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I said 53 was cooking and then we ran out of gas😂

First, there was no light for six days and when they finally brought it, it wasn't stable at all.

Please vote, I know it's been a while but i need the motivation😂💃🏽

Before reading,
One of these is true in this chapter:

A. Sharon poured peppersoup on Muyiwa

B. Bimbo rejects Lanre's proposal

C. Sefa gets kidnapped again.

D. Deja reconciles with Vincent.

😂🤣

Read,
Vote,
Enjoy!

Chapter 53

Unedited

Sharon carefully balanced the tray in her hands as she approached Muyiwa, the three steaming bowls of goat meat pepper soup sending tantalizing aromas into the air. She couldn't help but feel a surge of anger as she watched him draw near, the memories of his hurtful actions still fresh in her mind.

His warm smile made her heart flutter, she hated the fact the man's smile still made her heart skip. Isn't she supposed to hate him? It's the guts he had to smile! It even seemed like he was gloating from realizing how she felt.

What did she even fall in love with? The guy has always been arrogant. It has always been one argument or the other, although they had their good times though.

Those shared moment over a simmering pot or a sizzling pan that brought them closer. How their bond strengthened with every dish she created by her. Too bad there was loyalty!

Slimy bastard!

The wicked thought still pondered her mind- should she pour the soup over his face? It would be a fitting punishment for the pain he had caused her. The idea both thrilled and terrified her. She never knew she had potential for revenge until that day.

Muyiwa's expression was unreadable as he drew closer, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of confusion and apprehension. Sharon's heart raced as she considered her options, her grip on the tray tightening with each passing moment.

"Hey Sha" He said biting his lower lip, "Don't you dare call me that." "Why?" "That's an order, it's not a request."

"Why? Does it make you remember things... You always love It when?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came here to fill my car because this is a fueling station, what else does it look like I'm here for? This is my friend's house, if there's any  stranger in this house, that'll will be you." "But you had to refer me right? So you can what? Taunt me! What kind of sick game are you playing at?"

"I'm a player, I don't play sick games, I play fair and square."

"Oh really? I never knew your definition of fair and square is breaking hearts."

"Heart's at owner's risk, love at owner's risk too. Every girl knows this, I'm not an insurance company, I can't indemnify your loss. Take heart, ouch.. I already broke the heart."

"Screw to hell Muyiwa! You know I'm this close to pouring this pepper soup on your face."

"You don't have the balls for it."

"Want to bet your testicles on it cause I'm this close to.."

Muyiwa laughed, "Why my testicles now? Those twins have done nothing to you." He teased to her annoyance, "What did I even see in you?" "I told you but yet you proved stubborn."

"I thought..."

"You thought what? That you could be different, that I'll choose you over the others, you wanted to be the one to change the bad boy, so you decided to occupy my space. Sorry dear but you parked your car in the wrong parking lot. I warned you about the risk but you didn't care. I never liked you, I was just playing," he uttered, the words slicing through the atmosphere. His words echoed in her head like a heavy cloud. His confession hung between them, suffocating the space with its weight. His heart clenched in response to the truth that spilled from his lips.

Ukeme approached them, her smile strained as she tried to gauge the situation. "Is everything okay?" she inquired, the tension palpable in the air. Muyiwa prayed silently that this gathering wouldn't culminate in disaster. "Yes. We were just chatting," he replied, trying to downplay the lingering awkwardness. "Muyiwa, please give her space," Ukeme requested gently, her concern evident. Muyiwa, unfazed, quipped back, "Not before having my goat meat pepper soup and all delicacies goated," as he helped himself to a bowl before sauntering off.

Ukeme's expression soured with regret as she watched Muyiwa's casual departure. "He never showed interest in coming," she mumbled to herself. Sharon, standing beside her, chimed in dismissively, "I just knew deep down he was going to show up. I'm sorry," Ukeme apologized, her voice tinged with disappointment. "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault."

A male figure approached them, his grin infectious as he directed his attention to Sharon. "If it's not the best goat meat pepper soup cook I've ever met," he complimented, a genuine admiration in his tone. Sharon's lips curled into a smile at the unexpected praise. "Hey Toks," Ukeme greeted, her voice tinged with concern. "Why the long face?" Toks inquired, noting the worry etched on Ukeme's features. "Long story, trust me," she replied cryptically, her gaze flickering briefly towards Sharon.

"It's a long story, trust me," she replied, glancing at Sharon.

"Sharon, meet my friend Tokunbo, Tokunbo, Sharon," Ukeme introduced.

"The best chef ever," Tokunbo complimented.

"My culinary skills are something to be proud of too," Ukeme added, feigning jealousy then she noticed how his gaze lingered on Sharon. "As if!" he exclaimed, and she playfully slapped him on the arm.

"Tokunbo here is a policeman, we're both on the special force."

Sharon gasped, surprised by the revelation of Tokunbo's profession as a policeman. This unexpected insight also shed light on Ukeme's hidden identity as a policewoman. "Wow, I'm shocked," Sharon expressed. "I'm one of the few beautiful women on the force," Ukeme joked, glancing at him and then at Sharon.

"I'll leave you two," Ukeme noted, excusing herself from the conversation.

Tokunbo smiled pointing at one of the bowl on the tray, "Shall I?" "Sure? Why not?" She asked as he went ahead to take a bowl of goat meat pepper soup from the tray.  "Did I mention you're the best?" He complimented again and Sharon fought back rolling her eyes in disbelief.

Did he have to repeat it again? The guy was obviously whine-ing her but what's the point of repeating it again. What point was he trying to create?

"Twice. That's enough flattering don't you think?" She snapped and he arced his brow trying to understand the woman in front of him.

"Is it that hard to believe?"

"For starters calling me the best seems like an insult to your mom and all those that must have cooked for you."

He managed to force a smile, "I don't have one..." He replied then he shrugged, "Or should I say I didn't grow up with her. She died when I was a baby." "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know." "It's okay. I grew up with grandma.'

"So grandma's pepper soup wasn't good huh?"

"More like rabbit pepper soup."

Sharon's eyes lit up in surprise, she wasn't  expecting that. "Wait, rabbit?" "Bush meat and the rest! Grandma hated goat meat, the mere smell of it gives her heart burn so she was a bush meat kind of person. I grew up to be the Asun and goat meat kind of guy, so you best believe  me when I say I've never tasted goat meat pepper soup like this. What's the special ingredient?"

"If I tell you..."

"Then you'll have to kill me, I know that line." He stole the words from her and they both laughed about  it.  "I should know more than killing a man on the force, I won't want the whole Nigeria on my neck because of it." She replied then he chuckled. His jovial demeanor and light-hearted banter momentarily lifted the somber mood, offering a brief respite from the underlying tensions that threatened to boil over.

"Nice to meet you Sharon."

"You too Tokunbo."

"I saw Muyiwa talking to you."

Sharon arced her brow, "Oh. You know Muyiwa?" "I know whatever you do with your life is none of my business but whatever you do, don't pay attention to that guy." He warned pointing to Muyiwa who was now pouring  himself a drink in a glass. "He's bad news! The only thing stopping me from getting that punk arrested is a legal crime."

"Sounds personal..."

He hissed and tightened his fist, "Trust me, I won't like to get into details. Just be careful, he's smooth with words but those words do not hold water, he's not trustworthy. The only thing he'll to is break your heart in pieces so no much you won't be able to recover from the damages."

"Sounds like he broke your heart." She teased and hea sniggered at the unexpected yet funny remark. "See, I hate that I'm doing this to a fellow man but I feel the need to step in. You look like a good person and I won't want you tangled up in his mess."

Sharon nodded.

If only he knew she was already encircled  around it.

"Thank you for the warning ahead."

"You're welcome."

Deja bit her lower lip, feeling the tension in the air. The food on her plate remained untouched, her appetite lost in the swirl of emotions inside her. Across from her, she noticed Vincent lack of interest in the meal he ordered.

"You're not eating," She said with pause, she knew it was 80% her fault but she had to start up a topic. What better than the food before him.

"I don't feel like it, I've lost my appetite." He replied softly.

"I'm sorry," She said, her voice tinged with regret.

"For what part exactly?" He inquired, looking directly into her eyes.

"For....." She trailed off rolling her eyes, "Where should I start ? For starters, for being an idiot and not realizing I like you sooner," She confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. She felt a mix of emotions - hope and a hint of fear.

He scoffed, breaking the tense silence. "No, I was the stupid one to think you'll ever love me." The words hung heavy in the air, suffocating the room with their weight. Deja's heart clenched in her chest.

"But I do now," she responded, her voice unwavering as she grappled with her emotions. He couldn't help but scoff in disbelief. "You must be delusional. What happened to the man you were in love with?" he inquired, and she hesitated before replying. "I was an idiot to think he'll love me," she admitted with a heavy heart.

"Ever since I walked into church five years ago and gave my life to Christ, I secretly admired him and that admiration grew into an obsession. I thought I was going to be the first lady of the church."

"So it was your Pastor you were in love with?" He deduced with a nod of comprehension. His voice tinged with a mix of realization and bitterness. Everything started to make sense to him – her rejection of his gestures, her indifference to his gifts. It was all because of her feelings for her Pastor.

"Now that there's another woman in the picture, you decided to come back to me, the fool who once loved you," Vincent remarked bitterly. His words mixed with hurt and resignation. "Of course, why not? I'm just an idiot in your eyes, right, Deja?"

The room between  them was filled with unspoken words, emotions swirling in the air. Love, betrayal, regret. They were all intertwined in a complex web of feelings that neither of them could escape.

"No! Well yes Initially until I realized I've been the fool all along, not seeing what was in front of me. Vincent I like you"

"You're confuse. I refuse to be someone's second choice."

Deja looked at him and confesses, "Vincent...more than ever, I'm certain about my feelings. Just that I've always been an idiot but this idiot is now in love with you."

Vincent countered sharply, "If that were true, you wouldn't have been caught having a one night stand with a stranger," his whispered words cutting through the air discreetly.

"It was a foolish mistake on my part, and I can explain," Deja pleaded.

"I don't want to hear it," Vincent began, but Deja was resolute.

"Well, you're going to listen, whether you like it or not! After this, you can go ahead and despise me if you wish. Let me, at least, know that I bared my soul to you."

As he turned his face away, his heart became heavy with the weight of a one-sided love. His heart ached with betrayal, unsure of what to believe next. Despite Deja's attempts to salvage the situation and explain her actions,  her disloyalty lingered in his mind. The pain of being second best weighed heavily on him as he grappled with the harsh reality of it.

"Do you know how I felt after my cousin called to tell me he saw you in the house of the compound Casanova? The same girl I've sworn to my love and affection to, the same girl I brag about. To think you'll end up cheaply like a..."

"Like what? A common prostitute? No, say it."

"You couldn't even bring yourself down to look into my face yet you had the stomach to sleep with a complete stranger. Was I that repulsive?"

"I'm sorry."

Vincent leaned his hands against the table top, "What explanation will suffice for that act?". Deja hesitated a moment before answering. "I found out about that Papa' had a woman in his life. I got angry and I went clubbing with Bella."

"Who's Bella?"

"A mistake I called a friend. I just found out what a horrible person she is this week. Can you believe this bitch... Forgive my language but ... God! I found out this bitch was in love with Papa all the while she made me think she hated the man. I've always seen her as a sister, it's even her fault that I'm in this mess. I mean, all she ever wanted since I gave my life to Christ was to see me fall back to sin, get drunk and sleep with a man. For for five years I remained celibate, even when I got drunk the other day we met at the club, I was conscious enough to make sure a man didn't take advantage of me. I swear I didn't know what happened until that morning when I woke up in that stranger's house. I thought Bella would have been sensible to be with me seeing how drunk I was but apparently, her desire to see me break my celibacy agreement with God was more important than our friendship. To think she asked me how the sex was the following morning." She tightened her fist in anger.

"What if you had been kidnapped? What if something bad had happened?" He asked deeply concerned. What kind of friend will act that way?"

"Exactly ! The same question I asked that morning."

Vincent scoffed, "And you're just finding out she's a horrible person." "She has always been like a sister to me, families fight and make up. Why am I even creating excuses for her? We're no longer friends again. She stopped by this morning and we had this terrible fight, thank God for Bimbo, someone would have lost her teeth!" She hissed.

"Oh. How is Bimbo? Now that's a friend."

Deja nodded with a smile, "Yes, Bimbo will always chastise, advise me and tell me the bitter truth but I hated it. With Bella it was different, if I meet Bella to talk about someone who offended me, we'll end up trashing the person together, Bimbo will want to find out the root of the problem and after that she'll turn against me and point out where I went wrong. I hated that about her." She scoffed as she reflected on her interactions with Bimbo, she realized the value of having a friend who was willing to delve deep into the root of conflicts and relationships.

