Chapter Twelve

Meanwhile, at Richie Villa, Richie and Wealth were seated in the luxurious living room, their attention fixed on a friendly game of chess. The polished black and white chess pieces gleamed under the warm, soft light that filled the modern space. Richie leaned forward thoughtfully, considering his next move, while his son, Wealth, carefully studied the board. His small fingers gripped a knight as he strategised with the seriousness of a seasoned player.

In the heart of the sleek, beautifully designed living room, a stylish device rested on the glass coffee table. It was called Aura, a high-tech communication tool that easily blended with the villa's smart systems. The device featured a smooth, artistic design with soft, rounded edges, resembling a modern piece of art. When activated, it emitted a soft, holographic glow, and its voice carried through the room like a gentle whisper, adding an air of elegance to the already luxurious surroundings.

Yet, Aura's influence was not limited to this single device. The entire villa was fully integrated with Aura's sensors and extensions. Hidden speakers and motion detectors, subtly placed in the ceilings and walls of every room, allowed Aura to respond to commands and share information no matter where you were. It was a marvel of modern technology—designed by Richie Corporation to blend innovation with elegance, ensuring convenience without compromising style.

From the dining room, Night's voice was picked up by Aura's omnipresent sensors. 'Aura, inform Richie and Wealth that dinner is ready.'

With a soft chime, the device on the coffee table flickered to life. Instead of speaking solely from the living room, Aura's voice gently reverberated throughout the villa, reaching Wealth's bedroom upstairs and Richie and Night's room as well. 'Dinner is ready, Richie and Wealth,' it announced, its voice merging smoothly with the background sounds of the house. Since Aura sensed that Richie and Wealth were in the living room, the device came to life there, projecting a faint holographic display into the air. It showed a live feed of the dining room, where Night was setting the table, her silhouette framed by the warm glow of the chandelier.

Richie glanced up at the soft holographic display flickering above the device, showing Night's graceful movements as she arranged the dishes. 'Thanks, Aura,' he replied, appreciating its smooth integration into their lives. 'We're on our way.'

Aura was one of the many high-tech luxuries integrated into Richie's villa—quiet, intuitive, and efficient, showcasing Richie Corporation's innovation.

With the message relayed, Richie smiled at Wealth. 'All right, handsome, looks like dinner is ready. We'll continue this game later.'

Wealth's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as he hopped off the couch, already planning his next strategy. 'I'll beat you next time, Daddy!' he declared with confidence.

Richie chuckled, patting his son's hair. 'We'll see about that.'

Hand in hand, they made their way to the dining room. The space was bathed in a soft, golden glow from the chandelier that hung overhead, casting a warm light over the elegantly set table. The dark wooden furniture gleamed, while floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the deepening night sky, where the last traces of dusk faded into a serene, star-studded horizon.

Richie, looking relaxed in a high-end, casual white shirt, sat at the head of the table, his eyes softening as he watched Night settle their son into his seat. Night, radiant in a flowing gown, moved gracefully, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders. She smiled at Richie, their unspoken bond of love filling the air with warmth.

Wealth, their lively four-year-old, looked up at his parents with bright, curious eyes. He sat in his chair with a sense of importance, his little legs swinging beneath the table. 'Daddy, are we having pizza tonight?' he asked excitedly, his voice full of innocence.

Richie chuckled, leaning towards his son with a playful grin. 'Not tonight, buddy. But we have something even better. Mummy cooked your favourite jollof rice and grilled chicken.'

Wealth's eyes lit up with delight as he clapped his hands. 'Yay! I love jollof rice!'

Night placed the final dish, a steaming bowl of fragrant jollof rice, on the table, its rich aroma mingling with the warmth of the room. As she sat down next to Richie, her hand lightly touched his, and a small spark seemed to pass between them. Their eyes met, and for a moment, it felt like everything else disappeared, leaving just the two of them, bathed in the golden glow of love. The shared memories, the quiet understanding, and the unspoken promises were all reflected in that single, tender look. Their love story was not just admired by many; it was the kind that others dreamed of—deep, enduring, and filled with a quiet passion that spoke volumes without words.

