Two Princes and a choice

Chapter Fifteen

‘Is something wrong your highness?’ Hakeem inquired politely from Will. The young man had been smiling to himself and chuckling ever since he’d returned to the palace with his belongings. When he had woken this morning and even now at breakfast, he kept pushing egg round his plate smiling.

Will looked up, a smile still on his lips ‘no, nothing his wrong just thinking of something.’ He poked at the eggs around his plates.

Ah ha! ‘May I ask what?’

‘Someone, a girl I met a few days ago.’

‘Hmm, a girl you say?’

Will was quick to understand the look on the older man’s face. He laughed,’ no, it’s not what you think. We are just friends, well kinda.’

‘And she is the reason you have been smiling?’ he queried.

Will’s brow creased in confusion, he had been smiling? ‘I have?’

Hakeem nodded. ‘Yes your highness, since you returned yesterday actually. You’ve ben smiling to yourself. Is she amusing, sir?’

‘Yes very, she has such a magnetic personality, bold and beautiful and yes, very funny.’

Hakeem saw that thoughtful look in the younger man’s eyes the blissful expression on his face. He understood. ‘And do you like her your highness?’ he asked politely.

Will wasn’t shocked at the question. It had been the same thing he had been asking himself since she left. Did he like her? If he didn’t why was his heart racing when he thought of her? Why did he long to see her again? ‘I guess so,’ he looked at Hakeem angling his head. ‘What do you suggest I do Hakeem?’

‘I suggest you do what you use to do when you see a new bee item you just want to have,’ he suggested. ‘And quickly, you never know who else wants the same as you do.’

Will nodded, ‘thanks Hakeem.’

‘Your highness,’ a servant came forward bowing. ‘The queen is here.’

Will stood up from his seat as Yemisi entered all queen like. She looked like she did five years ago when she had come into his room to announce his exile. Except that she was smiling then, a satisfied smile, she was frowning now. Will could see the wrinkles on her face, just yesterday it had been almost impossible to see. Thanks to science.

‘Good morning your majesty,’ he greeted with a little bow of his head.

Yemisi looked at the window. ‘Yes, yes I suppose it is a good morning.’ She turned to face him. ‘Why did you come back?’ she demanded.

‘I missed my family,’ he said.

A corner of her mouth lifted in a scoffing smile. ‘I never treated you like a son, never included you in my life and family. So which family did you miss?’

‘I never said I missed you your majesty,’ he said flatly. ‘But I did miss my family. Don’t worry; I won’t intrude in your precious life and family. After all I’m not a son to you.’

She scoffed. ‘That’s right,’ she stared into his eyes expecting him to cower like he did when he was ten.’ I may have not raised you out of love but I did my best to raise you.’

‘If by your best you mean total isolation then I’m sorry that I turned out like this after you did your best to raise me.’ He matched her stare.

‘I can see your sharp tongue is getting sharper by the day. Tan is returning on Monday and there will be a gala in his honour, you too will be there so I’m warning you ahead of time don’t mess it up.’

‘I’ll do my best not to,’ he said sarcasm dripping from his mouth.

Yemisi eyed him scornfully for a moment and then turned and left.

Smiling Will sat down. He picked up his coffee and drank.

****

‘Was it your friend that called me yesterday?’ Anna asked from her daughter. They were both in her room, folding dried clothes. Earlier that morning Hayley had brought them in from the line on the balcony.

Hayley smoothen a folded dress, was Will a friend? ‘Beni, well sort of.’

When she returned with Darryl yesterday she had demanded explanation and Hayley had given it to her. Darryl had explained her need to relax and take drugs according to prescription and because of that Anna insisted that she stays and watch over her today.

‘He is such a kind person to do such thing, to ba je awon mi ni - ,’ she left the sentence unfinished with a shake of her head.

Hayley smiled. She was sitting in the middle of the bed, legs crossed. ‘She n lo bikan ni?’ she pointed to the open suitcase.

‘Ah, I’m going to Ibadan to visit Taiwo to ask for help.’

Hayley’s smiled. Cousin Taiwo. It had been ages since she had seen her last after she had gotten married, she had become busy and can’t come home but she calls some times. ‘How is she? Did she call you? Asked you to come?’

‘I sent her a letter and I’ll go probably today in the afternoon or tomorrow morning.’

‘But won’t you go to work? Have you told Madame Yemi? Is she giving you days off?’

‘I’ll call her today.’

