Our first meeting

I would have left along time ago if this banquet wasn't organized by my dad. It's so boring that being in my bed would have been a better option. 

My dad organize banquets for his employees at every end of the year. He always makes sure that mum and l attend it with him. 

Last year was also the same. Boring me to death. The thing is that am not familiar with his employees. I don't come to the company oftenly even though both my parents keeps on nagging me to visit and familialise myself with the employees. I wonder how many times l have to convince them that am not interested in dad's line of business. 

I decided to move around the hotel may be to get fresh air. It will as well serves me right and also to escape from dad's unstop introducing me to his friends. 

As l just left the hall, my eyes landed on the familiar figure on the phone. Mr. Gavin! What is he doing here? I questioned myself inwardly. He was busy speaking on phone and l busy watching his every move, l couldn't take my eyes off him. I found myself even biting lips. 

What do you think you are doing young lady?  I jumped as mum's voice settled me. 

Ahaaa... Nothing l was just.. I couldn't speak. This is so embarrassing. What's mum even doing here? Isn't  she supposed to keep her husband company?

Come we need to go home. Mum said looking angry at me and at Mr. Gavin who was still on his phone. 

Oh sure let's go l said awkwardly. Stepping forcefully on her heels, mum led the way to the parking lot of the hotel where dad's Benz was. His driver in waiting for us. 

The drive at home was for mum and dad discussing about the party. And predicting how it will end. I was quiet and looking through the window from time to time. 

Soon we were at home. Dad received a call immediately we got out of the car. I took this chance and rush inside the house. 

Stop right there young lady. There she goes again. Can't she wait for her husband and they come together. I actually knew that she will ask me once at home that's why l was hurrying to disappear in to my room. 

Yes mum l freigned to be innocent and turn around. 

What was that about? She asked looking at me sharply. About what mum? Again l gave her an innocent look. 

Don't pretend not to understand what am talking about. I mean you drooling over Mr. Gavin. She stated. And l looked down not speaking for minutes. 

Ain't you going to answer? She fumed with a question. 

Am in love with him mum. I outtered looking at her. She was shocked for few minutes 

Are you out of your mind Ashina? How on earth did you choose to fall in love with a man worthy enough to be your dad. This isnt happening. My mum angrily responded. 

Yes Mr. Gavin is a man in his early 40s probably 43 and am just 21 this year making him 20 years and above  older than me.

If you are kind of a person that care about the age difference in love, well am sorry to disappoint you. Am madly in love with Mr. Gavin and nothing is going to stop me. Not even my parents, not my best friend Edina Maina who happens to be Mr. Gavin's daughter and a twin sister to Eric Maina my boyfriend. 

Find some one else to love baby you can't go for that man given that he also have a family. Mum brought me back to my senses and l looked at her sternly. Her voice was soft now not sharp like how it was few seconds ago. 

Mum l really love him. I can't seem to control my feelings for him. I  replied as l fought the argue to shed tears.

I didn't rise you to destroy other peoples' families Ashina. She shouted again. 

What about Eric? Have you thought of what will happen if he comes to know about this nonsense you are telling me right now? She asked before l could say anything.

Yes what about him?Eric is the guy am supposed to love, to feel things for but no l dont get any of that. Instead l do feel them for his dad.Things which l never felt even with Cole my ex boyfriend whom we break up a year and half now because of his bad temper that led him to abuse me everyday. And it's not my fault that l found myself that way. And can you  blame me?  Mr. Gavin is a hot of a man. Everything about him is so intimadating that l happen to be at loss of words in his presences.

I will break up with Eric today and also tell Edina mum. With that being said by me, l left her sight despite the fact that she is yelling my name. I don't need more from her now. I need to think how am going to break the news to the twins. And am determined l must tell them tomorrow. 

Am really tired of making Eric think that l will give in into him.At first l thought it was  because l was broken into pieces by Cole. That l would give my heart to Eric so easily now thinking about it, l was wrong totally.

