Chapter 18

"Dad!" Shade called out and some customers turned towards Funsho, some were surprised while others looked away, minding their businesses.  Funsho walked towards her, took his seat and dropped the baby carrier on his lap.

"Did you really have to call me that way? Those guys behind just looked at me like who did she just call Dad? I mean I had you when I was 22"

"At least they won't think you're my sugar Daddy" she answered and He laughed recalling the incidence with Dara.

"I'll make an handsome sugar daddy right?" He inquired and Shade laughed then she frowned at him. Of course she knew her father was only trying to lessen the tension between the both of them.

"I'm still angry at you"

"I'm sorry Ma" he replied and she laughed again then he turned his head towards Dara's angle.

"How did you get here so fast?"

"Huh?"

"How did you get here so fast?" She repeated and he finally gazed have at her. "I was .... already driving"

"Were you typing while driving? Dad! What if something had happened?"  "Calm down Mom, i don't hate myself that much, I was at the filing station when I typed that message."

"Your sister didn't even let me have any breathing space." he turned back at Dara once again.   "What does she want?"

"What I wanted to say before the interruption" Ugo cleared his throat, "Is that.... I'm beginning to like you"  He confessed and she shrugged, not sure how to take the news. "I don't understand, I thought you didn't"

Ugo exhaled, "I did at first but you know..... I was really stupid and immature" "This happened, January Ugo, just past month"

  "I know! Lately you're all I've been thinking of."

"What about your girlfriend?"

"I still don't have any! I'm still looking forward to God, I never knew God already gave me someone and I rejected her." He said placing his palm over hers.

"Ugo...."

"Ever since I saw you on Valentine's day, my heart raced in ways I can't even begin to describe. My date turned out horrible, I couldn't concentrate, you looked so beautiful and your laughter, that laughter, at some point, I became jealous. I wished I was the one making you laugh."

"Did you pay for my bills?" She asked and Ugo scoffed, "You were with the other guy, I couldn't have possibly...." He trailed off and this made Dara wonder who the hell paid they're build that night?????

"Wait .... Someone paid you guys bill?" He asked and she waved the topic away. "It's nothing"

"As much as I would have loved to take the glory Dara, I didn't." He replied now watching Sewa play with Dara's breast.

"I've always wanted children"

"Really?"

"Yes and a mother like you will make it worth it"

"Ugo, I have a boyfriend" 

"I know. You already told me, I just want to say I'm not backing off because of it and besides, I know you like me. Come on, we had that spark the first day we met. You felt it, I felt it too"

Funsho's eyes remained glued to them till Shade called his attention, "Dad!"  "Huh?" "Why are you looking at them? It's rude" She assumed, "What's rude?"

"Your staring at Dara and her boyfriend"

"Miss Dara," Funsho corrected, "She's not a child and not your mate"

"She looks young"

"I'm only four years older than her" he whispered and Shade gasped in shock. "Yes. I wasn't looking at her, I was...." He trailed off clearing his throat.

"I was looking at Sewa, the way she's pulling her braids and giving her trouble" he replied and she looked at her him in disbelief.

"Are you eating the donut?" He asked and she shrugged, "I don't think I have the appetite" she answered and he picked up the donut taking a big bite out of it.

"The chemistry was there and it's still there and I'm willing to wait. You're the woman for me Dara, I don't want another" he confessed then his phone rang.

"Shit!" He muttered, "I have to be at work now"

"It's okay"

"Order anything, I'll go pay at the counter"

"I'm fine, I wasn't hungry anyways" she lied and Ugo hissed in disappointment. "I'm sorry I had to leave this way"

"It's okay" she replied and he rose up.
"I'll give you a call"

"Will be expecting it" she replied,  and he walked close to her giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Later Dara, bye Baby" he replied leaving and she pouted.

"Sewa, you have to pray for God guide me" she muttered, "This is more than I can chew" she answered then she rose up meeting Funsho.

She pulled a seat and sat close to him. "Guess who's here?" She asked and Sewa stretched her body out to her father. "Stay where you are Sewa, Daddy is busy" he answered mouthful and Dara shook her head.

"Still eating like a refugee, who's chasing you Funsho?" She asked and he laughed till he choked. Sewa laughed too then he opened the pepsi drinking from it.

