When Kind and Wale landed from their trip, Swalha and Todo had been waiting for them. It felt more like a reunion for all of them, especially for Kind and Swalha who had oftentimes met almost every day of the week but hadn't seen each other for slightly over a month.
"Kind looks really happy," Todo said after watching Swalha and Kind busy catching up, oblivious to their surroundings but Wale did not say a word to Todo's statement. His attention was on the two, especially Kind who appeared to be more affectionate with Swalha than him. Why is it that he never showed this side of him whenever they were together?
"Stop shooting daggers at Kind. He has a life with others that does not include you." Todo wanted to laugh at Wale's worried expression but held back. When he was in a relationship with Kind, Swalha and Kind's relationship was something he often admired. He didn't have many friends and oftentimes, he'd wished he could be close with someone this way. If not for his line of work, he may have had a lot of friends. "You have been friends with them longer so you should be used to this by now."
"Kind and I are no longer friends therefore, he should be more affectionate with me alone." Wale shamelessly stated in confidence.
"Agh! I'm not doing this with you early in the morning." Todo quickly passed by everyone and lead them to his car. On their way home, he couldn't say a word to Wale any longer nor put the radio on. His ears paid attention towards Kind's joviality too, just like Wale who sat in the front with him. Swalha and Kind were busy in the back catching up, exchanging pictures, excited like high schoolers.
Todo drove them to his mansion where they enjoyed a nice breakfast after which he excused himself to speak to Wale privately, in fact, there was no need to since Swalha and Kind were still catching up on who Swalha was dating.
"There is some new information concerning your uncle. He has managed to secure bail and seems he is getting a lot of help from those in his political circle. Additionally, his children have gotten in touch with me and his mother regarding his case so we may have to have both parties meet up for a settlement. I do not believe keeping him in prison will solve his case since his children are busy using every avenue to get him out. In the meantime, I will urge you to stay put since whatever you do ultimately puts Kind and the rest of us in danger."
"You should have told me sooner of this matter. I was planning to move out with K as soon as we got back"
"Mother didn't want me to inform you until upon your return, and where are you two moving to? Your parents' house? You know that's basically asking them to come after you."
"I'm aware of that, however, I can't keep running away for the rest of my life. I've lived in hiding for the longest time and I do not wish to burden my child and Kind any further with my problems. The moment I accepted your mother to take over my uncle's case, I knew there would be great consequences to my actions. I want this case to be over Todo."
After sighing, Todo looked back at Wale. His response was expected and he was right, he had done enough running. "Speaking of your child, Cherry was rushed to the hospital last night. Apparently, she has been having mild labour pains since she hasn't delivered yet."
"Tell me the name of the hospital now Todo," Wale demanded calmly as he quickly turned to leave Todo's study but a firm grip from Todo stopped him in his tracks.
"She doesn't want to see you. Besides, Swalha and I passed there before going to pick you two up. We were with her the entire night until the doctors informed us to come in the afternoon. Apparently, her cervix is quite small and if she doesn't deliver, or start crowning rather by this afternoon, they will have to do a caesarean section on her belly."
"You seem well informed..." Wale stated.
"It's not my first time. In my line of work, I've found myself in situations like this...well, my mother purposely put me through such situations but not to worry. Your child and Cherry are in good hands. However, I'd like to highlight one matter." Lowering his voice, Todo continued. "We believe it is better to let Kind know of this. We had doubts previously on our way to pick you two up but seeing how Kind has improved, he should be made aware of this."
"No. I don't want him to find out just yet. I'm still trying to convince him to date me and this issue is the reason why he is holding back.."
"What the...How irrational can you get? Do you think a child is something you can just hide forever? He will find out eventually! Besides, Cherry has been asking to see him at the hospital too."
Wale was perplexed by Todo's last statement. He couldn't comprehend why Cherry would want to see Kind and not him. Did she finally develop a conscience to understand how much she had wronged Kind?
When Todo saw Wale's confused face, he added. "We don't understand either. Maybe she wants to apologize. From the looks of it, I doubt she still wants to use Kind to let her sister out. It's been months since they last saw each other besides, all of us will be there...without you of course so we will be on the lookout for anything suspicious."
"I won't allow it. She is bearing my child so I should be there. Besides, there are other things I wish to confirm with her too." Wale stated adamantly and left Todo's study. He walked towards the living room, paying attention to the footsteps behind him. Clearly, Todo wasn't still trying to convince him to not go and let Kind take his place. Hopefully, Swalha hadn't said a word to Kind concerning the matter.
Kind stood up as soon as he set eyes on Todo and Wale. From Wale's facial expression, he seemed to know too even though he tried masking it with a smile. "What time are we leaving for the hospital?"
Silence fell in the room. Swalha stood up and grabbed Kind's hand. Seeing Wale's widened eyes, it appeared he didn't want Kind to find out. Luckily Todo walked to their side, leaving Wale still rooted on the spot speechless.
"I'm glad you're willing to go Kind so try and convince Wale to stay put behind." Holding Kind's other free arm, he added, "I'm sure Swalha has updated you on everything but Wale insists on tagging along."
"You should stay behind Wale, or you could wait for us at the waiting area as long as you Cherry doesn't see you." Kind suggested upon noticing Wale's worried look when Todo had moved to his side, sandwiching him together with Swalha. "Under different circumstances, I wouldn't go, but this is Cherry we are talking about."
"Fine then. I should get in touch with Frank and meet you all later at the hospital. There is something I need to take care of before I meet you all there."
As soon as he had agreed, the three of them headed to the door, leaving Wale still standing in the same spot they'd left him. He knew what Cherry was trying to do. Tell Kind the true identity of the child so he'd have no right over it. Wale knew he had lied to Swalha when he said the child was his...he just didn't want to complicate the situation more than it already was. Besides, there was no denying Cherry wouldn't take care of the child since she had been willing to sell her child off completely to him despite his offering to care for both her and the child.
Rubbing his hair in frustration, he tried to force himself to think fast and quickly. He should have expected such a move from Cherry. She wanted to ruin him for leaving her by using Kind and if Kind finds out the truth, he'd support Cherry keeping the child...maybe he might finally agree to date him officially. Still, he couldn't give away the child to Cherry knowing full well she'd leave to who knows where after collecting the money he'd signed to give her. She may even put the child up for adoption knowing full well he was willing to take care of it.
Wale was convinced in his logic that since Cherry had conceived when she was still in a relationship with him, that meant the child was his. Besides, he wanted to do a paternity test since he had also been physical with her during her time of conception so the child might actually be his.
"I need to get in touch with Frank as soon as possible because Cherry, you're messing up with my family and I won't have that."