The poor for the slumps and the rich for the mansions. Damola's world is way more different from Labake had. The beautiful flowers arrayed right from the gate to the main entrance were a beautiful sight to see. The mansion was magnificent and well-designed from the outside to the inside. Damola walked past the maids cleaning the house in the hallway leading to the sitting room to meet his mother and sisters busy with their new set of jewelry.
"Damola! Today is Saturday I had thought you would like to stay because your brother is coming from the States today with his wife", his mother said with a soft smile.
"I have things to attend to", Damola replied.
"Things like what son? Today is Saturday." She said.
"I have a lot to do at the office. I will come home once I am done."
"Your younger brother is getting married and you do not see anything wrong with it? Everything about life is not work Damola", she cried.
"Mum, please stop. I am not ready for this conversation. Damilare is getting married and I am happy for him".
"Look into the mirror Damola you are not getting any younger. You will soon be thirty-two", she lamented.
"You know what mum, I have things to attend to. I will see you later", Damola left a kiss on her cheeks and left.
"Damola will not kill me", she lamented as Damola walked out.
"Mummy please free this guy. He will get a wife when he is ready to do so", Damilola said.
"If you don't have anything better to say, just shut that mouth of yours", she shut her up angrily.
"Desire, please pass me my phone", she added.
Damini Empire is an investment company that has grown over the years in Nigeria and the company was Aderibigbe's family legacy. Being a member of that family put Damola under a lot of pressure being the first son of his father, Damini.
"The success of this company is on you Damola. You can't afford to fail this family", that has been the same words Damini said till he died.
"Your siblings will always look up to you Damola. Don't be a weakling my boy".
"Aderibigbes don't fail, they fight to the top. You can't just allow a nobody kicks you off the spotlight".
Damini had been the force behind Damola right from the start. He always wants the best for his children and will always push them to do more by any means possible. Damini's voice has been like a record in Damola's head and every mistake he made would bring back her father's stern voice, "Don't be a lost boy. You can do better than that. If you fail, you do not only fail yourself but the whole family Damola. Don't bring us down".
It's evening already and everyone who has been selling since morning was packing their stuff while a new set of people comes in to sell their stuff. Amina and Kafayat just closed the shop and were headed home when they saw Jibola from afar coming toward them.
"Don't tell me you called that guy to come to meet you here?", Kafayat was angry and it was written all over her face. There is nothing more annoying than looking out for a friend who doesn't look out for herself.
"He called that he wants to see me", Amina said calmly.
"So, all the advice have been giving you since is unbeneficial abi?"
"Kafayat, please stop it already. I love Jibola and he loves me".
Amina was still talking when Jibola came close to them with a smile. Jibola is a fine boy and there is no doubt about that but what is the essence of beauty when you can't do things right?
"Baby, what's up now?", he hugged Amina before greeting Kafayat.
"Kafayat. Good evening".
"Good evening Jibola", Kafayat rolled her eyes before replying.
"You know what Amina? I have a lot of things to do at home. See you tomorrow".
"Haba! Wait for me now or better still Jibola can just stroll along with us".
"That's okay by me", Kafayat walked a little bit distant from them.
"This your friend na serious work", Jibola commented.
"I know right, she can be extra at times", Amina replied.
"I guess she doesn't like me"
"Jibola, you know she doesn't like you. You've known since secondary school".
"It doesn't make sense to me though but it doesn't matter since my baby is not manipulated", he said and they both laughed.
Jibola stared into Amina's eyes as he held her hand tightly and gave her a seductive smile.
"When are you going to stay over at my place?"
"You know I can't do that. My sister is a witch and you know she will find me out"
"Even just for a night?"
"Nneka cannot stay at home alone. I need to be there for her".
"Those are the same excuses you've been giving me all this time".
"I am sorry but I promise I will find a way out. If you don't mind I can visit you tomorrow", she said with a smile as she wrapped her arm around Jibola's arm.
"Don't tell me you are coming with friends. If you are going to come with your friends don't bother coming".
"You want me to come alone?", she asked curiously.
"Why is your face so serious? I am just tired of you bringing your friends over to my house. That is so immature of you".
"Except if you have another thing in my mind, I don't see anything immature in bringing my friends along."
"Let us just have some time alone together. You and I." He said as Amina blushed.
After the breakup, Labake decided to take a day off from work. She sat down silently as Nneka writes her assignment. Amina entered the house by 10:00 pm to meet her seated. Fear gripped her immediately she saw her because she knew she was in trouble already.
"Amina, what is the time on your clock?", Labake asked calmly.
"It's 10:00 pm", she replied.
"Where are you coming from?"
"From the market".
Labake smiled at how promptly Amina was able to reply to her. "Whether good or bad, you decide for your life", she said calmly before going to bed.
The next day was a good day for Amina to visit her boyfriend since her sister was suffering emotionally and she was not talking to anybody.
Jibola quickly open the door for Amina who use a cloth to cover her face so she could not be recognized. Labake has eyes in the neighborhood and anybody can go and inform her of Amina's visit.
"Come inside. Hurry up", Jibola drew her in and closed the door before Amina removed the cloth on her head.
"You are here early. How do you manage?"
"She is dealing with her problems right now and that's a chance to deal with mine too", Amina smiled as she undressed.
"It is the two of us, just the two of us", Jibola smiled and moved closer to her and the rest was history.
"That was amazing", Amina smiled brightly in excitement as she faced up the ceilings.
Jibola wrapped his hands around her waist and left a soft kiss on her neck, "I love you".
"I love you too", Amina held his arms and they both giggled.
The break up is good news to Wendy because she had prayed for the moment for years. Wendy didn't like Soji because he had nothing to offer and she didn't want Labake to settle for less.
"Don't tell me that was the reason you couldn't come to the red zone yesterday?", Wendy asked nonchalantly.
"I just needed time to clear my head", Labake replied.
"Honestly, I am happy you did the right thing. That guy is sly I swear".
"Wendy, please just forget about him".
"Well, Chief Atanda came yesterday, and that's your fine customer. He said he has been trying your number but you are not responding".
"I will call him later", she replied with a cold face.
"Labake cheer up now, I don't like your face o".
"I am perfectly fine"
"After chopping breakfast? You are not fine".
Labake gave a soft smile and held her head up because of the excruciating headache she had, "I swear you are the most annoying human have ever met. Ashawo no dey chop breakfast, people come and go".
"Thank God you know that my dear. You are worth more than you wasting your time on that thing you called a man"
"Do you know when pain me pass, he called me a prostitute and he has been chopping from it all this while."
"Leave the stupid boy for God to handle my friend. We are going higher and this is just the start." Wendy said as they both smiled.