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Mad cover though. Come and teach me how to use Canva

His smile dimmed as he shook his head.“ No mum. I told you before.”
She sighed in exasperation. "Common Charlie, it's been two years."
"I told him I won't return back to that house and I mean it. Not unless he apologizes to Ashley for what he said to her.", he insisted his voice laden with irritation.
"Charles, please. He wants to make up.", she said softly.
"Then, he knows what to do. He should apologize to Ashley.", he stated plainly unwavering.

"But, I've begged Ashley and she has no problem with him. She said she's forgiven him. Why don't you do the same and let's bury the hatchet.", she suggested.

"No mum!", he stated as he stood up.

"Of all the proud men in the world, I had to get the most obstinate ones. Do you want me to kneel? To beg? If that's it, I'll do it. You don't know how much it breaks my heart to see you and your father like this. Forgive him, please.", she cried out in frustration and joined him on her feet.

"Mum, this isn't about forgiveness. It's about honour and protecting my wife's dignity. If someone had said half of what he said to Ashley to you, he wouldn't take it. Dad would have knocked the wind out of such a person. And I'm supposed to take it because he's my father? Hell, no! I won't ever step foot on that property if he doesn't apologize.", he ranted.

"Like hell I will!", he father said as he burst through the door.

"Good evening sir.", Charles greeted stoic.

"Anthony, I told you I could handle this.", the woman said at her wit's end.

"Mr. Aston, is there anything I can do for you?", Charles said to his father. To him, this man was just his boss.

"You will have dinner with me at home and you'll bring your wife.", the older man said through gritted teeth. His jaw ticked with anger at how his son was treating him. His wife grabbed his hand and squeezed pleading with him not to ruin the chance they have at reconciliation.

"Who's asking? My boss or my father?", Charles said with his back straight, refusing to bend, refusing to be intimidated.

"Charles, don't be like this.", his mother begged.
"Your father.", the man said with his jaws clenched.

"Then, you know my terms. Apologize to Ashley and I'll come back home.", Charles reiterated.

"Apologize for what?…."

"Anthony please…"

"Tomi, I've had enough of his childish tantrums. I never said anything that wasn't true. She was careless and that's why she lost the baby. The only child she was ever destined to have. And now she's barren."

Charles glared at his father as he hurled those spiteful words. If it had been anyone other than his father, he would have made him regret it.

"Ashley's expecting.", his mother whispered.

"Is - is that true?", his father stuttered and he nodded reluctantly.

In his thirty four years, Charles had never seen his father embarrassed and flustered. The look on his father's face now was worth a picture being taken to serve as a memento. The older man broke into laughter and left his son confused.

“i can't believe it.”, the man bellowed. His wife gave a weak, nervous smile as she noticed Charles' unwavering gait.

"Will you apologize, now?", Charles deadpanned. Mrs Aston looked from son to father, hoping the older man would swallow his ego and pride and agree to apologize.

"Congratulations, Charles. I'm happy for you. Your family is growing. It brings me so much joy. I retract my statement that your wife is barren but I refuse to apologise.", the man said matter-of-factly.

"Anthony!", his wife shouted in shock and exasperation.

"Then I suggest you inform your cook to make food for two.", Charles said.

"Charles, please.", his mother begged.

"Mr Aston, if there's nothing else, I'd like to get back to my work now."

His father huffed and stormed out of his office. His mother at him and at the door and decided to go with her husband.

He huffed and swirled in his chair and face the window, trying to calm himself down enough to concentrate on his work.

Chapter 2

He sat at his desk, twiddling a pen in his right hand and stared out the window wondering what names to give the children. Peter and Paul were so last century. He wanted something nice, something meaningful. He laughed at himself for fantasizing about baby names but why wouldn't he?

For someone who never expected to have a child and then got blessed with twins, fantasies and reveries were the order of the day. He understood the reason why children were called bundles of joy. The last time he was this ecstatic was at the first ultrasound Ashley had done for the baby they lost. Now they were expecting two babies. Two! He wondered who would look like who.
If they were boys, he'd want them to have their mother's colouring. Ashley's caramel skin glowed naturally. She didn't need to go to the spa or use a lot of body products to get her skin to dazzle radiantly. She was the definition of dark and lovely.
If they were girls, he wanted them to have Ashley's dark, long and luscious hair, her honey coloured eyes and her long beautiful legs. They were both tall, so he didn't have to worry about the children's height. And..

"Earth to Charlie, earth to Charlie.", his mother's voice pierced through his musings.

"Good afternoon mum.", he greeted.
"What smacked that mega-watt smile on your face?", she asked and took a seat.
"It's not my place to tell but it can't be hidden for so long, anyway. Ash is expecting a baby. Well, two actually.", he explained.

" Oh my Lord!", his mother gasped and burst into laughter.

"Come give me a hug, dear.", she said and got up. He came over and she pulled him into a bear hug.

"Congrats darling. I'm so happy for you both.", she said and released him. “How long were you planning to keep it a secret?”, she quizzed and sat back in her heat and crossed her legs at the ankles.

"I just found out on Friday.", he explained.

"I'm really going to be a grandma?", she said smiling brightly.

Charles scoffed and laughed, "Mum, stop the theatrics. You already have eight grandchildren!"

"Common Charles. Your sisters' children are my grandchildren quite alright but they belong more to their respective husbands' families. These are your children. They'll be Astons."

“Mum, you're kidding.”, he scoffed and shook his head.

"Charlie, you'll understand when you have children and grandchildren of your own. And I pray you don't get a son like mine, who wouldn't have tied the knot if not for a divinely orchestrated happenstance.", she said.

"So, what brings you to my office mum?", he asked as he straightened some papers on his desk.

"Well, it's good news, great news in fact.", she chippered.

"Your dad was going to tell you tomorrow but I decided otherwise and let you know now. I know how well you hate being left in suspense. The board met last night and it was decided that your proposal was absolutely brilliant. Those are Mr. Inyass' words, so don't you think I'm flattering you. The board voted unanimously to authorize the project. UNANIMOUSLY.", she announced.

