Queen Tania

Episode 3

Susan massaged her mom’s feet with the most unhappy look in the world on her face. She ran her fingers between her toes but her eyes were somewhere else, they were staring into nothing. She was deep in thought.

“Don’t you want to know about your father? His name, how we met, what he does, how I got pregnant and why we aren’t together?” The woman asked, her voice, sounding a bit better than before.

“I don't wish to know anything about him mom, he is dead to me. Don't tell me anything about him.”

“Why do you hate your father that much, even though you haven't seen or met with him before?” She asked again.

“I hate him because he left us all alone, it's just so unfair of him.” Susan sniffled.

“What makes you think he left us?” The woman chuckled. “I actually left him.”

“You wouldn't have done that without a reason, you are not someone who acts without a reason.”

The woman tried to sit up and her daughter assisted her. “His name is Peter Clinton, he was tall and handsome-”

“I don't want to hear it.” Susan stopped massaging her feet. “Please, let's talk about something else.”

“It’d be disheartening if you die without any idea of your father when he is still very much alive and you have the chance of meeting him.” The woman coughed.

“You see? Just stop talking about that man already.”

“I don't want you to hate him, if he knew I was pregnant with you then, he would have searched every nook and cradle for me.”

Those words didn't sound well to her ears, she faced her mom. “Wait, I don't get you, my father doesn't even know about me?” The woman nodded. “So, I have been hating someone who doesn't even know about my existence?”

“I'm sorry, I know how you feel but that was the only thing to save myself then.”

“I'm not talking about you Mom,” Susan whispered. “I'm talking about me!” Her voice went louder.

“I'm sorry.” The woman coughed again. “I admit I made a very huge mistake.”

Susan buried her head in her palms for a while and released it afterward. “Why did you leave him then?”

“We were together for about four years, but he cheated and got someone else pregnant. I was so mad that I relocated and cut contact. I never knew you were in my belly then too.”

“This is crazy.” Susan said beneath her breath.

************

Tania exhaled heavily before she alighted from the car, it was her daily routine every workday. To calm her nerves in the car before walking into the house. She chewed some candies gently and closed her eyes. “Today was so stressful! It was indeed a lot.” She said to herself.

She checked her wristwatch for time and realized that she had trapped herself. Her father had told her be home before 6 and it was few minutes past 5, she came home right on time. “What have I gotten myself into? I don't even have the strength for any chit-chat talk this evening.” She ranted. “Maybe I'll just sit here for the next two hours.” she heard a strong knock on the windscreen, it was Shawn. She rolled her eyeballs in annoyance before winding down. “Yes?” She asked.

“Master asked you to come in on time and get dressed. Our visitors will be here soon.” Shawn avoided eye contact.

“The visitors are yours, not mine.” Susan picked up a brown envelope and handed it to him.

“What is this for ma’am?” He was still avoiding eye contact.

“I overheard you two days ago telling your baby sister to take a part-time job so she could assist you with the payment of her school fees. Use that money to sort some things.”

Shawn, shocked to his bones looked straight into her eyes and called. “Ma’am.”

“Feel free to ask me for anything when you are in need. Don't suffer in silence.”

“Thank you so much ma’am, I promise to pay you back soon.”

“I am not lending you, I am giving it to you.”

“You are giving me all of this?” Shawn asked the obvious.

Tania frowned. “Make sure your sister goes to school so she won't be as dumb as you to ask obvious questions.”

Shawn smiled. “I will take that as a complement Ma.”

“Whatever.“ She picked up her bag and phone. “Move.” She said to Shawn and alighted from the car. “How was my dad today?”

“He was happier than usual, maybe because his old friend is coming around.”

“I can swear to you that he is happy because his old friend is coming with his son and he wants to matchmake us.” Tania walked in.

“I never thought you’d be home this early,” Peter said with lots of smiles when he saw his daughter walk in. “I thought you were going to hide under the company and come very late.”

“I didn't come home to discuss with your visitors. I totally forgot about them actually, if I had remembered, I would have passed the night at my office and switch off my phone so you won’t be able to reach me.”

Peter giggled. “I can see you plan on sending me to my early grave.”

Tania kissed his forehead. “I hope you didn't miss me too much.” She sat on one of the couches opposite him. “Anything interesting happened today?”

“I did miss you but nothing interesting happened today, except for the fact that you humiliated the shareholders of the company.”

Tania cleared her throat. “Charles called you?”

“Yes.” Peter nodded. “He sounded very unhappy and disturbed. The price you are asking for is too much.”

“So how much do you think I should request? Double of what they paid the last time?”

“I have no say.” Peter giggled. “I have stopped having anything to do with that company eight years ago. You are the one in charge now. Whatever you say, goes.”

Tania's lips went wide in a smile. “What is that supposed to mean Father?”

“What else? You are my only child who has proven herself worthy. Sooner or later, you will inherit the company. All I have to do is sit back and watch. You will make the money that I spend.”

She rushed to her dad and hugged him tightly. Once or twice, she had wondered if her father would really hand over the company to her. But at that moment, she was reassured that she was the only heiress to her father's entire possessions and unfailingly, the next CEO of Clinton’s Properties. “I love you daddy.”

Peter gently released himself. “Do you remember how you begged Charles to become a shareholder when the company was dying five years ago?”

“Hm.” Tania nodded as she returned back to her seat. “I went on my kneels for thirty minutes, telling him the reasons why he should invest in us.” She scoffed. “It's so annoying anytime I remember.”

“Charles already received the taste of his own poison. He humiliated you once, and you returned the favor.”

“Once we fight this challenge through, I will deal with those shareholders separately, even if they intend on paying the amount I asked for. Those old men dared to discriminate against my gender and blame me for the low sales of the company.”

“I'm sure you didn't let that slide.”

“Of course not! I asked if any of their sons were as successful as I am.” She smiled.

“Good!!” Peter laughed hysterically. “Serves them right, I wish I was there to see what their faces looked like.”

“They went quiet immediately, their sons put together can't do what I have done in the last eight years.” She looked at her wristwatch again. “I’d better go freshen up and change before your visitors arrive.”

“That's good, I got you a nice dress and some accessories. They are in your room.”

“Thanks dad.” Tania walked in with smiles, not because of the dress and accessories but because her father reassured her of her position as the next CEO of the company. “I can't wait to be the next CEO,” she said to herself as she shut the door to her room.QUEEN TANIA

Tania knew she was no longer the only heiress to her father's properties when Susan, the illegitimate daughter of her father Peter showed up out of the blue. To claim the larger share of the properties, she was advised to get married. Left with no choice, she was forced to get married to a bum, Richard, off-contract.