Chapter Seven - The Life

“You have been quiet this whole time. You are still mad at me.” Mario weighed my expression and then went on to move closer to me.

“I panicked, okay? My insecurities about love made me say I did not want to play Meet the Parents. I want you.” The car’s air conditioner was becoming too cold for comfort, so I could only manage a small smile for Mario. The words replaying in my head were “whore amongst us.”

 Someone knew about my past and was going to expose me. I opened my mouth to speak, tell Mario about my dirty past, and get it over with before things got out of proportion, but the words were stuck in my throat. I am afraid of how he would take my revelation, afraid of the look of disgust that would replace his affectionate gaze.

From all indications, Mario did not read the letter, or did he? My heart was beating so fast.

His words, “I want you, replayed in my head.” I looked at him and croaked, “You want to be with me?”

Mario looked into my eyes, and then his eyes travelled to my lips. His forefinger found its way to my face, and he began caressing it. I willed myself to be present. I will deal with the letter when I return home. This was what I wanted. Another chance at a simple yet beautiful life, and the universe gave me Mario Princeton as a bonus. I could not be happier.

I kissed Mario and squeezed his hand as the car stopped before the Princeton mansion. I would call it a castle.

Although modern, the mansion still held some bits of history. Like the stained glass that told stories of the wealthy family history. The large wooden door gave way, leading to a long, well-lighted hallway that held photos of the now-dead royalty.

I held Mario’s hand tighter as he led the way, resolving that I was here to stay. Whoever sent that letter would have to get me out of here screaming and kicking because this is what I wanted for my kids. A shot at a family. They will be well taken care of, even in my absence, and will not have to do uncomfortable jobs like I did.

The family was in their living room chatting away when we arrived.

Kayla ran to me, and I took her in my arms. She was already in her pyjamas. “You are late,” she said accusatorily, and no admonishment could have sounded cuter.

“I had a slight delay, but I am here now,” I pinched her cheek and winked at her.

“Ms Nina, you would agree that princesses are supposed to be sleeping by now.” Kemi chimed in; although she looked ravishing, a hint of tiredness was evident in her voice.

Kayla gave her mother an apologetic smile.

I opened my mouth to speak, but I was interrupted by a deep voice behind me, saying, “Hi, I am the family black sheep of the family.”

I turned to see the figure in a black tux. In my eyes, Leo and Mario did not necessarily have a striking resemblance. Even though they had the same haircut, cute pinched nose, towering height, and the shiniest dark skin, I could still tell they were different.

 Mario was more straightforward; he wore his heart on his sleeve, so it was easy to know what Mario was thinking. But Leo, on the other hand, I see him. From how his eyes danced, I could tell he had an immense spirit that could never be contained.

We stared at each other a bit before we burst out laughing.

“I like her,” Leo announced, pointing his middle finger at me. Mario stood beside him now, not looking pleased at whatever unspoken inside joke Leo and I just shared.

I quickly introduced myself as “Nina,” not wanting to be in the middle of any sibling rift. And when Leo took my hand, I did not allow it to linger.

“Your parents have been wondering where you are, brother.” He cocked his brow and smirked.

We followed Leo into another exquisite living room. I could tell that the sofa was plush without sitting on it. Mr and Mrs Princeton rose when I approached them. Mrs Princeton was not at all what I was expecting. Of course, I had caught glimpses of her in town and seen her talk on the local news. From afar, I had automatically labelled her as a ruthless woman. Not just cruel but also rude to anyone she perceived to be beneath her. No matter how I clean up nicely, I always fear that people like Mrs Sheila Princeton would easily sniff me out. But instead, here was Mrs Sheila hugging me tight. When she broke the hug, she told me she was so happy to see me and said, “Thank you for making my boy so happy.”

She was warm. The matriarch of a powerful family was warm to me! I wanted to cry for joy. It almost felt like my mother was here hugging me again. It is amazing how the brain works. Not until I received this hug I never knew how much I craved maternal love. Sure, I missed my parents daily, but I never knew how deeply I craved this cheer from a motherly figure. I beamed at her, inhaling her Chanel perfume and soaking in her beauty. This moment, to me, was in slow motion. The moments that matter are always in slow motion for me.

I moved on to take the firm hand of the patriarch of the family, William Princeton. He was stern. Not a smiler, not a hugger either; I was grateful for this because my body was still reeling from the warm hugs I received from Sheila.

“Hello, Nina.” He said with a stiff smile.

I froze at the sound of his voice, and my frown deepened when a whiff of his perfume hit my nose. His perfume is a fragrance I can’t describe but can’t forget because it is etched in my memory. Years ago, I described this same scent as “rich” when I told my best friend about my experience with him.

I smiled and kicked this thought to the side. Mr Princeton could not possibly be who I think he is. Besides,  do all rich people not smell divine anyway? So, there was no reason for me to be particular about this one.

‘And his voice?’ A voice probed further in my head, but I ignored it. The man said only two words the whole time we were together. It can’t be him.

My skin was crawling as my mind began reverting to a dark place. A place I do not want to remember. A place I had shut out for a long time. I willed my brain to stop running wild right now and focus on better things—happy thoughts like how Mario reaffirmed that he wants me in his life.