CHAPTER 02

East of Longvill, Luke Logan's family members were all sitted at the dinning room waiting for him to join them. His wife Appolonia 55 years , his only child and son Simdi 25 years, and Amorita 21 years , Simdi's fiancee were the ones that were waiting for Luke 60 years.

There's peace and love in this family for a long time. The couple love each other and cooperate well. They were in support of their son's relationship with Amorita.

"I wonder what is keeping your father since he was called to come and eat." Appolonia complained to her son Simdi.

"I don't have any idea, mom."

"he will soon join us, I told him we were set and are waiting for him." Amorita said to them.

Few minutes later Luke joined them at the dining hall. He prayed over the food and they began to eat. After eating for a while, Luke asked them a question.

"who cooked this food?" Luke asked.

"I helped mom to cook it, sir." Amorita answered Luke.

"the food is delicious, both of you did a good job." Luke complimented them.

"Amorita is being modest. She ought to have collected all the compliments for cooking this meal. I assisted her while she did the cooking." Appolonia added.

"it gives me great pleasure that my son is dating a girl who knows how to cook delicious foods." Luke expressed his joy and support for Simdi's fiancee.

"am so happy that you like this meal that I prepared, sir." Amorita said to Luke.

"you're welcome my daughter, you don't have any problem." said Luke.

"keep it up, baby." Simdi said to her.

" I will." Amorita smiled for him as she replied him.

They ate cheerfully until they were satisfied. After the meal, Amorita cleared the table and washed the dishes at the kitchen, because they don't have a maid. She later joined Simdi at the parlor and watched a movie with him.

Later in the evening, he escorted her to the the point she will get a taxi to her house. They were holding hands as they strolled on the street. Simdi stopped a taxi and paid the transport fare for her.

"baby I have paid him," referring to the taxi driver, "so don't pay him again. Call me when you get home." Simdi said to Amorita.

"I will see you later." Amorita said to Simdi.

Simdi pecked her on her forehead, then she entered the taxi and it drove away, and he watched them for a while.

He's been dating Amorita for close to two years now. She was a perfect fit for him. His family accepted her with both arms. And she haven't disappointed him so far.

Immediately his mother saw her with him, she encouraged Simdi to be serious with her. Appolonia always showered Amorita with gifts and praises. As Amorita came closer to the family, Appolonia began to rely on her for most of the house chores. And since Simdi was an only child, she felt at home and takes care of Appolonia's duties at home.

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At Daphne's home, she tried her best to act normal in front of her family members. She performed her house chores without delay and complaint. She was always inside her room, but unknown to her, her mother and her siblings and her father have observed the changes in her.

Darkness have descended on the land. Daphne's family members have discussed among themselves about their observations and decided to call Daphne to clear their doubts. Daphne was standing in their midst not knowing that she has been found out.

"my daughter, tell us who impregnated you? You can't hide it from us. I am your mother and I am an observant one." Jemima, 57 years, Daphne's mom, said to Daphne.

Daphne was shocked to her bones. She couldn't believe her ears. She wondered how her mother could detect something she concealed very well.

" talk before I break your head. " Vincent, 63 years, Daphne's father threatened her.

" father calm down, she will talk." Roland, 21 years, her elder brother said to his father.

"Daphne why? Why fucking up like this?" Salome, 19 years, her elder sister asked her.

" I am sorry." Daphne said weakly.

"we know you are sorry, but who did it?" Roland asked her.

Daphne knew that she can't protect the secret any more or the person who was responsible for the pregnancy. And since they have found out her true condition, it was better telling them the truth and asking for their forgiveness.

" it is Eliot, Eliot Micheal." Daphne finally said to them.

"Eliot that is working at the brewery?" Roland her brother asked her.

"yes, he's the one." Daphne answered.

" I know the young boy." Vincent also said.

"have you told him about your condition?" Jemima asked her.

"yes mom, I have told him." Daphne answered.

"what did he say?" Vincent asked her.

"he said that he will give me his reply tomorrow." she answered.

"Daphne now listen, pack your things and go to him now. You are no longer welcome in this house. I will not lay my hands on you now. But if you return to this house again, then I will kill you." Vincent disowned his daughter Daphne.

His children were not in support of him disowning their sister. They were all surprised by his pronouncement.

" father please, do not banish her like this. "Salome begged Vincent.

" shut up your mouth! " Vincent thurdered." you and Roland should help her to pack her things and leave this house this minute. "Vincent ordered.

" father please.. "Roland was trying to beg Vincent before the later interrupted him.

" if both of you didn't throw her out this minute, that's the end of your education too! Try me. " Vincent threatened them.

Vincent left them to act on what he said or not to and face the consequences. Daphne lay on the floor crying. Her siblings watched her in confusion and in pity. Jemima was at a loss on what to do. Vincent was not an easy man to reason with or trifle with.

Roland knew how his father behaves. He doesn't make empty threats. If he and Salome disobeyed him, he will terminate his sponsorship in their education and that wasn't a brilliant prospect.

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Daphne have knocked several times at Eliot's door and there was no answer. As she was contemplating on what to do, Eliot's mother came to her.

"good evening mom, I am looking for Eliot your son." Daphne greeted Eliot's mother and explained herself.

"Eliot is not around. He traveled to Tasmania." Tamar said to Daphne.

"mother, but I saw him today." she said.

"he set sail this evening and I bade him farewell." Tamar said to Daphne.

"what of his work? Why did he travel so suddenly?" she asked Tamar.

"my daughter, he said he resigned and is going to Tasmania to start a new life. This is what he told me and left me here all alone." Tamar complained.

"Eliot has killed me! Mother I am dead! I am dead! My God!" Daphne lamented in panic.

"my daughter what is happening?" Tamar asked her.

"Eliot is running away from his responsibility. I told him today that he has impregnated me." Daphne explained to Tamar.

"so it's because of you that my son left me alone to suffer here? So you are the reason I am going to be alone?" Tamar was angered by knowing the reason her son absconded.

"mother should this make him to abscond?" Daphne asked Tamar.

"have you not seen the answer?" Tamar asked her mockingly.

"mother my parents have chased me out of the house, what do I do now?" Daphne tried to reason with Tamar.

"my daughter you will return to your parents this minute and tell them that Eliot have traveled." Tamar ordered Daphne.

"mother they won't accept me. Let me stay with you for the mean time." Daphne begged Tamar.

"my daughter I can't accept you. Eliot didn't say anything about you to me. Secondly I can't take care of you. I have not finished taking care of myself, talk more of another person."

"mother please don't send me away. I am carrying your grand child. I will go to the farm with you. I will do anything you want me to do, but please don't also chase me away. Are you chasing your grandchild away?" Daphne pleaded and reasoned with Tamar.

"my daughter I am sorry, I can't help you. I don't have a job, I don't earn wages, I can't afford to keep you with me. Go back to your family and plead with them." Tamar insisted on sending Daphne away.

Daphne could see Tamar's determination to send her away. She broke down in tears and wept. Her tears couldn't still move Tamar. Daphne concluded that Tamar was heartless and staying might even endanger her life. She picked up her little bag, and mustered courage and returned home to her parents.