Welcome to COLD RE-UNION II, a continuation(sequel) of the previous chapter. Thank y'all for all the love and support once again.

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I'm much more "me" when I'm with you

Chapter 7

COLD RE-UNION II

A young man is Clad in a blue Armani styled suit and is seen putting on a grin while on a phone call

Unknown POV

"This is the right moment, the opportunity we've been waiting for, so don't you dare mess this up, I hope you understand me clearly." I sounded fierce as the grin slowly faded off the edge of my lips.

"Yes Boss, just give me the instructions and I'd carry them out just as you want me to," the receiver on the other end replied with a shaky voice

"Good boy..." I trailed as a more broader grin danced around my lips once again, probably found the fact I had just called a full grown man a boy, funny. Money speaks indeed.

"Just as we planned, as long as Udo remains in the picture I can't have my Zara, and if there's anything I know about that guy he's always persistent." I added while i reached out for a glass of wine from the waiter who was about passing by.

Why don't we give him a little fright from the media...

"I want you to get everything that's going to happen now on video and as soon as you're done send it to Emeka at NGL news, I'll handle it from there." I continued.

"But sir, you do know that no journalist are allowed at the ball asides Stephanie and they only reason she was allowed was because you pulled some strings, so how do I get it on video?," the receiver questioned

"I knew you were stupid, but I never knew you recently downloaded foolishness into that thick brain of yours too," I said with a stern voice, my voice a little bit over the top as the receiver kept mute.

"Now tell me what am I paying you for? Huh!, There are no Journalists allowed in here right, so the object you have in your hands what are they for?," I threw a rhetorical question to him, a frown glued to my face this time

"Sir I have a cigarette in my hands right now so I don't quite get you" The receiver replied.

"How did I ever hire someone like you? Tell me, I meant your smart phone you fool, or doesn't yours have a camera?"I questioned the fool at the other end once again obviously annoyed as i downed the glass of wine which I had been flirting with for quite sometime in a gulp.

"Oh sorry sir i didn't quite get yo..."

"Yeah you never do, whatever you do, get everything on video and do it discretely, I don't need anyone spotting you." I cut in as i furiously ended the call.

Udo is a very wise man, it's high time I stop being the underdog. I voiced out loud to no one exactly but myself

° ° °

UDO's POV

With the Microphone still in my hands I voiced out "S-STEPHANIE"
The crowd in obvious disarray, as what I had just said didn't relate to anything they could think of

She slowly lead her glance towards my direction as she stood perfectly still.

Our eyes met and my mouth suddenly felt numb as I stood there frozen in shock. I could hear the distant mutters of the crowd. I finally let go of the mic in my hands and one could trust it to make a screeching sound which it did.

I mustered up courage as I took a step down the stage, it was almost as if I had never walked before. At every stride I took, it felt like the ground didn't love the fact that I was on it. I walked towards her direction as I finally left the stage. Through my peripheral vision I tried searching for Leo but I couldn't quite find him, but that didn't matter to me now. I asked myself for the umpteenth time as I slowly approached her "what are you gonna say to her,?", A question even I couldn't answer. At that moment I was acting according to compulsive reflex.

I could feel the piercing glares from the crowd as I walked in their midst, as I approached her further the crowd parted ways, creating an aisle which I walked through. I was surprised that I had done a good job holding the tears that had already began clouding my vision.
Everyone wanted to know what Udo Michaels was up to, even I wanted to know too cause I wasn't in the right frame of mind to think of any ideas right now.

"Hmm.... Hello Gents and Ladies can I have your attention, I believe what Udo was trying to say is that STEPHANIE is the name of the book he currently has in the works with the co-operation of Zara Nnadiri" A familiar voice spoke with a mic from the stage where I stood earlier.
It finally occurred to me, it was Stephan's voice, he was obviously trying to come up with a cover up story. This guy is just pathetic, I didn't recall telling him to help me out or Did I? I rhetorically questioned my subconscious.
Well he quite succeeded in diverting a reasonable amount of attention to himself, but the majority still had eyes on me.

We Nigerians never miss a chance at action," we no dey use content play". As we would always say. It was totally normal.

