Good morning all!!!!

Sorry for waiting this long.... Apparently, it's going to be this way cause at this rate ehn.... Nepa only brings the light in the midnight. 1-5 am.

I've been dedicating two hours every morning to type. Even the post I made on Sunday, the stress I went through was not from here!

Bear with me

I have to consider my health, state of mind and sleep too.

Vote and enjoy this chapter

⭐

Chapter 17

Unedited

Gbadamosi went directly into his office, he slouched in his chair and combed his eyebrows with his fingernails, then he sat upright now shutting his eyes in prayer. He had to brush Kilahi off his mind so he could counsel and focus better. There was a line of people waiting to see him. His only joy was that they weren't much so at least he could actually go home and rest.

The Vice President of the women fellowship who came with yam pushed her head in,  "Papa can I come in? The protocol said I shouldn't"  “Come in.” He waved her into his office. She then walked in with another lady.

A dark slim woman in her mid fifties; she had a small body structure, if not for the wrinkles, she'll pass for a young woman. "Papa, good morning" "Good morning Ma" "This is my friend oh, Paulina. She volunteered to assist me, we were at my daughter's place before coming here"

"I guess congratulations are in order" Gbadamosi smiled now paying attention to the the woman, something about her seemed odd. She didn't even come in with a good energy.  "Yes oh!!!Thank you Sir oh, I'm so grateful to God for this good news. We didn't see it coming, the man just proposed after how many years. My heart is red, people can now look at me and say congratulations. Papa God bless you" Her phone rang so she looked at the callers ID creasing her brow in confusion. 

"I'm coming Papa, it's my daughter, I wonder why she's calling" She whizzed out and Gbadamosi grinned at the woman, "You said you're a friend" "Yes Sir" "Wow... What kind of friend plan evil against her own friend?"

"Excuse you?" "After years of trying to stop her happiness, finally, something good happened yet you have the nerves to plan another"

"Are you accusing me?" She asked innocently while he pinned her with his gaze at her.

"Drop it on the desk and leave, the stuff you took from her house. Drop it cause I promise you the next move you will make will only lead to your death. Repent now or choose the later"

The woman looked away overwhelmed in fear, even though she tried to hide it,  "I don't know what you're talking about" "The audacity coming here. What? You think God isn't here? Drop the handkerchief on this table now. You know what? Take it, I dare you to use it"

She removed it from her bag dropping it on the desk. She was fuming, "Why?" He asked but she hissed busting out of the office. The VP walked in, "What happened to my friend? Did you say anything to her? She just left, even when I was trying to...." She trailed off on seeing the handkerchief on the desk.

"What's my daughter's handkerchief doing on your desk. That was what she called to ask me"

Gbadamosi grinned, "I think you should have a seat"

Bella quietly stared at a family portrait on the wall of Mrs George's house. "So fate brought us close again" She whispered running her long acrylic fingers against Gbadamosi's face. "Ode!" She whispered.

"I don't accept people touching the portraits or the picture" Mrs George sounded off, she was with Neola Fapson. Bella restrained from rolling her eyes,  "I am very soon Ma, I was just admiring the picture"

"Admiration is done with the eyes"

"I was just wondering how in the world you gave birth to fine gentlemen, forgive me but I wanted to tap from the anointing. Just seeing you in person Ma, it's hard to believe you're a mother, sweet 25"

Mrs George smiled sniffling he perfume, "You sure know how to win a woman's heart. Is that Dior?" "Yes Ma" "Nice taste" "Mrs George, meet Bella Bello, CEO of Belar Africa" Neola introduced and they both shook hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ma"

"The pleasure is all mine" Mrs George replied looking down at the screen on her phone,  "Teni, Iwo naa da? (Where are you?)" She sat down looking at Bella's PA who was already seated bowed her head at her,  "Aunty Good morning Ma"

"Sorry Ma, Good morning"

"Shebi you were waiting for me to greet you" "No, I wanted to..." She trailed off and swallowed the remaining explanation.

The maid breezed in shortly with wine bottle and glasses then she breezed out.

Mrs Coker stepped in, clad in a butterfly lace bubu gown. She took off her black eye shades staring at Neola,  "What have I missed?" "Nothing much Ma. I was just making an introduction. Good morning Ma" Neola replied,  "Good morning" Mrs Coker staring at Bella.

"Do you have to? Isabella Bello, CEO Belar Africa, event blogger and scandal digger"

"I believe it's called blogging"

"Ah, i'm stupid, i didn't know"

"I didn't say so"

Mrs Coker walked up to her, Bella knew she was just make a bold setence and maybe pitch some form of authority and fear in heart. It's not her first time dealing wit women like her but there was something about her look that was more scary than Mrs George.

The woman has even done small digging about her! 

Mrs Coker brushed an invisible stain off Bella's gown,  "Sweetheart, the only reason you're here is because i don't care about your private party or how many sexual partners you have. You're here because of how innovative and brilliant you are and how you covered the Bello's party. I was there and I have to say it was exceptional, knowing how high Kusumi Bello's taste usually is, she was unusually satisfied so Bella, if you decide to maybe use this adventure you'll be experiencing from being so close to us to cross me and maybe get dirts about me and my family, not like there's any dirt but with you bloggers, anything is dirt. I Teniola Coker won't be so nice with you dear. And you won't want to see me angry, so in order to avoid all these drama, keep your sniffling nose out of my fanily business capiche?"

"Capiche" Bella replied.

"I love your smell, is that Dior?" She asked and Bella nods, "Nice taste" "Same thing I said"

"Good morning Ma" Bella's PA greeted. "Good morning" Mrs Coker sat down with her legs cross and her hand bag by the side,  "Surprise me Bella, what do you think will put our 60th birthday on a high spot?"

Bella smiled looking at her PA who opened up a book to take note. "I was just thinking.. my first thought actually, apart from publicity, what about a birthday magazine something chic,  stylish, classic, eye catching, entertaining. Something like with Ageless as the name of the magazine and you two will be in on the cover of that magazine. Mama at 60, something that will talk about your achievements these past 60 years. We're talking the two of you on a magazine. And in there, people will be flipping through pages and pages of interview questions and achievements"

"It would have been better if we had grand children" Mrs George added, "With or without grandchild Ma, you two will still steal the show. Even those who have grandchildren will be jealous. This is fresh idea, I've never suggested it before. Picture the two of on the cover of a magazine with Ageless on it, people will think it's a magazine but rather it will be the brochure of the birthday party. Having page turners on each page from biography"

"Sounds like an obituary" They both chipped in laughing at the same time. Bella pulled up restraint from rolling her eyes.

"Interviews from your children speaking about how awesome you both are. Nothing steal the show, nothing makes people turn heads like a loving family. No one wants to know if your family is a peaceful one or not. I'm not interested, what I'm interested in doing is making the whole world wish their family is just like yours, and having you as the envy of the year"

Mrs Coker smiled,  "I like it" 

Kilahi walked in and the secretary smiled, "Welcome back" "Thanks Moni" "Shouldn't you be resting?" "Is not as if my father is the owner of the place" She replied and Moni laughed. "I missed you oh."

"Same here. I'll be having a visitor, his name is Ugo. Let me know when he comes"

"No problem"

"Is Aunty Abebi around?"

"Yes"  She replied.

"Can I go in and see her. Is she in a good mood?"

"Is she ever in a good mood?"

"Good point" She answered walking towards her office, she knocked and entered. Aunty Abebi who was typing on her laptop tore her eyes off the screen,  frowning at her, "Did I ask you to come in?" "No" "Go back and wait for my response" She requested, deadpanned.

Kilahi walked out, shut the door and knocked, "Come in" Aunty Abebi responded and she walked in,  "Good afternoon Ma" She bent her knees slightly.

"I didn't realized you travelled to the US, are you using a different time zone?" She pointed at the clock in her office.

11:34 am

Kilahi shut her eyes, blaming herself being so damn nervous around her. She swallowed a lump in her throat. "Good morning Ma"

"Good morning, what do you want?"

"Ma... I want to make an inquiry. I have some questions relating to your field. Mrs Aisha said you're the best person I can ask"

"Oh. What's the situation?"

"There's a friend of mine, her son was taken from her two weeks after he was given birth to" "Oooh, sounds like my favourite soap opera" "Really?" Kilahi smiled and Aunty Abebi frowned.

