rio. Nothing passes you by and that is one of the


    investigative spirits¡± Wright said.


    Riona thought about what her dad said for a few seconds before she responded to him.


    ¡°You are right dad, and I can still be one even without going to study for it¡± Riona replied.


    Hearing what Riona had just said, Wright chuckled and replied her ¡°And I doubt if anypany would


    want to hire you¡±


    ¡°Things are changing, and very soon the world would dwell more on knowledge and less on certificate¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°We would wait until then darling, for now, a certificate still goes a long way to show knowledge¡± Wright


    replied.


    ¡°Or maybe we are just saying the same thing dad¡± Riona said.


    ¡°You think so? For me, I see no semnce¡± Wrightughed.


    Wright continued to chat on his phone as his attention was divided between the television and his


    phone. But even though Riona noticed this, she felt it was better topletely ignore him and focus on


    the movie.


    After some time Wright calls out to Riona.


    ¡°Honey¡±


    Riona turned to look at him and said. ¡°Yes dad¡±.


    ¡°Maeve just said that she and Riley are going to the museum and some other fun ces on Sunday


    and she was wondering if you might join them¡± Wright announced.


    Right now, Riona felt like bringing down the roof with her voice. But she however decided that it was


    better to remain calm and respectfully decline the offer.


    ¡°Maeve¡± Riona repeated.


    Ironically, Wright tries to exin who Maeve was to Riona ¡°Of course Maeve, Riley¡¯s mum, your


    ssmate¡±.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember her?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to know or remember her dad. And please remind her that she cannot afford what I crave


    for¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Rio, why would you say such a thing, where is your manners?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Are you not bothered with the fact that the time that you are supposed to spend with me, has been


    used on the phone all day long, or is that your own definition of spending time with me, on your phone


    all through the day?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°But Rio¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay dad, if you are no longer interested in either the movie or in staying with me, please at least


    remain quietly by my side and allow me to watch this movie peacefully¡± Riona said.


    Riona''s outburst made Wright finallye to the realization that he had actually been on his phone for


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    most part of the day. With this, he felt that he had beenpletely inconsiderate towards Riona and


    this made him feel so bad.


    The truth is that Wright had been on the phone with Maeve, and while on it, he had also been replying


    to other messages from friends and business partners.


    Having realized how Riona felt about the attention that he is giving to his phone, he immediately


    switched off his phone and continued with the movie.

 CHAPTER ELEVEN – CREATING A BETTER WORLD

    CHAPTER ELEVEN ¨C CREATING A BETTER WORLD


    Riona and Wright are sitting round the table in Wright¡¯s bedroom and they are both going through some


    documents separately.


    Riona is taking down some notes on the jotter that is with her as she works, while Wright is inputting


    some details into hisptop.


    When Evolette was alive she has an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) known as ¡®Re Aid¡¯ a


    Human Rights NGO which specializes in liaising with different orphanage homes and acts as a parent


    to such orphanage homes. Re Aid also provides intensive care to refugees and inmates.


    During Evolette''s lifetime, Riona was in charge of a department in Re Aid. Her department


    specializes in providing luxuries to kids in the orphanage homes. For example, they can take up a


    project of organizing apetition whereby the winners would be taken on vacation to any country of


    their choice. Due to how influential and the financial status of Evolette and by extension Re Aid,


    she was able to influence and encourage rich homes to take up orphans as foster kids and to also


    wee them and provide a home for them during the holidays.


    After the demise of Evolette, Riona took over the management of Re Aid and she is now the CEO


    (Chief Executive Officer) and so she oversees the activities of Re Aid. However, Riona has not


    been fully involved in the activities of the NGO for sometime now and so she was doing a proper


    checkup and was taking down notes of the past activities of the NGO and also looking into the


    prospective future projects that Re Aid would undertake.


    Wright on his part was looking into the activities of the Corporate Social Responsibility of hispany.


    He too was trying to see what new projects that hispany would undertake for the good of the


    society.


    Wright is the CEO of one of thergestpany in Canada known as ¡®De Knights-Style¡¯. He formed


    thepany for over fifteen years ago when he had arrived at Canada and it had since been


    flourishing. De Knights-Styles is a multi-million dorpany that ventures in different endeavours.


    They finance projects forpanies and are more keen in taking over of weaningpanies.


    ¡°What do you think about my offer Rio?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I would not be considering that dad. Re Aid is doing well for now and it will continue that way for a


    very long time¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Come on Rio, I am not saying that Re Aid is not progressing, what I am saying is for you to


    partner with us so that mypany can channel all its Corporate Social Responsibility projects directly


    on Re Aid. Just ept our offer¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°I won¡¯t dad. I know you mean well, but that would be against the spirit of Re Aid. The aim of


    Re Aid is to fend for the indigents. Not just a specific ss or group, but to reach out to as much


    people as possible. So if I should agree to your offer, yourpany would be focused on only those


    that we have been able to reach. So what happens to the others that we don¡¯t know of? Dad, I would


    suggest that yourpany go on and discover more indigent folks¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I get you dear, but how would you take care of Re Aid? I checked and I discovered that going to a


    year now you have not even been attending to it¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°But I have Cindy dad and also other capable hands. They don¡¯t really need me there. They know what


    to do. And just so you are rified, the records that I am going through is very urate and the only


    shoring in it is that we need to take on new projects as new NGOs are already doing what we


    have been doing. We only need to diversify¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°I am not denying that you¡¯ve got capable hands, but as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Re Aid


    would still require your presence at regr intervals and you need to be there at those moments. How


    do you n on managing that andbining such task with your study?¡± Wright asked.


    Riona smiles at her dad. ¡°I got it all under control dad. It is well nned out¡±


    She really appreciates his concern towards her general well-being but she has to make him understand


    that she knows what she is doing and would not stretch herself beyond her limit.


    ¡°Okay, if you say you can handle it, then I would not interfere anymore¡± Wright surrendered.


    ¡°Of course dad I say so. Once Ie up with something, I am very sure that my team would be able to


    handle it and believe me, it will be a sess. Also, I will keep up with them but just to assure you that


    that would not be at the expense of my study. Re Aid is more of leisure to me¡± Riona said.


    Wright listened to his daughter with rapt attention and he was just too impressed with how perfectly she


    had prioritized her activities. ¡°I believe you dear¡±.


    ¡°Thanks for understanding dad¡± Riona said.


    Wright and Riona continued with what they were doing quietly. Wright remembered that Riona had


    earlier told him of her intention to undertake a new project and they had both agreed to talk about the


    projectter on. So he decided to talk about the project now.


    ¡°Rio¡± Wright called.


    ¡°Yes dad¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°You told me that you wanted to talk to me about a project that you have in mind. So do you mind


    discussing it now?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Okay dad. About the project, Re Aid is looking into diversifying. We want to liaise with schools


    from different parts of the world to see how we can exchange students with them. We already have the


    cooperation of so many schools here in Canada for that. The major beneficiaries of this project would


    as usual be the kids from the orphanage homes but this time, we would be adding kids from low


    ie homes too. You know, we took a survey of what the different kids that are under our care pray


    for and we discover that so many of them want to know what life is outside what they already know. We


    are doing this project to give them a sense of belonging¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°That is a great project Rio¡± Wrightmended.


    ¡°Thanks dad, I am d you love it¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°But have you looked into the area of finance? Because this would consume a whole lot of money¡±


    Wright inquired.


    ¡°Yes dad we have. And we would need yourpany to help us to facilitate the necessary logistics.


    Since you are already recognized that won¡¯t be difficult to achieve¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Of course it won¡¯t. So how would the project kick off?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Once everything is ready, we are ready to start¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°And what about the aspect of finance?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Re Aid has about ten percent of the money for now. For the remaining ny percent, I n on


    using thirty percent from mum¡¯s legacy for me toplete it. We already applied to some organisations


    for funds, but I would not want us to put our hopes on it. So until we get positive response from them, I


    would bepleting it¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°What, thirty percent from your mum¡¯s legacy is a lot of money. That is let me say about two million


    Canadian dors¡± Wright eximed.


    Wright was surprised to hear Riona say that she was nning to use such an amount for the money


    that her mum has willed to her for the NGOs project. He marveled at how phnthropic Riona is and


    most times, he wishes that he is as phnthropic as she especially when it has to do with less


    privileged kids.


    ¡°I know dad, but I don¡¯t think anything is too much for the kids. And moreover, I am positive that our


    applications would yield positive results¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°And why did you not apply to De Knight-Stlyes for funds?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°We did submit an application at De Knights-Styles dad¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°You did?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Yes dad we did. However, we decided to follow the necessary protocols in submitting our application


    and maybe that¡¯s why you have not gotten it yet. I do believe that it would get to your table soon¡± Riona


    replied.


    ¡°Oh I see¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°And one other thing dad¡± Riona said.


    ¡°What is it Rio?¡± Wright requested.


    ¡°As i said earlier, we want yourpany to be in charge of the general organization and logistic of this


    project. We would formally brief you once it is time for that¡± Riona said.


    ¡°And I promise you that we would be d to be a part of this¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°And we would pay you for that¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Sure. It is business¡± Wright smiled.


    ¡°Talking about the logistics, have you gotten apany for the data analysis yet?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°No dad, we would also want De Knight-Styles to take care of that¡± Riona replied.


    Wright thought about Riona''s request for a second and said ¡°Okay. For that, I would have to get Maeve.


    Herpany specializes on cotion of data and I promise that they would be a good job¡± .


    ¡°Okay, this is business dad. Are you sure that she would be able to handle this? We are not talking


    about a few dors here dad. We would definitely be looking for apany that would give us value for


    what we are paying for¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Of course she will, Rio. I would not be rmending her if she is not up to the task¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Dad, we are looking at some millions of dors here and I know the person that you are


    rmending. I would not want to gamble with this project¡± Riona said.


    ¡°And what is that supposed to mean?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°She is a lowlife, dad. Let¡¯s not try to ignore that fact and we are talking about huge money for this


    project¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Stop it Rio. When did you be this way. Why would you talk down on someone like that, who


    raised you in such manner?¡± Wright asked.


    Wright was already very disappointed with Riona. He wondered why she would talk about a person in


    such a derogatory manner let alone someone she knows that he is close to.


    ¡°I am sorry if my words hurt, dad. But this is business and I would not want to mix it with pleasure¡±


    Riona emphasized.


    ¡°And I am not mixing it with pleasure either. When I said she is qualified the know it that she is truly


    qualified¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Very well dad. But you do know that we have some criteria forpanies we work with so if her


    ¡°And mypany would be the one to contract her, baby girl. So no need to get yourself all stressed


    up over this¡± Wright responded.


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°You do know how much this project means to me dad. I am putting in everything in this for myte


    mum and I hope you never forget that¡± Riona said.


    Wright decided that it was better to call Riona to order in a more calm way. He wants to make her


    understand that the fact that life ces a person on top is not a license to trample on those beneath.


    ¡°Rio¡± Wright called.


    ¡°Yes dad¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I have always tried to inculcate the value of hard work and respect in you. I can very much afford more


    luxury than our living standard at the moment but I decided that there was no need to. I want you to


    grow up into someone that understand and appreciate the hard work of others¡± Wright said.


    ¡°But I do appreciate their hard works¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Not with what you have just done. Rio, I must say that I am disappointed in you. Please always


    remember that humility pays¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay dad¡± Riona said.


    Riona does not really agree with her dad in this case because she felt that in business, you get the


    services of only the best. However, she felt that it was better to let things slide as there was no need


    trying to argue with her dad on the topic.

 CHAPTER TWELVE - A MEETING WITH HER

    CHAPTER TWELVE - A MEETING WITH HER


    Wright drove into the restaurant, parked his car in the car park in front of the restaurant and he stepped


    out. As he walked down the premises of the restaurant, he was a little nervous as he not sure of how


    tonight would go. Actually, he had for long been postponing this night because he was having cold feet


    on carrying on with the whole arrangement.


    He suddenly remembered that he did not inform Riona that he would being backte from work


    tonight. His n was that this meeting would be as brief as possible and so, Riona might not even


    realize that he had gone anywhere after work.


    Ever since Evolette¡¯s demise, Wright had always gone home straight from work and he had never left


    Riona all to herself. Anyways, it is not as if he used to stay outte at night when Evolette was alive,


    just that he only be extremely conscious of this since it was just Riona at home and with his


    absence, she was going to be all by herself which is what he would not want to happen.


    He imagined how she would take his absence, and since he did not want her to be worried about him,


    he stopped and brought out his phone from his pocket as he intends to dial her number and inform her


    of his whereabouts. But however, on a second thought, he decided against calling her.


    ¡°She can take care of herself, she is not a kid anymore¡± he mused.


    He put his phone back into his pocket and continued his walk into the restaurant.


    Wright thought about all he done to ensure that Riona was not always alone. He had once suggested


    that Riona went home with Riley after school, or that she allowed Riley visit her at home so that she


    would not be all alone at home until his return. But she had tantly kicked against the ideas and even


    though Riona had not expressly stated it, by her actions, it was clear to Wright that Riona does not


    want the names of either Riley or her mother, Maeve to ever be measured to her.


    This realization left Wright in a more difficult situation, and made him doubt whether he is actually doing


    the right thing bying for this meeting tonight.


    Believing that Riona has only been overreacting as a child, Wright shakes off the thought of Riona not


    wanting to have anything to do with Maeve and Riley.


    This would be the first outing that he would be on without Riona since after he lost his wife and he


    intended to make it worthwhile and have a little of a nice evening.


    He entered the restaurant and as he walked to his reservation, he discovered that she was already


    seated and was waiting for him.


    He never knew that she would be here at this time and he hoped that he has not kept her waiting for


    long.


    He got to the table and greeted her as he sat down. ¡°Hello Maeve¡±


    She smiled at him, and her smile had some soothing andforting effect on him.


    ¡°Hi Wright, you made it¡± she responded.


    This time around, Wright smiled.


    They never believed that they would finally be having this meeting. At first, Wright¡¯s excuse for dying


    the meeting was that he was still mourning Evolette and when it was obvious that the excuse would no


    longer work, he reced it with not knowing how Riona would feel or react to it.


    Actually, he could not bring himself to tell Riona about tonight but decided toe nevertheless. For if


    he waits until when he would be able to inform Riona first, then the meeting would never happen.


    ¡°Looks like I did¡± he replied.


    They bothughed at his reply, but theughter ended as soon as it was started.


    Wright was the first to stopughing, as he felt theughter was not even supposed to happen. Maeve


    quickly followed suit because she believed as a result of Wright¡¯s reaction, that theughter was out of


    ce.


    ¡°Hope I did not keep you waiting all night?¡± he asked.


    Maeve adjusted in her seat before she responded.


    ¡°Not at all Wright, I just arrived about a minute ago, I haven¡¯t been waiting for long¡± she replied.


    Wright sat down and took the restaurant¡¯s menu that was in front of him and he goes through it. After


    some time, he said.


    ¡°I think I would be making do with just red wine this evening¡±


    He did not lift his head up to look at Maeve as he spoke, he was still glued to the menu he was holding.


    ¡°That would be fine with me too¡± Maeve said.


    This time, Wright raised his head to look at Maeve.


    ¡°Are you sure about that? You know you can actually have whatever you feel like tonight¡± he said.


    He was confused that Maeve¡¯s choice was hinged on his and he would not like to be the reason for her


    not enjoying the night as she wanted.


    ¡°Of course I am¡± she chuckled.


    Wright paused for a while, and decided that she was been honest in her request.


    ¡°If you say so, Maeve. So do you have any suggestions, like what brand of red wine do you want?¡± he


    asked.


    Maeve hesitated for a while before she replied. ¡°I am fine with whichever one Wright¡±.


    Wright knew Maeve better to understand that she was been sincere and there was no need been


    pushy with it anymore.


    ¡°That would be great¡± he said.


    He signaled to the waiter who was some steps away from their table. The waiter arrived, and he ced


    their order.


    Their order arrived and as they were sipping their wine, Maeve decided to hold some conversation with


    Wright.


    ¡°So how has it been with Riona?¡± she asked.


    Wright took his gaze up. He definitely would not want to talk about Riona tonight. However, just so as


    not to hurt Maeve, he joins her in the conversation.


    ¡°She is fine¡± he said.


    Maeve was not looking at Wright when she asked about Riona so she did not notice Wright¡¯s


    countenance. Maybe if she had, she might have changed the topic.


    ¡°So how is she carrying on with the whole thing? I trust that she would be getting better by the day,


    actually, I haven¡¯t seen much of hertely¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yeah, sure. Though she feels keeping more to herself was the best way to go. But shees around


    a couple of times¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Poor child. You know we react to loss differently Wright¡± she said.


    ¡°Riona is a whole lot of difference then¡± he replied.


    On a second thought, he quickly added. ¡°She hase to ept that Evolette is no more, but I fear


    that she has even lost sight of those that are still here with her except of curse for Re Aid¡±.


    Maeve thought on what he had said about Riona. This was not a surprise to Maeve, with the little she


    already knows about Riona, she was sure that it would take a long time for her toe around.


    ¡°That¡¯s okay Wright, she would definitelye around soon enough, you know it¡¯s a blow none of us


    coulde to terms with¡± she said.


    Just then, Wright¡¯s phone began to ring. He took it out of his pocket and looked at the caller. On seeing


    who the caller is, he puts the phone back into his pocket. He looked at his wrist watch and realized that


    he had only been here for just ten minutes.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± Maeve asked.


    She has been watching Wright attitude since the call entered, and she was curious to know about the


    caller.


    Wright thought about her question for some seconds, and finally agreed that it was okay to answer her


    question, so he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s actually my daughter, Riona¡±


    ¡°Then why not pick it, she might be worried about you¡± she said.


    ¡°Come on Maeve, I am onlyte by ten minutes. She should learn to stay without me for some time¡± he


    replied.


    Maeve was taken aback by his response and she decided to press further.


    ¡°You did not tell her that you wereing here, did you?¡± she asked.


    Wright¡¯s disposition said it all. Riona had not the slightest idea that Wright would bete tonight, neither


    did she know that he was having a date with her. Maeve was not toofortable with the whole


    arrangement, she did not like how Wright had handled the whole thing.


    She did not like to think that she was sneaking around with Wright, hiding from Riona.


    ¡°But why did you not tell her about tonight?¡± Maeve requested.


    Just then, his phone rings again and he decided to ignore it once again.


    ¡°You have to talk to her Wright¡± she said.


    Wright kept quiet and pretended not to hear her.


    Maeve realized that her insistence was not making any headway with Wright, so she said.


    ¡°At least a text would do¡±


    Wright took out his phone and sent Riona a text message which reads


    ¡®Would be backte¡¯


    Immediately, he got a reply from Riona which reads


    ¡®Just that, and nothing more?¡¯


    Wright nced at his phone when the message entered. He sighed and switched off the phone and put


    it back into his pocket.


    ¡°So, why don¡¯t we get fully to the business for tonight, we have spent enough time on nothing¡± Wright


    said.


    Maeve hates to think that Wright had just referred to their date as business, she hated further that he


    had not taken his daughter¡¯s call more seriously. What if something had happened, what if Riona was


    in some sort of emergency and had needed to talk to him immediately?


    She decided she was not going to let what just happened tonight to slide away just like that, she was


    going to discuss it with Wright, and she was going to do that now.


    ¡°Can I get a minute Wright?¡± She asked.


    ¡°Sure, you can. I would be waiting right here¡± he replied.


    ¡°Not that Wright, I mean a minute here, with you. I want to have some discussion with you, you know,


    before we start our business¡± she said.


    She was emphatic on the ¡®our business¡¯.


    Wright was curious and he could not help but to wonder what she was so interested on talking about.


    However, he was a bit amused with the way Maeve had emphasized on the ¡®our business¡¯.


    ¡°Okay, you can go on Maeve, I am listening¡± he replied.


    Maeve waited for some time before she began.


    ¡°It¡¯s about Riona¡¯s call, do you even stop to think that she might be in some sort of danger and needed


    you immediately?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I am sorry about that Maeve, I was just a little nervous, I feared what her reaction would be and I was


    just not ready for it. I will take care of that once I get home¡± he replied.


    They were both so engrossed with their drinks and the time slowly ticks away. They said very little to


    each during the time spent together. Maeve did most of the talking as Wright barely said much.


    Then the music starts to y in the background. Wright started to nod his head to the beat of the


    music, and slowly, Maeve followed suit.


    Wright saw that the dance flow was gradually filling up with couples, who are holding hands as they


    danced and he was no longer be contented with just nodding to the rhythm.


    He looked at Maeve, and make a signal inviting her to join him in a dance and she smiled approvingly.


    Having gotten the desired approval, he stood up, walked to her side and held her by the hands. She


    got up and they both soon became lost in the crowd dancing in the dance floor.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

 CHAPTER THIRTEEN - RIONAS TERROR

    CHAPTER THIRTEEN - RIONA''S TERROR


    Wright got down from the car, he looked at the house and he was d that the lights were off which


    could only mean that Riona has retired for the night.


    He knows that Riona would definitely not let this issue to slide as she would make sure to bring it up


    tomorrow. He is not yet sure of what to tell her, but at least he was happy that while he awaits the event


    of tomorrow to unfold, he would be allowed some rest for tonight.


    While having the dance with Maeve, Wright had not known how quickly the time had gone by. It was


    when he realized that he had spent a lot of time with Maeve that he had immediately requested that


    they leave.


    He opened the door carefully. Of course he was certain that there was no need for sneaking, but he


    had to be careful just in case Riona wakes up as a result of noise.


    As soon as he entered the house, he breathed in relieve. He was d that he was able to make it back


    without having to deal with Riona just yet.


    However, his joy was cut short when the lights went on.


    Wright was shocked by this as it became obvious that he wasn¡¯t alone in the sitting room.


    He heard a voice say ¡°Its past 1 am dad¡±.


    He turned his face slowly to where the voice hade from and he realized that Riona has been sitting


    on the couch all along. He was taken by surprise because just a moment ago, he was jubting that he


    would not have to face her.


    This means that she has seen him sneaking in and so he felt pity for himself.


    He decided to ignore her and go in but as he was about climbing the staircase, she continued and he


    reluctantly stopped to listen to whatever she was going to say.


    ¡°You ignored my call, and now you are also going to ignore my presence. What is happening dad, tell


    me what is going on?¡± she asked.


    She stood up from the couch and went to stand in front of him. ¡°What is it with all the sneaking


    around?¡± she.


    ¡°It iste Rio¡± Wright managed to say.


    ¡°Of course I know that it iste that is why I told you that it is past 1 am. When did you even start


    She was beginning to get agitated and so was Wright who felt she had no right to talk to him in such


    manner.


    ¡°I am your dad, Riona, and you must respect me as such¡± he said.


    ¡°And still I have a right to know exactly where you¡¯ve been all night¡± she retorted.


    The tension between them was already building up. And it was bing obvious to the both of them


    that they were both getting on each others nerve.


    ¡°And you don¡¯t talk to me in such manner girl¡± he red.


    Wright was beginning to raise his voice, and to keep up with him, Riona also raised hers.


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    ¡°To hell I will. If all you do is keepte nights with no thoughts of informing me whilst at it, and sneaking


    to enter your own house, I have every damn right to talk to you whichever way I chose to¡± she


    screamed.


    Wright was bewildered and he wondered what hade over his little girl and when she got this


    aggressive. She has always been a very outspoken person, but Wright could tell that he had never


    seen her like this,pletely out of control to the extent of talking to him in such a degrading manner.


    Although he agrees that his attitude tonight had not been the best, he still believes that it does not in


    any way warrant his little girl talking to him in this manner and so he screamed. ¡°Riona!¡±.


    Riona was not expecting such a loud scream from him. She looked at him and a tear dropped from her


    eyes.


    ¡°I stayed awake all night daddy, and I even made us dinner but its lying on the dining table, untouched¡±


    she said.


    She had gotten emotional as she could not understand why her dad, the only person that she has in


    her life right now, would chose to treat her this way.


    She made to run away from him, but he was fast enough to catch her by her hands and drew her close


    to him.


    ¡°I am sorry if I had hurt you Rio, I never intended for that to happen¡± he apologized.


    Hearing the apology from her dad, she began to sob. She would do anything to ensure that her dad


    never leaves her side but it is beginning to look like the more she tried, the further apart he drifts.


    Wright could not bear seeing his daughter in her present state. He admits that he is wrong, but that


    does not warrant Riona¡¯s outburst. However, he would do anything to make his daughter happy and he


    understands that her unsteady emotional state must be as a result of the trauma suffered from losing


    her mum.


    ¡°I would not leave you all alone again Rio, I promise¡± he assured her.


    He led her to sit on the couch, and he ced her to sit on his thighs. He strokes her hair as he looked


    into her eyes.


    ¡°Do you promise never to leave me on my own again dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Of course dear, I will always be with you¡± He promised.


    He knows Riona was trying to emotionally ckmail him just as always, but he had to give in anyways.


    The little girl has suffered so much in just her short stay in life and he understands what she must be


    going through. So if she was trying to ckmail him, he was just as prepared to give in to that.


    ¡°Will you tell me a bedtime story dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Sure I will honey, but definitely, that would not be today¡± Wright replied.


    Riona was not ready to let her dad go. He had spent his entire night in thepany of some other


    person, and he must spend this very moment with her, because now it is her turn to stay in his


    To achieve her aim, she decided to bring in other topics for discussion so that he will not have any


    excuse to leave her.


    ¡°Do you still love mum?¡¯¡± Riona asked.


    Wright never expected such a question from Riona and he wondered why she would be asking him this


    question at this point in time. However, in other to make her happy, he decided to go ahead and answer


    her.


    ¡°Yes of course dear, I love Evolette, and I have never stopped loving her¡± he replied.


    Riona smiled. She was d to know that they are still one big, united and happy family.


    ¡°I have never stopped loving her dad, no day passes without me thinking of her. I think of her every


    seconds of the day. I feel her presence, and I know that she is here with us, every time¡± she said.


    Of course, Wright loves Evolette too, but he believes that Riona was taking this too far. Evolette was


    gone now and it should be epted as such. He wanted to bring this up with Riona, but since he was


    not sure how she would react, he decided to keep it to himself.


    ¡°How often do you think of her?¡± she asked.


    Wright wasn¡¯t sure of whom Riona was talking about. Was she still talking about Evolette, or was she


    referring to someone else. So to rify, he asked her ¡°Who?¡±.


    ¡°Who else dad, mum of course or is they someone else that we are talking about?¡± she replied.


    She was surprised that her dad would lose touch with their discussion, or was he thinking of someone


    else? Riona could not even bring herself to think of the possibility of such.


    It was now obvious to Wright that Riona was been deliberate with her attitude and he wondered what


    she seeks to achieve with all of these. However, since he is hoping to avoid having any other fight with


    her, he has to keep cooperating with her.


    ¡°She is somewhere deep down in my heart, her memories will forever remain with me¡± he said.


    Riona was intrigued by his response and so she looked at him in shock. She could not believe how he


    had just described her mum. So right now, with everything that her mum represents, all that he thinks of


    her is nothing but only a memory? She could not believe just how soon it took for her dad to quickly


    forget about her mum and reduce her to only but a mere memory.


    But no, she would not just overlook this reply. Her dad must have to exin to her what he means by


    saying that she was somewhere deep down in his heart and that her memories will forever remain with


    him.


    ¡°Memories?¡± she asked.


    She wanted to be sure that her thoughts were not correct, that her dad had onlycked the proper


    words to describe how he feels. She waited for him to reply and she was expecting him to correct


    himself.


    Wright looked at her and he wondered why she was staring at him in such manner. What was she


    expecting him to say, that Evolette was seated right on couch right there with them? No, if that is what


    she wants to hear, it would definitely not be from him. He thought.


    When Wright continued to stare at her without attempting to say anything to her, she decided to


    continue with her question.


    ¡°All you think about mum is only a memory? She only left a moment ago, have you totally forgotten


    about her dad?¡± she asked.


    He was still not replying her. She could tell that he was only trying not to get on her nerves, but to hell


    with that. He had been getting on her nerves for far too long, he could as well carry on with that now.


    ¡°Are you seeing someone else daddy?¡± she asked.


    Thisst question came as a shock to Wright. He wanted to quickly answer her and put her right, but as


    he opened his mouth to talk, the words refused toe out and instead, he stuttered.


    ¡°Daddy¡± she called out once again.


    Wright gathered all the strength in him before he could bring himself to respond to her allegation.


    ¡°Not at all Riona. Why would you even think of such? You see all I am trying to make you understand is


    that your mum, my wife, she is gone, gone far away from us. There is no denying that we would all be


    united soon, but we got to keep living and not keep everything on hold. We owe that much to her¡± he


    said.

 CHAPTER FOURTEEN – SAD REMINISCENCE

    CHAPTER FOURTEEN ¨C SAD REMINISCENCE


    Riona¡¯s jaws dropped as she listened to her dad speak. She could not believe what she was hearing.


    All of these could definitely not being from him, she thought. Where was the love that he never


    stopped professing for her mum?


    When Riona got the news of the mum¡¯s death, she had feared that a day like this woulde when


    her dad would forget about all the love that he shared with her mum. But then, her dad had acted so


    well that she had to dismiss the thought as only a figment of her imagination.


    She had seen how the home of a couple of her friends got torn apart immediately they lost their mum


    and their dads soon got themselves a new wife and gradually transferred the love for them to the new


    wife and the kids they had together.


    She had sworn to herself that her dad was different and would not act like the dads of her friends. But


    no, she was wrong all along as he seems to be exactly like the rest.


    When she could not take it anymore, she burst into tears and ran up the staircase.


    Wright could not understand what had triggered Riona¡¯s reaction. He looked at her as she ran, and he


    decided not to go after her. He believes had been soft on her for too long and it is about time that she is


    left to face reality.


    To Wright, Riona should be allowed to grow up and to understand that things would not always go her


    way. Yes, he knows he owns it as a duty to make her happy, but it is high time she realized that others


    around her deserve some level of happiness too.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Riona ran and opened the door to her mum¡¯s room and entered. She fell down on the bed and was


    sobbing.


    After a while, she sat up and looked at the door. She was wondering why her dad had not run right after


    her as he had always done.


    She got up and went to put on the light in the room. As soon as she did, she discovered a ne of


    her mum lying on the floor of the room. She bent and picked it and she remembered what led to the


    ne being on the floor.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Riona was alone in her mum¡¯s room on that Friday afternoon. She was holding her mum¡¯s ne


    and standing in front of the dressing table. She tried on the ne and then looked at herself at the


    mirror in front of her. She saw that the ne fitted her so perfectly and she was happy.


    ¡°Okay, when next I go out with mum, I am going to ask for this rare piece of jewelry¡± she said as she


    admired herself in the mirror.


    ¡°And when will mum be discharged from the hospital? I just can¡¯t wait to have her with me once again¡±


    Shemented.


    Riona had wondered why her mum was not back from the hospital yet. She had only gone to see her


    on the second day of her being admitted into the hospital. Her dad assured her that there was no need


    to keep visiting her mum as she would soon be discharged from the hospital and would thene


    back home to her.


    At first, Riona refused to listen to her dad¡¯s excuse and had insisted on going to visit her in the hospital


    regardless of how long she was going to stay. And to make her agree to him, Wright had further


    explicitly assured her that her mum would remain on admission in the hospital for just one week and


    that the doctor said that it was not safe for Riona to visit. And just so she could please her mum, Riona


    had agreed to the arrangement.


    She dismissed the thoughts on her mum for the meantime and she continued to look at herself in the


    mirror and it was very obvious that she liked what she was seeing as she beamed as she took different


    poses.


    She could not exin it, but strangely, the ne that she was already putting on dropped on the


    floor and this sent a cold chill to her. But in order not to make any issue from this, she dismissed the


    feelings and never attached any meaning to it.


    She bent to pick up the ne from the floor but her phone that was on the bed started to ring and


    she left the ne on the floor and went to get her phone.


    She looked at her phone screen, the call was from her dad.


    ¡°Oh daddy¡± she said before she picked the call.


    Contrary to her dad¡¯s promise of her mum only staying in the hospital for a week, she had remained in


    the hospital for ten days now. Wright had promised to take Riona to go see Evolette today and Riona


    on her part had made up her mind that nothing would stop her from going there today.


    Even though this was not the first day that Wright would be making such assurance to her, as he had


    been doing that for the past three days, Riona was sure to make today different and ensure that he


    kept his promise.


    ¡°Hello daddy¡±


    There was no response on the other end of the receiver, so she continued to speak.


    ¡°Hello daddy, is that you daddy?¡± she asked.


    Yet there was no response.


    ¡°Can you hear me daddy, hello¡± she said once again.


