Chapter 22

Unedited

Morenike requested to speak alone with Eniola after the board meeting and everyone left except the both of them. "Is everything okay Ma?" She asked and Morenike shrugged.

"I should be asking you that question. Is everything okay between you and Osaze?" She asked and Eniola scoffed, "I don't know" "What do you mean by you don't know"

"He hasn't called me like a proper boyfriend should. I called him twice in the morning, he didn't respond. I sent him a message on WhatsApp, still the same thing"

"I hope he hasn't broken up with you"

"No. He hasn't" she answered and Morenike exhaled, a small smile crept through his cheeks. He's still scared! She felt victorious, like she still had him wrapped in her fingers.

"You know, we should have dinner. You can leave, that'll be all"

Eniola got out bumping into Tacha, "Hey Tach" "Hey" she replied, "Are tou okay?" She asked and Tacha nodded. "I'm perfectly okay" "I mean, earlier on, you were kind of lost"

"I'm fine"

"Okay. ..... If you say you are, that's great then" she answered and Morenike got out. "Tacha, let's talk" she demanded going back into the board room amd Tacha rolled her eyes cussing Eniola for stopping her when she would have already made a run for it!

"What's wrong with you? You were not in the four walls of this Board room and toy were embarrassingly chewing your pen like a 6 years old pupil"

"Mom, can we talk about this later? I have a place to be"

"Where?"

"I'm not feeling too well, I need to get myself checked"

Her mother moved close to her touching her neck.  "Your temperature is a bit high, what's wrong with you? How are you feeling?" "I'm thinking of a lot of things Mom, it's enough to make me get sick! I'm having headache and my head is about to explode"

"Take a day off"

"What?"

"I said take a day off, I won't want you breaking down. You and your sister have always been bad with sickness. I don't even know how Vera's dealing with her pregnancy" she exhaled then she rolled her eyes.

"You can always visit her"

Morenike laughed, "Who? Over my dead body! So I'm supposed to lay down my ego to what? Apologize to my own daughter?" She scoffed, "Shoot me anyday! Vera thinks she's the only one with the Ego, I'm her source and mine is much more bigger than hers"

Tacha shrugged, "Aren't you tired of us fighting every time?" She asked and

"So I got into his office and he started making those moves at me and I warned him like I've always done" Osaze listened to a young girl lament about how poorly her boss has been treating her because she refused dating him and how often he harasses her sexually.

"Hm, he held my clothes and he started ranting about how he took me shopping the other day and how I've been proving sturbborn. I told him that I couldn't date a married man  m
but he turned around and slapped me"

"What did you tell him before he slapped you?" Osaze asked and she exhaled, she thought she could actually wriggle out of that one.

"He called me a smelly toto as if he has ever seen it. I was angry and I told him I heard from the employees that his ..... Whatever is so small that.... No one feels the impact when he goes In. I swear that was all I said and he slapped me and I slapped him back, now he wants to sue me for it and he's denying that he slapped me"

"But everyone believe you slapped him, why?"

"My nails kind of dug into his skin, do I have a chance of winning this case? I already got a lawyer from one of these law firms around. They said I'll pay money for the damages and I'll be lose my job, I won't even get severance package and I've endured a lot of embarrassment from the man. I learned you can help me that's why I'm here. I'd rather pay money to a lawyer to get me out of this mess than pay that man for damages"

Osaze nodded, "Are you sure you're telling me nothing but the truth" "I swear on my late father. I'll get you an attorney and I'll see to it you get good representation"  "Are you serious? Thank you, I really appreciate it"

Osaze's intercom buzzed and he answered it. "Miss Obianuju?" "Kubi's here to see you" "I'm done with the client, I'll see him shortly" he answered and the lady smiled.

"I guess that's my cue to leave. You have my information, you can give me a call or referral"

"I definitely will" he answered amd she rose up adjusting her clothes. "Have a nice day Sir" she answered walking out and Kubiat walked in.

"Hey Kubi"

"And Muhammad came to the mountain" he answered and Osaze chuckled. "Sorry, i didn't know my day was going to be this hectic"  "It's okay. I just got back from Osas' place and I conducted a light investigation. I'll have my team on the matter tomorrow, I still have to face this drug issue"

"Why is the drug issue taking you more time?"