Once, Richie had struggled with money. Now, he owned mansions in all the capital cities of Nigeria's 36 states, as well as several others across the world. Richie Corporation, one of the best companies globally, thrived under his leadership, though he had delegated most of the management to the newly elected CEO, Chinonso Mba, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This allowed Richie to focus more on his music career.

With the thought of his grand villa, his wealth, his beautiful wife, their son, and the twins on the way, gratitude swelled in his chest. The world might see Night as the luckiest woman, married to a trillionaire, but Richie knew the truth: he was the fortunate one, married to the most patient, loving woman he had ever known.

As the family began their meal, there was a peaceful rhythm to the evening. The clinking of cutlery, Wealth's animated chatter, and the soft rustle of the night breeze through the open windows created an intimate atmosphere. Richie took a bite of the jollof rice, savouring its rich, spicy flavour. 'This is amazing, Night,' he said, eyes twinkling with admiration. 'You're definitely a great cook.'

Night smiled warmly, squeezing his hand. 'I had a little help from our chef,' she said, glancing at Wealth, who beamed with pride.

'I helped stir the pot before joining you to play chess!' Wealth announced, puffing up his chest.

Richie leaned over and patting his son's hair. 'That's why it tastes so good, huh?'

'Yes,' Wealth said proudly, reaching for his glass of watermelon juice but Night helped him get it. 'Thanks mum.'

Night nodded. 'You're welcome.'

'Then how come you were asking if we were having pizza for dinner?' Richie teased. Wealth pouted playfully, making them all laugh.

Dinner was filled with laughter and stories. Richie shared a funny moment from his day in the studio, while Night talked about the novel she was working on. Wealth, eager to join in, interrupted with tales from school, excitedly talking about how he painted a butterfly.

After dinner, as they lingered at the table, Wealth crawled onto Richie's lap, playing with the buttons on his father's shirt. Richie held him close. 'How about we take a walk in the garden, handsome?' he asked softly.

Wealth's eyes sparkled with excitement. 'Can we look for fireflies, Daddy?'

'Of course,' Richie replied, kissing the top of his son's head. 'Just like last time.' Night watched the two, her heart full. As she reached for the dishes, Richie gently stopped her. 'Leave that, Best. Let's enjoy the evening. Besides, the servants can handle it. We hired them to help, even though you insist on doing most of the cooking.'

The family moved from the dining table to the garden, where the cool night air greeted them, and stars twinkled overhead. The villa's garden was a sanctuary of beauty, with colourful flowers lining intricate pathways, water fountains whispering in the distance, and fruit trees swaying gently in the cool night breeze. Stars twinkled overhead as Wealth dashed ahead, his laughter ringing through the night. Richie and Night walked hand in hand, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet, their hearts light with the simple joys of family.

Night looked around at the stunning landscape, the gardens, the fountains, the carefully pruned trees, and felt a deep sense of contentment. 'Thank you, My Lord,' she whispered, her voice barely audible. Of course, her husband's pet name was Lord. She called him that because she believed her husband deserved her total submission.

He stopped walking, turning to face her. 'You deserve it all,' he said softly, his eyes full of adoration. 'You're my peace. You deserve everything good.'

Night smiled, her eyes shimmering in the moonlight. 'You kept all your promises. You've never made me regret choosing you.'

Richie smiled back warmly. 'And you've never made me regret my choice either.'

'You're simply the world's best,' she added with a heartfelt grin.

As she spoke, Richie's eyes drifted to her stomach, which was starting to show just a little. He squatted down, placing his hand gently on her belly, rubbing it with tenderness. 'Hey, little ones,' he murmured softly, his voice full of affection. 'Daddy can't wait to meet you.' He kissed her belly, lingering for a moment, savouring the quiet joy of the moment.

Night looked down at him, her smile even warmer. After a moment, she said, 'Stella told me she works for Peter now as his personal secretary.'

Richie grinned as he stood back up. 'After Peter finished playing 'provision store owner'? He's now acting as the boss of Mars Corporation.'

Night laughed, the sound light and full of joy, as they turned their attention back to their son, who was happily chasing fireflies under the soft glow of the moonlight.