Duped

spa talk

Location: gentle touch spa

Time: 1:17pm

Bella and Mrs omotola were at the spa and were currently doing foot massages.

"I haven't felt like this for a very long time" Bella Said with a face showing how relaxed she was. To say the truth, she loved this moment with Mrs omotola but she had to remind herself of her goal and using this time to her advantage.

"You should do it once in a while, it relaxes the nerves, problems doesn't have an end in this life we are in so why stress yourself to death"

"That's true"

"So how was yesterday?"

"I don't understand. The family dinner outing? It was nice and..."

"Not about that silly... I know my son asked you to be his girlfriend" she gave a knowing smile.

"Oh that" Bella blushed "it was fine"

Mrs omotola chuckled at her reaction, " pardon my son if he didn't do it right...like a proper gentleman, he is new to this things even at his age, what's he feels for you is different and special"

"He hasn't been in a relationship before?"

"No dear, he only had flings, it was always a different lady every week, infact you are the first girl he officially introduced to me"

Though David promiscuous life was supposedly in the past now, Bella couldn't help feel a pang of jealousy imagining all the women he knew then.

"Why is that so?"

"Well... I'm sure you notice that David and his Dad are not in good terms. 10 years ago his father, my husband failed me and his children, he couldn't take responsibilities for being a father and a husband, I loved his father so much that I didn't fight it, confront him.... and I guess that made David scared of love and of marriage, he feared getting married and relationship as a whole. He feared marrying the wrong person and be so blindly in love and gets hurt and pain in return, I have tried to change his mentality over the years, but Nat's last relationship made his resolve stronger"

"Nat was in a relationship?"

"Yes he was, Nat wasn't like his brother before, he managed to stay open to feelings and emotions despite how my marriage was a mess, not until he dated Nancy. He was so much in love with her and she did too. They dated for 3 years. I actually had a very big assumption that they were going to get married. She was such a nice girl and was loved by everyone"

"What happened to her?"

"About a year ago she was involved in a ghastly car accident that claimed her life, according to Nat they were both going to meet at his work and then to our family house were they would announce officially that they wanted to get married"

"That's really sad"

"It is indeed, oh my poor son couldn't recover from the shock for a month, he kept saying she wasn't dead and she is coming. It was a terrifying sight, he was completely lost. We had to book a therapist for him. He would sometimes sleep on my lap with tears on his face. We woke up sometimes to his screams at night"

"And David?"

"He was heartbroken, he also likes her and wanted them together, he broke everyday when he sees Nat's condition. He cares for his brother a lot. As complex as it is, David feared love the more, losing someone you love so dearly is as painful as a knife in the chest. Nat is slowly but surely recovering himself. Nancy's name cannot be heard close to him cause he might lose it, that is to tell you how much he loved her. And for a year now, he hasn't learnt to love another and decided to be unmarried like his brother"

Bella didn't know what to say. Her mind was swirling with questions. Why does she feel sorry for them? Why does she feel their pain? But for all that's at stake, she must do what she came for.

Mrs omotola understood her silence, it was a sad story after all, although this is not the type of atmosphere she wanted. She had a lot to talk about.

"But you my dear, managed to change things in the matter of weeks" she continued with a smile trying to ease the sad cloud above.

"What did I do ma?" She grinned

"You know what you did. You should see the look on his face when he talks about you. She laughed. But I want to ask, what do you think about my son?"

"I don't understand ma"

"Do you love him? Answer me honestly"

Bella blushed. Sure she knew the natural answer that should follow but her heart seem to agree with it. It certainly wasn't supposed to be so.

"Yes, I love him" she said, her face tinted pink, it probably wasn't that visible on her dark skin.

Mrs omotola smiled more and gave a chuckle.

"I'm so glad to hear that....so tell me more about your family, your parents"

Bella shifted on her seat. Off course she knew this question was inevitable but she still felt uncomfortable.

The foot massager stood up and left while the mani/pedi-curist came.

"Oh yes, both of us.... Feet first" Mrs omotola gave instructions and the manicurist started.

"Well.... Our family's name is Monday. My dad, Monday is late while my mum is in the village. I'm the only child"

"I'm sure I have heard of Monday before, I just can't remember"

Bella shifted again uncomfortably,"please do it neatly" she instructed the manicurist.

"Sure" the lady nodded.

"So....Ma, I hope you don't mind me asking, I saw David's father at the house days ago, why is he at the house even though David resent him and he is never seen with the rest of the family?"

"My dear, after my sons success financially, David had by all means wanted his father out of the house. It was his punishment for everything he did to us. But I pleaded with him to let him (his father) stay...."

