First update
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Most times life doesn't go well as planned
Future destroyed
Ambitions changed
Happiness taken away
Dealing with uninvited change in our lives is often difficult and painful. It might come forcefully like a tidal wave or creep along incrementally like a glacier. It might come in form of devastating tragedy or difficult choices.
Dad just broke the news that will take a big toll on my life. I have no idea if it will be in the positive way or negative, but all I see is the negative side.
If someone had told me that I will get married in a week's time, I would have beaten the day light out of that person for uttering such rubbish but now it's my fate.
I had plans for my future, for Adrian, to make dad proud even though he has wealth or should I say it's now in the past because he has lost everything.
Dad would never force me into a marriage I did not consent to but this time around his hands were tied.
I sat for my JAMB exams last week and applied for University of ibadan to study Accounting so that after graduation I could help dad run the company before Adrian comes of age. Adrian is my younger brother, he is 16 ( two years older than him).
I had become his mother and closest friend after losing mum to breast cancer.
Darren Beacroft , the CEO of 'The Beacroft' entered a business deal with Jordan Scott a mafia boss in Lagos. The deal was going fine for dad until someone duped the company.
Dad tried everything possible to track him and get him arrested but unfortunately he ghosted out of Nigeria.
I only got to know about this when dad was arrested by the mafia boss and he gave dad two conditions of marrying me or paying the huge debt which he knew dad couldn't pay because he had invested most of his profits in the big deal hoping for a fruitful outcome.
I was lying on my bed with many thoughts racing through my mind, I wanted to cry, yell or shout surely Dad and Adrian will understand but I ceased to sob a long time ago. I had learned to be strong after mum's death
I shed my last tear on her funeral.
I picked up my phone from the night stand
I turned my data on to search for his identity. At least I should know a little about him, right?
My search revealed him to be a Mafia boss; this sent shivers down my spine. His net worth is from the moon and back but that didn't matter at the moment. He looked formal in all his pictures; two pieces suit and tuxedo.
No doubt he looked strikingly handsome like a Greek god.
I decided to check his relationship status and it revealed him to be single. he has not been in a relationship for long, but how possible is that? Owing to the fact that his looks match his wealth.
His ulterior motive behind this marriage is want I was yet to decipher. Getting back at dad by taking me away hurts. The fact that we haven't met is something I am sure of.
He could have picked for himself a lady that suits his class not that I am class less but I am kinda naive.
What do I even know about marriage?
Mum where are you? I face palmed myself.
Not being in a relationship presently makes the situation better. Leaving the love of your life to live with a stranger is heart wreaking.
I inhaled sharply.
I couldn't go downstairs for dinner, how would I manage to eat fully aware the situation at hand. Wura must have prepared dinner but I'd rather cooked for my boys.
I heard a knock on my door and I muttered a quiet come in. It must be dad so I sat upright and leaned my back against the dash board. I guessed he came here to talk. It was Adrian instead . He was wearing a plain blue polo and denim jeans and as usual his headphone was hanging on his shoulder. He was carrying a tray with a plate of pasta and orange juice. He's so sweet.
"Ada you didn't come down for dinner" he said placing the tray on the bed in front of me,
he preferred calling me 'Ada' he said it was a sign of respect as the first daughter besides we were yet to understand why mum and dad named me April, weird right?
"I don't have appetite" I said pouting so that he would cuddle me, I would enjoy this while it lasted.
"Ada, I understand what you are going through right now, but you don't have to starve yourself"
he said genuinely scooping some pasta with the fork and fed me. I accepted reluctantly because arguing with Adrian was a waste of energy. I had to reserve mine because it would be of great use later.
"How can someone plan a wedding in a week's time? Who does he think he is?" Adrian said obviously irritated and gave a loud hiss.
" My search revealed him to be a business tycoon, 26 and wealthy but his force behind this marriage is questionable" my throat suddenly felt dry and I swallowed the lump forming there.
"Junior I am scared about the age difference. What if he hurts me?" I ask with a worried expression.