"Dude, these drug dealers are sneaky. They're so sneaky they can use even an institution as innnocent as the church to do their dirty deals, they don't have fear of God and we police do have the fear of God"

"I'm sure 80 % Nigerians will not agree with that" Osaze interrupted him and he laughed. "What do you guys take Nigerian Police as?"

"Frankly speaking, a great number of you are Assholes like the one that stopped me the other day so I can explain what happened to my car" he complained and Kubiat laughed.

"Not everyone of us are monsters, some of us are good men who wants to maintain law and order in the State"

Osaze chuckled, "Why does it sound like you're explaining this to a girl?" He asked and Kubiat laughed, "Ejiro, Osas' friend said something similar.
"Seeing is believing, see it as a challenge. I've come to realize, challenges are quite effective; you'll be shocked the results you can get from being challenged"

"True" Kubiat admitted, "What's it you wanted to talk about?" "Chief Akinola Bello, this man appears to be guilty, can't you take him in?" "Over what charges?"

"Harassment, he harassed Osas, made her run out of a hotel and now he's the same reason she went into hiding last night. He sent the thugs after her"

"We have no proof"

"It's Osas' word against her and I'll be working be working side by side with her as her attorney. I want him arrested" "I'll investigate the issue on ground, if we have better things to pin on him, fine then! Not this, he'll wriggle out of it quickly."

Osaze scoffed, "Men like that shouldn't roam free but the system allows it" he exhaled then he hissed. "Dude, you seem pretty worried" "I'm worried Kubiat, I won't deny it, Osas is an employee. Im scared for her life. If they can go over to where she lives to destroy things, think of the damage they can do. It makes me wonder what would have happened if they had found them there. Is she even safe at the moment?" he exhaled and Kubiat noticed that care on his face.

His friend have spent most of his life giving his best to charity cases but he has never seen him this emotional about anyone! Could Osaze be in love with his girlfriend?

Derik shook hands with Chike and they both snapped fingers. "Congrats man, I think you're this close to blowing oh." "Don't congratulate me just yet, anyone's song can be played on radio"

"True Sha, but the song make brain"

"Thanks Man" he smiled looking up at his mother then he walked up to her smiling. "You should stop leaning against this thing, it scares the crap out of me" he advised and she chuckled. "Scary is good sometimes. Have you heard from Osas"

"You have her contact, you can always call her"

"I asked a simple question"

Chike chuckled, "No, I haven't heard from her. Not since she left this morning, I've been at the studio. I'll give her a call later on" "Okay" "It's okay to actually let your employee know you actually care about them"

Madam Davina rolled her eyes. "I don't care" "Weren't you going to drive her personally until I walked in and suggested otherwise. You do care about her" "Oh please!"

"Osas is lovable, she gets into people's skin easily, she has gotten into mine so..... It's totally normal. Who was the man from yesterday? The one who came, the one that had you blushing?"

"What?" She laughed nervously, "Of course not! I wasn't.... Blushing" she cleared her throat and he smiled. "You were, he made you laugh, I've never seen you that happy, not even with Dad"

Madam Davina exhaled, "He's an old friend" "Ex?" He asked and she gave a half nod. "Do you still like him?" "Chike! Please let's change the topic, please. You know, I was shocked when I saw your friends post congratulations on their WhatsApp status. I had to go download the song, it's beautiful dear"

"Thank you Mom." He replied and she hugged him, "I pray more heights for you. May you some day make it big  in life"

"Thank you Mom, for supporting me, most mother would have said no but you, you've been supportive right from the start. I don't think I would have been successful if I had another Mom. You're the best, I just wish this was complete"

"What?"

"The joy"

"Oh. You're thinking of her, Chike, you might have to forget her" she advised then she noticed Tacha walk in. "Talk about the devil" Madam Davina muttered and Tacha looked up at the both of them.

"Mom, you'll have to excuse me" Chike walked down the stairs towards Tacha. "I'm shocked you're here" "Why?" She asked and he scoffed, "I can't believe you just asked why? I've been calling you, texting you and sending you messages on WhatsApp, I sent you "Amen", did and you even listen to it? You probably blocked me cause your number stopped going through."

"I'm sorry about that, I was disturbed"

"By the call?"

