₦airaland Forum

Thanks a lot

honourable356:
This is beautiful,no doubt.

I acknowledged your creativity...and welcome you warmly into the literacy world with an applause for your effort

Was this rushed?
It surely sound like it was not...

But..

Descriptive....description.. in details...work on that please,you need to give your audience a clear picture of what the place look like,what the room looks like,what the face look like...You know,...give the place a look...don't just assume that the audience will know how such place looks like,for these audience are not in your head to have a much clearer picture.

He smiled...
.
You did a beautiful job indeed but I am still waiting for that intrigue sparkle...

Just a tiny line separate you and it.
Yes, you will get there soon enough.

Best wishes!

DemiKOL:
Thanks for the updates...... You made my day. Thumbs up! More grace!

Thanks

oyinella:
thanks baby girl! twas a beautiful story!

Honestly Hauwa was just an unplanned character.
She was just a tool to make both richie and Nene discover their mistakes and how badly they needed to trust each other

bimberry1307:
Thanks for sharing this piece. it was wonderful even though I think you rushed the end. maybe hauwa coming out clean to Richard would have been more like it instead of dying mysteriously. my opinion though, you're the writer after all. Thanks once again.

Excerpt



Burned.


"All I wanted right after I graduated was a family. A husband and a lot of kids"


"You got your wish didn't you?"


"Did i? It's been eight years, no children, my husband....you should see the way he looks at me. Like am a curse, I am a curse. I can't even give him children"


"You're still young, you will have children. You will get your wish"

"Soon I'll be thirty, maybe I shouldn't have married him. Maybe I should have waited for you"


"I wouldn't have made you happy, you said it yourself"


"Maybe I was wrong, I don't know. Maybe marriage wasn't meant for me, maybe I do not deserve family. Maybe I should have chased a career"


"Enough about the maybes, what do you want now?"

"Happiness, I want to be happy"


"And you think I can help you?"


"I don't know, I just want you to try"


"I can't help you. You should leave"


He hardened his heart but not for long because the tears that ran down her face broke his heart.

"I just want a child, just one" she sobbed.

He nodded because there was nothing in this world he wouldn't do for her.






Anticipate Burned.



First chapter dropping tomorrow.


New thread up!!!!!

In which she closes the book.


You all have been very sweet and patient. I love you all, and thanks for reading on till the end of the book.


Hope I see you all in my next book.

Nene

"You know I hate surprises sweetheart, come on tell me.  What's this about?" Nene asked chuckling a little.

"Fine,  come on in" Richard said smiling.

Nene sighed and walked into the room.  "What's this?" she asked looking at the table. 

"That's our house plan Nene,  well......your house plan" Richard smiled.

"My house....as in....you're building me a house.  I mean.... Richard. Are you?" she asked.

"I did promise you a house,  and a lot of things. Well... Since things are going well for both of us,  I figured I could start fulfilling my promises" Richard said.

"Uhn....baby now you're going to tear me up" Nene hugged her husband.

"It's so beautiful, I love it already and it's not even done" Nene muttered wiping a little tear away.

"And you can do the decor all by yourself sweetheart. What do you think?" Richard asked.

"I think... You're the best thing that has ever happened to me in all my life." Nene said thinking about the past few months.

Richard had been so busy with his fashion line and she'd barely seen him with all that travelling.

She'd been jealous too,  after he launched his lingerie line,  the attention he got from a lot of women was frustrating.

Some even had the nerve to buy him gifts,  send him cards, invite him over for lunch and a lot of other things women did to get men.

It drove her mad,  she smiled now knowing that none of it actually mattered.

Richard belonged to her and those other women were only wasting their time.

"I do have a surprise for you too" Nene winked.

"Are you pregnant?" Richard asked grinning.

Nene frowned now a little upset "You just had to ruin the surprise didn't you?" Nene said.

"So you are pregnant" Richard said. "Yes I'm pregnant, bun is in the oven.  Finally, you can take a break" Nene teased.

"Think we're going to have twins?" Richard  asked. "No!  God forbid, no" Nene replied thinking of Dara's boys Ikenna and Ikechi.

"Maybe a girl this time sweetheart" Nene said.

"A girl sounds lovely.  One that looks exactly like her mother" Richard kissed her shoulder.

"I love you so much Richard Imoh" Nene sobbed kissing her husband's cheek.

"Love you more" Richard rubbed her head.

Epilogue²

Cassie

"I've been busy decorating the baby room with Nene.  It's excellent, she used Lavender and Cream.  It seems ideal for the baby, you should see the decor. If you're bringing anything, bring something  with a touch of lilac, purple or Lavender" Cassie said to Dara over the phone before she ended the call .

She walked  back into the nursery with a glass of tomato juice. Recently that was all she craved, tomatoes.  She could eat a whole basket of tomato, yesterday she'd taken two bottles of tomato ketchup right before bed.

"Cassie, this room is so beautiful" Nene gushed at her work.  Being a creative interior decorator was the best thing that had ever happened to her.   The job was fun and that was what drew her in. 

"I know, you should do something with Tiwa's room too. And my bedroom,  I want to redecorate before Christmas" Cassie smirked.

"Is that Tomato juice?" Nene asked. Cassie nodded. "Okay, you need to stop. That's the fourth glass and it's barely an hour" Nene scrunched up her nose out of habit.

Cassie rolled her eyes.  "I can't wait to have my baby" Nene said.

"Are you pregnant?" Cassie asked.

"Nope,  not yet but Richard and I are putting efforts in that department. A little girl this time perhaps" Nene said.

"Holyshit, I think I just peed on myself" Cassie exclaimed.

"Well... Ew" Nene frowned and looked away.

