Chapter four
October,
Amenze wiped at the tears that drenched the words on the diary she held. A diary she recognised from the past. It was the small book her mother carried around wherever she went to and scribbled her thoughts in them. She could remember the tiny lock she used to secure it. Now it's here, free and smelled musty from time spent in the cupboard.
It never occurred to Amenze to search for the diary after her mother's death. She was just a heartbroken and scared child who was suddenly thrust into the care of relatives who wanted nothing with her.
She had had the diary for over a week now. Her mum's lawyer sent it to her, but as she reread it with her friends she couldn't stop crying.

April 1st 1990,
I am pregnant. I can not believe life could be this unfair to me. To us. 19 and already a widow. I lost my mother when I was only six and now my unborn child has no father. I can't tell my in laws, especially his mum. They do not want him to marry outside his tribe, now that he's gone all they'd do is take my child away from me.
The rest of the diaries brought old sweet memories, she smiled at the somedays she'd planned before her death. All those dreams were wasted, cold and lonely like a graveyard. She skipped to the last page, the one she wrote before her death. It was about her anger at her half sister Osama whom she made her next of kin. She made a vow to change her will, and she would visit Billy and threatened him to leave her sister.
"I can't believe this" Amenze said to Shikemi and Bisi who were staring at her with pity.
"She was a strong woman" Shikemi said
"If she had visited Billy that means he knew about her death" Bisi said
"I don't want to think about that" Amenze said through teary eyes. The image of Billy smashing her mother's head raced her heartbeat. He was capable of that. Billy was a greedy man and he could do more harm just to have the properties to himself.
She hugged herself going through the picture in her head. It was a long time but she could still remember the bleeding cut on her mother's head. It never stopped bleeding even till she was lowered inside the grave.
"Amen, will you contact your dad's family? I saw the address in those pages I marked" Shikemi informed.
She had seen it too but what was the point of reaching out to the family who were not in support of her parents marriage? They might not believe her. Or even want her like her late mother's family. Amenze longed for the day she would have her own children who would love her unconditionally.
"I don't know. All I want presently is to secure her properties. We are already in October, and there's no clear plan for that" Amenze said staring pointedly at Shikemi who had promised her weeks ago she would think of a solution.
Amenze on her own part had really tried to get a man who would be willing to marry before the year ran out. On returning to her apartment, she'd spent most of her free times at Nathaniel 's flat. It was one of the most awkward moments in her life; waiting for him in his apartment with other ladies who were either cooking his meals or washing his clothes. When he returned, the ladies took turn to entertain him like they were cowives who were trying to please their rich husband. Amenze swore to herself she would never joined such a stupid charade because she wanted a husband. So she stopped visiting him and felt foolish for believing that Nathaniel had eyes for her. It was obvious he had eyes for every other women, all it took was being female with curves. That was the manner of a man he was; a man who never practised restraint. It meant nothing to Amenze, she was not looking for love nor fidelity but that doesn't mean she had to participate in that horrible farce. She only needed a man she could use for her own gain, she decided to be honest with him. She explained her situation and begged him to help her while explaining how they would go about it. A visit to a magistrate to officiate their marriage and in January they would divorce. No one has to know about their marriage, she was willing to provide the witnesses from them but Nathaniel had refused and even sound shocked and offended especially when she offered him money.
"Amen, I don't like this insult. Fine, you're someone I really like but I won't allow you to insult me this way. I am a Christian, and my first marriage will never be a make-believe. How could you even suggest something so bitter about an institution everyone holds dear, something people long and pray for?" His anger rose with each words.
She ended up apologising and wondering why her requests hadn't been so simple and easily done as seen in Nollywood movies.
"What about Nathaniel?" Bisi asked Amenze. She knew Nat was one of the reasons Amenze moved back to her apartment.
"That hypocrite, he went religious on me when I mentioned a false marriage. Here's someone that fornicates" Amenze said rolling her eyes while Shikemi burst out laughing.
"see who is talking, aren't you planning on luring an unsuspecting man into a force marriage? What does that make you? An angel?"
"Shikemi you've started with your holler than thou artitude" Bisi said narrowing her eyes at her cousin
"I am not an hypocrite like Nathaniel. I am not religious so you can't call me deceptive for planning to deceive a man into marriage" Amenze said to her.
"Still, I am not cool with your attitude" Bisi said again to her cousin.
"Bisi let it be" Amenze said.
"To get a man in less than ten weeks is very difficult. You will have to do a lot of things like hanging out, staying on social media like 24/7 and we will need someone that has cool information on some dull guys you can quickly maga" Shikemi started while Amenze nodded eagerly.
"There will be some cases you will need to make love with the man. You might meet someone who you can trap with the news of pregnancy or a false news"
"Who have sex these days without condom?" Amenze asked clearly not cool with the intimacy part. She had never thought her quest for marriage would lead to sharing her body with a man. Her mind was on the properties and the divorce that would follow afterwards.
"Timi. If a popular actor like Timi could sleep around without condom, trust me other men could" Bisi said while the others rolled their eyes.
"I have a suggestion. Why don't you take advantage of this marriage. Stay in it till you have the number of children you want and then divorce afterwards. It's better than opting for IVF" Shikemi said
"That makes sense. Children born illegitimately go through hell." Bisi added too
"No, I can't stand that institution and most men would want custody of their children. I don't want to spend my money on court cases. Let's concentrate on getting me married" Amenze said
"Let's get you started" Shikemi said
****************
Amenze cursed Shikemi thrice in a row. How could this be the best solution to her difficult situation? Dressed in a ridiculously short pink dress that barely reached her mid thighs and seated in an open space in the club where all leering eyes zeroed on her. The music was cranked so loud she knew her head would explode before the night ends. But she had to endure. Shikemi told her before she could catch a husband on a very short period of time she had to bear unpleasant things. So Friday afternoon was spent snapping pictures with different outfits and make up. It was that afternoon she learnt that there were a thousand pose, Shikemi in her pregnant state taught her to twist her body in a certain way just to look curvier and leaner. And there was that funny cute faces she taught her. After a two hour session of posing for the camera, she was exhausted but felt rewarded after she received twelve pms from "nairalanders" like Shikemi called them. The plan was simple and straightforward: Shikemi would handle the men online while Amenze would hang out with Bisi who would look out for her. And here she was still waiting for one of the clubbers to approach her. She signaled to one of the waiters who gave her a strong whiskey; the sixth glass in the past two hours. She sipped slowly bracing herself for the burning in her chest. How she hated alcohol and sex but she knew she had to indulged to achieve that boldness she craved. Just like sex; soon enough she would be in one stranger's bed to lure him into a farce marriage.
She wished she knew about the will sooner, maybe she would have found a man she could endure and marry. But now, it was all messy, less than six weeks she has to be at the altar, how many would she sleep with just to achieve that feat? And sex was one of the things she detested about marriage, it was supposed to be sacred, holy and exclusively to one user but all men are like Billy and Timi; they served it round to whoever wants it,leaving their spouses unhappy; like Osama and Bisi. Even though Aunty Osama brought it upon herself, she still doesn't deserved that poor treatment from Uncle Billy and there was Timi who boldly told his wife to suck it up. If Jigga could cheat on Beyonce, who the hell was Bisi? The poor girl had left her home since then, now rocking her body on the dance floor, pretending she had no care in the world. All the sorrows Amenze kept to herself came pouring out with the alcohol, she dragged herself to the ladies' crying uncontrollably.
******** ***********

Thastie:
Degel, you are not serious. Aunt Omololu , what if she sees this?

Shhhhh.......Don't loud it!

***************
In the weeks following after Bisi left her husband's home, she rethought her decision to ruin him. She would move back to her house and have a heart to heart discussion with Timi. Her bruises were already fading, with a little makeup they would disappear completely. Except the one in her heart. She needed to leave here, the loneliness was killing her. Shikemi was absent throughout the day and was too tired to talk at night. Well, that was the excuse she gave, but Bisi knew Shikemi was tired of having her around. She wouldn't support her decision to deal with Timi.

