AMADI

"How is it going with Nnenna?"

"My guy, one word; Hellish." Olisaemeka lets out a very loud laugh, chugging down the alcoholic beverage in his glass cup.

"You know I warned you about that woman but you said you were in love. I don't even know what interested you about her."

"Emeka, you know it always wasn't like this." I finally speak after a long pause.

"Very true, but that's because she was skilled at masking it." A lopsided grin graces his face, intentionally mocking me.

"Well." I respond before shrugging.

"How are Ejiro and the kids?" Ejiro is Emeka's wife. They've been married for ten years now. He got married quite earlier than the rest of us his peers.

"Ah. My darling is fine. Same with the little ones." I just smirk, actually happy for my friend. At least, one of us is lucky.

"Well, at least one of us has a happy home." I voice out my exact thoughts.

"Mehn. I won't lie. I feel for you, bro. You did really love that woman."

"Yeah but unfortunately, together is not spelt out in our paths." I signal to the waiter to bring another serving for me.

"Make it faster than the last time." Emeka switches from a playful tone to professional.

"Yes, Sir." The guy bows a little before leaving.

"Easy, guy." I say to him and my response is a slight glare.

"These my workers need to learn." He says simply. He owns the place and has the autonomy to decide how he runs it.

"How's the little angel coping with it, anyway." I smile at the mention of her. The one positive result of Nnenna and I's union.

"It's not like her mom has always been there. Plus, she's still little. These things hold no water to her." My statement is ended by a shrug of my shoulder.

"Yeah. True." The waiter returns with my drink.

"She's with her today, right?" He asks.

"Yeah. Lonely house today again."

"Maybe you should get a baby sitter for your child. For days when you're busy and it's your turn to be with her."

"Nah." I shake my head in disagreement.

"There's never a too busy period when it comes to Kaima. I want to spend time with her and not lose time. Sharing her with that woman is already time loss but there's nothing I can do, seeing as she's the mother."

"When's the whole process going to be finalised?"

"I really don't know, my brother. At this point, she's the one delaying everything."

"I really feel for you, man. It is well."

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"Rise and Shine, Kaima." I say in a sing-song voice.

"Hmmm??" She opens one eye and takes a peek at me before quickly shutting it. This prankster.

"Little Angel, it's time for school." I land on the bed.

"I'm still sleeping." She says in a low voice.

"But people who sleep don't talk."

She looks at me and makes a lip zipping sign with her hand, resulting to a chuckle from me.

"Get ready for the tickle monster." I say in a teasing tone.

Wanting to catch her off guard, I leave her room and go downstairs to prepare breakfast for her. Indomie, just the way she likes it.

After that, I quietly tip toe into her room and start running warm water into the bath.

Walking back to her room to see her sleeping form, I chuckle a little and launch my attack on her. Tickle time!

Soon enough, laughter fills the air as a result. Kaima just keeps laughing and trying to get away from my hold.

"Daddy." She struggles to say in between laughs.

"Yes, Angel?"

"Stoooooppppp." She whines. I take a pause and stare at her with so much admiration.

"Ready to wake up now?" I ask.

"Yes, daddy." She gives me a toothy grin, still struggling to open her eyes.

"Good morning, daddy." She wraps her little arms around me and gives me a peck on both sides of my cheeks.

"Good morning, my beautiful princess." I say back, equally lecking her cheeks and on her forehead.

We say our morning prayers and she ends it with an 'Amen'.

"That's my girl!" I scoop her in my arms and take off her Minnie mouse night gown and drop it in the clothes basket before heading to the bathroom.

We have a little fun while bathing her. Fun that mostly involves her splashing water on me.

After preparing and eating, I pack her lunch box, drop her off at school and head to work.

"Amadi."

"Good morning, mom." I greet my mom, who also happens to be my secretary. Well, she was dad's secretary and that was how they met. Even after his death, she kept on working here. She's still the CEO's secretary.

"How are you?" She asks, smile gracing her face. My little angel took after her.

"I'm fine. What about you, mom?"

"I'm not doing bad, either." She says, sending a beam of smiles in my direction.

"Don't forget that document o. It's very important."

"Yes, ma'am." I do a mock salute and give her a peck on her cheeks before going to begin the day.

Now alot of people would dread working under the scrutiny of their parents; their mom especially. However, mine is not like that.

Mom is a great addition to this company and I would not ask for a better or different secretary. She is absolutely smart and knows her job in-depth.  Another thing I am pleased with is the fact that she knows that being my mother doesn't give her the avenue to slack off and for that, I am grateful.

The day goes off in a blur and in no time, it's school closure for Kaima. So I head there, pick her up and start driving home.

"Hey, Angel. How are you?" I look to my side, slightly bending my hands to the back so I can ruffle her hair, resulting to her giggling.

"Fine, daddy." Kaima immediately reaches for her tab which is always in the car when she closes from school.

"On it! On it!" She squeals with excitement.

Turning on the tab using my phone as it's connected to hers via Google parental control, I enable all the aspects she's allowed access to.

In no time, she is already on Youtube for Kids. This child is too damn smart for her age! Navigating through 'complex' technology.