    The call dropped. She looked at her phone and wondered why she was not hearing what her dad was


    saying as she was sure she heard some sound from the other end.


    She thought about what would have made her dad not say anything to her. Could it be as a result of


    poorwork, or was his phone faulty. However, since she was unable to ascertain what might have


    been the cause for such, she resolved on putting the phone back on the bed while she patiently awaits


    the arrival of her dad.


    Riona had already missed her mum to a point that she could take it no longer. She believes that she


    had been stretched to her limit and might explode if her dad tries to y games with her this time


    around and she had already made this known to him when he was leaving this morning.


    Riona remembered the ne on the floor and decided to go and pick it up and ce it back from


    the box where she had taken it out from.


    Again, just as she stooped to pick up the ne from the floor so as to return it back to the box she


    had collected it from, she heard a knock at the door.


    She was startled at first as she was not expecting anyone just yet. Actually, the only person that she


    should be expecting right now was her dad and since he called her just a few minutes ago, there was


    no way he would be home already.


    So, she once again abandoned the ne and went out to see who was at the door and what the


    person¡¯s mission was. Little did she know that she was willingly going to receive that news that would


    tear her world apart and make everything not remain same any longer.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    As soon as she opened the door, she saw that it was her dad that had knocked.


    ¡°Hey dad, you are here. I was replying to your call all along but it seems like you were not hearing me.


    Was it thework? And why are you back this early, I was not expecting you this soon?¡± she


    interrogated.


    She was so excited that her dad was back as that would only mean one thing, which was that in a


    couple of hours, she would be standing in front of her mum.


    She noticed that her dad had not responded to all that she had said, so she decided to observe his


    countenance to know if there was any problem.


    She discovered that he was looking pale, she had never seen him this weak and sad before and she


    wondered what might be the problem.


    She decided to give way for him to enter into the house as he had been standing outside all along and


    that was when she noticed that there were two other people with him, Maeve and Riley.


    Riona was shocked at seeing the two right in front of door, with her dad. She wanted to enquire on the


    reason for their visit, and why they were with her dad but since she was yet to uncover the mystery


    behind her dad¡¯s sudden terrible disposition, she decided topletely ignore them as they presence


    was inconsequential to her at the moment.


    Wright held Riona¡¯s hand, and led her to go sit on the couch while he sat by her left and Maeve and


    Riley sat by her right.


    Wright stared at Riona ¡°I am sorry I have to break this news to you Rio¡±.


    Riona listened attentively to him. What had happened, and what news was he sorry to break? She was


    She was nk and could not think straight as all that was on her mind was to be taken to see her mum


    as he had promised. Or was this one of his plots to stop him from taking her to see her mum? Riona


    smiled within herself because she was already determined that whatever happens, she must go to see


    her mum even if it entails going there all by herself.


    ¡°You have to be strong and ept this as it is¡± Wright said.


    The whole thing was beginning to add up to Riona now. But she could not believe it. She listened and


    prayed that it was not what she was thinking. Even the way Wright was speaking very slowly and


    consciously, obviously trying to pick his words gave it all away. She could tell from his voice, he had


    been crying and was trying so hard to hide it.


    Was that why he could not say anything to her on the phone? She does not know how she was able to


    do it, but she decided not to re up, but to keep her emotions in check. Maybe she might be wrong


    and had only been assuming.


    And just as Riona was trying to battle her inner thoughts, Wright broke the news that would shatter her


    and would always keep tormenting her for a very long time.


    ¡°I am sorry honey, but we lost her¡± he announced.


    This was like a time bomb to Riona. At first, she could not absorb what he had just said. She watched


    as tears flowed freely from her dad¡¯s eyes. It took her about ten seconds to recount what had


    transpired and make something out of his words.


    She let out a loud scream and stood up from the couch. She was going to run back to her mum¡¯s room


    upstairs when Maeve¡¯s hand grabbed hers. She attempted to free herself, but she was already too


    weak and could not match Maeve''s strength.


    Riona hated Maeve for her guts. She had no right to restrict her movement or try to dictate how she


    was allowed to mourn her mum, it was her mum that just died, and she should be in the best position to


    know how to act.


    When Riona saw that it was pointless trying to break free from Maeve, she surrendered and sat on the


    floor.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    She felt a hand on her shoulders, she turned and saw that it was Riley who was trying to console her.


    But where the hell did these two emerge from? Riona thought. What gave them the impetus to walk


    into their house and try to control how she should mourn her mum?


    It was at this very moment that Riona decided that she was never going to forgive them for stopping


    her to mourn her mum in the manner that she deemed fit.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Riona was sleeping on her mum¡¯s bed as she. She had fallen asleep on it the previous night and had


    not gone back to her room. She opened her eyes and look out of the windows. She noticed that it was


    already morning and She could not believe that she had slept here for the night.


    Slowly, she began to recollect the incident from the previous night, and she murmured.


    ¡°Maeve¡±

 CHAPTER FIFTEEN – SPORADIC REQUEST

    CHAPTER FIFTEEN ¨C SPORADIC REQUEST


    Riona is inside of her office with a middle age couple, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel who hade to solicit with


    Riona to consider their child, Trevor as a beneficiary in the ongoing project of Re Aid. They are low


    ie earners and would be very happy if Trevor would benefit in the exchange students program.


    It has been a long time since Riona was informed that Mr. and Mrs. Daniel have requested to have a


    meeting with her. But because of Riona¡¯s busy schedule, she and has been unable to honour their


    request immediately and had shifted the appointment with them to this day.


    ¡°You are wee Mr. and Mrs. Daniel. Sorry I have to fix this meeting for today as I have received


    your request a long time ago but believe me, I have been indisposed¡± Riona said.


    ¡°We are very aware of that Riona and we are most obliged to have you honour our request even when


    you do not have to see us¡± Mr. Daniel replied.


    ¡°I am d you understand Mr. Daniel¡± Riona said.


    ¡°What can I offer you?¡± Riona offered.


    ¡°We are fine, no need to bother¡± Mr. Daniel replied.


    Okay, I went through your letter and it says that it has to do with the current project of Re Aid. So


    what is it about if I may ask¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Please Riona, it is about our son, Trevor. He has never ceased to talk about the ongoing project. He


    so much wish to be part of your exchange students and we would be honoured if his wishes to


    pass¡± Mrs. Daniel said.


    ¡°We know we should not havee over to your office to discuss this with you since there are


    protocols that we should observe. But we have to do this because of how much Trevor believes that he


    would get this¡± Mr. Daniel added.


    ¡°And since he believes so much in himself, whye here? You should have let his belief work for


    him¡± Riona questioned.


    ¡°Maybe our belief is not as strong as his and we are sorry for that. But you see, we have three kids, two


    boys and a girl. Trevor who is our Second son, is the brightest among them. And the fact that we


    cannot provide for all his needs makes us feel bad. We really hope that he gets this opportunity with


    the other kids¡± Mrs. Daniel replied.


    ¡°And what is his name again, I mean your son?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Trevor, he is Trevor Daniel¡± Mr. Daniel responded.


    ¡°And how old is Trevor¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°He is twelve years old¡± Mrs. Daniel replied.


    ¡°Mr. and Mrs. Daniel, I do appreciate the fact that you would go the extra length for your son, Trevor


    Daniel. And I promise that if he qualifies for this opportunity, that I would make sure that he gets it¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°Thank you so much Riona, we are certain that he would qualify¡± Mrs. Daniel said.


    ¡°Thank you for this Riona, we are most grateful¡± Mr. Daniel added.


    Mr. and Mrs. Daniel are very happy to get the assurance from Riona. Even though she has not


    expressly promised to have Trevor in her program, the fact that she has said that she would ensure


    that he benefits from her program once he is qualified was enough assurance to them as they are very


    sure that Trevor would meet the necessary qualifications. And also, knowing Riona¡¯s personality, they


    believed that she might go out of her way to help them.


    ¡°So have you made a formal application yet?¡± Riona asked.From N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes we have. We did that the very day that we heard about the program¡± Mrs. Daniel responded.


    Over the years, Riona has had the privilege of meeting folks from the average homes like Mr. and Mrs.


    Daniel on regr basis and so she understands exactly how they feel. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel are parents


    that desperately need to give their child what he craves for but are unfairly held back by financial


    constraints.


    She loves that eagerness and willingness to go the extra length just so their child would get what he


    wants.


    ¡°Very well Mrs. Daniel. I would ensure to take my time and look into Trevor¡¯s application¡± Riona


    guaranteed.


    ¡°We would be honoured if you do. Thank you so much¡± Mr. Daniel said.


    ¡°Thank you so much Riona, you are a darling¡± Mrs. Daniel added.


    Riona blushed as she heard all the praises from Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and she replied ¡°You are


    wee¡±.


    ¡°We beg to take our leave now. We are most grateful for the hospitality¡± Mr. Daniel said.


    ¡°You are most wee Mr. and Mrs. Daniel¡± Riona replied.


    Mr. and Mrs. Daniel got up and walk out of the office.


    After they had left, Riona picks up the inte and calls her secretary.


    ¡°Hello Mary. Please ask Cindy toe into my office immediately¡± Riona said into the receiver.


    ¡°Yes ma¡± Mary replied from her end.


    Riona continued withptop until Cindy arrived.


    ¡°Hey Rio, are you done with the Daniels already?¡± Cindy asked.


    ¡°Yes Cindy, just finished with them¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°And what was it that they want to see you personally about?¡± Cindy asked.


    ¡°It is about one of their children, Trevor Daniel. They said their applied for him in the ongoing program


    and they would like that I look into his application¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°But they are not the only ones that applied, it would be on merit and they should know that¡± Cindy


    said.


    ¡°Of course it would still be on merit. But please bring the file to my table tomorrow. I would like to look


    into it¡± Riona said.


    ¡°But it would change nothing if he is not qualified¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°Yes it would have changed nothing if his parents had note here to plead for it. That goes to show


    how much they need it and I believe that is still one of the criteria. I mean inability to afford it¡± Riona


    said.


    Hearing what Riona had said, Cindy went to seat down on the chair. She really wants to understand


    what Riona is getting at.


    ¡°And what does that change. Or do you n on recing him with someone else that qualifies for it?¡±


    Cindy asked.


    ¡°Far from that, Cindy. I am already sure that that Trevor Daniels would get this¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Okay. That would be great. I am just so happy for them¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°So don¡¯t forget to avail me with his file tomorrow¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I will do that dly¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°So we would be going to the orphanages right away¡± Riona said.


    ¡°How many are we visiting?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Three of them for today¡± Cindy responded.


    ¡°And what about all the stuff that we are to take with us for them, are those ready too?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Yes there are and there are right outside¡± Cindy replied.


    ¡°I think I am very much ready for that. Let¡¯s begin already¡± Riona said.


    ¡°The kids and everyone would be so d to have you around after such a long time¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°But they¡¯ve got you. So it is not as if they miss so much in my absence¡± Riona smiled.


    ¡°I know Rio, but it can never be the same as when it was you¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°I would not say so you know¡± Riona said.


    They both got up and walk out of the office.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Riona and Cindy visited the orphanage homes one after the other. Riona has three other of her workers


    with her on the visit to help out with carrying the goodies that they have brought for the kids which


    includes different toys, food supplies, educational materials and also some learning gadgets.


    Just as Cindy had predicted, at each of the homes that they got to, the kids were extremely excited to


    have her with them. She talked to them and also yed with them. She took time to listen to their


    stories andint and also answer their numerous and never ending questions.


    To Riona, these orphanage homes were her second home and bringing joy to their faces has been her


    ultimate goal. In the kids, she sees a bright future and hope and she is d that she is doing the little


    that she could to make their lives more colorful.


    Before Riona could leave, the kids made her promise toe to visit them more often and she had


    dly done that. Within her, she hoped that she would be able to keep to her promise.


    Riona had also promised some of them that she would take them on a vacation in the near future. She


    had to make the promise even when she knew that she would not be chanced for that as she was


    counting on Cindy to take care of it and appoint someone else to go on the vacation in her stead.


    Leaving the kids was the most difficult part of Riona¡¯s visit. She would have loved to spend the whole


    day with each and every one of them and she promised herself that she would definitely make this visit


    more regr.


    ¡°I noticed you are so interested in Trevor Daniel¡± Cindy said as they entered the car.


    ¡°I think I am¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°And what if he does not get this?¡± Cindy asked.


    ¡°That would be a difficult choice, Cindy, it will be difficult¡± Riona murmured.

 CHAPTER 16 – HAVING CINDY OVER

    CHAPTER 16 ¨C HAVING CINDY OVER


    When Cindy approached Riona''s house, she drove the car slowly and parked in front of the house.


    ¡°Thanks Cindy¡± Riona said as soon as Cindy stopped the car.


    She opened the door and got out of the car.


    ¡°You are wee, Rio. We would see some other time¡± Cindy replied.


    ¡°Not so fast. My dad is in and I think you should say hello before you leave¡± Riona suggested.


    However, Cindy felt it was not necessary to speak with Wright so she objected to Riona''s request ¡°Is


    there any need for that? He might be busy¡±


    But Riona was not taking no for an answer ¡°I think I insist Cindy. Just for a minute or two. Today has


    been a long day for the two of us and I would like you toe in and rx a bit. I must say a thank you


    to you¡± she persuaded.


    Cindy knew that there was no point trying to resist Riona¡¯s request as this wasn¡¯t the first time that


    Riona would be making such an offer and all her resistance has always yielded no result. With this, she


    got down from the car to obey Riona¡¯s demand.


    ¡°If you say so, but I still don¡¯t see any need for that¡± Cindy insisted.


    ¡°Thanks Cindy¡± Riona smiled.


    Riona was happy that she was able to get Cindy to do her biddings so she dly went to her, pulled


    her by the hands and led her inside.


    When they entered the house, Wright was sitting on the couch with hisptop.


    ¡°Hey dad, see who we have here¡± Riona announced Cindy¡¯s presence.


    In reaction to Riona''s announcement, Wright looked up to. When he saw that Riona was referring to


    Cindy, he smiled


    ¡°Wow, and who do we have here?¡± He eximed.


    ¡°Hello Mr. Wright, I am so d to see you¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°The pleasure is mine, Cindy. Pleasee and have a seat¡± Wright invited Cindy toe and sit by


    him.


    Cindy went to sit down beside Wright. ¡°Thanks so much Mr. Wright¡±.


    ¡°Dad, Cindy was a great help to me today, I wonder what I would have done without her¡± Riona


    announced.


    ¡°Thanks for that, Cindy. I do appreciate your zeal towards the organization¡± Wright said.


    ¡°It is nothing Mr. Wright, I am paid to do what I do and since it is already what I love doing, I just have to


    put in my best. And moreover, we didn¡¯t really do much today¡± Cindy tried to make it not appear as


    mighty as Riona had narrated.


    ¡°I beg to disagree with that. Dad, we actually visited three homes today. If not for Cindy, I would not


    have been able to achieve that much¡± Riona countered.


    ¡°Cindy, I must say that you are doing a great job. You don¡¯t need to admit it, but I see it¡± Wright


    ¡°And I must say a big thank you for that¡± Wright added.


    ¡°I am honoured sir¡± Cindy responded.


    Riona went to stand beside Wright ¡°What are you working on dad?¡± she asked.


    Wright turned to Riona and replied ¡°I am working from home dear. I need to clear my table if I intend to


    be able to afford the vacation that I promised you¡±


    ¡°Oh that. Can I help you with anything? I would not want to miss it either¡± Riona offered.


    ¡°There are just little finishes, honey. I just noticed that I have so much work lurking behind so I intend to


    go over them and direct my Personal Assistant on what to do¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°Okay dad¡± Riona replied and sat on her dad¡¯s legs.


    ¡°And what do you want, Rio?¡± Wright asked.


    He knew that Riona sitting on his legs would only mean one thing, which was that she was about to


    make a request so he decided to save her the stress of going over that and go straight to the point.


    ¡°About the vacation dad, I would like Cindy toe with us. You see, she has worked so hard all along


    and I would like her to take some time off to rx at least before our big project kicks off¡± Riona


    requested.


    ¡°Sure Rio, I agree with you that she has worked really hard and so that would be great¡± Wright said.


    Wright turns to Cindy ¡°What do you think?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Actually Mr. Wright, I would have objected to the offer but knowing that Rio does not take a no for an


    answer I might as well go along with it¡± Cindy replied.


    ¡°And now, that is my girl. You are learning atst¡± Rionaughed.


    ¡°So talking about your big project, how is the sponsorshiping along?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°So far it has been good. I am thinking of either stopping the receipt of donations or increasing our


    intake. Increasing our intake would be the best option, but my fear is management. We did not make


    adequate preparations to take care of more kids¡± Riona exined her plight to Wright.


    ¡°I understand Rio, and that is why you¡¯ve got J.M.L.S to take care of that¡± Wright said.


    ¡°J.M.L.S, who are they?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°That is Johnson Maeve Logistics and Statistics. It¡¯s Maeve¡¯spany. They can adequately take care


    of that no matter the number¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°If they can do this, I and the kids would be indebted to them¡± Riona replied.


    Riona was d to realize that a part of her worries had been taken care of. And now she can


    adequately amodate as many kids that applied.


    ¡°How was your meeting with the Daniels?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°It was great, dad. They had actuallye to request that their son who goes by the name Trevor


    Daniel¡¯s application be considered¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°And what would you do about that?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I believe that he will get it¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°And if he doesn¡¯t what happens? You know you also have to think of such possibilities¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°That had also been a bother to me. What would you have me do, dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°What would you rather do?¡± Wright responded.


    Riona thought about her dad¡¯s question and said ¡°Then I would have to personally fund him. I want to


    see that smile on his face¡±


    ¡°That is great news honey. And I am happy that you are willing to help¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I got that trait from you and mum dad¡± Riona smiled.


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    ¡°I must say that I am amazed at Riona''spassion and empathy towards the kids, sir. I know that I


    am working under the best hand¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°Sure she is the best¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°Enough of the praises, you two. please dad, is there something to eat, I am famished?¡± Riona


    requested.


    ¡°No there is nothing avable¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Okay dad. I and Cindy would quickly get something ready¡± Riona offered.


    ¡°Right Cindy?¡± Riona sought Cindy''s approval.


    ¡°Yes I am in¡± Cindy epted.


    ¡°That would be great dearies. I think I need to eat too¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Right away dad¡± Riona responded as she went and pulled Cindy to the kitchen.


    When they were done with preparing the meal, they all sat down to eat. After they finished eating,


    Riona and Cindy cleared the table and after that, everyone sat down to discuss for a while before Cindy


    bid them goodbye.


    ¡°So d to have you here with us today Cindy, and I must confess that we are going to miss you¡±


    Wright said to Cindy when she announced her intention to call it a day.


    ¡°I felt so at home here Mr. Wright. Thank you so much¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°Thanks once again Cindy, now let me see you off to your car¡± Riona said.


    Cindy was d to ept Riona''s offer ¡°That would be just great Rio¡±


    ¡°And I wouldmunicate the date of the vacation to you once my dad and I have agreed on it¡± Riona


    said as she led Cindy out of the house.


    ¡°I would be expecting that dear¡± Cindy said.


    Riona came back into the house after she was done seeing Cindy off.


    ¡°She is such a darling¡± Riona eximed.


    ¡°Of course she is. Evolette always had lots of good things to say about her¡± Wright concurred.


    ¡°I wish to have more of her around dad¡± Riona said.


    ¡°She has other things to do, Rio and so that would not be possible¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°I know that. She is such a beautiful youngdy, and she has achieved so many feats for herself¡± Riona


    said. ¡°She actually does inspire me¡±


    ¡°You are right Rio, she is surely someone to look up to considering her family background¡± Wright


    concurred.


    ¡°Talking about her family background, she is just so much like you, so humble and beautiful¡± Riona


    said.


    Riona studied her dad''s countenance and she noticed that he was not showing much interest in their


    conversation but that did not stop her from going on with the discussion about Cindy.


    ¡°What do you think of her dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I already told you Rio¡± Wright replied amidst being focused with the work on hisptop.


    ¡°I mean more than that¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I know exactly what you mean Rio, but I don¡¯t see her in such light. Moreover, she has her private life


    to live and even we as her employers should respect that¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°Of course dad, we should¡± Riona said.


    In a way, Wright¡¯s response made Riona d. She was happy that her dad had not started looking at


    another woman. However, Riona wants that if her dad should decide to get ady, it should be Cindy.


    But she did not push further because she was happy to have him to herself.

 CHAPTER 17 – UNWANTED VISITORS

    CHAPTER 17 ¨C UNWANTED VISITORS


    ¡°Hey Rio, could youe down and meet our guests?¡±


    Riona could hear her dad¡¯s voice calling her from the sitting room downstairs. She was sitting on her


    bed and was going through herptop when her dad called. She wondered who could be the person


    that wanted to see her today.


    Frankly speaking, she was not in the mood to meet anyone right this moment but she just had to go to


    meet the visitors since she did not know who they were nor was she aware of the purpose of their visit.


    Riona was already out of her room and was on her way to meet with the guests when her dad called


    out to her again.


    ¡°Riona,¡±


    ¡°I am on my way dad¡± she responded.


    She hastened her steps to meet up with whomever that her dad wanted her to meet. It was obvious


    that whoever that might be must be very special for her dad to be so eager for her to meet with them


    and so, she too could not wait to see who it might be.


    She was eager and excited too as she climbed down the stairs.


    ¡°I am here dad¡± she said.


    She looked up and saw Maeve and Riley sitting on the couch and were both smiling at her.


    She stopped and stared at them. Anger began to build up inside of her. She could not understand why


    they should bothe to visit her. She had made her intentions toward them obvious and she was not


    ready to change that anytime soon.


    ¡°Riona, they stopped over to say hi¡± Wright exined.


    Wright was excited when he made the announcement, and he had expected Riona to be excited as


    well.


    Looking at the duo, Riona made her disgust towards them so obvious even right there in front of them.


    Wright on his part was trying to make her disy some acts of hospitality to her guests and he


    sincerely wished that she does not carry on with her disy of arrogance towards them.


    ¡°Hey Riona¡± Riley said.


    Riley seems to be already used to Riona¡¯s attitude. Riona was never cold towards her before her


    mother¡¯s death, hence Riley felt her attitude must be as a result of her loss and so Riley believes that


    she would definitelye around even when it was obvious that this was taking longer than it should.


    Even though Riley felt that there might be more to Riona¡¯s attitude, she nevertheless decided to give


    her the benefit of doubt.


    The reason for Riley understanding was that Riley could remember when she had loss her dad, and


    even though she was just five at the time, she still felt the impact of his death and even till this time, she


    always trembled at the thought of his death and she knew she would do absolutely anything to see him


    again, even if it would only be just one more time.


    ¡°Hey Rio, we came over to say hi, hope you are doing fine?¡± Maeve asked.


    Riona heard Maeve and Riley very clearly, but decided not to give any response. She was only focused


    on her dad and so she acted as though no one was talking to her.


    ¡°Be polite Rio, show some courtesy¡± Wright said.


    ¡°But I don¡¯t remember inviting them dad, and they never told me that they wereing over too¡± Riona


    protested.


    Wright looked at Maeve and Riley, he waspletely embarrassed by Riona¡¯s arrogance. He thought


    of where he had gone wrong. To him, he had shown her nothing but love and care, and had done


    everything that he could to ensure that she came out perfect.


    He began to reminisce on all that he could remember that had ever transpired between Riona and


    either Maeve and/or Riley. And from all the facts that were avable to him, Maeve and Riley had been


    nothing but kind to him and Riona since Evolette¡¯s death.


    Maeve could see that Wright was beginning to get upset with Riona and she was eager to get


    everything under control before it escted into a cold fight between father and daughter. So thinking


    of a way to go about that, she stood up and went to hold Wright who by now was already fuming and


    she tried to pacify him and make him calm down.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay Wright, she is just a little girl and you must understand that she is still suffering from the loss


    of her mother¡± she said.


    Riona did not like the fact that Maeve had just referred to her as a little girl. And even worse is the fact


    that she had the enfrontery to try to speak to her dad on her behalf. What exactly does she think she


    knew about her and moreover, what gave her the right to say that about her. Riona thought.


    Riona decided that she is going to respond to Maeve right this very moment. She would not want a


    repeat of what just happened again as she never made her a mediator at any time.


    ¡°I am no little girl Maeve, and I would formally request that you do not address me as such. And just so


    you know, you know absolutely nothing about me¡± Riona challenged.


    On hearing the wordsing from his daughter, Riona, Wright tried to get to her, but Maeve stopped


    him. She would not want him to do anything to Riona, not even because of her.


    Riley was already scared of the tension that had built around her and she quickly got up and ran to hold


    her mum.


    ¡°It is okay Wright, I understand where she ising from. Please don¡¯t take it all out on her¡±


    ¡°How dare you talk to her that way, Riona, what hase over you?¡± Wright challenged Riona.


    ¡°But she talked about me too daddy¡± Riona replied in her defense.


    By this time, tears were already running down Riona¡¯s cheek. She could not believe that her dad was


    already taking side with these people, Maeve and Riona. To Riona, they are nothing but intruders, and


    should be seen as such.


    ¡°She is a stranger and she has no right to try to talk about me".


    ¡°A stranger¡± Wright murmured under his breath.


    He could not believe that these words wereing from Riona and he wondered where exactly all of


    those wereing from.


    Seeing that this could get out of control if nothing is done to stop it right now, Maeve left Wright¡¯s side


    and was heading for the staircase where Riona had been standing all along.


    ¡°Come on Riona, we are only here ¡­..¡±


    Maeve tried to speak, but immediately Riona figured out what she was about to do, she brought her


    right hands forward and stopped her.


    ¡°Don¡¯te close to me, you intruder. What are we, destitute? We don¡¯t need your pity, you can as


    well take that to an orphanage where it would be very much needed and appreciated. We are fine just


    as we are, just the two of us¡± Riona said.


    Maeve looked around her, amazed at Riona¡¯s emotional outburst. She tried to think of something that


    she might be missing. Why Riona would refer to her as an intruder, was she intimidated by them? It is


    obvious to Maeve that she must have been doing this the wrong way all along.


    She was aware of how the little girl felt and she would want to bring her anything but pain. She turned


    around and went to hold Riley.


    ¡°It is my fault Wright, I think I have been doing this all wrong and I never thought it would ever get to


    this. Please take it easy on her and try to make sure that she is always emotionally bnced. We


    would see soon¡± she whispered to Wright.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    She looked at Riona and said.


    ¡°Guess it would be some other time honey¡±.


    Riona remained quiet andpletely ignored her. As long as she was going to leave, Riona would not


    mind what she said. Maeve smiled and led her daughter, Riley out of the house.


    Wright contemted on whether to go after them and stop them from leaving or to just let it be for


    another time. He tried to walk to the door, but only stopped halfway with his hands at akimbo.


    On the other hand, Riona could not understand what was happening in front of her. Was her dad about


    to pick Maeve over her, does he intend to go after her, where is the undying love that he had always


    professed for her?


    ¡°Dad¡± Riona whispered.


    He turned to see that she had been staring at him all along. For a moment, he had even forgotten that


    she had been standing there.


    Wright knew that his daughter¡¯s love for him was undeniable and she would do anything for him. But


    right now, he is in a dilemma, one that she has put him into. And he could only wonder if she was


    acting for the love of him, or if she was just being selfish and wanted him all to herself.


    Or maybe he was the one that was inconsiderate. His little girl has no other person but him, and he has


    not been there for her fully even when she never failed to show him just how much she yearn for his


    love and care.


    Riona could not bear to see him away from her. She needed him as he was all she has. She would


    stop at nothing to keep him all to herself. He is her dad and she intended to keep it that way for as long


    as they both live.


    ¡°Riona¡± Wright called.


    He could see the fear in her eyes, the fear of losing him. But did he just make it appear to her that he


    was ready to choose someone else in ce of her? He thought to himself. He can never do that. No


    one canpare or take the ce of his daughter in his life.


    He felt so ashamed of himself, he had failed her, and he had failed his lovely wife, Evolette. What was


    he even thinking? His daughter needs him right this very moment and he has to be here for her.


    A tear dropped from his eyes as he smiled at her. At this moment, nothing else mattered to him but


    Riona, his precious little daughter. She was protecting what she owns, and she has every right to do


    so.


    Wright stretched out his hands to Riona, and she dly ran down the stairs and into his embrace.


    Wrapped in her father¡¯s embrace, she felt fulfilled and at peace. She wished they would both remain


    like this forever with nothing toe between them. She could only wish that this moment would never


    cease.


    She hoped her dad feels the same way as she feels wrapped in his embrace. She hoped that he


    adorned her as much as she adorned him and would never trade him for anything else in the whole


    wide world.


    She loved the feeling of his heartbeat on her chest. She wanted to breathe only the air that he


    breathes, she wanted to be one with him as long as she lives.

 CHAPTER 18 - GETTING HER TO KNOW

    CHAPTER 18 - GETTING HER TO KNOW


    Maeve was inside of her office and Wright was sitting in front of her. Wright hade over to Maeve¡¯s


    office for him and Maeve to have a discussion.


    Maeve was having a startling feeling inside of her as she looked at Wright. She wants to bring up an


    issue with Wright but she was not sure of how he would react to that.


    Maeve saw Wright as a very nice fellow, and he had consciously and unconsciously gone out of his


    way to please her countless times. Just as he had done today, he had to squeeze an hour out of his


    very busy schedule to meet up with her here at her office to discuss their ns. He would have been


    the best Alpha of Shadow Rank if not for his evil cousin, Derrick. She had always wanted to talk about


    the issue with Derrick with him, but she knew that that would be thest thing he would want to talk


    about.


    They have been talking about so many other things, and by the time it got to the issue with Riona,


    Wright had suddenly grown cold. She was aware of what might be the reason for that. But however,


    she thinks she still has to talk to him about it if they are going to make any headway in their


    preparations.


    When Maeve finally decided to go on with her question, she said ¡°Have you told her anything yet?¡±


    Wright hesitated a little before responding ¡°Not yet¡± he replied.


    ¡°So when do you intend to do that?¡± Maeve asked.


    Wright thought about Maeve''s question. He has to let Riona in on what he has with Maeve. But he is


    skeptical about how she would take it. She has never hidden her feelings about Maeve, and even


    though Maeve has given her no reason to, she is bent on not wanting to have anything to do with either


    Maeve or her daughter, Riley.


    Considering all of these, he wondered how he was supposed to walk up to Riona and announce to her


    that she would be having a stepmom in the person of Maeve. He just cannot begin to imagine how


    Riona would react to that.


    One might consider him a weakling, but as much as he knows that he is doing the right thing, he still


    would not want to hurt Riona¡¯s feelings even if the feelings were not justified.


    But even if he did finally bring himself to reveal the situation to Riona, he wondered if she would even


    agree to hear him out. He wondered if she would not scream to high heavens, andment how her


    father, the only person that she is left with has finally abandoned her, and all thanks to her supposed


    enemies.


    With all of these thoughts about Riona''s presumed reaction in his mind, Wright sighed and avoided


    Maeve¡¯s eye contact.


    Maeve could tell that Wright was lost in thought. She knew that he was definitely thinking about Riona.


    She knows Riona well enough to be able to envisage how she would react, and breaking the news of


    her rtionship to her would bring down the heavens. But then, she has to be tolde what may.


    To Maeve, there was no denying the fact that she loves Riona, at least to a reasonable extent, but it is


    high time that she has to be taught that the world does not all revolve around her. Her dad has lost his


    wife for some years now, and he deserves to move on with someone else if he chooses to.


    ¡°I can go with you to tell her if you want me to¡± Maeve


    offered.


    Wright refused to ept her offer ¡°There would be no need for that, Maeve¡± he said.


    Was she serious about offering to go with him to go see Riona break this news to her? Wright thought.


    He knew that it is good news, but they both know that it will not be so to Riona when she hears of it.


    He has been very careful and has kept his affairs with Maeve as discreet as possible, away from


    Riona. He has been waiting all these while for a time that would be perfect to break the news to Riona,


    but all along, there has never been any such perfect time.


    He has also tried in different ways and has also employed various techniques and strategies to make


    Riona get along with Maeve and her daughter, Riley. But it seemed as if the more he tried, the further


    she drifted apart from them and the fiercer her hatred for them got.


    There was a time that Wright suggested that Riley shoulde and spend a night or two at their ce


    when Maeve had told them that she was going out of town, but Riona tantly kicked against that.


    Even at another time when Wright got an appointment that would take him out of town and had tried to


    make Riona to go stay with Maeve and Riley at their apartment until the time he would be back, she


    had opted to either go with him, or travel to go stay with her aunt Kyra until the arrival of her dad and


    she ended up going with him on the trip.


