This chapter is dedicated to all my readers, I love y'all... Happy New year to you all as well
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"I look at you and see the rest of my life in front of my eyes."

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CHAPTER 9

A FIRM HANDSHAKE

UDO's POV

I stared down at the well polished pair of black derby shoes which I had on. I tried comparing the intensity of the sun rays which fell on both feets respectively, something any sane man wouldn't do.
Well I was partially sane at that moment with Dad's health a it's verge, Mum's display of a nonchalant attitude, and the incident from yesterday's night.

Udo Michaels you nearly kissed Vanessa!..."what were you thinking?" My angelic subconscious questioned

"Well drunk people barely think" I think that's good enough an explanation, I muttered to myself, referring back to the angelic subconscious

Well I tagged it angelic cause it's voice was way more calm than the other voice that tagged along

"Uhh...Last time I checked he wasn't bound by any oath against kissing" the less angelic subconscious questioned in a tone higher than the latter

"Yes I wasn't...so why was I fidgeting so much?"

I could feel my feets tap against the marbled tiled porch rhythmically as I clicked the doorbell once again, I was standing on the porch, a porch i would never in my lifetime had believed I would be on even for once.
One of the places every human who was to to considered normal wouldn't dare to visit. Who owns the porch? The dear beloved Stephan's.

I stared down at my watch for the third time in a row, I was running late for work, I've got tonnes of things I need to do at the company today.
I silently hoped Leo would have gotten to the company already as to handle things while I finish up what I have to do here. I was still staring down at the watch when the door fell open,and to my greatest surprise, I had forgotten all that I had been worried about for about a space of minutes. A young lady walked out, she was clad in a black baggy shorts that was noticeably way above her specialty, She had a white overall shirt on, it's sleeves had taken over the edge of her wrists as much as she tried to adjust them.
My glance then again fell back to her face, I couldn't quite picture my expression then but anyone could tell it was that of one who was shocked or rather too overwhelmed. It was Zara, she stood beside the door as we both shot dumb glares at each other.

What was she doing here? At Stephan's!...
Was I perhaps at the wrong address?... I questioned my subconscious continuously

Just then a familiar voice rang out from inside

"Zaraaaa!... who's at the door?"

Shocked to the marrow, a shirtless Stephan evolves to the scene standing right behind Zara, his hands placed on the wooden fixings of the door as his gaze fell on mine as well. We all stood there in admiration of each other, like we hadn't known ourselves before now. I had a thousand thoughts running through my head right now.

Wasn't this the same Zara I had introduced to Stephan just yester night? Then what was she doing here?

Do ladies sleep over at the houses of guys who they just met a day before?
Is it normal?

I was struggling with the urge not to voice out all these questions which seemed to have purchased a plaza deep inside my brain.
We were still stuck on the first stage of what seemed like an eye glaring contest and I could tell that they weren't expecting any august visitor.

"Sorry am I disturbing something?, I'll just come back later" I finally let out, not knowing where that came from. But I slowly felt my leg retrieving backwards slowly.

I awkwardly turned my back away from the glares of them both and I had already began a pace towards my car when Zara voiced out.

"No it's not what you think..." She trailed as I directed my glance back at hers only to see Stephan give her a gentle shove with his shoulders and she directed her stare towards him. I could tell they were communicating with just their eyes.

"O'cmon bro please do come in.
Why are you in such a hurry" He voiced out in a meekish tone, a smirk glued to his face accordingly as he gestured towards the door.

I reluctantly gave off a rather sarcastic smile as I found my rythm towards the door, I didn't miss the bewildered look Zara had on as I got to where she stood right before the entrance. A second glance at her quickly reminded me of yesterday's slap, I couldn't help but give out a disdainful nod in the negative, to no one exactly.

I walked into the craftily kitted sitting room, pacing around in admiration of it's taste. The wooden furniture gave the right ovation to the brick structured hearth. I ran my hands through the wooden crafts, probably trying to align with it's quality. They were exceptional indeed. It really felt like Gold in an embodiment of wood.

"A Nice place you've got here Stephan" I voiced out as I skipped a furniture which had a sheath on and went over to the next.

"Thanks, I actually hired the interior designer was actually from NY" He echoed in a well clothed voice.

I see those peacock feathers

"So down to what brings me here" I retorted ignoring his earlier statement that seemed out of line to me.