"I hope he'll pay for it" Dara added and Shade laughed. "Definitely" she answered then he continued laughing and coughing at the same time.

Sewa looked up at Dara who smiled at her, then she began to scratch her eyes. "Has Sewa slept since morning?" "No, the only time she slept, my ringtone woke her up" he answered clearing his throat.

"What's up with her lately, Mummy Mimi hasn't even come to check up on her?" Shade asked which left Dara wondering if Mummy Mimi was Sewa's mother.

Funsho cleared his throat again, he wasn't comfortable with the topic. "I think she's somewhere stucked in between Dubia or Singapore"  he answered and Shade laughed. "Maybe she wants breast milk, real breast milk"

"I don't know, maybe she wants another sister" he joked and Shade frowned. "Not funny Dad!"  "You think I don't want another?" He asked and Dara raised her brow in surprise.

Another after four children? With no mother? What kind of man is this?

"You have four already" she said, she didn't even realize the words had spewed out of her mouth.

"I've always wanted a large family"

"That's what he says every time and the next thing you know, there's a pregnant woman stopping by daily till she delivers. Who will be your surrogate this time? CeCee?" Shade snapped angrily and He cleared his throat once again.  "No"

"How will you know? I mean she slept over last night. I might not be experienced but I know reproduction takes place that way" she snapped and Dara cleared her throat.

"I .... um.... I better leave you two" Dara rose up leaving with Sewa. 

Funsho slapped his face in shame, he wondered the thoughts that might be running in her mind now.

"I already told you Shade, nothing happened between us. She slept in the other room, you can ask Okon"

Shade sighed, "I don't believe you. Mom  can give you those children you want" Shade suggested and busted into Funsho laughter then he scoffed. "Your mother doesn't want children"

"What?"

"You can ask her, she doesn't want children"

"But she had me"

Funsho stalled shutting his eyes, he had a lot he wished he could tell her but was scared of how her reaction would be. She wouldn't want Shade bearing grudges against her own mother.

"Okay um.... She did but she didn't want any afterwards"

"Was that why you two divorced?" She asked and her father shrugged. "That among many reasons" "Aren't you two ever going to get back together?" She asked and  Funsho shook his head.

"Why?"

"We can't exactly work, Toyo will always remain Toyo, you've seen the way she acts with the children. Pamilerin and Ade don't even like her" 

"CeCee is not an option Dad, don't even make her an option"

"Why are you so scared of her?"

"Because you like her"

Funsho scoffed, "I don't"  "I know you do! You can deny it, but I know you like her and deep down, you know you do" 

Past 2 pm

Winny walked into Timmy's diner, dressed in her school uniform then she gazed at Timmy from the door where she stood.  He was talking to Henry at the counter.

She took a deep sigh before walking up to the both of them. "Hey Tims, Hey Henry" he greeted and Henry hissed.

"Dey call me brother Henry, call me brother Henry. I suppose use over how many years senior you sef"  "If you're dating someone as young as I am, will she call you Brother Henry?"

"Thank God I don't always do child abuse" he snapped and she hissed. "I'm 17 years old"

"You too try, seventeen years old. You never even reach to vote for election" he hissed shaking his head then he turned towards Timmy. "This girl too insultive I swear"

"Can you leave Tims and I alone? I want to speak to him"

"Babe, if you no ready to talk, forget am now" Henry answered then he mumbled something inaudible complains while looking away from her glare.

"It's been a while" Timmy said and she replied with a nod.

"How have you been?"

"I've been sad, and feeling horrible. I'm sorry about what I did"  She paused now feeling uncomfortable with about the next part, "I really like you Timmy, I still do" she confessed looking at Henry then she glanced back at Timmy. "I just want to know if there's still a chance that we could..... You know..."

"No." Timmy replied, his voice sounding as firm as ever! Winny nodded again.  "Okay... Will you return back to tutoring me? Waec starts next month and I'm seeing the vision that I'll fail economics and mathematics. I'm hoping to pay but Shade wants me to do it on my own"

"Shade has a good head on her neck"

"And I don't?"

"You do, you're just too hot tempered for the head to work well" he answered so she rolled her eyes in response to his reply.
"When can we continue?" He asked and she jumped happily clapping her hands. "That's so sweet. Thank you, thank you, thank you. We can start tomorrow, is it too early?"