"Oh my God!",he exclaimed astonished at his success. "I can't believe it." His lips spread into a smile.
His mother giggled and said, "You better believe it because it's real."
"I want you to come over for dinner tonight with Ashley. It's going to be a double celebration.", she put in, hoping her son would say yes.

"You'll never know cause I'm going to win.", she bluffed.

"I really hope so.", he smiled and continued with his meal.

Minutes later, the maids cleared the dishes and he beamed at her in excitement- not for the dessert but for her big news. They had gone through four courses and he was stuffed. A maids brought in a tray with two martini glasses filled with something brown.

"Alcohol?", he asked with an eyebrow raised. They had both sworn off alcohol after their drunken one night stand. They were limited to a glass of champagne or wine at functions.

"No!", she corrected. "It's a Chocolate Martini. Zero alcohol. It was actually supposed to be a chocolate mousse but I saw this on a cooking competition and decided to try it out.", she explained as the maid dropped a glass each in front of them.

"Phew, ok!", he said in relief, releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding and she giggled in response. "So the surprise?", he asked in a singsong manner.

She smiled at one of the maids and the maid handed her a sleep mask. Charles watched the exchange and the maids in the room began tittering and grinning from ear to ear. He knew then that they knew what the surprise was. She stood up from her seat and walked to stand behind him.

"How am I the only one in the dark?", he complained and pouted and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Not for much longer.", she whispered gleefully. He indulged her by letting her blindfold him.
He heard the maids giggle and scamper out of the room. He heard Ashley laugh in response and call after them, "Don't let it fall."

"You know this isn't funny.", he muttered, irritated with the suspense.
"Don't worry. You'll know sooner than later.", she whispered in his ear and kissed his cheek. He heard the sound of approaching feet and laughter and knew the maids were back. He felt Ashley move to stand beside him and clear something, probably the mousse and cutlery from the table.

He heard the soft thud of something being placed on the charger. He heard the maids' giggles get louder as Ashley shooed them out of the dinning room.

"Honey, you can take the blindfold off now.", she whispered.

"Finally!", he said in relief and took the sleep mask off his face. He blinked a few times before looking down at the table. He saw a white cake with 'we were two, now we're four', written on it in red icing. He went from confusion to realization in seconds and looked up to her to confirm his guess. He met her beaming at him with a 10000 watt smile

"Are you…?", he managed to whisper as tears pooled in his eyes and she nodded ecstatically grinning and giggling.

"I'm going to be a father?", he asked with his voice breaking.

"Yes honey.", she confirmed.

The next thing she knew she was in his arms being twirled around. She laughed hard and held onto him for support. He let her slide down his body and claimed her lips in a kiss of gratitude.

"Thank you.", he whispered. "Thank you!", he shouted, looking up to the ceiling, supposedly talking to God. Her laughter was short-lived as he captured her lips with his again and pressed his forehead against hers and cupped her face and ran his thumbs across her soft cheeks.

"I love you.", he said breathing heavily. "You have no idea how happy I am."

She giggled and said "I can guess."
"You can't, baby. After the miscarriage and the operation, I thought I was going to lose you. When the doctor said we might never have children again, I'd accepted it. I was content so long as I had you. When you suggested the IVF, I was scared that your hopes would be dashed. And now, and now, all I've wanted is to start a family with you and you're pregnant!", he said. "With twins!"


"Yes!", she confirmed. He kissed her forehead and pulled her into his arms and hugged her

**********
He took in the table's contents and was awed. One would think gourmet food and marrying a professional chef was a blessing but he had to work out twice as much as he used to ever since they got married. .She spoilt him with food and he couldn't say no. Once when he refused to eat, she threw a tantrum and kept sulking for a whole day.

He loved her to a fault and had to concede. He wasn't sure if there was anything he could deny her. Funnily enough, they had just been friends. They weren't the cliche friends- who -harbored- secret- feelings -towards -each -other- turned- lovers. They were just friends, close friends at that. But then, a drunken one night stand was all it took for things to change.

At first, they had avoided each other, unable to face themselves. But she got pregnant as a result of their sexcapade. She told him and he decided to own up to it. They got married simply to give the baby a home. During that period, he began to see her not just as his friend but as a woman. She miscarried and yet his feelings persisted after she lost the baby.

He didn't expect to fall head over heels in love with her. He didn't believe he could ever love her as much as he did now. Now, he could give himself up for her if that was what she needed.

He looked at her and found himself smiling. The undertones of her skin were gleaming like 24 karat gold by the flickering candlelight and pearly white teeth beaming at him as her lips were spread into a smile. Her eyes bubbled with uncontainable excitement.

"Are you sure you can keep this surprise to yourself till dessert?", he teased as she giddily ladled a serving on his plate. "You look like you're about to explode."

"If that's your plan to get me to tell you, then you've never been wronger, Mr Aston.", she answered.

"I've been guessing since I came back. Take pity on me and tell me. Curiosity is tearing me up.", he begged.

"Nope, till dessert. The patient dog gets the fattest bone.", she answered.

"That's if he doesn't die of hunger first.", he sassed and pouted.

"Stop that!", she piped and burst into laughter. " You look like a child when you do that.", She managed to say in between guffaws.
"Then answer me, na. I've been begging you since morning.", he responded.

"Let's talk about something else. I had been meaning to ask you. But I got so caught up with your guesses that I forgot. How did the pitch go?", she chippered.

He straightened up and returned to his normal self. "The board seemed to love it. At least, that was what mum said. We'll know their decision on Monday. I hope they decide to do the project.", He answered and started eating.

"They'll have to be insane not to want to do the project.", she assured him.

"I hope so. It'll be nice to be seen as something more than the CEO's London- returned son with nothing between his ears than crammed notes and chowder.", he said defeated.

