Tomi (A short story)

Chapter 22

Song for the chapter: Are you there by Rema.

Tomike.

"Are you there?"

"Tomike are you there?" Seun asked and I sighed deeply.

"Sorry I have just been in my head all day. What's up?"

"I was asking how the Maria enterprises deal was going."

"Oh that..good I guess. We already managed to convince their boss to sign with us."

"Tomike you're not okay. What's wrong?"

"Work. That's what's wrong. Everyone is talking about us Seun."

He laughed into the phone and I rolled my eyes even when I knew he couldn't see me.

"What's so funny about what I said? You know this was what I was scared of. Now everyone thinks I'm getting CEO privileges."

"Are you getting CEO privileges?"

"Of course not! You know I hate when people make things happen for me."

"Then forget them. Let them talk since that's what they're good at."

"It's your nonchalant attitude for me." I chuckled. "I can't believe you're not bothered at all."

"People would always talk so let them. By the way how's your brother doing? Are you still at your grandparents house?"

"So many questions." I chuckled again. I have been doing a lot of that lately anytime we talked. "He's getting better. For now he's just working from home and yes I'm still at my grandparents."

"Oh nice! I was around the area and just thought I could drop by."

I straightened up on my bed immediately and looked around my room.

"Where are you right now?"

"Around the estate. My friend stays here. It's a nice area by the way."

"Oh my God Seun why do I feel like you're outside our gate already."

"Well that's because I am. Come down and talk to your military men for me before they beat me up."

I pressed the intercom and informed the security to let him into the premises.

I threw on my shorts and big tee before dashing out of the room.

"My Tomike is a very ambitious lady. Hope you know that?" My grandmother chuckled as she poured Seun a glass of juice. I retreated my steps and decided to watch them secretly before making my presence known.

Wait! My own grandmother poured Seun a glass of juice.

"Don't look so surprised. She has been bugging me to set you up with one man or the other. The woman just wants you to settle down." My brother laughed. "Tunmise come quickly, Seun is here."

"As I was saying Seun. Describe your ideal woman."

"Ma." Seun coughed and scratched his head nervously. "I like ambitious ladies if that's what you're worried about."

"Tunmise just come and see how grandma is grilling this man. A whole CEO."

Tunmise ran to where we were standing. "I think I've seen this guy somewhere before."

I rolled my eyes and smacked the back of his head. "Obviously he's the CEO of Adentubi Oils and..."

"He's on Forbes." Deji completed and I nodded my head in affirmation.

"I don't even check Forbes except it's family related and I my gut tells me it's not the shows I go to either."

"Ah! It's like we have an important visitor." Deji shouted as he pushed me forward.

"Deji you're dead meat." I said with clenched fists.

Tunmise settled on the chair next on Seun while Deji and I sat with my grandmother.  "The last time I saw you, you were going to propose right?" Deji laughed.

My grandmother gasped and grinned excitedly.

"Don't mind him grandma he was just kidding." My grandmother slapped Deji's head.

"Deji my man!" Seun and Deji did a brotherly handshake.

My eyes shifted to Tunmise who was busy typing away on his phone. He had been acting a bit too strangely since Seun got here.

"Seun I don't think you've met my cousin Tunmise." I grinned. Maybe a little introduction would ease the tension in the air.

"Oh I'm so sorry. Forgive my manners. I'm Seun Adetunbi." Seun extended his hand for an handshakes

I smiled softly at Tunmise but I knew he understood my questioning gaze. He shrugged his shoulders and turned his attention to Seun.

"Nice to meet you. Like my cousin said, I'm Tunmise Adenuga." He squinted his eyes. "Have we met before?"

"I don't think so." Seun replied. "Maybe we met at a business conference or..."

"Did you ever live in Cape Town?"

Seun's eyes darkened and for a moment I thought I was watching a crime investigation drama. "I'm a business man. I travel to a lot of places and meet a lot of people." There was an edge in Seun's voice. He sounded a bit defensive.

"Tunmise stop pestering the poor boy! Please come and join us for dinner. I had my chef cook the best jollof rice and chicken."

"Seun you can't say no." Deji crossed his arms over his chest.

I almost forgot that they both had left the living room because I was immersed in the investigation drama between Seun and Tunmise.

"Tomike!" My grandmother yelled and I turned to her. "These children and losing focus."

"Your grandmother wants us to have dinner." Seun smiled and I forced a smile back.

Something felt off and Tunmise had the answers.

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