My heart  was already taken by someone else.His dad. Eric has asked to be my boyfriend six months ago when he just came back from abroad where he has been studying. 

He was introduced to me by Edina and at that time we were in our final year at college. That's the only time l saw him and it was during those days that he left for his studies. When he came back, he started to date me. 

I said yes to him thinking that l will learn to love him and forget about Mr. Gavin. At that time l didnt know that they are related in any way. It was two months recently that Edina invited me to spend the summer holiday at their house and l gradually accepted her invite. 

I packed few of my clothes and went to their  place. That very day we were eating dinner when their dad arrived. He hadn't been home for two months and few days according to the twins. They said that he was on a business trip. 

When l saw that he was Mr. Gavin the man l saved once, l froze in my seat. 

Ayear ago l was out for jogging early morning. Am this kind of person that really take good care of my body. I just need it perfect. Although l have a hour glass figure, l do workouts every morning and start with running outside the house and sometimes around the neighborhood.On addition to that, l had just broke up with Cole and l needed something for distraction. It had been almost five months but l was still sad because of the things Cole did to me. That's a story to tell another time. 

Now back to actual story in question. 

It was Sunday morning by then. I had been running and passed by few houses in the neighborhood. There is this house that people fear the most around. It's beautiful but no one lives in it. Some people even say that it's haunted. 

As l was passing it, l saw a car parked near by. I wanted to pass it but then l heard painful cries  of a person. A man at it. I tried to mind my own business like others who just did by passing but l couldn't. Some one was there and needed help.

So l went near the car and saw him covered in blood. 

I approached him and he was breathing heavily. The car door was open and blood was every where. I got scared. The first thing that came to my mind is that he was tortured in that house since everyone say that it's haunted.

But when l looked careful at the man, l came to realize that he was few meters away from the house. He must have been beaten by other people and tried to get out of the car but he fell down.And l was right because he told me later. The blood in the car made it clear to me. . The keys were aside on the ground . I first picked them up and looked at him.Only to see him pointing at the house.

I hesitated for few minutes because was fearful of the house he was pointing at. But seeing his painful and pitiful appearance, l ignored the fear and went to open the door. This man was rich and such kind of people don't want hospitals that much.l barely see dad go to the hospital he instead prefer a doctor coming home for his treatment. He also does that to mum and me. Yeah we are just the three of us. Am Ashina Warren the only child of my parents. My mum is Passant Warren and Warid Warren is my dad. 

After opening the gate, l went and helped him. I had his arms wrapped around my neck and together we went inside. It was hard given that he was heavy but somehow l managed.

Him still holding me tightly like his life depended on my neck, l opened the front door of the house. At that time l didnt even care what was inside, l just helped him lay on the sofa. I went to the bathroom that l saw opposite the living room. I got a small towel and poured Luke warm water on it and went to clean his wounds.

The wounds were deep and l got to know that they were gunshots. I didn't have any idea of how to treat such wounds. He asked for hot water to drink before anything and l gave it to him from the coffee maker machine near the dinning table.

After he drank water, he felt some how better. He requested for the towel in my hands and tore it into pieces. He had it wrapped into his stomach and asked me to tie very tight. I did as he told. That stopped blood from coming out of his stomach.

I got his phone from his pockets on his orders and called doctor Van. I realized that after tieing his stomach he began to talk louder than before.

I helped him to clear his face free of blood. His black hair was all over his face. It will be understatement to say that l wasnt mesmerized by his manly handsome face. For a time l didnt know what do but just staring at him. His eyes were closed revealing how beautiful and long his eyes lashes are, his nose well portioned and straight making his lips thin.

May be sensing my stares on him, he opened his light green eyes that made my heart skip a bit. But l quickly  withdrawn my brown ones and cleaned his neck. Beautiful eyes my mind screamed.

Soon the doctor came and attended to him. That day l had exams so l left after his wound was addressed. That was our first meeting.