I was finally standing in front of her after so many years, she was an exact upgrade of how I remembered her. Her blonde hair was let loose as always, quite a number of strands danced their way to her forehead. Her light skin complimented her slightly pink lips which was properly glossed up. She was clothed in a black MS gown styled with a proper slit beneath it. She had her hands curved up around her chest as she tried avoiding eye contacts with mine.

I could feel my hands tugging the edge of my sleeves for the second time today, was that perhaps a sign of nervousness?
I slightly cleared my throat as I held unto the collar of my shirt, it felt like I was going to get chocked. The properly air-conditioned room suddenly felt like an Oven which was properly ventilated with a heater. I could feel some bead of sweat run a marathon from my forehead and down to my neck.

"H-mm when did you get back?" I finally voiced out, the squeak in my voice could be picked up from miles away.

She kept mute as she now had her eyes glued to the clariten floor and her legs seemed to be holding a Canva as they made some imaginary drawings.

Zara had now made her way next to me, for reasons best known to her, I couldn't care less at that moment.

"What ever happened to us? Why did you ever leave me? was it because of that gu...," I trailed as the memories flooded in once again.

Then she finally looked up to me, I had totally forgotten about the hospitality her honey coloured eyes had. It felt like the good old days once again. Almost immediately a guy walked towards her side as he held her by the waist with a smirk glued to his face.

It was him, so they were still together

"You!"
"You!"

I and Zara said in unison as we stared at each other in absolute confusion. Did she know him too? But how?. I couldn't quite tell what she was thinking at that moment. Is there any other thing that I do not know about this young lady next to me?

"Humans, we never learn our lessons, no matter how bitter they are" I scoffed, referring to the young man besides Stephanie.

Zara still stood frozen, and I watched as tears trickled down her face. Why was she crying?. She immediately took out a handkerchief as she wiped her tears and was about hurrying towards the main entrance doors when the young man held her hands firmly.

I can't just believe this guy!

"Zara please could we talk" The man voiced out

"Peter please let go of my hands," Zara voiced out, referring to the man

I stood there, stunned at the fact that she even knew his name, a name even I had struggled to keep to memory

"You fool, would you let go of her!" I yelled at him as I shot him a death glare

"Michaels or whatever your stupid father named you, please stay out of this" The man grimaced.

"Did you just insult my father? I've thought you a lesson once before but I never knew you were foolish enough to return" I voiced out with an angry tone

"I said let go of her!" I yelled at him once more

"And if I don't, will you call the cops on me?" He deadpanned

With an irritated smirk glued to my face, I quickly rushed towards him with my hands balled up into a fist, I threw a beautiful punch at his face. Just as expected he was thrown of balance and he landed on the floor with a thud. I could visualize the blood flowing out from the edge of his lips.

My days at the gym really paid off!

Now everyone's attention was focused directly at us, I could have guessed that Stephan would give up too soon. I could hear the crowd mutter in obvious disarray to themselves.
Before I knew it, he stood to his feet and headed at me as he forcefully pushed my back against a table, he rained down blows at me, I was caught off guard indeed. I quickly wrapped my legs around his, dragging mine backwards , he fell to the floor once again, and I proceeded in inflicting more injuries than I had done earlier.

I could hear Zara's distant cries "Udo would you stop!," "Udo could you please stop that!," She yelled as she finally succeeded in pushing me off him, she didn't let me go without a Slap. I now sat on the floor, shocked at the slap which I had just been gifted, and to believe that I was actually defending her.

"Babe I hope he didn't hurt you?," Stephanie cried out to the young man

"Peter are you okay?" Zara beckoned unto the wounded man on the floor as her hands went through his face.

I could feel my blood boil up at that moment. I felt like grabbing a knife from the fancy cutlery set beside me and driving it deep in, into his belly.

I quickly got up to my feet to meet Leo staring at me, how long has he been here?. I took a step which resulted to a stagger, perhaps I had injured my leg when I wrapped mine around his. I staggered towards the door after I whispered to Leo

"Make sure you get Miss Zara home safely"

He kept mute as he gave a slight nod in the positive.

