Chapter 14

Duncan's home

Tise and Boma, watched Dara put on a gold colored, knee-length gown a designer had brought for her to wear for the tea party. It was the fifth cloth she was trying out.
Boma zipped up the gown while a smile curved on Tise's face. "You look fine" she commented and she walked towards the mirror in the room admiring herself.

"Awwn, this one is nice" "Mom said I should let you know  it's  yours and you shouldn't bother returning it"

"All?" Dara turned towards her in surprise, "Plus the one that didn't size you, you can give it to someone else or have it slim fitted. It's all yours"

"My hips does not fit in some of them"

"You'll have the hips someday"

Dara laughed in disbelief, "Don't make me laugh" she covered her face and Tise laughed at her faithlessness.  " I wonder where i was when God was distributing hips" She added and, this provoked a hearty laughter from Tise and Boma.

"The gown looks nice, I hope I won't be over dressed or something."  She continued and Boma scoffed, "Trust me when I say this, even if it the party was  impromptu, rich people will still wear crazy expensive shit to this party" Boma answered taking a seat then she picked up a price tag looking at it.

"What?" She asked on seeing the price on it. "The gown cost this much?" She asked and Dara rushed to check it. "It's close to minimum wage oh" she commented and they both chuckled.

"Dara, these guys are wearing minimum wage. This gown that I have on is just 7 k but I priced it 5,500 the shop owner was angry after she sold it but I cared less. Rich people can spend money oh" she commented admiring the long blue gown Tise wore with a side strip that exposed her laps.

She didn't even want to know how much her gown costs.

"Now I feel like I'm underdressed" she complained and Tise rolled her eyes.
"I'll leave you two" she said walking away and Dara smiled. "You've just managed to chase her away with poverty talk"

"I'm serious Dara, this is minimum wage oh!"  She continued and Dara laughed letting out a sigh,  "Rich people can spend money,  especially when it's blood money. They've already given you your sacrificial clothes. They're definitely going to take you to a room, pour their anointing oil on you and turn you into money"

"God fobid! Stop scaring me Boma" Dara expressed in fear.

Eugene walked in frowning. "Chief is waiting in his study room for you"

"Study room?" Dara and Boma asked at the same time.

"Yes" she answered giving them the, 'wasn't the what I just said look'.

"Why are you frowning now?" Boma asked, "Abeg nobody sent you to work here, stop carrying face for somebody oh" she added and the maid walked out of the room.

"Why would Chief want to see me in a study room"

"Also known as the ritual room, AKA the shrine. Don't worry, I'm solidly behind you. My exposé will be certified today. Let's go"

"Okay" Dara sighed, "The useless maid has gone, how will you know the ritual room now?"

Eugene walked back in, "One, I'm not stupid, two I was outside, three, it's called a study room not a ritual room."  "Didn't your parents teach you that it's bad to eavesdrop on grown up's discussion?"

She scoffed, "Grown up? Me, I'm an old lady now."  "There's no point making a scene in someone's house, forget it" Dara whispered and Boma rolled her eyes.

"Miss Dara shey? You may kindly follow me now" Eugene said and Dara picked up her bag then she fiddled with her phone so she can start the voice recording.

After being showed the room, she entered in to find Chief drinking tea.  "Agbani Darego" he called out and Dara laughed observing the room. It seemed to like she just walked into a book store; it was definitely a study room!

There was absolutely no trace of anything diabolic, except there was a secret exit or something.

"Thank you very much for the dress Sir"

"That one is all Bimbo oh. Please have your seat" he gestured at the chair opposite and Dara sat down still feeling uneasy.

She was literally shaking with anxiety, She needed an answer to why Chief called her aside, why not in public where people were gathered? Boma's theories were yet to be proven so she had to be alert for anything.

"It's as if you're not relaxed, don't be scared" Chief said and she almost rolled her eyes. She didn't know her anxiety were that visible! Maybe the reason behind her anxiety was because the whole conversation was being recorded.

What if Chief finds her out and truly uses her for blood ritual? She agreed herself then she shook the thought off. Boma's fear was beginning to mess with her sanity and calm head.

