"What do you mean I should calm down ?!" I snarled at Becky who was trying to calm me down.

"That's what you wanted right ? He made amends with your mom and now they're back." She said as she stood up from the pool chair she was sitting on.

"Becky, he hasn't changed! I saw him with a woman at the cafe about 3 days ago." I rested my hands on my hips as I narrowed my eyes at Becky.

"Maybe it's not what you think." She shrugged at me while sipping on her glass of cranberry juice.

"If that man thinks he's gonna come back into our lives just to trash it again, he's in for my horror." I growled before I angrily sat down on the pool chair.

"Well, I can't say anything about this, it's your family issue and it's personal so I'm gonna leave you to make the decisions." She waved her hand in a circular motion on my face as she grabbed her purse.

"Where are you going ?!"

"Home, you obviously need space now." She said as she stuffed her phone into her purse.

"But you were gonna spend the night." I got up from where I sat and walked up to her.

"Yeah... Uhm my mind tells me that's gonna be a bad idea since you're hot headed now." She cocked her head to the side briefly as she rose her brows.

"Okay I'm sorry for lashing out on you, I was just overwhelmed." I apologized as I rested my hands on her shoulders.

"Yeah, I'm aware. I was going to stay but Archer asked me for a sleep over and you blew up your chances so I'm moving on." She waved me off with a naughty pout.

"Becky! You're leaving me for Archer ?!" I let out an amused gasp as I watched her walk away from the poolside.

"Yeah, I'm sick of being your best friend." She chuckled as she crunched her nose.

"You're the worst." I rolled my eyes as I settled down in one of the pool chairs.

"Okay bye, love you." Her voice trailed off as she walked towards the car park.

I shook my head with a smile on my face as I relaxed my body into the chair. It was a calm and peaceful late afternoon and the hot rays emitted from the sun alongside the cool breeze that slapped my body softly, brought a sense of calmness to me.

I was feeling relaxed when the thoughts of my parents flooded my mind again. I tried to block them out but it kept coming, so I got up angrily and paced into the house to make dinner.

°°°°°°°°°°

I was in my room when I heard Drake's car pull over at the drive way. I paced out of my room and rushed to the front door so I could surprise him with my new look.

I decided to scare him so I stood behind the door so I would be hidden when he opens it then I'd be able to jump out and scare him.

He opened the door and he stopped immediately at the end of the door, I was hidden behind the door.

For some reasons, he pushed the door closer to the wall making it collide with my body then he continued pressing down on it which made my body press into the wall.

"I wish this door could open wider." He said as he continued pushing the door.

"Stop !" I yelped as I pushed the door back.

"Took you long enough." He laughed as he threw his suitcase on the couch.

"How did you see me ?!" I winced as I shut the door behind me.

"Your chubby toes..." He said as he turned around to face me. He let out a gasp as his gaze fell upon my braided hair."Wow! You look good !" He trudged towards me and trailed his hands through my hair.

"Easy, it still hurts." I chuckled as I watched him admire my hair.

"You're gonna rock Hawaii with this hair." He said in a girlish tone as he winked at me.

"I know." I wave my hands in the air in style which made both of us laugh.

"I'm famished, please tell me you've prepared dinner." He looked really tired and his eyes were looking pale probably due to stress.

"Of course I did, c'mon let's eat." I took his hands and dragged him to the dinning.

"By the way nice job with the cleaning." He complimented me as he looked around while I dragged him.

He told me about his day as we ate, he had a really stressful day because he had to round up some work meant for next week because of the vacation.

"So with all the work done, I could have a peaceful vacay." He smiled as he chewed on his food.

"That's great."

"So how did your day with Becky go ?"I cringed at the question which made me stop chewing on my food.

"Uhm, it was good we got so many clothes and we got our hair done. It was going fine until..." My faked smile was wearing off as I looked down at my plate.

"What happened ?! Andre again?!" He reached out for my hands and tried to look at my face that was down.

"No, my parents. My dad is back with my mom and from what I saw I think they've been together for a while." I leaned back into my seat as I let out a huge sigh.

