Anthony took an analysing look at his reflection in the mirror. His haircut was perfect, beard carved to aptness and his look clean and attractive. Lola loved him looking this way if he remembers so well. He does not know if she loves his beard but he recalled she played with it in the past. In a button down shirt and denim jeans, he looked dapper. Slowly, the edges of his lips quirked up. That smile would be good enough to charm her like it used to.

The day before, Lola had given him a call to inform him about her visitation to his place. He was mystified yet ecstatic. In an unhurried movement, he turned away from the full length mirror to his dresser where he took out one of the perfumes he had. The bottle of musky fragrance had been her favourite. She had chosen it for him when they had both gone for shopping during the time they were together.

"I love this. It would smell nice on you" He remembered the words she had said with that heart stopping smile. That day, he could still feel how his heart had ceased beating and what had struck him hard in his chest like the strike of lightening. It was as though she bloomed again like a new flower looking pretty, tender and fresh. Smiling at the memory of the past, he spray the musk on his shirt, just enough to have the room wrapped in its scent.

Few minutes later, he was heading down the grand staircase that led to the living room. Servants moved around, busy and preparing for the arrival of their boss's very important visitor. Floors were scrubbed. The dining room was set with delicacies and the smell of flowers. She does not like flowers so he could not gift her one but she appreciated the beauty of sculptures and he had fine pieces of sculptures, glassware, and figurines in his house, in various forms, colours and sizes.

Getting to the end of the stairs, he paused, adjusting his shirt's collar. His cool eyes swept around the wide spread, decorated with expensive leather seats and home facilities. The floor beneath his well-polished shoes, shone from been wiped to a crystal -like radiance. Satisfied, he took a walk around the house to inspect. He was in the library when a servant had come to call him.

"Sir" A servant's timid voice floated across the room. He replied with a slight turn of his body. "Miss Lola has arrived"

Miss? He mused. He wished she was but Lola Kola-Daisi was yet to add her husband's name to her name. Why would she when she does not want to be known as nobody. Yes, he headed out of the library, Joshua Olamiposi Erinoso, is nobody but he, Anthony Crest, is somebody and he is her kind of man. He chuckled lowly to himself.

He saw her in the lobby studying a sculpture. She wore a burgundy high waist skirt that flared out but stopped mid-thigh. If he recollects and with what he saw, she got pretty legs, long and lustrous. One of her features he loved so well. She had a flora spaghetti strap top made from chiffon to go with it. His throat clogged, dried like dust. Oh! He felt the overpowering lust that came. She had always had a great body, one he had touched. He can still feel her silky skin beneath his fingertips. That smooth feel. The sweet tang of that chocolaty skin on his tongue. His finger twitched to the need to touch her. Black twists cascaded down her back, past her waist to her bum. He gawked at the round curve of her ass. It has a nice feel. He had always enjoyed slapping and squeezing that ass. Her soft fragrance was thick in the clean atmosphere of the lobby.

"I got it from an auction in Morocco" Anthony spoke as he halted next to her.

He watched her lips, smeared with nude lipstick, curl. Today, she kept her makeup cool, one of the rare times she made her makeup such. "I like it" She responded as she stroked the sculpture.

"It is beautiful" The sculpture was carved from wood, polished brown wood. It was a man playing a flute. Very simple for her liking.

"I agree" Lola spun to look at him. Her smile was easy and soft. He surveyed her from her face to her toes, his eyes assessing, slow and cautious. The same light shade of purple on her fingernails coated her toenails. The skirt revealed no part of her stomach which was always flat without a little bit of fat. He hoped she still had her belly button. He had accompanied her to get it along with three piercings in her earlobes. The memory was still vivid in his brain, clear like it happened yesterday.

In one swift sweep over him, she said "You look good, Tony. How have you been?" She moved to plant a kiss on his cheek making his pulse lurch and cheek tingle from the brief contact of soft plush lips, the same lips he wanted on his.

