TISE

I was at the garden editing my work when I heard the ruffles of the leaves. Looking at the direction, mom wore a big smile as she approached me with a tray. Just how on earth did she find me?

She dropped the cup filled with juice by my side before sitting at the opposite bench with her champagne flute.

"I heard you're writing a script for a new web series," she started with a wide smile as the sun shone on her face making her look beautiful. Even though she was going to be fifty soon, she didn't look a day over thirty, thanks to her skincare and beauty treatment.

She'd been so focused on her beauty treatment that she never had time for any business and now she looked more interested in the business.

"Yeah," I replied succinctly.

"That's good," she commented and I turned back to my laptop.

"The lawyer will come over to read your father's will tomorrow," she announced and my hand stopped typing as I raised my head to look at her.

"Why all of a sudden?"

It wasn't done after Dad's death so why now when it's almost a year. None of his family members were interested in the will so far they were well off so they didn't demand for the will to be read or even give mother any problem. We didn't ask for our share of his properties so, why?

She sipped from her wine before replying, "Just thought it would be better that way, it's been more than since months since your father's death."

"And your husband's death," I completed and she furrowed her brows before crossing her legs.

"Oluwatise, did I offend you? You've been so cold to me ever since your father's death, did I do anything wrong?"

"You know it within yourself," I turned to focus on my work but she talked. I wonder how she was fine with everything, she doesn't even show any ounce of guilt at all. Is that how heartless she is?

"What do you mean? Is it because I have a boyfriend? Don't you want me to be happy? I need to move on from your father's death so, you can't just expect me to keep on brooding over his death."

"I understand," I shut down the laptop after realizing there was no way I could concentrate.

She smiled, "Well, if you understand that, why don't you want him to become the chairman?"

I looked at her with contempt but she pretended not to notice.

"It isn't my decision to make but the board of directors, I guess you couldn't convince them right?"

She dropped the champagne flute by her side and folded her arms.

"I'll be inviting the Chinedu for dinner tomorrow, you know what it's about right? If he's on our side and you and Tumi cooperate, Karen's father will be able to become the chairman," she enunciated.

"Not even CEO but Chairman, how ambitious could a thief be?" I mocked and she glared at me.

"I hope Mr.Chinedu will be on our side," she continued and I sighed.

"Why are you saying this to me? You know how much we hate your boyfriend and there's no way we'll be on your side, just drop it okay?"

She heaved before responding, "Tise, why do you hate him?"

I kept mute as I tried to contain my anger then she continued.

"Is it because I'm dating him? I met him before your dad so he means so much to me."

I scoffed.

"Is that why you killed Dad?"

She scrunched her brows, "What do you mean by that? How can I kill my husband?"

"You ask yourself," I got on my feet and picked up my laptop.

"Tise, I hope you don't have that belief that I killed your father, I didn't kill him, we all know he died of heart attack."

I didn't bother replying her as I walked away.

"Don't you dare walk out on me!" She screamed and I glanced at her before increasing my pace.

Karen bumped into me immediately I walked into the house and that reminded me of her useless father.

"I'm sorry," she apologized and I walked away without replying her.

Immediately I got into my room, I dumped my laptop on the table and plopped on my bed as the memory of the day I could never forget came flooding back. The day father died.

**********

Turns out the will had been manipulated, most of father's properties was willed to mom and he didn't even bequeath anything to his family members, not like they needed it though 'cause they weren't even present at the meeting.

"This is absurd," Tumi complained as she barged into my room.

"What?" I looked up from my phone and she joined me on the bed.

"That will is outrageous, mom got almost all his properties and do you know the most ridiculous fact is that dad's shares was transferred to her."

I leaned on the wall before replying, "I knew there was something fishy when the will wasn't read immediately but then it's not like the shares could make him the chairman, Mr.Chinedu is still the majority shareholder and I'm sure the board members can never appoint Karen's dad."

She nodded, "I just hope so 'cause it looks like that man is desperate, he might just convince others to vote for him, when is the next board meeting?"

I shrugged, "I'm not sure."

"Anyway, whatever the case may be, that stupid man doesn't deserve anything from this family, I just hope mom doesn't transfer all her properties to him or even make him the sole owner of every of our properties because it seems like she can do anything for that filthy man."

"I pray so too, I hope she doesn't get married to him."

She gave a poker face, "Same here, I can't imagine myself being sisters with that foolish Karen."

I chuckled before picking up my phone. She readjusted her sitting position.

"Are you done with the script?"

I bobbed my head as I read Gabriel's message informing me he'll be visiting with Clinton later in the day.

She tapped my legs and I looked up at my sister who had a sheepish smile on her face. Apparently, she wanted something.

"Go straight to the point," I permitted as I dropped my  phone by my side in order to listen to her.

"Help me talk to the producer or director or whatever, I want to feature in the series," she batted her eyelashes and I laughed.

"You want to act?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

"Can you act?"

She scowled at me before replying,"Of course."

A smile appeared on my face before I responded, "There'll be an audition call, so, just go for the audition."

She squeezed her face, "What if I don't get picked? Just put in a good word for me so, no one should audition for my role."

"Which role?"

She rolled her eyes, "Can I see the script?"

"Like you have time to read it," I mocked and she eyed me.

"I'm going to read it," she insisted and I shook my head.

"Is it because Karen landed a role in one movie?" I asked with raised brows and she glared at me.

"What do you mean? You think I'm competing with her? It's not like she got any major role, someone that only appeared twice in the movie, abeg," she hissed and I chuckled.

"Looks like you're actually competing with her, Tumi you're better off modelling and preparing to be a beautician, you can't act and you know that, just focus on your goal, you're better than Karen okay?"

She pursed her lips and stayed quiet for some seconds before responding.

"Okay but that girl is really getting on my nerves."

"Just ignore her."

She wanted to say something but the sound from my phone stopped her. Looking at the screen, it was an unknown number and I wondered who it could be.

"Hey, this is Jason," the voice came from the other end immediately I picked up and I wondered how he got my number, I'd returned his newly repaired phone last week so, we didn't have any business together.

"Hi, how may I help you?" I questioned as Tumi stepped out of my room.

"I just wanted to thank you for repairing my phone and apologize for being a prick the other day."

"It's okay, I know that is not the reason you called, so, can you go straight to the point."

Then he stopped beating around the bush and asked me for a favour to talk Amara out of breaking up with him. Seems like he really liked her but Amara wasn't someone to get committed for long. After promising to try my best, he ended the call.

It was then it clicked that they would be coming over for dinner and mom would surely discuss the issue of her boyfriend being the Chairman with her father. So, I decided to ask for my own favor too. Amara would help me convince her dad against it.

I dropped her a message that we had to talk when she arrives for dinner, then I smiled to myself. Mother would never get what she wants.