The faces she saw made her baffled. Her father, her late mother and Dino’s father. The picture was taken during her parents wedding. And the gestures and familiarity displayed in the picture got Mitah confused. Evidently, Dino's father was the best man at the wedding.  She was still staring at the pictures when her father appeared from the bathroom
"Did you see the medication.. Mitah?”.. He asked but the expression on her face startled him.
Mitah turned the picture around to his view ”You were that close with him I thought you were just colleagues at Liba army. You told me you just met him when we relocated to Liba. But this is a picture of you and Mom's wedding long before then?"
“Let me have that." He snatched the picture from her, ignoring her question.. ”Don’t you know what things to touch?!.. He said furiously. "I don’t even know why I am still  keeping this”..
He squeezed it and threw it in the Bin.
Mitah stood there fluttered, nonetheless, she bent down to the drawer for the exact reason she came to the room in the first place, the medication. She took it and left the room.
Her father watched her as she left. He heaved a sigh and massaged his forehead. He suddenly felt a sharp migraine, ”Lupam!”..He called out loud. 
Lupam appeared from the nearest room “Yes Sir”
“Get me some ice and a towel”
####*
Mitah got into her room. She sat down with a groan. She became really curious about why her father detested Dino's father so much. If they were this close to be his best man in his wedding, what happened between them that was now destroying her own love life? She has asked Lati many times but he always brought up the reason of Dino's father joining the enemy State. Mitah felt there is more to it.  She was caught up in her thoughts when she heard a knock. It was her father.
"Hey...Mitah" Lati entered her room already
"Dad, what is it?" She asked bluntly trying to avoid his gaze
"Mitah, I just want to let you know that I want the best for you. That picture, you saw right there, means nothing. It was a casual picture he took with your mother and I at our wedding"
Mitah raised her head to look at him, her eyes now filled with unshed tears. She gave him a bitter and spiteful look as she spoke " I have been avoiding you in this house since you made me do what I did. I only came to your room because I needed the medication. So kindly leave me alone. What else do you want from me after ruining my love life. I hate you! I hate you so much" her voice broke down in tears
Lati watched his daughter cry and candidly the sight of her saddens him "Mitah. Do not see me as a bad person. I am not trying to ruin your life but trying to prevent that boy from ruining it!. He has a very terrible father!"
"What did his father do huh? He joined the Counter State. Okay. But Dino is not his father!"
Lati wore an uncomfortable expression. He took a deep breath.  "There is more to it than him joining the army, but I can't tell you Mitah, Not now. You will find out for yourself later"
The fact that Lati was not ready to reveal the actual reason made her angrier ; "Look Dad, I don't even care what his father has done, like I said Dino is not his father. The fact is you made me lie to him and you are bent on taking his life if I don't. But I tell you what Father....." She stood up with a bittered look on her face.
"You think you are powerful now, You can do lots of bad things and get away with it, but Power doesn't last forever. It doesn't. A day will come when you will be weak to the brim. So enjoy the power now while it lasts". She said stumbling back on the bed 
Lati got speechless. He stared at her daughter as he cringed at her recent words. He didn't ever know Mitah would say this to him. She has been seeing him as an evil man.
He took a deep breath and blinked his eyes "Mitah, God knows I want the best for you. If you get married to that boy, you will end up blaming yourself. The fact that you are pregnant with his child, an offspring of Paul Martins is already a horrifying situation to bear"
Mitah sniffed and heaved a sigh; "Dad, please leave my room" She muttered
"You are sending me out?" Lati asked his eyes widened in shock
"Leave father! You have done enough" Mitah yelled. Her father slightly shook with fear at the sound of her voice. He walked towards the door and slammed it. Mitah broke down in tears as she held pillow to her chest. She doubted if she could live without Dino. She wondered how he has been holding up. How hurt she had made him.
He had been ringing her telephone but when Mitah would hear his voice, she would end the call. She felt miserable for making him feel so much hurt. 
***********
The next morning, Lati walked into Mitah's room and realized she wasn't in. He opened her bathroom but she wasn't there. He noticed something strange about her room. He tried to detect what it was and he did! It was her cosmetics, and make up items. They were gone and the table she placed them looked very scanty with only a comb and a lipstick. He opened the wardrobe and also noticed the biggest of her bag is gone. 
"Oh. Lord. Mitah! Mitah!" He called nervously hoping it was not what he was thinking. 
"Lupam!" He called the maid loudly. Lupam appeared in some seconds
"Yes Sir"
"Have you seen Mitah this morning?"
