Kamara’s POV
“Here we are,” Chantelle announced before letting out a loud gasp. Her eyes were almost out of their sockets. “This is one huge house. I would kill to spend some time here.”
I let out a disgruntled sound and got my things out of the car. It took me days to eventually agree to the fact that I am carrying my arch enemies child and it is my duty to birth it. As Chantelle said, getting it done within no time is the best way to forget any of this ever happened.
Diego had asked to send his driver but I refused and said Chantelle would drop me off. I need someone close enough to know where I would be living for the next eight months just in case I get killed.
“Stop overthinking it.” Chantelle rubbed at my back.
“If I go into that house, I am going to be spending months with strangers and probably have my life on hold.”
“I can always come by to see you. It can’t be that bad.” She mumbled trying to look positive.
“It is that bad.” I let out in a whisper. “These folks are murderers and drug dealers. How the hell am I to survive here?”
Chantelle sighed, “You will definitely survive and there is a reason their identity is known to everyone. At least you know what they are. No one is trying to play saint with you.”
I groaned, feeling a bile in my throat. I am getting all of the wrong signals from this house. I never should have agreed to stay here. My phone rang all of a sudden jolting me out of my thoughts. Wetting my chapped lips, I answered the call after exchanging a long look with Chantelle.
“Hey, mum.” My voice came out in a squeaky tone.
“Hey, baby. How are you doing? It is so hard to reach you these days. How is New York? We miss you so much.” Mum sounded excited.
Chantelle motioned for me to put the phone on loudspeaker for her to hear. I coughed in discomfort like I feared I would get caught or something.
“Yeah, I am okay Mum. How is everyone?” I asked, moving from one foot to the other.
“We are fine. It’s been a while since I have seen your face, a video call would be so nice right now.”
I inhaled sharply. “We can’t be on a video call, mum. You know what? I will call you back. I am about to go into a class session soon.”
I didn’t wait for her to give her response before I ended the call. Yesterday it was my siblings. They are making me anxious like they might know something.
“Breathe.” My friend urged with a hand to my back. “You can’t keep ignoring them like this. They might suspect something if your voice is consistently shaky or you keep ending the call whenever they are on the line.”
“I am not just in the right state of mind to handle them.”
She held my hand tightly. “I know. Come on now, let’s go in before they think we are spies.”
I blinked in surprise. “You will go in with me?”
“Why not? Do you expect that I will leave you without surveying the place that will be your home in the coming months? Hell no, they need to understand that you have got someone by your side.”
For the first time in a long while, I had a big smile on my face. Happy that I have someone by my side who is willing to walk this path with me. My bags were taken inside. The maids wouldn’t let me or Chantelle carry it.
Diego’s grandmother came to welcome us as soon as we walked in. The entire house smelled like a fanciful restaurant.
“Oh, my dear Kamara. Welcome, darling.” She was all smiles as she pulled me into a warm hug. She smells so nice. “Diego said you would be moving in and I thought cooking several dishes pleasing to your taste would make a nice welcome. Oh my goodness, pardon my manners, young lady. How are you?” She turned to Chantelle.
“Nana Isabella, this is my best friend, Chantelle. Chantelle meets Diego’s grandmother.” I introduced already feeling burdened by it.
Just as she did me, she embraced Chantelle. “You are more than welcome, Chantelle. You can call me Nana. And I hope you will be coming by often. I would like to see you around.” She said.
Chantelle gave me a side look beaming brightly. “Sure, Nana. It is nice to meet you.”
“Please come with me. I bet you must be hungry.” Nana urged us towards the dining. Food filled every inch of the table and my belly rumbled hungrily. The sight is so colorful and appealing. “Diego and Hernandez won’t be joining us they are on a business trip. I am sure he must have told you, Kamara.”
I rolled my eyes inwardly, of course, the asshole told me through a threat. Saying his absence didn’t mean action couldn’t still be taken if I refused his order.
“Hernandez? Who is that?” Chantelle asked in her usual inquisitive self.
Nana laughed lightly. “Oh, I am sorry for confusing you. You probably know him as Fernando. He goes by both names Hernandez Fernando. Got used to interchanging the names.”
“Oh.” She mumbled.
I wasn’t aware, but I couldn’t care less. I don’t want to know anything about the family. I just want to be done here.
“Is everything alright, darling? Does any of this not interest you?” Nana asked with concern on her face.
I waved my hands hurriedly, feeling bad for letting my inner thoughts show on my face. She is obviously trying to make me feel comfortable. “Not at all. I would love to have a plate of pie.” I replied.
Nana and Chantelle seemed to click immediately as they got talking. Appears they have similar interests. Their discussions made me feel calm, giving me the chance to eat.
“So I was thinking if Chantelle doesn’t mind. Kamara, what if she stays here for the weekend? Diego isn’t around and I feel like you might not feel comfortable sleeping all by yourself in a new space.” Nana suggested.
Chantelle’s eyes rounded in excitement. “Can we really do that?”
The older woman chuckled. “Of course. Trust me it will be fun with just the three of us. We might go shopping tomorrow. What do you think Kamara?”
My friend’s pleading eyes were on me and Nana too seemed to be begging for attention. She appears to need the company more than I do. The laugh erupted from my insides without meaning to.
“Sure, as long as Chantelle is cool with it,” I said.
“Of course I am.” She bellowed.
“This would be fun,” Nana said in delight.
And for a moment, I forgot this was a scary nightmare.