"Fine" He placed a hand on her face to sweep back her braids from her ear. The five piercings in her ear had gold studs and rings of different shapes glistening in them. When did she get another piercing? Pleased, he removed his hand. "You still look as beautiful as I can remember" He praised.

She won't be flattered, he knew. Her eyes were cool without the slightest hint of blush across her cheeks. "I see you have done a lot for my arrival" She took a quick glance at the expanse.

"Aren't you my very special guest?"

"Am I?"

He studied her face. She was confident and her smile was unwavering including the look she gave him. He hated it. He wanted the woman who trembles around him. He needed the woman who feared him, the woman who would shake when he speaks, beg him when he says he would do something and cry for his mercy.

Anthony smiled. "Come on" He held out a hand. "Let's go in" Without hesitation, she kept her hand in his.

He led her into the living room. The living room was neat as a pin. It was an evidence that Anthony had put his servants to work. The floor was scoured, table and windows polished. The electronics were dust free. The curtains had been changed and lemon fragrance filled the air.

"What would you like to do? Eat? Sit and relax?" Anthony enquired.

"I would rather sit and relax and water would do for now"

After she sat, he pressed the button. He took the seat opposite her just as a servant came in.

"A glass of water" He ordered.

"You got a beautiful home"

"Thanks. Decorated it in your style" He flashed her a pleased grin. "Elegant, flamboyant, expensive"

"Is that how you see me?" Lola lifted a questioning brow.

"It is who you are" He held her eyes.

Silence dawned in. The servant walked in just in time and Lola could never be more grateful. She can't imagine an awkward silence with the man with her.

"Your visit surprises me, Lola" The servant dropped the tray on a stool then left. Lola grab hold of the tumbler.

"Does it? Don't be, sweetheart" She laughed sitting back to cross her legs then drink water. "You will see more of me from now on"

"Are you finally accepting my offer?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Of course not, babe. You don't have and never will" His smile became smug.

Lola's mouth curved then she kept the cup on the side stool. "I was thinking" she ambled towards him, her hips swinging, then sat next to him. "We could hang out sometime soon like old times. Just you and I" She placed a hand on his chest, her body touching his. "What do you think?" Her voice was sweet as though it was coated with honey. It was subtle that it could mingle with the air and not be heard.

"Perfect" His hand came to rest under her chin so that his dark eyes looked into her brown eyes. "But your husband?"

"Can we just forget about him?" Her voice turned cold and distant as she backed away. It seemed his question pissed her and it pleased him to know she was not in good terms with the so called husband who is yet to know his wife is cosy in another man's house and soon in his arms. "You have nothing to worry about. He won't disturb us" she leaned in again with a smile.

"You don't know how much you make me happy at the moment" Anthony's wide hand left her chin to slide down her arm.

"I am glad I could make you happy. Anthony, about what happened in California, can we forget about it"

"You can but I can't promise to forget mine"

She let out a soft laughter. "I thought as much" She stroke his beard. Not surprising, the hair around his chin and jawline was soft. "I am sure you made food for my arrival"

"I had your favourite Japanese meal made"

"You still remember what my favourite Japanese dish is?"

"You got no idea how much I remember about you. Lola, you are just a woman I can't forget"

"I am flattered" she said, her voice dry.

He laughed. "You should be hungry. Let's eat" He linked his fingers with hers. Just perfect where it is meant to be, he thought.

Lunch was nothing like they expected it to be. They had Japanese rice along with flaked salmon, Goma-Ae as side dish, miso soup and some prickled vegetable. They spoke like old times. Anthony brought back memories they both reminisced yet they prevented talking about the incident that had broken them apart. From time to time, Anthony would touch Lola's hair, brush a finger over her cheek and to know if she was attracted to him physically, he had skimmed his finger over the corner of her lips to remove rice. When Anthony speaks, Lola locked eyes with him. She remembered, her eyes had been one thing that enthrals him. She'd smile and laugh a lot at many things he said, compliment his look and was expressive by fluttering her eyelids while smiling and touching him on his arm, shoulder and hand.