    Maeve tried to study Wright''s demeanor. She wondered if she and Wright were going to remain in


    Content from N?velDr(a)ma.Org.


    hiding in their rtionship in perpetuity. Anyways, she trusted him and was certain that he knew what


    he is doing, even though with someone like Riona, one can never be too careful.


    ¡°So how are the nsing on, I hope you¡¯ve got everything under control?¡± Wright asked.


    He decided to take the discussion away from Riona. She is his responsibility, at least in the mean time


    and he knew how to go about talking to her.


    ¡°Yes, they have all been taken care of, except of course for Riona? Maeve said and tried to ce some


    emphasis on Riona.


    Wright noticed that Maeve had rolled her eyes as she mentioned Riona¡¯s name. He could not help but


    feel bad about the way things are. If he had gotten Riona under control when he should have, she


    would not be this hard to crack.


    On her part, Maeve had deliberately answered the way she did. She wanted him to know that she had


    fully taken care of every single thing that needed to be done on her part, and that it was now left for him


    to do his only single task, which was no other thing but Riona. And she hoped that he got her message.


    ¡°Oh, I see. Leave that to me¡± Wright replied.


    He could see that his inaction is really dying everything. And the truth is, the longer he dys


    approaching Riona on this, the more delicate it bes. And right now, he promised himself that he


    would talk to Riona about him and Maeve today,e what may.


    ¡°Come to think of it, how is the project going?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°Project?¡±


    Wright was not sure of the project Maeve was referring to. so he asked her which project she was


    asking about for more rity.


    From the look on Wright, Maeve could tell that he was truly lost and did not know what project she was


    referring to. So she decided to rify him on the project she was asking him about.


    ¡°The one you told me about the other day, remember?¡± she said


    Wright just stared at her as he was still confused on what project she was asking for.


    ¡°The project that was just awarded to yourpany and you are personally supervising¡± she said.


    ¡°Yeah, now I remember¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I had almost forgotten that I told you about it you know¡± he added.


    ¡°You better not Wright. Have you forgotten that you promised to contact mypany toe do the


    analysis once the project kicks off?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Of course I did, and yes I have not forgotten¡± he said.


    ¡°And we are still waiting for the offer from yourpany¡± she said.


    ¡°Sure. The project would kick off in a week or so, we would send our proposal before that time¡± he


    responded.


    Wright put up a smile. He has always marveled at how serious Maeve goes about her business. She


    would never let an opportunity pass her by. She expands and spreads her tentacles far and wide in


    pursuant of clients and development. Who would have thought that she would talk about business


    when only about a moment ago, all that had mattered to her was nothing else but Riona.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Wright walked into the sitting room from the staircase and looked around. He is on the lookout for


    Riona. When he saw that she was not in the sitting room, he decided to look at the back of the house.


    He had earlier searched for her in her room and also in Evolette¡¯s room and when he had not found


    her, he had gone ahead to search the library and other rooms too. It was when all these efforts were


    fruitless that he decided to look for her in the sitting room and then in the garden at the back of the


    house.


    As he walked into the garden, he saw her sitting on the ground under a shed and was going through


    her phone. Wright was so sure that whatever would make Riona to be seated here, and seriously


    engrossed on her phone must definitely be novels, her E-books. He calls out to her as he walks up to


    where she is.


    ¡°Rio, I have been looking for you all around the house¡±.


    Riona looks up from her phone and she was surprised to see that her dad was already back from work.


    ¡°Dad, you are back already, I was not expecting you back this early¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Yes dear, I am back¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Actually, I have been in-door all day. It was getting too boring so I decided toe and read over


    here¡± she replied.


    ¡°I can see that honey¡± Wright said.


    ¡°It is cool over here dad. I love it here¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Yes it is¡± Wright replied.


    He goes to sit on the ground beside her.


    Riona smiled at him. She was both surprised and d that he hade to sit beside her. It had been


    so long that he did such.


    ¡°How are you Rio?¡± He asked.


    ¡°I am fine and also very happy today¡± she replied.


    She was obviously very excited, and Wright was so curious to know more about that.


    ¡°That is nice Rio. Do you mind telling me about that?¡± he requested.


    Riona was happy, and she grinned from ear to ear. She was also excited to share what she has with


    her dad and Wright on his part cannot wait to share in her excitement.


    ¡°It is about the novel that I am reading dad¡± she said.


    ¡°So what about it?¡± he asked.


    Wright on his part was not surprised to hear that Riona could be this excited about a novel. E-Books


    have been her most cherishedpanion and after her mum¡¯s demise, she finds sce in them.


    She had always loved reading, especially with Evolette when she was alive. But now, her love for


    novels has skyrocketed. This also was thanks to her dad who could not perfectly fill the vacuum that


    Evolette¡¯s death had created in Riona¡¯s life and had allowed Riona¡¯s lovely novels to do that for her.


    ¡°It¡¯s Hydrangea daddy, things are beginning to fall in ce for her, it¡¯s all adding up¡± she said.


    She was excited as she rtes the story to her dad, but Wright was a little bit lost. The name


    Hydrangea sounds very familiar to him, but he doubt if he had read the book. In a bid to get further


    rifications, he asked.


    ¡°What about Hydrangea dear?¡±


    ¡°She is beginning to know it all, her name, purpose, guardian and it rest¡± she narrated.


    Riona was actually surprised to discover that her dad did not know the book that she was talking about.


    ¡°But you asked me to read it. Remember I saw it on your phone the other day?¡± she said.


    ¡°I did?¡± he asked.


    Right now, Wright is getting more confused as he does not think he remembered what Riona is talking


    about.


    ¡°It¡¯s The Prophecy of Hydrangea dad, you told me how interesting it was, and how much I would love


    it¡±. Riona exined


    ¡°Oh yes, are you already reading it¡±. He said.


    He paused for a while before he continued.


    ¡°It was Evolette that told me about it when she finished reading it. She so loved it, and so I started


    reading it, though I stopped halfway, somewhere when Eddy realized that he was Hydrangea¡¯s mate, I


    feared for him and I could not bear the fact that his past and loose mistakes would cause him someone


    he loves¡±


    Wright was very emotional as he spoke. While thinking of the story, he thought about how much he


    could personally rte to the events in the story.


    ¡°But dad, I think he will soon have her¡± she said.


    ¡°You think so, but how can you be so sure, you have not even read up to that part, or have you?¡± he


    asked her.


    Riona looked at him and smiled because of what she was about to reveal to him.


    ¡°I got to know about that from spoilers, daddy¡± she chuckled.


    Hearing that the details were from spoilers, Wright raised his hands in surrender to the amusement of


    Riona and he said.


    ¡°No, no, no. I need nothing from spoilers. I better go back to reading my precious novel myself, I want


    to unravel the suspense myself as theye¡±


    Wright was happy to see how excited Riona had be. His heart was filled with joy as he watched


    herugh happily at his words and how freely their conversation flows. He realized that he had missed


    Riona even more than he himself realizes it, and he could tell that she had greatly missed this part of


    him too.


    He allowed the moments with his daughter to flow freely and he wished that everything would remain


    still for him and his daughter to share this moment with themselves all alone.


    Amidst the fun, he paused to take a look at Riona, and fighting against all odds, he finally said. ¡°Rio?¡±


    Riona looks at her dad, she knew something does not seem right by the way he had called her. All the


    same, she answered him.


    ¡°Yes dad¡±


    ¡°I would like to have an important discussion with you¡± he announced.

 CHAPTER 19 - THE UNWELCOMED ANNOUNCEMENT

    CHAPTER 19 - THE UNWELCOMED ANNOUNCEMENT


    Riona looked at her dad. Whatever he wanted to say was obviously very serious.


    In her worried state, she tried to recall the events of the past few days so as to know what might be the


    issue but she could not pinpoint any possible thing that had happened or that she might have done to


    annoy her dad. As far as she knew, everything was going well between them.


    Still, in her quest to know what her dad would want to say, her mind drifted to Maeve and Riley. She


    was surprised to realize that it had been a long time since her dad had bothered her with Maeve and


    Riley. And she felt that he hade to ept that she doesn''t want anything to do with them.


    On the issue between her dad and Maeve, Riona discovered that there was nothing to show that he


    was seeing Maeve some other ce. On her part, Riona has stopped sneaking on her dad neither had


    she tried to bother herself on anything concerning Maeve anymore. She has resolved that as long as


    he does not bring it home, then it was not her business.


    Having exhausted all possible topics, Riona wondered what then her dad would be so desirous of


    discussing with her. If it is about the school, she has been at her best this session and since there was


    no issue with school, then there was nothing to discuss that. Having searched and realized that she


    could note up with anything, she replied. ¡°What about dad?¡±


    Wright inhaled. He took some time to ess his daughter and he saw before him a girl that is growing


    into a prettydy. Then he continues.


    ¡°Honey, you know it has been a while since we lost your mum, and all through this time, we have both


    been here together, all by ourselves¡± he began.


    ¡°Of course dad and we would be together forever. I love it this way dad, I know that you are trying your


    very best to be here for me, and I sincerely appreciate that from the bottom of my heart¡± she replied.


    Wright was bing more skeptical about what he was about to say. Riona never fails to make it


    obvious that she loves the idea of it being just the both of them, and she always emphasized that she


    would love it to remain that way.


    However, since he had decided to say this, he went on with it. ¡°You would agree with me that we have


    to move forward, I know that¡¯s what Evolette would have wanted¡±


    Riona could not understand what her dad meant by wanting to move forward. They don¡¯t talk about her


    mum¡¯s death anymore, and to a great extent, life has returned back to normal with them.


    ¡°But we are already moving forward, dad¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Or is there something that we are not doing right, or something that we need to do?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Not like this Rio, I need to move forward and you have to be open to changes, that¡¯s what life is all


    about. We have to make decisions that would enable us to move forward, decisions that would be good


    for us¡±. He said.


    He deliberately stopped to see how Riona had absorbed all that he had said. But she was just looking


    at him without making any sound and so it was hard for him to know how she felt.


    ¡°What do you think about that, Rio?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Okay dad, do you suggest we move out, do you want us to change location?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Far from that, I am not requesting that we leave this ce¡± he replied.


    ¡°Then what do you want?¡± she asked.


    ¡°I am getting married soon, Rio¡± He announced.


    Wright could see the hurt in Riona¡¯s eyes immediately he made the announcement; her shock was


    obvious. He felt bad that it had to be this way, but what was he to do when his daughter had made


    herselfpletely inessible? He hoped she would understand and he also prayed that she finds it


    in her heart to forgive him if his decision has hurt her.


    ¡°Just like that, dad¡± she said.


    She was already furious and she was not hiding it.


    ¡°Calm down Rio¡­¡±


    Riona was not having any of that, he should not ask her to calm down, he has no right to.


    ¡°You don¡¯t ask me to calm down daddy. Can you just listen to yourself? You just walk up to me to tell


    me that you are getting married. Are you trying to tell me that I mean absolutely nothing to you? We are


    supposed to be together, to have each other¡¯s back and you were already seeing someone and I knew


    nothing, absolutely nothing about it. Just how unfair can this get?¡± she screamed.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t see it like that honey, I was going to tell you from the start, but I did not know how to, I


    was worried about how you were going to see it¡± he pleaded.


    ¡°So why do it now, what changed?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Nothing Rio¡± he replied.


    It was after Wright had already replied that he realized what her question meant, and he quickly


    corrected himself.


    ¡°You have to know, there is no way we can go on with the wedding without you knowing. We have to


    tell you¡± he said.


    By now, Riona had be a little bit rxed. She feels that instead of getting infuriated, it was better


    for her to calm down and get all the necessary information concerning the supposed marriage.


    ¡°So who are you getting married to dad?¡± she asked.


    This was the part that Wright had dreaded all along. How was he to tell her that the very person that he


    is getting married to is the same person that she has been kicking against from the very first time that


    she got to know about her?


    He tried to study her to know how she might react if he mentioned Maeve¡¯s name. He could see that


    she was not thinking of any name, instead, she was patiently waiting for him to tell her who it was that


    he wanted to tie the knots with.


    ¡°Is it someone I know dad?¡± she added.


    ¡°Of course Rio, you know her¡± he answered.


    Riona was beginning to get tense. Who was this person that she knew that her dad is getting married


    to? For a moment, her head was nk and she could not think of any name.


    She waited for her dad to answer her. She wanted him to tell her who it was that he was getting


    married to.


    Her dad was about to mention the name when she suddenly realized who it was and they both said it at


    once.


    ¡°Maeve¡± they both chorused.


    Riona stood up immediately and wanted to leave.


    ¡°Don¡¯t leave Rio¡± Wright pleaded.


    ¡°It will not happen¡± Riona said.


    In anger, she stamped her feet on the floor just so as to show him how serious she was about her


    decision.


    ¡°I will not let it happen¡± she repeated but this time around, she screamed.


    Wright stood up too. He knows that he has to make her understand that it was his decision to make on


    whom he wants to get married to. All he wants from her is her understanding. She has to take his


    happiness into consideration if at all she cares about him.


    ¡°Can you please hear me out Rio?¡± he begged.


    Riona is his daughter, and he felt she should know by now that he would not intentionally do anything


    to get her upset. However, in this situation, he knows that she was overreacting and she might need


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    some time to calm down.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think there is any other thing to discuss this dad. We don¡¯t need her, we are better off without


    her¡± She said.


    ¡°What about me Rio, don¡¯t you care about how I feel, does my feeling mean nothing to you?¡± he asked.


    Did she just hear her dad talk about feelings? She thought. When he had never cared about her


    feelings even for once since after her mum¡¯s death. She had never hidden how she felt about Maeve


    and Riley, so why is he trying to force them into her life?


    ¡°I care about you dad and you know it¡± she answered.


    ¡°Then why not do this for me Rio¡± he pleaded.


    ¡°You know how I felt about them dad, you could have just nipped whatever rtionship that you had


    with them in the bud from the very start. But you never cared about how I felt dad, even if it is just for


    once¡± shemented.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t talk like that Rio, I don¡¯t like it when you sound this way¡± he said.


    "And what happened to Cindy, why did you not pick her?" Riona said quietly.


    "It does not work that way honey" He replied.


    Riona felt that she has to act quickly before this gets out of hand. She was determined that her father


    would have to choose, he has to make a choice between her or them. Because she cannot be made to


    cohabit with them, she does not want to share her dad or her home with them.


    ¡°You have to choose dad, it''s either me or them¡± she demanded.


    Wright was bbergasted. He wondered why Riona should be demanding such from him, why would


    she think of asking him to choose between her and Maeve? He loved her and at the same time, he also


    wanted to marry Maeve.


    ¡°You know I can¡¯t do that Rio, you mean so much to me¡± he said.


    ¡°Then let them go¡± she demanded.


    ¡°Riona¡± he said.


    When did his daughter be this way, why was she refusing to look at this from his own


    perspective?


    ¡°Can I give you some time to think through this Rio? I believe you wille around soon. We would put


    the marriage on hold for now, just for you¡± he said.


    Riona was d that he could make this sacrifice for her. At least that showed that he still cared about


    her. And now, she was beginning to feel sorry for him, because she was never going to change her


    mind.


    Wright was hoping that with time, Riona would be able to ept the fact that he had to make some


    adjustments with his life and he prayed she understood the adjustment he was trying to make with his


    marital status. He is also doing this for her and he believed that very soon she woulde to


    understand and appreciate that too.


    ¡°Okay dad, but I doubt if that would change anything¡± she replied.

 CHAPTER 20 – AN ENCOUNTER WITH RILEY

    CHAPTER 20 ¨C AN ENCOUNTER WITH RILEY


    Riley walked down the aisle of the clothing mall with her friend, Davina. They are both shopping for a


    few clothes. They chatted and moved from one section to another as they make their selections.


    asionally, they stop to try on some of the clothes and shoes to see how fitted it is on them, and on


    the approval of the both of them, the cloth would be picked.


    ¡°You think it¡¯s cool Davina?¡± Riley asked.


    She was referring to a red blouse that she was putting on. She wanted to get Davina¡¯s confirmation


    before she goes ahead to pick it.


    Davina carefully looked at the outline of the blouse to see how well it fitted her friend Riley before she


    replied.


    ¡°Yeah, it is. I will pick it over the other one. You can go with it¡±. Davina said.


    ¡°Okay, I actually thought the same too. I think the colour is cool¡± Riley concurred.


    Riley kept the cloth inside their shopping trolley and they went on with shopping for other wares.


    After a while, Riona walked into the clothing mall, she was also here to do some shopping. She walks


    down the aisle making her selections. And all along, she was not aware of Riley and Davina¡¯s presence


    in the mall.


    Riona was going to pick a gown from the line when she noticed Riley and Davina right in front of her


    going over some clothes. She rolled her eyes and decided to ignore their presence. She thinks the


    gown was cool and decided to put it inside her shopping trolley.


    She takes a look at another gown and was not sure if she should go for it. She decided that she needs


    a second opinion, so she said to thedy that was shopping right beside her.


    ¡°Hey dear, what do you think about this gown?¡± she asked.


    Davina heard the voice asking someone about what she thought of a gown. She felt she knows the


    voice, and that it must be that of Riona. She decides to confirm if truly she was the one that just spoke


    behind her, so she turned to see the person and discovered that it was really Riona that had just asked


    the question.


    She was excited to see Riona in the mall and she quickly drew Riley¡¯s attention to Riona. When Riley


    realized the reason Davina had called her, she was indifferent about it. She turned her face away and


    continued with what she was doing.


    ¡°Come on Riley, don¡¯t tell me you are going to act like you did not see Riona behind us just now,¡± Riley


    said.


    Riley did not say anything to Davina. She would rather prefer Davina to let her be and forget about


    seeing Riona. However, Davina was not having any of that. She was eager to go say hello to Riona,


    and also shop together with her if she agrees.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go say hello to her. We can all do our shopping together¡± she suggested.


    Riley hesitated, but Davina was having none of it. She practically dragged Riley to Riona¡¯s side.


    Riona noticed the two of them, but she, however, ignored them and acted like she had not seen them.


    ¡°Hey, Riona¡± Davina was the first to greet her.


    ¡°Hello, Riona¡± Riley greeted.


    By this time, Riona realized that she could no longerfortably avoid them and so, she turned to look


    at them. Instead of replying to their greetings, Riona turned back and continued with her shopping.


    Riley was not surprised by Riona¡¯s attitude. The truth is, she was actually expecting an even worse


    reaction from Riona. She had wanted to stop Davina and tell her that there was no need, but she did


    not know how to do that without appearing hostile.


    For Davina, Riona¡¯s reaction towards them was unexinable, it left her speechless. Riona had always


    been cool with her in school and had also been friendly whenever they meet at any other ce. And


    thus, she wondered what might have caused Riona¡¯s coldness.


    Riley drew Davina by her hand for them to start going, but Davina still ignored her. Riley knowing how


    persistent Davina could be decided to leave her, maybe she needed to get the full dose of Riona¡¯s cold


    treatment before she finally decides to respect herself and to stay on herne.


    Davina decided not to reach any conclusion just yet based on a singr hostile treatment from Riona,


    she wants to give Riona the benefit of doubt, who knows, something might have necessitated her


    reaction the first time.


    ¡°I can see you came for some shopping Riona, we can all do that together if you don¡¯t mind. We


    actually came here for some shopping too¡± Davina said.


    Davina tried to appear as friendly as possible, she wanted to make Riona know that she bears to harm.


    However, she never expected the next action of Riona. She had believed that Riona would see through


    her and ept her offer.


    To Davina¡¯s dismay, Riona dropped the cloth she had just picked, looked hatefully at Davina and Riley,


    and then she sighed and walked away from where they were standing.


    Davina looked at Riley with shock, but Riley gave her the ¡®I told you so¡¯ look. Davina was speechless in


    the meantime.


    Davina was going to ask Riley about what had just happened and the meaning of the attitude that


    Riona had just put up in front of them. Was Riley not going to be Riona¡¯s half-sister in just a few


    months'' time, what has been going on between them because it was so obvious the two of them do not


    see eye to eye?


    On second thought, Davina decided to allow it to slide. If Riley has not seen the need to discuss such


    with her, then she was in no position to meddle in their affairs. She only hopes that they both get along


    soon.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°Riona¡±


    Riona could hear her father¡¯s voice call her from the sitting room. He was justing back home.


    Riona had overheard him in the morning making a phone call with Maeve, and he had assured her that


    he would visit her after work today and so when he had not returned when he was supposed to, she


    never bothered about his whereabouts.


    ¡°Yes dad, I am in the library¡± she responded.


    Riona wondered why her dad would be looking for her just immediately he entered the house. Or is it


    possible that Riley had told him what happened at the mall with her?


    Thinking of this, Riona cursed Riley under her breathe. ¡°Bitch. Is she a baby to have run to daddy over


    such a minor issue?¡±


    Anyways, Riona was ready for whatever her dad wanted to do about that.


    Wright walked into the library carrying a pack of food for Riona. He saw that she was studying and he


    went to sit on one of the chairs.


    ¡°You are studying honey, sorry to bother you¡± he said.


    ¡°That¡¯s not a problem dad, I was just about leaving¡± she replied.


    ¡°I got this for you, Rio¡± he said.


    He handed her the pack of food. Riona was d to take the food from him and she appreciated him for


    the food.


    ¡°Thanks, dad, I am starving already. I have not had anything since I got back¡± she said.


    ¡°Alright, Rio¡± he said.


    Riona noticed that her dad was staring at her, and she could tell that he wanted to discuss something


    with her. She thought he wanted to talk about the event that transpired between her and Riley at the


    shopping mall. She was not sure how she would react about that, and she was hoping he does not


    bring that up.


    ¡°We need to talk, Rio¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay dad, I am listening¡± she responded.


    Wright had decided that he was going to pick his words very carefully this time around. His decision


    has already been made and Riona must have to ept it. In as much as he believes that he is doing


    the right thing but wants to marry Maeve, he would not want to hurt his daughter¡¯s feelings intentionally.


    He must let her know that whatever ns he made, that whatever decision he intends to execute, that


    she was always part of it and that he always puts her welfare first.


    ¡°It about the discussion we had some time ago, about my wanting to remarry¡± Wright began.


    ¡°I want to know if you have given that a thought¡± He added.


    ¡°I am not against you getting married again dad¡± she said.


    Hearing Riona¡¯s response, Wright¡¯s face brightened up. He was happy his daughter finally decided to


    see things as he did. However, his happiness was immediately cut short as Riona added.


    ¡°I am only disagreeing with your choice of a wife¡± Riona said.


    Wright was bbergasted. And he wondered if they must continue to go on about this back and front.


    Why can¡¯t she just ept his choice of a woman? He said to himself. Right now, he was not in any


    mood to negotiate with her anymore. She would just have to put up with his decision and that is final.


    ¡°I am sorry if this would disappoint you, Rio, I would have to fix the wedding for next month. And to tell


    you how I feel, I am disappointed with your level of selfishness¡± he said.


    Riona was shocked by what she just heard from her father, that she was selfish? How can he call her


    selfish when he was the one that had immediately moved on when her mum passed away? He thought


    about only himself all along. She was not going to allow him to sit in front of her, and try to guilt-trip her.


    She was going to make him understand that she knows what being selfish is and who was selfish


    between the both of them.


    ¡°You are the one that had beenpletely selfish all along dad. Okay, tell me. What did you do


    immediately mum died?¡± she asked.


    She was already furious with him and her voice was beginning to rise.


    ¡°Or hold on let me rephrase it for you. How did you react to mum¡¯s death? You immediately jump into


    the hands of the next woman as a hungry lion dad. She just appeared from nowhere and you instantly


    grabbed her. You jumped dad, you jumped right into the hands of the next avable whore¡­¡±


    Wright on hearing Riona refer to his fianc¨¦ as a whore could not condone such insulting and degrading


    word from her. He raised his hands and pped her for the first time ever.


    On receiving a p from Wright, Riona held her face and tears drops from her eyes.


    She was shocked that her dad would resort to hitting her. He had never done that before and now


    because of Maeve he had hit her. Right now, Riona detests that namepletely. She had always


    known that she spells nothing but doom, doom to her family. And more than ever before, Riona was


    determined to stop the marriage.


    ¡°You don¡¯t address my woman that way Riona, you have no right to, absolutely no right¡± Wright


    thundered.


    He could take anything from Riona, but no disrespect to the woman that he cherish and hold dear, the


    woman that would soon be his wife.


    ¡°You hit me dad for the ever first time, for a woman you know just how much I despise. I had always


    thought that she had no respect for myte mum, but right this moment, I can see that even you too


    never had any regard, not even an iota of respect for myte mum dad, for Evolette whom you have


    always imed to love. And just so you know, I will not let that marriage happen. I will stop at nothing to


    prevent it¡± she said.


    She turned and head for the door. As she opened the door, she turned and looked at Wright and said.


    ¡°I meant every bit of the words that I have just spoken dad¡±


    She walked out and shut the door so hard.


    Upon the closing of the door, Wrightmented ¡°What have I done?¡±


    He could not believe he had let himself loose. He could not me the girl, she was only doing what she


    thought was right and he should have approached her diplomatically and taught her that she was


    wrong.


    He saw the look on Riona¡¯s face when she made her threat and he knew that she must definitely carry


    out her threat.


    And now how was he going to tell Maeve what he had done? He knew she would definitely not forgive


    him for this. He was meant to draw her close, and not push her far away as he has just done. He has


    pushed her to a point where she could not be reached.

 CHAPTER 21 - SHOCKWAVE

    CHAPTER 21 - SHOCKWAVE


    Riona was lying down on her bed and going through her phone. She was all alone at home. Wright had


    not returned the previous night and she was not in the least bothered by his absence. He never


    informed her of his intending absence neither had he call to inform her of his reasons for noting


    back home.


    In the past, Riona would have immediately contacted her dad the moment she noticed that he was


    usuallyte from work. But this time around, she was not bothered and so she did not dial his line, not


    even for once to inquire about his whereabouts or the reasons for his absence.


    Her refusal to check up on him was borne out of the conflict from theirst encounter when he had


    been out all night and had intentionally ignored her calls and even though she tried to not admit it, it


    was also triggered by his revtion of an intention to marry Maeve, Riona¡¯s mortal enemy. So, she has


    made a decision never to be bothered about his where about anymore.


    She was still on her bed browsing through her phone when she began to hear some noises. She


    wondered where the noises might being from, but after a little observation, she realized that it was


    Initially, she ignored the noise and went on with her phone as she felt that the noise must be from dad


    who had not returned the previous day.


    If he had not returned the previous day and had not given her a prior information of his absence neither


    did he thought it wise to put a call or a text across to inform her of his reasons, then they was no need


    going to go and wee him. Riona reasoned.


    ¡°You can go for as long as you wish as I no longer give a f**k¡± she cursed.


    Even though Riona had resolved not to be bothered by her dad¡¯s activities downstairs, she became


    concerned when the noise was beginning to get too loud and persistent. The noise was beginning to


    disturb her and she could not continue to ignore it even if she tried to.


    She wondered what her dad might be doing to be generating so much noise all by himself. Or maybe


    he was not alone but was here with some other persons or maybe he was not the one that was making


    the noise downstairs.


    Even with this thought, she still ignored his presence and whatever he was up to and continued with


    her phone as she was sure that there was no way any other person would gain ess to their house.


    The noise continued and she could swear that she was hearing some other voices, different from her


    dad¡¯s. At first, she was scared and was unwilling to go downstairs by herself.


    She tried to dial her dad¡¯s number, she wanted to alert him of the presence of intruders in their property


    but then she stopped.


    ¡°I can take care of this myself¡± she murmured and ced her phone on the bed.


    She got up from the bed. ¡°I am alone and I better start getting used to that¡±


    And even though she was terrified and certain that there was little or nothing that she could do against


    the intruders, she stubbornly stocked to her decision. She had decided to go downstairs and see


    whatever was happening for herself even if that would be her end.


    She bent down by her bedside and brought out a little cartoon that was carefully hidden at the edge of


    the bed. She opened it and took out the pistol that was wrapped inside.


    ¡°They don¡¯t know what is about to hit them¡± she smirked.


    The pistol was given to her by her mum a few weeks before her death. While handing it over to Riona,


    Evolette had instructed her never to use it unless it was absolutely necessary to. As at when she had


    received the pistol, Riona had felt that she would never have use for it, but right now, she was pleased


    that she has it.


    She opened the door and walked out. Even with her pistol, she was scared, but was also determined


    not to show it less her attackers would know how weak she was and might take advantage of that to


    overpower her. Her hands trembled as she held the pistol. She has only practiced with toy guns and


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    had never used the pistol before. In fact, she had always prayed that a day will nevere when she


    would need to use it. But right now, she has no choice. She is been attacked and she must defend


    herself.


    As Riona walked through the passage, she silently prayed that her fears were wrong and that no one


    was here to attack her. She held the pistol with her right hand, and hid the hand behind so that whoever


    shees in contact with would not know that she had a gun.


    She arrived downstairs, and was intrigued with the sight of Maeve dragging a bag into the house. She


    looked around and noticed that there were some boxes in the sitting room. She smartly hid the pistol in


    the back pocket of her jean and dragged her polo down to cover it.


    She was relieved to know that it had been Maeve all along, but she was still wondered what was going


    on in the house. To her, it felt like she was she in a dream and what she was seeing was not real. She


    wondered what gave Maeve the guts toe into their house bearing her luggage.


    Riona prayed within her that it was not what she was thinking, because Maeve would not like her


    reaction if she dares to move into their house.


    Maeve who had been so upied with her bag and had not noticed Riona¡¯s presence looked up and


    saw Riona staring at her. She could see the spite in Riona¡¯s eye, but nevertheless, she decided to


    ignore it and be friendly with her.


    ¡°Hey Rio, see you are up already, hope you are feeling much better now¡± Maeve said.


    Hearing Maeve ask after her health, Riona becamed confused and she wondered why Maeve would be


    concerned on how she was feeling even when she has been very okay and nothing was ever wrong


    with her. She also wondered if someone had informed her that she was ill.


    At first instinct, Riona was curious and wanted to ask Maeve the reason for such question, but she


    resisted the urge as she felt the answer to that was insignificantpared to what Maeve was doing in


    her house, right in front of her. She decided that it was more important to deal with the issue of Maeve


    in her house first before any other matter.


    ¡°Bitch¡± Riona spat.


    Maeve stopped and looked at Riona. Did Riona just refer to her as a bitch just now? She thought. As


    she was about to reply to Riona, Riley entered carrying her luggage with her.


    ¡°Mum, do I leave this here for now?¡± Riley asked.


    Seeing that Riley was already with them, Maeveported herself before Riley and thereby ignoring


    Riona¡¯s disrespect.


    ¡°What exactly is happening here?¡± Riona asked at the sight of Riley who had entered also dragging a


    luggage.


    Riona was confused. She cannot remember ever been told that Maeve would be moving into their


    house. And she wondered why she would be moving in already when she is not married to her dad yet.


    Riona considered her action as a show of desperation and a gold digging exercise.


    Anyways, Riona concluded that this act from Maeve did note as a surprise to her in anyway as


    she does not expect any sort of dignity from a cheap and shameless bitch as she saw Maeve as.


    When Riley heard Riona¡¯s question, she looked up at her. She realized that Riona was surprised at


    seeing her and her mum in their house and she wondered why Riona would decide to act all surprise


    over their moving in. Where exactly was she expecting them to stay? Riley thought. Anyways, she


    concluded that she was going to act like she never heard Riona¡¯s question as she was not ready for


    one of her fights.


    ¡°How are you Riona? I can see you are doing great already¡± Riley asked.


    It was evident that Riley was only trying to be nice, but Riona was having none of that.


    ¡°Keep quiet you, I was not talking to you¡± she said to Riley.


    She turned to Maeve and from where she was standing, she pointed her fingers at Maeve.


    ¡°And you Maeve, aren¡¯t you going to answer to my question, or have you suddenly gone numb?¡± Riona


    asked.


    By now, Maeve was filled with anger, but she did not respond to Riona¡¯s insults. She and her daughter


    were just looking at Riona.


    ¡°I see. You know there is something called marriage right?¡± Riona asked.


    At this point, Wright entered carrying two luggages. He saw Maeve and Riley standing in the sitting and


    he was going to ask what they were doing just standing with their bags when he looked at the staircase


    and saw Riona looking at him.

 CHAPTER 22 – SECRET ENGAGEMENT

    CHAPTER 22 ¨C SECRET ENGAGEMENT


    Wright does not need to be told of what was happening amongst thedies. He could feel the tension


    that filled the whole room. It was as loud as the wave that swept across the ocean.


    No one was saying anything to him. They all looked at him with their eyes begging for answers. An


    answer only he can provide.