Amenze had also left for her place the previous week. She only call at night to check on Bisi, funny how they were becoming close. Closer than her own cousin.
She threw the cupboard opened, throwing in her clothes and personal effects into the box she came with. She would leave this week and slug it out with him. He wasn't remorseful, and he had not called her since the past six days she switched on her phone. There was not a single message from him and his Instagram page showed the many pictures he'd been posting. She had swallowed her pride and sent him a message but he didn't reply. She wouldn't dwell on that and the many confusions going on in her head.

Did Timi even love her? It was obvious he didn't. He didn't care about their union. His mother did not care about her. It was a huge mistake marrying an only son whose mother thought was the next best thing since sliced bread.

She was deep in thought when the door bell rang bringing her back to the present. She knew it was not her cousin, it could be the neighbour that drops her key every week days. She opened the door and was shocked to see her mother staring angrily at her.

"Here you are" the older woman said eyeing her daughter

"Mum, good afternoon" Bisi greeted her stepping away from the door

"I won't come inside because this is not your home. You're in another woman's house while yours is occupied by other women who are gladly playing your wifely duties" she sneered

Bisi calmed her rapidly boiling blood. She was trying to look past the society's hypocrisy but her mother was reminding her all of it.
.
"Did Timi called you?" she asked

"He did. You left your home without his permission and you even switched off your mobile phone" her voice was quivering with anger

"Mum, we fought" Bisi cried out in frustration. She went ahead showing her mother the bruises.

Bisi 's mum was quite for a while before she spoke up again "You fought, so?"

"Mum!" Bisi exclaimed before adding quietly "Timi cheated on me. I caught him red handed on our matrimonial bed"

"I ask again, so?"

Bisi sank into the floor too tired to continue arguing with her mother. She won't understand.

"Men cheat all the time, big deal? You shouldn't leave your home for that"

"I can divorce him" she said looking up at mum

The older woman burst out laughing "After the divorce, you will marry an angel right?" And the society will laugh at you, they will paint you and start counting the number of husbands you've had. Do you wánt to end up like me? Do you think I am happy that I had my four children with three different men? Every marriage had its own challenge, I wish I knew this earlier, I wouldn't have left my first husband because he was a wife beater. My second husband was a drunkard and his mother doesn't support our union. And your own father was an adulterer and a wife beater for the first seventeen years I married him before he changed. I had to sit down, think deeply and ask myself if my situation was destined or a fault of mine" her voice had lowered as she recalled the sad days
"or was it a generational curse? My own mother had five husbands and my grandma had more. Now my daughter is thinking about divorce can't we break this curse? " Bisi's mum broke down in tears joining her daughter on the floor.

They cried together with no one nearby to console them"
"Olabisi please" her mum begged
"I know a solution. I have tried talking to him but he refused to listen. Can't we invite his family over, so they could talk sense into him and make him apologise? Bisi asked drying her tears

"You think we haven't tried that? Your father called their family head and reported Timi to him. The man really tried. He came to ibadan with two other family members. They pleaded on his behalf and told us they can't do anything because your mother in law controls her children"

"I don't want to go back. I can't" Bisi sobbed.
Timi and his mother had no respect for their in laws and it wasn't that she was given to Tími for free. They did all the necessary rites and even went to a court before they got married.

"You can, women have been going through this for centuries and they all survived"

"Maybe, but that doesn't mean I have to go through it"

'Bisi please" her mum pleaded

"He sleeps with them without protection"

"Hmm. We only have two options left. It's either you stay and work on your marriage or divorce him"

Why should she choose between two poor options when she could as well make a better one?

"Or let men be on their own and get my children through IVF" she echoed Amenze 's words.

"Or stay married to him and retaliate by passing another man' s child as his"

"Or ruin him by leaving him during his weakest moment. I have many options mum, too many" Bisi said remembering her visit to her maternal aunt. Aunty Omololu

, An aunt no one wants to associate with in the family because she was a popular feminist and some even rumoured that she was a lesbian. She was in her early fifties, a divorcee and a childless happy woman. She had visited her together with Amenze who was amazed by the woman's story and wanted to meet her. Shikemi had refused to go with them saying she did not need a negativity in her marriage life.

They had arrived in time to join Aunty Omololu in her women's club. It was a large group of about hundred filled with the very best society women in their forties and fifties. She and Amenze were the youngest there and they had to sit at the background listening to the women recount their marriage stories, which were all sad stories. Bisi had brought out her phone to record every word. She knew it would be useful for her in the near future. It seemed the moment was now, she saw her mother off to her car. They hugged while she promised she would go back to Timi's house.
*********
The following day, Bisi was in a taxi she chartered to her hairdresser at Maryland. She had paid thousands of naira for her tiny braids to be done on time. The hairdresser hardly braid hair for her customers hair, she preferred to fix weavon that required little time but Bisi was a long time client she couldn't say no to.

She wanted to look beautiful for Timi so she styled her braids the way he loved it and wore a clinging gown. She was heading back to their rented apartment at Mafoluku. She plugged in her earpiece listening to the women at the club.

The first woman, who was the PRO claimed she joined the club because of her late best friends who went through hell in their marriages
"My late friend Bolu had been dating him right from the senior school although their families did not support the union. She got pregnant after secondary school and moved in with her mother in law that sold garri while her husband gained admission into the university studying English language. Fast forward to many years later, he was a primary school teacher while Bolu was making it big in her garri business. She gathered money and sent him to United kingdom. He repaid her with sleeping with different women. I warned her to ignore him but she wouldn't listen. She became hypertensive and died leaving behind her two children "

Bisi sighed skipping some parts and moved to the thirty five minutes. She heard a woman said she was a retired teacher and she got married to a man who was in based abroad after her college training. According to her, she thought she had the best husband in the universe, they had four children and he was visiting from time to time.

During one of his visits, he told her he wanted his children to move to America with him. He wanted them to have the best education and all. She was happy and within five years all her children were over there with him. He stopped sending letters, and he hardly called her land phone. No one knew his whereabouts and she feared the worst. She thought he was dead and she mourned him and refused to remarry

It was in 2010 when Facebook became popular, she registered and searched for her husband. She saw his pictures with an elderly white woman who was almost agemate with his ancestors kissing and hugging. It had hurt but not as bad as seeing her four children all grown up and she was sure they wouldn't remember her as their mother. Except her first child who was ten year old when she left Nigeria.

She sent him series of messages, at first she was begging him to reply her, which went on for months. She cursed him on his page tagging all his friends and at the end he sent a message that she should forget about her children that they now belonged to the white woman.
She was enraged, she cried, cursed and was almost going mad until a friend advised her. She did not want to take the advice, until she watched a video of her daughter's marriage while the white woman acted like the real mother.

She took his picture following her friend's advise, and bewitched him. She was surprised to see her husband by evening time with no luggage or a pin on him step into the home he abandoned since 1999. The woman said her children started visiting Nigeria to see their father while she took her time learning about them.

Bisi unplugged her earpiece, she'd heard enough crazy stories. The taxi had pulled up in front of her house, she stepped out of the car heading towards her apartment when she spotted four new gowns on her clothing line. None of her neighbours used her space, they all had theirs. It must belong to one of Timi's female friends. She picked them and climbed the stairs to her apartment. She knocked the door and Timi opened it dressed in a boxer and singlet.

"You came at the right time" He said.
Bisi's eyebrows shoot upward taking in their sitting room. It looked like they were packing. She recognised her boxes and wardrobes.

"What's happening?" she asked him

"We are moving to Lekki" he grinned like he just said something brilliant

Bisi 's handbag dropped to the ground, she knew Timi was expecting her to provide part of the rent fee. When they moved to Mafoluku, she gave him two hundred thousand naira.

