Lola's POV

I smiled as I dusted my palms against each other, watching my mum look closer at the house.

I was glad she was now able to come home.

I had never thought in my wildest dreams she was going to be back home, this soon.

Not like I wasn't happy she was home, infact it was the opposite.

I was elated she was back but I just thought she needed more time to recover.

I didn't want her being clouded with memories all over again and slipping back into that her previous state of mind.

She had been through a lot and clearly her mind could not deal with it. I didn't want her to go through so much, anymore.

I just wanted her to be happy and well.

“I'm fine, Piya. I will only be happy with my daughters by my side.”She told me as I nodded before she gently stroked my hair.

“We are back!!” I heard my sister call out from the door as she and Kosi walked into the house.

“We wanted to celebrate mum's return, so we bought cake” Dara said excitedly as I forced up a smile.

Dara was over the moon, and I had never seen her so happy in the past few years.

I was so happy, we were back together. But now, I felt even more pressure to bring my dad back.

I would never forget how my mum slowly seeped out of awareness after my dad was sent to jail.

First, she would cry endlessly, then she started forgetting things.

Next thing we know is, she doesn't respond or even knows what was happening around her.

I was afraid it might repeat itself if she surrounds herself with all these memories of dad, once again.

Afterall, the doctor had clearly said she should avoid unnecessary stress about the past or memories.

“I'll get a knife” I spoke as I walked into the kitchen, feeling thoughts swarm my head.

I had spoken to the lawyer, thanks to Derin and he was pretty unwilling to represent my dad.

Honestly, I was starting to feel hopeless myself. The only thing I hung unto is the thread of trust I had for my dad.

I knew him too well and I knew he was framed for the charges pressed against him.

I strongly believed it. But slowly, I feel my trust withering away daily, making way for doubts and questions.

Why doesn't any lawyer want to help me?

It wasn't really about the cost but they all seemed cold once they dug deeper into the case.

I still didn't know the details about this case, because my father never told me anything about it, neither did I attend any of his past trials.

But all it took was his name and a few clicks on their computer  for them to decide they weren't taking the case.

And believe me, I had searched the Internet, yet I got nothing tangible.

“Here” I handed the knife over to Kosi who slowly collected it from me and started slicing up the cake.

“Mummy, do you know Lola has a boyfriend?” Dara started as I felt a feeling of frustration cloud my brain.

I clearly wasn't in the mood for this topic.

“He is not my boyfriend, Dara.”I told her, with a blank and cold look as I took a slice of the cake.

I felt even more frustrated about the fact that despite the thoughts of my dad's case, and the moving of my mum back home, my head still managed to replay certain moments with him and I totally hated this fact.

I had always hated the idea of an unrequited love or some impossible crush. And I felt myself slowly tangling up in one.

I still decided on labelling it 'fondness or over familiarityʼ.

All the fake dating we had been going around doing has managed to unlock some attractions I had shoved in me.

That was it.

Definitely!

“She's just mad at him” She told my mum as my mother looked at me with a teasing smile on her face.

I didn't want my mother to get tangled up in this pretence game.

I didn't want her to ever find out I had ever for a minute been stealing money from rich men.

And this was the origin of Derinsola's and I story.

“I'm going to get ready for work” I spoke as I stood up and turned around, immediately walking into my room.

Immediately, I entered into my room, I lowered myself unto the floor beside the bed as I hugged my legs close.

I hated how my head was feeling all messed up.

I hated the fact that I was so clueless about my Dad's case. I hated this fear I am having about my mum slipping back into her mental relapse.

And I hate how I still have space in my head for a rich guy who hasn't contacted me for a whole month and how I feel like picking up the phone and dialling his stupid number.

Was he still thinking about Deborah?

Did he tell his family we have broken up?!

“Are you okay, Lola?” I heard my mum ask me as she slowly opened the door.

“I'm fine, mum. I'm just a little tired” I lied as I rubbed my finger against my eyes.

She stayed silent and sat beside me on the floor.

“Srisha, I know you. I gave birth to you. And I know you are worried right now” She told me as I stayed quiet, not wanting to admit it or lie to her.

“You shouldn't let these worries stop you from enjoying the present, my dear” She told me, using her hands to pack my hair together.

“You shouldn't let the thoughts of what might happen in future stop you from enjoying what you have right now” She continued adjusting the pendant of the necklace on my neck.

I looked down at the necklace as I remembered how I had got it.

It was a friendship necklace. Kosi and I each had a piece.

I turned towards her and lowered my head unto her shoulder and a thought flickered in my head.

I couldn't help but think back to when I had lowered my head into his shoulders.

Darn, my head should really stop doing this.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Me: I am not sure, Kachi. I would think about it.

I responded to Kachi's text message as I approached my house feeling extremely tired.

“Lola!” I heard a slurry yell as I snapped my head towards the direction of the voice.

The high-pitched, girly voice was over familiar and I looked down the road for the person who had called my name.