Bimbo's insights often led her to a deeper understanding of herself and her relationships unlike Bella!

"I don't know how I managed to put up with Bella all these years! She's just the perfect example of bad company corrupting good manners. Not like I was perfect  but she was my drive. Sleeping with that guy was the worst thing I've ever done and I regret it."She confessed in a hushed tone, her words heavy with remorse. Vincent instinctively looked away, his gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the cafe window.

As the minutes ticked by, she slowly extended her trembling hands across the table, a silent plea for understanding. "Now I know better"  She continued, her voice filled with newfound clarity. "I know what I want for myself."

Vincent, still processing her confession, asked softly, "Because you were rejected?" "No. I was chasing clout," she admitted. "I didn't see what was right in front of me all this while."

"And what's that?" Vincent inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"A good man, Vincent," she replied with sincerity. "A man that I love, a man I'll forever be grateful to God for if I ever get a second chance. I know I'm not the perfect choice; I've got issues, a whole lot of anger issues that I'm working on."

Vincent, touched by her honesty and vulnerability, fought back his tears. "Say something," she urged, her eyes searching for reassurance. "Say what? I don't even know where to start from? I don't believe you," Vincent confessed, his emotions in turmoil.

"I believe your explanation, I don't believe you like me and I won't want to be someone's second choice; I refuse to live that way. I don't trust you or your feelings."

With a gentle understanding, she replied, "It's fine and I totally understand you. Just give me a chance to prove myself. I'm not asking to be your girlfriend, no! Just give a chance to be a friend to you."

Vincent exhaled defeatedly, "Adejare, i don't know." "I love the sound of Adejare from your lips." "It's not the first." "I haven't just being an idiot but also blind and deaf too. Can you call the name again?" She asked and he felt uncomfortable.

"I...."

"Never mind. You were saying?"

"I...I..." He stammered, "Um.... I think I lost my point."

Deja chuckled softly, "I was proposing friendship." "Yeah... I don't know how to do that." "We'll have lunch, maybe dinner and talk. I could use a gist partner." "What happened to Bimbo?"

"She'll be getting married soon, today's her surprise proposal."

Vincent flashed  a sincere smile, "Oh. Wow, congratulations to her." "Yeah.... When she leaves, depending on when she gets married, I'll have to renew my rent and it will be just me and I'll need a friend. I could use a friend like you in my life, a shoulder to cry on when I'm down, someone to correct me, someone to show me unconditional love that a friend can show. So... friends?" She asked and he agreed with a nod, "Friends." He answered and she a wide smile formed on her face.

"Disclaimer, if you decide to change your mind and not see me. I'm just letting you know in advance that I'll won't stop coming to your work place."

He let out a short chuckle then he scoffed, "Another threat?" "Call it a friendship pact." "Pact is an agreement, shouldn't I agree for it to be a pact?" "Since the time of John the Baptist, the violent have been taking things by force. This friendship is by force and fire, it must work; it has to work."

Vincent shrugged then he rose up glancing down at his wrist watch. "I need to go back to some things." "Like?" "Things..." "Are you lying to a friend?" "Adejare.... Can we just leave at that? I have things to do."

"The food?"

"I'll pay on my way out. You can have them put in a take away pack and give it to those men on the road side, I don't have the appetite. I get the whole friendship things and the whole forceful  move is cute though but I need time."

She agreed with a nod, "I'll message you or call. Will you answer? Please answer when I call. Please." She begged and he gave a nod and walked out.

Emmanuel carefully carried a tray with a steaming plate of white rice and a bowl of stew. He had served them separately to ensure the stew didn't spill onto the white rice. The aroma wafted through the room as he placed the tray on the bed in front of Aunty Abebi.

"Room Service is here!" Emmanuel announced with a smile.

"I never knew I was in a five-star hotel! I do love the sound of room service," Aunty Abebi replied with a chuckle, adjusting her shirt that was hardly buttoned up. "It's not five star rice and stew but i do make a tasty stew even though it's stale though. You should be hungry" He answered sitting on the bed then he watched Aunty Abebi bit her lower lip the. She replied, "Well, who needs food when I have food here."

He laughed shyly then he disagreed with a shake of his head then he gently dropped the tray on the bed, making sure everything stayed in place.

"Not until you've taken something. Don't make it look like the only I have to offer is my rod"

Aunty Abebi laughed then she rolled her eyes, it was the ' rod' for her! "I'm not complaining" "No more food until you've had real food, capiche?"

"Sì (Yes)" She replied and they both laughed.

As Aunty Abebi savored her surprise meal, Emmanuel stood by, happy to have brought a little bit of luxury to her day. The quiet room was filled with the sounds of contentment as she enjoyed the flavorful meal.

"Sorry it's stale, I didn't know you'll be coming."

"It tastes nice, I feel it could use a bit of pepper."

"Yes. For the tribe that loves pepper."

She laughed throwing her head backwards, "Don't get me started with." "I know you guys can share your pepper and tomato in ratio 80 to 20. You buy 800 naira pepper on 200 naira tomatoes; Ndi ofe manu. Judging from the fact you're also half Hausa, I guess you use Tuwo in eating everything."

Aunty Abebi gasped, "At least we don't use out wives for ritual." She snapped and he busted out in laughter. "You didn't just go there." "Yes I did. You had to use the derogatory Ofe manu term on me." "Because you guys eat oily food now."

"Oh wow, how convenient. So the igbos don't make use of oil now."

"Not like one special tribe that I know. Have you seen the way you guys stew look like? The oil will floating like an oil spillage in the Niger delta and there'll be a lot of animal parts under the water. You can use the oil to fry another stew meant for a hundred people."

"A hundred is too small, you could have used a million."

"See! I didn't want to accuse me of exaggerating."

She laughed lifting a spoon at his face, "You're not serious." "But really? You guys are best in making tasty peppery food." "You guys are best in money ritual too. " "That's  a myth." "And the pepper?" "It's not a myth. I've tasted Yoruba food, I had to buy a mobile standing fan and I took it around for three days until the effect of the pepper wore out."

She continued laughing then she shook her head, "Wow." "Yes and the Hausa people use Tuwo to eat everything, Tuwo and bread.. Tuwo and ...." "The Hausas will not like to hear that." "I apologize to your ancestors, tell them I'm just catching cruise oh. I hope you're enjoying your meal?" He quipped, his eyes sparkling with mirth as he observed her reaction.

She took a scoop of her meal and gave a nod, her expression playful yet curious. "100%," she affirmed, allowing a moment of suspense to hang in the air.

"Why?"

Emmanuel, always being one to seize an opportunity for humor, interjected with a twinkle in his eye, "Great. Maybe I'm giving you the food so you can fall asleep so I can use you for that ritual, since we're fond of using our loved ones for ritual."

Abebi's playful demeanor shifted momentarily as she stopped chewing, her eyes fixed on him. However, her apprehension quickly dissolved into amusement as Emmanuel burst into laughter, his joviality contagious.

"Got ya!" He exclaimed, a grin spread across his face as he watched Abebi's initial shock transform into amusement.

In a playful retaliation, she climbed onto him, her tone light yet filled with mock seriousness, "You're not serious I hope you're aware." "Most of the time. Were you scared?" Emmanuel inquired, a hint of mischief lacing his words as he met Abebi's eyes.

With a playful roll of his eyes, he retorted, "You were scared right?" He asked, "Not exactly. I was just in shocked." She replied and the both laughed.

She stumbled against his chest and stared  into his face until the world stopped moving around her. “Thank you for this, I haven't laughed the way I did this week.” She smiled and In that moment, the giggles ceased and they were staring intently into each other’s eyes.

"You're welcome; the pleasure is all mine. I can never use your for ritual, you don't have to he scared. But I don't making you my morning and night ritual, waking up on chest and sleeping on it too, just take some time of the day to just stare at your pretty face." He rolled over to the top.

His lips were only inches from hers. She could feel his warm breath brushing over her skin. Before she knew what was happening, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers. Just as she wrapped her legs across him, she heard her phone ring.

"Your phone."

"Ignore it." She whispered kissing him on the lips, "Answer the call before someone will think I've kidnapped you and used you for ritual."

"Urgh!" She groaned regretfully then she rose to answer the call but the it ended before she reached her phone. She arced her brow on seeing the unknown number. The number called again.

"It's a strange number."

"Answer it now."

She rolled her eyes and finally answered it then she laid on his chest "Hello Abebi Salami on the line, who am I on to?" "Or who are you on top?" He teased and she giggled slapping his arm, "Who am I on to?" She repeated hearing a voice breathing down the other end.

"Abebi..." She heard her father call out. Her mood became  fouled up. "Why are you calling me?" "Geskia, (Truly) I had to talk to you." "As what?" "A father."

"You failed at the one chance of being one. Don't call my number again, the next time you pull the stunt of calling with a stranger number or using someone's phone, you're going to have a case in court. I hope you're getting ready for the court case?"

"My daughter."

"Don't ever call me that. You had better get a damn good lawyer to represent you cause I'm not stopping until you pay. See you in court!" She snapped hanging up then she fought the tears that was building up at that moment.

"Who was that?" He asked and she rolled her eyes, "No one." "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Let's not ruined the mood, he's not important."

"Who is it?"

"Aisha's Father."

"That is your father too."

"Can not ruin the moment? He's not my father, he has done nothing to earn that title."

"What did he want?"

"He's trying to earn it."

"And?"

"And nothing! Absolutely nothing! Mom died without getting recognition! Mom died without appropriate care, he can't pop into my life and expect me to forgive him. No!" "What matters is that he's trying. I know of fathers that do not even make attempt to know the children they have outside marriage."

"It wasn't outside marriage. Mom was the first!"

"I'm not arguing that. You know exactly what I mean Ababy. You can at least give him an E for effort. This family war Is not necessary, from the look of things, the weapon of mass destruction and peace is in your hands. Suing him for neglect will not change the past."

"Shut up!" Abebi snapped.

"It won't take away the years your weren't his legal daughter. It won't take away the hate you feel. Maybe what you need is admit your feelings, work them out and make peace with yourself and family."

"Shut up!" She snapped walking into the toilet then she slammed the door crying inside.

Bimbo stood from a distance, observing Ade and Usher Chioma as they busily blew up red and white balloons. The room was soon filled with the vibrant colors and the sound of air being forced into the rubber balloons. As the balloons swayed gently, Ade suddenly straightened up, shaking his head.

"Wo, If I blow any more balloons in this room, someone is gonna have to give me CPR," Ade joked, his voice slightly breathless from the effort.

"That's not hard," Chioma responded with a teasing smile, watching Ade's exaggerated cringe. "The problem is, I don't see any worthy candidate in the room," Ade retorted, joining in the banter.

Chioma chuckled then she retorted, "To save your life again?"

"Well, someone cannot come and do CPR for me with a mouth smelling like Eja Kika (dried fish)," Ade quipped, eliciting more laughter from the group. Chioma scoffed , "I don't know about you, but having a mouth smelling like dried fish should be the least of your worries when your life is at stake."

"My mouth cannot be smelling like an eeja  Kika that I didn't eat. There's no worthy candidate to give me mouth to mouth." "In order words, we all have smelly mouth."

"Who wants to give him CPR sef?" Bimbo snapped, "No one is worthy enough." Ade responded, A "You wish!" Usher Chioma yelled and everyone in the room laughed. A playful back-and-forth continued as Ade jokingly insisted on not receiving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from someone with a less-than-fresh breath.

He exhaled afterwards, "I don't think I even have more oxygen left, all my oxygen have been transfered into this airtight balloon. All these people that always blow balloons in event, how do they do it? I'm having difficulty in breathing?"

Bimbo hissed, "You should kukuma have asthma attack now because you're blowing common balloon."  "But on a serious note Sister Bimbo, blowing balloons is one of the most difficult thing" Chioma admitted watching her raise her nose. "When you were the in world, didn't you used to blow something worst?" Bimbo asked and everyone gasped.

"This one that everyone is losing breath. Shebi it's question that I asked, a harmless question"

Usher Chioma laughed, "How do you know I'm not still in the world? It doesn't show from my make up now does it? I might just be camouflaging in church. After all, I'm a make up artiste" "We know those that are camouflaging, those that are better than those camouflaging and those that are real. You're one of the better ones." Ade confessed and Chioma hid a smile.

"Am I seriously blushing to what this fish just said?" She giggled and Bimbo cleared her throat. "That's how it always start"

"Abeg!" They both snapped at the same time then she cleared her throat trying to get comfortable after Bimbo's remark. Why will she even make such an insinuation?