"Where will you get the millions? Why should we even move to lekki, we barely have enough money to save" she corrected herself "I barely save enough money when I have to fuel your car, cook for your friends, throw mini parties to impress your colleague and you have not returned the six hundred thousand naira you borrowed from me"

His expression did not change a bit, he was not ashamed that she was the one catering to his whims when there were many other women who'd do it at the snap of his fingers. He knew his time would soon be up with Bisi, how he knew that he couldn't explain. He didn't see himself spending the rest of his lives with one woman. He would get married as often as he wanted.

Bisi did not fit a big actor like himself, she had already fulfilled her purpose --------being his wife when he was heading to limelight. When he only had a soap opera to make him popular. But now, he smiled inwardly he was one of the most sought after actor, a big name in the industry and lots of women clamouring for his attention.

"You borrowed me 600k and you are here ranting, there are many younger women who gives me lot of money and I am not even their husband. Now imagine how much more I would receive when I marry one of them"

Bisi sat down on the couch reflecting on their courtship days and how she had got it wrong. Timi was smart, he took her to gatherings were he wouldn't be the one buying the foods and drinks. They went to many parties and only one lunch date. She remembered how she cooked with her money for him, and he would eat and licked the plate. Many men that had ego and pride hardly eat their wives meal when they had no kobo to support the family. Her own father would refuse to eat if he was broke and couldn't provide foodstuffs. But Timi had no such decency.

"I don't have any money" Bisi told him
"I know. You know I have your ATM" he replied

Bisi had wisened up a little too late considering the amounts she lost in this sham called marriage. She opened another account where she diverted most of her money into.
"I sold your car" Timi informed

Bisi's eyes were almost bulging out when she heard that. How could he sold a car her father bought for her. Her only car, a car she barely used but her husband drove it everywhere. She didn't know when twin large tears dropped from the corner of her eyes.
She could not hold back the sobs that wracked her body.

Adetayo leaned back into the lush blue leather chair in his sister's apartment. Showered and dressed, he was silently seething at the knowledge that another man's clothes now reside in Adetomilola's wardrobe, beside his own. He'd gone through them hoping the size and cologne could point to the culprit but all he came up with was his physical attribute; tall, rich and broad chested. Mentally flipping through their acquaintances, almost all of them fit into the profile. He only hoped the man-----whoever he was knew her value and treated her well. His anger shifted from the mysterious man to himself. Everyone now had a life except him. Stella finally had Adetunga, Adetomilola and her X man. And he was girlfriend-less, fiancee-less and very lonely. Give it two years more, he would be butted out of his siblings lives completely replaced by their spouse and children.

Before the past years when she had no boyfriend, he and Adetunga dropped by at any hour of the day, ransacked her fridge grabbing drinks and cake. The cake in her fridge was half eaten by the X man, and it hurts knowing that. Now they have to sought her permission. Even Adetunga had returned the extra key, it was him who had stubbornly refused. It was clear they were no longer her focus. She was creating a new family for herself. Everyone was except him.

It seemed something was wrong with him. He'd never been in a relationship with any lady. He saw them as a waste of time and resources. During his university days, it was him and his books. The few night parties he went to was with Adetomilola. She loved partying and if they were in good terms, she would dragged him to a birthday bash or some other celebrations. He grinned remembering those years. It was five years already. His weekend were loaded with parties. They travelled as far as the north while Adetunga would be fretting like a mother hen. Until she started having relations with those sore losers leading to their many fights and he locking her out. He stopped calling, stopped shopping for clothes with her. When was the last time he sent her a birthday gift? He couldn't even remember. He'd been an ass and jealous. That was it. Jealous that his twin could fall in love while he was stuck with females that only wanted him for his good looks and being the younger brother of Adetunga. He'd slept with many, it was fun in the beginning and the feeling had dwindled now that he finally met the woman he hoped to spend the rest of his days with and she didn't want him, he felt empty
Why did he have to fall in love with a woman who was chasing another? Fate was completely unkind, why did it have to be Stella who had his heart humming? Should he call his brother and tell him? One thing was certain Adetunga will not approved because to him; Stella was not good for any man, that was why he had been lipped tight about his feelings. And there was that thought lying low in his mind. The one he refused to dwell on. What if Adetunga spent the night with Stella? No, he wouldn't. Stella was sick. Or should he call him?

His thought was disrupted by the burst of the door. His sister stood in her uniform shocked and tired. He left his seat to reassure her there was no problem.
"Don't come near me until am clean. Let me change my uniform. Had a bad day" she huffed moving past him while he followed behind.
He watched her moved into the en suite bathroom. The shower ran for almost thirty minutes and she was still not out.
"Come out please" he begged
"Not done" she replied
He rolled his eyes "did you wash a dead body?"
"Something worse"
"Wound dressing?" he asked
"Yea"

The light conversation continued until she came out, her head wrapped in a huge towel. She sat before the mirror applying some mixtures on her face which was taking almost an hour. Adetayo groaned, coming to her place was a bad idea.
"So Tunga sent you to spy on me?" she asked
"No, I came here to talk"
She laughed "when was the last time you talk? You're always here to insult me"
Their eyes clashed in the mirror, she could see a hint of remorse flashed through him. He had damaged their relationship and he was going to repair it.
"I owe you an apology. I've been an idiot these past few years, ignoring our birthdays, fighting you. I was just being stupid"

He wished he could say more but words stalled him. He knew his apology would never be enough for the hurt words he hurled at her almost every time but he was ready to do whatever it takes to mend their friendship.
“I’ve been awful since the day I found out about your first boyfriend and I shouldn’t have been. I was wrong and I’m sorry. I should have shared my wisdom with you rather than the insults. I should have remember that we are different. I’ll do whatever needs to be done to make this right between us”
The stiff and formal air that normally appeared between the two whenever they were alone, disappeared.

Adetayo didn't remembered how they journeyed to the kitchen eating the leftovers while laughing hard at each other's gist. Adetomilola face still encased in her facial mask asked her brother if he was in a relationship. He spilled everything to her till the last details.
"So Stella went home with him?" she asked
He nodded yes.
"Trust me, nothing will happen between those two. Our brother is slow. He was overcome by pity that's why he took her home" Adetomilola told him

He believed her. Their brother had been careful since his disastrous marriage.

"Are you sure the lady is not one spoilt brat? Have met her father, I don't like him" Adetomilola said.
Chief Banjo was tall and thin, with greying black afro hair. The way he stared at her on that dinner night made her skin crawl. He leered at her like she was a piece of candy he wanted to devour.
"I don't like him too. The man only care about himself. I have taken my time to study Stella, she's just a bit spoilt"
Adetomilola rolled her eyes "a bit spoilt? Well, at the end of the day it's your choice. Take more time to study her" and she went on to lecture him on the attributes he should look out for. She gave him some tips on how to get Stella, at the end he was feeling better with himself.
"Now that I have helped you and I am going to keep it from Tunga, you have to help me too" Adetomilola said
"Please tell me this mysterious guy has no hunchback" he teased
"I did well this time" she grinned flipping through her phone until she found the picture they took at the beach. She showed him.

Adetayo stared at the familiar face but couldn't recall where he had met him. The man was handsome and in his prime better than her previous boyfriends
Who was he? He wondered
He must have said his thought aloud because she replied with "That's Rotimi, he was Tunga's friend and I am pregnant for him"
Adetayo was alarmed. There was no way his older brother would support the union. He had no idea why they fought. But it was a bitter one for Adetunga to have declined to partner with Rotimi, thereby losing a huge amount of money.

"I don't know what to say"
"I need your support. That's all"
"Do you know why they fought?" he asked her. He went through the many conversations he had with his brother in the past, none of it pointed to a reason why Adetunga fell out with his close friend.
"No but Rotimi said it's not serious" she answered and added "I'm scared. I love him so much and I love my brother too"
"Have you tried asking bro Dayo?" Adetayo asked her
"I did, but he wouldn't say. He said it's one of those things"
"It could be money or women. Don't worry, everything will be fine" he said drawing her into his warm embrace.
"So it's you and I against Tunga" Adetomilola grinned
"Yea, we are against the boss. Stella is mine and Rotimi is all yours" he said without remorse.