"Holyshit, I think it's the baby" Cassie said grinning.

"Really?" Nene rushed to her side. Cassie nodded.

"I think I should call Tobi" Cassie said.

"Okay, you do that. I'll go get the things for the baby and then we'll drive to the hospital" Nene said moving to the baby's wardrobe.

"Oh damn,  I'm starting to feel a little uncomfortable......" Cassie said dialing her husband.

He answered on the first ring. 'Yeah,  hello.  How's the decor going sweetheart?' Tobi asked immediately.

"Baby....our peanut is dropping today.  You'll meet me an Nene at the hospital won't you?" Cassie said ignoring Nene's horrified look.

What? Peanut seemed like an adorable nickname.

'The baby is coming?' Tobi asked a little alarmed.

"Yeah... Oh... Yes... The baby is really coming" Cassie replied.

'Like right now?' Tobi asked dumbly.

Cassie rolled her eyes "Yes genius, right now. You better start going to the hospital. I'm not pushing till I see you" Cassie said.

"we'll see about that" Nene smirked.

................................

"Oh she's so adorable, look at her pink cheeks" Dara cooed.

"Her eyes are grey and the hair....wow. We have an albino, must be all that tomato juice" Nene teased.

"Apparently Tobi's grandma was an albino.  Do you know he never mentioned it till now" Cassie looked to Tobi.

"Well... She's really beautiful. Have you guys decided on a name?" Dara asked.

"Yeah,  well you know tradition. We can't tell till the naming ceremony" Cassie winked.

"Right....and it's going to be a blast.  I trust Yoruba people" Dara said watching the little mouth of the baby pout to yawn.

"You know it" Tobi winked.

"I can't wait for my delivery date. Can't believe I'm having twins again. Two freaking boys,  I can't wait to offload and get on the pill.  I feel like a whale" Dara moaned.

"Sweetheart, you look like a whale" Nene said looking at Dara's massive baby bump.

"Thanks for killing my self esteem. Now I know why Jidenna moved out of the bedroom. He needed space, apparently I was suffocating him with my bump" Dara rolled her eyes.

Nene scoffed, she still clearly despised Jidenna. Nothing could make her like that man.

It didn't matter what her opinion was anyway. He made her friend happy and that was all that mattered.

Happiness.

Epilogue¹


Nene



"Nene where are you right ?" Cassie asked frantically the minute  Nene answered her call.  She was at work with her client.

"I'm with a client, could you call me back?" Nene asked.

"No Nene, this is important, could you access the internet and check on LM news station?" Cassie asked.

"No, I'm busy. What's the matter?" Nene asked worried.

"I want you to watch the news that's on now" Cassie said.

"The news,  why?" Nene asked handing over the mood board to her assistant.

"It's Malik" Cassie said.

"Yeah,  what about him?" Nene asked absently. She guessed he'd managed to get her parents arrested.

"He's dead" Cassie said.

"What?!" Nene shouted. Her client looked at her strangely but she didn't care. 

"How,  what happened?" Nene asked moving away from her client.

"He was found dead in his house. I heard the police are still doing some investigation. But it seemed like he was poisoned,  they've released the autopsy report" Cassie said.

"Oh my God, who do you think did it? I'm sure he had a lot of enemies, I can't help but wonder who decided to kill him" Nene said.

"According to the reports from his workers at home,  he died a while after entertaining a visitor. They both had drinks I hear,  Nene you won't believe who   the visitor is" Cassie said.

"Who?" Nene asked breathlessly hoping it wasn't her parents. But why would they want to poison him? except if they'd discovered his trick. No it couldn't be.

"Hauwa,  the fashion blogger. His cook said she left the house in a hurry" Cassie said.

"Hauwa, Richard's Hauwa?" Nene asked.

"Yes,  and Nene she's also dead. They found the poison on her and a cheque of half a million. I don't know what's going on Nene but I think you should call Richard. I've been trying his number" Cassie said.

"Richard left for Ghana, two days ago.  He's not back. He went to get some textiles,  work related" Nene said.

"Oh, okay" Cassie said. "I'll call you later okay?" Cassie said and ended the call.

"What the fück!" Nene sighed before walking back to her office.

"Are you okay Mrs Imoh?" Perdita her assistant asked.

"I'm okay,  please cancel with the client at my office. I have to go home now" Nene said.

"Ma, are you sure?" Perdita asked.

"Damn sure peddy" Nene said before walking away.

................................

"So what's new?" Dara asked Cassie as they met up at Nene's place.

"I read on the net that after Hauwa left.  She tried calling a travel agency to get her a flight to Nairobi" Nene said.

"What does Hauwa have against Malik?" Dara asked.

"I don't know, I've never trusted her. Do you know she died by the same poison?  The doctor's report stated that the both of them accidentally killed themselves" Nene said.

"How does one accidentally poison herself?" Dara asked.

"She must have inhaled the poison or tasted it.  The same thing with Malik, although the officers found out that the poison was purchased from outside of Nigeria and payments was made by Malik's account.  I think he wanted to poison Hauwa but she got him too" Cassie said.

"That's crazy, why would Malik want to poison Hauwa?" Nene asked.

"I don't know, maybe she knows one of his dirty little secrets" Dara said.

Nene sighed. "That's a mystery we'll never unravel" Nene sighed.

She was kind of glad he was gone, everything seemed to have fallen into place.

She and Richard would be fine,  and her parents won't bother to come to the country now what Malik was dead.

A blessing indeed, she smiled inwardly.

......................

"We've lost" Hauwa said closing her eyes.

"Have we?" Malik asked slyly.

"Yes,  you said it yourself, Nene is pregnant and Richard won't give in to temptation. He's stopped talking to me and he's doing quite well without me" Hauwa said rolling her eyes.

