Chapter 20

THE ENCOUNTER "What is the meaning of this message," Clifford asked "I don't know dear, I think we should be more alert," she replied Just then, they heard a loud sound from their daughter's room. "Riley......?" they chorused and quickly rushed out to their daughter's room. They got there and met her room in a mess. "What happened Sweetheart?" Clifford asked " Sorry dad, I was trying to get that box over there but I slipped off the chair and fell with the box," she replied pointing to the box. " Are you okay?" her mum asked " Yes, mum," she replied Rosita and Clifford helped their daughter to clear up the mess and tucked her back to bed "It's time to sleep now Sweetheart." said her mum. They sat beside her on the bed and watched as she slowly drifted off to sleep. They looked keenly at their daughter, sighed, and left to their room turning off the light. It was already morning, Riley was awoken by the voice of her mum shouting on the phone. "What do you want from me, Nichole...!" She came out of her room rubbing her eyes "Mum.., is everything alright?" she asked Rosita, startled, turned quickly to her daughter "Yes Sweetheart, go freshen up and get ready for school," she answered "Okay, mum but where is dad?" she asked "Your dad has already left dear." "Okay..., mum," she answered and left to the washroom to freshen up Rosita rushed downstairs with the call to prevent her daughter from hearing any more on their conversation. She got downstairs and realized that Nichole has already hanged up. She tried calling the line back but it didn't go through. She sighed and slammed herself on the sofa. She was about to call Kathie when she heard Riley's school bus pull up in front of the house "Riley....., the bus is here." "Okay....mum...!" she replied from the room, quickly took her bag, and rushed downstairs "I'm leaving mum..." "Wait for dear, I have packed your breakfast for you," she answered, went to the kitchen, and came out with Riley's lunch box. "Here you are, Sweetheart." "Thank you mum." she took her lunch box and rushed out of the house "See...you mum...!" she shouted, running to the bus "Okay Sweetheart, take care..!" Rosita shouted after her. When Rosita was sure that the bus had left, she took her phone and called Kathie. The phone ranged for a while and Kathie answered "Hello.....Rosie" "Hello...Kathie, are you home?" she asked " Yes I am, is anything the problem? "Okay, I'm coming over right now. I will tell you when I get there." "Okay...." she answered confused "Okay, see you," she replied and hung up Rosita rushed to the room, took her bag, and left the house. MARATHON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Riley and her friends got off the bus and were about to leave for their classroom when they heard a voice calling from behind "Riley..., Riley..." They turned and it was Florencia "Florencia..." Riley called "How are you feeling today Riley?" she asked "I'm feeling much better now," Riley replied Just then, they heard the bell ring "I've got to go now Riley, see you at lunch," said Florencia and rushed to her class Riley and her friends also rushed to their classroom but were surprised on getting to the entrance of their class "A new teacher?" Kate asked "I think so, Kate...." Riley murmured and they entered the class "Good morning Auntie..." they chorused "Good morning kids, go have your seats now. Class is about to start." "Okay..." they replied and went to their seats When all the class has settled down, the teacher introduced herself "Good morning kids, I am Auntie Natasha. Your new teacher." "Welcome...Auntie..." they all chorused "Thank you, kids, now let's start our activity for today," she said and went around guiding the children with their activities. LIAN'S APARTMENT Riley packed her car and rushed to the door. She knocked on the door and Kathie came out. "Hi...Rosie, come in." "Thank you, Kathie," she replied and rushed in and sat on the sofa. Kathie also went to sit beside her "What's up with you with this worried look Rosie?" "Uhmm...Kathie, I think Nichole is back." "What.....!" Kathie screamed "And I think she is planning something." "I've you met her? Does Clifford know?" I've not met her Kathie but I have been receiving this strange call recently. Whenever I answer, there is no reply and when I try calling back to it doesn't go through. Today, the number called again but this time, there was a reply and it was from Nichole." "This doesn't sound good Rosie.." "I know...Kathie and I'm so scared for my family especially Riley." "I think we should go see Lian and Clifford now," Kathie replied "Okay...., let's get going then," she replied and they left the house to the company MARATHON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL In an hour, the bell went off for lunch. All the kids rushed out to the canteen. Riley and her friends were about to go out when Auntie Natasha called her "Riley...., can we talk." Riley and her friends looked at each other in surprise "I will come to meet you guys soon," she said to her friend and they left while she went over to her teacher "Riley..., someone wants to meet you," said Natasha "Me...?" she asked surprised "She dear, come with me," she replied and went with Riley to the visitor's lounge. When they got there, there was a lady already there waiting for them. "Who is she," Riley asked her teacher "You will know soon dear," she replied They walked up to the lady and she invited them to have a seat. They pulled a chair and sat down "I know you are confused dear." said the lady Riley looked at her quietly, nodding. "Don't be dead, I'm Auntie Nichole, a friend to your parents. I traveled to the states and just returned. I heard your school here so I decided to visit you first before going to meet your parents." said Nichole smiling "Really...?" Riley replied smiling "Yes dear, I came around earlier but saw that you were busy with your friends." "Yes...Auntie Nichole.." she replied smiling "So can we go for a walk...?" Nichole asked Riley "Sure Auntie..." she replied happily Nichole took Riley out of the school for a while to have fun in other to gain her trust. 30minutes later, they returned to the school "These are for you Sweetheart." she took a parcel from her car and handed it over to Riley "For me....?" she asked, surprised " Yes dear, take it and hurry back to class." "Thank you, Auntie.., bye." She took the parcel and rushed off to her class. Nichole starred at Riley as she went back to her class and smirked wickedly "Get ready for me Clifford and Riley, because I'm back to destroy your family." she smiled disdainfully and drove off. CLIFFORD'S APARTMENT It was already 3:30 pm when the school bus pulled up in front of the house. Riley waved her friends goodbye and rushed to the house "Mum...mum..." she called happily on getting to the house "Hello...Sweetheart...." Rosita replied, coming from the backyard Rosita and Riley moved to the living room. Riley ran to hug her dad when they got there "Hello...Sweetheart" said Clifford and hugged his daughter "Hi...dad.." she replied smiling Rosita sat beside them, took Riley's bag, and saw the parcel in it. "What is this Sweetheart?" she asked "It's a gift from a friend," she replied smiling "And who is this kind friend of yours?"She asked " She is your mum's friend." "Really? Which of them? Rosita asked " It's from Auntie Nichole.." she answered "Nichole....!" Rosita exclaimed "Yes, mum..." Clifford and Rosita turned to look at each other in shock.