CHAPTER 9

“Didn’t you go to the bank and ask for a loan?”
“They can’t give us because we are old and there is no guarantee we can pay it back.”
“I hate banks really. Okay, how much do you need for the restaurant?”
“You know someone who can buy it?”
“I certainly do,” she replied.
The couple told her their price and t was very low. How can they survive after paying the debts with so little money?
“I will double the money, that way you will pay your debts and be left with something.”
“That’s too much; we can’t do that to you.”
“Don’t worry about me. I will have my lawyers come and sign the contract with you today. You will sleep well tonight,” she said as she stood up.
“Please eat something before you go.”
“It’s okay. I ate something already, I will see you,” she said and left the restaurant.
There were so many things she could do with a restaurant. She went back on her bike and drove off again.
She was enjoying herself when she got a call. She stopped again and picked up.
“What part of don’t disturb me on this day don’t you understand Gina?”
“I’m very sorry but it’s important.”
“Go ahead, what is it?”
“It’s your father, he wants to see you.”
“I don’t recall him ever wanting to see me often. What does he want?”
“He didn’t say, he just sounded very worried. Just go and see him.”
“Okay I will stop by on my way. No more calls for me Gina. Just go out and have a date please.”
Haven hangs up and drove to her new destination, her family home. She wondered what will be waiting for her there. When she arrived the guard at the gate was shocked, she had never brought any car back home.
They thought she was living in an apartment somewhere but they knew nothing about her at all. When she arrived she parked her bike nicely, removed her helmet and placed it nicely on her bike and went inside.
When she got inside the place was crowded. What was happening in there?
“There you are, I thought you won’t come,” her mother said.
“You said I should come so I did. So, what is happening here?” she asked.
“Come and sit. What are you wearing?”
“Clothes, mother,” she replied and followed her inside and took a seat.
Everyone was present all dressed up and they were staring at her. She just took a glass of water and drank.
“So why am I here?” she asked.
“We have guests today and I wanted everyone to be present and besides I have something for you,” her mother said.
“First I won’t change my clothes. I too have plans for my day; you can’t just call me and lie whenever you think about it. It’s always nice to call ahead and tell me than to do what you just did.”
“What important things could you possibly have? You don’t even have a job unlike your siblings. You should be proud that we include you in these meetings,” her mother said.
“One of these days you will regret ever saying those words to me mother,” Haven said and everyone gasped and she didn’t care.
“They are here!” someone called out.
Who was so important the whole family just had to be there? She sat not even looking at the door but forming clouds in her head. Everyone was so excited that she turned her head around and smiled.
So, this was the important guests coming over. The guests were busy greeting her family when they faced her, she saw them facing down. Her children were never allowed to look her in her face except for the Oracle or unless she told them otherwise.
“Mother, are they your guests? They look familiar,” she said.
“Oh, this is Mr. O’Neal and Mr. Powell, they own that venture company and been doing [pretty well over the past five years,” her mother explained.
“Now, I know. I was wondering why they looked familiar. It’s nice to meet you and feel free to raise your heads,” she said and received a warning look from her mother but the guests knew exactly what she just said.
“It’s an honor to meet you in person and up close.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” she said and smiled.
Everyone was wondering what was happening but she was not in the mood.
“Can you please excuse me?” she said and left the room.
She needed a smoke, so she lit one and she got caught by her mother.
“You smoke?”
“Yes, I do, for a very long time and I need that so please don’t start.”
“I won’t. I’m just happy that the guests like you, so I have nothing to worry about.”
“And why should you be worried?”
“Your father wanted you to find one to marry, you can’t be single forever.”
“I’m not single and mother I don’t date men, I love women.”
“Since when Haven?”
“If you ever paid any attention to me when I was growing up, you would have known but all you ever cared about was the precious White name and your other children. I won’t be used by this family especially one that disgraces me all the time,” she said and put out her cigarette.
“I will go back inside and pretend this talk never happened, mother,” Haven said and returned inside.
It became a very awkward lunch but all she cared about was her food. After finishing her food she excused herself.
“Where are you going?”
“I was very happy you called me out to lunch but it’s time for me to resume what I was doing before. I will see you at the engagement party,” she said and began to leave.