"Do you know what that means for you? I'm assuming you do.  It means bye bye granny's legacy.  I'll ruin you Hauwa" Malik threatened.

"Well... What do you want me to do then?" Hauwa asked helplessly. She was tired of playing his games already.

"I want you to reach out to Richard one more time Hauwa. This time go over to his house, for a drink" Malik said.

"Are you kidding me? I just said Richard wouldn't talk to me anymore. Why can't you find another woman?" Hauwa asked exasperated.

Malik held up a tiny bottle. "Look at this,  I got this from my friend at the hospital.  It causes internal bleeding in the brain.  Richard would suffer for one hour and that's it." Malik said handing her the bottle.

"You want me to kill Richard? I would do anything for my grandma's school but definitely not murder" Hauwa said.

"I can put you away for eternity Hauwa.  Do you want to go to jail? There are many things I could frame you for, a lot of corrupt officials I could bribe. Take your pick Hauwa,  your life or Richard's" Malik smiled.

Hauwa shook her head, "If I kill Richard, you'd stop bothering me won't you?" she asked him. A stray tear betrayed her emotions, she didn't want to be a murderer but she had to do it.

"You will cease to exist where I'm concerned" Malik smiled.

"You know killing Richard doesn't mean Nene will marry you" Hauwa said moving closer to him.

"I know but I won't give her a choice. Someone will take the fall for Richard's death,  Nene won't be able to raise her children from prison.  That's where I come in,  I'll give her a get out of jail card in exchange for marriage. She will bend of course and give into me" Malik grinned.

Why hadn't he thought of killing Richard earlier?

Hauwa gasped "You want to frame Nene for death of Richard?" Hauwa asked shocked.

"No,  that's what you'll do.  You have to make it look like she did.  That she found out that Richard was going to leave her for you, she attacked you then went back home to finish off her husband" Malik turned to Hauwa.

"You're obsessed, you're crazy. I can't let you do that" Hauwa said.

"You don't have a choice Hauwa, you will do as I've asked or I swear I'll make you wish you were never born" Malik threatened.

Hauwa nodded.  "So how does this poison work?" she asked.

"Well you'll have to put it in his drink, food or get him to inhale it" Malik replied.

Hauwa eyed the silk handkerchief on the  table. Could she slip a little of it  into his handkerchief?

If he caught her, he'd end her.  She closed her eyes. 

"I need money" Hauwa said.

"What?" Malik asked confused.

"Money, I'm broke.  If you can get me some money, I'll be on my way" Hauwa said.

Malik hissed before getting up.  "Let me get my cheque book"  he said and walked out of the den.

Hauwa sighed and quickly opened the bottle slipping a little bit of the fluid on the expensive silk handkerchief.

"How much?" Malik startled her. 

"Uh...um...enough" Hauwa rushed trying to cork the bottle but the liquid spilled a little staining her hand.

"Shît!" she cursed putting the bottle in her pocket. 

"What is it?" Malik asked coming into back into the den.

"I just remembered a meeting I had rescheduled. I have to go" Hauwa said.

Malik nodded and handed her a cheque. "Here you go,  don't fail me Hauwa" He said sternly.

"I won't....wait there's something on your face" Hauwa picked up the handkerchief.

"What's that?" Malik asked.

"Let me see" she stood on her toes and wiped his nose.  "Still there" she murmured wiping his nose again.

"Gone" she smirked handing him his handkerchief.

Malik looked at her strangely.  "It must have been dust"  Hauwa muttered before walking out.

She pressed her hand to her face in relief as she walked out of the den.

'R. I. P.  bastãrd' she thought as she stepped out of the apartment.

............................

Nene was furious when Richard went on ignoring her. It was as if she had ceased to exist.

"What's your problem Richard?" she asked finally asked one morning.

"I don't have a problem" Richard replied.

"Why are you treating me like crap Richard?" Nene asked impatiently.

"Am I?" Richard asked carelessly.

"If you have a problem with me Richard you should tell me. Why are you ignoring me,  why won't you tell me what the problem is?" Nene asked angrily.

"I'm not in the mood for this discussion Nene" Richard said.

"First of all, you've been giving me attitude for no reason. Secondly you travelled without letting me know and now you ignore me as if I mean nothing to you.  What's the meaning of that?" Nene asked.

"I don't know Nene, why don't you ask yourself that?" Richard replied her.

Nene sighed "I know Hauwa must have told you she saw me at Malik's office.  Whatever she told you Richard, it's not true" Nene said.

"Why were you at Malik's office, I thought you said you weren't going to see him again? Let me guess,  he got you your new job" Richard said with venom.

"No Richard, Cassie got me the job. Whatever Hauwa told you, it's not true.  That's what Malik wanted her to see" Nene said moving closer to him.

"You still haven't told me why you were at his office in first place" Richard pushed her aside.

"He called me okay,  he said he wanted to see me" Nene said.

Richard hissed irritated "And you went running to him huh" he said.

"I had to see him Richard, I wanted to tell you but I didn't see the point. I've sorted everything out, Malik is no longer in my life" Nene moved closer to him again.

"You're  just a liar nene. Every time I think you've changed, you just keep disappointing me the more.  If you want to run off to your precious Malik, that's fine.  You're free,  material things has always been paramount in your life" Richard sneered.

Nene sighed and moved away from him.  "Richard....how is it that you can believe that girl over me? Why do you doubt me every time? I just told you that I have nothing with Malik, why can't you believe me?" Nene asked.

"I don't care what you do" Richard responded.

"Richard I love you" Nene said helplessly.

"It doesn't matter, I've stopped caring" Richard said.

