Chapter 20 Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

"The storm will destroy everything in its path,  after the storm you either rebuild all that was destroyed or abandon it"

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

Victoria Island,

Lagos.

Denola's Crib.

Amanda.

Davina wasn't expecting to see Amanda when she peeped through the window after  hearing the blaring honk from the taxi in the compound.

She quickly went over to the living room to unlock the door. Walking out of the house, she met Amanda handing the taxi driver some Naira notes.

Davina moved forward with her hand stretched outward in a questioning gesture.  "Iyawo.....where's your oko. What are you doing here anyway?" Davina asked.

Amanda rolled her eyes "I didn't think you'd be home yet" she said picking up her bag from the ground as the taxi driver pulled out of the compound.

"I wasn't also expecting to see you here, thought you two were going on honeymoon phase two at the Mayfair estate" Davina stated as they walked back into the house.

Amanda sighed  and decided to give Davina a brief version of what had happened at the Mayfair estate. "When we got there, we found out that his grandfather had died during the weekend. I left to give them time to sort out everything as a family" Amanda said slumping on the sofa in the living room.

Davina sighed pitifully "That's terrible, that sucks actually. How is Denola holding up?" Davina asked concerned.

Amanda shrugged, she wasn't going to tell Davina how Denola and his sister had harassed her,  she wasn't even going to think or talk about that chapter again.

She absolutely refused to admit she was at fault, the Mayfairs simply wanted a scape goat to blame for their misfortune and unfortunately for her she'd fallen into that trap....but only for a brief moment.

First they had probably blamed Denola but he was their blood, their heir and it didn't feel right so they had shifted the blame to her,  their sworn enemy.

Jadesola's insults hadn't hurt her the way Denola's words had hurt her,   she was going to remember them for a long time and she wasn't going to let go easily.

"Why did you leave him though, this is the time he needs you the most" Davina said.

Amanda hissed "Do we have anything edible in the refrigerator, I am starving. I could eat you if I don't get food in a few minutes" Amanda said getting up from the sofa. She walked over to the refrigerator in the kitchen with Davina right behind her pretending that she wasn't conscious of the way Amanda had switched topics.

"There are some packets of noodles,  we still have that bottle of pepper sauce. Let's make dinner with that" Davina suggested.

"Good idea, after dinner, I'll take a long àss shower and I'll head to bed.  That's just what I need now. Also I checked my mail on the way here, we have a client we need to meet with at Osapa tomorrow. We're leaving the house at seven, so sleep on time" Amanda said.

Davina frowned now unable to mask her perplexity, "Babe your husband just lost his grand father. Someone he was really close to and you're going to just go to work, shouldn't you go be with him, consoling him, comforting and supporting him?" Davina asked.

"Ehen Davina. If you wanted to give free advice like this you should have opted for marriage counseling instead of interior designing. Please just let me be" Amanda hissed opening the top shelf in the kitchen. She took out two large packets of noodles and the jar of pepper sauce.

Davina looked at her in disbelief "Amanda if you were  the one who lost a parent, Denola would never leave you alone. He'd be there with you all the way" Davina said.

Amanda chuckled "If I lose a parent, I will throw a huge feast.  There won't be any need to mourn" she said with a sneer.

Davina shook her head "Unlike you, Denola loves his family! Being there for him proves that you're a good wife and not the gold digger his family perceive you to be" Davina insisted appalled by Amanda's lack of sympathy.

Amanda glared at her "If you're so good at this, how come your boyfriend cheated on you, how come he never proposed to you?  How come you're still fùcking single?" Amanda taunted,  she hated the way Davina was taking her entire affair personal.

Davina winced, she couldn't believe Amanda would throw that in her face, knowing fully well that she was still hurting.

"This isn't....about me" Davina gritted out.

Amanda stepped forward and pinned her with a furious look.  "Good, so stay out of it and mind your own business. For your information, it was the said husband who asked me to leave. He said I wasn't wanted there" Amanda said coldly before walking out of the kitchen.

Davina held her breath and shut her eyes tightly. She only expelled a breath when Amanda slammed her bedroom door shut.

*

"I'm sorry about last night, your marital issues are none of my business" Davina apologized early in the morning as they prepared to leave for Osapa.

Amanda tied her bun with a  vintage, silk scarf. "It's okay, I'm sorry I brought up Tim. He was an aśšhole you deserved better" Amanda replied turning to Davina she held out her arms.

Davina came into her arms. "I just want you to be happy Mands" Davina murmured.

