BEAUTIFUL WINGS (Chapters 1-5)
CHAPTER 1
"I'm
going to kill them both!" Lara yelled, pacing the room as her friend Mabel
tried to pacify her. She reached for her phone scrolling through with trembling
hands, while a gamut of emotions coursed through her. Exhausted and emotionally drained, she
flung the phone on the leather couch and rubbed a hand against her throbbing
temples. Right now, all she wanted to do was shoot the people that had betrayed
her.
She couldn't believe it, two of the most important
people in her life, her best friend and her fiancé had been having some twisted
affair she’d only just heard about. It had to be some kind of joke. This
couldn't be happening to her. It was probably some bad dream she would soon
wake up from. She’d only heard of things like this in movies and gossip
articles she read online.
"Lara, please take it easy..." Mabel
consoled but rather than soothe her, it only agitated her further.
“How long have
you known about this Mabel? How long!" She cried making futile attempt to
wipe away the tears streaming down her face.
"I knew you would be hurt." Her friend tried
to explain. "And the last thing I want is for you to be hurt like this. I
thought if you found out, you would know the kind of man Soji is and cancel the
wedding."
"And Aisha! Of all people? My best friend! Aisha
that I trusted with everything! I wasn't afraid to share my feelings and
everything I had with her. Mabel, Aisha was like a sister and she heartlessly
did this to me?"
"Lara please… just calm down. Let me get you a
glass of water while you sit here and relax. You'll be fine. I'm really sorry
you had to find out this way."
"She was sitting there, on his lap when I caught
them.” She went on, infuriated. “In his office! Soji didn't even look like
someone getting married to me in a few months’ time. He even had the guts to
lie to my face, like I’m blind. You know what? I can't even think right now.
How am I going to survive the next few weeks? I'm going to be the laughingstock
of Lagos. What are my parents going to do about the invitation cards and the
wedding plans?” She seethed. How could Soji do this to me? With everything I
did for him…"
"He's a gold digger and a womanizer. That's all
he is."
Lara knew Soji was no gold-digger. He’d womanised in
the past but that was all it was. He was a chartered accountant working in one
of the top banks in the country. His father was late but his mother was a
prominent fashion designer and had chosen to design her wedding gown. Soji was
well employed and had enough to take care of the both of them. If he wasn't
capable, her parents wouldn't have blessed their engagement in the first place.
"I need that cup of water." Lara marched
toward the kitchen and Mabel followed behind. While her friend reached for a
glass to fill, Lara snatched a knife from the kitchen counter and slit her
wrist.
Mabel screamed.
⸎
Nimi
was staring out her window when her roommate Kemi Adeoti barged in and sank
into the bed, disrupting her thoughts. She'd been trying to meditate on God's
word earlier but her mind wasn't settled. There was a burden she’d been praying
about for a while but she still couldn’t place her hands on it.
"I have to go home this weekend. My cousin was
involved in an accident and my parents obviously need me around her for child
support." Kemi blurted out.
Nimi noticed the sarcasm dripping in her friend’s
voice and turned to look at her. Kemi’s words stirred something inside her and
she searched within. A girl had been bleeding in her dream this morning. Could
the accident be related to the dream she’d had?
She had never seen Kemi's cousin in person, but Nimi
knew the cousin she was talking about. Omolara Olakitan was the prettiest girl
she'd ever seen. Her face was littered on the media and blogs and her roommate
wouldn’t stop talking about her; from the things Lara owned, to the guy she was
getting married to and how she was running the show in terms of her father’s
oil company.
As the only daughter of the Kitans’, Lara was the
second heir to the Olakitan dynasty. The first heir, Dapo Olakitan had refused
to take on his role, so it was only natural for the second child Lara to take
on the responsibility. She was in charge of the Olakitan’s Oil and Gas
business. Nimi had seen her appear on several TV shows and she had a huge
following on social media where she dished out tips on becoming a successful
entrepreneur and a very fashionable one. Men adored her and ladies admired her.
She was a role model to both young and old. Nimi was only aware of this because
her course mates wouldn’t stop ranting about it and Kemi enjoyed the perks of
being affiliated with the Kitans.
Nimi knew Kemi might not have befriended her if not
for Kemi’s grades that had gone on a downward spiral in the first semester.
Nimi and Kemi’s friendship bond had grown ever since they became study
partners. When Kemi saw an improvement in her grades, it was only natural for
her to keep Nimi close.
"What happened? I do hope she’s alright."
“I can’t say exactly. It could be someone has offended
Baby Lara, or she bruised her nail while doing her manicure.'' Kemi
chuckled.
"Don't be mean."
"I'm not mean; she's my cousin and trust me when
I say she’s the most annoying person to ever exist.” Nimi was the only person
Kemi could rant to about the petty side of her cousin. “I could get home now
and find out she just missed a step and I have to be at her beck and call
because you know, it's ‘Baby Lara’"
Nimi sighed. "I do hope she's alright."
Kemi shrugged, and headed towards the wardrobe to pack
a few clothes. Looking back, she beamed. "Come with me."
"What?" Nimi looked up, startled by the turn
of events. Perhaps she hadn’t heard her roommate right.
"Please! It would be fun I promise. Don't be such
a bore." Kemi said, coming to sit beside her.
"No way, what will I tell my mother if she finds
out I followed a friend to the Kitans’ Mansion?"
"Many things. That you're working part-time in
one of their companies."
"Are you stylishly offering me a job?" Nimi
asked teasingly.
“Will you say yes if I agree that I'm offering you a
job?"
Nimi shook her head suddenly appalled by the thought
that they had changed the Lara centred discussion to her search for an
opportunity to work somewhere. Yes, she wanted a job, but this wasn’t the right
time to think or talk about it.
"We should be more concerned about your cousin
and not what we seek to gain from her misfortune."
"I never said you got the job, I was just trying
to entice you." Kemi grinned more to herself. Her phone buzzed and she
picked it up. Distracted by the messages coming in she forgot her conversation
with Nimi for a while.
Nimi who was already used to Kemi’s short attention
span dropped her Bible and picked up her school notes. It was a wonder Kemi had
enrolled in a post-graduate program when she could hardly focus on one thing at
a time.
Kemi glanced at her. "Are you coming with me?