She doesn't even see the guy that way! Ade is like a brother to her, he's not even her type.

Chioma cleared her throat, is she beginning to overthink it? Na wa oh! Feeling a bit flustered, Chioma spoke up,  "Um, I'm trying to understand, do you guys walk around with CCTV camera to check people's life? My Christian life is not even where I want it to be yet and you guys are saying I'm better. It's making me feel uncomfortable."

Ade nonchalantly replied, "The fact that you're trying and not pretending to be what you're not is just the right amount of ingredient you need to attain the perfection you need"

Chioma laughed nervously, "This one Ade is talking like someone that has sense like this." "Oh my God!" Ade gasped feigning hurt, "Ouch!" His hands settled on his chest then he gasped again.. "In other word, I don't always have sense shey?" "I didn't say that, I'm just saying it's always limited sometimes."

"Ah!"

Chioma giggled nervously, "For starters ehn, why are you in a woman's conference?"

Ade sucked his lips, "If not not that I like this person they're proposing to, everyone knows I would have sit this out." "I saw your picture on the conference flyer." "Because I'm the sperm donor, women need to know for a fact that without the men they can't procreate. You guys might be women but we are the original donors, even God had to donate man's ribs to women."

Bimbo hissed, "Pele oh, advocate for men affairs. Adam's Lawyer, all these argument you're putting up, who took you to court that you're defending all the twelve sons of Jacob and tribe of Judah cause I don't understand who started debating with you. Uncle when there  is no accurate time-keeper or co-debator cause I can tell you for free that I'm not an attentive listener. The only thing that I want to listen to is the name of the person they're proposing to."

Chioma laughed, "Abi oh, he's now arguing like a feminist as if someone told him women can live without men. Ade darling, this is a women's conference not a take over. We're not trying to take over the world, even though we already run the world."

"Assistant Beyonce well done! Let's how possible it is to run the world when it's just how many of you and no men doing the multiplier effect."

Bimbo chuckled, Don't take it personal, our own mascu....linist, the only thing we're interested in is the name of the bride to be." "I won't spill." "Who is she?" Chioma and Bimbo asked in unison while they moved even more closer to him. Ade shrugged turning towards Lanre who just stepped in clad in a round neck top that had "Word Foundation Church" and "Media Unit" on it.

"What part of surprise don't you guys understand?"

Chioma rolled her eyes, "It's almost evening time, just tell us who is getting proposed to so I can finally rest. I've been guessing all day."  "So that you two will run your mouth and tell the person. Thank you very much!" He snapped blowing air into a balloon.

Lanre approached them with a smile, "Good evening everyone." "Good evening" Bimbo and Chioma answered through their teeth. He noticed their eyes were literally drilling holes into Ade.

"Bad timing?"

Ade scoffed, "They're just angry because I won't spill the name of the person getting engaged"

Lanre laughed and turned towards Bimbo, "Can you guys just let it rest?" He asked and Chioma pouts, "I give up." She muttered excusing herself. "Aunty wait now!" Ade screamed following  her.

Bimbo gasped as she watched them leave,  "Ema gba mi (Someone help me). This one you guys are leaving, there's no time again oh!" She hissed then exhaled in defeat.

"Where's Déjà?"

Bimbo pointed aimlessly, "Somewhere, it hasn't been long since she came in. She wasn't in a good mood." "Does it have to do with a name that starts with V?" "I think so. I haven't gotten full gist yet but I think so." "She has been a shadow of herself. I'm not saying I loved who she was but at least she was much more happier."

"Abi. I don't know where she is but I need all hands on deck to complete this design before service starts. Please help me" She pleaded picking up a balloon pack from a shelf nearby then she handed it to him.

Lanre smiled, "I have things to do but I can blow three or four.." "Oh." She felt bad for selfishly imposing on him. "There's  no need now," She argued. She didn't want to come in between his service to God even though she needed all the help she could get that moment.

"It's cool now. How many minute will it take? It's not as if I'm blowing the whole balloon" "I take that as a disclaimer." She replied and they both laughed about it. "Of course It is." He replied taking out a white balloon from the pack. He dropped the pack on the nearest chair.

"Thank you" She replied blushing.

"For what?"

"You're too modest jare!" She complained with a mischievous glint in her eyes then she pushed him in the chest playfully. He stumbled back, pretending to be taken aback by the sudden push.

"I don't understand, for what exactly?" He asked again and this time he laughed from seeing her roll her eyes. "For helping" "It's not a big deal. I'm boyfriend of the year material, the whole 10,000 yards."

"Pele, be whining yourself."

Lanre giggled and Bimbo thought for seconds how lucky she was to be with a man as sensitive as him. 

"How was your day?" He asked and she sighed in relief. He knew there was an incoming story to it so he laughed.  "Thank you for asking! In my mind I was like, boya you're not going to ask but whether you had asked or not, I would have still explain the whole thing. My eyes have heard, my nose has seen, my ears gan have smelled what God did not create.  If you see what happened to me today. Abi you did not see my post on WhatsApp? I say anywhere you see Bimbo, just hug her cause her eyes have smelt something today. If you see the guy I met today  ah!" She paused shaking her head.

Lanre arced his brow, he wasn't sure how to respond but he tried his best to be attentive,  "Was he good looking?" "Ah! More than good looking gan. You when they said God made man, Brother Lanre, God dey create."

"Should I be jealous?" He asked and she responded with a scoff. "No! His beauri is a waste, you know how God will create a finished product and the person will turn himself into a waste product; that's the case of this guy!"

Lanre chuckled, "Did he lack character? If there's anything that can ick you easily it's bad character." "Not like my own is perfect." "Yeah... we're managing sha." He replied with a sharp laughter then he added after he noticed her smile turn upside down.

"Oya what did he do?"

"If it's only character that he lacked, maa te dupe (I would have been appreciative), this one lacked character, he lacked brain, he lacked good smell, there's nothing he did not lack, o lack sense. In fact, boya we should we should just call him ObaLakin cause the guy Is the King of lack, even gan he's lackadaisical. Kilode gan? How can somebody have muscles and not sense?"

Lanre withheld his laughter, "Okay. I ask again, what did he do?" "Ah! As you're seeing me like this, you should thank God cause I went through a lot and a lot gan went through me." She shut her eyes recounting the horrible event. "It was in my work place, that was how this guy wearing singlet, it was giving, I just came back from America vibe. He stopped me, as a girl that didn't want to rude, I decided to stop,"

Lanre cleared his throat playfully in disbelief, "You decided to stop, very interesting" "I didn't want to be rude." "Did I say anything? Continue now.
" He asked and Bimbo sucked her lips, "I'll just keep my story to myself." "I can bet one million on it that you can't keep the story to yourself."

"If you can add another one million naira to it. Just say goodbye to the story." "Mind you, I said one million, I didn't say I was doing give away." He replied and she laughed loud with her head thrown backwards ecstatically.

"You have just shown me another yellow shade of Lanre, after you will say I'm the one having effect on you."

Bursting into uncontrollable laughter, Lanre struggled to blow up the balloon. As he tried, the sound of his own laughter would echo in the room, making it impossible to keep a straight face.

"Oya, back to your story. What happened after you stopped." He emphasized on the 'stop'.

"I didn't know I was in for the ride of my life." She exhaled dramatically. "Where did he take you to? Maldives?"

Bimbo shook her head, "Hm hm, Madagascar ni. Will you just let me complete my story?." "Apologies my lady" "That was how this guy opened his armpit and leaned his hands on the wall."

"He wanted to get a good view now, my babe is a fine girl."

"Oooooo! Brother Lanre!" She complained stomping get feet on the floor. She was getting tired of being interrupted by his teasings.

Lanre held his laughter then he ran his fingers across his lips to zip it literally.   "Continue."

"The guy's armpit was looking like Sambisa forest ! Olorun if somebody get lost in there, two years will pass and they will not see the person. Boya they like they should hire, helicopter, jetcopter, aerocopter, all the copter in the world cannot find the person. What am I saying gan, twenty years, search party will still be searching for the person and even though they invite US and Russia embassy to look for the person. It's gonna be hard cause the person must have suffocated to death, the person must have died, cause if you see the smell lasan lasan that was oozing out of that armpit, you will know and celebrate the Mercy of God upon that man's life cause I don't know how he's living cause it's not Oxygen that's keeping that man. That man is breathing in what we are breathing out and breathing out what we are breathing in." She exaggerated while watching Lanre laugh.

"Brother Lanre, if God was a man, that man would have died! O ma ti ku! I was like hey! Is this coming from your armpit? I was like abalajo (No wonder) it's called an armpit cause the smell was worst than pit toilet, boya gan it's from the pit of hell, I don't know. I did not only smell the smell, i saw the smoke of the smell coming to my nose."

Lanre nodded with all manner of seriousness ,"The smell moved from a spiritual dimension to a physical realm." . Bimbo witheld her laughter then she slapped his chest playfully, "Brother Lanre, I'm serious, I'm not joking." "I'm also being serious now." He replied holding her hands but she quickly withdrew conscious about been held in church.

Lanre smiled when he noticed her withdrawal.

"I was worried for him though, not particularly for myself or because I literally couldn't breathe." "Hm! The guy took your breath away, rhema! No wonder you stopped for him." He chipped in nodding in understanding.

"Brother Lanre, I'm being serious."

"Me too now, oya continue."

"He said his name is Jack, In my mind I said when then kor? who gives a jack about your name. The Jack that I know is Jack of all trade but your own is Jack of all odour, only you one smelling like Goat fart, only you one smelling like LAWMA truck? Kilode? Pick a side."

Lanre laughed throwing his head backwards, "LAWMA truck ke?" "Brother Lanre don't laugh, it's not funny. This is a matter of intercession. All I cared about was for him to get out of there so I could breathe fresh air. The whole company air changed because of this guy. He was asking if I was available for hookup."

Lanre hissed, "If I jack him! Hook up kor, Line up ni." "I told him that I have a handsome boyfriend who doesn't smell as bad he does." "Wait.... As bad as.... Are you trying to communicate something to me?" 

"No jhoor. He doesn't smell at all and I've seen in your sweaty moments. I guess having all the muscles in the world does not compare to having a sensible and sensitive guy."

He stretched his hands out in front of her and pretended to hold the microphone up to her lips, "Loud it Babe!" He teased and she laughed. "Uncle, this one you've been talking more than usual, did you eat the oesophagus of a parrot?" She asked and he laughed shaking his head.

"I'm just happy that's all."

"Did you win a contract?"

"No. In the presence of the Lord is fullness of Joy. I'm in front of the Lord and you, my joy is full and I'm just grateful for the gift of someone that makes me laugh all the time."

Bimbo laughed, "They've used style to call me a stand up clown." "You're better than a stand up clown, you're a stand up beautiful clown." "Wow!" She clapped watching him laugh hard. He could hardly blow the balloon again.

"Well play! Don't worry, when I enter into your dream, you'll be shouting Jesus! I'll lock your lips. Shebi you're the one dating a stand up clown."

It dawned on  him that he was about to take a leap of faith and ask her the most important question of his life. She was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, he was so sure of it!

"How did the story of our guy end? Did he take you Madagascar?"

Bimbo rolled her eyes, "Really Lanre? Really?" "Did you at least take him shopping to get a deodorant." "Deodorant cannot kill the smell, he needs to clear the bush before planting deodorant in it. I hope you realize you've blown more than six balloons."

Lanre flashed a smile at her, "Not when I'm enjoying a conversation with my girlfriend." "How was your own day?"

Aunty Abebi leaned against the bathroom wall as she heard a knock on the bathroom door for the umpteenth time, "Can we talk this out? It's a new relationship and I guess i know you don't like talking about your father and I know I'm supposed to take it easy on you. I just want you to know that he's your father no matter how much you want him to pay and I don't want you crying alone in there, no when you have my shoulder to cry upon."

She rolled her eyes, wiped her tears and got out of the bathroom pouting. "Can we not talk about him?" "For now." He replied pulling her close then he ran his arm across her shoulder. He expressed his concern and understanding regarding her feelings about her father but he wasn't going to let it slide completely.

She is now his woman for crying out loud!

He only wanted to prioritize their bond and provide comfort.

She leaned against him, seeking comfort as they both felt the weight of their recent argument. With tender concern, he gently ran his fingers through her hair, trying to ease her pain.

Emmanuel's phone suddenly vibrated on the chair. Startled, he quickly picked it up and answered, "Good morning."

A familiar female voice greeted him, and he absentmindedly scratched his head in confusion. "Good morning," He replied. The woman then switched to speaking Igbo..

"It seems like you've forgotten about the case," the woman continued in Igbo.

