Something New💖

CHAPTER 24- AYO

If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. -Eleanor Roosevelt

@khanushini and @memswritess this is for you

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"Please, Ayo. In Jesus's name, you are awake!" Martin said, standing outside my door.
I smirked. There's a rule that if my door is closed, no one should knock. They can speak from outside though. Somehow, this rule didn't apply to Ayo and Zion as they barged in running after each other.
I pulled off my headset.
"Good morning, daddy." Zion jumped into my waiting arms.
"Good morning, Daddy." Ayo chorused, grinning from ear to ear and ignoring my open arms to hug my leg.
"Morning, Beautiful," I pecked Zion and stooped to pick Ayo up. "Good morning, Handsome."
They both giggled
"Breakfast?"
"No, we have eaten"
"Who loosened your hair, Zion?" I tried to be stern.
"Aunty Simmer"
"Miss Saima," Ayo corrected quietly.
"Why?"
"Don't know" He answered shrugging
"She said Mamy Jada said so," Ayo inputted, wriggling to come down.
"There you are!" We all turned towards the door. There stood the object of my latest obsession.
A red flowing peplum gown, short in front and long behind **front then bust-up was white**, hair covered in a red veil, and once again, barefooted! I swallowed hard.
"Good morning," she said, beaming and my heart beat faster.
I have a crush on her and Lord help! I need to get it out of my system.
"Morning, Saima."
"You look beautiful," Zion complimented, taking the thought right out of my mind. I would have said hot but beautiful would do too.
"Really? She asked, looking at me. "Manuel thought it is time I got introduced to the public," she air quoted.
"So soon? Did anybody prepare you?"
"For? He got the call like 2 minutes ago. He's waiting." She shifted as I got to the door.
"Where is Martin?"
"In the cockpit."
I sighed and checked my wristwatch. It was already past 7.
"Zion's hair?"
"Jada wanted him in a picture with you in a brand he is modeling for."
"What brand"
"Kidcool," she answered, walking lightly behind me.
"And Ayo?" I asked
"His mom wants him out of the public eye."
"I thought we weren't landing today. I was getting my parachute ready."
"I promise to be at your burial then."

"We called in some paparazzi. You have an airport modeling shoot."
"Is Siimmer ready for this?"
Martin gave me that eye "Manuel thinks so."
"Manuel?"
"Siimmer, are you ready to be introduced to the public?"
"Ehmm?"
"Words, Siimmer!"
"Yes, I guess so."
At this point, it's none of my business but I couldn't just let her out to the sharks.
"Are you sure?"
"I am"
"If you say so. Goodluck then. I will have my breakfast. We touch down at 8:30"

45minutes later, my jet touched down. I settled back as the kids rushed to Martin who always want to be the one to open the door. I pay people huge amounts of money to have it done but Martin does it with his apprentices – my kids.
Siimmer sat on the other side of the aisle. It was just the two of us.
"Are you ready?" I whispered my words which traveled to her on the quiet train.
"Yep," she said, biting her lips. She was nervous.
"You are gonna be fine." Shut up, Ayo.
"Daddy, let's gooooooooo!!!!!!" Zion screamed from wherever he was.
I stood and she did too. I got to where she stood
"Don't look at the camera. Don't answer any questions. Manuel and the rest will do that."
She nodded in response. I pulled my wrist handkerchief and on impulse, cleaned her sweating forehead. Her eyes opened wide in shock.
"Thank you?"