"If he tries it ehh, I will deal with him. He should not forget that you have a brother" he said with a straight face clearly concentrated on feeding me as if it we're the most interesting thing to do. I couldn't help but admire his courage but chuckled lightly.
I ended up eating a reasonable quantity though I didn't finish it before he left the room.
I sent a voice note to my best friend, Irene. I narrated everything to her not mincing words and I told her to come over to the house tomorrow. I needed someone apart from Dad and Adrian to talk to.
Irene and I have been friends since diaper days, Mrs Allen and mum where very good friends until mum passed away but that didn't change anything. The family relationship continued.
Irene also applied for UI(university of Ibadan) to study Anatomy. We had planned to be roommates considering the fact that settling in a new environment is kinda hard for me. I wasn't prepared for any room mate that will cause me extra stress apart from that of the university. I loved to keep my sanity because some room mates would push you to it.
~°~
The following morning, dad called me to his study and I was glad he did because we have not spoken properly after he broke the news to me. I took a quick shower and a wore a jean bomber shot and black singlet. I packed my braids in a tight bun and applied lip gloss.
I had an uncanny feeling as I walked to his study. I know he feels way to bad to sell off his treasured asset but I can handle this.
I always have!
I gave a slight knock when I got there and entered after hearing a faint 'come in'. Dad's study was very large that five beds could fit in easily without much effort. His table was sited at the center in a circular shape. The wall had paintings of ash and cream colors on it. His book shelves were located opposite each other just beside the table. A window with a
clear view of the garden was fixed on the wall opposite the door. The air condition brushed my skin as I took slow steps towards the visitor's chair and settled on it.
He was sitting on his chair as usual with his laptop placed in front of him. He was wearing a brown kaftan and had his glasses fixed properly. He jerked his head from the laptop and passed me a weak smile. His eyes held dark eye bags below them and that moment I knew he hasn't had a good night rest.
"Good morning dad" I returned his smile.
"Good morning baby, how was your night?"
"It was fine" I lied. Obviously it wasn't. I kept tossing on the bed last night unable to find one thing I enjoyed without effort
Sleep
I called on it to and come take me away to my usual solitude but it didn't fit in because my mind was pre -occupied with paranoia thoughts.
"April I feel that I have failed as a father, I failed your mother" he sighs "I am obviously selling you off. Allow me to serve my jail term" he said frustratedly rubbing his forehead.
"Dad don't say that!!" I nearly screamed. How could he think of serving a jail term for a crime he didn't commit. The thought of dad in prison alone made me want to purge.
"You won't go to prison not when I can save you, I'll be fine. I love you dad" I stated and passed him a ray of hope but he didn't buy it. He placed his head on the table nodded disapprovingly.
"April it's not too late. I could make........." I didn't allow him to finish. I held his hands in mine and stroked them.
"Dad" I said , so he could look up. "I... will.... be... fine" I emphasized each word.
Just when I finished Adrian peeped through the door and popped his head. I glanced back at him and he knocked.
so typical of him knocking when he had entered already.
"Dad, Ada, breakfast is served" he said in a play like manner.
"We'll be there" I replied curtly and returned my gaze to dad.
Soon, I walked downstairs with dad with our hands intertwined.
We had pancakes and coffee for breakfast, Dad left for his office shortly after.
~°~
"Baby girl!!" Irene squealed and pounced on the bed. This girl is crazy wouldn't like her any better though.
My best friend, my world, my sister what would I have done without this psycho. She was wearing a black and white strapless jumpsuit with a matching sandals.
She enveloped me in a bone crushing embrace like we've not met for a while, when it was just two days ago. She picked the fancy nylon that she came in with earlier and began to remove the contents. I rolled my eyes on realization that they were cupcakes. She is a sucker for it so she began arranging the various flavors. I thought she would come here screaming and asking endless questions after listening to my message but she's doing the direct opposite.
Wow! This girl is full of surprises.
"Irene, what are you doing?" I finally asked.
" I am trying to arrange these cupcakes so we could start eating"
She replied with her gaze fixed on what she was doing. It was a tradition for us to arrange our cupcakes into different shapes before eating. Yea old habits don't die hard.
