241 Group Hug


    After collecting the ashes remains of his dad and Nana, Leon returned to the bungalow to shower and prepare for his departure.


    Just like Leon, everyone was also preparing to leave the ind and return to their respective location.


    The only person who seemed rxed and in a gleeful mood was Ivory. While everyone was busy getting ready to leave, she was busy ying around with Ethan and bonding with every member of her family.


    “So tell me again, why you’re not going back to the city with Leon or back to school? Because I finding difficult to digest your earlier reasons.” Yvonne asked for the tenth time, while she patiently waited for her husband to make the final arrangements for their trip back home.


    Yvonne had been taunting Ivory because she slept over at Justin’s house the previous night. She would either call her by a ridiculing name or tonguesh her on being so wayward like Leon.


    At this point, Ivory lost her patience in trying to be a peacemaker. She decided that it was high time she told Yvonne to stay out of her business. So she called on Cynthia toe take Ethan out of the living room.


    Immediately after Cynthia left with Ethan, Ivory turned around to face Yvonne squarely. Her initial smiling face turned chilly as she red at Yvonne.


    “Big sis, why do I have a feeling that you’re missing E? Or do I suddenly look like her to you? You seeded in driving her out of the house with your continuous nastiness. And now, you are looking for the next avable target to dump your frustrations on. Please, for thest time, stay away from my business and focus on yours before you go singing out that your baby sister has insulted you.” Ivory sneered.


    Yvonne eyes widened in disbelief as she listened to Ivory talk to her as though they were age mates. She slowly stood and returned Ivory’s re with a nasty scowl.


    .....


    “How dare you talk to me in that manner, Ivory?”


    “You asked for it!” Ivory replied almost immediately. “Because I’ve been acting silent to all your insults since my boyfriend dropped me off this morning doesn’t mean I’m you’re punching bag. Enough is enough!”


    “Boyfriend!” Yvonne scoffed. “How many boyfriends will it take for you to act responsibly? You go around, acting like a loose cannon with different young men and you expect everyone to apud your recklessness! Why not marry at least one of your many boyfriends and lead a respectable life like me?”


    “Wow!”


    Ivory chuckled bitterly as rage slowly seeped through her vein.


    “Can you even listen to yourself, Madam perfecto? Do you think being married makes you responsible? Why do I have this unwavering feeling that you are envious of my freedom to do whatever you like? If you think I’m a loose cannon, then what are you, a raving l...”


    “That’s enough, girls!”


    Maxwell boomed fiercely. His timing was perfect because Yvonne was already moving forward to give her younger sister a dirty p.


    “What is wrong with the both of you? Can’t we all live in harmony without consistent bickering? At first, I thought E’s presence was the reason for so much anger. But now, she’s not here and we’re still fighting within ourselves!”


    “Uncle Max, it was Yvonne that started all the trouble. She kept calling me names until I lost it.” Ivory pouted angrily.


    “So looking out for my baby sister has turned into a crime?” Yvonne retorted almost immediately.


    “Enough!” Maxwell said between tightened jaws. “I do not want to hear any more of your excuses. Fighting amongst ourselves will not be tolerated henceforth. Come on girls, we are a family and should encourage one another with love.”


    Maxwell stressed thest words while giving Yvonne a reprimanding look.


    “Uncle Max!” Yvonne’s forehead furrowed.


    “I’m not done!” Maxwell said curtly in a domineering voice. “We should stop picking on ourselves because no one is perfect.”


    “Exactly! That’s... I’m sorry!” Ivory quickly swallowed her words when Maxwell’s frosty stares met hers.


    “Both of you,e to me!” Maxwellmanded in a less chilly tone.


    Yvonne and Ivory both reluctantly walked up to Maxwell while avoiding each other’s gaze.


    “Girls, you both are like my own daughters and no father would want to see his children fight amongst themselves.” Maxwell took each of their hands into his and kissed them.


    “I don’t want to know the reason behind your scuffle but I want the both of you to make peace before leaving the ind. Can you do that for me?”


    “I’ll try as long as Yvonne stops calling me names.” Ivory’s tone conveyed a mixture of hurt and anger.


    “Yvonne!” Maxwell looked pleadingly at her.


    “Okay!” Yvonne said begrudgingly. “I’m sorry Ivory! I guess I transferred my pent-up aggression to you. I shouldn’t have pushed you the way I did. Can you please forgive me?”


    Ivory piqued face broke into a smile as she jumped into her sister’s arms.


    “Yes! I’m sorry too for being rude.”


    “That’s what I love to see!” Maxwell joined in the group hug.


    “Why am I being left out?” Leon came out of his bedroom with some luggage. He quickly dropped them on the floor and went to join in the group hug.


    “Wait for me!” Marissa also came out of her room and excitedly joined in the group hug.


    After a fewughs and jokes, everyone except Ivory and Leon left Nana Esther’s bungalow for the airport.


    While Ivory returned to having a swell exploration time with Justin, Leon returned to the hotel to get his wife for their long trip.


    ———


    After almost eight hours of flight to Amzone city and fifteen minutes drive back to the vi, Leon and E finally arrived home to an overly excited house staff.


    Although it was almost night, the couple was treated to a feast and E was the most ted as she missed their house chef cooking.


    After ate-night dinner, the couple retired to bed and had a lovely rest together.


    Early the next morning, after Leon had showered and dressed up, he told E that he needed to rush down to the office to handle some work-rted issues. He also told her to get ready, and that he would be back by 10:00 AM to take her to the hospital.


    Immediately after Leon left the house, E quickly put a call across to doctor Julie.


    At first, Dr. Julie didn’t take her call. It was after the third trial E was able to reach her.


    “Good morning, doc. Are you so busy or are you avoiding my calls?” E asked yfully.


    “Good morning, E. Sorry for not taking your calls on time. I’m actually busy right now. Please, I’ll talk to youter.”


    E didn’t get the chance to say anything when the call disconnected. She gawked at her phone in disbelief, while wondering what had gone wrong in her friendly rtionship with the doctor; who sounded too formal and professional for her liking.