‘But can’t I go in your place?’ she suggested.

‘Don’t you remember what the doctor said? You have to rest and eat a lot.’

‘I know, I know but I’ve missed her and I’m not coming home quickly I’ll stay and play with her for a while. That would be a form of relaxation too.’ She argued. ‘I’ll just have to call my boss.’

‘Don’t worry Hayley, I’ll go.’

‘Mum please let me go. It’s the holidays and I have to go somewhere on vacations. Please, please, please let me go.’ She batted her eyes looking soulful.

‘Now you think about going on vacation? You didn’t think about it before now that I mention Ibadan you are as soulful as a puppy – forget it, you are not going.’

Hayley leaned sideways and fell, her head on her mother’s thigh she held her both hands on her shoulder. ‘Please,’ she looked up pouting.

‘Forget it, I’m going. Fold the clothes. They aren’t going to fold themselves.’ She ordered.

Hayley sat up still pouting. ‘Please, please, PLEEASSE!’

‘My, my, my daughter looks her prettiest when pouting.’ Hayley rocked her by the shoulder. ‘Okay, okay. You can go.’

Hayley whooped and threw herself against her mother giving her a loving squeeze. ‘Thank you, thank you.’ She laughed.

‘I only said yes because I want to have a whining free day.’

Hayley released her mother pouting. ‘I don’t whine.’

‘Yes you do especially when you want something.’

‘No one whines at this age except Melissa and the last time I whine was when I was three.’

‘How do you know? Do you even remember when you were three?’

She leaned against her mum. Head rested on her shoulder. ‘I remember dad used to take us to the beach every weekend till I was five and we visit the zoo and cultural theatre also.’

Anna smiled remembering those times. Hayley particularly loved running on the golden sand and make sand castles, her eye brow puckered in seriousness. Those were good times. And Hayley was a sweet healthy strong child then. Though she was still sweet and strong but she was stressed out, strained and on the verge of snapping. She held her hand.

‘Ah,’ Hayley suddenly remembered the tickets. ‘I have something for you.’ Taking her head off her mother’s shoulder she reached into her jeans back pockets and brought out the two tickets. She gave it to Anna. ‘It’s two tickets to front row seats to the cultural institute’s concert next week Saturday. Darryl gave it to me and I have to bring someone along but I’m not going. I figured you and dad need a day to spice up your romantic life. You know get things going and give me a younger brother.’

Anna pretended to be shocked, ‘Hayley!’

‘What? I’m I wrong. You need to get things going, it has been long since you did that so this break and give me a younger brother. I desperately crave for one.’

Anna chuckled.

‘Or you can adopt one if you think you are too old to keep the fire growing.’ She teased.

Anna lifted her hand as if to strike her. Hayley shied away.

‘I’m sorry,’ she giggled. ‘I’m just joking. But am I wrong? You and dad need to spend time together.’

Anna smiled and drew her close. ‘Yes, I know and I’m thankful for having a daughter like you.’

Hayley leaned her head on her mum’s shoulder. ‘I’m thankful for a mum like you too.’

Anna sighed and patted her head, ‘Hayley!’ she called.

‘Hm’ she murmured.

‘About the diamonds?’

‘What about them?’

‘Keep them. No need to sell them.’

Hayley smiled. ‘Really?’ she looked up into her eyes.

Anna nodded. ‘Really.’

She wrapped her arms about Anna’s waist. ‘Thank you mum,’ she blinked back tears, smiling. ‘Thank you.’

Anna stroked her hair.

‘I’ll leave this afternoon.’

‘Okay,’ Anna agreed.

****

‘Good morning Adam,’ Bill said as the tall thin man ushered into the small room.

He looked at him and Bill could see hatred in there on doubt the man wanted to hit him. The guard led him to his seat and he sat down.

‘What do you want?’ he demanded.

‘You are looking a bit thin, what’s wrong Adam haven’t you been eating well?’ Bill heard the door slide open and close. The guard had left.

‘Cut the crap Bill, you and I both know that you don’t pay social calls. So what do you want?’ he repeated.

‘You found me out,’ he ran his hands about his jacket and brought out a packet of cigarette. ‘Want one?’ he offered and the man shook his head which was really surprising. Adam never turns down cigarette. He shrugged. ‘I’ve come to request your cooperation.’ He told him wedging his cigarette at one corner of his mouth.

‘You won’t have it.’