Nene shook her head "You know, Malik only called me to discuss my parents. He had somehow called my parents and tricked them to come back to Nigeria. He said that he was going to hand them over to the officials once they landed unless I divorce you and marry him" Nene said.

Richard paused and turned to her. She'd never mentioned it, this was a huge surprise.

"That's why I went to see him, I told him that I couldn't leave you.  I love my parents Richard but.... I love you more. I didn't want to lose you so instead I gave my parents to the wolf" Nene sobbed.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" Richard asked.

"How could I tell you?  I don't even understand you these days. You've been distant ever since that Hauwa girl.  I don't trust her one bit" Nene said.

"Where are your parents now?" Richard asked.

"I don't know, all I know is they are going to spend a long time in jail.  It's not that bad, at least they'd be paying for their crimes.  I only wish I could help them" Nene said wrapping her arms around Richard.

Richard sighed "It's okay Nene, I'm sorry  I was distant. I was just working on how to secure our future, and Hauwa has been helping me you know. Very soon Malik would be out of our lives" Richard said.

"He is already. I think I've already gotten him to lose interest in me" Nene said.

"How?" Richard asked.

"I told him I was pregnant" Nene said. "He couldn't deal with a woman with a baggage,  it's a good thing though. He was furious, demanded that I should abort the baby but I told him I couldn't" Nene smiled.

Richard paused thoughtfully. "I thought you were on the pill?" he asked.

"I am,  I just got Dara to pee on a stick for me.  I'm not pregnant, it was a lie but he bought it" Nene said.

Richard sighed and closed his eyes.  He'd hoped she was really pregnant.

Nene felt his heart beats and guessed his thoughts. "If you want a baby though,  we could try sometime this year. After we move out though" Nene said.

"You want a baby too?" Richard asked. He had to know, he didn't want her to do it for him.

"Yeah,  it can't be that bad can it?" Nene asked him chuckling.

Richard smiled, "I don't think so"

.......................

"What's his name?" Dara looked at the picture of the mini replica of her husband. The resemblance was uncanny. 

"His name is JayJay.  Jidenna junior" Jenifer smiled looking at the picture of son.

"Oh....." Dara looked at her nails instead. Looking at the picture of the boy hurt so much,  looking at the picture reminded her of what Jidenna had done.

"Are you okay?" Jidenna asked her quietly.

"I'm fine" Dara replied. She felt sick to the stomach.

"I'm sorry Dara, I heard of how Chizaram exploited Jidenna.  I'm sorry, it's my fault really. I told her that JayJay is Jidenna's son. She was broke,  she needed money so she took advantage of it. When I found out I was furious, I never asked her to get money from Jidenna" Jenifer said.

"It's okay,  it's fine" Dara said distractedly.  She didn't care about chizaram or whatever happened with Jidenna's money.

As a matter of fact, she thought that Jidenna deserved whatever Chizaram had done to him.  If Chizaram hadn't showed up at the house,  she wouldn't know the dirty secrets her husband was hiding.

"What I really want to know is where he fits into our lives. Does your son know about his father?" Dara asked.

"Yes,  he does. He and Jidenna bonded quite well before I married Pascal" Jenifer said.

"Oh... Oh I see" Dara said. She couldn't see anything really. Her husband had been secretly seeing this woman and fathering another child. She felt like throwing up all over him.

"Pascal loves Jayjay but JayJay doesn't feel the same way.  Last night he told me he wants to live with his father, that's why I fixed this meeting. I wanted to know if you would be comfortable with it" Jenifer said.

"Sure......i won't deprive your child of his father. If you'll excuse me,  I don't feel really well.  I have to go" Dara said getting up immediately she walked out of the living room.

Jenifer turned to Jidenna.  "I'm really sorry I have to do this to you but it's what your son wants" Jenifer said.

"It's fine,  I'll talk to Dara.  Besides when she spends time with Jayjay she will love him. The kids will love him too,  Dara loves children and she won't be cruel to him" Jidenna assured Jenifer.

Jenifer sighed "Well that's a relief, I should go now.  I'm meeting pascal at work  in a few minutes" Jenifer picked up her bag.

Jidenna escorted her to her car.  "You did the right thing by sticking with her instead. She made a better wife for you,  I wouldn't have done that" Jenifer said.

"Yet pascal isn't in a hurry to leave you" Jidenna smiled.

"You and pascal are quite different. You wouldn't have been able to give me what I got from pascal" Jenifer said before getting into her car. 

Jidenna wondered what pascal had given her that she wouldn't have gotten from him,   he didn't dwell on the thought. That was his past,  Dara was his present and future.

.........................

"You okay?" Jidenna asked Dara when he saw her lying on her stomach in the bedroom.

She buried her face in the pillow and ignored him.  "If you don't want him here that's fine.  Jenifer and I will make other arrangements" Jidenna said.

"I don't care what you do Jidenna" Dara said.

"Dara......he's my son.  He'll always be part of my life. I want you to accept him as yours too" Jidenna said calmly.

"Hmmm" Dara said nothing else.  "Dara, I want our marriage to work.  No more lies or secrets" Jidenna sat down by her side.

"You know I seem to remember you telling me this sometime ago and you had a lot of skeletons in your closet. If the reverse was the case would you forgive me easily?" Dara asked.

Jidenna didn't know how to reply her.  He knew Dara would never cheat on him.

"Jidenna I said if the reverse was the case would you forgive me easily, would you accept my child?" Dara asked.

"You would never cheat on me Dara,  I know you" Jidenna said calmly.

"You know you wouldn't, you'd kick me out of your house in a heartbeat" Dara said shaking her head.