"I'm happy with you" Amanda said before releasing her hold on Davina.

Davina sighed "I know but this isn't about me, it's about you and Denola" Davina couldn't help bringing up Denola again.

"I love him and I know he loves me but if worst comes to worst I know Denola would always pick his family over me.  That's why I try as much to keep him away from them, that's why I kept his phone....because for a few seconds I wanted him to be mine alone. It doesn't matter what I do Davina,  Denola's family and their needs are paramount over any other thing or person in his life. I'll always come second place" Amanda said, her shoulder fell.

"He will adjust" Davina consoled her.

"When? we are married already and nothing has changed" Amanda said.

"I don't even feel married, ever since our wedding everything has been a mess" Amanda muttered.

Davina held her by the shoulders. "Family is a very strong bond, especially the Mayfairs. They have a legacy and a bond that can't be ruined. Denola won't leave his family no matter what Amanda, you need to embrace them. Your relationship with Denola will sail smoothly if you are on good terms with his family. Listen to me girl, stop fighting them, endure them, tolerate them.  Pretty soon they won't have any choice but to accept you. Go to your husband and support him, let him know you care" Davina advised.

Amanda chuckled "Counselor" she teased before walking out of the room.  Even though she'd joked about Davina's words she couldn't help but take them a little seriously.

• • •

"Love conquers all, strife, bitterness,  envy, hatred... Love surpasses them. I think we can all agree to that"

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

Mayfair Estate,

Lagos.

Denola.

Dame Mayfair took his hand in hers and smiled at him. "I know you're angry at her, she hurt you deeply but she's still your wife.   You can't keep on holding a grudge against her" His grandmother said gently.

Denola frowned, "She never phoned to apologize, she isn't sorry.  She doesn't regret what she did, Amanda does whatever she wants regardless of my feelings" Denola said.

His grandmother smiled a little "Yet you married her, you love her. That's all that matters right?" Dame Mayfair asked.

"It isn't, what she did...." Denola pushed. His grandmother cut him off. "It's in the past, I think it's time for you to bring her home. Bring her here, Denola it has been three weeks. You haven't brought your wife to the family" His grandmother said sternly.

Denola shook his head stubbornly "My wife has no interest in my family, she should have at least called to ask about the funeral but she didn't. I don't see a point in bringing her here" Denola said.

"Do you want to divorce her Denola?" his grandmother asked.  Denola sighed, of course he didn't. He didn't bother replying his grandmother because she really didn't need a reply. It was obvious that she didn't need a reply, she knew his answer merely by looking at him.

"I want you to bring your wife here, we need to properly introduce her to the Mayfairs. Go and make peace with your wife, it's the right thing to do" Dame Mayfair said with a note of finality.

Denola nodded miserably, he knew it would be complicated to make peace with Amanda. When he sent her home angrily, he'd caused a massive rift between them. He knew Amanda, she was in the wrong but she would never see it that way,  the woman was so damned hard hearted.

What would be even more complicated would be bringing Amanda to Mayfair estate to live with a family she despised. She would never accept that, he knew this but he still decided to take his grandmother's advice.

Staying away from her any longer would only widen the rift between them and he wanted to avoid that.  Denola made up his mind to go over to his apartment later that night.  He had to make peace with his wife.

*

*

*

It was Davina who answered the door, she'd been surprised to see Denola and did not  make any attempt to hide it.

"What are you doing here?" she asked surprised as she let him into the house. How ironic that he was asked what he was doing in his own house.  Denola cocked a brow at her and she flushed a little embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, it's your house after all.  It's just I wasn't expecting you here. Amanda said you probably weren't coming back....er...er...apparently there's serious bad blood between you two" Davina rubbed her neck nervously. Denola's expression remained serious causing Davina to back away into her shell. She'd never really seen him so cold and stiff.

"Was that all she told you?" Denola asked a little angry that Amanda had told Davina that he wasn't returning home.  Was she expecting a divorce right after marriage?

Davina sighed and leaned closer "Look between you and I...we both know how Amanda can be.  But you love her right, you know how to put up with her and forgive her when she does wrong things" Davina whispered. There was no need to whisper but she couldn't help it, even if Amanda wasn't home, her presence was felt.

Denola sighed "She fücked up big time but as usual I'm the one who is expected to extend an olive branch because in the end I'm the only one who really cares" Denola said upset.

Davina shook her head "She cares a lot Denola,  believe she has been miserable without you" Davina let on.

Denola nodded and looked around, he didn't need anyone to tell him his wife wasn't home yet.  She was probably burying herself in a mountain of work in his absence.