    For the first time, he felt disappointed with himself. He had yed on the intelligence of every single


    one of the people in this room and he does not know what had been on his mind all along. He doesn¡¯t


    even know what he was thinking when he did what he did.


    But now is not the time for regrets and he knew that. He cannot make things right, but he felt he could


    at least patch things up, at least in the meantime. He does not know how he was going to do it, but he


    prays that he is able to maneuver through this right now and at least ease the already built tension


    between thedies before it would explode.


    Thinking of what to do, he figured that Riona was the real contention in this case and that it was better


    to try to appease her first. Maeve and Riley are issues that he can handle some other time.


    ¡°Rio, why don¡¯t youe down and say hello to your new mummy¡± he forced some smile.


    Riona was dazed and with her eyes wide open she could only bring herself to whisper ¡°Mummy?¡±


    Riona was not only bbergasted as saying this would be an understatement. She waspletely lost


    and confused. It was as if her whole world came to a standstill and her life was crumbling right before


    her. What does her dad mean by referring to Maeve as her new mummy, was there any wedding yet?


    These and many more thought roved in her head.


    Wright tried to pull himself together and acted asported as he could ¡°Come on honey, the wedding


    yesterday went on well and I am d to see that you are better now¡±.


    When Maeve had insisted that Riona must give her consent before she would go on with the marriage,


    Wright knew that was going to be impossible and without getting the requisite consent from Riona,


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    Wright had told Maeve that Riona had consented and Maeve having to reason to doubt his integrity,


    had believed him.


    However, when it was a few days to the wedding, Wright had informed Maeve that Riona would not be


    understand why Riona would not want to be present on her dad¡¯s special and she had insisted on


    knowing the reason for such a decision and Wright had lied that Riona¡¯s absence was as a result of her


    having fallen ill suddenly.


    On receiving the news of Riona¡¯s illness, Maeve had insisted on paying a visit to her, but Wright had


    discouraged her from doing that and since the preparation of the wedding was taking a lot of her time,


    Maeve had to sumb to his will.


    ¡°Better? Riona asked in confusion.


    Riona was bing even more confused. Had her father gone behind her to wed Maeve and had told


    everyone her sickness was the reason for her absence at his wedding?


    Riona felt that Maeve was capable of just anything, but she had never suspected that she was also a


    crook who goes sneaking around to get married to a widower with a kid just so as to sneak her way into


    his house. By this singr act that she had witnessed, her hatred for Maeve had skyrocketed, and all


    she could wish for was how she would strangle her right now with her bare hands or better still, test the


    effectiveness of her pistol on her.


    Angrily, Riona reached for her back pockets. Her hand touched the pistol and started to pull it out.


    ¡°Come on everyone, can you go drop your luggages, I would like to have a chat with Riona alone. You


    knowing out of an ill-health can be something else¡± Wright instructed.


    Her dad¡¯s words made her have a rethink her intention. She could see how hard he was struggling to


    get her to cover up for him and she knows just how difficult this must be for him. He had betrayed her


    and she was not supposed to care about his feeling. But for the love that they both share, she would


    not hurt him.


    So she slowly withdrew her hand from her pocket. He was in many difficulties already and she was not


    ready to make this harder for him. She vows that she was going to devise another strategy, one that


    would only affect Maeve and Riley and get them to leave her house, one that would have nothing to do


    with her dad.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary Wright, whatever you¡¯ve got to say should be said right here, before me¡±


    Maeve objected.


    Maeve felt she has to discuss this together with Wright and Riona right now because she does not


    understand what was happening. She wanted to know what would have necessitated Riona referring to


    her as a bitch. She has to get this over with now to forestall future urrences.


    Riona was angry at Maeve¡¯s audacity. With who does she wants to discuss with? Riona thought. Riona


    does not care what had happened, this woman would have to leave this house this very minute. She


    resolved within herself.


    ¡°Maeve¡± Wright called.


    Wright wanted Maeve to leave him to his daughter, Riona. He knew how pompous Riona could be, and


    he does not want any of that for Maeve just yet.


    ¡°She has to leave, dad,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°You said what?¡± they all chorused.


    ¡°Maeve and Riley have to leave this house, I don¡¯t want them and they are not weed here. I don¡¯t


    recognize whatever happened between you two, I can¡¯t stay in the same space with these imposters¡±


    Riona screamed.


    ¡°Point of correction Riona, just so you know, this is their house too, Maeve here is my wife, and she is


    your stepmother¡±. Wright screamed.


    ¡°And I must say that you have to ord her respect as such¡± he added.


    ¡°That is not happening dad¡± Riona countered.


    ¡°Not under my roof girl, over here, I call the shot¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°You have been doing it the way you like all along, now it¡¯s time for me to have it my way too¡± Riona


    challenged.


    ¡°Whether you like it or not Riona, you have a new step mum now and the earlier you realized that and


    start getting used to it, the better for you¡± Wright insisted.


    ¡°Really? That was without my consent dad¡± Riona rebutted.


    Wright and Riona were both screaming at the top of their voices to the utter dismay of Maeve and Riley


    who just stood and watched the altercation between father and daughter.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need your consent anymore Riona, what is it that you even want?¡± Wright asked.


    Maeve who has been silent and watching all this while decided that it was time for her to speak up. She


    just can¡¯t stand by and watch this continue.


    ¡°Can you please exin all that is happening here Wright, I am slowly losing my mind seeing you two


    go gaga?¡± Maeve said.


    Wright ignored her and continued in his batter with Riona. But Maeve was not dissuaded by this as she


    continued with her question. ¡°I least expected this from you, Wright, how could you¡­?¡±


    Maeve was still talking when Wright interrupted.


    ¡°Can you please keep quiet, Maeve? This must not be talked about now¡±. Wright screamed.


    ¡°You...¡± Maeve stuttered.


    Wright¡¯s reaction startled Maeve, she never expected him to react to her that way. She was going to


    speak again when Wright interrupted yet once again.


    ¡°Not now Maeve, I said not now¡± Wright screamed.


    The fact that her father was giving some attention to Maeve greatly upset Riona. She was disgusted


    with that and she felt she could not continue to watch them so she rolled her eyes and decided that it


    was time to leave.


    As Wright noticed that Riona was walking out on him, he decided to stop her.


    ¡°What are you doing, Riona, can¡¯t you see that I am still talking to you?¡± Wright asked.


    Riona turned and looked at her dad and smiled mischievously.


    ¡°I think some bitch here needs your attention¡± she grinned.


    At this moment, Wright was not bothered on how Riona had just addressed his wife, Maeve as all he


    wanted was for her to obey his instruction.


    ¡°You dare not step one more feet outside this house or¡­¡± he said


    ¡°Or what will happen, daddy?¡± Riona challenged.


    Riona knew just how powerless her dad was when ites to her, so without giving it a second


    thought, she opened the door and left.


    Maeve ced both of her hands on her hips and had her gaze fixed on Wright. Riley who never uttered


    a word during all of these stood looking at her mum and her new dad. And with the attitude that Riona


    had just put up, she wondered how she was expected to cohabit with her.


    Having been exhausted from the exchange of words, Wright turned to Maeve and sighed.

 CHAPTER 23 – THE JOHNSONS

    CHAPTER 23 ¨C THE JOHNSONS


    Maeve¡¯s younger sister, Cynthia was inside of their house with her mother, Mrs. Johnson. Cynthia


    opens the fridge and brought out a bottle of wine. She brought out two ss cups and takes it to her


    mother who was sitting on a couch.


    ¡°You can have it, mum,¡± Cynthia said.


    ¡°Thanks, Cynthia,¡± Mrs. Johnson said.


    She collected the ss cup from Cynthia and she poured some wine into the ss cup for her and she


    also poured into the ss cup she had brought for herself.


    Cynthia ced the bottle of wine on the table in front of them and she sat beside her mother.


    ¡°Maeve had called mum, she said she is on her way back from work, and that she will be here in a


    couple of minutes,¡± Cynthia said.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s great. I was nning on going to see her soon¡± she replied.


    ¡°Let me get the toast mum, it should be ready now,¡± Cynthia said.


    She got up and dropped her drink on the table and then went into the kitchen to get the toast. She


    came back with a te of toast.


    Her mother took some toast from the te and started to eat it. She took a bite from the toast and it


    tasted good.


    ¡°These are very nice,¡± she said.


    ¡°Thanks, mum¡± Cynthia replied.


    Cynthia smiled as she sips her wine. Saying thank you over her mum¡¯spliment was more like a


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    routine to her as she was already used to her mother¡¯spliment over good meals or even any meal


    at all.


    ¡°You know the taste keeps getting better and better as time goes by. I can¡¯t remember toast ever


    tasting this nice¡± she said as she munches her toast.


    Cynthia looked at her mother. Maybe there is actually something really nice about the toast because


    her mother¡¯s hyping has gone way beyond normal. She took a toast from the te and took a bite from


    it. She was a bit disappointed though, to her, the toast was nothing out of the normal.


    However, she decided to y along with her mother.


    ¡°So yummy mum, I love it. The taste is just so sweet¡± Cynthia said.


    ¡°You can say so over and over again dear¡± Mrs. Johnson replied.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Maeve pulled over at the garage of her parents¡¯ house and parked her car. She got down from the car


    and walked up to the door. She knocks at the door twice and waited for it to be opened.


    She was already having goose pimples and some butterflies in her tummy. She does not know how it


    feels like to be with her family once again.


    After Maeve lost her husband ten years ago, she moved into her parents¡¯ house with her daughter.


    Riley and the both of them had been there ever since until she got married to Wright some months


    back.


    Maeve felt like four months was a lot of time to stay away from her family and that is why she decided


    to see them today.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Cynthia and her mum heard someone knock at the door.


    ¡°That must be Maeve, mum,¡± Cynthia said.


    Cynthia was so excited and she could not wait to see her sister. They have not seen since after


    Maeve¡¯s wedding, and that has been for about four months now. Even though they have been


    to face.


    ¡°Yes baby, you go quickly and open the door right away, we must not keep her waiting¡± Mrs. Johnson


    replied.


    Mrs. Johnson was also excited to see her daughter after what seemed to be such a long time to her.


    The family was already used to having Maeve around and four months seem like an eternity to them.


    Cynthia got up and went to open the door. She opened the door, and immediately she saw Maeve


    standing in front of her, she screamed and grabbed her and they both went inside the house.


    ¡°Hello mum, how are you today?¡± Maeve greeted her mum.


    ¡°I am fine dear, it¡¯s been such a long time and you are wee¡± Mrs. Johnson replied.


    Maeve was about to go and sit down when she heard her father¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Who do we have here?¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    Mr. Johnson was very excited to see his daughter, Maeve after such a long time.


    Maeve sat down on the same couch with her mum and Cynthia came to sit close to her.


    ¡°I heard that voice from my room, and I say to myself that this must be my girl Maeve. How are you


    Maeve?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I am fine daddy. I can see you are looking good¡± Maeve replied.


    Mr. Johnson went and sat on one of the couches.


    ¡°We live as the day goes dear. How are Wright and Riley and Riona? Mr. Johnson asked.


    ¡°They are all fine daddy, everyone is fine¡±. Maeve responded.


    Cynthia could tell that Maeve had appeared startled when Riona¡¯s name was mentioned. Maeve had


    once told her of how Riona had been hostile to her and her daughter, Riley, and even though she had


    assured Maeve that with time, Riona woulde around she was sure that was not the case.


    She had tried to bring up the issue about Riona with Maeve, but Maeve had on those asions,


    carefully avoided the topic.


    Cynthia thought this would be the right to bring up the discussion about Riona. She does not like how it


    was making Riona feel, and she feels Wright was not handling the matter as he should.


    ¡°And Riona Maeve, how is she acting now,¡± Cynthia asks.


    Maeve was startled by Cynthia¡¯s question and everyone noticed her sudden change in countenance.


    ¡°And what about her?¡± Mrs. Johnson asked.


    Mrs. Johnson was confused to hear a discussion on Riona¡¯s attitude.


    ¡°Nothing mum, she is fine. There is nothing about her attitude¡± Maeve said.


    Mrs. Johnson was confused, they could all tell that Maeve was not being truthful, she was trying to hide


    something from them and they wondered why that should be so.


    ¡°We are here if you want to talk Maeve¡± Mr. Johnson assured her.


    ¡°Yes baby, you can tell us about anything¡±


    ¡°I said it''s nothing,¡± Maeve said.


    Maeve was already tensed over the whole issue. She did not know how she was going to start telling


    her family that her stepdaughter has never epted her into the family, how does she start exining


    to them how much Riona despised her? She felt it was better to leave them out of it, it is her problem


    and she was going to figure out a way to handle it.


    Cynthia who has been silent all along listening to what was happening decided to speak up.


    ¡°We are here for you Maeve, we are all together in this. What is stopping you from confiding in us? She


    asked.


    ¡°I¡¯d rather not talk about it, Cynthia,¡± Maeve said.


    Maeve knew how Cynthia was. She wouldn¡¯t want her to blow this out of proportion. Maeve was trying


    all she could to bring her family under control and she believes that Cynthia¡¯s interference would not


    help matters. Rather, it would only end up spoiling things for her.


    ¡°ept it Maeve, you can¡¯t keep hiding this from us. It is only getting worse by the day. That girl has


    never epted you before and she is not ready to ept you even now¡±. Cynthia said.


    Cynthia was beginning to get infuriated and she wondered what exactly Maeve was trying to achieve


    hiding all of these. She needed help, and she¡¯s got to admit it.


    ¡°Cynthia, I think you¡¯ve got to ept Maeve''s decision here. If she feels she can handle it, then we


    have to let her handle it her way¡±. Mr. Johnson said.


    Tears were beginning to build in Maeve¡¯s eyes. Everything that she has gone through in Riona¡¯s hand


    was starting to rey to her.


    ¡°She can¡¯t handle anything dad. Can¡¯t you see just how unhappy she is? This has been going on even


    before that man formally proposed to her and up till this very moment and the worst part is that he is


    not doing anything about it. It is only getting worst¡±


    ¡°He is doing his best and ¡­¡± Maeve said.


    Maeve was still talking when Cynthia interrupted her.


    ¡°Look at her mum, she can¡¯t even deny it, it is written all over her. Something needs to be done and it


    must be done quickly. Alpha Wright bis doing absolutely nothing to stop this, not that I expected any


    better from him¡±. Cynthia said.


    "You''ve Got to stop this Cynthia, don''t talk about the alpha that way" Mr. Johnson reprimanded Cynthia.


    "If he isn''t this way, the Pack would be much better," Cynthia said.


    "You know nothing and you better say no more on that issue," Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°You can talk to us about it, Maeve,¡± Mrs. Johnson said.


    ¡°Cynthia is right mum, I don¡¯t know what else to do. I tried avoiding her but it is not walking and I tried


    speaking but she would not stay a minute longer to hear me talk¡± Maeve said,


    Maeve has already begun to sob as she could no longer contain her trauma within her anymore.


    ¡°I see dear. And what of the alpha, what is he doing about this?¡± Mrs. Johnson said.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure mum, we are all helpless when ites to Riona. You know, since she lost her


    mum, it had been difficult for her to ept it and we are all trying to give her time.¡± Maeve exined.


    ¡°It is good that you all are trying to give her time to get used to her mum¡¯s death darling, but don¡¯t you


    think that by giving her all this time, you are actually giving her more reasons to believe that she is


    actually on her own?¡± Mrs. Johnson asked.


    Maeve was puzzled, she does not understand the point that her mum was trying to make.


    ¡°How?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Would her mum allow her on her own and not correct her?¡± Mrs. Johnson asked.

 CHAPTER 24 – GETTING FED UP

    CHAPTER 24 ¨C GETTING FED UP


    Maeve was in the kitchen doing the dishes when Riona came in holding a cup and she dropped it on


    the counter. She turned to leave when Maeve called her back and so she stopped.


    ¡°Rio, please bring that cup here for me to wash¡±. Maeve instructed.


    After hearing what Maeve has to say, Riona replied without bothering to look at Maeve.


    ¡°You can take it yourself Maeve if you are that desperate to clean it¡± Riona responded.


    Maeve tightened her eyes, she has already passed the limit of the insult she could take from Riona.


    However, she decided to control her anger. She turned to look at Riona.


    ¡°You know you can actually wait here and when I finish with what I am doing, you can wash that


    yourself,¡± Maeve said.


    Riona chuckled. She was still not looking at Maeve.


    ¡°And when I talk, you look at me,¡± Maeve said.


    Hearing what Maeve had just said, Riona immediately turned to face her.


    ¡°And if I don¡¯t, what can you do?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I would require that you ord me some respect here, Riona¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°As what, my step mum? The step there is for a reason Maeve¡±. Riona said.


    Riona walked out on Maeve. Maeve was speechless and did not know the appropriate action to take.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    Wright adjusted in his sleep. He opens his eyes and saw that Maeve was still awake and sitting on the


    bed with her back resting on the headboard.


    Wright wondered what might be keeping Maeve awake by this time of the night. He sits down too with


    his back on the headboard.


    ¡°Baby, is anything the matter, what is keeping you awake by this time of the night,¡± he asked.


    Maeve looked at him and refused to respond to his question.


    ¡°Talk to me dear, what is the problem?¡± he asked.


    Maeve looked at him once again and still maintained her silence.


    ¡°Okay, I need to sleep now, what if I say we leave whatever it is for tomorrow morning. We can talk


    about that tomorrow. Pleasee to sleep now¡± he said.


    He tried to get her to lie down, but she resisted and remained in her position.


    He gave up in trying to persuade her and he decided it was better to go back to sleep. He believes that


    she will talk about whatever it is that was disturbing her whenever she is ready.


    Maeve was amazed at how easy it was for Wright to go back to sleep when he could see worry written


    all over her.


    She watched as he slept peacefully without any worries and when she felt she could not bear to watch


    him sleep anymore, she taps his back to get him to wake up.


    ¡°What is it dear?¡± Wright asked.


    Wright grumbled as he spoke. He could not understand why Maeve would wake him up again. When


    he had asked her the reason for her being awake, she has refused to answer him.


    ¡°Why are you waking me up again, didn¡¯t I just ask you what the problem was and you kept quiet?¡± he


    asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s about Riona, I am worried you aren¡¯t doing anything to curb her excesses,¡± she said.


    Wright sighed. They had both discussed Riona earlier on, so he could not understand why she is


    bringing up the issue again.


    ¡°What about her again?¡± he asked.


    ¡°When Iined about her attitude towards me in the kitchen earlier today, you did not do anything.


    You let it all slide as if I am the one nagging¡± she said.


    ¡°I never said you were nagging, baby. So what else would you want me to do?¡± he asked.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just keep letting her do whatever she likes, we both know that is not good for her,¡± she said.


    ¡°You know that girl just lost her mum¡­¡±


    He was still speaking when Maeve interrupted him.


    ¡°Just lost her mum, did you actually say just lost her mum? For how many years now, or have we


    immortalized Evolette?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°It is just not been easy for her Maeve, you¡¯ve got to understand that,¡± he said.


    ¡°I beg to disagree, dear, we keep reminding her of her mum¡¯s death by our silence. We have to her


    understand that no matter how hard the loss of a dear one is, the living does not put their life on hold to


    mourn, you would agree with me that there is a limit to everything, and Rio has pushed her limit too far¡±


    Maeve said.


    ¡°You are right dear, so what do you suggest we do?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I would say we have to be firm, she should know that she cannot get away with whatever she does¡±


    she replied.


    ¡°Can I request that you allow me to handle Rio just how I deem fit from now on, baby?¡± Wright pleaded.


    ¡°What?¡± Maeve asked.


    Maeve was astonished. Is this all he was going to say to her about herints and observations, is


    he just going to make it look like she is the bad one? She asked herself.


    ¡°I know what I am saying, dear,¡± he said.


    ¡°Are you asking that I keep out of her way?¡± she asked.


    ¡°That is not what I am saying Maeve, I just want to forestall future re-urrence of such,¡± he said.


    ¡°That is not possible Wright and you know it. Am I supposed to act like Riona does not exist, or should I


    just live like I am not a part of this household?¡± she asked.


    She could not believe that such a request would being from Wright. She was beginning to wonder


    what he actually does take her for, a piece of furniture, a piece of wood that lies about and that can be


    controlled by anyone anyhow? There was no way she was going to allow this. He better makes up his


    mind to put their daughter right.


    ¡°That is far from it Maeve, and you know it,¡± he said.


    Wright wondered why this whole thing is so difficult for Maeve to understand. She could actually avoid


    all of the altercations that she has been having with Riona if she would decide to keep to herself and let


    the girl be. He believed that very soon, Riona would understand and when she does, she woulde


    around. And when that timees, she would be her old jovial self once again. Right now she should


    be tolerated and understood.


    To Wright, no matter what Riona does now, he knows that is not how she was. She was or rather is a


    lovable girl, so once shees back to her real self, all these misunderstandings would stop. All he


    wants was for Maeve not to degenerate it into an enmity before then. With the right level of love, she


    would definitelye around.


    ¡°Riona¡¯s attitude ispletely uneptable and you better do something about it before I would be


    forced to react¡± Maeve cautioned.


    Wright sat up on the bed. He could not believe that this wasing from his wife, Maeve. This is not


    the woman he was attracted to, she had made him believe that she could tolerate all of Riona¡¯s attitude


    before he decided to go ahead with the marriage.


    He thought she would be able topletely amodate Riona, or was she pretending all along?


    Wright would not want to believe that though, maybe she is just not in the right mood today.


    ¡°But Riona¡¯s attitude had remained the same Maeve, she has always been like this with you,¡± he said.


    ¡°And for how long would that continue Wright? I thought it was only a result of just losing her mum. I


    believed she was going to see me for me and change in the nearest possible time but it is obvious that


    it is only getting worst by the day¡± she said.


    What is so difficult for Wright to understand here? Maeve asked herself. Was she supposed to sit


    around apuding Riona for her excesses, does she not have a right to demand that she change into


    something eptable, or is it that he sees nothing wrong in her general behavior towards her? All


    these while she has been in this house, Riona has never allowed for them to hold any meaningful


    to insult her in her goodness.


    Wright was beginning to get seriously irritated with this conversation. He wondered why Maeve was


    acting both hot and cold. Why would she approbate and at the same time reprobate? He resolved


    within himself that since Maeve wants this discussion, he would not keep any of his feelings about this


    whole thing to himself anymore, he would let them all out.


    ¡°Do you want to know the truth Maeve?¡± he asked.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°What truth? Yes, I want to know it¡± she replied.


    ¡°The truth is, you are the one that has changed, Rio had remained one and the same person and


    sincerely, I was hoping you would remain the same too,¡± he said.


    ¡°What¡± Maeve eximed.


    Maeve was shocked by Wright''s utterances. Did he just turn the whole thing against her? This made


    her speechless and the fact that it came from her husband, left her terrified.


    ¡°Yes, Maeve. Okay, we have two daughters right, why is it that it is only Riona that you always


    ¡°We both know that you are taking this whole thing out of context, Wright,¡± she said.


    ¡°No I am not,¡± He said.


    ¡°It quite obvious that you are been biased here Wright, but I am not going to ask you to choose


    between Riona and me because we are two different people to you, one is a wife while the other is a


    daughter. However, I hope you know the specific role that each ys?¡± she said


    ¡°Thank God you understand,¡± he said.


    After saying the above, Wrighty down on the bed, and went back to sleep.

 CHAPTER 25 – SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE…

    CHAPTER 25 ¨C SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE¡­


    Riona is inside her office. She is going through some documents and is so focused on her task. She


    picked up the inte and put a call through to her secretary ¡°Hey Mary please get me a hot cup of


    coffee right away¡± she said.


    She dropped the phone and continued with her task.


    Mary entered carry a tray containing the cup of coffee that Riona had requested for.


    ¡°Here is it Rio¡± Mary informed her.


    ¡°That is lovely Mary. Do ce it on the table and leave¡± Riona instructed without looking at Mary.


    Mary did as she was instructed and then she walked out of the office.


    Riona took the cup and sips some coffee. ¡°Tastes really nice¡± she whispered.


    ¡°I am already very hungry and if I don¡¯t get done with this in time, I might as well copse right here¡±


    Shemented and she takes another sip and the coffee.


    She took her phone from the table and dialed Cindy¡¯s number. It beeped thrice before Cindy picked.


    ¡°Hello Rio¡± Cindy said from her end.


    ¡°Cindy, I am hungry and I have got some jobs to finish here,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay, let me just order something for you¡± Cindy offered. ¡°What will you like to have?¡± She asked.


    Riona did not really agree with Cindy¡¯s suggestion so she suggested ¡°I am hoping I could get done with


    this quickly and we could go have lunch in town¡±


    ¡°Okay, Rio. I will be ready when you need¡± Cindy said


    Riona smiled ¡°Good. Expect my call soon¡±


    Riona hung up and in excitement, she continued with what she was doing.


    Her phone started to ring but she ignored it even when she does not know that it is her dad that is


    trying to reach her.


    When it had stopped ringing, she murmured ¡°Whoever that was should hold on. I cannot afford the


    luxury of an extra time on a phone call at this very moment¡±


    The phone rings for the second time, but just like the first time, shepletely ignores it and went on


    with her task.


    It stopped ringing and she inhaled in relief. ¡°I will call back whoever that was once I am through with


    this¡± she muttered.


    After a few seconds, she heard a knock at her door and she knew that it was Mary that wants to get her


    attention so she said ¡°Come in already Mary¡±


    Reluctantly, Mary enters the office and remained standing. She knew how busy Riona is at the moment


    and she hates that she was going to disturb her.


    Riona saw that Mary was not saying anything and so she looks at her. Mary met Riona''s eyes but


    hesitated to say anything.


    ¡°Speak on Mary, your presence is already enough distraction,¡± Riona said as she was aware that


    Mary''s countenance was as a result of not wanting to disturb her.


    ¡°Or you might just leave if what you¡¯ve got to say is not important¡± Riona added and continued with the


    task she was engaged in as she was just too hungry to engage in any


    discovery games with Mary.


    ¡°So sorry, Riona. Actually, your dad had called to ask of you. He said he has called you a couple of


    times but you did not pick. I told him you are very busy and might be unable to attend to him right away


    but he insisted that I deliver the message to you immediately. And that is why I had toe here


    myself¡± Mary tried to exin the situation to Riona.


    ¡°So in sum, my dad called you to tell me to get back to him,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Yes Riona, that is it¡± Mary responded.


    ¡°There was no need going through such a long episode, Mary¡± Riona said. ¡°You can go now I will get


    back to him immediately¡±


    ¡°Thanks, Riona¡± Mary said and quickly leaves the office.


    As Riona stretches her hand to take her phone so as to return her dad¡¯s call, his call came in again and


    she quickly picks it.


    ¡°Hello, Rio, is that you?¡± Wright asked from his end.


    ¡°Yes, dad. Sorry I did not take your calls. I was so busy that I didn¡¯t even look who the caller was¡±


    Riona apologized.


    ¡°Apology epted dear. I want toe over to your office right now, can you spare me a few minutes


    from your tight schedule?¡± Wright requested.


    ¡°Okay, dad. Hope no problem?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Not at all dear, it¡¯s just some discussions that I would have with you¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°I will be expecting, dad,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Bye,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Bye dad¡± Riona replied.


    Wright hung up and Riona dropped the phone on the table and continued with her task.


    When Riona finished what she was doing, she picks her phone and called Cindy.


    Immediately Cindy picked Riona said ¡°You cane over Cindy, I am done already¡±


    ¡°Be right there in a sh¡± Cindy replied.


    Riona stood up and the door to her office opened. She looked to see who it was that has opened her


    office as she was sure that there was no way it could be Cindy who she has just spoken to and she


    saw that it was her dad.


    Riona eximed in shock ¡°Dad¡±


    ¡°What is it Rio, aren¡¯t you expecting to see me?¡± Wright asked.


    Wright wondered why Riona had acted surprised at seeing him when he had just called her a moment


    ago to inform her of his visit.


    Riona stammers ¡°Yeah dad, no I mean not that dad. of course I was expecting to see you just that I


    have already called Cindy to apany me for lunch. The truth is I have almost forgotten about your


    call¡±


    ¡°Really, should I leave ande backter?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°No no don¡¯t dad. I am very sorry for that. The truth is I am so hungry and I need to eat right away¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°And why not ce an order to get it delivered to you?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°That sounds like the perfect option dad, but I do want to get away from this environment in the


    meantime¡± Riona replied. ¡°It is just work, work, work¡±


    Wright giggles ¡°I know that feeling baby girl¡±.


    The door opens and Cindy enters. She was surprised to see Wright in the office with Riona and she


    exims ¡°Mr. Wright, I was not aware that you are in this building¡±


    ¡°But here I am Cindy¡± Wrightughs.


    ¡°You are very much wee Mr. Wright, so d to have you here with us after a very long time,¡± Cindy


    said.


    ¡°I think I should go now,¡± Cindy said to Riona.


    ¡°No Cindy, we would all be going together. Just ask Mary to cup and take this cup out. We are right


    behind you¡± Riona replied.


    Cindy walked out of the office.


    ¡°By we, do you include me and where are we going to?¡± Wright asked.


    Mary entered and took away the tray with the cup.


    ¡°Yes, dad it includes you. And I already informed you that I am going to have lunch with Cindy. I would


    request that you join us¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°That seems like a very great idea Rio, but you see, I am supposed to have lunch with Maeve today. I


    promised to take her out for lunch as it has been a long time we had lunch together. So I was hoping to


    just have a brief meeting with you, and after that, I would go pick her up at home¡± Wright exined.


    ¡°That is so thoughtful of you dad. in her condition, she would really need that. But that would not stop


    you from spending just a few minutes with Cindy and me, after that, we woulde back to the office


    for the discussion¡± Riona said.


    ¡°But Rio¡­¡±


    Riona cuts in ¡°No but dad. Mum is at home and she is avable for the whole day. But her am I already


    dying of hunger. See we would just go grab something ande back here even before you know it¡±


    ¡°Rio¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on dad, Cindy is already waiting outside¡± Riona cuts in.


    ¡°What I want to say is that I have failed in my promises to take her out so many times. And this time, I


    had assured her that nothing was going to stop me from fulfilling my promise¡± Wrightmented.


    Riona walks up to her dad and stood in front of him. She looks straight into his eyes and smiles.


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I understand dad, and I know mum would not get mad at you for taking your little girl out. She is very


    understanding and amodating. Or at least that is how she makes herself appear. But be that as it


    may, I promise that we would be back before you know and then you can go straight into her arms¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°No problem Rio, I¡¯ve got this¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Thanks, dad, I do acknowledge and appreciate your numerous sacrifices for me. You are the best dad¡±


    Riona smiled.


    ¡®After all, you have kept me up because of her because now it is time for her to have a taste of her


    bitter pills. Because what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander¡¯ Riona said within herself.


    ¡°Can I have your phone dad?¡± Riona asked. ¡°I want to look up something on the inte but my


    Wright hands over his phone to Riona ¡°Here is it¡±


    Riona opened the phone, went to the settings, and put it on silent. She grinned and hands the phone


    over to Wright.


    ¡°Are you done with it?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Yes, dad. I just discovered that nothing is wrong with mywork. I think the site I was opening has not


    been uploaded yet so I was instructed to wait till 9 pm¡± Riona responded.


    Happily, she held Wright¡¯s hands and the both of them walked out of the office. ¡°We can leave now


    dad¡±

 CHAPTER 26 – MAEVES DISMAY

    CHAPTER 26 ¨C MAEVE''S DISMAY


    Maeve was already dressed for the outing that she was supposed to have Wright and she was waiting


    for him to return. She was already anxious and she was pacing in the sitting room.


    ¡°Not again Wright, not again¡± She soliloquized.


    She looked at the phone in her hands ¡°I have been calling you for like an eternity and you are not


    picking up. But why don¡¯t you just return my calls¡±


    She continued to pace and speak to herself.


    She looked at the clock on the wall ¡°It is almost 5 pm. We are supposed to have this date by 2 pm


    damn it¡± She spat.


    She dialed Wright¡¯s number again and put her phone on speaker. The call rang but Wright did not pick.


    She threw the phone on the cushion. ¡°I will not forgive you this time around Wright. F*ck you¡± She


    cursed.


    Riley entered the house with her friend Davina and the girls were surprised at the state they found


    Maeve in.


    Riley rushed to hold Maeve ¡°What is the problem mummy?¡±


    Maeve could only look at Riley without saying anything.


    ¡°Why are you like this mum?¡± Riley asked. ¡°You looked so derailed. What happened?¡±


    Maeve burst out ¡°I was supposed to have dinner with Wright today, but he stood me up¡±


    ¡°Dad?" Riley asked. "Don¡¯t worry mum, maybe something came up¡±


    ¡°Noting came up Riley. See it¡¯s already 5 pm and we were supposed to meet by 2 pm¡± Riley replied.