"I'm not scared Sir. I just have a lot in mind" she answered and he raised a brow in interest. "Like what? I can be of great help"

"I'm fine Sir"

"Ask me anything you want dear,"

"I don't want money Sir"

"Ask me any question then; i promise to be as truthful as possible."

He demanded and Dara raised her brow in shock, talk about when lines falling in pleasant places! Chief just made her work easier.

"Why?" Dara asked, she didn't want to be to forward, agree also don't want to raise suspicions from him.

"I'm sure you must have questions"

"I do."

"Feel free to ask my dear"

"Are you married to three wives or four cause I don't understand"

"In my entire life, I've only gotten married four times. My first wife died during surgery, she had cancer, Bimbo is the second but the official first wife, Yewande is the third but official second wife, then Chioma"

"Was it necessary to marry more than one?"

"No. Let's just say, I had a strong love for women, my father married several wives, so did the father before him. I saw it as a norm. It wasn't as if the love wasn't there for Bimbo, i was a greedy young man that year"

Or maybe it's the curse of polygamy! Dara thought within.

"Any other question?" "Are you a Ritualist?" She asked and he laughed hard.

Boma stood by the door eavesdropping, she loved the way Dara chipped in the questions without sugar coating it; something she would have done too.

"What are you doing?" She heard a familiar voice say.

Here comes the grump! She rolled her eyes before turning to see Gbade with his hands folded.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?"  She asked and Gbade scoffed. "Eavesdropping" he answered and she folded her hands too.

"Why did you bother asking in the first place if you knew what I was doing?" She asked and he scoffed, "Why would you be eavesdropping?" "Is that a question? I mean why will anyone eavesdrop?" She asked now walking away and he scoffed.

"How did you get in here? Leave while you have the chance to?"
Boma turned back at him, "Is that a threat?" She asked and he scoffed, "Before I call security on you, you probably didn't come through the front door"

"Yes cause I'm a ghost now, I passed through the wall or maybe I jumped the fence."

"I meant you came through the back door" he meant figuratively.

"Listen up grump, i tagged along with a friend, who specially got invited,  unless this securities sends her out, I'm not going anywhere." She snapped leaving.
Just as he held on to the door knob, Eugene sighted him, "Excuse me Sir, your father is in there with someone" she announced and Gbade gave her a look, "With who?"  "I don't know her, never seen her before"

Dara watched Chief laughed so hard till she began to feel uncomfortable. Fine, she knew the question was funny, but she didn't expect him to laugh this way! Maybe she shouldn't have asked him in the first place.

"I'm sorry I asked you that" she slapped her face feeling embarrassed.

"My dear don't feel uncomfortable" 

Dara brought down her hands raising her shoulders high in a shrug, "But you're laughing" "Because you have dated to ask the question on most people's lips. They look at me like I'm some ritualist but they've never dared to ask me. God bless you for that question my dear." He answered and Dara sighed in relief.

"I've heard them speaking, Chief Duncan yen! Is it not ritual? People running their mouths that I'm a Ritualists, I do Kini Kan Kini Kan (one thing or the other), especially one girl called Boma or something like that," he paused waving his hands in non-challance.

Dara cleared her throat, If only he knew thst Boma was her best friend and she was just an eavesdrop away from them.

"Are you?"

"I am not, my parents transferred wealth to me being one of the few sons in the family. The girls were victimized but I don't fail to take care of them even though some of them are married. I made investment with this wealth to make further wealth.  I control Duncan hospital, I have a funeral home, people die everyday and business has been booming, there's no business that emi, omo  Duncan (I, the son of Duncan) cannot do, the only thing that Is left for me to do is to start selling of coffins," he ranted and Dara chuckled, finding it funny.

"I'm serious, it's only coffin that remains, Amoye investment to mo ti fo wo si! (They don't know the number of investments that I've done) So when people stand to call me a Ritualist without proper investigation, it breaks my heart. I hope that answers your question"

Dara gave a satisfactory smile.

"Yes Sir"

"Anymore questions? I'm opened oh, free interview. What's that magazine that came self, I didn't even do the interview for free, feel free my dear"

"Why do you want me to ask? Why bother?" 

"To clear your doubts, whatever doubts you might have. See, when I want to get close to people, I let them see me as plain as I am"
Dara's mind quickly breezed to Funsho's statement about his father making her a third wife.