"No, I was going through a shitty moment, a very shitty shitty moment, I'm sorry"

"I had questions. Heck, my mind was full of them! Didn't I matter at all, what's more important here? Our loveor your mother's. You think you've been having shitty days, I've had the worst days of my life, without you. I know this confession doesn't actually count cause you're obviously going to choose Mummy over us but I still love you Tasha and I've been searching for ways to turn this thing around, unlove you but I can't"

Tacha moved closer to her, "I still love you too" "I highly doubt that"  he answered and she walked towards the microphone, "What is she doing?" He whispered, "Tacha!"

He watched her talk to the tech guy, Ebuka then she picked up the microphone, "Hello everyone" she answered and all attention turned towards her. "Okay, I'm not very much of a good singer, I have never ever been a good singer but Chike, if you think you've been going through shitty days, mine has been worst, pretending everything's alright when they're not. I'm sorry I chose my Mom when I should have chosen love, I love you boo, I love you so so much, without you in my life, I'm useless, completely useless. I never would have confessed this on microphone but I'm doing this Chike to prove to you that I miss us and I want us back" she confessed then she walked dropped the microphone walking towards him and he smiled.

"That's the craziest thing I've seen you do"

"The craziest?" She asked then she kissed him right there in front of everyone and the workers cooed ad clapped, along with a few customers. "I have my day off, what do you say we spend the day together? Eat ice cream and....." She trailed off and he smiled kissing her too.

"God I missed you"

Amen played at the background and Chike laughed looking at Ebuka, "Let's give it up for our future star!"

Evening

4:13 pm

Eniola entered into Osaze's office  letting out a hiss. "Sometimes I wonder why I hate coming to your office but when I see that ugly woman's face there, I suddenly remember why?" She answered and Osaze scoffed.

"I don't know what's her deal with me"

"Maybe If you try to be nice to her too"

Eniola scoffed, "So I'm the rude one now, wow Osaze" she answered rolling her eyes. "I didn't exactly come here to quarrel with you. I fixed up a date between us, I kind of noticed the tension between us and..... I fixed up a date"

"You did?"

"Yes"

"I was even planning on coming over to your house tonight" "Really?" She asked with a smile, "Awwn, thank God I came instead, see, we're working in sync"

"Eniola" he called out and she smiled, "What's up?"

"Please seat"

"Why?"

"Please" he begged and she did now dropping her black handbag on the desk. "Okay.... Is everything okay?" She asked and he exhaled loudly. "Enny, I can't..... I can no longer pretend about us." "What?" "We're better off as friends,"

"What? Baby, we're good together" she rose up and he did too, "We're not, let's not deceive ourselves" "Is this because of that tramp that calls herself Osas? You like her right? It's definitely because of her" No!" "Liar! You can't even admit to the fact you like her, it's because of her you're breaking off what we have right?" "Enny, we don't have anything. You're controlling, you're insultive, most times, when I'm around you, I feel like I'm dating my mother. The only reason I agreed to us dating was because I was threatened. Mom threatened to take the building from me and then she manipulated my thoughts to give you a try and I swear I did. I really tried but I can't. I respect you Enny, I just don't see you that way, you're like a little sister to me" he answered and she slapped him on the cheek.

"You should have just skipped that" she took her bag storming out of the house.

Eniola sighted Osas throwing the bin outside the she walked up to her in tears, you know if I say that I hate you, it's only an understatement! I hate you with every of my being"

"Wetin I do?"

"I'm not going to give up without a fight, Osaze is mine, not yours!"

After work, Osas' stopped by at a market she learned sells traditional leaves and materials. On her way out of the market, she heard a man yell,

"No more #200 naira, select and pay your chiffon material, #100 naira. Select and pay, na mumu dey go boutique"

She joined the crowd, after selecting about three materials, she decided to head back home. She got back home at about past six in the evening, with the leaves and cloth then she dropped it on the floor. "What's that?" Chika asked, "Leaves, native chalk, native eggs" "Are you planning on invoking your mother?" She asked and Osas' was forced to laugh.

"I want to make concoction for someone." She answered looking towards Ejiro's direction, she was seated in bed pressing her phone.
"Ejiro how far?" She asked and Ejiro walked out of the room and leaving Osas to sigh in guilt. "Abeg, help me talk to Ejiro make she no vex for me again. I go try to give her the money, I no fit replace the cloth but I go buy her clothes"

"No be that one be the problem for now"

"Wetin con be the problem?"

