AyamConfidence:
bro why you too like to vex....which one be death stare again

Abeg have you seen bibi around??

I am here now ...updates in few minutes.

See as I rush to open the thread thinking another correct update don land

bibijay123:


Thank you sis

Anytime dear. Hope you're better now?

Chumzypinky:
Pls can someone help me with the link 2 Front page?? I've bin hearin of it bt i dnt knw where to find it. Tanz

Newbie. The Nairaland homepage 'Nairaland.com' is what is referred to as the 'front page'.

bibijay123:

I am here now ...updates in few minutes.

Few minutes dn pass nah

Chapter Twenty two



Dedicated to Aitee1, ayamconfidence, chumzypinky, purity22, remiseyi.



Sylvester



" Why did you keep it away from me?" I asked. I was trying my damnest not to give the jerk a punch. He had refused to pick my calls so I made a stop at his place on my way to pick up the baby's things at purity hotel, where Funmi lodged.



" Shark.." Bankole began nervously. " I did what I thought was best. Her chances were so slim and I.."


" You were supposed to run every thoughts and ideas by me before taking any action. Why do I have the feeling you weren't on our side all along?. Whose payroll ware you on?" I asked.



He laughed nervously." Shark, I am sorry. things turned out the way it did. I am not on anyone's payroll. I would never do that to you or anyone else."


" I believe you." I lied.


He laughed nervously again." Thank you. I can appeal the case....I swear it to you, all I did was in her best interest. I wanted her to walk free, I allowed my emotions to get ahead of me. That girl stirred something in my heart, Shark. I....don't know what it was. I thought she could get few years if she pleaded guilty instead of life."




" You doubted yourself." I said, fuming with anger at the stupidity of his words.


" No..." He replied sheepishly.


" Who did you talk to about the case?" I asked.


" Nobody. I swear"



" Think, think, a friend or a girlfriend perhaps? " I said, watching him closely. There was a brief change in his expression.damn! he had told someone." Who?"


" I....I don't think.."


" Who?"


" I...I was drunk and...." He stuttered.


" Talk!" I barked, edging closer to him.


" Her name is Cecilia."


" Description" I spat out.


" 5.7 ft, dark skinned and chubby."


" Where does she live?"


"'Shark let's not get ahead of ourselves. Cecilia is a very decent and..... "

" Where?" I cut him off rudely.



He reeled off her address, I shoved him out of my way and walked out of his apartment. I drove down to the hotel, wondering who Cecilia truly was and what her motive could have been. I was certain she had a hand in the PI's death, or perharps she knew something about it.

" Damn!" I ground out.


There was a sea of people outside a burning building and a distant sound of the siren of fire fighters could be heard. I cussed and reversed my car, the goddamn hotel where Funmi lodged was on fire.
*****
Funmi



I looked down at the tiny bundle suckling at my bosom, his handsome face was relaxed in a smile. Despite the circumstances surrounding his birth, the little guy tugged at my heart and he was making me rethink my actions. He looked so fresh, angelic and innocent...he had awaken a deep maternal feeling in me and all I wanted was to keep him to myself. Just the two of us in a world of our own.




The atmosphere suddenly became hot, I felt his presence before he even walked into the room. Our knight in shiny armor, I thought.I didn't even know his name. His arm was loaded with sets of baby wears and toys. I scooted and he dumped them beside me on the bed. These were not my things, why hadn't he gone for mine? I looked up and our eyes met, he looked tired but handsome in a rugged way. He had a day's stubble on his chin, his eyes were so dark and I knew he wasn't a man to cross.



" Thank you." I said, " But these things are not mine. "



" Yea I bought them." He replied.


" Why?" I asked.



" The hotel was on fire when I got there" He said.



I stared at him in horror and a sob caught in my throat. My eyes burned with tears, my belongings and valuables were in that hotel room! Where would I go from here and with a new baby in tow? I had foolishly kept the money Cecilia gave me there because I felt I could leave the country at any time and I thought it was easier to keep it with me.


" Is...did... you get anything out?" I choked out.


" It was an infeno" He replied.