"Dara,  I'm sorry. I'm sorry I've ruined your fairytale marriage. I know you wanted me to be your Prince Charming so bad and I'm sorry that I failed you.  If I could go back in time I would change everything but I can't. All I ask is that you forgive me for my mistake" Jidenna begged.

"I forgive you, but I'm afraid I can't accept your son. Not when I'm still hurting" Dara said.

"That's fine, I'll tell Jenifer. I won't force you into anything, when you're comfortable with it let me know" Jidenna said.

Dara sighed "If I find out you're hiding any other thing from me,  I will leave. If you lie to me again, I will leave for good" Dara said with all seriousness.

"I won't ever lie to you again sweetheart, no more lies or secrets" Jidenna pulled her gently to his side.

"Promise" Dara murmured. "I promise" Jidenna sighed cupping her face. He kissed her gently.

"I'm pregnant" she dropped the bomb.  Jidenna smiled a little "I know..." he said.

"What?" she pulled away.  "Who told you?" she asked. "I know all your habits sweetheart and when you start acting out habit it's suspicious. Plus I ran into your doctor" Jidenna said.

"Why didn't you say anything?" Dara asked. "I wanted you to tell me yourself, I can't wait for you to have our baby. I love you so much" Jidenna kissed the top of her head.

"I love you too" Dara smiled.

.........................

Mrs Imoh informed Nene Friday morning before she left for her daughter's house for the weekend that Richard would be coming back that day.

Richard had called his mother to tell her he would be coming but had not bothered to call her not once since he left.  For a whole week!

The nerve of that man,  she had some words for him when he got back. It was a good thing Cassie had come to pick up the boys for the weekend, so no one would hear her screaming down his ears when he got back.

Mrs Imoh called later in the evening that Richard had arrived but he was in Abuja and he wouldn't be coming back till Monday .

Why hadn't Richard called her himself? Right, for some reason, he had decided to exclude her out of everything.

Her friends knew more about him than she did, she still couldn't get over the fact that Richard had told Cassie about the fashion line but not her. 

He didn't even tell her he was traveling also,  Nene shook her head furiously. His behavior puzzled her.

.......................

"Are you talking to Nene?" Hauwa asked behind Richard.

"No" Richard scoffed. He'd purposely ignored her and refused to tell her anything. She didn't deserve to know anything concerning him,  not when she was planning to run off with Malik.

Hauwa smirked before taking off her robe. "Perhaps I can take your mind off her?" She offered seductively.

Perhaps, Just perhaps Richard would give in tonight.

Richard turned sharply and was surprised to see Hauwa in her naked glory before him.  He knew she'd been dropping hints for the past few days but he'd ignored her and focused solely on business.

"Hauwa, look you're beautiful. You're bold, you're many things a man would like but I'm a married man okay, you're my friend and I can't do this to you" Richard said.

"Richie,  don't you find me attractive, am I not beautiful?" Hauwa asked.

"You're beautiful Hauwa but I'm a married man. Even if I wasn't, I wouldn't do this with you.  you're like a sister to me" Richard said looking away.

A sister wouldn't stand naked before him but before this accident that's what he saw Hauwa as.

"Your wife doesn't love you,  she's going to leave you.  She's dating that man, Malik! she's probably in his bed now Richard. How can you still be devoted to a cheat?" Hauwa shouted.

Richard picked up Hauwa's robe and threw it to her.  "Get dressed Hauwa,  let's review the designs again before we meet with Mr Mead tomorrow" Richard said.

Hauwa scoffed "You're the only man I know that would turn down a naked woman who would do anything for you" She said putting on her robe.

"The designs Hauwa" Richard repeated.

"Your wife doesn't deserve you Richard, she's a cheat. You know that, it's only fair that you cheat on her too.  Give her a slice of what she's been serving you" Hauwa said.

"Goodnight Hauwa" Richard said and walked out of her suite.

He didn't speak of what had gone down the  next morning. He simply ignored the elephant in the room, the tension, the awkwardness.

He left Abuja Sunday afternoon after the last meeting with a promising client.

Hauwa tried to get him to stay but he declined despite her pleas and her apology.

He couldn't blame Hauwa for what she'd done.  She thought he was free game because his own wife was planning to run off with another man.

'Damn you Nene!' he swore angrily. She'd always pick money over him,  it didn't matter what he did, or how much he loved her.

.....................

It was past seven when Jidenna got back home with the kids. He met Dara and her attorney in the lounge playing scrabble.

She didn't even acknowledge his presence when he got in and that angered him.

"Dara!" he said sternly causing her to look up and acknowledge him.

"Oh... Hi.  Don't worry about putting the kids in bed.  Olanna will do that" Dara smiled a little when she saw him brimming with envy.

"Mummy" Iremide and Lota chorused rushing to their mother.

"Hello sweeties,  did you two have fun at the mall?" Dara asked kissing their foreheads.

"Yes! See we bought you cheese cake" Iremide said handing her the shopping bag.

"Thank you sweetheart, have you said hi to uncle Jay?" Dara asked them.

"Hi" Lota and Iremide murmured.  Jacob simply smiled, he wasn't a fan of children. He could deal with anything but definitely not children.

"Okay,  why don't you go put the cake in the refrigerator before going upstairs to take a shower. Say goodnight to your father first" Dara instructed.

"Goodnight daddy" the twins chorused before rushing out of the lounge.

Jidenna switched his attention back to Dara. "How are you?" he asked.

"obviously in good health as you can see" Dara replied and Jacob couldn't hold back the little smile.

Jidenna flared up when he saw the smile on the other man's face. The bastärd thought this was amusing.

He turned to Dara now in anger "I didn't know you entertained late night visits" Jidenna said.

"What's your point?" Dara asked sourly.  She didn't bother to look up at him and that infuriated him the more.