"She say make I no tell you but I think say you deserve to know. You know say every babe way that Mother Theresa don bring come this house dey always betray her" "I swear I no know say these guys go come spoil things like this for her house"

"No be that one sef, her babes dey always steal her man"

"I swear, I no steal her man. I no even know say she get boyfriend"

"She no get. The guy way you dey with now. That fine guy, Kubiat, na the guy way Ejiro don dey get hot hot for Tay Tay!"  "What?" Osas asked then she shut her eyes in regret.

"Yes" Chika answered and it finally made sense to her why she got angry that night when she talked about him. "Jesus, Osas!"

Tacha laid on Chike's chest then she ran her hands on his belly. "I have to go now" "You said that twenty minutes again before we went another round" he answered and she laughed.

"I know. I don't feel like leaving"  "Your Mom will be worried, your phone has been ringing" "I know. I wish I didn't have to leave, I wish I can be here, wake up in your arms. This life is cruel"

"Are you going to tell your Mom about us?"

Tacha shut her eyes, "I don't know" "When I saw you this afternoon, you looked like someone who will eventually tell her mother, you were so bold." "Shey?" She bit her lips, "Someday I will, you're the only man I want to spend my life with. Not that out Denrele!" She snapped with so much resentment.

"God i hate him!"

"What happened between the two of you?" He asked in interest and she rose up naked from the bed. "It's getting late, and like you said, mom will be worried and I still have to think of a good lie to tell or maybe spend the night at Vera's to avoid questions"

Chike watched her dress up and he smiled, "Seen something you like?" She asked and he chuckled. "I liked whole package. I love you Tacha Briggs" "I love you too Chike"

Kubiat called Osas over and she went over to his place with ulterior motive to call off the relationship. She wasn't going to put a strain in her relationship with Ejiro over a man, not like she likes him like that!

She knocked and he quickly opened the door. He had a white round neck top on a black shorts "Hey" he smiled and she smiled back. "Come in" he replied letting her in then he shut the door. "Hey Babe" he called out and she turned looking up at him.

"Are you hungry? I'm sure I'm a lousy cook where you are but I did manage to put up something together if you don't mind" "I'm not hungry"

"Why?"

Osas exhaled, "I no get appetite" she answered and he moved his lips closer to her, "You know I asked Ejiro if you'll want to come live with me but she thought it'll be better for me to ask you personally.

Osas groaned, "You did?" "Yes I did. I think you'll be safe here than over there. What do you think dear? "I can't do this" "What?" "Kubiat, you na good guy and I'm sure the woman who will end up being with you will be lucky, very lucky but, i don't think I'm the one"

"Oh"

"I'm sorry. When we kiss, it just.... I no too feel am"

"There's someone else right? You like another person"

"No be like that"

"Osaze" he answered and a small smile curled up her lips. "No oh" she couldn't even stop herself from blushing. "You do" he argued and she shrugged.

"No be say I like am, I just confuse. Na my boss him be, I no suppose dey get feelings but...since the kiss, con join with the trip and every day way I dey see am, I just dey feel somehow and I no go lie, I don tell myself say I like am but I no know how I go take control am." She confessed and Kubiat scoffed, a bit hurt by the confession.

It was finally clear! They both loved each other, he almost rolled his eyes knowing if a romance brewed between the two of them, it'll only end up being suicidal, like one of those Romeo and Juliet books!

"Abeg no vex for me" she clasped her hands and Kubiat smiled.

"Thanks you for your honesty" he appreciated and she forced a smile, "Make I dey go" "It's late" "I no want sleep here" 

"Nuju and Raymond lives in the estate, you can go there if you don't want to stay here. I'll put a call through to her but first, let's talk about the situation that happened last night" he cleared his throat but it felt as though he needed to down a glassful of water before the lump goes down!

"I have questions. I want to hear your side of the story, I don't want summary"

Osaze opened the door and Vera and Tacha walked in. "Is this a family reunion?" "Tacha was looking for where to spend the night so I suggested we spend the night together like we did when we were young"

"You left Philip at home?"

"He's a big boy, he can handle himself" Vera answered and Osaze laughed. While Tacha looked around the house, "Jesus! The house is getting worst than I remember."

