STOLEN PARADISE

TWENTY - ONE

After Sharon left, Funmi prayed and wondered if she was doing the right thing fighting Antonio. A sign escaped her lips as she grabbed her bag and ready to leave the house. The doorbell rang. She rolled her eyes in frustration as she looked at the wall clock. She was supposed to have left the house almost a hour ago! Sharon came and now who i the world wants to delay her again? She opened the door without asking who it was,

"Hi!!!" Four men chorused in excitement. They were the groomsmen and of course Antonio's best friend Hassan was with them too. Funmi's anger dissipated into a surprise, she smiled warmly at them and invited them in.

They got inside and made themselves comfortable on the couch.

"My lovely lady, these are John, Bode and Emeka." Hassan made the introductions.

"I remember them, it is nice to see you again," She replied and shook hands with them.

"Allow me to get you something to eat." She left for the kitchen and soon enough the men began to talk.

"She is so beautiful and Toni calls her plain." John said in observation.

"Did you see her in that black dress?" Emeka tried to bring their attention to the magazine photo shoot and interview.

"You know what irks me the most about all this? She is acting so lovingly and humbly towards that horrible Antonio. I reprimanded him of course! A good wife is hard to find these days." Hassan revealed with feeling.

"Love isn't everything my guy. Ifeoma divorced me after three years of a happy marriage. She loves me but we are no longer compatible. What nonsense!" Emeka added bitterly.

"I will die happy if I could find a God fearing ad strong wife like Funmi." He added with a smile. Before his friends could comment, Funmi arrived with a tray of refreshment and set it before them.

"Wow!" They all exclaimed as their mouth began to water at the fresh and warm Banana Loaf before them with pineapple and Mango juice respectively.

It was supposed to be their night out with Antonio but since he is delaying, there was nothing wrong with entertaining their tummies before he arrives.

About thirty minutes later, Antonio arrived but he was not alone. Sharon was in his arms smiling triumphantly like a lottery winner.

"Welcome back honey. Come and have some Banana Loaf. Would our guest care to sit down and have some too?" The guys' mouths hung open as they try to process the scene before them. They knew everything that was going on in Antonio's marriage and were very much aware that the two women know each other.

Funmi slowly walked to the kitchen to avoid any confrontation before her guests.

"Where were you buddy? We long waited for you fool." Emeka said with a silly smile on his face. Inwardly he wanted to laugh out loud at his friend's misfortune but thanked his lucky stars for allowing him to see the very short drama that was just acted before them. Sharon sat down while Antonio walked away to see Funmi in the kitchen.

Funmi swallowed some pills just before Antonio arrived to calm down. She felt so humiliated in front of the guys. Why in the world would Antonio bring his mistress home? What was he trying to prove? She turned around from the sink and plastered a weak smile on her face.

"Do you need more drinks?" She politely asked.

"I thought today was your church's vigil night." He coldly stated glaring hard at her.

"Yes it is. I was about to leave when your friends came." She replied coolly.

Antonio was not convinced. "What did I tell you about getting too cozy with my friends?"

"I was just being hospitable."

"I thought part of being a Christian wife included submission to your husband dimwit! You are crossing your boundaries."

Funmi looked at him and shook her head as if to clear it off of any bad thoughts against the little devil before her.

"You look kind of handsome when you are upset Antonio. I should give you some Banana loaf to cheer you up."

"Know your place Funmi! You cannot replace her. How many times must I tell you Sharon is the only one for me?"

"I'm your wife Antonio,"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that position is no longer vacant, dear husband." Antonio immediately became infuriated. He grabbed her and pushed her hard to the floor.

Funmi screamed in shock.

"You want to remind me of my pain?" He bellowed like a maniac.

His friends and Sharon soon rushed in, and found Funmi sobbing on the floor. Antonio paid no attention to his friends. Antonio grabbed Sharon by the hand and they left the house together.

Hassan helped Funmi up and got a glass and filled it with water from the tap. He handed it to Funmi who took it with shaky hands.

"What happened?" Bode asked I surprise.

Funmi smiled at them as a tear rolled down her face.

"It was my pleasure meeting you." She placed the glass cup in the sink and took her leave. The men got the message loud and clear. They knew their way out.

******************

Later that night, Hassan talked some sense into his friend's head. Their night out had failed so the other guys went back home and after Antonio dropped Sharon at her house, he met with Hassan.

"Loving someone does not always mean they are meant for you Toni. Do you remember the dream you had about your wedding, long before Funmi came into the picture?" Tears welled up in Antonio's eyes.

"Sharon wasn't the bride. It was someone I didn't know."

"Exactly! That same day, Funmi came to your office and became your client. Love is very vital in our lives but as things stands, you should make your choice. You are an adult and a lawyer for goodness' sake! Act like one! You could get prosecuted for domestic violence you fool! You should know better."

"I regret hitting her every time. I feel better each time I do that because it makes me feel less guilty towards Sharon." Antonio replied weakly.

"Toni, I'm your best friend and I like Sharon a lot too but you are married now. Try and make it work out and if it doesn't, you will be at peace knowing you tried your best. At this point, you are sitting on the fence and making life difficult for them. Decide now and have your peace."