Chapter 25 Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Two

'They say pride is the death and downfall of a man, I say pride is the blood that flows through my veins. And that's what keeps me going'

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August.

Mayfair Estate,

Lagos.

Denola.

'Amanda had been out all day, she hadn't told anyone where she was going to and she hadn't taken driver or her car', that was the first thing his grandmother had said the minute he walked into the house after work.

"I tried calling her but she's not answering" Dame said as one of the attendants brought his dinner an hour after he'd arrived.

Denola didn't mention that Amanda hadn't answered his calls, replied his texts or bothered to call back either. He knew his grandmother was just concerned and she didn't know Amanda like he did.

He knew better than them and knew that when she was in one of her moods, she liked to shut everyone out and be alone. He understood why she'd left the house today, it was impossible to be alone in his house.

"Dame, Amanda is fine" Denola said opening a bottle of wine. His father kept piling on more work for him everyday and it was starting to take its toll on him.

His grandmother shook her head refusing to be appeased. "She's not fine Denola. Don't tell me you haven't noticed that she's always moody and distant?" Dame asked.

Denola sighed, he'd noticed. Of course he'd noticed. He'd tried to talk to her about it but Amanda wasn't even speaking to him.

"I tried talking to her Dame, she wouldn't tell me anything. I don't know what else to do. I suspect it has something to do with the way Mandy's glam crashed. I know the effort, time and money Amanda put into her business. And now she's lost almost everything, it's enough to drive her moody" Denola said sipping the exotic wine one of his clients had recommended some days ago.

The Dame nodded thoughtfully "Speaking of her business, did you look into why she lost her office space?" She asked.

Denola shook his head "Grannie you know I have too much work on my plate, mom handled it the best way she could" he responded.

"Okay, have you talked to her about finding a new space to start afresh again?" Dame asked.

Denola felt a tinge of guilt as he processed her question. He hadn't discussed anything with Amanda, sure he'd comforted her when his mother explained the situation to him and he'd consoled her when she confided in him concerning Mercie's resignation but they hadn't discussed the way forward. In his defense, he had too much work already to think about but it was barely a good enough excuse.

He wondered if his lack of interest in her affairs had pushed her into her constant awful moods.

"Oh Denola, you didn't..." His grandmother said shaking her head.

"I've been so busy, I didn't even think about it" he started when his grandmother cut him off.

"Enough about this work, work, you're newly married and you haven't even had your honeymoon yet and you're overworking yourself. That's it, I'm talking to your dad first thing tomorrow morning. We have competent staffs at Mayfair, I'm sure they won't ruin the company if you leave for a month" Dame said.

Denola smiled gratefully at his grandmother. "You really are the best grannie......." he was saying when they heard the doorbell.

"I think the Misses is home" Dame said playfully.

"Anybody around?" they heard her asking the attendant that had answered the door.

"Mr Denola and the Dame are in the dining room. Would you like anything else ma'am?" The attendant asked.

They didn't hear the rest of the conversation, they only heard retreating footsteps.

Denola sat tensed and waited for her to come into the dining room but she didn't show up. She'd gone up to their bedroom instead.

Dame chuckled "Sweetie I think you have a lot to make up for" she said and stood up. She moved closer to him and kissed his cheek.

"Goodnight son" She said before leaving the dining room and retiring to her room.

The wine suddenly tasted sour, the food tasteless, he'd lost his appetite. He called the nearest attendant to clear up the dining table before he went upstairs to his bedroom.

For the third time that week, Amanda pretended to be asleep when he walked into the bedroom. Usually, he'd go to his side of the bed, ignore her and pretend that everything was fine between them when nothing was.

That only left them in the same position and he wanted to move forward already. He sat on the edge of her side of the bed and watched her pretend to be asleep.

"You might as well start snoring, I know you are not asleep" he murmured placing his hand on her waist.

Her eyes flew open surprised, she didn't expect him to be so close to her since he usually went to his side of the bed.

She frowned. "I was about to sleep" she muttered.

Denola hummed indicating that he didn't believe her but he said nothing more. "You weren't home when I got back today, where were you?" he asked taking her hand.

He played with the wedding band on her ring finger as he focused on her expression. "I went out to see Davina, it gets boring here you know. And you don't have my time anymore" she said.

He lifted her hand, raising it to his lips, he kissed it. "I'm sorry, work has been stressful. I miss you too" he said.

Amanda sighed and closed her eyes. She wished she could tell him how resentful she felt that he took work more seriously than her feelings lately but she didn't want to be that kind of wife that nagged, so she simply nodded.

"I understand" she said silently and opened her eyes to look at him.

"I've been extremely insensitive to your feelings" Denola murmured looking away.

Amanda didn't know how to respond to that statement, she simply sighed. 'Oh well' she thought unhappily.

"You're not just my wife, you're my friend Mandy. I haven't been a good friend to you lately, I haven't been available when you need me. I'm ruining us, we've not been married for long and look how unhappy I've made you" Denola said looking at her face.

He wanted to get a glimpse of how she felt. "Talk to me Mands, what do you want me to do? I want to make it up to you" Denola said softly.