Emmanuel hesitated, reflecting on the past week. "Well… If I have to be honest, I did forget for a week. It's been the most eventful week for me."

"Why are you responding in English? Did I mention that i can't speak in English? Don't piss me off!" the woman snapped angrily in Igbo. Despite her frustration, Emmanuel chose to reply in English. "I have my partner here," he explained in Igbo, "She's not Igbo, and I don't want her to feel uncomfortable." Emmanuel then returned to English. "Please bear with me."

Aunty Abebi didn't require an interpreter after all, the words 'Igbo' and 'uncomfortable was enough to let her know he didn't want her to be uncomfortable. However, she wasn't comfortable being called his 'woman'.

He was already publicizing something she wasn't sure of her!

"Why is my husband still in jail?"

"Because he's allegedly guilty and there's no evidence to prove him otherwise."  "In two weeks Ngozi will walking down the aisle, is your Uncle going to miss his daughter's wedding?."

"Technically, he's not related to me."

"Is that why you're non challant about this?"

Emmanuel shut his eyes, "No! I've tried everything possible as a lawyer." " I'm tired of lying to everyone that my husband is on a business trip when he's in Ebonyi prison." "I've done my best."

"I think I'll just find another lawyer."

"Aunty.."

The woman ended the call and Aunty Abebi arced her brow in interest, "Who was that?" "Another distant family who feels I owe her a favor." "Tough case." "Yes." "Wanna talk about it?" "Yes. It's a murder case, he was caught in a room with a dead chick. According to him, he had no idea who the girl was, he was drunk alright."

"Tell me you guys had a test conducted to make sure he wasn't drugged."

Emmanuel stalled walking towards his shelf for the case file. "I was only called weeks after her was sentenced," "Ugh!" She groaned, "That could have been their answer! The lawyer that handled the case must have been an idiot."

"The two lawyers they hired bailed on the case, I was advised to bail too cause the evidence against him was incriminating but I didn't. They offered me cash but I refused."

Aunty Abebi laughed hysterically, "And you couldn't piece the whole thing." "I did." He answered pulling a green file out then he handed it to her. "That was when I knew It was a lost cause, I've been trying all in my power, I've checked through for loopholes, maybe there's something I missed. Maybe I can learn a thing or two from the great Abebi, now Ababy." He winked and she giggled now sitting on the Single chair. The leather of the chair creaking as she leaned forward.

"Is this the one from the court or this is just police report only?" she muttered lifting the file up. "I compiled the whole thing, everything as relating to the case is there! Statements report and all."

she flipped opened, her keen eyes scanning the details, searching for clues. "According to the man, he was at the bar drinking with his friends on that fateful night. He recalled drinking two glasses only, his memories went hazy . The next thing he knew, he woke up with a dead lady beside him. He said he never knew the lady in court, he later revealed that he might have seen her twice the night she got killed. That ruined things for him in court.'

Aunty Abebi scoffed looking down at the police report. "Let me guess, they added perjury to the charges?" "He'll be doing 40 years in prison ." "Can you make a call and find out if a test was conducted afterwards by the police? There's no report here about any test." She furrowed her brows, her mind already at work trying to piece together the sequence of events.

"I'll call my good friend, if they're paying to clean things, I don't think they'll pay much attention to me. He might give me information but getting proof might proof futile."

"You can't separate a police man from money, you simply pay him to carry out his duty. What money can't solve, more money can't solve it."

"That's bribery."

"An innocent man might be serving time in jail for a crime he didn't commit. When i get proofs, I don't mind using the crooks."

Emmanuel laughed, "Niccolò Machiavelli style, maybe I should call you Nicole." He teased and they both laughed then he blushed staring at her, "Your passion for saving the selfless is admirable and hot, makes me want to kiss you."

She paused looking up at him, she tried hard not to laugh, "My goodness, make the call!" "Yes the great." He replied leaping from the chair.

Sefa walked in the darkness where she heard cries from different angle; some were baby cries others were cries of older women. She was escaping from something but she had no idea what exactly. Suddenly she felt a hand grab tightly to her leg and she gasped looking down to see a young girl who looked scared, "Please save me, please." she begged and Sefa jolted from the bed.

The pillow she laid on was soaked with sweat. She had fallen asleep while surfing the net. She exhaled clasping her fingers then she muttered a silent prayer to God. She asked for strength to continue the day and more than anything, for the damn mares to stop!

"Help me Lord, I don't know what else to do." Sefa's phone beeped, catching her attention. She glanced at the screen and noticed a notification from WhatsApp. It was a message from Kilahi.

What do you want?

Icecream and pizza or an inspirational book. Gbadamosi said I should ask you.

Her face lit up with a smile as she quickly typed a reply:

Is that a trick question?

He just said to ask you. But I think it is.

Can't I choose both?

She exhaled waiting for a response from her.

I just asked him, he said even God asked us to choose Life or death not the both. 😂

Wow! I want pizza but I'm sure that's not what he expects me to choose bah?

Toh! It's your choice, don't make a choice out of pretence. Make the choice because it's the right thing to do.

You're right. I could use a pizza but right now I need a book that talks about how to overcome night and daymares.

You had another one?😕

Yes.

Sweetheart are you okay?

Yes Ma, I'm fine.

Are you sure?

Sticks and stones may break my bone but what doesn't kill me only makes me stronger. I guess 🤷

What kind of dream did you have?

Tell Papa the choice I made. Weren't you guys supposed to be with family?

Nice try! You're trying to change the topic.

You shouldn't be pressing your phone when you're with someone, it's rude.

We'll talk.

If you won't be too tired.

I'm stressed out as it is sef but I'll try. Remind me.

I doubt that. I don't even want to remember sef.

Sefa! Should I be worried ?

Aunty Kilahi, I'm fine! I'll get past it, I guess it's my fear. Just pray that I recover my sound mind quickly.

You will. God gives sound mind to hid people, it's ignorance that makes us fear.

😩
My regards to Pee G ✌🏼

Pee Gee kor? Peugeot 504 ni!!! What's PG?

Viewers discretion is advised Aunty Kilahi, you won't understand, its not for old people stucked in young skin.😂🤣

Hahaha! You're not serious. He'll definitely hear. Bye and take care! Pray and take your mind off those horrible thoughts.

Thank you Ma. 🙏

The conversation ended then she switched over to Instagram. She scrolled through her feed, double-tapping on photos of friends who seemed to be living seemingly perfect lives in the university.

She couldn't help but compare her own life to what she saw on her screen- worst, she got kidnapped!

Sefa shut her eyes at the horrible flashes of Buchi then she tightened her grip on the phone in anger. As she shut her eyes, the haunting images lingered.

She opened up her eyes and proceeds to read through new comments about her on a blog. She couldn't help but follow the trolling. She wanted to know if it was over.

@Official_ritorita__
Everyone be looking for fame these days. There are other ways to get popular, don't cook up lies from the pit of hell. After now, she'll want to drag one actor down. She might say Kanayo Kanayo is an accomplice.  You guys will say I did not warn you.

Tara.com @Official_ritorita            Aunty rest on the matter! What makes you think she's looking for fame? It's people like you that makes people keep quiet! We need less people like you in this country.

Official_ritorita @Tara.com    Go to hell and burn in ashes!

Tara.com @Official_ritorita      Being through and back, thankfully I didn't get burn! My sister did! I know the pain and the fear that gripped me after the near kidnap situation and I'm here to support the babe! Have you seen the video I put up? Same sienna tried to kidnap us.

Official_ritorita @Tara.com     I guess you're being paid then.

Tara.com @Official_ritorita   Paid? Like really? Is this one ment? I experienced something. Aunty go watch the video don't come here and start ranting like one ambassador for kidnappers. Abi you're the one we should be worried about. Someone complained about how she got kidnapped, you're there shading and throwing trash at her instead of giving her a benefit of the doubt. You see how they're using your brain to play soccer?

@ Edochy-A replying  to @ Official ritorita. Wetin dey do this official ritorita sef? This Tara has a point, someone said she got kidnapped, but as a Nigerian that you are, we'll definitely through shades.  Abi is it your kidnap? Before you carry name like pizza way no done😂

Sefa chuckled softly. Just when she was wondering who Tara was, she checked her messages and stumbled upon one from her.   

Good morning to you. My name is Tara, I and my sister experienced something awful. Click on the link below to understand better.
07036702130

That's my number, send me a DM so we can talk better.

She didn't click on the link, she saw more messages forward to see Dr Iremide's message.

You said they do horrible things there.... Care to share?

Sefa rolled her eyes in frustration then she went ahead and typed:

Really? Can I just have my peace?

His response came almost immediately as though he had to been sleeping on Instagram.

Not until you share. I can be really persistent you know.

You don min it? Do you sleep on Instagram?

😂😂
You didn't expect me to respond quickly right? My focus has been automatically and practically being on Social media ever since my sister got missing. To think I was never the social media person! 😂
  I shouldn't be using the laughing emoji sef, these past few days I've been hell. I don't even know who to talk to or what to say to my parents.

Don't say anything, please don't scare them. I know for a fact that my parents were as worried as what when I went missing. This might just be a false alarm.

Your tone just went from rude to concerned.

I was never rude.

You were. I didn't even think you'll response early, I had to keep my fingers crossed. 

Superstitious much?

Thanks for responding 😊.

Your sister might not be missing.

What is she doing then? Playing hide and seek? It's been a week since I've seen her! Something deep inside me tells me that it's not normal.  Are you a Christian?

I once went astray.

It's a simple yes or no question. Nigerians! 😂

I'm finding my way back.

Yes or No .. really?
Why must we be Nigerian about every conversation we have?

Yes I am. Non-nigerian fellow.

I am Nigerian. Iremide should have given it up.

Geez! One will think you're not. 'Iremide' might just be the new Chinese.

Sarcastic too. Typical Nigerian!

I guess you're sarcastic too since you're Nigerian.

Sarcasm is a defense mechanism for any average Nigerian. I'm digressing right?

Oh no Sir, you're right were you left off.

🤣😂 I disgressed like you did in your spiritual life.

Oh wow! Really? You just had to chip that in.

😂🤣. It was tempting, I'm sorry. I hope you found the God address, I know where God lives, I can share his address.

Thanks but he lives in my heart now.

😌 Just the right home for him! What did I ask again? Feel free to call me disgresser if such a word exist.

Yes I'm a Christian. Looks like I just answered that question perfectly like an American or maybe the British, which do you think?

😂 Definitely not like a Nigerian! Now you're the one digressing!
Okay! So, my point is, I've been disturbed since on Saturday, I've been feeling this nudging in my spirit to pray for my sister. Sounds far-fetched right?

No.

I know I'm supposed to rebuke and bind those thoughts but they keep coming and when these thoughts come in, when I get the nudging to pray about something. There's always something bad that's  supposed to happen but God wants me to conquer it ahead. 
😅 I sound religious right?

A bit. It's not a bad thing. It's nice that you have that relationship with God, I'm picking mine up from the rubbles.

You'll get there! The secret Is in the waiting! But a lot of us believer don't know how to wait. It's just like pregnancy, it's a whole nine month but every month comes with it's trial and test, cravings and symptoms. There are cravings but a pregnant  woman must remember that they can't eat everything. You can't take all drugs else they abort the baby, any slight mistake in their intake can ruin a whole six, seven eight months of pregnancy . As believers we can't feed on every appetite we crave for! Some might abort God's plan for you so we wait till delivery. It's a long process but it pays at the end. 😅

Amen Pastor.

PS: I'm not preaching. Don't call me Pastor please😂.

Yeah you're not. I just hope your sister wasn't kidnapped. That's the worst feeling ever.

What are the horrible things that happen there?

I can't say.

Please, we can meet in an open place or the hospital where I work. I'm a doctor and I mean that for real.

So you can harvest my organs right?

No! Okay, that came out wrongly. Pick a place, you can even come along with someone too, even three people and ten pepper sprays. Even though I wanted to harvest your organs, I can harvest 10 at the same time.

Really?

I'm not a kidnapper, I'm just a concerned brother.

Sefa exhaled then she thought of what to type. He seemed genuine but she found it hard to trust him still. Where in the world can she meet this guy without being scared for her life? Then it hit her!

Word Foundation Church.. I'll be there on Sunday. Do you know the church?

Of course I do! Thanks you so much! 🙏🏼

Don't thank me yet.

Is that your church?

No. There's this women conference there.

😂😅 Oh wow! Should I come in trousers or skirt?

Do you look good on make up and gele too?

🤣😂. Skirts then

Really?

Just kidding! Can I get a phone number at least?

Why?

I'll need to navigate through  to where you are.

I'm not inviting you so you can sit close to me.

😂😂. I know, I'll still need to call to know.