Look at the bright side. We’ll get picked from school in a limousine and we can
wave at our course mates like celebrities." Kemi wiggled her eyebrows
producing a smile from her roommate. 'C'mon Nimi, just this once, or did you
ask boyfriend Number one and he said no?"
Nimi nudged her playfully.
"Is it not you?" Kemi teased. "I know
you na. The one who asks Jesus about
every single thing. Awon Team Jesus is my husband. I wonder when
you guys are going to realise that Jesus cannot marry all of you and you need
someone real and touchable, someone to give you some good loving like Dare,
your earthly boyfriend.''
"How many times do I have to tell you that
there's nothing between Dare and I? First it was Noma and Bridget and now you.
You see a guy with a girl and the next thing you do is come up with stories or
conjure up a relationship that's not happening and will never happen.” She
snapped.
Kemi saw the frown on her friend’s face and blinked.
"You need to take a chill pill madam."
“I'm sorry...” Nimi apologised. "It's just that
when you do that, I subconsciously start thinking of him as an option when he
shouldn’t even be in the picture. He isn’t God’s will for my life. I have
prayed about it to know if he’s someone I should consider. God said no and I
decided to close the chapter. Case closed."
"Oh right. I just worry about you sometimes
that's all. I mean you're a good girl and
you deserve a good guy and you’re not getting any younger
y’know. I heard the best place to build a relationship is in school.''
She smiled sadly. "And who says I'm good?"
"Uh, well, obviously if we are going to classify
the good people, you would fall into that category for sure. You don't do
drugs, no tattoos, no alcohol, you read your Bible like it's the next best
thing after chicken and chips, you've never kissed anyone, there are no dirty
linens in your closet and you'd rather find satisfaction in God's cloud nine
than in a club where you can get high." Kemi shrugged.
"Thank you for analysing my life Miss
Adeoti."
"Look, it's just that you growing up alone as an
old maid in some church or house creeps me out and that's what happens to some
good girls who live in denial. For someone like me, I don't think I can do
without physical contact. It's crazy! Like, how do you do it, do you recite a
mantra or something?"
Nimi ignored her friend. She was used to her teasing.
"Okay, so are you coming with me or not? Please
say yes. Besides, doesn't the good book say mourn with those who mourn?"
"It's now you know scripture." Nimi rolled
her eyes while considering her friend’s request. She waited hoping to get the
leading within. She didn't feel uncomfortable or restless about it and her mind
flashed back to the image of the bleeding girl in her dreams.
She felt the sudden nudge to go.
"When do we leave?"
CHAPTER 2
"She'll
be fine Chief and Mrs Olakitan, there's nothing to worry about." The
doctor who had attended to Lara explained immediately he stepped out. The
muscles on their faces relaxed when he delivered the news. "No major blood
vessel was affected. She will be discharged tomorrow morning."
Sumbo sighed. She wasn't ready to lose her baby girl
just a few months to her wedding. She wondered what had gotten into Lara’s
head. Mabel had explained it was an accident but Sumbo didn't believe it.
She suspected it had to do with her son-in-law to be,
but she wasn't going to tell Chief about it. He would be furious and ensure
Soji was miserable for the rest of his life. It wasn’t the first time Lara and
Soji’s Love-Hate relationship would lead to something this preposterous. One
part of her felt their bond was majorly fuelled by lust than love, but they’d
been together for years. She thought they’d be matured enough to handle things
like this.
"Can we see her now?" Sumbo asked
"She's been sedated but you can check on her
briefly."
"Thanks so much Dr Philips. We're glad this isn't
more than we can handle. I do hope you can come to the house to check on her
from time to time. You're the only one I trust my life and that of my children
with, I'm sure you know that by now." Chief Olakitan said, feeling
grateful for the doctor’s help.
"Of course Chief, I know how precious Lara is to
you, she's precious to me as well." Dr Philips took off his glasses,
wiping it cautiously. "I would advice that you keep a good eye on her so
she doesn't repeat this 'mistake' again and do something irreversible."
"Are you saying my daughter tried to commit
suicide?"
"Well, I won't call it suicide…” Dr Philips
glanced briefly at Mrs Olakitan and could decipher that she didn't want the
suicidal word leaked to her husband. Over the years he'd gotten to know every
member of the Kitan family but Lara was also his special jewel. He was only
'too old for her' as she’d put it to him several times.
"I think her accident was stress induced. Anxiety
maybe. I’m aware she’s getting married soon and it takes a lot to plan a
wedding. Anything can lead to feelings of anxiety. She probably feels
overwhelmed. I believe we
will know what happened when Lara wakes up. It's not an established theory
yet.''
There was deep frown seated on Chief's brows as he got
up and his wife joined him.
"Thank you Doctor. We'll see our daughter
now."
⸎
Lara
blinked and her eyes opened to see a pair of brown eyes staring back at her.
She’d heard her parent’s voices piercing through her dream but they weren’t the
ones looking into her eyes right now.
This was the familiar face she wanted to see; the one
she was hoping would show up, the one she bled herself for. She’d told herself
she would do all she could to keep him.
He belonged to her, not Aisha or anyone else.
"Lara..." His voice caressed her and she
felt her body grow warm and alive. This was what Soji did to her. He made her
glad she was alive. He made her want to be a woman over and over again. Her
friends saw this and were jealous of her. They knew what the two of them were
about and wanted to separate them. She'd seen them ogling him and heard them
say over and again how lucky she was to have Soji all to herself. It was no
surprise; her fiancé was built with features that could sway any woman.
But he was sensitive to her feelings and he loved her.
He chose to marry her, no one else. And she was going to use everything within
her to fight for their love.
"I'm sorry..." He sobbed kneeling beside her
bed and placing his head on her stomach. "Why would you do that to
yourself? Were you trying to give me a heart attack? I can't do without you and
you know this..."
She nodded and her eyes stung. She reached to hold his
head and stroke his back soothingly the way she always did after their intimate
moments together.
They were like that for a while before he spoke up.
"About Aisha, she was the one who tempted me. I swear on my life I
wouldn't touch her but she came on to me all of a sudden and I didn't know what
to do..."
"It's okay..." Right now Soji was here and
that was all mattered. Mabel had told her more than she needed to know.
He looked up at her. "Have you forgiven me?"
She smiled, her mind thinking of what she would do
with her best friend turned arch enemy. "I haven't told Daddy just in case
you're wondering."
