STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER ONE

"Life is good! Super wealthy family; a successful law career; and a wonderful woman by my side," Antonio Babalola exclaimed happily as he got himself prepared for work. His family owns chains of supermarket stores, Private Secondary schools and University, numerous investments across the globe and an advertising company under the brand name of BABALOLA.

Antonio works at one of the best law firms in Nigeria. The firm is one of great repute that upcoming lawyers only dream of joining after varsity. Antonio Babalola is known as one of the best attorney in Nigeria and of course he knew that.

He is dark, tall, well built, hard working and dangerously handsome. At 34, he had done well for himself; ladies fight over him (not that he cares). Most of them claimed he was their lover but none ever mentions such in his presence. After all, those were when he was still a student and a heartbreaker. This days, he believes in fidelity and is ready to propose marriage to his girlfriend of three years; a brilliant marketer by the name of Sharon Otunba. He planned to do a surprise dinner for two at his house and ask her to marry him. As he picked up his briefcase, his Samsung S8+ phone rang. The picture ID showed his father's face. He smiled broadly. He has a wonderful relationship with his father and respects the old manp well.

"Ekaro (Good Morning) Sir. How are you this lovely morning?"

"You are in a good mood!" His father exclaimed happily.

"I am always in a good mood Dad." He replied.

"I just wanted to inform you that there is a party at the Olanrewanju's house today to celebrate Fumilola's return from China. We are all glad she's back at last. We feared at one point that she was going to end up serving the Lord as Mother Theresa did."

"She loves helping people. I admire her courage and passion".

"I'm glad you respect her work. The party begins at 7. Be there"

"I will Dad". He said politely hiding his disappointment well. His marriage proposal will have to wait. Thank goodness he hadn't called Sharon about the special date. It would be difficult now to cancel.

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Most part of her youth and adult life had been dedicated to helping the less privileged in society and telling them about God's love and plans for their lives. She has founded two orphanages: one at Ibadan called Flourishing Garden and the other at Lagos called Ifeoluwa which means "God's Love". She is involved in several Non- Governmental Organizations and volunteers for a lot of community service and lends a helping hand in disaster stricken areas across Nigeria and some parts of the world. She also owns a big food catering business as she graduated from the University Of West London as an International Chef. Her parents hated her career choice but left her alone.

Funmilola Olanrewaju is one of those who have a heart of gold for people. She took her father's plain looks and her mother's tall height. She recently finished building a home for the mentally disabled children in one of the States in Nigeria. She is a prayer warrior and the one standing in the gap spiritually for her family even though they are all church goers. A lot of suitors had come all over from her parent's business circle but she declined because she believed that marriage would limit her movement and progress.

Yeah!

She failed to convince her proud parents that there was no need for a party for her return from China. She sighed deeply as she got inside her office at Bethany Catering organization. At 27, she has accomplished most of her goals and dreams and is waiting for her big break which is to have more branches of her orphanage across Nigeria to help the needy and a widow's organization too. After she was disappointed in her first relationship, she had called it quits and remained single ever since; five years ago to be precise. Her cellphone began to ring; she smiled as she saw the caller ID.