FADED DREAMS

CHAPTER TWO The Edoha’s

It December, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of Christmas magic. Our home was a winter wonderland, decorated with trees, lights, candies, and flowers.

"Papa, you shouldn't be lifting heavy things," Mrs Edoha said to Lanre, fussing over him like he was a fragile egg, As she stopped him from helping me bring in the groceries she'd returned home with,her eyes shining with adoration. Lanre, Mr. Edoha's first child and only son, was the apple of his mother's eye.

I smiled, feeling a pang of familiarity with the scene. I'd seen it play out countless times before – Mrs. Edoha hovering over Lanre, making sure he didn't overexert himself. It was a little ironic, considering Lanre was a grown man, but that's just how the Edohas worked.

I chimed in, "Don't worry, Lanre, I got this."

"Talia, I was talking to my son. Hurry up and get dinner ready," she snapped.

I hurriedly carried the groceries into the kitchen. It was past 5 pm, and the family would be expecting dinner soon. As I began to prep, my mind wandered to Tibi – his charming smile, his confident stride, and that accent that sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but smile, my heart skipping a beat as I imagined what it would be like to see him again.

Mr. Edoha, the patriarch, sat at the head of the dining table, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he chatted with his wife, Mrs. Edoha. He was a big man, not just in stature but also in presence, with a booming laugh that could fill the room. He was a self-made businessman, having built his empire from scratch, and it showed in the confident way he carried himself.

Despite his tough exterior, Mr. Edoha had a soft spot for his family, and he loved to indulge them. He was a doting father, always willing to give his children whatever they wanted, and a loving husband, always making sure his wife was happy and content.

As he chatted with Mrs. Edoha, his deep voice rumbled through the room, filled with warmth and humor. He was a natural storyteller, and his anecdotes about his business dealings and political connections always left the family in stitches.

"And then, I told the minister, 'Sir, I'm not just selling oil, I'm selling a partnership.'" He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "The man was impressed, I'll tell you that much."

Mrs. Edoha smiled, her eyes shining with affection, as she playfully rolled her eyes.

"Oh John, you're such a storyteller," she teased, her voice dripping with warmth.

"So, I said to him, 'Sir, we're not just partners, we're family.'" He winked at Mrs. Edoha, and she blushed, her cheeks dimpling with pleasure.

Mr. Edoha beamed, clearly pleased with himself, as he reached out to pat Mrs. Edoha's hand. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes about their relationship – a partnership built on love, respect, and a deep understanding of each other.

As the laughter died down, Mr. Edoha turned to Lanre and Vina, his expression serious for a moment.

"And how was your day, kids?" Mr. Edoha asked, his voice filled with genuine interest.

Lanre barely looked up from his phone, muttering a distracted "It was fine, Dad" as he scrolled through his phone.

Vina, equally absorbed in her own phone, nodded along, her eyes fixed on the screen as she typed away.

Mr. Edoha's smile faltered for a moment, but he didn't press the issue. Instead, he turned to Mrs. Edoha, asking,

"And how was your day, dear?" His voice was still warm, but a hint of disappointment lingered, like a fleeting shadow on his face.

Mrs. Edoha, a petite woman with a sharp tongue, sat to Mr. Edoha's right. Her hair was a rich, dark brown, styled in a neat bob that framed her heart-shaped face. Her features were delicate, but her presence was commanding, and she carried herself with the confidence of a woman who knew her own mind.

Despite her petite stature, Mrs. Edoha was a force to be reckoned with. She was the matriarch of the family, and she ruled with a firm but loving hand. She was fiercely protective of her family, and would stop at nothing to ensure their happiness and well-being. But beneath the surface, she was a shrewd businesswoman, with a keen eye for detail and a sharp mind for strategy. She was Mr. Edoha's partner in every sense of the word, and together they made an unbeatable team.

Lanre, their son, sat to Mr. Edoha's right, his eyes fixed intently on his phone. He was the golden boy, the one everyone expected great things from. But I knew a different side of him, one that wasn't always so charming.He's used to getting his way, and his parents' indulgence has made him a bit entitled. He's charming, but also reckless and selfish, often thinking only of himself. His parents' dismissal of the allegations against him has made him believe he's above the law, and he's started to develop a sense of superiority over others.