That was why I said, don't thank me yet. I might not even want to see you.

Thank you for being honest. 😩

You're welcome.

Will you be chatting on Instagram on Sunday morning? Or should I go around the church shouting "Sefa! Sefa!" Are you sure Pastors are not going have me I  chains and then perform deliverance on me?

😂
07057345728

Was that so hard?

I can still delete it.

Sorry. Thank you🙏🏼.I promise not to disturb you, I'm not a pervert.

I didn't say you were.

You were thinking of it! Every average girl will always rethink before giving their numbers out. I promise not to give you any reason to block me. If I do, block me.

📌📌📌📌
Gladly!

Tommy excused himself once again to pick another call then Brenda's eyes scattered all over for Ugo. Maybe she could complete get story of get him to talk about the other two times dey met.

Brenda made her way through the crowded room towards the banquet table. She carefully selected a serving of fried rice, meat, and salad, the delicious aroma wafting up to greet her. As she turned around, she found Tinuke standing beside her.

"I see you're finally alone," Tinuke remarked with a playful smile.

Brenda chuckled before responding, "Hey… uh," "You'be forgotten the name bah?"

"I'm sorry, my bad! what was your name again?"

"Tinuke," she replied with a grin.

Brenda raised an eyebrow, "It's not a common name, there has to be a short form, isn't there?" "You can just call me Tinu." "Tinu sounds better, I mean not like your name doesn't better, I don't mean to sound offensive. I'm bad at keeping names, do you understand?"

"Yes I do."

Brenda exhaled and stared at her, she wasn't sure whether to ask of Ugo or how it will sound. "Have you seen Ugo around?" "Oh.. He left." "He did?" "Yes he did, he had engagements to catch up with."

"Oh."

"Yes. You seem disappointed."

"Why will I?"

"I don't know, I mean, I don't mean to come off as  Bebescout."

Brenda laughed, "He called me that outside the salon. He can be a real jerk." "I know, hence the chemistry." She teased and Brenda's eyes widened. "What fucking chemistry are you up about? There's no chemistry, fuck it, there's nothing."

"Are you sure? I know what I saw."

"You're mistaken."

Tinuke smiled, "There's no problem, I just want to say Ugo is a nice guy." "Did he send you here to pitch that line?" Brenda asked looking around for him. "I said he left already and no I wasn't sent. I hate canvassing for things, as a girl I believe everyone should find love for themselves."

Brenda rolled her eyes, "Gosh, you're already talking about love!" "Try to understand my point here. Your Mom said you're leaving after tomorrow and she doesn't know when you'll come back. She's sad about it and I'm not here to tell you what to do with your life. My opinion is, why not stay a while and explore the possibilities in front of you."

"What fucking possibility?"

"Ugo and your date, what's the name, Tomisin"

"Mom is a talkative! Did she also mention that Gbadamosi broke my heart." "Which Gbadamosi? She didn't mention that part, which Gbadamosi?"

Brenda rolled her eyes, "Forget that I mentioned it! He didn't break my heart, I expected too much from a Nigerian man and I ended up with a broken heart." "So, your Londonians too have not broken your heart too bah?" She asked and her lips opened up in explanation but no words got out.

"You do make a strong point."

"This same breakfast is being served to girls all over the world. There's no country that has the best men in the world. There's the worst and there are the manageable ones and the God-made-him for you type but you'll never know the 'God made him for me' type if you don't explore the possibilities. There's Tomisin and Ugo, what if one of them is God made?"

Brenda rolled her eyes, "I don't want to loose my guard." "Then don't lose it, just go with the flow." "How am I supposed to meet Ugo?" "You have me as a plug." "I'll never do that, maybe I'll just stick with Tommy, he's a traveler just like me."

"And ignore the chemistry between you and Ugo?"

"There was no chemistry! I'll never throw myself on a man again. It's not me! I did it once and I won't do it again. I'm sorry." She answered walking away from her.

Emmanuel ended the call and then fixed his gaze on Aunty Abebi. "That was the close friend from the police station. He's been transferred, and he mentioned that there was a test conducted but it wasn't included in the official police report."

"How convenient," Aunty Abebi retorted with a hint of sarcasm. "I hope you remembered to record the conversation as I asked you to."

"Yes. Timothy is a reliable friend and a good one at that." Emmanuel reassured her in fear of the unknown. "Relax, we're not planning to have him arrested. Just take a seat and observe the darker side of this situation. It seems like someone is trying to set this man up. If we can obtain the health report or a confession to present to the judge, we might be able to crack this case wide open," Aunty Abebi explained thoughtfully.

Emmanuel blushed slightly. He was thrilled to hear her include him in her plans with the term "we." This internship was his dream, and to think that it was Aunty Abebi offering it to him, someone he loves deeply made it all the more exciting.

"I'm finally getting the internship i wanted for a long time. And its for free."

"Not entirely for free." She held out her hands and beckoned on him to draw closer. He did and she seized the moment to kiss him on the lips then she grabbed his phone, "Let me talk to the policeman." She swiped the phone and a prompt asking for a password appeared. "Input password" she curiously asked Emmanuel.

"It's…" Emmanuel started to explain before she interrupted, "I didn't ask for it."

Realizing it was just a phone password, Emmanuel chuckled, "It's nothing serious, What do I have to hide from you? It's 1960, I mean our independence year."

"Inspiration for your password, huh?" She said with a smile, intrigued.

Emmanuel cleared his throat, ready to share, "I gained independence from a very terrible phone I once had. But I won't bore you with the whole story." He replied and Aunty Abebi swiped to his last dialed number.

"EmLaw! Wetin sup now?"

"Good afternoon Officer, this isn't Emmanuel as you may have denoted, I'm calling as touching this Ukamaka's case and the police report." "I don't know anything concerning it."

"My name is Abebi Salami, do I need to repeat the for it to resonate to your memory. In case you're not familiar, " "I am familiar with it Ma." "Very good. I know you and Emmanuel have this loyalty pact or whatever ut's called so I'll like to keep this on the low."

"The case is closed Ma." "It will definitely be reopened and if you know me well, I don't bluff and I don't threaten people, I only motivate them. Emmanuel says you're a good person, unless you want to go down with the guilty ones, tell us the truth."

"See...."

"An innocent man's life is on the line. If there was a test conducted then there must have been some sort of documentation somewhere." "Ma..."

"What hospital ran the test cause there's no report as such here."

"I didn't have anything to do with what happened, I was just asked to keep quiet and then they had me transferred. See, I don't want any wahala, I don't want to be connected to this."

"You definitely won't be if you do your part."

"I know of someone that can help but he's not going to do anything for free."

"Now you'be been motivated, talk."

The aroma of barbecue Suya filled the air, mixing with the sounds of chatter and laughter. Muyiwa absentmindedly sipped a glass of punch drink, his thoughts consumed by the sight of Sharon and Benson together. He tried to push away the nagging feeling of jealousy that was beginning to gnaw at him, but it lingered like a shadow.

He couldn't take his eyes off Sharon as she chatted animatedly with Tokunbo throughout the evening party. The sound of their laughter seemed to fill the room, almost drowning out the music playing in the background. Each burst of laughter from Sharon made his heart sink a little. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy creeping in.It was a sound he missed dearly, especially when it had that sharp, infectious quality that could brighten even the dullest of moments. Sharon, noticing Muyiwa's gaze, would occasionally try to stifle her laughter by covering her lips with her hand.

As the evening wore on, Muyiwa found himself fixated on her. Her laughter, in particular, captured his attention. It was infectious and bubbly, but tonight, it felt different, it was making him angry. She shouldn't be laughing with anyone except him! He was the only one that had full right to make her laugh that way.

Even though he has lost the right! Damn it!

He noticed how she would occasionally cover her lips with her hand, as if trying to muffle the sound. It was a habit of hers, one that he found endearing. But tonight, it only added to his confusion.

Tokunbo has never been funny!

When he had had enough, In an attempt to shake off his growing jealousy, he decided to break the awkward feeling so he took gentle strides over to the barbecue stand that was just at the balcony. "Mai Suya, this GOAt needs a Suya," he teased, hoping to elicit a smile from Sharon. Her flattened at his request, her smile turned upside down but she quickly obliged, putting some pieces of barbecued meat in torn newspaper.

"Newspaper is just essential ingredient for Suya." Tokunbo noted and Sharon chuckled, "I know right?" She asked and Muyiwa sneered at him. He wondered if that was the lame joke she had been laughing at.

"Toks Toks!" He chanted putting his arms across his shoulder then he faced her. She had already wrapped up the paper. "Tokunbo has never been funny, don't go and give this guy hope before he'll quit his job for stand up comedy." He teased.

Tokunbo scoffed, "Don't pay attention to him, the guy can't help being an idiot. It's a condition called idiotosis" He answered and Muyiwa faked a laughter, "Very funny Tokunbo!" He laughed staring at him.

"What's your own condition? Boringlaria! Or Borilaria! Your boring jokes can just drill someone to death! Good thing it's only your boring jokes that knows how to drill into things. Your sex life is just as boring as you are too, cheiyah!" He paused turning towards Sharon who cleared her throat and blinked at him.

"Oops, I almost forgot we have an audience. How I did I not notice?"

"Fuck you Muyiwa." Tokunbo snapped and tightened his fist.

"Sorry I don't do men!" He laughed, "Can you just leave this place? I was busy before you interrupted me." "Busy boring the young lady. I came to eat Suya like every normal person in this party."

"Well, everyone is normal except you."

"I admit, I'm a special person."

"Leave."

"Or what?" He asked glancing at Tokunbo's round up fist, "You'll whst? Punch me?" He asked withholding his laughter then he stared at the glass of punch in his hands, "We all know this punch hits better than you. Let me find something stronger before I get bored to death! Let me leave you to your boring stand up comedy. You know, I don't blame you, it's the woman thats giving you ear that I pity." He answered glancing at Sharon then he walked away with his Suya.

Tokunbo exhaled, "That guy has a way of pissing me off." "I'm sorry." "Don't apologize, Muyiwa is a douchebag." "I'll like to know the history behind the enemity." "Long story."

"This Mai Suya has the time."

Tokunbo hissed, "Take a guess?" "Did he sleep with your sister?" "My cousin actually. I was pissed off and these two will always act like nothing was happening. I let them stay alone together, sometimes I leave them to get stuff from the supermarket. I didn't know these two were fucking each other. Muyiwa has no limit or boundary, neither does he respect others."

Sharon exhaled, "I'm sorry." "It's his sorry ass and his future wife that I actually feel sorry for. Will someone like him even marry? Even in the next twenty years. Papa will be holding still and still forming baddest bachelor ever. Idiot!" He hissed and rolled his eyes.

"Sorry. This guy is just.... "

"I understand, you don't have to apologize."

Tokunbo exhaled,  "Let's change the topic" "To what?" "How do you know how to cook so well?" He asked and she shrugged, "I'll say, all thanks to my Mom and everyone in my family and my friends that left the cooking for me to do. It pushed me to find passion in it."

"Do you create cooking contents online?"

"Yes!"

"You just have yourself a follower. Gosh! I want to taste all your meals like this! Do you have a place you sell?"

"Not exactly, I'm working towards it. I currently run a home deliveries and catering services." "Do you have a workforce?"

"Er mm......" She trailed off, "No?"

"Not exactly!"

"Define not exactly."

"Like maybe two or three. They're not consistent workers, since I don't have a place, it's just what I can handle. I take catering jobs I can handle and if I can't, I ask my colleagues to help me." "You've not thought of expansion?"

"Expansion will come at it's pace." She replied with a smile, "What about you?" "What about me?" "Do you cook?" "Well... Yes." "Just rabbit peppersoup or rabbit stew."

Tokunbo laughed, "Good one but for real, I do try. Growing up without a mother was tough," He answered, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "But my grandmother, she was the one who taught me everything I know about cooking. She passed down our family recipes, I've not perfect most of it but I can say for a fact that I can cook."

Sharon could sense the emotion in Tokunbo's voice. "Thank you for sharing that with me, Tokunbo," Sharon said softly. "I appreciate your trust."

Tokunbo smiled warmly, "You're welcome, Sharon. You're a good friend, and I value our conversations. It's nice."

At about a quarter past four, Tomisin walked Brenda to the car struggling with his buzzing phone, Brenda rolled her eyes, "Are you not going to answer that?" "No! I've spent all day answering the damn call. Let it rest, I'm not a call center please!" "It might be important." She replied leaning on the car, "You're important too." He replied and she bit her lips softly, "Really? You just met me today?" "Why don't i feel like it?"

"What do you feel?"

