24 Friend Amongst Frenemies

I've never really taken a while and just think of the word friend, I can never say I have any, not really, the one's I tell myself are my friends can be the one to kill me if, given the right reason or the right motive and the strange part about it is, I would not be disappointed or even be surprised. Things like that happen all the time, have always watched my back even in the presence of close acquaintances.

Family on the other hand is something entirely different and for some reason, I feel like I belong somewhere even if the feeling is not true, deep down I know at some point I will need help if I am to succeed in a family like this, someone who knows the in and out of the family but no one paid attention to.

Here I am walking past this majestic hallway and the view is..., wow, I can't describe it. I can only say it's wonderful.

Why the word wonderful?

Oh, I thought I was thinking.

You were thinking but, out loud.

Some people will simply say beautiful, don't get me wrong it is, but, beautiful is not enough to express this feeling, don't you think?

I've never thought of it like that but I suppose so. This hallway runs through almost the entire mansion, this mansion can be a maze if you don't know your way around it. There's one like this on all three floors.

Do you live here?

Of course not, I'm not welcome here as you are not.

Then how did you know this place so much?

You never met father, did you?

Unfortunately, I met him only once.

He was not a good man I'll tell you that but, he was just. He took all his children here every festive period and we get to know each other, at least we thought we did.

So you are close with the legitimate family?

Far from it, I am a ghost no one sees.

I see you.

Thank you. let's go to the kitchen.

So what do you do?

I work at the fashion line and now I don't have a job.

Why is that?

I don't have any relationship with Mary or her sister.

Oh, now I see. They are the ones that own the fashion line now. Am very sorry.

Don't be, just pray I get something worth my trouble.

That I pray.

she laughed as we entered the big kitchen at the end of the walkway.

You've never prayed before, have you?

Now that I think about it, never.

Wow, you can't even lie either.

That's true, that's why I tell everyone I know not to ask me about things they really don't have to know.

Again, wow, how come you say you've only met father once?

That is the truth.

You talk like him, act like him, even smell like him, you look almost like him. You must be the same height as him if he wasn't old, and what fascinates me the most is, you think like him and have that sarcastic way of seeing things. You my friend are a complete carbon copy of father. Are you sure you are not his clone?

Now you are just exaggerating. This kitchen is very big for a family of six don't you think?

I think not, and besides, they are more than six people here. Most of the relatives of father and relatives of his wife are here. This house is never empty. Please serve yourself.

Do you think there is something for those relatives of who knows seating at the front row?

I doubt so. Like I say father was a just man.

It's been a while now and we are in silence, not that I want to but it's house policy and one of the brothers came to get something to eat as well. We all sat at the dining table in the room after the kitchen, this room is another big and beautiful place. The chairs are majestic and the table has a golden colour, I can't tell if it was real gold but it looks like it.

Who are you? asked Thomas as he finally broke the silence.

You don't have to know who I am, you already have a picture of who I am in your head and nothing I say or prove will change it.

How dare you talk back at me? He asked furiously.

I don't think you are the type that canvass with people very often, they say it's good for the soul and, it will remind you of what and who you are.

And you do you think I am... who do you think you are? he got up with anger on his face.

Here's what I think since you asked for it, I think you are just the son of a rich man and nothing more, and from the way you carry yourself, you have nothing to your name but pride. This inheritance has done you a great favour, do use it wisely. Now dismiss.

I won't waste my time talking to a low life like you, this is not over, you will hear from me.

Are you no longer hungry sir? Grace asked mockingly.

He ignored her and walked away.

You are the coldest person I've ever met. You told him all those words without even changing your expression, that was as cold as ice man. I wish you were here before all this...

It's all right. I know he must have scared you.

He is not the worse of them you know. He is just proud.

You can't tell me all of you have been putting up with this fool?

If you call this guy a fool then you are calling this entire family a fool.

If they all have the character of this guy then they are all fools.

I think I like you already. Do you know what you've just done?

What?

You've drawn the attention of the family, you have made yourself known and it took many of us here a long time to do that.

It doesn't matter anyway. This is the last family meeting we will be having together, it's best you speak your mind instead of holding all your thoughts and emotions inside, it's not healthy at all.

It's almost time, it's best we go back to the hall. she said.

I've never felt the need to protect someone before, I did so in the past because it was expected from me. Blood draws blood, I've never felt that saying to be true until today. Not that I know her but I know she has good intentions, I could tell these things.

I am scared, but not for myself, I can't have a weakness in my line of work so it is best not to get attached with anyone here but I do want to mingle. I've been thinking of what am going to tell Mary when we meet. I for one saw the surprise in her face when she saw me walking into the hall. I don't know what she was thinking or who she has told I was there but I could easily deny it and that will only make her more determined to dig up what she should not know. I do have something against her, I always do, and it's something I know she will never let anyone know. she won't even discuss it with her mother. Some secrets are best left secrete.

We walked into the hall and again, all eyes are on me. we were the last to enter again, but I could tell that was not the only reason they were looking at me.

Mrs Judith got up from her seat and approach me inside the hall.

Who are you? she asked loudly for everyone to hear.

Wow, the boy could not wait to run to mama, could he, I turn my attention to Thomas who was looking from the first row.

look here, I don't know you and I believe no one here does so please leave my house before I call the security.

This is our house if am not mistaken.

Now I know you are insane...

Don't get me, wrong madam, this house is owned by Mr Wasiu and if your name was in the deed then I believe he would have no right to pass it to his son instead of you.

This house now belongs to my son and that simply means it's mine as well. So please leave before...

Wrong again ma, this house is still owned by Mr Wasiu until the signing of the documents and till the end of today or am I wrong Mr Lawyer?

No, you are very much right. said Mr Desmond.

And you don't have to know who I am, I have as much right to be here as any of you do. so please madam, do seat down, you are the one making a scene.

I sat down and she turned her attention to the lawyer.

How can this tyrant be the son of my husband? There is no proof he is and until there is one I want him out of my house she shouted.

No need for that madam here is a DNA test of the young man and as you can see, he is the son of your husband.

He handed the test to her and she kept on looking at it, looking for something wrong but could find nothing. I never knew he tested me or him taking anything of mine. He must have found a way to enter my house the first time he came. That must be it, he waited for me so I would not suspect he broke in and it worked. I never suspected because he was so responsible to do something like that. Again, he has fooled me.