19 April

Abuja, Nigeria.

The plane landed at exactly 2:00pm.

Three sleek black Mercedes Benz lined up waiting for her to walk out after it landed. The first and third car has four muscular guards dressed in black suit each including the drivers while the second car, the one in the middle, is for Layla to ride in. Basically the two other cars are for her escorts.

She could never understand her father's need for this much security.

She walked out in her glory adorned in white polka dot turtleneck wrap top, black sailor pants and black six inches ankle boot. A crisp blazer covered the outfit, and her new designer Bottega Veneta black clutch held in her hand. Her now fully jet black hair tied in a low bun letting a few strands fall on her shoulders. A nude veil wrapped loosely around her head to cover her hair this time around but the ends of her hair still sticks out.

As always, her Stuart Weitzman black suede boots clanks as it made contact with the floor. Her nails painted in pewter color while her makeup remained nude as she wants to look as natural as she could. A small smile etched on her face as she drags her suitcase with her other hand enjoying the feeling of being back to her motherland. Her head held up high as she made her way flamboyantly through the crowd and to where the cars are parked.

"Welcome back Miss Waziri" One of the guards said opening the door to the second Mercedes for her to which she nodded.

"Thank you" She smiled a bit. She entered the back seat while the guard closed the door as he ran to the passenger seat.

The guards went to their designated cars not uttering a word, but did as ordered. The cars started driving out of the airport and onto the road in the direction of the Senator's manse. All through the drive, Layla didn't utter a word to them as she kept surfing through her social media accounts seeing all kind of reviews and feedback on the new summer outfit she designed which the company she works for released.

The outfit is now trending in China, Spain, Netherlands and France and will be showcased in Canada, Switzerland and Morocco next as it is an exclusive outfit. Layla being the designer means she gets to travel to all the countries that it will be showcased.

Layla Waziri is the type lady that girls nowadays envy. Not only is she the only daughter of Senator Jabeer Waziri, she's also a top international designer. That alone is enough to make her popular in social media. Her aura of dominance and superiority is not something to mess with either because she carries herself with poise and aplomb.

Her glowing and unblemished skin is a sight to envy. Her doe eyes giving her wn innocent look. Even though it's true but still, it's not entirely true. Her ruddy color lips always having a killer lipstick is enough to make a heart skip a beat whenever it's stretched into a smile or a smirk, depending on the situation. Even an expert when it comes to discovering her cultural background will be lost along the lines of Fulani, Kanuri and Shuwa Arab. All together with the natural beauty and modern skin care remedy is just making her an epitome of perfection.

Every day for her is like having a crowd of paparazzi watching you because you never know who's keeping an eye on you. So, that's where the whole preeminent demeanor comes in.

Five minutes later, the cars pulled in front of Senator Jabeer Waziri's mansion. Layla looked through the tinted window and saw the mansion looking as dazzling as always. A smile made its way on her face as she recognizes the place she's known forever as a home. The guard from earlier quickly rushed to her side and opened the door for her. She stepped out with her clutch and phone in hand as she made her way into the house while the guard trail with her suitcase.

The familiar scent of lotus flower invaded her olfactory senses indeed reminding her that she is at home. She smiled widely and made her way ostentatiously to the kitchen where she knows her mother awaits her arrival.

She saw a glimpse of Hajiya Hadiza, her mom, ordering the housemaids on which food to take to the dining area, which to serve and which to bring later.

She held back the giddiness and enthusiasm she's feeling seeing her mother after over a month. She misses her mother so much and yes, the eminent Layla Waziri is mommy's handbag and princess.

"Mama" She acknowledged walking over to where her mother stood.

Hajiya Hadiza turned to look at her daughter, immediately her face lit up with so much happiness "Layla! Welcome home my dear" She beamed, stretching be arms out and hugging her daughter tightly.

The house helps seeing that Layla has just arrived, left the kitchen to give the mother and daughter some privacy. Noticing that they've left, Layla held her mother in a bone crushing hug and jumps excitedly, something she never does in front of the maids or anyone else apart from close family relatives.

"I miss you mamanah" She admitted like a five year old grinning widely.

"I miss you too" Mama replied the beam never leaving her face.

She pulled back from the hug but still has her arms around her mother saying that she'll go to her room and freshen up. Hajiya Hadiza smiled at her daughter before saying, "You have a guest, she's in your room" She informed Layla.

Layla didn't need to be told twice to know who it was; it's always the same person over and over again. She released a peeved sigh before making her way upstairs to her room.

She opened the door and walked in, keeping her clutch by the bedside lamp. She narrowed her eyes at the guest who is sprawled comfortably on her bed. An iphone X in the hand of the unwelcomed guest surfing through the web while the wraps of many numerous chocolates are scattered on the bed she laid on. Her hair tied into a low pony tail as she blows bubble gum loudly not sparing Layla a glance.

"Welome back Lalyzz, I was waiting for you" The guest said to Layla, still not raising her head to look at her.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop coming here unannounced?" Layla asked vexed.

The guest finally looked up from her phone and glared at Layla "You know I like the other version of you much better than you yourself" tlThe guest retorted.

Layla rolled her eyes "What do you want Ummulkhulsum?" She asked.

Xxxx

Karaye, Kano.