After lunch, Anthony took her around his house. The sculptures had captivated her including the paintings he hung on the walls of every room. The china that decorated the hallway was another thing she could not resist touching. He took her across a hallway that led to two massive mahogany doors. The door had images carved on it into patterns.

"I love the inscription on the door" Lola trailed an engraved design with a finger.

"It is custom-made"

"That sounds cool. So what's behind the door?" She turned the knob.

The door opened to reveal a swimming pool sitting in a wide expanse. It was a Grecian pool of still blue water. The decorative tile of the pool gave it its characteristic blue colour. Instead of walls, the area was framed with glass panel that gave a nice view of nature and the exterior of his house she had never been to. Above was plain white ceiling and luminous light that splashed over water. The white marbles were as white as a snow obviously from bleaching and perfect scrubbing. The gleam of the marble floor gave her reflection which almost amused her. Sunlight streamed through the glass panels and slashed dazzlingly over the expanse. There was a staircase so the swimmer do not need to jump but tread in. Lola's heart lurched at the sight. The pool was beauty on its own.

"An indoor pool?" She mused out releasing the knob to walk on.

"Yes, an indoor pool"

"This is beautiful!" She shrieked. "I love this, Tony!" Tony gave her a gentle smile. "It has been a hot day. Do you have a towel?" She kicked off her flat sandals.

"As many as you want"

"Perfect" She gripped the end of her skirt and began to pull it down.

Anthony's eyebrows came together. "What are you doing?" He did not sound surprise neither pleased. His cool demeanour was one thing Lola had liked about him.

"Isn't it obvious? I am stripping out of my clothes. I want to swim"

His eyes lingered on hers before he said "OK. Will get a servant to get you a towel?"

She had expected him to turn away yet he stood and stared at her. With a smirk, she pulled the skirt down her waist bit by bit until it laid in a pool of burgundy at the end of her feet. She stood in all her glory in nothing except the blouse she wore and her panties. It was then he had a good view of her legs. Her limbs were long and graceful. They were the kind that made a man wonder her marvellous they would be wrapped around his waist. Lola gave him a smile then proceeded to pulled off her blouse. In a single tug, the blouse was over her head leaving her in nothing but marching lace of white panties and strapless bra.

Anthony tried to not to draw in his breath. Despite the way his desire built, he kept his look serene as though the sight before him had no effect on him. His eyes took in the sight of her, bit by bit. His blood warmed up and passion rocketed. She was the kind of woman who would arouse a man at the mere sight of her. Now, he had a perfect view of her. Long graceful limbs made of slender bones. Skin that glowed from expensive treatments and pampering. Taking pride in herself, Lola took two steps back, turned then dived into water. When she disappeared under water, Anthony turned away to ring the bell. Someone needs to get him two towels.

-----

He arrived with a giant teddy bear in hand. It was a gift for Esosa. Esosa's still awed at how huge the teddy is. It's taller than her and she can't stop telling her that. She had turned to find him standing at the entrance of the ward. Each part of hers went on pause and her heart bounced in her chest. His lips were twisted into a smile, one she had only imagined and dreamt of for weeks. His eyes glittered with toppling spout of rapture as they met hers, the black of his eyes reflected light that made his eyes shine. She held in the urge to scream and rush to meet him. There was tumbling surge of excitement rushing through her as she looked at him but she had just smiled then walked to him, trying not to trip on her feet. She knew she was just going to embarrass herself, not when her daughter was just pestering her about him.

His arrival was least expected. He told her he was coming back few days later which she had only looked forward to. Each day that faded away and night that waned away intensified her agitation. She felt like she was standing on unbalanced toes, looking forward to that day he would arrive but he came back before the scheduled day amidst her conversation with Esosa.

"Mummy, do you like him?" The child had asked.

"What are you talking about?" She questioned, tucking Esosa into bed.

"Do you like Uncle Jafar?" She repeated, the pitch of her voice increasing with the right hint of innocence. The girl's just curious and her inquisitiveness urged her to ask the question.

"Where do you get those ideas from?" She had giggled, hoping the blush on her cheeks would go unnoticed by the child.