"They can't still be saying that.", She gasped.

"No, they don't say it. Not since mum intervened at least. I have never been more embarrassed. Not only do they see me as incompetent but also a Mama's boy who can't fight his own battles. It's evident in the way the board members and staff look at me; despite the clients I've been bringing in and the contracts I've won. I'm not expecting them to roll out the red carpet but I deserve some repect as a person. This is it. If this project works out, I'll finally earn that respect..", he explained.

She reached out and held his hand. "The project will be approved. You can bet with me on that."

" You sound so sure about it.", he laughed.
"I am sure. Wanna bet? If I win, I take your BMW for a whole week and you take my Venza.", she wagered.
"I'd really hate to win but if I win, you tell me what you fought about with Dolapo.", he answered.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

The man and woman watched Katrina rant and sob without feeling a shred of emotion. What had brought them together was their mutual hatred for Atinuke Coker. Bringing her down was their sole aim and purpose. Katrina’s losses were simply collateral damage. Now that it was certain Chris felt nothing for her, Katrina served no purpose to them anymore. Heck, they had considered killing Chris junior as well when their hitman kept on ramming into her SUV. Luckily for both of them, God was on their side that night.

“Sorry, there’s nothing we can do for you.”, the woman said with a stiff upper lip.

“You promised to get me back my son and Chris.”, Katrina retorted.

“We never made any such promises. We said we could. Now we can’t. Stop being a sore loser. You’ve got a great body and you don’t look a day above 25. Get as many jobs as you can now. Because there’ll be younger prettier girls.”, the woman advised.

“F***, I just want my son back.”, Katrina sobbed.

“Do we look like lawyers or family court judges to you? The only possible way for you to have gotten your son back was for you to get Chris. If you don’t have Chris senior, you can’t have the other. It’s a package deal. Besides, you didn’t do the job we asked you to do with Tinu’s children.”, the man put in.

“I did.”, Katrina gritted.

“Then why did Chris come to your house? You were supposed to gain their trust first. And the alias you used? How did Chris know it was you?”, the man asked.

“She probably used an old nickname or something. She’s that dumb.”, the woman said.

“F*** you two. I will get my son back with or without your help.”, Katrina said angrily and stormed out.

“We have a problem Gabriel. We have no link into Tinu’s life without Katrina.”, the woman said disgruntled.

“It’s not a problem. We’ll use Tinu to destroy Tinu.”, the man explained and pressed a kiss to the woman’s head.















Chapter 17.

Rose looked at Ose as he moved skillfully around his kitchenette trying to fix her a cup of tea. She was a coffee person but tea was good if it gave her the ample opportunity to watch Ose. The girlfriend in her kept hitting her with a frying pan telling her to stop drooling over a guy when she had a boyfriend. What was it about this guy that made her just want to jump his bones? It wasn’t that time of the month so why was she feeling this way? She crossed her legs tight to soothe the ache down there. The guy hadn’t even kissed her yet. Yet, she drove underneath the storm just to give him some documents that could wait till the following week. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of her shirt to give him a clear view of her breasts.

“Here you go.”, he said as he set a tray in front of her.

“Thank you.”, she said.

“Im really sorry I made you drive all the way down here. I didn’t know I left it in your office.”, Ose apologized.

“It’s nothing. Though when you become a best seller you owe me dinner.”, she said smiling as she poured in sugar into her tea.

“If you say so. Honestly, I think no one would want to read it.”, he said nervously and rubbed his hands on his thighs.

“Of course not. I read it. I’m the most critical person you’ll ever meet. If I found it interesting, honey, your work is a masterpiece.”, she said.

“I hope the temp's comfortable.”, he asked.

“It’s superb.” ,she said and took a sip of the tea.

“Rose, I was wondering if I could change my dedication page. Rather than to my mum, I’d like to dedicate the book to Bibiana.”, he said.

“Ok? Who is she?”, Rose asked on the verge of jealousy.

“The only woman I’ve ever loved.”, he answered dreamily.

“Oh! Um… send me a draft by tomorrow and I’ll send it to the printers.”, she said sullen.

“Thank you.”, he said elated.

She tried to fake a smile and hope he wouldn't see through her lie. " We argued again. I confronted her about a fight she had with her aunt and she went ballistic. She told me to mind my business and stay out of her life.", she lied, crossed her fingers and begged all the angels and saints that he wouldn't poke holes in her story.


"But what did she fight about with her aunt?", He asked.

Unable to come up with a lie, her best bet was to change the topic. Hopefully, her big news was distraction enough.

"Baby, I don't want to talk about it. Mentioning it alone brings to mind all the hurtful things she hurled at me that day. Like I was saying, before we digressed into designers and all what not, I have a surprise for you.", she answered.

He held her hands, trying to forge a connection to her soul. She loved that about him. How he could just look into her eyes and it was like he was inside her head. How with a look, he could make her tell him all her burdens. She often teased him that he could be a psychoanalyst but he always claimed his gift only worked on her.

But now, she despised that, especially when she was not only lying to him but keeping a dreadful secret, one he might hate her for, if it ever came to light.

"Ashley, are you sure you don't want to talk about it?", he asked softly, his face etched with lines of concern.

"I'm a hundred percent certain. I don't want anything to dampen our mood. Like I said I have a big surprise for you. Why don't you go get changed? I'll ask the maids to set the table.", she answered.

"In that case,who am I to refuse a warm meal and a big surprise? I'll go freshen up. I'm dropping the issue for now but if she hurt you so bad, I'm going to have a word with her.", he said in a note of finality and planted a kiss on my forehead and left the living room.

At any other time, the kiss might have been a gesture of endearment but now it was like karma's laugh in her face and a reminder of what she might lose.

xaviercasmir:
I have to comment on this. You are a good writer, your other work Ocean of secret is awesome. Although I tend to be confused a times because of sudden introduction of some characters, i usually understand it after reading it again. Thanks for your incredible work.
This one will be great. Keep it up

Awwwn!!! Thanks love.