"I hate soap operas"

She wiped her smiled off, "Sorry.. The mother in law has refused granting her ownership" "Custody" "Yes! Custody of the child" "What was her crime?"

"Getting married to their son"

"So it was a personal vendetta."

"I can't say. She never wanted Hilary to get married to her son in the first place"

"Where's the man?"

"Dead. Toor, he died a week after the boy was given birth to. They accused her of being responsible for the death of her husband who died in a car accident. They took the baby away, the mother of her late husband doesn't let her see her son frequently, all her request to bring him over to her house during vacations have been turned down. She has call time which she has to adhere strictly to, Sunday is the off day"

"Wow" Aunty Abebi blinked.

"Yes. She breached the rule because she needed to talk to her son and she got caught. Now she can't speak to her son till after a month"

"That's preposterous"

"As preposterous as it sounds, that's what's going on in Hilary's life. She doesn't deserve it" "And she has not filed for custody why?"

"She's scared of losing him completely"

"She's very stupid and doesn't know what she wants" Aunty Abebi snapped, "Her husband's family, where are they from?"

"Ebonyi"

Aunty Abebi scoffed, "Thought as much."

"Does she have a chance of getting her child back?" "Getting the child back, depends on different factors but getting back at that witch, yes. What her mother in law did is way out of the law, it's a case of abduction but in this case, it's an  unlawful retention of a child without consent, she's not the parent, she had no right to take the child from the mother. A child that was still breastfeeding, that's cruel and unjustifiable. How old is the boy now?"

"Seven"

"Seven years without his mother, that's the worst fate any child can ever suffer. He had no father, no mother."

"Can you help her? Mrs Aisha said cases like this are usually tough because of the clash of customary laws and all"

Aunty Abebi hissed, "Screw customary laws! She abducted a child, she should be convicted. Unless she committed a grave offense, even though! No offense is worth such deprivation from birth,  breast milk and motherly love deprivation. If i take this case, I won't take it easy on this woman. I sure hope she'll be ready for war cause the mother of her late husband will pay"

Kilahi swallowed hard, she was scared and at the same time excited there was a way out and also touched by how zealous and emotional she was about the issue. 

"I hope the boy isn't going maltreatment. That will be a plus for her but on the boy's side, he's too young to go through such cruelty. No child deserves such"

"I'll let her know. Thank you Ma." Kilahi clasped her hands,  "This reminds of Caroline's case, the way you were passionate about it. Ma I think"

Aunty Abebi clicked her tongue waving her fingers, "Just because I gave you audience doesn't give you the right to make self analysis about me. You don't know me, can we leave it at that?"

Kilahi nods, " Yes Ma. I'm sorry, I just thought it was really nice what you did and how passionate you were about helping her and now this one... Toor,  I'm sorry I went overboard. Maybe you're not as bad as you make yourself out to be. I'll take my leave now " She walked out and Aunty Abebi rolled her eyes.

Sefa knocked on the door carrying Kilahi's baggages. For the next sixty seconds before the door opened, her heart thomped in fear. Her mother opened the door, her first reaction was joy. She has to admit she missed her daughter but the fact still remains that she's still seriously mad at her.

"Mummy good morning" She greeted,  "Morning" She answered, "Go in" "No... I can't" "Why?" "I'm scared"

"Why are you scared? Only a guilt person will be scared"

"You'll beat me"

"Will you rather stay outside, make a choice, I want to close my door"

Sefa clasped her fingers,  "Mummy please, I know i've done wrong. This is the height of everything" "Sefa, don't make me angry, get in"  "Mummy, I'm sorry"

"If I shut this door, you'll find another place to go"

Sefa braced herself and walked in. Aunty Mabel shut the door, a sharp slap immediately landed on her back and Sefa cried out throwing everything she held away. It felt like a hot iron was pressed against her back.

She turned towards her mother kneeling in front of her,  "Mom I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lie" "You didn't mean to" "I did, okay I did. I didn't think it will end up that way" "You scared the life out of me and your father. Do you know the embarrassment we had to face the insult! The policeman said maybe you had gone to see another man. A girl i thought was a virgin before Saturday. Sefa, you try, you really tried"

"I'm so sorry"

"Thank God you're not dead. Just know you're grounded for life, till you get admission. After you can go out and live whatever life you want to live outside this roof! Even if you want to be a prostitute, you're free. Your movement will be from home to church, from church back home! There's food in the kitchen, help yourself" She snapped walking away.

Kilahi settled in her office finally glancing at her phone after a conversation with her mother. She saw Gbadamosi's message and her heart raced ten times faster.

You apologized for wasting my time earlier on, i wasn't sure if you meant the time I spent waiting for you or my time in Anambra. If it's the later, then here's my chance to correct that impression. There was no time wasted Kilahi, I cherish every moment. Every minute and second i spent with you made up hours of pure joy and happiness

💝
Hours I still can't get out of my head.
Happy new month and have a blessed day ahead

She read it over and over again!

She didn't even notice Didi walk into the office, she had to shut the door loudly to steal her attention,  "Na wa oh! What are you looking at on ypur phone that had you so lost?" She asked and she hissed putting her phone away.

"What's making you blush? Have you finally known your secret admirer?" She asked and Kilahi kept quiet,  "Oh my God, he finally showed his face. Forgive me, first how's your sister?"

"Fine. She's home"

"Who's the admirer?"

"I'm not spilling"

"What a bummer! Is he not fine?"

"He is" Kilahi exhaled placing her palm on her cheeks, "He's very fine. Fine Is an understatement, he's everything I want in a man, everything I never thought I'll have in a man"

Didi smiled, "That means you knew him before" "Yes. It's complicated, let it not look like I'm telling everyone about my life. It's just complicated" "I understand, relationships can be that way sha"

The intercom buzzed, it was Moni the secretary,   "Miss Kilahi you has a visitor" her voice resounded, "But it's not who you talked about"  "Who?" "It's one Miss Brenda" "Oh" Kilahi felt her heart float, but they never made plans to see each other that day.

Why will she come?

Could it be for early bible study meeting? How will she do it with with being guilty of falling in love with Gbadamosi?? How?

"Miss Kilahi? Miss Kilahi!" Moni's voice interupted her thought process!

"Um...Let her in"

"Okay Ma"

The door opened and Brenda walked clad in a knee-length sleeveless red gown, she changed up before heading to her office.

Kilahi rose up hoping she doesn't reasy through her nerves,  "Good afternoon Ma, welcome to my humble office, this is my office partner" "Oh save the fucking introduction, it's not needed"

Didi scrunched her brow taken aback by how Kilahi was rudely cut off then she rolled her eyes.  "Brenda,  is everything okay?" "Do I look okay? Does everything look okay to you?" "Frankly, no."

"Kilahi, I'm gonna ask a question and I want you to be sincere with me"

"Sure"

"Do you like Gbadamosi George, yes or no"

Kilahi's raced in fear, she was beginning to sweat for no reason. "Brenda" "Answer the Goddamn question!" "Yes, Yes I do. I'm not going to deny that I do, I do like him" "Why didn't you mention it?"

"I wasn't sure, I was running from my feelings. I thought if I evaded.."

"No. You weren't evading shit! You're nothing but a fucking hypocrite pretending right in front of me"

Kikahi shook her head, "No! I wasn't pretending" "I was so stupid! I should have known. I can't believe you said, when he sees my growth he'll come around. What fucking growth when you had him wrapped in your fucking fingers.
It took me less than 24 hours after our conversation to figure out what a bitch you are"

"Don't call me that"

"What should I call you? A slut, a fucking whore, isn't that what you were doing in Anambra?"

"Stop it! Toor I know you're angry and you have every right to be. We can sit and talk about this, It's not what it looks like I promise you. We had another reason for going to Anambra"

"The nerves you had to say don't grow to him,  grow for yourself. Build your relationship with God, why don't you shove all that into your fucking throat cause you're a bitch that's what you are. A fucking religious bitch"

"Hey!" Didi waved her hands, "I can accept you being rude, I endured till this moment. What I won't accept is you coming to insult my partner"

"Fuck you"

"Fuck you too! Wetin dey do this one?" She paused walking towards her,  "Ada damma? (Have you gone mad?)"

Brenda faced Kilahi, "Kilahi fuck you!""I'm sorry " Kilahi cried in guilt.

