𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 19. ~~

              She looked up when she heard a quiet thud. He just rolled up the towel in his hand and drop it into the empty laundry basket beside the door to the bathroom. And that was when she saw he had a tattoo on his back.

             That gets her as a surprise. She did not believe he could draw a tattoo on his body. It was only on his upper back and nowhere else. But the tattoo was amazing. It was nice artwork. A drawing of a soaring eagle just like the one on the painting but the one on his was colourful and on his body.

           He turned around and gave her a quizzical look.

"You've not answered my question, Lola. Why are you here?" He asked again. He didn't add that she was intruding on his privacy and she was not allowed in his room. He doesn't need another lecture from his mother about him being rude.

             But what surprised him is that he isn't angry that she is in his room. Instead, he felt a little bit of pride. He doesn't know why but he does.

"Sorry. Your lunch is ready. Your mom asks you to come down and eat." She said too quickly. She hated the feelings stirring up inside her as he fixed his gaze on her.

             She saw him nod before she turned and left the room in a jolt.

            She placed her hand on her chest and exhaled out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Her heart was beating t fast in her chest and she wonder why. The feeling seem strange and she hated when she had no control over her feeling because it was new to her.

          She quickly went back to meet Mrs Jolaoluwa. She doesn't want her to have thought she was doing something with her son.

§§§§§

              They sat together to have lunch. Demilade seems to be very quiet. He listened to the conversation between the two women. He realized Lola was quite a talker. No, she was a talker. She talks a lot. And he thought that was the reason she was friends with Jubril and Deborah. They seem to be her new friends and talking companions.

             She didn't even bother to act like she was quiet. She talks at every little chance. And his presence did nothing to intimidate her.

            So he said nothing and just eat his food. It was his mother's food but he didn't seem to be enjoying it. But he had to eat not to get his mother worried.

"Demilade. Lola. I will be going back tomorrow morning." She said to them.

"So fast mom," Demilade said.

"Yes, Ade. Your grandmother is coming back tonight. And she doesn't seem to get along with the maids, so I have to be there for her." She explained.

"I will have to go late to work tomorrow so I can see you off," Demilade said.

          Him and his work? Duh! Lola said rolling her eyes and she faced her food.

"Thank you. But be careful. Don't overwork yourself." Mrs Jolaoluwa advised her son.

"I won't mom. Thanks for the concern." He said and he took his glass of wine.

"Oh! I will miss you so much ma." Lola told her honestly. It was the truth. The woman had been a good talking partner. She was never bored around her. They had the same thing in common. Talking and watching movies. Even if she mostly watches Yoruba or Igbo movies.

          She was easy to be with, unlike her son. And she treated and sees everyone the same. She was fun to be with. Her weekend had been tolerable because of her. Even her dad commended her.

"I will miss you too Lola. I enjoy my time with you. I wish I can stay a little longer with you but I have to go and help my mother." She told her.

"It's okay ma. I also enjoy being with you too ma." She said. She almost felt like tearing up. She didn't have a mother to talk with for a long time and she was there. Just the short time she spends with her makes her feel like she had a mother.

             Demilade stared at the two women. They were been emotional and dramatic. And he just rolled his eyes. He doesn't want his mother to get too attached to Lola because she will be out of his life in just seventeen days. But now, they were acting as if they'd met a long time and were saying a final goodbye. Well, maybe it's a final goodbye. His mother might not come to visit him again before the deal ends.

             He looked at Lola and he wondered what charm she had used for his mother to like her so much.

            His mother was nothing like his grandmother who is open to everyone. She is reserved. She loves to keep to herself. And some might think she is not friendly because of her attitude. She didn't even have many friends like his grandmother. And she doesn't trust people so easily. But here she is in just a few days, she loves and trusts Lola like she is her daughter.

              Did she want him to marry Lola or did she just like her because she never had a daughter? He thought. It gets him wondering.

That's food for your thoughts Demmy.

I made it up to those who want an update. I think this is the second double update since this book started.

Anyway, enjoy.

Please don't forget to drop your comments, votes and recommend them to friends.

Thanks a whole lot for reading and voting.
Love y'all.

RhodaKadri.