"No"

"Great then. I came here to meet my mom, I don't know if you'll still remember her, she came in to look for me once"

"I do" he replied, "I'll be seated there"  She left the counter to seat on one of the empty seats. 

"Does the woman you're dating know that her daughter likes you and she tried to seduce you on Valentine's day?" Henry asked and Timmy shook his head.

"Why?"

"I didn't think it was necessary"

"Ah! O necessary gan! (It's necessary) Ah Han! What kind of mistake is that? Don't you know you're opening channels for secrets and that's a bad way to start any relationship"

"Relationship coach, remind me why you never find woman for yourself again?" He asked and Henry laughed. "But mehn, on a serious note oh, you gats to open mouth tell her mumcy"

"If I had said something, Dunni would have stayed away knowing her daughter will definitely not agree to her dating someone she likes. I really don't want to ruin what we have"

"Dude, just let her know. See, my talk dey always be like prophecy, if you no follow am, na kasala you go enter"

"Wehdone, prayer band leader" Timmy laughed and Henry hissed. "Dude, okay now, carry the matter laugh now. Until the thing blow for your face naim you go know"

Dunni walked in searching around the diner for her daughter. She found her looking outside the window around the corner where she was.  Then she looked towards Timmy's direction and they both shared a smile.

Dunni walked towards her daughter then she sat on a chair opposite her. "Hey darling" she smiled and Winny took her gaze off the window then she exhaled. "Good afternoon Mom"

"How are you?" She asked and Winny shrugged, she didn't know the reply to give. Whether she was fine or not, she wasn't even sure.

"And school? How was school today?"

"The principal called me to his office,  made some announcement about the Waec examinations and my poor grades, I think I'm going to fail this Waec"

"Don't speak negative things Winny"

"I learned from the best" she answered and Dunni nodded in agreement, taking full faults for her negativity. "Well, it's different now, I'm different now, I'm more positive, Winny, I'm trying to be more positive than I've ever been!"

"I don't know how to be"

"I don't know how to but I'm just.... You search for it. I'm searching for my own happiness. How bad are your grades?" She asked and Winny shrugged, "They're so bad. In today's biology pop quiz, I did badly"

"What's your father doing about it?"

"Nothing"

"Why isn't he doing anything? Isn't he supposed to get you a tutor? Doesn't he go through your notes? He should"

"Don't start throwing blames Mom, we all know this is your fault than it is his fault" she snapped and Dunni's eyes instantly got watery with tears but she managed to blink them in.

"I'm sorry" Dunni apologized, "Um.... Have you had lunch, let's order something then"she wiped some tears off.  "I'm sorry" Winny apologized, "I'm sorry for saying that, I'm sorry for the way I reacted when you came in the other day. I guess I deserved the slap, I've been feeling guilty"

"It's okay" Dunni placed her hands upon her daughter's palm then she sqeezed it . "It's okay darling, I'm not angry at you. I forgave you the moment I walked out of the house, I got drunk afterwards but.... I'm better"

"I'm shocked to see you sober"

"I drink but like I said, I'm trying to find my happiness"

"Thank you." Winny replied with a smile and Dunni smiled too.  She hasn't been this close with her daughter in years. She felt overjoyed.

"How do you feel dear, I mean being sexually active now?"

Winny shut her eyes in shame, "Mom!" She groaned, "There's nothing to be ashamed of, I've been in your shoe once, I lost my virginity to your father. Sweetheart, I want you to tell me everything you felt about that day, everything!"

"I asked a guy out on Valentine's day and he rejected me, I was heart broken so I went to have a few drinks."

"You're a minor! I can sue the bar for that!"

"I drank and ..... The next thing I remember was that I was naked in a small room and..... " She trailed off, "I wore my clothes and I left. It's not how I pictured having my first time"

"Did he at least use a condom?" She asked and Winny shrugged, "I don't know, I don't think he did sha, maybe he did, it's all blurry Mom."

Dunni exhaled, "Did your father at least give you any drugs?" "No" "What kind of doctor is he? That's the essence of a mother Winny! Urgh! He didn't even take you to see a gynaecologist."