Didi clapped her hands, "Madam move before I move you oh!" "Fuck you!" She snapped whizzing out of the office. Kilahi sat down sobbing and Didi hissed. "Don't even get me angry, why are you crying? For who? This spoilt brat, I no need know her, na them nau. Abeg, no dey allow people insult you anyhow, which one?"

Ugo held on to Kilahi's school bag in one hand,  and a single rose flower in the other,  Brenda brushed past him angrily walking away then he scoffed turning back at her, he looked puzzled.  "You can at least say sorry!" He yelled.

Twice in a day! What is she doing here?

He walked up to the secretary with a smile on his face, "Good afternoon Miss" "Good afternoon Sir, are you here to see Mrs Bakare, she's not around at the moment but you can wait there" she pointed at the chairs at the waiting area. "No. I'm here to see Kilahi"

"Oh. Are you Mr Ugo?"

"Yes"

"Let me give her a quick call" She reached Kilahi,  "Ma, the Mr Ugo is here" "Oh..." Her voice can back weak and unsure,  "Let him in"

Ugo walked into the office and Didi threw a strict gaze at him, Kilahi was still wiping her tears with an handkerchief. "I hope you didn't come to make her cry too" She snapped and he lifted his hands as though he was about to deliver himself for an arrest.

"I didn't come to make her cry, why will I make her cry?"

Didi noticed the flower in his hands, "Is he the one that mad dog was barking about?" She asked and Kilahi shook her head,  "Wow Killy baby, you na hot cake oh" She commented with a smile,  "I'll be outside by the printer, call me if he tries rubbish" She added leaving the office.

Ugo dropped his hands,  "Your friend is scary"

Kilahi forced a smile at him, he looked just as handsome as he did in that picture. "Hi" He waved and she waved back rising up, "Hi"

He took his time to observe her, she wasn't curvy at all but she looked beautiful and courteous. "You look pretty in that dress, I recognize that dress, it's Temi's aso ebi. I got one myself, I just didn't have the time to attend the party"

"Oh"

"Yes. If I put mine, we'll probably look like the couple we were meant to be"

Kilahi laughed nervously,  "Wow, you're forward" "Kind of." He replied then he noticed her heave back some tears,  "Bad timing" "Yes" "Wanna talk?" "To a stranger" "What harm will a simple conversation do? My name is Ugochuckwu Nwankwo, Nnewi's finest. Let's break the whole stranger wall" He stretched his hands and she shook it.

"The name is Kilahi Agbo. You can have your seat" She sat down and he did too. He dropped the bag at the foot of desk then he stretched the flower at her.

"To Benue's finest"

Kilahi pouts then she received it, "Stop flattering me?" "Why? You don't believe you're beautiful?" "Do you flatter this much?" "Most times....Do you know that an injection can be painful atimes but the content it carries can be quite beneficiary, dangerous or addictive. I'm like that injection, the content of my mouth can be sweet, dangerous or addictive"

"So if you had met me without Lota being the middle woman wouldn't you have pushed me aside or call me a special ugly person"

Ugo scoffed,  "Whaaat? The person that said that thing deserves the spanking of a life time!" "And you're not saying that to get on my good side?" "No. See, I have my bad mouth but I only attack to make people see reason. Just because you have lips shouldn't make you spill rubbish from it. If your lips are scratching you that much and you feel the need to speak, put a chewing stick in and stick your teeth on it till the itch is over. My late Dad's favourite quote"

"I'm sorry"

"It's fine, he died years ago. The man will say instead of spilling garbbage in your mouth, brush your teeth with a chewing stick maybe afterwards, it won't stink again"

Kilahi laughed,  "I said something similar to that to Sefa once. Your dad and I have something in common and looks like he had something for chewing sticks" "Yes he did" Ugo replied and they both laughed. "You're one of Benue's finest, believe it or not. What's you're situation,  I can tell you've been crying"

"I'm going through a crisis"

"Family?"

"No"

"Work?"

"Relationship?"

Kilahi rolled her eyes, "Ah! That's it! Relationship crisis! Is it and ex Boyfriend drama?" "No! Not like I've ever had a Boyfriend to have that kind of drama" "Wow, so Lota was right"

"About what?"

"Nothing deep. So what's the drama?"

"I don't have the strength, I might even cry" "That bad? It's not a relationship drama because it's not a relationship yet" "Are you psychoanalyzing me? Am I that easy to read? Aren't you a medical doctor?"

"I am but you're an open book, I wanna read more than the first two pages, can you give me access?"

Kilahi shrugged, "Because you asked nicely. So there's this renowned Pastor who asked me out and I freaked and said no" "No one can force you to do anything if you don't want to. Except you like him"

"Toor, I didn't at first. When I started noticing that the feelings were coming, I fought it with every arsenal i had in my tool box. Initially when i attended his church,  I assumed he was a womanizer who goes around sleeping with his chorister because of how good looking he was"

"Ahh, first denial"

Kilahi frowned, "Which one is first denial?" "Sorry. Continue your story"

"Then there was Valentine's night when I attended his church programme. His voice took me to heaven, the eight planets and seven realms of the earth if not ten"

"How many realms does the earth has?"

"I don't know, I don't even know what I'm saying now"

Ugo laughed, "Continue Ma" "We met after service where I was bad mouthing him, apparently he heard everything but he didn't say a word until the wedding. Temi's wedding" "Wow"

"I kept on assuming, hoping my feelings will go away but it didn't. Cause he kept making my heart dance"

"Which song did he play so i can have a clue?"

"Go and ask him! Me that said if my heart ever beats, it means someone has use juju on me. I think his herbalist has PHD" She joked making him throw his head back in laughter, "No, I'm serious. It's like he's playing some kind of music with his mouth that makes my heart dance everytime. My heart has done it all, it has danced, it has skip, it has beat.

"Mad oh"

"It's crazy and I cannot do anything about it. Toor, all my life I've lived thinking I'm ugly, I've been called ugly but he makes me feel beautiful, the way he looks at me." Kilahi clicked her tongue.

"My sister got kidnapped on Temi's wedding day, he followed us to the Police station and back home. Pastor Gbadamosi is so considerate" "Oh. It's P G you're referring to? Sorry that's what I call him"

"Are you a family friend?"

"No. When you have a sister like Lota, you don't have a choice but to be implicated"

"So during this night, we had our moments, I realized he's not all that bad and my assumptions were false" "What now caused the drama? I hope your sister is fine"

"She is anyways... Let's reach an agreement,  you are not to interupt me again, abi is it your story?" "No, where's the document let's sign on it" He requested and they both laughed. "Where was I? Yes! The following day she reach out and Pastor Gbadamosi and I travelled to Anambra to get her" "My city" "What's special there? Is it not crawling with kidnappers?"

He frowned in disappointment and she laughed, "Yes now, let me bust your bubble, I'm telling you that my sister was kidnapped to Anambra, you're saying my city. You don't have shame"  "Shame okwaya? Is kidnapping not much in Lagos too? I'm proud of my State"

"Prouder"

"There's nothing like prouder"

"Manage it that way before I think of something else" She replied and they both laughed again, she was really enjoying her conversation with him.   "From the flight to every experience, it became obvious that I was liking him. I can't deny it again then he proposed relationship and I said no"

"Why?"