He was mad, he was fed up, fed up with living in a hotel, fed up with coming to his own to see his kids like a visitor, fed up with getting kicked out of his own house by his wife every night, fed up with the way she treated him!

"Dara it's bad enough that I'm not welcomed into my own house but I'll be dammed if I have to tolerate another man being in my home with my wife by this bloody hour!" Jidenna shouted.

"It's just past seven" Dara said calmly.

"I don't care what you say,  I want this bloody attorney out of my house. I don't want him here again. Mr Attorney, you're no longer welcome in my home" Jidenna said harshly.

"Attorney? You must be mistaken Mr Okolie. I'm your wife's counsellor, marriage counsellor. Didn't she tell you about me?" Jacob asked.

The jig was up,  Dara thought.

"You mean you're not the divorce attorney?" Jidenna asked confused.

"Divorce?!  No... No,  I fix broken marriages. Your wife is a friend and I've been counselling her, I wasn't aware you were also consulting a divorce lawyer Dara" Jacob turned to Dara now.

"I'm not consulting a divorce lawyer, my husband is just being paranoid. Thanks for coming Jacob,  I'll see you tomorrow. Right now my husband and I need some privacy" Dara glared at Jidenna.

"Paranoid?! You told me this man was your divorce lawyer.  I've been going about feeling bad because I thought you were going to divorce me" Jidenna glared back.

"Feeling bad,  good!  Now you know how I felt when I found out you never wanted to marry me and that you had a love child!" Dara spat.

"What do you want from me Dara, haven't I apologized already. I'm sorry, I keep telling you how sorry I am.  What do you want from me?!" Jidenna yelled.

"I don't know, I don't know anything anymore Jidenna. I don't know if I love you or if I trust you. You've hurt me too much okay?" Dara yelled.

Jidenna sighed "How do I make it up to you D, I'm sorry I swear I am" Jidenna said.

"I don't know....i do know that seeing you makes me angry. I'd appreciate it if you just disappear for a while. I need space" Dara said.

"For how long Dara,  I'm tired of giving you space. Dara I miss you, I miss the comforts of my home,  my bed, my children, my family. I don't want to stay in a goddamned hotel!" Jidenna said.

"And I'm supposed to just forget your child and Jenifer?" Dara asked.

"My son will always be a part of my life, and Jenifer is not a threat.  She's married for the love of God, It was Chizaram who started this stunt just to get money from me" Jidenna shouted.

"What if Jenifer was still single, wouldn't you have picked her. I always come second place remember. First you pick that woman over me then you favored your family. Do you ever think about me,  what Dara would like to do, what would Dara want?" Dara asked.

"I love you Dara,  I know I don't say it a lot but I do.  Jenifer stopped mattering to me a long time ago. Do you understand that?" Jidenna asked.

Dara twisted her mouth, she knew she should just let him go and stop dragging it on but to let him off the hook so easy didn't sit well with her.

"Okay" she said.

"Okay?" Jidenna moved closer to her.

"Okay, I forgive you" Dara smiled easily now.

"You can now sleep in the guest room" Dara said.

"The guest room?" Jidenna repeated.

"Or would you rather go back to the hotel?" Dara asked.

"No,  guest room is fine.  Absolutely fine, you won't regret it" Jidenna smiled back.

It could only get better now, he decided. At least he was back in his house.

19

"Congratulations, I'm so happy for you" Dara hugged Cassie. 

"Thanks, it was a narrow win but we did win.  Once we proved that Dele's health was not stable and that he was dying, everything fell in place. He was declared unfit to look after Tiwa, and the good news is no one has told Tiwa that Tobi isn't her father" Cassie said smiling.

"And Dele?" Nene asked curiously. Was the rascal just giving up so easily?

"Dele......I have no idea. Haven't seen him since then. Honestly the world would be a better place without him" Cassie said.

"Cheers to that, I'm so happy for you girl.  And look you're glowing!" Dara said grinning.

"Well..." Cassie smirked.  "Now that I have my peace of mind again, Tobi and I are having good sex, so it must definitely be the sex" Cassie winked.

"Wait....you have pregnant sex?" Dara asked.

"Well... Duh!" Cassie said rolling her eyes.

"Is that healthy at all? I didn't have sex when I was pregnant with the twins. The thought of it was quite scary" Dara said sipping her mango juice.

"It's completely healthy Dara" Nene remarked winking.

"Is it? I thought you said it wasn't healthy. That you could lose the baby" Dara cocked her eyebrows.

"Did I?" Nene asked.

"Yes,  when you were pregnant with Alexis" Dara said.

"Oh that" Nene chuckled.  "No,  I was crazy. I just said that to keep Richard away, I didn't want to have sex with him" Nene said shaking her head.

"Speaking of Richard, how's Richard these days?" Cassie asked.

"He's good,  he's not in the country now.  He's out with his partner,  they are in South Africa at the moment" Nene replied.

Then she remembered how hurt she'd felt when Nick asked when Dad and Aunt Hauwa were coming back from South Africa.  She hadn't even known he was traveling, he hadn't told her.  She had just woken up and found him gone. 

His mother had later mentioned they Richard and Hauwa had gone to South Africa on a business trip.

"Is he still recruiting models?" Cassie asked.

"What?" Nene asked confused.

"Richard, he was recruiting models" Cassie said inspecting a spring roll.

"Why?" Nene asked confused.

Cassie looked up surprised. "Nene, you don't know why he's recruiting models?" Cassie asked.

"I didn't even know he was recruiting models to start with.  I just know he's working on something" Nene said. 

"Well you know he's working with Hauwa.  She's a fashion blogger,  Richard is working on a fashion line" Cassie said.