"She's scared?" Manuel appeared with an excited Ayo on his shoulder, giggling.
"Since you decided to spring the stunt on her, it's only natural."
"Manuel, good morning." She forced a smile.
"You will do good out there, just be natural. Remember to swallow, so you don't choke on your spit." He laughed and Simmer chuckled, the nerves reducing.
"I thought you guys will never arrive. I was shit tired of waiting but I forgive you since I saw my darlings"
"Na you sabi," I replied. "Let's go."
"One minute," he said, removing his phone. He tried taking a picture of us, but Siimmer immediately hid behind me. Murmuring, Manuel followed her with the camera, but she circled me, coming to my front.
Too close, my brain registered.
"Stop now!" She pulled on my jacket, hiding.
"Manuel!" I barked, a frown on my face.
"Okay! Let's go! Good luck." With that, he was gone.
I raised her head; her huge eyes were outlined by the glittering eyeliner and vain of any makeup.
"I'm kinda scared." If I hadn't been listening, I wouldn't have heard.
"I still get scared too, Siimmer. You never get used to it, but I have. Sort of."
"Breathe and stay close, okay?" She nodded.
I have never felt the urge to hug someone as I did right now.
"Ready?" She asked, smiling weakly.
"Ready when you are, my lady," I winked.
Hard guy, I thought to myself. I stepped out after Martin and Manuel holding Ayo. Almost immediately, paparazzi flunked us like fleas.
"Daddy, should I wave?" Zion asked.
"Do what you like."
I felt the shift when Siimmer stepped outflanked by Martin and Manuel. I turned to look. A few of the paparazzi almost fell on each other to have a picture of her.
I see her visibly flinch as Manuel and Martin play bodyguard for her and Ayo who buried his face in her neck.
We were almost in our car when she stopped walking.
"Are you...?"
She stepped back. My bodyguards had wrapped around me leaving her out. I saw her go stiff as the camera flashlight were flashing blindingly. Her first time with actual paparazzi. You never get used to it except you are a Wizkid. I still remember my first time. I know very much not to drag her into any gossip mill. This was her debut, and she wasn't ready for it. Nobody ever is.
Between the struggles and the "Wizkid! Look here", Wizkid and his bodyguards paving the way to get away from the bloodsuckers Simmer was frozen and taking steps back.
Shit! One rule of thumb: you don't fuck up in front of the camera. In no time, I was already at our van's door and Simmer was not beside me. I tried to calm down. She can... she can't handle it!
"She will be fine. Please, get in the car!" I got into the tinted vehicle and the door closed.
"Daddy! Where's Ayo?" I watched as Martin and Manuel ushered her into another car and both vehicles sped off.
I was furious for no reason. No, no, no! I have to get this silly crush out of my system! I didn't even notice that we had arrived at my mansion. The instant the cars rolled to a stop, Ayo and Zion dashed out, running to meet Anya – their nanny and my housekeeper – who along with the maids, stood outside to welcome us.
I stepped out of the car and my eyes zeroed in on Simmer. She looked drained. I glared at the approaching Manuel.
"We need to talk!" He barked.
I looked at looked with surprise. "Why are you sweating?"
Simmer and Martin were already at the open door going inside.
"Cause I'm trying to wrap my head around the shit Burna said."
"That?"
"You act funny when she's involved"
I didn't pretend as though I didn't know the 'she' in question.
I sighed "Burna has a problem."
"Ehn?!" He looked confused
"Yeah, he doesn't know how and when to shut his mouth!" I laughed. I couldn't help it "Calm down, man. It's just a crush."
"That's the problem, Ay! You are Wizkid! You don't do crushes, and after 3 kids you don't..."
"What's your point, Manuel?" I stopped him midsentence.
"She's Alice in Wonderland, Bruh!!! She is not from here!"
"And?"
"Just don't!"
I can't! I couldn't say it out loud.
"Is that why you are sweating?"
"It's nothing."
Yes, it's nothing," his voice was dripping with sarcasm. That's why you almost fooled yourself in front of the camera."
"Because she didn't undergo a flash test as you guys did!" I fired back.
"Whenever u feel like playing the OMG-where-did-the-paparazzi-come-from game," I air quoted. "Give me a fucking heads-up!" I opened the front door.
"Give you or give Simmer?  I usually don't give anyone a heads-up."
I turned to face him. "You should start. That's an order!" I closed the door.