"Why do you take interest in me?"
She hoped to God this wasn't about her being in a fourth wife to any man! For God sake, his wife has being nice to her! She's not ready to be anyone's fourth wife jhoor!

She managed to keep a straight face and Chief smiled at her.   "I'm not trying make you my official Fourth wife if that's what you're thinking of" he replied and Dara laughed.

Was he reading her mind?

"I see you as a daughter and I want to bring you close to me, to help you however way I can. Have I answered your question?"

"No. I'm still curious to know why, you haven't exactly answered the question"

"Because I like you, I'm not going to go further than that. Let's just allow nature takes it's course"

"Thank you Sir"

"Don't thank me yet, I haven't even done anything at all. Can you remember you refused my help the other Sunday"

Dara rolled her eyes, she hoped to God Chief wasn't about to dwell on the topic cause she obviously didn't want to collect anything from him.

"Sir"

"This time, I'm not going to let you go that easily until I bless you, ask for anything. Anything you want, remember that I refuse to take no for an answer."

"Anything?"

"Ask"

"My sister is a nurse and she has been submitting her resume to the hospital for years now. It has always been a dream of hers to work in your hospital"

Chief Duncan smiled, "What's her name?" "Ruby Igwe" "A good name is worth more than rubies," Chief Duncan recalled the proverb with a smile, "I'll like to see her tomorrow by nine, tell her she has the job already" he answered and Dara gasped in surprise.

"Oh my God!"

"She will be tested though, if she's competent, she'll have the job" he pointed out then Dara rose in appreciation, "Thank you Sir" "You're welcome, when's your birthday?"

"March 22"

"Funsho's birthday is in the same month too, on the tenth. It's on a Tuesday and there's going to be a party so....this is me inviting you in advance"

"Okay Sir. We should probably go to the party Sir"

"Shall we?" He asked rising up and Dara nodded.

Lara turned towards Chris who was talking to Funsho then she smiled. "Is it just me or Funsho just keeps on looking hotter day by day?" She asked and Omotoyosi glared at her.
"I was just joking, I wasn't joking about him being hot but Toyo calm down, I'm married remember?" She asked and Omotoyosi rolled her eyes. "You know how I feel about hearing compliments that isn't coming from my lips. I miss Funsho oh, I don't even understand what he's doing and why he doesn't want sex. All these things started when he started attending church, abi is it repentance? Dunni doesn't want to tell either."

Dunning raised her hands shaking her head at the same time, "If you're looking at me, I can't help you with that. If you were sensitive, you'll know Funsho isn't the same man he was"

"What happened? Cause I miss my Funsho, I miss the old Funsho"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Dunni asked, "He needs time, everyone needs time, sometimes we need to clear our heads and make better decisions for future purposes" she answered smiling and Lara laughed.

"Why are you smiling like someone that just had good sex?" She asked  and Dunni blushed then she bit her fingers. "Oh my God, with Thomas?" She asked looking over at Thomas who was discussing with a man.

"No" Dunni replied, a grimace spread across her face, "Not Thomas"  "Who then?" Lara and Omotoyosi asked at the same time and Dunni exhaled, she wasn't sure how they'll view it.

"It's a guy I've been talking to, he makes me feel okay. He's very sweet and young too"

"How young?"

"I'm nine years older than him"

"Jesus!!" Omotoyosi exclaimed, "That one is too much oh"

"As long he's giving you good sex and he makes you happy, Who fucking cares?" Lara asked now pressing a hug against her. "I'm happy for you, I'll like to meet him before I leave Nigeria"

"Will it be a public relationship?" Omotoyosi asked and Dunni shrugged, "What will your daughter think about you, what will the world think about you? Cause if I know your daughter so well, she won't agree"

"Toyo what's your own sef? You have even started judging her before others do.  Abi will you deny you don't have sex with young men too, what's that popular one's name again, Efe or what's that his nick name again?" She asked and Omotoyosi threw her gaze away.

"iwo lo mo oh,  se o n ba mi soro? (You're the one that knows oh , are you even talking to me?)"

Tiwalade Duncan, step sister to Chief Duncan walked into the party dressed in a red jump suit. Mrs Bimbo scoffed on seeing her, Tiwa wasn't on her merit list, she began to wonder who invited her to the party. 

