Chapter 23

"Miss Annie ", he started when he offered me a seat. "You have not been around for some couple of months now, where have you been?"

"It's a long story sir", I said and he asked me to make it short. I explained everything that had happened. He was shocked at the behavior Scotts put up and promised to help me get justice. He finally advised me to study hard to cover up where I wasn't able to in order to pass the final exams.

I left his office and told Aikens of my plans to go check my mail box. He agreed and drove me . I opened my box to find several letters in it, I took them to read at the spot but Aikens asked me to do that when we got home. I couldn't wait any longer when we got home, I opened the first letter from my mum and began reading.

From mum;

My dear Annie, I have really missed you, your smile and talks. Please take care of yourself and accomplish your dreams. I love you, bye."

The message of the letter touched my heart that my eyes felt teary, I realized I was really missing my mum. I dropped it and took another from Aunt Rebecca.

'My baby girl, how are you doing?. I didn't want to disclose this news to you in this way but I think you need to know as soon as possible. Your mother , my sister had cancer which reached the last stage that was why she sent you away to the states so you won't get heartbroken about it', at that point, I couldn't hold my tears back. I was falling like a fountain but I wanted to read to the end.

'But I'm sorry to say this to you my dear, your mother passed away'

"No no no, you can't tell me this. It's a lie. It's not true. My mum promised never to leave me alone, she won't break her promise, no…no n", I felt my body getting numb till I could cry no more.

I woke up to find myself at the hospital with Aikens sitting beside me .

"Doctor, she's awake", he called out and the doctor came in a haste to check on me.

"How are you feeling now?"the doctor asked.

"I'm having a headache "

"You cried a lot, you have to take care of your health first", the doctor advised before walking out.

"Have some rest then we will go home later", Aikens said but I just shook my head while my eyes blurred with tears threatening to fall.

"Hey it's okay, I know how it feels. But you will be fine ", he consoled rubbing my back.

"She left me Aikens, she broke her promise. She told me she'd never leave me but she did. What do I do now? I'm all alone", I cried out. Aikens was finding it hard to control me so all he could do was pull me into his embrace.

"It's alright, you have me with you. You are not alone", I remained in his arms for God knows how long before asking him to let go. I wiped my face telling myself I wouldn't cry anymore.

"Yeah, I have you", I said forcing a smile.

"Good, keep that smile on". The room turned quiet after sometime and I decide to get his attention since he seemed to be lost in thoughts. I cleared my throat to speak.

"You know what I was thinking just now?", I asked him.

"What?", he asked curiously.

"I think we are a match for each other"

"What are you trying to say?", he asked confused.

"Well, we both lost our parents on different occasions"

"How did you know about that?"

"I had a chat with Jazzy last night and she told me about it"

"Why did she do that? She shouldn't have told you anything "

"It's not her fault, I asked her to tell me because you never once spoke about them"

"Still, she shouldn't have told you"

"But why don't you want me to know?"

"I just don't want to talk about it, it's all past"

"I'm sorry", I apologized for nothing in particular.

"No I'm sorry, truly sorry", we smiled and he gave me a kiss on the forehead.