“Let’s postpone the journey until tomorrow,” Michael told Kanye over the phone. “We’ll leave at 9:00 a.m.”

“I invited Camilla to America,” Kanye mentioned. “Adesco will support you this time. Collaborations get more attention than solo ventures, and to grow both locally and abroad, we need someone with a solid foundation.”

“Nothing is free in this world, Kanye. What does Cami want?”

Kanye chuckled. “You know how Camilla is. She agreed to cover all the expenses and asked for nothing in return. So, don’t worry.”

“Good, it’s nice that you two get along. Don’t tell anyone about my journey tomorrow. My visit should be a breath of fresh air.”

“Does your wife know?”

“Yes, Susanne has her ways.”

Michael was watching his favourite programme on television, “The Nigerian Politics,” when Cryst shuffled into the room. He frowned as she headed to her room.

“Okay, I’ll chat with you later.” Michael ended the call, glaring in Cryst’s direction.

“Crystabelle! Crystabelle!” he shouted as he stumbled into her room.

Michael found her black handbag and broken heels before seeing her kneeling by the toilet, looking miserable with mascara smeared around her eyes. He quickly took some photos of his dishevelled sister.

The next morning, Michael and Susanne were having breakfast. Musimbi brought more plates and freshly baked bread.

“Thanks,” Michael gasped as she bowed.

A loud voice came from Cryst’s room. “Michael, no Michael!”

Michael sipped his tea, almost spilling it, and blushed.

“Why are you laughing?” Susanne raised an eyebrow.

“Why did you post my pictures on Discord? Now all my friends and colleagues will see me drunk!”

“Do you know about shame?” Michael asked.

“What do you mean?”

“How many times have I warned you not to drink? I thought you quit, but it seems you’re still at it! Yesterday’s argument is unsettled. Apologize to your sister-in-law right now! After you apologize, I will delete your photos.”

“You both wronged me! Why should I apologize?” Cryst’s brows raised mockingly.

“Just delete it. Crystal is your sister, treat her well-“

“Don’t pretend to be a good wife on my behalf, okay? I’m not an idiot!” Crystal cut in sharply. “Yesterday, I saw you entering the hotel with that lowlife. Don’t act like I hate pretenders. Only God knows the trick you played on Michael to believe you. It won’t work on me.”

Susanne looked away, hiding a mocking smile. “Kingsley is my colleague. It’s normal to hang out with him, and we had a shoot at the hotel. Some people just photographed us!”

“Colleague, my foot! Is that why you stuck to him like glue?”

“I was dizzy, and he helped me in!” Susanne faced her husband. “Michael, your sister still doubts me.”

“Cryst! I just downloaded this app. I’ll make your photo into an emoji and send it out. You’ll be famous.”

“Is that a threat?” Cryst sneered.

“Apologize to Susanne right now if you want it deleted.”

“What nonsense!” She hissed. “Okay, fine!” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry, Susanne. I don’t care about what happens between you and my brother henceforth, and I won’t interfere.”

“An apology from the heart requires sincerity,” Michael emphasized. “Do it properly!”

Her anger subsided as she faced Susanne with a heavy jaw. She forced a smile and managed to bow. “Sorry for invading your privacy, my dearest sister-in-law.” Susanne took Michael’s phone, scrolled through the screen, and handed it back.

“This is embarrassing. Just delete the pictures already.”

“Fine, since you forgive her, I’ll delete it,” Michael emphasized. “Cryst, I’m leaving for America today. Behave yourself, especially around my wife. If not, I’ll deal with you my way, okay?”

Without replying, Cryst stormed into her room. Susanne, aware the apology wasn’t sincere, wondered if Cryst would ever stop causing trouble.

Grace went to get airtime across the street. When she returned, she found an envelope on the table. Inside was a visa registered in her name. Her phone rang.

“Hello, Susanne.”

“Did you see the ticket on the table?”

“I did, but... why did you get one for me?” Grace frowned.

“You must be in a bad mood since you lost your job. I booked a flight and a hotel for you in Canada to have fun.”

“What... How is this even possible?” Grace stuttered. “No, I don’t want to leave the country!”

“I thought you wanted to visit Canada. Weren’t you planning to go before we met? Please don’t let my efforts go to waste. Just spend the week there and come back. I’ll try to find you a job before you return. It’ll help you start fresh, okay?”