Maybe the planner mistakenly sent the message to her, she guessed then she walked up to Regina, "Regina, Kini Tiwalade se nibi? (What's Tiwalade doing here?) Didn't I stress that you should only invite those on the merit list, abi which other merit list do you have?"

"Mummy ema bínú (Don't be offended ma) It's your merit list Ma. She's not on it, I didn't even invite her. I don't know how she got to find out."

They both gave each other cold stare  then Tiwa smirked walking towards Thomas whose attention shifted towards her direction.

"If it's not the sexy slay queen herself" he hailed and she chuckled, "Good afternoon Thomas"

"In order words, your parents set up this whole impromptu meeting to match make you and Dara, my employee" Chris who was seated outside with a cup of tea in his hands  asked then he laughed.

"That's funny" he added sipping from the cup, "That's not even the funny part, she has a boyfriend she's currently with" Funsho answered and Chris coughed. 

"It's a funny and small world. I mean she's my employee and you like her"

"I liked her even before she became your employee"

"Doesn't stop the world from being a small world. Imagine you dating her in he later future, that means you'll be dating my employee and I'm dating her sister" he answered and Funsho nods in agreement.

Although he didn't see the possibility of ever dating Dara, he believed he had a slim chance of winning her heart.

"How's your relationship?" Funsho asked and Chris smiled, "It has never been more better. I paid Brenda a visit in her home"

"Wait .... You're that serious?"

"You thought I was joking when I said I already found a wife? After I went, her father seemed pretty pissed off at her and he advised that I find another girlfriend that Brenda isn't worthy"

"Ouch.... That's rather harsh"

"Same thing I thought. Fine, she already told me about her shaky relationship with her father but mehn it was tensed last night.  I asked Brenda why he reacted that way but she didn't say anything, I simply advised her to make things right" he explained then he exhaled and a small smile formed on his face.

"I like her and i can't wait to start having children. I'm damn serious! I want to start having kids, I want to be like you except in this case, I want to have all my children from same mother" he jeered and Funsho laughed.

"Screw you"

"Well I get your father's point concerning Dara. Maybe he found a treasure he doesn't want you let go of. Dara's a pretty amazing staff. Maybe he wants you to join the competition"

"I don't even want to be in the competition, as much as I like her, I don't think I want to put her through the drama I usually go through"

"Your children? You said it yourself, they love her"

"I mean the other drama, the women in my life"

"The drama has even reduced, I remember those days. Mehn, you were something else Funsho. Cheers to a new you" Chris raised a glass up, "To a new me"  Funsho sipped from his then Omotoyosi walked up to him.

"Oko mi" she called out and Funsho rolled his eyes.

"What?" He asked, "What do you want from me?"

"Stop doing that in front of Chris now,  as if you don't want to talk to  me. You're embarassing me"

"Okay," Funsho sighed trying to let go some steam. "I'm sorry, what do you want"

"Eh hen now" she placed her hands on his shoulder. "Tonight, no disappointments" she answered and Chris cleared his throat excusing the both of them. Funsho scoffed, of course he knew what she meant!

"What do you say?" She asked then he noticed Dara come out of the house with his father.

He smiled pushing Omotoyosi aside and her gaze fell on Dara and she wondered who the woman was.  "Ah Han, Funsho!" She muttered and he dreamily and invitingly walked towards her.

Damn did she look good on the gold gown!

Pamilerin, Kelvin  and Ade ran towards her, "Aunty, aunty!" They both called out hugging her. "You look fine Aunty" Kelvin commented, "You look beautiful Ma" Ade added, "You look radiant" Pamilerin finally commented and Ade looked up at him.

"What's radiant?"

Dara smiled placing her palm on her chest in a silly way. "Awwwn, comments from the most handsome men in the party" she commented and Chief Duncan cleared his throat. "Emi naa nko? (What about me?)"

"You're a old man" Pamilerin answered and they all laughed.
Funsho hastened his footsteps, he couldn't wait to find out why they were all laughing. 

"A handsome old man" Dara corrected and Pamilerin laughed, "You're trying to give grandpa hope" he answered and Ade laughed then he noticed his father coming. 

"Dad is coming" he tapped Dara who waved at him and he waved back. Instantly Pamilerin also sighted his father's ex girlfriend.

