CHAPTER 6

CLAIRE BOWED IN GREETINGS TO THE KING; she has seen others do it, knowing it's a sign of respect to the old man. Tonya ran to meet her, practically jumping on her.

"Mummy, the king told me lots of African fables, I love it! Please can we stay here with him? So he can tell me more?" She pleaded, giving her the puppy eye look that she has perfected, causing everyone to chuckle.

"It's good to see you again Claire," the king said.

"Thank you your highness" bestowing a smile on him. Leo watch the exchange with amusement, his father sure looks happy. Claire bend down on one knee in front of their daughter, causing Leo to straighten up, it's the time for the reveal.

"Baby listen I'm happy that you're enjoying yourself, but there's something I have to tell you"

"What is it mummy?"

"You know how I always tell you that your Dad is a real life Nigerian prince and he will come for you when he's done with so many duties he has? well—"

"He's Leo right? And the king is my grandpa" Tonya finished for her, showing an intelligence that's beyond her years.

Leo steps forward, bending over her. "Yes baby girl I'm your father, and I'm so sorry that have not been around"

"It's alright, you are here now" throwing her arms around him. Leo folds her in his arms; a sting of tears fills his eyes. This is surreal, his own daughter. He's the father of this smart intelligent kid, how did he gets so lucky?

"This calls for celebration," the king bellows from his seat, one of the stewards quickly moves to get a bottle of champagne and wine glasses. "You must stay for dinner, heavens have blessed me again with another granddaughter and also a new daughter!" He chuckles, "Now come give this old man a hug". Stretching his arms as Claire embraces him.

"Me too grandpa" Tonya jumps out of Leo's arms to hug the king, who promptly carries her on his laps.

"I see that I'm being abandoned already." Leo pouted, causing Tonya to laugh with delight.

"Don't be silly Dad"

Surprisingly it feels good to hear her call him Dad. He smiles demurely, before turning to Claire whose eyes has grown Misty. "How about I show you around the estate?" Leo suggested. A very much excited Tonya joined them at the mention of a tour around the Estate. It baffles him the way she accepted him without any issue. It goes to show how different children are from adults. It's as if they've known each other all their lives.

"Thank you. You really made things easy." Leo commented as they left the Palace.

Claire did not pretend not to know what he is referring to, giving him a warm smile. She had made sure the little she knows about Leo, Tonya knows too. Claire never presents Leo in a bad light to their daughter, nor makes her to think he abandoned her or anything.

Leo took Claire and Tonya on a tour around the Estate. There are areas that is clearly too far to go on foot, So they took one of the cars. He drove them around the vast expanse which only increases their daughter's excitement.

"Mummy please can we stay here? Eyes twinkling with excitement, as she takes in the beautiful scenery around her.

"Darling remember this is just a vacation, you will have to resume school soon" Claire explains gently.

"Oh that's true" Tonya mutters, her eyes dims but she didn't dwell on it for long before she saw something else that captures her attention.

Leo could not stop staring at his daughter; her excitement is contagious, all through the tour. By the time he drove them back the sun had completely gone down, giving way to the cool evening breeze. Tonya run ahead of them in the garden, trying to chase the butterfly she saw, leaving the adult casually strolling behind her.

"You did a good job with her" Leo pointed out.

Claire eyes widens, clearly surprised to hear him compliments her on the upbringing of their daughter.

"Thank you, I try my best" she mutters.

"You are welcome. She's so beautiful and full of life."

"I'm just so glad that she's having so much fun here, being the first time in Nigeria. The experience has been wonderful I must say, and I also think Tonya got that trait from both of us" she pointed out.

"What, you mean beautiful? You think I'm beautiful?" Raising his eyebrows in mock indignation, causing Claire to laugh.

"No silly, I meant the full of life part of course, though I must admit you are not bad looking" she added her eyes twinkling.

"Oh really, not bad looking uh?

"God you are so conceited" Claire giggles, poking him by his side.

"Well you are beautiful as well, I thought so right from the first time I saw you" he whispers peering down at her.

"Really?"

"Really. All those curves can make any sane man to lose his head and I clearly did" he mutters, his voice caressing her softly.

Claire did not even realize she has stepped into his arms, it felt just right especially when his lips brush hers in feathery touch at first, before kissing her with more pressure the second time, waiting to see if she will reject him, but Claire has no intention of such. As she steps into his arms fully, his chest pressing hers, giving him full access to her lips. This time around there's no holding back or hesitation.

They both groaned with pleasure as they rediscover each other.

"Mummy! See what I found" Tonya voice cause Claire to jump out of Leo's arms with guilt, trying to gain some semblance of control. Leo on the other hand plays it cool, unbothered. He is now very certain that the same intensity of passion they both felt years ago is still there between them, if not better. Claire may refuse to marry him but she can't deny their attraction and that's another weakness against her.

"Hey love let's see" Leo Chuckles with delight at the butterfly in his daughter's little palm. "Wow it's beautiful, but do you wants to know what's more beautiful?" He ask his eyes clouded with love as Tonya nod her head. "You are much more beautiful" drawing Tonya into his arms. "Now let's all go have dinner, but first you need to freshen up". He walk them back home with Tonya in his arms and Claire following.

******

CLAIRE OBSERVE FATHER AND DAUGHTER, both seated together at the dining table. It feels her with joy to see her daughter so happy and content. She's sure Tonya will have enough to tell her school friends about the adventure she had in Nigeria. At the thought of leaving Nigeria, she ponders on Leo's marriage proposal. He's argument seems sensible enough but she's not sure marriage is the solution. She never doubt the sexual pull she feels any time she's around him but still it's not enough reason to marry him, besides Tonya has been doing quite alright without him before and nothing has to change.

Yea right, so why were you sad when Tonya came home crying the other day about the taunting she received from some mean girls in school.

Claire's face creases with worry at the thought that crosses her mind.

"You are not eating your meal. Don't you like it?" the king observes from across the table, he's seated at the helm.

"I'm sorry I got lost in thought, of course the food is delicious, your highness" digging into the meal.

There will be time to ponder on things, for now she will focus on the meal before her. One will get fat in no time, with the delicious meals being prepared at the palace. Tonight they were served fried plantain with sauce that has been garnished with fish and meat cut into small sizes. She's never had the opportunity to eat different Nigerian delicacies, nor does she even know how to prepare them.

"Tell me, how are your parents" the king ask, with interest.

"They are both late unfortunately. My father passed away years ago when I was still pretty much young, while my mother died few months ago"

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that, it must be hard, not to have them around"

"Yes it is, but I'm getting used to it and thankfully I have my daughter and my shop."

"I'm glad to hear that, she's a delightful girl. You mentioned a shop?”

“Yes, I’m a florist”

“Wonderful! I guess you will be able to do one or two things in the garden while you are here. My late wife love flowers-” he said with a wistful smile. “Very soon I hope you will meet the rest of the family."

"I look forward to it your highness" Claire replied with a smile.

"So your father was from Nigeria?"

"Yes and his other family members were all spread across the globe"

"You are very brave; coming to a place you don't know anyone. No family here neither, yet you came all the way down here for your daughter and to know your root."

"It had to be done" she mutters. She noticed Leo was listening to their conversation, though he seems to be engrossed with Tonya.

"Mummy don't talk while eating, it is bad manners" Tonya pipe up beside her father, causing them to chuckle while they all agreed that she's right.