He heaved a sigh of relief but she ignored it,
allowing him kiss her when he leaned close. She pulled him close and reached
for his jacket, creating space beside her on the hospital bed. His signature
scent wafted up her nose and she breathed him in; a musky sweet woody fragrance
with notes of citrus and sandalwood. He leaned close and interlinked his
fingers with hers, draping the other one around her until she was safely tucked
inside him.
“Stay with me.” She mumbled kissing him again.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
⸎
Soji
was driving back home in the early hours of the morning when his phone rang. Recognizing the caller ID, he
hesitated. Inhaling deeply, he thought of ignoring the call but it wouldn’t
stop ringing. After much contemplation, he picked it.
"Hello Aisha."
"Soji I've been calling you for the past three
hours and you refused to take my calls. Are you avoiding me?"
He scoffed. Aisha was more delusional than he’d
presumed her to be.
"My fiancée is in the hospital because of us and
this is what you call me for? That I am not taking your calls? Look we have to
stop this. My wedding is in four months’ time and the last thing I want is this
happening. This thing between us has to end Aisha. I keep telling myself I
can't see you again but you just keep hanging around. Lara is your best friend.
Why are you doing this to her… to us?"
"Because she doesn't deserve you Soji! I
do." She sobbed. "She always gets what she wants. I saw you first and
she snatched you from me. It's not fair!"
He sighed. What had he gotten himself into? One woman
was enough to give him a headache and now two? Aisha was as persistent as Lara.
The two women were indeed birds of a feather.
Lara had the upper hand with her manipulations. He
knew the role her parents played in getting him favors, including his current promotion.
Although she wouldn't admit it, she knew he would come running back to her if
their relationship hit the rocks. If Chief ever got wind of his affair, he
would be ruined. All he had ever worked for would go down the drain. Her father
would make sure no good company took him in.
He’d told himself time and again that the favours he got being engaged to
Lara Kitan had no role to play in their love life. But he couldn’t help when it
came up. He relished the look of envy on his friends’ face the moment they
discovered he would be Chief’s son-in-law soon. Besides, Lara was madly in love
with him as he was with her and she wasn't going to give up on him.
He thought of their budding relationship which started
four years ago. She’d fought for them. How could he give up on her? She’d used
her influence to get him a job, he'd received a letter indicating he was to
resume as a branch manager.
No interview, no aptitude test, nothing!
His days of writing aptitude tests and settling for
less were over. He had excitedly resigned from the auditing company he was
working with when he was presented with a generous monthly salary and benefits
to follow.
He recalled the look on Lara’s face when he told her
about the new job offer. She’d jumped on him excitedly showering him with
kisses and praising his intelligence and exclaiming with all the enthusiasm she
had brimming within.
"Oh baby, you don't know how happy I am."
He'd squeezed her and rolled with her on the carpet kissing her all over her
face. He’d been living in a small two bedroom apartment at Ojuelegba then with
little furniture to adorn the house. Lara hadn’t minded spending some of her
nights with him. But he wanted to give her more. He’d tried to impress her in
the past but he knew Lara was hardly impressed. With the kind of girl she was,
she deserved a castle and he wondered what she saw in a small boy like him. She could have any other rich guy but she chose
him and elevated his destiny. He wouldn’t be someone without her influence.
Within a couple of months of his new job, he’d gotten an apartment at Parkview
Estate.
"But you know you shouldn't have done whatever it
is that you did."
"I didn't do anything..." She feigned
innocence stroking his matted beard playfully.
"You better speak up." He nibbled her chin
as he slipped his hands beneath her arms so he could tickle her.
She giggled and tried to fight her way out of his grip
playfully. "Nooooo...
please noooo."
He tickled her senseless and kissed her. "Are you
ready to talk?”
"I just spoke with a few friends of my Dad about
it. You know that man that’s been trying to ask me out… Mr Ayu. I told him you had
potential, the right degree and I added a little lie that we’ve been friends
since childhood and he was like, why not?"
Soji who had been caressing her stopped.
"What?" He knew the Mr Ayu she spoke of. He’d seen the man once at a
dinner he attended with Lara. She’d introduced him as her father’s business
associate. The man was quite old but that didn’t stop him from ogling his
girlfriend’s cleavage shamelessly. Soji knew when a guy had eyes on his woman.
But it felt pathetic when it was a man old enough to be her father.
She frowned. "Why are you upset?"
He got off her and sat on the carpeted floor.
"Does your father know about this?"
"I didn't want him to know but he found out at
the end of the day. C'mon Soji, there's nothing wrong with me helping out in
any way I can."
"What did he take from you?" He spat.
She shrunk back shocked at his suggestive remark.
"What do you mean by that? Are you calling me a slut?"
"Men like Ayu are perverts and would always want
something in return..."
She hit him hard and stood up, moving away from him.
Picking up her blouse on the floor, she threw it on and headed for the front
door. He caught her hand in time and swung her around to face him.
"Let go of me!" She yelled into his face. He
pinned her to the door and kissed her. When she weakened, he pulled back and
looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry baby, I shouldn't have said that..."
"You're a jerk Soji, a stupid, good for nothing
idiot!" She allowed him kiss her again till she could do nothing but kiss
him back. When he lifted her from the ground, he knew he was in control.
They had fought, broken up and made up in the four
years they'd been together. Their misunderstanding wasn't unusual but Lara
cutting herself was something he didn’t see coming. He hoped her parents would
not investigate the reason for her action or he'd be doomed.
Whatever he had with Aisha was a fling, together with
the hopes and promises she was holding on to. Aisha could go to hell where Lara
and his privileges were concerned.
"I've got to go. I'm on the road." He
snapped.
"I'm pregnant Soji. Let's see how Lara will feel
about me carrying her fiancé's baby."
And she hung up.
CHAPTER 3
Dapo
Olakitan stepped out of the car, preoccupied with thoughts of Lara. His mother
had called him the night before, panicking. He'd assured her he would be coming
over to see Lara first thing in the morning. When he heard she'd been
discharged earlier, he surmised it wasn't serious. Perhaps, she was having one
of her usual fights with Soji.