Nene stood up "Richard is working on a fashion line?" she asked again.

"He didn't tell you?" Dara asked.

"No,  it seems he told everybody excluding me.  I didn't even know Richard  knew anything about fashion, he did tell me he worked with a designer before he got into the university" Nene said.

"Oh.... Well his first job was with Tommy apparels before he began working for your father" Cassie said.

"Wow,  you two even know more about the man I married than I do.  I'm done with putting up with his shït when he gets back I'm giving him a piece of my mind" Nene hissed angrily.

"Okay calm down angry bird.  I'm sure your husband had his reasons" Cassie winked.

Nene rolled her eyes irritated.  "So how's team Dara and Jidenna?" Cassie asked.

"I'm making him sweat it. I'm not letting him back into my home easily" Dara said.

"He said you were speaking to an attorney" Nene said sitting down.

"Nope,  it's just Jacob.  Jacob is a marriage counselor" Dara replied.

"Oh .....Jacob" Cassie and Nene mused. 

"Whatever enough about husbands, Nene I've gotten a job for you" Cassie grinned.

"You're going to love it trust me" She winked.

Nene smiled a little, finally one problem off her pretty neck.

........................

Jidenna sat across Kainene and Cassandra and wondered again for the umpteenth time if he was doing the right thing.

"So what do you want?" Nene asked irritably.  Jidenna rolled his eyes mentally, he couldn't stand her. He often wondered how Dara could.

"Isn't it obvious?" Jidenna asked her. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He was running out of options already, turning to Dara's friends seemed promising.

"Well humor me,  tell me why you're suddenly showing interest in us?" Nene asked. She knew Jidenna never cared about his wife's friends, most of the times when they'd come over to the house,  he made a point to ignore them.

"I called the both of you here because of Dara.  I know you all are like sisters and Dara listens to your opinions, I want you to help me talk to her" Jidenna exhaled. 

Nene burst out laughing crushing the last of Jidenna's pride. "Really?  almighty Jidenna. you're asking for our help" Nene hissed.

Jidenna felt the urge to strangle her but he held himself. Nene was a big bïtch but the thought of divorce was a bigger bïtch.

"Yes, I'm asking for your help. I want you two to please help me talk to Dara, she'll listen to you two" Jidenna said.

"Why?" Cassie asked. The last time she spoke to Dara,  Dara had mentioned that she'd kicked her husband out of the house temporarily so why was he making such a big deal out of it.

"I'm afraid she's considering divorce" Jidenna said swallowing the bile in his throat. He met Cassie's eyes and saw surprise.

"Dara is considering divorce?" Cassie asked.

"That's a good thing right, you're an asshöle Jidenna.  Home girl deserves better and you know it, just go home and accept your fate" Nene sneered.

Jidenna shook his head, why hadn't he just called just Cassie?  "Yes,  she's considering divorce. She's talking to a lawyer" Jidenna replied Cassie.

Cassie looked at Nene curiously.

"What did you do?" Cassie asked frowning.

"Look I lied to her okay,  I hid a lot of things from her and she found out and got mad.  I'm just afraid her anger is making her irrational and I want you to help me speak to her" Jidenna sighed.

"Why should we help you?" Nene asked.

"Come on Nene, don't tell me you haven't made mistakes. You're the one who told your husband you had a miscarriage and you were still pregnant. He forgave you didn't he?" Jidenna answered her irritated.

Nene glared at him.  "Yes we all make mistakes and you....you were born to make mistakes. You know why she's finally divorcing you? You've made too many mistakes and she has no more forgiveness to give your silly ass.  I hope she leaves you, isn't that what you wanted? So you could go be with your precious mistress" Nene mocked him.

Jidenna ignored her and turned to Cassie.  "Cassie.... Will you please talk to her?" he asked.

"I'll try.....but I can't promise you anything. When Dara makes up her mind to do something there's simply no changing it" Cassie said.

"Like how she made up her mind to marry a   dîckhead and we couldn't convince her otherwise" Nene threw at Jidenna.

"Nene...." Cassie cautioned.

"Thank you Cassie,  thanks" Jidenna said before getting up. "Good day Kainene" Jidenna said before leaving the table.

Cassie turned to Nene. "You don't think Dara would really divorce Jidenna, especially not when She's pregnant too.

"She's just bluffing, trying to scare him and it's working" Nene said.

"And you....what's wrong with you, woke up on the wrong side of the bed?" Cassie asked.

More like couch,  Richard had locked her out of the room last night. She still couldn't believe it.

Thanks dear

yewande1234:
Welcome back sis

......................

When Nene walked into Malik's office unannounced, the last person she expected to see was Hauwa.

"You're early,  I was going to send my driver to get you. How are you love?" Malik stood up from his chair and moved to hug Nene.

Nene locked eyes with Hauwa before pulling away sharply. "I'm well, thank you,  I decided to come alone.  We need to talk" Nene said.

"How about I take you out, let's talk over a meal" Malik suggested fishing out his cellphone. He called his assistant and asked him to get a table at his favorite restaurant.

Hauwa turned to Nene and smirked.  "I have matters to attend to Mr Malik.  I'll leave you with your wife?" Hauwa said slyly.

"We're just friends!" Nene spat. What was Hauwa's game anyway?

"That's a shame, I saw the ring and I assumed you two were a beautiful couple" Hauwa said.

"Oh no Hauwa,  I didn't put the cheap ring on her finger.  When I do, you wouldn't have to question if she was my wife or not"  Malik said pulling Nene to his side.

"Well.... Congratulations in advance then" Hauwa smirked before picking up her purse.  She walked out of the office smiling at Nene as she went out the door.

"Who is she to you?" Nene asked immediately.

