Chapter 15 Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

"Obstacles and challenges in a relationship are supposed to test the strength of the love of the couples, their trust and faith in each other. But then again, these obstacles could just be fate's way of saying it is not meant be"

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

June,

Lekki,

Lagos.

Amanda.

She hadn't told Denola that his mother had phoned her the previous night requesting that they meet privately today. She wondered what his reaction would be if she told him she wasn't meeting a potential client but his mother.

She hadn't even told Davina because she knew Davina would suggest that she didn't go see the 'Witch of Mayfair' but she wanted to.

Why did she want to see Denola's mother so badly? She knew the woman despised her and wanted her gone. Yet she wanted to go see the woman, she didn't want to admit to herself that she wanted their approval.

She wanted them to accept her as Denola's, Denola didn't care about his family's opinion but she did. Their rejection was a slap in the face, a stumbling block to her, something she wanted to get rid of desperately.

Amanda pinned her weave to the back of her head and applied a thin coat of mascara to her eyelashes. "I'm taking Davina to go see a movie today" Denola informed as he entered the room holding a half eaten apple.

"Really, what movie?" Amanda asked feigning interest, her thoughts were elsewhere. She wondered why Atalia Mayfair wanted to see her anyway, their last meeting had ended roughly. She didn't know what to expect this time.

"We haven't decided yet, when are you getting back from your meeting?" Denola asked.

"I don't know" Amanda said coating her lips with a thin coat of pink lipstick.

"Don't worry about me, you two go have fun" Amanda said sending him a small smile.

"You, take care of yourself" Denola said pecking her lips.

Amanda faked another smile, she hated lying to him but their relationship was already built on so many lies. This was nothing compared to it.

"I have to go now" Amanda said.

"Should I drop you off, where exactly are you heading?" Denola asked.

"Ummm, Shapati. That's where I'm meeting the client" Amanda said quickly.

She was having dinner with his mother at some Steak house at Ikoyi but she wasn't going to tell him that.

"That far? babe I don't feel comfortable about you going there alone. Davina should go with you, I'll drop you off please for my peace of mind" Denola suggested with his hand resting on her waist.

Amanda pulled away. "Denola stop being over protective, I'm going to work that's all" Amanda said picking up her jacket and her bag.

"I'll see you later babe, you and Vina better bring me back some popcorn" Amanda said kissing him full on the lips.

"Will do..." Denola murmured, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was lying again.

"Bye" Amanda said walking out of the bedroom.

She met Davina in the living room. "What?" she asked when Davina wouldn't stop eyeing her skeptically.

"I know you aren't going to work but since you're not telling, I won't bug you. I just hope you know what you're doing" Davina said before walking away.

Amanda rolled her eyes before stepping out of the house. Unlike Denola, Davina could always see through her bullshit. It was why they remained best of friends.

*

Atalia Mayfair looked at the picture, she'd gotten from her daughter. "From his features, it's obvious he's northern" Jadesola remarked.

Atalia nodded thoughtfully. "And that Amanda girl, have you noticed she looks nothing like an Igbo girl. She looks more like a northern girl, there's something odd about that tramp" Atalia Mayfair said clenching her fists.

"I just want to wrap my hands around her and strangle the life out of her. She's ruined everything for us, Joke is gone! She has moved on, it's all Amanda's fault! She has brainwashed your brother!" Atalia said angrily.

Jadesola sighed "Relax, we're going to get her back. I've asked my private investigator to find this man, his name, where he lives and who he works for. There has to be some link between him and Amanda. Thank God for Maria, without her we wouldn't have gotten this picture or the information about the stolen card" Jadesola said.

Atalia Mayfair nodded. "You're right, all we need now is dirt on her. I can bet my kidneys on the fact that that girl is a fraud" Atalia said.

Jadesola giggled at her mother's statement. "Oh mom...now you're being extra" she said amused.

Amanda walked into the restaurant and was immediately attended to by the maître d'

"I'm Helen Solo at your service" the woman said with a small smile.

"Would you like a table or do you have reservations already?" Helen continued.

"I'm meeting with Mrs Mayfair" Amanda said causing Helen's grin to widen.

"Of course ma'am, right this way" Helen said leading her to a secluded area for reserved diners.

Amanda was surprised to see Jadesola when she got to the table, she was even more surprised when Jade smiled brightly at her. As far as she was concerned they weren't on good terms.

"Hello frenemy....." Jadesola grinned before getting out of her chair. She pulled Amanda who was standing stiffly into a hug and plastered a kiss on her cheek.

Amanda smiled stiffly and extricated herself from Jadesola's hold. She wiped her cheeks with her hand and scowled when she saw a red stain on her palm.

"Oops" Jadesola giggled.

"I'm going to give you and momma privacy. I see a fine man at the bar, I'm going to flirt a little. See ya" Jadesola said grinning like a Cheshire cat.