"One, like we've met all out lives and two," He moved close angling his face towards hers, "I feel like kissing you right here." "In public?" "People kiss on the street of London everyday and no one goes around reporting  them to the police. I love to see myself as a Sociopath, in a good way."
"I just got scared sociopath."

Tomisin laughed then he leaned in  pressing a kiss her on her lips and she unconsciously reciprocated then she withdrew looking around to see if anyone saw the kiss. "Looks like you've been initiated into the Nigerian culture to act like you care about kissing a guy in public."

"You don't have an African mom that will sing your crimes into your ears till you grow old. She might even tell the tale to her grandchildren."

"Our children" He noted leaning in for another then she pushed him backwards, "Slow down mister, we only just met today and I'm the mother of your children?"

"Yes."

Brenda giggled, "Very funny." She replied hearing the phone buzzed again. "You should pick that up, might be important." "And leave you here all by yourself?"

"I'll just stay here and wait for mom to greet the whole party before meeting me." She replied lifting the keys up, "I'll just wait for her."

"See you Brenda and I'll definitely call."

"Sure." She replied watching him answer the call as he walked away.

Amazing stood by the podium on the altar flashing a smile at the large congregation. "I can see we have men here too. That's how it usually is I  most churches, during the women's seminar or program, these men always want to know what we talk about. I thank God for this conference, I have learned from it. I believe we all have and there are still more things to learn. We can never exhaust the word of God. As women, there are things we need to put in place so the house remain unshaken. The last speaker mentioned something about emotions. Especially to those that will get married soon, emotions should be checked. Women are naturally emotional but as Home builders, the emotion switch needs to be in your hand. A woman who is overly emotional cannot cater for the family need when things go wrong. Daddy isn't feeling well and no one is supposed to know, you're supposed to keep the house afloat but when the emotions fly everywhere, your children gets infected with fear. Who's going to end up supporting or comforting the children? Whose shoulder will they cry on? I bless God for that word."

Halleluyah!!!!!

"Yesterday I emphasized on the importance of blueprints and I'm still going to make more emphasis today cause it can't be overemphasized. Blueprints are essential to projects as they contain quality specifications, measurements, and building codes. I read that online! While I was preparing for the message the spirit of God led me to read about building generally. You can call me a building engineer like this, na certificate remain." She joked and everyone laughed.

"Before a home is built, the plan of the house is needed. The lack of a good building plans leads to frustration on both the builder and the owner, causing the building work to slow down or stop completely, and will often cause additional costs to be incurred. I'll still go back to this;  therefore we call the architect and engineers to build the house. Don't build a house based on experience, people try to build houses through experience and forgo proper planning. Yes! experience is the best teacher but even teachers need lesson plans which serve as a blueprint to which their schemes for the term will be based on."

Yes Ma!

The importance of blueprints cannot be overemphasized, it is a building block, one of the foundational steps.  Every building has a foundation, what are you building your home with woman? The foundation for us believers is the word of God, our manual for daily living. Luke 6: 46-49, message version." She called out looking at the screen.

"Please media, I want an anointed hand on that system." The scripture appeared and she smiled, "Oh God bless you. Luke 6 says, Why are you so polite with me, always saying ‘Yes, sir,’ and ‘That’s right, sir,’ but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss.” She paused and glanced through faces.

"Thank God for the name of the church. Word Foundation Church. Every home should be rooted in the word of God which is the foundation. If God in not the blueprint or plan you build your home with, your work and walk in life will slow down and you'll be eventually frustrated! In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. Your home must be built with him as your scratch and finish material, pardon me for using material here.  No wonder he is called the author and finisher of our fate, he builds it from the scratch and sees to the ending of it. You might be going through strides and you feel the author is not writing your story well, I've been in that situation before but I have come to tell you that the Author Is not finshed with you yet!"

Oh yes!

"Look at your neighbor and say the author is not finished with my story yet."

"The author is not finished with my story yet."

"Now i want you to say this to yourself,  The Glory is near"

The Glory is near!

"Say it like you mean it! The glory is here!"

"The glory is here!" At this point, there were people already rising up screaming and muttering prayers.

"He said it in His word, he makes all things beautiful in his time. Your life is going through the building process, while you're building, you might not be seeing the result, just keep building it, as long as God is involved in that plan, life will take form eventually. Just don't neglect God in your plan, he's the one to supply the cement, the blocks and woods, don't only go to him when you've run out of materials." Amazing laughed,  "Don't hide your plans for him only to meet him when you've run out of cement. I'm speaking in parables right? Keep him informed at all times, this message is for someone here." She paused shutting her eyes then she exhaled opening them up.

"Take away God from your home and you'll soon have yourself a crumbling house of card in your hands. He is not called the pillar that holds our life for nothing, he's that one pillar that doesn't grow weak even after years, the strongest caterpillar cannot break him, he's the ancient of days so your biggest and oldest problems cannot break him and cannot break you, so long your faith stands. We women are suppose to match up to that standard, be the pillar of our home; the support system of the home. If the man falls we are not supposed to fall with him! I mean, just because a man cheated, you decided to do the same! You're building your home on sand, yes! Go into your closet and pray that cheating spirit out till It leaves him. It's not time to cry and mop, or distract yourself with work and house chores, use prayer instead and see it work. I'm not talking about small prayer, I'm talking about the effectual fervent prayer that makes tremendous power available. Elijah was a man of like passion, he prayed and fire fell from heaven, I am a woman of like passion just like Elijah, I love God just as much as he did, he was flesh, I am flesh, if he could call down fire, is it a cheating man that I can't call out? I've seen cases where this worked, a lot of case studies and it's not just the movie War room. Single ladies, start building your prayer blocks now, show God the blueprints of how you want your marriage to look like. Not how you want your husband's complexion to look like, tell him how you want your marriage to look like, it's time to start. Now that you don't have much responsibilities, pray now! Now that children have not come to the scene, pray now! Start building the blocks! Before my marriage, my husband and I made God our number one plan cause as we all know it, i had medical issues. God was our plan A, our Plan B and C, there was no other plan apart from him. No IVF plan, none! Just him! We made it clear that we would not be building this home without Him. We made him our blueprints and we showed to him cause we had agreements prior to the wedding how we wanted our marriage to look like and we started building it. On our wedding night, we still showed God the blueprints and we continued building with him as our backing. Check organizations, check big establishment when something goes wrong in the building what do they request for?"

The blueprints!

"Exactly! They demand for blue prints to easily detect where the problem is coming from and how to tackle it. When there's a fire, experts use it to help families evacuate the home quickly and safely through routes that are safer. A man once told me, do you know why i never cheat on my wife? And I asked why? He said, we made a promise before  the marriage and she told me cheating was a deal breaker because of how fragile she was to the topic. He said even though he walked through the shadow of cheating, he said he fights them off not because the offers are not attractive  enough but because he fears God  and loves his wife too much to lose her over a play thing. They had a plan and they are both working towards keeping to their end of agreement and God is helping them. When we uphold  the God-factor in any marriages, there's someone to fall back to; someone to lean on in hard times. Women are not meant to snooze in their marriage, men alike. You know what the bible says about when men slept. The devil your adversary did not come to play, he goes up about like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour, seeking marriages and relationships to devour. When the men in your life snooze, your life as a woman should be have already been patterned and built to the point where God begins to reveal deep things to you! Nothing can go south in that building which is your home without solution, you can either go through the vent to avoid the fire maybe because there'a cooling system there... or use something! We've seen these in movies!..... No demon can come into your home unnoticed. I know of a woman of God, my new friend in Benin who will tell her husband, honey, tonight is for prayers, your friends don waka night waka them wan terminate that small appointment way them wan give you for office and the husband will just look at her in awe and ask, which appointment be that? The funny thing is that the man received the appointment but she already knew before hand but she kept quiet. Her antenna was tuned to God's frequency. That's what happens when you build your blocks with God as a foundation. He's the one carrying the building which is the home, there's nothing that won't happen without him giving you knowledge of it except you want to be naturally blind. But we women of spirit we don't operate in the natural level, we are supernatural and our eyes are frequently tuned to the 2 4 7 frequency of God. Every now and then he's giving us radio signals. It's time to pray for the country, it's time to pray for the church, your husband, the youths in the church, the youths in the country, it's time to deliver Opeyemi Martins from her problems, you might not know who this Opeyemi is but you're yielding and you're praying. The more you yield, the more burdens he gives cause he now knows that you're capable of carrying it. Can God find us to build something on?" She asked and others rose up in awe.

"Can.... Can he find you available to say oh that's  my daughter or my son in whom I can deliver nations to? Can he see you and say, my beloved in whom I am well pleased with. Just because you have not made him your plan but you keep making him your back up plan! Stop making God your back up plan! Stop it! If you're fond of doing it, stop it now! He's not your back up plan, he's your plan from the get go! Let him be your backing, not someone you run to because the one you tried to build yourself didn't work. He's the author and finisher, not author and middler of your fate, he can't leave you half way. It's us that leaves him halfway, even when we do, he's still there waiting to continue on that journey he once started, in order to bring it to a finish. He's not the middleman or retailer that sells cement after buying it from a source, he's the source, the manufacturer, who will you rather be close with? I don't know what you're facing that makes you want to leave God half way, he's not done with you yet! I have come to convince you and not to confuse you that God is not done yet. Stand firm on his word, build on his word and he'll see to it there's a roof on that building, not just the roof, that the house is well furnished too! He never abandons a project, you might look like an abandoned project today, all you need is time and trust in him. He makes everything beautiful in his time, he makes, He builds until it becomes beautiful. Have you ever seen a building that doesn't start from a foundation? An already-made building? Even though you never noticed when they were building it, even though it took two weeks to complete the building, those builders started somewhere. You're all home builders and potential home builders, start somewhere and where else to start except in God! And as we build with Him, pray that he finds you worthy enough to build something on. It's time to rise up women! Arise women! A woman that lacks communication with the maker cannot build, you can't be prayer less and think the enemies with not prevail when they strike. A woman that doesn't study the word has nothing to build with. This evening we'll be praying essentially for skills and architectural artistry to build our homes for those that are married and those not yet married. Dead prayer life will be revived in the name of Jesus. First we're going to ask for an effective prayer life, the spirit of prayer and supplication" She paused and loud bust of prayer broke out.

"The spirit of prayer is already falling on people in the room, ushers help them in room." She chipped in watching women burst forth in prayer. "There's about to be an exchange! No more prayerlessness, no more procrastination. For yourself, for your family, your seed and your generation women, we need to arise and build our home! We have a mandate to build our homes with God as a foundation and raise godly seeds but the devil wants otherwise so he doesn't sleep and makes sure his agenda is shake that foundation of our home. shake the pillar so the house can fall but if God is your foundation, he'll fail cause no gate of hell can prevail over what God has built! Most of us, our homes have crumbled through our hands but it's not too late to start rebuilding... Ask God for help! Give him a chance to come in!" She screamed.

"Open up your heart! Open up your home to him! Let him fix it! If you're the one that needs to be fix, tell him to fix you! Fix your heart! Fix your mouth, fix your speech, fix your eyes, fix your thought!"

Vincent stepped into the living room after a refreshing shower, a blue towel securely wrapped around his waist. Irene, holding a bottle of wine, entered shortly after.

"What's the 911?" she inquired, her eyes lingering on his damp form before playfully asking, "Is it still too late to ask you out?"

Vincent chuckled in response to her teasing question, "You're the one that doesn't want to date me." "Because I don't want to be a rebound but damn you're hot." She complimented and he laughed feeling shy.

"Let me dress up."

"I will be waiting patiently." "Make yourself at home."

Shortly after Vincent stepped in clad in a blue top and brown shorts. Irene was already drinking from a glass of wine she took from the kitchen. "I know you don't like alcohol so I bought something with a lesser alcohol content. We can't have this discussion without alcohol. It'll be boring."

Vincent sat close to her then she poured him a drink then hands It over to him. "What's the 911?" "Deja." "I knew it! What did she do today? Is she still dogged about coming everyday?"

"More than ever!"

"Awn."

Vincent hissed sipping the wine, "There's nothing sweet about it." "It's a love gesture and it's sweet for me. I'm a sucker for good romance!" "She almost had me fired, can you believe she ran past the secretary to talk to me?"

"Awn!"

"Seriously Irene!" He snapped but she laughed in response to his reaction. "Sorry, but it's sweet."

"What part of I almost got fired didn't you get? Mr and Mrs Carson was there! If only the ground could open up that moment. I wanted sink in!"

"What happened afterwards?"

"We had lunch."

"Okay.... and?"

"She said she likes me."

