Olaniyi
I'm currently seated opposite the  both of my parents who wore expectant expressions after my first statement. After the dinner that night , we both agreed to inform our parents about each other.

"So who is she ,is she that girl at the bank".My mum asks expectantly. My eyes widen in shock. I face palm myself mentally, my mom and her ways of asking me questions.

"Iyà niyí,its not her". I replied. "You'd remember one lady that had that roadmap on education thing".

My dad nods vigorously and says "I think I remember her now, she gave that wonderful speech on the changes needed in education. So what's her name and what part of the country is she from?".

" Oluwayemisi and Yoruba ,from Ogun state . And dad you are asking as if you didn't see her surname". I teased dad who was smiling while my mother wore a thoughtful expression.

"íya Níyí what are you thinking about now". I asked hoping she was not thinking of reasons not to accept Yemisi. I do hope she isn't because another lady won't be coming any time soon.

" I want to meet her". Mom said "when will you bring her to meet us? Abi don't you  want me to have grandchildren ní".

I smiled. Trust  my mom to try to  emotionally blackmail you even though its totally not necessary in this case. After all I just told them of my intention to marry Yemisi.

"Let me talk to her, we'll get back to you before the end of the week". I said "We also wanted to tell you so we'll know which church is blessing our marriage since we are both redeemed and we need to start counseling if we are getting married in March next year".

My mom shrugs and she says " The church the girl's parents attend obviously, but you'd have to meet with her parents first to confirm that .And also we -the parents- will like to meet up first . Lastly why March? In fact let us meet up first ,after your introduction ceremony ,we'll take a decision".

Wedding preparation and stuff is my mom's specialty especially if she likes the girl, Yemisi better get ready to be primed and all those things girls do .

As I walk away to my room, I hear my mom's sonorous voice singing a Yoruba praise song .I shake my head at her antics ,she's surely going to like Yemisi ,because, for someone so vexing at first meeting ,she's quite high- spirited.

My phone beeps alerting me to Yemisi's message that her parents want to see me soon . My face lits up with a smile at the progress, I give her a gist of what had happened at my side and she sends a happy emoji before we said our good nights

Thoughts of the time I wanted to marry Monica filtered into my brain as i lay back on my bed. She had met my mom secretly to gain her approval and my mom had fallen for her ruse. My mom still blames herself for not seeing through her.  They had both chosen the sort of wedding and engagement bands she wanted before our parents meeting,they were ridiculously expensive, but I didn't mind since I had the money and of course loved her.

It was devastating to know that not only had she cheated on me ,she had also teamed up with Dele to steal my  father's business. I was heartbroken yes ,but I know for sure I'm not letting myself be heartbroken again.

Yemisi appears to show precision and intelligence, plus the fact that Ella trusted her enough to tell her about Dele. It means I won't need to tell her of whom to discuss certain issues with or not .

My phone jerks me out my musings. It's my sister Wonuola,shortened form of her full name Omowonuola, she greets me so merrily, making me instantly suspicious.

"Wonu kí lôn mú ínú è dun(whats making you so happy),do we have news from your side".

She laughs out loud before answering " Mom said you are getting married again. I'm so happy for you", I could hear her clapping across the phone asks all about Yemisi and we talk about her job and her husband.

Wonuis an oncologist. I'm the first of three children: Myself ,Wonu ,and Aderinsola . I run my dad's companies and mine while Derin is a designer, her clothes have gone on many fashion shows all over the world. She designs for many people all over the worldand create fashion trends all the time.

Wonu finally asks for Yemisi's number ,I promised to send it to her later ,she laughed happily and sang praise songs over the phone like my mom did . By the time she ends the call I alresdy had about four missed calls from Derin ,élèyî loud gidi gan ooo ,ahn ahn on top this my marriage, had they all given up on me so much ,the grapevine in this house is too active .Amebos.

"Derin ,bàwó nî?  (Howare you?). Where are you calling me from today". I had to ask where because it was an unrecognized country code.

" Nîyí you are getting married and you didn't tell your baby sister ,kôdà bayîí ,mí ómà se ñnkan kàñ fúñ yiñ(its not good like this and I didn't do anything to offend you)". I rubbed my hands over my face, my sister is the head of all naggers so I quickly apologized and told her that Yemisi had just only agreed to marry me.