It was amazing how the two lovebirds had spent three years together without one killing the
other. He’d tried everything within his power to convince his sister she could do
better than the guy but Lara loved having her way. The fact that she was the
only daughter of their parents and the one running their father’s company
didn’t help the situation.
She’d been born ten years after him; years after his
mother had been told her chances of giving birth to another child were slim to
none, after three consecutive miscarriages. So it wasn’t a surprise they’d
spoiled her, ensuring she lacked nothing. She was sent to the best schools,
given the best treatment and it wasn’t long before she became a media
sensation.
He hadn’t been so fortunate. Chief Olakitan had spent
time disciplining his son so he would grow up being like him and even better.
Unlike Lara who was
born into wealth and always wanted more. His mind briefly flashed back to their
childhood days. She’d been the most beautiful sister to him. Although her
intrusion into his life wasn’t something pleasant, he’d always hoped to have a
sibling he could play with. There was a time she asked for his opinion about
everything, like he was all that mattered, like it was the two of them against
the world. Years before the world stole her innocence; he’d always imagined
Lara to be a princess and the guy that would marry her would be lucky. Lara’s
beauty gained her favours, even as a child. Their father used to say Lara took
their mother’s eyes.
But she wasn’t going to remain a child forever. Lara
grew up to prefer the company of her shallow-minded friends to his company.
Money fascinated her and fame turned her into someone different, someone
shallow and vain. Dapo recalled how his father had grown upset that he wasn’t
going to take over the company. He’d politely refused knowing it wasn't God's
will for his life. For days the old man had refused to communicate with his son
revealing how deep seated his disappointment was.
It wasn’t the first time Jesus would be prioritised in
his life. He’d gotten into trouble often because of it, but he was getting used
to it.
"Dapo love!" His mother greeted immediately
he stepped into the foyer of the large house. His lips curved into a smile on
seeing her. As a tall lithe woman in her mid-sixties, her presence commanded
authority and power. Like good wine, she only grew beautiful with age. The
years were fair on her. Even after two older kids, she was still in shape.
He was beginning to see one of the reasons why his
father stuck with her as his only wife. Chief Kitan’s colleagues had married
more than one wife, but he'd been with their mother for about forty years now.
He knew his father had concubines out there, but his mother was the one running
the show, the one sharing his name and his business. He didn’t know what
happened behind the scenes, and sometimes he wondered if he only saw what he
wanted to see. His parent had a cordial relationship and he hoped they
maintained it that way.
He pulled her into a warm embrace and lingered for a
while. She released him, running her lean manicured fingers on his blazer while
assessing him to her satisfaction.
"You look good, I'm so glad you honoured my
request my dear."
"You’re my mother. I'd be a fool to turn you
down."
She smiled softly and caressed his arm. He knew what
she was thinking and he hoped she wouldn't bring it up this time. His
reluctance to bring a wife home at his age was something that always spilled
into their conversation and he doubted it would end soon.
"How's Lara? I hope she's better now." He
broke into her thoughts, reminding her of the reason he was here in the first
place.
"Oh she was discharged this morning and we're
glad it's nothing serious. Her friends are with her upstairs. She would be
elated to see you."
Isn’t she supposed
to be resting? Isn't it too early for her friends to flock around her?
Smiling at his mother, he decided to keep his thoughts
to himself.
He looked into her eyes and he could tell she felt the
same way but chose to remain mute.
"I've told the maids to make breakfast. I do hope
you can join us when you come downstairs and at least stay for a while. We have
so much to catch up on.''
He nodded. "How's Dad?"
"He's fine. Up and about as usual. He took the
first flight to London this morning, said he had a meeting. You know your
father and his never-ending meetings…" His mother replied with a stiff
smile, her emotions retreating underneath her confident mask.
He released her and found his way upstairs wondering
how so much had changed since the last time he came home. His mother had told
them they were renovating but he wasn’t aware so much would change. New
paintings, railings and imported leather upholstery adorned the house. The
smell of leather mixed with jasmine permeated the room and generous amount of
sunlight poured into the house giving the mansion a stunning glow. The house
looked like a palace made for royalty, even the stairs had been exquisitely decorated
and, on the walls, hung unfamiliar landscape paintings alongside those of his
parents in their youth.
He could hear voices spilling from the room and he
knocked.
"Who is it?"
"Dapo.”
He heard someone squeal and run towards the door. When
the door gave way, Lara stepped out looking hale and hearty. She jumped on him
excitedly.
"I've missed you, I've missed you!!" She
squeezed him till he thought she would suffocate the life out of him.
"Hey prettiest girl in my universe.'' He managed,
coughing playfully so she would release him. She slid her hands into his
pulling him into the room.
"Brother Dapo, I'd like you to meet my friends,
Mabel, Tola, Clara, Maxine and Angel. Girls, meet my one and only, most amazing
brother in the world Dapo Kitan also known as D.K."
"Hi ladies."
They waved shyly and flashed him their gorgeous
smiles. He hardly noticed any one of them. He was here for his sister only.
"How are you feeling now?" He asked. Clad in denim shorts and a pink
tank top, she looked well. When his mum told him his sister had an accident,
he'd thought he was going to meet someone in bed, looking sober.
But here he was, meeting the same Lara he left behind.
And she seemed excited, a little over the top for someone who was reported to
be near death.
"Oh I'm better." She smiled. "I hope
you're staying for breakfast. I'd love you to stay. Kemi is also coming over!
Your favourite cousin. The way you two talk makes me jealous sometimes."
He smiled, allowing the latter remark about Kemi
slide. The last thing he wanted from Lara was a comparison game and he chose to
let sleeping dogs lie. "I'm glad you're better. I won’t be staying long
but I do hope we get to talk."
"Oh of course. I wanted to talk to you too."
He grew hopeful. Maybe she was having a change of
heart about Soji. "It's ditto then."
⸎
Nimi
tried not to feel intimidated when they arrived at the Kitan mansion. She'd
heard so much about the house in Lagos but had never seen it in reality. The
driver skillfully manoeuvred his way through the compound till he halted at the
garage, miles away from the gate. Nimi followed closely behind Kemi, feeling like she’d been
translated into a new world draped in dazzling lights, topiary mazes of
well-trimmed trees and beauty spilling everywhere. Like a mini tourist
attraction centre, it reproduced a kind of life only the wealthy could have.
