Chapter 19 Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

"Bye bye, sunshine....hello dark clouds and rain. Hope we are all prepared for the showers and the cold"

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

Murtala Mohammed Airport,

Lagos.

July.

Denola.

Amanda buried her head in the book she was reading and ignored the tension between she and Denola in the car he had hired to take them to Mayfair.

They still weren't on good terms after the fight that almost broke out within them some days ago.  After their little tiff, Denola had decided that it was better to head back home.  Amanda had quickly tied up loose ends and attended to whatever business she'd had over there while he had arranged the flight back home.

Davina had kept on asking the couple if everything was fine but they had brushed her off in their own way. It was nothing worth discussing as far as Amanda was concerned.

"Are you okay?" Denola asked concerned. Amanda shrugged "Do you even care?" she asked.

Denola frowned "Of course I do,  you're my wife" Denola said.

"So it's obligatory for you to pretend you care" Amanda stated.

Denola shook his head "Stop twisting my words Amanda, I'm concerned because you've barely said anything to me since we left the hotel.  You've been ignoring me, I said I was sorry already" Denola said.

"It's nothing an apology will fix. Thanks to you,  in years to come I'll always remember that an argument right after my wedding night ended the honeymoon. You pushed for a fight so you could use it as an excuse to leave" Amanda accused.

Denola shook his head "I didn't....you know I hate us fighting. I only thought it was best to leave because I'm really worried about my family. I haven't heard a thing from them, Davina said she mistakenly pushed my phone off the table in her room and it broke, there's no other way for me to reach them. I want to know...I need to know they are alright. I can't shake the feeling that..." Denola was saying when Amanda cut him off.

"Spare me the excuses, you know I don't really care.  Leaving Jos worked out just fine for me because now I can get back to work" Amanda said turning her attention to the book once more.

Denola was surprised at her anger, he had thought she was just mildly upset but it was  more than that. This fight could go on for days if he didn't do something to end it "Amanda...." he started again but she held up a palm to shut him up.

"This discussion is over, I'm tired.  Let me rest" she said shortly. Denola nodded and didn't bother her again for the rest of the ride.

*

*

Mayfair estate,

Lagos.

A couple of hours later, the cab guy parked right in front of the Mayfair estate imperial gate and waited patiently while Denola cleared himself with the officers at the gate.

Amanda watched the interaction outside the car tiredly, she sighed wondering what was taking so long. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep, she hadn't slept the previous night because she couldn't get her mind to shut down. She was losing with Denola, no matter what she did,  his family was still paramount to him.

Denola returned to the taxi and turned to Amanda. "We have a system at Mayfair, we don't let Taxis into the estate, I asked the officer to phone Jadesola. She's coming to get us" Denola said.

Amanda didn't reply,  she simply rolled her eyes.  'We don't let Taxis into the estate' the Mayfairs thought themselves to good for common men. They had wealth like kings, dressed, acted and dined like royalty. They also looked down on low standard people and things like royal snobs.  She mentally scowled but refused to say anything to Denola.

Jadesola's car showed up minutes later, Denola got out of the taxi and urged Amanda to get out too.

He asked the Taxi driver to get their bags out of the car as Jadesola parked her car.

Jadesola stormed out of the car in anger and walked over to her elder brother. Denola was shocked when she gripped him by the collar, her eyes were red and swollen. Her face was tear stained and her hair was disheveled.

Denola pulled away shocked and placed his hands gently on her shoulder, his eyes perused her features. Something was wrong, something had happened.....fear gripped him.

Seeing the exchange, Amanda got out of the car and watched the duo suspiciously. What was going on? She wondered.

"Why are you back, why have you returned you bastärd?!" Jadesola screamed at him.

Denola frowned. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"Denola asked wide eyed.

Jadesola broke into a mocking laugh, her eyes flew to where Amanda was standing by the taxi.

"You didn't want to see or talk to anyone of us because of her didn't you? She convinced you to leave so I ask again why have you returned?"Jadesola screamed.

Denola took in a sharp breath "Stop freaking shouting and talk to me like a sane woman you silly girl" he said agitated.

