Vulnerable

Chapter 12

It's finally time to go home.

I have spent the past 3days in this hospital and I tell you it felt more peaceful than home.

No fear of my drunk father cussing and raining profanities at me.

I felt at peace and I liked it.

It's hard to admit but I don't want to go home anymore. I'm tired of seeking the love of my father, it's obvious he doesn't care about me, because not once did he come to pay me a visit or make a phone call. It was stupid to have attempted to take my life. It wouldn't have been worth it.

I felt loved during my time in the hospital and my life didn't seem so boring or gloomy like it used to, I had Tomiwa, Ayo, Arizona, Demi, Andy, My mom and Derrick. They were here and I felt no bad energy radiate from them, except you want to count Tomiwa and Andy's endless bickering.

We played games, told jokes, shared memories. It felt really good and it's almost like that goodness is being sapped away from me as we approached our home.

I tightened the Sweater around me in a bit of fright. Till I felt Derrick's hand lay on my arm and give a squeeze as a means to comfort me. I gave him a smile back.

Derrick has really been wonderful, I don't know what goodness I have done to the world to be paid with such an amazing soul like Derrick.

According to Tomiwa,

He was the one who rushed me to the hospital in his car, paid for the bills and made sure I was given all the proper treatments. Let us not forget the good meals I had, meals I didn't have to cook before eating.

He even got me an android phone to keep myself busy with games and to give him a call incase of any emergency.

Whenever he leaves the hospital to handle his business, he wouldn't leave me unattended. Only leaves when he got someone to stay and watch over me.

We finally pull up in my compound and I felt tensed to be back to this house that brought so much bad memories of every encounter with my father.

It's morning and I doubt my father would be home. He always leaves home early in the morning to get himself drunk and that relieves me. atleast, I got a few hours more of peace but that immediately turned into a thudded heart as I saw my father step out of our house door, something seems different about him.

"What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were finally dead???"He said looking displeased at the sight of me and my heart dropped and broke.

"How can you even let such words escape your tongue?" My mother asked him, looking very annoyed.

This is the first time she ever really stood up for me.

And I felt a thud of happiness seep through me.

"How dare you talk to me in such manner... woman? " My father asked his voice reverberating in annoyance

I flinched.

My mother was quiet. It's our cultural belief to stay obedient and respectful to our husbands. A wife has no right to raise her voice at her husband and my mum upholds her cultural belief in high esteem.

"We don't have time for this. Audrey needs to rest and we are going in while you can continue to wherever you were heading to." Andy said as he gripped me by the wrist and made a move towards our house entrance.

My head was faced downwards to avoid the look of my father, as we walked closer to the entrance which he was standing in front of, my stomach felt twisted in a knot.

The next thing I knew happened was the feel of my butt hitting the floor hard and the effect it had on my abs. I felt a sharp pain as I hissed and placed my hands on it like it would ease the pain any better.

"You make my life hard! Why didn't you die? You finally stabbed yourself and yet you survived? I thought your mother had no money for the hospital bills. You should be dead and let me finally leave a less harder life that your absence provides. You are a waste to ..." My father was cut off with Derrick grabbing me by the wrist and raising me up as he said.

"I would not take any of this anymore!!! You all standing here and listening to him destroy her mental health. Is that how you have always allowed this piece of s**t talk to Audrey?" Derrick addressed Andy.

There was silence

"If I stay here one more time and hear him release more awful words from his tongue. I swear I wouldn't be able to restrain myself from what happens next. And there is no way in hell I'm leaving her here, defenseless against this bag of garbage."he said the last words looking straight to my father.

I don't know why I felt flattered and relieved to hear him say all that.

And that was how he led me to his car as we drove off. My mother and Andy seemed lost of words.

"Where would I stay now?" I asked, breaking the silence since we drove off

"I can book a room for you in a hotel suite. I doubt you would be comfortable staying at my home."he replied

I didn't know what to say.

I think I would prefer the suite, I don't want nasty rumors flying about how I live with Derrick Osunde.

So, I nodded.

"Hotel suite it is. Do you have anyone to stay with you? Perhaps you can call Tomiwa to stay with you." He suggested.

"That would be really nice"I said.

We finally pulled in to the parking space of The Elite Hotel.

We stepped inside and It was beautifully decorated with that royalty touch. The color of red and gold glistening and speaking volumes.

This wasn't a child's play hotel.

Derrick walked in like he owned the place. Said a few things to the receptionist who seemed to be tensed at the sight of him.

I really wonder why

There is nothing really scary about the way he looks

Except how he is dangerously hot with those tightly chiseled jaw and dark eyes that could pierce your soul. Plus, his hair which was currently packed in a bun and the earring on his left ear.

Now that I see clearly... He's got a scar on his neck. A scar which looked like it was gotten from a long cut.

And now, I'm curious as to how he got that scar.