The twins had the decency to feel a little bit of guilt in their mind. From the day they had lost their parents, Adetunga had given them everything he owned selflessly and was always putting their happiness ahead of his. He'd been the only one for them till they found their feet. Adetayo knew the truth he should tell his sister and himself. Forcing Adetunga's hand with her pregnancy would definitely backfire and him marrying Stella would be difficult. Their brother would never support them. But they could at least live for the moment and worry about a future that was still uncertain. Adetomilola on her own part was worried about her baby, Rotimi was dragging his feet about seeing her brother. She knew whatever it was, was serious than her fiance was letting on. She only hoped that Adetunga would forgive him. And her.

Pearl05:


Weldon ma. Abeg don't delay in bringing the next. Who are you preserving for Amen? Adetunga ? Dayo?

Please hasten their steps for their path to cross.

"was time to send his brother back to the clinic while he would endure the remaining if the six months Stella would be staying in his office"

Already hastened their meeting

Twinkle004:
degelinglacis thank you for reconsidering ..

Reconsider what ma'am?

Pearl05:
When will our amanze enter the picture?

O su mi o

Chapter Three

He had thought everything was going well once he settled her in his car and she was breathing fine and moaning on how Adetunga maltreated her.
"He's so mean" she said wiping away the tears.
He didn't know how he should console her. Left to him, it was a good thing his brother was showing more resistance. With time it would sink into her head that Adetunga was off limit. Maybe then she would be able to think things through and realised that he cared about her.
"He humiliated me" she sobbed more, he gave her another of his handkerchiefs which she blew into and wiped her eyes with.

Adetayo wondered how long this theatrics would last. He was fed up seriously. Her lines were beginning to bore him; he humiliated me, he's mean blah blah. She should know that she brought it upon herself. Spending months chasing an unwilling man was plain stupidity. Even men don't do that! They move on after weeks. Well, he hardly spent weeks going after women. But with Stella, he kept telling himself it was because she was oblivious to his feelings. He couldn't bring himself to start telling a woman he loved her. His methods were simple; send gifts, do favours and light touches and they end up in bed together. But Stella was playing dumb.

He just hoped she’d remain quiet about his elusive brother and worry more about her health. But he had no such luck. Her next words sent him over the edge and he became angry. His brother was not here, it was him Adetayo that was there for her.
"Why won't he want me? I'm beautiful and........."
"Because you’re a hopeless dreamer. A blind one. Adetunga has never misled you concerning his feelings. But you Stella, you are a manipulator and a liar to yourself. Keep dreaming and watch other men who has shown interest in you disappear" he was almost shaking in anger
"How dare you talk to me that way?” she demanded.

He raised an eyebrow at the force of her anger. She was boiling from head to toe and her chest was heaving as she struggled with the tears that kept flowing.

Adetayo was used to female tears. Hell, it was Adetomilola's best weapon to disarm their older brother whenever he made some rules she was not comfortable with. All she had to do was turn on the waterworks and she would get away with anything she desires. And if Stella thought her tears would stop him from giving her a reality check then she was in for a long thing.
"I'm only telling you the truth, I don't want to see you hurt and......"
"I don't need your truth. I don't want it. And you have no right to insult me. Calling me a liar and a manipulator, how dare you? You're jealous, that is it" she screamed

The rest of their trip to the hospital was quite and strained. Stella was still furious over the way Adetayo had insulted her and Adetayo's face was cast in stone. He was annoyed with himself. He shouldn't have allowed his anger got over him. That was not a way to woo a woman and he better start amending the damages.
"Stella" he called but it was only a wheezing sound he heard. Turning his head to stare at her, he saw her shaking hands and her paled face.
******** *******
Adetayo paced the confines of the waiting room, his head bent in regret. He shouldn't have shouted at her, he should have consoled her of pushing her into another emotional stress. The doctor had said stress worsened her symptoms. She was alone on the hospital bed looking fragile with the cannula in her hand. He checked his watch again its been an hour he called Chief Banjo, the man had sounded nonchalant about his daughter's health. He claimed he was busy and wouldn't be able to come over. When Adetayo casually told him it was only 8:00pm and Lagos was only an hour to where they were. The man went into a rant about how Stella was a foolish girl who could not take care of herself. How difficult was it to avoid an allergy? To avoid being sick. The Chief claimed he hasn't been to the hospital in the past thirty years. Adetayo without ending the call, place the phone in his back pocket. Let the man rant to his rear.
Damn it, how could he not care? He no longer had a father, but he knew if it was him lying on a bed sick and his father was still living he would be with him all through.
"Adetayo, how is she?”
Adetayo looked up to see Adetunga striding into the waiting room, he hadn't changed out of his office clothes. But then he had not either. He was glad to have him here.
Adetayo briefly embraced his brother and the two sat down to talk.
“I don’t know. She's just there on the bed looking sick. I was told to wait here till she's awake"
“What happened?”Adetunga asked
"She was all alone in the rest room when I found her. She had an asthmatic attack" he explained
"Oh God" he groaned bringing out his phone to inform Stella's father.
Adetayo saw the contact his brother was about to dial and he stopped him
"I already called him. He said he wouldn't be coming"
Adetayo decided it was best he didn't tell Adetunga Chief Banjo exact words.
Adetunga was not surprised, he knew how unfeeling the old man was towards his children. He was more passionate about his business and having a new woman on his arm every month. When it comes to women, the man had a discipline of a suckling baby boy. He changes his spouse biannually and women being women kept chasing a man who had difficulty in honoring a sacred vow.
"How long has she been in there?" Adetunga asked him
"Almost two hours" he answered
"Have you had anything to eat?"
"How could I possibly eat when she is there......" he stopped himself when he saw Adetunga staring at him like he was a newly discovered creature.
"I was the one who upset her and it led to her attack"
Adetunga stared at his babbling brother. He knew it was more than that. Was Stella seducing his brother too? Well he couldn't put it past her and her conniving father. Maybe the order was to get a Ademoroti. Any of the two brothers would do for whatever plans they had. It was time to send his brother back to the clinic while he would endure the remaining if the six months Stella would be staying in his office. He could even give her a two month sick leave. He was still mulling when he heard someone called "Mr Ademoroti". Adetayo was already on his feet facing the nurse.
"Miss Stella is awake. The doctor is with her. You can come too" the nurse said to them.
They followed her into the private ward where Stella was occupying. She was on the bed with her weave on disarrayed. With her face devoid of make up, she looked small and fragile that even Adetumga felt something shift inside of him. She just survived another attack alone without her family but the support of strangers.
"Miss Banjo" the doctor began "try to manage your stress level you know it's a serious asthma trigger. Keep your inhaler closer to you. Always have one in your pocket" the woman continued with her health talk while Stella nodded.
The doctor turned to the two brothers and told them to ensure Stella rest well before she goes back to walk.
"How old are you?" the woman asked her
"Twenty two" Stella replied
The woman scribbled down some words and told them to drop by at the nurses' station before they take her home.
"Thank you" Stella smiled thinly at them before asking if they have contacted her father. It was Adetunga who quickly lied about the network been terrible since morning, while Adetayo cleared his throat and said
"Stella, I am sorry I said those awful words to you"
That thin smile again "It's fine. I understand you are just telling me truth. Your brother dislike me and I have been acting like a ninny. Thank you for saving me"
Adetunga suddenly felt guilty for whatever wrong he had done to this slip of a girl. She was not even his sister' s age and he cringed remembering the many hurtful words he hauled at her since the first day she came to his office. And to be honest he didn't dislike her but her father who loved using people and thought he could buy him. She was probably a pawn in her father's scheme.
He went over to the side of her bed, mustering a sober look "Stella I do not dislike you. I'm sorry if I have made you feel that way"
And she was in his arms sobbing "you're so mean" while Adetunga kept promising her things would change. They would become friends etc etc etc
After the last drop of her tears dried away, they left the hospital with Stella still hanging on Adetunga's shoulder. He would take her home and ensured she rest well.
Adetayo looked on in sadness as the duo drove off. What could have been his heroic moment was spoiled by his brother.
If only he had not call his brother tonight.
If only he had made his intentions known to Adetunga.
If only he had told Stella he loved her in the car instead of allowing his emotions to take over.
With a heart filled with what ifs he drove over to his sister's place.

