Chapter 24

23 — Zoe It was Christmas Eve and Zoe decided to stroll on the street. Every other Christmas had always been lonely, but this one felt lonelier. It was so glaring that she was all alone, with no friend and family to celebrate Christmas with. It dawned on her that somewhere deep inside, she had hoped for a better Christmas this year. Just because of those who came into her life. But how could she have expected a better Christmas the year? Who was she to have thought about hanging out with friends on a day like this? Why did she even imagine she deserved to dance and smile with friends?

That was impossible.

For someone like her. For Zoe. The world couldn't afford that.

For many years now. Every other Christmas was spent the same way. But this one with pain, pain and extra pain. The world just didn't want her, nobody on earth wanted her. And even when she felt someone could want her, she messed it all up.

Zoe's mind was dark and gloomy, even though there were bright Street light and Christmas decorations. The entire world was quiet to her even though she could hear the happy noises on the street. The sight of happy children and people made her cringe, she just wanted to go back home already.

But maybe it would be nice to see how beautiful the world is without her for one last time. There was so much love that she didn't have a right to. So much happiness she couldn't dare feel. So much peace she could only imagine having.

She was no use to anyone. And the world would do just fine without her. Maybe she would find peace and rest in the next. But for now, she needed to get out of this one.

••••

Zion turned again on his large bed. He hadn't been in the right frame of mind ever since the previous week. After the discovery. After the moment of truths, truth that hurt. He could only imagine how Zoe must have felt all these years, all the pain and loneliness she must have experienced.

Her actions were clearly understandable. No one would be sane with a mean mother like Darasimi. Zion couldn't wrap his around the wickedness this woman had shown. Just how could a woman do such to her own child. A disgrace to motherhood. That was who she was.

Because of wealth and influence. She left her daughter alone to fend for herself. Who does that? Zion rolled again as he sighed, his mind flashed to memories of his own mother. And how she could have sacrificed her own life for him. How she could do anything just to make him happy. No mother could ever be like his.

Tears rolled down his eyes as memories of his mother continued to come. He bit his lip as he wondered how Zoe had never experienced that. At least he had a mother that cared for some time. But Zoe had probably not had the genuine love of a mother.

His mind flashed back to the times he had spent with Zoe, and how happy she seemed just by having people around her. He remembered how she stood up for him when he was about to be bullied. And how much help she had given concerning his academics. She wasn't a bad person, and she was a very lovely friend to have.

Zion couldn't help but wonder what she was doing today being Christmas Eve. His heart ached to see her again and tell her how much he loved to be her friend. And tell her it wasn't her fault at all. He needed to see her at once. And tomorrow was just the perfect time.

Zion sat up and picked his phone to call Matthew and Julia.

They needed to visit Zoe.

•••••

It's the morning of Christmas. Emily got down the stairs and walked into the sitting room. Her father and other siblings were still asleep. Christmas was different this year, she thought as she sat on a chair. Her eyes traveled to where her mother's picture used to be placed in that room, she sighed has it was no longer there.

Her head dropped at the realization of how the day would go dawned at her. No mum. This would be the worst Christmas for her, and there was more to come. She cast her mind back to the events of the days before. The day her mum was sent packing. Of all days, that had been the worst. Betrayal, pain and disappointment were all she felt that day, and days that followed. Till now, she just couldn't wrap her head around the fact that her mother had done that bad.

Although, she couldn't remember the times spent with her sister and father that well. She couldn't forget the warm smile her sister always had on. How could her mother deny her the love of her sister? Why did she leave her alone? All for money?

She couldn't help but feel she was part of all that. She had also left her sister even if it wasn't intentional. How would her sister feel knowing she had enjoyed all the love and wealth her mother offered? How would she feel knowing she was forgotten so easily?

Emily thought as she dropped her head in pain. It was going to be a very long Christmas.

•••••

"Where are you going to today?” Gabriel asked Zion utterly surprised. Although this Christmas day was going to be a very different and uninteresting one. He didn't understand where Zion would want to spend Christmas apart from with his family.

"Good morning Dad,” Zion who hadn't seen Gabriel sitting in the visitors lounge greeted upon hearing his voice.

“Good morning. Merry Christmas,” Gabriel greeted. "You haven't answered my question.”

Zion walked and stood just near his father. “I'm going out with Matthew and Julia. We want to go see Zoe.” Zion said.

"Zoe? Your friend?” Gabriel asked. "Dara's daughter?”

"Yes… yes Dad.” Zion said.

“Uh', Gabriel sighed.