At the maisonette where Sultan Kabir, Sultan Omar, Prince Aamir and Alamin Suhad stay in, the men are all sitting in the living room each occupying one of the royal posh chaise lounges.

Sultan Omar laid back holding his phone in his hand doing a background check on Aneesah, or in other words, he's stalking her social media accounts smiling goofily when Suhad and Aamir erupted into laughter so much that they clutch their abdomen.

"Wait wait wait! So you're telling me that Fatimah Aneesah, as in the woman you're getting married to, one of the top arewa models, was the one who threw money at your face months ago?" Suhad asked in the middle of his laughter while Sultan Omar Faruk just nodded his eyes still fixed on the latest picture Anee posted on her Instagram account where she is adorned in a Fulani bridal outfit she was modeling a week ago in Gombe.

"Lord of Mercy! And you being the witless person you are didn't know who she is. How can you not notice her, she's basically in every Northern commercials there is on TV and social media" Aamir said when he calmed down after laughing so hard.

"That time I wasn't thinking straight!" Sultan Omar replied glaring at the duo that enjoys seeing him like this.

"Su lover boy, of course you weren't thinking straight" Suhad mocked as he and Prince did a fist bump while Sultan Omar glared at them.

"You two should stop disturbing my son. He is just in love" Sultan Kabir teased too laughing at his son who looked like he wants to be anywhere but there. This is just a normal thing they do, sit together and tease each other like old friends. Something parents and children nowadays don't do.

"Gaskiya that is true daddy" Suhad agreed with Sultan Kabir whom they address as daddy.

"You guys should please stop" Sultan Omar whined. If it wasn't for his father being there, he would thrown something at his two annoying siblings till they shut up. Even though he shares no blood relation with Suhad, he still considers the man his sibling.

But sinc his father is there,he has to act like the elder brother and future Sultan people expect him to be.

"Ayya mijin Aneesah" Prince Aamir sang making Suhad join him

"Omar and Anee sitting on a tree, k-i-" Suhad added as he, Aamir and Sultan Kabir laughed at Omar who groaned loudly.

He didn't finish though because Omar threw away the mature brother facade, along with the throw pillows that hit Suhad in the face.

"Shut up. At least I have a wife to get married to unlike you two" Sultan retorted smirking at the two who still had the beam on their faces

"I hope you remember that I'll be married too soon, right?" Aamir mocked his brother.

"And I will soon be too" Suhad smiled smugly.

"And who will marry you?" Sultan Omar glared at Suhad ignoring his brother who was clearly taunting him.

Suhad shrugged leaning back, a new goofy smile made its way on his face as he think of the right words to describe her

"She whom had me trapped around her delicate fingers without knowing it. Her eyes are the most alluring I've ever laid my eyes on. Face so subtle, beauty would be an understatement. Her suntan made her look like an Egyptian princess who spent years under the sizzling sun, and it only made her look a quintessence of grandeur. She is an immaculate being for she is flawless. She whom made me wants to change my ways unknowingly. This might not be love, but I know one more meet up and it will be eventually. All I need is the right time, till then, I shall remain under the shadows"

Sultan Omar stared at him like he'd grown two heads; he slightly nudged his brother with his leg

"Bruh who is he talking about like this?" He asked looking at Suhad in bewilder.

Prince Aamir looked at Suhad too with hawk eyes "How can I know? This is the first time I heard him talk like this" He replied Omar like Suhad wasn't listening to them. "Dude are you okay? Have you taken your afternoon medicine?" Aamir asked Suhad placing his hand on his shoulder in a teasing manner only to receive a glare in return.

"Malam kamin shiru" Suhad said pushing away Aamir's hand.

"He's probably taking about that his girlfriend. What is her name again? Anna, right?" Sultan Kabir asked Suhad who creased his eyebrows feigning anger.

"Haba daddy, that girl is now outdated ai" Suhad said looking back at his phone.

"Iyye Romeo na Juliet" Sultan Omar teased back.

"You boys should stop your player ways by now; it's time to settle down even though I too at my time broke a couple of hearts" Sultan Kabir boosted grinning while flipping through the pages of the newspaper he's reading on his macbook's daily trust.

"Once an El khabir, always an El khabir" Aamir smiled shaking his head agreeing with his father.

Amongst the trio, Suhad has been the player amongst them, along with Sultan Omar while Aamir has always been the reserved one. He's difficult to understand and isn't most likely the nicest around rude and arrogant people. He's more of those kinds of people who speaks their minds but are hard to understand.

He doesn't like being around much people, as he doesn't open up to strangers. He rather sits and observes the people than talk to them. He had always made his family his top priority, after then work came next since when he took up the position of being the CEO.

While; Sultan Omar is more of an open book with a bit of arrogance in him. He likes showing off, and spends money lavishly. One thing about him is that he likes being independent, that's why he studied law and became the attorney and legal representative of their companies instead of being CEO as everyone expected.

Although he's annoying and likes to irritate and tease the people around him, he loves and cherishes everyone around him with everything he got. His impeccable sense of responsibility is why people think that he'll be a good Sultan someday.

These two men really are the future of the El Khabir bloodline, and with the two women betrothed to them, things are about to get interesting in the family.

***

Rewritten: 13/01/22.

Complete book is currently and only available in Okadabooks. It will not be completed on this app so head there to read it.