Tapestry Of Lives: A Multifaceted Journey

Chapter Four

Chapter 4

**Damian Ayomide's POV**

Have you ever heard that spending quality time with your family—maybe during holidays or having a good time with your parents—is the best happiness you can get?

Well, that's a lie! You've been deceived!!!

Was that too loud? Oh, my bad, but I'm not really sorry. What I said wasn't a mistake or a slip of the tongue.

Let me use my own family as an example.

I'm the middle child in a family of five, including mom and dad.

Dad is a corrupt politician—yes, you heard that right. It might be harsh, but sometimes that old man is just...

Anyway, moving on.

Mom is a retired nurse and pharmacist. That's what I heard but growing up as a kid, I only saw her as a full housewife for over two decades before she now starts managing one of dad's companies.

My two brothers, Dayo (the eldest) and Darin (the youngest), are the most important people in my life. Sometimes, I even prefer mom over them.

My older brother, Dayo, is a single dad with a ten-year-old daughter, Sharon.

That's my baby girl. I don't just like her; I LOVE HER!

She's my favorite niece, and I don't joke around when it comes to her.

Many people mistake me for her father because of our close relationship, not because her father and I look alike.

I spend a lot of time with her, but her dad barely does.

Darin, on the other hand, is one in a million. He's single and hasn't entered the dating scene yet.

And as for me, judging everyone’s personality—do you really need to know about me? Mine might be the worst.

First, let me clear my throat.

Ahem. Ahem.

I, Damian Ayomide, a thirty-year-old eligible bachelor, self-employed, punctual businessman, and well-known architect, am currently single.

I haven’t had the chance to explore the dating scene yet, but when I feel like it, I know how and where to find pleasure.

Don’t get it twisted. Blood flows in my veins, not water. A guy's got to do what a guy's got to do.

Back to my elder brother’s story...

Dayo used to be the responsible one and Dad’s favorite. Well, his wife—Sharon’s mom, Adira Omowummi—isn’t dead, contrary to what some might think.

She actually left Dayo for a colleague at work.

Who cares about her now? As if my brother hasn’t moved on?

Oops! He doesn't even remember if she's alive, except for the reminder Sharon's presence gives him.

As for my kiddo, Darin. I call him that sometimes, and he hates it.

The kid from yesterday has grown so big—bigger than me.

Darin is a workaholic who spends his days at business meetings and nights with women—yes, he's a bit of a womanizer.

He calls his night activities his "EVENING MEDICATION."

Wow!

Who will give me a shoulder massage now?

Forget it, he won't settle down. He’s twenty-seven and still playing around.

As for me, I know the way to the elite clubhouse in Banana Island if I want to get laid.

P.S. = Strictly for the rich kids. X RATED.

“Dayo! Dayo!!”

See what I mean? One day my head will explode.

It’s mom again. She’s about to bring down the roof with her mezzo-soprano voice.

“Stay still when I’m talking. Don’t you dare walk out on me when our conversation is still ongoing.” I can sense another fight coming.

Mom approached him with a scowl fierce enough to make a witch confess her sins.

Despite this, Dayo’s expression remained unchanged. He's as unmoved as a stone.

He refused to look back at mom or show any concern for what she was saying. He didn’t even respond.

Mom got in front of him, and wow—he’s taller than her.

Is height a competition?

“What is wrong with you?” And there goes nagging mommy. “How dare you leave Sharon in her room crying?” Did I just hear that my baby Sharon is crying upstairs? “Don’t you have a conscience?”

No, mom. This guy has no heart at all!

“Enough, mom!” Wow, man down, man down. That’s how a man should sound, but not in front of a Nigerian parent. “What do you want me to do? Go back in there to pet or pamper her as always?” Of course! That’s exactly what you should do, idiot. Stop pissing me off, man. “If she’s craving to see her mom, then take her to her.”

What is he saying? Does he even make sense?

Meaning what?

Take my niece to that unworthy woman?

Let me hold my tongue before I say something abusive and get called an arrogant brother.

I’ll just act like I’m oblivious to their conversation. THE PUNCH newspaper has some interesting updates today.

I flipped to the next page, but my eyes peeked over the magazine, and my mind was about to explode.

Before he could move, mom blocked his path again.

“Adira is an idiot.” Ouch! Nice one, mom. “I don’t blame you. It’s her who didn’t know what she wanted for herself. But punishing my granddaughter isn’t the solution to your conflicts and misunderstandings.”

That’s the spirit, momma.

Mom made a valid point. “Sharon is a sweet soul.” I totally agree. “You need to go back and comfort her now!” Mom demanded. To me, that’s an order.

Dayo leaned in and looked into mom’s eyes.

He said...

“If Sharon didn’t exist from my time with that bitch, there wouldn’t be any reminder of that bitch in this house. So let her cry.”

What the...

Was that a direct or indirect hit?

He stormed out of the mansion, leaving mom in shock and me speechless.

Mom ignored me and went upstairs to soothe my adorable niece.

If her parents don’t value her, I do.

I tossed the newspaper aside and got up to follow her.