****

K.C and Dami alighted from the taxi and he rummaged through his bag
for his keys.

For an fathomless reason, the short flight back to Enugu had been
wonderful. Best Journey! A  journey which by the way would have taken
longer if he hadn't insisted on travelling by air.

''We're back.'' he squealed.

''Not you. I'm yet to reach my house.'' Dami reminded him.

''Sorry.'' he apologized. She would've been on the way to her house
now, if he hadn't implored her to stop over at his house.

''Don't mention,'' she said with a smile and slumped down into the
chair. ''I really thank you lord for a safe journey.''

Sitting opposite her, ''I think I already miss your sister.''

''Think? Come on, no lying. I miss that imp more than i can describe
with words.''

K.C chortled, ''If she were here, she won't appreciate you calling her names.''

She made to respond but the ringing of K.C's phone stopped her. He
excused himself and answered the call.

''Hope that wasn't your sister?'' Dami pried.

''No, that was Ken, he called to give me a good news a bad news. The
good news is that, that lunk-headed Nate's wedding will take place in
a month time and the bad news is that a UNN alumnus died recently in
india.'' he spelt out in a way that won't give out too much
information.

''Ah! That's bad!'' Dami snivelled.

K.C hissed and stood in a disinterested manner. ''It's good to be back home.''

''An innocent life just got wasted, oh no!'' Dami yowled..

K.C ignored her and carried his bag, straight to his room. With other
important things on his mind, Kath's death has no space to even rest
on his mind.


****

''I'm finally home.'' Nate rejoiced, pulling on a casual wear and
descading the one he just returned with from church.

Time to visit his hearthrob!

He picked his car key and majestically stepped out of his room.

''Mr Nate, won't you have lunch?'' his mum asked immediately he got to
the sitting room, addressing him with the title she has been using
since the previous day.

He turned again and face her, ''Mum, first of all, drop that title and
stop making me feel like an old man and secondly, I'm not hungry.''

Smiling, ''So, my food is now the bitter one and your wife food is now
the best.''

''How did she even know I'm going there?'' he asked silently and then
turned to leave.

''Mum, we're not yet married.'' he said and hastened his step to avoid
another mummy-knows-best talk.

***
'Sweetheart,''Ken called to his wife from the kitchen.

''Ye..yes.'' She replied weakly.

''Biko, go and freshen up and come down, food is almost ready.''

''I am not hungry.'' she replied and laid comfortably on the couch.

''What the he...Ok, this is bizzare, you haven't eaten a thing since
you heard of Katherine's death, you have to eat this food, you must
eat this food, what sort of nonsense is this?'' he queried.

He waited for her response but non came. Maybe I was too harsh, he
thought and rubbed his face tiredly.

The day had not been too pleasant for him, apart from not being able
to attend church service, all the chores was on him, all Vicky
practically did was sob, sob and sob.
For goodness sake, why is she behaving like she murdered Katherine?
That's his problem with women, always sympathizing where sympathy is
not needed, even if it's needed, they take it too far, much to another
person's annoyance.

Vicky's voice jolted him back to present.
''What did you say?'' he asked.

''I said your phone is ringing.'' she repeated.

He quickly wiped his wet hands and hurried to the sitting room.

''Thank God,'' he murmured and answered the call.

''Hello Queen.''

''Good afternoon Ken, sorry I had to call you, I tried to reach Vicky
but it wasn't reachable, so I decided to call you.''

''God will bless you queen, I also tried to reach you this morning.''

''I was in church, I just got home, we had our thanksgiving service
today in church.''

''How was it?'' Ken asked.

''It was fine,'' Queen responded, ''Where's Vicky?''

''She's with me in the sitting room,'' knowing that she would ask for
the phone to be given to Vicky,  Ken quickly asked, ''Have you heard
the latest?''

''What latest?''

''Katherine is dead.'' Ken announced.

''Oh My!'' she exclaimed.

Not another sobbing section, Ken thought and sat on the arm rest
waiting for her next response.

''So that cheap tramp is finally dead.'' Queen finally said without
remorse. ''what finally killed her?''

''I think butt or hip enlargement surgery. I didn't really listen to it.''

''Wow, she deserves it.''

