A/n:
I decided to switch things up a bit and change the timeline from which the story is being told.

In the course of doing some light editing, I realized a few mistakes made in earlier chapters.

1: Rita isn't an only child. I have corrected that as the path I want the story to go, she needs a sister.

2: Her mom is like her only involved parent and not the obnoxious person she's made out to be in chapter one. I've also corrected that.

That's all for now.

Please stick with me on this story, I promise it gets better. And I now know how I want everything to go, so I'll definitely update a lot faster.

***

5 years earlier.
Rita's POV

Today, I finally graduate. I honestly can't describe how happy I am.

College has been an eye opening experience but I can't wait to leave the damn place.

Earlier yesterday morning, my mom and my little/not-so-little sister, Rachel, flew in from Nigeria for the ceremony and I couldn't have been more happy to see them. Even Rachel's annoying self. My father, of course, wasn't able to attend and although I miss him, I know how busy he is and how hard he works.

We spent all afternoon yesterday just catching up and touring the school grounds. Mostly for Rachel though, as this could be a potential school for her. She had recently finished secondary school and hadn't decided whether to remain in Nigeria for university or travel abroad. Whatever her choice, my father was willing to pay so it was a plus.

I was so excited as I awaited Cameron's arrival very early this morning. My boyfriend was a busy man but he had still managed to make time for an event my own father couldn't attend and I loved him even more for that.

Boyfriend. Even after three years, that title hasn't stuck.

These past three years that I've been in college, Cameron and I were able to work out the whole long distance relationship thing and it wasn't so bad. We talked non stop on the phone, facetimed a lot and he would come visit me once or more every three months and there was the one time I went home for Christmas break so it wasn't so hard to remain together as our communication was strong.

He has made me so happy these past few years. He's honestly been the best boyfriend ever, although he's the only guy I've ever dated so I don't have anyone to compare him to, I can still say that he's the best boyfriend.

He is so attentive to my needs, he's kind, he's charming, and the list goes on. Even after all these years of dating we haven't had sex and he has been so understanding of the fact that I was waiting till marriage.

Not to sound like a little teenage girl, but I can see myself marrying him in the future as a possibility. I mean, we have been dating for three years now so that's the next step. Right?

The actual graduation ceremony only lasts for about an hour thirty minutes and then it's over.

Afterwards, I walk out of the hall and into the large foyer meant for mingling, with my friends, Carla and Ash, who immediately go their separate ways to go look for their families. I look around for a second before I see my sister dramatically waving her hands in the air trying to catch my attention. With a small grin, I make my way over to where my mom, Rachel and Cameron stand.

I squeal and run into my mom's arms. "Congratulations, babygirl." She says as she holds me tight then pulls away and gives me a look that tells me that she is proud of me. A warm feeling immediately envelopes my body.

"Thank you ma." I replied respectfully with a wide smile.

Then Rachel gives me a tight hug too. "At least you'll come back home now and I won't be the only one they'll be disturbing." She said.

My mom smacked her arm playfully. "Ahn Mom." Rachel whined.

"You talk too much." My mom said before adding cryptically. "It won't be for long anyway before it will be only you again."

I briefly wonder what she means but decide to just ignore it and turn to Cameron who engulfs me in a warm hug. As I have told him several times in the past, his hugs are so warm and cozy. It's almost like hugging a baby bear. But I refrain from pointing it out once more as he has joked about how emasculating that is to hear. But truly, I could stay here in his arms forever.

"Congratulations, baby." He whispered into my ear. Immediately I felt a shiver run down my spine. His voice sounded so husky and so much sexier than over the phone and with that endearment that never ceased to make me melt always, it was a lethal combination to my body.

"Thank you." I replied shyly with a smile.

Reluctantly, we pull away from each other and my mom gives me a sly look meanwhile Rachel is too busy on her phone to pay us any mind.

We ask someone to take photos of us which took a short five minutes and we were done.