Bill clicked his tongue and examined his nails. ‘Something tells me you would. You wanna get out of here don’t you and catch the bastard who put you in here?’

‘You are the bastard who put me here,’ he told him.

‘I’m not I just did my job, the judge did his. The bastard who put you here is Adeyinka Adewale. He betrayed you now.’

Adam scoffed. ‘Suddenly you believe me?’

Bill shrugged. ‘Kinda, but you wanna get outta here. It’s your desire.’

‘My desire is to have your smug face torn apart by a thousand foxes.’ He retorted.

‘Ah, you don’t wanna get out of here?’

Adam sighed resignedly. ‘What’s the catch?’

Bill smiled. ‘Thank you, it’s simple tell me where your brother is.’

Adam’s eyes grew large in his eyes, ‘I don’t know what you are talking about.’

Bill who had seen his reaction and had proof would not be fooled. ‘Your brother Adam, tell me.’

‘My brother died in a fire when I was eight along with the rest of my family. I ain’t got any.’

‘When you were eight eh?’ he fished into his jacket inner pocket for the photo. He held it up for him to see and was rewarded by change of expression.

Adam seemed to shrink; he became pale and somewhat frightened. ‘How did… how did - ?’ he stammered.

‘You mean how did I find out? Simple, research. I knew you wouldn’t tell me if you were the same man I knew so I worked for proof and it came up easily. You aren’t good in hiding your past you know?’ he told him. ‘It was easy to find this out.’

Adam licked his dry lips nervously. ‘So what do you want?’

‘As I said your cooperation, I need to know where your brother is. I know you are twins, his name is Ben and you took this picture two months before you were arrested but I need to know where he is.’

‘Why don’t you find out yourself? Since you are good at researching.’ He said regaining some of his bravado.

‘I could, but it’s better to hear it from you.’

Adam leaned forward and laced his folded hands on the table. ‘Listen I and Ben are not that close. Ben was somewhat loony in the head so we drifted apart.’

‘I thought you were the loony one,’ Bill said drily.

‘It runs in the family.’ He said not convincing somewhat. ‘I don’t know where he is, so we are done.’

Bill eyed him. This wasn’t the Adam he knew, what happened to him? Adam was quite… what was the word? Loony. This man is just a nervous person. ‘Not yet. But I’ll go, for now.’ He stood up. ‘Nice to see you again after this years,’ he slid the photo on the table to him. ‘Keep the photo to remind you of your brother.’ He walked to the door, it slid open and he walked through.

‘I need to make a phone call,’ he said to the guard when he came in for him.

Bill strode out of the maximum prison cell to the car right out the gate. He got into the passenger seat.

‘Did he tell you anything?’ detective Alao asked him. ‘That it is his brother?’

‘Yes, his expression did. But not where we can find him. We have to find that out.’

‘And how will we do that?’

‘Search,’ was all Bill said.

****

‘That was your brother. The police man Bill Okoro is asking questions about you.’ The woman lit a cigarette and eyed her tool. ‘Do you know why?’

‘No idea’ he said trembling slightly. He feared her and her temper.

The woman smiled through smoke. She liked to see her tools tremble before her made her feel great. ‘You said you did a clean job?’

‘Yes ma’am.’

‘Then we have nothing to fear. Go I need to think.’

The man left and the woman put out cigarette. Her plan was going perfectly; there is nothing that would spoil that. All they had to do was go according to plan.

****

Tears were coming again. No, not this time. Adam blinked back tears. He was back in his cell after he had called the woman Madame Boors as they call her who was keeping his brother for her nefarious purpose. He looked down at the picture of him and his twin brother. Two months before his brother had battered that woman to death with a heeled shoe. Before he had been switched in his place and forced to serve life time imprisonment in his place.

He had fought for his innocence but no one believed. They threw the book at him and he landed in jail. Three months later, his brother had called and threatened him to remain quiet or else he’ll lose who matters to him most. He told him about Madame Boors and that if anyone asked of him, should say nothing.

But it hurts, to think he was being punished instead of his brother. He remembered the day of his arrest. He was on his way back from work when they had come out of nowhere flashing cards and arrest warrants. He was bundled into their car, cuffs on him.

They had interrogated him and he maintained his innocence, he’d mentioned brother but no one believed. His family were all dead they said. And since all the evidence was pointing directly at him, he was accused of assault and murder, tried found guilty and sentence to life imprisonment.

He blinked back tears again. But couldn’t hold it in. He cried.