"Because I was scared. One, I don't think I'm Mama material, two, I was planning on tutoring someone who wanted to grow spiritually for him. She came to me on the wedding shower, we had this talk where she was crying over Gbadamosi and how she liked him but she wasn't sure if she can to bible stuff so I volunteered to help her. I couldn't say to him, I even assumed that was the reason he has been nice to me. He felt offended"

"I'll also feel offended. After all the assumptions, you still decide to assume again. If you were Ibo, my village people will call you Asumpta, you name should have been Asumpta"

Kilahi hissed, "It's been weird since,  I feel like i ruined his new month. He wasn't too happy" "If I was in his shoe, I'll feel worst." "Now she came and called me a bitch, i've been called a lot, not the B word" She busted into tears,  "She called me an hypocrite because I didn't let her know I liked Gbadamosi too. Maybe she's right"

"Sweetheart listen, I only met you once and I wish I met you earlier. You're what we call a rare gem, you don't see it just anywhere. You're reserved, you're nice, you're considerate, highly considerate, too considerate, choosing an insignificant person over your own happiness. Humans have the tendency to be selfish but you're not, you're kind of the most selfless woman I've ever met and God do I wish I met you earlier. You sit here talking about not having a Mama's quality, that's greatest quality any good woman can possess. You just need a dash of selfishness"

Kilahi shook her head, "I can't" "What did you study? Hospitality?" "Philosophy" "Ahh... And you're not selfish. You did not study It very well" He accused and she laughed. "You're ready to inconvenience yourself for.. Let me just start calling you Mama now"

"Stop it! My heart is beating in fear already. I have insecurity issues, Mamas are brave, strong, you know how they look on billboards now"

"I think what you need to do is face your fears and the first one is saying Yes to this man you're crazy over"

Kilahi exhaled staring at the flower, "And you?" "I'm a big boy, I can handle myself. I'll shed a little tears of regret for not meeting you earlier" He chuckled waving his hands, "Just kidding though"  "Ugo I'm sorry you wasted your time"

"No I didn't. It was nice meeting you Kilahi, if I had heard from someone that a person like this exist, I would have had my doubt but here you are before me. A sweet soul and more. One advise, Learn to put your happiness too before others. Even though it's tintinli (small)"

She blushed, "So... Friends?" He requested and she gave a nod,  it reminded her of Manny and how she friend zoned him!

Gbadamosi laid in bed shortly after walking into his home, he wanted to take his bath but somehow, getting to the bathroom seemed almost impossible. He felt drained!

The thought of Kilahi breezed in, then he wondered if she had spoken to Ugo! An image of her on date with him flashed into his head then he shook the thought off!

He picked his phone calling Temi, "Good afternoon, you have reached Temi who is clearly on her honeymoon and should be left alone but because I'm a nice person,  leave a message after the dial tone"

Gbadamosi hissed,  "I'm sorry for the disturbance. I just needed to ask you a question" "No I've not called Kilahi" "I overheard Kilahi on a call talking about meeting Lota's brother"

"Ish..."

"You knew"

"She spoke about it during the wedding shower. I wanted to warn her, at least give her an heads up but I forgot I'm sorry"

Gbadamosi groaned, "He called her and he was talking about a date and she was giggling" "Are you jealous?" Temi asked then she laughed,  "Kilahi has really done a number on you. Awwwn, you moved from not being interested in any woman to falling heads over heels with this one"

A small smile curled his lips, "I was just picturing the both of them on a date." He blurted out laughing at how silly his imaginations was getting!

Temi laughed too, "Was she wearing red or black?" She asked and he laughed harder.

Evening

5:02 pm

Deja sat on the bed calling Bella's number,  "Bella I'm bored, are you free? Let's have a drink" "Now you're talking baby! Now you're talking"

Ugo walked through the hospital hall,  "Ah! Nurse Lucy. How's the aenia patient in the emmergency ward" "He left" "How come I wasn't informed?" "He signed the form, he said he doesn't want to do the surgery because he has faith that God will heal him"

His mouth slowly opened in shock,  "Like for real? Isn't he scheduled for a surgery tomorrow?" "Hmmm"  She shrugged

His phone buzzed, "Thank you Lucy" He showed appreciation answering the call. "Hello brother" "Hey Sis" "Have you done it?" "Yes" "And? Give me the good news"

"She's all you said she is"

"Awww,  I knew you'll like her! I just knew it!"

"She's just not for me. She's in love with another"

"What? Who?"

5:35 pm

Kilahi stretched her hands at the back in a struggle to unzip her gown on her own. "Kilahi?" Amazing's voice blared from the phone which was on the bed. "Sorry Ma, I'm trying to unzip "

"Oh"

"So what's you next plan?"

"Brenda already insulted me, what I feared has happened so what's stopping me from calling him up to say yes to hi proposal"

"You can call him on phone and day that"

Kilahi shrugged, she finally suceeded in unzipping the gown. "Shey?" "I guess this means you're reconsidering" "Yes" "Don't make this decision because you feel it's a weight you need to let go of. Let it be from you heart, take you time. Not too much time, don't force yourself into making this decision"

Kilahi got out of her room in a faded red top and a black three quarter shorts. She made her way into the kitchen. Aunty Mabel scrunched her brow at her, "Where did you carry this cloth from?" "Shebi it's fish we're doing, I'll still bathe again. I don't want to wear anything nice"

"So as I was saying, I didn't want to beat her but the anger that sprang up that moment. I had to slap the life out of her"

Kilahi was lost in her own thought. "She's lucky that I controlled myself"

Aunty Mabel lifted two catfish up,  "Guess how much your father bought these?" "Huh?" "The catfish, guess how much?" "Huh.... How much?"

"Guess, you won't believe it"

"How much, the last time we went to the market to price that kind of cat fish, the woman said 3500 jale for one oh"

"Your Dad got it for 4000, the two"

Kilahi gasped, "Are you sure they didn't steal it? We should not come and eat it and then turn into fowls at the night" She joked making Aunty Mabel laughed.

"It's his colleague that sold it, he bought crab too. It's in the freezer, it's not me that will go through that stress. God forbid!"  "What are we cooking?"

"Fish Peppersoup and rice. Your Uncle said you should cook it, he said he loves the way you wash the catfish"

Kilahi laughed,  "Abi you're just looking for a way to push it to me" "Thank God you know. I already boiled water oh" She replied and Kilahi quickly grabbed a kettle containing hot water pouring into the bowl that had the fish in it. Afterwards, she poured salt in it.

It was her way of properly removing all the sliminess from the catfish.

"How was work today?"

Kilahi rolled her eyes,  "It was just there... It was fine, annoying" "Why was it annoying?" She asked and Kilahi rolled her eyes,  "I had an unexpected visitor who came to shout at me at work"

"Really? Did something enter into the person's head cause I know you didn't do anything, or did you?"

Kilahi stared at the fish seeing that the pigment of it's skin was  changing already. "You did?" "Small" "That's strange" "Mommy I like Pastor Gbadamosi"

"At least, thank God you're admitting it but apart from that, tell me something I don't know"

"Her name is Brenda. During the bridal shower,  when she was telling me about her feelings for Pastor Gbadamosi, and how she was discouraged thinking she'll never be a Pastor's wife, I didn't say anything about how I felt. I only encouraged her to build her relationship with God and not just for him"

Aunty Mabel laughed,  "Ah... Now she thinks you were doing wayo" "Exactly!" She hissed washing the fish. "I feel horrible, she called me a bitch and said F-you to me. The first F word I've ever gotten"

"What made her get angry"

"She found out I was in Anambra with Gbadamosi and she thinks something happened between us. Why will she think that way?" "Something must have sparked up her anger. Did anything happen in Anambra? How did she know you were in Anambra in the first place "

"I told her"

"And how does she know that you like him?"

Kilahi shrugged,  "Did she even give us time to discuss? I couldn't even explain myself" "What happened in Anambra?"

Kilahi looked above her shoulders and then she nods. "Pastor asked me out" "Wow, I like his confidence!" "I said no! I was scared of what it entails? It means I'll be the Mama of the church, I got so scared, I was even considering Brenda."

"Is it not the Brenda you were considering that came to the office to fight you? But sha, love na bastard oh, I won't blame her. That Pastor dey enter eye"

Kilahi shot a glare at her, a disgusted look crossed her face, "Abegi wash your fish! Who wants to steal your man from you? You've forgotten I have my own my own man, him sef dey enter my eyes" She snapped and they both laughed.

"Pastor Gbadamosi is really hot" Kilahi bit her lower lips,  "I never in my wildest thought that such a man will ask me out. I broke his heart,  toh, i also broke my own heart too. This love thing is not easy. I've been crying all through yesterday, I really regret it. I feel like I ruined his new month"

"Then call him"

"Toor, I don't know how to, I have a feeling the day is near." "Finally, someone will be leaving my house"

Kilahi chuckled faintly feeling uncomfortable.

Sewuese entered into the art gallery and Sam grabbed her hand and dragged her to the left through a doorway into a small room. He lets go of her to close the door then stood in front of it, his blue eyes narrowed.

She slowly registered that they were in a bed room attached to his art gallery. "Welcome to my humble abode" "Thanks... So you have a room in your gallery"

"Yes. I've never stayed this long in Nigeria and it gets tiring staying in hotels, whenever I need a friend to talk to, I go to Gbada's house. It's been from one place to the other and I find it depressing"

"Sorry"

"How's Sefa?"

