The Bully's Princess

CHAPTER NINE - GRANNY JANE's INTERVENTION

Being ill was a norm for Dahlia, but the increase in the cold weather made her mother mandate her staying away from school. The excuse is her health. She had come down with a terrible cough over the night and all through the morning. Her mother had forced her to drown all her drugs in rapid succession. She watched as the pill bottle rattled to indicate it was fast becoming empty.

She read the frown on her mother’s face as she saw the few pills left. She was ushered into her room and amde to rest. Dahlia rolled over on the bed as she heard her mother moving about in her room. She was filled with worry, she left the bed wrapped in her duvet.

"Mom," she called, "

There was sudden quiet on the other end and a fast ruffling of papers and a wardrobe lock. Dahlia, curious, wafted in through the open door.

"Mom, are you okay? What are you doing? "

Marilyn, seeing Dahlia out of bed, screeched. "Why are you out of bed?"

"I am not an invalid mom.Treat me like a normal person for once," Dahlia responded heatedly.

"You have no right to say that to me, young lady. I am trying my very best for you here, okay? I know what I went through during the night trying to subdue your cough. It was most rigorous," Marilyn whined, taking Dahlia by the arm and leading her back to her room.

"Mom, I do understand. But what were you doing? You were moving about so franctically and you look worried" Dahlia attempted to ask again as she was tucked back into bed.

"That is not for you to worry about, Dahlia. Remember I love you," Marilyn sang out, kissing Dahlia’s forehead.

It was as Marilyn bent down that Dahlia took note of her mother’s dressing. She was dressed for the office. Puzzled, Dahlia raised an eyebrow in question.

"Where are you off to?"

"To work," came the short reply.

Dahlia sat up in shock. "But you stopped working, mom?"

"Yes, I did. But I guess I have to start again. Your father works all day and I would love to work to take off the burden. He has done so much. "

"Am I the burden?" Dahlia asked softly, her eyes straying away from her mother. She knew without asking that her parents were really struggling with her in tow. Her treatments might be covered by the government, but a large quantity of her drugs were not. And the drugs were really expensive. She doubted the income they got from Westernside would be enough to purchase them.

Tears lined her eyes as they fell without restraints.

"I will never call you that, Dahlia. You are the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. And I'll do almost anything to keep you. if it means me going to the end of the earth to get a cure for you, darling, I plan on keeping you with me for the rest of my life." Marilyn vowed, cyling Dahlia’s face in her hands. She raked Dahlia’s hair with her hands. She allowed her hands to clean the small pool of tears that had gathered around the girl’s eyes.

"You got a job?"

"Yes, where your dad works. I was given a job in Admin. Quite a task, huh? It is a large industry. I just hope I will be able to keep up with the other workers. "

Dahlia smiled, "You are the most tenacious person I know.You are more than qualified for the job, mom."

Marilyn smiled, all the while assembling new clothes for Dahlia to wear from her wardrobe. Dahlia watched her mother move. There was something her parents were hiding from her? Her mom hid some things in her wardrobe earlier. She wondered what it was and why it had to be hidden from her.

"What's the cloth for?"

Marilyn immediately snapped her fingers in the air. "I guess I forgot. Oh my goodness. I resume work today, darling. "

"I can see that," Dahlia answered dryly.

"Uhm. I am so sorry I didn’t run this by you. "

Dahlia rolled her eyes. When had they ever consulted her before making their decisions? She was only ever informed after the decision had been made, regardless of her reaction to it.

"I employed the granny downstairs to look after you."

"How classic." Dahlia chipped in. she had no idea who her mother was refferring to, she only hoped it was not someone boring and hateful. she experienced enough of those hatful creatures in school.

Marilyn sent her a glare, she dumped the selected clothes on Dahlia’s head, covering her with them. Dahlia shook the clothes off in vain. "Enough of that attitude, young lady, and change into these clothes. I can't leave you alone in this house without any care. And Granny Jane argued that she is more familiar with her own house than ours. So all the more reason for me to send you to her instead.She is a really nice woman. I liked her immediately when I saw her. And you know how I rarely connect to people easily, especially after handing you over to her. It was not an easy choice, but she made it so easy. I loved her instantly."