"Shall we?" He asked and slowly we left the venue.

...

After the ceremony, Cameron drove us all to La Louvre a fancy french resturant on the east side of Carlifonia.

I had told him earlier that I just wanted a small dinner with my family rather than to throw a party or anything like that.

A lot of my relatives, I'm sure, would have been here today had I told them that I was graduating. But I purposely didn't because I was well aware of the ways of Nigerian families. Everyone would have an excuse to fly out and make this a big affair and I simply didn't want that.

The resturant was stunning. The decor was red and gold and it was all so posh.

Life as a college student, I had forced myself to minimize my spending. Although I received a large sum of money from my father monthly as allowance, I didn't allow myself spend anymore than necessary which helped me have a large amount of savings.

I had promised myself that my life back home would be different from my life here when I first arrived and I had been able to make that happen although it took a lot of restraint to not walk in my old ways.

Now, luxuries such as this were not a norm for me as I didn't allow it, so being here for a change was nice.

We were immediately sitted at our table which was in a more private corner of the resturant.

My mom and Rachel sat on one side while Cameron and I sat on the other. It felt nice to have some of my best people in one place.

Back home everyone is always busy. My father, with his business and constant travels. My mother with her "debutante" socialising activities. Rachel, with her friends and constant parties. (Unfortunately, my little sister has a more active social life than I do.) Cameron would soon take over his father's company so he, also, is constantly working.

Like I said, everyone is always busy.

"So, Rachel," I began, "what do you think about the school?"

She opened her mouth to reply but was promptly cut off by the arrival of our server who introduced himself and took our drink orders.

Once he left she said, "It's okay. I mean it's somewhere I can see myself going." She looked hesitant to continue and gave my mom a side look. "But I would really like to go to a school in Nigeria. That way I'll be closer to my friends and family."

"Rachel, we already discussed this. Your father said you are not schooling in Nigeria and that is final." My mom said sternly. Like she was talking to a little child.

I frowned at that. I could see that this had already been an argument.

If I didn't know better, I would have wondered why my mom was so adamant on Rachel schooling abroad. But I do know better. I know that my mom would do anything to make my dad happy. And I know that my dad is hard headed for some reason is hell bent on us schooling abroad.

For me that wasn't much of a problem. I really didn't want anyone's trouble so I did as he said. He always said that I was the more obedient one in me and my sister. So I can imagine how much of an issue my stubborn sister is giving my parents about this issue. But in this case I do think she has a right to do what she wants. Rachel has always been a free spirit and I really wouldn't want my father to dim her light just because he's so selfish and hell bent on getting his way.

Thankfully, Cameron smoothly changed the topic to something that carries a lot less tension. After all, the whole point of this dinner was to have a good time and be happy.

...

A week after my graduation, I began packing. My mom had left for Nigeria a few days earlier but Rachel stayed with me and will return with me and so far we've had a lot of fun.

Now its time to get ready to return to Nigeria.

About this, I'm both happy and sad at the same time. Happy because I'll finally see all the people I haven't seen in so long, my close friends and family. Sad because I'll miss my friends here whom once I leave I'm uncertain as to when next we would meet.

Rachel and Carla helped me out with the packing and in a day we were done. I really just realised that I didn't have much here. Probably because I never really allowed myself. I decide to ship some stuff down to Nigeria so we also get that arranged.

Today is Friday and my flight to Nigeria is scheduled for Sunday evening so I decide to go shopping to get gifts.

Lord knows if I return to Nigeria empty handed, I might as well come back here and not show my face. The culture says so.

I quickly take a shower and moisturize. It's a hot day here in Carlifonia so I decide to wear a yellow off shoulder crop top with buttons and a denim mini skirt with my white fila sneakers. I grab my fanny pack and put in my card, money and other necessities.

Leaving my room, I find Rachel in the living room with the TV on while she's face timing some guy.

I roll my eyes. Why am I not surprised?

"Hey sis." She greets when she notices me picking up my car keys. "Where are you going?"

