As we pulled up at Nirvana Country Club, I felt a sense of deja vu wash over me. Driving in, my mind immediately began working overtime with worry.

This was one of mine and Richard's spots and I didn't want to risk seeing him, especially with Damilare. Not for fear or anything, rather for self preservation. However, there was nothing I could do about it so I simply resigned myself to be cautious.

Damilare drove in after clearing in with security and I spared him a glance. There was just something about him driving that I found incredibly sexy and now was no different. He looked down at me, his hand shooting out to grab mine softly. It seemed he sensed my apprehension because he said to reassure me, "It's gonna be fine. My friends will love you, trust me."

He brought my hand up to his lips and I smiled at the gesture. Inside, guilt plagued at me because he didn't know it wasn't his friends I was apprehensive to see.

Not for the first time, the thought of telling Dami about my past crossed my mind. I knew that at this point in my life, I was no longer dating for the sake of it. I was ready to settle down. I also knew that I can't do that with any man without telling him of my past, it wasn't fair to him, neither was it right.

In this case, the man happened to be Dami. I know what needs to be done, however, I also had to admit to myself that I was completely clueless on how to go about it and slightly fearful of his reaction.

We pulled up into the open packing lot of the club and I got out of the car, closing the door shut behind me.

Dami had informed me earlier that they come here only for lunch and sometimes golf so I dressed simple in a fitted, sleeveless black top, a black pair of jeans and white stiletto heels. The look of appreciation on Damilare's face when he first saw me was definitely a confident booster.

I rounded the car and slipping my hand into his, we made our way into the entrance building.

The Nirvana Country club was one of the oldest and largest country clubs in Lagos. The attendance here only consisted of the rich and the famous. Before I met Richard, I had only heard of this place and could only dream of coming here someday. This only reminded me how far along in life I have come.

The compound was made up of several acres of land with there being a golf course, a swimming pool, a tennis course, a gym, a restaurant and other facilities that I have never laid eyes on. The privacy here was top notch and I was thankful for the temporary reprieve I was guaranteed from my recently acquired stalker..

After Dami checked in with the lady at front desk, we made our way to the restaurant. I was only given a minute to admire the decor of the resturant before we were led to a full table at the back by the maître d'.

The first person I spotted admist the many unknown faces was Vera. She was sitting beside her fiancé, Lashé and immediately perked up once we arrived at the table. The waiter brought more chairs for us as everyone immediately welcomed Dami.

"Ada!" Vera stood up to come to my side, giving me a quick hug before we pulled apart. "It's so good to see you!"

I gave her a grin. "Good to see you too." I told her honestly.

Dami cleared his thought from beside me making Vera turn to him with a roll of her eyes. "Good to see you too." She teased making him laugh as they hugged.

Afterwards, Dami pulled me into his side as he began to make introductions, "Ada, this is my best friend Lloyd Avbara, and these are the Tega Twins. This crazy, blonde haired man here is Taiwo," the man, Taiwo, who was light skinned and managed to pull off a white blonde dyed low cut laughed, "and this is his more responsible twin, Harry and his girlfriend, Nnenna. And you know Lashé already." He said as Lashé sent me a small salute which I smiled at. "Guys, this is my friend, Ada Walter." Dami said as he cut his eyes to me as he said the word 'friend'.

Lloyd, a dark skinned, muscular man, stood up first, coming around the table to give me a side hug. "It's nice to meet you, Ada. I almost feel like I know you cause this one here never shuts up when he starts talking about you."

His words caused Dami to send him a glare which caused me laugh. I could tell that I would like Lloyd already. "It's nice to meet you too. And I hope all you've heard about me are good things?"

"Oh, you don't even know." Lloyd joked.

After exchanging greetings with everyone else, we all settled down into our various seats and placed our orders. I was seated in between Dami and Vera who I was engaged in a conversation with.

Not before long, our food is served and the chatter at the table is slowed down as everyone is more occupied, eating.

A few minutes in, Taiwo speaks up. "So, Ada, tell us about yourself. What do you do?"