Dahlia groaned as her mother proceeded to dress her, remembering Anna’s horrific laughter in her brain. She stopped her mother. I can do it on my own. Allow me to wear my own dress. "

"Forget it, young lady, I do not have that time. and I will probably do it faster. " Gone with the wind, came Dahlia’s whinings as her mother swung the large sweater over her head. Dahlia groaned, wailed, and protested, all in vain. She counted herself lucky that she was at least allowed to wear her own undergarments.

If not, she would have been really mortified.

Done with her dressing, Dahlia followed her mother alongside the heavy baskets of fruits and food. She had another bag filled with clothes and sweaters.

"You really got me a babysitter. Mom, you are so incredible, "Dahlia complained as they came out of their apartment door. Dahlia gazed shyly at the apartment next to them. She wondered if Peter was still in. He mostly went to school late anyway. He never went early. The roguishly handsome boy who could use his time for better things but would not.

"That bastard. He is going to be a goner when I get my hands on him. Such a useless thieving bastard. I keep my money; he stole it. I keep my sweater; he stole it. A thief like his mother"

Dahlia and her mother turned to take in the all-fury form of Mr. Blythe. He was dressed in mismatched trousers and shirts and had his swollen eyes. Evidence of a man on the bricks of a nasty hangover, Marilyn pulled her daughter close.

"What are you looking at?" He snapped at them.

Mariln stood her ground this time around, extending her hand in greeting.

"I believe we have never talked officially. My name is Marilyn Golden. "

He gave her an overall look without talking and walked away, obviously having a bad day as he shivered badly walking down the hall.

Marilyn signed "Come on, Dahlia. Let's forget the grumpy old man. My schedule is full for today, and we have to get you to a heated and warm house soon enough. "

Dahlia stood still, looking at Peter’s father as he went, "Why is he always like that, mom? Peter is always.. "

"Peter? The boy who we saw with him the last time

Dahlia nodded.

"Keep away from that boy, Dahlia.nt I can't believe you remember his name. I heard the rumour at the market. He is not a good kid and I do not like him.

"I cant believe you listen to rumours. You don’t judge a book by its cover, mom. Besides he attends my school and is in my grade" Dahlia defended all too hastily, earning her an angry look from her mother.

"Whatever, just keep away from him. I will have him reported if he lurks around you. I do not want the like of him endangering your health, Dahlia. It is for your own good. People like that are bad news and are not worthy to be anywhere near you," her mother advised sternly.

Feeling stuffy from the ache within, Dahlia matched out of her mother’s presence, going down the way Mr. Blythe went. She entered the elevator, and proceeded to press the floor button, only to remember she had no idea on what floor Granny Jane lived. Her mother came in quietly and pressed it in.

"Are you angry with me over that boy? I hope you are not friends with him, Dahlia. Someone like that won't make a good friend. He won't even know the first thing about taking care of your health. "

"And why can't I give him a chance? Can you see his father? I don’t think anyone even cares about him. How will he know how to look after another person?" Dahlia argued, her beautiful eyes dripping one more time. She felt drained of all her energy. Suddenly, she doubled over, with Marilyn rushing over to her side. apologising and petting her.

"Alright fine. I guess I might have been a little judgmental of him. But his overall appearance does him no credit at all. "Marilyn stated, defending herself as the elevator door opened.

"Well Mum, my overall appearance does me great credit. I look like a sickle cell patient, isn’t it?" Dahlia asked sarcastically

"Oh my goodness, must you be so brash with your mother? That's enough, young lady," Marilyn complained, exasperated. She stole a glance at Dahlia, whose face was red all over despite the cold. She wanted to question her further but decided to leave it.

They walked straight to Granny Jane’s apartment. Granny Jane welcomed them all with smiles. Marilyn did a quick scan of the apartment with her eyes. Seeing that it was all neat and cozy, she smiled appreciatively.

Miss Rita walked out of a room with her cleaning equipment. She dropped her stuff and took Dahlia’s hands, to which Marilyn let out a tiny squeak.

"She isn't contamination free. Would you mind washing your hands before touching her?" Marilyn spoke softly so as not to offend the other woman.

Miss Rita smiled good naturedly"My hands are disinfected, ma'am. Granny Jane also responds to such contamination, so I keep them clean all the time ma’am. And do not worry, I do not do the cooking. That is all Granny Jane. "

Granny Jane walked forward, her gaze only on Dahlia. She took her hands and felt them against her own. You have a very fair child here. Mrs. Golden. You had best be on your way so you don’t get in late on your first day at work. It can be bad for one’s reputation to be late on the first day. " Granny Jane said slyly, wanting Marilyn out of the apartment. She over protected Dahlia, a thing Grany Jane wanted to undo. She wanted the girl out of her mother's claws. A thing he would achieve iwth Peter's help.