    ¡°Rx mum, your appearance is terrible. Please take it easy¡± Riley said.


    ¡°I am so mad at him right now. This is not the first time he would be doing this. He alwayses up


    with different excuses on other asions¡± Maeve narrated.


    Have you tried reaching him?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°He is not even picking my calls. I have called him severally¡± Maeve replied.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Riley eximed.


    Riley felt so sorry for her mum and she wondered why her dad would decide to do this to her.


    ¡°Or maybe you should try calling him once again Maeve¡± Davina suggested.


    ......................................................


    Riona, Wright, and Cindy have arrived at the restaurant and they are having lunch. As they slowly


    devour their meals, they happily discuss Re Aid and the different encounters with the kids. The


    atmosphere was lovely with different activities going on around them. Couples having good times,


    childrenughing with their parents, the cool music ying in the background amongst other pleasant


    sights made them chat away and lose track of the time or so it appeared.


    ¡°It is the smiles for me, dad, and their innocence. Those kids all have great prospects and even greater


    determinations. You would be surprised at how focused and collected they are when you have an


    opportunity to stay and discuss with them¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I do understand where you areing from Rio. I can still remember my encounter with Trevor


    Daniels at the airport on the day of his departure. He reminds so much of my friends and ymates


    growing up¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Your friends?¡± Riona asked. ¡°You know you have not really told me much about your childhood dad¡±.


    ¡°Obviously I have not said much about that and believe me it was never intentional. Right now, I have


    taken note of that and I would do that some time very soon¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°That would be great,¡± Riona said. She cannot wait to hear all about her dad''s childhood and family and


    his friends too.


    ¡°You know, working with the kids all these years has given me the opportunity to understand humanity


    better. They disy great potentials and I must confess that I have learned a whole lot from them¡±


    Cindy said.


    ¡°It is the fulfillment for me. And also this sense of belonging that I get, the satisfaction that it gives me. It


    just cannot bepared to any other thing in the world¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I sum that up by saying that humanity is the answer and together, we can make the world a better


    ce,¡± Wright said.


    They all agreed with Wright that humanity is all the world needed to grow.


    ¡°Dad¡± Riona called.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°On behalf of Re Aid, I would want to formally thank you and yourpany for the great donations


    you made for ourst project. It is Re Aid''s biggest project and without your goodwill, we might not


    have been able to sustain the project¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I am happy that we could be of help¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°And concerning the project, how long is it going tost?¡± Wright inquired.


    ¡°For five years, dad. We are in the third year now. But we are already in discussion with some


    organization that had indicated interest to take over from us after the fifth year¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°That is good. I think mypany would be interested in that¡± Wright said.


    Riona was quick to decline his proposal. ¡°Not yourpany dad. You can keep bringing in your


    financial support but I would suggest you look for new projects to undertake. The goal of Re Aid is


    to widen the horizon of charity and it will be against our principle to hand that over to apany like


    yours that has all it takes to venture into novel projects¡±


    ¡°True you have always repeated that at every opportunity,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°So what other project are you looking into after this?¡± He asked.


    ¡°This current project had given us a broader view of humanity and charity. We are considering going


    into other continents as we hope to do everything possible to elevate the living standards of the low-


    ie earners¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°That is a very heavy task I must say¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°Yes and that is why Re Aid had since invested in profitable ventures,¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°For real? I never knew of that¡± Wright eximed.


    ¡°Dad, we know the magnitude of what we are nning to do. And we would want to start first before


    seeking donations so we need a whole lot of capital¡± Riona exined.


    ¡°So what are these investments?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°We invested in some multinationalpanies, dad. And I use at least seventy percent of mum¡¯s


    legacy for me for that¡± Riona revealed.


    Wright was shocked and speechless. He stared at both Cindy and Riona and had disappointment


    clearly written all over his face. He was more disappointed in Cindy as he felt she should have done


    better to stop Riona from doing that. Immediately he recovered from his shock, he uttered ¡°Cindy¡±


    ¡°I tried to talk her out of it Mr. Wright, but when I discovered that it was truly for a great cause I had to


    give my support¡± Cindy exined.


    He turned to Riona ¡°Riona¡±


    ¡°Dad it was only a moment ago when we talked of humanity and how good it is to invest in it. When it is


    time, I will withdraw my exact sum from the investments and leave the profits for Re Aid¡± Riona


    replied.


    ¡°And what do you girls know about investment?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Dad, Cindy is a legal practitioner. There is no way we would make a bad deal¡± Riona replied.


    Wright became more rxed. For a moment, he had almost forgotten who Cindy was and that she was


    already well vested in everything that has to do with investments. She is one of the external solicitors of


    hispany and her job is to give a due diligence report on any investment that thepany wanted


    Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.


    to venture into and for the seven years that she has been doing this, she has never proven


    ipetent.


    ¡°I am on this Mr. Wright¡± Cindy assured him.


    ¡°So sorry for my outburst. I actually was not prepared for such news¡± Wright said.


    ¡°It is okay Mr. Wright, I understand¡± Cindy replied.


    ¡°But then Cindy, I must say that I am not impressed. I know that you are the co-signatory to Riona¡¯s


    fund and for all these years you have been diligent in handling it. However, you should have informed


    me before making such a big decision¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I am sorry for that. But Riona feared that you would insist on providing the money. She said she


    wanted this to be her own decision, risk, sess, and the rest¡± Cindy exined.


    Wright looked at Riona ¡°Honey, no matter how you think that I would react to any of your decisions,


    please tell me of it first before venturing into it¡±


    ¡°Okay, dad. I am sorry for not informing you before now¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°First thing tomorrow morning, I would have my ountant transfer the money back to you,¡± Wright


    said.


    ¡°No dad, this was exactly what I was fighting against. Please allow me to grow on my own, let me take


    these risks and bear the consequences please¡± Riona objected.


    ¡°There would be no need for that Mr. Wright. The investments are alling up well. We already have


    our investment capital back, we can handle this¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°I will let you guys this time, but next time I will not be this calm because no matter what I am Riona¡¯s


    father and I should be aware before she enters into any contract no matter how insignificant you guys


    think that the contract is¡± Wright warned.


    ¡°Okay dad, I would not repeat such next time¡± Riona promised.


    ¡°I would keep to your directives from now going forward¡± Cindy promised.


    ¡°So about the new project you mentioned, considering how huge it is, mypany would like to be a


    partner in it. We can share the territories to invest in if you want¡± Wright said.


    ¡°We would be d to have you as our partner. And no we would be working together there is no need


    to divide anything¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to send in the details of the project as soon as it is avable¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I will do that dad¡± Riona replied.

 CHAPTER 27 - MAEVES DISMAY 2

    CHAPTER 27 - MAEVE''S DISMAY 2


    Maeve rushed and got her phone from the cushion and she dialed Wright¡¯s number again. And just like


    other times, it rang but he did not pick up.


    ¡°See, this is what I am talking about,¡± She said to the girls.


    ¡°Okay, maybe I should try it one more time so that you girls would see for yourselves,¡± She said.


    She dialed the number again and just like the first time, her call was not answered. She was already


    frustrated and in anger, she tried to smash the phone on the phone but fortunately, itnded on the


    cushion.


    ¡°I would definitely not forgive him for this¡± She spats.


    Davina could perfectly understand what Maeve was going through and she hadpassion for her.


    Even though she was sure that Wright is a good man and would not intentionally be so mean to his


    family, she still believe that there was no excuse for him to stand his wife up for this long and never


    deemed it fit to get across to her.


    ¡°What about you call his office? From there you can get to know about his whereabouts¡± Davina


    suggested.


    ¡°That sounds like a great idea. Mum let¡¯s call his office¡± Riley agreed.


    Maeve looked at the two girls and she dialed Wright¡¯s office. The phone rang and a male picked it.


    Maeve was excited and tried to hide it.


    ¡°Hello Mrs. Wright¡± the receiver greeted.


    ¡°Hello. Please I am calling to find out if my husband is at the office¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Is he not with you yet?¡± the receiver inquired.


    Maeve was already getting irritated by the questions she was been asked ¡°If he is here, why should I


    be calling¡±


    ¡°Sorry ma, he went for a meeting with Riona. But he was supposed toe to get you at home as


    soon as he was done with the meeting¡± the receiver replied.


    ¡°I see. Thanks¡± Maeve hung up.


    ¡°He went to see Riona and by extension Cindy¡± Maeve announced to the girls.


    ¡°Okay, if he had gone to see Rio, then that is not a big deal. But do you suspect he is having something


    with Cindy?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°I am no fool. Riona would have picked her over me¡±


    ¡°But you are married to dad now. And both he and Cindy don¡¯t strike as such sort of people¡± Riley said.


    ¡°You know very little Riley, this is not the first time that Wright would be doing this. He got away with it


    the first time but this time, if he tries to y down on me, I would show all of them that I am a fierce and


    rigorous werewolf and I am not that weary thing that he used to know¡± Maeve smirked.


    ¡°It is okay mum, I still believe that you are taking this too far and this is not you¡± Riley tried to calm her


    mum.


    ¡°Don¡¯t dare me, Wright, don¡¯t dare me¡± Maeve growled.


    ¡°Allow her Riley, humans can stretch one beyond his limit,¡± Davina told Riley.


    ¡°This is not you Davina. What the hell hase upon the both of you?¡± Riley asked.


    She was surprised at how her mum and her friend are taking this. She believed they are taking it too


    far.


    ¡°You are yet to understand Riley. When ites to matters of the heart, you do everything to make


    sure it is unhurt¡± Davina said.


    ¡°I have been hurt too, but that should not turn me into a beast,¡± Riley said.


    Davina smirks ¡°A beast?¡±


    ¡°Okay, I agree that people already see us as beasts. But that also does not mean that we should act as


    one¡± Riley said.


    ¡°We are werewolves for a reason, Riley. A beast should not allow itself to be used as a push-around


    pet¡± Davina said.


    Riley exhaled ¡°What do I even know about who I am¡±


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Riona''s phone began to ring. It was a call from Mary.


    She picked it and said ¡°Hello Mary¡±


    ¡°Rio, I called to inform you of your meeting by 5:30,¡± Mary said.


    ¡°I had almost forgotten. Thanks for calling to remind me. I will be in the office right away.


    ¡°Bye Rio¡± Mary said.


    ¡°Okay Mary, Bye,¡± Riona said and hung up.


    ¡°What is it, Rio?¡± Wright inquired.


    ¡°I forgot I am to have a meeting in less than twenty minutes from now. It''s actually with some of the


    representatives from the organization that is interested in continuing our ongoing project¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I was not informed that the meeting is to be held today,¡± Cindy said.


    ¡°It must have been an oversight on the part of Mary. I was the one that shifted it to today. I will be


    ¡°Shit¡± Wright eximed.


    ¡°What is the matter, Mr. Wright?¡± Cindy asked.


    ¡°Ipletely forgot about my agreement with Maeve¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°I think you would have to call mum,ter on, to exin the situation to her,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I will¡± Wright agreed.


    ¡°Right now, we would all head back to my office,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Us? I have to go home right away¡± Wright objected.


    ¡°No, you will not dad. You said you have something important to discuss with me and you are yet to do


    that. And moreover, the meeting that I am about to have is a very crucial one as a vital issue


    concerning Re Aid, its ongoing project, the investment, and even the uing project would all be


    discussed at the meeting¡± Riona said.


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Really¡± Wright never imagined that what Riona had just told him was the reason for the meeting.


    ¡°Of course, dad, and your presence would be well needed and appreciated. I wouldn¡¯t want you saying


    that I took steps without first informing you. Moreover, drastic decisions would be reached at this


    meeting¡± Riona said.


    Riona was not entirely saying the truth. But just so she could achieve her aim, she does not mind


    chirping in a lie or two if that would get her dad to follow her and keep Maeve waiting.


    ¡°Since the meeting is this important, I see no reason why I should be absent from it,¡± Wright said.


    Cindy could only stare at Riona in disbelief. She does not understand why Riona would resort to that


    much lie just so as to make her dad sit in one boring meeting. However, she kept calm and watched the


    drama between father and daughter.


    ¡°After the meeting, I can hear what you want to say to me,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°That would be great. So let us all leave now¡± Wright replied.


    They came out to the parking lot of the restaurant and discovered that some cars were obstructing


    Wright¡¯s exit and it would take some time to get the owners toe to move their cars to give him the


    right of passage.


    ¡°Maybe we should all use Cindy¡¯s car. You can get someone toe to move the carter¡± Riona


    suggested.


    ¡°That seems like the best idea now. We''ve got to hurry up if we don¡¯t intend to bete for this meeting¡±


    Wright agreed.


    They all went into Cindy''s car and she drove off.

 CHAPTER 28 - WRIGHTS REQUEST

    CHAPTER 28 - WRIGHT''S REQUEST


    Riona and Wright walked into Riona¡¯s office. They are through with the meeting.


    ¡°I want to thank you once again for being there in the meeting, dad,¡± Riona said.


    She went to sit on her chair while Wright sat on the visitors'' chair right in front of her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see the need of my presence in that meeting Rio. It is something you and Cindy can easily


    handle¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Dad, your contributions are just what I needed there. I wonder what I would have done without you¡±


    Riona replied.


    ¡°I barely spoke a word all through girl¡± Wright retorted.


    Wright is right. All through the meeting, he never really said anything after he had weed the


    representatives. In fact, there was not much to discuss in the meeting as it was only for Riona to


    after the five years is exhausted. Anyway, Wright felt pride as a fulfilled father seeing his daughter


    doing exceedingly great in her field as he watch Riona take control of the meeting.


    ¡°Dad, I want you to be a part of this, and I felt happy seeing you there, seated right next to me,¡± Riona


    said.


    ¡°Me too. I must confess that you made me proud in that conference room¡± Wright admitted.


    ¡°I think we should celebrate that. What do you think?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Celebrate?¡± Wright was confused.


    ¡°Yes. Cindy and I had decided that we would have some sit out to celebrate our feat today¡± Riona


    announced.


    ¡°Is there a need to?¡± Wright asked. ¡°You have on numerous asions achieved greater feats than this


    one¡±


    ¡°You are right you know. I have achieved even greater things than this one. But this would be the first


    that I would have you participate in. See, I don¡¯t know how you see it, but this is not what that can just


    be relinquished to the corner as nothing¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°If that is the case, then I must say that I am so d to be a part of this¡± Wright said.


    ¡°So after we are done with the discussions, we would all head out for a ss of wine to celebrate


    Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.


    today,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Good¡± Wright agreed to Riona''s n.


    ¡°I want to discuss Re Aid¡± Wright began.


    ¡°What about Re Aid dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like the fact that it is resting squarely on your shoulders,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Thanks for thinking about me, but the truth is I am notining. I admit that it is a tedious task


    especially since it has to deal with humans but so far so good, I have been managing just fine¡± Riona


    said.


    ¡°No matter how you try to look at it, the fact remains that you need an extra hand to help with this¡±


    Wright said.


    ¡°I already have Cindy. She is qualified and capable¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Yes, she is. But she is but only a worker. You need someone in the management too¡± Wright said.


    Riona immediately objected to her dad¡¯s suggestion ¡°No dad, we have already discussed this. I am


    okay with you controlling things from the outside. I would not add you or The Knights-Style to the


    management of Re Aid¡±.


    ¡°I am not talking about me or mypany here, Rio,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Whosoever or whatsoever you are talking of, the fact remains that for now, I need no co-manager. And


    I promise you that once I do, you will be the first to know¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I insist, Rio,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Dad¡± Riona called.


    ¡°Yes Rio, I do. You will have to walk with someone. Very soon, you will go to college, and then what


    happens?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Dad, even when I left Re Aid for over a year, it still went on just fine. I already told you that Cindy


    is up to the task and sincerely, sometimes I feel that you don¡¯t see her for what she is worth. This I think


    has made you make so many uninformed decisions in life¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not deviate from the main issue here. Riley would be joining you as a co-manager in Re Aid¡±


    Wright announced.


    Riona was shocked at the announcement ¡°Riley¡±


    ¡°Yes, Riley. She is family and qualifies to be a part of this¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t deny that she is family. But I am sorry Re Aid goes beyond family¡± Riley replied.


    ¡°What does that mean?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°You said it yourself, dad. Very soon I would be off to college and what about Riley, won¡¯t she also go to


    college?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Riley is joining you and that is final,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°No, she is not. Earlier on, you requested that I allow De Knights Style to partner with us on our


    uing project, and even though that is not how Re Aid operates, I yielded to your request. But


    this time around, I would not do it as you want. I run this organization dad, I, and mum. And for mum, I


    have put in my whole life to it and I would not just sit by and allow someone that knows nothing about


    all our sacrifices toe and ruin it all for me¡± Riona said.


    ¡°That somebody is your sister Rio¡± Wright red.


    ¡°Yes dad, she is my sister but only on the papers¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°You are trying to make this difficult Rio, but I promise you that I would see to the realization of my


    request,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°But you can¡¯t, dad,¡± Riona said.


    Riona sounded so sure when she had said that wright would not be able to enforce his will and this


    made Wright wonder what could make her so confident.


    ¡°And what is that supposed to mean?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Okay, dad. I think it is time to exin the organization of Re Aid to you because you are certainly


    mixing things up¡± Riona began.


    Wright was bing impatient ¡°Go on, I am listening¡±


    ¡°I am the sole signatory of Re Aid. What this means is that without my signature, no decision can


    be taken on Re Aid. So I will need to vent Riley¡¯s admission into the organization¡± Riona


    announced.


    ¡°And I am your guardian baby girl. I can still make some major decisions without your permission if I


    can show that it is for your well-being¡± Wright smiled.


    ¡°You can dad but not in the case of Re Aid¡± Riona announced.


    Wright was curious ¡°Why not in this case?¡±


    ¡°All that power belongs to Cindy. She is the only one that can veto my decisions over here. She stands


    in loco parentis in this case¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Really?¡± Wright asked.


    By now, Wright was so angry with himself for not trying to know what his power is beforeing to


    exercise authority in Re Aid. When Evolette was alive, Wright knew absolutely nothing about the


    management of Re Aid. It was only after the demise of Evolette that he had taking up the mandate


    of guiding Riona on the parts to take when ites to Re Aid.


    ¡°That is how it is, dad,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I am sorry I never knew of that. But can you please make Riley work here with you? This is a family


    business and I would not want to make her feel left out¡± Wright pleaded.


    ¡°I get you dad but you already know that I don¡¯t do sentiments in business especially when it has to do


    with the welfare of a thousand and one kids. Re Aid is a multi-million dors organization. Now let¡¯s


    be truthful with ourselves. Would Riley be able to handle such? Even if she is to enter which I definitely


    will not allow for such to happen, she would have to start from low and not right from the top¡± Riona


    said.


    ¡°You are right Riona even though you were too blunt. But why can¡¯t you just ept her as your sister,


    she has been nothing but nice to you?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°That is what they let you see dad. Or maybe we should not go on with this issue. I have already


    nned that once you have a child with Maeve, she would be joining Re Aid¡± Riona said.


    Wright chuckles ¡°And what makes you think that it would be a she?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s say it is because I want a little baby sister,¡± Riona said.

 CHAPTER 29 – BACK HOME TO MAEVE

    CHAPTER 29 ¨C BACK HOME TO MAEVE


    Maeve heard the horn of a car and she rushed to the window to look outside the house. She saw


    Wright¡¯s car pull up and instead of Wrighting out from the car, someone else did. Seeing that it


    was not Wright that had driven the car, she rushed to open the door.


    ¡°What happened to my husband, why are you the one with his car?¡± Maeve asked the young man that


    had brought back the car.


    ¡°Boss called to ask that I bring his car home¡± the young man replied.


    ¡°From where, where is he?¡± Maeve was already getting more anxious.


    ¡°He went out to have lunch at the restaurant with Riona and Cindy, so some cars obstructed his exit


    and he left in Cindy¡¯s car so he instructed me to bring his car home¡± the young man exined.


    ¡°I see. Give me the car keys, you can go back¡± Maeve said.


    The young man handed over the keys to her and left.


    She walked back into the house feeling deserted.


    Riley rushed down the staircase ¡°I heard a car pull up mum, is that dad?¡±


    ¡°No it is not him but his car¡± Maeve responded.


    ¡°His car, what happened to him?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°Nothing happened to him, darling. It is just like I suspected. He went to have a nice time with Cindy¡±


    Maeve responded.


    Riley was taken aback ¡°Cindy?¡±


    ¡°Yes Cindy¡± She replied. ¡°And of course Riona. He asked one of the workers to bring back the car¡±


    ¡°Oh, I see. Did the person say why he has not been picking his call?¡± Riley looked worried.


    ¡°No. No, I did not ask him¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry dear, you can go back inside, everything is fine¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Okay, mum. You have to remain calm and ask dad for exnations when he returns. I am sure there


    must be a reason for that¡± Riley said.


    ¡°Thanks, darling, I will¡± Maeve tried to put up some smile.


    Riley went back upstairs while Maeve continued in her thought.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    Maeve heard a car pull up at the front of the house. She looked at the time on her phone and it was


    7:48 pm. She did not bother to go check who the owner of the car is as she was sure that it was Cindy


    that had brought back Wright and Riona.


    There was a knock at the door but Maeve did not respond when the knock came again, she said ¡°The


    door is open for whoever that is¡±


    She watched as the doorknob turned and Riona entered followed by Cindy and then Wright.


    Maeve noticed that Cindy was holding Wright¡¯s hand and this act infuriated Maeve even more.


    However, she hid her displeasure and went to take away Wright¡¯s hand from Cindy.


    ¡°Hey Maeve, it¡¯s been a very long time. How are you doing?¡± Cindy greeted.


    ¡°Cindy, I am good. And thanks for bringing my family home safely¡± Maeve responded.


    Maeve said to Wright as she took his hand ¡°Wright¡±


    ¡°Hey Maeve, it¡¯s been a long day¡± Wright responded.


    Maeve could tell that Wright had been drinking and he was already a little tipsy ¡°Did you go out for a


    drink?¡±


    ¡°I went out with Riona, Maeve and it doesn¡¯t matter what I went out for,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°What?¡± Maeve could barely speak.


    ¡°We were supposed to go out together today. Have you forgotten?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°Come on love, it is no big deal. I went out with Rio today, I can go out with you some other day¡± Wright


    replied.


    ¡°But you did not deem it fit to put me in on that, and you did not pick my calls. I have been calling you


    all day long¡± Maeve said.


    Wright was surprised to hear Maeve saying that she has been calling him all day when his phone never


    rang even for once. ¡°You did what?¡±


    Maeve turned to Cindy. ¡°Can you excuse us, Cindy? I appreciate your being there for them when they


    needed it, thank you¡±


    Riona red ¡°She is not going anywhere Maeve, she is my guest¡±


    ¡°Riona?¡± Maeve called out.


    ¡°Yes. She brought us back, and you cannot just treat her like shit¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Rio, I would leave already¡± Cindy said.


    Cindy does not like the fact that the atmosphere was getting heated up all because of her. However, no


    matter how much she tried, she does not seem to understand the reason for Maeve¡¯s insecurity around


    her.


    ¡°No Cindy, you will not leave until I say so¡± Riona objected.


    All along, Wright was looking at thedies and he does not understand what could be the reason for


    their fights.


    Riona turns to Maeve ¡°I know that what you know how to do is to treat people that you feel are below


    you as nothing. But just so you know, Cindy here is a hardworking youngdy who had achieved great


    feats in her profession. She is not a gold digger¡±


    ¡°You dare not address me as such Riona¡± Maeve screamed. ¡°You¡¯d got to respect my marriage¡±.


    ¡°What marriage? I wasn¡¯t aware of any¡± Riona mocked her.


    Cindy was lost and she does not know what to do at the moment but deep within her, she really hoped


    that the both of them would just end it right now.


    Riley heard the noiseing from the sitting room and she decided toe and check. When she


    noticed that it was her mum and Riona once again, she stood at the top of the stairs watching at them.


    ¡°It is okay right now you both¡± Wright screamed.


    He turns to Cindy ¡°Cindy, I am very sorry for what you have experienced tonight. But do know that I am


    most grateful for your sacrifices today. I am sorry you have to leave now please¡±


    ¡°The pleasure is mine, Mr. Wright¡± Cindy replied. ¡°Goodnight Rio¡±.


    ¡°Good night Cindy. I am sorry you have to experience this tonight. Please I will make it up to you¡± Riona


    apologized.


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    ¡°There would be no need for that Rio¡± Cindy responded.


    Riona walked up to her dad and held him by his hands.


    ¡°Come on dad, promise her that we would make it up to her, please¡± Riona pleaded.


    ¡°Thanks, Cindy, of course, we would make it up to you¡± Wright knew his daughter better than to refuse


    her request at this point in time.


    ¡°Okay, Mr. Wright¡± Cindy smiled and left the house.


    ¡°Good night, dad,¡± Riona said.


    Riona felt she has achieved her aim for tonight and there was no need to continue in the barter with


    Maeve so she left the sitting room and headed for the stairs.


    Riley seeing that Riona was done and is already leaving for her room walked back to her room.


    ¡°Good night Rio¡± Wright responded.


    Wright made to leave the sitting room but Maeve¡¯s words stopped him.


    ¡°And do you really believe that this will end this way tonight?¡± she asked.


    Wright looked at her ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You are not going to say anything about Riona¡¯s attitude and yours,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°There is absolutely nothing to talk about Maeve¡± Wright responded.


    Maeve eximed in shock ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°You have handled it the way that is best to you so what do you have me do?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Seriously?¡± Maeve eximed once again.


    ¡°You know that is an alternative that says that we can like two mature adults walk right into our room


    and talk about this the very moment I returned. But sincerely, I don¡¯t know why you neglected that


    option. Cindy was our Guest for Christ''s sake. Must you do all that in front of her?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Okay. Is that also the reason you refused to pick my calls all through today?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°Stop with the calls Maeve. You never called me¡± Wright rebutted.


    Maeve was shocked. She wondered why Wright would deny seeing her calls.


    ¡°I did call you Wright, where is your phone¡± Maeve insisted.


    Wright puts his hands into his pocket ¡°I don¡¯t know what is wrong with you tonight Maeve. I admit that I


    am wrong for standing you up but that is not enough reason to resort to lying¡±


    ¡°Are you calling me a liar now?¡± Maeve was not finding this easy tonight.


    Wright brought out his phone from his pocket ¡°I am not saying that Maeve. but sincerely, I don¡¯t even


    owe you any ¡­¡±


    He stopped speaking after he opened his phone call log and saw numerous missed calls from Maeve


    ¡°You have been calling me?¡± He stuttered.


    ¡°This is not you Wright. What exactly has been happening to us, why are you allowing this?¡± Maeve


    started crying and ran upstairs.


    Wright was bbergasted ¡°Wait Maeve, please don¡¯t go inside¡± he called.


    ¡°Hold on dear, let¡¯s sort this out¡± He called again.


    However, Maeve refused to hearken to his call. She had already taken more than she can today and


    she would not want to listen to him anymore.


    ¡°But howe all these missed calls? I have been with my phone all through the day¡± Wright said to


    himself.


    He saw Maeve¡¯s phone on the cushion and decided to use it to call his phone in order to discover what


    the problem was. He dialed his number and notice that when it started ringing that the phone had been


    on silent throughout the day.


    ¡°My phone had been on silent Maeve. I swear I did not put it on silent and I cannot tell how it got there¡±


    Wright shouted.


    He realized that there was no way that Maeve could have heard him and so he sighs and ran up the


    staircase.

 CHAPTER 30 – THE TUSSLE WITH RILEY

    CHAPTER 30 ¨C THE TUSSLE WITH RILEY


    Riona is in the school library, she was trying toplete her biology assignment which she intended to


    submit before the close of school. She was trying to be fast as she has another ss in less than


    fifteen minutes.


    She was so engrossed in her task that she was not paying any attention to her environment and


    whenever any of her ssmates or acquaintance passed by and greeted her, she responded without


    bothering to look up to see who it was.


    Even when Riley had passed by her side with her friend, Davina and they had both said hello to Riona,


    she responded without even knowing that they were the ones greeting her.


    When she was done, she stood up and put all her books into her school bag except for her biology


    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    textbook which she had earlier kept inside the drawer of the desk she was using. After that, she rushes


    out of the library as she does not want to bete for her ss.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    ¡°Riona¡± a voice called.


    It was the close of school and Riona was carrying her school bag and walking along the school


    premises when she heard someone calling out to her. She looked back and saw that it was Riley that


    was calling her, and she was running in her direction.


    She hesitated before finally agreeing to stop and wait to see what she was been called for. She was


    sure that Riley was not calling her so they could go home together because they have never gone


    home together before. So she felt that whatever would make Riley dare to stop her must be very


    important.


    ¡°Hey, Riona,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°You are already here, Riley, why still call my name? Say whatever it is that you want and stop wasting


    my time¡± Riona retorted.


    Riley ignored her hostility and dips her hands inside her schoolbag and brought out a textbook. It was


    Riona¡¯s textbook, and she hands the textbook over to Riona.


    ¡°You left this in the library Riona. I was hoping to bring it home for you but since I saw you now, I decide


    to hand it over now¡± Riley said.


    Riona collected the textbook from her and she saw that it was her Biology textbook. She must have


    forgotten it in the library when she went to do an assignment and even when she packed her books into


    her school bag, she had not noticed that she had left it.


    ¡°So why not just bring it back home rather than stop me here to give it to be?¡± Riona asked.


    Riley hated the fact the Riona was not appreciative but was still been aggressive to her despite her act


    of goodwill. However, she decided to ignore her harshness and answer her.


    ¡°I am not heading home immediately Riona, I and Davina are going to pick up some stuff at the


    grocery. See she is standing over there¡± Riona said.


    She pointed to where Davina was standing and waiting for her so that Riona would see her for herself


    but Riona did not even attempt to look in the direction she was pointing to.


    ¡°I would not want you to be worried and start looking for it when you get home so that is why I brought it


    to you now that I saw you,¡± she said.


    Riona listened to all of Riley¡¯s exnations before putting the book inside of her school bag.


    ¡°And I was wondering if you would like to go with Davina and me. She can take you home first if you


    want her to¡± Riona offered.


    ¡°Thanks,¡± Riona said.


    She waspletely nonchnt towards Riley. She did not bother to wait for Riley to respond but left


    her still standing while she walked out of her.


    ¡°You are wee,¡± Riley said.


    She watched as Riona leaves and was not sure whether to be happy or angry for Riona¡¯s attitude.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Riona was sitting at the balcony upstairs and looking over the garden where Maeve and Riley were.


    She watched as both of them were rxing and both had a lot of fun in the garden.


    As Riona looked on, she wished her mother was still alive and that it was the both of them that were in


    the garden, ying and having fun.


    She hated them for the absence of her mum. And even though this doesn¡¯t make any sense to her, she


    felt she had to hate them still. To Riona, someone¡¯s got to be med for her mother¡¯s absence, and


    since Maeve and Riley had willingly made themselves avable, then they must be med for what


    she suffered from her mother¡¯s death.


    Maeve and Riley were not aware that Riona was watching them from the balcony. Maeve had wanted


    to ask Riona to join them, but knowing how she would react to that, she never bothered to.


    Shees out to have some fun and rxation with Riley whenever she is at home and free from


    work. It has always been this way between her and Riley as she believes this act strengthens their


    bond.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to the swing, mummy¡± Riley said.


    ¡°Okay dear, that would be a good idea¡± Maeve concurred.


    They both got up from the ground and went to the swing and they both sat on it and started to swing.


    ¡°How high do you think you can go with the swing today mum?¡± Riley asked as they both began to


    swing.


    ¡°Not too high, I think I would just maintain a low level¡± Maeve responded.


    ¡°Okay mum, I think I will go low too,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°That would be great darling, we can actually have some discussion then,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Cool mum¡± Riley replied.


    She felt this would be a great time to ask her mother about herst visit to her grandparents.


    ¡°What about your visit to grandma and grandpa, I noticed you have not told me about that?¡± Riley


    asked.


    ¡°They are all fine dear, and moreover, nothing much happened. You know I did not stay there for too


    long¡± Maeve replied.


    ¡°Anyways, they all send their greetings and wish to see you soon¡±. Maeve added.


    ¡°Cool mum, so when are we going to visit? I can¡¯t wait to see everyone. It¡¯s been such a long time. I


    can¡¯t remember being away from them for this long?¡± Riley said.


    ¡°You are right dear, but there would be no need going to see them,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°But why mum?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°Because they promised toe to see us soon¡± Maeve responded.