I dedicate this comment to Temiloluwa Olaposi. Thank you for being an amazing roommate. I never would have garnered the courage to share my work without her. Thanks girl.

Counter24:
Mehn.... This is the first time I will be commenting on a post on Nairaland since my visit to this platform years ago (and I still don't believe it is on this post I will be making my first comment).��
I will sincerely confess that you got some flair in both your choice of words and how you create a link-up between all ur characters which has created an indelible mark on whoever set his/her eyes on this work.

Thank you for making me find something worth reading again on Nairaland and I seriously hope you finish this work that you have started!!!

Gracias���

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm blushing right now. Thanks for the comment dearie.


I'll make sure to finish this. It might not be so soon but I'm definitely going to complete this.


De nada cariño/cariña ( I don't know if you're a guy or girl)

The only time she had ever seen Ashley cry this hard was when her she had to tell her grandfather she was pregnant with Charles' baby and he told her he was disappointed in her. Her grandfather was her idol. After her parents died in a plane crash when she was 8, he took her in and gave her a father and mother's love. He gave her his everything, showering his love and affection on her. He didn't let her feel she lost her parents. And she lived her life to make him smile, to make him happy. She got excellent grades, obeyed him and spoiled him with all her cooking experiments.

To have him disappointed in her was a blow she could not recover from. She bawled her eyes out for days, refusing to eat or speak to anyone. She fell sick not long after. Dolapo, who couldn't stand it anymore, dragged her sister and her sister's husband along to beg Ashley's grandfather. On hearing she was in the hospital, the old man rushed out of his chair and begged them to take him to see his granddaughter. He was so afraid of losing a child again.

She was torn from her thoughts by Ashley's spiteful voice. Ashley had turned back to face her with red eyeballs, twin waterfalls on her face and a small lake under her nose.

"Why are you still here?", she asked sniffling. "You've succeeded in telling my husband the truth. He knows and now he h-hates me."
Fresh sobs hit her at the realization that her husband hated her.

"What more do you want?!", she yelled amidst sobs.

"Ashley, it…"

"Get out of my house!", she interrupted standing, enraged by Dolapo's presence.

"Gladly.", Dolapo deadpanned, remembering Ashley had not been a total saint and was unworthy of her pity and empathy. She strolled out of the living room and turned back to see her friend's image of strength lasted only as long as she was in room. Ashley had sunk back to the floor and continued weeping hard.

Dolapo hoped the maids would take care of her as she did many years ago because now, Ashley ceased to be her problem.



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


Five years ago


The sound of the doorbell like a bellow fanned the flames of excitement in her heart and her stomach backflipped in tandem. She stilled the urge to run out to meet him but the wave of excitement was unfightable. Here it was, after four years they were finally expecting a baby. She couldn't be more elated. She adjusted her dress and half-ran down the stairs. She rushed past one of their maids who had collected his jacket and briefcase from him.

Like he was expecting her, he caught her and twirled her around. Ever in character, a kiss followed the hug.

"What's the rush? I was coming upstairs, already.", he said after releasing her lips from a long and tender kiss.

"I have a surprise for you. That's why. I've been waiting for you all day, you know.", she answered like a petulant child overcome with excitement.

"I'll take it your trip to the doctor didn't result with a bunch of drugs or a couple of injections. And you're feeling a lot better than this morning.", he answered and put her down. He tilted her head up so he could examine her face as if he could detect any traces of ailment.

"Well, the doctor said I'm fit as a fiddle but he gave me an appointment.", she replied all smiles.

"Ok? Why are you so giddy ?", he asked suspiciously.

"That's my surprise.", she answered.

"Are we having guests? Is that the reason for the Alexander McQueen?", he asked as he began to loosen his tie.

"Is that the only designer you know?", she asked in between giggles.

"Well, he is the only one I heard throughout the time you guys were planning Temi's wedding. So we're having guests?", he said.

"No and no. We're not having guests and no, the dress isn't Alexander McQueen.", she said. "It's one of Dolly's designs."

" Oh, how is Dolapo by the way?", he asked taking off his cufflinks and stuffing them in his pocket.
A sigh escaped her lips and gave away the agony lurking within her.

Dolapo or Dolly as she called her for short was her oldest friend. Since secondary school, they had been as close as a banana sucker and its mother plant. Her friendship with Dolapo was one she cherished. But she had wronged her friend in the worst way possible and was now hanging on to that friendship by a thread.

"What happened?", Charles asked, catching on to the feelings she had tried to suppress.

So guys, I've started something new. It's called Divide. Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Treasurewamiri:
Ghen Ghen! Two Roses are in love with Ose... Rose Pepple, better stop daydreaming and appreciate what you have.
@millieademi, 59 updates today to celebrate Nigeria's independence, abi?

Somebody kill me. Who is celebrating with you? Mama is tired o but I'll make sure to drop something later today.

Ashley suffered a major infection after the miscarriage due to the doctor's negligence. The infection affected the fertility of her eggs. Invariably, she can not have children of her own.
She asked me to be an egg donor for the IVF you guys wanted to do. After rejecting her so many times, she tricked me, set me up with a guy who drugged me and she had a doctor forcefully harvest my eggs for the IVF. The rest you know."

Ashley crumbled to her knees, weakened by the truth her friend just told. She knew Charles would never forgive her.

An 'oh my God' escaped Charles' lips as he slumped onto the nearest sofa.
"Charles..", she called, unsure whether to apologise or justify her actions. Hell, she'd kill Hitler again if that was what it took to remove the look of shock, hurt and disgust on his face. She'd do anything, anything.

"That explains why Dolapo donated blood to Manuelle after the accident. You claimed to be on your period but the truth was your blood types didn't match. And the strange birthmark on John's back…I was so shocked when I saw something similar on Dolapo's shoulder blade.", he whispered in shock.

