Chapter 5 THE STARK TRUTH

A U R E L I A N O

This is one of those moments where you feel like time stands still and everything freezes, with you right along with it . . . until something shatters the fake bubble you wrapped yourself up in.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Dipo thunders from behind me. I grasp my chest and stumble back, away from the lying wench. She casts sorrowful eyes at Dipo who is slowly making his way towards her. "Is this some fucking joke, Roxy? Do you think it's right to go about using my daughter as bait? Who the hell told you to show your lying manipulative face here, anyway?" He reaches out and cracks a slap across her face.

Against my will, I smirk on seeing this. It's his turn to go bat shit crazy, but instead of watching the show like I'd normally do, I decide to intervene as I take few steps towards her.

"I would advise you to retract your statement right now and apologise, 'cause Dipo clearly does not play with his kid." I watch as he raises his right hand, poised to give her another slap. I know I should stop him, but I don't move a muscle. She shrinks from him, whimpering in alarm.

Roxy has played with us long enough.

This last manipulation of her's just proves how cuckoo she really is.

Just as Dipo's hand is about to connect with her face the second time, someone holds it in a vice - like grip. He struggles to release it, but the person has got his hand on a lock down. My eyes widen when I take in the figure of mama with determination set in her eyes, her hands like a clamp around Dipo's hand. I watch in awe as beads of sweat pop up on her forehead from the strain of keeping his hand away from Roxy's face.

I knew mama was strong, but not this strong.

When she came into the kitchen, I didn't know, but she's either stealthy like a cat, or I was carried away by the drama currently taking place now.

"Para! (Stop it!) "This isn't you, Dipo." She gently pulls his hand away from Roxy who has begun to cry. Crocodile tears, surely.

Mama turns to me with a look on her face and suddenly, fear slams into my chest. "It's true, hijo, eres el padre de Stacy." (Its true son, you are Stacy's father.)

My breath siezes immediately and I double up as I'm left gasping for air. Mama begins pounding my back to aid respiration, but I jerk her hand off and move away from her, stumbling into a stool, because my legs are suddenly not able to support my body anymore. Once I'm able to speak, I turn to face her. "She put you up to this, didn't she? And you let her get away with it? How can you be so gullible, mama, tell me how?"

She looks at me with an unreadable expression on her face and hands me a sheet of paper she's been holding all this while. I stare dumbly at it, not understanding what I'm supposed to do with it. Dipo rushes forward and snatches it up before my hands can reach out. He clutches it in-between his hands in a death like grip, his face contorting wierdly. It's his turn to stumble as he holds on fast to the edge of the table and slumps into a chair. A fine sheen of perspiration is splayed across his forehead. "No!" With a wild shake of his head, he negates what he see's. "No! No! I don't believe this, I can't believe it, I refuse to believe it. It can't be. It just can't be."

Cold dread snakes it's way into my heart and squeezes tightly. I snatch the paper from him with shaky hands and watch as my whole world implodes.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the words keep jumbling up. I can't see shit. "Mama, what does this mean? Please interpret this for me." I implore her, raising pain - filled eyes to her.

She shakes her head sadly and collects the paper back from me. "I'm sorry hijo (son). Sorry to spring this upon you. I wish I could have told you in a different manner, but there's no other way around it. It's time --- time to become a father. This is the evidence right here." She jabs at the piece of paper. "Science never lies. This paper right here clearly states and I quote." A pregnant silence suddenly permeates the air, stifling it and making my throat sieze. She sighs heavily and peers at the piece of paper in her hand. "The probability of paternity is 99.9%"

Unbefrigginglieveable!

My eyes flick to Roxy and I notice she's stopped crying and now gazing at the door with a speculative look on her face. Instinctively, my eyes follow her line of sight, and shock spirals through me when I see her kid standing at the door way, rooted to the spot, her bottom jaw unhinged, gazing with big, round eyes at everyone. She moves slowly, mechanically, into the kitchen, and stops close to Dipo.

"Don't you want to be my father anymore?" Tears pool in her eyes as she stares up at him.

Let's get one thing straight ---- I don't like the kid, because she's Roxy's offspring, but looking at her now makes my heart clench in pain for her. The look she's sending Dipo is one of sorrow, tinged with palpable fear.