"Oh that..." He put on an awkward look and I was confused as to why he wasn't surprised.

"What do you mean “oh that” ?!" I asked him as I made air quotes with my hands.

"Well, I've kinda known about it for a while." He tilted his head sideways while he shut one of his eyes in shame.

"What?! How ?!" I charged as I pushed my plate further away from me.

"Your dad told me." He said with his lips pursed. He was putting up a fearful attitude because he knew how angry I would be after this.

"So you mean to tell me you're having conversations with my dad behind my back." I narrowed my eyes at him while throwing him a strong glare.

"I had to, after the cafe incident. I needed to know more about your relationship with your dad. He seemed pretty distressed so I wanted to find out more." He rushed his words as he explained to me.

"I've explained everything you needed to know already, why still bulge ?!" I snarled at him as I got up from where I sat.

"Because he needed someone to hear him out and you didn't give him that chance." He also got up from his seat and his face showed he was worried and concerned.

"And what makes you think you're the right person to do the hearing! Drake you're interfering with my family life, stay out of it !" I turned away from him swiftly making my way towards the stairs.

"They've been together for a month now." His words made me stop amid steps.

"What did you say ?" I said as I turned around slowly.

"Your dad wanted to tell you about it that day but you shut him up." He walked away from the table as he trudged slowly towards me.

My mind flashed back to the cafe that day and I remembered the woman he was talking to, the dark wavy hair and her sound of laughter. How did I overlook those key features of my mother.

That explains why the woman didn't come out with dad when he rushed after me, she was scared of me finding out.

Anger and frustration sprawled within me which made me balled my fists with my teeth firmly clamped.

I turned around and took large steps as I climbed up the steps, I could hear Drake calling my name but I was bent on carrying out the idea that entered my head.

I rushed into my room, walked towards my wardrobe and changed my long floral gown into a baggy shirt and a skinny jean.

This cannot be happening right now.

I thought to myself and I looked in the mirror, I grabbed my phone from the dresser and tucked it into my pocket and paved my way downstairs.

"Skai, where are you going ?" Drake tiredly asked me as he walked behind me.

I didn't make a response, I just made my way to the front door and opened it with so much force.

"Skai !" He called me as I stomped towards my car.

He took to his heels realizing I wouldn't stop and listen to anything that he had to say.

He ran and stopped in between me and my car. He looked at me with furrowed brows as his eyes wandered across my face.

"Where are you going ?"

"You said I should hear my dad out so that's what I'm gonna do, now move!" I pushed him aside as I tried to open the car door.

"Yes I said so but you shouldn't do it in this angered state." He gripped the car door preventing it from opening.

"Drake let me be, you've meddled enough." I eyed him as I forced the door open.

"Why are you so stubborn ?!" He had a tired expression on his face like he was done trying to stop me.

"Why are you so nosy ?!" I angrily shut the door in his face and immediately I drove out of the house.

Tears bubbled in my eyes but for some reasons they refused to flow freely, they just stored up in there.

I looked at my rear view mirror and I could spot James driving a car behind me, I tried peeking but I couldn't find Drake inside.

I growled realizing he was following me so I decided to do away with him, I made a swift turn to my right and sped into a highway before the traffic light turned red.

My plan worked, the light turned red on James while I sped away freely.

°°°°°°°°°°

I parked in front of the familiar homely bungalow. So much happened in this place right from my birth up to when I left home.

I trudged slowly towards the front door and I took a quick glimpse at the squeaky swing that was on our lawn. That was where everything between Andre and I ended.

I remembered that day like it was yesterday, this place gives me bad energy and it brings back memories I want to forget.

I stomped on the small steps that led to the door and knocked firmly on the door.

To my surprise, my mom opened up the door. She had her jaw dropped as she let out a heavy gasp like she saw a ghost.

"You've seen me at the mall, get over it!" I rolled my eyes at her as I stepped backwards giving her a gap.

"Honey who's it ?" I heard my dad's voice as he made his way to the door. He also had the same expression on his face as he saw me.