Irene gave a gentle nod, "Okay....you like her too!" "I can't deal with it. Maybe if you can give the both of us a try, I'll forget her." "You say? A what?" She asked widening her eyes, "Please, please please, Vincent you're hot snd likeable, truthfully, human feelings are sparking up in my belle because of your personality. You're a good man in a sexy way and attractive too but rebounds are a no do for me! I can have a good time with you but i personally don't think I make you stop loving Deja. You're in love with this woman, despite the disappointment, it's your eyes! There's that spark in your eyes and I'm sure it's from meeting her."

Vincent rolled his eyes and a small smile formed on his lips,  "She said she was drunk but I don't know if I can move on from what happened."

Sharon stood along the road waiting for the ride she ordered. She angrily dialed the number of the uber driver, "I don't understand, didn't you say you were at Glass house? How many minute will it take for you to be here?"

"I'm close."

"You've been saying that since!" She hissed ending the call then a message popped on WhatsApp from a strange number.

I don't know what it is about your pepper soup but you definitely have me hooked. 🤤🤤
Good night Sharon😊

She chuckled then she nodded gently in appreciation. Then she remembered the uber guy and a surge of anger washed over her.

Muyiwa staggered down the dimly lit street, his steps faltering from the effects of drinking too much. As he approached her, she couldn't even hide her annoyance.

"Who is the damsel in distress?" He slurred, trying to act suave, but Sharon simply rolled her eyes and ignored him.

"Are you waiting for a ride?" he persisted, oblivious to her clear derision. "No," Sharon replied curtly, not in the mood for any drunken antics.

"I overheard you on a call with the Uber guy," he mentioned, hoping to strike up a conversation."Were you eavesdropping on my call?" Her voice held a mix of surprise and reproach. "No, I just…" He simply trailed off as he struggled to find his words, his speech slurred.

"Can I give you a ride home?" he offered, a hint of earnestness in his drunken gaze but she couldn't help but scoff at the audacity.

"Wow, so I'm supposed to put my life in the hands of a drunk," she retorted, her sarcasm evident. "Thank you very much, but I still want to live to tell the tale of victory to my grandchildren."

"I'm not drunk."

"Of course you're not, how can you be drunk?" She replied with a hint of sarcasm. He blinked his eyes looking around for his car. "If you're scared of me driving you to death, you can drive the car. I'll walk home, my house isn't far."

"One, my house is closer than yours; 2, you know I can't drive. See, you don't even know what you're saying, you and your drunk sef should get off my face before I push you into a moving car."

"You won't."

"Don't dare me."

"The Sharon I know..."

Sharon rolled her eyes, "Which Sharon? The same Sharon you shamed in front of your friends? Muyiwa you don't know me, you don't know shit about me cause if you did, you probably won't come close to me or speak to me. What sick game are you playing at? You referred me, why? To torture me?"

"Whatever sick game you think I'm playing... I only referred you cause they needed a good cook and you're the best I've ever seen in my life." He replied sincerely seizing reaction.

"I knew there was person whose cooking stood out, Guinness records have nothing on you, that was...." He trailed off clearing his throat. "That was why I referred you not because I had an ulterior motive. Okay wait, I had an ulterior motive too, I wanted to see you too." He replied laughing to himself.

"I've missed your face, I've missed teasing your stupid hat and hair net, I've missed your cooking, it hasn't been up to a week but it feels like a month." Muyiwa staggered back, his hands clenching in agony.

A blue toyota corolla car pulled up a few meters away from the both them. It matched the description from the app so she waved at the guy who moved closer.

"Miss Sharon right?"

"Yes. What took you forever?" She asked entering into the car and the guy pointed at Muyiwa, "What about him?" "Please drive off, I don't know him."

"Should I start the ride?"

"Please do."

While the uber guy drove away Sharon turned back to Muyiwa who was trying to navigate his car. "Oh God, this guy is going to kill himself. Ugh!" She groaned shutting her eyes.

Why does she care so much????

She hissed and rolled her eyes, "Please go back." "Ehn?" "You heard me right, let's go back and pick him up!" "I thought you said you didn't know him."

"Oga please, I've had a really long day to engage in an argument whether I know this idiot or not. Just reverse the car and pick that idiot up before he drunk drives and kills himself."

Necessity has been laid on her! She'll never forgive herself if something bad happens because of her ignorance.

Shortly after the prayers, Amazing received a note then she smiled leaning against the podium. "I guess I have the honour of doing another beautiful thing in the house of God. Scripture speaking, he that has found a wife has found a good thing and obtain favour from the Lord. A woman has the found and from what I have here, she's not aware she'll be proposed to today." She said laughing to herself and every lady in the room screamed.

"I present to you, God's favor."

Music
🎵Necessarily, suffery suffery you love me gently....🎵

Bimbo smiled turning towards Deja, "Awn, I'm blushing. Shebi they're hiding the person, shebi we'll see the person afterwards." "Yes we will." Deja replied watching Bimbo's eye scatter around in search of the groom.

Lanre stepped down from the media angle then he walked up to Bimbo while people still scattered their eyes in search of a person who actually looks like he'll be proposing to a girl.

He laughed on seeing Bimbo lifting her body weight to search the crowd. "What is gan? I don't understand. Simple proposal and someone is turning me into giraffe. Suspense yii ti po! (The suspense is too much). No one is holding flower, no one is holding ring, abi the guy did not come?"

Lanre laughed again, "Actually he did." "Then where is he?" She asked looking around then he got down on one  knee before her, "He's here babe, right in front of you." He answered, "Where?" She asked turning her head at him only to find him on the knees.

"Jesus Christ!" She gasped.  Her eyes widened  in shock at the sight of her boyfriend on one knee. She covered her mouth with her hands, tears welling up in her eyes. It was a moment frozen in time, where the world seemed to hold its breath. She finally pierced the whole drama together; it was her the whole time!

These guys have been acting all along!

Ade handed a flower and the ring to him, "Feel free to call me your flower boy and ring bearer or Assistant proposer." He joked and everyone chuckled.

Bimbo had tears in her eyes, she couldn't believe her eyes. Look at her feeling she wasn't worth being proposed to but before her was a man doing that. To think she has been admiring herself all day!

"Oh God!" She gasped again turning towards Chioma who was smiling from ear to ear. "You knew!"

"Not until 20 minutes ago."

Bimbo glanced at the whole church for a bit before returning her gaze back to Lanre. "You really played me brother Lanre." "Surprise!!!!" He muttered then he took a deep breath, and looked into her sparkling eyes. He knew this moment would change their lives forever. 

With a voice filled with love and sincerity, he said, "Bimbola, my Bimbim, the one aside God that puts a smile on my face everytime. You gave me hope when I had none, bring out this part of me I never knew existed. I know you feel like you're not good enough for me, that I deserve something perfect. I feel that way too about myself. I've never met anyone so loving, caring, honest and wise as you are, thank God for that garri Ijebu and groundnut your gave me on Valentine's day, that was just the eye-opener I needed. I do not make any mistake when I say that I've obtained favour of the Lord. Bimbo love, if there's anyone I want to do forever with, that I want to do life with, it's no one other than you. Will you marry me?" He asked and her tears streamed down her face.

After what felt like an eternity, Bimbo nodded vigorously, her tears still streaming down her face. "I would have probably written an epistle but you didn't give me heads up nii, so you're gonna manage the small response that I can give. "

"Yes I will."

"Interesting answer. Just so to be clear, for everyone to be clear, before they'll say it's love portion that Bimbo used. I didn't put anything in the garri Ijebu and groundnut cause I'm sure  pe some people's head is already jingling over like a motor and running in circles like rollercoaster. Please , I didn't use jazz, I didn't even know hel picked my gift until he posted it on the group." She clarified then she sighed.

"The first day I saw Uncle Lanre I was a new member and I was like who is this Angel ? If his name is not Gabriel, it has to be Micheal." She teased and everyone laughed. "When I got to know him in person, I will always say, the person that will marry Brother Lanre will enjoy him. I've said it a couple times, if you guys remember."

"Yes!" A few responded.

"I just.... I just never knew that I'll end up being that woman." She paused breaking into tears.

Chioma cooed, "Awn, who's cutting onions?" She asked and Bimbo laughed in between her tears then she wiped it off with her fingers. "Brother Lanre, whether  it's 2022 oh, 23, 24, even gan, 25,  I will marry you because you're my present tense, my future and future."

Lanre slides the ring into her fingers. The sheer joy that enveloped them was indescribable.  They embraced lightly then different church members from left and right joined in to congratulate her and pray for her.

Aunty Abebi moan softly at the warmth of Emmanuel's mouth, she felt him catching his breath in bed.  She found herself nestled in Emmanuel's comforting embrace. They both sighed in relief together then they giggled in unison. "I guess we're both thinking of the same thing then." Emmanuel whispered and she smiled running  her fingers across his arms. "What do you think I was thinking of?" "How irreplaceable I am." His dimpled smile exuded confidence.

"Oh really?" "And how perfectly you fit in my arms."

"Any woman can fit in."

"Not like you do."

"Flattery."

Emmanuel rolled his eyes, "You can doubt all you want Ababy, it has never been this way with even the youngest woman I've ever been with. No woman has ever made me feel the way I do right now, you're busting my head right now with that thing you're doing on my arms. I feel like a baby right now."

Aunty Abebi chuckled then she stopped and bit her lower lips, if she was being honest, she felt like a baby too!

"Mehn, I'll have to hustle more to take care of my baby."

"I'm not a baby."

"You're my baby, my Ababy." He poked her underarm and she giggled loudly, "Don't make me disturb the neighbors, it's late. Haven't we already disturbed them enough?" "Not enough." He nibbled softly on her ears and she giggled slapping his arm. "You're really something Emmanuel." "And you're something too Ababy." He answered staring into her eyes.

"Scratch that! You're everything I ever hoped for! You're my dream woman, I never knew God could smile on me again not until you walked back into my life. After that horrible law case, I thought that was it even though I had that feeling we'll see again, I thought it would be in my dreams, I never knew God has something planned out for us."

"Slow down, us?" With a quick shake of her head, she dismissed his words and withdrew from him. "Yes." He assured and his smile deepened. His fingers traced gently on her fingers, his touch conveying a sense of trust and understanding.

"I know I'm not the most successful lawyer but I promise to up my games and I honestly don't know how. See as love dey shak me. We're two mature individual and I know we still have to get to know each other better but I won't mind getting to know you more, know your family and allow them know there's this handsome Igbo man that's in love with their daughter."

"I'm a one man army."

"As an Igbo man that I am, I respect that Father's blessings, I know you won't like this and your face might change but I'll definitely meet your father and tell him that I'm in love with his daughter."

Her heart jumped in fear, "Love is a heavy word." "I know the weight it carries, that's exactly the weight my feelings carry. I can't convey it in words Ababy, these past few days have been the best in my life!" "One might think you're about to propose."

Emmanuel laughed, "I don't mind, I want to make more with you Abebi, more moments of happiness, pure joy." "I can't give you all you want, I can't give you what a young girl will?" "Fallacy!" "Children, children are important." "You being here is much more, every moment that we've spent. I'm not joking when I say no woman has ever made me feel this way Ababy. I know this is too early but I love you."

Abebi blinked her eyes in horror, her heart raced in fear as his lips motioned  towards hers. She avoided his gaze as their lips parted.

Kilahi waved Gbadamosi goodbye as she walked towards the gate. Her footsteps echoed in the quiet  as she reached for her phone that suddenly rang, breaking the silence around her. With a smile, she answered, "Hello Brenda."

"Hello Kilahi. Are you home?" Brenda's voice sounded concerned.

"Just walked in," Kilahi replied, feeling warmth in her heart from Brenda's unexpected call. The she pushed the gate opened then she walked in. Sewuese must have left it open for her.

"Oh, that's great because I was skeptical about calling. I wasn't sure if you'd still be in church," Brenda explained, relief evident in her tone."Why didn't you show up in church today?" Kilahi inquired, curious about her absence. She hesitated for a moment before responding, "I was engrossed in a conversation and ended up waiting for my mom. She was busy greeting everyone at the party before finally meeting me in the car. It was annoying, I dropped you a message on WhatsApp."

"I haven't been online, sorry.

"No problem."

"How was the Owambe experience." "Funny you asked, I came to give you the full gist. Yugo turned out to be not so bad." "Oh, we have a name then Yugo." "It's not Yu... It's the Igbo one."

"Ugo?"

"Yes. He's not that bad, apparently he has seen him four times. I thought it was just twice, he's keeping me in suspense, he doesn't want to reveal the full story unless on some sort of date , I think."

Kilahi laughed approaching the door, "He's smooth." "What do you know about a man being smooth." "Gbadamosi is smooth." "Speak for yourself, he was rough with me, I was malhandled." Brenda recalled causing Kilahi to laugh even more.