" I actually wanted to..." I trailed as he cut in

"Why don't we talk over breakfast, I made it myself" He said as he navigated a meek-ish glance from I to Zara continuously.

Personally I know if I'd agree to this I would be signing a death sentence cause Stephan was like a total flop when it came to cooking, it was also the one thing he couldn't steal from me, probably because he didn't get the chance to.

An obvious sly quality he had imbedded deep in

"Naah... I'll take a pass" I said as I gestured a say no expression with my index finger in a tick tock manner, sideways positive and vice versa

"O'cmon bro, that's the only way I'll hear what you have to say" He voiced out in a weirdly stable tone as he headed towards the kitchen.

I stood there awkwardly as it was just I and Zara in the living room now, and it was of course dead silent. I had this cricket sound playing in my head and it even made the scenery more tense than normal. I buried my hands in the stitched bags of my pants as I paced around the living room. Zara stood at a corner close to the now closed entrance doors, she had been there ever since I walked in. She stood there shooting piercing gawks at me and it got to the extent I couldn't just take it anymore.

"Do you wanna say something to me?" I asked in a rather sarcastic tone

Before she could mumble a reply out, Stephan had walked out with a tray of plates and cutleries which he arranged on the dining table.

"Zara could you help me out with the dishing?" He said referring to Zara who jerked like she had been recently brought back to life

"Y-yeah s-sure" She stuttered

In no time we had rounded the dining table, I must say the food had this nice aroma. I had my plate of Spinach and tuna pancakes right in front of me, placed on the brown and black patterned dining saviette. Zara still on her feet dropped a tumbler by my side as she tried to pour me a share from the content of the bottled red wine. Before she could, I held the hands in which she held the bottle and directed her glance at me. I shook my head as to place a significance on not being interested.

I mean who has red wine for breakfast and at 10 am in the morning
That's Intense and simply not acceptable as a quality breakfast routine.

She acknowledged my plea and she headed towards Stephan's glass.Couldn't quite understand why she was acting like a house wife right now. Being all "goody two shoes".

Who she wan impress, probably Stephan.

"So it's time to dig in" Stephan said as he gestured forth his both hands

With a smirk glued to my face, I cut in through the tuna pancakes and into my mouth it went. It didn't last a second in there and my taste buds were all dead, I suddenly felt like throwing up. I quickly grabbed a saviette and spat out the barely crushed substance.

"What's wrong bro? You don't like the food?" Stephan voiced out in a low tone

"Obviously! Dude how does a tuna pancakes taste like rotten broccoli" I asked, my voice obviously sounding irritated.

"I could barely taste the salt in this, Did you squash the eggs in between the flours dough properly? What was you water measurements like cause it felt like you put a whole gallon in this" I continued without bothering to take a breath

I could see the look of disappointment written all over on his face, I knew I sounded harsh but there's no other thing I despise other than a tasteless meal, Zara on the other hand had this pitiful look on as her glance remained glued to Stephan's direction but I noticed she had refrained from her own portion of the rotten breakfast. Was she perhaps scared to give it a taste.

"I called Vanessa to get me some clothes over here, I sent her the address also, I hope you don't mind if I freshen up for work here." Zara voiced out as she got on her feet, acting oblivious to the fact that she had barely touched her breakfast.

"O'cmon you didn't have to, we could have gotten you some clothes from the boutique nearby" Stephan added in a sympathetic tone

"We?" I muttered beneath my breath

"I definitely do not spend money on one night sluts" I mumbled to myself, as I paid no heed to the stares from them both. Probably I was much more audible than I thought.

"Excuse you!" Zara retorted with a voice laced with more pain than anger

What! I only stated a fact

"Well I didn't come here to argue obviously, I came her to talk to Stephan" I said with a tone of significance, trying my very best to dodge the stray bullet that was racing towards me.

She stood still, her eyes glued to my direction, I couldn't quite tell what was going through her mind at that moment.

"Uhh...Privacy please! I need to talk to Stephan" I echoed again as she slowly dragged her feets against the floor boards and up the stairs she went.

"I need you to help me talk to Mum, Dad is really sick and he has asked to see her but you know how she is, she has refused to. Mum listens to you even !ore than she does to me, so could you just help me out this once, if not for anything, just for old times sake" I voice out as soon as Zara was out of sight.

