The game is still up
1159 Words
Mrs. Selina wiped her mouth with a napkin after the meal.
“My beautiful family, all seated here around the table, I must confess that my heart is elated seeing each one of you sitting here with me. You all are fulfilling my dreams of a large family and I must say thank you for making it possible,” she said with a warm smile and they all nodded.
“Some months ago, I made a rule. A rule concerning the billionaire wine company which is still under my head. I made a rule that would see my first grandson, Daren Taiwo, gain possession of the company only after he bears a child,” she continued.
Melisa looked at her husband and they both smiled.
“Daren and his wife took the challenge to heart. And they brought forth a very beautiful and promising heiress for the Taiwo’s family,” Mrs. Selina continued as she looked at baby May who was in her mother’s arms.
“And here I am, about to fulfill my own side of the agreement,” she said as she looked at their faces.
“Daren Taiwo, first grandson of the Taiwo’s family will thereby become the CEO of the wine company. After which, he will gain full possession when the documents for the handing over are fully processed,” she announced.
There was a spontaneous round of applause and Daren planted a quick kiss on Melisa’s lips.
“Wow..wow!” Charles Boseman cried in excitement as he kept on clapping.
Diana scoffed and her gaze buried to the floor. She could feel her husband’s eyes piercing through her from the side and she heaved a sigh.
“Two days from now, we will journey to Abuja for the revealing,” Mrs. Taiwo said to Daren, whose face was filled with excitement.
“Thank you, grandmother, I’m really pleased,” he said as he prostrated before the old woman.
As the meal ended, they all stood up and began congratulating Daren. Melisa smirked as she saw Diana hurrying out of the dining room. Her eyes fell on Dotun who was staring at her and he looked away in shame.
“Con..congrats, brother,” he managed to say to Daren before walking out after his wife.
“Oh, my beautiful lovely wife, how do I appreciate you even more?” Daren asked as he walked up the stairs with Melisa following behind him, carrying the baby in her arms.
They both stood in the passage before their room and he planted kisses on her lips.
“Come on, should I get you a new car?” He asked.
“I’ve got lots of expensive cars already,” she said.
“What about a house?” He asked and she shook her head.
“I can’t stop counting the number of houses in my possession," she said with a chuckle.
“A trip to the Bahamas?” He asked and she laughed and placed one hand on his shoulder with her other hand supporting the baby.
“You don’t need to give me anything, we both did it together,” she said with a smile as she looked into his eyes.
“No, you still need to be appreciated,” he argued.
“You know the only way you can appreciate me right now?” She asked seriously.
“Hmm,” he mumbled.
“Just keep loving me,” she said seriously. “ Just keep loving me and promise that you will never leave me, no matter what happens,” she said with emotion.
He heaved a sigh and placed both hands on her shoulders.
“I, Daren Taiwo. I’m making this vow to you my wife, Melisa Taiwo. That there is no way I’m ever going to leave you nor stop loving you. I will keep on making this vow again and again, my love. You are my life, Lisa. My life would know no meaning without you in it,” he said and she burst into tears at once.
He made her head rest on his chest and he caressed her back. Just then, he saw Diana and Dotun stepping out of their room. They both stopped and tried to walk back into their room hastily.
“Hold it, brother,” Daren called immediately and they both stopped.
Melisa raised her head from his chest and her eyes turned to the couple who were standing before them at the passage with their gazes buried to the floor.
She smirked as she saw Daren walking over to meet them.
“Diana, you left the table early and I didn’t hear you congratulate me,” Daren said with a smirk as he stood in front of them.
She licked her lips and let out a sigh as she raised her head to look at him.
“Con..congratulations, brother in- law,” she managed to say.
“Thank you,” he said with a smirk.
“Brother, I hope you will accompany us on our trip to Abuja for the reveal?” He asked as he looked at Dotun.
“Maybe,” he muttered grumpily.
“That’s great. You know, this is how it should be, no competition. We are one big family, right?” Daren asked with a smile.
The couple took a quick glance at each other and nodded.
“Yes, no competition,” Diana muttered.
“Diana, I’m glad you’re enjoying the game you started,” Melisa’s voice came from behind.
She scoffed and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Or, has the game ended already?” Daren asked with a mocking smile on his face.
“A game will only end when a winner has been declared. But for now, there is none and so, enjoy your happy moments while it lasts,” she said with a sinister smile as she walked past them and Dotun hurried after her.
“She’s evil,” Melisa whispered to her husband.
“Please, you have to be careful around them especially now that you have May. As soon as I gain possession of the company, I will make plans for us to leave the mansion,” he said and she nodded.
*
Diana stood at the balcony staring through space as the mild breeze blew her hair across her face. She felt Dotun’s presence beside her and she sighed and tucked her hair behind her ears.
“You’ve still not accepted defeat, have you?” He asked.
She scoffed and shook her head.
“Not while the game is still up. Melisa has something under her sleeves which I’m yet to uncover,” she said as she bit her lower lip.
“And what is that?” He asked as he looked at her face.
She let out a silent chuckle.
“Relax. When I’m done, we will be smiling at last,” she assured with a smile as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
- Writer