The kid is just way too smart for her age. How can she sense such thing? Esosa had wanted her to realise her feelings for Jafar but she had succeeded in diverting her attention to something else. Is it obvious that she has fallen hard for that Arewa man? Every day, she glanced at the doorway during the visiting hours, expecting him to walk in like always but she knew better. What can she do when her heart does nothing but sing his name? Her days are restless. So was she. Her nights are nearly incomplete without talking to him on phone. His voice was all she needed to have a smile on her face after another stressful day. He gifted her a wristwatch which he had worn around her wrist. That day, he held her hand while they sat on the bonnet of his car. There was nothing to say but she knew she felt a lot been with him.

Her mother loves chess and Jafar can play. Before her father died, chess had been a way for her parent's to connect. Over their thirty years of marriage, they played chess. Whenever her mother misses her father, chess was a way to recall all her memories with him. The good and bad. In her living room, her mother played chess with Jafar and she watched the game. He made her mother laugh at the way the game was going and things he said. They spoke like they never did.

It was the first time they are having a conversation that's more than just greeting. Her mother's eyes sparkles each time she released another bolt of laughter from her lips. Osas admired his carefree nature, a very rare traits of his. He's shy but when he loosens up with someone, he's usually free and talks more than he used to. Osas smiled, heat bloomed on her cheeks. What is he doing to her? Her heart is not at peace. It is always dancing at the sight of him and her pulse can't stop pounding. She knows she likes him. Oh, it's more than like. The feelings are familiar. They are ones she had felt before, yet, they felt so foreign. Maybe because they are more passionate than they had been. Why is she always fidgety when she's far away from him? He's giving her reasons to be with him, many than she can count. He's the man they do not have in her family and he fits perfectly in, right beside her. Is she dreaming when she's not when to be? Why is she hopeful about their relationship when she knows better?

He stayed for dinner as per her mother's request. Dinner was lively. It was good to be home after five long weeks. Esosa had been discharged that day after some good news few days back. Her arrival came with a lot of preparations. She made sure the house was scrubbed and disinfected to prevent her daughter from having any infections. She looked forward to going home, sleeping a comfortable bed with no sharp odour of antiseptics and drugs. She would wake up again in her room and not in a hospital room with white walls and machines that remind her of what her daughter is battling with. At week four in the hospital, Esosa had not entered emission which had broken her but the fifth week brought good news and they can finally go home. The chemotherapy is working.

He held her hand when she walked him out later that day. She felt like a teenager again. Her stomach knotted. There's multitude of colour in her heart. Everytime he want to leave, she want him to wait a bit longer. There is something different about Jafar since he arrived. He's trying to pass a message without talking. It's there in his body language, the way he looks at her and some things he says. The end of her dress flapped to the wind that announced the coming of rain. The lullaby of the wind soothes her in the relaxed quietness. It was a song that made the moment unforgettable. It made it perfect. She stood under an unending dark cover with him by her side, nothing interrupting their quiet moment. How peaceful she felt. Her hair made a fine flag in the cold current of air. She had changed the hair after so many persuasion accompanied with sarcastic and insulting words from Lola.

"I am really grateful for everything Jay" The soft pitch of her voice shattered the moment as they halted next to his car.

"It was actually nothing" He lifted his hand to her hair with the aim to push the restless strands from her face. In the moment, their fingers brushed. She went rigid. Thousands of electric shock exploded through her. When was the last time she felt that way with a man? There was a tickly stir at the spot he touched.

"I don't know how to thank you or show you how much I appreciate what you have been doing" She found herself grasping his hand, the one he held unto. There's a voice in her head that tells her she needs to enjoy whatever was happening.

"You don't have to do any of that"

Her lips formed a smile as soft as the morning light. "You will call right?" She held his eyes. His eyes are different, softer than they had ever been. They were eyes that belonged to a man who loves deeply. She took in a loud gulp of breath, going rigid. Something burn in those eyes, strong and intense. She knew what it was. He wanted her to see it.