"I was grounded"

"You know what? One of these days, maybe on Saturday, I'll take you to see a gynaecologist friend of mine. She'll run series of tests"

"Thanks" she smiled and her mother  called on a waitress.

"I'll take a plate of jollof rice, Winny want do you want?"

"Coffee"

"What?" Dunni asked, "Mom I'm watching my weights" "Rubbish! Get her jollof rice too." She requested and the waitress left.

"What kind of weight are you watching?"

Yewande entered into Mrs Bimbo's office frowning. "Can't you smile a bit, I'm not the enemy here?" "Can you put a call through to our husband?" She asked and Mrs Bimbo creased her brow in confusion, "Ki lo wa de? (What happened?)" She asked and Yewande scoffed.

"He's not picking my calls, I already went to the office and he's refusing to see me"

"What did you do?"

"Nothing! Can you believe he fired Gbade?" She asked and Mrs Bimbo opened her mouth in surprise. "Like you're surprised" Yewande hissed and Mrs Bimbo scoffed..

"I am surprised! Why will he do that? It's impossible, Otunba that I know will never to that"  "Okay, fine! He didn't fire him, he only relieved him of his duties but what difference does that make?"

"Why?"

"Is it not this murder wahala?"

"He definitely did it to save the face of the hospital. You have to understand"

"Understand that what? They said Gbade killed somebody, which Is not  true but even though he did, whose business is it?"

"That was exactly why I called for this meeting. I know we're not best of friends but Gbade is also my son and I'm not pretending about it. Please have your seat so we can talk about a way forward"

"What's the way forward? Do you know how many calls I've received?"

"I'm working on having the girl's home address"

"Let me have it when you do"

"No!"

"I'm only going to teach her small lesson" "Yewande!" Mrs Bimbo warned and she hissed. "At least she'll learn not to pokenose in people's business"

"You'll only taint our name the more, please oh. What if she reports another news? I was planning on paying her off" she suggested and Yewande gave it a thought then she took a seat.

"Continue"

"Why did you lie about you and Dad?" Shade snapped on putting a call through to her mother that day. Omotoyosi kept quiet for almost a minute.

"Ah! Funsho yii sha! I can explain"

"What's there to explain? I thought... I was really happy when I got the news"

"You know that I'll like to come back with your father. It's just the excitement, it's not my fault"  "Is it true you don't want children?"

"What?"

"You don't want children, Dad said you didn't want children. Was that why you two didn't work?" She asked and Omotoyosi kept quiet.  "It's a lot more complicated than that"

"CeCee is back and she spent the night over at the house. Just thought I should let you know"

Chris entered into his house only to find Brenda all dressed up to go out. "Where are you off to?" He asked, "To see Kelvin" she answered and he smiled. "You missed him already?"

"Kind of"

"Children usually grow on anyone. I can relate"

"You can?" She asked and he nodded, "Incase you're wondering if there's anything you should know like if I have a child out there, I don't. I've played enough with my sister's kids and Funsho's children" he answered wrapping his hands around her waist and she chuckled.

"What are you doing back here?"

"I had to come back; I was worried so I decided to check up on you"

"You can go back baby, I'm fine. I just need to step out"

"Let's go together, we'll pick him, go get ice cream, what do you think about that?" He asked and her heart thumped in fear. "You don't have to"

"Please" he insisted and she agreed half heartedly.

Brenda stood by the school gate talking to the gateman when Kelvin got out of the school building with his friends. He paused on seeing his mother then he waved his friends goodbye before meeting her.

"Good afternoon Mommy"

"Good afternoon love. Is that your friend George?" She asked pointing at one of the kids, "Yes" "Why is he now taller than you?" She asked and Kelvin slapped his palm against each other. "I don't know, maybe he's eating too much beans these days"

"How are you?" She asked and he forced a smile. "I didn't see you when I woke"

"Yes. I decided to leave on my accord so there'll be peace"
"Its a lie. Grandpa said he sent you out" he replied and Brenda rolled her eyes. "He couldn't even sugar coat it" she hissed then she exhaled.

"It was beyond me okay? Do you want ice cream? I'm here with Chris and he..." Before she completed her sentence, "She saw a smile curve on his face.

"Where is he?"

"In his car"

"Let's go. Tell Aunty Ruby not to come again"

"I will"

"Mommy, don't worry about Uncle Chris, I'll call you Aunty Brenda" he promised walking past her then she felt her heart literally break into tiny pieces.