Dipo crouches to her level, takes her into his arms and holds her tightly as he mutters incomprehensible words to her.

How does one wake up one day and within the twinkling of an eye, everything changes for the worst. The life you felt comfortable in --- the life you thought you knew, crumbles before your very eyes. The life you lived, becomes a lie.

My life is beginning to look like a lie ---- thanks to fucking Roxy.

I blame it all on my stupid, overactive hormones.

I blame it on my lack of discipline.

I blame it on me. . .

But then again, I blame it on Roxy, too.

My eyes flit to her once more, as rage courses through me. I make to get up from the stool, to move towards her with the intention of causing her pain, just like I'm also feeling pain, but I can't do shit, at least, not in front of the kid.

I'm not that heartless.

I raise a finger, pointing at Roxy and making sure to inject my voice with right amount of steel. "This shit result is going to be contested, but before that happens, I want you out of here. I don't care where it is you go, so long as I don't have to see you lingering around my house again." I narrow my eyes at her once I finish speaking and walk out the door.

I head for the bedroom in a blind rage. I need to see Eve. She's the only one that can calm me down now. I can't depend on mama anymore, she betrayed me. I remove my clothes and don a new set, my fingers going through the motions, but my mind already elsewhere.

I need to lay my head on Eve's chest. I need her hands on me . . . but it's late and she lives with her parents, so I'll have to pass on that.

So instead of driving to the mainland to see her like I want to, I decide to drive around aimlessly instead.

The streets are fairly crowded for 12 midnight. Some lost souls probably heading out in search of a good time. I drive past some bars, debating on whether to stop at one of them, but when I visualise Roxy's face and how she claims I'm her kid's father, my blood gets fueled with rage.

I swerve into the car park of the next welcoming bar I see, almost hitting the kerb in my rage - filled state. Once I get inside, slow music thrums from hidden speakers, and dim light casts eerie jumpy shadows from overhead. Couples are dotted around, swaying slightly to the music. A loud cheer erupts suddenly and I notice a large gathering of about fifteen people tucked into a corner, laughing and generally having fun. It's such an irony to the storm raging inside of me.

I ignore the noise coming from them and stalk straight to the bar where the drinks are calling out to me. I position myself on one of the high stools and order a bottle of Jack Daniels instead of my usual Hennessy.

I need to dull the feeling of helplessness now creeping into me.

Once my bottle comes, I don't use the glass, I tip it straight into my mouth and silently curse as the liquid burns a pathway down my parched throat.

Shaking the sudden dizziness threatening to engulf me, I begin to ponder on the situation at hand.

That kid can't be mine. She just can't be.

I'm not ready to be a father to Roxy's kid ---- no damn way.

But what if she really is mine? A small, still voice whips into my mind, making me almost rock back on the bar stool.

"Dammit, No!" I hit the table with enough force to send my Jack Daniel bottle falling over, spilling some of its content onto the marble centre piece. Some other guys sitting around the bar send me wierd looks.

"You okay, man?" The bar guy queries, appearing in front of me with a slight frown on his face.

I nod and right the bottle, but instead of sitting it down, I lift it to my lips and tilt, sighing as I feel the burn as it settles in my stomach. I nurse it against my chest when I'm done.

Shouts shoot up once more from the table at the far corner, drawing my attention towards the people sitted. One of them gets up and begins walking towards the bar, probably to order some more drinks for the more thirsty amongst them. Already a variety of drinks, both empty and half way drunk, litter their table.

The guy stops in front of the bar guy, close enough for me to hear his orders. "Hi! Can I have some more bottles of Heineken, a couple of tequila shots and a few margaritas, please."

His voice sounds oddly familiar, but I don't check to see if I know him. I honestly don't have the time nor the energy to play guess work right now.

"Hello!" He tries to call my attention, but I ignore him as I take more precious sips from the bottle I've refused to let go of.

"Excuse me ---- you're Segun, right?" This time, I turn towards him and arch a brow. I'm not in the mood for surprises, so I'm just going to feign ignorance, even if I know him. "Yes, you're definitely Segun." He continues. "How can I forget that mean punch to my jaw." I encounter a dark skinned guy looking at me interestingly, a smile playing at the edges of his lips.