"I called, I texted.  Everyone has been trying to reach you, you refused to talk to us.  You refused to reply us.  Why Denola, why?  What happened to Mayfair's way of sticking together no matter what? We are family, why did you abandon us?" Jadesola asked with a sob.

Denola sighed feeling a little guilty, he was about to explain everything to her when he heard Amanda groan. Jadesola turned to his wife and narrowed her eyes at her.

"Can you guys hurry up already, I'm tired and I've been standing on these shoes for a while now" Amanda said gesturing to her peep toe heels.

Jadesola gritted her teeth and turned to her brother "Get your stupid girlfriend to shut up or I will shut her up myself" Jadesola growled.

"Wife actually" Amanda hissed and waved her ring finger at Jadesola who turned to shoot her brother a betrayed look.

Denola sighed when he caught the expression. "I can explain..." he muttered.

Jadesola shook her head "Explain what?  you don't need to explain a thing. She finally convinced you to marry her without us, without our blessings. Well congratulations, while you were getting married, your grand father was lying critically ill in the hospital. He kept on calling out for you and we tried everything to get to you but you ignored us. I've been calling you since Friday, Hakeem called, your mother, your father, Dame. You never answered, I see why. We were worthless to you compared to your precious Amanda" Jadesola said with another sob.

"Congratulations brother, you're just in time for the funeral preparations. Welcome to the committee" Jadesola continued.

Denola broke...."Grandfather is dead?" he asked surprised. How had he not known, how come they had not been able to reach his phone? His phone had been with....Amanda. They must have called and she never mentioned it because of her strong dislike for his family.

He turned sharply to look at her, feeling various emotions that were overwhelming.

She hadn't told him,  she hadn't told him about their calls or texts on purpose.

Denola felt air leaving his lungs, she hadn't told him because she hated his family and wanted him far away from them. Denola stared at her in disbelief, how could she be so callous?

One glance at him,  Amanda knew immediately that the jig was up. Whatever Jadesola  had said to him would make him turn on her.

• • •

"A bullet wound or a betrayal from the one person you really love. You might pick the latter,  but I tell you a betrayal from the one person you really love is more painful"

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

Mayfair Estate.

Lagos.

Denola.

In a few strides he was right in front of Amanda, her eyes widened in shock or perhaps it was fear.  Fear that he would hurt her.

He gripped her hand hard, "Why didn't you say anything, I asked every bloody time Amanda. You said no one called!" He spat.

Amanda shook her head in fear "I swear, I didn't know...." she started.

"Shut up and don't fùcking  lie to me.  Why didn't you tell me?!" he asked steely.

Amanda gasped and freed her hand from his hold.

"I didn't think it was important, I thought they were just bothering you as usual. I was going to tell you after our honeymoon" Amanda whispered.

Denola's anger only heightened at the statement. "My grandfather was dying and all you cared about was a bloody honeymoon?" He asked furiously.

Amanda pulled away from him sharply "Stop yelling and let me explain" she said quietly but Denola didn't heed this time.

He was fed up with her dislike or hatred rather towards his family, she'd gone too far this time.

"I have every fücking right to shout Amanda! Did you hear her, my grand father is gone and I wasn't there.....I wasn't there when he needed me because you intentionally manipulated me to stay away" Denola yelled.

Amanda stared at him wide eyed, she'd never seen him so angry before. "I didn't intentionally keep you away, if I had known your grandfather was critically ill believe me I would never have asked us to elope for our wedding" Amanda said calmly, her eyes  darted to Jadesola who was glaring at her hatefully.

"Well...If I had known he was ill, there wouldn't have been any wedding. You've hurt me Amanda, I trusted you but you betrayed my trust. I think you should leave, you don't want to be here anyway" Denola said backing away.

Amanda shook her head "Denola...I didn't mean to. I'm so sorry I swear, don't walk away.  We have to talk" Amanda pleaded moving forward.

Denola scoffed "We have to talk? A few minutes ago, you didn't want to say shît to me.  There's nothing to talk about" Denola scowled and walked away from her.

Amanda sighed and rested against the car, she watched Jadesola put a comforting hand on her husband as they walked over to her car. Denola didn't spare her a glance, not even when Jadesola turned on the ignition of her car.

Amanda swallowed the bitter pill in her throat and turned to the Taxi driver. "Let's go" she murmured and got into the car.

