Derinsola's POV

I picked up the phone call as I walked out the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my waist.

“Dad?!” I asked in confirmation.

It was quite odd for my Dad to call so unexpectedly.

He usually only calls when there is an urgent business coming up or some important information about the company.

“Son, I need to tell you something” I heard him speak as I sat at the edge of the bed, getting a bit curious about whatever important information he wanted to tell me.

“What is it, dad?! Is there a problem?” I asked him with a worry filled voice as I wondered what could possibly be going on.

“It's nothing Derin, ignore him” I heard my mother yell from the background as the sound of them arguing suddenly filled my ears.

“You cannot do this, now. He still has his life ahead of him. I do not want him to put his life on hold for the company, Deji. Let him at least get married first” My mother spoke, addressing my father.

She sounded so stern and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

“Do you want him to throw away everything I have worked for, for some woman?!” My father spoke as I stayed silent, hoping they would utter what exactly this was about.

“Some woman?! This is the person he loves, Deji. And I never said he should throw away anything. It's just too soon” My mother responded as I decided to cut in.

Was she talking about Lola?

“Dad, what is going on?!” I asked him as there was a sudden pause between them.

“Think it through, Deji. I do not want this company to get in the way of my dreams of having a grandchild” My mother spoke as I rolled my eyes at her cliché words.

Yeah, okay mum.

My father didn't respond to her but instead addressed me.

“I want you to take over the company next month” My dad spoke as I felt the news slap across my face.

What?!

This was definitely sudden.

I couldn't help but feel worried.

Was something going on with my father?!

“What?! Really?” I asked him as he replied with a firm'yesʼ.

“Is something going on with you, Dad?! Are you sick or is there something I don't know?” I asked him as he immediately denied them all.

“Absolutely not, Derin. The thing is, I have been having a really hard time taking care of business due to my old age, and I think it's time for my son to take over” He spoke with a hint of pride in his voice as I felt his words echo in my head.

My emotions felt all mixed up as I didn't exactly know if I was elated to hear this news or sad about it.

“You have been doing quite well in Lagos. I want you to come over to Abuja and head all the company and shares affairs” He spoke as I nodded, forgetting the fact that he couldn't see me.

“And I need you to meet someone” He spoke as I furrowed my eyebrows together in confusion.

Who?!

“Deji!!” My mother yelled as her voice clearly held fury.

“Just to meet her, Sarah. I am not forcing him to do anything. I equally like that Lola girl but what if things don't end up working out?” My dad spoke with his voice sounding so sure as if he knew we were never going to end up together.

“I...” I started as my dad immediately cut me off.

“Wrap things up there, Derin. Kola will take over.”He said authoritatively.

“You are coming to Abuja” He concluded as he immediately hung the phone up, leaving me to my thoughts.

After sitting for a while and pondering on what my dad had just said, I came to a conclusion that this was for the best.

I heard my phone ring again as I looked at the screen, and checked for the caller.

I clearly wasn't in the mood for any calls.

I hung up immediately and casted a gaze back towards the window, slowly sinking back into my thoughts.

She called again as I let out a frustrated sigh before picking up.

“Sir, you have a meeting scheduled at...” The voice of Rita spoke from the phone as I immediately cut her off.

“I know, I'm on my way” I responded immediately hanging up and getting off the bed, heading towards my closet.

Another day of work and from the looks of it, these responsibilities aren't going to be reducing anytime soon.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I pushed over, the piles of signed documents towards a side of the table as I took in a deep breath, rolling up my sleeves and loosening my tie slightly and unbuttoning the collar of my shirt.

I grabbed the cup of coffee with my right hand while I still tried to cast my glance unto the document in my other hand.

I sipped on the coffee as I paused in my action when I heard a small knock on my office door.

The door immediately opened up revealing Rita who bowed curtly before proceeding to speak.

“I'm going home, sir. It's almost 9pm, sir” She informed me as I widened my eyes, lowering my coffee back unto the table as I sighed.

“I'm sorry, for holding you back again. You can close for the day” I apologised as she nodded before turning to leave immediately.

Once I heard the door shut behind her, I furiously dropped the papers unto the table, grabbing the coffee and turning my chair around, reclining on it and tugging on the small string that opened up the windows.

The windows slowly opened up as I admired the beauty of the night sky and the little lights from different homes from a distance.

I sipped unto my coffee as I felt thoughts of a certain carefree and fascinating lady creep into my head.

I couldn't help but wonder what she was doing.

Was she still working at the restaurant or the gym?

Was she okay?!

Had she celebrated her birthday?

Was she living her life to the fullest, unlike I was?..

