The issue was getting tougher for him.
Desmond and Bayo had already said they wouldn’t come for such a wedding. He didn’t know what else to tell them apart from the fact that it was already too late for him to pull out now. Kike’s father would ruthlessly deal with him, he had informed his own family already, and it was simply too late to start pulling out of the mess he had gotten himself into.
He picked up his laptop and began typing a mail to explain how far everything had gone and how difficult it was for him to pull out of the wedding. Maybe his friends would change their minds because it would be weird going to his in-laws’ place without any friend present.
He hoped they would respond positively and just help him cover his shame for that day. Maybe afterwards, he would mail Feire too and explain everything because he wasn’t sure he would be able to stand before her physically and explain himself.
13 Days to Marriage
Feire dropped her make-up kit and turned towards Mosun.
“Is it okay like this?” she asked.
Mosun nodded.
They had just returned from church about two hours earlier and Feire was now preparing to go out with Fola and his fiancée as they had informed her since Saturday evening.
They seemed heaven-sent, arriving at the exact time she needed people around her so she wouldn’t completely break down emotionally or slip into depression.
She didn’t hesitate before agreeing to follow them out. At least she would catch some fun and still keep reassuring herself that not all men were the same.
“What will you buy for me when coming back?” Mosun asked.
Feire stared at her.
“When exactly are you going back to your house sef? I am not depressed. At least you can see that.”
“It is because I am around you. Be forming strong woman there as if you won’t miss me.”
Feire chuckled.
“Keep raising your hopes, baby girl.”
“But I still wonder why these two are getting so close to you, Feire. Don’t you think there is something attached?”
Feire shrugged.
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. At the same time, I don’t feel it is entirely normal.”
She sniggered.
“I don’t want to attach anything to our relationship. I am off.” She waved as she walked towards the door.
“Take care, dear.”
Feire stepped into the eatery and spotted Fola and Stella at a corner, talking and laughing together.
If Desmond’s issue wasn’t disturbing her mind, that was exactly the kind of place she should naturally be mentally, she thought before walking towards them.
“Good afternoon, Feire.” Stella hurried to her feet and hugged her immediately.
Feire smiled.
“Good afternoon.”
“Did you go to church today?” Stella asked.
Feire nodded.
“Yes. Good afternoon, Fola.”
“That sounds better than your fake respect of all these days, Feire.”
“Sit down,” Stella told her as she sat down too.
“Thanks, Stella.” She sat down and turned to Fola. “Fake respect? Me?”
“I was just joking. I guess my fiancée’s presence has made it easier for you to relate with me now, right?”
She shrugged.
“Maybe. At least it has proven that you have no ulterior motive.”
They all laughed.
“So what would you like to eat?” Stella asked her.
“I don’t know. Whatever you guys are okay with, I’ll go with it too.”
Stella grinned.
“No problem, dear. There is gist for you, Feire.”
“Really?” Feire turned fully towards her. “What gist?”
“It is between us. We will talk when we are alone.” She winked.
Fola hissed.
“You ladies have started with all these lame talks already?”
“Is it paining you because there is no male friend here you can form guy with? Abeg, shift.”
Feire laughed.
“Pidgin still seems to flow naturally from your mouth, Stella.”
“I have always loved speaking it. I have never been good at it though, but I just push everything together and make it sound nice.” She winked again and they laughed.
“Let me order something.” Fola stood up and left the two of them.
“Better. Ladies want to talk.”
Fola chuckled.
“You should explain whether it is Feire you want to talk to or me, Stella.”
Stella stuck out her tongue and laughed at him as he walked away to place their order.
“So what is the gist about?” Feire asked, eager to know what Stella wanted to tell her.
“It is very long, so I can’t discuss it here. Can I come and sleep at your place?”
Feire was shocked.
She wasn’t expecting that at all.
Stella was so friendly and free around her. She barely knew Feire well and was already ready to come over and sleep at her place just to gist and play around.
She honestly didn’t know what to say. Whether to turn her down or agree. Especially now that Mosun was also around.
“What did you say, Feire?” Stella grinned excitedly as if Feire had already agreed.
“Erh… no problem. Anytime.”
“Sure. It is tonight.”
“But I am going to work tomorrow, Stella.”
Stella chuckled.
“Forget that. Is your show tomorrow?”
Feire shook her head.
“No.”
“So you are free.”
Feire didn’t even know what to feel anymore.
She didn’t know what Fola would say when he returned or where exactly this sudden friendship was heading. She liked it so much already, but she still wondered if it wouldn’t affect the boss-and-employee relationship between herself and Fola.
“What if Fola says—”
Stella held her hand immediately.
“He won’t try that, dear. He told me I must become friends with you, so he will pay the price to make it happen.”
“Huh?”
She nodded.
“Yes dear. Tonight we are going to have some serious talks and you are going to enjoy this outspoken talkative.”
They laughed.
Feire didn’t know what to call everything happening around her anymore.
It felt as though she was a specimen every good and bad thing in life was being tested on.
Why would her boss’s fiancée like her so much to the extent of wanting friendship and even wanting to sleep over at her place?
She was shocked when Fola agreed that Stella should sleep over and even granted her absence from work. He must have really loved her deeply to easily agree to everything she requested.
Feire didn’t even know how she would survive handling this extreme extrovert alongside Mosun.
At least Mosun would leave for work the next morning, but she would still remain with Stella discussing God-knows-what.
She still didn’t know the gist Stella had been eager to share with her.
She drove home while Fola’s car followed closely behind hers.
He only came to drop Stella off before heading back to his own place.
Feire honked twice at the gate and suddenly realized that Desmond hadn’t crossed her mind in almost three hours.
She was right after all.
Getting closer to these two was helping her emotionally.
She drove into the compound while Fola parked outside and came down with Stella so they could enter together.
“Welcome to my small abode.” Feire smiled as she stepped out of the car.
“This place is so beautiful, Feire.” Stella looked around, genuinely impressed.
“Thanks. Please meet my friend.”
She introduced Mosun who had come out to open the gate for them.
They all entered the living room together.
Feire signaled to Mosun immediately so she could explain everything properly to her.
The two stepped aside while Fola and Stella sat in the living room laughing and talking.
Soon, Feire returned to meet them.
“I should be leaving now, Feire. At least I finally know where you stay.”
“I wasn’t hiding the place before.”
He laughed.
“This place is really nice.”
“Thank you.”
“You will come to our place very soon too.” Stella added happily.
Feire didn’t know what to say to that, so she just smiled.
The three of them escorted Fola outside and watched him drive away before returning into the compound.
“Can we just sit outside here for fresh air before going in?” Stella asked.
Feire nodded.
“Sure.”
Stella brought out her phone, pressed a few buttons and handed it over to Feire.
“Take.”
Feire collected it, looked at the screen—
and froze.