Chapter 29 Chapter Twenty six

Chapter Twenty Six

'They say he who finds a wife, finds a good thing. They couldn't have been more wrong'

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

January.

Mayfair Estate,

Lagos.

Atalia Mayfair

"I don't see why, she's leaving the country so early. She could just travel next month" Atalia complained to Denola as the chauffeur loaded the Car trunk with their boxes.

Denola sighed "I tried talking her out of it, she wouldn't concede. If she wants to go to South Africa again, I don't have a problem with it" Denola stated.

Atalia rolled her eyes, she was happy Amanda was carrying her first grandchild but she couldn't ignore the fact that Amanda was taking advantage of Denola's devotion.

"Right....Well I do have a problem with you deserting the company again. We're barely far into the new year, couldn't you postpone this trip?" she asked just as Amanda came out of the house escorted by the Dame.

"Mum, seriously? Drop it, Amanda will be having the baby by March. Even if we weren't going to South Africa, I'm on paternity leave. We've talked about this, I want to be there for her every moment" Denola said turning away from his mother but Atalia wasn't giving up easily.

"Is it right to have your first child away from home Denola? Listen to the voice of your mother" Atalia said cupping his cheek and turning his face toward hers.

Denola sighed wondering why his mum was making this difficult for him, he too had not been in support of this trip.

His grandmother had been a little worried but he and Amanda had to maintain a united front.

"Mum...the baby's home is with Amanda and I. That's why I'm going to be with her through out" Denola countered causing his mother to huff.

"Fine, you never listen to me anymore anyway" she said and turned away from him.

Denola sighed, he was conflicted. His mother had a point but at the moment, his wife's happiness was paramount.

"Mum, please understand...." Denola was saying when Amanda walked out of the house and towards them with a curious look on her face.

She'd been watching them go back and forth for some minutes before deciding to approach them.

"Baby, what's taking so long?" she asked when she got to him.

Atalia forced a smile, "Lovely morning to you too Amanda, how's the baby today?" she asked.

Amanda smiled back "We're fine, thank you" Amanda said ignoring the hint of a jibe in Atalia's question.

Atalia nodded before turning to her son. "I won't be able to go to the airport with you two, I have matters to attend to. The Dame doesn't need that kind of stress too, you have my blessings. Have a safe trip" Atalia said patting his shoulder.

Her phone buzzed immediately and she checked the caller, it was Jadesola calling from Abuja.

"It's your sister, I have to go. Bye darling" she said before walking away.

Amanda turned to Denola immediately "What were you two talking about?" Amanda asked wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Nothing important" Denola murmured pulling her closer. Amanda smiled contently.

She knew what had happened, She could tell that Atalia had been trying to sabotage her plans but unfortunately Amanda had the winning card now.

Family was very important to Denola, especially his own. He'd always pick Amanda and his baby from now on.

Atalia would get used to it with time, Amanda thought as Denola led her to the car.

*

*

*

Atalia answered Jade's call the minute she got into her car. "Hello honey, how are you doing?" Atalia asked.

Instead of replying, Jade simply sighed and that got Atalia instantly worried.

"Are you okay, is that Ahmed treating you right? Talk to me Jadesola, is everything okay at Abuja?" Atalia asked at once.

'Mum! Take a chill pill please. Well, I'm fine I guess....and his name is Aliu, everything is fine in Abuja and he's treating me well' Jadesola answered

Atalia took a deep breath "Darling, you don't sound fine, talk to me" Atalia said softly.

Jadesola took another breath 'Are you alone?' She asked.

"Yes honey, what is the matter? I'm in the car, on my way to meet your father at the office. Your brother and Amanda are leaving for South Africa today. Amanda wants to have her baby there" Atalia said sourly.

'Mum, try to stop them. I'm coming back today and I have a special announcement for that bîtch' Jadesola said hotly.

"Jadesola language! And what are you talking about? I tried to get your brother to stay but you know he only listens to Amanda these days" Atalia said.

'Mum, Amanda has been lying to him. Her name isn't even Amanda. I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. That woman is a wicked human and we can't let her remain with Denola' Jadesola said.

Atalia paused at Jadesola's outburst "What are you talking about?" she asked.

'I can't say much now mum, walls have ears. We'll talk when I get to Lagos but I need you to make sure Denola remains home till then' Jadesola said.

