Chapter 20

Unedited

"I'm .... I'm a sex addict"

"What?" Dara asked and he nodded in agreement. "Yes I am or was.... I don't know, I'm still undergoing therapy" he explained.

This was followed by a long silence, Funsho suddenly felt uneasy. "Great! You're not saying anything. This is why I never talk about it" "No!" Dara exclaimed.

"It's not that... I just... I want to... i just... I...." She stammered, there was a ease in traffic and he drove slowly.
"I'm sorry"

"It's okay, I get it. You must have a lot of thoughts running through your mind and more questions"

"Yes. Yes I do, for how long?" "A lot of years. I've had failed therapy, this one seems to be working" "Is that why you have kids?"

"Not exactly. The only time I made a mistake was with Shade, the others were intentional" "How?"

"I'll tell you when you come by on Saturday"

"Seriously?"

"Yes"

"Are you going to keep me in suspense till then"

"Yes. Till then" he replied and his phone rang. He dipped one of his hands into his pocket then he gave Dara the phone to pick.

"I don't make calls while driving"

"I don't know the person"

"Just help me"

Dara picked up the call putting it on loud speaker. "Hello" she said to hear a mature voice, "So he has gotten another woman shey? What will this one born for him this time? Where's Funsho" Yewande snapped and Funsho laughed.

"Mummy good morning. I'm driving so she's helping me hold the phone. (I'm surprised to see your call? I hope no problem)" "Ema gba mi, Gbade was arrested today, I've been calling everyone. I don't even know what to do"

"Where were you during the party? According to the article posted by this woman, she said you were about meeting up with someone" A Policeman asked Gbade in the interrogating room at the police station.

"Yes I was. I was meeting up with Rosemary"

"Why?"

"I can't tell"

"Withholding information from the police is not a wise move" "It was for a private reason"

"Were you two sexual partners?"

"I beg you pardon?"

"Did you see her face to face?"

"No. I didn't"

"Why?"

"I was interrupted by someone"

"Who?"

"Oh God" Gbade rubbed the surface of his forehead. "I'm having headache already. I saw an ex girlfriend and I talked to her, even if I called the girl's name, you won't know so.... Can we just move on from this? I didn't kill anyone!"

Brenda sat on a chair In Timmy's Diner. "Are you not working today?" He asked and she shook her head, "No. I'm sorry, I'm not in the right frame of mind yet. I'm sure Dara must have given you more load down if everything that happened"

"Babe, you might have to tell him"

"I know but I don't want to yet. I love this guy, I really do!"

"Tell him before it blows on your face" he advised then he scoffed remembering he hasn't told Dunni yet about Winny asking him out. "See this Kettle trying to advise the black pot to clean up" he answered and Brenda wondered what he meant by that.

"I'm dating my dream woman whose daughter's sexual advance, I refused on Valentine's day." Timmy replied, "She doesn't know" he added.

"And you didn't tell me!"

"You seem preoccupied yourself"

"I guess she found someone better" she commented and Timmy raised his brow, "What do you mean?" "When she walked in, I just.... I never thought it could actually happen."

Dunni sat close to her smiling, "Hello" she waved at her. "Good afternoon" she replied and her phone rings.

She looked at the caller, then she looked back at Dunni then at Timmy. "I have to go"

At the school cafeteria, Winny walks with a tray in her hands over to where Shade was seated with another female student. "What do you think if I set up a date between Mom and Dad tonight?" She took her seat and Shade shrugged dipping a spoonful of rice into her mouth.

"I need answers" she replied then she cringed her nose in irritation. "What's that smell?" She asked looking at the rice and beans on the girl's plate.

"Is that food or poo?" She asked and Shade glared at her.

"That's rude"

"Winny is always rude"

"I'm serious, it stinks, did you bring that from home? Please close it. I'm serious, I'm this close to puking. Please, thank you very much" she ranted and the girl left the table for the both of them.

"Winny that was rude"

"I wasn't lying when I said it smelled like poo. So as I was saying? Remember how you set up a date with your Mom and Dad? Mom and I are now on good terms; I can convince her to go. It'll be at the house, I'll make the whole setting romantic and boom! After the night, they'll end up together in bed. I'll have my parents back again"

"Good luck with that! You know if you add this vigor to your waec examination, you might actually pass" she answered laughing and Winny hissed.

