Chapter 20

Hours After the party

I love her man,I love her so much, so freaking much,I don't want to be without her,ever!! I have never felt so,so...freaking happy!!!,i can't lose her like this,not like this,I just can't. Present Time Seyi's pov "I'm happy he invited you this year baby" "It's not that big of a deal mom" I said trying to be nonchalant. "I know you are happy, you don't have to hide it,you have always wanted your father to bring you out from hiding and that's not wrong baby,you were never wrong to want that,you never showed that you were angry or frustrated or even sad about the situation,you've always bottled everything up.Not anymore.You can let it out now.You have been so strong my sweet sweet boy,so amazingly strong.Now that your father is finally giving you your rights as his son,it's okay to show your happiness baby,it's okay,God knows you deserve it and so much more" I sniffed "I love you Mom,I love you so much" "I love you baby, I'm so sorry my mistake brought you pain" "Mom it's not your fault, you don't have to apologise to me, not ever" "There's something I should tel___ Ese closing her door interrupted what my mom was going to say. "I guess Ese is ready,enjoy your date baby,say hi to her for me and remember I love you" she said and hanged up "I love you too" I mumbled to myself. I looked up and saw my gorgeous girlfriend walking towards me with that smile,that smile that lights me up every damn time. "Hello beautiful" I said "Hi handsome" she said with a chuckle. I didn't give a reply cause I was too busy staring at her. I was bewildered to say the least,who would have thought that I could get such a woman. When she moved to open the car door I finally woke up from my dazed state. I quickly held the door handle and pulled it open "Thanks babe" she said with a smile and went in. I quickly ran to the other end of the car,got in and drove off. "I think we have a habit of going to events late" Ese said while staring at her phone, she seemed a little agitated. "Tell me about it, it's becoming a trend for us" I said. I noticed she looked more agitated. "But I still think we can make it there in time,don't worry" I continued hoping it will ease her agitation. "I hope so,I don't want to make a bad impression" she said still looking worried. "Bad impression?" I questioned feeling confused. "I'm meeting your dad today remember?" She said with a duh tone. "Baby you don't have to worry,my dad will love you" I said with conviction "Right.." she said shyly Immediately her phone beeped. She quickly checked her cell "Eni and Ray just got there and fortunately the event hasn't started yet" "I told you we would make it" I smiled "We haven't gotten there yet,so don't be too sure" she said "Trust me,we'll make it" I said She mumbled "I do" I smiled and went back to paying more attention to the road. ************************* On getting to the venue we were asked our names and then asked to scan our invitations at the gate and then we were buzzed in. As we drove into the underground parking lot,I noticed Ese looked like she could faint out of anixety. Awwn,my poor baby. I quickly parked the car and ran to the other side to reach her before she opened the door herself , I opened the door and she came out. She looked nervous. I held her hand and leaned in,with my lips touching her ear lope.i wishpered "Baby, it's going to be fine, trust me?" She nodded cutely in response. I kissed her forehead and said "Remember I'm here,if at anytime you feel uncomfortable, just tell me and we'll leave" "I'm fine,stop treating me like a child" she said sheepishly "You are my baby remember?,I'll always treat you like this" "Oh shut up"she said as she walked away I let out a laugh "Baby wait up" We entered the elevator taking us to the 11th floor,there we met some professional looking ladies dressed in black and white business jumpsuits. "Welcome, please can we have your names so we can lead you to your seats?" One of them said with a smile We gave her our names. She typed our names on her pad and said "You are at table seven,this way sir" As we walked in,I realized just how much money my dad spent on this event, he definitely outdid himself,the event was sophisticated alright,fit for royals. Just then Ray texted and I stopped walking Sup bro,where are you guys?we are at table seven. We just got here,the same table was reserved for us,we'll be right there I replied Ese gave me a questioning and I said "They are at table seven too" "That's cool" she said and gave me her signature smile. "This way?" The usher said "Yea sure" Ese and I said I'm unison " I hope you got the bracelet from the store" Ray texted "Yea I did,bro chill,it's in the car" I scoffed "Ray is so love sick" I said out loud Ese didn't reply. "Baby___?" I said as I turned to look at her Her eyes were fixed somewhere else. My eyes moved towards the direction she was looking and i spotted my dad. He was with his wife,his hands were wrapped around her, they were smiling so brightly as they interacted with their guest. I could slightly hear their conversation. "You must be very proud of your son,he is going to be a doctor at such a young age" a dark man wearing a green agabada said My father replied proudly "of course I am,he is a genius, just like his father" They all laughed. They looked so happy.... I decided to walk away when Tobi joined them,I don't want another confrontation especially now that there are so many eyes watching. As I walked,all I could see were their faces,their smiling faces, the faces of a happy family,a family I know I'll never belong to. I felt someone poke me. As I turned around.Ese was looking at me with worry. "Are you okay?' she said I gave her a smile"of course" She gave me a smile and took my hand in her's. "Here we are" the usher said as we got to our table "Took you guys long enough" Ray teased Ese and I ignored him and sat down beside each other. Just then the host of the event came up the stage "Welcome ladies and gentlemen to this year's Abayomi foundations gala" The guests replied with claps "It's my pleasure to host this year's event.Thank you Mr and Mrs Abayomi for honouring me" I looked towards my dad and his wife and they were beaming with joy. "The kids are eager to make their presentations,so let's not make them wait. The kids of Abayomi's orphanage district 12 will like to open this year's gala. Please welcome them as they come on stage" Five Beautifully dressed children walked in "Good evening sir,Good evening ma,Good evening all," the kids said in unison The oldest looking child came forward and said "Mr Abayomi has always said that God gives special attention to the prayers of children and since I'm a child I'll like to pray before this event starts" The other kids bowed their heads and then the child began...... The prayer was more of the child thanking God for bringing my dad into their lives and asking for him to always be blessed.