I finally went through those huge doors, finally out of the Oven, I could still see the Journalists outside waiting for the events to get rounded up so they could carry on with their daily business of questioning people.
I staggered towards the parking lot, with their eyes following my every step. Their faces could tell that they were in shock. Probably shocked to see a guy who wore a cleated suit coming out with one some worth blood stained.
What might have transpired inside? Might have been the question they asked those little questioning heads of theirs.

Thank Goodness, they weren't allowed inside!

"Mr Udo Michaels, could you tell us what happened while in there?" One young boy of about 17 years of age questioned.

I took a proper glance at the young boy and I shook my head, when I was about his age, I was locked up in a room just to review the documents for mum's company and I also forced to study for days, I was denied freedom and here I am being questioned by this young boy. How did he ever get hired by a firm?

"Young boy isn't it past your bedtime already?" I questioned the boy in disgust as I watched him keep mute

"Which firm do you work for?" I questioned him once again

"I-I work f-or an NGO" He replied

I stood there amused at his reply

"Oh! A non governmental organization, I thought their work was to empower people and not take away the rights of humans...," I replied

"So...you don't get paid, isn't this Child Abuse? I can vividly state the section from the laws constitution you know," I continued with a smirk as I recalled the section from one of the courses I studied for my degree at a Writers academy.

"Young boy I'd advice you go home, get some rest and prepare for school in the morning or I'll find your so called NGO and god knows what I'll do when I find it" I voiced out to the boy with a pout.

I watched the boy clutch his bag as he quickly scrambled off into the dark

"Anymore questions?" I asked sarcastically to the rest of the Journalists who had watched what just played out, as I predicted no one dared to say a word.

I staggered away from the curious stares of the Journalists to the parking lot where I got into my car and started the ignition almost immediately. Just before driving off, my phone buzzed off with a call from mum. I wasn't in the mood for mum's ranting right now so I simply ignored it, she called severally but I wasn't ready to pick up. A thousand thoughts were running through my mind at that moment. I didn't quite know how I felt.
At a point I thought it was anger because I had seen peter after so many years, and the fact that he acted oblivious to the fact that I hated him with so much passion made me grinch.
At some other point, I hated the fact that I saw Zara showing compassion for that fool back there. But I didn't quite know why.
The sight of Stephanie keeping mute when I approached her, and the fact that she spoke up immediately peter fell to the floor crouched deep beneath my skin.

Mum had finally given up after what seemed like a thousandth trial, it wasn't long before I got a call from an unknown number.
I picked up the call and it turned out to be Dr. Frank, he was the doctor looking after Dad at the hospital and he's been quite an acquaintance ever since I got to know him.

"Udo I don't think your dad can last much longer, his lung cancer has gotten to the third stage and I don't think we can sustain him for long, he has asked to see your mother soon" Franks voiced out from the other end, I couldn't help but notice the tension in his voice

I quickly felt my face boil up with tears, as I dragged my head back and forth the head rest of my car's seat.

"I'll will be there shortly" I managed to reply amidst tears.

I soon ended the call and I put a call across to mum immediately, it was unlike her but she picked up on the first buzz. Was she perhaps worried? I highly doubt that.

"Udo have you checked the news recently, I can vividly remember telling-"

"Mum can you please for once cut me some slack?" I said with an obvious high tone.

I could hear mum's unsteady breath through the phone, probably surprised and shocked that I had raised my voice at her for the very first time since I saw the nurse who welcomed me with a frown, after mum had given birth to me. Basically for the first time since I was born.

"I honestly didn't call to talk anything business related, to tell you the truth I have been avoiding your damn call, anyone could tell. I just called to tell that Dad is at the verge of death and he has asked to see you" I voiced out, sounding very blunt.

"He's at the Vastat-"

"I don't want to know the hospital he's at, I'm not going" She cut in, sounding very sure like she had made her mind even before I called.