"Well, my Dad obviously doesn't want Mom back, CeCee Is back into our lives and I don't even know what to expect"

"I can't be that nice to anyone who wants to steal my joy. Take for instance, that's why Dad hasn't brought anyone in. I can be territorial. No one else is getting married to Dad and no one will get married to Mom"

"Well I'm not the one that's going to get married to my Dad, am I? I just don't want it to be CeCee"

Winny gasped, "Don't tell me you're giving up" "Dad likes CeCee and he likes this woman too, remember the lady you spilled coffee on?" She asked and Winny squinted her eyes in thought.

"I've spilled coffee on a lot of people so....be specific"

"The one we said was very very young"

"Oh. Now I remember, that girl"

"She's 4 years younger than Dad, how old is she?"

"That's like word problem, and I hate mathematics so can we drop the calculations and just hit the nail on the head"

"I'm not telling you"

"Okay...." She paused in thought, "Wait.... 34 years old? Jesus! I'm just seventeen and I look this old. Now I'm jealous of her, if I can be 34 and still look young" she eat a spoon of rice then she spat it out into the plate.

"Haba Winny! Are you okay?"

"It tastes...." She paused then she felt nauseated. "I need to use the toilet real quick"

Just outside Mood Fm studio, Boma walked towards Iretiola Brooks who was leaning against her car. She clapped her hands as Boma approached. "What's the applause for?"

"For the woman who dared to do it"

"What?"

"The needful! All these Duncans be walking as though they're untouchable. Gbade Duncan had been arrested and I owe it to you Boma Davis. Are you free for the day? I feel like taking you shopping. You could use a change of wardrobe" she glanced at her shoe, "A change of shoe, just hop in"

"I'm not really free"

"Don't miss this chance, it's all on me!"

"When was he arrested?" "A hour ago or so. Who cares, I'm happy"

"Why are you particularly happy about it"

"Well, it's like the world finally gained balance" she laughed waving her hands, "And of course, Justice for that poor girl too" she flipped her expensive curly human hair then she shrugged.

"Since you're uninterested in shopping. I better be on my way then, ciao" she waved and Boma returned back into the studio.

"This is Dara's Corner and we have Ehiz in the house. Remember we're talking about beauty, physique and Character. Which do you think is important to make your relationship work. Everyone has their view just like Samson from Ojuelegba noted that, I prefer yansh hundred times pass character, well what can we say. Still keep it logged on to 95.5 FM as we go on a quick commercial break. Thank you" she said dropping the headset then Boma walked in.

"Why the long face?" She asked and Boma turn towards Ehiz. "Pretend as though I'm invisible" he replied and she rolled her eyes.

"Mrs Duncan, the first wife came by the house today. She said a lot of things that actually makes sense. Gbade got fired or relieved from work and he just got arrested"

"I heard"

"How?"

"I was with Funsho when his step mother called him. Wasn't that what you wanted?"

"It was but something is beginning to smell fishy and I don't feel like I trust that Brooks girl anymore. I'm feeling something inside"

"It's called guilt for jumping into conclusion" Dara snapped getting ready to go back on air. "You know what I think Boma, I think you should write another article apologizing to the family?"

"What if I'm right?"

"What if you're wrong?" She asked going back on air.

Funsho sat opposite Dr. Sommy, "CeCee is back in my life and she's trying to break in. I can feel it, I'm just pulling a lot restraint and it's not easy"

A taxi stopped by at a junction and a man walked up to Brenda. "Hi Brenda" "Where .... Where is.... Don't tell me he didn't come" she asked, "Well..... He got held up. I'm sorry he couldn't come, he already picked two houses. You can come check it out, he'll pay for the one you like the most"

Brenda shut her eyes then she exhaled.

Dara walked out of the studio to meet Andy who was leaning against his car with a grin on his face. "I'm a very busy man so I'll suggest you say whatever you have to say quickly" "The last time I checked Andy, you're still jobless"

"At least I have hope of getting a job"

"How? Cause the last time I checked, you've been rejecting job offers and you're only feeding off my sister"

"News flash Moron, I'm the one who is intentionally rejecting those job offers. I get a job ifi damn well please, at least, I have my fine looks, what do you have?" he said with a smirk and Dara scoffed.

"Your day would not be complete if you don't insult me right?" She asked and he scoffed. "You started it" "I was just pointing out the truth but as usual, you'll always turn it around to insult me"

"What's it you want to talk about?" "I'm going to ask you a question and I want a honest reply. Why did you send thugs to beat Lanre up?" She asked and Andy scoffed.

