"Is the table set?" My mom asked as she dished our dinner in silver plates. The aroma of her delicious stew filtered the room. The rice were white on the plates as she scooped spoonful. Dinner was going to put a large smile on my face. I could sense it.

"Yes, mum"

"Is Naomi's boyfriend going to come? I've been expecting him," Mom inquired while I washed spoons to eat, the cold water rolling down my hands

"Naomi said he will come. I also called him and he said he will come," I replied with a half-shrug. "Maybe there is traffic and it's delaying him".

"He should come oo. I want to see the man my daughter is madly in love with," she exclaimed. "I can't believe all that happened to Naomi. Can you?"

"Is it about her love story?"

"Yes," my mom let out and waved a kitchen napkin in the air. "How did that evil girl Kate come into her life? How did Freddy even lose his memory? I'm just surprised Naomi still won his heart. Thank God nothing happened to her".

I jerked my head in agreement.

"The story is still hard to believe oo. It's like a movie," she said with a look of disbelief.

I chuckled. "I know, mom. Naomi got a captivating love story. When she tells her children in the future, they too will be shocked".

"Children? Will they marry?" Her eyes went round and she placed her arms akimbo on her hip.

"Why not, mum? They love each other"

"Have I met the boy? If I don't like him, I won't accept the relationship," she said and pursed her lips.

"Ah! Mum! Don't come against them. They have passed through alot. I don't think they will hesitate to fight for their love. Don't become their
Enemy oo".

"Enemy? I'm her mother na. Mothers know best. Maybe the man is not good for her. I will have to open her eyes to the truth," my mom said and began to dish stew on the boiled rice.

"Mum," I snickered. "You don't know how much Naomi loves Freddy that's why you are saying this".

"Freddy? That is name ehh," Mum mumbled. "I don't trust men like him. He studied abroad, right?"

"Mummy! No dey judge na. You haven't met him yet"

"I hope he doesn't have any drinking habits. Does he take drugs?" she slanted a brow in disapproval.

"Mum, is Naomi dumb? How can she fall for a drug addict?"

"Does he have money? Can he take care of my daughter?"

"He is an actor and yes, he has money".

"A millionaire?" She gasped and the spoon in her hand fell on the floor.

"I don't know oo. I don't know. Maybe you can ask him yourself," I chuckled and shook my head. "Mummy eh! You are too funny".

"Ehen!" My mom squealed and picked the spoon from the floor. "Is Prince coming today? How is he?"

"Hmm...." I trailed off.

"Did anything happen to him?" she asked in a voice soaked with concern.

"Well...His family are in the hospital"

"All of them?"

"Yes!"

"Are they sick?"

"Not really. I will tell you about it later. I'm sure dad is hungry. I'll take the food to the table"

"Err...Okay! We will talk later"

It's been two days since I last saw Prince. Freddy and I didn't know much about his whereabouts or what he does. We just hoped to find out soon.

I took the tray to the dinning room and served the food. Naomi and my dad were settled on the dining chairs, staring expectantly at the dishes.

"Is Freddy coming?" I whispered to Naomi and served her food.

"Yes! He stopped by at a bakery to get dessert"

Both my brows went up. "Dessert?"

"Don't mind that big head. I was shocked too but he insisted on doing it. He says he wants to get cupcake for His cupcake," she replied and her cheeks flustered as she giggled.

"That boy Sha," I chuckled.

"He is quite a character," she said heartily.

"But mum is waiting to see him oo"

"He is buying chocolate cake for her"

"Why?" I titled my head to a side.

"Because I told him mum loves chocolate cakes," she laughed and shook her head. "He wants to impress her".

"Well..." I exclaimed. "That's a good move. Nice one!"

"Abi oo! You know how mum is na. You need to work hard to impress her"

"Do you know that Prince easily impressed mum? I was so shocked eh"

"How? What's his secret?"

"I don't know oo. I don't even know if it is his money, his look or his calm demeanor that impressed her"

"Wow!" Naomi mumbled and a lopsided smile played on her lips. "Does Freddy have a calm appearance?"

"Abeg oo! Who dash him? Anyone that looks at him can know that he likes play," I burst out in laughter.

"What are you girls talking about? Add your dad in na," Dad said as he munched on his food.

"Daddy, it's just small girl's talks. It's nothing serious," I chuckled.