She hopped away excitedly as if she knew some sort of secret that nobody else knew.

Atalia Mayfair groaned at Jadesola's care free behavior. "Sit down Amanda, how are you?" she asked.

Amanda nodded and sat down opposite Denola's mother.

She took in Atalia's appearance in awe. She envied Atalia's style and fashion, the woman oozed of wealth and class from a mile away.

Her hands, fingers and wrists were adorned with gold rings, bracelets and an expensive looking watch. Her neck was accessorized with pearls that gleamed brightly. Her hair was pulled upwards and was held together by a crystal studded hair clip in a classy chignon.

Amanda could tell that the silk covering her skin was worth thousands of Naira. She was Atalia Mayfair after all, the one and only.

"I'm fine and you?" Amanda asked politely.

"I'm very well, would you like something to eat or drink?" Atalia asked cocking her brows at Amanda.

"A glass of wine would be fine" Amanda answered. Atalia nodded before pressing a miniature remote on the table, minutes later a waitress arrived.

"I'd like a cup of mint tea and avocados" Atalia said immediately.

"Alright, how about you ma'am?" The waitress asked Amanda.

"A glass of any red wine will be fine thank you" Amanda said. The waitress nodded and left the table.

She returned later with their order and left almost immediately.

Amanda sipped her red wine silently wondering what this meeting would entail.

So far, Atalia was bearable, perhaps she was coming around.

Neither of them spoke till Atalia finished eating the three slices of avocado on her plate. "How is my son?" Atalia asked.

"He's fine" Amanda said absently. "Was that why you called?" Amanda asked.

"Yes, why do you think I called?" Atalia asked.

"I don't know. Maybe to apologize for calling me names, to end the hostilities between us." Amanda said bravely.

Atalia scoffed before breaking into a mocking laugh.

"Humorous are we? I don't like or want you for my son, that's not changing Amanda" Atalia said.

"Then why did you call me here?" Amanda asked irritated.

She was stupid to think that Atalia wanted peace, the woman clearly hated everything concerning her.

"I've discovered that I've been approaching this matter wrongly. You're a struggling business woman, that's why you need my son. For his money and connections right? I can help you, name your price" Atalia said confidently.

Amanda scoffed. "Atalia, you really underestimate me" Amanda said.

"What do you mean?" Atalia asked.

Amanda smirked and leaned closer. "You want to pay me off, how much, nothing more than change to you. I can get more by being with Denola, you do know if he marries me we'll have a joint account and I can access everything Mayfair related. Why would I settle for less when I can have it all?" Amanda asked.

"My son will never marry you!" Atalia spat.

"Atalia, your son would do anything for me. That's what scares you, that's why you want me gone. You know I have him wrapped around my finger" Amanda said.

Atalia scoffed lightly. "I'm not scared of you" Atalia said.

"You keep on pushing me Atalia, you don't realize that the more you push the more you're losing him. Denola would pick me over any of you, do you really want me to make him choose?" Amanda asked smiling sweetly.

"You're talking nonsense!" Atalia spat angrily.

"Denola is not tied to your apron strings but he's tied to someone else's. I will take him away from you slowly, I've been playing nice but clearly you don't like it. I think it's time to play dirty, thanks for the wine Atalia" Amanda said getting up.

"You will regret this Amanda, mark my words" Atalia said furiously.

"We shall see" Amanda murmured before walking away.

She knew she'd rooted a seed of fear in Atalia Mayfair, time to make it blossom.

• • •

"It doesn't matter how long you suppress something, it either comes back stronger with a blast or bit by bit till it's out in the open"

*********

June.

Victoria Island,

Lagos.

Amanda.

"Why do you still work for your grandfather?" Amanda asked Denola as she stood by the bathroom door watching him naked under the shower.

"Are you coming in or what?" Denola asked turning off the water. Amanda frowned "You didn't answer my question" she said taking off her robe.

She walked over to him and turned on the water again. Denola wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to himself, he nipped at her ear lobes. "I don't want to talk about that now" he said.

"When do you want to talk about it then?" Amanda asked wrapping her arms around his neck. "When we're dry and properly clothed, right now all I can think of is this wet body" Denola whispered pinching her bare butt.

Amanda giggled and pulled away. "You're so smart, intelligent....I think you could do so much better than your own. Think about it Den, you wouldn't have to depend on them for anything" Amanda said switching back to the topic.

Denola's hand fell to her waist. "I don't depend on them for anything" he frowned.

"Sweet heart, your grandfather has to approve your salary. They monitor your finances and everything, you're still dependent in so many ways" Amanda said kissing his brows.

Denola pulled away and turned off the water. "What is this about Amanda?" he asked.