"She's fine. I haven't seen her personally but Mom dealt with her after she got back"

Sam arced his brow, at this point he was perplexed,  "Define dealt with?" "A slap on the back"

"Geez! She's eighteen"

"Eighteen what? Welcome to Nigeria, all those eighteen bullshit does not apply. Do you know how old I was before mom stopped beating me? If I was the one, she would have done worst! She's not as strict as she was. When I was her age, I was scared of my mom"

"A child is not supposed to be scared of his or her parents. That's the notion we fail to understand"

"Spare the rod and spoil the child. I'm not perfect too but Sefa's case tops the naughty chart list!"

Sam grinned, "You won't be bringing that mentality on my Princess though" "For where?" She gasped,  "Princess that has not come you're already being protective" "How was work?" "Same old. They want to use work and finish me, my MD gave me a pile of work. I didn't even finish it"

"I'm sorry"

"What are you apologizing for? The only thing I want right now is food. This babe is hungry"

"I bought take outs"

"Where is it? I'm famished."

"First thing first, there's something I have to show you" He smiled walking towards a painting board that had a white covering on it.

She blushed placing her palm on her chest,  did he draw a painting of her?

He pulled down the covering revealing a painting on an eye. "Viola" "Where is the rest of the painting? Oh wait, you're just starting it, there'll be more"

"No... That's all"

Sewuese glanced at a drawing of an eye then back at him, "Sam you have mind" "What?" "So it's only my eyes you could draw, you didn't see my face? You're  hopeless" "A hopeless romantic"

She slapped his belly,  "Oh please! What's romantic about an eye?" "Thank you Sam,  oh yes Sewuese, you're welcome" "I'm sorry. Thanks" "That wasn't full hearted" "You bet"

He laughed shaking his head,  "Nigerian girls are not romantic" "Abegi! So it's only my eyes you could draw" "Your eyes is an essential part of you that I love so much,  there that strict side warning you to keep quiet, there's that cute side, there's that hikarious side. In summary, your eyes speaks louder than word.. I drew it cause I knew wherever I stand, you'll always be looking at me. It made me feel like I had you near"

"Awwwn"

"Yeah" He nods,  looked down at her, the looked into each other's eyes for a moment then he pulled away. "I think we should um... check out the food" He stepped backwards.

Sewuese chuckled, "What are you scared of?"  "Getting lost in your eyes, it's like an ocean in there"

  Taking a step toward him, she heaved a sigh, leaned towards him and rose on tiptoe, her lips grazing his.

In as much as she wanted to kiss him, she wanted to be sure he wanted the same this, his next action was explosive as his lips enveloped hers. Her senses reeled when she felt the warm molding of his lips against hers.

It was unlike anything she has ever felt in her life! This man was claiming her lips like it was a secured landed property.

      He captured her, enfolding her into his embrace while taking possession of her mouth with his and his lips moved over hers. Moaning into his mouth, she surrendered to the sweet feelings running through her.

Cradling her face in his hands, he lifted his mouth from hers, breaking the kiss. His blue eyes were brimming with unspoken feelings. Sewuese tried to catch her breathe, "Just so you know, I didn't call you for this"

"I know. Do you regret it?"

"No never" He replied biting his lips,  "I can't believe I'll be missing this" "Missing what?" "Us.. You" "You're saying it again, are you leaving that soon?" "On Sunday" He confessed and she moved back shaking her head, she wanted to speak but she found no word.

"I... I asked you"

"I'm sorry, I just got the news last night. I want more than anything to spend the rest of the year, the rest of my life with you but my job... Tess already fixed a meeting with a black American artist In Philadelphia. I'll be meeting him Monday evening"

Tears rolled down her eyes,  "Hey" He dragged her close,  "It's not fair, it's not fair. Now I'm this close to being happy this happens" "I wish I can push it too but Tess" "Who is this Tess?" She asked squeezing her face and Sam laughed.

"My friend and PA, you look cute when you're jealous"

"Leave me alone! How am I sure when you go back, you won't change your mind about me?"

"Because I love you Sewuese, it looks like it's too early to make that confession, but I'm a grown ass man who knows exactly what he feels and what he wants. What I feel for you is love and what I want is you by my side forever"

Tears didn't stop pouring out,  "Hey!" He wiped the tears off,  "How long?" "Three months but I'll be coming back for Mrs George and Coker's birthday party this month" "I have only" She counted her fingers,  "I have just four days to spend with you, I still have to go work. This is so hard"

"Ugh!" Sam embraced her patting her back.

Manny made way into Hilary's house looking around, the sweet aroma of egusi filled the whole room. " Welcome" Hilary said with a smile,  she was wearing an apron on a black straight gown. "Something smells amazing" "I'm cooking. I had to rush to market to do one or two, I'm sorry" "Why are you apologizing?"

"I'll still have to leave you"

"Smells really nice"

"Longer throat. It also tastes that way" "Leave another person to judge" "You'll be my judge now" "Let me not shorten your ration" "Something that Jennifer will go and be licking at night"

"Oh. So she insults you but eats your food. How's that fair?"

Hilary shrugged, "Nothing in this life is fair, nothing has been fair in a very long time" "Turn that frown upside down. Where is your not- so- friendly Flat mate"

"She went out. What's your preference? Semo or Akpu?"

"Akpu"

"Fine choice"

"I think we should make call Ossy first before it gets late than this"

Hilary wiped her hands on the Apron,  "I don't think it'll be wise to call by this time. It might be considered suspicious. Let's not ruin this" "Oh. What am going to do now?" "Wait and eat Akpu. Have your sit"

"I should just sit down like that?"

"No, stand" She replied laughing and walking away, "Is that how you treat your guest?"

"You can help yourself with the television" By this time she was in her kitchen.

"You're suppose to turn it on for me"

"As per the prince of Wakanda that you are" She yelled and he laughed taking his seat on the chair.

Deja sipped a from a glass of a mixed drink, it was strong. Bella was the one who requested for 'Sweet dreams'. She didn't want to take too much before it will turn into her worst nightmare.

All she wanted was a distraction to make her feel less lonely and crappy. On the other hand, her eyes darted the whole place looking around to make sure no church member was around.

"Uncle at eleven o clock I staring at you" Bella whispered into her ears, "The one with tattoo on his arms" "What's wrong with it? He's feeling you, he's hot and look at those stuff down there"

"I'm not looking. I'm scared that a church member might see me" "What will the person now say? What is he also doing here? Abi is clubbing a sin? This church thing has messed with your head completely" Bella complained receiving a text on her phone.

"Um... Babe, I have to rush to a site right now"

"What? This evening? I didn't bring my car"

"There's uber but i'll come as soon as possible"

"Now I'll be alone"

"Babe chill.. There are many guys here" She whispered into her ears, "Find one to fuck the sense back into you. Who knows,  your Pastor might be doing same with that ugly ass bitch" She chipped in and Deja hissed.

"He's back"

"After getting enough in Anambra" She scoffed leaving.

Deja shook her head,  "Nothing happened between them... Nothing... Urgh!" She hissed taking the whole glass at a gulp. She grimaced tapping the counter. She hasn't done that in years!!

Vincent walked up to her smiling, "Didn't you say you were sick?" He asked and she hissed rolling her eyes,  "Are you stalking me now" "No oh.... God forbid! My cousin forced to come, I'm not really a club person"

"I'm not really interested in the answer you have to give me too"

"You're always uninterested in anything that has to do with me. I called you severally yesterday, sent you a text today"

"I didn't want to answer it"

Vincent laughed, "It's the sincerity for me. I thought you were sick"

"Do I look okay to you? I haven't drank in how many years and now... I am sick of being sidelined, I am sick of being second choice" "Does this have anything to do with that punk you've been in love with?"

"Get out"

"Deja"

"I'll scream oh, just as you came here, just find your way and get the hell out!"

Bimbo stomped her feet on the floor dialing Deja's number but she didn't pick up. She looked down at the time on the phone screen; 8:00 pm

"Hei! Bimbo don't panic, she's fine, she's fine. Ah, they've kidnapped her! This one that kidnapping is reigning ah! This girl will not give me heart attack, all my heart is up up, my heart is always up up with this girl. I have never seen anyone that walks around with high tension, her own is just to shock people, be giving hypertension up and down. Nigeria in on the left giving me high blood pressure, in fact just being in Nigeria alone has qualified you for High BP, rent is in the middle giving me high BP, Deja is on the right oun fun mi ni high BP. Emi naa.... Oh God, I need to check blood pressure, o ti rise."