"It's thirty minutes past three on your darling radio station 95.5 Mood FM and you know how we do it on today's edition of 'How well you know' and today it's all about how well we know our Nigerian government and politics. I'm in the studio with our lepacious Dara Igwe"

"Thank God you're also thin" Dara commented and they both laughed. 
"The show has been great so far, we've had calls and winners too, but now we're going to take a break to hear from our sponsors, don't touch the dial, keep it logged on to Mood FM" he went on commercial break and Dara went out of the studio to ease herself.

Portia sat on her sewing machine in her shop, while Boma scrolled through her whatsapp statuses. They were supposed to have their girls time at Timmy's diner but Portia cancelled after a customer repressed heavily on her to get a cloth done before the following morning.

Dara and Boma had to surprise her by stopping by at her fashion house.  "I'm sorry about dragging you guys here." Portia apologized for the umpteenth time,  "We don hear oh" Boma snapped and she laughed.

"Look at how Dara's face looks tired, like she needs rest"

"I do need rest"

Boma cleared her throat getting ready to read out a post from her WhatsApp status, "If your breast sure determine your bride price, abeg how much do you think your bride price will be worth?"

"Mine will be about a million naira" Portia answered shaking her cleavages and Boma smiled.
Dara looked at her breast from the red chiffon top she wore. "My own should be about a hundred now" Dara answered and Boma laughed, "Who dash monkey banana? Your akara ten naira breast" she mocked and Portia busted out laughing.

"If I dash her small of my own sef, I will still have more" Portia insulted  Dara hissed. "They don't always respect people in you guys village shebi? God gave me what fits me"

"Jokes apart sha, big breast get him wahala." Boma finally admitted now clearing her throat,  "Someone cannot run freely like you will, sometimes the load becomes too much, sometimes it's like you should drop the breast somewhere, do whatever you want and then go back to pick it" Portia lamented and Boma laughed.

She could relate!

Messages popped up on her WhatsApp so she rolled her eyes. "Will these guys leave me alone? Why can't people mind their business in this country? Just because I posted that stuff, people are just running their mouths and sending me messages on WhatsApp. Abeg!"

Portia and Dara shared a familiar look; they also had comments to make.  "Don't you think it was too rash to post that stuff? I mean you're not sure" Portia began, "That's what investigations are meant for. The police will investigate and find out who the real culprit is. Whether it's Gbade Duncan or not"

"In this Nigeria? Well Sha, they're rich they can maneuver through things sha" Portia answered. "Will you guys stop making me feel guilty about this? I posted it already, what's the big deal?" 

"Dara did you read through the article? Cause I did oh. This babe, just pin pointed the whole thing to Gbade Duncan."

"I said he could be the one. Kini big deal (what's the big deal?) Abeg make we no talk this matter again"

"Well madam, the big deal is that, it wasn't your business in the first place. Weren't you trying to prove that they were ritualist in the first place." Portia snapped and she groaned in exasperation.

  "Well plans changed"

"You're going to attract unnecessary attention to yourself"

"Whatever." Boma rolled her eyes now swiping through more whatsapp status. "Dara, please support me here" Portia begged and Dara hissed.

"I'm more than convinced the Duncan's family are not Ritualists, we all know when Boma sets her mind on something, it's takes the grace of Jesus for her to change her mind so, don't even involve me. I have my problem"

"What's up with you?" Portia asked and she sighed in response. "Does this have anything to do with your being in love with three men?" She added and Dara gasped.

"Babe I listen to you almost everyday"

"I guess it was that obvious, Ehiz guessed the same thing, even Timmy did"

"Anyone who knows you will be able to take a wild guess" 

"Well.... You guys didn't even ask how my discussion with Ugo was." She hissed, "How was it?"

"He said he missed me and he's beginning to like me, all he does is to think of me since Valentine's day, you know that kind of thing now. He said he's beginning to realize he likes me and he wish we can date. This life doesn't have balance. I mean  just when I have a boyfriend? Why are all these things happening? I mean I liked Ugo from the first day we met, do you guys have any idea how he looks, the guy looks like a model. Imagine that kind of person saying he likes me"

"But he rejected you, why is he now catching feelings now?"  Portia asked, "Men ehn! You really can't understand them! Cause the last time I checked, you're still thin and you don't have the shape he wanted. A man will always remain a man, if he has a spec and you're not it, he'll definitely cheat on you!"