"Anita," Naomi whispered to me. "I think Freddy has a Playboy look".

I sat on the chair beside her. "You think? Freddy has always had that look since Secondary school. That is smirk sef eh".

"Do you think mum will like him?"

"I can't answer that question. We just have to wait and watch," I replied and rose from the chair. I headed back into the kitchen and continued to set the table.

When we all sat down to eat, a rapping sound echoed on the door. Naomi sprung to her feet and rushed to the door. Later, Freddy walked into the dining room with a medium size cake on his hand and different polythene bags.

"Good evening sir," he bowed his head. "Good evening ma".

Naomi stood watching, her breath hitched.

My mom and dad glanced at each other and then at him. "You look familiar," dad pointed out.

"Hmm..." Freddy glanced at Naomi and looked back at my parents. "I do?"

"Yes," dad replied.

"Hm..." He trailed off.

"Have we met?" he asked.

"Naomi," mom called out. "Abi you said he went to your Secondary school back then?"

"Yes," she bobbed her head frantically.

"Ehen!" Mum exclaimed. "Maybe that's why he looks familiar".

"No! We met early this week," dad replied.

Freddy gasped. "Oh!" A shy smile spread on his face.

"You did?" Naomi asked in fear.

"Yes! Have a seat, my boy" dad added and gestured to the vacant dinning chairs.

"My boy?" I quizzed.

"Yes," dad nodded. "My car had stopped working on Monday afternoon on the road. He helped me push it out of the road and also paid for the repairs. Thank you, my boy".

"Hmm..." Freddy chuckled nervously. "You're welcome sir".

"Oh!" Mum mumbled. "What did you buy?"

Freddy glanced at his hands and smirked.

Omo! He don do his Playboy look oo. What will mummy say.

"I bought cupcakes and a Chocolate cake for you, ma" he replied, his eyes lit up in excitement. "It is for dessert".

"Dessert?" Mum inquired.

"He still thinks he is in America," Naomi teased and punched his arm playfully.

"America abi?" Mum pondered and nodded. "Seat! Dinner is ready. We will eat the dessert later".

"Thank you ma," he dropped them on the table. "I'm Fredrick Okoro by the way".

"Nice to meet you," dad replied. "I'm sure you know who I am".

"Yes! The father of the beautiful woman I have fallen in love with," he responded in a heartbeat. Naomi blushed and dad smiled at that.

"If you say so," dad chuckled and continued to devour his food.

Freddy glanced at Naomi and she gave him a thumbs up. They settled to eat and I smiled, gleeful about their reunion.

At the end of the dinner, it was confirmed that mum and dad like Freddy. They welcomed him with open arms. While my parents went to sleep, Naomi and I decided to enjoy the balcony we had ensure our architect added to the house since we built it with our money. The cold evening breeze caressed our bodies. Freddy also chose to spend the night at our place.

Naomi and Freddy cuddled with a blanket on one of the benches while I sat lonely on a plastic fancy chair. They teased and flirted with each other as I pretended to be reading a science based dictionary under the bright light bulb above me.

I didn't mean to be jealous but I was. Seeing them so cozy in each other's arms reminded me how lonely and single I am. I'm elated that my sister has a happy, healthy relationship but I couldn't stop the pang of jealousy. I decided to send a WhatsApp message to Prince if he would reply. He saw my message. The blue check marks proved that but what I least expected was for him to block me. All I sent to him was How are you?

How dare he block me? I just don't understand Prince again oo. I glanced at Freddy and Naomi who are lost in each other's eyes. You have got to be kidding me?

On my WhatsApp status, I sent 'Omo! See as I just dey single. Where I go find love bayi?'

In less than a minutes, all the boys that have feelings for me or are attracted to me sent messages. Some pleaded for me to accept their love, some wrote long notes on how much they loved me and others just wanted me to hook up with them.

I shook my head. See Irony! The guy I like isn't even begging for my attention but see the number of men that are doing that to me right now. I let out a bitter laughter and sighed.

         ---------------------------------

Thank you for reading. I do appreciate. VOTE AND COMMENT!!

What do you think of this chapter? Where is our Anita going to find love? Hehe!

I'm happy this update is coming early.

Omo! What do you think of Freddy's impression to Naomi's parents? Did you enjoy this scene?

Thanks again. God bless you all.

That's right,
Itz Mabel. 😉❤️❤️