New country, New choas
Ada stares at the private jet window, arms crossed, jaw tightened. "Mom, Dad, I can't believe we are still going through with this."
Her mother notices the glare and tries the usual soft smile and sweet talking. "Sugarcane, baby... we dey do this for you."
Ada's chest tightens slightly. "Don't fucking play that card, Mom; I didn't ask to be dragged to the other side of the fucking world!"
Her dad, who was ignoring the tension, turns to her looking angry. "Ada Olamide Cynthia! You are never to talk to your mother like that again. Are you crazy? So you dey curse at your parents now?"
She rolls her eyes and pops her earbuds in on purpose.
Her dad yanks the earbuds out of her ear. "You listen to me when I am speaking to you. You're so lucky we all need to be here. If not, I would have sent you back to Lagos, but I can't and won't, so you fit throw ya rubbish tantrum from now till tomorrow. My decision dey final; we dey go America."
"Oh, so I can't even have AirPods now? Can't even chill without you being on my ass, Dad? Like, geez," she scoffs. "First Lagos, now this; why are you punishing me?"
"If you think this is your punishment," he says coldly, "just wait till we land."
Those words didn't sound like scolding or anger.
They sounded like a warning.
Ada bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to sting and swallowed her words. After all, her father was not the bluffing type and would make matters worse.
Everybody is silent, and only the jet engine noises are heard.
Eight hours later, the jet finally touched down in New York City. Every bump and vibration reminded Ada that she wasn't home anymore.
"Welcome to New York, Mr. and Mrs. Olamide," one of the female staff says politely.
"Please keep your welcome before I shove it up your ass; like, I'm really not in the mood." Ada rolls her eyes and moves past her.
Her dad's eyes flicker to her with a warning expression. The female staff just ignores the comment with forced politeness and wheels their luggage to the SUV along with the other staff.
At the end of the tarmac, the sleek black SUV glinted under the city lights. The driver, tall and sharp in a black uniform, stepped forward. "Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Olamide. Everything is ready for your transport to the mansion as requested."
Her father nodded. "Thank you, James."
They all sit and put on their seat belts. Then James starts driving.
The drive was long, but the car finally slowed down, going through an iron gate, then a mansion made of glass and polished stone came into view.
The car comes to a gentle stop.
She quickly opens the door and slams it. She ignored the staff moving quickly, doors opening, luggage disappearing, everything happening.
She goes inside the mansion and finds a random room out of the many rooms. She showers and changes her clothes.
By the time she came downstairs for dinner, her dad and mom were already seated at the dining table waiting.
She slides into one of the chairs. Her parents start eating, but she doesn't even touch the food.
"Sugarcane, aren't you going to eat something?" her mom says softly.
But Ada ignores her mom.
Her dad lets out an exhausted breath. "Look, it's okay, you don't have to eat, but since you're here now, your mother and I want to tell you something."
Of course he did. There was always something. Another issue. Another talk.
She exhaled slowly. “What now, Dad?”
"You will be starting school tomorrow."
"Haha, very funny, Dad," she chuckles.
"Well, I'm not joking; you are starting school."
"School already? It hasn't even been 24 hours, Dad!"
"Ashford Academy is the best boarding school in the city and country. Students from influential families go there; it's the best environment for you."
"For 'me' or for 'you'?"
"Boarding school? Dad! Now you're definitely punishing me."
I don't care if it's Ashford, Oxford, whatever-ford. I don’t want to go there."
Her dad's gaze hardens slightly. "You don't seem to be understanding the situation."
She tries to hold back tears. "Then freaking make me understand."
"Ada, you think Ashford, the move, and everything is random?"
"The scandal did not disappear."
The words hit her like a wrecking ball.
Her mother looked down at the table.
"We tried to contain it," her father continued. “But stories like that don’t die. Not in Lagos. Not in our circles.”
He stands from the table and hugs her. "Look, I know it's not fair, especially since this is our fault, but we just didn't want to make you a target."
She pushed him away. "No."
Her mother finally spoke, her voice gentle but firm.
“Ada… people were talking. It was getting nasty.”
Ada turned to her, eyes wide with disbelief.
“So you’re both just… sending me away?”
"Yes, it's for the best. We already have your uniform; take it. Tomorrow we will drop you there. Remember, don't say indepth about our family, just the basics, that's it." He father says.
"And please we don't go there forming enemies" her mother says in a pleading tone.
The fight drained out of her all at once.
"...Fine".