"You could have given me a heads-up at least" Osaze answered and Vera laughed. "What would you have done? Arrange the house?"

"Hey Tacha"

"Good evening big bro"  Tacha hugged him and he smiled, "Yeah. How have you been?" "I've been....." She trailed off remembering she got raped by Denrele. "I've been fine"

"You hesitated"

"Things haven't been all that smooth, my whole family is falling apart. Permit me to say I'm not all that fine.

"Why aren't you spending the night at home?"

"She wanted me to lie to Mom in case she calls to confirm where she's been all day." Vera answered,  "Mom won't call you" "That's the fun fact" she answered and they all chuckled.

"Where was she?"

"She's here and you can ask her personally" Tacha waved her hands. 

"I was with my boyfriend, the one Mom doesn't want me to be with."

"Her life is miserable and she's trying to wear a smile and act like everything is fine, nothing is okay if you're chained and bounded to Mom's stupid rules. Life under that regime is not okay!"  "And do you think life outside the regime is? It's not okay! Hating the same mother who gave us life, it's not a life I want to live. How will you feel if your children grows up someday to hate you? Mom isn't happy, she acts like she doesn't care but she does and she misses you Vera, the two of you are like two peas in a pod that's why you'll never agree with each other. If you can shift boundaries and just compromise"

"How is that working for you Tacha?" She asked and Tacha shrugged.

"We need to plan a family reunion or something. I'm tired of the hate and quarrel" she answered then she cleared her throat. "I'm parched, I need water"

"In the fridge" Osaze answered and Tacha made way into the kitchen. "At least the kitchen is clean!" She shouted and Osaze laughed.

"Have you spoken to Osas? I hope you didn't fire her"

Osaze whispered, "I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to do it, that would have made me the most horrible person in the world! Something happened to her yesterday and her clothes along with her roommates were burnt to the ground. She was also fired"

"What?"

"Yeah and I found this" he removed the piece of paper from his pocket then he showed it to her. "She has plans, selfless plans and I'm moved to help her, I don't know where to start from"

"Start from somewhere"

Tears freely poured down his eyes and he quickly wiped it off sniffling. Tacha got out and they both turned heads at her. "I'll leave you two to chat alone" she answered walking back into the kitchen.

"Osaze! It's not your fault, what happened wasn't your fault" "If I hadn't asked her to"

"Shhh"  She placed both palm against his cheek. "You didn't rape her, stop acting like you did"

"What makes me different from Goriola and Jerry?"

"Have you told Goriola?"

"No."

"This kind of circumstance isn't natural. God didn't bring her back into your life for you to fold your hands and do nothing, you're to help her. However way you can"  she folded the piece of paper into his hands. 

Obianuju joyfully opened the door for Osas to come in then she hugged her. "Hey Kubi" "Hey Nuju"  "Oh my God Osas, I'm glad you're here. I finally have a gist partner for the night. My husband here doesn't want to talk to me"

Osas turned towards Raymond who was watching news. "Good evening" she greeted and he flashed a smile at her. "Hey Osas, how are you?" "I hope you don't mind that I'll be staying the night"

"I don't"

"Really?"

"Yes he doesn't mind. At least he's smiling with you. He's been frowning for three days now, come let me show you where we'll be spending the night" she held Osas' hands away.

Kubi sat close to Raymond, "What's up with you and Nuju?" He asked and Raymond shrugged. "It's husband and wife issue,trust me when you get to this stage in life, you'll realize it's not everything you disclose to your friends, some things are rather private. What about you? Your face looks"

"Osas broke up with me"

"Ouch"

"She likes Osaze"

"Oh, I knew there was something! Did she say so?"

"Yeah. I think Osaze likes her too"

Raymond laughed, "That's.... That'll be be war, I mean there's Eniola who won't give up without a fight and there's also his mother. The woman practically wants him getting married to a wealthy person. Oh mehn, it's Osas I'm pitying in all this cause I don't know if Osaze will even give her face. The guy is going through a lot oh and he's really not ready for commitments. This story is not looking smooth at all. This is some Romeo and Juliet deep shit here"

"Same thing I said"

Obianuju dragged her luggage into the guest room, "How long will you be staying?" "Just the night" "What? Why?" She pouted her lips, "I don't like staying in married people's house"

"I'm technically married but currently I'm living single." "Don't say that. What are you bringing the luggage for?"