"To the mall. I wanna get some stuff for the trip back home. You wanna come?" I ask. At least it's better than her staying in this apartment alone for the next few hours bored out of her mind.

She immediately jumps up from the couch and tells the guy on the other end that she would call him back and cuts the call.

"Gimme a minute let me wear my sneakers." She hurries to the guest room to do just that.

As I wait I switch on my phone and see some messages from a couple of people. One, of course, particularly catches my eye and an immediate response.

Cameron💕: You still going out to get the stuff like you said?

Me: yup. Why? You need something.

Cameron💕: I need a couple of stuff.

He then goes on to list a whole bunch of shit that is way more than a couple.

Me: *sigh* a couple? Fine. I'll see what I can do.

Cameron💕: thank you babe 😘

Me: You owe me.🙃

I used to find it funny how a laid back, funny guy who is hardly ever serious, is gonna be the CEO of such a large enterprise as Collins Group of Companies until I noticed that it was basically only around me that he was this comfortable. Around others he was so in control always and I love it the difference.

Rachel comes out of her room, distracting me from my thoughts, in a whole other outfit than before.

I thought she only wanted to wear sneakers?

I just shake my head at her and make my way for the door, leaving with her trailing behind.

We get into my Audi R7 which was a gift from my father, freshman year of college. I planned on not accepting it but i just couldn't. Cars are my guilty pleasure. I love them and I honestly can't wait to start making my own money and buying cars for myself.

We get to the mall in record time and finally about four hours later and some, we are done. I would have finished faster had a certain somebody not dragged me to every freaking store in the building.

We get back home in the evening and I pack up everything I got.

At night, we just decide to order some Chinese and watch a movie. I invite a few of my friends over: Derek, Jessica, Ashley and Alan.

...

Two days quickly pass and soon we are at LAX, about to leave for Nigeria.

We quickly sort everything out and go to our designated section to wait for our flight.

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I really don't want to go home now." Rachel says with a groan.

I laugh. "And why not?"

"Here's way more calm and peaceful. Back home it's mom and dad constantly telling me what to do and what not to do, you know? Things have changed a lot since you were last home. Dad is now a bigger pain in the ass than before."

"Hey!" I scold. "That's still your father."

She rolls her eyes at me. "I know, Mom."

I think about what she said. I really do hope my father doesn't think that when I'm back home he will be able to order me around; I'm no longer that little girl that he could boss around. As a matter of fact I'm already making plans to get a job and my own place.

But we'll see.

...

Six hours after boarding, we land in London and eight hours after that, Nigeria.

At the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, we are picked up by my family's long time Chaffeur, Akin. He is a nice elderly man who was there practically throughout my childhood.

After exchanging pleasantries and loading our luggage, we begin the drive to Banana Island from the airport which takes a couple of hours. Honestly, Nigerian traffic is the worst.

Soon, we are home and as soon as I step out of the car I notice that the air is a lot more warm than in Carlifonia, so much so that it is borderline hot.

The maids rush out to get out our bags as I greet them and I and Rachel go in.
Unsurprisingly, my father isn't at home to welcome us, but my mom is.

She's prepared my favourite traditional dish, pounded yam and egui soup, and after a quick shower we all come down to eat.

I had almost forgotten what it feels like to have someone doing everything for me like here. My clothes were already out of my boxes and arranged in my closet by the time I was ready to dress up. (I'm pretty sure it took longer just for me to pack them.) Now at the dinner table, the maids hover around us just to make sure everything is perfect and to cater to our every need. It's almost annoying.

But well, this is my life in Nigeria.

***

A/n:
As an apology for the long wait, I made this a long chapter. I'm really sorry guys.

What do you think of Cameron and Rita's relationship?

What do you think of Rachel?

Do you think their parents are too strict?

Lastly, what do you think of her life in Nigeria so far?

Please if you enjoyed this chapter, consider voting and leaving a comment😘