Atalia sighed "Honey, your brother left already. Whatever you want to tell him has to wait till after the baby, it's better that way. Come home as soon as you can, I'll be waiting. Stay safe" Atalia said.

'Alright mother, but there's one other thing you need to do for me' Jadesola said.

"Anything dear" Atalia said.

'Find Hakeem and invite him over for dinner. We all need to talk' Jadesola said.

"Alright....I will" Atalia promised and looked out of the car. She wondered what Jadesola had found.

'I have to go now, I'm packing my bags' Jadesola said and ended the call immediately.

*********

Hakeem was surprised when Atalia's driver arrived at his bar with a message inviting him to dinner.

He'd spoken to Denola last night who had told him that he and Amanda were leaving for South Africa today.

Why then did Atalia want to see him?

"Guess, I'll find out soon enough" he murmured as her driver left.

All through the day, he kept on thinking about Atalia's invitation till he left his bar at after seven in the evening.

Nothing prepared him for what he received when he got to Atalia's house.

*

Jadesola had answered the door. "Hello, Jade...." he was saying when she slapped him.

"You bastard! I thought my brother was your friend but apparently you care more about Kadin and the bitch he's married to than your own best friend" Jadesola spat.

Hakeem's eyes widened in shock. "Jade.." he started.

"What, You thought I wouldn't find out?!" she screamed at him.

Hakeem sighed and remained silent. "I only just found out everything, the entire truth. But I couldn't say a thing because your brother is in love with her, married to her and she's pregnant for him" Hakeem said.

Jadesola shook her head "Liar, Aliu contacted you months back. You've known about Amanda's secrets way before Denola married her" Jadesola attacked.

"Look Aliu didn't tell me the entire story, he simply said he was looking for someone who used Kadin's card. I found out it was Amanda and confronted her but she told me she was running away from Kadin because she'd stolen from him while working for him. I covered up for her and didn't tell Denola because I didn't think it was serious. The day I actually wanted to talk to Denola, your mother stopped me from saying anything. When I eventually found out the truth, it was too late. You can tell Denola the truth now but he will still be tied to Amanda. The baby....what are you going to do about it? Just let it go Jadesola" Hakeem said.

Jadesola shook her head and lifted her pinky finger. "Kadin is this close to finding the truth, he's not a fool and you know that. I don't want my brother caught up in anything. It's better he's guarded than caught off guard" Jadesola said turning away from him.

Hakeem shook his head "What do you plan to do Jadesola, what do you plan to do about Amanda and the baby? Whatever you do, you'll hurt your brother" Hakeem warned.

Atalia cleared her throat, she'd been in the room for a few minutes but they hadn't noticed because they were busy exchanging words.

The two looked shocked when they heard her but only for a few seconds.

"Thanks for accepting my invitation, please come into the dining room this minute. Wouldn't want to give the helps something to gossip about" Atalia said pleasantly before turning away.

Jadesola glared at Hakeem "Shame on you" Jadesola hissed and left with her mother.

Hakeem rolled his eyes and followed her. How did Jadesola know all these anyway?

Jadesola sat opposite Hakeem and stared daggers at him. "What's the way forward?" Hakeem asked.

"Why should we tell you, can we trust you? What if you go running to Kadin and spilling everything?" Jadesola attacked.

"Jadesola, relax. Denola is my friend and I won't put him in harm's way" Hakeem said.

Jadesola cocked an eyebrow in his direction "Really? But you let him get married to an A class bitch who is married to another man and has abandoned her little daughter!" Jadesola yelled.

Hakeem narrowed his eyes at Jadesola and got up immediately. "Denola got married to Amanda secretly, not even you or any other member of your family could have stopped that, I'm no super hero but I'm not the bad guy either, when you're ready to talk you know where to find me" Hakeem said and walked out of the dining room immediately.

Jadesola hissed. She didn't need his help, she was taking Amanda down herself.

"What do we do now?" Atalia asked sipping her glass of white wine.

"Celebrate mum" Jadesola responded with a sinister laugh.

"Celebrate? Jadesola don't use riddles with me, you know I don't like that" Atalia said upset.

Jadesola smiled and turned to her mother "Don't you get it mum? We've won. Amanda will soon be gone for good, I'll take care of everything from now on. Just celebrate, the thorn in our flesh will soon be removed" Jadesola said.

Atalia smiled at her daughter, it was almost over.

They had won.