Chapter Five

"Mum, you are back!" Alexandra whose mouth suddenly grew dry says more like she was asking a question. 

"No, I'm still at the airport, " Mrs Wachukwu responds sarcastically. "What's going on here?" Mrs Wachukwu asks in a dramatic tone, like she didn't meet them arguing.

"Aunt, just take a look at what Alexandra did to my food, " Juliet says while she points and the spaghetti which was littered on the floor.

"Chioma!" Mrs Wachuku calls out with a raised eyebrow. The anger on her face was evident. 

"Mum. She called me crazy. And I just wanted to show her now crazy people behaves!" Alexandra says while she looks from her mother over to the guy who she knew was Raphael. She could see the displeasing look on his face.

"Chioma, didn't we talk about this last night?" Mrs Wachukwu asks her daughter.

"Mum, Juliet started it. She called me a crazy girl. I was just trying to show her how crazy people behaves. She needs to know the difference!" Alexandra says without stopping for a second. She was clearly trying to defend herself, although it sounded stupid.

"Yes. That's because you behave like a lunatic, " Juliet barks.

"And I don't regret spilling your so-called food!" Alexandra says not minding her mum was present. 

"Yeah, yeah. Why don't you cook yourself? Lazy and spoilt brat!" Juliet hisses, she couldn't care less that they weren't alone.

"Fuck you!" Alexandra flips her middle finger, with a wicked grin displayed on her face.

"Did she just use the f-word on me?" Juliet murmurs. She attempts chasing after Alexandra, but suddenly stops when she heard her aunt's voice, she had totally forgotten she was present.

"Juliet, please come back. I will handle her myself!" Mrs Wachukwu calls out to her niece.

"Aunt!" She hesitates a little. " Alex just used the f-word on me, " Juliet complains.

"I saw that dear. I apologize on her behalf. I would caution her!" Mrs Wachukwu says. She watches Juliet takes a deep breath. "Juliet please keep your cousin company!" Mrs Wachukwu says clearly referring to Raphael.

Juliet who hadn't noticed Raphael before now, let's her eyes widen in realization. She was suddenly feeling embarrassed.

"Raphael, This is your cousin Juliet. She is my brothers daughter." Mrs Wachukwu introduces. Raphael let's out a smile, which Juliet found contagious. She smiles too.

"Hey!" Raphael says.

"Welcome home, " Juliet responds. He smiles in response. Juliet takes a good look at him for the first time. He was really good looking. She knew if he wasn't her cousin, she might have been drooling. She couldn't help but wonder how many girls we're clinging onto him. He was damn hot. His skin tone said something else. 

"Dear, please don't mind your sister. She can be naughty at times." Mrs Wachukwu says to Raphael, clearly getting Juliet out of her rivalries. She turns to her niece. "See him to his room. I would be in Chioma's room!" Mrs Wachukwu faces her niece before walking out. 

"Emm, follow me!" Juliet says while she attempts to help him get his luggage.

"No. I can manage!" Raphael says not giving her the opportunity. Juliet let's out a small smile. 

"It's nothing!" She says.

"Who is the guy between us?" He asks with a raised eyebrow.

"You!"

"So?" He asks. Juliet laughs.

"Okay, follow my lead."

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"Wow!" Raphael says quite amazed. His room looked exactly the way he left it a few years back. Although it was neater. He hardly spent much time in it through. He had only visited the home twice, and he never spent more than two days. Raphael turns to Juliet who had been watching him all along. He smiles again. Meanwhile, Juliet gives him a wield look.

"Do you smile always? Like you have been smiling since you arrived!" She says while he smirks. "Now that!" She says.

"I find it difficult frowning!" He responds in a cool tone.

"I wonder how many girls you use that to seduce!" She says while he scoffs. "I would just leave you to 

rest, "She smiles, not expecting the next question he gave her.

"Do you guys fight always?" He asks, meanwhile Juliet gives him a shocked expression. Like she didn't understand what he was talking about. "Is she that rude to people, " Raphael asks quite interested.