"You know I will always call you"

Her eyes dropped. "Then call me" She retracted her hand from his then turned away.

"Osasere"

"Any problem?" She waited.

"Hmm....nothing. Good night" Is he doing the right thing? This period appear to be the perfect time. There's a nagging feeling inside of him, telling him to speak, to let her know what his heart wants. "Osas" her name left his lips as he got hold of her hand before she leaves. She stopped, eyes connecting with his. He ran his mouth over his dry lips. She saw the frown that sat in between his brows. "Will you give me the chance to hold this hand for as long as I can?"

-----

Like he expected, the house was quiet but Lola is back home. He could tell from the sight of both her cars in the parking lot. He is not sure about his expectations but he had been hopeful for a change. The past one month he had been away, Lola had not given him a call. He had been the one calling and sending unanswered messages. There was a time he had thought of himself as obsessive. Maybe he is not obsessive but it seems like he is begging for her love and attention and he hated that feeling.

The aroma of food had not welcome him into the glossy household instead the sweet fragrance of a woman had received him. His stomach growled. He was hungry and leaving work with anger had not made him eat so he headed for the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Joshua found nothing. There was no food at home. The rice remaining was not up to a cup. The fridge was empty with rotten food in it. There was no bread, no noodles, no fast food, nothing he could eat to tame his growling stomach. What the hell happened? Lola did not shop for food since he left. What about the maid who come to cook every day. His dear wife did not send her for shopping? He slammed the fridge shut with a new anger that developed. With rage boiling inside him, he marched to the room.

"Lola!" His voice boomed across the hallway. "Lola!" His footsteps thundered down the hall.

Her cup is full and it is already spilling. What sort of bullshit is this? She barely do her duty as a wife. He does not want her in bed yet but at least, he expects his stomach to get food. She had been so nonchalant about what he eats. The maid do that all the time. He flung the door back causing Lola to flinch. Lola whipped her head, eyes wide and heartbeat already increasing.

She was on phone and sprawled on the bed. It was obvious she was laughing but the sight of him caused her laughter to seize. She rolled her eyes and looked away.

"I will call you back" Lola said to her receiver then ended the call. "What?" she got up from bed, her question coming out rude. "You don't have to keep shouting my name like I disappeared"

Her braids had been replaced with short curly black hair. The locks were held together in the middle of her head. What a way to greet someone she has not seen for a month. The woman is malicious in nature, very malicious. He has never seen anyone who can hold a grudge for so long. Without shutting the door, Joshua stepped inside. There was something tensed about his shoulder. The way he closed his hand tight told her just one thing. Anger. It was raw anger not when he had his callous eyes on her. She gulped. What has she done this time?

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He ambled towards her.

"What are you saying?" She threw a hand with a new pride she acquired.

"What the hell is fucking wrong with you?" He shouted causing her a balk a bit. He gritted, his veins stretching against his skin. His eyes were almost bulging from their sockets.

"You have asked that already" She was cool. Too cool for his liking. Soon, he expects her to spark.

"Lola, there is no food in the house. Everywhere is empty. There is nothing to put in my stomach" He bellowed.

"That's why there are restaurants everywhere" She did not flinch to his voice but within her, there was a sudden stab of terror.

"Don't give me that attitude, you spoilt brat" He said every word through his joined teeth as he took a step closer to her. "You have been so nonchalant and so annoying and so ignorant over the past few weeks that I don't understand you anymore" He threw his hands.

"Did you ever understand me?" She stood with her arms crossed over her chest. She had an "I don't care" attitude. It was written all over her. Whatever he said meant nothing to her and it just fuelled his anger.

"I have just arrive home from a journey after a month and what I expect is my wife to welcome me home with a smile on her face and food not a sour mood and an empty house"

Those words send a spark through her. Furious, she jolted her head to him. "When did I become a servant or a cook to you?" She questioned meeting his eyes, her voice becoming louder. "When did I become a joker that I have to laugh and smile all the time?" The coolness in her eyes disappeared. He saw the hardness that came with rage. Just what he expected. "Joshua, if your mood is sour from your journey or you are having a bad day, please don't vent your stupid anger on me. You are not the only one with a bad day here"

"So, I am the one giving you a headache? When you were busy jumping around with different men at the club you did not have a headache" He fired. At long last, he was letting out his pent up jealousy.