"Skai." He gasped as he came out of the door with tears bubbling in his eyes.

"I believe there's an explanation for whatever you two are doing,so I wanna hear it." I ordered as I crossed my arms across my abdomen.

"Skai, I know you're angry but we can't have this conversation standing, please come inside." My mom urged me but I threw her a cold glare.

"I promised myself I'd never return into this house, so here's just fine." I said as I tightened my crossed arms.

"Skai,please." My mom begged and her voice was unusually calm. I looked into her eyes and they showed the pains of a mother.

I looked over at my dad and then my mom before stomping inside the house, the familiar scent of my home tingled in my nose as I slumped into one of the couch.

"Where's your engaged chic ?!" I sarcastically asked my dad with my arms still crossed.

"I ended things with her." He put his face down probably to hide the shame he felt.

"As usual." I chuckled to myself as I rolled my eyes.

"Skai, that's not nice." My mom reprimanded me as she took her seat beside me.

"Not nice?! You wanna know what's not nice ?! What's not nice is when you divorce the man causing you so much pain, who abandoned his kids and you jumped into his arms after an apology." I seethed as I drew myself to sit at the edge of the couch.

"It's not..." My dad cut her as she tried to speak. He walked up to where we sat and he took a stool and sat in front of me.

"I'm not the perfect dad or a husband much more a man, I repeatedly made the same mistakes and decisions that even a fool won't do. I hurt you and your brother real bad most especially your mom but I'm ready to make amends." I shook my head at him as I leaned back into my seat letting him know I'm not buying his apology.

"You wanna know why I ended things with that lady ?" He had an unamused smile on his face as he cocked his head to his side.

"It's because my heart wasn't with her, she tried so hard to make me happy and forget about y'all but that was impossible." He looked over at my mom and he gave her a warm smile.

"Despite all the countless women I've been with, I felt empty because the one woman I loved was always home hurting because of me." He dabbed his eyes to prevent his tears from prickling down his cheeks.

"I had to leave him and move on with my life, I loved him but I couldn't withstand the pain and constant fights." My mom scooted closer taking my father's hand in hers, I contorted my face in discomfort to their gesture.

"Your mom knew I loved her but my fleshly desire was getting the best of me, I had to take a stand for her and that was why I went back to her." He squeezed my mom's hands slightly before he continued to speak.

"I've hurt you so much and I regret everything that I've done. I'm sorry and I'm ready to do anything for you to take me back." I laughed at him as I looked over at my mom who had a weary look.

"Is this what he did to you, that made you swoon into his hands ?!" I motioned to my dad who was desperately begging.

"No, he didn't have to do much. He ended his relationship with that lady and he got psychological help. Yes that's right,he was doing the work so he could get over his obsession." I swiftly looked over at my dad who nodded in agreement.

"That's why I didn't show up or call since you left, I've been secluded as I tried to overcome my obsession. Skai, I know you hate me and all I'm saying to you it's of no effect to you but believe me when I say I'm deeply remorseful." I bobbed my head down in realization of what he had been doing all these time while I insulted him for being carefree.

"Mom." I called her with my eyes fixed on the ground.

"Yes."

"Why did you take him back ?" I asked her as I slightly turned my head towards her.

"Because I love him. We've been together for 25 years, even if he had done so many mistakes, I'm ready to forgive him because of our love." She smiled at my dad as she pat the back of his hands.

They both had spark in their eyes and it was like they were both thinking the same thing as they smiled in unison.

"Are you happy ?" I asked her as I finally raised my head up.

"Of course, yes !"

"Dad, are you going to leave her again ?" I asked him with my teeth firmly clenched.

"Death's gonna be the one taking me away." He smirked at my mom who began blushing like a teenage fan girl.

"Even if I'm still hurt by you and this new relationship, I can't put an end to my parents happiness. As long as you are happy and you're done with your scandalous ways, I'm cool with that." Happiness flashed through their faces as they got up from where they sat and shared a hug.

A small part of me felt warmth as I saw them back together and it made a little smile creep up on my face but when I remembered my dad throwing my things out, the smile turned downwards.