The water fountain at the centre of the compound gushed without restriction and
intricately designed sculptures were positioned at every angle. Money was
definitely not a problem for the Kitans.
"I hope we're in time for breakfast." Kemi
broke into her thoughts and Nimi managed a smile before her stomach growled in
response, slightly embarrassing her. She’d had no time to prepare breakfast as
their ride had arrived earlier than expected.
Kemi rang the bell and some maids stood at the door to
attend to them. As they found their way in, Kemi spotted Dapo coming down the
stairs with Lara.
"Bro Dapo!" Kemi screamed excitedly and ran
to him, dropping her bag on the floor.
"Kemistry!" Dapo smiled receiving her in a
warm embrace.
He teased, "What have you been smoking? I want
some of it."
She nudged him playfully. "Aww c'mon! What did I
do this time?"
"See you looking almost taller than me. I feel
young when I should be feeling old."
She chuckled and hugged him again. "Oh I've
missed you D.K."
Someone coughed and Kemi turned to see Lara rolling
her eyes. "Some people obviously didn’t miss us as much as they miss our
brother."
Kemi forced a smile and reached for her other cousin.
"Of course, you're the reason I'm here sweetheart, and I've missed you
too." She leaned close to embrace her and Lara received her.
Nimi watched the false exchange between the two,
fascinated at the way Kemi played her role so well. She saw Lara Olakitan and
couldn't believe her eyes. The girl whose life everyone envied online, the girl
who swam in wealth and was tagged Nigeria's Kim
Kardashian. She had everything every girl could wish for, even an Adonis
brother that made the word gorgeous pale in comparison to him. He was handsome,
draped in a simple tieless blue shirt beneath a grey blazer and navy-blue
chinos.
Just then his eyes caught hers and she knew she'd been
staring too long. Slightly embarrassed, she looked away immediately and focused
on her friend Kemi who was still chatting with Lara excitedly, one would think
they were best friends.
"Who's the young lady?" Dapo asked his gaze
not leaving Nimi.
"Oh, that's my friend and roommate, Nimi Adeyemi.
I invited her over." Kemi glanced from Dapo's eyes to Lara's. "I hope
you don't mind."
"Of course not, as long as she's not a reporter
or one of those pathetic gossip bloggers." Lara smiled and waved.
"Hello...nice to see you.''
"Hi." Nimi waved politely. "Nice to see
you too."
Lara walked towards her and touched her cheeks
playfully. "How old are you, you look like a baby."
Nimi shrugged smiling back. "Twenty-Six.''
"Ladies don't say their age..." She pouted
childishly. "You're not a lady."
"Lara!" Her brother scolded.
"What? I'm just saying my mind." She turned
back to Nimi. "I like you already though. You seem like an honest person.
I hope you were honest enough to tell Kemi the truth about her teeth."
Kemi bit her lip and would have slapped the smirk off
Lara’s face if Dapo wasn’t holding her hand. Nimi was aware one of Kemi’s front
teeth were chipped off and had spaces in between.
"I think she has beautiful teeth." Nimi
smiled. "Just the way I think you're beautiful without your make-up."
"Oh, thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Come with me, you'll sit beside me at the table.
I think we'll do well together.''
Lara winked at Kemi before walking away. Kemi knew
what Lara was doing. The smug smile explained it all.
"You can have
my brother but I'll have your friend."
Her only fear was Nimi might be who Lara needed to manipulate once more to her advantage. Kemi just hoped her friend was wise enough to tell the difference between someone who wanted to be her friend and someone that wanted to use her.
CHAPTER 4
Nimi
mumbled a prayer over her food before digging in, tempted to sigh in pleasure
at the exquisite taste. She looked up and caught Dapo staring at her with the
same curiosity he'd been watching her with at the stairs. She looked away and
continued eating hoping her silly heart would stop doing those ridiculous
stunts whenever he looked at her.
She glanced at him again and saw he’d turned his
attention to the young lady sitting close to him, one of Lara’s friends. She
was beautiful and obviously taken with Dapo the way he was with her. She
whispered something that had him laughing and Nimi felt somewhat relieved.
Guys like him did not roll with girls like her. His
first reaction to her presence in their house made it obvious. Why couldn't her
stupid heart get the memo and stop its silly attraction to him?
She’d just met the guy for goodness sake, and they had
hardly shared a conversation. Deep down in her heart she knew he wasn't her
type. Though she had never been asked out on an official date, she knew the
type of guy she wanted to be attracted to in the first place. Someone who loved
God above all else, more than she did and loved her for who she was. Someone
who wasn’t ego-driven but had God as his anchor and confidence.
She wondered why
she suddenly considered Dapo Olakitan an option when he was nowhere near one.
She'd been by herself for so long that the moment one guy finally looked her
way; her mind wandered to thoughts of a need she’d tried so hard to push away.
"What are you studying for your masters?"
Lara broke into her thoughts.
"Media and Communications."
"Oh really, that's so cool."
"Thanks."
"I have an MBA from London Business School and
you won't believe when I tell you I find it hard to organise myself on some
days. I tell my mum I need a Personal Assistant, but she feels the one I have
at the office is good enough. I have just one secretary and the last thing I
want to do is burden her with my problems by adding PA to her list of things to
be on the lookout for." She leaned close. "If you know anyone that's
good with that kind of stuff, something temporary, I don't mind, really."
"Oh okay."
"You know what, I'm sure you would do well in
building my personality online since you know one or two things about Media and
advertising. Do you mind interning in my company? I'll treat you nice."
Nimi raised an eyebrow surprised by the turn of
events.
"I--I- don't know what to say."
"You can say no if you want. It’s not like I’m
forcing you or anything but I'd love to learn from you. I know we'll do well as
a team but at your own time and convenience."
"I'd like to think about it."
Lara patted her on the arm and smiled as if she’d
agreed to her proposal. “Thanks."
Nimi glanced at Kemi who was shooting daggers at Lara.
Lara ignored her cousin throughout breakfast while the light conversation
continued at the table. Nimi was beginning to doubt if her coming over to the
Kitan’s mansion was a good idea after all.
⸎
"You
should have just said no!" Kemi snapped immediately Nimi delivered the
news about Lara offering her an internship at Olak Oil and Gas, the Kitan’s
business company. She knew why Lara was doing this. She was probably trying to
get back at her or do something sinister. She was sure something dark was going
on in that girl’s mind.