Ken looked at Vicky, who laid still listening to the conversation, and
placed the call on loudspeaker.

''Queen, you're the best, maybe I should hand the phone over to your
friend here and then you can ask her if she has a hand in Katherine's
death, she's been crying since morning.'' Ken said.

''What? Ken, please give her the phone, now please.''

Nice save! He immediately handed the phone over to Vicky, who quickly
wiped her tears and tried to act strong.

''Hello que..."

''Vicky, what's wrong with you? Why would you shed a single tear over
Katherine's death? After all she did to you.''

''She's human and no matter what she did, she didn't deserve to die.''
Vicky answered.

''Did you kill her or are you the one that asked her to go for the surgery?''

Vicky sniffed, ''Queen, don't be too harsh, she used to be my friend
before she turned into a devil.''

''Exactly! Devils don't deserve to live in this world with us, you
should be happy girl.'' Queen said, her voice clearly expressing how
happy she is.

''I just pray her soul rest in perfect peace.''

Disgusted by the words, she ground out, ''Vicky, what peace now?
Somebody died while telling God that you didn't create me well and you
expect her soul to rest in peace, don't even get me angry oh...''

Ken who had gone to the kitchen as soon as he handed the phone over to
his wife, came back and placed the spaghetti he prepared for her on
the side table, before going over to carry Chiagozie who sat on the
floor, playing.

''...Queen, let's keep our ears to the ground, if there will actually
be a burial, then we will attend."

''Count me out.'' she replied.

''For my sake, please.''

''Okay, okay, I will attend, that's if her body is not cremated in
India. See what she brought upon her poor family, the sugar daddy who
gave her the money for the surgery won't come out now to take
responsibility for her burial.''

''Let's see how it goes. Mum sends her regards, I talked to her yesterday.''

''My regards to her also, bye, I'm famished.''

''Alright, bye.'' Vicky hung up and turned to her husband.

''That's your food or you want to continue crying?'' he asked, keeping
a neutral expression.

''I'm sorry.'' she replied and sat up.

''I have no problem with your crying but when you overdo it, it
becomes irritating, your practically refused to eat anything since
morning, it's not like I'm happy about her death, but there's a limit
to everything.''

''I'm sorry.'' she gave a tight smile, 'I will eat.''

''Better.'' he said.

''Let me freshen up first.''

She left and he immediately dialled Queen's number to thank her for
helping him calm Vicky.


Chapter 26

Seconds turned into minutes, minutes into hours, hours into days and
days into weeks.

Just two weeks to Nate's wedding and it's already the talk of the
town; everything was on low key until the pre-wedding photos were
released.

Tbc

1st to comment
Nate keep calm ohhh
Vicky, I don't understand you ohhhhh... Why the over sympathy
K.C please choose one...

Thumbs up kim

Pearl05, I see you

Nate sat in his office with his head bowed; half asleep, the door
creaked open and startled him, he raised his head with the intention
of charging at the person who dared to open his door without prior
notice, the anger quickly morphed into a smile when he saw Jane; his
soon to be wife.
She came in looking as beautiful as always, dressed in a knee-length
pink skirt, white top and sensible sandals, he couldn't help but take
in her looks in admiration.

''Wow!'' he muttered after taking in her look.

''What's that supposed to mean?'' she asked with a feigned frown.

He ignored the frown and winked at her before standing up and walking
to her. ''Hello beautiful,'' he added, taking her hands in his.

''Hy cutie,'' she replied smiling deeply.

He encircled his arms around her and hugged her, ''In just two weeks
she will be my wife,'' he murmured.

''What did you say?''

''Nothing Ma'm,'' he whispered into her ears.

''I heard what you said,'' she said, pushing him away from her.

''Somebody told me that the ear of an average woman is like an
antenna, it can pick up signals from a hundred miles away'' he teased
and then walked over to his desk and sat on it, while she drew out a
chair and sat before him. ''So, you had to visit me at the office, you
couldn't wait for me to get home, someone is deeply in love with
Nate.'' he teased and she hit him playfully on his legs.

''Dream on!'' she replied, ''I came for something else,''

Seeing the serious look on her face, Nate cleared his throat and sat
properly, to listen to whatever she has to say.