    Riona was still watching them although she could not hear what they were saying from where she was


    seated.


    She was beginning to miss her mother over again as she remembered that it had always been the two


    of them in the garden, together with her father as one happy and indivisible family and now Maeve has


    Riona wished she could walk up to them in the garden and ask them to leave as they have no right to


    be there. This whole house belonged to her family, her mum, her dad, and her. Maeve and Riley were


    nothing but intruders, and very soon they would find their way out as they have already overstayed


    their wee. Riona thought.


    She looked over at them and saw that Maeve was now standing and pushing Riley who is sitting on the


    swing. She hated to see how they were bothughing as the sound of theirughter was already


    getting to her. She hates to see them happy as they remind her of her pains.


    When Riona felt she could not bear the sight of Maeve and Riley anymore, she stood up and walked


    out of the balcony and into the house.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Riona came out of her room and as she was walking along the corridor, she saw Riley standing in front


    of her mother¡¯s room. It appeared as if Riley was trying to enter the room.


    ¡°And what do you think you are doing there Riley?¡± Riona asked.


    Riley was startled by Riona¡¯s voice. She did not know that someone was around. She turned to look at


    Riona, she wanted to reply, but as a result of the shock, she could barely form any word.


    ¡°Are you also deaf now, what are you looking for over there, what do you want from my mum¡¯s room?¡±


    Riona asked.


    On hearing that the room was Evolette¡¯s room, Riley became rxed and she heaved. She has been


    curious to know why this particr room was not in use and has been locked since they moved into the


    house.


    ¡°Oh, I am sorry Riona, I had no idea that it was yourte mum¡¯s room. I was only wondering what was


    inside and I decided to check it out myself¡± She apologized.


    However, Riley''s apology did not seem to get to Riona as she was ready to create more trouble.


    ¡°I see, did either I or my dadin to you that our house is been hunted by a ghost, ghost catcher?¡±


    Riona asked.


    Riona went and check if the door to her mother¡¯s room was still locked. She discovered that it was still


    locked but however continued in her trouble.


    Seeing that Riona was only ready for trouble, Riley who apparently was not in the mode for any trouble


    refused to respond to her.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why you go about sneaking around here, you have a room to yourself and you


    are allowed to use other rooms, why must you stille over to this particr room?¡± Riona asked.


    She was beginning to get annoyed with Riley¡¯s silence; nevertheless, she decided to push her farther.


    ¡°You know what you are Riley, opportunists, that¡¯s what you and your kind are. All you guys do is to be


    going about and taking advantage of others'' misfortune¡± Riona spat.


    ¡°Please Riona, I would appreciate it that you don¡¯t talk about me in such a demeaning manner,¡± Riley


    said.


    Riley felt she was beginning to get to her breakpoint, and if Riona does not desist from her torment, she


    was not sure of what her reaction would be like. However, she was quite sure that no one, not even


    Riona was going to like what she might be forced to do.


    ¡°And if I decide not to stop, what will you do?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any reason for all of this, Riona,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°There is every reason for it Riley. What are you looking for here?¡± Riona retorted.


    Riley decided that the best thing for her to do at the moment was to walk out on Riona so as to avoid


    any more trouble with her. As Riley was walking away, Riona dragged her with both hands by her dress


    and drew her back to her.


    ¡°Let go of me Riona¡± Riley screamed.


    Riona let go of her and Riley raised her hands and gave Riona two ps.


    Riona was not expecting such a reaction from Riley and she quickly grabbed Riley by her legs and


    since Riley was taken by surprise, she fell on the floor.


    After struggling for a while, Riley was able to get up from the floor and grab Riona by her hair and this


    evolves into a fierce battle between both girls.

 CHAPTER 31 – WRIGHT’S OUTBURST

    CHAPTER 31 ¨C WRIGHT¡¯S OUTBURST


    The whole family was in the sitting room and the room was quiet with everyone looking at Riona.


    Wright was standing in front of Riona. He had his hands on his hips and he stared at her in anger.


    Riley was sitting on a couch with her mum beside her. She had a bandage on her left arm and some


    bruises on her face. This was a result of the fracture she suffered from her fight with Riona.


    Riona was sitting down on one of the couches. She appeared not to be bothered with the state that her


    family was in and she was pressing her phone.


    ¡°I am talking to you Rio, stop pressing that phone¡± Wright screamed.


    He was so frustrated with Riona¡¯s attitude. When did she be a tigress, going about fighting


    whosoever she felt was standing in her way? He asked himself. He wondered where he had lost it. He


    knew his daughter is a character but she was never this aggressive.


    If he had not known Riley better, he could have sworn that she was at fault. But Riley is not one to go


    about looking for trouble.


    ¡°Give that to me now¡± he ordered.


    ¡°What?¡± Riona asked.


    Riona felt there was no way her dad would be asking her to hand over her phone to him. She could not


    understand why everyone seem to turn blind eyes to the fact that Riley was the one that had started


    the fight but they had instead dwelled on the fact that Riley sustained one or two injuries, which was


    what she well deserved.


    ¡°Give me that phone now Riona, don¡¯t let me repeat myself,¡± Wright said.


    Riona murmured something as she handed the phone over to her father.


    ¡°And what are you saying?¡± he asked.


    ¡°She started the fight dad, she hit me first. Why is anyone not talking about that?¡± Riona asked.


    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You pushed her first Riona, if you had not dragged her, she would not have considered retaliating,¡± he


    said.


    ¡°She pped me twice dad, was I supposed to just sit and let her go after hitting me twice?¡± she asked.


    ¡°So, what is wrong if you saw her standing where she was standing? This is her house too Rio, and the


    earlier you stop pretending not to understand that Rio, the better it will be for every one of us¡± he said.


    ¡°What was she looking for in my mum¡¯s room?¡± Riona retorted.


    ¡°And I just say that she has as much right as you to be there?¡± he said.


    ¡°No dad, she does not. What if she takes something from it?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°You don¡¯t refer to my daughter as a thief Riona¡± Maeve screamed.


    Maeve has been sitting quietly all along, hoping that Wright would handle this issue well. But she will


    not sit and do anything when Riona decided to refer to her daughter as a thief.


    ¡°Please let me handle this, Maeve,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Not this Wright, you¡¯ve got to teach her some manners,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Of course she is your daughter. You know you actually don¡¯t have to remind us of that right? We have


    fully taken cognizance of that fact¡±. Riona said.


    ¡°Maeve I have got this, let me deal with it,¡± Wright said.


    Maeve was furious. She wondered when all these were going to end. However, she kept quiet and


    allowed Wright to deal with it.


    ¡°You would have to apologize, Riona,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Apologize, for what dad?¡± Riona asked.


    Riona wanted to know what she was required to apologize for. Was it for dealing with Riley the way she


    deserved and thereby putting her in her ce, was it for saying that Riley had intended to steal from


    her mum, which as far as Riona was concerned was not far from the truth, or is it going to be for


    carefully exining to Maeve that they are aware that Riley was her daughter?


    ¡°For everything, Rio,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°But why dad? You alwaysin that I am not being considerate towards Maeve and her daughter,


    Riley, and just when I decide to be nice, you are already asking me to apologize¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°And how do you call all of these been nice?¡± Wright asked.


    Riona closed her eyes and inhaled for some seconds before speaking.


    ¡°First, I decided to teach Riley some manners on what happens to someone that decides to go around


    pping random folks, and you said I was the trouble maker. Then I exined to everyone here that a


    person that is seen wandering in an area where he or she has no business is a likely suspect, and


    Maeve here provoked and told me that I was cing some allegations her daughter and now I tried to


    make Maeve understand that we are not fools and that we are well aware that Riley is her daughter,


    birds of a feather¡­¡±


    Riona was still speaking when Maeve angrily got up and shut her up.


    ¡°Shut up you little brat, how dare you try to trivialize all that you have done, and one more derogatory


    word from you about my daughter and I, I will teach you a lesson that you will not forget in a hurry¡±.


    Maeve shouted.


    Riley grabbed her mother¡¯s hands and made her sit back beside her.


    Riona smiled mischievously and looked at her father.


    ¡°I don¡¯t have any apology to make dad. Excuse me¡±. She said.


    She walked out of the sitting room as her dad called her back.


    ¡°Come back right here Riona¡±. He called.


    Riona however ignored his call and went straight for her room upstairs.


    Wright turned to face Maeve.


    ¡°I only requested for one thing Maeve, that you just shut up and allow me to talk to her, my daughter¡±


    he screamed.


    Maeve was about to make a defense when Wright ran after Riona. Seeing that Wright had run out, she


    held her daughter and sobbed.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    ¡°And what was all that about?¡± Wright screamed as he stormed into Riona¡¯s room.


    ¡°It was obvious that she wanted to do the talking dad, so I allowed her to¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I can¡¯t have you disrespecting my wife Rio, don¡¯t you ever talk about her in such a derogatory manner¡±


    Wright shouted.


    ¡°Why is it only me that you see something wrong with dad, was I the one that started the fight?¡± she


    asked.


    Riona was starting to feel bad, she believed her dad was refusing to see things from her perspective.


    She felt he was only focused on defending Maeve and her daughter while ignoring how she felt


    ¡°That¡¯s not true Rio, you have to grow past this attitude,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Admit it, dad, I am not the bad person here. I only try to mind my business and also try to protect what


    is mine and stop others from stepping on it¡± she said.


    ¡°But that is not how it should be, Rio. That is not the right way to go about this. You need to understand


    this honey¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Exin to me dad, I want to understand, make me,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Rio, we are one family now, you should see them as such, and we just can¡¯t keep fighting. We need to


    love one another. Can you please do that for me?¡± Wright asked.


    Wright was hoping that this was enough exnation for Riona.


    ¡°I have always had my reservations dad, you know exactly how I felt about bringing them into this


    house,¡± Riona said.


    Wright was unable to say anything. In fact, he does not know what to say to her. Why can¡¯t she just


    forget about all of these and allow peace to reign? He wondered if she would ever get over her hatred


    for Maeve and by extension, Riley.


    ¡°Riona, we can¡¯t keep going back and front on this. Please, dear, stop the fighting¡± Wright pleaded.


    Riona got up from the chair where she was sitting and she went to stand in front of her dad.


    Wright sincerely hoped that Riona would agree to listen to him. He held her hands in his and looked


    into her eyes.


    ¡°I love you, dad,¡± she said.


    ¡°I love you too Rio, very much¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°We were wonderful together dad, yes we lose mum, but we still have ourselves,¡± she said.


    Wright exhaled. He could not believe that she was going through this again. What does she want him


    to tell her now? He is already married to Maeve, and they are one family now. Riona¡¯s eptance


    would be good for her as he is not even going to consider divorce.


    ¡°Yes, dear. And even now we still have ourselves, just that we got bigger and you know, bigger should


    be better¡± he said.


    Riona removed her hands from his and she slowly walked to the bed and sat down.


    Wright was confused, he does not know what her next action might be. All he wanted is what every


    other father would want, for his baby girl to be happy and he was ready to ensure this, even though she


    does not understand, epts, or appreciate the things that he does to see to her happiness.


    ¡°Just one question dad,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°What is the question, honey?¡± Wright inquired.


    ¡°Why did you do it, dad, you know how I felt, why did you marry her?¡± she asked.


    Wright¡¯s jaw dropped at Riona¡¯s question. He does not have any answer for her, and even if he does,


    he was not sure if she would understand it.

 CHAPTER 32 – THREATS OF THE ROGUES

    CHAPTER 32 ¨C THREATS OF THE ROGUES


    Wright packed his car in front of the county¡¯s tennis club. He had fixed a meeting with Mr. Johnson and


    Philip today at the club and it was almost time for the meeting.


    He was sure that Philip and Mr. Johnson would be here waiting for his arrival. Due to the importance of


    this meeting, Philip flew into Edmonton this morning. It was a very crucial meeting and it required that


    they all met physically to talk about it. They also intend to y tennis together by the time they are


    through with the meeting.


    Wright got down from the car and jugged into the tennis clubhouse. And just as he had envisaged, Mr.


    Johnson and Philip were already inside and were ying tennis.


    ¡°Hey fes¡± he greeted them when he sighted them.


    As he walked up to them, he exchanged quick pleasantries with other people that were in the


    clubhouse.


    ¡°Hey, Wright¡± Philip called out.


    It has been long that Philip had seen his best friend, Wright. After the burial of Evolette, they have only


    seen once and that was a long time ago.


    ¡°You are here already man. How are you doing?¡± Mr. Johnson said as he looked up and saw Wright


    approaching them.


    ¡°Super¡± Wright responded.


    Mr. Johnson and Philip stopped the game and they all went to sit on a bench away from those in the


    club.


    ¡°How is Rio? I am actually hoping I would see her before I fly back to Regina today¡± Philip asked.


    ¡°She is fine. But I doubt if she will let you go once she gets to meet you. You know it¡¯s been long she


    met you and I must say that she misses you so dearly¡± Wright replied.


    ¡°She¡¯s got to understand that I will make out time to be with her soon. I miss her too¡± Philip said.


    ¡°She would love that¡± Wright replied.


    Wright cleared his throat ¡°Okay, about the meeting, I want to know what is going on¡±


    ¡°There had been news of numerous rogues¡¯ intrusion in Edmonton these past weeks¡± Mr. Johnson


    announced.


    ¡°What! And howe I have not heard of this?¡± Wright was shocked.


    ¡°Actually, at first we dismissed it as a mere coincidence and attached no meaning to it¡± Mr. Johnson


    replied.


    ¡°But then, I got wind of their presence in Edmonton. And even I thought that it was nothing but in order


    not to take chances, I decided to investigate them and so, I sent out delegates as spies to them. Our


    spied were able to gain their trust and they were able to discover that the rogues were on the lookout


    for you and your family. In fact, they have been going about asking for details about your family¡± Philip


    exined.


    Wright was perplexed by this news. He had almost believed that the rebels had given up on getting


    him. He had given up everything for them, so why were they still looking for him?


    ¡°I see. So what is the n now?¡± Wright requested.


    ¡°We can only keep them off, for now, alpha. But this is a fight that we cannot run away from. We should


    be ready to face it soon¡± Mr. Johnson replied.


    ¡°They would not leave, alpha, at least not until they are sure that they have the shadow wolf,¡± Philip


    said.


    ¡°And what has that got to do with me? I am not the shadow wolf. In fact, even Tabitha that I had


    rejected was not even the shadow wolf. What else do they want from me?¡± Wrightmented.


    When Wright turned sixteen, everyone believed that just like his mum, he would have the shadow wolf


    on the night of the full moon. But to the dismay of the pack members, he had shifted to an alpha wolf,


    and also, he did not find a mate like his pairs.


    He was the only child of his family and would not be able to ascend the throne unless he can get the


    shadow wolf. Due to the peculiarities of Tabitha, who was the most cherished and sort after damsel in


    the pack and the fact that her blood linage could be traced to the shadow wolf, everyone had believed


    that she would be the shadow wolf and thus, they had wanted Wright to marry her.


    However, this was not the case with Wright¡¯s cousin, Derrick who in his quest to get the throne by all


    means had led a pack of rebels and had forcefully converted Tabitha to his mate since he believed that


    she was the only woman alive that can bear a child with the shadow wolf.


    This was the story of how Wright left the Shadow Rank Pack. His father, alpha Lucas had a very soft


    spot for his nephew, Derrick and he was annoyed at Wright¡¯s refusal to settle with Tabitha so he


    dered that whoever borne the shadow wolf between Wright and Derrick would seed him.


    Wright who waspletely against this arrangement by the alpha because of how dangerous Derrick


    was especially when he needs something quietly left the pack to start a normal life. However, wright¡¯s


    exit did not deter Derrick from taking his fight to Wright.


    ¡°Tabitha¡¯s daughter for Derrick just turned sixteenst month¡± Mr. Johnson announced.


    Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°And so, am I supposed to get her a birthday present?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°It was the full moon and she was not the shadow wolf¡± Mr. Johnson exined.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why Derrick still wants a fight with me. Everyone knows that I am not the


    shadow wolf¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°For some reason, Derrick strongly believes that you would bear the shadow wolf and he does not want


    you near the throne¡± Philip exined.


    ¡°Obviously he has gone insane¡± Wright spat.


    ¡°He knows that you have a daughter, alpha. And he thinks she would be the shadow wolf¡± Philip said.


    ¡°Okay. I know I wouldn¡¯t mind Rio taking my nature as a werewolf. But why doesn¡¯t he just allow things


    to be for now? Why would he never stop to preempt things?¡± Wright said. ¡°He is pushing me and I can¡¯t


    say how much longer I can hold on¡±


    Wright was already furious. If not for the love he has for his family, he would have started a war with


    Derrick right away and he was very sure that Derrick with all his rogues put together would not be able


    to defeat him.


    ¡°Please you don¡¯t have to allow him to get to you. Remember you are doing this for your family¡± Philip


    said.


    ¡°There is a limit to what I can take and if Derrick should as much as to cause a scratch on any of my


    family members, then the whole of shadow rank would be razed down,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Have you considered the fact that Rio might have the shadow wolf?¡± Mr. Johnson asked.


    Wright thought about what Mr. Johnson had said for a second. ¡°Not really, but that would make no


    difference¡±


    ¡°Then she might have to return to the shadow rank pack,¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. She belongs here and so she will remain here¡± Wright objected.


    ¡°Then why do you want her to be a werewolf if you so much desire to be a human?¡± Mr. Johnson


    asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, that is my nature, Johnson. Or maybe it¡¯s because of the powers thate with being a


    werewolf. I want that for her. I would not want her to remain vulnerable¡± Wright struggled to give a


    response.


    ¡°If she is a werewolf, then she would have to go back to shadow rank. We all have to go back. That is


    who we are and we cannot change that¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°And with that, Derrick would dare not challenge any of us again,¡± Philip said.


    Wright remained silent he listened to them speak but does not know whether to agree with them.


    ¡°Even though you try to hide it, you are our alpha and we know how hard it is for you to leave your


    homnd. Yes, I agree that the members of the pack were not fair to you, but we all know how fierce


    and dangerous Derrick could be. Everyone knows how much alpha Lucas loves him and they are


    aware that they dare not fight against Derrick¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°Even at my own expense?¡± Wright muttered.


    ¡°Not at your expense. Please you have to forgive us, every one of us. We are one and we should not


    neglect our own no matter what. You love your people, alpha, and I know you would do anything to


    liberate them so please don¡¯t try to hide it¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°There is a limit that I can go. If Derrick pushes me, then I would retaliate. No matter whose ass is


    gunned. However, should Rio have the shadow wolf, I will not stop her from going to shadow rank if


    she wishes to. Derrick had had a field day at the Pack and someone¡¯s got to stop hi soon¡± Wright


    replied.


    Even though Wright tried to hide it, he also had that weakest for Derrick. He is the only sibling that he


    had and even with how things turned out, they had a very memorable childhood together and he


    wondered why he would let his greed for power eat deep into his heart.


    ¡°That is a great decision alpha¡± Philipmended. ¡°Now I have to devise a means to get the rogues


    out of Edmonton¡±


    ¡°You should take care of that immediately¡± Wright instructed.


    ¡°That is the best we can do for now. We would get our men to it¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    Wright got up. ¡°Let¡¯s get on with the game boys¡±


    ¡°Yes, we should¡± Mr. Johnson responded as he got up.


    Philip stood up too and they all went to start the game of tennis.

 CHAPTER 33 – HOSTING THE JOHNSONS

    CHAPTER 33 ¨C HOSTING THE JOHNSONS


    Riona was in the sitting room watching the television together with Riley who was still wearing her


    bandage, even though the bruises on her face are now faded. They are sitting on a different couch.


    Maeve entered the sitting room from the kitchen and she walks up to Riona. When she got to Riona¡¯s


    side, she said to her.


    ¡°Just so you know Rio, my family members will be having dinner with us tonight,¡± she said.


    Riona turned slightly in her direction and without saying any word, she returned back to what she was


    watching on the television.


    Maeve left Riona¡¯s side and went back to the kitchen to continue with what she was doing.


    ¡°Rio¡± Riley called.


    Riona looked at Riley.


    ¡°Did you hear what mum just said?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°Sure, I did¡± Riona replied.


    They continued with what they were watching until Wright entered the sitting from outside and his


    presence interrupted them.


    ¡°Hey, dad¡± Riley said.


    ¡°You are back dad, how was it?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°It was great girls, I caught a couple of fish. You girls should havee along with me, you would have


    loved it¡± Wright said.


    Wright was just returning from fishing. He goes fishing on thest Saturdays of the month and most


    times, he goes along with either one or both of the girls.


    ¡°We already told you, dad, we need to watch this edition of this program. We would definitely go with


    you next month¡± Riley said.


    ¡°Sure dad, we promise to go fishing with you next month,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay, I will not ept any excuse from either of you then,¡± he said.


    ¡°There would be no excuse dad, we promise,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°Rio, did your mum tell you about our guest for tonight?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes dad, she did¡± Riona responded.


    Wright joined them in the program that they were watching.


    ¡°So guys what is happening?¡± he asked.


    They all discussed the program and filled Wright in on what has been happening on it. They chatted


    andughed among themselves.


    Maeve entered, carrying a tray with some tes of food in it. She ced it on top of the table in the


    center of the sitting room.


    ¡°What did you make mum?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°It smells sweet,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I made some honey mustard baked chicken drumsticks¡± Maeve replied.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait,¡± Riona said.


    Riona stood up and goes to open the tes.


    ¡°It¡¯s so yummy,¡± she said.


    Riona took out one of the chicken drumsticks and took a bite. She turns and looks at her dad.


    ¡°It¡¯s so nice dad, you will love it,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I am d you like it,¡± Maeve said.


    Riona nods her head in affirmation and started to lick her lips.


    ¡°Can you please pass that around Riona?¡± Maeve requested.


    ¡°Sure I will¡± Riona replied.


    She took the tes and passed them around to everyone, and they all loved the taste of the chicken


    drumsticks.


    ¡°Are they still more left mum, I want some extra helpings?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°Of course there are¡± Maeve replied.


    ¡°Me too, I would make do with more of these¡± Riona said.


    Maeve got up and walks to the kitchen to get more.


    ¡°I will be right back with more dearies¡± Maeve assured them.


    ¡°I think an extra for me would not be a bad idea, honey,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay dear,¡± Maeve called out from the kitchen.


    Riona and Riley were both excited to have more Chicken drumsticks and they did not fail to show it.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    Riley goes to open the front door as she had heard someone knocking. When she opened the door and


    she saw her grandparents standing at the door, together with her aunt Cynthia, she eximed and


    hugged her grandma.


    ¡°Wow, grandma, grandpa, aunt Cynthia, you guys are here already?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°Hello Riley, see the way you look, you are all grown up now,¡± Mrs. Johnson said.


    Mrs. Johnson was so happy to see her granddaughter again after such a long time.


    ¡°You cane in,¡± Riley said.


    They all entered and Riona who was sitting on the couch greeted them.


    ¡°Good evening, everyone,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Hello, Riona,¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°How are you Riona?¡± Mrs. Johnson asked.


    ¡°I am fine, and you are all wee,¡± Riona said.


    Maeve and Wright heard some voicesing from the sitting room and they had figured out that there


    must be those of their visitors, so they came out to the sitting room to wee them.


    ¡°Hey mum and dad, you are both wee,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Thanks, darling¡± Mr. and Mrs. Johnson replied.


    ¡°Wee, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Hey Wright, thanks¡± Mr. Johnson replied.


    Mr. Johnson gave Wright a handshake.


    ¡°Hi, Wright¡± Cynthia greeted.


    ¡°Hi, Cynthia¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°I am so d that you all could make it over here today,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°We are happy to see you too man, I am also d to see that you are all doing great¡± Mr. Johnson


    replied.


    Wright held Mr. Johnson by the hand and they both left the sitting to the garden.


    ¡°So what is the news, Mr. Johnson?¡± Wright asked in a low tone.


    ¡°They are gone, Wright, every one of them¡± Mr. Johnson replied.


    ¡°That is the best news so far¡± Wright was relieved.


    ¡°Our men were able to convince them that you are not in Edmonton anymore and I am sure that by this


    time they would be at some other ce seriously searching for you¡± Mr. Johnson announced.


    ¡°That is perfect,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Dad, we are waiting for the both of you¡±


    Wright turned and saw Riona standing just a few meters from him. He carefully essed her


    countenance to know if she had eavesdropped but there was nothing to show that she had done that.


    He smiled at Riona ¡°Thanks, Rio¡±.


    ¡°We must not keep thedies waiting, sir,¡± he said to Mr. Johnson and they followed Riona inside.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Everyone was seated at the dining table and they have all started eating and having a nice reunion


    together.


    ¡°And what happened to Riley¡¯s arm?¡± Cynthia asked.


    She has been looking at Riley¡¯s arm all this while and has been wondering what it was that had injured


    her. She had to ask about it when she felt she could not ignore it anymore.


    ¡°She is getting better now Cynthia, we would be taking out the bandage tomorrow¡± Maeve responded.


    Maeve does not want to go into the discussion of what had happened to her daughter, Riley. She felt it


    was better not to want to talk about the fight Riley had with Riona. She knows who her sister was and


    there was no way she would keep calm if she learned the harm was caused by Riona, she would


    definitely blow it all out of proportion and Maeve does not want any of that.


    ¡°That is not an answer Maeve, what happened to her arms and to her face?¡± Cynthia asked.


    Cynthia was beginning to get suspicious of Maeve¡¯s reply. She knows Maeve was trying to hide


    something, and this suspicion gives Cynthia more reason to want to know what she was hiding.


    Wright, Maeve Riona, and Riley were all beginning to get uneasy with the questions and they wished


    Cynthia would just stop with her questions.


    ¡°I think we should continue eating now. Cynthia, Riley is fine and there is no need preying any further¡±


    Mr. Johnson said.


    Wright heaved a sigh of relief. He prayed silently that she would stop with her questions already as he


    does not like the direction that this was going.


    ¡°I am not going to stop dad, can¡¯t you see how terrible Riley looks, or am I the only one that is seeing


    her?¡± Cynthia asked.


    ¡°What happened to you darling?¡± Mrs. Johnson asked.


    ¡°I am fine grandma¡± Riley replied.


    ¡°I know that already Riley, tell me who did this to you,¡± Mrs. Johnson said.


    Riley became nervous, she does not want to say what had transpired between her and Riona. She


    quietly looked at Riona who in turn, immediately takes her face away from her.


    Seeing what had just happened, Cynthia was able to figure out that it was Riona that must have been


    the reason behind Riley¡¯s look.


    ¡°Riona, Riona did this to you?¡± Cynthia asked.


    Riley was quiet and did not answer Cynthia¡¯s question. Cynthia saw her silence as an admission.


    ¡°But why would Riona do this to you, what happened between you two?¡± Cynthia asked.


    ¡°I am fine now aunt Cynthia,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t be fine looking like this Riley, why should she unleash her beast on you?¡± Cynthia said.


    The atmosphere was already tense as Cynthia was shouting at the top of her voice.


    ¡°Stop it, Cynthia, the girls had a little misunderstanding, and it''s all better now¡± Wright ordered.


    ¡°This here cannot be a little misunderstanding. Just look at her whole body¡± Cynthia said.


    ¡°That is enough Cynthia, aren¡¯t you taking the whole thing out of proportion?¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    Cynthia was so angered and she was not ready to listen to any exnation from anyone. She decided


    to face Riona instead.


    ¡°And you silly brat, what gave you the impetus toy your filthy hands on her¡± Cynthia asked.


    Riona who has been trying so hard to control herself all along immediately rose up to her feet and


    decide to challenge Cynthia. Cynthia on seeing Riona¡¯s reaction, also stood up.


    ¡°You dare not refer to me as a brat again, Cynthia,¡± Riona said.


    Riona was already fuming, and she was waiting for just one mistake from Cynthia to show her the stuff


    that she is made of.


    ¡°Did you just talk to me in such a manner?¡± Cynthia asked.


    ¡°Yes I did, and you should do your worst¡± Riona challenged.


    Wright stood up and held Riona. He does not want her to keep exchanging words with Cynthia


    anymore.


    Knowing just what his daughter was capable of, Mr. Johnson stood up and tried to stop her from her


    fight but Cynthia was having none of it, she refused to heed to his voice and resisted his attempt to


    stop her.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got to stop all these now Cynthia,¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°Leave me, dad, I need to put her in her ce. Who does she think she is, or does she take me for


    Maeve that she could talk to just as she wants?¡±


    ¡°Maeve?¡± Wright asked.


    Cynthia''s word about not being the same as Maeve came as a shock to Wright and Riona. They could


    not believe that Maeve has been painting Riona in a bad light before her family.


    They never would have imagined that Maeve would go as far as painting Riona bad in the presence of


    outsiders. Wright felt bad and all he could do was nothing but stare at Maeve in shock.


    Riona was notpletely surprised though, she has never expected much good from Maeve anyways.


    This has just confirmed to her of petty Maeve could be. So she had actually gone to invite her family to


    Riona looked at Maeve and smiled mischievously. Maeve avoided having eye contact with Riona, she


    takes away her face.


    Riona looked at Riley who also looked at Riona and tried to apologize with her eyes.


    Riona carefully looked at everybody in the room one after the other and after that, she stormed out of


    the room.


    Wright was filled with anger. He looked at Maeve in disgust and when he felt he could not take it any


    longer, he stormed out of the room too.


    Maeve was so angry with what her sister had done. She got up from her seat and stared fiercely at her


    sister.


    ¡°Thanks, Cynthia, you finally got what you wanted. Hope you are happy now?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°I am sorry Maeve, I never meant for it to turn that way¡± Cynthia apologized.


    ¡°Never mind, keep the apology to yourself¡± Maeve replied.


    She pulls Riley up.


    ¡°When you are fully satisfied, you all can leave,¡± Maeve said.


    Maeve takes Riley along with her and they both left the room.Property of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

 CHAPTER 34 – LET ME ALONE

    CHAPTER 34 ¨C LET ME ALONE


    It was the early hours of the day and Wright and Maeve were inside of the gym exercising. Maeve was


    doing some squats, push-ups, and crunches while Wright was on the indoor cycling exercise bike.


    ¡°She is not a werewolf¡± Maeve announced.


    Wright has been trying to avoid this topic for a long time now, but it is obvious that he can¡¯t run from it


    anymore. For the past few days, he had been having doubt on whether Riona is a werewolf and would


    shift on the night of the full moon. Even though he does not care about being a werewolf, he still felt


    that it was only proper for his daughter to be like her kind and take her rightful ce among her people.


    ¡°But we cannot be too sure, have you told her anything yet?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I was hoping for the right time to do that, but it is obvious that there would be no need to¡± Maeve


    replied.


    ¡°And have you finally confirmed that she is not a werewolf?¡± Wright asked.


    Deep within him, he was hoping that Maeve would reply in the negative and would assure him that it


    was just a mere suspicion. He knew that it was not possible but all he could do was to hope.


    ¡°The signs, all of it, none is present. She has no wolf yet, if she does, it would have already been


    present. She does not heal fast when injured, she can¡¯t mind link with anyone, she does not have the


    wolf scent, she is human¡± Maeve said.


    Even in all her disagreement with Riona, Maeve has been watchful towards Riona. She was hoping to


    see any trait of being a werewolf so that she would coach her on all she needs to know about being a


    werewolf. That is not an easy task, but Maeve had already assured herself that even if she failed in


    every other aspect of her rtionship with Riona, she was never going to fail in this.


    Wright did not say anything. He only continued with his exercise but Maeve knew that he was deep in


    thought and she tried to console him. ¡°Come on Wright, don¡¯t get yourself worried over this. You have


    already given up your werewolf nature and moreover, Evolette is human and her daughter is free to


    take her nature, it was a fifty-fifty chance¡±


    ¡°I know. I just wanted her to take what is rightfully hers, now I regret that my decision has caused her


    not just her true self but also her inheritance. She has every right over Shadow Rank, and I had no right


    to pick for her¡± he replied.


    ¡°But we can¡¯t tell if she would want to be a werewolf. Knowing who she is, there is a greater percentage


    From N?velDrama.Org.


    she would not want to hear of that¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Yes, we can¡¯t. But that should have been her decision to make and not mine¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°You did what you believed was right. Please don¡¯t be too hard on yourself, because you leaving the


    pack did not in any way influence Rio¡¯s nature¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Maybe, maybe it was just right for me¡± Wright responded.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    Riona and Wright are in the sitting room when Riley came to join them from upstairs. She was dressed


    to go out and was looking really beautiful. She has makeup on with a red lipstick that really looks good


    on her. Riona was engrossed in the book in front of her and so, did not take cognizance of Riley¡¯s


    appearance.