"Why will I send thugs to beat up that idiot? Did he tell you that? He was beaten up and now he's looking for who to dish it on, well he better look for the next idiot cause I'm not going to fold my hands while some idiot accuse me of something I didn't do. Did he? Did he tell Stella the same thing. I know what that idiot is trying to do, he's trying to get Stella to hate me so he can have her for himself" he answered and Dara shook her head.

"You know what Andy, I happened to listen to the thugs speak and they said something about Lanre fooling around with someone's wife. It's funny you know Lanre likes Stella even when you've not met him before" she folded her hands and Andy scoffed.

"I didn't say he liked her, it was a wild insinuation"

"You knew right?"

Andy hissed, "I should have known nothing good could come out of this conversation" he opened the car and she scoffed, "Does it itch your body to see others happy? How could you do that to a fellow human being ? Are you an animal?"

"He got what he deserved!"

"I still don't know what my sister sees in you or what anyone sees in you. You don't have love in you, that's why you can't even reciprocate it! You're so full of hate, you're nothing but a cold hearted, inconsiderate, thoughtless fool!"

Andy charged towards her and she scoffed, "Oh Andy, I dare you to try it, you think it's going to be like it was during secondary school? I'll not only have you arrested, I'll sue you and also stand with Lanre to press charges against you. You try it!" She snapped then he dropped his hands.

"I'm... Sorry" he apologized and Dara raised her brow in surprise. It was the first time hearing him apologize. "Stella has been calling, did he tell her?"

Dara hissed walking towards the studio building "Please don't tell her" he begged but she paid deaf ears to him. Brenda called her and so she picked up, "Are you free? I'm feeling guilty about things I didn't used to feel guilty for" she heard her cry, "I need to talk to my big sister badly"

"Psychologically, I don't even know what's going on with me. I don't know if I'm fine or not. I don't know if I'm okay." Brenda tucked her ombre weavon behind her ears as she complained to Dara.

"Do you need to see a therapist? You don't even look fine"

"I'm not pregnant"

"I didn't say you are! It's too early now. I'm just saying, maybe you need to see a therapist and I'll pay for the therapy"

"I don't have a problem"

"You have a problem and that problem is lying! Just try therapy" "I don't know any therapist"

"There's relief therapy center, I learned they're good. You can check it out, I'll make some calls, find out how I can pay, you can start as soon as possible" she held Brenda's hands in tears.

"I want you to change, I need my sister back. We all do"

Boma alighted at the police station then she sighted Gbade coming out with his mother. She slowly walked up to the both of them. "Good afternoon Ma, good afternoon" she greeted the both of them and Gbade had an indifferent look on his face.

"Shebi you are the blogger shey? What Is good about the afternoon?" Yewande asked, "I just want to talk to your son"

"What kind of useless talk is that? Wo, (you won't leave this place before I raise my hand to slap you)"

"Mom" Gbade called out in a warning tone, "Can you imagine the guts she had to come here. Wo, madam, if you don't want my wahala, you had better disappear from my sight"

"Mom it's okay." He replied now looking at Boma. "As you can see, I've been in the police station, which I owe to you and I'm tired and I need to go home so...." He trailed off, "You don't owe her any explanation jhoor! Let's go!" Yewande retorted storming into the back seat of the car and Gbade joined her.

The driver started the car then he took a glance at Boma, what ran through his mind was what she had to say? He then turned to his mother who kept on grumbling and raining abuses at her.

Adetoun stretched her hands after her kids got back from school. "Mom?" Pamilerin called out and she smiled. "That's me, come give Mommy a big hug!" She demanded and they both hugged her.

"I missed you guys?"

Pamilerin laughed, "Did you?" He asked and Adetoun blinked in shock. "Of course I do" "Prove it!" "I love you guys" "We haven't seen you since.... when again"

"Since January" Ade replied then his mother scratched her head.

"We speak on phone regularly and I told you guys the reason why I haven't been able to come" "It's fine Mom, why are you here?"

"Because ....." She trailed off, "I.... I can't explain but you guys know I love you right?" She asked and they both laughed.

She rolled her eyes then she wondered why they were laughing. "What's funny?"

"Whose party did you come for?" Pamilerin asked walking away with Ade while their mother stood in awe. She blinked her eyes turning back at Hannah who was with Sewa. "These children won't kill me" she complained and Hannah laughed.