Stephan sat still, pinned to the dining chair, probably thinking how someone who had blatantly criticized his meal had in turn asked for a favor in only a matter of minutes. He looked hesitant, then he finally let out,

"No issues bro, I'll talk to her, We both will. Maybe later today we'd drop by at her's" He concluded to my greatest surprise, he actually agreed.

"That's great then, it's settled. I have some work to take care of at the office, maybe you'd go ahead and I'd join you later" I said and he nodded in affirmation.

"Okay, that's my cue to leave then, thanks for the meal by the way" I added with a smirk. As I headed for the door, I actually wondered if he could pick up the tone o irony in my statement.

I was already at the door and about turning the knobs open, when. Zara called out from up stairs.

"Mr Udo, could you give me a lift to the office?" She said

"I thought you said you had an interview today" I voiced out to her

"Yeah about that it got cancelled, I was gonna tell you" She said in a mild tone.

I stared down at my watch again, I was really running late and now I had to wait for this woman. Besides that if she was really coming to work today we'd have to officially welcome her into the company and believe me when I say nothing was planned. If only she had told me earlier.
From what I did know ,she was still a Newbie company in the industry and she didn't have a permanent work residence yet, so we'd have to accommodate her with an office also. I doubt if we had any to spare.
I quickly put a call across to Leo to get things ready. I asked him if we had any spare offices nearest to mine and just as I suspected he said "No".

"Oh that's not good, so you mean there are no spare work spaces left?" I voiced out anxiously.

"Yeah, we had a spill over season if you can recall, so many interns over here" He resounded

"Why did we accept so many interns anyway? And they all proved incompetent" I said
"Who was in charge of the recruitment interview for the interns?" I continued as I questioned Leonard who was at the other end.

"Your Secretary did" He replied

"Come to think of it, her office is directly next to mine and I don't really like the flirty stares she throws at me whenever I walk past her, it gives me the creeps." I said

"Why did she hire so many interns anyway?Get her a sack letter this instant" I continued in a firm tone and I could notice Leonard was rather too quiet at the other end.

"Did you get me? I said you should get her fired right now, that would be Zara's office from now onwards." I resounded again

Jerked back to reality, he replied " Sure I'll do that right now" He replied and I ended the call.

As soon as I got done with the call, I looked up to the hand railings upstairs where Zara stood earlier, and I noticed she still stood there staring down at me.
Did she probably hear all I had said?

"When's your friend going to get here? It's been ages already and I am..." I trailed

"I mean We are late already" I said.
"At least you could get showered while you wait for her" I continued, trying not to get clocked at eye glances as she gave a nod.

"I'll be waiting in the car" I said as i stared back at Stephan for a moment, he was glued to his phone's screen.

On opening the door, there stood a rather perplexed faced Vanessa standing right outside, looking from left to the right. She had her phone glued to her ears and I could tell she was probably trying to locate Stephan's house. I quickly went out through the door, on closing the door behind me it made this click sound which obviously attracted her attention towards me. I behaved like I hadn't spotted her earlier and I quickly hastened my steps towards the car. She called out my name but it all fell on deaf ears. I quickened my steps the more and I could hear has chase after mine.

"Udo Michaels Why are you running?" I thought to myself as I quickly recalled a Nigerian trend with that phrase. I slowed down my pace, when it dawned on me that I did nothing wrong. Moments after I had gotten my pace slowed, she got a grip on my hands and I in accordance turned towards her direction. Just like the previous Night I clocked eyes with hers. We stood there staring at each other, her grip still firmly wrapped around my hand.

"U-Udo about yesterday night..." She trailed in her stutter

"What about yesterday night?" I asked in a blank tone

"Could you please not tell Zara about what ensued" She continued

I got a hold of her hand and pulled it away from mine

"You mean I shouldn't tell her you tried to kiss me?" I said, my glance now directed at her fully rounded and glossed lips.

"You make it sound like you both are in a relationship or something or like you are bounded by an oath against kisses." She voiced out in a slight high tone.

"Tell me why are you so bent on my not telling her?" I retorted in a sarcastic tone

I quickly took a glance around my shoulders and back to the entrance door which was still closed and I walked closer towards her, I dragged my face closer and closer towards hers. Then i whispered into her ears,

"Look you don't know me, so I advise you stay away from me." I said with a weird smirk. I gave her a pat on her shoulders an I continued my walk towards the car. I could feel her glares piercing through the Carabao leathered material of my suit.

