Kike wasn't expecting the sudden rain, she ran as fast as she could to reach the house, It's a heavy rainfall. She suddenly reached the house and tried opening the door but she couldn't. She knocked hoping someone was there to open the door for her,lucky enough for her the door was suddenly opened revealing Jide, she muttered a thank you and rushed inside, she went straight to her room taking off her wet clothes, she went to the bathroom having a wet bath before coming out to wear a thick jogger and a hoodie. She was feeling cold and feverish and decided to take hot Lipton. She left her room going to the kitchen and met Jide there taking a drink from the fridge.

"Good evening"Kike greeted

"Good evening,how was school?"Jide asked

"It was fine"Kike replied hoping Jide will continue the discussion but to her dismay,Jide took his drink walking out of the kitchen. Kike couldn't hold in the silence treatment anymore and went to block his way from passing,Jide raise one of his brows why Kike's chest was busy rising and falling

"Why are you avoiding me?"Kike asked. She wanted her voice to come out strong but it sound like a whinny cat

"I'm not avoiding you. Can I pass?"Jide asked respectively

"No, we have to talk this out"Kike said and a treacherous tear escaped her eyes, Jide's heart broke into pieces when he saw how painful what he was doing was affecting Kike, he opened his mouth to talk when the main door suddenly opened bringing him back to his right senses, Jide simply walk out of the kitchen,Kike sniff unable to control the tears again letting them flow freely from her eyes. She put her water and Lipton on fire before leaving the kitchen

"How was work today?she heard Jide asking her sister and look at them, she saw how Jide's hand wrapped Moreni's with care and wished she was in same position. She shook her head and went closer to them

"Welcome sis"she said faking a smile

"Thanks, I bought us food. So no need of cooking, Kike set them on the dinning table"Moreni said handing over the food to Kike. Kike collected it and went to the dining room to set the food, it was jollof rice and goat meat pepper soup. Not after long Jide and Moreni joined her in the dining room, each of them sitting down. They were eating quietly when Moreni suddenly breaks the silence

"I talked to an event planner today, I heard she's one of the best in town"Moreni said at the same time Kike and Jide look at her, Kike quickly pretended going back to eat her meal while Jide replied

"That's good. How was the meeting?"Jide asked

"I just brief her that we will be getting married soon, she said we should both meet her in her office, she gave me her card"Moreni replied and Jide nodded

"I have a client I have to get his work ready, what about next week?"Jide asked

"I will tell her that"Moreni replied and continue taking her meal when her phone suddenly beeped. She took it and met a message from Timothy

I'm missing you

Moreni deleted it immediately and continue her meal, she was determined this time around. She's not going to let anything destroy her marriage with Jide not even her persistent ex.

"Raphael is opening his new house soon"Jide suddenly said breaking the silence

"You don't mean it, you never told me he's building a house"Moreni said smiling widely, obviously happy for Raphael

"He didn't want anyone to know. You should see the house, I was the one who draw the plan for him"Jide said chuckling softly

"Definitely I will, when is he opening the house?"Moreni asked

"In four days time"Jide replied

"I should get my gift ready then"Moreni said and the dining room went silent again with Kike pushing her food around.

***

"What's wrong with you?"Favour suddenly asked jolting Kike back to reality

"Nothing"Kike said rubbing her eyes

"It's something Kike, you don't look okay in a bit and also your mind is not even here, I'm sure you didn't hear half of the things I said"Favour said and Kike sighed

"I'm with you,I'm just tired that's all"Kike replied faking a smile

"You know, we were friends before we become lovers. I'm still your best friend and you're free to share anything with me"Favour said and Kike chuckled

"I'm fine Favour! Stop worrying yourself too much"Kike said and Favour smiled drawing Kike closer to himself kissing her forehead

"So what should we do?"Favour asked

"Anything"Kike said when her phone suddenly started ringing,she took it and met it was her mom calling her

She stood up from Favour's bed taking a step away from Favour before picking the call

"Hello maami"Kike said

"So I am the one that's suppose to call you always,you forgot you have a mother in Ibadan"Mrs Rotimi said and Kike bursted into a genuine laughter

"Maami! You know I'm busy with lectures and all, I don't have enough time"Kike replied

"So now you're using your sister's tone on me?"Her mom asked

"No that's not it, how's Ibadan. Everyone at home?"Kike asked and her mom's attention diverted, gisting her about everything that happened since she left Ibadan. Her mom was able to lift her mood unknowingly to her.

***

"Mummy?!"Raphael called slowly opening the door to his mom's room, he met his mom holding the family's gallery.