"Sorry. So what's the update?"

"Well, Tommy interrupted while we were talking. I must admit that I wasn't thrilled when he did. The conversation was getting to a climax before the interruption.

Kilahi knocked on the door and her mom opened up. "Mummy good evening" She whispered listening to Brenda chat away. "Good evening dear, how was church?"

"Fine, thank you Mom but I'm on a call."

Aunty Mabel gasped in realization, "There's food oh." "Thanks Mom." She answered walking past her, "Guess what? Tommy and I kissed." "Define kiss?" "Kiss, lips to lips."

"How can you kiss someone you barely know?"

"It's not something I haven't done before."

"That should be your past Brenda, I'm not saying it's going to be easy to ignore sin and sinful invitations, my point is, you just met him?"

"He kissed me and sincerely I was curious. It's been a while I had any action." "Action?" "Yes and I wanted to know if he was a good kisser."

Kilahi rolled her eyes, "I'm not having this conversation with you. Why does it matter?" "No one wants to end up with a guy that sucks, imagine after getting married to Gbadamosi only to realize he kisses like a village champion.'

Kilahi shut her eyes, "Good thing I don't know how a kiss feels like so I'll be contented." "PS, Gbadamosi was a good kisser." "Ugh! I didn't need to..." She trailed off then she groaned again.

"Ugh! So, are you two an item now?"

"No!"

"Did you spell it out? Did you two define the momentary action which is the kiss you both shared?" "I told him to slow down."

Kilahi rolled her eyes, "Toh, I don't even know what to say." "Say something, I called you so you can comfort me." "You should call the Holyghost to step into that office cause I don't know how else to react. I don't want to be judgemental Brenda but you kissed a guy you just met for the first time and your excuse is, the same curiousity that killed the cat."

"I didn't kiss him the second time he tried, that counts right?"

Kilahi exhaled in defeat, "I don't know. I'll be praying for you that your faith do not fail." "Do you think I should stay?" "Is that a trick question? I already said all I feel concerning that. It all depends on you and how quick you're able to discern what God wants for you."

Brenda exhaled, "Thanks. Good night." "Good night dear." Kilahi ended the call and approached Sera's room. Softly, she knocked and stepped into Sefa's room. She was pleased to find her studying her Bible. Sefa shifted her gaze from the bible to her, "Good evening Aunty Kilahi"  "Toh, I'll come back, I didn't know you were busy." "Come in! I need help understanding a particular part in this John 3."

"One of my favorite chapters." She moved close jumping in bed and Sefa smiled, "You're glowing Aunty Kilahi, I love it, our Papa is working."

Kilahi laughed, "We thank God." "How was your day Aunty Kilahi?"

A smile formed on Kilahi's face, "It was wonderful but stressful. Where's Sewuese?" "Asleep! She came with Sam, they even had the Egusi you cooked." "My heaven- inspired Egusi." "It's the confidence for me, it's the confidence. Eh hen, I followed the women's program live. I really missed." "Abi, you're coming on tomorrow bah?" "Yes. I'll ...." Sge trailed off not sure how her cousin will react to the news. "I'll even be meeting someone there."

"Oooh! Classmates from secondary school?"

"No. Where's the book Pastor G promised me?"

Kilahi creased her brow confused after she tried to avoid the topic with that question, she instantly switched to Hausa,  "I'm not stupid Sefa, don't make me angry!" She snapped and Sefa exhaled.

"It's someone I met on Instagram." She replied and Kilahi widened her eyes in horror then she replied in English.

"After what happened to you, you have the effrontery to meet someone on"

"Calm down" Sefa cuts in, "Your veins are popping out," She added, "It's my veins you're worried about, the same vein that popped out the day we searched for you that I even lashed at Gbadamosi. Always consider people's feelings, if not people, your parents and loved ones before making serious decisions."

"That was why I picked the church as the venue. I won't be meeting him outside or in private, he has questions. He thinks his sister has been kidnapped." "Are you sure he's genuine?"

Sefa shrugged, "He sounds genuine but who knows?" "Don't you dare see him without me or someone older, please Sefa, I know stubborness runs in your vein but I'm begging you in the name of God." "Yes Ma." "Sefa, i am begging you. The last time was not funny, we" "I've heard argh!" She snapped rolling her eyes, "Can everyone just stop talking about the last time or bringing it up every time?" She snapped then she shut her eyes apologetically and then opened them up to Kilahi's concerned look. "I'm sorry for snapping at you Ma."

  "I'm sorry for sounding that way, we just need to be careful in life."

"I completely understand. That was why I chose the church and I won't be meeting him without supervision."  "Thank you. I had to rush in here to fulfill my promise. I know there's John 3 to dissect but the truth is, if you're not completely reading this scripture with a sound mind, you can't get clear interpretation. I sense in my spirit that you're worried about something and I'm sure you're just reading this because Gbadamosi asked you too. The state of your heart matters a lot. Now talk to me Sefa, what kind of dream did you have?"

Manny carefully tucked Ossy into bed before leaving Hilary's room. With a sigh, he remarked, "Ossy seems exhausted." "Definitely," Hilary agreed, a hint of weariness in her voice. "It's been a tiring day for all of us."

Nodding in agreement, Manny drew her closer to him, enveloping her in a comforting embrace.

"Hey Mister man, take it easy," Hilary teased gently, "In case you've forgotten, I don't live alone."

"I know but I've been thinking about kissing you all day." He confessed,  "Is there anytime you're not thinking of kissing me?" She asked and they both laughed. "I don't think there'll ever be a time in this life that I won't think of kissing you. You this woman, what have you done to me?"

Hilary laughed, "The feeling is mutual baby!" She replied looking up at him; "The feeling is mutual." She repeated. His hands lingered upon her shoulders as he bent down to kiss her gently, almost reverently.

She broke the kiss pushing him backwards in worry, "Jennifer is around." "Who's  Jennifer?" He feigned oblivion. "Really Babe? Of course you know Jennifer." "I'm kissing my girlfriend, let her go and kiss her own." He held her by the waist down and they kissed again, another long, lingering kiss.

Again, she broke the kiss and pushed him away. Her heart fluttered in her chest. She felt a rush of emotion, suddenly realized how she wanted nothing but to continue the kiss but she had to consider some antecedents.

What if Jennifer walks in? She won't be happy about it.

What about Ossy?

"This is inappropriate."

"You and Ossy should maybe spend the night in my place."

Hilary gasped, "Uncle what are you already thinking of?" "I'm not..." Manny trailed off shaking his head, "Bad girl! You're already thinking bad things." "No! Shebi we're coming over to do bible study shey?"

"It's a harmless sleepover. Our son will be there and we might steal kisses, apart from that, nothing will happen." He answered wrapping his arms around her waist.

"I love the sound of our son."

"See and I'm promising you that nothing will happen."

"I don't trust you Maniola."

Manny laughed cynically, "You just called me...." He trailed off Sniggering then he continued, "It's not my fault that I can't keep my hands off you or my head can't stop thinking about kissing you. I'm that attracted to you." "The truth is coming to the light, thank God you're confessing your witchcraft plan." She snapped and they both laughed.

"I can't keep my hands off you too and you're not the only one that goes around with that thought. I'm guilty too." She admited.

Manny pulled his lips closer to hers but she pulled back shaking her head, "Let's call it a night." She replied then he pouts in disappoinment. "You guys should spend the night now, it's always lonely in the house."

"It doesn't look appropriate, what will I be teaching him as a mother?"

"Just think of it."

Hilary yawned loudly then she apologized for it, "I l'm sorry, I need rest. Today has been.." She yawned again, "Better disappear before i swallow you." She teased watching  him giggle. "Today has been eventful, from your mom's place to Tanimola to the surprise proposal!"

"That was your favorite part right?"

"It was so romantic and I'm happy for Sister Bimbo and Lanre. They look so good together, Bimbo didn't even see it coming, you can see the shock on her face.It kind of reminded me of my proposal."

"Really?"

Hilary nodded, "Yes! I didn't see it coming, Odefa, may his soul rest in peace. He shocked me, I was still in school and the man was raising a ring. I actually thought he was pranking me though cause that man was full of pranks." She laughed to herself.

"I hope you're cool about me talking about him."

Manny nods, "You love surprise proposals right?" He asked and hr countenance changed instantly. He better not be thinking of it!

Hilary shook her in disagreement, "No surprise proposals for now Manny, please." "Why?" "No proposal!" His face fell and she placed her palm on his cheek, "Baby...Let's just focus on building first. You're doing a lot already, you're already sharing my burdens, babe, let's take it slowly. One step at a time."

"Congratulations a million times, you and Lanre are a match made in heaven," Deja whispered to Bimbo while they were in their sitting room.  Her eyes gleamed with happiness.

"You didn't think so initially," Bimbo chuckled, reminiscing about the twists and turns of their journey."I was once blind, but now I see," Deja responded with a smile. Bimbo, taking Deja's hands in hers, acknowledged, "I didn't even ask how your meeting with Vincent was. I was so caught up in planning my own proposal that I didn't know what was happening in your life."

"Vincent and I agreed to remain friends, although he wasn't too happy about it. But I am ready to move forward and I pray that God touches his heart," Deja confided in Bimbo.

"Adejare Lewis, you're going to be fine. Lagbara olorun, Jesu a se ti e naa, (God will do yours too.) Remember, with God all things are possible," Bimbo reassured with a heartfelt prayer.

"Amen," Deja whispered, feeling grateful for the support.

"Looks like I'll be the one staying here after the rent expires. Me that was already bragging about how I'll pack into Papa's house as first lady." She paused and laughed herself. "No one said anything about wedding yet, the wedding might take time. Don't taunt yourself."

"Thanks for being a friend and being supportive, not mocking me."

"One second, do you remember when you told this wonderful friend that you will remind me when you become Mrs Adejare Gbadamosi George?" She asked watching Deja's face contort in regret. Bimbo continued, "Yes, I just said I should chip it is as a friend, I mean what are friends for if we don't remind ourselves these simple things." She answered noticing Deja's about to move towards her direction so she ran away into her room.

"Run away oh! You just run away" She screamed hearing her friend laugh loudly, "What I do oh, what I do?"

"Bimbo you're wicked! I hate you right now!" She screamed approaching the door of her room.

"I love you too!"

Brenda sat on the bed clasping her hands, she couldn't sleep. Apart from  having a running nose and a headache, all her mind could do was replay every scene from the party.

She exhaled and clasped her hands,  "Lord, Just when I'm planning on leaving, boom! Tommy comes into the picture, and Ugo too."

Damn did he look good in that dress!

"I can't believe I just thought of that, but God you sure know how to create them well. Tommy was there looking delicious and Ugo was rocking the whole traditional dress. He looked like one of those souvenir to take home. Gosh I need my own souvenir too. I'm confused Lord, I'm at the cross roads, should I stay or leave? Give me a sign, I need a sign Lord."

Sharon hesitated at the doorway to her room.  She struggled to keep her balance while the weight of Muyiwa's body made her legs tremble. She could smell the alcohol on his breath, the scent making her feel queasy. Despite the discomfort, she knew she couldn't leave him alone in his state.

As she settled Muyiwa onto her bed, he mumbled something incoherent, his eyes barely able to focus. Slowly she began to take off his shoes. "Someone that broke your heart?" She heard her flatmate say from behind.

"Was I supposed to leave him?"

"Did he pity when he did what he did? You're too soft, you could have left him there to suffer the fate of his wickedness. The wicked should perish and this one is not excluded!" She snapped walking back into her room.

You thought what? That you could be different, that I'll choose you over the others, you wanted to be the one to change the bad boy, so you decided to occupy my space. Sorry dear but you parked your car in the wrong parking lot. I warned you about the risk but you didn't care. I never liked you, I was just playing," he uttered, the words slicing through the atmosphere. Muyiwa's words echoed in her head again.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled a blanket over him, tucking him in gently. Looking down at his handsome face, she couldn't help but feel stupid for helping him. 

Bella sat comfortably in bed with her legs crossed, a laptop perched on her lap. As she scooped spoonfuls of ice cream from a bowl, her gaze fixated on Kilahi's photograph displayed on the screen. A mischievous smirk played on her lips as her mind spun with a whirlwind of crazy thoughts and out-of-the-box ideas.

"I'm going to get your fiance or husband whatever he'll be then, whether you like it or not. You'll never be happy Kilahi, I swear on everything I have and I'll make sure of it."

What do you guys think about today's update.

Long bah???? 21,825 words

The long awaited proposal have come and go😂. It took 120 years!!!
What can we say to Usher Bimbo and Lanre?😂

Looks like we're having love triangles. Hopefully.it will open some people's eyes😅😇