"I care about you Denola and I love you too. I don't like the way they treat you, like you're their property. You deserve better baby" Amanda said in sugared tones.

"It's my duty to work for Mayfair, I'm a Mayfair after all" Denola said.

Amanda gripped his shoulders hard. "That's what they brainwashed you with Denola, yes you're a Mayfair. How many Mayfairs are slaving away at the company, why do you have to be the sacrificial lamb?" Amanda asked.

Denola frowned and pulled away from her hold but she pulled him closer. "They are my family Mandy, if I don't work for my family the family business will crumble" Denola explained.

"They don't see you as family Denola, you're nothing but the money making machine to them. It's why they don't consider your interests or your wants. It's always all about them, why not you?" Amanda asked.

"Amanda...it's nothing like that. Where is all these coming from?" Denola asked surprised.

Amanda sighed "They don't like me" she murmured looking down at his pretty toes she'd painted pink the previous night.

"Your family will never accept me, they want Joke because your relationship with Joke will be good for the family's interest" Amanda said looking back into his eyes.

Denola's frown deepened. "How do you know about Joke?" Denola asked shocked.

"Your mother!" Amanda spat. "She said I'm not good enough for you and then.....then..." Amanda stopped angrily.

"Then what?" Denola asked cupping her face.

"She tried to pay me off, she told me she'd pay me any amount to leave you alone" Amanda said.

"What?!" Denola raged.

Amanda sighed "I didn't want to tell you any of this but it's important that you know that our relationship isn't going anywhere because your family, your mother especially is a big obstacle to it" Amanda said.

"You should have told me!" Denola said angrily.

"That's besides the point!" Amanda snapped.

"You need to cut loose, you're no longer a boy. You're a man, you don't need a legacy. As a matter of fact, without you that legacy is shït. Your cousins are clueless on how to run a business, you own Mayfair and you need to show them who the boss is" Amanda said.

Denola looked away still upset that his mother had done something like that.

Amanda rolled her eyes and cupped his jaw, tilting his face back to hers. "Do you understand?" she asked.

Denola sighed and nodded, he understood her clearly.

*

Denola stormed into his family house with a venomous scowl on his face. His parents were lounging around in the sitting room, Jadesola was laughing at something Ajose was saying when he walked in.

"Brother Denola!" Ajose ran over to his brother. Denola was angry but not angry at his little brother, he picked Ajose up and twirled him around. "Hey buddy" Denola said calmly before dropping his junior brother.

He turned to Jadesola immediately,

"Jadesola take Aj upstairs, I'd like to have a word with mom" Denola said in his no nonsense voice.

Jadesola rolled her eyes knowing it probably had to do with Amanda before getting up.

"Aj come on, let's go make use of that monopoly board upstairs" Jadesola said getting up. Ajose nodded excitedly and followed his elder sister, it was obvious that his older brother didn't have time to play around today.

The minute they were out of sight, Denola turned to his mother. "Why did you do it mother, does my happiness mean nothing to you?" Denola asked.

"What are you talking about?" Atalia and her husband asked simultaneously.

"I'm talking about you trying to pay Amanda off, you offered to give her money to leave me!" Denola shouted, he didn't want to believe his mother could do that but when he saw her scowl he knew that she'd really done it.

"You did that?" her husband asked in disbelief, he didn't particularly like the Amanda girl but he hoped his son's attraction for the girl would pass. He certainly wouldn't have gone as far as trying to pay her off.

"Was that all she told you? Of course that was all she told you. She must enjoy manipulating you all the time. How did she tell you, did she burst into tears as she told her stories and lies, is that how you fell for it?" Atalia asked disgusted at her son's love for the tramp.

Denola clenched his jaw. "Lies, mom... Did you or did you not offer to pay her off?" Denola asked.

"Yes I did and she said it was too small, she wanted it all. The jackpot, your inheritance when you eventually marry her. But you won't marry her Denola, over my dead body!" Atalia shouted.

Her husband tried to calm her down by taking her hand, he caressed it in a soothing manner. "Easy Talia, easy" he said before turning to his son.

"I think you should go home Denola, go home and get your head in order. You're upsetting your mother with this nonsense talk" His father said.

Denola scowled. "Nonsense talk really? I'm upsetting you aren't I mom. You tried to pay my girlfriend off and you're the one who is still getting upset. You have no right to decide what I want!" Denola spat.

"Shut up, just shut up! That girl is manipulating you, she's a snake. Wake up and see her for who she is. You would pick that tramp over your family, you would listen to her lies instead of my voice of reason?" Atalia asked.

"She's not just any woman, I will marry Amanda with or without your blessing. I love her that much. If you all can't accept my happiness, then expect my resignation on Monday" Denola said before walking out of the sitting room.

He didn't want to hear anything else they had to say, Amanda was right. He could do a lot better on his own and without them.