Thastie:
Loving it
I like Adetayo
Team Tayọ & Stella

I don't like Stella

Pearl05:
I love the lengthy update. One doesn't need to stress himself in order to flow with your story. The simplicity is bliss. Good description and clarity. Babe I totally love your story.

More inspiration to you dear, and please find time to always update consistently.

.
Thank you

From the moment he mentioned Rotimi's name in his angry outburst, all the memories Adetunga buried long ago came back to him. Fresh and saddening. He had just graduated from the University and had skipped the NYSC scheme. He saw no reason why he should spent one year serving one country when he could put all his hard work on the plot of land he inherited from his father. Well, he might have even considered the scheme, if he was posted in Ogun State not a far away Minna where he was certain he would end up been a school teacher living on meagre salary from the government. He was a family man with responsibilities, his siblings just gained admission and someone has to foot the bill. He'd been the one insisting Adetomilola chose a nursing school, now that she was admitted, he had to raise two hundred and forty one thousand naira for her school fees. Adetayo's fees was a piece of cake. He'd already paid that but he was not happy that his younger brother had no accommodation. Hence he worked like a slave. Twelve to eighteen hours just to keep his head above water. But still it amounted to almost nothing, he wasn't able to save a quarter of Adetomilola's school fees. He had sold almost all his parents properties just to keep them in school. They were left with faded clothes. He couldn't remember the last time he bought a new pair of jeans. It was so bad that some of his friends at the university started cutting him off, he didn't care of course. He knew his suffering would soon be over. His determination to succeed was only been tested by his creator, once he passed, everything would become green. Just that the date, the time and the year was unknown to him but he was certain it was near.

A month on, he was almost giving up and was about telling his sister to come home. She had told him with tears how she couldn't attend class and was thrown out of the hostel; her space was given to another student who has completed her fees. Now, she was squatting outside the school. And she has stopped reading since she wouldn't be sitting for the weeding exam that would be coming up in four weeks time. She had pleaded with him to send her transport fare so she could come home. He felt like a failure. He did not want any of his siblings out of school. He wished his parents were still living and they wouldn't be in this terrible situation.

He gathered the few corns he harvested and was happily pushing his wheel barrow when a lady in NYSC outfit approached him. She said she and her friend were posted here for their PPA but they were not satisfied with the accommodation the school gave them. She wanted to rent an apartment and she would be glad if he could help her find one.
"I will pay you for your time. I don't know anyone here and I can't speak their language. Please take me to any nice landlord you know" she pleaded

Adetunga's first thought was that she was beautiful. She was so enticing and he was dead tired of his relentless fifteen hour days and gruelling work he did at his farm. He wanted to spend time with her, charm her and who knows at the end of the day they might spent the night together.
"How do you know that I understand English?" he asked her
"You were singing líl wayne, mirror on the wall" she replied smiling at him.
A smile that melt his inside. A smile that made him forgot his troubles. A smile that set his male hormones on fire.

He led her to his street, he knew some people that needed tenants. He listened to her talk, she told him her name was Funke and she, together with her older siblings grew up in Ghana. She was in Nigeria to complete her university education and after her NYSC she would be going back to her family. She was so relaxed with him that he wondered if she wasn't aware of his clothes and the machine he was handling. He was startled when she touched his upper arm while laughing at something he said. No woman had ever listened to him or even allowed him closer to them. He was enthralled by her.
"So, which house is it?" she asked

It was then an idea came to him. Why not rent out his dad's house? It was built in a way three people could share them well except the sitting room. As the idea formed in his mind, he was mentally packing their little properties to the sitting room that would serve as his bedroom henceforth. The three rooms had its own bathroom and toilet and there was one kitchen they could all share.
He took her to his house and showed her around. She seemed to like it and called her friend over. They rented two out of the rooms and the payment was more than he needed for Adetomilola's school fees.
That marked the beginning of their love affair. Adetunga didn't spent two weeks in the sitting room before he moved in with her. She was the soothing balm for his strenuous days. She was kind, generous and was always keeping hot meals for him. Gradually as months rolled by, he fell deeply in love with her and didn't want her to leave after her NYSC. He convinced her and they got married at a customary court. A mistake that ruined him.

The wedding night started in horror. His bride was frowning from the moment they stepped out of the court room. One would have thought he'd dragged her there with a rope.
"Funke, I am sorry. I know this is not the type of wedding you wanted. But I promise you before the end of your service, I will save enough money for the traditional marriage and we can have that dream wedding" he pleaded. But his soothing words didn't change her facial expression. She kept walking beside him in anger. He did all he could to cheer her up but it seemed his charming nature was no longer functioning.
They got to their home and Funked paused as if she was seeing the house for the first time. The badly chipped and peeling paint, the green plants that surrounded it. She hissed loudly and went ahead of him. Adetunga sighed he had never seen her like that. He waited for hours till he was sure she would be sleeping before he joined her in bed. He was about to close his eyes when his wife tapped him.
"What do you think you are doing?" Funke glared at him.
"I am trying to sleep" he replied her
She sat up "Sleep? Tunga, should you be sleeping? Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You can't afford a wedding ceremony, you can't even afford my mum's ticket to Nigeria" her voice rose with each words, her eyes were blazing with anger.
"Shhhh your friend is in the other room. She will hear you" he pleaded
"Don't you ever in your life shush me! You think I care if she listens? No one his blind to this abject poverty you've subjected me into. I can't even afford new wears. I still wear the same old clothes and I have a boyfriend. Look as this fake gold ring you gave me on my own wedding day" she removed it.
"I can't wear this until you can afford a real gold"

Adetunga was shocked beyond words, this woman that had showered him with love for the past three months as suddenly turned to something he couldn't name.
"Your friend Rotimi is better than you. He comes here with big meats and money. But you......" he didn't wait to listen to the rest. He moved out of the room back to his space. The sitting room.
He couldn't sleep that night. He felt so low and was wondering if he had been the one forcing a relationship with Stella.
The following day, he took the risk his friend Rotimi had advised him on few years ago. Then he'd believed he could make it with continuous hard work. But all those damn years of working on that little farm had resulted to nothing. All the gains he made was spent on his and the twins survival. He was still at square zero. He had done everything he could think of, cut down on every expense until there was nothing left that could be cut, and still he was as poor as ever. Now he had a wife. And he couldn't blame her, when was the last time he took her to a fancy restaurant? Or came home with new clothes and shoes? These were all the things a man should do for a woman. Things that nourishes love.
He went home and talked to her about the decision he was about to made.
"I have this Uncle who is rich. He had once told me to come to him concerning the farm. But my ego wouldn't let me. Now I have you to think of you. I will just to swallow my pride and take the risk"
That week, their marriage became sweeter. His wife stopped nagging and even allowed him to share her bed. His uncle gave him a large sum of money and with it he purchased more lands for rearing cows. This took his time, sometimes he was away from home for days but he did his best to make it up to his nagging wife. He gave her money, the amount he gave her determined if she would allowed intimacy or not. He wasn't bothered at first until rumours started reaching him that Funke was seeing other men.

His source told him, Rotimi was one of them but he wouldn't believe it. His brain rejected the possibility. Rotimi was his best friend,they grew up together and he would never betrayed him.
Until that late evening he'd caught them together. And his best friend had the gut to claim it was not what he was thinking. There wasn't much thinking to be done when his eyes were in perfect condition. His wife was half naked and Rotimi was bare from his head to navel.
Funke with her dark heart was screaming on top of her voice "You can't afford me and I need men to supplement the stipend you drop every week"
That was the last time he saw them. His wife divorced him and even stole his savings. She knew his ATM password. She took everything leaving him with hungry farm animals.