"A client, she's not important" Malik said taking Nene's hand.  He kissed the back of her palm.

"She's a friend of Richard, what if she tells Richard that I... She's important" Nene said looking at the door.

"Why does it matter if she tells Richard, you'll just tell him that you've decided you want to be with me.  Divorce him sweetheart or do you want your parents to spend the rest of their lives in jail?" Malik asked.

Nene took a deep breath, did she?

.............

The expression on Richard's face was not missed by either Nene or his mother during dinner.

"Are you okay son?" Mrs Imoh asked concerned as she forked a piece of yam into her mouth.

"I'm fine" Richard replied gruffly. He remembered his last conversation with Hauwa about three hours ago.

'You look troubled Hauwa are you okay?' Richard had asked concerned.

'I really don't want to talk about this Richard, but you're my friend and if I don't tell you what kind of friend would that make me?' Hauwa looked sad.

'What's that?' Richard  had asked with Keen interest.

'Well... You know what? never mind....i can't do this' Hauwa looked away.

'Hauwa talk to me!' Richard tilted her face back to his.

'I think Nene is cheating on you!' Hauwa shouted.

'What? Nene,  Nene would not.  Why would you say that?' Richard looked perplexed.

'Today I went to talk to a sponsor and Nene came in while we were discussing business. Richard the way they were, they were  clearly lovers. Mr Malik even mentioned something about them getting married' Hauwa finished.

'Mr Malik...' Richard couldn't believe his ears.  Nene had lied to him,  she'd told him she wasn't seeing that bloody rich bastaŕd anymore but she was. For how long? He wondered. He was numb, and she was planning to marry him?

Why?  He closed his eyes briefly. Of course his dear wife couldn't part with luxury,  wealth, and all the good things he couldn't offer her.

"Richard!" Nene's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

He turned to her a little irritated. "What is it?" he asked unable to keep the anger and disdain out of his voice.

"I asked if you could help the boys get in bed and sort out their assignment" Nene said.

"Isn't that your job,  I mean you're the housewife here and their mother. I'm the one who has to go looking for job opportunities and you...well who knows what you do with your time.  Dates with other men I suppose" Richard said.

"Richard!" Nene looked a little hurt by his accusation. Richard simply ignored her, as far as he was concerned she had betrayed him and he wasn't going to forgive her this time.

18

Cassie was super confident the next time she saw him.  She and Tobi had decided to hush the whole custody arrangement. On this fine day it was just Tobi,  Cassie, Dele and his lawyer.  They hadn't even brought their lawyer.

Dele took her arm the minute Tobi was out of sight. "You're really going to give up your daughter because of a man?" he scoffed angrily.

"Not just any man.  Tobi is my husband and the father of my unborn child, yes I don't plan to leave him. And I'm not giving up our daughter, she'll simply go away with her father. Not so?" Cassie said nonchalantly.

"You're going to regret this, I'm going to make sure our daughter hates you.  You have the option of changing your mind before the judge arrives" Dele said.

"Dele,  you do not scare me.  I'm not the same woman you manipulated years ago" Cassie hissed.

"Oh really?" Dele sneered.

"Yes!" Cassie said defiantly. Tobi showed up almost immediately.

"Is something going on here?" He asked Cassie although he was looking at Dele.

"Just catching up with my brother in law" Cassie said condescendingly before taking Tobi's hand.

....................

"I only have one request" Cassie spoke looking at the judge sympathetically.

"In case of any accident or deaths my daughter should be brought back to me" Cassie said turning to Dele.

"Granted" the judge said stiffly.  Dele on the other hand looked horrified. He turned to Tobi and his wife and glared at the two of them.

"Congratulations Dele, you now have full custody of your daughter" his lawyer said smiling.

"Yeah.... Until I die" Dele said sourly.

"It's not like you're going to die anytime soon. I'm surprised they didn't bring that fiesty lawyer and they didn't even put up a fight for the girl.  They just surrendered easily, you're quite lucky you know" his lawyer grinned at their success.

Lucky indeed, Dele got up instantly and went out of the room. He walked straight to Cassie.

"A word please?" Dele gritted out.

Tobi looked to Cassie to see if she was okay with it and she nodded surprisingly.

"I'll wait up in the car, don't be long" Tobi said giving them a little privacy. 

"How did you know?" he asked looking her directly in the face.

"What do you mean, know what?" Cassie asked confused.

"You know exactly what  I'm talking about Cassandra. One minute you're scared of losing Tiwa, next you're acting like you don't give a fück!" Dele snarled.

"I do care but I don't want to play in your games again" Cassie said calmly.

"You're lying, I know you're lying. You know something don't you. The main question is how the hell do you know?" Dele said harshly.

"Tell me.....what are you rambling on about, is there something I should know, something you forget to mention?" Cassie smirked.

Dele glared at her. "Who told you?" Dele shouted.

Cassie grew mad now "Yes Dele,  I know you're dying. I know you have cancer of the lungs.  The only reason you're interested in Tiwa is because you like ruining Tobi's happiness. Do you even feel anything for our daughter, this is only a game to you" Cassie hissed.

Apparently Doctor Abisuga's daughter and Dele had grown quite close. 

She was his doctor and she'd confided in her father who had in turn told Cassie and Tobi about Dele.

"Of course I love our daughter. You're the one who doesn't love her enough" Dele said.

"It doesn't matter in a few months you'll be forgotten. Enjoy her while you have and you better treat my baby girl right assholê" Cassie hissed and walked away.

Dele stared after her angrily. He might have won the fight but the war was lost already.

Despite his efforts, he hadn't gotten what he really wanted.  He got Tiwa for a while but what he really wanted was the full package, Tiwa and Cassandra.