STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER THIRTY - ONE

Sharon had "hijacked" Antonio after his mini- meeting with his client. She invited herself to the party because it was an opportunity to meet up with her ex-fiance since he had refused to meet up with her ever since they broke up. When she spotted the couple, she could see they were getting along but she refused to accept that Antonio loved his wife. She was not going to accept defeat and would do anything to get him back. She was devastated after he declared his so called "love" for Funmi few months ago but it only fueled her determination. So she came prepared and dressed up in a stunning white and orange African attire. If nothing else, her beauty should do the trick.

"My one and only," She said seductively. Antonio moved away from her a little.

"Can't we just be civil to each other? We were to get married you know," She said with hurt in her voice.

"How are you doing Sharon?" She laughed and walked closer to him.

"I miss you Toni, please don't do this to me. We planned our lives together remember? My world revolves around you. Have you forgotten all about our plans to have four children and that our first son would bear your name?"

"Sharon, my heart still aches till today for how I treated you, for what I did to you. I pray that you will never meet a guy like me in your life again who did nothing but broke your heart and tore your well laid plans apart. I am the worst lover for not fully standing up to my parents' pressure and marry you instead of Funmi."

Sharon took his hands and softly said, "I know you feel bad for me and know your parents put you in a terrible spot but I can't live without you. I am supposed to be Mrs. Antonio Babalola by now but someone else took my place. I'm supposed to be carrying our first child now but someone else is keeping your bed warm at night. She is an impostor!"

"Sharon that is enough. I... I love my wife. I've grown to love and accept her. Please let me go. Obviously, I'm not man enough for you. You are beautiful and intelligent and you deserve better." He released his hands and paced around a bit.

He sighed and continued, "I thought you were getting over me. I deeply regret all that happened because you deserve so much better so please move on with your life. Forget about me."

He turned around to leave but Sharon's words stopped him in his tracks.

"Ikechukwu loves Funmi dearly, why can't you let her go and come back to me? She grew up with him ad practically knew him all her life and I know she will b happy if you release her to be with him."

Antonio turned and asked, "How did you know about Ikechukwu?"

Sharon smiled, "Your life is my business and concern. You were supposed to divorce her already. Now is your chance my love to do so because you could file it under the ground of infidelity and she is in love with someone else."

Antonio laughed briefly and walked towards Sharon. The latter didn't like the look on his face; a look she could not decipher.

"Point of correction Sharon; Ikechukwu loves Funmi but I know for a fact that I have Funmi's whole heart. She loves me more than I deserve so goodbye Sharon."

Meanwhile, Funmi stood rooted to the same spot and watched the exchange with mixed feelings. She was about to leave before getting caught when suddenly Sharon grabbed Antonio and planted a kiss on his lips.

Funmi waited in shock to see her husband's reaction. Would he give in to Sharon and kiss her back?

Antonio wiped his mouth with the back of his right hand. This shocked both women but threw Sharon particularly over the edge.

"You are a traitor Antonio! Is my kiss repulsive to you now? Have you forgotten our nights of passion and stolen kisses when we first started dating? Are they all meaningless to you now? What has become of you Antonio! What have you done to us?" She shouted angrily.

Antonio replied her calmly, "I promised Funmi to love and cherish her till death do us part and I will keep that promise."

Hot tears ran down Sharon's face, "Tell me Antonio and nothing but the truth. Do you still love me at all?"

Funmi feared what she might hear next so she quietly left. Sharon's question came out right, "does Antonio's heart still beat for Sharon?"

"I should have waited! I'm such a coward!" Funmi reprimanded herself. Nevertheless, she didn't go back but instead descended the stairs but only to find Brother Jonathan staring at her.

"Didn't anyone tell you it was rude to stare at others?" She said more sharply than she intended.

"I'm sorry." She apologised.

"Are you really happy with that guy?" He asked.

Funmi ignored his question.

"There is a little something that could interest you," Funmi remained silent for fear of saying something really rude to wipe off the smirk on his face.

He handed her a white A4 sized envelope.

"What is this?"

"I pity you Funmi. Love is beautiful but it can be destructive too." Funmi sighed and left Jonathan alone with his message of doom. She walked back up the stairs to call Antonio so they could leave. She had witnessed enough drama for the night.

***

Funmi opened the door on impulse, without checking the position of things or whether or not the two were still there. Her eyes bulged in shock to see them in a tight embrace. They immediately broke apart when they saw her. Funmi didn't know what to think, say or do. The three of them stared at each other in silence. Just then one of Emeka's errand boys entered with an envelope and handed it to Antonio.

"One of the guests said to give you this Sir."

"Thanks." He said.

There was a message written on it, "urgent." He tore it open and took out a photograph. It was a picture taken on his wedding day. He was holding Funmi in a side hug.

At the back of the photograph was written, "Your wife is very beautiful. I will be here soon." It was signed, "Danger."

He immediately turned to Sharon, "You did this didn't you? Are you threatening my wife and I?" Funmi snatched the picture out of his hand and read the message herself.

"Why would I do that?"

Antonio turned to his wife, "What you saw is not what you think. She was upset...," She cut him short,

"...and you were trying to console her," She replied with a forced smile.

"I just came to tell you I want to go back home as I don't feel too good all of a sudden."

"Alright, let's go. I'm sorry for any misunderstanding this might have caused." He apologised.

"Goodnight Sharon," Funmi said and waved at her. She linked one arm with her husband and they left, leaving Sharon even more hurt and in shock. She sat down on a sofa in the room and wept bitterly.