Clouds 𝓸𝓯 Grey || #3 [working on editing]

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐲.

chapter is dedicated to myself bc this is the first time I'll ever reach chapter 40 in a book. 😂❤️ enjoyyy

040| Unexpected Expectations

~H A N N I E L~

I should have relished the last moments of Mum being a full time mother.

Right now, she was just the Olivia Aderinoye that I hardly got to see.

It was unwelcoming to step into this big mansion, accommodating only me and the house helps. The amazingly large, 325-inch television was switched off and I found myself staring sideways at the dark blankness that had a mysterious depth to it.

Just as I passed the indoor pool in the hallway decorated with purple lights, Salewa stepped into presence, slightly startling me. "How are you, sir?"

I raised a brow in reflex. How are you?

When did we start having conversations?

"Do you want anything?" I asked.

"Nothing," Salewa shook her head. "Madam said I should make sure to check up on you every five minutes and it's been five minutes since you entered." She rapped out slowly.

Every five minutes?

I found that idea unappealing.

"Thank you very much, but I don't want that." I waved in refusal.

Salewa looked like she was about to protest, and just as she was about to open her mouth to say something, I cut her off, "You can go, Salewa."

I definitely noticed what happened after that.

The slight frown on her face, causing her eyebrows to crease and her cheeks to squeeze-not a slight frown-just because I said her name before she walked away...

Was it my pronunciation?

I sighed and went upstairs, loosening my tie in the process. The first thing I did as soon as I opened the door was fling myself and my backpack unto the bed and I released another exhausted sigh.

I looked at my right, my black backpack laying right beside me. I sat up and unzipped it, pulling the white envelope I had received from Mr Jarah right before school hours ended.

The envelope contained a letter Mum had to sign. But right now, I didn't think Mum was coming back home any time soon.

I think we are back to that era.

I flinched when the door to my room was slowly opened, revealing a shy looking Salewa.

Don't tell me she was serious...

"Sir, I have been knocking at your door for sometime now. Do you need anything?"

I didn't know what to say.

"Has it been five... what do you want?" My words came out in a disarray, a result of my inarticulate thinking since Salewa walked in.

Salewa nodded, "Yes. It's been five minutes."

"Salewa," I started, sighing for the third time in a row, "You really don't need to come every five minutes. What sort of stress is that?"

Salewa looked like she was about to say something and I caught that subtle frown again when I pronounced her name.

Maybe I should avoid saying her name for now...

Salewa lowered her head, not saying anything. I rubbed my forehead and asked, "When is Mum coming back?"