Chapter Three

Tade had been thinking; calculating. He felt uneasy and all he had been thinking of since the last night at the club had been just one thing; how to help Ibukunoluwami Ketu.

He had the money, the means and the resources to take care of her and change her story. Still; one thing bothered him: Was she even going to accept his help?

He had too many workers in his company and he had checked that morning in all the departments, inquiring if they needed help, but they had declined, so there was no possible way of him even getting her a job in his company.

Besides, she was well aware of everything that had happened in the past, and because her stories dwelt majorly on seeking revenge when the poor gets oppressed, he knew she still held grudges against the people who had hurt her and wanted justice.

She had been sweet and friendly to him at the club only because she didn't know who he was and he knew that too well.

He heaved a deep sigh and took his phone from the table while he spun his swivel chair around, an act he did only when he was engrossed in deep thoughts.

The name of the application she wrote on was called "SkyReads" and he had watched her grow from writing Juvenilia into writing mature and romance new adult novels which everyone seemed to appreciate.

He was her number one fan and had loved and posted comments on her book which boosted her self confidence.

He didn't know why he always wanted to help her and be there for her. Perhaps, he loved her? Of course not. Tade Wellington could never possibly be in love, he thought as he brushed that thought aside.

They chatted on the app and she had asked severally to see him but he had declined for the past eleven years. He wanted to support her from the outside without her ever finding out it was him.

After she completed Tertiary education, he had been so sure she'd get publishers lined up, all wanting to publish her book and sign her to their company because of how great her books were, but the reverse had been the case.

It had been heartbreaking to see her so unhappy after getting rejected once again when she had put all her hopes up. She deserved a good writing contract and it was probably because she had no money nor connections that she was stuck in one place; not moving forward at all.

He clicked on their chats and saw that she still hadn't given a response to his message in the last five days. The lack of job acquisition was definitely eating her up and he had not the slightest idea on what to do to make it all okay.

A knock sounded on his office door and he immediately dropped his phone.

Everyone saw him as unbearable, ruthless and demanding. Someone with that kind of attitude wasn't to be seen as someone who actually enjoyed reading novels during his spare time; if there wasn't any girl around for him to sleep with.

"Yes? Come on in," He said.

His mood brightened as he saw who had come to see him. It was none other than his best friend, Francis Ajay, who always had a bright smile playing around his lips.

Tade stood up immediately with a smile plastered on his face as he hugged his best friend.

"Hey, man. You didn't tell me you were back to Nigeria," He said.

"I did that on purpose. I wanted to give you a surprise," He said.

Tade chuckled. "Man, that's way too cheesy. I'm not your girlfriend, okay?"

"Fine then. Whatever," Francis said, sitting on one of the chairs while Tade sat on the table, really pleased to be seeing his best friend since childhood once again.

"So, how was your stay in Canada? Met a lot of beautiful girls, didn't you? How are the Canadian girls like in bed? Awesome, right? Anytime I travel to Canada, it's usually business-related so I don't get to taste a lot of girls, but I'm sure you were able to enjoy them in all shapes and sizes during your one year stay there," Tade said, a smirk playing around his lips.

Francis chuckled. "Tade, it seems like you've forgotten whom your friend is. I went to Canada for a degree, not to chase anything in skirts. I'm in a serious relationship, Tade, and you and I know very well that I'm not a cheat," He said.

Tade rolled his eyes. "So what you're trying to tell me now is that you're still with Layla?"

"Of course, yes," He replied, hinting in his tone that Tade ought to have known.

"What the... Dude! You guys have been together for about four years now, doesn't it get boring being with just one woman?" He asked.

Francis gave a hearty laughter.

"What's funny?" Tade asked, looking pretty offended.

Francis struggled hard to contain his laughter, and finally, like a miracle, he was able to stop laughing.

"I won't explain to you how it's so easy to be faithful and loyal to just one woman. One day, when you finally fall in love, you'll understand," He said.

Tade hissed loudly. "So, what you're trying to tell me now is that you have no explanation for being able to stick with one woman after laughing at me. Anyways, it's in men's nature to cheat, and only weak men hate tasting from different honeypots," He said.

Francis shook his head in disagreement. "True strength is being able to love only one woman and be committed to her irrespective of the side attractions everywhere," He said.

Tade shrugged. "Well, if that's what you think. I can never be faithful to one woman. There are many fishes in the sea and you can't expect me to taste just one of them for the rest of my life..."