His trip to memory lane was shattered by his younger brother who was speaking loudly into his phone.
"I'm serious am now in his office" Adetayo was on video call with his twin. He pressed the button to switch to the rear-facing camera so Adetomilola could see their older brother.
"Hi Tunga" her excited voice was loud
Adetunga mouthed a question to his brother "Did you tell her what happened with Dayo?"
"No" Adetayo replied, he pointed the phone to his brother so Adetomilola could address him directly.
"What got you so excited?" Adetunga asked
She flashed her left fingers at him "I'm engaged. I met his parents the previous week and now this week..... Yeahay"
Adetunga didn't know if he should be excited or not but something told him whoever she was seeing , he wouldn't approve.
"When is he coming?" Adetayo asked
"He just left the country. He will be back in eight weeks time" she answered
"I just pray he's not a ghost, you know like the Yoruba movies" Adetayo said
"Shut up" she snapped
"So when are you coming to cook for me. The stew as finished and am munching bread?" Adetayo asked her
"This week am busy with work. Go and take some from brother Tunga" she replied
"Don't do that you know he......" Adetayo didn't get to finish his complain before his twin pressed the red button.
"Oh gosh" he said while Adetunga chuckled
"Why are you still at the office, it's past closing hour?" Adetayo asked him
"I didn't realise" he replied
"You should put your mind at rest. She's not in a relationship with brother Dayo"
"I know" he said. He was worried about the mystery man.
"Let's go home. I will be having my dinner at your place or a lady is coming over?" he teased
"Nah, I will be going to Dayo's" Adetunga said.
********* ***********
He was almost driving out of the building when he remembered some documents he needed to sign for the following day. He pulled his car to the other side and jogged down the long road that led to his office. He took the elevator up to his office. Everywhere was empty, it was past the closing hour. He was annoyed to see that his door was not locked. How could they leave it opened? He went in and his gaze skimmed his desktop. Untouched. Every object remained unmoved, in the exact same place as he had left them the morning. But how could his secretary leave it opened. He picked the documents and locked his door. He was about leaving when he saw Stella's hand bag. Was she still here? Doing what? He wondered.
"Stella" he called.
But no response. He moved closer to the rest room and called her name. He pushed the door open and saw her on the floor. The wheezd at become worse.
He understood it was asthma.
"Where is your inhaler?" he dropped into a crouch, lifting her from the floor. She couldn't reply him, she was very weak.
He searched her bag and found the inhaler. He held the inhaler to her mouth. She breathed in, her mind grateful to him for being there.
After several minutes, her breath though difficult was better. She pushed his hand away and made to stand up, he helped her. When her legs gave in, he carried her. She held onto him as they left the office.
"I will call a doctor"
"Thank you" she whispered

Stella held her breath as she punched the keypads arranging Adetayo's calendar. She was on the verge of tears and she wouldn't do it here especially not in the presence of Amenze------her arch enemy. It hadn't been her intention to make an enemy of her, heck! She hardly thought of Amenze more than a secretary who was brought to relieve her of this tedious job. If only she hadn't been stressed out that morning, she would not have lashed out that way. The right thing to do was to apologise but she wouldn't. What was the point anyway? She was only here for a while till she snatched her prize.
Her vision blurred with tears as she relieved the most crushing scene------the one she'd been trying to forget. Before her eyes she saw Adetunga lecturing her in his friend's presence. He humiliated her. She slammed the laptop shut ignoring the sympathetic look on Amenze's face.
She was probably sorry for the laptop. But Stella cared not. She only just started slamming things.
"What went wrong at the CEO's meeting?" Amenze's question pushed her further than the limit.
She kept the tears at bay until she was safely in the restroom, slamming the door behind her. Hot tears fell freely drenching her shirt. She cried noisily, blowing into the tissue at intervals. She couldn't bring herself to stop. She didn't want to stop. She was the fool who allowed herself to be used by a father who cared nothing for her. She was a grown woman in her early twenties she shouldn't live her life solely to please her father. And that was what she'd been doing since the beginning of time. She was a pushover who jumps when daddy snapped his fingers because she was attention-starved. She was the odd one among his children. The one who had no talent, the average-student and the one who never won a scholarship. She knew she could cope with the science subjects, even if she was not the best in her class, she could at least had C in all her exams. But her father had insisted she was better off in an art class. She had refused, damming the consequences of disobeying her father. She joined the science class and she was doing well in all her tests. A 13/20 which was her highest wasn't a bad score. Sometimes she scored 11.5, it made her scared and worried but the school counsellor had assured her it was fine. He told her she need not be a genius but a consistent student. It was during the mid-term examination her father came to her class. He must have heard she was a science student. He was very annoyed, screaming in anger while the principal did all she could to calm him down.
"She can't be in this department. She hardly make good grades" he said that in the presence of her classmates.
"She's trying. I have her scores here" the woman said showing him her record book.
"11,12,13,12.5" her father recited out loud "And you think she can make it with this poor result?" he glared at the woman.
"Miss Banjo, tell daddy what you want to become in the future" the principal urged
The thirteen year old Stella stood up with her cheeks drenched in tears. The class fell into a hush. Everyone was ready to listen to the average student speak. Her father glared at her but she had promised herself to be bold, to stand up for her dream.
"I want to become a medical doctor" she said in a loud voice. The principal beamed at her. While her father and the rest of the class dissolved into a wicked laughter. That was the day she lost her spirit and saw herself for what she was; nothing. She was nothing.
Years later, she still remember the humiliating experience. It totally demoralised her that she hardly put effort into anything. Her father chose political science for her to study, she had accepted his choice obediently. If he thought she could only excel in that area so be it. During her university days she made an attempt to reach her mother but the woman replied her email saying she had washed her hands off anything Banjo. She did not want her just like her father. Stella had been praying for a day when she would be totally free from her father's influence, she was hoping it would be after her university days. But here she was stuck in a multinational company. She was not just here, this time she was doing something for herself. She spent her time studying hospitality and tourism management. She hoped to go into event planning in the future and probably own her dream restaurant.
But this attraction she had for Tunga? To be honest, painfully honest, she was still here six months because she had this magnetic pull towards him she can't explain. If her father had sent her to an ugly looking old man, she would surely rebelled the second time damming all the consequences.
She had hoped even prayed he would end up liking her. But this morning it was clear she was making a fool out of herself.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid" she repeated, her tears had long since dried. Now it was a pounding head.
"How did I got myself into this?" she'd let everything she learnt about Tunga overwhelmed her. How he rose from ashes, taking his siblings along with him. She'd turned him into her night a hero. A man that could do that for his siblings was capable of love. He would save her from her father and filled her empty life with love. A huge part of her wanted him to devote his attention to her just like he did with Adetayo. But right now she was angry at him and herself for the humiliation she was putting up with. Her angry mind prayed he was knocked down by his cows. She chuckled at the image of Adetunga attacked by cows forming in her mind. Gradually she forgot her predicament------------that she needed Adetunga to marry her so she could get away from her domineering parent. She laughed out loud failing to notice the tightness in her chest. Until she began wheezing, her lungs burn and breathing became very hard. She was scared. Her bag where she kept her inhaler was in the office. There was a time she prayed the asthma should kill her, but today she didn't want to die. With hands that shook, she held onto different things just to reach the door, she needed to find her inhaler badly. God please! She used the little strength in her to push the door open but it wouldn't budge.
Her fears grew, she mentally told herself to relax and breathe slowly. But she couldn't. Every breath was difficult than the last. She shouldn't have slammed the door. Now she was going to die, and alone.
********* *********

ElajRita:
Let him rape her, make a twist

Abi o!!!

Pearl05:
Why is it that most guys don't like their friends dating the sister?

I tire o

Gloryejims:



The boy is referring to her as mother.... But my fingers are crossed sha



Keep it up

Oh ok

Gloryejims:
I'm falling in love....


But Dayo and Tomi have been dating for 7 yrs or wah??


I'm a humble follower dear

They are not dating. Was that the message you got from the last update?

Following this

Sylva2147:
you shall overcome all your challenges and complete the story and beyond IJN.