"It's my family's birthmark.", Dolapo explained.

"I can't believe you kept this from me, Ashley. I can't believe you deceived me for so long. God, I can't believe I was so stupid and so blind.", he croaked

"Charles… I", she walked on her knees to the sofa he was sitting on.

"So many lies and secrets and… God!", he exclaimed.

"Is there anything else? Tell me. Are they my flesh and blood or did you get a sperm donor too?", he shouted.

"Charles, I'm sorry...", she whispered as she tried to touch him.

"Don't you dare touch me!", he shouted and jumped out of the sofa as if she were a carrier of a deadly disease.
"Don't touch me.", he whispered in pain."I can't believe you. I don't know you. Who the hell did I marry?"
"Charles, what I did I did for both of us. I wanted us to be happy. I wanted our family to be complete…", she cried out in anguish and desperation as she latched onto his leg and continued sobbing.

"No. You did everything for your own selfish reason.", he countered turning away as much as he could.

"Charles, I didn't want to lose you. I thought you wouldn't love me anymore, that you'd grow tired of me if I couldn't give you children. I didn't want to lose your love. I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Charles, I can't live without you. Please forgive me. I'll do anything. Please forgive me. I love you.", she sobbed on, staining his black slacks with her tears and snot.

She looked so pathetic and messed up but she didn't care so long as he forgave her. He could never stay mad at her for long before, now she hoped and prayed it would be the same.

"Like I said, selfish reasons. You demeaned my love for you, deceived me and now you tell me you love me.", he reiterated as he tried to pry his leg out of her clutches without hurting her.
"I can't stand to be in the same room as you right now. I need to think. Ashley, let me go.", he deadpanned.

His words were a blow to her and if anything they encouraged her to tighten her grip on his leg. She'd die if she lost him.

Dolapo shook at her head at the sight of Ashley.
Crocodile tears. She had known Ashley for over a decade and she knew her like the back of her palm. She had been on the receiving end of those tears for years and back when she thought it was real, she'd do anything and everything Ashley asked for.

She watched Charles pull Ashley's arms off him with a force she never thought he could use with Ashley and walk out of the living room. Ashley whimpered in pain and seconds later the front door was slammed and heavier sobs racked her body. Ashley sat there on the floor weeping. If it were possible to drown herself in a pool of her own tears, Ashley was making a headway in that direction at the rate she was crying. And then she knew Ashley was not faking her sorrow. Dolapo almost felt pity for her.

Chapter 1

Ashley's heart plunged into her pelvis and skyrocketed into her throat. She had to gulp it back into its position in her ribcage. She began to perspire in the air conditioned room. Her brain crashed and went on reboot at the sight of her husband.

"Ashley, what did Dolapo just say?!", her husband questioned in shock.
Her heart raced in fear as her secret was discovered. She never wanted him to find out this way. Truth be told, she never wanted him to find out at all.

"Charles, I - it's…", she stuttered in fear, fear of the man she loved hating her, fear of losing the man, she had lied, schemed and deceived for.

"Dolapo, did you mean… Are you really the biological mother of Manuelle and - and John? Were you saying the truth ?", he turned to ask Dolapo, the woman that swung a wrecking ball through everything he knew about his children. Ashley could hear his voice quivering in fear that what he heard was the truth.

"Charles, it's not my place to tell you what is the truth and what isn't? Ask your wife, Charles.", she answered still fuming.

"After yelling so loud that half the boulevard knows the maternity of my children is uncertain, it sure as hell is your place.", he deadpanned.
-

Ashley turned to look at her. Someone left her tear gland on as streams flowed down her cheeks. Dolapo could not affirm what she had stated earlier, else her marriage would be done. She pleaded with her eyes not to tell him the truth. Dolapo shook her head, and then she knew Dolapo was done helping her.

"The truth is I am the biological mother of Emmanuelle and John."

"Dolapo, stop lying!!", Ashley shouted amidst sobs.

"Ashley shut up and let her talk."

Hi guys. It's me. I know you're probably wondering what on Earth this girl is doing. So I decided to flesh out an idea I had. Please look at it and let me know what you think.


Prologue.

Emotions sparked and venom flew around the room. Hatred was having a field day in the living room. If you listened close enough, you'd probably hear the noise of cheerers and jeerers and of course the commentators commenting on the showdown about to take place.

One would never have thought that they were once friends. Dolapo stared Ashley down, hating herself for being so stupid and gullible and hating her friend more for being a traitor.

She stared at the manipulative woman standing before her and wondered how she could have been so blind, how she didn't see her plots and plans and schemes and where they were headed.

She returned the slap her friend gave her seconds before, with enough venom to break her friend's neck. "You're nothing but a manipulative b**ch. You were such a careless mother. It's your fault my son is missing and my daughter is in the hospital, fighting for her life.", she spat in Ashley's face

"You have no right to say that to me, you LovePeddler! He is my son. Emmanuelle and John are my children! Do you hear me? They are mine. I gave birth to them, I carried them in my womb for eight and half months. I gave up myself to undergo a Caesarean when the chances were either them or me. I gave them life.", Ashley yelled in the throes of anger.

"Shut up! You may have given birth to them, your name may be on their birth certificates, the entire world may know you as their mother, but we both know that it is my blood that flows through their veins. It is my DNA they share. You may have given birth to them but I am their biological mother!", Dolapo yelled back.

They turned back upon hearing a gasp from someone.

skubido:
Lobatan

Kilotan o

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Rose Pepple tapped her ballpoint against the desk as she busied her mind with thoughts. She shook her head trying to reject the notion. It couldn’t happen. She couldn’t fall in love with Ose. She prided herself in maintaining strictly professional relationships with her clients. She had worked with a lot of male writers. Some handsome, others wealthy, some were so brilliant they made her swoon in admiration. But what was it about Ose that made her feel more than admiration? The guy is fine, no doubt. He was eloquent and smart, sure. She had seen all that before. It was all stale but why was he constantly in her thoughts? She smiled as she remembered their last meeting. The guy was charming her pants off.

