CHAPTER 07

As darkness have descended on the land, Roland was worried about his sister's whereabouts and safety. He was hoping that she would resurface again, at least he will see her and know how she was faring. But until that night, he have not seen her.

Roland later asked his mother, Jemima, if she have seen Daphne again, after she was chased away that morning by his father, Vincent.

"I saw her in the afternoon." Jemima answered.

"how's she? Where is she staying now? Did you give her something?" Roland fired his mother with lots questions.

"I don't know how she is, and I gave her nothing because I had nothing." Jemima said to him.

"mom you don't know if your daughter is alive or dead, and you are comfortable. This is not right."

Jemima found no words to refute Roland's remarks. Vincent who heard Roland's words spoke to him from behind.

"Roland let me not catch you again harassing your mother again. This is my last warning to you." Vincent thundered.

At this moment a car drove into their compound. They watched from the window and saw Daphne and a young man walking to the door. Elvis knocked and Roland opened the door for them.

" good evening. " Roland greeted Elvis.

" good evening." Elvis responded.

Elvis greeted Vincent and Jemima and they all exchanged pleasantries. "please sit down." Vincent offered Elvis seat.

Vincent and his family knew that Elvis was rich. His car worth millions and he looked plumpy. They wondered who he was and his relationship with Daphne.

Daphne greeted her father but he ignored her and didn't respond to her greeting. Elvis noticed that and kept quiet. He sat down and Daphne stood beside him. Vincent also sat down, facing Elvis.

"young man, who are you and what can I do for you?" Vincent asked Elvis.

"sir, my name is Elvis Sinbad. I saw your daughter in the bush this evening almost dead. I was able to revive her, as you can see. She told me her plight and your punishment. I brought her back and to plead on her behalf for you to forgive her and permit her to stay at home. " Elvis expressed himself fully.

Jemima, Roland and Salome watched keenly as Elvis introduced himself and said the reason he came with Daphne. They now switched over to Vincent to get his reply.

" point of correction, she's no more my daughter. "Vincent said.

His words resounded in the parlor. Shocked faces glanced each other.

" secondly, she's not welcomed or permitted to step her foot in this house. And thirdly, I don't care if she lives or dies. Kindly leave my house and drop her off wherever you picked her from." Vincent finished his words that portrayed his anger and bitterness.

Elvis could see that Vincent wasn't a gentleman, he doesn't care about anyone except himself. Daphne was telling him the truth about her father.

" I have heard you father. Banishing her won't stop her from being your daughter. Your precious blood runs through her veins. She can't survive this night if she sleeps in that bush. Please father, calm your anger and forgive her. Just let her live in your house." Elvis pleaded with Vincent.

" let me ask you a question, are you the one who impregnated her? "Vincent asked Elvis.

Elvis smiled when he heard that question.

" I wish I am the one, but I am not the one responsible. " Elvis answered.

" if you are not the one, then Stay away from this matter. You have over-stayed your welcome. Please leave my house." Vincent ordered Elvis to leave.

Elvis was not touched by his attitude, rather he focused on the greater good of keeping Daphne safe. Staying with her family was the safest place she could stay.

" father please reconsider, she will die out there." Elvis continued to plead.

"are you deaf?" Vincent shouted at Elvis. "I said I don't care. Leave my house before I disrespect you." Vincent warned Elvis.

Elvis saw how charged up Vincent was, he concluded that the man was a wild specie. He made up his mind that the man was unreasonable and uncaring.

"father I have heard what you said sir." Elvis said respectfully.

Elvis stood up from his seat, and Daphne made sure she stood very close to Elvis.

"allow her to die and walk away. She abandoned life and chose death, so let her enjoy her choice." Vincent said to Elvis.

Roland, Salome, and Jemima did not say one word to help Elvis to persuade Vincent to change his mind. Fear of Vincent kept them mute.

" father, I will leave her where I picked her. Goodnight sir. " Elvis said to him politely.

Elvis watched the whole family members and shook his head in disapproval and headed to the exit door. Daphne followed him closely out of the house. When they got to his car, Daphne touched his hand to draw his attention.

" your father is stubborn." Elvis said to her.

When he first spoke to her, she was relieved and now she has an opening to beg him on behalf of her family.

"I know, and you have tried a lot for me, it's not easy. Thank you so much for rescuing me and trying to make my father to accept me. I appreciate all you have done for me." Daphne said thankful words to him.

Elvis watched her in silence, thinking on what to do.

" I have a girlfriend, I can't take you home. Am so sorry. "Elvis said to her.

" oh please stop bothering yourself, you have tried for me. Even though I don't know what I will do next, I can't impose myself on you. So drive carefully as you go home. "Daphne helped to dispel his guilt.

" you understand me, I wish I can do more. "Elvis said.

" I understand. Can I carry my bag from the boot? "Daphne asked him.

" yes, you can. Let me open the boot for you. "

He walked to the boot while she followed him. He opened it and she collected her bag.

" God bless you, I appreciate your kindness towards me. "she said to him.

He took the bag from her, opened the boot and put back the bag inside it.

" what are you doing? "she asked him, getting confused.

" enter the car, I have a plan. "he said to her.

" okay. "she said.

They entered the car and Elvis drove off from Daphne's compound