Chapter 11 Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight.

"It takes a lot of endurance and patience to endure the test of the world against love"

***********

Denola

Denola parked his car hastily and got out of the car, he rushed into the police station and found Amanda by the counter. There was an officer attending to her.

"Good day officer" Denola acknowledged the man before turning to her.  "What's going on mands?" he asked concerned. Amanda turned to him tiredly.

"I don't know, we were attacked by thugs at the office, they just came in and destroyed a lot of our properties, the security guard is at the hospital, he was attacked" Amanda explained.

Denola sighed, he felt a tinge of guilt.  Could his mother be behind this?" he wondered. He didn't want to believe it but her threat the other day at his office had been very clear.

Would his mother really go to such extent to get Amanda out of his life?

Denola sighed and turned to the officer. "What's the next step officer? I think you should issue out a warning. I mean you officers must be familiar with these men.  They are street thugs after all and they are in your vicinity" Denola said.

The officer looked at him sourly.  "We don't have the resources at the moment to take on cases like this. Was it a robbery?" He asked.

Amanda shook her head "Not really but they attacked us,  vandalised our properties, took some with them and threatened us.  Isn't that enough to take action?" Amanda asked getting upset.

"Was anyone murdered?" the officer asked.

Amanda looked at him in disbelief. "My security guard was beaten, or you want him to be murdered before you take action?" Amanda yelled provoking the officer.

"Madam I suggest you watch your tone before you end up being locked away" He warned.

Denola intervened immediately "Let me handle this Mandy" he said calmly before turning to the officer.

"Officer, this is a case of terrorism and vandalism and they equally stole from her. It requires a lot of attention, eventually those thugs will come back and they will definitely do worse. Let's not wait for a murder case before we attend to this matter" Denola said pleading with the officer.

"We have a duty here, we have other cases we are handling at the moment.  We can't start playing cat and mouse games with street boys. They were just exercising their power as usual.  Consider yourself lucky that it wasn't worse.  It would be best if you stay away from them" The officer warned.

Amanda shook her head in anger "Stay away from them?  I was on my own, they came to me.  They attacked me and you aren't going to do anything about it. It's your duty to protect us, to maintain order in the society. If you can't do that then why are you in the office?" Amanda said angrily.

The officer turned to Denola. "Warn your woman, anymore insult from her and I'll lock her here and I won't release her till morning" the officer threatened.

Denola sighed "Is there really nothing you can do to help us?" Denola asked.

"We can help you only if you are able to provide their names, identity and location. That's the only way we'll be able to help you. Without that, we would be chasing in vain" The officer said.

Denola sighed and nodded. He knew one couldn't rely on the police force for these things. It was rare to find an officer dedicated enough to want to defend a citizen.

"Mandy let's go,  we'll handle this someway" Denola said taking Amanda's hand.

"You neva pay for statement. You know no say you go pay after you write statement" Another officer who had be a silent observer all along chirped in.

"I wasn't aware" Denola frowned. He took out his wallet from his pocket. The officer eyed the expensive leather, his eyes quickly perused Denola's outfit.

He noted instantly that Denola was wealthy and decided to take advantage of it. "Five thousand Naira" he stated.

"Five thousand!" Amanda gaped at the officers. They were even bigger thieves than the robbers out there.

"Why you dey shout madam, you think say we dey do charity for here?" He asked rudely.

"No but I know this isn't acceptable, it's wrong" Amanda said. Denola squeezed her arm lightly

"Babe just go out there, I'll handle this" Denola said taking out a few bills from his pocket.

Amanda nodded and left the station immediately. Denola handed the bills to the officer, he smirked as he did so because he knew he was going to get them out of their jobs the next day.

He could have easily let them know that he was a Mayfair and the commissioner was a relation but he preferred the idea of shocking them.

Amanda was leaning against the hood of his car when he walked out of the station. "I'm sorry" he muttered to her as he pulled her into his arms.

"I'm tired Denola, why is life being a bîtch to me? Everything is gone" Amanda said weakly.

"Everything isn't gone, we'll rebuild baby I promise. I'm going to do everything possible to get everything in order" Denola promised.

Amanda looked into his eyes and sighed. "Why are you doing this for me?" Amanda asked. "Why do you keep helping me, aren't you tired of my problems?" Amanda asked.

"I could never abandon you, I could never be tired of you.  I love you" Denola said cupping her face.

Amanda paused "What?" she looked at him confused. She knew he loved her as a friend but the look he in his eyes was stating that he wanted more.

"I love you very much, and I know it's only been a few months but I feel like I've known you my whole life. I feel like I can spend the rest of my life with me" Denola said.

Amanda smiled a little. "I can't....I love you but I'm damaged goods" Amanda said.

"You're not damaged goods, you're beautiful, you're everything. I love you" Denola repeated.

Amanda closed her eyes "Your family, they hate me.  Your mother....will never accept me" Amanda said weakly.

"I don't care what they think and you shouldn't too.  All that matters is you and I, all I need to know is if you want me.  Do you want me Mandy?" Denola asked.

Amanda grinned "I want to leave this horrid place, we need to get back to work" Amanda said.

Denola laughed "Alright, everything will be fine. Let's go, everything will be fine. I promise" Denola said.

Even though she hadn't given him an answer, he knew she wanted him too. He knew they were together and he was going to protect her.

Not even his family would cause a rift between them.

•••

"All fair in love and war. It is important that you go all out, take out the big guns and get rid of your opponents"

***********************

Victoria Island,

Lagos.

Early May.

Amanda.

"Are you sure you are stable enough to go to work today?" Denola asked cuddling her.