"Irene we are not meant to be celebrating!!" I rolled my eyes, does she think this is a joke?
"Why?" she asked ignorantly licking off the chocolate cream stained on her hands. Typical of Irene.
"Didn't you listen to the voice note I to sent you?" I asked her almost frustrated.
"Oh, that prank you were pulling, Abegi go and try it with someone else" She blurted out and she went back to her business.
I stretched my hands to get the wedding invitation from my night stand and handed it to her
I didn't have time for long talk
She opened it and read through. She gasped as soon as she was done and jumped down from the bed wide eyed.
"April what is this? Is this not your name?" She squealed and pointed at the card. This girl should really reconsider her choice of profession.
Question ki ni
"Big head! I am getting married next week" I rolled my eyes again. I do that whenever I am frustrated.
"Wedding ke. how? when? to whom? You don't even have a boyfriend to start with ." Irene asked in one breathe. Seriously which does she want me to answer first?
"Did you have to rub it on my face that I am single? Besides, did you listen to the voice note I sent to you?"
"Ayemi!" She exclaimed and placed her hands on her chest like she has been shocked. "You're actually getting married to Jordan Scott that hot dude.
I thought he was your new crush so you were just playing pranks with me" she replied innocently.
"Irene, this is no prank" I spat out and her face fell. She walked back to the bed and sat very close to me. She placed her hands on my shoulder patting it lightly.
"Baby I am sorry for being a jerk, I wasn't here to wipe your tears yesterday" she apologized genuinely but triggered a hysterical laughter from me.
"Which tears?" I asked admit laughter and she stared at me with a bemused expression.
"You didn't cry?" Her eyes looked like they would pop out anytime soon.
"Come on babes, you should know me better" I replied nonchalantly.
She inhaled sharply " April I am scared about your tough side. Let it out and stop piling things up and trust me it will help" She said with concern laced in her voice. This is the umpteenth time I've heard this from her because she knows my story
"Only weak people cry, I am not weak." I said giving no room for argument.
Irene stayed till noon. We talked about random stuff, including the her new crush. We also ate cupcake and watched movies. It really helped to lighten my mood tho.
Towards evening, Adrian and I were sitting in the balcony upstairs.
I wanted to clear my head because a lot was really going on in that head of mine. This is crazy!!
Everything about this is crazy, I haven't even met my husband -to-be, I haven't bought my gown and it's in four days. Wow!!
I was too occupied in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed when Aunty Cassie came in and hugged Adrian.
Coming out of my sub consciousness I stood up and gave her a warm hug that spoke many words. She reciprocated and patted my back.
'It's going to be alright'
"Aunty Cassie, you didn't tell me you were coming" I asked settling in my chair. Aunty Cassie is my cousin but she's way older than I am. She works in Ogun state not far from Lagos. I'm actually getting married before her, crazy!
"I wanted to surprise the both of you" she said and cupped our cheeks simultaneously while Adrian was busy with his iPad.
"Aunty Cassie I am in no mood for a surprise now. I just want someone to wake me up from this dreaded nightmare " I feigned annoyance.
"Dad asked me to come over to help with the preparations" I already knew what she was talking about by 'preparation' . She was wearing a sad expression.
"I can't believe this. Like you're actually getting married. Is this some sort of dream? " She had raised her voice. She looked like she choked on her words.
"I wish I had actualized my plans to become rich since. I would have just paid that selfish man off"
Adrian said in a serious tone but we ended up laughing, I knew he said it to lighten up my mood.
"Osheey, by baby cousin that wants to become rich before me" Aunty Cassie teased.
"Baby, tomorrow we will go and select a gown" She sighs with her hands resting on my thighs.
"I need to freshen up, I am exhausted" she rolled her eyes stressing the last word and began to walk into the house.
Adrian followed suite but I stayed back.
What a life!
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End of Chapter one
I hope you enjoyed it.
This is just the first chapter more awaits you.
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xoxo
Angel💞