Keep off

Sonita and Bruce packed into the garage as soon as the car arrived at the estate, and they got out of the car. Bruce spotted Sonita at the back of the car, transporting a few items into another shopping bag before giving them all to the house servant standing. She immediately called Rhoda's name so loudly, but no reply. “Leave the big bag for her, she will come, get it,”. They all nodded.

“I'm so hungry, I need to have some fruit,” She walked inside, Bruce waved his hands, took the remaining shopping bag inside. He knew that if he had left Sonita with her plans for Rhoda, the little child would suffocate in the house soon. He couldn't watch her suffer the little child under his roof, he was so positive that Sonita was always ready to deal with Rhoda.

“Sir, are you sure that you need help?,” one of the maids rushed him from the door. He waved his head.

“Yes, I'm sure, you don't need to worry. The bags are not as heavy as they look” he replied to one of the maids, as he walked into the house, searching for Rhoda and wondering where the little child would be.

As soon as he was into the mansion, Bruce noticed that there was something different about the house. But he couldn't pinpoint where the change was coming from, so he quickly brushed it off as being sensitive to things after a long day in the shopping mall. 

He suddenly stopped and looked around for Rhoda in the house. It was strange she had not rushed to greet him like in normal days. He frowned a bit, began to walk upstairs when he heard some noise in the kitchen. He began to see what the noise was all about. He gently walked into the kitchen when he heard chattering so loudly. 

As soon as he peeped into the kitchen, their eyes gazed at each other; Rhoda in an apron washing the dirty plate in the sink. 

“Daddy, you are back,” Rhoda screamed, stepping  down from the little chair she was standing on. It was actually the first time she called him by that name; this melted his heart. She rubbed her dirty hands on her clothes while she gave him a big hug.

Her scream caught the attention of Sonita, who walked down the stairs, 

“I missed you so much,” Bruce whispered to her ears as he hugged and pulled her up.

“I missed you more, Daddy.” Rhoda said,

Bruce was really stunned to hear that from her after the court hearing. He had always wanted to hear that from her.

“Can I call you that?,” She pleaded with tears in her eyes, he nodded slowly with a smile on his face while giving her a kiss on her forehead.

Bruce had been away on a business trip for weeks. It had been hell for Rhoda as she looked malnourished at the moment.

“Thank you, Dad,” She hugged him back. He quickly brought out the sweet candy he bought for her from the temple.

“I know you would love it,” he smiled mischievously.

Sonita watched the both of them, seeing how happy he was around her, and grinned her teeth so badly.

“Daddy, I have been wanting to see my twin sister, I really do miss her alot,” she said, chewing the candy slowly. 

“I have always asked Aunty…” Rhoda paused for a while when her eyes met Sonita's. Then she put a smile on her face, “from now on, I will be a good child to you, Daddy,” She pulled her eyes, tears filled her tears.

Bruce began to wonder what kind of maltreatment she must have undergone from Sonita while he was away. He quickly brushed his head on hers playfully.

“I am here, so don't worry. I also got your favorite doughnuts from the temple”

She quickly ran off out of the kitchen, and immediately Sonita entered the kitchen. She was standing at the entrance staring at them, his eyes lifted hers when he saw her presence there.

“Hi,” She waved at him, but he was silent about her, only to stare at her until her hands touched his face while he stumbled at the touch. 

“Do you have anything to say? You look so numb, ‘bout the child”. She questioned Bruce, who immediately shoved her hands from his face with a big frown, pulled her closely angrily.

“What have you done to this child? A child full of life and healthy looks so lean in a couple of few days i have been away,” he asked hesitantly, 

Sonita sighed heavily, turning back at him as she poured wine into a glass cup. Bruce's eyes were still on her. He wanted questions to be answered. Her silent annoyes him, , 

“I need answers to my questions!,” he yelled, stating the obvious, which made Sonita jump off a bit before placing the glass of wine in the kitchen cabinet.

She had completely forgotten about the question; maybe not ready to answer any of the tacky questions regarding Rhoda's looks lately, all she wanted to remove her completely from his life, but it seemed the opposite.

“So what's about it?,” She replied, shuddering her shoulders, her eyes were fixed on him.

“You are pushing it. There are limits to things, Sonita,” he replied. But she said nothing. 

“Keep the child off of your way ,” he warned her sternly “I mean keep off,” he repeated once more.

“I won't tolerate anything if something happens to her.” He whispered to her,

“Or you are using her to get reminded of your love for Alexia, ?” She asked. He was silent about her. He  quickly walked upstairs angrily, leaving her alone.

“Bring the selected shopping bag into the room,” he ordered the maidservant while he walked into Rhoda's room.

Sonita could not take the insult, anger that brewed up in her chest. She smashed the glass of wine in her hands angrily, feeling so irritated by his words, and Rhoda won her heart again.

“I will not just stop until I win your heart against this child,” She muttered while her hand bled so badly.