“Susanne, thanks.”

“I’ll check in on you in the evening. Bye.” Susanne rolled her eyes in disgust. She mimicked Grace’s voice mentally, “Thanks,” as if Grace had a choice. Susanne took a sip of water as Cryst walked in.

“Cryst, your brother has travelled for a two-day business trip,” Susanne said. “Do you know when he’ll be back?”

“It’s funny how you refer to Michael as my brother when you want something from me,” she hissed. “I don’t want anything. Let’s use this opportunity to talk.”

“I have nothing to tell you, so stop pretending! Don’t mistake my apology to you. I only did it to make Michael delete that picture!”

“You followed me to the hotel. Isn’t that disrespectful?”

“We used to be friends until your brother married me. I’m trying my best to be friends again.”

“Friends again?” Cryst repeated, incredulous. “Over my dead body! Avoid me from now on! Charm my brother all you want, but it won’t work on me.”

“Fine,” Susanne faked a smile to ease the tension. “I’ll stay with my mother for two days, so don’t be home alone, okay?” She called Musimbi. “Please help me pack up. I’m going to Gwarimpa for two days.”

“Okay, ma,” Musimbi replied.

Arranging her clothes into a small travelling bag, Musimbi brought a pack of arranged herbs paged in disposable bottles. “Madam, you shouldn’t forget this.”

“What that?”Susanne faced her from behind.

“This is the pregnancy nutritional supplement prescribed by Doctor Funke. She said this happened because medicine will increase your chances of pregnancy.”

“Oh, really... thanks!” Susanne muttered dryly, exposing her teeth to a fake smile as she collected the leather from her maid.

“Let me get your shoes,” Musimbi said and left.

A thought over what the other doctor said played in Suzanne’s mind.

“Don’t use a waist trainer during this stage. It’s risky. If you want your child to develop normally, you need to protect this fetus.”

“How’s my baby now?”

“It doesn’t seem stable at the moment. Don’t take any contraceptives for the prime time. Avid using harsh drugs too. The doctor emphasized. With this, Susanne placed the black poly bag into her travelling bag to dispose of it later.”

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport smelt of arrivals and hopes and passion and departures and more arrivals and more departures. The incoming odour of sweat and the outgoing scent of perfume welcomed Grace as she stepped in.

The receptionist, chubby, round-faced with a neatly styled wig checked on her passport and identification documents. It was her turn to place her baggage on the TSA machine to screen and check the carry-on items when Grace remembered she had left something out. Immediately, she unzipped it to pick up her earplugs and portable charger.

“Can you hurry up, Miss! We need to check in!” A man standing next to her hissed. He and his pregnant wife were standing in the queue. The way he sounded, it was as if he was in a hurry to leave the country. Impatient to spare a minute.

“Sorry, sir.” She murmured.

“Is it your first time travelling by air?” Curiosity laced his voice.

“Yes, it’s my first time,” Grace explained and zipped up her bag. Then she placed it on the x-ray machine and it passed through the x-ray baggage inspection.

With a smile, the receptionist gave her an additional slip. “Safe journey ma.” She said with a pompous air.

“Thanks.” Grace blushed, putting her earplugs into her purse and reading through the ticket. They postponed her flight for an extra hour; it was supposed to depart at 11:00 am. She checked on her phone and it was just 9:05 a.m. Oh, I have just 2 hours to explore this place. Grace’s eyes scrolled for a calm place to take pictures. Then, her eyes met a small bookstore. She walked up to the place, searching for a book she was familiar with.

“Don’t worry, there won’t be a problem like last time.” Hearing that familiar voice, Grace turned back on Micheal. He was with a lady whose dress barely reached her knee.

“I hope so.” She replied to Kanye who pulled Micheal’s traveling bag as they passed her, absentminded. “That lousy wife of his got on my nerves, lol! I brought the cooperation plan from our previous meeting with Barnas!” she told Micheal with a smile bigger than the sun.

“That’s good,” Micheal replied with a soft chuckle.

Studying the trio, it seemed they were having a good time and... A change of plans.

Shocked to the bones, Grace paused as a thought of what to do came to her, but she didn’t conclude. Holding the book to her face, Grace placed it back into the store and followed them behind with her phone camera on. To the look of things, they were exiting the airport.

“Susanne must see this,” Grace muttered to herself as she took quick shots.