Chapter 8 Chapter six

Chapter Six

"Sometimes all you need is a little push for you to realize that you want more than friendship from a friend"

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

Mayfair Estate

Lagos.

Denola.

Amanda's eyes were stormy when he got back to the living room, Denola knew immediately that his sister must have spat her usual venom.

"Hey, you okay?" Denola asked. Amanda sighed "I shouldn't have come here" she said rubbing her arms.

"I'm sorry, just an hour okay. One hour and I'll take you home" Denola said trying to reassure her. Amanda nodded and tried to ignore the sour feeling in her belly.

Denola's mother surfaced minutes later, there was a haughty look on her face as her eyes perused Amanda.

"I didn't know you were bringing a guest son" Atalia Mayfair said haughtily.

Amanda's stiffened before forcing a smile on her face. "Hello mrs Mayfair, it's nice to meet you" Amanda said politely. Atalia Mayfair walked over to her and sized her again with her eyes.

"And you are?" She asked. "I'm Amanda Arinze, I hope I'm not intruding. Denola did mention it's a family dinner" Amanda said quickly. Denola walked over to them to control the situation, his family could be very intimidating. It annoyed him the way they looked down on other people.

"Amanda here is my best friend, I invited her because I needed company. We won't be staying for long, I don't want Amanda out late" Denola said taking Amanda's hand.  His mother eyed the gesture disapprovingly. "Very well Denola, Shall we move to the dining room then?" Atalia Mayfair asked.

Amanda nodded and looked to Denola who  was smiling comfortingly.  Denola led Amanda to the dining room. Another massive and elegant room in the house "You sure you don't host guests here?" Amanda teased nervously as she sat down.

Denola rested his hands on her shoulders. "I'll be right back, I have to go to my grand parents home. I'm bringing them over for dinner. Ignore whatever they say,  I know my family.  They are hard to put up with but please....don't take whatever they say to heart" Denola said.

Amanda nodded "One hour right?" she asked. "One hour" Denola repeated. "Okay, I can endure for one hour" She said. "Alright, I'll be back in a few minutes" Denola said leaving the dining room.

Jadesola and Ajose walked into the dining room immediately after Denola's departure.  Amanda ignored the rude Mayfair princess and focused on Ajose.

"You can't sit there, we have an arrangement. I suppose you'll be sitting close to my son" Atalia Mayfair said icily.

Amanda stood up abruptly, she had no idea  Atalia Mayfair was still in the dining room. "I'm sorry, I had no idea" Amanda said.

"Didn't expect you to, you're not used to formal arrangements are you?  You look like a fish out of the water" Atalia Mayfair said. Amanda sighed and stepped aside as Atalia Mayfair walked over to her previous position. "My father in law sits at the head of the table, his wife sits beside him at his right hand. My husband sits at the left hand,  I sit beside my husband. Denola right opposite me, his sister beside him and his little brother opposite her. That places you beside little Ajose, ruining the arrangement" Mrs Mayfair said.

"I understand...Denola shouldn't have brought me. It's a family dinner, I totally get it.  I wouldn't have come if I'd known....." Amanda was rambling when Atalia Mayfair cut her off.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" she asked. "I'm his friend...he invited me" Amanda stated.

"Why, Amanda Arinze of who, where and what?" Atalia Mayfair quizzed.

Amanda shifted a little, she felt as if she was under attack. First the daughter, then the father.

"We the Mayfairs pride ourselves with associating with people of importance and value in the society. People wielding power,  wealth and influence. Where do you fit in?" Atalia Mayfair asked.

Amanda remained silent. Why had she come with Denola anyway? She should have stayed in his house, in her comfort zone.

Right now she felt like shark bait, who else was going to attack her tonight? The father, grandma and grandpa?

"My son loved and lived with a gold digging, scheming, slüt for years.  He got out of that mistake and I'm not about to let him get into another one.  I know your type Amanda Arinze, I know how to ruin your type. You better just be friends, I will never accept anything else" Atalia Mayfair said meeting Amanda's eyes.

Amanda saw the threat and backed away. "I'm sorry I almost ruined dinner" she said walking out of the dining room.

Jadesola turned to her mother "Good riddance, but seriously....where does Denola pick such low standard girls?" She scoffed taking a seat.

"I don't know, I think it's time for Denola to settle down. He either picks Yvonne the minister's daughter or Princess Joke.  I would prefer if he married into the Oba's family" Atalia Mayfair said rolling her eyes.

She turned to Little Ajose who was playing with his cutlery.  "Be on your best behavior tonight or you'll be grounded. Drop it!" she scolded.

"Yes mum" he said dropping the dessert spoon immediately. Atalia Mayfair took her seat and squared her shoulders as she waited for her husband.

*

"Where's Amanda?" Denola asked the minute he got back. His grandfather walked into the sitting room and took his seat.  "Sit down boy" he instructed harshly.

Denola sighed before sitting, his grandmother sent him a warm smile. Denola smiled at her,  she was the only one who made him feel better.

"Amanda Arinze is gone, I'd advise you to stop seeing her and focus on work and scoring a heiress for a wife. You have to carry on the Mayfair legacy, with Teniola out of the picture, you should settle with Joke Adeleke" Atalia Mayfair said.

"What do you mean Amanda is gone,  did you kick my friend out of the house?" Denola asked outraged.

His grandfather cleared his throat. "What's going on here?" he asked.

"Denola brought  one of his tramps to the house" Jadesola sneered. His grandmother turned to her with a small frown "Watch your mouth young lady, don't speak about your older brother that way. By the way,  what are you wearing?" she cocked a brow at the strapless dress Jadesola was wearing.

"Versace" Jadesola answered clicking her tongue disrespectfully. Her father shot her a glare that put her in her place immediately.

