Subdued (18+)✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

57~Finding Solutions

"Good afternoon sir," Azu's receptionist greeted on seeing Kachi. He smiled at the woman then nodded towards his friend's door. "He's in. You can go inside sir."

"Thank you."

Azu seemed focused on something on his laptop screen because he didn't even hear Kachi come in, neither did he even notice when the man sat down. Kachi rapped his fingers on the table causing Azu to startle and jerk a little.

"What the fuck is wrong with you man? You almost gave me a heart attack!" The light skinned man glared at him, his face a little red. "Is knocking no longer a thing now?"

Kachi eyed the man, wondering why he was so jumpy and out of it. "Why are you acting like I caught you doing something wrong? Also, it's not my fault your mind is elsewhere. I did knock and you didn't answer so I came in."

"I'm getting too old for this young man," Azu groaned, closing his laptop. "What do you want?"

"You're just twenty nine and only two months older than I am. Who are you calling young man?"

Azu only corked his eyebrows in response. Kachi sighed and leaned back in his chair. "You're not usually this cranky, boy. What's up with you? Woman troubles?"

On hearing that, Azu let out a loud laugh, his shoulders shaking as he did so. "It's people like you and Chike who are in love that have woman troubles. I rarely sleep with the same woman twice so where would the trouble come from? I'm just stressed."

"I'm not in—"

"Don't even try to deny it, Kachi. You're obviously in love with that your dancer."

Kachi sighed and then shook his head, the man was saying the truth and he couldn't deny it. Besides, that was not why he was here. "I need you to draw up a contract for me."

"What for?" The man picked up a jotter and pen and looked up at his friend.

"I want Rose and her family to leave me alone. I've done so much for them while receiving little and I'm done. I need a contract that will legally stop them from seeking me out."

"I want details about this later, but let's focus on business first. There's no way they will just sign the documents. That family loves money and you're like their personal ATM. How will you convince them?" Azu clicked his pen continuously and Kachi was tempted to snatch the object from his hand, but he stopped, knowing it was his way to stay focused.

"I'll pay them off," he said and then sighed. "I'm prepared for that much, just write something out. Also put in the stipulation that if Rose contacts me or shows up anywhere near me, I'll sue and they will return my money."

"That should work." Azu scribbled in his notepad then looked up again. "So how much do you plan on giving them?"

"As much as possible."

Azu stared at his friend for a few seconds before whistling. "Guy you're in so deep! You'd spend that much because you are in love with your dancer?"

"Yes and her name is Aria, not dancer," Kachi said, eyeing his friend.

Azu let out a laugh then began writing. "Do you need me with you in case you need to revise this with them? I know they will try to play hardball."

"If you're free, and it's tonight."

"Ah. I can't do tonight. How about I ask Chike to accompany you? He can chat with me and let me know if they're any issues while you stay focused on your ex."

"I don't need Chike to come with me. I can manage just fine."

"There will be a lot of family members. It's better you go with some backup, in case anything happens."

Kachi knew his friend wouldn't back off. It was his way of being supportive because he knew how long he'd had to deal with Rose and her family so he just sighed and accepted.

"Let's meet for drinks this weekend, you can give me the full gist about Rose then."

"There's nothing to talk about," he protested.

***

He'd known that Chike wouldn't say no to coming with him and he was okay with that, but what he didn't understand was why Ada was coming with them. He glared at her in the front passenger seat as she chatted with Usman.

"Don't look at her like that," Chike said, elbowing Kachi in his side. "She's just being a good friend, something you don't know how to do. I can't believe you didn't ask me to come with you. Imagine Azu didn't call me."

"I'm a grown ass man and I can handle Rose and her family members," he groaned, shifting before he got another elbow in his ribs.

"You're still our boy so we need to look out for you."

"What is it with you two today? Why do you keep reminding me that you guys are older than I am? You know that the age difference doesn't mean shit to me."

"I have one year life experience more than you so listen to me."

"It's eleven fucking months, Chike. Still, even if you were older with ten years I still don't care."

Chike sighed and patted his leg. "We know, but we'll still look out for you."

Kachi decided to ignore him, seeing as they were already in front of Rose's compound and Usman was already honking. If he continued talking, the man wouldn't let the case die down and he didn't need that, not now.

The gates were opened and Usman drove in, parking in between two other cars. Kachi looked around, noting that there were other cars in the compound. Where they having some sort of party? The outside lights came on and then Rose and her younger sister came out to greet them. Ada was the first one out of the car and Rose immediately hugged her while her sister took pictures. Kachi could see how uncomfortable Ada was but she was too nice to say anything so she patted the woman's back and pulled away.

Rose on the other hand was faking her smile and leaning into Ada as her sister kept taking pictures. Chike was the next one out and Kachi followed. Rose ran and threw herself against Kachi, her hands draped around his neck and she placed a kiss immediately on his lips. He saw the lights from the camera go off as she did and Kachi grimaced.

He gently, but firmly, removed her hands from around his neck then took a few steps back. "Respect yourself, Rose," he said in a low voice so she would be the only one to hear. He was done with her but he didn't want to embarrass her in front of his friends. She smiled and turned, making her way into the house.

Chike squeezed his shoulder in consolation then followed the woman inside. Kachi knew the evening would only get worse.

***

I have a bit of time today so I'll work on the next chapter soon. Hopefully, there would be an update by tonight.

What are your thoughts about this chapter?

I loved the banter between Kachi and his friends lol.

Please vote and comment ❤️