Surprisingly, I didn't feel put on the spot or anything. The energy at the table had been so chill and welcoming and I found myself slightly more comfortable than I usually would be in their presence.

Dropping my spoon softly on my plate, I began. "Well, up until recently I worked in St. Ives Enterprises as a personal assistant to Richard Bamidele."

"Wow, that's huge." Nnenna says. "I applied to intern there a few years back and never got accepted. Getting a job there is even harder."

I nodded in agreement as this was indeed true. "I quit though, that life was not for me." I said, making Damilare stare at me with raised eyebrows.

I remembered then that I hadn't told him of my current state of unemployment, but it wasn't like it has come up in our conversations since it happened.

"So, you're currently job hunting?" Nnenna asks.

"I have a few offers lined up already, who knew St. Ives was such a job magnet." I joked making them laugh. "I want to open my own firm someday though."

"That'll be incredible." Taiwo said with an enthusiastic nod. "One of the things I always push for is entrepreneurship."

As soon as he said that, I saw Lashé and Harry roll their eyes which made Taiwo laugh. "You guys don't see the importance now, but you will in the next few years. People don't realize how vital it is own their own businesses. I mean, if a man is working for someone else, when he has a child, will that child automatically get a job at that same company when he or she becomes of age?"

Lashé gave him a funny look before saying, "No, instead he will send the child to a good school, to get a good degree so he or she can get a good job as well."

With a hand gesture, Taiwo dismissed him. "How many people these days get jobs easily? Do you need me to tell you the rate of unemployment in this country-" And the two began going back and forth.

Taiwo was making some very valuable points and I could immediately tell that he was very passionate about this topic.

Dami shifted closer to me before saying lowly so only I can hear, "For someone whose father is a politician, he sure has a strong dislike for this country."

I laughed quietly at that because somehow, the debate had shifted from the importance of entrepreneurship to the many problems Nigeria has in regards to employment and education.

"Do they always go back and forth like this?" I ask Dami and he nods.

"Taiwo holds all these motivational seminars and he also invests in small businesses all the while having a company of his own. It's admirable and all, but I still feel like if everyone goes ahead and receives the necessary funds to start a business of their own and actually do it, who will work for them?"

I nodded at that. "True."

"At the end of the day, it's all about balance." Dami concludes as he leaned back into his seat, his hand coming around the back of my chair.

Instinctively, I found myself moving into his side and making his hand come over my shoulder instead.

"Why didn't you tell me you quit your job?" He asks as he stares down at me.

I shrug. "It never came up, I guess. Besides, I didn't want you to worry."

"But I do." He says with a frown that makes me smile.

I move my hand to his forehead, trying to iron it out. The action makes him laugh before waving away my hand. "I'm fine, really. Like I said, I have other job offers currently and besides, I quit. It's not like they fired me so I'll still get a good recommendation." I tell him.

Dami nods in understanding.

After over an hour, lunch comes to an end and we begin making our way out of the restaurant area.

"It was nice meeting you, Ada. I hope we do this again some other time." Lloyd says as he comes to give me a side hug.

"Me too." I reply honestly.

He leaves and Taiwo gives me a high five. "See ya! I hope your plan works out." He says before saying goodbye to Damilare.

My plan to start my own firm wasn't a lie. I definitely have thought of it. However, I was realistic enough to know that I didn't have enough funds for that right now and I had no intention to get a loan unless I absolutely had to. So, the plan was to work for a while longer and keep saving.

We are checking out of the club when in the corner of my eye, I see someone staring at me. I turn my head only to be met straight on with Richard's cold stare.

He was in a fitted white Polo shirt and blue cargo shorts. Next to him is a man who I knew to be his good friend, Tony Jimoh.

I turned away from him almost immediately and to Dami and I noticed that the payment and checking out process was taking longer than necessary so I excused myself to go to the ladies room in order to avoid Richard's unwavering stare that was quickly making me uncomfortable.

Once there, I handled my business and I was in the process of washing my hand when someone walked in. I looked up to see Richard, my eyes widening.

"You shouldn't be here." I tell him.

"Neither should you." Richard retorted as he looked down the line of unoccupied stalls, all with their doors wide open. "So, this is really what we are doing now, Ada?"