Francis cut in. "But will you be happy if the woman also decides to taste from all the fishes in the sea as well?"

Tade gave a brief laughter. "That's different. Women are expected to be loyal. If she loves me, she wouldn't dare cheat on me..."

"If you love her, you wouldn't dare cheat on her!"

"Don't you get it? It's in a man's nature to cheat!"

"Stop using that false line. That's just a saying men who aren't ashamed of committing infidelity use to justify their callous actions," Francis countered.

Tade scoffed. "That's simply the reality of our world," He stated.

Francis heaved a sigh, tired of going back and forth in the argument with Tade. He never listened and was so strong-willed and highly opinionated.

"Whatever, dude. I didn't drive straight to your office all the way from the airport to argue with you over this issue for the umpteenth time," He said.

Tade adjusted his green tie which complimented the grey suit he was putting on and cleared his throat.

"Why then did you come?" He asked.

"To plead with you to be my best man..."

"Wait a minute! You're getting married?" Tade asked.

Francis nodded with a smile. "Bro, I know you don't like church ceremonies and all that, but please..."

He hadn't completed his statement when Tade jumped down from the table and gave him a tight hug, rendering him speechless.

"Are you kidding, man? There's no way I'd ever miss your wedding ceremony, irrespective of where it's being held, so don't plead with me," Tade said, then released him from his hold.

Francis smiled, exposing all his teeth, really excited. He knew Tade had so many flaws, but one reason he kept on being his friend for so long was that he was the typical example of a friend indeed who would move mountains just for your sake.

"How come you never told me prior to now that you're getting married? And when did you guys get engaged? I wasn't informed," Tade said.

He shook his head in negativity. "We haven't gotten engaged yet, but I'm planning on asking her to be my wife as soon as possible," Francis explained.

Tade looked quite shocked. "How could you be asking me to be your best man when the bride-to-be in question hasn't even said yes to your proposal?"

"She will say yes, of course. We've been dating for four years now, remember? I'm sure she wants us to get married as well," He said.

Tade sighed. "Something just doesn't sit right here. What if she rejects you? What would you do then?"

Francis laughed. "I know you have my best interests at heart, Tade, but relax, we're in love, so nothing can go wrong," He said.

Tade grimaced.

"What's up with you now? What's funny?" Francis asked.

He shrugged. "I'm just wondering how people know they're in love," He responded.

Francis smiled. "Well, love is a beautiful feeling. When you're in love, you'd find yourself always wanting to impress the person, always wanting to know if the person is doing okay, if the person is comfortable. You’d get jealous or angry when you see the person with someone else. You'd also find yourself changing some things to suit the person and would go miles to help out the person," He explained.

Tade sighed and his mind drifted to thinking about Bukunmi. Did he love her? Of course not, he didn't. He wasn't trying to impress her nor was he willing to change anything for her.

"Are you fine?" He heard Francis ask.

He shot a smile in his direction, showing that he was okay.

At least, now, he knew that he didn't love anyone; thanks to Francis. He was still the same old Tade Wellington who just wanted to make things right, for the sake of humanity and not because he was in love with anyone.

*****

Bukunmi's belly growled. She was having a bad hangover and she had been throwing up every now and then; even had a throbbing headache that seemed to be getting worse as the seconds rolled into minutes.

Who else deserved the praise of getting her into such a mess asides Nneoma and her mother? Of course, no one else.

When she had complained to her mother about what she was passing through, her mother had denied her predicament being her fault. According to her, she had told her to go to the club in order to find a wealthy husband and not to get drunk.

Yes, her mother could be so unreliable in trying times. Bukunmi was left to face her predicament all alone.

She couldn't eat and was sweating uncontrollably even though the fan was on the highest. She tossed and turned until she could take it no more. She needed to use the bathroom ASAP.

She grudgingly got up from her bed and was proceeding to the bathroom when she heard a loud voice. It sounded familiar, really familiar, but distant.

"Woman, it's either you relinquish this house and leave peacefully, or the police will be forced to throw you out," She had heard.

It suddenly hit her. That was the voice of her wicked relative, Uncle Gbenga, who had tried every means to send them out of the house her late father built after making sure they had no access to his bank accounts nor any of his other properties.

Their only luck was that the house which they had always and were still residing in had been bought in her late father and mother's name and her mother had the documents.

It had been ages since she last saw or heard of Uncle Gbenga and she wondered why he was in their house, shouting all of a sudden.

Paying no more attention to her growling stomach, she opened the door of her bedroom and stepped out with the intention of heading to the living room to give her uncle a piece of her mind.