"I agree with Portia. And you have Funsho Duncan on the other hand who is also hot"

"Yeah....." Dara dragged, "I made a decision this morning I was going to avoid him but he ended up coming to Timmy's diner with Sewa" she continued smiling. "I just love that girl"

"Hmm hmm, you love the girl or the father? Which one oh?"

"It's the girl I like, the only thing I like about Funsho is that..... I don't even know what I like sef.  I just like being around him." Dara placed her hands on her shoulder,  "He has this aura and he's funny too, with him I can be myself, actually with all of them I can be myself" Dara sighed in worry.

"The first day I met Funsho, he was rude, he looked down on me, he asked me if there was any point exercising, Ugo rejected me but the only person who loved me for me was Efe and I like him"  she answered trying to convince herself to get her feelings right back on track but it wasn't exactly working.

"Jesus! I don't even know what to think, I have plans with Efe and I'm feeling really guilty. Should I tell him?"
  "Tell who? Abeg, keep this to yourself until you're able to sort of your feelings abeg!" Portia advised, "Take it from a married woman. It's not all things these men needs to know about" 

"You know, those times when the Pastor will always pray for men to locate us, I'll always scream Amen at the top of my voice. Now I have three men and it's not funny!' 

Boma laughed then she rose up clapping her hands as though she was in church. Dara rolled her eyes knowing something stupid was about to happen. 

🎶Everything na triple triple eh, na triple triple 🎶

Gbade opened the door of his house to see Funsho by it, he still had the baby carrier and Sewa in it. "Good afternoon" he greeted and Funsho smiled. "I've had a busy day and I could use a water" he requested following Gbade as he made his way into his home.

"I believe you didn't just come to drink water"

"I'm seriously thirsty. I've been talking all day and I'm still here to talk so.... It's only pertinent to ask of water" He answered and Gbade entered into the kitchen to get the water then he got out handing the water to Funsho who was already seated.

Sewa tried to drag the water from him as he drank.

"What's going on? Why are you here?"

"Won't you even allow me finish the water?"

"I hope you weren't offended"

"No. I came for Big brother intervention" he replied and Gbade scoffed, "I've never like the Big brother show" he answered and Funsho laughed.

"He's trying to be funny"

"Who called you?"

"I'm here on behalf of everyone, including Dad"  he replied and Gbade scoffed taking a seat close to him.

"I got fired"

"I'm sure you know why?"

"Yes I do. I'm just disappointed"

"In who?"

"The world, myself, Dad, our sorry life"

"Join the queue Gbade. Did you do it?"

"No. Now I'm disappointed in you" he answered and Funsho chuckled, "No hard feelings man"

"I can't change my disappointment just yet" 

"Is she an ex girlfriend?"

"Not exactly,"

"Oh" Funsho paused raising his eye brow continuously and Gbade scoffed at the look on his face. "It was just a one time thing"

"Okay" he answered in disbelief, "Why are you saying okay that way? Like I'm lying or something"

"I said Okay, what's bad about okay? One time shey? I'm pretty sure you're aware that I invented the one time thing so I know how it usually goes" He asked and Gbade scoffed, "I need a strong drink, i don't know if you'll want some?" He asked and Funsho smiled.

"Why won't i?"

"Since you're a nursing father now, I won't want to spoil the breast milk" he answered with a serious face now walking out of the sitting room and Funsho laughed sarcastically.

"He was just trying to be funny all along." he commented and Gbade laughed to himself.

6: 38

Efe held Dara's hands smiling, "Next time you have a problem with my advances towards you, let me know. Don't ever hide it. I want to make love to you so badly but i want to do it when you're ready"

"Thank you" She answered and he kissed her on the lips and she kissed him too. His phone rang then brought it out from his pocket taking a quick glance at it.

Tee Tee calling.......

"Um.... Excuse me" he raised his index finger up then he went into the room where he picked up the call. "I'm at the usual, where are you? I need someone to fuck my brains off" Omotoyosi requested and Efe scoffed, "Wrong number"

"Oh shut it Efe! I know you're the one! Stop playing games and come please me now!"