    Wright looked up and saw Riley approaching. He saw how beautiful she was looking and he was


    captivated by her appearance.


    ¡°God you look amazing, Riley,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Thanks, dad¡± Riona replied and goes to seat next to him.


    Wright felt that Riley was prepared to go out so he asked her ¡°Are you having a date?¡±


    Hearing how well Wright was praising Riley, Riona looks up at Riley, shakes her head, and goes back


    to her book. She cannot deny the fact that Riley is a pretty girl, but she can bet anywhere and anytime


    that Riley in no waypares to her as she believed she was more beautiful than Riley.


    ¡°Not really, dad, I am actually going out with Davina¡± Riley replied.


    ¡°Oh, that is cool. So what are you guys up to?¡± Wright inquired.


    ¡°A friend of Davina is throwing a party this evening and that is where we are going to¡± Riley replied.


    ¡°That is great,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°And for how long would the partyst?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Dad, I should be back by nine¡± Riley responded.


    ¡°Pleasee back before then. And so when are you leaving?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Just about now. I am ready to go¡± Riley responded.


    Riona¡¯s response does not seem to align with Wright''s because she was just seatedfortably and


    made no effort to leave the house even though it was already gettingte. So he asked her.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to be on your way already, it is gettingte?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°She ising over here to pick me¡± Riley responded.


    ¡°Does she drive?¡± Wright was curious.


    ¡°Yes, dad. Her dad just got her a new car on her sixteenth birthdayst month and that is what we


    would be used to going for tonight¡¯s party¡± Riley exined.


    Riona who had not been interested in Riley and Wright¡¯s discussion all along became interested at the


    mention of Davina¡¯s new car. She immediately closed the book in front of her and joined in the


    discussion.


    ¡°Of course dad, I saw her car. She brings it along to school and it is so cool. Please daddy can I get


    mine too on my sixteenth birthday next week?¡± Riona requested.


    ¡°No Rio you can¡¯t¡± Wright responded.


    Riona was disappointed with her dad¡¯s response, but she decided to push her luck further hoping that


    her dad would have a change of mind.


    ¡°But why is that so, dad?¡± Riona inquired.


    ¡°You cannot drive, so what do you intend to do with a car?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°But I can learn when I have one¡± Riona persuaded.


    ¡°No Rio, I am not going to take such a risk. Maybe we should just wait until you are eighteen. That is if


    you learn how to drive before then. If not, we would have to wait until you get your driving license¡±


    Wright emphasized.


    By this time, Maeve has already entered the sitting room and she was sitting listening to them.


    ¡°That is not fair dad, everyone already has one¡± Riona pleaded.


    ¡°And by everyone, did you also include Riley?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°No dad¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°But you just said everyone,¡± Wright said. ¡°And remember she has her driving license already¡± he


    added.


    ¡±Okay. Can I at least get one for myself?¡± she inquired.


    ¡°This is not you, Rio. I already said you can¡¯t have any so why are you insisting when you already know


    that I am not going to budge?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Dad, maybe I should just give up,¡± Riona said and she resigned to fate.


    Riley''s phone begins to ring and she picks it.


    ¡°Hello Davina¡± Riley answered.


    ¡°Sure, I am ready¡± Riley replied to what Davina had said in the background.


    Riley hung up and went to open the door and Davina entered.


    ¡°Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Wright¡± Davina greeted Wright and Maeve.


    ¡°Hello Davina¡± They both responded.


    ¡°Hey Rio¡± Davina said to Riona.


    ¡°Hi, Davina¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°Okay, we can leave now. Bye mum and dad, bye Rio¡± Riley said.


    ¡°Bye everyone,¡± Davina said.


    ¡°Bye¡± They all responded.


    Riley and Davina left.


    ¡°And talking about your birthday party, Rio I have a perfect birthday party nned out for you¡± Maeve


    announced.


    ¡°Hmn¡± Riona chuckled.


    Wright got up from his seat and excused himself.


    ¡°I think I have to leave you girls now to continue with your girlie talk,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Okay love¡± Maeve responded.


    ¡°Where are you going to dad?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Maybe I would just take an evening walk and stop over the mall to pick up some electronic appliances¡±


    Wright replied.


    ¡°Would you be gone for long?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I should. I intend to take my time¡± Wright answered.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I would first go upstairs to change into some sneakers¡± Wright announced.


    ¡°That would better, dear,¡± Maeve said.


    Wright walked out of the sitting room.


    Maeve took Riona¡¯s reaction as approval and so she went ahead to list out all she nned for the


    asion.


    ¡°I know you are going to like it. You see, I¡¯ve got everything all nned out for a great sweet sixteen


    celebration. From the invitation to the guests, the gifts, decoration, just name it¡±.


    ¡°I see¡± Riona responded sarcastically.


    However, Maeve did not notice the sarcasm in Riona¡¯s tone as she was just very excited to tell Riona


    how well she is nning for her birthday celebration.


    ¡°And then, I n on getting a live band for the asion, and I want you to pick which country band you


    prefer¡± Maeve continued.


    Riona was already tired of Maeve¡¯s long list. She wished she could just tell her to continue with her


    unending list and ns without involving her. Thinking that Maeve could be doing this show-off for


    Wright, Riona gets further irritated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I know much about country music or country band or a live band or whatever you call it¡±


    Riona replied.


    Maeve was surprised by the fact that Riona knows nothing about all she had just mentioned and the


    expression of shock was all over her face.


    ¡°Really honey? Then you¡¯ve got a lot of catching up to do. Okay after your birthday, I will take you to all


    of these nice country restaurants and country clubs to listen to nice live country beat¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°I know you will enjoy watching them y and listening to their song¡± Maeve added.


    Riona shakes her head heaves. She wished Maeve would stop already so she can concentrate more


    on her book.


    Maeve interpreted Riona¡¯s reaction to being as a result of not knowing all that she was talking about


    and she felt bad to bore her.


    ¡°I am so sorry to bore you with this Rio, I never knew that you knew nothing about live bands and I


    know that once you listen to them at your uing birthday celebration, you are going to love them,¡±


    Maeve said.


    Wright entered the sitting room and was set to leave. He had changed into a sneaker and also changed


    his polo too.


    ¡°See you guyster,¡± Wright said and he goes to give Maeve a peck.


    ¡°Bye love,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Bye dad,¡± Riona said as Wright walks out of the house.


    Left alone with Maeve, Riona continues with their discussion.


    ¡°I think I just want to concentrate more on this book that is in front of me. And talking about country


    music, I am in high school and the only thing that I do in school is not just book book book¡± Riona


    replied.


    She looked at Maeve to be sure if she was getting her exnation, and when she was sure that she


    was, she added.


    ¡°I live outside the book you know, please always remember that too¡±


    Maeve realized that unconsciously, her words had gotten to Riona in the wrong way and she felt bad


    that it happened that way.


    ¡°I am so sorry for that Rio, believe me, that is not what I meant. Of course, you live outside your books


    and I am not in any way insinuating that you know nothing about the outside world. I only wanted to talk


    about my ns¡± Maeve exined.


    It hurt Maeve that anytime she tries to establish a rtionship with Riona, she ends up making them


    drift further apart. And right now, she is bent on giving Riona the best birthday party ever to make up for


    whatever hurt she might have caused her.


    Riona felt that if she continues to remain here with Maeve, she might end up being further annoyed by


    the way she goes to the extreme to try to win her over. She felt Maeve should know that she was not a


    ¡°I think I might need to go continue with this in my room,¡± Riona said.


    She got up with her book, walks out of the room, and says to Maeve. ¡°Excuse me¡±.

 CHAPTER 35 – FAMILY TUSSLE

    CHAPTER 35 ¨C FAMILY TUSSLE


    ¡°Hello everyone, breakfast is ready¡± Maeve announced.


    She entered the sitting room carrying a tray of food as she called on her family toe to the dining for


    breakfast.


    Riley and wright were the only ones in the sitting room by the time Maeve entered with the breakfast.


    ¡°Okay mum, I think I am starving already,¡± Riley said.


    Riley was happy to hear that the breakfast was ready and she could not wait to devour the meal. She


    walked up to the dining table while her dad followed behind but he was walking slowly.


    Maeve was already seated on the dining table when Riley and Wright got to it.


    ¡°Where is Riona?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°Should go and look for her?¡± Riley asked.


    ¡°No need to. I actually saw her in the kitchen so she should be here soon¡± Maeve said.


    Riona had entered the kitchen when Maeve was rounding up with making breakfast. Maeve had


    greeted and wished her a happy birthday, but she did not respond to her greetings. She wondered what


    she wanted to do in the kitchen that early, but in order not to get on her nerves, she had ignored her


    and did not ask her any questions.


    Ever since the encounter with her family members some weeks back, Riona had been ignoring and


    avoiding herpletely. Even Wright did that for some days before he finally came around after Maeve


    had exined to him for the untempt time that she never intended to castigate Riona in the side of her


    family.


    ¡°Just that today is her birthday, and we have to start the celebration from having breakfast and that¡¯s


    why I made us something special, her favorite¡± Maeve said


    Maeve was hoping that Riona would agree to join them for breakfast today. She has painstakingly


    taken her time to prepare this meal this morning just for Riona.


    Maeve felt bad that just when she was finally seeding at building a rtionship with Riona, her


    family had appeared from nowhere just toe and destroy everything. She already felt it might get to


    this, and that was why she had insisted on not saying anything about Riona¡¯s attitude to any of them.


    When her encounter, she had been so annoyed and disappointed with them that she had to ignore their


    calls for a few days just so they would get the message. Next time, they would learn how not to meddle


    in someone else¡¯s internal affairs, no matter who that person was and especially where there were not


    invited to act as mediators.


    Maeve was disappointed when she looked up and saw Rionaing to the dining with a tray


    containing her own meal.


    ¡°Hello dad, good morning,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Good morning Rio, and happy birthday¡± Wright responded.


    ¡°Thanks so much, dad,¡± Riona said.


    Riona smiled as she dropped the tray on the dining and she sits next to her dad.


    ¡°Happy Birthday, Rio,¡± Riley said.


    Riona acted as if she was not the one that Riley was talking to and she continued to talk to her dad.


    ¡±I made something nice for us dad,¡± Riona said.


    Wright was not happy with how Riona had ignored Riley, and he felt he had to interfere in it.


    ¡°Riona, please,¡± Wright said.


    Wright looked at Riley with the corner of his eyes so as to signify to Riona that he was referring to how


    she had ignored Riley when she had wished her a happy birthday.


    Riona looked at her dad and tried to put up some protest, but seeing that Wright was not ready to


    condone her excess, she had to sumb.


    ¡°Thanks, Riley, I appreciate your kind wishes,¡± Riona said.


    With the way Riona had replied to Riley¡¯s kind wishes, she made it obvious that she made the


    utterances under protest.


    Knowing that her dad was now ready to listen to her, she continued.


    ¡°See daddy, I made something nice for us. Today is my birthday, and I would like us to have a treat¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°What did you make honey? I can¡¯t wait to have a taste of it¡± Wright said.


    Maeve was furious, she was not going to ept this. She had already made something for the whole


    family to celebrate Riona and Riona has no right to just show up with something else too without any


    form of notice.


    ¡°But I have only made something for the whole family Wright, what is going to happen to this?¡± Maeve


    asked.


    ¡°And what is going to happen to what Rio has made?¡± Wright asked too.


    Wright does not understand Maeve anymore. Her line of reasoning has be so alien to him. He


    feels she is always inconsiderate and only thinks of herself in all that she does.


    ¡°But she knows that I was already doing something for breakfast and she never deemed it fit to notify


    me of her ns,¡± Maeve said.


    Riona ignored Maeve and her usual ranting and scooped out some food into a te for her dad.


    ¡°This is her day Maeve. Why not allow her to run it as it pleases her?¡± Wright asked.


    He was starting to get infuriated and if care is not taken, he may not like how he is going to react to


    Maeve.


    ¡°But she has been with us all along, I have since been making ns for today and she never objected


    to any of it, including the idea of this breakfast,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Of course you have Maeve, but did you ask her, did you try to know what she might want for her


    birthday?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Did I hear you say ask her? You and I know shepletely ignores me, Wright, how was I supposed


    to ask her?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°All I can say is that today is her day, Maeve, please allow her to have some fun in her own way,¡±


    Wright said.


    ¡°I am her mum, Wright,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Still doesn¡¯t change a thing Maeve, I can assure you that I would say the same thing for Riley,¡± Wright


    said.


    ¡°And so what happens to all the ns I already have mapped out for today, the outing, the beauty spa,


    the party et al?¡± Maeve asked.


    Maeve did not like how Riona is reacting to all that she had carefully nned out for her. But the worst


    of it now is Wright. Can¡¯t he see that his daughter is being unfair to her, why was he acting as if it is


    nothing and making it look like she was the nag here?


    ¡°Forget it, all of it. I have my ns for today well-arranged and ready for execution¡± Riona said.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Maeve asked.


    Maeve was shocked at Riona¡¯s response. Did she just say that she had everything sorted out, but she


    has been here all the while she has been making preparations, and she never for once objected to any


    of her ns right until this very morning?


    ¡°I am no kid anymore Maeve, I am sixteen and can adequately n for myself. I hope we are clear on


    that now?¡¯ Riona asked.


    ¡°You cannot do that Riona, you have no right to you ungrateful brat¡± Maeve screamed.


    Hearing Maeve refers to her as an ungrateful brat, Riona dropped her spoon and looked up to her.


    ¡°Ever since you stepped your foot into this house uninvited, all I have done is to try to avoid you. But it


    is obvious that you are not someone that could be avoided and since it is a fact that you so desperately


    want to belong ¡­¡±


    Riona was still speaking when her dad interrupted.


    ¡°Riona stop,¡± Wright said.


    He dropped his spoon on his te and it made a loud noise. He had wanted to allow the two of them to


    engage peacefully in the batter, but it was beginning to look like their exchange would degenerate into


    something else if he does not interfere immediately.


    ¡°Please let me dad¡± Riona pleaded.


    ¡°No Wright, allow her to talk to me as she damns pleases. You have always allowed her from the start


    so let her continue¡± Maeve said.


    Wright waspletely disappointed at Maeve''s utterance and to show that he stood up and walked out


    of the dining.


    ¡°You so much wanted to belong to this family that you never cared to ascertain if you were wanted and


    weed. So why do you all of a sudden desperately needs to be epted Maeve, isn¡¯t it obvious


    that you can never fill that gab Maeve, the gab that my mum left can never be filled. Not with someone


    like you, and not to me, and most importantly, not to my dad. The earlier you bring yourself to such


    reality and begin to live with it the better for you and your daughter¡± Riona said.


    ¡°And just so you know Riona, I have never for once tried to fill up any gab been left by Evolette. I am


    here as Wright¡¯s wife and your step mum and not to make any of you forget Evolette. I did not enter


    into this house as a rival, and I had never waited or hoped for you to ept me because I had felt you


    were still suffering from, the pains of losing your mum, and I had only hoped that with time, you would


    been as a result of your unwillingness to see others happy which is because you have allowed your


    hatred to eat deep into you¡± Maeve said.


    Riona stood up from the sit. She looked over at Maeve¡¯s and Riley¡¯s tes that were still untouched


    and she shook her head and smiled.


    ¡°Bravo Maeve, bravo,¡± Riona said as she lightly ps her hands together.


    ¡°This is the first time that I am hearing you say something close to being meaningful. But sadly, just as


    everything that you stand for, all this stuff about me having hatred eating deep into me can¡¯t being


    from someone that pure envy towards a little girl that her dad had decided to eat her food on her


    birthday, had made her not to touch her own food. You disgust me Maeve¡± Riona said and walked out


    of the dining room.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    Maeve walked into the room angrily and went for her wardrobe. She opened it and brought out her bag


    and started to pack her clothes into it.


    Wright, who had woken up as a result of the noise from the door when Maeve jammed it as she


    entered in anger, was startled to see her packing her clothes. He quickly got up from the bed and went


    to stop her.


    ¡°What is going on here Maeve, what are you doing?¡± he asked.


    Maeve ignore him and continued to pack her stuff. He continued to ask her and to plead with her to


    stop whatever it was that she was thinking of doing, but she said nothing to him.


    "Talk to me love, what are you about to do?" Wright asked.


    ¡°And what does it look like I am doing? She responded.


    ¡°Come on darling, it hadn¡¯t gotten to that, do you want to leave me because of some little fights you had


    with Riona?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No Wright, I am leaving because of your attitude in handling the whole thing,¡± she said.


    She stopped to look at him.


    ¡°Bute to think of it Wright, am I supposed to be having some little fights with Riona?¡± she asked.


    She continued with her packing.


    ¡°Come on Maeve, even mothers have bigger fights with their children, it is nothing out of the ordinary,¡±


    he said.


    ¡°I have instructed Riley to pack her things too, we are leaving. You would agree with me that this


    atmosphere is not conducive for her mental health¡± she announced.


    ¡°You are taking this too far Maeve, you are always extreme in your dealings. Even me too have little


    fights with Riona, do you advise I pack my things and leave too? He asked.


    ¡°Hmm, I see,¡± she said.


    To Maeve, Wright¡¯s approach is not going to make her stay and the earlier hees to terms with that,


    the better for him.


    Wright could see that how he was handling this would not yield any positive result. He could see that


    Maeve¡¯s mind was already made up. If really he wanted her to stay, he has toe up with an idea


    that would be helpful real quick.


    ¡°Please love, I need you here, you know I love you and would want you to remain by my side forever¡±


    Wright pleaded.


    Maeve still ignored him and continued with what she was doing.


    ¡°Put yourself in her ce, I bet you would react the same way too,¡± he said.


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    ¡°I am done putting myself in her shoes,¡± she said.


    ¡°Please try to understand me in all of these, baby, if you love me, you would see it from the angle that I


    am looking at it. Remember that at a point, she already epted you and we were all living as a family


    until Cynthia showed up and say those derogatory words to her. What would you have her do darling?


    She only felt you were not as you made yourself appear dear, the poor girl felt betrayed, another one


    after her mum¡¯s death. Please be patient with her, she woulde around one more time¡± Wright


    pleaded.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care about that anymore Wright, it is toote already,¡± she said.


    Seeing that he is almost on the verge of losing her, he grabbed her by the hands and knelt down.


    ¡°Please love, even if you are not going to do it for me, please do it for our baby, our little angel that is


    growing inside of you¡± he pleaded.


    Hearing Wright make reference to their unborn child instantly melted Maeve¡¯s heart. She could not bear


    the thought of staying away from the father of her unborn child. She slowly pulled Wright up and she


    held him to herself and began to sob.

 CHAPTER 36 - A NOTE FROM THE OTHER SIDE

    CHAPTER 36 - A NOTE FROM THE OTHER SIDE


    Mr. Johnson was inside of his car when he sighted Wright walking down the park from afar looking very


    furious. Wright had called him and had requested that he meet him here.


    From the tone of Wright¡¯s voice, Mr. Johnson already knew that whatever he wanted to say what very


    important and that it must have to do with the pack and so he wondered what might be the issue this


    time around.


    The first thing Mr. Johnson did after he had received Wright¡¯s call was to put a call across to Philip who


    informed him that he have not received any news from their men at the Pack neither had Wright


    reached out to him on any issue. This had gotten Mr. Johnson more worried and anxious as he awaited


    Wright¡¯s arrival.


    As Wright walked into the park, he used his eyes to try to figure out where Mr. Johnson had parked.


    The park was filled with cars and he wondered if there was an activity going around somewhere that he


    had not heard of.


    His heart was beating very fast not out of fear, but because he feared for the safety of his household.


    When he had opened the mailbox and an envelope had fallen off, he picked it up without giving it a


    second thought until that familiar smell hit him. At first, he had shivered and had looked around him to


    make sure that he was not been watched. And without going back inside or reaching any member of


    his family, he immediately entered his car and drove away. He then called Mr. Johnson to meet him up


    here.


    Mr. Johnson had requested to know the reason for his anxiety over the phone, but since he had not


    read the letter, he could only ask him to meet with him immediately.


    After he dropped the call with Mr. Johnson, he went ahead to open the letter and see what was


    contained in it. Inside of it was a letter and he unfolded the letter to see what message it had in it. The


    content of the letter was short, but it sent a cold shiver through his spine. Like a frightened child, he had


    started the car and driven straight to meet up with Mr. Johnson.


    Wright wandered through the park, the colors of all the cars look just the same to him as he was not


    seeing clearly due to the thoughts that filled up his head. Nevertheless, he kept moving, in the hope


    that somehow, he would be able toe across Mr. Johnson.


    Wright could hear a voice trying to get across to him. The voice seemed to being from very far


    away and he could not figure out who it was or if he had ever heard such a voice before.


    He stopped and tried to look around but everywhere appeared just the same to him. He could not


    detect a single face and shadows hover around, this he figured should be the people in the park even


    though he was not sure if he was in the right ce. His sight gets fuzzier by the seconds.


    A hand grabbed him and he was going to hit the person when the voice stopped him.


    ¡°It is me, Wright. What is wrong with you? I have been standing right here calling you but it seems as if


    you are not even aware of my presence¡± Mr. Johnson.


    ¡°Mr. Johnson¡± Wright sighed.


    His sight began to get clearer, and he could see Mr. Johnson standing right in front of him and every


    other thing in the park.


    ¡°I got carried away, I could barely see anything just now¡± he exined.


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    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get into the car,¡± Mr. Johnson said and they both entered the car.


    ¡°What happened, why were you so worried?¡± Mr. Johnson asked.


    ¡°See¡± he flung the envelope at Mr. Johnson. ¡°I just saw this letter in my mailbox¡±


    Mr. Johnson took the letter and stared at it. He was wondering what could be the content of the letter to


    turn Wright into a shadow of himself in the blink of an eye.


    ¡°Come on, open it, take a look at the letter¡± he said.


    Mr. Johnson opened the envelope and brought out the letter inside. He unfolded the letter and his eyes


    widened when he saw who the letter was from.


    ¡°Derrick¡± he bellowed. ¡°What does he want and howe¡±


    Mr. Johnson was bewildered and he could see why Wright had reacted the way he had done because


    even he would have done even worst.


    ¡°Go on, read it,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Oh no,¡± Mr. Johnson said and read the letter aloud.


    ¡®Hey Brother, see we get to keep in touch again.


    Believe me, I would not have disturbed you but since my little niece who you have painstakingly hidden


    from me turned sixteen, I have patiently waited for you to bring me the good news of having one of you


    into our hood but too bad that was not to be because just like you, she will never be one of us. I know I


    should be expecting another tiny you very soon who for sure will be just like the first.


    But sincerely, I envy how quick it was for you to forget Evolette even when my precious outcaste niece


    would rather have you all to herself. You will never change brother. Love and bond mean just nothing to


    you. But what if little niece is told who she is? Maybe we just leave that for another day.


    Your nightmare, Derrick¡¯


    Shit¡± Mr. Johnson cursed after reading the letter.


    ¡°How did he get to reach me?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Obviously from an informant, we have a saboteur¡± Mr. Johnson replied.


    ¡°I just have to move right now. He must note close to my family¡± Wright said.


    ¡°But you are not going to move just because of this, if you do, you would be doing exactly what he


    wants¡± Mr. Johnson objected.


    ¡°But why can¡¯t he just leave me alone. I have left everything to him and even now, Rio is not the


    Shadow wolf. What does he want?¡± Wrightmented.


    ¡°He is driven by fear. He knows that he cannot be the alpha and he does not want you to have it either¡±


    Mr. Johnson replied.


    ¡°I know that already. But how did he get so much information about me? He has been trailing me and


    all along, I thought I was been smart and discreet¡± Wright said.


    ¡°He does not know of your whereabouts, Alpha,¡± Mr. Johnson said.


    ¡°Wright was confused by the reply. ¡°How do you mean?¡± he asked.


    ¡°It is the handwork of some saboteurs, we were betrayed¡± Mr. Johnson responded.


    ¡°Then we need to get the saboteur already, he must pay for it¡± Wright ordered.


    ¡°That will not be a very nice choice¡± Mr. Johnson replied.


    Wright was surprised at his objection. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°You and I know how Derrick operates. There is no way he would know where you stay ande by


    way of a mere letter. The letter goes to show that he does not even have the slightest idea of where


    you live¡± Mr. Johnson exined.


    ¡°But it was sent to my address,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°Yes. What I see is that whoever helped in sending the mail knows you very well, so he must be one of


    us. But he must have agreed to do it under a great threat from Derrick. We all know how unfair Derrick


    deals with people. So the person had in return for getting the letter to you, insisted that he was not


    going to reveal any details about where you live but would only ensure that the letter gets to you. And I


    think Derrick considered it as a fair deal because of the impact that he believes that it will have on you¡±


    Mr. Johnson exined.


    ¡°That is more like it. I cannot agree any less. I actually did allow myself to get caught up in fear. So


    what do you suggest we do next?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°Nothing¡± Mr. Johnson replied.


    ¡°What! How do you mean nothing?¡± Wright eximed.


    ¡°He will be expecting us to do something. And that would be to get the culprit and deal with him. And I


    bet you Derrick¡¯s eyes would be on the culprit anticipating our next move to enable them to get a trace


    of us. So we have to act as nothing had happened. But I will get my most reliable men to be on the


    lookout for the betrayer so that we can gradually cut him off. If Derrick can get him once, he would get


    him again¡± Mr. Johnson exined.


    ¡°That is a great idea. Please do all you can for this, I would not want a repetition¡± Wright


    said.

 CHAPTER 37 – EVIL DERRICK

    CHAPTER 37 ¨C EVIL DERRICK


    It is the outskirts of the Shadow Rank Pack, Derrick and his rogues were having a meeting at the inside


    of an abandoned building. The ce was dark and one could barely differentiate the faces at the


    meeting.


    There are about ten rogues that were with Derrick and the meeting was more of Derrick giving out


    others and resisting every contrary opinion. His right-hand man, de was standing in front of him


    together with every other rogue that was present while Derrick was sitting on an old chair that looked


    like an abandoned throne.


    There was jubtion and merriment in the room, they were all drinking and happy, celebrating their


    ¡°So how was his reaction after receiving the letter from me?¡± Derrick asked de.


    After asking this, he grinned and let out an evilugh, and the roguesughed along with him to please


    him. But de remained quiet. Derrick looked at him and frowned. He knew that de¡¯s silence would


    only mean bad news and he hated the fact that there was a piece of bad news at this point of his


    jubtion.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know sir¡± de responded.


    ¡°How do you mean you don¡¯t know, where is the informant?¡± Derrick thundered, his eyes have all


    be red in anger.


    ¡°He has been sent to Thand¡± de responded.


    ¡°Thand!¡± Derrick eximed. ¡°So who followed up with him and the letter, where was the letter


    delivered?¡± Derrick was furious.


    ¡°We are very sure that the letter got to Wright, but we don¡¯t know where¡± de responded.


    ¡°You are not serious¡± Derrick screamed.


    ¡°I am so sorry sir¡± de knelt in front of Derrick. Every other rogue also knelt down too.


    ¡°Keep quiet before I cut off your throat¡± Derrick pulled out the sword that was by his chair and got up


    from the chair.


    Seeing that Derrick has collected the sword, all the rogues began to tremble. They all know what he


    was capable of doing with just his bare hands let alone having a sword with him.


    ¡°So is Wright in Thand?¡± Derrick asked.


    de was trembling and didn¡¯t know if to answer Derrick¡¯s question.


    ¡°Answer already¡± Derrick yelled and growled.


    ¡°No he is not in Thand, or maybe he is¡± de was trembling.


    ¡°So who followed up the letter?¡± Derrick asked.


    ¡°No one could¡± de replied.


    ¡°Can you hear yourself, you say no one could?¡± Derrick was irritated.


    ¡°He was just too smart for us,¡± de said.


    ¡°Too smart for you, you fool. Go and get me all his family members immediately¡± Derrick instructed.


    ¡°He left with them sir¡± de replied.


    ¡°Idiots¡± Derrick red. ¡°You are all bloody idiots. Where did I pick you all from?¡±


    There was no response. They knew better than to say sorry again to Derrick unless they want their


    throats cut off just as he had threatened.


    ¡°Wright is definitely in Thand. Smart ass¡± Derrick smirked. ¡°He has already figured out who the


    informant was and has immediately sent for him. But we need to get more information from our


    informant, we have not discharged him yet. He can run but can never hide from me¡±


    ¡°I have already sent a spy after him and he will be back with the necessary information very soon,¡±


    de said.


    ¡°Hahaha. That seems to be the only meaningful thing that you have done all year round¡± Derrick said.


    ¡°Thank you sir¡± de responded.


    ¡°Keep shut now¡± Derrick growled. This time, his growl shook the foundation of the building.


    ¡°You amount to nothing de, just nothing. What were you doing when he moved his family? They


    were our captives. Now how would you make him tell when you¡¯ve got no hold on him?¡±


    Derrick pped de with the t surface of the sword. de fell down from the effect but was quick


    to get back on his knee before Derrick got more pissed. The sword gave de some cut on his face


    and he was bleeding profusely. The pains were much, but he knew better than to cry or touch his face.


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    He bore the pains as if nothing had happened.


    ¡°That was the only link that we had to Wright and now you can¡¯t even handle that. We are no fools


    here, Wright would bear the child with the shadow wolf. Even though he has decided to mate with


    humans, he is the only one with a direct link to the shadow wolf. It is apparent that Tabitha has no


    shadow wolf in her. Now I just feel like dispatching her, just throw her to the gutters where I picked her


    from. I know Wright, might act as if he does not care about what bes the fate of members of the


    pack, but was it is established that he has the child with the shadow wolf, he would immediatelye


    after me. I need to get hold of him and all his offspring, I need to wipe them out. I want to be alpha, I


    have always wanted it even when Wright never failed to remind me all through our childhood that it was


    impossible for me to rule. If I get to sit there, none of his would¡±


    Derrick growled and gave de a very hard kick. de flung in the air andnded at the end of the


    room. He immediately got up and ran to kneel down at his position.


    A rogue ran into the room bearing a letter. Derrick looked up and the rogue and growled again.


    ¡°I am here sir,¡± the rogue said and knelt down.


    ¡°And who are you?¡± Derrick asked. ¡°I never invited you for this meeting¡±


    ¡°He was sent after the informant sir¡± de replied.


    ¡°Oh, I see¡± Derrick grinned. ¡°So what do you have for me?¡±


    ¡°He is dead, sir¡± the rogue replied.


    ¡°You fool, who is dead?¡± Derrick asked.


    The rogue started to tremble and his voice was shaking. ¡°The informant is dead sir¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Derrick screamed.


    Everyone remained quiet. None wanted the wrath of Derrick to befall him.


    ¡°Is everyone gone deaf suddenly?¡± Derrick shouted.


    ¡°Sir, as soon as we learned of the informant¡¯s movement, I sent him to go after him¡± de tried to


    exin.


    ¡°What is this?¡± Derrick was irritated and infuriated.


    ¡°I went after him to Thand sir, only to find out that hemitted suicide, killing every member of his


    family along. He set his house aze¡± the rogue exined.


    Derrick gave a burst of evilughter. ¡°What a bunch of loyalists Wright has got. But for me, what do I


    have? Bunch of fools that only think of themselves, all afraid to die even for my cause¡±


    Derrick continued tough and was looking at the rogues kneeling in front of him.


    ¡°He killed himself. He killed himself because he wanted to protect his master he took the lives of his


    family. But look at you all, just a little task of tracing a tiny letter was difficult for you to do¡± Derrick said.


    After a few seconds, he asked in a calm tone. ¡°And who was supposed to trace the letter?¡±


    de turned to look at the rogue that had just brought the news and Derrick noticed this and


    immediately the rogue opened his mouth to give a reply, Derrick raised his sword and cut off his head.


    The rogue gave a loud scream as his head leaves his body and his blood sttered on the body of all


    presence.


    Derrickughed loudly, he was finally at peace with himself. ¡°Now you all can stand up, let the party


    begin¡±


    They all immediately stood up as instructed and started tough along with Derrick like one of them


    has not just been killed right before their very eyes.


    ¡°You know, that is good riddance to bad rubbish. We should not condone ipetency in any way¡±


    Derrickughed.


    Everyoneughed too and they all agreed that his action was the best. Even de that still has blood


    all over his face acted as if nothing was done to him as he led the rest to praise the decision of their


    master.


    ¡°They say that I know nothing about being humane and so should not lead Shadow Rank. But see what


    happened to our humane alpha, Lucas, he is an alpha with no heir¡± he boasted andughed aloud and


    they all joined him.


    ¡°So tell me de, what gain is there to be weak and fragile?¡± Derrick asked.


    ¡°No gain sir, the strong take over what is rightfully theirs. A weak werewolf deserves nothing at all¡±


    de replied.


