Liliana planned to impose herself on Jimmy by staying in his house for her two weeks vacation in Lagos but it took serious crafty efforts by the two James to dispose of her plan. Although she lodged at her own home which wasn't far from the Uwakwes' she was practically living in Jimmy's house.
She joined the two James when they played basketball, when they took a swim, when they ate and when they drove out to shop, watch a movie or hang out in fun places. She began to call the three of them, "the musketeers".
Jimmy wasn't comfortable with Liliana hanging out all the time with him and was tired of her overbearing attitudes. He was working on securing a good trusting relationship with Temi and was also undergoing therapy to understand how deep his connection with her may be, he didn't want Liliana the peacock to spoil any of these things for him.
Liliana kept carrying herself around as Jimmy's girlfriend against James' advice.
"Jimmy has a girl now, Lily, and I'm sure it's pretty serious." James told her in private. "Isn't it high time you stopped throwing yourself at Jimmy?"
"I don't believe that!" Liliana hissed at James, "who's that lowlife that's coming between Jimmy and I? I won't allow it, that's why I came home! I want to see that girl and know why she thinks she can spoil eight years of closeness between Jimmy and I!"
"What are you thinking of doing?" James probed looking at her suspiciously,
"Protecting what's mine of course! If you think I'm gonna stand by and watch a nobody steal my Jimmy from me, you must rethink!" She declared and walked away while James watched her in confusion.
Jimmy kept in constant touch with Temi, they talked on the phone and WhatsApp, shared photos and videos all the time. He kept her updated on his therapy sessions but didn't give details of his latest dreams. Finally, Temi informed him that she was ready to return his visit and his joy knew no bounds.
When Temi arrived at Jimmy's castle, a sense of anticipation filled the air, tinged with a hint of excitement and nervousness. Jimmy had eagerly awaited her visit, eager to share the splendour of his home with her.
As Temi stepped through the grand entrance, she couldn't help but be awestruck by the opulence and majesty of the castle. The grandeur of the architecture, the intricate detailing of the furnishings, and the breathtaking views from every window all left her speechless.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, Temi carried herself with grace and humility, her demeanour reflecting her genuine appreciation for Jimmy's home. She admired the craftsmanship of the furniture, the beauty of the artwork adorning the walls, and the elegance of the décor, all while maintaining her down-to-earth charm.
Jimmy, meanwhile, was beside himself with excitement, his heart pounding with anticipation as he greeted Temi at the door. He led her on a tour of the castle, his enthusiasm contagious as he showed her each magnificent room and shared stories of its history and significance.
As they wandered through the halls, laughter and conversation flowed freely between them, their easy rapport a testament to the depth of their connection. Temi's genuine interest and appreciation for the castle only served to deepen Jimmy's admiration for her, reinforcing his belief that she was truly special.
In the evening, Liliana and James arrived at Jimmy's for dinner, Liliana couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy when she spotted Temi sitting at the table with Jimmy. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the sight, her mind racing with thoughts of insecurity and resentment.
Meanwhile, Jimmy and Temi were engrossed in lively conversation, their laughter filling the air as they shared stories and exchanged playful banter. The table was set with an elaborate spread of delicacies, each dish a testament to the culinary expertise of the chef.
Jimmy had purposefully invited his friends to join him at dinner because he planned to introduce Temi to Liliana.
"Temi, you have met James already, I want you to meet Liliana, my other childhood friend, I have mentioned her to you before. She, James and I attended the same secondary school."
"Hi Liliana, I'm Temitope Adenuga! But you just call me Temi! I'm pleased to meet you!" She smiled at her but Liliana ignored her.
Temi didn't seem to be affected by Liliana's response; rather she went back to eating her food gracefully.
Jimmy wasn't happy the way Liliana treated Temi, he exchanged glances with James who signalled him to be calm so he went on with his food as well.
As Jimmy and Temi exchanged glances across the table, there was a warmth and familiarity in their eyes that didn't go unnoticed by Liliana. She felt a surge of jealousy welling up inside her, a sense of frustration at the connection she could see blossoming between them.
As dinner went on, despite her best efforts to mask her emotions, Liliana's jealousy began to simmer beneath the surface, casting a shadow over the otherwise jovial atmosphere. James, sensing her discomfort, reached out to offer a reassuring touch, but Liliana brushed him off, her attention fixated on Jimmy and Temi.
Throughout the dinner, Jimmy made every effort to ensure that Temi felt welcomed and included, engaging her in conversation and showering her with compliments on her beauty and intelligence. Temi, for her part, responded with grace and charm, her presence lighting up the room with her infectious energy. Despite the tension brewing between Liliana and Temi, Jimmy remained oblivious to the undercurrents of jealousy and resentment. He was too busy revelling in the joy of having Temi by his side, grateful for her presence and the connection they shared.
When dinner was over, Jimmy ushered Temi to the private sitting room upstairs where they continued to chatter away. James pulled Liliana back when she was about following the two right away,
"Pull yourself together Lily! Your jealousy smells all over the place!"
He said while grabbing her hand.
"How dare Jimmy! What's it about that village girl that's making him lose his mind?" Liliana howled in madness. "Or is he playing with her to get back at me?" She glared at James, "He hasn't forgiven me for my nastiness back then in JSS1? Is this his revenge game plan?"
"What?" James asked in disbelief.
"Don't play dumb with me James! He's your friend and you know whatever he's upto! Tell me!" She turned around to face James and grabbed his shirt by the cholar, "Jimmy is just messing with that girl just to hurt me, right?"
Jimmy struggled to get her hands off his cholar before responding.
"You are really so centred Lily! You actually believe that the sun and the nine planets revolve around you…. everything is all about you…
Open your eyes for once and see things clearly! See who really cares for you and who doesn't!"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Liliana snarled at him.
"Jimmy loves Temi deeply! Believe it or not, he's really into her!"
He moved past her to the door, "Let's go get some drinks!"
He walked out of the dining hall while Liliana stood still as she grappled with James' words.
By the time James and Liliana joined Jimmy and Temi at the private sitting, Jimmy was instructing a maid to fix the guest room for Temi.
"She can stay in this house with you and I can't?" Liliana asked, staring at Jimmy in anger.
"Of course she can! She's my special guest! Do you have a problem with that?" Jimmy retorted.
Liliana was about to say something when James cut her off,
"Temi I hope you are good on the island? How are you enjoying it here, being your first time coming around here?"
Temi smiled and answered in her usual calculative manner, she understood the tone behind the question.
"I'm enjoying every bit of my visit, especially with Jimmy by my side, spoiling me." She looked at Jimmy and winked at him. "This isn't my first time on the island though, I actually have an aunt who has lived here for over ten years, my parents and I have visited her a couple of times."
James was short of words while Liliana took her seat angrily. Jimmy cast both of them with warning eyes.