Thanks

Sylva2147:
thanks for the mention

You're welcome

Sylva2147:
are you having some challenges?

Yea

Gloryejims:
Keep it up dear

Thanks

Adetunga walked into his company his smile wide at how a plot of farm had evolved into a multinational company producing large commodities for both locals and export. He had diversed into so many branches of agriculture now the zoo was his latest baby. He had big dream of turning into a large tourist centre. Soon enough, he would complete his hotels and venture into a security firm. He grinned, delighted at his thought.
He walked through the glass door and was instantly greeted by his receptionist.
"Good morning sir"
"Good morning Ella. Have you inform Mr. Adeniyi to prepare my office?" he enquired and she nodded.
"And my PA?* he asked further
" She's on seat sir"
He murmured his thanks and headed to the bank of elevators that would took him to the top floors of the building and his personal office. The elevator door opened into a spacious beautiful reception area. Mrs Mathew was his personal assistant for the past eight years. He was exhausted from fending off unwanted advances from his young PAs. Every six months he was with another replacement until his HR hired an elderly woman. Mrs Mathew was efficient and ruthless even with her advanced age. They got along quiet well and he wouldn't retire her until she was probably walking with a stick.
"Good morning Mr Ademoroti" she greeted with that pleasant smile
"Good morning. I hope there's still time to relax"
"You have nothing on your calendar until nine. In the next ten minutes that is" she told him
"Postpone it till eleven" he replied as he took of his suit.
"OK but there are ton of emails and phone messages on your desk" she informed
"I can manage that. Could you please arrange a lunch date between Dayo and I"
"No problem" she picked up the phone and did just that while Adetunga steppes into his office that served as residential as well. It boast of a large desk, laptops and also a complete set of sofas, a bathroom and toilet. There had been many nights when working on a complicated deal he had slept on the sofa and awakened in the next morning to prepare for another hectic day. He tossed his suit at the back of the sofa and settled to work. He powered up the state of art computer system that allowed him to monitor every area of his business, video chat with managers in other states and countries and to stay on top of mergers and hiccups that might arises.
He went through the numerous emails on his laptops, giving a brief glance to the less important ones while deleting the ones he couldn't make sense out of. He worked through the hours till his intercom rang. His PA informed him of his coming meeting.
He moved to the large conference room smiling and returning his staffs' greetings. They were top managers of each department with their secretaries. He saw Stella in her plunge grey shirt greeting him with a coquettish smile. He rolled his eyes and ignored her focusing his attention ahead. He listened to few important reports before moving to projects Stella was handling. He was impressed by her work. His threat to throw her out had done the trick. He only just have to endure her presence for another six months before she leaves his company for good. He watched his managers display their wealth of knowledge before he announced his own decision.
"Gentlemn, it seems we have had enough time reviewing this same project. This is the third meeting we are discussing it. I believe we should have a face to face discussion with our business partners. They will be in the country this week. Hopefully next week Monday the contract of sale will be ready with their signatures" he assured
With that the board meeting ended with Stella following him to his office. He frowned at her.
"How was your trip?" She asked with large smile plastered on her face.
"It was fine Miss Banjo"
"What do you think about a dinner reservation for us at Option, seven o'clock tonight" she asked, her fingers already trailing a path on his chest.
He stared at them intently before removing them from his chest.
"Stella, I am not a slowpoke even though I may have been acting like one. I noticed how you've been chasing me over nine months now. Let me warn you, chasing me about town is a fruitless course. And you taking it a step further by going to the press could backfire if I decide to take it up with you. How about I invite the same grim and tell them how your father is trying to buy you a husband" she gasped at that
"But I will let it slide" he sighed
Just then the door to his office opened. Adetunga scowled at it and relaxed when he saw Dayo walked through the door. His gleaming haircut matched his black suit. He looked in Stella's direction, his eyes taking in her appearance.
"In addition" Adetunga began turning towards the flustered Stella "Go and meet Mrs Mathew and tell I said she should spare five minutes of her time to explain how a secretary is expected to dress"
Dayo sat down on one of the sofas with a furrowed brow "Her father can get her a job as a secretary anywhere"
"I know his ploy" Adetunga replied
"And you agree to let her come here knowing that? Can't you see the way she's dressed? Another Funke loading up"
Adetunga held up his hand stopping him"Relax Dayo. I have this under control. She works with Adetayo at the other building and I am here all by myself. Come on she can't do any harm"
He shook his head "I pray so"
He knew Dayo thought he was weak when it came to beautiful face. But he was wrong. He knew he messed up big time with his ex wife. How he allowed her ruin him even with all the earlier warning signs. But that had only hardened him more. It made him stronger------made him realized that love never existed. It was only common interest that kept men and women together in marriage.
"Trust me am good" he said pushing himself away from the desk "come let's have lunch"
They walked over to the elevators and left the building.
**********
“Good afternoon,” the male waiter dressed in a fitted dark blue suit greets them when he approached the table. “I am Desmond, and I’ll be your waiter this afternoon. May I start you off with some drinks?”
"Lemonades and vodka" Adetunga ordered for them
"Damn am impressed" Dayo said looking around the classy restaurant.
Adetunga shrugged "You know I am man of class and it has to show in my businesses. This waiters are mostly interims and part time students. I hired tutors to teach them manners and foreign languages"
"I have to start investing in Morot line of businesses" Dayo said
"You should" Adetunga said and launched into an idea he had been flirting with few years back
"Security firm?" Dayo was stunned
"Yea"
"First you are doing a Masters in that course and moving around with three hefty men"
"See, take your time and listen to the news. Kidnapping, robberies, assassinations. It keeps increasing and the government aren't doing anything. We have to be our own security" Adetunga said
"Like vigilante?" Dayo teased
"Hell no. Something more sophisticated than that"
"What do I have to do?" Dayo asked putting his glass down
"Put in your money"
"Convince me"
"I will send you a proposal tomorrow" Adetunga said waving at the waiter.
They ordered pizza.
Dayo talked about where he was the previous night. Adetunga had refused to attend the dinner party with him.
"I had too many drinks. I met your sister and few of her colleagues"
Adetunga shrugged " I don't socialize these days. I enjoy staying in my room sleeping or reading. I have to rectify that if I am to marry this year"
"You should" Dayo said nodding "Tomilola said you are working too hard"
At that, a warning bell went off in his head"What else did she say?"
"Nothing much. Just that she enjoyed her weekend with my son"
"She spends time with your son?" Adetunga asked
"Of course. Daniel loves her and call her mummy" Dayo replied innocently unaware of his friend's mounting rage.
"He calls her mummy?" Adetunga asked
"You don't know?"
"I fvcking don't know or understand why the hell you spent the night talking to my sister"
"Why not? She's my friend and I have been seeing her" Dayo said
The word "seeing her" did it.
Adetunga shoved at Dayo’s chest with enough force to have the other man stumbling backwards.
"What the hell do....." stunned Dayo didn't have the chance to complete his sentence when his friend came at him with his fists crashing down. connecting with the sickening crunch of bone hitting bone.
It took the prying hands of his younger brother and two of his workers to stop the enraged Adetunga.
"What's happening here?" Adetayo asked his brother whose laborious breath was coming in short and fast.
"You knew sleeping with her could strain our friendship and yet you did. You're just a betrayal like Rotimi"
Dayo stared at Adetunga like he was nut when his meaning dawned on him.
"You are crazy. How could you accuse me of that? She's your sister for God's sake. Tomilola has been my friend all these years and we talk a lot. She helped raised Daniel when my wife died. Oh hell"
Dayo said wiping his bloodied lip.
"Help yourself to some lunch, we are fine" Dayo said to the onlookers and left.
"Oh God! What have I done" Adetunga muttered staring at his friend's departure.

kingfhaddo:
Nice story,please don't be like other writers who stop interesting stories halfway.May God bless you and more ink to your e-pen

Amen and you too.

P.S : I have been distracted of late. Apology for the late post. And thank y'all for your comments and likes.
Please your constructive criticisms will be appreciated. Do not hold anything back, I want this story to be better than "Make me a wife"

EllaGold35:
Wow!!
I'm liking this...
Thanks for d invite.
More update please.