"They missed you that's why. They love you, just know that"

"Guess what guys, I lost the bet. So I'll be washing his family clothes for two weeks." Dara said on her live broadcast, she was laying in bed. "I know it's crazy but who would have thought he knew my sister's name? I didn't even think of it" She answered and a knock on the door interrupted her.

"Good night guys," she announced then her mother walked in. "Don't forget to subscribe or leave comments or opinions on the comment box. Also stay tuned to my daily radio program, Dara's Corner by 10 on 95.5 mood FM" she ended stopped the video then she sat up.

"Is everything ok Mom, what are you doing here"

"Can't I come and have a conversation with my Adiaha (first daughter) anymore?" "Is Dad okay?" She asked and her mother chuckled.

"Your father is okay, I just ...." She trailed off. "I just felt the need to ask you about your boyfriend. We've not seen him, your father and I have been talking about it. You're not a baby, the guy is supposed to you know..... Hasn't he suggested coming?"

"He hasn't and Mom, I'm not going to force him"

"No one is asking you to, your father is just worried. I m worried too, my mind is not at ease, we would really like to meet your boyfriend; Let your father and I do our own examination"

"He'll come at the right time, maybe he's not ready and I'm not going to rush him."

"Whatever you say dear"

"Mommy, how do you know when a person is right for you? How do you weigh love? Not like there's a weigh balance for it". "Is this about the girl you spoke about on your show yesterday? I didn't want to think that story was about you but now it's just so obvious. Who and who are you in love with"

"It's not love, it's just admiration"

"Remember Ugo?"

"The one that made you cry that night, that one is not an option, who's the next person?" She snapped and Dara laughed. "Ugo is not a bad person, he said he likes me now Mom"

"Didn't he already state that he doesn't like thin people? Sweetheart, he's not an option, it's better to be with someone who likes you for who you are, not someone who wakes up one morning to realize he likes you. He might as well wake up the another morning to tell you the love is no more"

"Efe liked me for me."

"What about the doctor?" She asked and Dara shrugged, "He's the third person. I don't think I like him like that but the kids all warm up to me"

"How many children?"

"Four, his first child is about my height"

"Wow"

"I know I shouldn't be liking him but he's just..... Likable, his ex-wife and his ex girlfriend already warned me to stay away from him and I wanted to but it's like the more I try, the more we get to see each other and the more I want to get close him, get to know him better" she answered biting her lower lips"

"So the doctor is divorced"

"Yes Mom. It's bad shey?"

"Hey, who am i to judge the man because of that. You should take this to the Lord in prayer, there's nothing God cannot do. Ame kop? (Have you heard?)" She asked and Dara gave a gentle nod.

"Yes Mom"

Dunni rose up opened the door to welcome Timmy in. "Welcome back baby" she announced and Timmy walked and she locked the door. Then she held his arm and kissing him on the lips and the smell of alcohol hits his nostrils. "You've been drinking?"

"Not exactly. Okay fine, yes, a little. I was nervous"

"Why?"

"I have suggestions and questions and I grew kind of nervous. I know we just started but I just want to know if I could move my stuff in, I know there's that possibility that we might break up?"

"You'll leave your comfortable home for this?"

"I don't mind, I've never been more comfortable in my entire life" she said kissing his lips and he kissed her too. "Dunni I.... I have something I want to say you" he held her hands and she curiously stared deep into his eyes.

His heart raced as the thought of breaking up crossed his mind. Knowing Dunni these few weeks, she didn't seem like the kind that will still date him knowing her daughter already asked him out.

"What is it?" She asked after what was beginning to feel like a long silence. "I .... I love you" he confessed, "I love you too" she responded then he pressed his forehead against hers and a gentle smile formed on his face.

"Get the idea of breaking up out of your mind; we're never breaking up okay?"

Stella sat in the sitting room with a brown cap with cap over her natural weave. She continuously tuned several channel on her DSTV. She picked up her phone looking at the time on her phone, it was already past ten. She tried calling Andy's number all to no avail then she called Lanre.

"Hey Lanny" she said filled with guilt, "Hey dear," he replied then he heard a mature woman's voice ranting and complaining.

"Where are you? Is that mom's voice? Is she at your place?"

"No. I'm in her place oh. She's just being annoyingly persistent, how are you?" He asked and she sniggered. "I wasn't the one that was beaten up.... How are you?"

"I'm fine, I'll be fine, how are you and how was work?"

