Besotted (18+) ✔️ [A Nigerian Romance]

Seven

The phone rang again, John's gaze traveling to the device and then to Ada who was seated beside him. Ada ignored him and the phone, content to remain undisturbed. Besides, she knew John was suspicious about every call that came in. He wanted her to avoid Chike and was also trying to prevent her from telling people what happened.

She'd assured him a few times that no one would find out about what happened. She'd forgiven and forgotten. He'd been watchful the entire week, refusing to let her leave home. Most of the injuries had cleared leaving only a few scars that could be covered with make up. The worse one that still hurt was on her waist. She was unsure how she got it, but it still ached. The large purple bruise would definitely leave a scar on her fair skin.

"It's the third time your phone has rang in the past minute. Is it him?"

Ada peeped at the phone in time before the call ended. "It's not him."

John eyed her skeptically. "I think you should call him and let him know not to call you anymore."

"I said it's not him. Why don't you ever trust me?" John had gotten worse after the recent incident. He'd gone from possessive to paranoid, going as far as to read through her messages.

"It's not that I don't trust you. It's him I don't trust."

"If you trust me, it wouldn't matter if I talk to him. You'd know nothing can come of it." Ada sighed, already weary of the conversation. They'd had the same one over and over again. The phone rang again, and this time, John grabbed it. He stared at the screen for a few seconds before handing it over.

"It's your mom," he said. She hesitated to answer the call already knowing the reason her mother was calling. It was because of Chike.

"Good evening Nne," she greeted. "How are you doing?"

"Ada! You're a very terrible daughter!" Her mother exploded. "I've been trying to call you for days. Were you planning on killing your poor, old mother with worry?"

"You're not poor, neither are you old, mom. Ke kwanu?" she asked in her dialect; Igbo.

"I'm fine, Ada. Why have you been hard to reach?"

"It's work. I've not had the chance to talk."

"Put it on loudspeaker," John whispered, a frown etched on his face. She ignored him.

"How are you doing, my daughter?"

"I'm good. How's Dad?"

"He's fine o. And that man of yours?" Her mother was sarcastic, she'd never approved of John, even though she'd never met him. She'd only said that he felt wrong for Ada. She'd never pushed for a break up, but Mrs. Nwafor never failed to express her dislike for John at every opportunity. Ada wondered what her mother would say and do if she found out that John had touched her in a way that was not romantic. It wouldn't be a pleasant scenario. Mrs. Nwafor fought injustice and took no bullshit.

"He's fine. Did you call to prod at me or is there any particular reason?"

"I knew you were going to be a brat from the moment I pushed you out. So, Chike came back into the country and you couldn't let me know? He had to call and tell me!"

"Mother, I didn't say anything because I knew he would call. What's the big deal?"

"The big deal!" Mrs. Nwafor snapped. "The big deal is I should hear about this from my own daughter. He's been back weeks now and I had no idea. I was planning to have a welcome dinner the moment he entered Nigeria. You've spoilt my plans."

"Mom, you can still have the dinner." Ada rubbed her forehead. She could feel a headache coming on. It didn't help that John was currently glaring at her, indicating a fight the moment she ended the call.

"I won't have time to invite people. I planned to set him up with Mrs. Ochei's daughter. They'd be a perfect match. Now I heard that Susan would be out of town till next month."

"It's just dinner. I'm sure he would enjoy a private and quiet dinner. " She made sure to avoid mentioning Chike's name because that would add more spark to the fire already brewing in the house.

"I need you home by Friday. The dinner is on Saturday so you need to come and assist me."

"Tomorrow is Friday mom. It's short notice. I'll just come on Saturday." John's brows furrowed at the mention of her leaving.

"Tomorrow. You can take an evening flight, Ada." Her mother was adamant.

"Saturday. Take it or leave it."

"Fine," Mrs Nwafor snapped. "Be here on time and please don't bring that man with you."

"Goodbye mom." Ada sighed as she dropped her phone. John didn't even waste a second before pouncing.

"You're not going," he stated, with a tone that brooked no room for argument.

"It's my mother. Of course I'm going."

"You didn't even discuss with me. You just accepted it. Why does she even want you home?"

"She's my mother. Does she need a reason to want me back?"

John only glared at her in response.

"She's throwing a party for my dad. I can't miss it." She stood up, intent on walking away. Her head was pounding already. She needed a nap and maybe some pills.

"I can't come with you, I'm too busy." As if that would dissuade her from going. If only John knew the invitation had not been extended to him.

***

"Ma? I can't come Friday. Saturday morning is the earliest I can make it," Chike said to Mrs. Nwafor. Her voice was almost same as Ada's and it made his heart ache. He bit his lip, physically restraining himself from asking the woman about her daughter. After he'd found out about Ada's lies, he'd stopped calling her.

"Fine. You can come with Ada Saturday morning. Would you be bringing guests? Azu and Kachi?"

"It's short notice ma. I'll ask but I'm doubtful they'll have the time."

"It's fine, son. Just get yourself home." She called him son and she said home, warming his heart a little bit. Mrs. Nwafor had treated him like one for as long as he could remember. He'd lost his mother when he was still a baby and then his father five years before he left the country. The Nwafors were the only family he had now and being reminded that he had a home with them soothed his aching heart a bit.

"Okay ma. See you on Saturday."

"Welcome back to Naija. See you soon." She hung up.

On the bright side, he would see Ada this weekend and would ask the questions that had been bothering him. Would he like the answers? He wasn't sure, but the truth was better than the limbo he was currently in.

"Chike," Kachi called. "You were down here? I've been searching for you around the house." He took a seat beside Chike on the bench. They were in the backyard garden of Kachi's compound. "I don't understand why you seem heartbroken, especially when you were not in a relationship with her."

"I'm not heartbroken," Chike protested. Was he? Maybe. He wasn't sure. "I'm just saddled with a lot of questions. I don't know how to feel right now."

"Keep your head up man. I don't understand this love bullshit, so I can't help you out here. Just cheer up." Kachi patted his friend on the back.

Chike nodded. "I'm going down to Anambra to see Ada's parents. They're hosting a welcome back dinner for me. Mrs. Nwafor asked me to invite you."

"I have a thing this weekend so I'm not sure. But if I can make it I'll let you know."

"What of Azu?" he asked.

"Out of town till next week."

"I guess it would be just me then." Chike smiled grimly.

"At least you won't have much interruptions when you're talking to your woman."

"She's not my woman," he muttered. At least not yet.

***

Remember this part of the book is set two years before SUBDUED.

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