Chapter 13: tension-filled air.

A sense of unease gnawed at me as I drove to Tola's house. I needed answers. Why had she chosen this moment to reappear in my life? What did she want? What was her hidden agenda?

I consider myself perceptive, capable of discerning when something is amiss or someone is trying to deceive me. The intensity of my emotions grew, and my face contorted with anger and determination. I was ready to confront her, to dig deep and unravel the truth.

Divine might think she can handle whatever comes her way, but I know the fire she's unknowingly igniting within herself. The repercussions of this encounter will inevitably affect her, and I fear the consequences it may have on our relationship.

As we continued our journey in silence, my patience wore thin. I needed Tola to speak up, to explain herself. The tension in the car was palpable, and I could no longer contain my frustration.

"Well, let's cut to the chase. Why the hell did you decide to show up now?" I blurted out; my voice tinged with anger and desperation. My desire for answers was becoming overwhelming.

Tola remained silent, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. Her lack of response only fueled my frustration. If she weren't willing to talk, then I would take the lead in this conversation.

"Fine, if you're not going to say anything, I'll do the talking," I declared, my voice filled with determination. However, before I could continue, Tola interrupted me, cutting through the tension-filled air.

Her interruption caught me off guard, momentarily silencing my mounting anger. I awaited her response, hoping it would shed some light on her motives and clarify this perplexing situation.

"You know what, Ronald? I don't have to answer to you. I don't owe you anything," Tola retorted, rolling her eyes. Her response provoked a laugh from me, as her defiance seemed all too familiar.

"I thought I taught you how to speak to your elders. It seems you haven't learned anything since we were together," I said, amusement lacing my words. Memories of our past relationship flooded back into Tola's mind, evident from the look on her face.

She remembered how I made her feel, the power I held over her. I knew exactly how to manipulate her emotions, and how to make her say yes to everything I desired. I showered her with lavish gifts, took her to exclusive places, and immersed her in a world she had never experienced. I made her believe that she had found her one and only, while I had a different agenda all along.

Tola's accusation pierced through me like a knife. She believed that my love was nothing more than a facade, a means to fulfil my own needs. She saw through the superficial gestures and material possessions, recognising the emptiness behind them. Her words cut deep, and I felt a pang of guilt.

"You're right, Tola," I admitted, my voice filled with regret. "I was selfish and only interested in what you could provide for me. I took advantage of your love, and I am truly sorry."

Tears welled up in Tola's eyes as she confronted me with her pain. The weight of my actions bore heavily on my conscience. I realized the depth of the hurt I had caused, and I knew that mere words could never fully repair the damage.

As I continued to drive, a heavy silence settled between us. The magnitude of our past mistakes hung in the air, suffocating any hope of reconciliation. It was a sobering moment, one that made me question my choices and the impact they had on the lives of others.

Deep down, I yearned for forgiveness, but I understood that it was not something I could demand or expect. It had to be earned through genuine remorse and a commitment to change. With a heavy heart, I focused on the road ahead, contemplating the consequences of my actions and the uncertain path that lay before us.

"Come on, Tola, what did I do to you? I didn't do anything wrong. I was genuinely in love with you, damn it, and you left without a word. How do you think that made me feel?" I exclaimed, frustration and confusion swirling within me. I couldn't comprehend her accusations.

"You're lying! I didn't feel loved. You only wanted to sleep with me, get me pregnant, and then abandon me. You thought I was just an 18-year-old girl who only wanted the material things you provided," Tola countered, her voice laced with bitterness and hurt.

"What do you mean, get you pregnant? You never told me anything about being pregnant. What the hell are you talking about, Tola?" I replied, my mind racing to make sense of her revelations.

"You know exactly what I mean, Ronald. You got me pregnant, and then you got rid of me," she said, wiping away her tears.

"So you're telling me all this time I had a child and you didn't have the courage to tell me? Don't I deserve to know my own child? Don't I have the right to spend time with them? Do you think what you're doing is fair?" I demanded, anger coursing through my veins.

"Come on, Ronald, you know you wouldn't have wanted me to keep the children," Tola retorted.

"What do you mean, children?!" I exclaimed, shocked by her revelation.

"I mean you're not just a father to one child, but to two children, damn it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with exasperation and pain.

"So I have two children, and I didn't know a thing about it?" I shouted, my emotions spiralling out of control.

"Yes, Ronald, you have a daughter and a son. So please stop acting like I did something wrong. I was scared, okay? That's why I fled South Africa and returned home," Tola explained, her voice trembling.

"You were scared? That's no excuse. When were you planning to tell me all this if I hadn't taken you home? When were you going to inform me about our children?" I asked a mix of anger and hurt evident in my words.

"I was going to tell you when the time was right, okay? I came back hoping to find you and share the truth, but instead, I discovered you with my friend, so how was I supposed to reveal everything? Can't you see how happy she is to be with you?" Tola responded, her tears flowing freely.

"I know, Tola. I know I made a terrible mistake, and I'm deeply sorry. I love Divine so much, and you know I still have feelings for you that I've kept buried. I never stopped loving you," I admitted, a pained smile forming on my face.

"The ironic thing is, as I was on my way back to South Africa, I had this fantasy that I would find you, disclose the truth, and maybe we could be a happy family with our children. But now, it's clear that I can't have both of you. I have to make a choice," Tola confessed, her voice heavy with resignation.

"You can't force me to choose between you and Dee. I love her, and I love you too. She has changed me for the better. It's unfair of you to ask me to leave her," I protested, torn between the two women who had played significant roles in my life.

"I don't want to discuss this any further. Please take me home," Tola said, her voice filled with weariness and sadness.

After our confusing and painful conversation, I drove Tola back to her place. We agreed to

 meet the next morning to discuss the complex situation we found ourselves in before Divine found out. Tensions were high, emotions were raw, and the weight of my choices weighed heavily on my shoulders.

Guys, tell me what you think about this chapter.

N/B Author UnaRayWishi 😍🎈