"Dad,” Zion started. “For the few months I have known Zoe. She is an amazing person who was just unlucky in life. She is one of the nicest people ever. Knowing about her mother made me understand many of her actions now. She has been all alone for seven good years; I can only imagine how she must feel.” Zion said.

Gabriel sighed as he rested in the chair.

"I don't know why anyone would do that to her own child.” Gabriel said.

“Uh. She did terrible. But Dad, think about forgiving her, just for Gloria's sake,” Zion said. "I'll be leaving now.”

“Okay.” Zion turned to leave. "Zion,” Gabriel called.

“Yes Dad.”

“Do you think you'll want her as a sister?” He asked.

"What?” Zion asked genuinely clueless about what his father was saying.

“Don't worry. You can go"

Gabriel watched as Zion left. He rubbed his hands together and bowed his head. For a while now, he had thought about Stella, Zion's mother. She was perfect, amazing. The best of her kind. His life was perfect with her in it until she was snatched away by the cold hands of death.

He couldn't get her face from his head. How he wished he could just see her on last time, and tell her how much he loved her. He missed her a whole lot. And he regretted ever trying to replace her. Stella was simply irreplaceable. No one could be like her.

His heart hurt again as his mind drifted into thoughts of Darasimi. Their first minute still vivid in his memory. He remembered staring at her all night the first time they. She was classy and beautiful, even more beautiful than Stella. Dara had seemed so perfect and for once he had thanked God for loving him so much.

Dara was everything. Classy and all that was cozy. She had such an inviting aura that made all men droll over her. He had counted himself lucky to have gotten her attention at that time. Little did he know that she wasn't after his love but his pocket. Now, Seven years down and he finally gets to see her for who she truly is. A big fat liar and deceiver.

"Can I ever forgive you Oluwa Darasimi,” he said to himself as he closed his eyes and rested his neck on the chair.

He wanted to. But was that what he should do at that moment?

••••

Julia, Matthew and Zion got down from the taxi and started walking to Zoe's place.

“I still can't believe what you're saying,” Julia said. "You mean aunty Dara is married to your Dad?”

"You better believe it Dear,” Zion said.

“Wao,”

"She must have felt so bad seeing her as your step mum,” Matthew added.

“Yes! I just want to see her now and tell her it's ok!” Zion said hurriedly.

"I can't believe we all left her because of what she did! She wouldn't have if it had been any of us,” Julia said sadly.

“that has been eating me up ever since. I cannot believe we all abandoned her just like everyone else. ”Matthew said.

"I hope we get forgiven,” Zion said as the walked into the compound.

Zoe sat on the floor of her room staring at the pills a movement away from her. Tears rushed down her eyes as she was about to end it all.

Tired! That she could feel. No life here anymore, no more hope for her. She could has well end it all.

No one was going to miss her, so there was no use hoping. She just hoped she could see her mum and thank her for a life well wasted. Her mother deserved all the accolades for the turn her life was taking. She really deserves an award for the most cruel and selfish woman alive.

She reached out to take the drugs when she heard a knock on her door.

“Merry Christmas, Zoe!!!” She recognized that tiny voice, but she couldn't believe it was who it sounded like. It was probably her imagination playing a trick on her.

"Come on, open the door princess. Let me come gist you!” Was that Matthew? She thought to herself. She shook her head and packed the drugs, the table giving a sound that alerted those outside.

“You are inside. Just open up, Zoe! I miss you!” Zion yelled. This wasn't happening.

Zoe blinked her eyes and stood up, she peered through the window…and yes there were people outside. The same ones who left her house in anger just weeks ago. Her eyes filled with tears in surprise, happiness and sadness.

A part of her wanted to home the door and hug Julia. But the other part which was prevailing still wanted her to continue with the pills in her hand.

"Go away!!!” She yelled as the knocks persisted.

"We love you. We are sorry!” Julia said.

"No need to be sorry. I'm ending it all already.” She said.

“What?” Zion and Matthew exclaimed.

Zion hoped he didn't hear what he just heard correctly, or maybe it meant something else and there was no need to panic.

"What do you mean!” Julia yelled. The trio had started panicking.

Zion sighted the window and rushed to it. The sight in his view made him scared. Zoe was about swallowing a substance. This was an obvious case of suicide.

"Zoe please don't do that! ”Zion yelled.

Julia and Matthew rushed to him and saw what he was seeing. They pleaded and pleaded but Zoe was just sobbing.

"Zoe!!! Please don't. Don't do it. I love you my sister!"