It was a lady dressed like she was coming back from a high-classed party, with her hair dropped around her face as she staggers her way towards me.

“Lola, is that you?!” She asked as cleared the hair off her face looking closely at me.

Shit, Tunmise!

What the hell was she doing here?!

I immediately rushed towards her and grabbed her by the arm, trying to prevent her from falling to the ground.

“He.. He... He. I've missed youuu, my Indiana” She muffled as she rested her body completely on me, making my legs tremble at her weight.

The stench that came from her breath, the incoherent words and the inability to stand still, showed she was completely wasted.

“Tunmise, you are completely drunk. Have you lost your mind?!” I asked her as she suddenly started sobbing unto my shoulders.

“I'm nottttt. I just want to slap his face” She muffled as I sighed in frustration.

What the heck are you saying?

I needed to call Kola. I didn't have his number but she must have it.

“Where's your phone? let me call your brother.” I told her, trying hard not to fall to the ground.

Jeez, she was completely leaning on me.

“Kola hates me!” She said immediately pulling herself off me, shoving my shoulders.

Are you mad, this girl?!

I'm just trying to be nice, I will leave you here o.

She immediately plopped unto the dirt filled ground as I immediately grabbed her arm trying to lift her up.

No, not here. This was in the middle of the road.

I needed to call someone to come get her.

And I knew the perfect guy for this.

But was I willing to forget about the pact I made with myself not to see him again.

Fuck the pact!

People were watching us.

Tunmise was really creating a scene.

I turned on my phone and searched through my contacts for a particular rich dude's name.

Derin!

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

“She has finally stopped crying” Dara told me as I nodded.

“Go inside and get some sleep. You are going to school tomorrow. Someone would be here to pick her up” I told her as she nodded with a light shrug before walking towards her room while I walked the opposite direction towards the living room.

“Is she your friend?” I heard my mum ask as she adjusted Tunmise's head under the pillow before looking at me.

“Yeah, we met in the university. Kosi should even know her” I told my mum as she nodded standing up and sitting on another chair.

“She is probably going through a lot for her to cry so much” My mum spoke as I almost rolled my eyes.

My mummy and being so thoughtful.

She could just be drunk asf.

I felt my phone buzz as I looked at the screen, expecting a particular name.

Oh, he was here.

I immediately declined the call and sucked in a deep breath, before walking towards the door.

“Her brother's friend is here.”I informed my mum who was now looking towards the TV.

I used my hand and tried to straighten up my hair, tucking one side behind my ear.

Do I look better like this?!

Or should I untuck it?!

I immediately realised what I was doing and scattered up my hair, wanting to not care.

“Why do you care what he thinks about your appearance?!” I scolded myself as I walked out the door, heading straight towards the gate.

I clicked open the gate and swung it open, to see an eye catching sight of Derinsola, standing in front of me, looking even more handsome than he was.

His hands tucked in his pocket as he stared directly into my eyes while, I felt my whole confident and collected aura falter to the ground as I felt my heart pace pick up it's pace.

“Come in” I spoke as I felt his familiar smell hint it's way into my nose as I tugged my eyes away from his face.

Lola, remember.

He's just here to pick Tunmise up.

He nodded before walking in, as I closed the gate behind us, heading towards my house's main door.

“She just fell asleep, thankfully. I think something happened to her. Maybe a  break up or something. She was really drunk”I informed him avoiding his gaze as I headed straight for the entrance.

I wanted to stop him and warn him about the fact that my mum as in and he should not mention any of our past occurrences to her.

But I knew he wasn't going to say a word. He should at least be that smart.

“I called Kola, he is stuck in traffic but I think I can take her off your hands. Sorry for the inconvenience” He apologised sending a weird feeling through me.

He basically spoke to me like I was some stranger who his sister had stumbled into.

I was also her friend for fucks sake.

What does he mean by off my hands?

I took in a deep breath, pushing my questions and irritation away as I got to the main door and took of my slippers, walking into my house.

“Mummy, her brother's friend is here” I announced to my mother who's head immediately snapped towards my direction.

I hoped he heard my voice. I wanted him to be aware my mum was around, so he isn't caught completely off guard.

After a few seconds, he walking into my house with only socks on as I found myself staring at him.

He took off his shoes?!

I know it didn't mean much but it showed he wanted to respect my family.

This single act portrayed the fact that he didn't think like other rich snobs.

He was respectful, humble and a gentleman.

Then suddenly, my head started listing out other attributes about him.

He wasn't a player, from what I saw with Deborah, he loved wholeheartedly.

He was considerate, kind and.... and perfect.

Maybe, even perfect for me.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Author's Note

I think Lola is getting ahead of herself😂

Anyways, this update is for Tuesday. I changed my mind actually and y'all should expect an update tomorrow, as long as HIS Fan Girl's update💃💃✨

Well, chao chao👋😂

Ifeh_love💖