"But why ma?, he hurt you all so much"

"He isn't that bad honestly, God knows I still love him, he wasn't always been so irresponsible... poverty made him so. when I married him, we were neither poor nor rich, just average.... until he went bankrupt... Unfortunately he couldn't handle it and that's where it started. I was hurt as well but then he is still my husband. I couldn't let him to the streets....and it was bad publicity for David and Nat's fast growing business. He overhead David and I discussion about him leaving and he got scared and I guess he felt ashamed for the way he treated us. He came to me and apologized and promised to leave and divorce me if that's what we decide.....I forgave him and tried to plead with David to let him stay, His father apologized to him too but he couldn't forgive him but due to my pleas, he allowed him to stay but not as his father, just like a random tenant. He was warned not to get close to me or involve in any family matters. As least that was okay instead of being in the streets so he accepted and that's how everything had always been".

"Hmmm..." Bella couldn't form words to match her current state.

"This is the first time they actually listened to me though. I mean for a family reunion here in Lagos, they are always so busy. Nat has his mansion at Port Harcourt while David at Benin city. I told them I wanted us as a family to spend some time together and to be honest I wanted to try reconciling them with their father. You can see they still go out for work regardless. I want to see them happy and together, who knows when my time with come, I am not getting any younger...."

"Ma, please don't say that. You will live for a very long time and your wish will be fulfilled. We are going to try ma, one way or the other it's going to work"

"Thank you very much for deciding to help me , you are truly Godsent for my David" she smiled.

Bella smiled back, this seems to stretch her workload but when looked through another way might also shorten her mission. She needed to be done as soon as possible so she can go and see her...she must be very sick.

★★★————————————★★★

Nat parked his car at the front of the house and stepped out from it. He had forgotten some papers for work. He quickened his pace as the hot scorching sun melted all its heat on him. He approached the gate and was about to call the gateman when his phone slipped out of his hold and fell to the ground. He bent to pick it up when he felt someone walk past him. He picks his phone, straightened and looked around, No one was in sight in the quiet neighborhood. He turns to the gate which was left open and enters. He was greeted by the gateman who gets up from his seat to lock the gate. He is confused and looks back at the gate.

"Usman did anyone leave just now?"

"No oga (pigin for "boss"), no body"

Was he imagining things? He shakes his head as he remembers what he came for and walks into the house.

★★★——————————————————★★★

Location: David's family house

Time: 4:00pm

Dinner was served in the beautifully decorated dinning room, the dinning table was of five chairs. Mrs omotola sat at the head. Bella and David sat beside each other at the side while Nat sat opposite David at the other side, leaving the seat beside Nat vacant.

In the table was a plate of egusi soup with assorted meats and wraps of fufu, a plate of fried turkey, white rice and stew, accompanied with a bowl of water and bottled water.

After being completely served, Mrs omotola said the grace and they all began to eat quietly. Mrs omotola and David opted for swallow while Bella and Nat opted for rice and stew.

"So.... Everyone Nat and I was able to strike a really good deal with some foreigners in Chicago and Turkey, it's going to be huge so we have to put all we've got. I am needed there to finalize the deals so I will traveling there for two weeks, I believe that should be enough to round of everything over there. I will be leaving in some weeks time. I will be taking a break from work this following weeks before going for the deal. Nat will take care of things during the break and while I'm gone, I want to spend some time with the family during the break because once I come back from the trip, there is a lot of work to be done" David announced to the family in smiles.

Bella smiled back. Things seem to fall in place without her doing anything. It was perfect.

"Alright my son, God will keep paving ways for your success in Jesus name" Mrs. Omotola prayed.

"Amen" David responded.

"We are going to celebrate when the deal is done for sure" Nat said happily.

"You got that right" David laughed.

"Congratulations in advance for a soon to be concluded deal" Bella said as she touches his hand softly.

"Thanks babe" David said as he winked at her. She blushed. Everything seems to be going well for him. Maybe because this beautiful woman came into his life. He stares at her for a while, lucky to have her.

David deciding to play naughty, he places his leg on Bella's and gently caressed it. Upon the contact, Bella coughed a little and gulped some water. No Denial... His touch thrills her. She pushes his legs off her but David not backing down places it back. This went on and on for a short while before David stopped, instead he places his hands on her thigh and rubs slowly. She jerks and coughs.

"Are you okay? Have some water" Mrs omotola said concerned.

"I... I'm fine, the food is just a bit SPICY" she emphasize the spicy as she gave a pointed look at David.

David smiled. He was having so much fun. He could almost predict a moan coming. He continued rubbing circles on her thigh going higher with each round.

Bella could feel the electrifying touch so much that she tried hard to keep a blank face. She was definitely going to get David back. Just as she was about to let out a moan involuntary, Mr. omotola David's father walked past.

"Please sir, don't go, join us for dinner, there is one more seat just for you" Bella said shakingly as she stood and gestured at the vacant seat.

Everywhere grew silent as a graveyard, none were eating as they looked at each other in surprise. For the past 10 years, it's been like an unspoken rule that Mr. omotola was not allowed at the dinner table. During the early years Mrs. omotola had pleaded for him but it fell on deaf ears till now. He (David's father) was only part of the family through his wife, nothing else. It was the son's house after all, they do what they want.

"Oh No, please don't worry about me, I'm okay" He replied after looking at everyone's expressions. He is not an acceptable part of the family and he has grown to accept that.

