Rita's POV

Sunday arrives quickly and after making myself and Cameron a late breakfast, we begin preparing for brunch at the Adeleke's house.

Cameron had voiced earlier that he really didn't want to go, so I tried to make him excited for it. In all honesty, I only wanted to go there to see my friends. I had spoken to a few of them who had told me they would be there so that was really the only reason.

Once I hopped out of the shower, I wrapped a white towel around my body as I watched Cam who stood at the sink shaving off his five o'clock stubble.

I gave him a disappointed look in the mirror which made him smile. "I don't want any of those old men to have any reason to not take me serious, you know it can be the smallest things." He told me and I nodded in understanding.

"I know, baby, you looked so sexy with it though." I said going to give him a quick careful kiss on his lips admist the shaving cream.

As I walked away, he sent a quick slap to my ass making me shake my head at him, not paying him any attention. After going through my body routine, I settled down to apply light concealer and draw my eyebrows. I was seriously considering micro-blading as this is such a chore to me, but I wasn't too sure that I want that.

Afterwards, I went into my closet and picked out what I wanted to wear; a simple black long sleeved top, with a patterned dress over it.

I lightly oiled my braids and as I picked out my accessories, I could hear Cameron shuffling around the room. By the time I was ready, he was too and I found him sitting on the bed, his attention on his phone.

"I'm ready." I told him as I went to unplug my phone from the charger. I turned around to him and immediately noticed the look in his eye as he looked me up to down in an outfit that wasn't even all that to me. "No!" I joked, pointing my index finger at him with a laugh before walking out of the room.

"I can't look at my wife appreciatively again?" He asked me as I smiled.

"Not like that, you can't." I told him as we headed out. I heard the sound of his deep laughter as he unlocked the car and I got in.

"You look beautiful." He told me once we were both settled into our seats.

"Thank you, babe." I told him, reaching across the console to press a kiss to his lips. "You look good too, really good." I complimented as I took in his white button down shirt and black jeans with the Nike Air Max on his feet, my baby looked fly as always.

Jacob opened the gates and soon we were on our way to Banana Island. The car ride was quiet for the most part as we occasionally spoke, instead allowing the sound of music to fill the confined space.

We finally arrived at the Adeleke mansion and after being cleared with security, we were let in. The house was packed full with cars and I wasn't surprised. Chief Adeleke's wife was known for her extravagant parties and I didn't expect this to be any different especially as it was a Sunday afternoon, everyone would be available.

We headed into the house where there was barely anybody and make a few greetings along the way. The maid then led us to the back of the house where the actual party was taking place, the large outdoor space filled with people. Cameron and I shared a look before making our way into the crowd.

"Rita!" I heard someone call out my name only to see that it was my mom.

"I'll be right back." I said to Cameron before leaving to join her under the cabana where she sat with her friends. "Hey mom, Good afternoon Mas." I greeted them collectively.

They greeted me back and I turned to my mom who was beaming. I tilted my head at her with a smile, "Damn, Mom, you look too beautiful for your age." I tease her which makes her laugh.

"Oh shush, what do you mean? I'm a...what do you children of nowadays call it?" She trails off making Mama G, her friend beside her say.

"Baby girl."

"Ah yes, I'm a baby girl." My mom says making me burst into laughter.

"Yes, mommy. That, you are, ahn ahn, look at that glow, ma." I hype her. "Please stand up abeg I want to appreciate my mother." She beams before standing up in her white silky abaya, the material flowing around her as she twirled for me. I hugged her once she completed her 360 degree turn as we burst into laughter.

"This my daughter will not kill me." She says as she pats my back. Mama G laughs along with her.

After catching her breathe, my mom kisses her teeth and shakes her head before sitting back down. "Go and eat, my dear. And your friend, Temi arrived earlier just before you, with one hunk of a man." She tells me.

Immediately curious, I dismiss myself from her presence before going to find my friend. However, she found me. Temi touched my arm, making me immediately turn to her with a jerk. I smiled once I saw she was the one and we shared a hug. She had on a burgundy shift dress with ruffles at the end of the short sleeves.

We held each other and rocked from side to side like we literally hadn't just seen some days ago. "I've been looking for you, are you guys just arriving?" She asks when we finally pull away from each other.

"Yeah, we are." I reply before going straight to business. "My mom told me you're here with someone?" I ask with raised eyebrows at her.

I didn't know of her being in a relationship with anyone so this is quite surprising to me, because if you bring a guy to a family function like this, you have to be dating him, right?

She blushes a little before smiling. "Yes, I did. I didn't want to speak about him earlier cause I was scared that I'd jinx it, you know, with how public my last relationship was and how it ended." I nod in understanding. "Anyway, heads up, his name is Tosin, he's a pilot with Qatar Airways so you already know he's making big bucks." Temi says sassily as we immediately wag our index fingers at each other before bursting into laughter.

"Let's go to the cabana." She lets out as we link hands and she guides me to another cabana.

As soon as we get there I say excitedly, "OMG!"

Chioma begins doing a small dance as she approaches me before pulling me into a tight hug where we are not staying still, the both of us, mostly myself shaking. "Chi baby!" I exclaim as we pull away and stare at my friend since childhood with wide eyes.

