Chapter 11 EVE A close watch was kept on Eseosa. If she coughed, we would all rush to her. Eyare, his mum and I would anxiously rush to her side, peering at her worriedly. Her wan complexion turned healthy and she grew bigger and began making intelligible noises. She began to recognise us, following us with her eyes and smiling. Eyare would carry her and sing to her. She'd laugh as he made funny faces. I got all the rest I needed. It got to the point I began putting on weight once again just like when I was pregnant, and why wouldn't I, when I was constantly plied with good finger-licking soups. I just couldn't resist eating them all. Eyare joked with me, saying if I kept up with my eating habits, I wouldn't be able to pass through the door. My love for him grew stronger to the point I hoped I wasn't more in love with him than he was with me. I began noticing the little quirks that I hadn't noticed about him before. The way he'd jog to the bathroom every time he needed to pee,
Chapter 9EYARE"Hello ba..""Eyare..."I heard heavy breathing, punctuated with sobs."Hello baby, are you okay?Talk to me, why are you crying?""It's Eseosa . . . hic . . . she's got a fever and she's not breathing well. Mum and I are at St. Andrew's hospital, please come now."And the phone line went dead.I stared at it like I had just seen a phone for the first time, my mind going blank.Did I just hear right? My baby . . . who's just two month's old. . . in the hospital with a fever?In that instance, I felt loosed from the bands of shock as I got up and ran out of my office. Adrenaline pumping through my veins as I surged forward. I was already in front of my car before I realised I had forgotten my car keys, phone and wallet. I rushed back, got them and drove to the hospital like the hounds of hell were after me.When I got there, I saw Osagiede weeping in the arms of mother. The sight made me physically ill. I had heard the saying 'weak in the knees' before, but never believ
Chapter 12EYARE'S MOTHER - QUEEN MOTHER.Intuition.An in-built meter that never malfunctions.My mother's intuition was seriously wagging.Immediately I got into the room, I knew something was wrong. She was huddled in one corner, clutching a picture to her chest.Her stare was glassy and unwavering. Her phone lay at her feet. It kept ringing, yet she was oblivious to it. I stood looking at her for some time. I had never particularly liked her, not that she was a bad person or a criminal, or anything, but the last time Eyare came visiting, he had said in not so many words they weren't seeing eye to eye, mainly because she was always hiding thingsb. . . or something along those lines.What I do know, though, is something seemed off, like she was hiding a secret. I always watched her when they were together. She, Eyare and the baby. She always had this far away look on her face.What, dear young lady, have you been up to?What secrets do you have hidden in the recesses of your mind?I
Chapter 13EYARE'S MOTHER -- QUEEN MOTHER.It was time to find out what she was hiding.I motioned for Osagiede to follow me. She came down from the car hesitantly, looking around her. I walked to the door of the cottage and knocked, but there was no answer. After knocking a few more times, I still didn't get a response.I spied an outhouse not far from the cottage, so l told Osagiede to follow me. As we got close, I clapped my hands and a young girl came out. I told her I was looking for the edede (old woman), and she motioned for us to follow her.Once inside, my eyes widened to adjust to the dimness. We were told to sit on a long bench near the door and the girl bowed and left through another door leading inside.As my eyes continued adjusting to the dimness, I noticed there were calabashes cluttering the floor and various herbs lying around. I didn't have to wait for long, as the girl came out holding the arm of the old woman.She was bent over at the waist and held a crude long c
Chapter 1426 YEARS EARLIER.She was a naive 16 year old girl from a defunct home, a product of rape. Her mum saw her as an encumbrance and never missed an opportunity to tell her.Naturally she fell for the first guy that came along. To her he was the sun, the world revolved in his eyes and his lips, but most especially, in his hands. When they touched her, she saw stars, literally. She would cut off her arm if he asked her to. She loved him that much.But Lucky was a flatterer, a manipulator and a dead beat.He had a very dark habit; he was a cocaine addict. In fact he was on a self destruct mission, ready to stain anything and everyone he came across.Lily was everything he hated. She reminded him of a time when he was unstained. She was pure and innocent. She was untarnished. She was untouched.He told her he loved her, that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever set his eyes on. She never allowed him go beyond first base though, a few stolen kisses only, but he wanted more.