"You saw what happen, didn't you?" She replies with a question.

"Do you guys always fight that way?" He asks again.

"We are both cat and rat living in the same house. We can't stand each other. The feeling is mutual." Juliet says.

"You both are cousins. Such misunderstandings shouldn't be there!" Raphael says with a serious face.

"Your sister is so annoying. You are talking this way because you haven't had a chat with her. That girl is disrespectful. We would see if you would be talking this way after tomorrow, " Juliet scoffs.

Raphael smiles while he touches the back of his neck. That was what he did whenever he was short of words.

"I see!" He responds.

"One thing you need to know about her. She is hot-tempered. Also very evil. No offence, she is your sister. I know, but Alexandra is mischievous. I'm sure you noticed we have no maids in this big house. All thanks to your sister!" Juliet smiles laying emphasis on the sister.

"Thanks!" Raphael says.

"Yeah, I need it!" Juliet laughs while she heads to the door. Raphael smiles while he watches her walk away. She was just a drama queen. He sits on his bed immediately she was out of sight. He catches a glimpse on a family picture on his tableside. He smiles while he picked it up. It was a picture of his mum, dad and Alexandra. He pictured himself been there too. Wondering how the picture would have looked.

He takes a good look at Alexandra, who looked so beautiful and mature compared to what he pictured her to be and the last time he saw her. His stares at the picture wondering how innocent she looked there and how wild she behaved. Looking at her picture, you would mistake her to be a very quiet person. His ringtone totally catches his attention. His callers ID showed "Krys"

"Bro!" He calls out, immediately he receives the call.

"What's up?" Krys asks.

"I'm home now, you!" He asks.

"Just finished cooking, the strike just tire me!" Christopher complains. He could picture his facial expression. He had known Christopher since they were freshers. They stayed in the same room then. Christopher was a medical student why he was studying law. 

"Sorry, bro. I can relate!" Raphael says.

"You are in your family house right?" Christopher asks.

"Yes. Got in an hour ago!" Raphael responds.

"We will see you tomorrow then!" Christopher confirms.

"Great. I will hang up now. I'm freaking exhausted!" Raphael complains. Immediately they hang up. He throws his phone on the bed and stares into the space.

Christopher had been more like a brother to him. Although they met in there first year in school. They seemed like they had known each other for decades. Christopher was a Rivers boy too. He was from Ikwerre, that was the more reason they vibed Immediately they found out they were both from the same place.

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"Chioma, are you stupid?" Mrs Wachukwu shouts at her daughter, who was obviously paying attention to her phone. "I asked you to behave, can you be less stupid for a day?" Mrs Wachukwu demands in a harsh tone.

The fact Alexandra wasn't paying attention to her and wasn't even pretending provoked her the more.

"Am I not talking to you? Just take a look at yourself. Your elder brother came home just to meet the scene you created. Instead of you to welcome him. You disrespected Juliet in his presence. What impression do you intend to create of yourself? Don't you know first impression matters!" Mrs Wachukwu yells.

"Mum, just stop with the lectures. I'm tired! Raphael this, Juliet that. Can't I have peace if mind?" Alexandra asks not bargaining for the hot slap she got in return. Still is shocked she blinks her eyes.

"Mum!" Alexandra yells while she holds the affected cheek. The tears suddenly fills her eyes threatening to drop. 

"I should have done this long ago. Where is your manners? You are turning wild. Sometimes I wonder if I really gave birth to you!" Mrs Wachukwu says in rage. Meanwhile, Alexandra who was already shedding tears stares at her in shock. She didn't expect the slap. 

" I have tolerated your stupidity for so long. This time around you would stop this wild behaviour of yours. You're becoming arrogant, rude and pompous. Let's see if two captain can control this house. I gave birth to you not the other way round. You dare not challenge me. Don't be stupid!" Mrs Wachukwu yells before walking away, meanwhile, Alexandra stares at the doorway with her hands on her cheek. She couldn't believe her mum just hit her.

"All because of Juliet!" She mutters.