Fast forward

Within a blink of the eye, Cia's betrothal was finalised. Even though she didn't know the man she was marrying, her parents did.

The marriage was just a small function since Cia has decided to file for divorce after she's done with her education.

So I move out to live with my so called husband since he resided in Accra. He booked a flight for me and I was told my personal driver will come and pick me up from the airport. After my flight, I was quickly directed to my car by a young lady. First, I was shocked then it got me wondering how rich is he. I mean he's only 28 and I'm 19 so I wasn't expecting much. Guess I was wrong.

Even though the drive was smooth, I was tired by the time we arrived home. I didn't realise how long he drove until I woke up from deep slumber.

" Ma'am, we have arrived ",Mr. Obeng said.

"So soon " I replied. I heard him chuckle,"Ma'am, it was an hour drive and I've been waiting for you to wake up for about 30 minutes" ,he replied after which he got down and opened the door for me. I was actually enjoying the service even though it felt weird hearing someone old enough to be my dad call me Ma'am and even open the door for me.

" So you mean it has been 1 hr 30 minutes since we left the airport." " Yes, Ma'am " ,he said. " could you do me a favour, Mr. Obeng", I asked. " anything Ma'am ", he said. I stopped in my steps so he can keep up with me. After he got closer,I realised he took two steps backward. " Please call me by name and I can always open the door for myself. Does the young master live here with his family ", I inquired. " No, just his daughter, Ohemaa." ,he answered. " ohkk" here I thought he was a young man not knowing he already has a child. Does that mean I'm going to help him raise his daughter? Was that why for all these years he now remembered the betrothal?

Mr. Obeng showed me around the house and left me in the hands of the house keeper.

" Lady May,when will young master be back from work", I tried my best to make small talk with the lady. "He is gone on a trip and is likely to return next wèek", she replied. " Yay! Are you so sure", I asked again to be sure cause I wasn't ready to face the man behind the shadow. " Very sure", she said with a warm smile. Lady May is Mr. Shadows long lasting cook as well. She told me she took over 10 hrs ago after the previous worker.we had a long chat. She told me more about my husband ( Mr Shadows ). Unfortunately, she couldn't provide a picture of him so I guess I have to wait till he returns to see his worth.

After, a long shower, I came down to have my dinner. Lady May prepared banku and okro stew. That was the main reason I quickened up with my bath. I could literally smell the aroma of the food from the second floor.

She served me my portion after I took my seat. As I was enjoying the food,I didn't realised that there was another party coming to join for dinner. I should have seem the mini plates about four chairs away from. Not until I heard mommy. I nearly choked on the meat in my mouth. Taking a mouthful of water to clear my throat, I turned to see a cute little boy not far from me with arms widely opened.

I turned to look at Lady May only to see that she is as shocked as I was.

" Hey, little one, come over",I beckon him to draw closer. I picked him up and sat him on my lap. " What is your name" "Manuel", he said. " How are you doing ", I asked again even though I was dying to ask why he called me mommy and I thought Mr. Obeng said he had a girl? " I wasn't fine until I saw you. Now I'm more than ok", he replied. I was speech-less. How come a child his age will have such cheesy words. " I'm hungry,mommy. Feed me,please " I was left wondering why Manuel won't allow me to recover before hitting me with his words. As I was still in shock, I felt a pull on my pj and the hand belonged to no other than him. " Baby Manu, let me feed you as usual. Mommy just returned so let her rest", finally, lady May found her tongue. " Really", Manu asked as if not sure. L.M took him to his seat and fed him as I continued with mine.

During the meal,I tried as hard as I could to understand what just happened. It didn't make sense. We all know I haven't given birth but for a child his age to call me mommy, I have a feeling this is not just about the betrothal, maybe there's more to it. I really can't wait to find out.

The meal felt like forever and after I was done,I decided on going to my room to finish my painting 🎨. I was painting my Lucian. Speaking of him,I missed him so much. I wished I had listened to him and refused this marriage but if I had, I can't think of the next thing Mr. Shadow will do to my family.

"Mommy,wait for me ". Not again I thought. Even though I loved children but not this one. That's because he's Mr. Shadow's son.

He caught up with me in no time."Do you know daddy told me that you will be joining us soon but I didn't know so soon", he said as we climbed the stairs. I actually planned to ignore him." Daddy said it was never your wish to leave here with him and that you had no option. ", he continued. " What did you just say", I turned sharply at his words. I think I scared him." You don't like me,I noticed. But you don't have to make daddy's lie so visible. " He added and ran up stairs to the second floor. His room was at the far end and I heard the door banged.