Chapter 15EYAREFive files stared at me from my desk.Why on earth did I have a partner then, if he couldn't attend to clients?Of what use was he, if I needed to attend to everything?I stared irritatingly at my itinerary.I had five clients I needed to see today at 1pm, 3pm and the last two were at the same time -- at 5pm.All these clients today?I was only a human being, not a machine, for crying out loud. I braved a look at the time. It was already 11am.The intercom on my desk buzzed. I pressed the button."Yes, Cecilia?" I barked."Good day sir. I left some files on your desk for you to look at. Can I come see you so I can brief you on them?"My secretary was exceedingly efficient, and had saved me many a contract, but this time, I wasn't in the mood for her efficiency. I just needed to be left alone. I grunted and removed my hand from the button.It was just past eleven in the morning and I was already frustrated. A thought came to my mind at that point. I could easily forgo
Chapter 16ONARII stared at the criss cross marks my nails had made on his back.He was snoring.How could anyone sleep off right after sex?Men were super annoying!This was the time I became restless, ideas flowing easily though me.An idea was already forming in my mind.I tapped him lightly on his hand but he didn't budge. I frowned and tapped him harder. He groaned and made to roll over, but I wasn't having any of it."Alright, get up, save the sleep for the night time. Now, we discuss business."His lids opened lazily to reveal green eyes. He blinked back the sleep and slowly got up. Stifling a yawn with his fingers, he gave me a wry smile."Not my fault you become so antsy after the deed.""The deed?" I asked incredulously. "Is that what you call sex -- the deed?" I shook my head. "There are a myriad of names you could have used, like slapping skins, boning, making love . . . anything, but. . . the deed." I finished scornfully.He shook his head, clearly amused at me and reache
Chapter 17OSAGIEDEAfter settling down in the city, Eseosa was taken to the hospital for a routine check up. The verdict was very good, she was faring quite nicely.Lucky for me, my company had carved out a day care for women who had babies. It was way of helping us look after our young one's by having them near, and at the same time making us productive at our jobs too. A doctor came in once a week to check all the babies and a full time nurse was on stand by. It was a genius move on the part of the directors of the company. This helped them retain staff. As a result, the staff were very loyal to their organisation because they were treated very well.All I had to do, was drop Eseosa off on the ground floor where the day care was situated, with some instructions for the care givers, and walk up a flight of stairs to my office. I made sure I checked on her at intervals when I had some spare time, but most especially during break time.As I sat at my desk, I was beside myself with nerv
Hi guys, when I was writing this story, I didn't think for once it would be a story about an heir to the throne. Truth is, as I write, inspiration comes to me.My Edo name is actually Osagiede and I decided to use it for my female character. No, I'm not married yet, neither would I do what she did to my husband, like at all. Lol.So inspiration struck me to make Eyare as the next king or Oba, if you like.So here are a few truths about the Oba of Benin and how powerful he is:1.) The Oba of Benin is seen as the most powerful man in Benin and possibly, in the whole of Nigeria.A lie, you say?Well, he once left former President Good luck Jonathan sitting and waiting for him for about fifteen minutes. Even then, he never came out.A court messenger was sent to former president Goodluck to tell him to meet with the Oba in his private chambers due to circumstances beyond his control.2.) When he is seen in public, he always has a white handkerchief covering his mouth, same with his wives.
EyareAs I lay on the deck chair soaking some sun into my body, I reminisced on times past.Osagiede told me black people don't sun themselves - that we're already black. I disagreed with her there. All creatures black and white needed the sun for sustenainance.Sea gulls screeched overhead, their white wings fluttering as they craned their long graceful necks. They really were beautiful creatures.Maldives was a beautiful place with white clean sea shores and water so clear and blue, you could actually see deep below.Eseosa ran around in a one - piece bathing suit, her two hands high on either side of her. She made a noise like the sound of a plane. When she saw me watching her, she rushed to me."Daddy, come and play with me." She began to drag me up from the chair and I reluctantly got up and joined her. I knew I looked silly, but I needed do what my little princess wanted. At three years old, she was a force to be reckoned with.I heard someone laughing and I looked up to see Osag
Chapter 41EyareOne hour was almost up and I was yet to come to a decision.It was a difficult decision to take after all.If I agreed to do it, not only would I be adhering to some strange religion, I would also be letting my father down who abolished all forms of paganism. And then they might also bring another hurdle my way.If on the other hand I disagreed, they would do all in their power to stop me from becoming king.I felt stuck.Try as much as I could, I couldn't think of a way out of this mess. I joined mother in pacing.I was damned if I did, damned if I didn't.The time was up. The one hour I had given came and went.The high chiefs began to file in one by one. When they were seated, Chief Idionsere stood up and addressed me."So my prince, have you come to a decision yet?" I looked at each of the chief's faces individually. They all seemed pleased with themselves.I had definitely come to a decision.I would definitely not partake in such ungodly, unholy fetish tradition.
