Boarding School

Chapter 2

Boarding school

Chapter 2(disagreement)

EJ🖋️

Jane and I talked about our work in a professional way till we got to our respective offices.

I checked my schedule for the day and was very happy that I only had paper work and review to give today, no interview and overseeing some intern, that was the hardest part of the job.

As soon as I settled down for the day's activities, I called Sarah and Jason to know how to know how they were faring, like I always do.

*****

The rest of the day went well atleast, I didn't have to think of Nickel or Anthonio. But soon it was 3 pm which meant closing time for me not like I still had work to do anyway, the thought of them eventually resurfaced.

I packed up my desk and hurried to Jane's office to inform her I was going home before she makes a fuss about me not coming to tell her I was leaving. Ohh, she's such a drama queen.

When I got to the hallway, I saw her heading towards me making us both laugh. This was a very common occourance.

We strolled down the hallway after deciding to take the stairs. In Janes words not mine, 'they help us burn fat since we're too busy for the gym."

"Jane", someone called when we got to the parking lot. Turning back we saw Sebastian.

"He's such a lover boy." I wishphered to Jane.

"I know right!" She replied making us both laugh at both our little talk and the flustered image of Sebastian.

"Good day Aliyah, can I please speak with Jane for a moment." he requested meekly. He was so scared of me and I liked that.

I can guess that Jane thought about the same thing I did because she let out one of those her overly fake cough. I swear that girl is annoying.

Shooting her a glare that only made her laugh, I replied with a simple 'sure' putting up my scary face before realizing I was to ask Jane if she wanted to speak with him.

I looked at her and mouthed give him a chance Jane to which she looked at me with amusement. Typical Jane. I had a feeling she wanted to scare him away but I wasn't about to let her do that.

"I want to have a word with you Jane" I heard him say as I walked away.

Turning back one last time, I see Jane giving me the f**k you sign, andi gladly returned it. We were literally acting like 16 year olds. Speaking of 16 year olds I've got one I needed to discipline at home. The thought of it made me cringe.

Jane returned about five minutes later grinning from ear to ear. "Well do I need to ask you to spill it out?" I whispered to her know that Sebastian might be within ear shot.

"Well, he asked if I wanted us to go for picnic and swimming tomorrow, and being the hard to get I was, I told him I'll think about it." She copied me by wishpering back grinning from ear to ear.

"Give love a chance baby." I replied and hugged her goodbye before stepping into my car.

I got home as fast as 4 or maybe a few minutes past it even after going to get the Mac and cheese for Nickel like I promised. I wonder what she sees in this. there was traffic on the way as well. God, I hate traffic.

I got in and met Theresa our house keeper, she's and old lady that comes over to help do some petty household chores for us with payment obviously.

"Good evening Ma'am T" I greeted her. She loved it when everyone calls her that. "Good evening Aliyah", she replied me before coming to take Nickel's stuff to her while I headed towards my room for a shower.

By the time I came out, it was past 5 and I met Nickel downstairs. Any minute from now, her father should be here.

"Speaking of the devil, I think that's the sound of his car I heard. Not sure though.

It wasn't up to twenty minutes before Anthonio came inside. Yup, it was definitely his car I heard.

Nickel was on headphone, so she didn't notice her father was home I headed into the kitchen to prepare dinner instead of ordering our usual pizza or something. I wanted this. Conversation to go well.

I prepared a simple meal of pasta, and yoghurt for dessert. Dinner today was silent and soon after ma'am T left for her house.

Now, it was time for the big talk. With the CEO. More the sarcasm!

"So, Mr Anthonio Rodriguez, care to explain to your wife why you gave our daughter permission to go to boarding school behind my back?" I shouted at him in a commanding but not too loud voice.

For f**k sake this was the 5th time I'll ask him that he's been snubbing me.

"Mum, I can explain." That was Nickel's voice, definitely not who I was asking. "I'ld like it if you kept shut and behave like you're not present in this room" I fired at her.

"That's definitely not a way to talk to your daughter Aliyah". Anthonio spoke up on her behalf. Missing so much out of their lives made him like this. The wanna be super dad.

"Ahhhhhh, so he speaks." I fired at him sarcastically. Anthonio just looked at me sighed and pinched the bridge between his nose.

"Wow, so this is it right? Father and daughter against me?" I questioned no one in particular.