"My clothes, I'm giving them to you. I packed them already, immediately I got back from work, I said I was going to give them to you but I'm glad you're here. It's fate."

"Thank you"

"You need them more than me"

Osas chuckled hugging her and Obianuju exhaled patting her back. "I wish say I don bring the leaves come." "You bought the leaves?"

"Yes. It remains to make the concoction for you to wash your system and then I'll make the one for you to drink"

"Thanks. Please let me pay for it"

"You're doing more already. Thank you for the clothes, i appreciate it" 

There was a knock on the door so Osaze opened up seeing his mother's security guard. "Good evening Sir" he greeted and Osaze nodded. "Evening Adamu, what's up?"

"Your mother sent something for you" he stretched an envelope which had the law firm logo on it. "Couldn't it wait till tomorrow?"

"E no fit wait oh"

Osaze collected it and he bowed his head, "Good night Sir" he spilled just before leaving. Osaze opened the content then he skimmed through it. "What's that?" Vera asked, "A notice from Mom to vacate the property before the week runs out"

"What?" She asked and Osaze passed the notice to her.

Study room

Morenike placed her hands on her desk sobbing quietly and he her husband walked in. "What's wrong with you?" He asked and she lifted up her head wiping her tears off from her face.

"Sifo it's none of your business. Can you leave me alone"

"I can't. I'm your husband, I'm supposed to be your confidant but all you've done since our marriage is hide things from me. Just let me know what's going on, if it's something I can help with, I will"

"If you want to help me, you'll do so by getting the hell out of this room. I don't want to see anyone!" She yelled and Osifo sighed, he shook his head leaving the room.

"I don't want to see anyone" she muttered to herself.

Osifo sighted Nana in her nightwear walking towards his direction, probably coming to talk to his wife. "Is Morenike still inside?" "Yes. I tried taking to her but she sent me out"

"Morenike!"

"What's always wrong with her?"

"Are you asking me? You've been married to her for 36 years" "And you've known her right from birth. What's wrong with her? She's getting worst by the day, I don't understand her any longer"

Nana chuckled softly, "You'll have to take it easy with your wife" "Till when? Frankly, I'm tired. I'm fed up with her nonsense, 36 years of frustration, it's not fair on any man."

"Mo mo, (I know) I totally understand your plight but still you have to take it easy. You know that your wife is fragile, very fragile than you think."  "I regret taking the deal Nana," "Maṣe sọ bi pe.. (Don't speak like ..)" she trailed off, "The only regret I don't have is the children that I have but apart from that, I regret accepting that marriage proposal!"

"Osifo, i know you have tried but o nilo lati ni suuru (You need to be patient). You know that you're the only one that can endure her, ehn, please. I'm begging you, she will change, I believe she will"

Esther entered into George's room while he slept. She tapped him and he opened his eyes. "What do you want woman? It's late, can't you sleep?" "I can't. I've been thinking and I realized that I've been a very bad woman, a bad wife and I need to confess to you"

"Go to the priest if you feel like confessing and leave me the hell to sleep." "You think I don't know the truth about your children shey? That stupid woman you cheated on me with" she bent over him.

"Do you know why you feel like twenty six years of your life is missing? Because I charmed you, yes Theophilus George, I Esther charmed you and that accident you had on your way to Lagos" she laughed, "I caused it and yes you lost your legs in the process but you didn't lose your manhood, we gave birth to children. Your legal children not those bastards you have there" she answered and he pressed her neck strangling her.

"George!" She choked and he pushed her away to the ground. "How could you?" He asked and Esther coughed, "You can come in now!" She shouted rubbing her neck and two nurses from the psyche ward entered.

"Please take him in, he just tried to kill me, my husband has finally gone mad!"

I didn't even intend on updating but I find myself doing it🤦

Village people at work! 🤣😂

I hope you enjoyed today's update?😁

Who's in support of Tacha's idea of peace! Keeping quiet, swallowing a whole lot of shit, just to maintain serenity in the home.

Me: 🚶🏼‍♀️🚶🏾‍♀️

Watch out for the next chapter!

Something tragic and something good coming up! 💔😊