She makes a sound of surprise and says " so does that mean she doesn't wear your ring  yet ,chineke( God), I didn't know there were still women who'd first ask their parents for permission,please bring her to the Lagos fashion show in Ikeja ,let I and Wonu meet her,or what do you think".

Derin has appointed herself  my saviour,determined to save me from gold diggers but what she doesn't know is I know yemisi quite well,and I'm sure she doesn't have such thoughts.

"Don't worry ,when I ask her and she gives her answer, I'll be sure to get back to you. So take care ,goodnight sweet ". 
I spread the comforter on myself and drifted off to sleep with work on my mind .

Oluwayemisi

When I think of how easy last night was,I thank God. My dad  agreed to meet Olaniyi, he wasn't this agreeable with Femi, I think it was a sign that I shouldn't have married him in the first place. I don't know how in the world I missed those important signs.

" En, Daddy and mummy".I had said shyly last night before and the both of them turned from the news they were watching on channels television. I scratched the middle of my hair and rubbed my arms nervously.

"Ajoke, what is it? Mum asked with worry etched on her face.
"Hope all is well?you look worried". I rolled my eyes at my mom, ever the drama queen. I turned properly to look at my parents, I want to see and gauge their reaction whilst I say what is on the tip of my tongue.

" En,someone wants to marry me".
My mom breaks out into a Yoruba song.

    Óluwà ó sè ópè mí ó tó óóó ,
     Ógbón àyè kàñ kó dasè è duró

"Ahh ,oluwa ó sé, mó yíñ ó, God I give you all the  glory, all my enemies in church that were mocking me,not minding their businesses,thank you God". I watch her with increasing amusement, Maami is definitely a drama queen.  "Yemisi,joor oko mi(my dear) tell me what his name is".

At this time my dad watches her amusingly,My dad is a somewhat quiet man who lets my mother do all that she wants. When I was concluding my marriage with that jerk Femi, he offered me professional help from lawyers and a psychologist. He was loving and protective,too bad he couldn't protect me from Femi.

" His name is Olaniyi Olanipekun". My dad's mouth drops open and my mom screams with joy. She shouts a loud Hallelujah, dances around the living room like one who won a lottery.

" So when did the both of you plan to tell us about your relationship,don't tell me he already proposed like that Demon did without asking my permission".

I shook my head and  waved my hands ." No sir He said I should tell you first that he wants to court me, actually we were thinking of marriage by march next year".
My Mom stops dancing the moment i say this. " I won't allow it". She shook her head hard and stamped her feet on the tiled floor. "Mí ó gbà, I won't allow you get married without meeting your in-laws to be. I won't be an irresponsible mother the second time around".

I hold up my hands and say" Maami
we can't marry without your blessings, besides Redeemed is blessing our marriage, so we need both parents, its going to be a large wedding and we need both of you to oversee a lot of things". It's also a way for my mom to get to know Niyi's mom . Its a win-win situation for everyone .

"Tell him to see me before the week runs out so we can discuss a lot of things, I can't let you get  blinded a second time around. Its a second chance for you to make it better. You have to know that I'll never let anyone,  no matter how much money they have, destroy my only daughter, you and your mom are the only women in my life if I don't take care of you properly, who will. So let him see me so I can make an assessment of him, got it?".
I nod and the conversation ends there but it doesn't stop my mom's subtle dancing,she's dancing a popular Ègba dance that involves feet shuffling and waist movement.

As I try to leave the living room, my dad's word stops me "Oluwayemisi is it that boy, the owner of Pekun Enterprises right?". I nod my head and he sighs loudly . I wonder what that means. "I just hope he takes good care of you,you never know with all these rich kids,I don't want anyone to push you over,do you think you have found the one?".

I walk over to his side and sat between himself and my mom .I take his face in my hands " Dad, you taught me that in this world we don't know how a person will turn out, a kind person can turn out to be wicked, an aloof one can turn out the best for you. In this world we never know.  I'm going into a new marriage, new  world, new family, and all the works. Dad, at the time I was marrying Femi I thought i was  sure how things were going to be, The only difference between then and now is the fact that I know that you'll will all support me fully in whatever decision I make. But I'm optimistic that things will be fine, God wiling".My dad had nodded in satisfaction and I left the room.