Vina, is the youngest child and the only daughter, sat to Mrs. Edoha's left, her blonde hair bouncing with every exaggerated gesture she made. She was a firecracker, always speaking her mind and causing a stir.She's spoiled and attention-seeking, often using her charm and looks to get what she wants. She's a bit of a wild card, always looking for the next thrill and not caring who she hurts in the process.

"I'm starving," Lanre complained, not bothering to look up. "Where's my food?"

I hurried to bring him a plate, careful not to spill a drop. "Coming right up, Lanre," I said, trying to placate him.

Vina snorted, flanking her hair over her shoulder. "Ugh, can't you do anything right, Talia?" she sneered, eyeing the food on the plate.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but I bit my tongue. "Here, Vina," I said, handing her a plate. "Be careful, it's hot."

Lanre barely acknowledged me, too busy scrolling through his phone. Vina, on the other hand, gave me a dismissive nod before turning back to her own phone.

As they ate, the conversation turned to their day. Lanre talked about his latest gaming exploits, barely pausing to breathe. Vina chimed in, gossiping about her friends and classmates.

At one point, Mrs. Edoha mentioned a charity event she was organizing, and Vina rolled her eyes. "Ugh, do we have to go?" she whined. "It's so boring."

Lanre snorted. "Yeah, can't we just donate money or something?"

Mr. Edoha frowned, but Mrs. Edoha quickly intervened. "Of course, dear, we'll make sure to make it a fun day out," she said, smiling brightly.

As I placed the final dish on the table, Vina raised an eyebrow.

"What's with the smile, Talia? Did you win the lottery or something?" Her tone was playful, but I detected a hint of curiosity beneath the surface.

I shook my head, feeling a slight flush rise to my cheeks.

"Just happy to have dinner ready, I guess." I smiled, trying to deflect attention from myself.

But as I glanced around the table, I caught Lanre's eye, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, the air thick with an unspoken understanding...and I felt a shiver run down my spine. He was acting weird, and I didn't like it one bit…

As the meal ended, Lanre and Vina got up, not bothering to thank me or help with the dishes. They just walked away, expecting everyone to wait on them hand and foot.

I sighed, watching them go. It was clear that they had a lot to learn about respect and gratitude.

The day I was brought to Mr Edoha’s house, I can vividly remember . I had just had breakfast with my parents.

The memory of that day still lingered, like a shadow that refused to fade. I remembered the sound of my parents' laughter, the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from the kitchen, and the feel of my father's warm lap beneath my head.

"Must you go on this trip, Daddy?" I had asked, my voice tinged with reluctance.

My father's eyes sparkled with amusement as he stroked my hair.

"My sweet, sweet girl, my gorgeous little princess," he had cooed,. "I honestly wanted to spend this summer with you, but it's work, and Dad is about to bring home a billion-dollar deal “

"Talia, darling, Daddy's trip is for the best. He's working hard to make our lives even better, and this deal will give us a brighter future. You'll see, sweetie, ." My mom added.

The next day, my parents had set out early, I had waved goodbye, watching their car disappear into the distance.

But that night, everything changed.

I had crept out of my room, unable to sleep, and found Miss Wendy standing in the hallway, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. She had just gotten off the phone, and her body shook with sobs.

"No, no, no!" she wailed, her voice rising to a scream.

I rushed to her, trying to calm her down, but she was beyond consolation. Her words were a jumbled mess, but I made out the gist of it – a car accident, hospital, my parents…

Miss Wendy and I quickly rushed to the hospital.The ride to the hospital was blur, a jumble of sirens and flashing lights. I sat in the backseat, my mind numb, my heart heavy. Miss Wendy tried to talk to me, but I didn’t responded. I couldn't. Miss Wendy's gripped my hand, , her eyes red-rimmed as she pulled me through the hospital doors. The smell of disinfectant and antiseptic filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn. I stumbled beside her, my legs feeling like jelly.I felt like I was drowning in a sea of chaos.

We reached the ICU, and Miss Wendy stopped at the desk, her voice shaking as she asked about my parents. The nurse's expression was somber, her eyes filled with pity.

"I'm so sorry," she said, her voice gentle. "They didn't make it. They were involved in a severe car accident."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and reeling. I felt like I was floating above the scene, watching as Miss Wendy broke down, her body shaking with sobs.

