more!more!!more!!!more!!!!!!!!

Lols. At long last. Wehdone keep d good work coming

saraphina:
more!more!!more!!!more!!!!!!!!

Once I'm done with exams on Friday I will start posting on a regular

heryoub22:
Lols. At long last. Wehdone keep d good work coming

Lol thank you

Finally u re here, well done

Thanks for dropping this amidst your tight schedule. Wish u success in ur exams

thanks for the update paula

Chigold121:
Finally u re here, well done

Thank you

heemah:
Thanks for dropping this amidst your tight schedule. Wish u success in ur exams

Thanks alot girl

iiru:
thanks for the update paula

U are welcome dear. Good morning

Hmmm,I love this, I love them

queenitee:
Hmmm,I love this, I love them

Me too

welcome back

princessadeola:
welcome back

yeah thank u

Love this babe so much. This is pure genius. Thanks for the updates. Gods grace in your papers. A's fall on you.

JeremyA2G:
Love this babe so much. This is pure genius. Thanks for the updates. Gods grace in your papers. A's fall on you.

Amen ooo. I finished today sha. Thank you

Pls dear more updates o. dont leave us hanging biko.

JeremyA2G:
Pls dear more updates o. dont leave us hanging biko.

Lol I won't. Still working on the new chapter

Welcome back

Welcome back
#moreupdateplsssss#

Chapter 15



It was Ehi's twenty first birthday and she was having a small party with her kids, Mani, Christian and Trish. The twins had helped with baking the cake and there was no denying it because somehow their hand prints were all over the cake. They were all dressed in their pyjamas and sat on the floor eating the chinese food Mani had ordered earlier. Nessa sent her yet another gold wristwatch and she was wearing all five of them as she celebrated.

Christian moved to the centre of the room and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "It's time to cut the cake and just so you all know, Lik Lik and Dora with my humble self baked the cake together and I promise you that this will be the best thing you have ever tasted." he said with a wink and carried the cake from the dining table and placed it in front of her. "Blow out your candles ma'am ."

"Lik Lik and Dora come help your momma blow her candles out. " Mani said like the kids needed any encouragement since they were currently being held back from devouring the cake.

"Everybody is joining me to blow out the candles and we will do that in three, two, blow. " They all joined forces and the three candles couldn't stand a chance. The cake was quickly shared but it seemed not fast enough for the kids because they grabbed theirs from the plate and in five minutes had their whole body covered in cake.

"Ehi and Mani I hope that's your last slice if not I'm going to have a whip tomorrow at the gym. " Tristan said.

"Yes, yes, yes... We get it. We are on a diet but you have to admit that even if Ehi eats the entire cake it would do nothing to her figure." Mani said between bites.

"Hey don't blame me. It's one of the few things I inherited from my father. My mom used to tell me how he looked like he was going to be blown away by a fan." Everyone laughed at that.

Mani got up on her feet and addressed the kids. "It's past your bedtime babies. Kiss your mom goodnight and let's head to get y'all cleaned up and ready for bed."

"No" replied Dora with a stubborn look on her face just like her daddy.

"Girl do you ever say yes to anything? Now get your arse up before you make aunty Mani mad and she don't take you to the park tomorrow." she said and they were up in a flash.

"So because aunty Mani offered to take y'all to the park you are now obedient huh? Come give me a kiss both of you and better be nice to Aunt Mani or else I won't read to you guys that new book I bought yesterday." Ehi kissed and hugged them before handing them over to Mani who took them inside to freshen up. "They are just fifteen months old yet there are so clever. I tried to trick Lik Lik yesterday but he wasn't having it and then there is Dora with her no. Does that child another word, everything her response is no." she said laughing.

"The only person she seem to agree with is Christian and I don't know why. " Trish said.

