The Rival Claimants: NYSSA
It wasn’t as hard as I thought it’d be. A sigh of relief ran out of my mouth when we walked out of our hotel room two mornin’s after that night. With Kazmir’s help, everythin’ was easier, especially with Darius who stayed by his side as well.
“Ready?”
I heaved another sigh and walked to the door of the seat I would settle in.
“I just want to be home and have this appointment with Ariadne who has called me all day throughout yesterday.” Lettin’ out, I watched Kazmir join me there and then, Darius hopped into the driver’s area.
“Do I begin the trip?”
“Yes-” on behalf of everyone in the car, I said and turned to look into the trunk from where I was seated – catchin’ sight of the box with all the art pieces my team and I were able to retrieve. “This is so beautiful, Kazmir. What would I have done without your help and assistance, includin’ that of Darius’s?” Lookin’ back and leanin’ on the chair, I dozed off.
The next time I opened my eyes, we were parked in the lot built in the penthouse.
“As you wish, we have arrived. Welcome home, baby,” Kazmir greeted, givin’ me a hand and helpin’ me down from the car. “Before Darius makes it back to his apartment, he’ll be helpin’ us with gettin’ some meals from one of the restaurants. Which would you like?”
I staggered a little, gettin’ a hold of myself. “Anythin’ would do. I’m not so hungry and even if I am, I’ll have anythin’ at all.” I added and he took me in his arms. The next time I opened my eyes, I was lyin’ on the large bed in the room I shared with Kazmir.
It was a good feelin’ to be back in the house, but where are the art pieces?! Sittin’ up, I sighted the box and fell back on the bed once more, and then shut my eyes in readiness to sleep.
Before the end of the day, I woke up.
My phone had shut down and I didn’t bother turnin’ it on but concentrated more on gettin’ the box with the pieces in it to the art studio, where I believed it was safe and far away from the eyes of people.
What people?
I didn’t know but a part of me wanted to keep the box safe, as though there were some set of people who would come for it.
“How do you feel?”
“Better,” I sat on the couch and looked in his direction. “Has Darius left already? Let ‘im know how grateful I am for his help and assistance. I must have been sleepin’ when he left.” Stretchin’ my hand, I took a tray of food from the man who sat next to me this time around. “Thank you also for goin’ with me.” And with this, I dug into the meal.
“How ’bout your Mother’s friend?”
I looked up.
“Who are you referrin’ to, Kazmir? Is it Ariadne? I haven’t heard from her yet. My phone is on shutdown and I don’t think I’m ready to turn it on.”
He got on his feet and retrieved my phone for me. I then took it and dialed the number I should have dialed since the moment I got back. “Ariadne, I am back home. When are you comin’ over?”
“Right away! I should have known you were back, especially with the latest developments and news that I’ve got for you. Give me an hour and I’ll be there.”
By the time I finished the house bell rang. I was too tired to go ’bout and Kazmir, who remained a sweet man, did it on my behalf, while Ariadne walked through the door the next time I saw my husband.
“Look who we have here!” She ran in the direction of the couch, settlin’ next to me and kissin’ my forehead.
“How are you feelin’?”
“Tired.”
“I know. I know-” relaxin’ on the couch, she nodded and looked at Kazmir who got on his feet.
“Thank you so much for doin’ this with her, Kazmir. Her Mother is proud and grateful to you. She sent her greetin’s.” And there he was, smilin’ and noddin’ without sayin’ a word but walkin’ away.
“How’s my mom?”
The words.
They came out weirdly, but why should I care? This was a woman who gave me everythin’ I needed in the space of a week, and healin’ to my brain cells.
“I need you to let her know that I’m grateful for her doin’ this for me. It’s the least I would ever ask for.” With a smile, I let out and relaxed again on the couch.
“What can I serve you, Ariadne?”
“Not today, Nyssa. Plus, you’re very tired from the look of things. I didn’t come here to check in on you only. I wanted to let you know ’bout the latest happenin’s in the family. I know we should have told you on time but it’s beginnin’ to happen so there’s no way we can hide it from you at the end of the day.”
“What are you talkin’ ’bout?”
She heaved a sigh, sittin’ up on the couch. “It has to do with the other members of the family, but before I proceed, I need you to know that your grandmother gave all of those art pieces to you alone. Right on her deathbed when you happened to be by her side and it’s okay for you to not remember.”
“I am lost.”
“I am simply askin’ you not to give in to whatever pressure that comes your way, the kind that’ll demand you release any of those pieces. They’re powerful and the ancestors won’t want anyone besides you holdin’ it.” Her words did nothin’ but confuse me further, and I was on my feet and pacin’ the space.
“What are you talkin’ ’bout?”
“As soon as the pieces were retrieved by you and your team,” she began, joinin’ me on her feet. “The ancestors visited every member of the family. They were informed of the latest which is you, takin’ what belongs to you.”
“And what do you mean? It should be a thing of joy, shouldn’t it? Why are you so bothered ’bout it?” I sat now, heavin’ a sigh and standin’ the next moment when the worried look on Ariadne’s face did not leave. “What is the matter? I am becomin’ angry and don’t want to be mad, not even at you.”
“They all want a share of these pieces.”
“They all want a share of these pieces.”
“They all want a share of these pieces.”
Like thunder, her words resounded in my head over and over and over and over again, makin’ me sit on the closet couch, and the next moment, Ariadne was next to me and holdin’ me down.
“Why?”
I looked at her.
“Why would they want a thing that belongs to me? Who do they think they are to ask for a piece from the many pieces I retrieved? Where were they when I was makin’ efforts and had them by my side?”
“That’s what I’m tryin’ to say to you, Nyssa. You’ll not let these people get to you. I’m certain that they don’t have your phone number, so you have almost nothin’ to worry ’bout on your end. Do you understand me?”
I gave a nod and asked. “Are you certain that you can handle these people? Are they harmful? Maybe I should speak with them and let them know they’ll not get a piece from me. These things belong to me and I’ll only release one on my wish, not their command.”
Ariadne smiled.
“This is how I want you to sound, Nyssa Draven, not like some weaklin’. You should know your self-worth at this point, mm?”