His Majesty’s Possession — Chapter 11

VANESSA'S POV

My heart froze at the scene that unfolded before me, I was surprised and amazed at how soft Richard could become because of his daughter.

“I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you always need me. I know I'm the worst father in the whole world but I promise to make it up to you from now on. I'm sorry baby” He said while hugging his daughter tightly to his heart.

“She can't breathe properly Richard, you need to let go for a minute” I tried taking the child out of his hands to prevent her from suffocating. He didn't release her, he only reduced the tightness.

“What's her name?” He asked while looking at the girl.

“Racheal Amaan” I replied and he smiled. “Thank you for giving her my surname, thank you” he said.

“Are we invited inside or we'll continue with the reunion service out here?” Michael who had been silent the whole time finally said something.

“Okay” Richard answered and led all of us inside. The living room was just like Richard, Dark and Empty, even with all the expensive furniture and equipment you'll find in a billionaire's living room, the feeling of emptiness filled the air.

Rachel let go of Richard's hand and ran to hide behind me, I guess the color of the room scares her.

“She's scared of anything black and I think that's what's affecting her” I explained when I saw the questioning look on Richard's face.

“I'll change everything by tomorrow and you can help me pick a design for her room, that’s if you'll want her to stay over here sometimes” I nodded in understanding.

“Thank you so much” he appreciated

He moved towards Rachel and played with her hair before proceeding to pull her out from my back. “I'm sorry princess, I'll change the color tomorrow so you don't have to be scared of anything. I'm here now darling, I'll protect you”

“Since this is a family reunion, I think I need to go to my own family reunion now. My fiancé is in town and I'll love to introduce her to my family” Michael suddenly announced.

“You have a fiancé?” I asked out of surprise and shock.

“Yes, I do and you'll get to meet her at the wedding”

“You're getting married?” I screamed

“Yes, next week” I picked up a rubber knife from the dining table.

“I'm going to kill you, you bloody betrayal. How dare you? You got engaged and you didn't tell me, now you're getting married next week and you're just telling me” he took hold of my hands and forcing me to sit on a chair, he tied both of my hands together with a cloth.

“Richard take care of the crazy woman” Turning to Rachel, he said “I'll see you later princess” He scattered my hair and placed a kiss on my hair. “I'll explain later when you're normal. You're crazy right now. Bye everyone” he left after placing a kiss on Rachel's cheek.

“Thank you so much, Richard,” I said after he released me from the bondage that Michael had put me. After placing Rachel on a chair in the dining area, I turned to him, waiting for him to say something.

“Should I offer you anything?” He asked me to break the silence and it was so awkward.

“No, I'm okay and I think Rachel is good too” I replied.

“Princess, should daddy get you anything?” She shook her head.

“Am I a pwincess mommy?” The fact that Richard won't stop calling her princess had made her curious

“Yes, you're your daddy's princess and our beautiful baby, we love you too much” I told her

“Can I talk to you about something? I know it's too early to ask but can I please have joint custody of Rachel?” He asked while we sit on the couch with Rachel on his lap.

“That's okay if you want but who will look after her when you're at work or when you travel?” I asked

“I'll bring her to you when I'm on a trip and I'll try to get a nanny also. I think that will help for now” he explained.

He finally broke the lingering silence between us after several minutes.

“After I had a meeting with the man who changed my life till now, I called your number because I wanted to share the good news with you. When I couldn't reach you, I called home hoping someone would pick up and give the phone to you but still to no avail. The next day, I went back home thinking ``I'll eat your head off for making me worried” I took a while for my head to figure out he was telling me his own side of the story.

“Then, they told me you ran away from home after you pushed my mom off the stairs. I was sad and angry, so mad at the fact that you left when I was able to open my heart to someone. My anger clouded my thinking, I didn't bother to look for you. Even till now I still can't forgive myself for everything I made you go through. Maybe under the stars, someday, we'll work it out again”

“Maybe someday, I have hope” I said trying not to ruin the mood

“I have hope too,” he replied.

Hours after, Richard left the house to make an appointment with those that'll change the color of his apartment. With Rachel playing with the toys we ordered online, I was in the kitchen trying to make dinner when I heard the doorbell ringing.

I quickly left the kitchen to open the door not without checking on Rachel to find out she was sleeping already.

“What are you doing here, Vanessa?”

“I think you know the answer to that question and I should be asking you what in God's name you're doing here? After three years, I didn't expect that you'll show up here, Richard's house of all places”

“Leave the sermon for the priest, Vanessa. I'm Richard's girlfriend”

What in God's name did you just say?

HIS MAJESTY'S POSSESSION