Amanda nodded "It's been three days already, and you said it yourself the police has taken care of those boys. You made sure of it. Seriously, it's high time I go back to work, put the damages back in order so that my employees can come back to their job" Amanda insisted.

Denola squeezed her shoulders "You know I can take care of that for you, I know some people who can...." he was saying when Amanda cut him off immediately.

"Denola you've done enough already, you've replaced the vans.  You've hired an entire security team, you've replaced the stolen items. I'm so indebted you but honestly if you do anymore I'll feel like I'm taking advantage of you" Amanda said pulling away from him.

Denola sat up. "You're not taking advantage of me, I do everything because I love you and well I see potential in your business. Besides if I don't help you back to your feet, how am I going to get my loan back?" Denola said in a teasing note.

"I know...but just give it a rest.  It's my business, I should be able to handle my downfalls and get back on my feet on my own. Come on, I'm a big girl" Amanda said getting up from the bed.

"Alright, I'll get dressed so I can take you to work" Denola said. Amanda smiled gratefully. "Yes, go get dressed. I'll go to the kitchen to fix us sandwiches  for breakfast" Amanda said leaving the room.

She was rummaging through the refrigerator for vegetables for the sandwich when the bell rang. She paused her search and hoped it wasn't anymore related to Denola.

'God please let it be Hakeem' she muttered as she went to answer the door. Shockingly it wasn't Hakeem or any Mayfair.

"What are you doing here?" Denola's ex girlfriend growled at her.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Unlike you, I live here" Amanda said crossing her arms against her chest.

Teniola scoffed "God....I underestimated you.  You must be one of those clingy women who depend on men for everything. Look at how you've glued yourself to him and everything around him" Teniola hissed.

Amanda laughed mockingly "At least I'm not a backstabber. I didn't betray him, I didn't link up with his rival to destroy him" Amanda said.

Teniola narrowed her eyes at Amanda "Listen to me you stupid, clueless bîtch. I didn't betray Denola, you don't know anything so you better shut up.  You're just a  temporary distraction, eventually he'll get over his anger and come back to me. Don't think you're special" Teniola said hatefully.

"We shall see about that, I'm not going anywhere. You better accept that reality or you're going to be sorely disappointed" Amanda said right before they heard Denola's voice.

"You should leave" Amanda said. "You've done enough already, just leave him alone" She continued.

"Mind your own business, bleached bîtch" Teniola threw at Amanda. Amanda was about to reply her when Denola got to the door.

"Teni...." he was surprised but only for a little while. He turned to Amanda "Why don't you go get your things, I'll escort Teni out and start the car" Denola said.

Amanda sent Teniola a venomous smile before laying a kiss on Denola's lips as a sign of possession. "Alright babe" she said before going back into the house.

Teniola shook her head and sent Denola a sour look.  "Where did you find this one, at Hakeem's club?"Teniola asked.

"What do you want Teni?" Denola asked with a sigh. "How can you move on so easily, we were together for years! Didn't I mean anything to you?!" Teniola screamed.

"I wasn't the one who ruined us, you did that on your own.  Leave me alone Teni, did I mean anything to you when you sold me out to my rival?" Denola asked hurt.

"I love you, do you think that I could hurt you on purpose?" Teniola said.

"I don't care. I want you gone Teni, I've moved on.  I'd like to start over with Amanda, don't come here again please" Denola begged.

Teniola nodded before wiping a stray tear off her face. "Has she met your family?" She asked.

"Yes" Denola said shortly. "Moving on so quickly, what next? Marriage, kids?" Teniola asked bitterly.

"Teni, just go please" Denola said.

Teniola nodded "I'll go but just remember this....I love you Denola.  It wasn't me who destroyed us, your family did.  Mark my words, I won't be the last" Teniola said walking away.

Denola looked at her confused, what was she talking about? Their breakup had nothing to do with his family but her betrayal.

The minute Teniola was out of sight Amanda came out of the house. She was wearing khaki coloured jeans and a white off shoulder top.  "I'm ready" she said with a small smile.

Denola checked her out, sometimes he couldn't believe his luck. How had he gotten someone as beautiful, talented and independent as Amanda right after he left Teni?

"Wow" Denola grinned. "What?" Amanda smirked attempting to play clueless.

"You're hot" He complimented wrapping his arms around her. "Really, so I've been told" Amanda said.

"By who?" Denola asked with a tinge of envy. Amanda chuckled "By my best friend" Amanda said.

Denola sighed "Come on Mandy, is that all I am to you. You know how I feel about you" he said.

Amanda sighed "I know and I have feelings for you too but with your family and your ex in our business don't you think it's best if we take things slow?" Amanda asked.

"I'll handle my family and Teni won't show up here again" Denola said.

Amanda smiled again "In that case,  I think you should ask me out properly. A proper date, you know....maybe I'll say yes and we'll see how the night leads" Amanda said.

Denola grinned "Ugh...igbo girl. You're such a tease" Denola said walking her to the car.

Amanda laughed "Yeah,  I know. Isn't that one of the many reasons why you love me?" She asked.

Denola smiled a little. "How about a weekend getaway, let's get away from the toxic people around us and start over" Denola suggested.

Amanda sighed "What's the point? We'll still come back to them"she said.

"I know but we should have a beautiful beginning" Denola said.

Amanda nodded "Well I suppose if I don't have anything to do by the weekend we could escape" Amanda said.

Denola smiled gratefully "I'll make it so memorable, you won't regret it" Denola said.

"I know" Amanda said. She sighed and hoped he wouldn't suggest they leave the country, she couldn't reveal to him that her identity was a sham.