She heard a knock then she rushed to answer it, it was Lanre instead he his laptop in his hand. "Is she back?" "No! I even thought she was the one! You do know you shouldn't be here"

"You were worried on phone and I'm worried as well."

"Should we call Papa?"

"Let's not worry him, i'm sure she'll be fine"

Bimbo entered into the house and he followed her in shutting the door.  "Have you called her work place"

"She called in sick; if I do that, it'll be like disastrous"

Gbadamosi knocked on the door and Kilahi opened up, still clad in the faded top and the black shorts. She had her natural plait on, so she felt uncomfortable. Apart from that she stinks like fish!

  "Good evening Sir" "Good evening" He replied,  "Are you here to see me?" "No." He replied noticing her disappointment so he decided to push those buttons some more. "Why will I come to see you? Haven't you been the one forming attitude since yesterday? You want to be left alone, you don't want me to speaking to you so that's exactly what I'm doing"

She wanted to argue but she had to pull up restraint.

"Then why are you here?"

"For Sefa"

"Oh" She pouts in disappointment,  "Are you going to let me in or you'll prefer I stay outside. Anything you say will be fine, after all it's your house"

"Why will i tell you to..." She gave up rolling her eyes,  "Come in"

Gbadamosi entered seeing Aunty Mabel and Uncle Adzer in the living room. "Good evening Sir, good evening Ma" He bowed his head and they both smiled at him,  "Hey! Pastor Welcome"

"Have your seat Sir,  to what do we owe this visit?" Aunty Mabel asked watching Gbadamosi sit down,  "Kilahi get him a drink from the fridge" "There's no need for that" "Abegi! Kilahi get him the juice, Pastor, are you hungry? Kilahi made fish pepper soup and rice"

"No Ma. I already ate from home"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes Ma."

Kilahi hurried up into the kitchen. "I came to see Sefa" "Oh. That one,  she's in the room. Let me call her real quick,  Sefa!" She screamed and Uncle Adzer rose up quickly  "Erm, good night Pastor Gbadamosi" "Retiring so early?"

"Yes Sir" He replied leaving and Kilahi got out with a juice pack and a transparent glass cup on a black tray. She dropped on the side stool close to him then she poured the juice in.

"Thank you" He muttered and she bowed her head. He went ahead to look at Aunty Mabel,  "Thank you Ma" "For what? Juice?"

Aunty Mabel exhaled, "Sefa!" She screamed and Gbadamosi took a sip of the juice then he looked up staring at Kilahi who was still standing beside him. "Is everything okay?"

"Why will everything not be okay?"

"You're standing too close. Are you waiting for the glass?"

"Oh. Sorry" She shut her eyes entering into the kitchen, "Why were you standing so close Kilahi? What's wrong with you?" She held on to the kitchen counter.

Sefa stepped out smiling on seeing Gbadamosi, she shrieked in joy. "What are you doing here?" "I thought we need to speak. Can we talk outside" "Sure"  They both walked out of the living room.

Kilahi got out beating her body and Aunty Mabel gave Kilahi a look, "What's this?" "Mommy, I don't know again" "You don't know what?" "Pastor Gbadamosi. He said he didnt come for me" "And you believe that" "What should I do?" "Follow your heart dear, what is your heart telling you to do now?"

"To go outside and say yes to him"

"Then what are you waiting for?"

She looked at her dress, "Let me go and put on something that doesn't smell like fish."

Sefa and Gbadamosi leaned against Uncle adzer's car,  "How are you?" "Horrible, Dad won't even talk to me. Mom slapped me on the back, I can stil feel the pain"

"Ouch,  how many?"

"One! If it was two, I would have convulse or maybe spit out my heart. I didn't expect it at all"

"You know you deserve more right?"

"I know. Daddy is not talking to me, I want him to talk to me. I know he's disappointed but are the not supposed to be the older one and not keep malice?"

"Give him a break, he's hurt"

"I know... I've been grounded till I gain admission, my social life is gone. I don't have a phone, they said they're not going to give me a phone." She paused removing a button phone from her pocket.

"That's my new phone, I can't go out to retrieve my sim until Saturday when Aunty Sewuese won't be working. She's not back yet, I know she'll slap me too. I've already started massaging my cheeks for the slap"

Gbadamosi laughed,  "It will pass" "I want It to pass like now now now! I regret my actions, now my social life is gone" "You can be social for God, be an extrovert for God, do something in church. Join a work force,  I promise you, the boredom will cease. This little light burning in your right now must not quench. If it remains dormant, it will go off. Do something out of the ordinary Sefa and make a difference. Sefa, I see you making a difference, you're going to be a light, an example for others to follow. Don't wallow in self pity or how you're going to lose your friends, discover what has been given to you and use it well" He lifted a polythene customer bag up and she grabbed it.

She smiled and sniffled,  "Why do I smell bole?" She asked and  "I brought Bole, someone said you love Bole and you dont make her eat it in peace" "Aunty Kilahi?" "Yes. I also bought hers, I don't know if it'll go well with milk shake"

Sefa gasped, "Thank you" "You can give it to her, I don't want her rejecting it from me. I don't think my heart can take anymore rejection"

"Oh... That was what happened right? I knew something was strange. You like Aunty Kilahi right?" "Yes" "She likes you too" "She does have a weird way of showing it"

Kilahi walked up to them, she already changed into a green top, her wig was on this time. "Hey guys" She waved and Sefa smiled,  "Aunty Kilahi, we were just talking about you" .

"Oh. Um... Sefa, I'll like to talk to Pastor alone, if you don't mind"

"No. I dont" She replied looking up at him, "Thank you Sir" "You're welcome" He replied watching her leave.

"Hey"

"Why do you have your wig on, that's a different shirt from what you wore earlier on"

"It was smelling like fish"

"And the wig?"

Kilahi rubbed a palm on her forehead, "I don't know" "You look tired, I suppose you've not had your rest" "No. After work, I went to see Caroline and toh, when I got back home, i started cooking. What about you?" "After i got back home from counselling, i switched my phone off, I had like four hours rest. I woke up when I remembered I had to see Sefa"

  "Lucky you. So....What were you saying about me?" "The obvious. How I like you"

"Sir..." "Kilahi, I won't force you" He faced her, she remain still as his warm minty breath slid across her face . She couldn't help but melt as goosebumps followed in and she couldn’t hide the shudder that rolled across her shoulders.

"Kilahi"

"Shhh... don't say a word, I freaked out okay? I was scared but now I'm ready. You can ask the question again"

"Huh?"

"Ask the question?"

"What question?"

"The one you asked me in Anambra"

Gbadamosi tried not to laugh, of course he knew what she meant but he wasn't planning on making it easy so he feigned to be in deep thoughts. "Huh.... Oh... What happened to your wrist?"

"No!"

"Oh... Is it the one about you being a chorister also"

Kilahi groaned, she cocked her head and gave him a sarcastic stare. ,"No, the other one" She gritted her teeth then watched his expression go from thoughtful to confused to blank. "Which one? Why don't you remind me?"

"Is this intentional? It's definitely intentional"

"I have no idea what you're saying"

"Okay, I'm sorry, for breaking your heart and serving you a hot breakfast while we were having breakfast"

He laughed nodding his head,  "Pastor Gbadamosi, if you've not changed your mind. Can we make my name a reality? Can we Kilahi?" She asked and a wide smile curled his lips then he gasped touching his chest.

"Are you asking me out?" His voice was slightly sarcastic. "I served you breakfast, now I'm serving you a hot plate of pride. My ego has been shattered, I think I'm a shame to womanhood right now. I just asked a man out"

Gbadamosi laughed triggering a laughter from her too,  "Give me an answer" "Was that how quick you gave me a reply? My heart was in my mouth, after all the suspence, you still ended up saying no."

"Didn't the Bible say we should always turn our right cheek?"