“Hey!”, a voice called and snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up and saw Mayowa, her boyfriend. A knife of guilt stabbed at her. She was here fantasizing about Ose when she had a boyfriend. One that loved her at that.

“Hey, love.”, she greeted.

“I thought you’d be ready by now. Our date is today.”, the man put in.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll get my things ready.”, she said and started packing her stuff. If she continued dreaming about Ose, she’d ruin her relationship.

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She stood and watched Mayowa go to his seat and disappointment overwhelmed her. Ose always pulled out her seat, even if he had been the one waiting for her. She saw Mayowa sit there clueless.

“Is something wrong?”, he asked in confusion.

“You didn’t pull out my chair.”, she said and he burst out laughing.

“Rose, is this a hang over from your latest book?”, he asked.

“No, it’s a simple demand that I be treated like a lady. Am I below receiving courtesy and chivalry?”, she said sternly.

“Rose, I…”

“Never mind.”, she said as a waiter offered to pull out her chair.

“Rose, what’s going on? You’ve never asked me to pull out your chair before.”, he said trying to contemplate the scene that just happened.

“That’s the problem. I don’t have to ask first.”, she said.

“Ok. Did I say something on the ride here? If I did, I’m sorry.”, Mayowa apologized.

“Mayowa, all I want is simple courtesy. Can we order now?”, she said and signalled the waiters.

Mayowa looked at her and wondered what he might have done wrong. If he did something, she would tell him. She always did. He sighed and hoped what he might have done wasn’t so grievous for her to bottle her anger.

“Wow!”, Rose exclaimed. “Damn, you’re good.”, she said.

“Whatever. Just let me read in peace.”, Seyifunmi waved her praise aside.

“So..”, Rose said mischievously. “Do you read Fifty Shades Freed for the sex tips or for the story?”, she said and laid back on the bed.

“What do you think?”, Seyifunmi said slyly.

“You slut!”, Rose said mortified.

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Chris pushed the maid out of the doorway and barged into the house. This was the last straw. It was one thing for her to show up at his family’s function. He could excuse that as a bout of jealousy. But telling his children lies about their mother was something he would not tolerate.

“Katrina! Get your ass down here now! Katrina.”, he shouted.

“Sir, please.”, the maid begged.

“Tell her to come down here now.”, Chris barked.

“Sir, she’s not in.”, the maid said.

“I know she’s in there. Tell her to come down here.”, he told her.

“Sir, she’s not in.”, the maid lied again. He hissed and shoved her out of his way and went up the stairs calling her name. He walked into her room to meet her standing naked waiting for him.

He shook his head in disgust. “Put some clothes on and stop acting shameless.”, he said and looked away.

“Come on , you used to love looking at it before. You most especially liked the tattoo of your name I got on my breast.”, she teased sultrily.

“Katrina, get some clothes on this instant.”, he said.

“Are you affected by what you see? I remember you used to go mad with list those days.”, she recalled and moved closer to him. “Do you miss it? Do you miss us?”, she whispered.

......

Mapelblacq:
Please OP i need some clarifications..is the name of the xo"chatterbox" and her friend(d one who interviewed mr fejirose) rose?who is d lady that mr fejirose has in his heart?who is biabini and ose? i dnt knw, d story is damn great but i got confused since i dnt regulary follow updates. thanks and f d book is available am interested, wanna get a copy.

Ok. Hi, Mapelblacq.


Fejirose is the same as Ose. Ose is the short form. Ose dated Bibiana and is still in mourning.

Chatterbox is the Rose girl Ose met in the library. Her namesake Rose is an editor at the publishing company that is about to publish Ose/Fejirose's book.


Unfortunately, lazy me hasn't been able to complete the book so the full version isn't ready yet. You guys get it as soon as I write. I'll probably come around to finishing it this year and rewriting the second book will be as soon as I'm done with this. I wrote the second book first.

If by chance I complete the book on time, I'll publish on Okadabooks.

Thank you dear. I hope I've clarified things.

Good afternoon. Are you Mr. Fejirose Lawrence?”, a slim, fair, woman asked.

God, you are wonderful.

“Yes. I am. You must be Rose Pepple.”, he said elated.

“I am. May I?”, she asked.

“Please let me.”, he said and stood up to draw out her chair.

“Why, thank you?”, she said and flashed him a smile as she took her seat. She dropped her handbag on the chair closest to her and fished for her glasses and a copy of his manuscript. “I’m so sorry for the delay and inconvenience. I got stuck in traffic.”, she explained.

“It’s no problem. You’re here and that is what matters. I was already beginning to think this was your way of turning people down.”, he said.

She chuckled and said, 'Of course not. We are very professional at FDL publishing.”

“FDL?”, he asked.

“The new owner changed the name of the publishing house from Sizzle to FDL.”, she clarified.

“Sizzle sounds so much better.”, he put in and she responded with a weak smile.

“So I’ve gone through your book. And I for one found it to be a page turner. I couldn’t put it down. And that’s not because my boss asked me to read it but because you’ve got a great story. Is it non-fiction? Because it seemed so real. I cried while reading it and to most I’m an unemotional cynic.”, she posed as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her interlocked hands.

“It is fiction but based mainly around a few realities.”, he explained smiling.

“Interesting. Well, FDL would love to publish this. I brought over the contract you have to sign and the NDA Felicia made my boss sign.”, she said and handed him a envelope she removed from the middle of the manuscript. “You can go over the contract and have it returned within two weeks. If you choose to have us publish The Tempest That Drowns, I might be your editor or if you’re comfortable with Felicia…”

“No, I want someone who will be brutal. Felicia’s always gone soft when it comes to criticizing my work but I’m warning you, I will be stubborn.”, he said.

She laughed and said, “I won’t expect anything less from such a bodacious writer.”

