𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 89. ~~

Bayo could hear Ibukun muttering something like Ada.

Ibukun looked out at the entrance where people walked in and out of the restaurant. It was getting busier by the second probably because it was time for people to eat lunch.

She knew sooner or later Ada will admit to Fareed - her current boyfriend that is why she had decided not to tell her anything. It was easier to do so because she wasn't around. She was in the East where she is schooling.

"Well...she is actually right. But this time is different. She didn't tell me where she is. Like I told Demilade, she called only once and I don't know the number she called with and it was just to instruct me to keep an eye on her siblings and their nanny." She lied without looking at Bayo. Her voice was low and unsure.

Bayo shake his head, knowing that she was lying and it was obvious. He was quiet for a while and he watched Ibukun finish her drink nervously, unable to meet his eyes. He stared at her intently and when she finally decided to look back up at him, she noticed him watching her. She quirks a brow at him, quizzically.

"What is it? You don't look like you believe me."

"Because I don't." He retorted.

Ibukun groaned. She knew it was easier for her to lie on the phone than in a face-to-face conversation. That was the reason why she refused to meet Demilade or any of his friends.

If Helen hadn't called and requested that they should meet and have a chat together with her cousin, she wouldn't be there. She had fallen for their trap. And now, it was hard to lie without being detected. She was all sorts of things and she can be very blunt but one thing she wasn't good at was lying. Most times, she says whatever she has in mind without being discreet and that is why it was hard for her to lie. She was bad at lying. Unlike her other friend - Karimat.

It was at that moment that she wished she was Karimat. Their expert liar. She was a confident liar. It was always hard to detect the truth from her lie. And the skill would have come in handy at that particular moment.

She heaved again, frustrated.

Bayo leaned his arms on the table and stared at her intently.

Then he started, "Look IB, I know deep well that you are protecting your friend. I would do the same for any of my friends especially Demilade. I can't count how many times he covered for me while we were younger. Sometimes, it even gets him into trouble with his grandmother and my stepmother. But he never refused to help me when I need his help. And that is why I helped him in whatever way I can. I have been quiet about all this for a while. It isn't because I didn't believe him or I wasn't aware of it. It is because I know that Lola needed the space. I told Demmy the same and asked him to give her some breathing space. But he can't handle it for long. Especially with the fact that she went MIA and she left her ring." Ibukun glanced at him. "Someone is also suffering. Demilade is too. I am not trying to blame Lola or anything. I just want you to know that he is innocent in all this. And he is suffering just like she is. He is hardly even concentrating at work. Demilade hasn't been himself since Lola walked away that day. Please, I am begging you Ibukun. You and I both want the best for our friends. We care about them and that is why we are doing what we are doing. Please if you know where Lola let is, let me know. I'm begging you."

Ibukun was silent. She shifted on her seat in discomfort and she averted her gaze from him.

"You and I know that ending this relationship isn't what they need. I know it seems like I am giving an excuse for my friend but I am not. I can do just that but I am not. That's not the case right now. Because the truth is Demilade will never cheat on Lola. Never. Not with a woman like Tina. I would be honest with you. We all knew Tina want Demilade." Ibukun peered at him. He heaved a sigh and continued. "He also knew. But he was very sure that she won't directly tell him. We all knew Demilade has a wall he built around himself from people that aren't close to him. And that put people off-limit around him."