"Your dad was a very handsome man"Mrs Korede said and Raphael sighed. He knew his mom misses his dad, they have been married for many years before death took him away

"Yes, that's why the four of us all look handsome and beautiful"Raphael replied chuckling, sitting beside his mom

"What?! Y'all took your beauty from me"his mom defends slightly frowning

"But you just said your husband was handsome"Raphael said bursting into a full grown laughter,Mrs Korede smiled "mom I want to take you somewhere,I have something to show you"

"What's it?"Mrs Korede asked

"Mummy! Just follow me. Trust me"Raphael said and his mom narrowed her eyes on him

"It better worth it"Mrs Korede said

"It will, I promise"Raphael replied standing up. "I will excuse you to get dressed" he added before leaving the room

Few minutes later, Mrs Korede came out of her room and met Raphael sitting in the sitting room, the house was oddly quiet. She couldn't find her husband sisters, she shook it off and walk up to meet her son

"I'm ready"she said and Raphael look up to see her, he stood up and took his car key. His mom followed entering the car, Raphael ignited the car engines and ride out of the compound.

***

Mrs Korede slept throughout the ride, Raphael successfully parked his car in front of his new house. He gently tapped his mother who opened her eyes immediately, he opened the car door for her to come down. Mrs Korede rubbed her eyes looking around. She saw her sister in-laws and look at Raphael, she saw their children almost all the family were present. Slowly she look around and saw herself in a newly built house

"Raphael, what's going on?"Mrs Korede asked, Raphael's smile widen and he took his mom's hand walking closer to the building "Raphael!"Mrs Korede called again

"I build this house in your name"Raphael said and his mom covered her mouth up immediately with her palm

"Raphael!"she called while tears of joy falls rapidly from her eyes

"Mum"Raphael said smiling embracing his mom, the poor woman cried on his arms and started rendering prayers on him.

Everything went as planned and all the guest are well seated in the sitting room eating, Raphael look around feeling uneasy. Black had promised to come and Raphael was hoping he would be able to know her when he sees her since he had never set his eyes on her face before

"Raphael!"his mom called and he smiled turning to see his mom

"Are you planning for me to move here?"Mrs Korede asked

"Yes"Raphael replied scratching the back of his head

"I can't Raphael, I will live and die in my husband's house"Mrs Korede says, Raphael open his mouth to talk when Jide and Moreni interrupted him

"Latest landlord in town"Jide joked and Raphael bursted into laughter, Aunt Miriam Jide's mom took Mrs Korede hand and they left the young ones

"I'm so happy for you. Congratulations"Moreni said and Raphael nodded before hugging Moreni

"How are you feeling now?"Jide asked and Raphael smiled shaking his head

"I feel I'm on the right track again, after everything that happened in the past. How I lost my boutique shop and feeling at my lowest, I can't lie Jide. I feel fulfilled"Raphael said and Jide patted his back before hugging him

"Hello?"They heard a voice and turned to see a lady standing

"Hey Tabitha!"Raphael said "she's my co worker"He introduced

"I really like the building,who's the architect, I would love to give him a work of mine"Tabitha said and Raphael winked at Jide

"Here is he fresh and blood"Raphael replied and Jide chuckled.

"Can I have a minute with you?"Tabitha asked and Jide nodded, excusing themselves

"The building is totally to die for. I love the design Jide gave it"Moreni said and Raphael chuckled, he opened his mouth to talk when his eyes landed on a lady standing at the main door. He stand transfixed as if the world suddenly evaporated, it doesn't take few more minutes to know he is staring at Black

"Excuse me"Raphael said, he didn't wait for Moreni to reply before he started walking briskly to meet her, Black saw him approaching and got scared.

She was afraid being judged, she's not sure how Raphael is going to react when he finally see her face, she bolted immediately trying to run away. She can't wait to know the end of it, she's too scared.

Raphael saw her running away and increased his steps, he was able to get ahold of her have before she opened the gate,he turn her around and her back hit the gate.

Raphael watched her carefully, she's beautiful. She's more beautiful than he imagined,he can't believe he's finally seeing Black's face after knowing her close to a year now

"You look so beautiful"Raphael muttered, Black heard. She's too scared to shit to react. She watched Raphael's face the way he watched her, she couldn't say it out but Raphael was damn handsome. His light skin glisten and he's damn so tall. She couldn't say it but she knew he's handsome and as bad as it sound. She's attracted to him

Raphael watched her, he still couldn't believe his eyes that he finally saw her face, he lean down without thinking capturing her mouth in his, Black slowly closed her eyes kissing him back when she suddenly realised what she's doing. She pushed him immediately and saw how pinkish he lips now is, she wondered how long they had kissed while they both breathe rapidly

Raphael opened his mouth to talk but Black stopped him by landing an heavy slap on his face, Raphael was too slow to react because he was in shock. Black opened the gate immediately running away without even looking back for once

What did I just do?!

MY SISTER'S FIANCÉ