I nodded my head and looked away.


" You have no where to go right?," he asked." You will go home with me."
****

Dupe



I felt her first kick today. It was a gentle nudge at first, but that was all the encouragement I needed. There was a life growing inside me, a child I won't watch grow up but for now I was content to have her all to myself. I sang her lullabies every evening, poems in the morning and we read our letters at noon. I know some might think I was crazy but I knew she could hear me. I knew she understood that we had very little time to spend with each other. Yesterday, her father was here to see me. He had placed his hand on my tummy, I asked her to show him she knew he was here and she gave a fierce kick.


When my father came to see me, he had prayed for us and I asked her to say hello and she did, I could almost see her tiny fingers at that moment. Maybe I was truly going crazy, maybe life had robbed me of my senses but I knew the only time I felt sane was when I talked to her.That bad lawyer had made us believe I would walk free by pleading guilty, I should have listened to my instinct. I should have asked to see Sly before taking any decision. Now I knew the lawyer wasn't to be trusted but sadly it was too late and I had accepted my fate.



" Someone is here to see you," a warder said.



I followed her to the visitor's room and settled myself on the bench. Another warder walked in with a tall, ebony skinned lady who looked familiar. She wore a simple black gown with matching black sandals and a black purse. She had a smile on her beautiful face but her eyes seemed mean. This was not a kind soul, I thought. Her smile also seemed pasty and I could sense something dark about her. Where have I seen her before? I wondered. I was glad I had two warders with us. Goosebumps broke out on my arms and my head felt so heavy. The baby was also giving me fierce kicks and I patted my tummy gently, letting her know that I won't let any harm come to her.



" Hello Dupe " The lady said." We've met before but I am afraid it wasn't under favorable circumstances but I apologize. My name is Cecilia,I am.."




" I know who you are." I replied tersely. " What I don't know is why you are here?"



" I came to see you. I know we started out on a wrong foot but all that is in the past now. And I must confess that I was misled by Mama."




" Why are you here?"



" I can see that you are still angry and a bit wary of me but I come in peace. If there's one thing we both have in common it is our love for Uche. I am here because of him, although it hurts to admit it, Uche loves you. He loves you a lot and his world revolves around you. I am afraid he might do something terrible to himself if he's not under surveillance. Someone has to be with him all the time, put his mind at rest always, soothe and comfort him. He needs a companion.....a friend to keep him company so he wouldn't go crazy with loneliness. I know you wouldn't want to see him suffer, I know you also love him and you want the best for him. Please Dupe, hand him over to me.....please don't get me wrong. I am not saying all these for my own selfish reasons, I am saying all these because I don't want to see him suffer." She said, " Please think about it, you don't have to make any decision now. Please think about it, it is for his own good. Mama won't be able to care for him well especially when your baby arrives. She will have her hands full with the baby and Dubem, the black sheep is also around now. There's no telling what he might do, I am sure he has a mean streak in him."




" Thank you. I will think about it." I replied.




She took hold of my hands, in appreciation and I forced myself not to shrink back from her. She gave me a fake smile and stood up. I watched her walk out of the room with my heart pounding in my ears. Funmi had also asked me to tell Uche to marry her and here she was also singing the same tune. I knew it then, the puzzle to the mystery fitted in at that moment. They were after something and the only thing I could think of was the settlement. If there was a woman on earth I would trust with Uche and my baby it would be...





" Please I need to make a call" I whispered to the warder leading me back to my cell.



" It will cost you." She replied.




" I know." I said.



" Good. But you must be quick o." She looked left and right before slipping out a Nokia phone from her pocket.



I collected it and typed in Uche's number. He picked it up immediately and I almost hugged the warder in relief.



" Uche"



" Dupe. My love," He said.




" Listen to me Uche. I want you and Annie to come see me tomorrow. I have something to tell you and it is urgent." I whispered.



" Alright my love, how are you?"




" I am fine." I said and disconnected.