''What brought you here, if not your love for me?'' he asked, in a bid
to defuse the tension surrounding them.

''Bella called me,'' she replied with a sober expression,

Oh No! Not Bella again!

''What did she say?'' he asked, hoping it's not bad news.

''She said you arrested the guy that scammed her, Olumide or whatever
his name is,''

''Yeah, Olumide,'' he affirmed. ''I don't even know if he's black or
white, I haven't seen him and if you're here to talk me into forgiving
him, it's too late, the hearing will begin next week.''

Her softened, almost crying expression when he completed his
statement, confirmed his earlier suspicion; she's here to talk about
forgiveness.

''If it's mum that sent you, you both have fail...''

''She didn't send me, I came on my own when I heard the news. Did you
know he has wife and kids?''

''Make that wives. He married a white lady for green card then came
back to Nigeria and married another Osun lady and that one has 3 kids
for him.'' Nate supplied.

''Will you now let those kids suffer?'' she asked.

''Will I now house and feed them?'' he retorted.

''No...no...that's now what I mean. Just let their father go.''

''After he and Bella almost tore my family apart. If I was like 20 or
22 when it happened, I'm sure my dad would have taught me an
unforgettable lesson, demoting me would have been little compared to
what he would have done.''

''Ple..."

''Please don't do this, If his kids are suffering, then it's his fault
not mine, what did he do with all the money? How is my fault that his
kids are suffering?''

''But..."

''Please, no but. When my lawyer told me the condition of his kids and
wife, I felt bad but I can't just let him go like that, he will have
to suffer for his sins. The only reason why I let Bella go was because
of her parents death not because I couldn't harden my heart and say no
to you.'' he explained.

Wiping the tears away from her eyes, she said, ''I'm only worried
about his wife and kids who had no hand in it but are now suffering,''

Pretending to be busy with his phone, he nodded. ''I will punish the
children for the sins of their father, even up to the third and fourth
generation.'' he quoted a verse in the holy book while still
pretending to be busy with his phone.

''Fine, If you don't want to listen to me, do what you like, okay?''
she said and sniffed.

He smiled at her new found energy, despite the unshed tears in her
eyes. ''I will think about it. You don't need to tell me, I know it's
my mum that sent you, this has been her topic everyday for the past
one week.''

She smiled, went over and hugged him, ''Thanks.''

''I don't like emotional blackmail, woman!'' he said and pulled away from her.

''In a minute, you'll call your lawyer and tell him your positive
decision and they will let Olumide go. Thanks in advance.'' she
answered and began walking away.

''Where to?''

''Princess is in the car, we're heading to the bridal shop.''

''Can I come with you?''

''No thanks, It's bad luck for the groom, especially a cute one to see
the wedding gown before the big day. Besides, you're supposed to be at
home resting but you stubbornly refused.'' she answered and shut the
door.
He laughed softly before walking over to his seat once more.

He pulled out a drawer and took out his goodluck charm; a beaded
bracelet with his name on it, though baby-like, but anything coming
from Jane is a prized possession.

He let his hand roam all over it with a smile on his face.
He placed it back in it's place and shut the drawer. His hand
unconsciously went to the framed picture standing comfortably on his
desk; one of the many pre-wedding pictures, the particular one that
caught his attention, the position and everything about it spoke
volume of the love that exists between the two of them. Just like he
had imagined it; standing and looking deep into Jane's dancing brown
eyes, a position he would give anything to remain in for a long, long
period of time; which was why as soon as he got the picture, he
contacted someone who made a beautiful glass frame for him, with the
word 'Love' embroided on it.

The ringing of his phone jolted him out of reverie, he checked for the
caller's I.D but got non.

Puzzled, he muttered, ''Unknown number.''
He rejected the call and pushed his phone aside. With his wedding at a
corner and the kind of life he once lived coupled with the strange and
evil things happening everywhere, rejecting a call with an unknown
number seems like the best option. The previous day Ken had called to
tell him of a guy who flirted and broke quite a good number of hearts
and on his wedding day, the women teamed up and all came to the venue
dressed in white bridal gown, Ken probably said all that to scare him
but that doesn't mean it's not possible.