"I'm busy now, my girlfriend is around"

"Girlfriend? I thought you don't do girlfriends?"

"Well, I have one now, and I'm ready to be serious with her. So no way, you're not getting my sugar anymore" 

"I'll double your usual pay, I just need a damn good fuck" she cried, "Double?" "Yes, Double! I'm not myself right now" she answered and he exhaled loudly. "I'll meet in an hour or two, plus traffic" he promised hanging up then he went back into the sitting room where Dara had already made herself comfortable on the couch.

"I'm sorry Baby, that was a call from my cousin, she said my aunt's not feeling too well and I'm supposed to come over with Odion"

"Oh God. I hope it's not serious" She rose up and he walked up to her,  "I'll know when I get there" he answered wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Baby I wish we could spend more time together"

"We'll have plenty more" she assured kissing him and he kissed her too. "I don't want to go"

"You have to"

Efe exhaled, "Goodnight" he kissed her again before pulling away. "Goodnight" Dara carried her bag.

She bumped into Odion while walking on the street. "This one that you're leaving so early like this ehn, haven't you two reconciled?" He asked and she nodded. "We have but Efe received a call from his cousin, he said you'll both be going out to see your sick Aunty"

"Huh?" Odion asked, "He just received the call now. You should talk to him, good night Odion" she tapped his arms leaving.

Odion scoffed shaking his head then he hissed.  "Efetobo!"

Timmy and Dunni glued against each other while he rubbed his hands over her arm. She giggled and Timmy asked her why. "I'm just happy, three days of good sex can really do a number on a woman" she answered and he chuckled.

"You know for me it's not about the sex"

"I know, thank you." She answered,   "I'm also happy because of my daughter. I've never felt more fulfilled as a mother, Winny told me about everything, how she lost her virginity, even though it's blurry now"

"Wait, Winny lost her virginity?"

"She did on Valentine's day. She got angry because a guy she liked couldn't reciprocate the love back so she went into another man's arm. A total stranger but I'm happy cause we bonded once again"

"You're so happy about it, aren't you?"

"Happy? I'm elated! It's like everything in life is finally working for me" she pulled close to him now kissing his chest. "Seeing you happy is just a turn on on it's own" he confessed and she laughed now running her hands on his chest.

"I've never asked this before cause I'm getting to know about you but, are there any back story to Timmy Akande?"

"What do you think you know?"

"You're the sweetest man I've ever met,"  "Be busting my head" he laughed and she kissed him on the lips, "You have a very kind heart, you're honest and you're also good in bed" she complimented and they both shared a long passionate kiss then she let out a sigh.

"I just wish this never ends"

"Me too. Well, you know the basics, I'm Timilehin Akande, studied in Unilag, graduated first class, I was the youngest in my set that year"

"Why didn't you get a normal job?"

"I had a passion and I followed it, is it bad?"

"No. It's not, I'm just asking. You're a very hot chef"

"My parents are Pastors in their local church"

"It's true what they say then about Pastor's children" she snapped playfully and he laughed, "What do they say?"

"They're not exactly saints" she replied and they both laughed. "I didn't used to be all..... I was a virgin till I was 22, it wasn't until my final year in the University that I opened up. I've had like 4 girlfriends, the last time I dated was last year January"

"That long?"  "I lost interest in women until I met you" he answered and she smiled.

"Aunty Brenda" Kelvin called out while he watched Sophia the first on Disney channel. He was clad in one of Brenda's top and a boxer he wore under his uniform shorts.
Brenda's heart leapt again from hearing her own son call her 'Aunty'.

"We're alone Kelvin"

"I don't want to make you angry"

"Kelvin"

"Do I make you feel shame?" He asked and Brenda shook her head. "You don't," "Why can't you tell Uncle Chris?"

"Sometimes when you lie and it's difficult to go back. Lying is bad Kelvin, take it from me"

"You're going to hell fire, I hope you know. Well unless you repent" he answered and she nodded in tears. "I don't want to go there" "Then stop lying" he begged and Chris walked in with a customer bag with Pa cream's on it.

"Guess who came with more ice cream?" He asked and Kelvin ran towards him to hug him, thoughts ran through Brenda's mind, could he have still liked Kelvin if she had told him, he was her son?