"Have any idea when she is getting back?" he asked moving to the sitting room to sit. Davina followed.  "No,  but she should be home pretty soon.  I'm making couscous for  dinner.  Are you staying?" Davina asked.

Denola nodded before snatching up the television remote from the table in front of him. "Okay, I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything" Davina said walking away.

Denola turned on the television to ease the swirl of emotions within. Just as he was beginning to calm down, he heard the familiar sound of the front gate opening.

Amanda was back......

Denola straightened his shoulders and braced himself for the conversation that would follow the minute she stepped into the room.

"Davina I'm home!" Amanda called out loudly as she walked into the house, her stopped a second when she saw Denola sitting comfortably in the sitting room.

"Denola..." she acknowledged. Her voice was soft and laced with surprise. She walked over to him and dropped her bag on the coffee table.

She was surprised to see him in the living room, she hadn't even seen his car parked in the compound. "You're back..." she said tensed because he hadn't said anything or moved an inch.

Perhaps he'd brought divorce papers and was planning to kick her out...could he do that?

She couldn't tell,  he'd been really upset that day. She'd never seen Denola so mad before.

Amanda sighed "I'm sorry" she said calmly, her eyes stuck to the arm of the chair he was sitting on.

"I'm sorry for keeping you away from your family, It was selfish of me and really cruel but honestly I thought I was doing what was best for us" Amanda explained.  She paused for a few minutes hoping he'd say something but he didn't so she continued.

"If I had known your grandfather was Ill...I wouldn't...I wouldn't have..." she stopped and broke into a sob in hopes of rousing his

empathic side.

"Look I know...you're so mad at me but I'm so sorry. I wish I could go back and change things" Amanda sobbed. Denola stood up and walked over to her.

"Sssh...don't cry here.  You know I hate seeing a woman's tears. Amanda what you did was crazy, I still can't believe it. I can't believe you did that to me even after our vows" Denola said.

"Didn't they mean anything to you?" Denola asked.

Amanda shot him a hurt look. "Of course they did,  every word I said to you on our wedding day. I meant it" Amanda said tentatively placing a hand on his chest.

"I love you and I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?" She asked staring into his mildly upset face with her wet eyes.

She knew she had him, hook, sinker and bait.

Denola sighed "I forgave you before I showed up here" Denola sighed. "I came here to speak to you about something else actually...." Denola said knowing it was probably not the right time to ask her to move with him to Mayfair estate but he did anyway.

"I'm moving to Mayfair estate permanently, I want you to move in with me" Denola said hitting the nail immediately.

There was no other way to say it, a wife's place is with her husband. Amanda had to come with him.

Amanda's heart hardened, she had to stop herself quickly before a scowl took over her face. "Of course.....with your grandfather gone, you need to be closer to your family" she said wiping her wet eyes.

It was hard to feign sympathy but she schooled her features and her voice to sound like she cared.

"Whatever happened between my you and my family will be in the past.  My grandmother and I have spoken to everyone at the house. They are all sorry for treating you badly and they want to start afresh. You don't have to move in immediately, I'll give you time to process it" Denola said shoving his hand into his pocket.

Amanda nodded bitterly. The Mayfairs were always one step ahead of her where Denola was concerned.

"I have to leave now Mandy. Tell Davina I'm sorry I couldn't stay for dinner. I have to head home" Denola said.

Amanda stopped herself from screaming at him. This was his home not that Mayfair estate!

Sighing, she turned towards the door.  "You're not sleeping over?" she asked. Denola shook his head.

"No baby, I have a couple of things to do at the tower and there's a family dinner tonight. I have to leave now" Denola leaned towards her and kissed her cheek.

"I didn't see your car outside, are you taking a cab?" Amanda asked taking his hand in hers. She wanted him here with her and not with his godforsaken family but she couldn't tell him that.

She was still on shaky ground after their fight, she needed stability. She needed him to trust her again before making her move.

"No. My driver dropped me off before going to get gas. He should be outside the gate now" Denola said. He pulled her into a hug.

"I missed you Mandy" he said.

I know, she thought slyly before replying him. "I missed you too, thanks for coming Denola. I was already thinking the worst,  thank you for forgiving me too. I love you" Amanda said clinging to him.

Denola pulled back and leaned down to kiss her. Everything was fine, they were back on track as far as he was concerned.

She on the hand knew that nothing was fine. Denola's family were not to be trusted,  she wouldn't be fooled by niceties