She was about stepping into the living room when she saw something that shocked her to the bone.

From the windowsill, she could see her mother kneeling on the floor with tears streaming down her eyes, pleading with Uncle Gbenga for mercy.

It was like several thorns pierced through Bukunmi's heart in that moment. What was wrong? Why was her mother begging like she had no other choice? It wasn't the first time her uncle came to throw a tantrum, but each and every time, her mother gave him a good reply and sent him out of their house. After all, she had every right to the house since her name had been written as a co-owner to it. This time around, however, it seemed as though things were different.

She wanted to go out there and confront her uncle, but her instinct told her to just wait and watch how it'd all play out.

"Woman, I have no time to listen to your pleas today. Enough is enough! You've been owing me 400,000 naira for two years now. Are you not ashamed?" He asked in a very loud voice.

"Egbón Òkõ mi, dari jí mi (My husband's brother, have mercy on me)," She begged in their local dialect.

"Mami was owing Uncle Gbenga money and she hadn't informed me about it? My goodness," Bukunmi thought to herself, disbelieving her ears. What on Earth had prompted her mother to lend money from an animal like Uncle Gbenga?

"Ehnnn. Iyawo wà (Our wife), have I not been patient with you enough? When you were borrowing the money, didn't you brag that your daughter will soon get a good job and pay off all the debts?" He inquired, laughing mockingly.

"But...but she hasn't been able to get a good job..."

"And how is that my fault? I specifically warned you to send this girl to learn a trade and marry her off to a rich man, but you didn't listen. Now that you've sent her to school, what have you achieved?”

"To be honest, I really regret not following your advice back then," Bukunmi's mother said sadly, bowing her head in regret.

Uncle Gbenga scoffed. "Eyah (It's a pity). You know, our people say that experience is the best teacher, and unfortunately, you have learnt your lesson, but you learnt it too late," He said.

Her mother swallowed. "Please, give me more time. I promise to pay you back," She begged.

Uncle Gbenga laughed hysterically.

"Egbón Òkõ mi, jó (please), I swear to pay you back," She said.

He heaved a sigh and cleared his throat noisily. "Madam, honestly, I'm just doing this because you are my late brother's wife. You know, you were supposed to pay me back last week, but I let sleeping dogs lie and came for my money this week. I tried, didn't I?" He asked.

She nodded her head, agreeing with him.

"You know, I didn't inform you before I came here, so, people will say I'm wicked if I just throw you out like that. Besides, it's only normal to give a few months notice before evicting someone from your house in order for them to pack all their luggage and get a new place to stay. I wouldn't want to see you and your children sleeping under the bridge," He said.

"Ése gan, sir (Thank you, sir)," She said, annoyingly grateful.

"I've not even done anything and you're saying thanks. I'll give you three months to evacuate from my house, sho gbó? (have you heard?)," He asked.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir," She said.

"If in three months time, you've not gotten my money which I know you can't even get, you'd have to leave my house. Don't wait for me to drive you out, because I'd not only throw your things out, I'd embarrass you and send you to prison for tresspassing. Have you heard?" He asked again.

"Yes sir, thanks again, sir," She said.

"I'll be going now. Greet my children oh, goodbye," He said and rose to his feet with the aid of his walking stick and walked out of the house.

"Thank you so much, sir," She called after him.

Two years had passed since her mother had borrowed money from her uncle without her knowledge, and soon, the reality of why she had done that sunk in.

Two years ago, her grandmother had been badly injured by a hit-and-run car while crossing the road and had needed to be operated on, but they had no money for her operation. There was no one Bukunmi's mother could turn to. She was an only child with no father and no friends.

However, Bukunmi had seen that her mother was later able to pay the bills. She never knew how her mum did it, and when she asked, her mum only told her to work hard and get a job, stating that she believed in her, which Bukunmi didn't understand at the time. Now, she knew better.

She watched as tears slid down her mother's eyes, having no idea on what to do. Even her mother who had once upon a time believed in her had completely lost all hope in her and even regretted training her in school because of everything that was going on.

It was obvious that she was nothing but a burden who had only been taking from her family, but hadn't given back.

There was no other thing Bukunmi enjoyed other than writing, but for her family, she was going to forsake her happiness. She couldn't let her uncle get her father's house which he had toiled for and she couldn't stand her mother being continually angry with her.

It was time to be selfless and do the right thing, and she was going to prove that she was worth being the first child after all.

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