CHAPTER THIRTY THREE: BUNNY BOY

Audrey and Aubrey were sceptical of Allison being friendly initially because she never showed any interest in getting close to them since she heard of their existence as her half aisters. They were the twins Green got out of extramarital affair and treated them as if they were not his children. Although his wife did not know of the twins existence before she died but his legitimate children knew about them. Adams was an event planner who, had the opportunity of meeting a lot of people. He was invited to the twins' social club for an event which led them to meet one another. The girls knew their father was married before he had affair with their mother but, they had no opportunity to meet their elder siblings. Once they heard the name Green, their interest was piqued and after the party, they approached Adams and got friendly with him. They joked on having the same surname which Adams never really took serious because anyone could bear Green.

As they kept contact with him, they got closer and they spoke about their father who had an affair with their mother that resulted to them. But their father kept them as secret and never wanted anyone to know of his existence due to his influence in the society. How he would only send them money and never showed up as a father to them.

There was only one Green that was influential in their country and that was Ian Green his father. He then asked them of their father's name and behold his suspicion was right. He identified himself as their elder brother and since then, he had kept close relationship with them. All the while, he never told anyone but packed out of the house claiming not to have anything doing with their father. Allison was not in support of his moving out but he kept on telling her that their father was not who he claimed to be but a two-time bastard. He had to disclose the information to Allison when he discovered that he was using her for his political stability. At first, Allison could not believe her brother because their father was a role model to her. But when Adams invited her to see the girls, then she knew it was not a lie. She even thought that he would deny when she told him that she knew of his other daughters but, she could only see the surprise in his eyes.

Now, the three girls were staying with their brother and Allison had no choice but to accept them. Although she was a little distant but, it was better than before.

They found a common ground that they could interact without getting into one another's space. They were sitting in the living room watching a film, when Allison's phone rang. It was closer to Aubrey and she signal to Aubrey to give the phone to her.

'Hello?' She said because it was an unknown number.

'Hi Allison, it's Lucas.' Lucas said excitedly.

'Lucas?' She asked feigning ignorance of her not knowing him.

'Yes Allison. Have you forgotten me so soon?'

'I'm sorry this is a wrong number.'

'Hey Allison, please don't cut....' She cut the call. Immediately it rang again but refused to pick it. The twins looked at her questionly but she just shrugged her shoulders and continued with her film. Audrey being the vocal one spoke after the phone kept on ringing and Allison refused to pick it.

'Allison, I believe the person wants to give an explanation, why not give him an ear before you regret not listening to him.'

'There is nothing he has to say, he is just a bastard like dad.'

'Listen to him first Allison, there's not harm in hearing him out.' Aubrey pleaded.

'A person like that doesn't deserve my precious time.'

'Is he a poor man?' Audrey asked.

'No, by my calculations, he's richer than dad.'

'Then why did you say he's not deserving of your time?' Aubrey asked confused because the story she heard from what she gathered from Adams and Allison's discussion was, their father wanted Allison to marry a rich man.

'My dear sisters, that's Ian Green's concept of marriage but not mine. I want a man who would love me for me.'

'But what's wrong with this Lucas?' Audrey asked.

'He's a loser who is looking for a shoulder to cry on.'

'So you only pretended not to know him?' Audrey continued in her questioning. 'Why would you do that?'

'I wanted him to feel unimportant.'

'It's easier for a person like you to do that, many people know you as dad's daughter and with your beauty, men would worship the ground you tread.' Aubrey said.

'Whether you were recognized as dad's daughter or not, do not belittle yourself. You are both beautiful and brilliant. I used to see myself so dependent on what men dad introduced to me thought about me until I met Lucas. I fell in love with him but he saw me as an exchange for his political ambition. Thanks to Adams who opened my eyes to reality. I wish mum is alive to see what dad had made me go through, I know she would not have allowed it. Now any man who is interested in me, must take me for me and not as Ian Green's daughter.'

'So dad wanted to sell you to the highest bidder?' Audrey asked.

'Exactly his intention.'

'How could he be that wicked to his own daughter?' Audrey lamented.

'Thank God, he doesn't recognize us as his daughters.' Aubrey said with a sigh.

'Wait till you're of age, you would be the next possession on his list.' Allison informed them.

'I would never allow him come near us.' Audrey threatened. 'I'll rather kill him.'

'Please Audrey, don't say things like that. It's better we get a restraining order against him than to kill him. He is still our father no matter how irresponsible he is.' Aubrey pleaded.

'So I thought initially thinking he had my interest at heart. He manipulated me with his political sweet tongue and I became a pawn in his hands. Audrey, I like your spirit please keep it up. Maybe if I had half of your courage them, I would have been better than this. I hate Ian Green so much that I regret being a seed from his loins.'

'Sis, don't you think it's ungodly to hate someone? Moreover, he is our dad.' Aubrey opined.

'Wait till he does what he did to me them you'd be able to differentiate between Godly and ungodly. The man has no heart and he doesn't know the difference between God and devil.'

'So what are you going to do about Lucas?' Audrey changed the topic.

'Lucas? Who is Lucas? I don't seem to remember such a name.'

