HEARTS APART

VENDETTA

Our house was a sprawling mansion located at the back end of our estate. It could be quite intimidating for the first-timer. the glass windows, the panel walls, and the arch were springing out from the top of the roof.

It was my sanctuary, the only place I had the freedom to do as I pleased for close to three decades. I noticed the look on Benny's face as he stepped out of the car I had sent to pick him up from the airport. We hugged each other but his attention was fixed on the house as if he wanted to say something but he was not sure of what to say. I held his hand and led him into the house while the stewards took his things to put in his room. I was so happy to see him and so was he. As we stepped into the mansion his mouth was agape with amazement. I tried to nudge him as my dad came bounding down the stairs. He realized himself composed himself and shyly stretched forth his hand to greet my dad. My dad took his hand and sized him from head to toe. Benny had bought new clothes for the occasion. My Dad didn't seem to be impressed though he motioned him to sit but my Dad didn't sit down.

Benny said to my dad: I only agreed to see you because of my daughter and this is what is going to happen. You're going to be living with us till I decide what I'm going to do with you.

Benny protested and told my dad that he had his work in London. My dad sneered: You call that work. listen, if you want my daughter you do as I say. Tomorrow you go to the office. My manager has work for you to do. remember my eyes are on you.

Having said that, my father turned and walked back up the stairs through which he had just come. I was stunned. I could not say a word and neither could Benny. We both looked at each other in amazement. I asked the stewards to usher Benny to his room where he would be staying and then I went after my father. I met him in the study on the phone with the Emir of Qatar so he motioned to me to sit and be quiet.

He was on the phone for quite a long time and he was speaking Arabic I had no idea he could speak Arabic even though I knew he was proficient in several languages including Spanish and French. When he finally dropped the phone he told me he had news for me but wanted to know why I came into the room. I told him that he broke our agreement and that our agreement was for Benny to come and meet him. They would discuss and not for Benny stay with us. He looked at me and shook his head. I heard him mumbling to himself: this young generation is stupid. then he said to me how am I going to get to know someone over a ten-minute meeting? He has to be around. I will not release my daughter to someone I do not know and you know him not either because you've not spent a day with him.

I was still furious so I asked him what if Benny decides to pretend around you what are you going to do he said to me he can't pretend for one month two months or one year I shook my head in bewilderment. what do you mean by one year he said it could be ten or as long as it takes to prove that he is worthy in character to come into this family and this home. You are a hard man to please, I said. he dismissed it with a wave of the hand and said I'm only looking out for you. I want what is best for you now. I have news for you. I will be going to Qatar next Tuesday and you're coming along. We've gotten a huge contract in the Gulf state and my signature is needed. you'll be accompanying me. the Emir is eager to see you and by the way what about the prince have you been talking with him? I was disgruntled. I was not looking forward to that particular visit or this particular topic at all. yeah, I had been speaking with the prince and we were very chatty and I was getting to like him anyway but my heart was still with Benny and I told the prince so he told me that he had not seen anyone as special as me but as long as my heart was with someone else he was willing to be my friend. I didn't want to tell my father this so I told him that we had been communicating and the young man had great business sense. my father was pleased but I said to him if we were going to get out, what happened to Benny? He'll be busy here at work said my father and I said I thought you wanted to keep an eye on him and my father replied that I should leave him alone and let him prove himself. I looked at my father with defiance in my eyes and I said what work do you have for Benin to do tomorrow.

my dear, we'll see what tomorrow brings and that was the end of the conversation.

After leaving my father I went to Benny's room to see if he was comfortable but he wasn't there his box had not yet been unpacked. I checked in the dining room and he was not there either I tried to look around but I couldn't find him so I asked the maid and she said she saw him in the garden. As I walked over to the garden I could over here him on the phone he was furious I didn't know who he was talking to he was threatening to take his bag and leave and the person on the other side of the phone was trying to calm him down I heard him telling the person that he will not sell his manhood and his dignity just to please another man. his pride was in full flow. I approached him silently as to why he was still on the phone and stood behind him till he ended the call. I nudged him in the back and he turned around to see me he was visibly shocked as he had not heard me approaching. he asked me if I heard his conversation and I said I heard part of it. I tried to calm him down and told him that if he loved me he would do everything to get me by his side.

I was getting really angry now but I could not decide who I was angry with my Dad or Ben I decided that it was both. Their pride and their ego were getting in the way and I was their victim they both claimed to love me yet they were putting me through emotional distress. Benny joined us for dinner and dinner went well. My dad was in surprisingly high spirits as he spoke to Benny and they discussed what life is in London and the business environment. He was like a different person. At that precise moment, I knew something was up. My father was cooking something but I could not fathom what it was.

After dinner, I told Benny my dad and I would be traveling to Qatar sometime next week. He wasn't pleased but I told him it was okay that we will be back soon. He inquired on the nature of work he was required to do and I told him I had no idea. it was all my dad's plan all we had to do was to wait till the next day when it would reveal itself. He kissed me goodnight and he retired to his room. I retired to mine but I couldn't sleep. I wished my mom was here. she would have known exactly what to do. I had a feeling that something was about to go wrong and I turned out to be right.