"Yes that's how it's going to be Aliyah cut the girl some slacks. If she wants to go to a boarding school, let her do it. We are rich and can afford it. Isn't that why we work anyways?" Anthonio fired back.

I was stunned for a moment. Was Anthonio on drugs again? It's been so long since he spoke to me like this.

"Nickel, upstairs." I shot at her I wasn't the type of parents to let my kids in on any argument with Thier father. That's the read why we have soundproof in some rooms in this house. More like all.

"NOW!" I added when I saw the hesitation in her eyes. Even my poor child knew her father was angry tonight.

The argument continued for a long time and before I knew it, I felt a hand on my left cheek. Anthonio had slapped me. I was stunned. f**k, I was more than stunned.

'd-d-id you j-just slap me, I stuttered stunned. I couldn't believe it but the stinging of my cheek made it all real.

Pack, another, and another slap landed on my right cheek.

I knew my husband had a bad temper of throwing things whenever he was angry but that was like 23 years ago. It's been so long since Anthonio behaved the way he was behaving tonight... it's been two decades and half almost three what's happening? I asked myself

but a slap?? A slap in front of our daughter cause I heard her gasp from above the stair., it hit me like a sledge hammer, maybe even more.

"Yes Aliyah I slapped you and I'll slap you again. I'm your husband and you should listen and obey me but everytime, you talk back at me." Anthonio replied unapologetic, unfazed.

"You have, and had no right what so ever to hit me like that. And who do you think you are to make decisions for Nickel? She's my daughter. Only mine. I fired with tears in my eyes that I refuse to let drop.

Anthonio was looking at me with this look in his eyes that show he had power and all over me but I wasn't going to let him win or have his way.

"Where were you during Nicole's first birthday, you were in London securing a deal for your company. Where were you when Nicole was born you were in California for your company and where were you every night she fell sick, you were never her for her, for them." I shouted.

I was definitely angry beyond control. Anthonio had no right over Nicole or any of our kids at. I raised them cause he was too busy with his company and mistress over us.

"Where were you whenever she had a program or another in school that needed both her parents present?"

"You were always at work. It was always your work and that b***h Rosa."

"And where were you when Nicole went missing from school?. You were in the arms of another. You have no right, not even a mustard seed of it to decide for Nicole or anyother child. you had no right to hit me."

"When you're done ranting, you'll calm down and let's talk." Anthonio said walking out of the house. I was so shocked. This was definitely not my husband.. this was a different person from the man I married.

Fine, my husband and I might not be the best of parents and all but atleast, he never hit me. It's been over 23 years since he hit me.

We might not be the most cooperating people on the planets after the fact that he cheated or that I lost my child cause of him but we cooperated for our children's sake or was I the only one cooperating with him?

I was so pissed at him at everything and at everyone. I had raised my kids literally alone. I was the only parent they knew.

He had no right to meddle in our affairs. I've heard of what girls go through and all in boarding Houses I couldn't afford to let same thing happen to my precious daughter.

What did Anthonio care for all I know he could be harbouring kids somewhere else and I wouldn't know. I've only got three I wasn't going to let my daughter go so far away. She's the least exposed of my children and her sister wouldn't even be there. The schools might be close to each other but they've got different classes, halls, and everything. New friends too. It's not going to belike back home, it'll never be like here, home.

I was so lost in my thoughts, in my head that I didn't notice when Nickel crept towards me till I heard her speak.

"Mum, are you alright?" I heard my daughter's tiny voice. She's crying. My baby is crying.

Call me baised, but I'll tell you for a fact that I loved Nicole most above all my children. I went through a lot with this child. Her near death experience twice is one of the reason I never want her far from home.

"I'm fine dear." I said hugging her. I hated the fact that she saw me weak. She wasn't supposed to see me like this. I was Mom, her super mom that rarely got angry nor sad. But here I was, a mess.

I wasn't crying, heck I was far from it but I was shaking with anger so visible that I was scared of what I'll do. I think Nickel noticed it cause she started crying more than she already was. f**k! She's going to get sick.

"Come here baby. Come to mummy." I said sitting comfortably in our livng room couch.

Taking slow steps towards me, my youngest child hugged me and I let her sit on my laps consoling her till she stopped crying I guess she slept off cause her breathing got even.

Ironic s**t. I got hit, Nickel cries. Maybe I should let her head to the boarding school she wants to go. Maybe I should let her spread her wings. That way, she won't feel trapped.

Having decided this, I carried my girl up to her room and laid her on her bed before heading out.