Baby..shark do do do do do do
Baby shark do do do do do do
Baby shark
Mummy shark do do do do do do

She keeps singing in sync to the song, jumping excitedly in her car seat.

"Easy there, little Angel." I look through the rear mirror to see her nodding her head to the music instead of jumping like earlier.

"Good girl. What did you learn today?" I ask.

"Colouring, tens and unit." Never have I ever seen a child this excited to go to school.

When I was young, I hated going to school. Public holidays were my best days in the academic calendar. Weekends were days of bliss for me.

I remember how I constantly snuck out of school for one whole term without my older sister, who happened to be a senior in Primary school, finding about it. The school was close to my parent's house. So, after we are dropped in school, I hang around till I see my parent's car out of sight then I'll just sneak back home, unnoticed.  I only stayed back on the days assigned for Continuous assessment test which we called C.A. test.

That kept repeating itself for that whole term till it was time for exams and my teacher, disturbed by my absence, called the attention of my elder sister. Well, let's say that was the day the cat was let out of the bag.

In comparison with mine, she had perfect attendance. The question now became how mine was totally incomplete. It wasn't a funny scenario because I waa forced to open up, else my parents would be invited to school by the Headmaster.

Well, that was the last day I ever skipped school because my sister kept a watchful eye on me henceforth. When she finally graduated, Dad had employed more security men at home for safety purpose as the area we lived became a regular target for armed robbers. More security meant no more sneaking, even though I had my freedom to do as I pleased. I had no choice but to attend the school, even as I did not want to.

My train of thoughts is interrupted by a figure on headphones, obviously listening to music and walking home.

What is with me and her meeting when she's immobile? I know she has a car because it's always parked in front of her house.

Maybe she's just walking because she's still inside the estate. I find myself honking to get her attention. She turns her head, slightly and looks in my direction before smiling a little and bends to my car level.

"Hi." She says.

"Hey. How far."

"Good. You?"

"Good too." I respond.

"How's the little one?" She asks, making a shoulder gesture at Kaima.

"She's fine. Care for a lift?"

"Honestly, we've got to stop meeting like this." She laughs a little after saying that.

"Well." I shrug off, not knowing what to say.

"Hey, there." She calls out to Kaima whose attention had solely been focused on Candy crush.

"She doesn't even know you're here." I sigh, apologetically and tap Kaima.

"Heyooo." She smiles, immediately taking notice of Shalewa.

"Hey there, little one."

"Get in?" I say to her with raised brows.

"Sure." She smiles and open the door in an attempt to sit.

"No. Sit here." Kaima taps on the space behind her, repeatedly.

"Alright, dear." She closes the door and joins her at the back. I take a look at the both of them from the mirror and see Kaima immediately snuggle to her, while she grins, none of them noticing me stare.

Smiling at the sight, I turn on the ignition and drive off.

"Well, here's my stop."

"Nooooo. Don't go." Well, this is strange coming from Kaima.

"I have to go, sweetie."

"Kaima." I call out.

"No, daddy. I don't want her to go."

"Hmmm. I'm really sorry about this."

"No, it's okay. She's just a child." Shalewa shrugs her shoulder, telling me reassuringly.

"You don't mind going to ours, then?" I ask.

"Hmm. Looks like I don't have a choice."

"Alright, then." I resume driving and stop at my house.

I get down and she does the same, carrying Kaima with her.

"Thank you." I mouth to her, to which she just nods, smiling lightly.

Together, we walk to my house and just before I open the door, it surprisingly opens.

"What are you doing here?" I kiss my teeth, completely annoyed.

"Surpriseeee." What the hell is wrong with this woman?

"What are you doing here, Nnenna?" I ask her for the second time. Her gaze shifts from my face to Shalewa and her face immediately hardens.

"You bitch!" She shouts, not minding her language. Next thing I hear is a slap.

"Nnenna!" I scream, really pissed. I don't hit women. I never do. This woman is pushing my buttons but I won't cave in. Kaima is already crying as she's yanked off Shalewa's arms.

"Shut up! Your father has spoilt you."

"That is enough." Shalewa is still frozen, no doubt trying to register what just happened in her head.

"I'm sorry." I say to her. She just nods her head and storms off.

Shit!

"Go inside, pack whatever you brought and get out of my house." I say, controlling my temper and trying to be calm. Kaima is still sobbing quietly.

"Come here, baby." I pick her up from the ground, consoling her. This stupid negative energy carrier has made my baby cry.

Taking her to her room, I bathe her and put her to sleep, then head down, back to that psycho.

"What are you still doing here? I said get out!" Instead of answering, she ignores me, operating her phone.

The first thing I do is yank it off her hand and fling it outside the house. Then her bag follows, and I don't forget to take out my house spare keys that I gave to her for Kaima's sake. Next are her shoes. I throw out everything she came with and hold the door.

"Get out!" I make a motion with my hand.

"You bastard!" She yells, still not moving.

In rage, I walk to her, yank her hand and drag her till we're at the door, then throw her out. All this while, she keeps swearing and insulting me.

"Never step your feet into my house again. Else, you'll be very sorry you ever did!"

What nonsense!

Longest chapter so far! How was getting a sneak peak of Amadi?