    ¡°They say Shadow Rank is the strongest and they all said Wright is fierce. But where has it been seen


    that a fierce werewolf goes into hiding, not caring about the fate and welfare of his Pack?¡± Derrick


    asked looking at each and every one of the rogues.


    ¡°He is a coward sir, alpha Lucas has only been shading him all those years¡± one of the rogues replied.


    Derrick was pleased with the response and he startedughing and they all joined him.


    ¡°I want to rule and that cannot be negotiated. Deploy all our men to Thand. Wright must be


    discovered and his family taken down with him¡± Derrickmanded.


    ¡°The shadow wolf sir¡± de trembled as he spoke.


    ¡°I will rule with or without the shadow wolf. If there is no shadow wolf, none would talk of it¡± Derrick


    replied.

 CHAPTER 38 – CALLING THE SHOTS

    CHAPTER 38 ¨C CALLING THE SHOTS


    Riley and Maeve are in the library. Maeve was reading a book while Riley was looking at a lovely


    artwork depicting different colors that hung on the wall. Close to the artwork is a frame holding a picture


    of Evolette.


    ¡°It is beautiful¡± Riley muttered.


    Maeve who had not heard Riley clearly replied ¡°Yes, of course, she is beautiful¡±


    ¡°No mum, I was referring to the piece of artwork over here,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°And of course it is beautiful,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Rio¡± Riley turned to see Riona standing by the door and she wondered when she entered the room.


    Riona walked towards Riley ¡°That piece of art that you see there is one of Brice Marden¡¯s best


    collections¡±.


    ¡°It is quite lovely¡± Riley responded innocently.


    Riona ced her right hand on the piece ¡°This is not amon piece Riley. It is from Brice Marden. I


    know that you don¡¯t know much about artworks, but what does it matter?¡±


    ¡°You have to be kind with your words¡± Maeve cautioned.


    ¡°I will Maeve. I am only trying to make her understand the value of what she is looking at as I would not


    want her to mess with it¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I have heard you, Rio. I will be careful with it¡± Riley was trying to avoid having any trouble with Riona.


    Riona on her part was not ready to give up ¡°And you should be¡±


    ¡°Just stop it Riona, what is up with you?¡± Maeve screamed.


    Riona smirked ¡°And what if I don¡¯t, what can you do?¡±


    Maeve was beginning to boil inside of her and she was fighting so hard to stop herself from literally


    exploding.


    Riona loved the tension that she was creating and how her actions were making Maeve react. She


    vowed to herself that she would stir Maeve¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°It is okay Rio. I will not touch anything¡± Riley said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to Riley. That piece over there is worth millions of dors. So tell me, do you now


    understand why you must be careful around it? You don¡¯t go about touching just anything that you see¡±


    Riona said.


    ¡°Stop it, Rio, just stop it already¡± Riley screamed.


    Riona smirked once again. She loved to see Riley react the way she did.


    Maeve dropped the book she was holding and went to hold Riley ¡°It is okay Riley, we can leave now¡±


    ¡°Leave? Please not just the library, leave my house and nevere back¡± Riona spat.


    Maeve and Riley ignored Riona and were about to leave the room.


    ¡°Are you running away, for how long are you going to continue to run? You cannot run away from your


    shadow. I am your karma Maeve¡± Riona said.


    Maeve turned to Riona ¡°You are still a child¡±


    ¡°I agree I might still be a child, but I don¡¯t allow my desperation to cloud over my sense of judgment¡±


    Riona replied.


    ¡°You see Riona, I don¡¯t know who brought you up this way I know it is not Wright and it is definitely not


    Evolette¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°You have no right to talk about my mum, Maeve, you are not up to her standard by any justification¡±


    Riona retorted.


    ¡°What do you want Riona? Just the other day, your dad talked to you about this but you would never


    listen. What does it take to be nice to people? Maeve red.


    ¡°You know what I want. Just go and nevere back¡± Riona retorted.


    ¡°This is our home Rio and we are not going anywhere¡± Riley retorted.


    ¡°And it will not remain your home for long. I promise you that¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I dare you to, Rio. I dare you to take us out. At first, I thought that you were only being petty as a result


    of your grief. But right now, I beg to think otherwise. You are just a spoilt brat Rio and even though I still


    want to see you like a sister but right now sincerely I am ashamed of you. Your attitude disgusts me¡±


    Riley said.


    Riona tried to say something only to realize that her throat was dry. She went to the fridge in the library


    room and took a bottle of water. She gulps it down a throat.


    After she was done with the water, she decided that it was time to properly respond to Riley.


    ¡°You better keep shut Riley. You aren¡¯t part of this so remain in the low where you belong¡± Riona spat.


    ¡°I may belong to the ¡®low¡¯ as you call it. But just so you know, we are family now and there is nothing


    you can do about it. And to say my mind, looking at you right now, I am very happy for my humble


    background because I would let go of anything just so as to be different from you¡± Riley replied.


    ¡°It is enough now dear. Let us let her be because I don¡¯t think there is anything that you can say to her


    to make her understand¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Make me understand?¡± Riona asked Maeve. ¡°You are the only one that needs to be made to


    understand her position in this house. It is my house and once Ie of age, the very first thing that I


    will do would be to throw you both out¡± Riona challenged.


    ¡°And I do hope that once youe off age, you would be a better person¡± Maeve replied.


    ¡°And nothing is going to change even then. You both deserve your ce among filths. There would


    always be no room for you here¡± Riona retorted.


    ¡°And to think that you go about in the eyes of people iming to be a phnthropist when right under


    your roof, the only thing that you are good at is to distribute and dish out hatred,¡± Riley said.


    ¡°Is that what you think?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°I would have loved to say otherwise, but that is what it is¡± Riley responded.


    Riona chuckled and she went and stood by the doorpost. She stared at Maeve and Riley and she


    Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    shook her head andughed aloud.


    ¡°And do you for once think you were going to get away from it?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°Get away from what?¡± Riley asked. She looked from her mum to Riona and back to her mum.


    ¡°Yes Maeve, your daughter wants to know, answer her,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing Riley, do not pay any attention to her,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Mum¡± Riley whispered.


    Riley hated to be kept in the dark but she felt that whatever her mum¡¯s reason might be for not telling


    her about whatever it was that Riona was talking of is okay with her.


    ¡°You said what?¡± Riona asked Maeve. ¡°You still pretend and live in denial even to your own daughter?


    This is amazing¡± Riona said.


    ¡°You must stop whatever it is that you are trying to do right now Rio. This will not be good for any of us¡±


    Maeve cautioned.


    Riona ignored Maeve and looked at Riley ¡°Your mum is right here with us and she knows enough even


    more than any of us here. She can tell you everything¡±


    ¡°Stop it right now Rio¡± Maeve screamed.


    ¡°No mum¡± Riley cuts in. ¡°Please do hold on for a while. Just so you know Rio, if there is anything that I


    don¡¯t know about, I would patiently wait for my mum to tell me about it herself. I trust her and I am


    ready to wait until whenever she deems it fit to let me in on it¡±


    Rionaughed scornfully ¡°I said it, like mother like daughter¡±


    Riona stared right into their eyes with disdain written all over her ¡°Opportunists¡± she spat.


    In her disparagement, she walked out on them.

 CHAPTER 39 – CUTE LITTLE TALIA

    CHAPTER 39 ¨C CUTE LITTLE TALIA


    Riona carried the little baby, Talia, and was trying to cuddle her to make her stop crying. She could not


    help but fall in love with herpletely.


    ¡°How is she doing, Rio?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°Better¡± Riona answered.


    She was still not cool with Maeve, but for Talia, she wouldn¡¯t mind responding to her in monosybles.


    ¡°Okay, if she falls asleep, you cane to ce her in her cradle,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Riona replied.


    Maeve was d that Riona has started to respond to her because of Talia. And even though Riona¡¯s


    since this was only possible due to the arrival of Talia, Maeve would not have asked for a better gift.


    Talia looked exactly like Riona, in fact, she is Riona¡¯s carbon copy. Riona had fallen in love with Talia,


    her little sister, the moment she was set her eyes on her after she was brought home from the hospital.


    Prior to their arrival, Riona had vowed that she would have nothing to do with the new baby just so as


    to get at Maeve. But when they had arrived with her, Riona had been drawn to her by her cry.


    Riona remembered this event vividly and just like yesterday.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­..


    FLASHBACK


    Talia was crying and Maeve was trying all she could to console her but that was to no avail and Maeve


    was already exhausted and had run out of idea on what else to do to or for her.


    Riona could hear the cry of the baby from the sitting room, and at first, she decided to ignore it because


    as far as she was concerned she does not want anything to do with the new baby, not even to know


    what she looked like.


    However, Riona could not ignore the cry for long as she felt the baby was calling her and she needed


    to answer.


    Riona could not exin this feeling that she was having towards a child that she have had no contact


    with. Nevertheless, she was worried and wanted so much to hold and cuddle the newborn.


    At first, she tried all she could to resist the urge she was having to go and cuddle the child, but


    however, after trying to resist for what looks like forever, Riona realized that trying to ignore the baby¡¯s


    call was suicidal because the baby was had chosen her and it was specifically calling out to her and


    she must answer.


    Having surrendered to the baby¡¯s call, Riona got up from her bed and went out of her room to go to the


    baby.


    When Riona entered the room, Maeve was startled to see her. She could tell that Riona had been


    avoiding the baby. In fact, they all noticed it.


    Riona notice that Maeve has ced the baby in the cradle even though it was still crying. It was evident


    to Riona that Maeve has gotten tired of pacifying the little one without any positive results.


    Riona had ignored Maeve¡¯s presence and had moved closer to the baby. Seeing Riona getting close to


    her baby for the first time, Maeve became anxious. She was worried that Riona might attempt to harm


    the baby.


    Nevertheless, she did not allow her fear to cloud her sense of reasoning. Riona is the baby¡¯s elder


    sister and even though she has her own shorings, there was no way that she would want to bring


    any harm to her own little sister.


    Riona got to the cradle and brought out the baby and began to cuddle it. And immediately the baby felt


    Riona¡¯s touch, it stopped crying.


    Maeve was relieved to see that her baby has finally stopped crying and also that Riona has finally


    decided to bond with her little sister. But in all of these, Maeve was still conscious of Riona and she


    could not help but doubt Riona¡¯s sincerity.


    However, Maeve¡¯s anxiety soon died off when it was clear that the bond that existed between Riona


    and her little sister, Talia, is absolutely unquestionable. And with time, Riona began to loosen up to her


    too but only in matters that have to do with Talia.


    Wright on his part could not contain his joy on seeing how well Riona bonded with her sister, Talia. He


    noticed that Riona could do just anything for Talia and he was convinced once again and his daughter,


    Riona is the good girl that he has always known.


    Base on this realization, Wright would always seize any opportunity to prove to Maeve that Riona was


    a lovable girl and that it was left for Maeve to do her best to show Riona that she loved her as her own


    daughter.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­.


    After cuddling and singing to Talia for some time, Riona noticed that she was suddenly quiet and was


    not crying anymore. She took a look at her, and she noticed that she was already beginning to sleep.


    Riona smiled and she thought of how fast the lovely and innocent little baby in her arms could fall


    asleep.


    ¡°Okay little one, it is time to take you to your cradle,¡± Riona said to the sleepy little Talia.


    Riona carried the baby up the stairs, she was going to go lie the tiny fellow on her cradle.


    ¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­¡­


    Maeve was lying on the bed in their room, while Wright was trying to dress up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you think we should tell her Wright?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°Tell who?¡± Wright responded.


    Wright did not understand what Maeve was asking him about.


    ¡°I mean Riona. I feel we should tell her everything, about us? Maeve said.


    Wright thought about what Maeve had just told him for a while. He did not want to agree with Maeve.


    He felt there were no reasons for that.


    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary dear, let¡¯s just allow things to be,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°For how long do you intend to allow it to be? She deserves to know¡± Maeve said.


    Maeve felt it was better to fill Riona in on all the things surrounding her marriage to Wright and her


    arrival into the family. She wished Wright would look at it from her perspective and agree with her.


    ¡°She is still a kid dear, no need to bother her with all of that now,¡± Wright said.


    ¡°No, she is not, she knows even more than you could think of, her attitude towards me says it all¡±


    Maeve said.


    ¡°I still believe that you are exaggerating Maeve, Riona is only reacting to the loss of her mum, Evolette.


    Can¡¯t you see that she is beginning toe around? Very soon, she woulde to fully ept that


    we are one family and you will not have to worry anymore¡± Wright said.


    ¡°What about me Wright, do you stop to think about what her attitude is doing to me?¡± Maeve asked.


    ¡°I thought you have gotten cover thatpletely?¡± Wright asked.


    He was surprised to hear Maeve say that she is still bothered by Riona¡¯s attitude.


    ¡°How do you expect me to get over such Wright? She is my daughter and I don¡¯t want to be constantly


    reminded that I did not birth her¡± Maeve said.


    Wright moved and sat on the bed, he so much wanted Maeve to understand his point and stop going


    over this back and front with him. He knew how she felt, but he believed that it is only proper that they


    make Riona¡¯s feeling paramount.


    ¡°And about Riona, what do you think the truth would do to her?¡± Wright asked.


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    Wright waited to see if Maeve has an answer to his question. When she remained silent, he continued.


    ¡°Do you ever stop to think how that would affect her life?¡± he asked.


    He watched as Maeve''s countenance changed. It was apparent that she had never stopped to think of


    it from his point of view. He was sure that she was beginning to understand him and he was happy


    because if that should be the case, then they would never have to go through this argument again, at


    least not for a very long time.


    ¡°It would affect her psychologically Maeve. The damage that that might cause when juxtaposed with


    her present disposition is nothing to bepared. I¡¯d say it is better we let sleeping dogs lie for now¡±


    Wright said.


    ¡°I understand you very well now, it is just that I was worried that she might get worst and I don¡¯t want it


    to degenerate to such point,¡± Maeve said.


    ¡°Believe me, honey, no matter how worst it gets, it would be nothing whenpared to the damage


    that the truth might cause her as a person,¡± Wright said.


    Maeve was beginning to look at the situation the same way that Wright was looking at it. The truth


    might seem like the easier escape for her at the moment, but it would have a long-term psychological


    effect on Riona, one which she might never be able to recover from.


    She knew she is making this sacrifice for Riona, and since she has voluntarily epted to make it, it is


    as well better that she goes on with it and not give in halfway.


    ¡°If you say so dear, I hope we are able to see this through,¡± Maeve said.


    Wright exhaled. He was d that he was able to finally convince Maeve to see this from his perception


    and also allow him to handle it his way.


    He knows Riona very well and had watched her grow from a toddler into the woman that she is


    gradually bing. He knows that once Riona is able to see that Maeve is real and can be trusted,


    Riona would not hesitate to ept her.


    ¡°I say so, honey. Thanks for understanding¡± Wright said.


    Wright was d because all he and Maeve would do now is to get Riona to see Maeve as a friend. The


    truth about everything can wait forter.


    ¡°You know I will do anything for us, baby,¡± Maeve said.


    She smiled at Wright. All she saw sitting on the bed was a man who was ready to sacrifice it all for his


    family, and she was d that she has that man forever by her side to call her own.

 CHAPTER 40 - HAPPY WITH AUNT KYRA

    CHAPTER 40 - HAPPY WITH AUNT KYRA


    ¡°Can you please pass me the tomato paste over there Rio?¡± Kyra said.


    ¡°Okay aunt Kyra¡± Riona replied.


    Riona went to get the tomato paste that was in a bowl on the counter and hands it over to her aunt


    Kyra.


    Her aunt Kyra was making lunch for the family and Riona is in the kitchen assisting her with it.


    When Kyra had called to say that she wasing to spend some time with Riona and her family,


    Riona had been so excited and she was practically over the moon. Thest time she saw Kyra was


    during her mum¡¯s burial and then, they were all in a sad mood, mourning the death of Evolette and so


    she could not wait to see her once again.


    Kyra was the only family that Evolette had and so, she is the only maternal rtion avable to Riona.


    Kyra is the only person that makes Riona feel that she had her mum with her once again. With Kyra,


    Riona is assured of her mum¡¯s love for her, and the fact that Kyra always makes Riona happy made


    Riona feel that her mum would want her to be happy always.


    ¡°Thanks, Rio, I can see you enjoy the kitchen, just like your mum, Evolette,¡± Kyra said.


    ¡°Of course aunt Kyra and it is just like you too¡± Riona replied.


    Riona has been happy and always beams with smiles since the arrival of her aunt Kyra and she


    practically does everything together with Kyra. She wishes this moment should never pass.


    Anyways, she knows that her wish would not be possible as aunt Kyra would soon go back to her


    husband, Philip, and her fourteen years old son, Kelvin. However, Riona has resolved to enjoy the


    moment with Kyra while itsts.


    ¡°Yeah, sure. I remember those days growing up with your mum, Evolette, we used topete on who


    cooks better and argue over who would be the one to cook for the family¡± Kyra said.


    Kyra was so excited when she narrated her and Evolette¡¯s childhood to Riona. She missed her sister,


    Evolette so much and that¡¯s why she would forever cherish Riona who is the only part of Evolette that


    she has left.


    ¡°And who wins in the fight for whom to cook?¡± Riona asked.


    Riona was enjoying Kyra¡¯s story. Of course, she has witnessed one of such fights between her mum


    and her aunt Kyra and she knows that no matter how much they fight, it would never affect their bond


    as they are always very close to each other. Riona always envied the both of them and she had always


    wished she had someone to asionally have little fights with too.


    ¡°No one ever wins Riona, but that had never stopped us from fighting¡± Kyra replied.


    Kyraughed as she exined this to Riona. She is only justing to realize how petty she and


    Evolette had been in their so many unnecessary arguments and irrelevant fights.


    ¡°So what happens to the food then, since there was always no winner, who ends up cooking the meal?¡±


    Riona asked.


    ¡°Hmn¡­ what do we even do? Okay, let me see?¡± Kyra said.


    Kyra tried toe up with an answer.


    ¡°Let¡¯s just say that after fighting for a while, it bes clear to the both of us that our fight was making


    no headway because we realize that we both go round and round in circles. So we agree between


    ourselves that the both of us are winners, and as a consequence of that, we would end up doing the


    cooking together. This goes for every other task you know¡± Kyra answered.


    ¡°Oh, I see,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I so much enjoy cooking and doing other tasks with Evolette. She was my best friend and I miss her so


    much¡± Kyra said.


    Kyra realized that her words might get to Riona, and s she decide to change the topic.


    ¡°But now you have two sisters. I can¡¯t imagine the happiness that you must feel¡± Kyra said.


    ¡°Yeah. Sometimes, I try to ignore it and act like it means nothing. But then, I know that I am only lying


    to myself. I love them even more than I try to hide it aunt Kyra, and the fact that they love me


    unconditionally despite my shorings makes me emotional¡± Riona said.


    Riona thought about what she just said. She would never have admitted this to anything even with a


    gun pointed at her head. But then, her aunt Kyra is not just anyone, she is someone Riona would trust


    with her deepest and ugliest of secrets because she knows that it would always be saved with her.


    ¡°You know what aunt Kyra, even though Talia is only a baby, I could see the love with which she looks


    at me, and even though I try not to admit it, I am so d that I have them,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°I know exactly how you feel Rio and believe me, it happens to everyone too. You see, one thing that I


    havee to understand about life is that it never gives us the things that we don¡¯t need. We might not


    appreciate it in the meantime but in the long run, we woulde to discover just how much we have


    needed it¡± Kyra said.


    Kyra wanted to talk to Riona about Maeve. She wanted to tell Riona to give Maeve another chance. But


    she would not want to be the one to bring the discussion, she wanted Riona to tell her about it herself


    before she would give Riona a piece of advice on it.


    Riona knows that her aunt Kyra wants them to talk about her rtionship with Maeve. Riona knows


    that her aunt Kyra is not a fool, she has definitely noticed her cold attitude towards Maeve and would


    be waiting for an opportunity to talk to her about it.


    Riona already knows what Kyra¡¯s advice in the situation would be. Kyra is just like her mum, Evolette.


    They are peace-loving and easy-going fellows and would dly forgive an offender even when the


    offender had not asked for it.


    Her mother had always tried to make her understand that forgiveness is for the benefit of the person


    that was offended and not necessarily for the offender. Riona had never understood this logic even


    though her mum that harbouring grudges only weighs a person down and limits the person¡¯s output.


    For Riona, whoever offends another should be made to realize his mistake and be truly sorry for them


    before such a person would be forgiven. The hurt the person that was offended feels should be


    appeased and not just swept under the carpet.


    ¡°I am sorry aunt Kyra, I may have to disagree with you on the part where you said that life never gives


    us what we don¡¯t need,¡± Riona said.


    Kyra looked at Riona, she could see that she was been reluctant to continue with what she was saying,


    so Kyra gives her a nod to go on with it.


    ¡°To me, there are so many things that life has given us that we obviously do not need,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Like what Riona, do you mind sharing that with me?¡± Kyra said.


    Kyra knows that Riona was actually referring to her dad¡¯s marriage to Maeve. And so, she sees this as


    the perfect opportunity to talk to Riona about epting Maeve as her new mum.


    To Kyra, she is yet to see something that is wrong with Maeve to warrant Riona¡¯s hatred towards her.


    She wondered what might have transpired between Maeve and Riona for Riona to resort to treating her


    with so much disdain.


    ¡°Anyways, let¡¯s just forget it,¡± Riona said.


    Riona felt that this was not the best time to talk about Maeve with her aunt Kyra or any other person.


    Riona was hovering in her suspicion with no fact to back it up. She feels she has to remain low on it for


    now, and whenever she is able to gather enough facts, she wouldunch at Maeve.


    ¡°Riona?¡± Kyra called.


    ¡°Yes aunt Kyra¡± Riona answered.


    ¡°You know you can talk to me about virtually everything right? You don¡¯t have to keep it all to yourself


    when I am here with you honey¡± Kyra said.


    ¡°I know that aunt Kyra,¡± Riona said.


    Riona did not know when she had allowed herself to lose. She has been very conscious about her


    issue with Maeve around her aunt Kyra. And now she had almost given everything away. She is not


    ready to talk about Maeve just yet, and when she does, her aunt Kyra would definitely be her first point


    of call.


    ¡°What smells so nice here,¡± Wright said as he walks into the kitchen.


    Riona and Kyra had not seen Wrighting thus, they were startled when he had spoken.


    Riona was d to have her dad enter the kitchen when he did. Because now, Kyra would not go on


    with her interrogations, so Riona would not be forced to talk about her attitude towards Maeve.


    ¡°Aunt Kyra is preparing something yummy and delicious for everyone dad¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°Come take a look at that, it''s spaghetti. The aroma is so spectacr and it reminds me of mum¡¯s


    cooking¡± Riona announced.


    She dragged Wright as she goes to over to the gas to open the pot for him to have a look.


    ¡°This looks so tempting,¡± Wright said as he looks into the pot.


    ¡°Yes dad¡± Riona concurred.


    Kyra smiled as she looked at the connection between her niece, Riona, and the dad, Wright. She was


    amazed to see that their bond had grown stronger over the years.


    ¡°I sincerely cannot wait to have this¡± Wright announced.


    ¡°And I am pleased to announce that it would be ready in just ten minutes,¡± Kyra said.


    ¡°Wow¡± Wright eximed.


    ¡°Let me go get everyone ready, we need to devour this the moment it is brought from the fire,¡± He said.


    Wright walked out of the kitchen beaming with excitement. His action shows that he really he can wait


    to eat the food prepared by Kyra.


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    ¡°Okay aunt Kyra, what next?¡± Riona asked.


    ¡°You should go get the dining ready ande back to take these tes. Let me quickly bring this


    down¡± Kyra replied.


    As Riona was going out of the kitchen to go do as instructed, Kyra said to her.


    ¡°Thanks, Riona¡±


    Riona turned to her. She was confused about why her aunt Kyra would be thanking her as she could


    not remember doing anything to get an appreciation from her.


    Kyra noticed that she appreciated had left Riona confused as to why she would be thanking her, so she


    added.


    ¡°Thanks for your assistance with the meal, Rio. I don¡¯t know what I would have done without you. I


    really appreciate¡±


    Riona was relieved to know why her aunt Kyra had thanked her. She smiled as this singr act


    reminds her of her mum. Evolette was always appreciative even for the tiniest of assistance and would


    always burden Riona with a lot of thank-yous for her little help.


    Thinking of her mum, Riona forgot what she was sent to do and she stood and was smiling sheepishly


    at her aunt Kyra. However, when she remembered that she was sent on an errand by her aunt Kyra to


    go and arrange the dining table, she immediately left the kitchen as she does not want to keep


    everyone hungry and waiting.

 CHAPTER 41 - STANDING ALONE

    CHAPTER 41 - STANDING ALONE


    Riona opened the door to the house and entered. It was already past ten in the night, and she never


    told anyone that she would be returning homete.


    She was conscious of her movement as she was hoping everyone had gone to bed as she did not


    have the strength to engage in any exchange of words with her dad or any other person.


    She was shocked to see that the lights were still on and that everyone, except of course Talia, is in the


    sitting room waiting for her arrival.


    ¡°And where are youing back from this time youngdy?¡± Wright shouted.


    ¡°Good evening dad¡± Riona managed to say.


    She was not expecting the sudden attack from Wright. She actually thought that no one would be up by


    this time.


    She could see her aunt Kyra, she had disappointment clearly written on her face. Riona had not meant


    to break any rule. She lost track of the time at the pack.


    Today is her mum¡¯s postpartum birthday, and she had decided to go have some moments alone at


    some of her mum¡¯s favorite ces. She was so filled with the thoughts of her mum that she did not


    know when it got extremely dark.


    ¡°Keep your greetings to yourself Riona. I ask again where the hell do you think you areing from by


    this time of the night¡± Wright thundered.


    Riona wanted to reply, but she could not get any word out of her mouth. She had never seen her dad


    this mad at her even on asions she felt she had done worse than this.


    ¡°Answer me now¡± He screamed.


    Wright was already irritated by Riona¡¯s silence and if care is not taken, he might do something worse,


    that, even he would live to regret.


    He knew that Riona had never been out thiste and that she would always call whenever she was


    going to be some minutesteing back. That is why he is still affording her the time to exin


    herself.


    He hated to think that it has gotten to the extent when Riona would openly have to undermine his


    authority in his own house. If this was as a result of his softness towards her, then he was ready to go


    all hard on her from now on.


    In spite, Riona took her eyes away from her dad and focused on Maeve. She could not help but think


    that this was all the fault of Maeve. Riona does not know the nexus, but she believed that if not for


    Maeve, somehow, today her mum would be her to celebrate her birthday with them.


    To Riona, Maeve should be med for whatever misfortune that she had to undergo.


    ¡°Take your eyes off my wife now¡± Wright screamed.


    Riona was again taken by surprise. She immediately turned to look at her dad and she never attempted


    to take her gaze away again.


    ¡°She has nothing to do with this, you went out to God knows where and returnedte without any


    justification and you deserve to be reprimanded. You don¡¯t go about shifting your own faults to others, it


    is not going to work for you this time¡± Wright cautioned.


    Wright stopped and waited for Riona to put up a defense or maybe an excuse or anything at all. He


    would not tolerate her standing there, staring at him and keeping mute.


    ¡°I lost track of the time daddy¡± Riona responded.


    ¡°What do you mean you lost track of the time Riona, where did you go to, and who did you tell you


    were going out and what made you lose track of time?¡± Wright asked.


    He was evidently trying so hard to gain control of his temper as his breathing was already loud enough


    to the hearing of everyone in the room.


    ¡°Dad, actually, I ¡­¡±


    Riona tried to speak, but Wright¡¯s words stopped her.


    ¡°Hold on, let us take the questions one after the other¡± Wright said.


    He paused for a while and continued. ¡°The first question is where have you been all day,¡± Wright


    asked.


    ¡°I went out¡± Riona mumbled.


    ¡°I can¡¯t hear you, Riona, would you please speak up¡± Wrightmanded.


    ¡°I went out dad, I took the day off to be by myself,¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Okay, I have absolutely no problem with that. But then, who did you tell that you were going out?¡±


    Wright asked.


    Riona tried to say something, but it was barely audible and Wright could make nothing out of it. He was


    starting to get agitated again.


    ¡°Would you speak up, and can you even hear yourself?¡± Wright said.


    ¡°I told no one dad, sincerely, I never intended to stay till this time¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up girl, I said shut up this very minute¡± Wright thundered.


    Riona was still trying to exin but Wright shut her up.


    ¡°And who cares what you intend or not intend to do? I only asked one question, just one simple


    question, which was, who did you inform of your decision to go out and you are telling me of your


    intentions? Are you implying that no one in this whole house, not even your aunt Kyra here is qualified


    to be informed of your whereabouts?¡± Wright shouted.


    He walked closer to Riona, and in fear, Riona took a few steps backward.


    ¡°Tell me, how grown do you think you are now? You think you are bigger than everyone now right?¡±


    Wright asked.


    When he got to a reasonable distance, he stopped.


    Riona could not utter any words. There was fear written all over her as she does not know what her


    dad might do next.


    ¡°Okay, that apart, now can you tell us what made you lose track of time, were you at the inside of a


    hole where you could not distinguish night and darkness? Wright asked.


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    ¡°I already told you, dad, I lost track of time, I never knew it was already thiste¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°And why didn¡¯t you go along with your phone?¡± Wright asked.


    ¡°I called you severally, only to discover that you had left your phone in your room? Wright added.


    ¡°It was intentional dad, I needed no disturbance¡± Riona replied.


    ¡°I am truly sorry for that dad, it would not repeat itself¡± Riona quickly added.


    Riona was really hoping her dad would just ept her plea and apology and let her be. She had spent


    the whole day reminiscing on her mum and right now, all she wanted was to go to bed and have a nice


    rest. She desperately needed some sleep to enable her nerves to calm as she had worried too much


    for today.


    ¡°To hell with your apologies Riona¡± Wright yelled.


    Maeve could not bear to watch anymore. She thinks Wright is stretching this whole thing farther than


    necessary and if she does note in now, it might escte into some form of brutality. Nevertheless,


    she liked the fact that Wright was finally stepping up to correct Riona.


    ¡°It is okay dear. You can see that she is sorry and never intended for this to happen. Please let her be¡±


    Maeve pleaded.


    Wright was not happy that Maeve had stepped into this matter. He had always warned her to allow him


    to handle this sort of thing himself. However, he tried to remain calm with her.


    ¡°Allow me to handle this my way Maeve, don¡¯t you get it?¡± Wright said.


    Riona was already infuriated. She can tolerate ten of her dad but not a single one of Maeve. Riona


    wondered where she got the right to meddle in this matter or was she trying to make herself appear like


    the good one here?


    Riona hated the fact that she was trying too hard. Since she has vowed to remain here, what then is so


    difficult requesting that she stay off her path? Riona thought.


    Riona vowed within her that she would not allow Maeve to get away with this. She vowed to give it to


    her hot, right there and then.


    ¡°No, allow her dad. Didn¡¯t you just say that she was not responsible for all of these? Now I can see that


    very clearly¡± Riona said.


    ¡°Would you just shut the f*ck up Riona, not another word¡± Wright ordered.


    ¡°You don¡¯t ask me to shut up dad. She just talked now without being invited, what did you do?¡± Riona


    shouted back.


    ¡°Stop it, Riona,¡± Kyra said.


    ¡°Please allow me, aunt Kyra,¡± Riona said to Kyra.


    ¡°You really want to know where I went?¡± Riona asked her dad.


    ¡°Okay, I will tell you. Today is my mum¡¯s birthday dad, yourte wife. But did you even remember that?


    Of course not because you forgot about her the moment she took herst breathe¡± Riona said.


    ¡°It is okay Rio, stop it¡± Kyra screamed.


    ¡°No it is not aunt Kyra, I have been silent for too long, let me speak now,¡± Riona said to Kyra.


    Riona turned to continue with her dad.


    ¡°The day you brought the news of mum¡¯s death, you brought them with you to the house, right out of


    the blues. And when I tried to stop dad, what did you do? You refused and went on to marry her behind


    my back. She has been nothing but a bad influence to you, she stinks of negativity¡± Riona screamed.


    She stopped to catch some breath and after a while, she continued.


    ¡°Even till this moment dad, I still do not know what ailment my mum suffered from before she died, I


    don¡¯t know what killed her. And you stand there and expect me to be cool and act as if everything is


    okay even when I know the circumstances surrounding Maeve¡¯s intrusion into this house. And just so


    you know dad, I will stop at nothing until I unravel the mystery surrounding this intruder, here in our


    home¡± Riona said.


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