"Because I am the boss and all of y'all can't do without me and just for the record –" His sentence was caught short as the phone began to ring. Ehi got up and answered the phone but no sooner had she answered when they heard a knock on the door. Everyone wondered who the person at the door was since no one else was invited. Christian went over to open the door and stepped back almost immediately "Ehi it seems your boo boo is here." he said in a hoarse voice.

"Wait what... Who? " She asked confusedly and Cicero walked in at that moment "Oh...right. Come on in and join us on the floor." He walked over and sat down on the floor next to her. "Ci this is my manager Trish and Trish this is Cicero we lived next to each other back in Queens.

"Hello. " He said with a wave.

"Hi. It's a pleasure meeting you and just for the record I am a huge fan of yours. I always watch your games and congrats on winning the championship." she replied.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. I think this is where I draw the curtains. Good night y'all." Trish got up and went upstairs to Mani's room where she will be spending the night.

"Goodnight." They chorused after her. They was an awkward silence as they both didn't say anything and were waiting for Christian to excuse them but he didn't seem to get the memo because he sat in front of them with his legs crossed. He stared at them just as they were staring at him.

"Christian... some privacy please. "

"OK" He replied nonchalantly and got up to his feet. He began to walk slowly as if competing in a snail race.

"Happy birthday Hilz. " she heard from beside her and when she turned to face him he was holding up a wrapped present and before she could reply Christian ran back to their front.

"Hold on a minute. I'm not trying to get into your business or something but what's Hilz? "

"That's her name from back in the days. "

"Oh please you were the one that started calling me that. " she said and rolled her eyes.

"Yeah I might have started but the whole block was feeling it and everyone started calling you by that name." He countered.

"Yeah it's whatever." she replied.

"Hmm,i like the name. Lemme go upstairs and meditate. I guess I will see you some other time bro. And Hilz don't do anything I wouldn't do. " He said and went away.

"See you too bro. " and whispering to her "Is he always like that? "

"Yeap that's Christian for you. Commander in chief of light skinned Negros. " she replied chuckling and began unwrapping the present he had given her.

"He is cool tho. I won't be staying for long, I have a plane to catch. I thought I would have more time so I could them with you but I can't. I'm speaking to a group of students in LA tomorrow and I have other projects coming up that I really need to attend to. "

"Oh. Then why did you come? " she enquired acidly "I mean what was the point exactly. I can't remember inviting you so why did you even bother coming. You do this all the time, today is supposed to be about me but somehow you just had make it about yourself. Right? "

"Here you go again looking for fights where there aren't . I just left a ten hour shoot to come see you before I hop on a plane back to the west coast and all you can say is I am making it about myself. I flew in last night and have done countless interviews. I have covered a show that's to air tomorrow before going for the shoot. I'm physically and mentally exhausted but I still came to celebrate with you even though you did not invite me. What more do you want from me? "

" I think it's time you leave. I will hate for you to be late for that plane." She stood up and folded her hands in defiance.

He got up immediately and walked over to the door and turning to face her he asked "By telling me to leave. Do you mean to LA or out of your life?" He watched her as she her chest heaved with emotion but didn't say anything. "Okay. Call me whenever you are ready. Goodnight." He left.

She fell to the ground and started to weep and felt someone's arms around her. She opened her eyes and saw it was Mani. They didn't say anything but just laid there.

The next two days were hectic there were shooting an editorial for Vogue. It was the first time they were working for the magazine. In the thick fog of euphoric replenishment she had forgotten what the day meant. It wasn't until she was about to realise what the day was and she picked her cell and dialled Cicero's number. The number kept going to voicemail so she left a message asking him to call her when he got it. She knew how close he was to his mum and she didn't want him to feel alone on the anniversary of her death . She waited for a while and when he didn't call her back she fell asleep.



***×*******




"I have told you what I think about all this faux relationships. For goodness sake the last one was a disaster and now you want me to go down that path again. Hell no. " It was two weeks later and she was in Trish's office.

"Believe me I understand your fears and that's why I have decided that this time around we get to call all the shots. I have learnt from my past mistake and I wouldn't do that to you again."