He saw her post of all the times she went to the club or night party on Instagram. Every Saturday, it's one expensive club to the other. One high class party to another. Music, alcohol and dance. She was the typical bad girl. Wild and free. He admired that side of her but he hated the way she was so free dancing with other men. This had been a problem during their first few weeks of marriage and it is repeating itself again. He groaned, throwing a hand.

"What does this have to do with me going to the club?" Fire burned in her eyes. He touched the wrong spot.

"You can smile with other men, care about them but you do not give a tiny bit of care to me, your husband"

"Please, don't use your authority as a husband on me. I must have said it before. It is just in papers"

Good! He threw his hand. So they were back to their first week of marriage. Would things ever get better? She is driving him nuts and wild.

"What I demand for is respect, Lola" He stepped closer to her. "Respect"

She might not be shouting but the rise and fall of her chest told him one thing, she was boiling as much as he was.

"By the way, those men are just friends. Just friends and getting married to you does not stop me from being friends with them. I knew them before I got to know you. So don't use your authority as a husband on me"

"Let put that aside" He knew there was so much he could take. At last, he was pouring out what he had locked inside. "You don't cook. It is what I expect from you. Food! Ounje! You don't care if I have eaten or not. You don't even want to know what I would like to eat. You have this unconcerned attitude about everything"

"I am a busy woman, Joshua. I also have myself to take care of. Did you ever care if I have also eaten? You are the last on my list of those I should be taking care of" She turned away and headed for the closet. He followed her.

"Busy? You are busy? Busy with Snapchat? Busy taking care of your skin? Your hair? Your body Nails? Toes? Tell me what other job you have than been a photographer? You don't clean the house, Lola"

"Where is that leading to?"

"You don't wash clothes. I have not given you any work to do. I expect little care from you"

"You know what Joshua" She halted next to a row of jean trousers and pulled a random one out. "You are making my blood boil. The sight of you is pissing me off" She yanked off the short she had on and got into the jeans. "How can you be so daft? Do I look like a wife material to you? Gosh!" She shrieked, pulling the jeans up to button it. "I am Lola Kola-Daisi. Kola-Daisi" She repeated her surname like she was trying to point out something. "What do you expect from me? I do not know how to do anything called household chores. I grew up with people doing them for me. Just because you came for dinner in my house that day and my grandmother had said I made the dinner does not mean I can cook. I did not make that dinner. Why do you think I hired two maids? One who will clean and another who will cook. What is wrong with the maids who come every day?"

But she can cook. He thought. Her grandmother had said she made that meal he ate at her house months back. Was it a lie? Was it a way to impress him? Lola cannot cook. Why would that old lady lie to him?

"This is a question of our room, Lola. Strangers enter our room every day. Is that the amount of trust you have for them? I thought you value your jewelleries and items. I am sure you don't want them missing. Why are you been so nonchalant about everything? Lola, I am tired! I am tired of this attitudes you give me. I am tired of you pushing me away for no reason. It's been over a month and you have done nothing but hurt me. Is this what I get for liking you?"

"I think your idea about my jewelleries missing have to stay with you" She breezed past him hating the fact that he thinks he has a right over her because he has put a ring in her finger. He followed her again. He is going to let out everything.

"You had a choice before agreeing to marry me. I want food ready in time and I don't want strangers in our room. Give out the laundry. I don't mind as long as I have my clothes ready in time"

"And you think you are married to someone who is going to obey your orders? Joshua please, I am too young for high blood pressure. Please do not be the cause of one" She stopped in front of her dressing mirror.