I got into the car and I could see Zara come out through the door and she ushered Vanessa in accordingly. I couldn't help but laugh at the bewildered expression on Vanessa's face.

° ° °

It wasn't long till Zara joined me in the car, Vanessa had refused to tag along when even after Zara had told her I wouldn't mind dropping her off. Of course I did mind every inch of it, but that was just me avoiding more trouble. Vanessa insisted on her decision, saying she had an engagement she had to meet up with. Of course it was an excuse not to tag along she was obviously still frightened or concerned I'd spill the beans.

It was a silent drive down to the office, I on most occasions caught glances at Zara fiddling with her hands. She was probably nervous, I could tell she wanted to say something but couldn't muster the courage to. Maybe that's why she was so insistent on her friend tagging along.
We finally got to the Company and I dropped the car of at the parking lot. But right before we got out Zara let out something in a mild tone, though it was audible enough for me to hear it.

"About me being Stephan's house..." She trailed,
"I can totally explain, it's no what you think" She continued

"And what gives you the conception that I need an explanation." I scoffed but she kept mute.

"Look I do not have you on a leash outside work hours, you can hang out with any guy you want to as long as it isn't during work hours." I let out as I was about stepping out of the car.

"Yeah I had dinner with Stephan yesterday, and I probably got drunk but by the time we were done at the restaurant I spilled some drink on my dress, it was raining, we got drenched, so he lent me some of his clothes just for the night"She voiced out in a breath.

"Like I said you owe me no explanation" I finally let out with a pout as I got out of the car.

Deep down,I had been silently wishing she would explain though, and I had this peace after she had done so but for all I know, she could be living. But who was I to care?

We walked into the building and we met most of the Staffs downstairs, a banner had been hung just as I instructed "A FIRM HANDSHAKE WITH STALWART" was inscribed on it. A few journalist's were already on with their work of taking photos and their questions followed. Zara was indeed caught off guard.

"It's just a formality for publicity, we are making our partnership official today." I said and I didn't miss that smile that ran across her face.
We climbed the temporary wooden podium that was set up already in the middle of the room, we took some pictures as I held hands with her for a handshake. I gave a short speech and in no time the formalities were over.

I could spot Leo at the distance and I lifted my brows as to ask whether he had carried out what we discussed and he gave out a nod in return.

"Miss Zara, you'd get to know the Staffs later, for now I'd lead you to your office" I said as I gestured that we walk towards the elevator. We got into the elevator and up to the last floor we went. We stood side by side each other, no one said a word, but her demeanor gave off a happy expression.

A ding chimed as we got to the last floor. I got out first and she followed after. I lead her to a a brightly lit office, interiored with beautiful blueish patterns. A transparent glass table stood at the far edge, and I noticed Leo had her name replace that of the fired secretary's on the name plack.

"This is where you'd be staying," I said

"I'll have someone fix things up over here, if I need you, I'll communicate with you through the telephone" I said as I gestured towards the black wireless telephone on her desk.

"And please once I send for you, do not hesitate, and besides my office is just behind those doors." I resounded with a tone of authority as I pointed at those huge Mahogany doors.

"You sound like I'm an employee, I'm a partner I hope you got that" She scoffed and I could tell she was back to her old self, the woman full of so much ego.

"I hope you got all I said, duty calls and right now you're needed in my office" I said ignoring what she had just said and she just rolled her eyes on me.

I pushed my hands against those huge Mahogany doors and I was greeted by the nice scenery from the transparent glass just right behind my huge desk. I walked towards the the huge glass and I glanced down at those tiny humans and motorists, it felt like I could visualize the whole of Lagos just by staring from where I stood. My back faced Zara as she walked.

"Close the door behind you," I said as i turned to face he directly.

"So down to business, are you done with the transcripts yet?" I voiced out

"Yeah I'm almost done with them, most definitely today" She said

"That's good, cause I need to have a look at them today." I said with a mild grin

"Ok sure, but I kinda had an idea," She voiced out again

"Ok let's hear it," I said as I rubbed both my hands against each other and at the same time taking my seat at the desk.

She glance around as if she had been looking for something, then her eyes fell on tablet on my desk. She walked towards where I sat, bending over to the tablet, strands of her braids fell unto my face, thereby blocking my visuals. She clicked away as she voiced out something's that were inaudible to me. I on other hand, sat there with my nostrils inhaling the rose scents of her braids, I felt like touching them, but composure had to be paramount. I was drawn out from my reverie when I received a text from Stephan saying he was at Mum's already.
I quickly got to my feet and headed for the door.

