FOREVER IS A LONG TIME

A NEW BEGINNING

A NEW BEGINNING

He stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him, I felt my knees paralyzed immediately and I fell down breaking into uncontrollable tears. Two maids came in and started dragging to another part of the mansion, Raymond's wing I presume.

I walked briskly out of the mansion and I can still hear her loud cry. My heart shattered but I dare not go back, I have make up my mind I need to start over.

I went to the other side of the mansion and started packing up my paintings, a guard saw me and quickly ran to get me a big bag. I have painted so much that I was amazed at the pile of paintings before me.

I packed my tools and left nothing there. The guard looked at me with tears in his eyes, I smiled bitterly at him and dragged the bag outside.

He carried the big bag outside the gate and I hold on to my box walking behind him. He dropped it gently and I hailed a cab, the driver helped in packing my stuff to the trunk of the car and I hugged the guard and entered the car after giving the mansion a final look.

I alighted at one of the biggest art gallery in the state and paid the driver. The security guard helped with my bags and I went in to see the director.

He's one of my dad's most trusted friends and he has seen one of my paintings during one of his visits to our mansion. He said he's interested in buying them if I'm ready to sell

I walked into his office after the receptionist have notified him of my presence. He's so happy to see me and I explained that I want to sell off some of the paintings if he's still willing to buy.

He called in two of his staffs so that they can access the paintings together properly. They choose alot of my paintings and I was busy packing up the rest when his eyes caught a particular one

I had a dream about Rhea in a beautiful garden, she put on a red dress and sat in the middle of some colourful flowers but she looked so sad and afraid. That was the painting I was working on the day I was given the poisoned food that makes me miss my wedding.

I'm not selling that I quickly told him. This means a whole lot to me I concluded.

Of course it is Richmond, this painting holds a lot of emotions and meaning. Hmmm Trouble in Paradise he said looking at me.

But if you don't mind, I would like to keep this here. I promise you I'm not selling it.

Also, I would like to keep the painting you hid the other time too, he said looking at me knowingly. That of an older woman covered with a black veil, trying to help a boy covered with thorns.

I opened my mouth to say something, but he beat me to it.

I cross my heart Richmond, I'm just keeping them here for sightseeing, it will fetch us a lot of money trust me.

The paintings he bought sure fetch me alot of money and I signed some documents on the ones he's keeping for sightseeing, we will be sharing the money fifty percent each.

I left the gallery and board a cab to my grandpa's mansion. The car came to a halt at the front of the gigantic gate bringing me back to reality. I paid the driver and stepped out of the car with my box.

The gate opened automatically and I entered making my way towards the mansion. The maids and guards greeted me and I replied them. I entered the living room and I met the doctor writing down some prescriptions on a sheet.You need to get these drugs, your blood pressure is beyond the normal range.

I will tell one of the guards to get them immediately, thanks for your time doctor. We exchanged pleasantries too and he left shortly after. I waited till the person who went to get the drugs arrived and I instruct the maids to get his food. I took the food from the maid and gently fed Grandpa till he's satisfied.

I took his drugs and administered it to him as instructed, I gave him few minutes to relax then I drop the bombshell.

I'm leaving grandpa, I said after some minutes he wanted to sit up but I stopped him. You can't leave me here Richmond, I will be fine in no time and fix things back. Just bear with me for a little while, you can stay here since you already pack your things.

I need to leave grandpa I sighed heavily, I need to reshape my life and do something else with my life. I will always contact you I said.

Please don't hesitate to call me if anything happens, anything at all. Don't forget that I'm your favourite grandson I said smiling bitterly. Grandpa burst into tears again and I couldn't help but cry too. It was such an emotional moment for us and we both cried in each other's arms.

We both consoled ourselves and I stared at him, I'm coming back grandpa, make sure you wait for me, don't die before I return. Promise me you will wait and witness my success grandpa I said holding his hands emotionally.

I want to be there when you're ready to go, you're not permitted to leave in my absence I said looking at him intently.

He smiled at me lovingly, I promise you champ I will wait for you. Come back soon Grandpa said finally.

I picked up my box and started moving towards the door when his voice came up again.

Richmond, I have a secret to share with you, he said looking so serious.