"You speak of high blood pressure when you are giving me one" Lola picked a lipstick and smeared it over her lips. "I have been having sleepless nights because of you. No calls. I travelled Lola" Lola touched her eyelashes with mascara. "I left the country and not for once did you call to ask about my wellbeing. You have been so annoying and frustrating. So ignorant and unconcerned about many things and I am not taking any of that. About Lolu reduce your contact with him. I don't like it"

Lola sneered rising to stand straight. She lifted a haughty eyebrow at him. "You must be joking?" She turned back to her dressing mirror. "I am sure you are sick in your head" She dabbed powder on her face.

"Don't talk to me that way Lola" He growled.

"Then speak like a reasonable man. I can't do that" She headed for the bed where she picked her purse.

"You have no choice but to do that"

"Oh please" She waved a dismissal hand. "Tell that to someone else" She went to the door.

"I am not done talking to you"

"I am done talking to you!" An edge of pique crept into her voice. "You are spewing nothing but rubbish. I am leaving this house. You are driving me mad!"

"Listen before you leave. I don't care where you are going to this evening. I just want you to know that I will send money to your account and whenever you choose to come back home, come back with food stuffs"

Lola huffed. Like a tornado, her anger rose higher. She bit her lips. If she is to turn around, she would send that purse in her hand at him. She felt tightness in her chest. Joshua really got a way of making her angrier than she want to. A tremor began. He wants her to shop for food. He's crazy!

"You bastard!" She cried in raged outburst, sending her purse at him. Joshua saw it coming but was too late to dodge it. It hit him on his arm. "You know what" She rushed for her purse that sat on the floor. "If this is marriage" She unclasped the purse and brought out her wedding ring. "I am done! I am fucking done with you!" She threw the ring at him.

Lola knew the best thing to do was to walk away if she does not want blood on her hands and she did walk away, fuming with rage and kicking anything she sees on her way.

-----

Running a school is whole lot of work. It can be stressful especially when there are branches everywhere. Those employed who run the school barely work to satisfy and the students are another work entirely. You have the brilliant students to commend and students who got regular detentions. Because it was a prestigious school with only the rich and influential children attending the school, beating is forbidden. No one's ready to go to prison or lose his or her job. Detention was the only way to punish students just like other prominent Nigerian secondary schools. Producing good and well-mannered students were one of the priorities of running her school but over the years, Cynthia learnt something. Every child has his or her own fate to live. There are the good and the bad. There are the brilliant, average and poor students but still, they were hers to take care of and as the proprietor, her aim is to make every student are better than they had been.

"Here is what you asked me to type ma'am" Mrs Kate kept a memo in front of Cynthia.

Cynthia sat behind the massive mahogany desk. The office was made of fine hard wood. Every wood shone and was polished until they gleamed. The leather chair was comfortable and swivelled. Few files arranged to precision sat on the large table. Rich and expensive scent submerged the atmosphere. In the wall to wall shelf, book lay in order in each compartment. Those books were neat from regular dusting, their hard covers polished.

"Good work, Kate" Cynthia commended giving a little smile to her personal assistance of fourteen years. Mrs Kate returned the smile with a full smile that showered her teeth. "You email this memo to every principal of my school"

"Alright ma'am. I will ensure they get it before the end of today"

"No need to rush" Cynthia set the paper aside. "Email it to them tomorrow morning"

"I would, ma'am"

"And about....."

The large oak door opened getting both women's attention. The figure that strolled in caused Cynthia's lips to quiver up and her frown to disappear. Her eyes brightened, her smile warming her eyes.

"Mummy" Kenny barged into the room. "Mummy" She shrieked. "You have to come outside. Sister Lola has driven her car into the water fountain" Her chest rose and fell, breathing loud and forced like no air will never be enough.

"Lola?" Cynthia got out of her chair. "What's Lola doing here?"

"I don't know" She swallowed, taking in a lung full of air, wanting to fill her lungs. "But I can tell she has lost it again and she is out of control"

"Jesus Christ!" Cynthia rushed after the teen.