As these thoughts creeped into my head, I found myself scowling at a particular question.

Was she with Peter?!

I heard him mention going out with her a couple more times.

Did she like him?

It had been exactly a month, since there had been any contact between us.

No matter how much I knew this was for the best, I also knew how much I thought about her witty words and amused smirk these past few months.

And I can't help but think maybe, distance wasn't working as well as I had imagined.

Sometimes, I had secretly hoped I ran into her or something but it never happened.

It was all good though.

I was going to take over the company in less than 2 weeks, and I really needed to concentrate on that.

As much as I loved the fact that I always made my father proud, and I always put in my all into this company, I couldn't help but shudder at the huge amount of pressure that is being mounted on me as I take on this new level.

Maybe, somewhere deep down, I wanted to have a normal life.

Work a little, love a little, have fun, have a family and feel happy.

But right now, I wouldn't say I feel anything in particular.

There was only one word to describe this.

Numb!!

I remember that stage of my life, when loving Deborah was all that kept me going but now, I only thought about how to advance this company, not caring if I completely sacrifice the other aspects of my life..

But I knew I owed it to my parent, since I was the only kid they had left.

I shouldn't let them down.

As I thought more about my life and feeling in general, I was interrupted by a call.

This time, from an unknown number.

“Hello” I spoke into the phone as I waited for the caller to respond.

“Send me Kola's number” I heard a feminine yell as there seems to be a shuffling sound from  the phone.

“Lola?” I asked as I heard a groan from over the phone.

“Yes, yes. Can someone get over here. Tunmise is embarrassing the hell out of me. How does she even know my house?” She rambled as I furrowed my brows in confusion.

“Dave!! Dieeeee!!” I heard Tunmise yell from the phone.

Was she drunk?!

“Why did you drink so much?!” Lola spoke in frustration as I immediately stood from my seat.

“She's drunk? How?!” I asked her.

“How the hell am I supposed to know?! Just come pick her up” I heard her speak in frustration as she immediately hung up.

What the hell was wrong with Tunmise?!

She was never one to drink.

I wonder what had happened.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I paced back and forth her gate, waiting for her to come open up.

The gate swung open as I was faced with a puffed face, Lola.

She walked out the gate, in a pair of shorts, a long sleeved sweat top and her dishevelled hair, which appeared a bit shorter than I remembered.

She still looked extremely pretty and I felt a gush of unfamiliar feeling wash through me as I stared back into her dark eyes.

“Come in” She spoke, tearing her gaze off me as she turned around and walked in, holding the door open for me to come in.

I trailed after her and walked through her gate, not saying a single word.

The air between us was oddly silent and quiet, and it was like we were strangers once again.

“She just fell asleep. Thankfully. I think something happened to her. Maybe a bad break up or something. She was really drunk” She spoke to me, avoiding my gaze as I nodded at her words.

“I called Kola, and he is stuck in traffic but I can get her off your hands. Sorry for the inconvenience” I apologised as she nodded as we got to the main entrance into her home.

She took off her slippers and walked in, while I stood awkwardly, deliberating on if I should just walk in or take off my shoes.

“Mummy, her brother's friend is here.”I heard her speak from inside her house as soon as I bent to take my shoes off.

I paused for a minute, hoping I had heard right.

Her mother was in.

I couldn't ignore the way she had said the word 'mummyʼ with a completely different intonation.

She suddenly didn't feel completely Nigerian.

As soon as I pulled off my shoes, I awkwardly stepped into her house nervously.

Somehow, I didn't want to give her a bad impression.

I walked into her house and nodded at the sight of the beautiful light skinned Indian woman with long flowing hair.

She was clearly dressed in a night gown as her eyes sparkled as soon as her eyes landed on me.

She was a splitting image of Lola.

She immediately rushed towards me and urged me in.

“Oh, welcome. Take a seat.... Piya, get him something to drink” She spoke as Lola nodded before walking away.

I didn't miss the look Lola gave me before walking into the house.

It was a look of worry.

It was definitely that of worry.

And I couldn't help but remember what she had once told me...

“I don't want my family to be part of this facade”

Her previous words echoed in my head.

She should not be worried, because I wasn't quite interested in any facade today either.

I was here to get Tunmise.

* * * * * * * * * *
Hello!!

Sorry, I didn't update on Thursday. I've been a bit busy recently.

Anyways, the fine thief and the heartbroken billionaire are so close to spilling their feelings o.

Y'all should anticipate coming episodes.

Anyways, no update on Tuesday😂..

I'm so sorry!!

Love y'all😚

Ifeh_love💖