"In the flesh." She says with a sassy hand gesture.

"Chichi!" I say still in disbelief.

"The one and only." She replies, saying the words slowly.

"Why the hell did you not tell me you are back in Nigeria?" I ask incredulously.

For some years now, Chioma has been abroad attending culinary school. In the past years, I haven't gotten to see her often as she interchanged between staying in Atlanta and Paris. She also couldn't make it to my wedding because it was the same weekend as her graduation so I could understand. I missed her presence however, because whenever Chioma was around, the atmosphere was electric. She brought joy to literally everyone with her bubbly personality and I loved her so much for that.

"I wanted to surprise you! I just came back yesterday." She informs me.

"Well, consider yourself successful. I am so surprised right now." I tell her.

She throws back her head and laughs before moving to hug me and Temi this time. "I missed you guys so much."

Finally, we pull apart and move further into the cabana.

"We have to do lunch later this week to catch up." Chichi suggests. "With Amina as well. Speaking of, where is she? This was sort of a joint surprise."

"I honestly don't know." I reply as I pull out my phone from my pocket. "She said she was coming though."

"Probably traffic." Temi says with a shrug.

"This Lagos heat and traffic are the only thing I definitely did not miss in this country, damn. This sun can fry egg, that's why I didn't even bother with make up." Chichi rants making us chuckle.

I look up at the bare face of my beautiful friend and instantly wish that I didn't wear makeup either. I can practically feel the little concealer I had on starting to melt from the few minutes I spent in the sun.

"Here." Temi says, handing me a small purple portable fan and switching it on. "It's a life saver, trust me."

I thank her as the small machine begins blowing cool air rapidly.

Temi guides me to the back area where her boyfriend, Tosin, was. Introductions are made and my mom was right, the man was indeed a hunk. He stood towering over us in his over six foot frame, his skin a very dark shade of chocolate which was a nice contrast from his eyes and his teeth. He turned out to be funny and overall, I was having a great time without my husband in sight.

Once everyone began heading inside to get food and bringing it out, I decided to go look for Cameron to find out what he will like to eat.

"Excuse me, guys. I'll be right back, let me go find my husband real quick." I said to Chichi, Tosin and Amina who had turned up later. Temi had already gone in to make a plate for Tosin.

"Yass!" Chichi said dramatically, "Please bring him here, let me see the man that snatched my girl's heart."

I shake my head at her before leaving the cabana. Without the shade and directly under the sun, I felt the scorching heat assault me and I immediately regretted wearing a long sleeved shirt, worst of all, black.

I ended up searching for Cameron for several minutes before being directed by one of the maids who said she saw him around a secluded corner of the house. When I got there, I expected to see him with one of the many business men here, so I was surprised when I noticed him standing in front of a light skinned woman. She was dressed in a white lace dress with layers, had her body turned against me so I couldn't see her face, her weave obstructing my view.

The two looked to be in a heated conversation that at once halted when Cameron looked over her shoulder and saw me approaching them.

The woman, sending my presence, then turned to me, now backing a stiff Cameron.

"Hey, baby. Who's this?" I ask calmly. A million and one thoughts are racing through my head as I stare at the woman but I decide to quiet them. She really could be anyone, and I was never one to make assumptions so I waited quietly for his reply.

It didn't come.

Rather, she extended her hand to shake mine, introducing herself instead. "I'm Toke, I work with Cameron at Collins Inc. You must be his wife, Rita. It's nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you." She says. Her face looked sincere as she voiced that last sentence, but she didn't sound it.

Still feeling off about this whole thing, I forced a smile. "Nice to meet you too. I haven't heard a thing about you, however." I replied before looking at the suddenly deaf and dumb man standing behind her. "I actually came to ask what you would like to eat?" I said with a tilt of my head and a small frown.

"I'll just go with you to get it." Cameron finally said before turning to Toke, who didn't look at all uncomfortable with this situation. "I'll see you at the office. Please, make sure that ledger is on my table by then."

She paused her lips before responding. "Sure."

Cameron came and took my hand in his before leading us away from there. I looked up at my husband and shook my head before looking back away. Now wasn't the time for this at all.

We made our way in, and after plating our food, we went back outside to the cabana. I then introduced him to Chichi and Tosin. Everything was going fine but despite how much I didn't want it to, the scene that took place earlier plagued my mind.

Who was that woman?

I asked myself this even as I sat at my vanity table, taking off my make up with wipes later that day.

Some part of me believed that she really didn't work for Cameron. I mean, I've been to his work place a couple of times and I've never encountered her. Besides, why would he and his worker be having a heated conversation in a secluded corner?

I paused in my actions and looked at my husband who stood at his dresser. The question that was on my mind should've been posed to him but I just shook my head. I didn't want to become the nagging wife over this.

So as I went to bed, and when Cameron wrapped his arms around me, I closed my mind with one thought.

I'm just overthinking this.

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Chichi's character is based on Chef Chi irl.

Also, I'm so sorry for the long wait. I'm now working towards completing this book as well as my other Nigerian book "Ada", so you can check that one out as well.

Please don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter. It encourages me to keep writing.

Till next time, stay safe.