Replaced Treasure

Chapter two

CHAPTER TWO: The Dinner of Knives

After Tolu said YES, Dare could not hide his excitement.

He lifted her up in the middle of his father's sitting room, spinning her around while his mother clapped. His younger brother, Akin, only watched from the stairs with cold eyes.

"We must celebrate tonight!" Dare announced. "My fiancée, my mother, my brother, and of course, my new sister-in-law. Dinner at Sky Restaurant, Eko Hotel. My treat."

Tolu laughed. "Dare, it's too expensive!"

"Nothing is too expensive for my treasure."

Ronke, Tolu's elder sister, smiled sweetly from the corner. Too sweetly. "Wow, my little sister is now a big madam. Of course I will come. Let me even help you dress up."

Tolu didn't see the look Ronke gave Dare when he was not looking. A look of hunger.

Since childhood, Ronke had always taken what was Tolu's. Her clothes, her shoes, her admission letter that Tolu had to fight to get back. Now, watching Dare kneel for Tolu in that mansion, something dark snapped inside her.

Why does the small one always get the big things? I am the first born. I am fairer. I am supposed to marry the rich man.

While Tolu was in the bathroom changing, Ronke quickly texted someone on her phone and then deleted the message.

At 8pm, they arrived at Eko Hotel. Sky Restaurant was beautiful, lights everywhere, overlooking Lagos.

Dare ordered wine, steak, everything. He held Tolu's hand under the table throughout.

"To my future wife," he toasted. "The lawyer who stole a finalist's heart since 300 level."

Everyone laughed. Tolu blushed.

Then the waiter brought Ronke's special drink - a Chapman she had specifically asked for, different from theirs.

Ronke pushed it gently towards Tolu. "Tolu, you love Chapman more. Take mine, let me take your water. You are the one we are celebrating."

Tolu, innocent Tolu, smiled. "Thank you, sis."

She brought the glass to her lips.

Dare's mother, Chief Mrs. Ajayi, who had been quiet all evening, suddenly shouted, "STOP!"

The whole table froze.

Mrs. Ajayi was staring at the Chapman. Her face had changed. She snatched the glass from Tolu's hand so hard it spilled.

"What is this inside this drink?" she asked, looking directly at Ronke.

There were tiny, strange bubbles at the bottom of the glass that were not dissolving, and a faint bitter smell.

Ronke's face turned white. "Mummy, what... what do you mean? It's just Chapman..."

Dare stood up, confused. "Mum, what's going on?"

Mrs. Ajayi didn't answer. She called the manager. Within minutes, security came.

Tolu was shaking. "Dare, I don't understand..."

Dare held her tight, but his eyes were now on Ronke, who had started crying fake tears.

"Search her bag," Mrs. Ajayi ordered the female security.

Inside Ronke's small purse, they found a small empty sachet.

The music in the restaurant was still playing, but for Tolu, the world had stopped. Her own blood sister had just tried to end her life on the night of her engagement.