"You got the wrong guy." I reply curtly, already turning back to my bottle with a heavy frown to ward him off.

"Naah! Can't ever forget you." He continues speaking, unfazed by my rude behaviour. "You caused a lot of ruckus in the strip club when you mistook me for Eve's boyfriend."

At the mention of Eve, I sit up straight and turn back to him, taking my time to walk my eyes from his trainered feet up to his black fitted jean trousers, sliding my eyes to his white tee, and finally landing on his barely - there teddy. There I linger for a second longer, to ascertain why he looks so damn familiar.

He rubs at his jaw, a smile creeping at the edges of his lips. Suddenly, a light bulb flares harshly in my mind, making me jerk back.

He's the same guy Eve smacked lips with at the strip club.

The fuck!

I feel my brows furrowing up badly as I keep staring at him.

He sticks out a hand to me. "Hi! I'm Tomide, Eve's cousin. From the look on your face, I see you remember me."

I breath more easily, sighing as I clasp my hand in his at the mention of the word 'cousin.'

I know Ebere mentioned something along those lines to me awhile ago, but why the fuck did Eve feel the need to kiss her cousin, though?

I'm still frowning and ruminating on this, when he shakes his head and barks out a laugh. "Trust me, Eve took me by surprise with what she did. She later told me it was a retribution thing, because she saw you about to get a blow job."

Shame courses through me as I remember what almost happened. Good thing lil boy refused to respond, otherwise I'd have let it happen. "Howdy, Tom!" I say, tightening my hold on his hand and smiling at him.

"So are you and my cousin an item now, or you're still both being stubborn?" He sits down on the empty stool beside me and regards me with a look.

Instead of replying like I should, I shoot him a smile filled with meaning. He hoots with laughter on seeing this, clapping me on the back in appreciation. "Now that's what I'm talking about. About damn time." Then he becomes sombre as he regards me. "I heard you stopped her wedding to that money - bagged tyrant she was about to get hitched to." He shakes his head as he continues to speak, and a myriad of emotions flit across his face. "We are so grateful to you and I'm really happy you two are now an item."

"Yeah!" Is all I'm able to reply, the tightness in my chest, easing somewhat.

"Say . . . I'm with some friends over there." He points to the table at the far corner. "My friend is celebrating her birthday and I'd love for you to join us."

I'm already shaking my head, but he stands up and crooks an arm under mine, forcibly dragging me up from the stool and keying me into the fact that he works out some. "Oh come on, it'll be fun, I'll introduce you to everyone."

Grudgingly I follow him, still nursing the Jack Daniels bottle against my chest. When we stop at the table, all eyes look to us. I feel myself being scrutinised, assessed and maybe dissected, too.

"Hi all, this is my friend, Segun. He'll be joining us at our table till we're all either passed out, or we're ready to say enough." He laughs at his statement.

Obviously he was joking, but there's an element of truth to his words. I'm not new to the drinking scene, so I know how things go. One minute you're buzzing with the alcohol flowing through you, and the next, you're knocked out ---- if you drink too much and don't know how to hold your liquor, that is. Thankfully, I've always been able to keep it together.

A chorus of hellos sail into my ears as someone moves, creating a space for me on the cushioned chair.

As I make to put my Jack Daniels bottle on the table, someone sidles close to me and whispers into my ear. "We meet again." I back up and look into the eyes of a woman. Recognition filters through my mind as I come face to face with my former secretary at Deuce ---- Anita. The same woman who tried to seduce me. The same one I fired.

I search her face for signs of anger, but all I see is a woman who keeps smiling and staring at me like I'm the most interesting thing she's ever had the opportunity of setting eyes on.

Shit!

"How do you know Tomide?" She asks in a conversational tone.

I take my time to take some sips from my bottle, tipping it into my mouth and feeling the harsh liquid as it slides down my throat, filling my veins and giving me some much needed liquid courage.

"Yeah, I know him." I reply, my voice raspy. "He's my girlfriend's cousin." I smirk as I finish speaking, reclining further into my seat.