-----

They had walked through Paris, the city of love, that's what it is called. He had held her hand like he would never let it go. Their love was young and blooming. He gave her feelings no one had never given her. He had kissed her on Eiffel Tower and she will never forget how his lips had felt. It was a fairy-tale love. The one she had only dreamt of but he brought it to life. He woke up every day to put a smile on her face. Love then had no boundary. Every moment, every kiss and hug, are now memories.

Aunty Dammy opened the box. When he had gotten this house, it had been a surprise. It was a Saturday morning. Leke woke her with breakfast in bed. She thought that only happens in fairy tales and fantasies but he had tried his best to make her a simple breakfast. Bread, omelette, bacon and tea. He told her he had a surprise for her and she had looked forward to it. It turned out to be the house she had been an agent for. She owns a real estate agency and she's an agent herself. Two days before, she had shown the house to someone who had paid and she remember handing over the keys to the man. Who would have ever thought the man had been sent by her husband. They moved into the house three weeks later. In the house, they created memories together. Years went by and they drifted away, everyone buried themselves into what they do best. It was one fight to another. They could not sit without an argument, all because of a child they never had.

She pressed her hands to her face, the free flow of water pouring through her fingers. She had never dreamt of a day when she will have to leave the house. This house held painful memories more than the sweet one she revelled in. She has to move out to create new memories will with children she will soon adopt. They are siblings whose parents died in a motor accident. The eldest is eight, middle four and the last is barely a year old. The family members who cannot take care of the kids dumped them in an orphanage. On her first visit to the orphanage with Tanwa, she had not noticed them. They had not been among the children who gathered around. She saw them on their second visit. They were seated in one corner. The baby was crying and the eldest was trying to stop the child from crying but failed. She had walked to them, collected the baby and did her best to make her stop crying. There's just something about the siblings that makes her heart tug. Over the weeks, she bonded with them and she realised they are the children she never had, the kids she has been searching for.

A heavy gust of air left Aunty Dammy's lips. She stood, a hand on her waist, as she took in the content of the wardrobe with her eyes. It's empty, her shoes have been packed into big cartoons and clothes were arranged in the same cartoons and boxes. She should be done in few minutes. She's starting a new chapter of her life in another house. No Leke. No Anita. There will be no one to pester her about getting pregnant. Maybe people will finally stop talking about. But will they? They always have something to say irrespective of what you do in your life.

There was a sharp pain in her back from bending and rising. She sighed as she took the last pile of dresses from the wardrobe. She had turned away to dump them amidst others when she caught the sight of an envelope from the corner of her eye. Her brows knitted together. She turned to have a good look at it. Curiosity had her dropping the clothes in a box before getting hold of the envelope. Its content was thick. She can't remember keeping a brown envelope under her clothes. Who could have kept it there? It's well hidden that she had no noticed it. Well, it might be due to the fact that she has so many clothes that she can recall wearing the dress it was hidden beneath only once.

Its contents were letter headed papers of a hospital. They were results from a test carried out on Leke? Leke? When did he visit a fertility hospital without her? Over the years, the results of their fertility tests have been good. The doctors said nothing's wrong with them and they can have children but she did not conceive. Why? Medically, there have been no reason for that. She glanced through the paper, flipping each page. Unable to understand what was in the paper, she sat on the bed to read through it with patience.

Her brain faltered for a jiffy as her eyes took in what was written in the paper. Her eyes looked through the black ink, not focusing on anything as she tried to process what she has just read. What is this? She rushed through the pages. Her hand juddered spastically. She's yet to understand all this. She shook the papers, reading again. Leke! A glossy sheen veiled her eyes. How can a man be this heartless? Her compressed mouth quaked. Fifteen years! Fifteen good years and he hid this from her. She ran her fingers through her hair with jarring hands. She is doomed! Doomed! Sweat moistened her forehead and hand. Fifteen years. He wasted fifteen years of her life.

She grew hot and held back screeches of frustration. The rush of adrenaline made it hard to think. She gripped the papers until they started to rip. She won't spare him! She will kill him today! She rushed to her feet, grabbed her car keys and stormed out of the house.

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