“Rose!!”, a high pitched feminine voice squealed. Ose turned and saw radio without battery two point zero.

God why?

“Hi.”, his soon to be editor greeted.

“How are you doing?”, chatterbox said.”Mr. Fejirose, hi. Do you remember me.”,she asked.

He faked a smile and looked at her,”How can I forget the woman who told me I’d die alone?”

“I am deeply sorry. I have a terrible mouth. My parents have swabbed the poop deck I call a mouth but there’s still no filter. I’m sorry. It’s nice to see you dating again.”, she said.

Please, did this girl escape from a TV show or people like this actually exist?

“Rose, we’re not on a date. He’s a prospective author.”, Rose corrected.

“Oh. I’m sorry. Well it was nice meeting you both. Rose, call me. Mr. Fejirose please pardon my rudeness.”, she said.

“Its no problem.”, he said coolly.

“Ok, bye.”, she said and left mumbling under her breath.

“Can she never keep her mouth shut?”, Ose said as soon as she was out of earshot.

“I can’t say anything bad about her. Not only is she my old classmate, she is my boss's daughter.”, she said.

“Mr. Koko didn’t strike me as that old.”, he said shocked.

“Not Mr. Koko. The man who bought the publishing house. A Mr. Amaechi.”, she explained.

“Her father bought the publishing house?”, he asked outraged. Then it made sense. Was the girl obsessed with him. She had used his initials for the publishing house. No. It must probably be a terrible coincidence.

“Is there a problem?”, Rose asked.

“No. I don’t think so.”, he replied.


✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Tinu smiled as she was Chris babble the new rhymes he learnt from Cbeebies. It felt so good to feel light. The bitterness she felt towards him had made her soul heavy as lead. Opening up her heart to him made her feel good again. The little boy stopped singing and offered her a chip of his biscuits. She smiled and shook her head. The boy kept on pressing it to her lips till she conceded laughing.

“Thank you.”, she said and the boy broke off more to give her. She laughed and collected it and put it back in the pack when he wasn’t looking. She looked up and saw Chris smiling at them. ‘Your call.”, she mouthed to him and he remembered then that he was on a call. He rushed out of the room to continue his call.

A few minutes later, the twins came in looking sullen. That was not the look Tinu was expecting on their faces. She thought they’d be happy to see her. They both muttered a “Good afternoon mummy”, that made it clear there was nothing good about the afternoon. Little Chris greeted them but they ignored him. The resilient boy offered them biscuits but they ignored him again and went to seat at the farthest part of the room.

“Are you ok?”, she asked.

“We’re fine.”, Temi responded.

“Aren’t you happy to see me?”, she asked and they kept mute.

“Wow. Did you want me to die?”, she asked teasing them and they didn’t say anything. Chris came in and the hitherto stoic children started crying. Tinu had never been more confused.

“I didn’t do anything to them. They just came in here and gave me cold shoulders.”, Tinu said to Chris’s accusing eyes. Tóminí ran to hug him.
“Daddy, please don’t leave us. We’ll be good children. We won’t disobey you. We’ll take care of baby Chris and we’ll respect our new mummy. Please don’t leave us.”

“New mummy?”, Tinu asked with her head thinking a thousand and one things. It was Chris’s turn to shake his head at Tinu’s accusing eyes.
“Temi, where did you hear that you’re getting a new mummy?”, Tinu asked her son.

“Aunt Beauty told us you stole Daddy and Chris from her. That you beat her up and that you’re a terrible person.”, the boy reported.

“Who is Aunt Beauty?”, Tinu asked angrily.

“We met her in school today when we were waiting for Mr. Sam to pick us up.”, the boy answered.

“Mummy, is it true?”, the boy asked.

“It is not true.”, Chris bellowed. “And I am disappointed in you two. We have specifically told you time and time again not to talk to strangers. Now, not only did you disobey us. You went on to believe the stupid lies she told you. Especially you Tóminí. You should be ashamed of yourself. Now go and apologize to your mother. The two of them repentantly walked up to their mother’s bed.

“Mummy, we’re sorry.”, Temi said.

“Yes, mummy we’re sorry. We won’t do it again.”, Tóminí apologized.

✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴

Rose slapped herself inwardly. Why did she have to talk so stupidly around Fejirose? When she saw him with Rose earlier her heart wanted to explode. Rose always got the finer guys when they were in school and if she got Fejirose too she’d die. She groaned again and received a pillow in her face.

“What is it? You’re not the first person to like a man. Please suffer quietly. I have books to read.”, her cousin said.

“Seyifunmi, please help me. How do you do it? You just set your mind on a guy and you get him. How do you not mess it up?”, Rose begged in desperation.

“I can’t help. There’s no solution for you.”, Seyifunmi said.

“Please na. Why are we cousins?”,Rose pleaded.

“We are cousins because my aunt married your dad.”, Seyifunmi teased and Rose threw the pillow back at her. “Seriously, I can’t help you.”

“Seyi, I’m begging you.”, Rose said and knelt on the bed.

“Rose, the only person who can help you is God. First of all, you don’t think before you talk. This is a fastblaze romance novel. Most guys are put off by loquacity. And you do not just talk too much, you say improper things. Secondly, you feel money settles all things. Quite all right money answereth all things but it won’t get you a serious guy. What does Rose have that you don’t?”

“I don’t know. Legs for days?”, she asked.

“No, idiot. Poise. Sometimes you’re like a time bomb waiting to explode. According to what you told me about this guy, he just lost his paramour. Right now, he’s trying to find serenity and tranquility again. You my dear are a tempest and drama personified.”, Seyi asserted.

“So, I have to change me?”, Rose asked dejected.

“Not entirely but he is looking, if he is looking, for a friend. Not a girlfriend. If you can’t be that, then he’ll continue to push you away. This doesn’t mean he’ll be willing to accept your friendship. He will question it, blatantly and outrightly refuse it but this is where you have to be dogged and resilient. He already has a terrible first and second opinion about you. Trusting you will take work. But it will come. Then and only then should you hint at some other dimension to your relationship.”, Seyifunmi explained.