" Yes. I saw her an hour ago going out with a big bag. She said she is going to give her clothes to the laundry man since the washing machine is faulty"
"Oh. Lord! Lupam...and you believed her?! What machine is faulty, I used it yesterday night, a washing machine I just bought?!" Lati uttered looking troubled
"I... thought....she" Lupam stammered
"You should have informed me when she was going. Look, she has literally eloped. To God knows where!" 
"Oh... no....."Lupam said also observing the scantiness. "I am sorry Sir"
Lati hissed and got out of the room. He tried to reach Mitah through a phone call, but he wasn't able to speak to her
"Oh. No. I hope she hasn't eloped with that bastard. I just hope!" He said pacing round the house
*****
Mitah had gone to her friend's place Queen. She needed to live her Father's house for the meantime before focusing on what next to do. Shedespised him and cannot bear staying in the same house with him. 
"But why is your father doing this? Trying his best to ruin your relationship?" Queen asked her as they both fed on some crunchy plantain chips while watching a program on TV. 
Mitah exhaled and just shook her head
"So what do you want to do now? Do you think lying to Dino about his child is the best option?"
"My father can be very terrible Queen. He threatened to kill him if I ever have anything to do with him again. And you know Dino has this courageous spirit. If he knows I am carrying his child he will keep fighting for us, I don't want to put his life at risk"
"Yeah. You may be right with that" Queen replied. "So you haven't heard from him since you did what you.. did?"
"I decided to pick his call yesterday. He was unhappy and pleading for us to talk. I know he is very hurt"
"And what did you say to him?"
"That...he needs to stay away from me for now"
"Oh.. Mitah!..but you can't just keep him hanging..." Queen said concerned
"This isn't easy for me either! You know what Queen can we stop talking about this? It's going to worsen my emotions. I will keep thinking of what to do"
"Okay. You will be fine "Queen said massaging her hair dearly. Just then, they heard the door bell ring 
"Let me get that" Queen said walking towards the door. She opened it and her mouth opened in shock at who she saw. 
"He...llo... General" 
"Hi. Queen" Lati said beaming a quick smile. 
"May I come in?" He asked
"Ahm....Sir..." Queen said fidgeting
"I can't come in?" Lati asked raising his eyebrows.
"Ahm...Come in" Queen said paving way for him. Mitah turned back to see who it was and she rose to her feet. She stared at her friend who stared back at her with beseeching eyes. 
"What are you doing here?" Mitah asked with a Stern face
"Mitah. Why did you run from home?"Lati asked
"Father, please go away, I am okay staying here"
Lati exhaled and turned to Queen :"Queen. I need your Friend back to the house in less than 24 hours"
"Sir.. I am really sorry but I don't have a say to this.  She wants to stay here" Queen said nervously
"I am her father and the fact that she is not in my house worries me. She has told you about her condition hasn't she?"
Queen nodded in affirmation
" I will be relieved If she is within my vicinity. You are with her now because it's the weekend, during the week, you will go to work, she can't be by herself alone"
"Uhm..I..my Sister is staying with me Sir and she is on holidays now.  She won't be alone," she said quite agitated, she did not want to appear as though she was challenging him. 
"No. It's incomparable to the care she will get at my Queen" Lati said firmly
"I am not coming back to your house! So you can continue to have your men follow me everywhere I go?!  I don't want that lifestyle" Mitah uttered
"Mitah. You can't keep holding a grudge with me. I am your father. And infact I want to discuss something important with you and don't worry, no soldiers will follow you anywhere" 
But Mitah did not give Lati a reply
Lati turned to look at Queen "I believe you still have some regard for me as your friend's father and I hope you remember I have been nice to you before" 
Queen nodded her head.  Lati paid for her mother's appendicitis surgery two years ago, saving her life, he also helped her Cousin get a job at the State's army. 
"Yes Sir. You have. " Queen replied fumbling with her fingers. 
"Okay. Now you will do me a favour by helping to pack your friend's stuff inside my car. It's outside"
Queen turned to her friend unsettled. "Mitah.. I am sorry". She said going towards one of the rooms. 
Mitah scoofed and sat back on the chair furiously and helplessly. 
********
They were home, and Lati told Mitah he had decided to send her to her aunt’s place at a faraway town till she delivered of her baby. Her aunt, Martha is a nurse and Lati was rest assured, she would be in safe hands and have Lupam also go with her. This was to avoid her meeting up with Dino. Lati did not want to take any risk
Mitah couldn't help but get furious, she felt like she does not have a life of her own and that her father is controlling her life's direction “You can’t keep doing this to me. Why do I have to dance to every of your tunes? I am not a child! I am an adult. I have a right to make my decision and I am going no where. You already told me to end things with Dino and I did already., Now this??? Why are you trying your very best to frustrate me?!”