I tilted my head at him, my eyes fluttering in exhaustion for a conversation that hadn't even begun. "What are we doing please?"

Richard simply shook his head at me, a smile that had equal parts of disbelief and annoyance coming over his face. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Didn't warn me about what?" I asked as I stood up straighter, irritation coursing through me. "And while we are here, I need you to have your little minions stop following me everywhere. I am no man's property and will not be treated as such. When I told you it's over, I meant that shit."

Richard stares at me. "What minion?"

"Oh, don't play dumb with me. You think I don't know that you've been having your man watching me?" I shake my head at him before deciding that I'm through with this conversation. "I can't even deal with your shit right now, just know if I sight that man anywhere near me again, I'm going to call the police."

With that, I began making my way to the door but as I was about getting past him, his hand shot out to stop me. "I didn't send anyone to watch you, Ada." Richard said, and as I stared into his eyes, I could tell that his words were genuine. This made me pause.

"So who did?" I ask.

"I don't know." He replied with a sigh as his hand instinctively went up to the bridge of his nose, a habit of his whenever he was stressed. I could see the aging lines coming over his face as I felt my resolve soften.

"Is everything okay?" I asked as my hand came up to his arm out of character before I pulled it away. Richard noticed, a flash of sadness crossing his face before it went blank.

"No. The journalists have been snooping around like a bunch of hounds lately, so I need you to be careful." He warned.

I didn't understand why I could possibly be in danger or such but I nodded regardless before exiting the restroom.

I found Dami waiting for me in the foyer and as soon as I came out, we left.

The drive home was filled with the sound of music with Dami and I only occasionally speaking. My mind was too occupied. And so was his, it seemed.

We pulled up at my gate and although I was slightly mentally tired, I didn't want to leave. I was tempted to suggest us doing something else just to prolong being in his presence.

I turned to look at Dami who already had his eyes on me. "Is it crazy that I don't want to go in yet?" I ask with a shy smile.

"It isn't. I don't want you to go in either." He confessed.

My gaze flitted over his face. From his shapened hairline, to his slightly bushy eyebrows, to his intense dark brown orbs, to his straight, pointed nose and finally his dark lips which concealed pearly white teeth. All this on beautiful, dark chocolate skin. I found myself staring up at him in disbelief at how handsome he is.

But it wasn't just that though. It was the man himself that also appealed to me. His kindness, his calm demeanor, his easy going nature...

Was it fair to have looks this good as well as an amazing personality? It almost felt like some part of me was just waiting for things to go south. After all the things I have done in the past, I didn't feel like I completely deserved the man seated before me.

But the thing is, I've always been a little selfish. Which was why, regardless of the nagging thoughts at the back of my mind, I still wanted Dami.

However, I knew that at the end of the day, I would have to tell him the truth if I ever wanted to be with him in good conscience. There was no guarantee that he will stay afterwards, so I was determined to savor the time we had together.

Unbuckling my seatbelt, I lifted my body higher and across the console, my lips meeting with his eager ones. The kiss we shared was sweet and he held on to me softly as if I was a prized, glass possession that he didn't want to break.

Finally, we pulled away from each other, leaning our foreheads together.

Damilare softly rubbed his nose against mine endearingly before saying, "Be mine."

I shifted slightly at his words to look into his eyes. Knowing what he meant, a small smile came to my face but it faded almost immediately. I want to tell him the truth first. And if he still wants to be with me afterwards, that was up to him.

Ever in tune with me, Dami noticed the change in my demeanor. "You don't have to give me a reply now. You can think about it."

"Thank you." I said gratefully.

He gave me a smile, his wide palm coming up to caress my face gently. "I'll be traveling soon and I'll be gone for over a week. You can give me your reply when I come back."

"Okay." I agreed with a nod.

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What did you think of this chapter?

Richard's warning, do you think it's valid for Ada? 

And Damilare finally asking Ada to be his girlfriend; do you think she should tell him him the truth?

Please don't forget to vote, tell me what you think in the comments and share this book!💓

Until next time, stay safe y'all.