“Wow!”, Rose exclaimed.

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Ose sat at the table waiting impatiently for his publisher. He picked at invisible lint on his blazer. He decided to call Felicia again. Felicia had stolen his manuscript from him the last time she came to visit. She showed her boss and the man said he felt it was a book worth publishing. The man had instructed him to wait for him at the café. And he had been there waiting for one hour thirty minutes. He was forced to order some coffee and he wasn’t a fan of coffee. The beverage that was piping hot was now tepid. He just let it sit there.
He smoothed out invisible wrinkles on his blazer and looked up. He saw her coming. The wise-mouthed lady from the library. He looked down immediately at the menu faking an interested perusal, hoping she wouldn’t notice him and she’d go to meet whoever she came to meet.

God probably didn’t like the chatterbox too, as a waiter accidentally spilled cold coffee on her white dress. She was outraged and headed straight for the restroom. Ose let out a sigh of relief and prayed to God that the publisher would show up before the chatterbox came out of the restroom. He had had to change his library subscription from a conducive section to one he found less conducive just to avoid her.

The thing didn’t give up. She even came there looking for me. Thankfully, he had seen her first before she did him and he had hidden among the shelves to avoid her. He had also informed Mrs. Kanu at circulation to inform her that he had stopped using the library if she asked of him again. The vibration of his phone against his chest.

He sighed and checked his Blazer’s breast pocket for his phone. He saw a text from the publisher.



'Good afternoon sir. I sincerely apologise for being late and for not notifying you on time. The publishing house just went through a change of ownership. I have to meet the new management but I’ve sent one of our editors in my place. I am sorry for any inconveniences. Miss Rose Pepple will be with you soon. Thank you.’



What?! Of all the people in the world?! God, please let it be another Rose.

“Good afternoon. Are you Mr. Fejirose Lawrence?”, a slim, fair, woman asked.

God, you are wonderful.

“Yes. I am. You must be Rose Pepple.”, he said elated.

“I am. May I?”, she asked.

“Please let me.”, he said and stood up to draw out her chair.

“Why, thank you?”, she said and flashed him a smile as she took her seat. She dropped her handbag on the chair closest to her and fished for her glasses and a copy of his manuscript. “I’m so sorry for the delay and inconvenience. I got stuck in traffic.”, she explained.

“It’s no problem. You’re here and that is what matters. I was already beginning to think this was your way of turning people down.”, he said.

She chuckled and said, 'Of course not. We are very professional at FDL publishing.”

“FDL?”, he asked.

“The new owner changed the name of the publishing house from Sizzle to FDL.”, she clarified.

“Sizzle sounds so much better.”, he put in and she responded with a weak smile.

“So I’ve gone through your book. And I for one found it to be a page turner. I couldn’t put it down. And that’s not because my boss asked me to read it but because you’ve got a great story. Is it non-fiction? Because it seemed so real. I cried while reading it and to most I’m an unemotional cynic.”, she posed as she leaned forward and rested her chin on her interlocked hands.

“It is fiction but based mainly around a few realities.”, he explained smiling.

“Interesting. Well, FDL would love to publish this. I brought over the contract you have to sign and the NDA Felicia made my boss sign.”, she said and handed him a envelope she removed from the middle of the manuscript. “You can go over the contract and have it returned within two weeks. If you choose to have us publish The Tempest That Drowns, I might be your editor or if you’re comfortable with Felicia…”

“No, I want someone who will be brutal. Felicia’s always gone soft when it comes to criticizing my work but I’m warning you, I will be stubborn.”, he said.

She laughed and said, “I won’t expect anything less from such a bodacious writer.”

“Rose!!”, a high pitched feminine voice squealed. Ose turned and saw radio without battery two point zero.

God why?

“Hi.”, his soon to be editor greeted.

“How are you doing?”, chatterbox said.”Mr. Fejirose, hi. Do you remember me.”,she asked.

He faked a smile and looked at her,”How can I forget the woman who told me I’d die alone?”

“I am deeply sorry. I have a terrible mouth. My parents have swabbed the poop deck I call a mouth but there’s still no filter. I’m sorry. It’s nice to see you dating again.”, she said.

Please, did this girl escape from a TV show or people like this actually exist?

“Rose, we’re not on a date. He’s a prospective author.”, Rose corrected.

Etsyl:
Update na

It's coming

Oremeyii:
Katrina's causing trouble, she better stay away o.

Even Tomini, as a 5 yr old, I thought she'd revere her mother above whatever a stranger said, she really fell my hand. I'll just blame it to the fact that she's just five

Tóminí is a character I don't understand gan sef. She only adores Chris even right from when she was 2. The love she has for him is inexplicable. Hearing that Chris is not her 'daddy' is devastating, that Tinu is the cause only fuels that devastation

Zuriel100:
milli dear..... u beautiful, d story is now unpredictable... at first I thought I could tell how it will end...ride on

Awwn. Thanks dear.

Keep em coming.

Was Tinu right in talking to Dele?






Maybe another update might drop this night.

decent101:
thanks for the update....

You're welcome dear.

Ann2012:
Katrina is a psycho

Thanks for the update

Psycho abi were

You're welcome dear

jayextra:
Inside Life...this Katrina shaa

Tanchuu Milly

decent101:
thanks for the update....

You're welcome dear

Treasurewamiri:
I can imagine Tinu's fear, this is Africa. It would have been easier if she has a child for Chris but all in all she has proved that she is a true mother and wife. But biko who is that hidden enemy that want them dead? how did the person knew she would be going out that night? Where was Chris on that night?
This ocean of secrets deep O!

RT

estygoldy:
Nice story dear.
I think tinu is becoming selfish

Thanks, but who is not selfish?

PrincessSheris:
wow I love this story.Thanks for the updates milli

You're welcome dear