After the prayer there was a resounding amen and then the kids started singing in yoruba while about fifteen other children joined them on stage,they began dancing and beating drums. It was really beautiful,i knew that much even though I wasn't really paying much attention cause I was busy staring at the family that could never be mine. I was angry to say the least,he invited me here and for what?,to watch him smile and be happy with people that I can't call family?, he hasn't even noticed me yet!!! Why did I think that him inviting me here meant he was finally going to tell people he has an older son. "Hey" Ese whispered into my ear I turned to her "yes baby" She took a snack from the table and fed me. I looked at our table and saw it was filled with assorted drinks, snacks and food. I didn't even notice when these got here. My attention went back to Ese. I smirked and said "Look who is being romantic" "I just don't want you to starve,don't get ideas" "You guys are so cute" Eni said "Not as cute as us though" Ray replied "What happened to not flirting?" Eni said Ray was about to say something when we heard "What are you guys doing here!?" We looked behind us to see a glaring Tobi. "I asked a question" he continued "We were___ "Tobi don't make a scene.Your father invited him" Tobi's mother said while standing behind him and holding his shoulder. "He what!?" Tobi shouted Heads turned towards us His mom gave them a warm smile and their eyes went back to the stage. "I told you not to cause a scene!!" she whispered She stylishly pulled him away without other's suspecting while mumbling "your father won't kill me" I need to leave this damn place,I can't do this. I was hearing voices but they weren't clear until.... I felt her hands on mine "Seyi" Ese said I looked down to see that my fingers were in a fist. She freed them by lacing them with her's. "Don't let them get to you,your father invited you and he is the only one that should make you leave" she said "You are an Abayomi,whether or not they like it,it's not going to change" she continued I leaned in and said for the first time ever"I love you" Too scared to wait for her reply I turned my attention to Ray and I saw the worried look on his face,Eni also mirrored the same look "Guys I'm good" Ray was about to say something when my dad voice stopped him"Our prestigious quests,we are so happy that you honoured our invitation, thanks for your generous donations.I want to thank the staff of the foundation you are all doing and amazing job,we could all tell from how beautifully the kids performed today and kids you were amazing.I'm so proud" He looked at his wife,smiled and said "To my beautiful wife,I want to say thank you for loving me and supporting me through all these.I love you my queen.Thank you" She gave a shy smile and mouthed "I love you too" I was finding it hard to breathe,I was fuming with anger. He loved her?,I thought he said he was forced into this marriage, what the hell is all of this?? I consoled myself for all these years thinking the people who left me without a family were not happy. But after seeing all of this....,I don't know what to feel. Too many emotions are going through me at the moment but one is evident anger Why the hell did he invite me here? What was his reason for this?.I just don't get it My father eyes locked with Tobi's. And everything stopped. Ese held me tightly. "My amazing son,Tobiloba Abayomi you have made me so proud,you have been the best son any father could have asked for.Thank you my son" And to everyone___ Before I knew it I was up and everything on my table was scattered on the tiled floor. Shocked expressions were on Ese's, Eni's and Ray's faces. Everybody else mirrored the same expression,including my father. I didn't want to feel more worthless so I started walking away until I heard "Son?"