"Mum I knew you were mean, but I never knew you were wicked as well..." I trailed

"How can you be so cru-"

Just before I finished my statement, she ended the call. I froze, shocked at what she had just said, Mum's anger can't be justified, yes Dad couldn't carry out his responsibility as a Husband and a Father because life wouldn't let him. But what kind of humans would we be if we held grudges against everyone who annoys us, to everyone who seems imperfect. I mean no one is perfect. I guess that's the irony of Life, or rather what we humans see as life.
I thought as the tears, had started flowing down more rapidly than before.

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I walked into Dad's quarters at Vastetines' hospital, I locked eyes with him as I shook my head to signify Mum wasn't coming. His once honey like bright eyes had now turned so dull, that one couldn't tell if it was really brown anymore. Like every cancer patient, he now had on him a bald head just as the Doctor had said it should be, not a strand could be found on his head and he quickly covered it up with what seemed like a Durag when he noticed I had been staring at it with pity in my eyes. He gave out a weak smile like everything was fine, his eyes had gone crystal like, it seemed he was really battling with the flood that had fully accumulated in his sockets.
I couldn't bear it anymore and I quickly ran out of the hospital, feeling nauseated. It felt like I had a weight lift attached to my chest and an onion close to my eye as I cried out profusely.

If only pained could be drowned..yes it could ' I thought to myself

I staggered off the hospital premises in search of a bar near by, I was fully ready to drink myself to stupor. I walked quite a distance without failing to notice the bewildered eyes of a few pedestrians lurking around the dark streets of Lagos.
I finally found a bar and I walked right in through the door after a firm push at it. I was welcomed the lyrics from the song Alcohol by Joeboy

That's why I sip my alcohol
I don't wanna reason bad things no more
I don't wanna go back to where I dey before
...
I sip my alcohol

I slumped into a chair at the nearest bar counter I could find, I hadn't even had a bottle yet but I already seemed drunk as I yelled or better still sang out the lyrics of Alcohol as it played from those huge speakers. I felt like this musician really understood me at that moment, like I was his muse for the song.

Pain get stage Sha!

It wasn't long before I had started downing several shots with the bartender glued to a spot as he watched me with a smile glued to his face.

Bartenders just love me...

I suddenly stood up, rooted to a spot as I raised me voice "Drinks for everyone, Bills on me!" I yelled out as the crowd gave me their cheers

Infact it was the high talking not me, what could I do...it wasn't my fault anyways.

"Eyyyy! Boss we dey hail ooh" They crowd voiced out, I mean it wasn't a high classed bar, it was just as expected since it was the only one I could find.

I slumped back into my seat about downing a couple of rounds when a lady walked up to me. A familiar face at that, I stared unsteadily at her eyes with a grin glued to my face. I could have sworn I had seen those eyes before.
She blinked her eyes flirtatiously at me with her legs crossed, showing off her thighs. No doubt she had curves in just about the right places. She slowly took a sip from her drink while purposely flapping her lashes continuously.

"And what's The Udo Michaels doing in a bar at this time-" She finally spoke up

"I hope this seat isn't taken" She continued as she withdrew her hands from her laps and down to my shoulder, caressing in gently. I simply gave out a grin.
I knew what she was up to, I kept mute as I watched the dancing bodies move on the dance floor. She had now moved to my face, caressing it with such passion like if she didn't, she would have dropped dead. She gently dragged my head inches towards hers and her lips a few inches mine. I stared blankly into her eyes once again, that was when I noticed who she was.

"Vanessa?...," I yelled out in shock as I shoved her off immediately.

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This Chapter is dedicated to Donaldprince : Thanks Alot bruv for the amazing Cover
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Hey guys it's Miguel here ♥️
Once again I'm extremely sorry for the late update
Wow what a Chapter 🤧

A Penny for your thoughts...

Is it just me or is this Unknown guy anything more than creepy, I wonder what he has up his sleeves. It seems his out for both Udo and Zara.

What's Peter's Story?

And how do you think it relates with Udo? and Zara inclusive
What do you think about Zara's action towards Udo...yeah the slap! Was it justified?

Whoa Vanessa! Ishh who would have thought...what do you guys think about Vanessa right now?

Udo's Mum, do you think her anger is justified? Or a little bit over the top?

What do you guys think about the new cover?

Till we meet again...
I'm only a yell away 😏

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