She knew her cousin pretty well.
"Well, I haven't said yes yet."
"It's like you don't know Lara. There's no good
bone in her body. For every single thing she does, there’s a selfish motive
behind it."
"Well, there's something called free will isn't
there? She can't force me to do something I don't want to do, neither is she
going to manipulate me if I don't allow her. I don't see why you're getting all
worked up Kemi."
"Well, it's not an option, I just want you to
tell her that it's a no for you. Didn't you see how she insulted me today? If
not for Dapo I would have smacked her brain out of her head."
Nimi stifled a smile. “I think you should just try and
ignore everything she does. She keeps doing and saying things to you because
she sees that they hurt you. Once she realises she has no hold on you, she'll
tire and move on to something else."
Kemi shook her head and settled on the bed staring at
nothing in particular.
"Besides, all I see is a girl desperate for real
love and only does the wrong
things to get it and will do all she can to hurt anyone who tries to stand in
her way. It's the only way she understands love and we need to help her, not
bring her down."
"That's my problem with you. You always feel
everyone needs help, love or a second chance. That Jesus somehow can see what
others can’t see in people. Well bad news honey, Lara is an exception. She's
being given chances and all she does is throw it in your face and tell you she
doesn't need it. She can do fine on her own. If you want to step into her den
before you believe me, go ahead. I just don't want you to come back feeling
sorry you did."
"I'll pray about it. If it isn't God's will, then
that's fine by me."
"Okay." Kemi shrugged. Twice she'd been
fooled by her cousin and twice she'd been bitten. Everything she did was
because of her aunt and Dapo. She remembered what happened years ago in secondary
school between herself and Lara. Lara and her friends had mocked her
ceaselessly. She would go to bed crying because she felt ugly. No one would
ever ask her out because Lara had a way of making guys see only her, no one
else. Kemi had vowed they would never grow close but years later, she allowed
Lara back in and she had hurt her again.
"You'll never stop being my friend Kemi, you know
that right? Lara can never take your place." Nimi said turning to face
her. Though they didn’t share the same faith, they’d been friends for a long
while.
"I hope so."
"Hey..." Nimi joined her on the bed and
pulled her close. "You know I should be the one feeling sad because you
have gazillion friends and sometimes, I wonder if you would ever miss me if I
happen to leave your life."
"Friends are different." Kemi snorted.
Nimi smiled. "That I know."
"And to be honest, I like hearing about your
Jesus when you talk about him. He seems to be one of a kind. Sometimes I wonder
if you read the same bible I try to read when I get curious."
"You just have to open your mind and let the
Spirit work in you. And all you need do is believe. Just say the word, Jesus is
always waiting.''
Kemi smiled. "Nimi I'd like to ask you a
question."
"Go on."
"Is God's love really satisfying? Is Jesus really
worth all your waiting… is he worth being foolish for?"
Nimi closed her eyes nodding. "In a world that's
going to pass away and with so little time that can be swallowed up in
eternity, yes. He's worth it. If a whole God could be despised for my sake,
then who am I really? My measly sufferings cannot compare to what he did on the
cross for me.''
"You really think God did that for you?"
"For me, you... all of us."
"How, why do you believe that kind of thing? It’s
just... I don't know, it just feels so unreal you know. I grew up Methodist but
sometimes I have so many questions. I doubt this whole Christianity thing is
real. Why did he have to go through all of that if he's God? Why couldn't he
just do things because He's God? He has all the power, he has everything, I
didn't need him to die, and I didn't beg him to die. I didn't beg to be born; I
didn't beg to exist."
"Mercy made him stand in for us. You had no say
when you were birthed into the world. You didn't beg to be born but you have a
choice right now. You have the choice to choose him or be lost forever. He
created you because he loves you and wants you. He wants you to come into all
that he has. Is it wrong to love someone and want to share everything you have
with them?"
"I used to love a guy once, everything I had I
wanted to give him, no restrictions and what did he do with it? Throw it in my
face."
"But God isn't like that."
"Yes, God isn't like that because he's good and
kind and every nice thing you have to say about him. Well, I didn't see him
trying to heal my broken heart when I thought I couldn't do without James. I
healed on my own pretty fine. You can't touch him, you can't hold him neither
can you see Him. He is just there being ‘God’. Don't you just get tired?"
Nimi sighed knowing she’d battled similar thoughts in
the past when she'd been going through certain things. Years ago when she
didn't know God except for what she was taught about Him. She'd craved and
cried for the mundane things others craved for in the past, but recently she
was learning to grow past that stage as she drew closer to her saviour and into
Him. Some days when the thoughts came and her mood wanted to take advantage of
her, all she just needed to do was come into His presence and everything would
be alright. She just needed to remember God was good and that He loved her more
than she could fathom. She was also learning to find contentment in her current
season.
She knew her love couldn’t match His, but she was
assured He saw her heart and how it yearned for Him. Throughout the years she'd
learned to pour her love and herself on Him and that was satisfying at the
moment. She knew God's love was enough and she wished she could spell it out to
people who doubted.
"When you draw close, all you get is hungrier, not
tired.'' She mumbled and rubbed her friend's back soothingly. Nimi felt the
tension in Kemi’s body relax.
People often said she had a gift of making things look and feel better than they were before. She knew she had the gift of comforting others and God was going to use her as he deemed fit. As long as he strengthened her to keep following him, she would be content, with Him being her strength.
CHAPTER 5
Soji
Bello stared blankly at the documents on his table. His work had suffered since
he received news of Aisha’s pregnancy. Initially, he’d thought she was only
bluffing but the results proved him wrong. He thought of different ways to deny
the baby because he was certain she must have had other men in her life. But
going down that route would only stir up more problems. Lara would know they’d
been together for a while and not the way he’d implied it was only a recent
affair; a mistake, a fling.
If word got out, his life would be over.
Aisha on the other hand was ready to prove the child's
paternity by going for a DNA test when she delivered the baby. She was so
certain it was his claiming he was the only one she’d been with since her last
break-up.
He placed his face in his hands. All his hopes and
dreams of being adopted as Chief Olakitan's son-in-law were at stake. If Chief
even got wind of his cheating ways, the man would not only strip him of all he
had, he would also make sure he had nowhere to run and hide. Lara loved him no
doubt, but he knew her love burned and it would leave him scorched if he
betrayed her a second time.
