The mismatched bride

UNSEEN ATTENTION ....2

Ronnie's POV

I watched wide-eyed as the water splattered onto his shoes not being able to stop that horrible incident. Of all times for things to happen, why now?

I couldn't bring myself to look at his face. I just looked at his soaked canvas shoes with my face feeling hot out of embarrassment and fear.

"Am sorry," I said. "I didn't see you coming and I take that as my fault," I said hoping he'd have mercy on me and not say things my poor heart couldn't take. Who am I kidding, it'll take a miracle for a rich person to spare me. Rich people within here are as cruel as they can be.

I didn't look up at his face because I didn't want to see the anger in his eyes. But I could see he wasn't moving which made me stay still like a tree.

I closed my eyes with my head still down and hoped for the worst. I didn't have money to buy that shoe. It was a brand I couldn't afford and it looks like one of a kind. Even if I could afford it, I didn't want to waste such an outrageous amount of money on a pair of shoes.

I wouldn't even buy a shoe that cost more than a few bucks. I can't afford that. I think of my belly before anything first though.

My mother was poor and I can afford to let her lose money. She's already complaining about many things on our budget and I can't afford to add one. We have the house rent to care about, debt dad hadn't finished paying before he died which I can't remember though because I barely remember him. Not to mention other basic needs. And mum is planning to move out of here too. How can I be an evil child who brings bad luck to finances?

And I haven't even gotten my salary at the thrift store I work at during the weekends. I can't ask for a salary advance as my boss doesn't even like me being there.

So if this person says I should pay for these, then am gone. Gone without the slightest hint of mercy. Where can I get the money from?

My friends are also not gonna lend me any money so I could give it to repay someone for something I damaged. They believe in repairing your mess. So much for calling them, my friends.

Even if they were willing to borrow me, I won't stoop so low to collect it. I don't want to be at their mercy.

I silently prayed for him not to raise any case and just say something to me and then go away. Or he could just bring his shoes so I can clean them up. After all, I do laundry for people. what's in a shoe that I can't clean?

I was still in my prayers when mum taped me on the shoulders.

"Ron, why are you standing here all alone, you look like a ghost. A beautiful one though." She joked.

I opened my eyes and saw no one in front of me. He was gone.

I breathed a sigh of relief and faced my mum.

"He's gone," I said.

"Who's gone?" Mum asked, confused.

"The man I splashed water on," I said.

"You splashed someone's water?" She asked.

"Yes, mum. You needed to see his shoes. They were so outrageously expensive. I think it's one of a kind." I said.

"You're not making any sense." She said.

"I splashed the water on his shoes and it was just a miracle he didn't ask me to pay. You know how these rich people are." I said.

Mum smiled and held me on my shoulders.

"Ron, in this side of the city, the poor are treated like trash and scraps. They don't place any value on us. I want you to be careful. It's a miracle the young man did not ask you to pay for his shoes." She said.

"Yeah. I'll be careful next time." I replied.

"Did you see his face?" She asked.

"No, but one thing is sure. He's filthy rich." I said with dreamy eyes.

"Are you thinking about how rich he is or how you almost got yourself killed?" Mum asked surprised.

"Jeez, mum. I want to be so rich that I'll command everyone with the click of my fingers." I said.

"And you'll do that if you get a very nice job or make your own company or marry a very powerful man." She said and smiled.

"I'll make sure to note all these things," I said. "I'll make you proud, mother," I added.

"I know you will," she said. "Come on and give Mama a hug." She added.

I hugged her and we both went inside the shed.

We sat down and continued washing.

"Mum," I called her.

"What is it, Ron?" She replied.

"Can you tell me more about my dad?" I requested.

She sighed and smiled. I could see a flash of pain in her eyes but it was for a milli second and it was gone.

"He was a great man you know. Always looking out first for his family. Honey, can we talk about him a little while later?" She asked.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because we're out of soap and we haven't started Mr. Juius's clothes too." She said.

"Oh," I said.

"You stay here and watch over while I go get the soap from the store down the mall." She said.

I stood up abruptly. I was not letting my mum go down there while I'll sit here doing nothing.

" Not on my watch. Don't worry mum, I'll do it." I said and smiled.

"You're sure honey? It has quite a distance you know." She said.

"That's the more reason I want to go there. So you just sit down here, while your daughter goes down there and gets the soap." I said and acted it out like a drama queen which made mum laugh.

I smiled too and we both started laughing.

" Ok drama queen. Here's the money. Get the soap and be fast about it. But if you see a very handsome guy on the way, don't come back early." Mum said I just looked at her like a ghost. I regained myself and smiled.

"And when am gone, don't go around with Mr. Julius or any other person," I said and it was her turn to look at me.

I laughed at her surprised and taken aback she looked and smiled at me. This was one of the many times I managed to get her speechless and I loved the feeling.

I collected the money from her and walked out through the door