"Why is he wearing your clothes?" Chris asked and Brenda laughed softly. "I couldn't go back home to get his cloth. I needed to wash his uniform so....." She trailed off watching the both of them.

This life is a set up! She thought within.

"What did you eat?"

"Aunty Brenda cooked indomie"

While going around each of his children's room carrying Sewa who was yet to fall asleep, Funsho knocked on Shade's door before he entered. He found Shade on her bra and shorts then she gasped in fear covering her breast. "Daddy!"
"What are you doing?"

"Daddy I didn't say you should enter! What if I was naked?"

"Remember you usually run around in your pants till you were ten"

"I was ten"

"That was six years ago Shade" he noted then he laughed, "All this children sef, very soon Pamilerin will start locking doors because he's masturbating" he hissed.

"Gross!" Shade grimaced,  "I just came in to say good night"

"Good night Dad"

Just as her father turned his back to leave, she called him back and he returned his gaze back at her. "CeCee is not an option Dad" she pointed out and he smiled.

"Noted"

"What's your relationship with that woman, Miss Dara Igwe?" She asked and he smiled then he shrugged, "She's a client in the gym and a new friend"

"Okay...."

"Why did you ask?"

"Nothing, nothing, I'm just.... I just got curious. Is she your next surrogate?" She asked and Funsho scoffed again, "Stop using the word surrogate, it's demeaning!"

"Is she?"

"No! Dara's different, she's not like..." He paused then he smiled. "I'm not planning on making any deal with her, I... She's just.... It's complicated Shade. I don't even know how to explain it. You know what? Good night to you.  You and your brother sure have a way of making me want to run away from your rooms. Good night Shade" he said now leaving the room.

"Is it just me or daddy likes her?"

Efe entered into the hotel room where Omotoyosi was lying in bed with her transparent nighties on. She knelt down on seeing her then she slowly took it off while Efe undid his belt.

Funsho entered into his room to find CeCee seated In bed with her legs crossed, she had one of Funsho's shirt on. "Hello Funsho" she called out and he halted closing the door.

"What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like?" She asked rising up, "Does this remind you of something cause I'm having a little dejavu moment here. Remember the many times we made love, how many you'll find me in bed in your shirt, how many times I'll pretend to be sleeping only to get caught by you. Let's make more memories Funsho" she whispered unbuttoning his shirt and he blinked.

"How was your meeting with your boo?" Lanre asked Dara on phone while he walked through his street after choir rehearsals. "We had to cancel, his aunt got sick sha"

"Ehya"

"I'm home sha, what about you?"

"There was a mix up with keys so I had to go over to Pastor IK's house" "Jesus!!! You must be stressed out"

"I need a long, sweet massage. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone to give me. I'm on my street sha" he answered when three guys blocked him.

"Ah Han, what's up na?" He asked, in attempt to leave, they blocked him again.  "What's going on?" Dara asked, "Nothing, just a misunderstanding Dara. Abeg, we get any problem? I don't even know you guys from Adam" 

"Na you be Lanre shey?" The leader asked looking at his partner. "Na him, the profile picture match" he answered and the other smiled moving close to him.

"Na you no wan leave person wife shey?" The leader asked and Lanre scoffed, "I don't fool around with people's wife"

"Eh hen? Is that so?"

"Yes"

"Lanre, talk to me" Dara's voice sounded and he placed the phone back on his ears. "It's a misunderstanding, I'll sort it out" he replied and the leader grabbed the one throwing it on the floor.

"Jesus! What's all this, I don't want any issue"

"Well we too, we no want issues, we get message from somebody, and we want make you get the message clear" he raised his shirt up to reveal a gun tucked into his trousers.

"Jesus" Lanre muttered, "This is absurd!"

"Lanre are you there? Are you okay? I can hear arguments, what's going on? Speak to me" Dara's voice resounded from the broken phone.

"We no come to kill you, we come to send message so you better cooperate or else..." He trailed off then he gave eye signals to the other two who kicked his leg. Lanre fell down and they began beating him up.

"Lanre?" Dara's voice resounded again.

What do you think of this chapter?

Matters arising ooooo 🙆🏽‍♀️

Lanre is in trouble oh, who's scared for him? ☝️