'Allison.' Aubrey muttered with a sigh.

'Aubrey, it's your turn to prepare lunch. Audrey you could help her because I want to be alone.' Allison said coldly changing from a warm sister to an unapproachable stranger within a space of seconds and got the twins wondering if she was a normal person. Without being told again, they silently stood up and went into the kitchen. No wonder we prefer Adams to her. Audrey said inwardly.

Lucas looked at his phone speechless after several calls to Allison and she didn't pick. He wondered why such reaction from her after she confessed her love for him some weeks back. He had actually thought about her and realized that Allison was a good woman to be with but she was just an unfortunate woman to have such a wicked father.

He really wanted to get to know her but since Green must have told her not to have anything to do with him, so be it. Life is a continue process and there are many Allison Greens who would beg him to look at them. He put his phone in his pocket and headed to the bedroom to change his clothes. He would check on one of his old flames to spend the day with.

Gary and Alistair had been on constant dates as George's and Sheila's wedding drew very close. He had even asked her to be his date for the day since both of them were the best man and chief bride's maid respectively. It was a day to the wedding and big George's house was busy with activities because the reception would take place in his garden. Cherry had insisted that Sheila must marry in the church as it was the family tradition that their children must be in the presence of God on that day.

Sheila had moved back to her parents' place a week prior to the wedding to spend the time with them before finally moving to her husband's house.

Everyone was at the garden for rehearsal since the wedding planner had gone through a lot of wedding entrances most especially from Nigerian couples. She had a particular one that got her fascinated and she wanted it for them. She knew such innovation would bring more business most especially from the elites.

They had been rehearsing with their dancing steps and little choreography which included Big George.

After some hours, they were able to perfect everything and the wedding planner called it a day.

'Wow, what a day!' Big George said as he picked a bottle of water from the table. 'I don't remember the last time I had a serious dance.'

'No wonder your steps were rusty initially.' George teased his grandfather and everyone laughed.

'Pfff, yours were not better than mine.' He retaliated by waiving him of with his hand.

'Anna, is that true?' George asked the wedding planner.

'Well, everyone tried including big George.'

She responded.

'That's an evasive response Anna, who danced better between the two of them?' Stuart who had been eyeing Anna spoke.

'If i have to pick the best dancer, I think Sheila is my choice.' Sheila shouted 'Yeah'.

'Still evasive. Is it the old rusted man or the young rusted?' Stuart persisted.

'I'll go for the old man, considering his age, he really tried.'

'Woooow!' Big George jumped and did some of the dancing step they were taught. This got everyone laughing hysterically.

'Why choose him Anna? Have you forgotten I'm the groom and not this old guy here?'

'Anna, don't mind him. My being old is just numbers I'm very young at heart.'

'What do you mean old man?' Stuart asked pushing out his chest against big George.

'Do I notice conspiracy here? Anna is a very beautiful lady and I clarified what she said.' He winked at Anna and people laughed again. 'Or have I gone beyond my boundary?'

'Old man, that boundary is no go area for you.' Stuart jokingly challenged him.

'I surrender Stuart, Anna is good for you.' 'Thanks old man.' He hugged him.

'Ladies and gentlemen, I haven't seen my bride for a week and I was going out of my mind until this morning, so you will excuse us I want to have time with her before tomorrow. Honey let's go.' He held her hand and took her away while the others whistled and ah, oh after them.

George took her straight to his bedroom and claimed her mouth as they entered the room. 'I've been dying to do this for the whole week Ella.' He said releasing her mouth.

'Ella?' She asked confused.

'That's what I'll be calling you from now. I want to call you different name from people, or you don't like it?'

'Ella is cool. I love it.'

'I've missed you seriously honey.'

'I missed you too bunny boy.'

'Bunny boy?'

'Yes, the pet name i'll be calling you.'

'Wow! It sounds romantic.'

'Really?'

'Yes and I love it.'

'I'm glad you love it. Are we supposed to leave our guests?'

'Please let's spend some moments together. I've missed our gists.'

'How far with the office?'

'Hectic and lots of work to do. I'm afraid our honeymoon may likely be a working one.'

'Why?' She asked disappointedly.

'You know the contract we just signed, there are professional aspects that Gary can not handle that calls for my skill. So I have to be on my toes to prove that we are worth them give us the job.'

'We could have postponed the wedding then.'

'Honey, we can't because you're my lucky charm. We have been pursuing the contract for the past two years, so you can see why I can't joke with it. Although, I promise to give you adequate attention.' He held her closer and pecked her lips.

'Well.' She shrugged and looked away. She had to hide how she felt about him as the feeling grew every day. 'Whatever you say is okay by me and I promise not to distract you.'

'Honey, you're free to distract me whenever you want, I'll be at your beck and call. I want us to smooch before we meet up with the rest.'

'George Allen Isaac, we have people who have come just for us and you want us to make out leaving them out there? What a groom you are.'

'But we are done for the day.'

'Yes, we are done dancing but Anna still has a lot to discuss with us. So get your act together bunny boy and let us go meet them.'

'Not after another kiss.' Sheila laughed and pulled his head to her for a forget-me-not-kiss.