Night Before the Swing

Search for Christian

CHAPTER 10

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There was a lot of catching up to do at university and exams were looming but Nala needed to unwind. She spent the first weekend back, at Warren's house. His house was small like Nandi's home but it was not humble at all. It had exquisite furniture and a TV screen bigger than the one her mom had at home. There was also a big beautiful sound system that made her favorite music sound like magic. She also enjoyed cooking in the new looking kitchen. Warren didn't cook much, he always had a lot of work to get through. When Warren focused on preparing for the following week's lecture classes, Nala sat on his bed and checked up on her mama. Gwen was home now, recovering. She wasn't going back to work for at least a month and Nala was happy for Tyler. The poor thing must have thought mama abandoned it, Nala thought. Knowing that Mr. Long was close to them made Nala's return to school easy. Gwen was in better hands than she was with Christian. She might not realize it now because she misses her obsession with the devil and his money. Nala was appreciative of this fact but feared her father might cut her off financially. Gwen assured her that Mason was responsible but Nala knew a part of him that even Gwen didn't.

When Gwen returned home, Nala invited her aunt and Iggy to come see her and it was one of the best times they had spent as a family. Tyler surprised everybody and recognised aunt Gloria when she arrived. "Of course he knows me, he spent his first two months on earth in my house" Gloria gushed. Gwen's shocked eyes hastened to Nala's direction then back to Gloria. "Don't worry mama, I already know" Nala stated plainly. "Stop treating her like she's a baby. "This person is grown, look at her" Gloria added. "I don't want Nala to worry about adult matters" Gwen responded shyly. "Relax, I'm okay with Mr. Long. I kinda like him actually". Aunt Gloria made everyone laugh when she added " Meee too".

Gwen then started a conversation about Christian and the divorce explaining that the only reason she had not signed the papers was because she and Christian were married in community of property but Christian swore hell would freeze first before Gwen could get anything from him. Moreover, he wanted Gwen out of their house, saying Long must buy her and their bastard child a house. Nala was shocked to hear Christian would want to leave her mother destitute after he fathered a child outside their marriage first. "He says no money of his will raise a child fathered by another man and he promised to destroy both Long and I". Aunt Gloria told Gwen to get a lawyer too but Gwen reminded her that Christian's money can buy any court of law judge.

Christian is loved by people in high places too. He gets invited to all prestigious events organized by government people and their associates. Gwen won't stand a chance in court. Iggy suggested that Gwen should threaten to expose his infidelity with a school girl but they all knew that wouldn't stick. Men who sit in parliament have been caught with their pants down and they still get voted back into power, and Neaty was of legal age when she fell pregnant and had a child. She had just turned eighteen.

"What about Chad?" Iggy continued. "Was he already married to you when he was born? Well, actually no. He's older than Nala, right."

Gloria and Gwen glared at Iggy and waited for clarity. Realising his mistake, Iggy tried to feign confusion but it was pointless so Nala bravely took over. Without telling them she slept and fell pregnant by Chad, Nala confessed to stealing money for shoes before going to a campus party. She told them about how she once went to see Iggy and Tony and saw her father leaving the college. It would be another year before she discovered what he was doing there. Iggy also took the opportunity to come clean about his own big lie. Iggy didn't work for the car he was driving. It was a "shut up" gift from Christian. Aunt Gloria threw her shoe across at Iggy and it missed his face only because he sacrificed his hand. Iggy promised to take the car back or sell it but Gloria said "Never! That car looks good on my drive way." To that, they laughed and all was forgiven. Iggy drove Nala back to university saying he wanted to give her a ride in her father's money but Nala knew better. Iggy was out looking for Nandi as soon as he parked the bribe on campus.