"Uh oh" he tapped Ade, "See who's here"

"Funsho darling!!!!" Cecee, a chocolate complexioned, lady walked towards Funsho dressed in a purple gown that exposed her cleavages. She wanted to give Funsho something to drool over.

If there was something Cecee was obsessed with, it was stealing all attention for herself. She was a freaking extrovert!

As expected, all eyes were now on her!

"Who invited that one too?" Mrs Bimbo asked Regina who slapped her palm against the other in oblivion.  "Ma, I only sent the message to the merit list, I don't know how that one got to find out about this too"

Mrs Bimbo called Hannah aside, she had Sewa in her hands. "Did you let that woman know we had tea party cause I can't seem to think of who told her"

Hannah gazed at Cecee then she shook her head. "I'm not even close to her. I don't even like her"

Cecee widened her hands pressing a hug against Funsho,  "Hey baby, hey Chris" she called out now winking at Funsho.  "I missed you so so much." She ran her hands on his chest now looking at Omotoyosi who was now shooting invisible darts at her.

"When did you get back?"

"Not long. I haven't had your time for a while now, now I do" she wrapped her hands around his neck. 

"What are you doing here?" He asked trying to avoid looking at her cleavages. Cecee noticed. It was kind of disappointing but at the same time she was pleased to know her presence still makes him uneasy.

"Is that the greeting I deserve?" She asked biting her lips then she kissed him on the lips and Dara looked at Chief Duncan whose mouth stayed open in surprise.

This might as well ruin his plan he thought within now scattering his eyes in search of his wife. He wished to know who invited the lady.

Omotoyosi tightened her fist at the sight of her kissing him.  "Omo yii laya sha (This girl has guts)" she charged towards them and Dunni held her back.

Funsho moved back looking at Cecee. "What was that for?" "That's my way of saying I missed you" she answered sticking her tongue out and Funsho looked away.

"What are you doing here? Who invited you?" "No one did, I just flew in from my vacation in Los Angeles and I heard about the tea party"

"From?"

"What does it matter? I'm here for you.

I missed so so much, I couldn't even help thinking of you on Valentine's day" she bit her lips again.

"I called but that ugly duckling picked up!" She snapped glancing at Omotoyosi then back at him.

Funsho exhaled turning towards Dara who looked away pretending as though she wasn't just looking at the both of them.

"Is it obvious that I was looking at him?" Dara asked Chief, "No, I don't think so. Even me, I didn't notice you were staring. Did you even look at him sef?" He asked and she laughed.

"It was obvious shey? I wasn't actually looking, it was because I waved at him that's why"

"What are you looking at?" Cecee asked Funsho now tracing his looks towards Dara.

"Who's she?" She asked and Funsho scratched his head. "Someone I was about meeting before you Interrupted me" he answered now making his way to her.

Cecee scoffed feeling rejected. For gazed closely at Dara wondering who the skinny girl might be.

"Who is that broomstick?" Omotoyosi asked referring to Dara. "What's even going on sef cause I don't understand oh. I'll scatter this party oh" she threatened fuming with anger.

"Hey Dara" He smiled and she smiled back, "Hey" she replied, "What happened? You took forever inside"

"I was talking to Chief"  she answered and Pamilerin cleared his throat. "Daddy you haven't given her a comment yet" he noted and Funsho chuckled softly.

"Forgive me. Where are my manners? You're looking beautiful Dara" He replied and she blushed.

"Thank you"

"I think you two should leave the two of them alone" Chief suggested holding Kelvin and Ade's hands, "Pamilerin" he called out and Pamilerin smiled.

"I'll be with you shortly" he replied looking up at his father. "Dad do I have an English name?" He asked and Funsho raised his brow in surprise, just when he thought he has heard it all!

"Why do you want to know?"

"Kelvin doesn't know how to pronounce my name and he's not joking about it. He's this close to calling me Palm wine" he complained and Funsho chuckled, "Sorry, I didn't think you needed it. Pamilerin means make me laugh"

"Even the meaning of my name isn't even a name. I should sue you Dad" He answered leaving,  "Don't worry, I'll make sure to give you a second name next time" he answered laughing at his own joke and Dara joined him.

