I looked out the window as we drove pass the rural part of Lagos State. I could see naked children running around and market women shouting on top of their voices as we drove past the neighborhood.

I still had a migraine from the many glasses of wine I had the previous day and the loud music blasting from Trina's stereo wasn't helping matters. I reached out and turned it off only for Trina too stare daggers from the drivers seat.

"What is your problem?" she asked not looking at me instead she was focused on the road, "put my music on abeg, "

"Not unless you want my aching brain on your dashboard you better not turn it on again," I said with all seriousness, "you have an awful playlist BTW,"

"How dare you call Celine Dion awful " she asked dramatically

"I mean, don't you list to modern songs? I can bet we weren't even born when that album was released," I said while massaging my forehead with my fingers trying to ease to pain.

"Whatever," I heard Trina mumble.

"Are you sure you know where we're headed?" I asked "it's been almost an hour,"

"I hope so," she mumbled

"Pardon me?"

"Take a chill pill Bella," said Trina, "We'll soon get there,"

"I don't know why I even agreed to this in the first place," my phone began ringing and I pulled it out of my jean pocket. It was Tayo calling.

"Bella, are you at home right now?" he asked on the other line

"No," I replied "what's up"

"I need to speak with you as soon as you get back, please" he said. Whatever he wanted to talk about sounded very important.

"Yeah, I'll call you when I get home,"

"OK," he said and hanged up.

"who was that?" Trina asked

"Tayo, he wants to talk," I replied nonchalantly

"About?"

"I don't know, Katerina!" I snapped

"Look, I know that you're not very excited about finding out mother but this isn't easy for me either," Trina snapped at me too

"I already have a mother"

"Well I don't!" Trina snapped at me and I flinched a little.

"Is that what this is about?" I asked, "you're seeking motherly love?"

Silence.

Joshua's POV

I was too tired to drive home from work but I had no choice. I couldn't wait to get home and take a long nap.

My phone began ringing and I looked away from the road and down at my phone to realize it was Amanda calling. I decided to let it ring without answering of declining the call. I didn't want to talk to anyone especially my clingy, possessive fiance.

I got home and decided to leave my phone in the car. I walked into my huge lonely mansion ignoring the greeting of the maids. I went upstairs and swung the door to my room open only to find Amanda wearing nothing but her underwear.

Isabella's POV

We had finally arrived at the restaurant where Trina claimed our biological mother worked. Unfortunately, her quack private detective had given us nothing but an address and a name.

Heavens knew I wasn't ready for this. I wasn't ready to meet my biological mother not to talk more of giving her a chance to explain why she'd left me at someone's doorstep or why she'd abandoned Katerina at an orphanage and never came back for us. I couldn't help but wonder if she would recognize us when she'd see us.

A hundred and one questions were on a race, only that the racing track was in my head. What was she like? Was I ready to hear her out? Would I ever forgive her? What if I end up shouting at her? What if I end being a disappointment to her?

I could see that Trina was also nervous as she stepped out of the drivers side of her Mercedes Benz.

Before I could say anything I heard a group of people staring and calling out my name, "Isabella, it's Isabella Nwankwo,"

Damn. I forgot I was famous.

Before I knew it, people were already taking pictures and videos. Now, they'd been blocking our way into the restaurant.

I was putting on high-waisted denim jeans, white snickers, and a top that said "I ♡ L.A". So, I was definitely not prepared for paparazzi Hut I still had a signature plastic smile on.

It was then I'd realized that Africa wasn't even aware I was in the continent since I'd locked myself indoors without going out of the house and staying off social media.

It was hard, but somehow Trina and I had miraculously pushed through the sea of people and made our way into the large, fancy restaurant where the security locked the doors and stopped them from coming in but they weren't able to stop them from taking pictures through the large transparent door and windows.

"Next time, bring a bodyguard. No, two bodyguards," said Katerina who was trying to hide her annoyance and disgust. "I just hope my car is safe out there,"

"Can we sit down? We look like lost puppies standing here," without Trina's permission, I swiftly made my way to a table far away from the window where people jam-packed like sardines in a can.

I could see a few people in the restaurant staring, and although they did it without creating a scene, I still felt so uncomfortable.

We sat at a small table-for-two with a nice centerpiece flower I couldn't and didn't bother to identify. It reminded me of my numerous romantic dates with Chase.

My phone started ringing and I pulled it out and my jaw dropped when I saw who was calling. Chase.

Speak of the devil... And he calls.

I let it ring till it went to voicemail and my phone began vibrating violently from the various notifications from different social media platforms. Apparently, naija was going wild knowing I was actually back for the first time in seven years. It was then I realized I hadn't thought this through.

"Mom?" I heard Trina say to a woman who was standing next to our table. I looked up from my phone and I realized my mind was somewhere else.

The woman was probably in her early fifties but she looked like she was in her early forties. She was physically fit and I could clearly see our resemblance.

I froze.

Everyone was frozen.

"Katerina?" she looked at me, "Isabella!" tears forming in her eyes. "My daughters,"

That's it. I'm done.

I wasn't ready. I knew I wasn't ready. If you ask me how I was able to stand up and walk out of the restaurant in tears, I didn't know. I don't know how I made my way through the sea of people outside but I was able to get a taxi and I tried hard not to cry my eyes out on my way home.

She wasn't my mother and I wasn't her daughter.

Joshua's POV

Amanda's attempt to seduce me or turn me on was a freaking, living, walking disaster because I was angry and embarrassed and irritated.

That was it, I was going to end things with her.

After I'd slammed the door in her face leaving her half-naked in my room, I angrily made my way downstairs and then outside.

Before I could get into my car, Amanda was already drawing my arm. I pulled my arm out of her grip and walked further away.

"Joshua, what's wrong?" she asked still coming after me.

I stopped and turned to her, "Everything is wrong," my voice came out more calmly than I'd expected, "I can't so this anymore, I'm not in love with you Amanda. I'm sick and tired of lying, and pretending,"

"What are you saying Josh?" she was starting to raise her voice, "what do you mean? I'm your wife to be for God's sake!"

"Amanda, I'm done okay?"

"is this because of Isabella?" Amanda asked

"This had nothing to do with her!" I lied

"You're pathetic," she snared

"And you're with the wrong guy," I got into my with Amanda glaring at me as I drove off.

I decided I was going to tell Bella that I was still in love with her and I was ready to fight for her.

Isabella's POV

I finally stopped crying as I walked into our big compound. I made a mental note to call Tayo after I'd taken a needed nap.

As I approached the door, I could hear chatting and laughter and although the voices sounded or felt familiar, I couldn't picture the faces the voices belonged to.

I swung the door open and I froze for the second time that day.

Sitting in my parlour was Tayo, my dad had Chase?

A-bra-ka-ta-bra floor, floor, open up and swallow me!

"Surprise!" Chase shouted before running to me and giving me a tight hug.

A/N: What do you think about Chase's arrival? Please keep voting, commenting and supporting. Thanks!