You're welcome

Sylva2147:
Nice story you got here, how I wish you will finish this story we are enjoying unlike other writers that would abandon a good story halfway. kudos to you

I intend to complete the story. May God help me

The following day,Monday morning, Amenze woke up with a heavy head at six thirty. Stumbling out of bed with the reminder that she was yet to complete the project work, she quickly grabbed her laptop, her fingers pressing the necessary keys so she could be done with it. After spending close to an hour, she was done. She knew she would be late and didn't care. If her salary hadn't been encouraging and keeping her away from spending her savings, she was sure she would have quit a long time ago. She brought out her phone from under the pillow, quickly going through her emails with the hope that she would find a new interview message but there was none. She was tired of her job and Stella was the sole reason. There was no motivation or challenge from a supposed senior secretary. She was still sulking when a text message from Shikemi came in. Her friend texted her to be ready in ten minutes or she would leave her behind. Amenze groaned and quickly dashed into the bathroom still dressed in her pyjamas. She rushed through her bath , brushing her teeth frantically and mentally planning the outfit she would wear.
Ten minutes exactly, they were on the road heading to the office. Amenze applied hair cream on her braids. She searched her bag for earrings and her make up. When she was done, she checked her face on the side mirror adjusting the excesses. She turned to her friend who looked perfectly even though they slept late last night.
"Shikemi, good morning" Amenze greeted
"Good morning" Shikemi said in a solemn voice
"Still worried for your cousin?" she asked
"No, I'm worried for you" Shikemi answered
A frown creased Amenze's forehead at her friend's words. "Why?" she asked her
Shikemi threw her a sideways glance before concentrating on the road ahead of her. "Marriage, how do we get a man on a very short notice?" Shikemi muttered
"I don't know. Maybe you should introduce me to some of your husband's friends" Amenze replied.
"Sorry no. I can't do that to them, they want a wife not someone who wants to use them" Shikemi replied.
Feeling sadness washed over her as a result of Shikemi's words, Amenze felt deflated and kept quiet. She wondered if she should have confided in her at the first instance. Considering the fact that until three months ago, they haven't seen each other since Shikemi's wedding a year ago. But she had been with her this far and she trusted her even though her careless words hurt. As if reading her mind, Shikemi sighed aloud and said "I'm sorry I spoke out of turn. You see I love my husband and I don't want to hurt the people around him" she said as she maneuvered her car into crowded garage.
They stepped out of the car, saying few words before heading to their different departments.
*************
Stella paced the small but efficient office she shared with Amenze. The desk held a computer, memo pads and a multifunctional printer. On the left wall was a file cabinet and a small door on the right led to the changing room she mostly spend her day reading since the arrival of the assistant secretary. Where the hell was Amenze? She asked herself looking frantically at the wall clock. Adetayo had informed her through the intercom that they would be having meeting with the boss in the next fifteen minutes. Yet, Amenze was not here. Stella had arrived earlier hoping to go through the project work so she would be familiar with the words. How would she present the project when she had no idea what it entail? Adetunga had no idea his brother hired another secretary to handle her job, and he had been praising her this past few months. She shuddered at the thought of Adetunga finding out. He would terminate her appointment and her father would punished her.
Her head throbbed painfully. Try as she might she couldn't perform well in administrative work. It was just not for her. She hated not being in power and having to work endlessly in order to satisfy "some" boss. She had studied political science in the university and was planning to venture into law but her father was having none of that. To him, it was a total waste of years pursuing another degree. He wanted her to get married to Adetunga. That was his ambition for her. Ever since her father met him and invested in Morot line of businesses, he droned on how Tunga has the best brain in the country. How it would be nice to add him to his beautiful possessions. Her father was a collector of beautiful things. Cars, humans, houses was his forte. And Stella was another of his collection. A beautiful daughter he could use as a tool. He started plotting her at every events Adetunga attended, when it seemed that was not working, since he always came along with beautiful women, her father changed tactics. He sent her to his office in the guise of learning the rope of business.
She was used to her father ways and it came as no surprise when he started his plot. And her attraction for Adetunga spurred her on in the beginning. The only setback was his terrifying anger whenever he found error in her work or she attempt to seduce him. But now, she was fed up, six months trapped in his company and she couldn't bring him up to scratch. Her father had warned her not to return home without a proposal. She hoped her announcement to him on the grim magazine would be a headway for her.
**********
Amenze wanted to get to the office on time. She ignored the stairs she took every morning as a form of exercise for the elevator. The last time she rode in it was three months ago when she came for her interview. She pressed the elevator button indicating she was going to the last floor and waited. She glanced at her wrist watch, it was 8:45am. She grimaced. She was forty five minutes late, even though lateness was her intention, she still felt bad. She shouldn't have allow her anger for Stella to push her into a terrible habit.
The elevator doors opened for her, she stepped out to see Nathaniel, her neighbour.
"Hey Nat" she grinned embracing him.
"Amen" he greeted returning her hug
His eyes roamed appreciatively over her light green sleeveless top and lilac short skirt. Amenze had a sneaking suspicion that he had feelings for her, but she couldn't really say for sure considering the numerous women that spend the weekends in his flat. But regardless of his unclear personal life, he was a great neighbour and she valued his friendship.
"What are you doing here?" She questioned
"I came looking for you. I didn't see you this weekend neither did you tell me you were traveling" he looked so concern and Amenze felt bad.
"Oh am sorry, it was impromptu. You could have called me" she said
"I did. Check your log" he replied
Amenze did that and saw three missed calls from him. She apologized again. He kissed her cheek and explained to her he was going home to sleep as he had a crazy night shift. Nathaniel was a psychiatric nurse.
Amenze stared at his exit, touching the cheek he just kissed. Here was someone who cared.
"Hi Precious" she greeted the receptionist who was glued to the computer screen
"Hey Amenze. Stella is been asking for you" she called after her.
She stepped into the office to see a fuming Stella seated on the swivel chair fixing her with an angry stare.
"Did you check the time you are just coming in Miss Pete?"
"Uh, am sorry" she muttered dumping her personal effects beside her seat.
"The hell you are. How dare you come in at 8:55am when you know I have a meeting with the C.E.O at nine. And where's is the project" Stella was now on her feet looming over Amenze.
Amenze was never quick to anger but the word "hell" from Stella had her boiling with rage. She was late so what?
She turned on her"Miss Banjo, who the hell do you think you are to talk to me that way? I am late, big deal? I do not answer to you. My appointment letter says I answer only to the C.E.O not some lazy doll face secretary " she sneered.
The angry spark between them was diffused by the presence of Adetayo who had listened to every words from his office.
"Miss Peter, if you haven't realize it, every staff here is on probation until they have work diligently for six months. How dare you come to the office late holding us all from the meeting we have by nine" he was annoyed at her for calling his crush a doll face.
"I am sorry sir, that was not my intention. How could I do that when all these weeks I have been working extra hours beyond what was mentioned in my appointment letter" Amenze said softly but the meaning was not lost on her boss.
Adetayo breathed out. He knew the work load was much on her with little or no help from Stella.
"Miss Peter, you are the secretary here regardless of what your appointment letter says. The HR department will rectify that by adding the necessary incentives before the week runs out. Miss Banjo is my PA not the secretary and she will be in charge of my calendar and other minor things" he fixed Stella with a stare that stopped her from arguing with him.
Amenze nodded at him. She knew there was something going on between those two. She was sure it was the usual office romance. A boss and his surbodinate having an affair. It was obvious Stella had him by the balls hence his indulgence towards her. How can someone as successful as him choose pleasure over business? She wouldn't be surprised if his business come crashing in the next decade. She handed the project over to Stella. The latter gave her a look that told her it was not over yet.

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

hormobolanle:
Wow stories like this one do burst my bubble, Issokay........ Biko wait o pregnant Kimberlywest u Neva still born ni
degelinglacis Kare I dy ur back like school bag