Gbadamosi chuckled,  "Good point. What changed your mind?" "I just needed time to think, I thought I wasn't good enough for you" "Are you kidding me? Kilahi... You're good enough, you're more than good enough, you're perfect for me"

"I'm not. I've got burns and scars on my body, if I want to be anyone's wife,  he'll have to deal with that"

"I don't care" he replied chuckling,  "I don't like you for your body, I choose you and God placed a seal on it" "Even though I'm not the most pretty girl"

"You are the most prettiest woman I've ever laid eyes on"

Kilahi bit her lower lips,  "And you're not saying this because it's what I need to hear" "I'm saying it because it's the truth, because God said it, and because you need to hear it everyday of your life and get ready Kilahi cause that's going to be my good morning to you" He confessed with both palm against her cheek and she blushed.

Suddenly he removed the wig from her head and she gasped, "Stop" "With or without the wig, you look pretty. I don't see the need for it, don't you feel heat? You wore almost all through in Anambra. What about that day I stopped by at the office?"

Kilahi laughed,  "You were hiding your face, it was cute but... You're beautiful in and out, make up or natural, with wig or not" He snapped placing the wig on the top of the car.

She blushed involuntarily. He had become personal now. She pulled herself together and took the conversation on another level.

"Thank you. Shebi you've finally removed my wig, are you happy?"

"Yes" He replied smiling and she stood there admiring the man in front of her, and the eagerness expanded inside of her with a sudden obsession to run her hands all over him from his cheeks to his well trimmed beard. She stared up at him, her gaze still caught on his.  "If there's something Brenda was right about, I was pretending about my feelings all along"

"Brenda spoke to you?"

Kilahi blinked, "Not exactly" "Babe" "Pastor...." She trailed off, "It's nothing" "What's that nothing" "She was at the office, she was angry. She thought something happened between us in Anambra. She didn't allow me explain myself, I felt bad for her"

Gbadamosi rolled his eyes,  "She called me and i told her what she needed to hear. What we had was in the past, locked in the past" "You're not exactly hard to like, there was this time I admitted that if you were a swimming coach, someone will be drowning every time to receive CPR"

"Go on"

She laughed looking up at him, "I'm done pretending Sir.." "Gbadamosi, you know you have to stop using Pastor Gbadamosi"

"Yes Sir" She exhaled,  "Yes Ba.... I've never used baby on a man before, it's sounding weird"

"Take your time Babe"

"Don't call me Babe, you've not given me a reply yet"

Gbadamosi exhaled,  "Can we make this a reality, you and I to see what God wants." "My chest is beating again" "Handsome men always have that effect on women"

"This one is fear, the fear of being a church Mama"

"You'll do fine"

"I'm a small girl, I'm not 27 yet. You're ten years older than me"

Gbadamosi groaned,  "Babe" "I've not said yes" She pouted batting her eyes at him,  "Wow, you asked me out first and I've not even given my answer yet but seriously Kilahi, you need to get rid of those toxic energy, I need to bind and cast it out"

"So I guess the book Usher Bimbo gave me was from you?"

"Let's say I've been a fan from day one"

"It helped." She took a deep breathe, "I need to take a deep breathe cause I'm about to make a decision I never thought possible." She paused her nibbling her lips,  "Yes, I'll like to move forward with you"

Gbadamosi nods and exhaled in relief, "Thank you Jesus! Thank you" He replied holding her hands,  "Thanks for saying yes to God's will, you saying yes I like saying you support my vision, I promise you won't regret this decision you've made. This is the first of March and it's our first step to a beautiful love, may we march with might running towards purpose in Jesus name"

Kilahi nods, "Amen" "Ade actually said this will happen today" "Oh my God, really? if he knows the guy will start feeling like a prophet" "Wait now, you've not even allow me land. When he mentioned something about marching forward because it's March. I told him that was the meaning of your name. Suddenly he started prophesying"

Kilahi laughed, "Whaat??" "He said the spirit of God was telling him that I should gift my car to him" "Toor! That guy is crazy in a good way, a good kind of crazy. Just like Usher Bimbo"

"Two crazy individuals but they are people I can trust with any secret. They are amazing people, you'll enjoy working with them, if they don't make you have headache first"

She inched close to him, she felt this chord bound them as though threads were pulling her to him,  compelling her then she shut her eyes. "In my head, in a moment of fleshy weakness,  I'm wishing this wasn't a church circumstance and I'm having my first kiss like right now"

Gbadamosi laughed, "A leader leads by example" "I know" She replied. He raised his hands as if to put them on her shoulders, he gave it a second thought then he kept them hovering in mid-air.

Quickly, he pulled her in for an embrace, he knew if it wasn't here, he probably won't be opportune to embrace her since he was a public figure.  "God I love you scent" She sniffles wrapping his arms around him now looking up at him, "You know I'm a public figure and soon this is going to cast"

"Define cast" Kilahi chuckles. "People are going to start buzzing about the Pastor's wife to be. All these bloggers will want to find out who you are, what you do for a living, if you have dirty secrets"

She gasped, "Like seriously? Am I celebrity?" "Do you know how many times they've trolled me for being single?" He asked moving back,  "It's your parent's house, let me respect it. I had to embrace you in advance cause this won't be happening elsewhere. I don't accept visits from... I hope you understand"

Kilahi chuckles, "You can be rest assured that I won't be visiting. So you've never reciprocated advances from women?" "No. You're the only woman I've liked in years. I don't know you did it" "Abi I should be accusing you for what you did! Your herbalist concocted something and gave to me"

He laughed leaning against the car, "Don't laugh, it's not a laughing matter. Is it in that milk shake you brought for me that day?" "That reminds me, I bought Bole and Milk shake for you" "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was scared of getting another rejection from you"

"Awwn. I'm sorry. The truth is, you've always had that effect on me. Always making my heart beat out of control. I don't know what song you always play"

"And there you were forming hard to get" He answered flashing a smile and she slapped his arm."I'm a diamond in the rut, you don't see me anyhow. Have there been recent advances at you?"

"Why are you asking?"

"Curiosity "

"Yes but ever since I said no to that.... " He paused laughing,  "To the temptress, it's been no since"

"Why did you laugh?"

"The incidence was funny, the way she walked in feeling like she had some power over me just because she was naked." "Did you really cover her robe?"

"You think I was exaggerating? I did and I laughed too because of her reaction.  She got angry and felt humiliated and left. They've come in their numbers, you're my choice and God's choice. The only person I see standing by me in the future, the only woman I want to see every morning."

She blushed scratching her neck, "Can we at least meet and talk in public after the casting?" "Yes we can. We can even have lunch, dinner, go on dates. Just that if we're having dinner, people will want to know whether Pastor took her back to her house or his own house"

Kilahi scoffed,  "I know i make assumptions but are people that jobless?" "You'll be shocked." "Wow... The perks of dating a renowned Pastor. I can't get used to it, this is my relationship,  my first relationship. Am I supposed to stay without seeing you? " She paused and he laughed finding that reply funny.

"You that said no to me"

"Let's bury that hatchet, I wasn't thinking that time."

"You can see me anytime you want, just not in my house or enclosed places" He held her hands, "I mean, we have a lot to catching up to do,  a lot of toxin to get rid of" His fingers brushed her scar then he lifted her hands up looking at it.

"Sir... " She exhaled feeling uncomfortable,  "I don't like talking about it, it's not psychological, it's just my choice" "If you can't talk about it, then it's psychological" He ran his fingers on her face,  "Talk to me"

"You don't get it" Her breathing became faster,  "The memories, I'm trying to keep It buried, my parent's face right before the accident. I still have nightmares about it. It's not easy to talk about how your parents died. It's not easy at all" Tears poured down and he wiped it off.

"I'm sorry, shh" He embraced her and she sobbed right there against his chest.

Manny washed his hands in a bowl of water just after eating , "Thank you so much Hilary, it's just the home food i was craving for. Ese gan" "Thank God, adupe" She replied packing his plate, "I tried right? Adupe" 

"Somehow"

She looked into his plate seeing pieces of fish in the soup bowl, "Thank God. You don't like fish right?" "Not really. Let me help out" "Why?" "You gave me food, let me at least help with the plate" "No! That's wrong" "Please" He begged but sh disagreed still.

  "Oya, I'll wash you'll rinse"

Hilary laughed lifting her hands in surrender,  "I've not heard that in a long time" She answered taking his plate of soup leading the way into the kitchen.  "Nice kitchen"  He commented placing the plates in the sink. "Thank you" He watched her eat the fish from his plate.

