Vanessa’s POV
I woke up to hear my phone ringing, not bothering to look at the screen, I picked up the call
"Good morning Essa, how was your night?" I removed the phone from my ear to see who the caller was and I realized it's Michael.
"Hey Michael, good morning to you too. My night was okay, thank you"
"How's Richard?"
"You're just being polite, you don't like him that much to ask about him" I could hear his laughter from the other end of the line.
"Why will I hate my own cousin? That's totally unfair, Essa. You just broke my heart" I imagined him placing his hand on his chest.
"It's the truth, it's not like you really like him that much" I replied
"That's true though, but we both know who the green monster is" I started laughing real hard.
"Richard is a green monster indeed" The door was suddenly opened revealing a really angry Richard.
He heard what I just said.
"Michael, I'll call you back later. Thank you for checking on me" I dropped the call before facing the judgement of the green monster.
"I thought we had an agreement, I was coming up to call you for breakfast and you're here talking to your boyfriend"
"I didn't agree to not talking to Michael, you made that decision by yourself Richard. Michael is a great friend and I can't stop talking to him because you said so" I stood up from the bed to take a shower.
"Next time try to explain to your boyfriend that you're in my family house, so he'll know his boundary"
"Why do you keep saying the word boyfriend? I don't even have any relationship with him except friendship"
"I don't believe that"
"Are you jealous?" I asked
"Jealous? Me? That's impossible, I'll never be jealous of someone like that" he huffed before walking away from me. I stopped him and folded my hands.
"Admit it Rich, you're jealous" I was laughing while jumping in front of him to stop him from walking away.
"Stop behaving like a kid, Essa" he instructed
"No, I won't until you admit it"
"I'm serious Essa, stop it or I'll make you"
"There's nothing you can do, just admit it, you weak hearted human. You're jealous Richard"
"Stop Essa, you'll regret it if you won't stop" he threatened
"Admit it Richard, jea….." I didn't get to finish the statement when I felt his lips on mine and before my brain could comprehend what was happening, my hands were already in his hair.
Then, I stopped when I realized what I just did. What was I thinking? I shouldn't have kissed him back. Now, we're both guilty.
The knock on the door made us to pull apart and it was a call from the butler telling us to come down for breakfast.
I quickly had a shower before going down to join them for breakfast.
Sitting beside Richard was awkward and I wasn't able to breath properly praying the breakfast should end quickly.
After breakfast I was invited by Richard's mom to join her for shopping. Not like i had a choice because if I did, I won't even go anywhere with that woman. She's a threat on her own.
"This is my daughter in law, I'll be shopping here with her today. Treat her with some respect' she told the girl that was in charge of the shop.
"What will you like to buy? We have different clothing and shoes from amazing designer. If you'll like, I'll take you to see them" she said
"I'm not buying anything, thank you. You can attend to her" I replied, it's better to be naked than take anything from the witch.
"You don't mean that Essa, the clothes you brought here were nothing less than rags and i can't allow you to wear something like that, it's too poor for our image" I knew she was up to something when she insisted, I follow her.
"I insist ma, I don't think I'll buy anything ma. I'm okay with what I have. Thank you" before she could say anything to argue back, my phone rang and when I looked at the screen, it was a call from home.
"I have to pick this call, it's from home" I said before excusing myself to pick the call.
"Mother, Is everything okay? How's Dad?" She was silent for a while
"That is why I called you, you need to come home"
"I can't do that mother, not at this time. Maybe sometime around next year I'll be able to go home but for now, I can't. I'm sorry" how was I to go home when I'm pregnant, even though me and my mother never had the best of all relationship, she'll be disappointed in me for having a baby without being married.
"For once Luisa, come home to family. We need you here" she used my native name
"Mom, can't you try to understand, I can't come home"
"Even if it is for your father, come home to give him his last respect. He deserves it"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Your father is dead Luisa, he's dead"
My hand moved to my mouth to stop me from screaming. My world was spinning with tears rolling down my eyes, my shoulder slumped and my heart broken. My world is so dark right now.
I carried myself with the little strength left in me to tell Richard's mom that I'll like to go back home and seeing me in that state, she told the driver to take me home.
On getting home, I entered the bathroom and opened the shower on my head so I'll be able to cry my eyes out without any hindrances.
"Oh my God, Essa, is everything okay?" Richard asked with worry. He stopped the shower and bent down to my level.
"Your burden is my burden Essa, talk to me, please"
"My fa...ther" I stuttered out
"What happened to your father, Essa. Talk to me. I can't bear looking at you like this, it's killing me here"
"He's dead, Richard. He's dead" I finally managed to say and before I could guess the look on his face, he gathered me into his hands.
He later carried me to the bed after i had stopped crying my eyes out.
Placing me gently on the sofa, He looked into my eyes and asked "can I kiss you?, Maybe it will help a little"
I don't know what came over me but I nodded and gave him the go ahead.
He placed his lips on mine and fireworks exploded in my head and I saw butterflies everywhere. For that little moment, I was able to let go of my pain.