Both father and daughter would make sure he was a dead
man walking. Lara was the apple of Chief's eye and anyone hurting his daughter
was in for it. Chief had shown doubts during the first year of their
relationship. He’d snubbed him assuming he was a gold digger, only present for
his daughter’s inheritance. Right now, he wasn't ready to prove the man's
assumptions right.
The thought of him leaving the country and not
returning for a long time dropped into his mind but it vanished almost
immediately. He couldn’t hide forever. Besides, he would be forfeiting his
dreams of running Olak Oil and Gas alongside Lara. He'd been placed on the
family wealth the moment he got engaged to Lara but it was all tied to the
Kitans like a blood covenant.
Things were good as long as he was good to Lara and
they got nasty if he tried anything funny.
He stood up and adjusted his tie wondering why his
air-conditioned office suddenly felt hot and uncomfortable. He’d suggested that
Aisha travel out of the country, but she was adamant on sticking around in
Nigeria till she was due.
He’d asked her what she intended doing with her
pregnancy since she refused to listen to him.
Aisha’s plans included her gloating right in front of
Lara with her protruding belly. He wasn't about to let that happen. Aisha was
out of her mind if she thought carrying his baby would make him stick with her.
She was Lara’s childhood best friend. They’d
practically shared everything together except for guys. Aisha was so welcome in
the Kitan home it became like a second home to her. She was from the Northern
part of Nigeria although she was born and bred in Lagos. Fair-skinned beauty
with a body shaped like a goddess, she’d had her own share of suitors.
He recalled how he’d met both women. Aisha had been
the one to catch his attention first. He’d been invited to a friend's birthday
party that was thrown in grand style and he had gone to have fun.
Things took an interesting turn when he saw a pretty
young girl sitting by herself at the corner of the club. He wasn't a charmer,
but he knew he had to try before someone else beat him to it. She was so
beautiful he prayed he wouldn’t mess up. She looked like a lady who could have
men at her beck and call but that didn't intimidate him. He'd had his own share
of women in his lifetime and knew with the looks and the right words, he could
get going.
"Hi..."
She blinked and looked up under her beautiful lashes.
If he was superstitious, he would have thought her a mermaid. She was even more
beautiful than he initially thought her to be. The lights did not do her beauty
justice.
Her body in the blood red halter neck sheath dress
screamed at him.
She waved shyly and looked away like he was just a
distraction. At least she’d waved. That was a first step. He settled beside her
and in a couple of minutes, he had her laughing and opening up to him. He was
about to ask for her number when someone bumped into them interrupting their
conversation. He looked up and saw a girl that looked like Aisha. Same bobbed
hairstyle with a fringe in front, and the same red dress. The only difference
was her face and eyes. The intruder was Lara. Beautiful Lara with well defined
cheekbones with full lips painted blood red.
It was probably the light that made them look alike,
because the two were as different as East was from the West. She waved beaming
brightly. The way her eyes shone; he could tell she was slightly drunk.
"Who's the hunk?" Lara asked her friend
grinning more to herself than to him.
"Uh, Lara, this is Soji Bello, Soji, this is
Lara; my best friend turned sister."
"Oh... nice to meet you." She stretched out
a hand and shook him slightly belching. She tripped but he caught her on time.
“Oops sorry.” She giggled into his face. "Care to dance?"
He looked at Aisha waiting for her to explain to her
friend they had something brewing between them but she shrugged, as if the
couple of minutes they’d spent together meant nothing to her.
He turned back to Lara who was already sliding her
fingers into his. "C'mon, Aisha doesn't mind. Or you know what? You could
dance with the both of us." She winked at her friend. "Hey girl,
let's show this guy who's got the moves."
Aisha shook her head. Soji was almost convinced she
was Lara’s babysitter with the way she composed herself, trying not to get
involved in the life of the party and at the same time watching Lara and
ensuring she didn’t lose it.
"Don't say I didn't ask o." And the both of them were gone. They made out heavily that
night but due to her drunken state, he’d stopped things from going too far. He
didn’t want her having regrets the morning after. She’d been twenty years old
at the time. He didn't sleep with her but made sure she got home safe.
They met again years later in London where he was
running his master’s programme while she was just rounding up hers. That was
the beginning of their relationship that bloomed into what it was presently.
His attraction to Aisha re-awakened when they returned
to Nigeria, two years into his relationship with Lara. He’d thought what he
felt for Aisha in the beginning was gone but like a fire, it consumed his
thoughts whenever she came to mind. One look at Aisha after so many years and
he wished he’d resisted Lara and stuck with her friend. He silently wished
there was a way he could eat his cake and have it. Apparently, Aisha had felt
the same way. He’d caught her staring at him several times and whenever they
stood close, she’d linger until their bodies brushed or their gaze locked.
It turned him on that a girl who didn't want him years
ago wanted him now and was passing the message across in subtle and seductive
ways. So it wasn't a surprise when he attended one of his parties on a Friday
night and found her with a couple of friends drinking and laughing. Lara had
been absent. This time Aisha was the one who came forward asking for a dance.
The rest was history. Their rendezvous had continued since then and he couldn't
bring himself to stop lusting after her.
A knock on the door disrupted his thoughts and his
secretary peeped in. He wondered why she didn’t use the intercom to communicate
with him.
As if reading his mind, she explained. "I called
you on the intercom, but you were not picking sir."
He nodded urging her to go on.
"Your Mum is here to see you sir. She mentioned
she has a lunch appointment with you this afternoon."
Soji blinked. He had almost forgotten. "Please
let her in."
His mother strolled inside and smiled at him proudly. She was an
epitome of beauty. He was proud of her as well. Reaching to hug her, he tried
to bask in her warmth hoping he could escape
into her bosom and leave all his problems
behind.
She rubbed his back tenderly sensing something amiss.
"Soji, are you alright?"
He nodded releasing her. "I'm alright Mum, I just
miss you that's all. It's been so long we've had lunch together and I can't
wait."
"You can lie to yourself but you can't lie to the
owner of the womb that carried you for nine months. You may be grown o and even be the governor of the state
next year but you're still my baby. Something is wrong." She caressed his
cheeks. "Talk to me my darling, is it Lara? I heard she's better now, did
something happen between you two? Is it the wedding?"
