Chapter 1
He had joined the flight at Tema, this man Maya kept catching glimpses of through reflective perplex In the window.
For the past minutes he had been concentrating on some kind of paperwork, more first_class she had thought when he came along with other passengers.
Meeting his vivid dark eyes as he murmured a polite greeting before taking his seat by her side, she felt a sudden shiver that was as if hair left her pores.
Such feeling was outside her experience.
She had sent a mail to her father telling him of her mother’s death but had received no reply.
He might have left Tema for good her other mind dissuaded her but had not undermined her decision.
She would search until she found him, or until the money she had planned for the trip ran too low, Whichever came first at least she had made an effort.
Where she sat, she could recall some details.
She had only been ten years old when he left home.
Even before that, he had been away a lot, traveling in his job.
He had tried there was no doubt. He had been able to provide for his wife and child before leaving.
Now twelve years later, Maya had purged herself of any lingering feelings.
She simply wanted to see him again and get to know him.
She dozed off still weary of the previous day’s flight.
The light touch of a hand on her arm woke her, when she turned her head she found herself looking into those disturbing dark eyes again.
‘They’re starting to serve snacks,’ he said. ‘I thought you might regret missing it if you were left to sleep. Was I right?’
Maya pulled herself together and ran a hand over her hair as she sat up straighter in her seat.
‘Thank you,’ she said. I’m not exactly starving at the moment but I probably Would have been before the next meal came along. what is it, do you know?’
With a slant on his mouth. ‘We have a choice between chips and icecream, ‘
She glanced his way again taking in the dark thickness of his hair.
Mid-twenties, she reflected irrelevantly.
‘You fly this route often?’ She said quickly.
His smile was pretty it altered his whole face, he openly appraised her face dwelling on the curves of her mouth, lifting to scan her blue eyes that were her only real claim of beauty.
‘My name is Dylan,’ he said ‘and yours?’
The paperwork had been put away, which meant he was probably bored enough to be seeking attention, Maya told herself drily, trying not to respond to the interest with so much enthusiasm.
‘Maya,’ she said. ‘Maya Asher.’
‘Why are you visiting Tamale?’ He asked.
She hesitated briefly before answering.
‘I’m going to see my father,’ she admitted. ‘Caleb Asher. Do you know him?’
His expression revealed a little. ‘He’s expecting you?’
There’s no point in lying about it.
Maya shook her head. ‘No, he isn’t. I’m planning to surprise him.’ She paused, waiting, perturbed by his continued silence. ‘You didn’t answer my question,’ she reminded him.
‘I know him.’ The tone was short, lacking any trace of its former indulgence. ‘Too well.’
‘You’re not good with him, she said. ‘Would you mind explaining why? I haven't seen him in twelve years.’
‘That explains why no one ever heard of you, did you at least write and be sure he wants to see you?’
‘I know it wasn't a wise move, but he is my father and I want to see him again.’ she said.
‘Okay then.’ he said.’I wish you luck.’
The steward arrived with their snacks.
They are in silence.
The hours passed slowly. Maya slept and woke, tucking herself down into the corner of her seat.
Waking up when they finally caught up with the dawn, she found the seat beside her empty.
Dylan was walking back to his seat. She had no idea where he was coming from cause she was asleep when he left.
Taller than she would have anticipated for a male of his type, his body looked thick and supple. A devastating attractive man, she was bound to acknowledge.
Her thought drifted back to the talks before she had her little sleep.
Somehow Dylan wanted her to go back home because he didn't think it was worth finding my father.
The most intriguing part, he sounded like he didn't want me to continue my journey.
As if he was going through her mind, Dylan said. ‘You should try making a stopover on your way home. You'd find it well worthwhile.’
Maya said softly, ‘You’re so sure I'll be going back home?’
He looked at her, ‘There is nothing for you in Tamale. You'll discover that soon enough. Your father...’ He paused. ‘ you should see for yourself.’
Maya was silent for some moment. Even if he could be persuaded to tell her what he knew, was it fair to her father to ask? Dylan was his enemy, there is nothing surer than that.
‘You can at least where to find him,’ she said
‘I'll drop you off myself.’ he said
‘Alright.’ she responded without inflection.
It didn't take long they were at the airport.
Dylan had a car waiting. Seated beside him in the air-conditioned, luxurious interior, Maya wondered what he did for a living.
It was almost eight by the time they reached a busy waterfront.
Dylan brought the car to a stop along a quayside,
Getting out of the car to grab Maya’s suitcase from the trunk.
‘Down there,’ he pointed. ‘Your father will not be delighted to see me, I apologize I can't go with you. If you need a hotel I'll recommend Nashville.’
‘Thanks, I'll remember.’ she took the suitcase, her smile broad. ‘You have been very helpful.’
‘The best I could do.’ he gave her one last long scrutiny and then got back into the car.
Maya waited till he was out of sight.
She had traveled this far for this moment, yet she was feeling like she didn't want this anymore.
Twelve years was a long time. Perhaps she would have listened to her advisor. She would have written first.
But she hadn't. And here she was. There was only one way to find out if she had made a mistake in taking this journey. She said to herself, she can't turn back now.
The walk wasn't too long.
‘Sir …., Asher,’ Maya called.
The neighborhood was nothing different from where the less privileged people lived.
What did she expect it was a waterfront.
‘Hey,’ she saw a man, he was probably a little older than her twenty-two. ‘ I just got in this morning, I came straight from the airport.’ she paused, brows lifting inquiringly. ‘Do you know Caleb Asher?’
‘Yes,’ curiosity sprang alive in his eyes. ‘Do you know him?’
‘He's my father,’ she said.
The shock on his face was obvious.
Whole seconds passed before he said slowly, ‘I didn't know he had a daughter.’
Maya shrugged, ‘You don't have to believe me, he'll verify it himself. Please can you take me to him?’
‘Yes,’ he made a visible effort to pull himself together. ‘ only that you can't see him right now. He's.…asleep.’
‘At this time? He's not ill, is he?’
‘No.’ he isn't exactly. . .he passed out last night after drinking most of a bottle of whisky, luckily he was already home.’
Maya looked at him steadily. ‘Does he do it often?
‘A couple of times a week, maybe.’ he held her gaze for a moment before wryly lifting his shoulders.
‘Where do you fit in?’ she asked dryly
‘I keep the ship in other and take care of him too. My name is Nathan, by the way. Nathan Simper.’
‘Maya,’ she gave him a faint smile.
By this time, they were in the same room with her father.
It was clearer now, how he was living on the waterfront.
Dylan’s parent owns the house where her father lived and the ship Nathan keeps.
Dylan is their only child which makes him a successor to all properties.
‘Talking about the stomach,’ Nathan cut in. ‘When last did you eat?’
Maya didn't realize how hungry she was until he asked. ‘Only snacks on the plane,’ she said, ‘I think I feel the hunger now.’
‘Let me get you something to eat,’ he offered, ‘come with me.’
They got to the kitchen he made some oatmeal.
‘This is the available food at the moment, forgive me but trust me you'll enjoy it.’ he said looking with inflection.
‘Oh, I don't mind.’ she responded helping herself with the meal, ‘I must say it's delicious.’ she commended. ‘I didn't realize how hungry I was.’
‘Do you think my father will eat something?’ she asked.
‘No, not anytime soon.’ he replied.
‘You are used to this?’ she asked looking at him.
Without a reply, he smiled.