"And how sure are you it wouldn't happen again?"

"For starters he is gay. "

"Huh" Ehi blinked twice "Hold on come again what did you say?"

"I said he is gay. All he needs for you to do is be his beard. You guys will date from now till after the awards season in February. Trust me he wouldn't mess this up. "

"So who is this gay fella I'm supposed to be dating." she asked with disdain.

"Mannah Corel."

"Hold on isn't he that actor that just divorced that reality star and they have like four kids. I thought you said he is gay. How does he have kids then?" she asked naively.

"Sweetheart I don't know if you have ever heard about that thing called science. If you haven't then lemme just tell that it has now made a lot of things possible." Trish replied sarcastically.

"Are you calling me a dummy? Just because I didn't finish high school doesn't mean shit. I'm always reading anything I can lay my hands and my vocabulary is on point."

"Sorry I wasn't trying to be disrespectful. It's just that your question was really silly—" when she saw the look on Ehi's face,she quickly changed what she was about to say "—You know what let's just go back to the main topic of discussion. Yes he is gay and his wife was a beard and those kids are his own and I know this because I asked my friend who is rolls in their circle. Long story short here is his wife the former beard fell in love with some guy and filed for divorce and he has this incredible movie that just came out and everybody is saying its going to have lots of wins come the awards season and
our dear actor wants to make sure he nets those wins. Without a wife he needs someone on his arms so he could have that complete image and that's where we step in. "

"But who really cares whether he is single or not? "

"It might not matter to you but it does to certain people and our actor doesn't want to be found lacking in any department plus you being African American is even a plus because he is now going to make his way into urban news circle. Lets not forget the things we get to gain from this. He is an A-list actor who already have an academy award for a supporting role not to mention the golden globes,emmys,bafta just to mention a few of the awards he got. He is an upgrade from Zeke and we both know it. So what do you say,should I draw up the papers? "

Taking a deep breath she stared at Trish and shrugged "You might as well. I have already been publicly dumped it's not like anything could be worse than that but hold on why do you always pair me with white men,do I give a vibe that I don't like brothers. Huh? "

"The white dudes are just the ones that come knocking but when a brother comes best believe I will let you know. How do you think your baby daddy will react to this new development?"

"I dunno. I haven't even spoken to him in two weeks. I called but he didn't pick nor did he call me back. If that's all then I should be on my way. I'm in charge of cooking today."

"Yeah that's all. Oh and before I forget you should know that Mannah's personal assistant is his boyfriend and there are always together so mind what you say when we meet them."

Frowning her face"Yuck. I'm out. Kisses." She stood up from her seat and walked out.

Trish watched her leave and laughing to herself she whispered "crazy girl."

Chapter 16




For once Trish was correct because once the media caught wind of the relationship with Mannah it brought so much attention to Ehi. He was the typical American sweetheart who were just gorgeous and behaved properly when they were on camera. He has built his image on being a philanthropist but once Ehi got to know him she realized it was all an act like everything other thing about him.

He liked seeing his face on magazines or his name being mentioned in the media but he always act like his he didn't like fame and a lot of people thought he was media shy and that even made the media love him more .
Every week he dragged her to one charity or the other and smiled for the cameras and made compelling speeches and as always the crowd cheered and ate up all the bullshit he fed them.

They were in a rented limo heading to an event where Mannah was being awarded for his humanitarian efforts. She sat at the edge while Carl his assistant and boyfriend sat next to him.

"I'm about to spend an entire evening hugging and shaking hands with fools. " he complained.

"I know right but don't worry I have made plans for this weekend. The only problem is we have to take her along. " Carl replied. It was an open secret that Carl didn't like her. It wasn't as if he liked anyone but with Ehi it seem to be more of hate and she had no idea why but since the feelings were mutual she didn't even make an effort to get to the root of the issue. He always found ways to disrespect her. At first she had kept it cool but once she realized Mannah wasnt going to step up and correct him she decided to take matters into her own hands and they have been like cat and dogs ever since.