I handed the phone back to her and slipped out some money from my bra which I handed to her. She squeezed it and transferred it to her own bra.
******

Watching them sitting beside each other confirmed my decision. Annie genuinely cared for him and Uche also cared for her as a brother would an older sister. She was also independent, honest, hard working and kind hearted. She was the right person, I would rest well in yonder knowing my husband and child were in her care. She would chase the bad wolves away and keep them save for me. I had only few months to live and I wanted to be rest assured that my heartbeats would be fine.




" You have been so silent" Annie said, " What is the matter?"



" Dupe," Uche said, his hands searching for mine. I took hold of his outstretched hands and gave it a gentle squeeze. I was making the right decision but why did it seem so hard to say out loud. Why was my heart beating wildly, why was my palm damp and uncertainty creeping down my back?




" I am here... I am here" I said." Uche, I ....I want a divorce."



His hands went limp." Why?" He choked out.



" Because I want you to marry Annie before the end of this week."



She gasped." What are you saying?"




" Please. Please listen to me.... I have only few months to live and you both care for each other. I can't trust anyone else with my child except for the both of you and Uche cannot do it alone. Annie...Annie...please....please see the wisdom in my words. Uche I love you but I want to know that you are well cared for while I am gone. I love the both of you and I know you both love me too....please do this for me. This is my last wish on earth, it will make me so happy. Please"




" I .....I can't just divorce you. There has to be a reason and it is a long process." Uche said." I will be fine."




" There must be a way out..." I turned to Annie," I know you can make this happen Annie. I know there's a way to go about it. You can tell them the truth or tell them I confessed that I cheated on you or something. Please do this for me." I lifted up his hand to my teary face." Please Uche, please Annie."



" I don't know..." They both chorused.



" Please...it would mean everything to me."




" I don't think Annie will..."



" I will" She replied.




I sighed in relief." Thank you Annie. Thank you."
*******



Through connections and several exchanges of brown envelope to the right quarters, so many things were over looked and we got a divorce. I cried myself to sleep the day Uche slipped the papers to me. He had also looked gloomy. I couldn't eat the watery beans and pap which was served as dinner.




Cecilia came to see me again and I told her I was still thinking about it and that she should give me few days, she had left happily. Few days after the result came through, Annie and Uche got married secretly at a registry. They had both came to see me immediately after the wedding. I had begged her to accept my own ring because I couldn't bear the thought of Uche slipping another ring onto her finger.




It had hurt so much seeing my ring glistening on her finger and I quickly choked on the jealous feelings when Annie carelessly placed her hand on Uche's arm and my heart squeezed painfully.



" Dupe we are married now. I will take good care of him." She said.




I nodded my head, there was a lump, the size of a fist stuck in my throat. He would be fine, he would be well cared for and that was all that matters. I thought, I did the right thing.


" I will never take your place Dupe." She said, like she read my mind.



" Thank you Annie....thank you. I am happy." I lied.





TBC

P.S Will edit later.

A very hard and painful decision.

the devil u know is better than the angel u don't know... Annie again..dz dupe doesn't think Sha.. bibi twist will soon tell us Annie is the villain Now..nice story

the devil u know is better than the angel u don't know... Annie again..dz dupe doesn't think Sha.. bibitwist will soon tell us Annie is the villain Now..nice story

thank u bibi thank u

wow bibijay... thank you...

Bibi why you breaking and twisting every fiber of my heart?
My only crime was loving Dupe
My iniquity was rooting for Dupche
What did you do?
Clamped down my wings
Shattered my dreams
This punishment is just too much
Let's make things right
It doesn't have to be perfect
Almost perfect is perfect



Am heartbroken but I ain't gonna loose hope!

Weldone babe.. .. Pray Dupe wil be free

i see funmi and sly together.

Uche and annie= error in connection.

Uche has a mom, can she not take care of both uche and the child? Dupe will not think. Yet another wrong decision made by her..

Uche sef. Lost his eyes and ability to act like a man. So ur wife suggested u marry Annie and then u jst marry am. Ohr!

Chai! Chai!! Chai!!! This bibijay123 can twist anything. She can even twist pass twister the rapper.

Dupe is always in a hurry to make decision. I wonder y she dint run her new disCoveries thru Sly...