"Who is Amanda Arinze and why is she the topic of discussion at our family dinner?" Mr Mayfair senior asked.

Denola sighed "Amanda is not just a friend, she's important to me.  I love her and if you can't respect that....then I don't even know what I'm doing here" Denola said getting up.

"Young man,  you better sit down" His grandfather said sternly.

"Goodnight" Denola said leaving the dining room. He was done being a puppet for his family, he was done with their bullśhit.

•••

"Love that sprouts from chaotic and destructive situations is tough against storms and can withstand trials"

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Amanda

Amanda was almost out of the Mayfair estate when Denola caught up with her.  He parked his car and got out of the car. He walked over to her in quick strides and took her hand.

He looked at her face and saw that her eyes were upset but there were no tears. "You should have waited for me" He said.

"I couldn't, your mum and your sister....." she began but was cut off by Denola.  "Forget about them,  I don't care what they think or say about you" He stated pointedly.

"Denola your family hates me,  I'm not comfortable with that. I think I should move out, I think it's better that way" Amanda said wrapping her arm around herself.

"My family is a bunch of snobbish elites with sticks up their äss.  Ignore them,  if it makes you feel better....they treated Teni way worse" Denola sighed.

Amanda shook her head a little, she couldn't believe Denola was a part of them. He was so unlike his family,  his rude sister especially.

"Stay with me?" Denola asked looking at her intently. "We're friends, friends are expected to stick with each other in situations like this" Denola said.

Amanda nodded "I know, but please don't ever ask me to come here or meet with them ever again because I will not" Amanda said.

Denola nodded "Whatever you want" He agreed before leading her back to the car.

He was disappointed at his family but he was already used to their behavior, he was also angry that they almost managed to chase and scare Amanda away.

They were more concerned about their reputation than his happiness, he hated them for that.

*

"Jadesola was extremely rude to her elder brother, and to me.  She has to apologize to her brother, we don't raise spoiled brats in this house"  Dame Mayfair said eyeing the insolent girl.

Akintade Mayfair rolled his eyes and turned to his daughter. "You heard your grandmother girl, apologize!" he said sternly.

Jadesola turned to her grandmother reluctantly. "I see no wrong in what I did,  if you want an apology then fine....I'm sorry.  It's not my fault I was trying to talk sense into my brother, it's also not my fault that he brought a trashy gold digger to the house that ruined dinner" Jadesola said rudely.

Atalia Mayfair sipped her steaming mug of coffee, she couldn't help but agree with Jadesola.  Dinner would have gone well if Denola hadn't brought that girl to dinner. It was the girl's fault.

"If you weren't an adult, I'd have flogged you this instant. You silly girl,  you have no right to dictate to your brother, you have no say in who he brings home, you have no say in his relationships. Denola is your senior and you must respect him,  I will not tolerate disobedience and disrespect. You will apologize to that girl and your brother also or you can forget about going on any sponsored vacation!" Dame Mayfair said strongly.

"Dame, you're being too hard on Jade. Why don't we forget about Jade's mistake and discuss Denola's problem with picking the wrong women every time. I think it's high time we fixed Denola up with a girl that befits our status" Atalia Mayfair said.

Dame Mayfair glared at her "He's a man, he's no longer a little boy. Let Denola make his own decisions" She said.

Akintade Mayfair cleared his throat "Mother we all know how that turned out. He ended up with a low classed gold digging scum" His father said. Atalia Mayfair nodded in agreement.

"And that girl he came home with last night is no better. She's way worse, she's also ill bred. Imagine how she walked out of the house after I've managed to fix her into the dinner arrangement" Atalia Mayfair said with a scowl.

Dame Mayfair mentally scoffed, she'd never been fond of her son's wife.  "Atalia you do realize that a mother shouldn't be in the way of her son's happiness" She said.

Atalia Mayfair shook her head slowly. "I only want what's best for him,  don't you think I should have a say in the affairs of my son, I should have my opinion about the woman he takes to the altar" Atalia Mayfair said.

Dame Mayfair smiled a little "If I had my way,  my son wouldn't have married you. I kept out of his business, I think you should also keep out of Denola's business" The Dame said.

Atalia Mayfair stood up immediately "Your son wouldn't have met a better match,  he married the right woman. The Mayfair should be grateful for my presence in this home" She said before walking out of the lounge.

Akintade Mayfair groaned "Mother did you have to say that to Atalia. You know how she is" He said.

Dame Mayfair hissed "I speak only the truth, Atalia is the reason why your first and second daughter stayed away from the Mayfair estate after marriage. She's doing the same thing with Denola, you better talk to your wife" Dame Mayfair said getting up.

She turned to her grand daughter and fixed her a look of disappointment.  "And you,  worry about yourself before you take on your brother's business. You're twenty two already, a graduate, what have you achieved? All you do is spend the money your brother works hard to keep in the family. Ungrateful little brat, you better keep this one on a tight leash" she said to her son before exiting the lounge.

Akintade turned to his daughter "Your behavior was disgraceful, I didn't raise you to be such a disrespectful girl. Why did you speak to your grand mother that way?" He asked angrily.

Jadesola rolled her eyes "God....gimme a break in this house! Why won't you acknowledge the fact that grandma is always sticking her nose in everyone's business. She's old already, she needs to take a break!" Jadesola said stubbornly.

Akintade scoffed "Everyone keeps talking about Denola getting married, I think it's you who should get married and leave this house" He said furiously before leaving the lounge.

Jadesola growled "Everyone in this house is high on cheap drugs" Jadesola said angrily. She wasn't just angry, she was beyond mad. She detested the way her grandmother and father spoke to her, like she was a little girl all over again.

It was all that silly girl's fault, Amanda Arinze.....she was going to destroy that girl and everything she owned.