I got up from where I sat, making my way through the door but I was stopped by my dad who held my hand.

"I'm really happy you did this, you don't know how happy you made me and your mom." He smiled at me as he drew me closer to where they stood.

"It's nothing." I said with an expressionless face.

"I know our relationship is strained but I'm ready to wait for you to accept me back." I looked straight into his eyes but I didn't give any emotion or feeling.

"We love you so much." My mom said as she wrapped her arms around me, I put a arm on her back and I could see my dad wanted to join the hug but her restrained himself.

"I know." I said as I pulled away from her.

I gave her a nod and looked over at my dad with pursed lips before making my way to the door with my dad trailing behind me.

I walked outside and my dad shut the door behind us, I walked towards the lawn and I stopped in front of the swing.

This was where my break up with Andre started alongside all my troubles, my dad noticed I've been staring at that spot for a while so he walked closer to me.

"I heard all the trouble he's been causing, I promise you he's going to be out of your life soon." He rested his hand on my shoulder as he gave me a assuring smile.

"Thanks, I gotta go now. It's late."I nodded at him with a brief smile on my face.

"Take care." He said as he walked me to my car. I got in and immediately I turned on the ignition,I zoomed off.

My hands gripped the steering firmly as the tears I've been trying to hard flowed freely from my eyes.

I'm happy they are together but for a certain reason I can't bring myself to accept my dad back into my life after what he did and I wonder how it was so easy for my mom to do so,I increased my speed as the downpour of tears flooded my face.

°°°°°°°°°°

I walked into the living room, as I slowly strode to the kitchen to get an ice pack for my head that was aching badly.

The house was extremely quiet and calm, even the door of the kitchen made a loud sound as I opened it up.

I was caressing my head with an ice pack when I saw a shadow at the end of the kitchen. I froze for a while as I studied the shadow.

It looked like a tall person but lanky, it wasn't Drake because Drake was huge and he wouldn't stand in the dark corner of a room waiting for me.

I was about closing the fridge when I felt someone close it for me I looked up to find another guy this time wearing a mask over his head.

I screamed loudly as I tried to run out of the kitchen but the other shadow came out of the dark corner and held me in his grip.

"Did you miss us ?" The one holding me close to his body asked me as he increased his grip on me.

"What?! Who the heck are you ?!" I snarled as I struggled within his grip.

"Oh okay, turn on the lights." He ordered the other guy who immediately paced to the light's switch.

The light revealed two guys who looked very young who had masks over their faces.

"Drake! Where's Drake ?!" I struggled within his grip and continued shouting for Drake when the guy in front of me removed his face mask.

"Khalil ?!" I was confused and disoriented as my gaze fell on Khalil.

"Surprise !" The guy who held me in his grip came forward and removed his mask, to my very surprise it was Sekani.

"How dare you?!" I snarled at them as I reached for the apples on the counter and threw it at them.

"Hey! That's not how to welcome us." The both chuckled as they shielded their body from the apples I threw at them.

"That was an expensive joke, I thought it was Andre." I let out a huge sigh as I slumped into one of the stools.

"Of course not!" Sekani said as he put his arms around me. "I miss my sis so much!" He said as he shook my body while hugging me.

"Psycho." I said as I pushed him away from me.

I looked over at the kitchen door and my eyes fell on Drake who was standing there with his hands over his mouth trying to hide his laughter.

"So you lied that they'd be coming during the weekend ?!" I gave him a death glare as he walked inside of the kitchen.

"It was their plan not me." He shrugged as he looked at Sekani and Khalil who were laughing hysterically.

"I guess the scare was intense that it made her cry." Khalil pointed to my bulgy eyes that were still wet from the sobbing of earlier.

Drake smile immediately wiped away because he knew where the crying came from.

"When did you guys arrive ?" I brushed it off as I focused my attention on Khalil.

"Like 3 hours ago. I guess that's immediately after you left." He said as he settled into one of the stools beside me.

"Yeah, we had to wait for a long time. Where did you go ?!" I once again froze as I looked at Sekani.