I really don't understand this boy. I'm not his mommy in the first place so why all this drama. I decided against following and went to complete my painting. About 2 hrs later, I managed to complete the work so I placed it in the crystal frame I hand picked a month ago with my last savings. That specific day was the most dramatic of all. It was my last day in G.I.S and I wanted to prepare something special for my twinny. The first thing I set my eyes on in the exhibition hall was the crystal frame. Even though its beautiful and expensive, at that moment it was nothing. My family's finance was more than stable so I didn't think much, using almost all my savings to buy just that.

But now, after my family has been for the past three years, I learned to spend wisely. Even though I have changed a lot recently, I still I will not hesitate to purchase the frame if I were to go back in time.

MEANWHILE IN MANUEL'S ROOM

"Daddy, all you told me about mom was a lie,right?", he said softly through the phone

" who told you that", he replied wondering if Cia had said anything to his son."No one, dad. I saw it. I felt it too like she didn't know me. You promised me that she will be happy to see me as I am.", Manu couldn't hold his tears anymore. "Listen boy, don't cry. I promise to come earlier than we agreed, ok. I'll sort everything out.", he promised. Manu nodded. " I'll need you to stop crying. You know mommy won't like that." He consoled. " Really ", Manu asked as he quickly wiped his tears." Yes, that's my buddy. Now, open the door so that Auntie May can prepare you for bed. " "Sure dad"

Takoradi

"Quicken up the paper work. We have to leave by 10 in the morning. Manu and Berry are not adjusting well. I need to go back to have a talk with Berry." He instructed his secretary. He actually couldn't help thinking about how hated this being around him but due to his father, Nana Adwoa has to follow him everywhere. "Sir, your dad wants you to end this as soon as possible. He said to let you know that next week is the get-together and he demands your family's presence",Nana reported on her way out." Hey, come back here.", he called after Nana. This why I hate her , I thought. She doesn't act as my secretary rather that of my father. Secretary my foot. Ever since dad brought her to me, my every steps is watched. I can't even visit the club with the Johnson brothers. John and Jackson are my more than my friends. We've known each other since high school where I had my first crush. We both attended G.I.S. Is funny how the girl I always picked on turned to be my crush.

At first, I was just curious about her relationship with Lucian, my mortal enemy then came attracting and now I can't go a day without looking at her pictures. Jackson advised me to take her out and I was about to do so when my dad called me to my study. "Do you remember what I told you last year. " Of course I did. How can I forget that night. My dad came home with a boy telling me he'll be my son from now on. It didn't end there, he told me a girl was betrothed to me at the age ten and now she'll be turning 18 this year." Yes,old man."I don't know why he always smiles when I call him that name." Good. It's time to demand our share of the deal. I think she's old enough so are you ready?". At first I was finding it hard to understand, then it hit me hard." You want me to marry her?", I asked the old man. "Hah! It took you so long to understand. You right. I saved those children without any condition attached. It's their mother who promised me her daughter because you were smitten by her. So who am I to reject. You know, you two were inseparable so I thought it right for that union. "

" But dad, I thought we agreed to wait for some time. " He tried to make the old man think otherwise. " Is it because of the girl in your school, huh?" " which girl, old man ",I asked feigning innocent. "You think I have no idea. Nana Adwoa told me everything. How you bullied the poor girl till you were smitten by her beauty and how you are to take her on a date. I know it all. Don't worry, I considered this all", the old man said." So you will prolong this betrothal thing ", he concluded for the old man." Not so fast, we'll go through with the betrothal but the only change is that, the girl turned out to be...". " her", he continued for the old man. " you got it all wrong " The smile on his face quickly replaced by a frown with the old man's words. "It just so happened that she's her best friend. The one that has been standing up for her all the time. I'm actually proud of her. So get ready to face her ",the old man took a sip of his wine. The old never fails to spoil his mood. " old man, I'm sure you know the Johnsons have been competing for her attention since she step foot in G.I.S. I'm also sure you know they'll kill for her attention alone how much more this. Do you really hate them that much",he was frustrated at that point. Not that he couldn't take those brothers down but he values their friendship more." It is yours to deal with"

Since then, he had been forced to build his own empire for his soon-to-be family.

Now,all this sounds so funny. This trip was supposed to buy time for him. He needed to prepare for Berry's drama and Manuel's call has changed everything. He can't watch him cry. He needs to sort all these out.

Aidoo Mansion

I woke up feeling refresh and good. There's no school for this two weeks so I will just sleep and sleep till I don't know when. I was about to follow my yoga routine when I heard a knock. "You may enter.The door is opened",I said. Lady May came in with Manu right behind.