Hurting her feelings

13 Hurting her feelings

Once again, Zara glanced at the poles, sure to check if her siblings were tied out there. She chuckled when she confirmed that they weren’t there. Seriously, she felt that her paranoia was going over the roof these days.

She had yet to pay the rent and she heaved a sigh to know that Festus hadn’t kicked Dominic and Daisi out. It would’ve been disastrous for the little girl’s health. She had it in mind to pay up as soon as possible and then get Daisi to a hospital for a check-up and therapy.

She got to the apartment and used her key to unlock the door. The children jumped when they noticed her, but smiled afterwards. Zara pulled her backpack and waved it towards them. “Who wants some fried chicken and a bag of goodies?”

Dominic shot at her and gave her a bear hug. It was nice to be back with them, laughing being hugged. It made the pain of being shoved around the bed for the past two days bearable. Daisi hugged her too once she’d limped up to her.

Zara ruffled her hair. “You look great in the space of two days!”

“I’ve been feeding her.”

Daisi grunted, giving Dominic a glare. “He’s been giving me food terrors, forcing me to eat even when I’m sated!”

Zara smiled and patted Dominic on the head. “I support your method, Dominic!”

Daisi hissed. “Of course you would. You’re like-minded!”

Dominic took the backpack from her and hurried to go unpack it. Daisi gave Zara a curious look and said, “You don’t look so bad yourself, sister. Did you get your hair fixed and is that make-up?”

Zara rolled her eyes and helped her back to a chair. “I’ve always fancied makeup.”

Daisi shook her head. “Not so much as letting it transform you so much. And your clothes look like they could feed the neighbourhood for a week!”

Zara laughed lightly. “You should stop judging things with their food-related value.”

“Wow!” Dominic said, excited. “She wasn’t kidding when she said she brought chicken! This food will last for three days!”

“You should finish it in two, just so you get enough,” Zara said. “I got a good job and I get paid a really fat salary.”

Daisi smiled. “It means our spoiling begins now?”

“No,” Zara said, firm. She wasn’t about to splurge the money like a water pump with no control switch. “But, I’ll try my best. You need to see a doctor ASAP.”

“And I’ll resume school, right?” Dominic asked, hopeful. Zara smiled, finding him adorable. How could she resist those eyes?

She nodded. “I’ll see what I can do but you might not start till next year, just to be sure.”

Dominic nodded, excited. However, Zara was a bit down. What about her? Didn’t she have any plans of going back to school? The little education she had back at Charlescare wasn’t enough for her. Well, she had it in mind to try out designing. She had a talent for that.

Zara watched them devour the food with a smile on her face. It didn’t compare to what she’d been eating for the past two days but it would do. She’d brought enough money to last the children for a week and hopefully before then she’d visit again.

Things were looking up—she prayed they’d look up finally. They’d suffered enough in life.

….

“Ha! Beat that!” Aaron moved his piece, a smile on his face. The move had knocked over three of Zara’s pieces, leaving her third line of defence open for exploitation.

It was like a game of chess though on the mini side and, clearly, Zara sucked at it. Aaron moved with calculated paces, pushing his pieces forward but making sure to box her in real hard. Zara groaned, wishing it was a game of table-top football. She’d so beat the hell out of him!

She moved a tile and the move put her in a much difficult situation. Aaron moved a piece and knocked off that tile she moved. It was frustrating!

“I give up!” she said, throwing her hands. “This is the third round and you’ve had me hands-down.”

Aaron smiled. “You’re too easy to beat, Zara,” he said. “Try thinking a bit before moving a tile. It will save you a lot of troubles.”

She snorted. “I won’t give you the satisfaction of beating me again!”

“As you wish,” Aaron said, picking his cup of coffee. He exhaled, shutting his eyes. The breeze in the garden blew gently, caressing her skin. It was a wonderful place to be with all the gentle and alternating colours of different flowers. Most of the flowers grew like vines, curling about but they were kept trimmed.

“You seem to like coffee much,” she said, eyeing him as he put the cup down.

Aaron smiled. “What can I say?”

She made to say something again but stopped when she noticed someone walk into the garden. It was Andrew! Zara felt her heart race, her breath hiking a bit.

Andrew nodded at Aaron and then handed him a piece of paper which he’d written something on. Aaron took it and read through it, then nodded. “Got it,” he said. “I’ll get to it.”

Andrew turned to leave but Zara waved at him. “Hey, Andrew, no note for me? That has really hurt my feelings!”

Andrew glared at her, snorting. He took out another piece of paper and wrote on it then passed it to her. She read it with a smile. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re as annoying as a pin in my ass? And, for the records, I don’t give a hoot about your feelings!”

“That hurt,” Zara said, putting her hand to her chest. “though I’d have loved it if you said a pin in your penis!”

Aaron choked on his coffee and glanced at her like she was insane. Zara grinned, surprised that she’d gotten confidence from somewhere. Who would have thought that she’d say such things so bluntly?

However, it only served to annoy Andrew further. He slammed his pen on the table, rattling Aaron’s cup of coffee. He grunted and gave her one of the many glares she was now used to. As if that wasn’t enough, Andrew leaned closer and pulled Zara’s cheek. He pinched and pulled till she cried out, slapping at his hand.

When he let go, Zara felt her cheek on fire. She wiped her eyes to get rid of the tears. Did he have to pinch so hard? However, Andrew smirked and it startled Zara. Then, he left.

Aaron whistled. “That has got to leave a mark. Your cheek is all red, Zara!”

She coughed, calming her thumping heart. “I figured that out, thanks. That guy is a brute, no wonder he’s still single!”

Aaron chuckled. “But you managed to get a smirk out of him! That’s the first time he’s smiled around a woman. You’re doing him right!”

Zara nodded, pleased with herself. “Seriously, though, doesn’t he ever speak? He could’ve told you what he wanted rather than write it down.”

Aaron shrugged. “That’s Andrew for you. He hasn’t spoken a word to anyone in ten years, I think.”

Zara sighed and sat back, the smirk flashing through her mind. Andrew was a hard man, but she’d driven him to give a precious smile. It was more than a breakthrough!

She stood and moved a piece on the game board. “Sorry, Aaron,” she said. “I’ve got to go get on Andrew’s nerves some more. Maybe, he’ll finally beat me up officially, who knows?”

“Just don’t get killed,” Aaron said, grimacing. “It would be a shame to lose someone as pretty as you.”

She smiled. “You know how to make a woman feel good. Unlike some people I know.”

Aaron smiled and waved her away. Zara hurried so she could catch up with Andrew. She had the best plan in mind to drive him insane and maybe, he’d give in finally!

The red spot on her cheek? He was sure going to pay for that tonight!