STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER TWELVE

They drove home in comfortable silence as each had nothing to say to the other. The show was over and reality of what they did began to set in. They soon arrived in Friends Colony Estate; one of the best and most expensive residential areas in Lagos. The gate opened automatically as the car arrived at the property. Funmi looked at the beauty before her and smiled. At least she would have a decent place to stay. As soon as the gate closed and they came out of the car, Antonio put on his real self.

He got to the door and a middle aged woman was waiting outside in a grey Housekeeping uniform. He introduced her as Ms. Tale, his Housekeeper.

"Congratulations Sir and Madam," She said happily.

"Thank you." Funmi replied.

"Ms. Tale will be staying tonight but will be leaving in the morning. Good night Ms. Tale." He said and she left quickly to the Servants Quarters outside to give the newlyweds their much need space.

"Follow me."

Funmi obeyed her husband as he climbed up the stairs. The house was a four bedroom with two large sitting rooms, visitors' toilet and kitchen. She was impressed at how beautiful the décor was given the sulky owner. He led her to a fully furnished bedroom and said,

"I'm busy so the honeymoon has been postponed until eternity," he didn't even look at her. "This will be your room for the entire time we will be together as a married couple, so once the divorce is finalized, we would go our separate ways."

"I understand." was all Funmi said in reply.

"I am sure you don't mind spending the night alone." Antonio didn't wait another moment and went to his bedroom. He freshened up and switched his cell phone back on.

Funmi also freshened up at the attached bathroom in her room. By what she saw so far, the house has two large sitting rooms and she thought to herself that the place would do well for her charity balls and other events for her business. She looked around her room; it was a large room with fitted wardrobes, bathroom and with a nice view of the area. She yawned and walked towards the bed happily.

She got on her knees and said a very short prayer of thanksgiving and got under the silky cream coloured covers. It was her first day as a married woman and she spent it all by herself.

Meanwhile, Sharon had watched the late night news, grief stricken as video clips of the wedding was shown several times and by tomorrow it would be even worse. The two looked the part of a perfectly happy couple.

"She's pretty and looked so happy but Antonio, you better not fall in love with her," She sighed and got up from her bed where she lay relaxing.

"What am I saying? Our love is so strong and it will withstand this storm no matter what happens." She said with confidence. Just then her phone began to ring. She knew the ringtone well. She almost jumped for joy at the sound of his voice on the other end.

"Antonio, where are you? You are still in Nigeria?"

She couldn't hate him because he too was a victim of the parents' scam.

"My love, I'm in my bedroom about to go to sleep but couldn't do so without hearing your voice first." He said the last part with intense emotion.

"No honeymoon?" She asked.

"A waste of time and money. She is in her room now." He replied with slight irritation in his voice.

"Not in your room?" She asked in shock.

"She's my wife on paper, you know that! Anyway, I'm taking you out to dinner tomorrow at my cottage."

"Really? But won't she mind?" Slight guilt crept in.

"Don't worry Sharon, she loves this arrangement. I will tell you the rest of my plans tomorrow. I love you more than ever before and miss you."

"Me too Antonio. I will see you tomorrow." They said their last goodbyes and hung up. Sharon smiled with pure happiness. Her heart was finally released from the tension of watching the wedding clips. Nothing in this world could ever separate her from Antonio and definitely not even the fate the parents created.