My Billionaire Daddy

Tension at home

Honey,” Mr. Agbaje said as he struggled to wake up from his sleep. “Ella and Michael are outside doing their Christmas routine after 14 years.” Mrs. Agbaje repeated. Mr. Agbaje raised up from the bed, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and said, “You’ve got to be joking.” He immediately pulled the duvet away from him aggressively, slipped on his bedroom slippers, and stood up, stumbling slightly, still disoriented from sleep.

“Won’t you wait for me, babe?” Mrs. Agbaje asked him. “I for just go watch am, leave you for bed,” she grumbled in pidgin English as she dragged her body down from the bed. Mr. and Mrs. Agbaje went down the stairs together to watch the show Ella and Michael had set up.

Ella and Michael wore matching ridiculously big Christmas hats that made Mrs. Haruna laugh, and wore matching pajamas. They kept on singing; it felt like they were in heaven. This time around, they invited instrumentalists and ballet dancers, two flexible ladies that made Mr. Agbaje wonder if they had any bones. Mrs. Haruna brought cookies and yogurt drinks for everyone to eat and drink while they watched the show. Lucas stood in a corner, looking at Ella and Michael; he looked calmer than usual that day. He was watching Ella with so much astonishment that it made Ella a bit uncomfortable.

Ella’s POV:

As I sang, I felt a rush of excitement. It was amazing to perform in front of everyone I loved. I don’t know about Lucas, by the way; he’s such a pain in my heart. And why does he keep staring at me in that manner? Well, it doesn’t matter as long as I’m singing with the love of my life, Michael. I’m happy; it’s actually my deepest secret.

Lucas POV: I woke up to the sound of Ella and Michael’s singing, and my anger flared up instantly. But on getting here and seeing Ella’s face, for a weird reason, she became more attractive than usual, and her voice sounded so angelic. I wonder why she hates me, though.

After the whole singing and dancing, Mrs. Haruna brought a cake and asked everyone to make a Christmas wish before they cut the cake. They closed their eyes and asked for a wish. Before Mrs. Haruna cut the cake and gave everyone a bite, on getting to Lucas’s turn, Lucas refused the cake. “I haven’t brushed my mouth; I won’t eat until then.” “Oh, okay,” Mrs. Haruna said. Ella coughed. “You want to say something, you bloody pauper who’s just fortunate to be helped by my parents? Who do you think you are to cough when I talk, like how dare you?” Lucas shouted at Ella, his eyes filled with rage; he was breathing heavily.

“Lucas, calm down,” Mrs. Agbaje went to meet him immediately, her right hand on his cheek and the other on his shoulder. “Calm down, son; it’s fine. How about you go back to sleep? I know we disturbed you; we are done, anyway.” She said and turned to Ella, mouthing, “I’m sorry.” Ella nodded her head. Lucas immediately went back upstairs, bowing his head.

Ella’s POV:

That was really scary. I don’t know why he suddenly became angry; he was calm, but he became angry in less than 30 minutes, see the kind of hurtful things he told me. “Ella, are you fine?” Michael tapped her shoulder.

Michael’s POV:

Her face suddenly went pale, and she looked terrified, like she saw a monster. Well, Lucas is a monster. She was still in shock; I had to tap her to bring her back to reality.

“Yes, I’m fine, Michael,” Ella said in a low tone. “Let’s go inside,” Michael said, holding her hands. They walked in together, waving their parents goodbye. “I wonder why Lucas always picks on me, right from when we were kids,” Ella said as she sat on the bed, her face pale, her caramel skin looking a bit red. Michael squatted down in front of her, looking into her eyes; they were that way for some minutes. Ella leaned in, her lips inches from Michael’s, but he abruptly stood up and turned away, leaving her confused and embarrassed.

Ella’s POV

I looked into his eyes, and butterflies were in my belly. I wanted to kiss him badly; I leaned closer for one, but he stood up immediately. I was in shock; I never expected that. I was embarrassed; oh, what have I done? I don’t know how I’ll face him now.

Michael POV

: I could see the tension in her eyes as she looked at me. I knew what was coming next, and I hoped I was wrong, but it turned out I was right. Oh, God.

For the rest of the day, everyone avoided each other. Lucas was embarrassed at his outburst, but he was too proud to apologize to anyone. Michael hid from Ella, and so did she. It was almost the worst Christmas ever at the Agbajes', although gifts came in. So many gifts came for the family, and for Lucas especially. Girls who wanted him to marry them brought gifts for him. Even Michael had gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Agbaje bought gifts for everyone in the house, which they kept in boxes under the Christmas tree.

Waiting to be unboxed on Boxing Day