He sighed. He was dying inside. Even his friends had
made crazy suggestions, but he wasn't going to listen to them. Listening to
them had gotten him into this mess in the first place. They'd been hailing him
when they knew he was sleeping with two of the most desirable women in town but
as soon as they heard he was going to be a father, they left him to himself and
advised he find a way to bury his secret as Chief Olakitan didn't treat his
enemies too nicely.
"We can talk about it at Lunch." He finally
gave in to his conscience.
His mother relaxed. "Okay, where are we having
Lunch today?"
⸎
Abiola stared at
her son for a long time after he was done narrating his present situation and
for a moment, she was tempted to slap him. She was beginning to doubt she’d
raised him well alone. The absence of a father figure in his life had probably
made him this way. He was her only son and she’d made sure he didn't lack
anything as a child.
She’d been happy he was getting married to Lara and
would become a son-in-law to the great Kitans. No one could blame her for her
ambitiousness. Chief had been so generous to her and her business ever since
Soji started dating Lara. Contracts she never even dreamed of came her way. She’d
thought she was popular enough as a fashion designer but the Kitans showed her
that she was just a learner. She got
invited for interviews, her business was the reigning thing in town and even
senators were eager to have her design dresses for themselves and their
children. Within a span of one year she was already thinking of launching her
own clothing line and was planning to have a business centre in London.
Now her son was here telling her he'd impregnated some
girl called Aisha. Some witch who wanted to destroy all they had going on for
them. She'd seen the girl hanging around Lara a few times. Abiola had sensed
the pretty Fulani girl could breed trouble for her son but she ignored it
thinking the forthcoming wedding was enough to prevent anything from happening.
She should have paid attention to her intuition and warned her son on time.
And now he was in this mess.
This wasn't how she had planned her lunch. She wanted
to tell her son about the new man in her life whom she’d met through Mrs Kitan
on one of their outings. Babatunde Kujore was an old friend of Chief Olakitan
and Sumbo had explained how he’d gone through a bad divorce years ago. They’d
only been dating for about three months and he seemed pretty serious about her.
He showered her with gifts and was attentive to her. He was charming and made
her remember what it felt like to be a woman who was loved, cherished and
desired. He was also into the arts and appreciated her work. They’d gone to
Zanzibar the weekend before. Their time together had been beautiful. He’d asked
her to become his wife.
She’d never thought to remarry but right at that
moment, she knew saying yes to his proposal was the best thing to do.
"So, what do you plan to do?”
He shrugged. "Seriously Mum, if I had it all
figured out, I wouldn't need to ask you for help." His eyes were
bloodshot, and he buried his face in his hands. "Oh Mum, I didn't mean to
do this, to hurt Lara, to get Aisha pregnant. Lara is going to kill me and kill
herself. When she found out about my affair with Aisha, she cut herself."
"You mean she knows about you and Aisha
already?"
He nodded. "I don't know what happened. Aisha
just came to my office in the evening, saying she wanted to talk to me about
something important. I told her I was trying to keep our affair as discreet as
possible, so we had to meet somewhere safe. She thought my office was safe
because some of her friends were already getting suspicious and paparazzi could
be lurking somewhere if we stepped out together. She said Lara had gone
shopping with her friends but Aisha lied she was sick so she could opt out. I
called Lara to clarify. Lara said she would sleep in after shopping, so I felt
at ease y’know.
“Aisha and I got talking and she started crying,
clinging to me and telling me how she loved me and wanted us to be together.
What was I supposed to do, chase her away? I held her to comfort her and before
I could even blink, Lara barged into my office. She charged at us and she would
have clawed out my eyes if I hadn’t caught her hands on time. She tried to hit
me and I went on my knees to beg her but she got all dramatic and ran out.
Minutes later, I heard Lara has been rushed to the hospital. I was scared that
she probably crashed her car on her way back home but I got news that she slit
her wrists because she was upset. That was a clear warning for me.''
Abiola sighed shaking her head. This was a real mess.
She’d never known Lara had suicidal tendencies. It meant Lara was willing to do
anything and everything to keep Soji for herself and would go the extra mile to
eliminate any obstacle in her way with that calculating mind of hers.
She wondered if Chief or Sumbo knew Soji was
responsible for Lara’s impulsive reaction. She signalled the waiter to refill
her coffee. As if reading her mind, her son spoke up. "She told me she
didn’t tell anybody. The warning was for me alone."
''And she hasn't heard about this recent turn of
events?"
"No mum she hasn't, except Aisha is brazen enough
to tell her.''
"Then we must beat her to it."
"How?"
"You have to come clean." She deadpanned.
"What?" Her son stared at her like she was
crazy. "Were you even listening to me at all? You know that's not
possible."
"Don't you trust me?"
"It's crazy Mum, how can I tell Lara her best
friend is carrying my baby just a few weeks to the wedding? Chief will hunt me
down and kill me if Lara doesn't do it first."
"You know the way to her heart don't you? I'm
sure you must know by now. She's a woman just like me." She smiled, her
mind already coming up with all kinds of suggestions. Her son knew little to
nothing about women. "Pamper her, let her feel loved and cherished. Do
things that will make her know she's the woman you want to spend the rest of
your life with, she’s the one that should have your babies, not some wretched
gold-digger you’ve been sleeping with who claims to be carrying your child. How
far gone is she anyway?"
"About six weeks..."
"And I'm assuming she doesn't want to abort it,
does she?"
"She's bent on raising the child to spit on Lara's
face."
"Then you'll spit on hers first. Call Lara, take
her for a weekend somewhere and tell her how much you love her and how you
would never hurt her. Let her eyes shine with love for you. Then tell her the
truth in the most sobering way. Hold her and let her know you'd do anything for
her, and that the affair with Aisha was a mistake. Then wait for her to take
the next step."
"The next step?" Her son stared at her,
bemused. He could be stupid sometimes but she didn't blame him. A beautiful
woman like Lara had the ability to manipulate a man's heart.
Abiola smiled. She knew girls like Lara Olakitan
didn't like their images tainted. She would give all to make sure her
reputation was kept squeaky clean. A baby mama would ruin what she'd built for
herself in years. Abiola trusted Lara to do the right thing.
"Yes, the next step." She repeated.