Red Lace

Chapter 32

ADEYEMI PRINCE IBRAHIM

I smell her scent before I even open my eyes. I open my eyes and she's not here beside me, but there's a fleece blanket over my body, a gray and white fleece even. I look around and it's only then do I remember that I am at Nichume's apartment. It's very dark in the lounge. I sit up and check my phone and I have a number of missed calls from my father and my sisters. Nichume walks in, her steps are very silent as she walks in as if she's not sure what she is walking into.

"You're awake. I was just checking up on you. Thought you'd still be sleeping," she says, standing by the door.

"How long was I sleeping?" I ask, and she looks at her phone.

"The time is 7 pm now," she says, and I raise my eyebrow in disbelief.

"And your sister?" I ask, and she laughs. She's so cute when she laughs. It's dark, but the little light from the passage is enough for me to see how cute she is.

"Ntando couldn't stop talking about how hot and gorgeous you look," she says with laughter. I chuckle. "She said she was sleeping over at a friend's place. She didn't even ask what you were or why you were here." I chuckle, my cheeks heating up. I can't help it. I have never had a woman compliment me on my looks. I'm always told how intimidating I look or whatever, but no one has ever told me that I look good or hot or gorgeous. Nichume switches on the light. "You must be hungry," she suggests, and I nod.

"I am actually. Your sister sounds fun. I'd like to meet her one day." I say and she shoots me a look.

"So you can kidnap her too and make her pregnant?" She asks, and I don't respond. "Didn't mean for that to sound some type of way. I'm sorry," she says and I nod.

"I should leave before my father thinks I'm dead," I say, standing up. She walks over to me and places her hands on my chest.

"Adeyemi, I am sorry. That was meant to be a joke." Chume apologizes and I just nod, looking down at her cute innocent eyes.

"Stop looking at me like that," I command, and she bats her eyelashes at me.

"How?" she asks, voice soft and innocent.

"With that look, you could make anyone give you their wallet," I say and she giggles softly.

"Come, let's go get something to eat," she suggests and leads the way to the kitchen to get us something to eat.

We sit down and eat. I watch her eating and how effortlessly beautiful she is. Nichume might as well be an immortal with how gorgeous she looks right now.

"Do you think you would ever forgive me?" I ask her and she takes a good minute to think it through. I like Nichume. I really wish I hadn't messed up because then maybe she and I would have a shot at something.

"I have forgiven you, Yemi. We are having babies together, but you and I can never be anything more than co-parents to the children I am carrying. You and your family, and your society as a whole, broke me and built a new version of me and it is taking a while, but I am learning who I am and this version of me will never go back to that life. I don't want to be connected to the mansions or anything that has to do with that life. I want a normal life. I want something special with someone outside of this life of ours, I guess. I respect you and I care for you as my children's father, but that is all there is. You are a chapter in my life that I want to close permanently." She says and I can't help but respect her honesty.

"Thank you for being honest with me."

ONE WEEK LATER

CATHRINE PHIRI

Khaya helping Olayemi was never part of the plan. Khaya has just ruined everything for me. I have had no choice but to go into hiding because with them working together, then chances are they are going to be unstoppable, making things harder for me to achieve my goal with the mansions. I have had to fly to Durban for my own safety. At least there Olayemi won't look for me nor will Khaya. Okoye has gone MIA and I don't know what he must have told his master. Everything is just falling apart. Olamide won't take my calls, it's all a mess. I need to find a way to gain access to the mansions so that way I can put my plan back into motion. Tomorrow Olayemi will be laying his wife to rest. I need to find a way to attend that funeral without being seen, but with Olamide not taking my calls, I have nothing. Adiche is loyal to his master, so he would never betray Olayemi. I need a way to get to them. At the moment Nichume is untouchable, Olayemi has assigned her a mistress as a bodyguard. They go to school together and the bxtch is quite powerful, making it impossible to get to Nichume. I grab my coat and make my way to the Hilton hotel, where I'm supposed to meet a master.