"Work was..... I couldn't concentrate most of it. I''ll stop by before going to work, if that'll be fine"

"I'll love that" he replied with a sigh of relief. "Take care Lanre" she answered before ending the call.

There was a knock on the door so she rose up, walked towards the door then she opened it to find Andy who had a grin on his face. "I know you must be angry but I have an explanation for this" "For which part ehn? For leaving me for your friends, for not picking up my call or for sending guys to beat Lanre up?" She snapped and he ran his hands through his low cut.

"I didn't do it"

"Oh how convenient! You didn't, then who did? How come...." She paused blinking her tears in, "How come Lanre suddenly ended up being beaten just after I told you we had a quarrel over you."

"Um... Baby," he held her hands and she pushed it away. "Don't Baby me!" She snapped, "Don't you dare! How could you? How dare you? What gave you the right to do so?"

"Let's just go in and talk about it"

"Talk about what? You're not entering into my house! And we're not having any conversation! It's so obvious you did this and you can't even deny it for long"

"Babe I did it for you!"

"For who? Sending things to kill a poor man!"

"Can't you see I did it because I love you! I was just trying teach the idiot some freaking lesson to stay away from my girlfriend" "Lanre is not an idiot! Lanre is much more, he's a sweetest man I've ever known"

"Careful Stel, if I didn't know better, I would have said he's your boyfriend and not me" "Would that be a bad thing Andy? You know what? I'm just tired, I'm tired of trying to make us work, you're rude, you're arrogant,"

Andy scoffed, "Like you're not rude too!" "That's because of years I've rubbed off from you! Years that I've wasted being with you. My parents doesn't even like you and you know what? I think they're right not to. Who could have thought you were the kind to do that?"

"I bullied your fucking stupid sister in secondary school yet you came saying yes to me the moment I asked you out" he retorted and she slapped him on the face. "Dara isn't stupid and let this be the last time you repeat that shit. I've taken your bullshit for too long! We're done" She took off the ring in her fingers then she placed it on his chest.

Andy stared at her with his hands still on his cheeks. All he could see was a beginning of being broke if he doesn't calm Stella. "Babe, babe" he held her hands and she slapped his arms. Then he watched the ring roll off on the tile.

"Let's talk this out, we can't do this. It's too rash. Okay I'm sorry for insulting your sister, I'll never do it again. Let's just calm down and have a mature talk" he held her waist and she tried to wiggle out of it.

"Andy, leave me"

"Baby" he kissed her and she slapped him on the cheek again then she pushed him out. "What part of we're done didn't you get?" She asked and he scoffed.

"Without having a proper couple discussion"

"Well I'm not interested!" She replied and he moved his lips close to hers again. "Do you want to receive another slap? Just try me!" She threatened then she went into the room pulling out his luggage.

Andy's eyes widened in shock, this shit was becoming real to him!

"Stella, Baby, come on now" she held his hands and she glared at him. "So we're not going to negotiate this? Over what? Beating some idiot that deserved it?"

"Oh Andy, if you call Lanre an idiot again, I'll finish you with words! I'm just restraining myself but if you force me ehn! You call Lanre an idiot, what about you? At least he's an idiot with a job, you're a fucking jobless idiot!" She snapped and he raised his hands at her.

Stella scoffed moving back then she pulled closer to him, "Beat me now! Shey you've raised your hands already, beat me let me see! Lanre will never raise his hands at me."

"Don't!"

"Don't what?"

Andy scoffed, "Why do I feel like you already liked him" "Will it be a bad thing to like him? He's my best friend and I've been so blinded by this stupid love I had for you" she pushed him away. "God I've been so stupid! I don't even know what I saw in you see! Get the hell out of my house!"

"My bag"

"I'll go bring it from the room"

"Can I at least get your phone to call my guys"

"What happened to your own phone"

"I don't have airtime..... Don't make me beg Stel. You know what? Forget it! I'll show up unannounced and..."

Stella handed him the phone then she went back into the room. Meanwhile, Andy grinned dialing her mobile banking code.

Did I hear someone shout see gobe? Just when Stella started growing morale😏

What's up with Winny?

What do you think about today's update?

I'm sorry it took long and it's short. I've been disturbed since 20-10-20

I had friends and family who escaped and it was pretty much a lot to take in😪. I haven't been able to type much.

I do hope we are all safe

May God restore peace and unity back in Nigeria🇳🇬🇳🇬

Leave your votes and comments 🙏

Stay safe!