"I insist... Please" she walks over to him and holds him by his wrinkled old hand as they both walk to dinning table. He gets seated reluctantly never failing to give an occasional look to David and Nat. He serves himself egusi and fufu and everyone began to eat except David.

After some few seconds of just staring at the food, David gets up and walks out of the dinning room with a undecipherable face. Mrs omotola tries to call him back but he doesn't answer.

Bella gestured that everyone should continue eating. Mrs omotola gave her a "what just happened" look and she gave a "later" look back.

She knew she was sliding on thin ice. She has been here just few days and she had already started breaking the rules. But then she didn't have much time...she knew this, if she will have to do this as part of the act, then she would like to get it over with so she could focus. Time was running out fast.

A few minutes later they were all done and the table was cleared. Nat left quietly. He probably didn't want to make a scene like his brother so he stayed.

Mrs. Omotola drew close to Bella and said in a low voice " that was so sudden,I didn't know you planned to do that"

"It just came to my head all of a sudden, David must be very angry"

"Yes, please go talk to him my dear. Don't rush it between him and his father, take it slow. David is pretty damaged more than he looks"

"I will ma, I'll give you updates later"

Bella stands up and leaves the dinning room up the stairs to David's room...

Time to talk.

Bella knocks and enters. It was her first time entering David's room. The light was turned off so she was greeted with darkness..

"David" she called out. She receives no reply. Through the faint moon light from the balcony she could make out a human figure standing at the balcony.

She calls David again as she walks slowly towards him. She was conscious as she walked so as not to hit anything.

She finally reaches the balcony and she could see David clearly now as the moon light illuminated on his face. She gives him a back hug and stretches her hands to touch his that was placed on the railing.

"I thought you understood the resentment I had towards my father. Seeing him irritates me Bella. I hate that man so much"

"I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. But you know the only thing constant in this life is change....I believe he has changed"

"Changed? He goes out and comes homes drunk. I'm pretty sure he gambles and the extra marital affairs... A friend of mine has seen him walk into a restaurant with a lady once"

"This could all be a misunderstanding that communication might solve. Tell him what he does that you don't like and hear what he has to say"

"I bet all he has to say are all lies"

"Think about your mom for once. How do you think she feels when she see her husband and her sons fight? Don't you think she is hurt as well? For 10 good years"

"That's why I always suggest he leaves and never comes back. Then she can forget about him"

"You think it's so easy to forget someone you love dearly? Have you ever asked her what she wanted? She told me a lot during our spa session earlier today. She wants a family....a complete one. Do you know that it is her last wish for her sons and husband to be a family and discard any resentment?"

"She said so?"

"Yes she did. That's her last wish. She wants you all to try and reconcile"

David goes silent. He has never thought of it like this, he felt selfish for once in his life. He felt like a bad son.

"But it's going to be hard Bella, I can't stand seeing him"

"I know, take it slow. Leave it to me rather I will take care of it"

David turns around to face Bella, he wraps his hands round Bella's waist with a smile on his face.

"Look at you, only a few days you have been here, you have already started fixing things and taking charge like the lady of the house" he chuckles.

She laughs and gives him a hug.

"You're so funny"

David lowers himself down to the balcony floor and Bella does same and they both watch the stars together.

"The first time we met why where you so grumpy and serious?" He asked as he caressed her hands

"I was grumpy?. She laughed. Well how else was I supposed to grab your attention?"

"True true" he grins.

There was silence for a while. Both lost in their own thoughts and touch. David turns to Bella and stares at her beautiful eyes...

"I love you" he said

Bella brings her hands to his face. "I love you too"

Soon they were lost in each other's arms.

★★★———————————————★★★

Hello everyone.

Yes, I know I have a lot of explaining to do.

I have been very busy this past weeks, I actually work now. I leave home by 7am and come back home by 6-6:30pm very tired and exhausted. I try writing at night but sleep always stops me. I literally sleep on my phone...lol.

I can't guarantee daily updates but I promise to try. You all know I'm writing for the romance suspense competition so I need to write at least 30,000 words (10 chapters) before January 12. It's not going to be easy with my work and all but..... Let's just see how it goes.

Also I applied for a contract last month and fortunately for me I have been offered a contract ??????? I found out yesterday and I have been very happy. It was actually sent 4 days ago, I happened to see it yesterday (to tell you how busy I am), it really encouraged me and made me know that I'm on the right track.

I will keep you all updated next time when the contract is officially signed.

Yayyyyy, it's a few days to Christmas. Are you all feeling the Christmas spirit?

In Nigeria here, the spirit is pretty low compared to 5 years ago. I guess with all the high prices of things, people can't celebrate well. We will always pray for change ?.

I was thinking of starting a after-chapter Nigeria fact. I love to talk about my country, so for those interested to hear about it, I will write one thing done/ fact in Nigeria after my story. Do you think it's a good idea?

Back to my story....what do you think about this chapter?

Please don't hesitate to send me your opinions, critics and feedback.... I will love to hear them.

I love you all ❤️

Merry Christmas in advance

~precious~