"I'm not going to let it go to a waste"

"Management madam" He watched her lick her fingers one after the other, "The morning fresh is there, just don't finish it. I'm not sure you even know how to wash"

Manny laughed, "I am appalled" "It's not only appalled"

Firstly, he removed the bones off the plates before proceding to turn on the tap to wash the oil off the surface of the plate. "Don't break my plate sha" She moved close to him dropping the plate, "I wiped it clean with my hand"

"Do I still need to wash this one?" He asked and she laughed, "I really can't help it, I'm a good cook" She complimented herself thinking of way to tell him to move a bit because she wanted to wash her hands.

He noticed her hesitation, "Do you want to wash?" "Yes thank you. I hate people disturbing me when I'm washing. Ndo (sorry)" She apologized turning on the tap,  "You're pouring water in my soapy water!" He cried, "Sorry!" She laughed leaving the tap and he scowled at her.

"How many water did pour there that you're whinning like a baby?"

He picked the morning fresh bottle, "Oga well done, you want to finish my soap in the name of four plates" "Avoid me" He snapped witholding his laughter.

"Issokay"

"How long have you been in Lagos?"

"Um.... For a very long time... Let me calculate, fourteen years. School brought me here" "And you cannot say 'Omo Baba Olowo fluently"

She gasped pushing his head, "Look at what your coconut head is remembering" She chuckled rubbing his head,  "Your head is smooth oh. Too bad there's only violence in it. What kind of shaving stick do you use for it, or do you use conventional razor method?"

Manny lowered his head giving her a stern look, "Okay now, weldone, you tried" "No!" She laughed, "What did I say? I was just admiring your afaridan (bald head)" She continued rubbing his head,  "The hairstyle is entering my eyes"

"Go and try the hairstyle now, that's when you'll know that it's not everything a man can do that a woman should do" "For the third time Manny, I am not a feminist but low cut should look dope on me"

"I don't know. I think you look beautiful the way you are."

In that moment, the giggles ceased and they were staring intently into each other’s eyes. Hilary moved her lips close to his, Manny knew it wasn't a good idea, he wanted to pull away but he couldn't. He was physically attracted to her, their lips lingered close in uncertainty looking for who to pull the first move.

His full lips were only inches from hers. She could feel his warm egusi breath brushing over her skin. His lips caught her upper lips and her lips reciprocates the action. He lightly swept his tongue between her lips, pressing his warm, soft lips to hers. Instead she gave in to his kiss, pulling him closer.

He tasted like egusi, scratch that, they both tasted like egusi soup, fufu and stockfish but who cares? His touch was gentle yet firm.

He slid his wet hands around her waist. Then, he passionately kissed her, tickling her tongue with his. A noise escaped her as mouth then he pulled back from the kiss  watching her bit her lower lips.

She moved her lips closer but he moved back throwing his head backwards,  "I'm sorry" "Why are you apologizing? It's not something I hate" "Jeez! I feel like a douchebag right now. I shouldn't have done that"

Hilary scoffed, Her emotions came crashing back down to the ground  "You don't like me" "I do. Hilary I do, I really really really like you" "And I really really really really really like you too" "I can't do this" "Why?"

"It's not you"

"Ugh! That line?"

"No! Hilary, I like you too much to put you through the stress of my family" "Stress of..." "They won't agree"

"What part? The fact that I'm ibo or that I'm a widow and I have a son"

"Hilary"

"I'm not stupid Manny, I know. God what was I thinking?" She wriggles out of his grip, "That someone finally likes me" "Hey! I like you, i don't care about your size. You're beautiful the way you are, I love your skin, I love your smile, I love every version of your laughter, the high pitch, low and even the annoying one. I love that you make me happy, you bring out the childish part of me, you make me laugh till the point of tears,  I love the fact that when I need someone to talk to, a confidant, you're there and listening to your advise has been soothing.. If it makes you happy, I wasn't thinking too. I don't really think when I'm with you because all of my family problems goes away and all I want is to solve yours" He confessed moving close to her then he held her by the arm.

"I can't put you through another family drama. You've been through enough, I wouldn't have mind to just ignore them all but then history will be repeating itself again."

"And when it's time to share souvenirs at our wedding party. My people will once again not receive any" She teased and he chuckled faintly. "I understand, can we go back to how we were?" She requested, "I won't want the same thing that happened to Pastor and Kilahi happening to us to. There isn't going to be any weird feeling between us"

"Yes. After this" His arms slipped around her and he was back to kissing her as his lips parted against hers. She opened her own mouth with a small gasp at the suddenness of his reaction. she moaned at the stroking of his tongue along her own.

Manny broke the kiss, he shifted, and she met his eyes. She traced his lower lip with her thumb. "Are you satisfied? Or you want to go another round?"

He held her fingers, "Don't tempt me"

Hilary chuckles rolling her eyes,   "Your plate" "Yes" He replied smelling his hands, the thick stench of fufu hit his nose,  "I don't think this smell can ever leave my hand. "

Hilary laughed, "I think I can hear my phone ring" She replied leaving then she entered into her room busting into tears.

    Sewuese clung to Sam, they were both lost in the magic of their mouths fused together. His fingers lightly stroked the pulse point at her throat before he pulled away checking the time,  "It's past 9" "Hmm hm?" "You have to go home" "No, I don't want to"

"Why?"

"I want to spend time with you"

"No! Not here, not in this place"

Sewuese exhaled, "I'm not talking about sex" "One thing I've come to understand is that Nigeria has cultures that are different from ours and most times it's usually opposite. What will your parents say if you stayed back? I know for a fact that when my sister started staying at her Boyfriends, my Dad wasn't so thrill, heck I hated it! I wanted to punch the face out of him because it begged the question whether or not my she was still a virgin. I had my answer but a big brother can dream"

Sewuese laughed, "Mom and Dad hated when I did it with Jamal" "So you want me to thread on that part" "You're traveling" "Yes but I still need to have my face when I come back to take you as my wife"

She laughed in disbelief,  "Do you doubt it?" "Yes I do" "Okay now, your eyes go soon clear" He added and she continued laughing. "Who is teaching you all this pidgin? So your parents are not going to say, don't get married to a Nigerian"

"I've always been irrational and specific about my choices. You're my choice Babe. Babe, you need to leave, like now"

"Thirty minutes more and I'm gone" She leaned in kissing his lips but he ran his hands over her back, "Tell me about.." They both said at the same time then they laughed over it. "You go first" He nudged,  "No, you go first"

"Tell me about TIV people and their marriage system"

"For real?"

"Yes"

"I was going to ask you to tell me about your family"

"Mine first"

Sewuese leaned against his chest,  "Okay... Let me clear my throat for this" She cleared her throat and he ran his fingers across her face. "If you keep doing that, I might not be able to keep my lips off yours"

"Sorry" He apologized and she exhaled.

Kilahi placed her wig on Gbadamosi's head, "How do I look?" He asked, "Pretty" "That reminds me, how was your meeting with Lota's brother?" He asked taking off the wig.  "Butterfly ear, how did you know it was him?" "You didn't exactly whisper. The way you were giggling was annoying to me, I was offended, I was like who's making my future wife giggle like that?"

Kilahi laughed,  "When I said date,  I knew I had messed up" " You were now asking him when, imagine! You just served me breakfast and you have the nerve to fixing date"

"What I supoosed to say?"

"I was there, you didnt see the look on my face. I was giving you an answer"

No one has ever looked ar her in such a way before, making him feel imoortant.

"He's not a bad guy. He's sweet, he's a smooth talker, a listener"

Gbadamosi arced his brow, "Hm hm,  continue" "Don't tell me this Papa is a jealous man" "I'm not just jealous, I'm territorial too"

"I knew it! Every territorial demon holding my heart, fire!!!

Gbadamosi laughs,   "I'm a territorial Angel" "Hmmm" "Yes" "If it makes you happy, I served him breakfast too" "How many people have you served breakfast like that? Manny, Me and him"

"What can I say? I'm a hot cake"

"Exactly, that's what you are and that's what I want you to believe you are. An hot cake, fresh like agege bread, my missing ribs, my Queen and finally my Mama. Mama Kilahi"

Kilahi flinched covering his lips, "Stop it!" "Mama Kilahi" He struggled to call out and she jumped on him screaming. "Mama Kilahi,  Mama Kilahi , Mama Kilahi, get used it, it's going to be a reality very soon" He announced walking towards the door.

"How soon? Like next year soon?"

What are your opinions????

Past 2:00 am

Let me come and sleep