Dina, my secretary and personal assistant met me at the entrance to the office area of Save our Sisters which currently had a staff population of about 56 including myself, adhoc staff of about 200, We pay the regular staff monthly while the contract ones are paid hourly,that's on days when  we need them. Our regular staff consist of former girls of the Save our Sisters charity.

"Ma, I'm afraid I have news". Dina murmured which had me looking up from my iPad where I was going through quarterly reports of the charity.
"Dina,what is it?" I asked, then noticed her outfit "By the way that kente looks great on you,I think you should wear it often". She blushes and shuffles her feet with her dark skin turning as red as it can go. Dina is a Ghanian who was adopted by a Nigerian couple in the early nineties, she says she loves how much a person can transform another's life by just being generous.

She straightens up and says "Ma, You are trending on social media".  I look up with my eyes wide open, I hadn't gone through my feeds on all social media today because I was very busy all morning and it's twelve thirty already.

When I logged into my Instagram account, a picture of Olaniyi smiling at me with a light smirk is all I see on all the blogs on Instagram. But they all claim one source :Linda Ikeji Blog, oh these drasted blogs, they never know the truth and publish half truths all the time. What I read fuels the shock coursing through my body.

Ladies,
We have news ,Billionaire and heir to Pekun Holdings is dating again!
You all know two years ago, He divorced Monica Ikemba after they had both parted on 
good terms in the third month of that year.

They had both refused to speak on the terms of their hasty divorce and all we know is that Monica married Lagos socialite and senator, Peter Oribogunje .Now news from our sources say that Olaniyi is close to getting married again. Does that mean he's marrying to fill the void left by Monica or is he marrying for love. His  smile in this picture tells a different story though.

Olaniyi

Just as I came out of a video conference with my Chinese partners on the establishment of a sewing machine assembly factory in Nigeria Ogun state  my office phone began to   ring and Farhan picked up as usual but as we stepped into the elevator his face turned grim. I waited for him to finish up and when i asked he said "You are trending on social media sir, your picture with Miss Adekunle at Something last week Friday leaked".

As displeasing as it was I had been expecting this to happen and now I'm wondering why it took so long to leak. Other women I go out with always find ways to drop hints online so that Linda Ikeji or Pulse or even Netng can pick up the trail.

  She's truly worth marrying and my  opinion of her increased when she didn't credit or discredit the story. She was just silent. This speaks a lot about the sort of woman that she is.

My phone rings and it's Derin . She should be at work right now or not .
" Égbón mí, I just opened LIB now and saw that you are trending again. When will they leave you alone".

I sign a document and say "I think its because she's new that's why it's news worthy and she's not complaining ,so why would I disturb her peace".

Like see me see wahala oo, èní à nó ó làrà tà óuñ( the person involved is not crying why are you crying on her behalf). When I tell her this, she calls me clueless, how am I clueless.

She continues" How do you think someone who hasn't trended for the whole day feel like, if it were me,I'd have milked your patience dry with the way I'd have called you. But seriously I think you should call her ".

Èwa gbá mí lówó Dérîn bàyí,(seriously someone save me from my sister).
How does calling her ease the pressure. Tell me why calling her would make her feel better, like what would I ever tell her that would make her feel better after reading what insinuated that she's only a replacement for my ex wife its just like saying she's only a rebound.
"Derin abeg free me joor. I'm busy at the moment".

  She  snaps "Do you think I'm jobless too,I was designing a gown for the Vice President's  wife. Thank you very much". Then cuts the call.

My mind wanders to when marry Monica,Derin had her doubts and warned me to stay away from her, at the time I had fought with Derin viciously. Now I regret everything that happened and I'm sincerely trying to work on my relationship with her. I'll call her back later to apologise.

My phone rings again and I groaned out loud, who is this that doesn't know I'm busy.
  

    "Hello".

Monica?that voice reverberates in my head. What the hell does she want from me.

Hi guys,
This is chapter five. I hope that you enjoyed it. This is my Christmas gift to you all . I love you and God loves you too. Never  forget that !!!

@miss_painite thanks for your support. Its invaluable and may God bless you for me.