"Where are you off too. I'm not done yet" She said in a rather confused tone

"I need to be somewhere right now, and yeah I need those transcripts today, it's very important." I said without bothering to take a breath

"Maybe I'd drop by later to take them" I said as I dashed off from the office.

° ° °

We were at Mum's sitting room, admiring ourselves for minutes, No one had said a word yet. I signalled Stephan to say something, but he didn't oblige either.

"Mum, Dad needs to see you," I finally let out

"And what was my reply earlier?" She said as she jotted down something's on a ledger. She had her glasses on and one could tell she was obviously working.

"Mum C'mon at least just this once, you haven't even paid him a visit since he was hospitalized." I said with a voiced laced with pain.

"My answer still remains No..." She said emphasizing on "No"

"Sometimes I wonder why you are so bitter, it wasn't Dad's fault that life wasn't good to him you know." I said, my voice noticeably high

"You act like you were never married to him, why don't you let those grudges go? Stop acting so tough cause you never were. There's a huge difference between being Wicked and being Cruel..." I continued

"You're simply being Cruel, I find it had to believe I was given birth by you." I finally came to a halt. I had let so many things out cause I couldn't take it anymore. I noticed mum take her glance away from the ledger as she removed her glasses only to look me straight in the eye. I could see some lurking tears within.

"Yes I am cruel, and that man you called your father made me become this cruel being." She said

"You continually say that's how life kept him, tell me did life tell him to cheat on me while we were still married? He had a child for another woman while we were still married for crying out loud. That was the only reason we got a divorce, and here you are calling me cruel." She said this time the tears were flowing out rapidly.
For the first time in my life, I saw my mum shed tears

"Yes I am cruel, cruel because I only want what's best for you, cruel because I raised you single handedly. Yes go on call me all you want to, go on!" Mum retorted, she was obviously pained.

I stood there, staring at just the blank space, I had come to the realization of what I hadn't known before. I found it hard to believe dad would do such a thing, I could feel my heart race fast as I headed for my car. It was night time already, I clutched the steering wheels with so much force that would be enough to compress them as I navigated towards my house. Thousands of thoughts running through my head and I couldn't pinpoint a single thing out of them all.
All I had in mind was Dad being a liar and cheat. He lied to !e about he true reason for the divorce and Mum also kept this hidden from me for so long.
I came to a halt after I had arrived at my house, I got out of the vehicle with my glance glued to the ground. I was so lost that I had forgotten to take out my cars keys, away from the ignition. I walked towards the entrance door and there stood Zara.

"What do you want!" I let out in a mild tone in an unsteady breath.

"You didn't come back for the transcripts like you said you would and you made it clear that you needed it today, so I got you address from Leo though he was reluctant at first but he eventually handed it over." She said amidst a smile

"He even informed security as well" She continued.

My eyes still glued to the floor, one could tell all she said fell on deaf ears as I proceed towards opening the door without a single word. I opened the door and I walked in without bothering to close them behind me.

"Mr Udo, are you okay?" Zara voiced out from behind, she had walked in through the open doors right behind me.

Just then Dad's doctor called and I reluctantly picked up the call and the doctor voiced out what I had dreaded for so long

"He left you a note behind..." The doctor trailed, as I still tried to digest his earlier statement before this, the phone slipped out of my hands, crashing down to the floor. I rested my back against the nearest wall I could find and I sat on the floor. This tears were now flowing out profusely and Zara let out,

"Udo what's wrong" She said in a shaky tone as she bent down towards where I sat.

Amidst tears, I let out "Dad's dead" and the tears raced down more vigorously as before. She sat besides me as she wrapped her shaky arms around my neck and I in accordance rested on her shoulders.

_____

Hey it's MIGUEL ♡ here

Extremely Sorry for the late update though🤧...

What's Poppin y'all, Happy New Year ❤
I hope y'all love this chapter,

What do you think about the duo Udo and Zara?
Udo's Mum wasn't so bad after all. If you were in her place would you have visited him?

You know the drill, Don't forget to vote, comment and share ♡♡

Till Next time ❤s.

Leo sends his greetings across to you guys, Udo is currently grieving 🤧 but he says hi.

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