"No second name? Didn't you have any?"

"No. It's just Funsho Duncan"

"Madara Isabelle Igwe, that's mine.  I never liked the Isabelle part, I don't even look like an Isabelle. Although I get called Ada or Adiaha most of the times, it's Ibo and Ibibio terms for"

"First daughters, I know" he answered and she smiled.  "I'm literally in love with your kids, they're so smart and fun to be with. Pamilerin speaks like a lawyer"

"He wants to be a lawyer in future"

"That's sweet. I wanted to be a doctor too"

"What happened?"

"Inside life"she replied and he laughed. "I remember that edu edu education, education is the best legacy rhyme, i don't know if they still do that thing these days. I wanted to be a doctor but look at me I studied mass communication and I'm an OAP on radio"

"You're good at your job"

"Did you finally listen to me?" She asked and he smiled at her. "I did" "Awwwn, you could have called in, I would have rang the first caller bell for you"

Funsho chuckled and Dara noticed the looks from Cecee and other people at the party. "Why does it look like people are staring at me? Especially your girlfriend"

"What girlfriend?"

"The one you kissed, not like I was watching or anything"

"Correction, she kissed me, I didn't kiss her and she's not my girlfriend. She's an ex"  "Why will an ex be kissing you on the lips"

"Cecee can be that crazy"

"They're probably staring at you because of how pretty you look" he answered and she laughed in disbelief. "You can't be serious! I don't even look half as pretty as these people"

"That's a lie from the pit of hell" he snapped looking at her, "You have no idea how pretty you look, gold looks amazing on you. It's like a light just shone in darkness" he commented and she licked her lips looking up at him while her hands rested on her neck.

"You must have a long list of exes" she added clearing her throat and he chuckled, not saying anything at all.  "You do?" She asked and he sighed.

"Like how many?"

"You don't want to know"

Dara gasped, "Are you serious? Heart breakers gang" she named and he chuckled knowing how truthful her statement was. He has definitely broken some hearts!

"How's your ankle?" "I barely feel the pain again, I could still use a massage" she requested shoving him with his shoulder and he chuckled.

"What's it with you and this massage?"

"It's not everyday I get massages, I finally get one that I like and you can't even help me with it" she answered and he chuckled.

"You owe me a massage"

"Do you realize how you sound right now? I operate a gym not a spa, besides I'm not your husband, wait till you're married. Maybe your husband will help you with that"

"I don't even know when I'll get married, if it'll be this year or I'll have to wait till I'm 35" she answered sadly then she sighed. "I'll be 35 next year, do you know that?" She asked and he nodded.

"How?"

"I have your files"

"So you get around checking your client's age?" She asked and he laughed. "It's sad right? My life is sad"  she exhaled loudly, "It's a tea party, not a pity party Dara, cheer up" he nudged his elbow against her arm and she chuckled a bit.

"My life is a pity party"

"I thought you're in a relationship?" he assumed clearing his throat. "Did I mention that to you?" She asked, "It's supposed to be a question"

"I am in a relationship, his name is Efe.  Efe is great, he's good looking, really good looking, he has this whole sexy structure, six packs and all the abs I never thought possible but, I'm just skeptical. Or maybe I'm being scared because I've never had any successful relationship or because I don't think I deserve such a guy"

"Why?"

"Cause...." She stalled brushing her hands through her braids. "Have you met me? Do I look the least bit attractive? I don't look sexy, I'm like a ruler, figure one, I don't think I have the quality of the keeping a man like that, or any man"

"Like I said, a big lie from the pit of hell Miss Dara Igwe" he answered and she chuckled. "What's the truth Sir Funsho?" She demanded and he smiled. "What do you see when you look into the mirror everyday?"

"Someone that should be married but isn't"  she answered chuckling to herself and he chuckled too. "Stop trying to twart my effort. What do you really see?"

"I'm pretty facially but if I had been given a B size boobs, I'm not asking for too much. A big size boobs and a little buttocks, my life would have been better" she complained, "I mean look at my buttocks" she turned her back at him.

"It's not even showing on this gown. Look at it, it doesn't even look as though I'm exercising to work on it. The progress is very slow" she answered and he shook in his head looking at it. "Did the size of my buttocks leave you speechless?" She asked and he laughed.  "See! You're laughing, that's how bad it is. The gown even laughed at my bumbum when I wore it. Do you know how many clothes I tried out?" She asked and he held her by her shoulder.