She smiles knowingly in return, and takes a small sip from whatever she's drinking. Around me the guys discuss politics, a subject I always steer clear of. From across the table, Tomide seems to be getting cozy with some chick that keeps whispering into his ears. So she's the friend that's celebrating her birthday. I watch them for a bit as she clings to him like a vine. She's got on a full face of make up, with the red lipstick shining away from across the table. She looks like she wants Tomide to take her home tonight. From where I'm sitting, that's probably going to happen, too.

"So . . ." Anita moves close to me until there's not much space left between us. She crosses her legs, exposing her thighs which are on full display in the short dress she's wearing, or is it a skirt? I can't tell because she's sitting down. "Where's the girlfriend and, why isn't she here with you?"

I cast a glance back at her and chortle mirthlessly. "Wouldn't you like to know."

She laughs throatily as she twirls a strand of hair around her little finger. The hair on her head is obviously fake. Must have gotten it from some poor Asian woman in need of money. "Big strong man like you . . ." She starts, leaning close to me. She reaches out and squeezes my arm. ". . . shouldn't be left alone to reign free." Snaking her tongue out, she wets her lips, reminding me of Roxy and making me shrink back in disgust.

I turn away from her and focus instead on the guys who are still discussing politics. "Your hair must have cost a fortune to buy." I say, turning back to her and frowning quizzically at it.

"You like it?" She preens, fluffing it up and down.

"Hmm!" I shrug. "My girlfriend keeps her hair au naturel. You should see it. It's extremely thick and full and falls naturally down her back." I gesticulate, with a hand at my back. "Now to answer your question. My girlfriend is getting her much needed beauty sleep, plus she's not in the habit of keeping late nights."

The smile on her face bleeds away faster than I can say 'I told you so,' and she moves away from me and turns towards the other guys that are now talking about who is richer between Dangote and Otedola. Foolish idle talk.

"Guys!" She claps her hands to call their attention. "Let's all play a game of truth and truth."

I groan inwardly. Tomide put me beside loony tunes and I'm already over it. I thought I could come here for a bit of reprieve but I can't even get that with Anita breathing down my neck.

I've had enough of this crap.

I stand up, grabbing my bottle of liquor.

Tomide see's me and stands also. "Going so soon?" He looks crestfallen, making me wonder why.

"Aww! Come on Segun, are you running away from a little game?" Anita queries, arching a brow up at me.

If she keeps twirling that hair around her little finger, one of two things might happen ---- she'll either dislocate her finger with the way she's going at it, or wear out the poor Asian woman's hair.

I sigh as I ponder on what to do. Unfortunately for me I don't back down from a challenge.

"Alright!" I move back to my former seat. "Let's play this game of truth and . . . what again?" I ask, turning to her.

"Truth and truth." She's full on smirking now. This sends warning bells into my head, but I still sit my butt down and wait out this truth and truth game.

Everyone seems to be pretty excited about it, including Tomide whose partner has him on a leech as she practically hangs around his neck. This chick hasn't let him out of her sight not once. I feel bad for him, especially as her long fingernails keep digging ridges into his arms.

"I'll go first." Anita starts, clapping her hands excitedly like a little child. Turning to me, she smiles coyly. "Tell me something Segun . . . did you fire me because you couldn't handle all this?" She caresses her body from her chest, moulding her boobs in her two hands and popping them up through her dress.

Nothing.

Not a spark. Not a twitch.

I feel nothing.

Just, nothing.

She lifts a brow at me, expecting what exactly, I don't know.

Silence reigns all around as all conversation instantly siezes. All eyes center their attention on me, waiting for my response.

Easy peasy!

I chuckle before replying. "I fired you 'cause your thirsty ass was crossing the boss -- employee boundary line." I shrug as I finish speaking taking a swig from my bottle.

Anita gasps loudly beside me, gets up immediately and vaults away, probably to go cry in the toilet. Don't know, don't care.

All I'm wondering about, is what particular sample of mine did mama use in getting the paternity DNA test done.

I need to find out now.

I stand up immediately the thought is projected into my head, leaving the Jack Daniels bottle on the table where it belongs.