She culd av made them promise her they wuld marry after she is gone instead of watChing another woman take her man... its so painful and hrtbking seeing such.


Anyways...BIGUPS TO THE MASTER TWISTER HERSELF

Nice story from the intelligent writer herself. I pray God will continue to enrich with more knowledge. keep d good work rolling my dear.

WOW nix update.dupe is jux too trusting she seems to have forgeten the case wit funmi . i tink she be taught a terrible life lesson. very captivating story love d twists and turns.women tends 2 get emotional once they give birth

#TeamDuSly

Unfortunately, I think the sentence on Dupe is real and she might die in that manner. I'm positive Sly will get the info he's hunting for but, something tells me it will be too late to save Dupe.

Annie and Uche
Sly with either Funmi or Cecilia. But its not necessary for Sly to pair up, he might end up being single

*what happened to Bel and co...let me go read*

dominique:


Right here

https://www.nairaland.com/3236587/devil-money-novel

Thanks dear, just finished reading it. Bibijay123 you're truly gifted, more grease to your elbow.

Annie + Uche
Funmi + Sly

I don't know why Dupe is always making these silly decisions. Sly had said he was going to file an appeal, she should have waited to see the outcome. I'm not liking this blind Uche one bit, too feeble for my liking. Bibi let him restore his sight biko, even if it is just one eye.

I'd like to point out something about the death penalty though. It is not executed that quick, sometimes people on death row are not executed until up to10 years after they're sentenced (except maybe Arab countries). While on death row, they are permitted to have up to 3 appeals and their case files reopened. Dupe's case should be different, Bibi try and consider this. I know it is all fiction but art should imitate life.

Prettyhurts:

Thanks dear, just finished reading it. Bibijay123 you're truly gifted, more grease to your elbow.

You're welcome dear. The story is very nice. I also read it in one sitting while waiting for updates on Allen Avenue.

I love u bibijay123 #nohomo

Hmmm, I don't like this one O, why hurry when the case could be appealed.

That uche is selfish he alwaz thinking about himsef if nt he not take d ofer of marry annie. Men and their selfishness

This update is kinda emotional. I knew that Uche was not the one for Dupe. She'll end up with sly at last

room089:



Baba Confi!

E neva dey hapen for ya eye so?

#TeamFunSly

I no be talk am from day one?

Funmi and Sly kolewerk....Sly is just trying to gather Intel from her....she and Cecilia will rot

bhet why Annie go come marry Uche na And surely Dupe will soon stroll out if prison Am confused

MozB:
i see funmi and sly together.

Uche and annie= error in connection.

Uche has a mom, can she not take care of both uche and the child? Dupe will not think. Yet another wrong decision made by her..

Uche sef. Lost his eyes and ability to act like a man. So ur wife suggested u marry Annie and then u jst marry am. Ohr!

I just tire my brother

Dupe and trust na waoh! M sad joor

Thanks Bibi for the dedication... Thanks for this beautiful update too....thanks for making my day too..thanks for this beautiful story....more grace...more battery...more light to your street or fuel to your generator... More love from your fans...AMEN

From a loyal fan and a new bibilet...now lemme go and win more converts for the bibi ministry

CC Bibijay123

Your story reminds of the scripture that says, " Let he that thinks he stand, take heed lest he fall". I am not even as religious as the Funmi character in this story; but if she could fall and fall so hard, then I should be careful.



Thanks, this is a wake up call.
Waiting for more update.

AyamConfidence:
Funmi and Sly kolewerk....Sly is just trying to gather Intel from her....she and Cecilia will rot

bhet why Annie go come marry Uche na And surely Dupe will soon stroll out if prison Am confused

Dupe impressed it on Annie to marry Uche just to make sure that my friend Funmi and that evil cecilia never had the chance to defraud Uche of that 100million naira compensation paid to him.

#Teamfunsly

If you are not confortable with my team, you can go and bring Papa love and Sly's secretary together and form your own team!

Any which way na way!

thelastgenius:


Newbie. The Nairaland homepage 'Nairaland.com' is what is referred to as the 'front page'.

Lollz, thanks dear