𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 46. ~~

          She decided to come downstairs again. First, she went to the kitchen to serve herself water to drink and she met Deborah dishing prawn crackers in medium size glass bowls. So she decided to help her take it to the sitting room.

"Here," Lola said as she dropped a tray with bowls of pawn crackers with bottle water and glass cups on the centre table.

           She took each bowl and gave it to each of them except Demilade. She didn't know he had come back downstairs.

"Thanks," Bayo said. "Thanks for the lunch." Lola nodded and smiled at him.

"Thank you, my dear." The two older women choused.

"You are welcome." She replied and she sat down beside Demilade. He put his hands around her shoulder. And she looked at him.

           They had not talked since the event that happened in the evening of the previous day before they went to bed.

"Have you eaten?" She asked him taking a glance at him. She was aware that his friend and family were there. She knew Bayo knew about the deal but not his mother and grandmother. So she tried to put her personal feelings aside and act as she should.

           Like his girlfriend. A caring girlfriend.

"Yes. I took pizza and Coldstone with my PA and secretary. And two to three glasses of wine thereafter."

           She can't help but smile.

"Is that food?" She can't help but ask with a raised brow.

            He shrugged. "At least it goes into the stomach." She chuckles rolling her eyes.

"Should I get you something to eat? Something reasonable." She emphasized the last word.

"Later." He answered. "Thanks." And she nodded before looking back at the others and it was then it dawned on her that they had stopped talking and were peering at the both of them. She suddenly feel shy and she smiled looking flushed.

           Demilade saw his mother staring at him. Her eyes looked sad and at the same time as an expression of affection in them. She smiled at him and then looked away.

"Lola, what do you think about a vacation?" Bayo asked bringing up the topic of vacation and Demilade scowled at him.

"Vacation? To where?"

"To the beach house. Last year, Bayo and Demmy bought a beach house and I think it will be the best time to take your boyfriend away from his work for the time being. He does nothing than work. Don't you want him for yourself at least for a week?" Grandma Grace asked.

            She smiled at the old woman before she looked at Demilade. He was staring at her. And he looked away when she caught him staring at her.

"I will love that." She grinned at her. She can see Bayo was staring at her curious to hear what she had to say.

           In fact, they were all looking at her with curiosity like her answer will determine the next thing to do.

"I have to go home and back to work." She saw Mrs Jolaoluwa's shoulder slump in defeat but she continued. "But a week won't mean anything if I will have Demmy to myself." She said and she leaned in closer to him. She glanced at him to see his reaction. His face was impassive.

"So are you still saying no now that your girlfriend had agreed," Bayo asked and he throw a piece of pawn cracker into his mouth staring at Demilade.

"Fine. You should all suit yourself." Demilade said in a bored tone. And they all chuckled.