Rider
Britah Laleramo.... So that's her full name. I have a strange urge to get to know her. It's an old habit of mine to have a background check done on people I associate with, especially my daughter's acquaintances. So I call Tony, my right hand man and tell him to collect as much Intel on her as possible, so I know what I'm dealing with. He's reliable and fast. How he does it, I don't want to know.
I find it really unbelievable how I'm suddenly interested in her. I'm not supposed to think of her like this. I was so interested in my late wife Milcah. She was so calm and easy going, and I really loved her. Sadly, she died in a car accident. I really miss her. A lot has changed overtime. It has been a year, and Lenah has just started to open up. Maybe Britah's company will help her get back to herself again. Unfortunately.
Just like I expected, Tony gives me the information I need, that too before the day ends. So he calls and starts,"Sir, the information I gathered is here. "
"Go on."
"Britah Laleramo....twenty two years old. She comes from a middle class family...and her parents are currently staying in Frosinone."
"Any siblings or something?"
"None mentioned. So I'm unsure. She holds a first class degree in Business. Though currently she's working at Buenos Aires Cafe. Do you want her education story too, sir?"
"Hmmm... Actually, I'll see that at the office. Thanks for this information though." I reply and hang up.
She's beautiful... And intelligent. How come she didn't get a better job than that? It beats my understanding really. Anyways, she's not so good, but I'm sure my daughter can be around her. Hopefully she won't collide with me too.
******
I get to work in the morning after dropping Lenah off at her school. The file containing Britah's information is handed to me by my secretary, Roxy. Her family is mentioned, her birthday.... The schools she attended and how she has a clean record, but it's not satisfying. I want more information, and the thought of it worries me so much. I don't want to be interested in her.
My day is so busy with all the different meetings I have to attend. Luckily it all ends just in time for me to go and pick my princess from her school. She's my strength, and weakness, and my reason to live. I would've been shit after Milcah's death had it not been for her existence.
On reaching the school, I find Lenah with her teacher, Britney inside the classroom. "Am I this late?" I ask. There are only two people inside,and now that I'm there,we're three.
"Dad!" Lenah says and runs to me. Her excitement never fades at all. She's so adorable.
"How are you doing, princess?" I ask.
"I'm alright." she laughs."And yes, you're late. "
"Oh no.... I thought I came early today." I say.
"It's okay. You're still the best dad in the world." She replies and hugs me.
"You're my world, princess..." I whisper and she laughs.
"Good afternoon, Miss Britney." I say to Britney.
"Good afternoon, Mr Vitale. How are you doing?"
"I'm good. I really appreciate the way you look after the children." I say.
"Oh it's nothing much,sir. I just love being around them." She smiles. "They're so interesting."
"I see....Thanks again for watching her for me. We'll leave now. "
"Alright. Have a nice time, Mr Vitale."
"Have a nice time too, Miss Britney....." I say, trying to remember her surname.
"Laleramo." she utters with a smile. Laleramo? Laleramo? Did I hear correctly or something?
"Laleramo?" I ask and she nods in agreement. It's such a coincidence. How can she share a surname with Britah? Could they be related in a way?
As Lenah plays games on my phone, I stay silent, wondering about how Britah and Britney are related. It could be that they only have similar names without being related, but their initials are the freaking same,which cancels the first thought. But if they're siblings, then why do they look nothing like each other?
'You're letting yourself get stressed over that girl?' My conscience echoes in my head. 'You can't be serious, Rider Vitale. She's getting to your head and you're letting her....Remember, she's only your daughter's friend, and she's here for her.'
My conscience is darn right. I'm getting carried away for nothing. Britah Laleramo is only here for Lenah's sake. I'm not letting her get to me in any way. No matter how gorgeous she looks.