24

BACK AT BLACK’S MANSION

Riona was lost in the books she was reading she didn’t know that time wasn’t on her side anymore. She was interrupted by one of the hand maids who had come to inform her that her dad was here to see her, that she realized that she had been here for over a long amount of time.

“My dad?” Riona asked again, a bit confused as the maid nodded her head and said,

“Yes, Mr Angelico is here. He asks for an audience! Should I refuse it?” She said as Riona quickly shook her head.

“No, don’t. I will see him. It is just that…well it is 10pm already. What of the master of the house is he back?” Riona asked her as the maid looked a bit lost and said,

“Pardon me, ma. Do you mean your husband Mr Black by chance?” She said bowing her head slowly as Riona blushed a bit. She still hadn’t gotten used to being known as Mrs Black.

“Yes…my husband. Is he back?” She asked as the maid shook her head in negative.

“I am sorry Ma. He isn’t back yet.” She replied as Riona looked crest fallen as she nodded her head and tried to put on a brave smile. She did not even know why she was sad, and missing him. Maybe I got used to him being around. She murmured to herself as the maid looked at her.

“Did you say something ma?” The maid added as Riona shook her head and stood up, dusting herself.

“Well then lead me to where…my dad is. I am afraid I am not yet quite familiar with the route. Oh and one more thing, please do not call me ma, simply call me Riona….I mean Farah. Yes!” She said as the maid shook her head and said,

“Master ordered us never to call you by name, it seems disrespectful. Please allow me to identify you as Ma, or Mrs Black.” The maid said bowing a little as Riona tried to bargain with her.

“Okay how about you call me Miss Farah then. It sounds respectful enough doesn’t it? Ma makes me feel old.” She said trying to smile as the maid mused over it a bit and said,

“Miss Farah does quite seem suitable too. I will do my best to avoid calling you ma and start calling you, Miss Farah. May we leave?” She said as Riona nodded her head and said,

“Please lead the way….I didn’t get your name.”

“Oh it is Nice…,Miss Farah.” The maid repeated as they walked down the massive hallway so that they could get to the elevator and take it down to the ground level.

“Nice huh? Nice to meet you, Miss Nice.” Riona said as the maid quickly shook her head in horror.

“Miss Farah, please just call me Nice.” She said as they got to the elevator and Nice pressed the button as they stepped inside.

Twenty minutes later, Riona was seated in an empty room with Angelico who puffed at his cigar and said,

“Well then, has he found out who you are?” He asked as Riona shook her head and replied,

“He doesn’t suspect a thing.”

“Good keep up with the charade until I have found out where my daughter is. May I ask something of you?” He continued as Riona frowned wondering what more favor could he ask for when he was already demanding this much from her. Yet she clenched her fists in a ball and said,

“What do you need me to do?” She knew that the only way to escape from here alive is to play by their rules, both Black and Angelico and prayed that Black wouldn’t find out the truth. She didn’t want to die yet. Her only offence was fainting in front of his car or else none of this would have happened.

“I suppose that you and Black hasn’t tied the knot well, probably you came up with some lame ass excuse to not sleep with him but I want you to know that this marriage thrives on Black being satisfied so…”

“So you are telling me to sleep with Black to save your daughter’s marriage. Your same daughter who ran away so that she wouldn’t get tied to him, I don’t suppose this marriage needs any saving.” Riona couldn’t help but reply as Angelico just burst out laughing,

“Oh my God, you think like a baby. This was never about saving the marriage, it is about saving your life and ofcourse my reason to get richer. Marrying off you to Black and imposing as my daughter just strengthen my hold and position so I am untouchable. You on the other hand can lose a lot of things if Black finds out the truth and he will get suspicious and once he finds out…well I am sure you must have already seen what he does to liars and betrayer. He is quite fond of bringing his torture victims home.

“You are a monster.” Riona said with anger as she held herself. There was nothing she could do, her hands were bound.

“You are the one married to one. Anyways I have said all I wanted to say so I will take my visit now. Isn’t Black back yet?” He asked as Riona bit her lips hard as she shook her head.

“Well he had probably gone somewhere to hook up with someone, after all, you are not giving him your body.” Angelico said as Riona felt sick as she thought of Black sleeping with another person. She didn’t even want to think about it, it was painful.

“I am leaving.” He announced as he walked out of the room and bumped into Mrs Selena and quickly steadied her.

“Oh dear, are you alright?” He asked as Mrs Selena smiled at him and said,

“Yes I am. Thank you very much. I was even on my way to see you. I was informed that you were here to see your daughter.” Mrs Selena said with beams on her face as the door opened again and Riona walked out wiping her tears.

“Oh dear, why are you crying? What is the matter? Did anything happen?” Mrs Selena said as Angelico glared at Riona who looked at the both of them and said,

“Oh it is nothing. I guess I just got nostalgic, and I miss my dad every much.” She said as Angelico replied,

“And I miss you too, sugar plumps, but remember we talked about this. You have a mission here and that is to make Black happy. You shouldn’t be crying. You can always come visit.” Angelico said patting her head.

Just then they heard the limousine driving in as Riona brightened up immediately. She hoped that it was Black who was back.

“Oh dear, my son is back. Let us go see him.” Mrs Selena said as they all walked to the corridor as they saw the driver open the back door for Black to come out. He immediately cast his eyes on them as he walked towards them brooding. His mum was the first person as usual who made a fuss about his return.

“Black my son. Look at the time that you are coming back. What took you so long?” She said as she pinched his cheeks as Black looked embarrassed.

“Mum! Not in front of our visitor,” He said as Mrs Selena just laughed and said,

“Sure Farah and I will leave you two to discuss whatever it is men discuss. Farah will take the meals to the room, she has been waiting so that you two could eat dinner together, come on let’s go and leave this busy men.” Mrs Selena said dragging Riona back inside as Angelico remarked,

“Your mother is really an interesting woman. Guess I will have to start taking an interest in her from now on.” He said stroking his beard as Black growled at him and said,

“Stay the hell away from my mother. If I see you looking at her the wrong way, I am going to break your jaw.” Black threatened as Angelico whistled.

“Calm down Player. Okay fine I won’t look at her, happy?” He said as Black stuck his two hands in his pocket and said,

“What are you even doing here and by this time? I do not remember telling you you could visit my house whenever you pleased.” He said as Angelico tried to touch him but the glare he got made him rethink his decision. He still liked the fact that his hands weren’t broken.

“ I came here to see my daughter to see how she was coping or is that not allowed again?” He said as Black replied,

“Today is the second day of her married life, so no it is not allowed. You met her yesterday and you are already here. Won’t you give me and my wife the privacy we deserve, I married her not you. And I sure know well that you do not come along in the package deal, now get out of my house before I have my guards throw you out like the dog you are.” Black ended as he walked pass Angelico and walked into the mansion leaving an angry old man behind.