I messed up, right? Simmer was looking out the window to where I stood with Manuel a few seconds ago. Except she had excellent mouth-reading skills, she couldn't have heard us.
"Welcome back, Sir." I nodded in response to the passing housemaid.
"Come with me, Simmer. I am starving." I barely registered her steps as she followed me.
I could hear noises from the dining room, so I opened the study filled with books I don't read. Scratch that. Books I have never read. You will be surprised at how designers waste money on books you will never read in the name of décor.
She stood by the door.
"Come!" And she came pun unintended!
"I..."
"You didn't mess anything up."
"But I..."
"In your defense?"
"It was the first time. I got scared."
"That's the good first time." She was picking threads that didn't exist on her sleeves. My eyes fell on her lips, God!!! Yeah, look at me. I was seeking something else to look at and be less insane.
She raised her gaze to me, and I took a step toward her and counted to 10
"You are allowed to make mistakes. Simmer. I don't employ robots in Starboy Entertainment. Only humans. I want you to make mistakes, I might get mad but... it shows how human my workers are."
Her eyes twinkled before a smile graced her face and I felt like a dozen bricks were lifted off my shoulder.
"Thank you. Manuel wouldn't even look at me. He's furious."
"Fuck him! At this point, Simmer, you are in wonderland. We sprang this job on you. People take courses for 4 years to do what you are doing, and I'm impressed."
I am not apologizing if I sound a little bias. I breathed her scent of strawberry.
"I'm starving, pun intended. So, let's go, and please, do away with your long face."  I don't like it, I stopped myself from adding. She giggled. I was smiling as I opened the door to Manuel.
"Can I have a word, Saima?"
"Do away with your suit, Manuel. You look like an underpaid primary school math teacher."
He gave me the middle finger.

After a quick bath, I was downstairs, and behold my dining room was bustling like a freaking diner with my kids running around. My heart squeezed. This was how I grew up. I wanted to give my kids that. I hate that I can't, and they will grow up to be stuck-up rich kids. Frightening!

"Welcome, Boss. How was the flight or should I say how was hanging up in Lagos?"
"Na you sabi." I gave Terri a one-arm hug.
"I missed you."
"Please, no!" And the table roared with laughter. Simmer seated at the edge of the table was also laughing.
"I didn't invite you guys here. Anyone care to explain?"
"Who has a freaking 14-seat dining table if you aren't asking for uninvited guests?"
"Abeg, help me ask am."
The cook motioned to serve my food and I stopped her.
I picked on my food as I noticed L..A.X looking restless. I knew he had something to say but I didn't probe as usual. I too want to rest. Simple "Are you okay?" and they proceed to unburden themselves on me.
I didn't notice her; I just heard her whisper close to my ears. Strawberry warped my senses, and my food went down the wrong pipe.
"Ya Allah!" She passed me water but weirdly, I was stuck on her unbuttoned shirt.
Olamide always said, "Shey no be woman go kill us so?" whenever we were at wild parties. I didn't agree then but this time, it just might be true.
I stood up looking for the closest and fastest route upstairs before I coughed up my lungs.
Sit down, I motioned to the table as they all made a move to help.
"I'm... Christ!"
I entered the kitchen with heels clicking behind me. I laid my head on the counter to catch my breath.
Tears, no water, dropped from my eyes and I was too weak to clean it.
"Are you alright?" I opened my teary-soaked eyes to her beautiful face.
"Simmer, will you be the death of me?"
"Nope," she chuckled, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. "You are crying..."
A cool hand touched my face and I swear I almost groaned. Not for pleasure this time but for relief. You know that moment your hand works before your brain registers?
I was watching her face when her brain finally registered. Her brow shot almost to her hairline. I held her hand and if her brows had gone any higher, they would be lost from her face.
"Just so we are clear, I wasn't crying."
She swallowed and I took that as a response. My other cheek was still plastered to the granite of my kitchen counter.
I knew her whole morals were against this but by God! She swallowed again tugging on the neck of the shirt
"The problem is..." I tugged her and she was closer. If my cheek wasn't plastered on the counter, I can't be held responsible for what I would have done!
What's the problem? She didn't try to pull away.
"The problem is you are messing with my head." I closed my eyes. I felt her other hand wiping the tears from my eyes.
Jesus!!! My heart squeezed. Is this what it is to have a crush? It must be, because I'm crushed!

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