Marilyn smiled as she walked to the door, but turned to look back one more time. "I haven’t left her for so long with anyone." She is always with me. I feel empty going like this. It is as though I am forgetting something important behind. "She said wanly. Her hands clunch her handbag tightly.

Granny Jane and Miss Rita turned a sympathetic gaze at Marilyn this time. Granny Jane walked to her and touched her hands while Dahlia sat downcompletely out of air. She had no idea that was how her mom felt.

"You need a life too. You are a woman before you are a mother. You should also live your own life. Achieve what you want to. Chase your own deal. Do not entrust your life goal to your child.I have children of my own, but today none of them is with me. They only ever send me money and call sparingly. But what saved me from loneliness was one scrawny boy and my love for cooking. So Mrs. Golden, Leave Dahlia with me. I can assure you she is in safe hands. I have all of her drugs, okay? " Granny Jane reasuured, patting Marilyn's shoulder.

Marilyn turned away with tears in her eyes. Dahlia also teared up as the door closed behind her mother. She had never left her mother for this long. Her nurse had come and gone, and even though she was home schooled, her mother was always nearby with her tutors.

"Oh, come off the tears. That mother of yours is going to mother you to death like a baby. You are a grown up girl. So let's turn you into one. Even though you are with a nanny, we can still do our grown-up business in style, isn’t it? " Miss Rita smiled genuinely at Dahlia who sniffed gently

Granny Jane helped her out of her sweater. She had two on, "You will soon get warm. My heater is working magic here. And the oven too. You do not need this. You should be free, huh. "

Dahlia nodded, her tongue tied. Her mother would roll a hundred times over if she knew she had removed the sweaters so soon.

"Come on," Granny Jane said, walking towards the kitchen. "Do you know how to bake pancakes or make chicken soup?"

Dahlia shook her head in perplexity. "My mum does not let me cook."

Granny Jane stole her a quick glance. "That mother of yours. Come on, it is just pancakes. All you will be mixing is flour and we will do everything the automated way, alright? " Granny Jane cajoled, smiling in a motherly way that melted Dahlia’s heart.

Finally, someone who does not treat her like an egg, excluding Peter and her classmates,

Dahlia coughed as she entered the kitchen.

Granny Jane provided her with a nose mask, "Alright, let's make a healthy meal." With Dahlia covered up, they set to work.

half an hour later. Dahlia smiled, slowly catching up to the process of making pancakes. She made so many blunders that they wasted flour and other ingredients. Granny Jane was calm, taking her through the process over and over again. Together, they got through and settled down to enjoy their food with drinks and laughter.

After the meal, Granny Jane slotted in a classical movie, which they both sat and watched till Dahlia fell asleep.

Granny Jane smiled at Dahlia’s sleeping form, letting her hands go through her hair.

"She is so sweet."

"And a fighter. She won't succumb so easily to any sickness like her mother believes. " Miss Rita said, standing up to get a duvet to cover Dahlia.

"Well, we can't be too careful. Today has been fun. I bet that scrawny looking boy has met her already. If he hasn't, I will introduce them. He should learn to look after someone in his life. "

"You talking about Peter, Granny Jane?" Miss Rita chuckled. "He will have to learn to take care of himself first."

Granny Jane’s face grew stern. "You all have to believe in my boy. I watched his mother give birth to him. I held him in my hands when he was but a wee babe. And I never lose hope in my boy. He is going to make me proud one day, and I know it."

"Not with his father in his life," Miss Rita interjected sorrowfully. "Mr. Blythe is a bad influence in his son’s life." He has no good example to follow. I fear he might end up like his pa "

Granny Jane shook her head, looking at the time. I do not think so. He has got a mind of his own. My Peter. "He'll follow that old fool Blythe," she cursed as she stood gently.Her feet hurt badly.

"You have strained your legs today, trying to keep up with Dahlia. It's best you go take some rest. I will see myself out. She is asleep now. "She should be awake later in the day. That should give you ample time to rest and do not stress yourself, ma’am."