Amanda smiled a little "It's not just you, it's everything" she murmured and decided to sit up.

She looked stressed and tired, she was stressed and tired already. "I don't want you to get offended...." she started.

Denola shook his head "I won't be, just tell me what I need to do" he said.

"I want to leave D, I'm not happy here. I love your grandma but her company is never enough. I don't have Mandy's glam anymore and honestly I don't know how to get it back. I feel too confined here, like everyone is watching my every move. Do you feel me?" Amanda asked.

Denola sighed and nodded "I can't shirk my responsibilities again. I can't leave...again. This is my home and it's yours too, with time you'll get used to it" Denola said cupping her face in his hands.

Amanda mentally rolled her eyes, why did she ever bother? Denola would never understand her need to be far away from his precious family.

She sent him a false smile. "I get it, can I go to bed now? I had a long day, I'm tired" She said.

"Wait" he said leaning in to kiss her forehead. "How about that honeymoon I promised you?" He asked with a small smile.

"What?" Amanda asked, her heart fluttered a little.

"I remember promising you that we could go on another honeymoon once we were settled. I'm far from settled but Mayfair and company can do without me for a while" Denola said.

Amanda smiled "Are you sure? Don't get my hopes up Denola. Have you talked to your family about it?" she asked cautiously. She now knew the big role his family played in every decision he took.

Denola nodded "Grannie agreed and she said she'll speak to my dad and mom" He responded.

"Oh my God" her smile widened. Denola shared her excitement. "We could leave by weekend and stay away for a month" Denola said.

"Yes...yes... Yes.. Yes!" she said excitedly pulling him into a hug.

"Just let me know where you want to go, I'll handle the rest" Denola said once she'd pulled away.

She nodded and planted kisses all over his face. "I love you so much" she murmured.

"I love you too" Denola said.

**********

"For how long?" Atalia asked wiping her mouth with a napkin. Her eyes flew to Amanda. This was her idea no doubt.

"Does it matter?" the Dame asked her daughter in law.

Atalia nodded "Denola has responsibilities, you know what happened the last time he left..." Atalia was saying when her husband cut her off.

"Honey...nobody is dying this time, my mum is right. Denola has been working way too hard, he deserves a break and a honeymoon too" His father said causing Atalia to send the couple a forced smile.

"Of course, two weeks should be enough. Enjoy your honeymoon and return home after two weeks." Atalia said.

Denola frowned "Actually mum, we're staying for a month and we'll be leaving Nigeria too" Denola said.

Atalia scoffed turning to her husband for support "Honey, a month?!" She said shaking her head.

"What about the comp...." she was saying when the Dame cut off her question.

"Denola we will be fine without you for two months, go wherever and enjoy your youth with your wife. Just remember to keep in touch" She said smiling at the couple.

Amanda bit her lips to stop her from grinning. "Thank you Grandma" she said cheerily.

Atalia rolled her eyes "So where are you two heading to?" she asked having lost appetite for her dessert.

"We'll be touring South Africa but Amanda would like to get a taste of Dubai first" Denola responded causing Jadesola to whoop.

"Well if Denola is spending two months in Dubai and South Africa, I'm taking a vacation too. I'm tired of Lagos, I'm going to Abuja" Jadesola said.

"When are you never on vacation?" Her father teased.

"Just make sure you come back with a man this time" Dame said playfully.

Jadesola chuckled "Maybe I will, being single is boring anyway" she rolled her eyes.

Her little brother frowned "What about me, I want to go to Dubai with big brother too" he said.

Everyone turned to AJ and chuckled. "Look at this one that just returned from Disney, no more vacations for you till Christmas" Atalia threatened lightly. She was more relaxed now.

Her husband laughed along with her as they ruffled AJ's curls. The tense atmosphere from few minutes ago had been cleared but not for long because the wicked gleam was still in Atalia's eyes and the mischievous glint in her daughter's.

It was settled, while Amanda was on vacation, they would both be working hard to air her dirty laundry.

*

Jadesola slipped on her ridiculously expensive Prada shoes and turned to her mother. "How do I look?" she asked grinning mischievously.

"Well.... The devil wears Prada" Atalia teased locking eyes with her daughter.

Jadesola chuckled "Awwn, mother I'm flattered" She said picking up her Prada bag.

"Jadesola all work and little play. Find out everything about this man and his connection to your evil, lying, deceitful bitch of a sister in-law" Atalia said scowling.

Jadesola nodded and slipped on her sunglasses. "Trust me mother, I won't let you down. I already have this man hooked, I won't have to work hard for anything" Jadesola said.

Atalia shook her head "No, don't let your guard down yet. He mustn't know the real reason you're in Abuja. He thinks you're a rich spoilt girl who has a crush on him and is flying to Abuja to see him. Let him continue to think that" Atalia said.

Jadesola nodded "Yeah, yeah. This Ali or Aliu whatever is handsome and I know what men like. This should be easy" Jadesola said giggling.

Atalia smirked, she couldn't have been more proud of Jadesola in that moment.

They were one step closer to uncovering the mystery of Amanda Arinze. Thanks to Jadesola, they'd soon be rid of that Amanda.