"This her you are referring to would rather spend her weekend in a cage with hungry lions than with both of you but I have a contract that states that I must so Mr you are going to have to deal with me. " She moved forward on purpose and the glass in his hands slipped and the contents spilling on his trousers.

"M do you see what this bitch has done. Do you expensive this suit is? " He demanded angrily.

"I don't know and truth is I don't care but one thing I do know is you can't afford it. We both know who pays for everything. " she replied.
He turned to Mannah "Are you going to sit there while she disrespects me? "

"Look I'm not going to be dragged into your childish games. Both of you always act like babies and frankly speaking I am tired. It's bad enough I have to go to that godforsaken event and now this. You either both respect yourself or go back home. " At that moment the car stopped and Carl quickly moved to another seat before the chauffeur opened the door and Mannah stepped out like the happiest man in the world. He helped her out of the car and kissed her making the crowd outside go wild. He led the way as they head for the red-carpet.




************





In September Ehi and Mani were part of New York Fashion Week. They both walked numerous shows including Tom Ford, Michael Kors,Jeremy Scott,Tury Burch amongst others. While Mani had opened the show for Parabal Gurung,she had closed the show for Matty Bovan.

The shows she walked in caught a lot of media attention because Mannah always had a front row seat. Of course he was there with Carl but since the public saw him as his personal assistant they all clapped for him for being a supportive boyfriend.

From New York they went for London Fashion Week and Milan and Paris also where they walked numerous shows. Mannah was not at the other fashion shows because he was promoting a movie.

In the following weeks she appeared in advertising campaigns for Jimmy Choo,Ralph Lauren, Gaps, Yves Saint Laurent, Elie Saab, Dolce & Gabbana,Dior and Balmain. She was also on the covers of
i-D and Harper's Bazaar with editorials and accompanying interview. She and Mani were amongst the models chosen to be on the cover of Vanity Fair and they were termed "the new school". Mani was selected to be a part of the Victoria's Secret Fashion show and she had attended the show with Christian to cheer for her. Anytime Mani came out they had their thumps up with smiles on their faces like proud parents. Those moments were captured on camera and the media called them friendship goals.

Like everyone had predicted Mannah's movie was nominated for numerous awards including an academy award for an actor in the leading role. With the nominations out,it meant campaigns had to be in full swing. Before she used to think awards were given out based on merit but she was shocked at the politics involved. She attended numerous occasions with him and anytime he appeared on TV he gushed about their relationship.

It was exhausting and most times she wished she could run away. Since he wanted to be perceived as a family man it meant they had to do photo-ops with his children from time to time. Other times they had photo-ops just because he wanted his face splashed everywhere in the media. There were days when they were to the same store twice but with different outfits. There were other days his team would inform the paparazzi about their plans before time and when they arrive at the place finding the paps he acts like they are invading his privacy. She used to think Zeke craved attention but since knowing Mannah she knew no one on earth could rival him in being an attention LovePeddler.

Usually his team informs her team about his plans ahead of time so they could be incorporated in her own schedule but on Christmas day when she was having dinner with the family at home,he had sent his driver to come pick her up. She didn't want to go but Trish told her to.

When she had been taken to his house,he made her change clothes because according to him the gown she was wearing didn't fit where there were headed. He gave her a pair of skinny jeans with a merino wool shirt and lethal patent leather spike heels. When she asked where they were headed he had ignored her and pretended to be reading something on his phone. It turned out to be a basketball game between the LA Falcons and New York Knicks.

They were seating court side and Ehi had never been more uncomfortable in her life. When Cicero had walked out from the locker room and their eyes had met she wished the ground would open and swallow her. He kept throwing glances at her from time to time and that even made her more uncomfortable. It didn't help that Mannah was trying to act like a loving boyfriend. First he couldn't keep his hands to himself and he kept bringing up boring and stupid stories. It was obvious he didn't care if his stories interested her or not he just wanted to be photographed talking to her. She used every strength in her not to roll her eyes at him. She couldn't even concentrate on the game because he was disturbing her and her eyes were also interested in one person on the court.

