𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 45. ~~

"Just like you do me."

"But seriously Demmy, she was offended." Demilade stared at him. "Helen noticed. You know she studies Psychology and you know how good she is at reading people's feelings and words."

"That trick doesn't always work."

"Not in this case. Why didn't you even call her? I think she cared about you."

         Demilade muttered some incorrigible words before pouring himself another drink and taking a large swallow of the wine.

"How did you even convince her to come back?"

"I didn't tell you she was back."

"Well, you mentioned that the deal wasn't over yet." Bayo reminded him and he nodded in understanding. "You are looking so tense. Did something happen between you two again?"

"What wants to happen?" He asked, bored. He was already getting tired of Bayo's interrogation. "And when did we start to talk about Lola?"

"Don't change the topic, Demmy. You continued this deal for a reason. So what is it? Did something happen between you two? Did you confess to her or she did?"

"No."

"Did you both have another fight or is it a quarrel?" Bayo was persistent.

"No." He scowled at him.

"Okay. Is it sex? Did you both have..." Demilade throw him a dirty look shutting him up but he smirked.

"No." He drawled.

"So what is it then? Common talk to me."

"Fine. We kissed." He deadpans.

"Whoah! That's..." The words stop short in his throat when Demilade throw him a knowing glare. He did an invisible zip to close his mouth.

           And he guessed it didn't turn out well. Now he understands why he is tense at the mention of Lola's name. That had been the reason why he was avoiding talking about Lola.

"We kissed yesterday." He paused and looked like he was thinking about what to say. There were a few minutes of silence. It's like Demilade was deliberating on what to say and Bayo just remained quiet watching him.

"She said it was a mistake."

"That doesn't sound nice." He shakes his head. "So?" He questioned.

"So we leave it at that." He said. He can tell he is angry.

"You left it at that. What about you Demmy? Was it a mistake?" Bayo probed.

             Demilade looked away and exhaled. "Let's stop talking about Lola."

             He was angry, mad, furious. All in one. He is hurt and at the same time, he is lusting after her. In fact, he was missing her face already.

            He runs his hand on his face and groaned. While Bayo watches him intently. He can tell what he is feeling at the moment. There was more to just the kiss. He was so sure about that. He knows Demilade will not admit it immediately and he won't push it either. He knew he will come around. So he let it go.

"Okay. So how is your business trip to Tokyo?" He asked changing the topic.

"It went well," Demilade replied. It was successful even if most of the time he was there, he couldn't stop thinking about Lola. "It was stressful but successful. The Japanese are not so easy to work with but they are good at doing business. They are ready to do business with anyone as long as you have this." He pointed a finger to his head.

"I'm so happy for you Demmy. You always talk about expanding your business to Asia and trying to create a connection between Africa and Asia. And you are one step closer to your dream."

"I've got you to thank. You never stop believing in me." He smiled gratefully.

          Bayo patted him on the leg before he called a waiter to get them another drink and something to chew. And they continued to talk about their business for a while. And they fill each other about things concerning their life.

"I went over to the United States to see Hughie. He asked about you."

"Wow! It's been ages since I last saw him. Is he still in the tattoo business?"

"Yeah. The guy is better than before. He is even into art painting."

"That's good to know. It's been so long... "

              Bayo and Demilade left the club when he realized he was getting late. Since he had promised his grandmother that he would be back on time and Bayo had decided to go with him. He had missed the women. It's been so long since he saw them and he wanted to see them.

"Do you remember those days we work to save money to get a gift for grams, mom, my stepmom and my dad?" Bayo asked on their way.

          Demilade smiled. "How could I ever forget that? You came up with the idea that we should start learning how to appreciate our parents. Even if you do not need to work, you always join me to work part-time at the club."

"Well, I partly did that so I could get access to the strip club and also meet pretty girls," Bayo confessed and they both chuckles.

"Yeah, I know. Who could have thought you will find Helen so fast."

"You are right about that. It actually helps. I do meet Helen in a club." He smiled at the memory.

"Uhm. You still save my ass when my money isn't complete for whatever we want to buy." Demilade said with a small smile as he remembered the good old days.

"Yes. I'm glad we made it."

"I can never express how grateful I am to God for me to achieve all my dreams. I'm more than grateful that I could make my family proud and give them what they ever wanted after watching them suffer and struggle for a long time."

"I'm happy for you too. Your grandma and mom are one set of amazing women." Bayo commented and Demilade agreed with a nod.

           There was silence for a while as Bayo drives without saying a word. Then Demilade decides to break the silence.

"I don't always say this Bayo... Thank you. Thank you very much. Thanks for always being a good friend. You've always stood by me... Countless times I can't begin to mention some of them. You're a good friend and I appreciate your friendship. Thank you for everything best man. "

"What are friends for?!" He chuckled."I'm also grateful to you too. I owe you a lot. My childhood was fun and challenging because of you. I would have never known the value of hard work and money if not for you. I learned a lot from you as your friend and that, I can never buy elsewhere. So thank you."

          Demilade just smiled in reply. And they continued on their journey home.