''It will never happen to me.'' he spat out and continued with his work.

****

''Thanks for calling Maryann, now run along, I have books to read.''
K.C said to his younger sister, with a note of finality and hung up.

They're back to one big happy family, after his sisters learnt of
their father's abuse and his numerous past affairs, like magic, they
all got over the old man's death.
He liked the fact that they now sound happy as if no one died but his
father's affair that he and his mum vowed to keep a secret especially
from the girls, is all out; an open-secret.

And now?

They're all back to to their previous ways of calling and teasing him,
the only thing that didn't sound like teasing or rather, wasn't a
teasing was when she informed him that she's coming to Nate's wedding
together with her husband, a wedding in which he's the best man, the
most annoying thing that has ever happened to him since January 1st.

''I can do it.'' he assured himself and got busy with the book he had
his head buried in, until Maryann interrupted.

He read just one paragraph when his phone rang again.

''It better not be Mary,'' he ground out, annoyed to the fullest. The
twins new found habit of calling, one after the other, has become
really annoying. Over the past few days depending on his mood, he
would either answer or ignore the call from the second twin; ignoring
it when he's in a bad mood and answering when he's in a good mood.

He roughly brought his phone to his face and sighed when he saw the
caller's I.D.

Talk of another mini-devil!

''Hello Rachel.'' he said to his new found friend.

''Uncle good morning, how's Enugu today?''

''Fine, how're you doing?''

''I'm fine. Guess what?'' she screamed excitedly.

''You finally decided to quit butting into people's matter,'' K.C
thought to himself and then smiled at the thought, but knowing it's an
impossible dream, he shook his head. ''I'm terrible at guessing.''

''Just try.'' she urged him.

He thought for a while and decided to say the first thing that comes
to his mind, ''You've gotten the laptop you've been dying to have.''
he answered, more of a question than answer.

''No, not that. You're really terrible at this.'' she said and he
nodded knowingly. '' I've decided to go for Journalism instead of
political science.''

He laughed, hearing the sound tone of her voice, ''Why?''

''Journalism is thrilling, intriguing, exciting, all the good things,
just name it; you'll find it all in Journalism.''

''Wow, that cool. It's good to hear that you're going for profession
that's not all about money, money and money.'' he replied in an
excited tone despite knowing that her voice has lost it usual
excitement.

''I still want the money and that's something only politics can offer
in this country.''

''Have you tried blood money?'' he asked, teasingly.

''If you'll volunteer to be the sacrificial lamb then I will gladly do
it.'' she threw back at him.

''Small but mighty.''

''Guess another thing, oh! You're terrible at it, so you don't need to
guess. I'm coming over to Enugu in three weeks time, my mum said I can
come and spend two weeks with my big sister.'' she explained.

''I can't wait to have you here.''

''Thanks. I've got to go. You've exhausted my airtime.''

Knowing exactly what she wants, he said. ''I will recharge it in five minutes.''

''Thanks uncle.''

''Don't mention. My regard to your parents.''
****

''Sweetheart, welcome back'' Vicky went to him and gave him a warm hug
which only suceedded in making him suspicious.

''How much do you want?'' he asked.

''Ouch! That hurts, why would you think I want your money''

''Cuz, the last time you came out of the house to welcome me back, you
asked for two hundred thousand when we got in,'' he answered.

''Unfortunately, Mr man I'm not here for your money, I just came out
to give you the good news,''

Curious, he asked. ''What goodnews?''

''Our son just took his first steps today!'' she answered, excitedly.

''I don't believe you.'' he answered, shaking his head.

''Why am I not surprised? You've always been an unbeliever,'' she
collected his briefcase and started walking into the house.

''Seeing is believing.'' he called after her as he locked his car.

He walked in and met her setting the table for his dinner, ''where's
Chiagozie?'' he asked.

''Sleeping soundly in his bed.'' she replied.

''It's just 6PM, that's unusual'' he said and turned to Vicky as her
small laughter triggered another round of suspicion. ''Where's he?''

''He's sleeping.'' she answered.

''Then, why are you laughing?''

Raising a finger, with a look of uncertainty, ''Just one small issue,
if you wake up tomorrow morning and see some bruises on his face,
don't say I didn't tell you.''