When the game was finally over she nearly leaped out of her chair in celebration. She had no idea who won and frankly speaking it didn't matter to her at that point.

Instead of heading out,Mannah insisted on going to the locker room to speak with some guys on the team who were friends with him. She refused to go inside rather she stood outside waiting for him.

Someone tapped her on her shoulder from behind and when she turned around it was Sarah the manicurist in Ms Smalls salon. Seeing a familiar face that wasn't angry at her was a big relief at that moment and she didn't know when she jumped and hugged her. "It's so nice seeing you again. I'm so sorry for my behavior last year I really wasn't feeling to well that day. "

"Nahhh,its no biggie that's old news."

"Where is your fiance or is he your husband now? "

"He is my husband now but he is away for work and since I didn't want to spend the evening alone I came to the game. "

"Awww,Sarah is missing her husband. " she teased.

"Girl if you don't stop. So you are really out here living the life huh? "

"What life? "

"The one you always talked about. Being a supermodel and traveling around the world. "

Ehi laughed at that "Girl please, I'm not a supermodel yet. That's like Naomi Campbell or Tyra Banks you know. I'm still a baby in the business." she replied modestly.

"A baby you say? Girl everywhere I turn I see your face. Whether in a magazine or a commercial or a billboard. I am so proud of you. And anytime I tell my home girls I knew you from back in the day they always think I am lying because they can't believe I knew you. I'm really happy for you."

"Thank you. It means a lot hearing that from you. "

"Yeah, you are welcome. Oh and by the way I just opened up my own salon. It's nothing fancy like the ones you are used to in Hollywood but you know I'm good and my girls and I will have you looking like a million bucks. I know you are worth more than that but you get what I mean. "

"Aye aye, Captain. Let me have your number so we could communicate. She handed her phone over to Sarah to type in her number. When she was done, she passed the one back. "Alright thanks. I will keep in touch dear. "

"Yeah, you better and how —" she stopped talking and began to smile and gestured at someone "Would you get your arse over here now. "

Ehi didn't have to wait for long to find out who it was because he came over and hugged Sarah. Her heart was breaking into pieces as she watched him.

"It was nice seeing you in action. Congratulations on the win. "

"Yeah thank you. " he replied.

"You and Ehi are just out here living your dreams."
He turned to look at her. "Yes you can say that. " he replied.

At that moment Mannah chose to return. "Hey babe. " He placed a kiss on her cheek. "Who are your friends?"

"This is Sarah and Cicero. My friends. We used to be neighbors."

"It's nice to meet you. Congratulations on your win. You played a nice game today." He stretched out his hands and shook them.

"Thank you. I should be on my way.
The rest of the team is waiting for me. It was nice seeing y'all. Some other time then. "

"Sure." they answered in unison as he left. They bade Sarah farewell and went
their way. The drive home wasn't fast enough for Ehi. As soon as he pulled up in front of the building, she jumped out of the car and ran upstairs and straight to her bed where she let down all the tears she had been holding.

welcome back paulaspearz. Been waiting for like forever.

biddieluvzyaho:
Welcome back

Thank you

biddieluvzyaho:
Welcome back
#moreupdateplsssss#

Hahahahaha I just did that

upsyLi:
welcome back paulaspearz.
Been waiting for like forever.

Lol thank you. Hope you have been good?

At last u re back. Welcome bro. Kip d good work

heryoub22:
At last u re back. Welcome bro. Kip d good work

Yeah thank you. Oh.. I am female

Nice to have u back sis.... Congrats on making it to front page... Wishing you success in your exams

paulaspearz:




Yeah thank you. Oh.. I am female

oops sorry for that

heryoub22:
oops sorry for that

Lol no P