I looked around, hoping that this was all just a dream, that my parents would walk through the doors, smiling and laughing, and tell me it was all just a mistake. But they didn't come.

The reality hit me like a ton of bricks, crushing me beneath its weight. My parents were gone, and I was left all alone.

Miss Wendy's warm arms enveloped me, a gentle cocoon in the midst of chaos. She pulled me close, her chest heaving with sobs as she whispered soothing words in my ear. "It's okay, Talia, it's okay. I'm here. You're not alone."

Her words were a balm to my battered heart, but they couldn't stop the tidal wave of grief that was building inside me. I felt a lump form in my throat, and suddenly, I was gasping for air. My body began to shake, my knees buckling beneath me.

Miss Wendy held me tighter, her grip like a lifeline. She guided me to a nearby chair, easing me down onto it as I let out a strangled sob. The sound was raw, primal, and it seemed to rip through my very soul.

As the tears began to fall, I felt like I was drowning in a sea of pain. My chest heaved with sobs, my body shaking uncontrollably as I let go of the fragile control I had been clinging to. The tears streamed down my face, hot and relentless, as I wept.

The days that followed were blur, a haze of grief and confusion. I remembered the funeral, the sea of unfamiliar faces, the sound of wretched crying and wailing that filled the air. I remembered the ache in my chest, the numbness that had spread through my body like a slow-moving poison.

And then, Mr. Edoha. I had seen him before, at my fathers office. He approached me, his expression somber. Miss Wendy had been beside me all through.

"Talia, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice gentle. "Your parents were good people. Your father helped me a lot with my business and I'm going to make sure you're taken care of."

I looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I want to take care of you, You'll come and live with me and my family. You'll be part of our family now." He said .

Miss Wendy nodded, her eyes red-rimmed. "It's true, Talia. Your parents wanted Mr. Edoha to take care of you if anything happens to them.”

I had felt a surge of panic, of fear. "But what about Miss Wendy? Can't I stay with her?"

Mr. Edoha's expression had softened. "Miss Wendy will always be a part of your life, but I'm your guardian now. You'll come and live with me and my family. You'll be part of our family now."

I had felt a shiver run down my spine. I didn't know what to say, what to do. I was just a child, lost and alone.

Miss Wendy hugged me, her voice whispering in my ear. "It's okay, Talia. I'll be okay. You go with Mr. Edoha. He'll take care of you."

Few hours later I got into the car, and we drove to the Edohas' house. I looked out the window, watching as the world passed by in a blur. I felt like I was disappearing, like I was losing myself in the darkness.

As we pulled up to the house, I felt a sense of trepidation. This was my new life now. This was where I would live, with these strangers who were now my family.

The grand entrance hall seemed to loom over me, casting a shadow over my already fragile heart. Mrs. Edoha's smile was warm, but it felt forced, like she was trying to convince herself that she was happy to have me.

A maid, Lucy, led me to a small room in the back of the house. It was plain, with a single bed and a small wardrobe. I felt a pang of disappointment. This was my new home?

Lucy brought me a plate of food, and I took a bite. The taste was bland, like paper. I chewed slowly, trying to make sense of the flavors. Was this what food was supposed to taste like?

Just as I finished eating, Vina walked in, her eyes scanning me up and down. "So, you're the new charity case," she sneered, her voice dripping with disdain.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. "I'm Talia," I said, trying to sound confident.

Vina snorted. "Whatever. Just stay out of my way."

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat.

Later that night, I overheard Mrs. Edoha talking to her husband in the living room. "Why did we have to take her in, John? Her father abandoned us when we needed him most. We don't owe her anything."

Mr. Edoha's voice was low, soothing. "We're doing the right thing, dear. She's just a child."

Mrs. Edoha snorted. "Child? She's almost an adult. She can fend for herself."

So, they didn't want me here. I was just a burden, a charity case.

Three weeks passed,Mrs. Edoha told me that she didn't need a maid anymore, especially now that I’m around. I felt a pang of guilt. Had I done something wrong? Was it my fault that Lucy lost her job?

As I looked around the house, I realized that I was expected to do the things Lucy used to do. The cooking, the cleaning, the serving. I was no longer a guest, I was the help.