''Huh!'' he managed to say.

''I told you he took his first steps today and it ended badly, he fell
and got some injuries on his body, I'm sorry.''

''He is just six months and two weeks,'' he reminded her.

''Not all of us walked at age two,'' she replied, obviously mocking
him. ''I started walking properly when I was just seven months.''

''Tell me what I already know,'' he replied weakly. ''Hope you gave him drugs?''

''Yeah. Paracetamol syrup.'' she replied and walked over to where he
stood and began helping him to undo his shirt buttons.

He sighed and placed his hand on hers, ''Just how much do you want?''

Laughing softly, she winked at him and he laughed. He's been right all
along, she needs something,

Tilting his head sideways, ''How much?''

''Enough money for me to shop for Chiagozie and I, in preparation for
Nate's wedding.''

''I thought as much, like how much?''

''The bridesmaid dress is..."

''Brides what?'' he asked, with widened eyes.

''I'm part of the bridal train, Is anything wrong with that?'' She
asked and when he made to talk, she silenced him with a kiss on the
lips.

''Two hundred thousand,'' she muttered after she broke the kiss. ''I
will need it tomorrow morning.'' she added and carried his briefcase
upstairs while he followed closely behind, wondering how and why women
always get their way no matter the situation.

Gloryejims:
1st to comment
Nate keep calm ohhh
Vicky, I don't understand you ohhhhh... Why the over sympathy
K.C please choose one...

Thumbs up kim

Pearl05, I see you

I should be second to comment then. KC and Dami, am watching you.

Wow.....Vicky and Jane.......in the Power of women Season 1

KimberlyWest thanks for the lovely update it was really enjoyous of me..... More grace to u ***
#Respect

I'm really happy now with Ken's marriage.. KC stop dulling na

thank you madam kim, u finished work God bless you

[color=#006600][/color]''Two hundred thousand,'' she muttered after she broke the kiss. ''I
will need it tomorrow morning.'' she added and carried his briefcase
upstairs while he followed closely behind, wondering how and why women
always get their way...I wonder too. nice work.following as always.

thanks for the update kim.


Nate u better forgive this thief called olumide, so that u wont be d one feeding his kids and wife.


Rachel come to Enugun jare , so that u can help K.C out on how to propose to dami.

Kimberlywest, how are you?

How was/is the post utme? .....God be with you and you'll pass in flying colours in Jesus name...

Kudos to you maa'm

Thanks Kim

Kim baby, thanks you are the best

Check out this website for more stories and eBook sales... they are all affordable...


www.topxnovellas.com


Thank me later!!!

Kim mama, Good morning.


How was ur EXAM

HAPPY SUNDAY 2U ALL

Oh wow! I'm speechless Welldone Kimberlywest, more grease to your elbow I love this story

Dear Friends, Fans, and Followers of this great story, kimberlywest have asked me to speak on her behalf.
Actually, the story should have continued and gone far than this long before now but some silly phone problems won't just let that be.
She is thanking every follower of this story for their patience and endurance and promising to continue this work immediately everything is resolved.
N.B.: Those of you that know about her exams should help her (us) pray for a perfect result o.
Am a fellow aspirant.
Singed >>> KIMBERLYWEST.

Wow, nice sha and I really missed, Kim, I wish you success in your exam(s).

Success Kim.

Best of luck in your exam

Kim,thanks for the updates, hope you wrote well in your exam?

Success is urs KIMBERLYWEST.

wish u success in ur exam dear....buh Kim why did u use Olumide as d thief? ...dts my name na... Olumide's ar cool guys...

---

I so much love this story...... Kim please where are you

I will be updating dis story on behalf of Kimberlywest for d main time, cos her phone is bad and der is no network in where she is. Thanks for ur understanding
Sign.
Kimberlywest

****Removed****

****Removed****

Dats all for nw till 9pm tonight

Tanks Yewande We Wil Be Waitin Our Regards To Kim Wishing Her Gudluck In Her Exams

Update! Read other cool stories on Tushstories via

www.tushstories.com

#Click!

yewande1234:
Dats all for nw till 9pm tonight

thanks for ur time