"Stop it"

"Stop what?"

"This, stop mocking yourself" he answered and she folded her hands bowing her head. "It's actually how I feel better" she answered looking up at him. "I'm feeling uncomfortable, everyone in this party looks nice and hot and I look like ......" She stalled, "Like a golden statue" she commented and he shook his head.

"Why do you have to leave me speechless every damn time?" He asked then he sighed. "God help me" he muttered, "You're perfect Dara, don't ever think for a moment that you're not. What they have can't compare to what you have" he answered and she smiled.

"That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard." She answered struggling to blink her tears in. "Thank you" she added and he smiled and they both stared into each other's eyes once again then he looked away.

"I'm sorry Dad had to drag you out here"

"It's okay, you know, months ago, I never get called out to hang out except with my friends Boma and Portia. It's amazing how my life changed from being that girl to this. I never get called out to do anything, it feels good to go out once in a while" she said with a shrug then she chuckled as though remembering something.

"What?" He demanded and she chuckled. "I just remembered something" "What?

"Just some difference between the Funsho I met and this Funsho." "What's the difference?" "When your sister spoke about you, she told me you're always busy. I heard sometimes you barely come to the gym but ever since I started coming, you've been consistent. Not like I'm making assumptions, I'm just saying it's funny and I've really gotten to know you're not a jerk"

"You thought I was a jerk, why?"

"You dissed me the first day we met, you had a call and you ignored me completely" she noted and he slapped his forehead. "I'm sorry. It wasn't Intentional, I had to pick the kids up from school and I had to go home to feed Sewa too, she doesn't eat sometimes without me. I'll have to feed her specially" he answered looking at his wrist watch.

"What were you going to say to me that day?" He asked and she shrugged, "That I was sorry for being rude, I didn't even know you were the owner of the gym" "Oh. I wasn't offended"

"Although you were being rude that first day"

"I wasn't"

"Oh. So telling me there was no point doing the exercise, what was that supposed to mean ehn?" She asked and he kept quiet now glancing at his wrist watch all over again,  "It's almost Sewa's feeding time, I have to go"

"Can I come with you?" She requested and he agreed.

"Now I'm confused, who the hell is this bitch and why is she being so cozy with my Funsho?" Omotoyosi charged towards them and Lara pulled her back. "What's it with you? Do you want to make a scene? Is that what you want?"

"Lara, we've been staring at them for a while since they started speaking. Are you guys going to deny those two didn't have a moment there? Who the fuck does this bitch think she is?"

"Hello ladies" Cecee waved at them with a smirk on her face. "Hello Lara, Hello sister In law , hello our former wife" she greeted with subtleness in her tone and Omotoyosi tightened her fist angrily. She kept calm after Dunning blinked her eyes at her. 

"You're stupid for calling me that"

"Oh please, don't act Savage here Toyosi, it's a public gathering even though we're few, comport yourself." She advised turning towards Funsho who was entering into the house with Dara.

"People like you fret over things like that, me, I'm less worried, you know why? Cause I have Funsho at the tip of my fingers, did you see how he reacted when I came. All I just have to do Is snap my fingers" she said slowly snapping her fingers then she giggled.

"I have better chances of getting him Toyosi"

"I'm the mother of his daughter, you don't even have any ties to him"

"I make him go crazy that's more than enough. It's a party Toyo, drink and have fun" she added leaving and Omotoyosi rolled her eyes. "Did you guys hear what this bitch just said?"

"Toyo take it easy"

"No! Don't tell me to take it easy! Rara! Asewo oshi yii, ode lasan lasan (this prostitute! Ordinary idiot!)

"Tell me why I shouldn't make a scene? Didn't you hear what she just said to me or did your ears go on vacation" she said to Dunni and Lara.

"We all heard what she said, it doesn't mean you have to react the same way as she is" Dunni replied and Omotoyosi sighed in exasperation.

How was today's update? 😊

Sorry it's coming late....... I've been busy lately.

We have a new character ooooo😂 , do you think she's a threat ? 😒

What's your take on Cecee?😊