“Frustrate you?.I am trying to help you here. To protect you from that boy”
“Protect me?..Dad, Dino would and can never hurt me.”
“Oh. Really? Do not question this decision of mine Mitah!.You will be going with two of my military men to keep a watch on you. They will linger around there till you deliver. I already called Martha and do not worry. I will give you enough money that you need"
“What?” Mitah uttered. She scoofed rubbing her forehead in distress. “And if I refuse?.”
“You already know what would happen my dear” Lati said as he stood up “That boy won’t take me more than 10 seconds for me to end his life and I am even considering sending my personal bodyguards instead. You know how hefty they are right? He will die a very, very painful death! "He said tapping his fingers. “So, think wisely before you make any daft decision. I believe you value his life and won’t want him dead let alone die a horrible death” Lati said, he picked up the magazine he was reading and dashed outside to receive a call. 
Mitah fell to the ground and cried, out of frustration, she slammed the flower vase on the table to the ground
“Why , Why is this happening to me?!” she wailed
Lupam came out as soon as she heard her cry “Miss Mitah, Miss Mitah”.She called.
She was confused of the next thing to do.  She guessed she had been involved in argument with her father again. She has been aware to an extent about what has been going on recently in the house. She moved closer to her and tried to help her up.
“Ma"am, Please stop crying. It is unadvisable with your present condition. Please get up with me and let me take you in" She said
She held Mitah up by her arm and led her into her room. She stayed with her and switched on the Air conditioner as Mitah was terribly sweating. Mitah lied down and Lupam didn’t leave until She fell asleep.
******
The next two days, Mitah helplessly travelled to her Aunt's place in Kalajih. She tried so hard to resist but her father's men overpowered her. She was put in the car against her will.
Dino had been distressed since Mitah spoke those words to him. He knew there was something fishy going on. He tried to reach Mitah to talk with her, but his trail was fruitless. Dino doubted Mitah was pregnant for other man or even raped. 
He contacted her Friend Queen, who initially did not want to divulge any information to him, but after many pleads, she eventually told him what she knew and Dino did not guess wrong after all- her father was behind Mitah's awkward behavior. Even though he had been avoiding going Mitah's place because of Lati, he eventually did. He drove into his compound with an aggressive speed. The Security Officer was about asking questions but he slightly pushed him aside. 
He stepped out of his car and kept calling out Mitah's name. His intense voice attracted Lati who having sensed who it was, barged outside. 
"You really have some nerves don't you? You show up in my house? Do you not fear for your life?!" Lati muttered to him
Dino removed his shades.
"Well done General. I didn't know you are this petty. But I tell you what, I will fight for my child. Mitah wasn't raped. You forced her to come up with that story. Didn't you?"
Lati shook his head giving him a spiteful look ;"I owe you no explainations. You think because you are wealthy you can always get what you want? Mitah is not yours. Her pregnancy is not yours. Look for your own woman!"
Dino shook his head at his response  "You must be kidding me right now"
"Really? Get out of this house before you regret it! You son of a Villian!"
Dino stared down before raising his head again; "I will be back General. Don’t get your hopes up, and don't sleep too peacefully" With this, he left and zoomed off.
“Stupid boy”. Lati spat on the ground. He beckoned on his Security Officer who came running. He had been standing there helplessly listening to the rants between his boss and Dino. 
"Now listen, the next time I see this idiot inside the house, you are going to lose your job. I just employed you here a month ago, the former security Officer that was here knows him quite well and doesn't let him entrance. Now you should also tread on the same path. Understood?"
"Yes Sir!" He affirmed giving a salute
*******"
After seven months, Mitah was back with a beautiful baby that is more of her replica. His name-Lucas She was still not happy with what her father made her do and she felt as though she was living in bondage. She felt solace through her baby but she knew she would feel complete solace if she was with his father.
One day, Lati proposed the idea of marrying her off to Qadir, a son of his billionaire friend. Qadir is a doctor and based in their state but Mitah refused the offer “I don’t want anyone except Dino Dad.”
“Why won’t you just forget about that bastard? Did he hypnotize you or something? It’s never going to happen, unless I am dead!"
Mitah didn't say a word after and just continued breest feeding her baby, while Lati we excused himself to use the restroom. At that instant, she  heard a slight argument going on outside and it sounded aggravated already. She put her baby to sleep to go check what was going on. She got to the compound and her heart skipped at who she saw.