"I am absolutely fine, Rita. You have overworked today as well. Thank you for staying. "

Immediately, they all left the living room. Dahlia slid her eyes open. She had been half asleep when they started talking. Their talk even made her stay awake longer. It seems like Peter surely had a reason for behaving the way he does. But she really needed a reason as to why he kissed her. Was it part of his dislike towards her? He had her confused.

rolling over and over. She finally slept.

only to be awakened by the sound of a knock on the door. The knocking stopped and she could hear the passcode being entered into the apartment door.

Dahlia gasped, sitting up in fright as Peter burst into the room. Both express shock at seeing the other in the space. Dahlia sat up, covering her arms and legs with the duvet she had been given. He was radiating intense cold. He wafted in a large amount of cold as he came in.

She eyed his appearance. She guessed he was just coming from the school. Judging from his hard stare, he was always looking like he wanted to kill. His handsome smilewas never aimed at her. Always a venomous look.

"I seriously cant wrap my head around the fact that you need a nanny at age sixteen. You even look like a godamn baby." wrapped and bottle fed every single day. "

Dahlia pouted, not anticipating the insult. "What about you?" She fired back. "You are only sixteen, yet you look like a gangster."

Dahlia frowned when Peter dropped his cold school bag beside her, making Dahlia jump. She sent him a hot glare but he only laughed in return. Dahlia frowned. He only ever laughed at her, but not with her.

"Point of correction, baby Dahlia. I am seventeen, not sixteen. And I will be eighteen soon, by the way. " "He said proudly.

He snickered, cutting his joy short. "I wonder what you are doing in my grade then. Shouldn’t you be in the final grade for your age?What a jerk."

Peter was visibly enraged.Dahlia panicked; the guy was such a carmelion; he could easily switch moods. He did not answer her.

"Where is Granny Jane?" He asked instead.

"She is inside sleeping."

He made for the kitchen. If he heard her reply, he gave no indication. She could hear him moving around the place. She followed him, removing her covers.

She found him eating the pancakes hungrily. He eyed her when she entered but said nothing. She could swear he had some sort of disorder.

"I made the pancakes." The outburst was expected. He choked on his food, coughing terribly. Dahlia gave him water, which he drowned in quick gulps.

"Granny Jane sure knows how to make poisonous recipes. What was she thinking? She actually plans on making you a chef. She never taught me" Dahlia could denote a tinge of jealousy in his voice.

"I am sure you never expressed interest. You don’t have to be jealous. "

"Why do people like you so easily? What is it about you that makes people treat you like some golden egg? " Peter asked suddenly, giving her a wary look.

Dahlia smiled and said nothing.

"Start talking." Peter commanded. Dahlia did not know he was serious. This was not his first time, he was asking her such a question. And she honestly had no reply for him

Dahlia remained mute. "You either start talking, unless you want a repeat of what happened in school. I can always make your dreams come through."

"You are just a brute. Why did you do that to me, uhh? What do you want to gain from it? " Dahlia asked, her pretty face red, blushing from the memory of his hands on her. Her mother must never find out that they have such a dalliance in common. It would be the end of Peter.

"Oh, now you are talking. You won't be for much longer. " He said, chewing on the last of his panckaes and observing her every move. She didn’t like the look in his eyes; they were not natural, they were predatory. Her gown suddenly felt tighter, her throat constricted. Her body felt warm all over. She was suddenly aware of every part of her body. She stood uncomfortably.

"Leave me alone, Peter." She mumbled in annoyance and made to escape the kitchen. He rounded up on her, holding her against the kitchen wall, his breath fanning her face. He brought his mouth close to her

"Talk."

"I will talk if I want to talk," she retorted sharply, her chest heaving. The sensations she felt in her stomach made her nervous.

His hand on her waist, she tried to pry him off in vain. "I won't touch you. You don’t have to fret. I will not want you to go screaming to your mummy. " he teased her in a baby voice.

Dahlia’s face heated up. she shouted "Leave me alone."

The shuffling of feet coming into the kitchen made the two of them put a fast distance between each other. Granny Jane came in, smiling sweetly.

"Oh my darlings, I see you two have met each other. Peter, I am sure you know my new baby. Dahlia. And Dahlia, my prodigal daughter, Peter. He only comes to check up on him when he is hungry. But, of course, we will be sure to welcome him. I hope you both look after each other. "

Dahlia smiled softly, her heart still racing while Peter grinned wolfishly at her.

"It will be my pleasure, Granny Jane. My pleaasure" Peter said ignoring the phone ringing in his pocket.