*

Two hours later after his arrival at his grandmother's mansion at the Mayfair estate, Denola's mother still wouldn't stop talking about Denola's secret wedding.

Atalia Mayfair sobbed harder "You married a woman who despises us! How could you do that son?!" Atalia Mayfair accused.

Denola held up his palm,  "Not another word about Amanda. The only thing I regret is not being there for grand father when he died" Denola said taking his grandmother's hand in his.

Dame Mayfair in return rubbed his hand comfortingly. "It's okay son, you're here now" His grandmother said.

"Just don't run off and abandon us again. Family first alright?" Jadesola reminded.

Denola sighed. "I understand that Jade but you should also remember that Amanda is my family too, we're married now" Denola said.

Atalia Mayfair scowled "Divorce her then, you don't deserve such a cunning and malicious wife!" Atalia spat.

Dame Mayfair sighed wearily. "Enough Atalia, stop rubbing it in his face. The boy is clearly hurt, it's okay. Amanda is welcome here, she's a Mayfair now.  After we bury your grandfather, we'll make plans for a  party where she will be properly welcomed into the family and introduced to the other Mayfairs" Dame Mayfair decided.

Atalia huffed but said nothing more, she had Amanda written in red at the back of her mind. She had so many plans for that girl, plans that would ruin her,  plans that she would never see coming.

Dame Mayfair's hand tightened around Denola. "I think it would be best if you brought Amanda here, a woman's place is with her husband. You two should live in this house, with your grandfather gone I'll need company. I want you to live here" Dame Mayfair said.

Denola nodded, his grandmother was right. He had to move into Mayfair, It was the proper thing to do.

**

Hakeem visited the Mayfair estate later in the evening, he was surprised to see Denola at the house. He was even more furious because he was disappointed at Denola's behavior. Denola was the heir to Mayfair, yet he'd abandoned his family when they were most vulnerable.

Jadesola called him away secretly right after dinner and told him everything she'd managed to pick out of Denola and Amanda's conversation.

"She's manipulative, I know she has a lot of skeletons in hiding, she's not who she says she is" Jadesola said.

"You're his best friend, talk to him.  He needs to be careful" Jadesola urged.

Hakeem nodded thoughtfully, he knew he had to tell Denola what he knew about Amanda before it became too late.

He was probably the only person who could get Denola out of Amanda's web, but how could he do that without hurting Denola in the process? Denola was very much in love with that woman, it wasn't right for a man to love a woman senselessly. Denola had  to start using his head.

Hakeem walked over to Denola who was sitting on a plush sofa at the balcony. "Man, we have to talk. It's important" Hakeem said getting straight to the point.

Denola looked up at Hakeem who hadn't said a word to him since he came in until now "If it's about the wedding, I've heard enough. I don't want to hear anything more" Denola said instantly.

Hakeem shook his head "It isn't about your secret wedding, it's about your wife" Hakeem scowled .

"What about her?" Denola asked with a frown.

Hakeem sighed and was about to reply when Atalia Mayfair cleared her throat from the door way. "Denola dear, would you mind taking Ajose home and tucking him in bed?" She asked sweetly.

"Alright I will, but in a few minutes. Hakeem and I are having a discussion" Denola said.

Atalia sighed "It's way past his bedtime Denola and he has to be in school early tomorrow. Please suspend this discussion tonight" Atalia suggested.

Denola nodded and turned to Hakeem "Let's talk tomorrow, I'll come to the bar after work" Denola replied.

Seeing Hakeem nod in acceptance, he got up from the chair and walked back into the room.

Atalia Mayfair remained. "I just spoke to Jadesola, she says you might know a few of Amanda's secrets" Atalia Mayfair said walking over to Hakeem.

Hakeem cleared his throat ready to deny whatever Jadesola had spilled to her mother when Atalia smiled.

"Denola is married to her now, it would be best if we leave the can of worms closed.  I want my son's happiness" Atalia said. There was an edge to her voice as if she was warning him not to step on her toes.

Hakeem nodded because far be it from him to offend Atalia Mayfair. No one who stepped on her toes went away without a scar. She wasn't a woman to be played with.

He would hold his peace....for now.