Professor James Akondem as the bride's father had been called up to say something about his daughter. The crowd seemed to be wrapped up in what he was saying except Imma, she could barely focus. Her eyes like a hawk watched the two intruders make their way to a table and settle down. Eyong in a brown senator wear, adjusted his square-rimmed glasses and looked straight at her. Her heart seemed to stop beating and start again. The audacity of him! Then his brother Michael in a sky blue shirt adjusted his bow tie and looked at her.
"How dare they show up here!" Imma seethed to Ache who just looked at her with a stony expression. He seemed to be trying to keep things under control.
"We can't acknowledge them now, baby," He said, tapping two fingers on the table impatiently.
"Boss, should I kick them out?" Otto asked. Ache shook his head. One wrong move was going to result in a scandal and social media was going to feed on it like vultures fed on carcasses.
Professor Akondem finished his speech and the crowd cheered. His face brightened into a smile as he stared at the group and then he froze.
"Oh no! Daddy has seen Eyong!" Imma panicked, gripping Ache's hand.
The crowd started to murmur. Heads were turning to see what Imma's father was looking at. She wanted to cry! Her father didn't easily forgive and the look on his face said he would kick Eyong out of the hall that instant if he didn't throw him in jail first for scamming him of half a million francs. What were they thinking coming here? Several people including her father had been scammed by Eyong and if people recognized him, he would indeed be lynched.
The MC, Kevin looked at Imma and Ache, a silent what-should-i do? written all over his face. Their faces were blank. Her wedding was ruined!
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time for the father-daughter dance, Professor James, please remain on the dance floor," The MC, Kevin suddenly announced. Imma wanted to jump up and kiss him at that moment but she couldn't. Her husband sat beside her, breathing in relief. The MC had saved the day! The father-daughter dance was supposed to be the last item on the program but he'd brought it forward. The mention of her father's name suddenly broke the spell. He refocused, relaxed, and watched Imma come down the podium.
Imma placed her hands over her father's shoulder. He held her lightly around the waist. His body was still tensed and she could see he was clenching his jaw.
The DJ started playing Scott Thomas: This Dance.
They began to move slowly back and forth as they'd practiced. Neither she nor her father were very good dancers so they'd settled for simple steps.
"So you invited your useless thief of an ex-boyfriend to your wedding?" Her father growled only to her hearing.
"No Daddy, I didn't invite him. Do you think I would disrespect you like this?" She said, trying to hide the hurt in her voice.
"So what is he doing here?" He asked, twirling her around. She spun around and came face to face with him and tears were forming in her eyes.
"I don't know Daddy but I hope you trust me that I won't make a foolish decision like this."
"I'm sorry, daughter. I trust you. You've been making the right choices and it's taken me long to see. I'm proud of you," He said, looking at her in the eyes. She believed every word her father said because he couldn't fake the tenderness in his eyes. For the last part of the song, she leaned in and placed her head on his shoulder.
After the father-daughter dance, the guest moved to dinner. That was the perfect time to confront the elephant in the room or the Eyongs in the room.
"Congratulations on your wedding," Eyong said as soon as Imma and Ache arrived. Careful not to draw attention with their serious looks, they'd agreed to smile so she responded to his greeting with a stiff thank you and so did Ache.
"Congratulations, Immaculate and Mr. Ache," Michael, extended a hand for a handshake. Ache ignored it. It seemed he could fake a smile but not a handshake.
"You are here because..." Imma asked.
"Because we have to talk, " Eyong spoke for both of them. Michael nodded. Imma raised her eyebrows in silent question. When did these two become a team?
Eyong started to speak then a voice boomed from behind them.
"Has it happened yet?"
"Chief Eyong? " She was surprised he was here. She had invited him but wasn't sure he showed up for things like this.
"First of all, congratulations to you two!" Chief Eyong said heartily, reaching to shake their hands. Then he turned to his sons.
"Are you done with your business for today?"
Suddenly, they looked like children who had been scolded and dragged to school. Eyong looked uncomfortable and Michael inserted his hands into his pocket and took it out in a nervous gesture.
"Immaculate, I came to apologize for everything I put you through, especially at the hotel," Michael said.
"I was out of line and I sincerely apologize to you and your husband." His eyes darted between her and Ache as if looking for some sort of response. Their faces were blank. She hadn't been expecting this and neither had Ache but she managed to nod. She had no words.
Chief Eyong cleared his throat which turned out to be the cue for Eyong.
"Imma, I'm sorry. I've put you through a lot and no amount of apology will be enough but I hope you forgive me. To you Ache, I apologize immensely," He said.
Is that it? I could easily forgive Michael but Eyong? No! You got Ache arrested, beaten, and almost had him killed! You scammed my father and several others of their hard-earned money! Because of you, I was arrested and locked up! Do you think a one-minute apology is enough?
She lashed out, her breath coming faster and faster as anger rose with her. Ache pulled her to the side, draped his one arm around her shoulder, and gently rubbed her arm.
"Nothing will make up for what I've done but I will start with this," He extended a piece of paper towards her.
Just as she reached for it, two figures appeared.
Great! Her parents. Her father looked like he was about to set Eyong on fire and her mother stood like a fire extinguisher.
"Professor James Akondem and his lovely wife! It is great to meet you. You have such a brilliant daughter," Chief Eyong said. Imma watched how he diffused the situation, distracting her father from unleashing many months of anger on Eyong. They even moved aside and began to chat. From where she and the others stood, they caught snippets of their conversation.
"They're children and they do foolish things but what can we do?" Chief Eyong laughed.
"Very foolish, one time Immaculate and her sister..." Her father started to say.
"That's it! All my secrets are out" Imma lamented lightly and the others laughed. The laughter brought her back to reality. She turned to the two men, and their smiles vanished.
"For real, I hope you both can forgive me...us," Eyong said, placing his hand on Michael's shoulder. Imma looked at the piece of paper he'd given her: A 5 million francs cheque. She looked up at him.
"Consider it an apology and a wedding gift. You’re now my boss and probably don't need it as you'll have more than enough in the US but invest it," Eyong said, attempting a smile.
"I admire you though, " He added abruptly making Imma frown.
"What I mean is, I admire you Imma for sticking to the one you believed was right for you. I am ashamed to say I knew I wanted Sharon all along but I wasn't as courageous as you to admit and I was about to drag you down a dangerous path,"
"It's good we each have gone for the ones we love right?" Imma said. She realized the more he apologized the more miserable he looked.
"True. One of these days, I will present Sharon to my father. Let's settle our differences first," He concluded.
Imma locked her arm into Ache's and looked up at him. This was her husband, the man who was looking at her like ice cream on a hot day he couldn't wait to devour. He lowered his head and kissed her lightly on her lips. She closed her eyes for a second but it felt like eternity. She had what she wanted, there was no room for grudges. The only person permitted to occupy her mind and her body was Ache.
Ache tore his eyes away from his beautiful wife and looked at the men standing in front of him. He smiled at Eyong especially and extended his hand for a handshake.
THE END!!!!
Author's Notes
This story has finally come to an end!
First of all, how did you like this last chapter?
The scene about the daddy daughter dance made me emotional because I miss my dad and I'd always dreamt of that moment.😐
I would like to know if you feel I've resolved all the conflict I created in the story.
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If there has to be an epilogue, what part of Imma and Ache's life would you love to see?
The Eyong boys look like they can have their own story, what do you think? Afterall, Eyong plans to introduce his wife to his father🤔
Then there's Michael with play boy vibes and a child with a waiter at the Skyline Hotel. Let me catch myself before I start a sequel 😃