Chapter 40OsagiedeThe day loomed bright and clear, but as usual, Eyare was still asleep. If care was not taken, he would be late for his own coronation. I had already had a bath and given Eseosa one too, all that was needed was for us to dress up. I sighed impatiently and tapped him on the shoulder."Unnnng!" I rolled my eyes at his response."Wake up, sleepy head, your coronation is in a few hours time. Remember you have a meeting with the high chiefs first and that is in about two hours from now." He shot up like a light, looking like he'd just seen a ghost.It was really amusing seeing him hopping on one leg trying to remove one leg of his boxers. He stumbled and fell, almost giving me a heart attack. He began to laugh at himself and I only joined in when I saw he was okay.I left him to his business while I went to check on the women who were cooking. The house had been in a festive period the past one week. As I descended the stairs, I admired the beautiful flowers that had been
Chapter 39EyareI had been back home for a few days and I still avoided talking with Osagiede about her affair with Osaze.I knew it wasn't her fault, but that didn't mean it wasn't a sore subject for me.I had put it off for too long. I couldn't continue to do it for much longer. I would have to broach the subject soon.She had been jumpy and sad around me, even though I would occasionally catch her looking at me with a smile on her face.I noticed she also looked pale and sick. She had been retching every morning and I worried for her. When I asked what was wrong, she avoided my eyes, shook her head and replied in a quiet voice that she was fine.I suggested we go to the hospital, but she always turned it down. I hoped she wasn't coming down with some bacterial infection. If she continued this way, I would have no option but to force her to the hospital.She was talking to mother at the kitchen table and they were cooking up some delicacy. Just for me, they said. This was part one,
Chapter 38OsagiedeI took in the scene before me and I vowed that my heart skipped some precious beats. It left me holding unto the door post for aid.Eyare had a knife to Eseosa's neck and was mumbling unintelligible words. His hands were a tight clamp round her neck.Something seemed off.His eyes were open, but blank - unseeing, like he wasn't there at all mentally. His face had taken on a slack look, as if his muscles were no longer functioning. He didn't look like the man I knew, like the man I married.Spittle dribbled down his lips and his head lolled to one side.I was distinctly reminded of a zombie -- a mindless zombie. He shifted backwards and forwards on his feet, as if unsure of which direction to take.Eseosa was crying pathetically and I just stood helplessly, unsure of what to do. She looked anguished and confused. She sighted me and lifted a hand up, calling me for aid to help her.The life of my daughter flashed before me. Her birth, the news of the debilitating sick
Chapter 37GBOYEGAI smelt it before I saw it.It gave off a fresh, tangy odour and the wind had picked up quite a lot. I was glad for that because my shirt had begun to stick to my body with sweat.When I looked at the map, I realised I should have come across it earlier. Was there another route that would have taken me there faster, perhaps? I wondered.I quickened my tired steps.Maybe the lake had dried up.I came across a crooked path littered with dead dry leaves and mossy grass.Moss?Don't they grow where water resides? I must be close.I quickened my steps towards it. Wherever it led me, I would follow.I closed my eyes against the glare of the sunlight as I had long ditched the dark glasses I was wearing. I was sweating too profusely to bother with it.Since my eyes were closed, I lost my footing and stumbled. I felt myself tumble down an incline and my back pack went flying. My body took a serious hit as I kept tumbling. I only prayed I didn't break any bones on the way dow
Chapter 36OsagiedeI felt like a cornered rat as they both stared at me --- Rita and my daughter.Imade noticed the look on my face and immediately understood, but she didn't turn around. Instead, she smiled and nodded at me."Yes, of course you both are having an affair of sorts. That's because both Geoffrey and Eyare both grew up together and they're like brothers. That makes him somewhat of a brother in law to you." She smiled at me, sending a message with her eyes."Yes, yes that's true!" I replied, grateful for her ingenuous move, but in the same vein, annoyed at her audacity. Still, I played along."He's quite the charmer, though." She continued talking, as if to herself. "Eyare told me a bit about him. Little wonder chicks fall for him like a pack of cards." She looked me straight in the eyes and chuckled sarcastically.Her barb didn't fall short on me. I had a few up my sleeves too. Unlike her, I didn't have time to play around. I went straight for the jugular."Well now, from
Chapter 35 Gboyega Elsa and the kids travelled back to Canada and life couldn't have been more lonely. I sighed audibly as I looked at the writing before me. I had been staring at the same words for the past twenty minutes but nothing had registered in my head. My eyes had become blurry and my mind kept straying to Eyare. What had happened to him? Everytime I called his number, I kept getting a switched off message. I even went severally to his place, but had seen a locked gate on all occasions. That worried me! Things were quiet with Red.His family was at a safe house and his daughter was recuperating nicely. Things seemed too calm for my liking and this put me on the alert. It made me jumpy and nervous, so I decided to call him. "Boss! I was just about to call you." He sounded excited. "Spill the beans." His excitement was infectious. "I've got major info on what Mr. Eyare asked for. When can we see?" "Do you need to ask twice? Come on over to my office now." I pumped my f