THE BEST FRIEND

ARINOLA

Wale's best friend eyed me critically from across the table.

He's been nothing but polite since we met but now he's studying me critically.

I ignored his obvious stares because he was another person in this room that I didn't care for.

The minute Wale had brought up the family dinner, I'd quickly cooked up an excuse.

An excuse he had refused to accept this time. Instead of arguing with me, he had agreed and I'd been filled with relief but the sneaky bastard had gone behind my back to make plans with my mother and his sister.

Semilore's stylist and make-up artist had shown up in the house an hour before the dinner.

"What are they doing here?" I'd asked my mum.

"What do you think, you're meeting Wale's family today you have to get ready for the dinner," she said.

"What? But Wale and I had agreed that" I was saying when she cut him off rudely.

"He told me what you've been doing and I'm very disappointed in you girl. You better be on your best behavior tonight, anything else is not acceptable"

Oh great, he had told my mother. I was marrying a tattletale

The stylist and her make-up artiste had tried their magic on me. The kind of magic I didn't appreciate, so I'd refused to let her pile my face with cosmetics and  I'd also refused to let her install a wig on my head though I knew my mum wouldn't let me leave the house with my natural hair.

I'd declined all the dresses the stylist had come with and settled for a t-shirt and baggy jeans. The duo had gone downstairs to complain to my mother but she couldn't intervene because Wale had shown up and had insisted that we had to leave immediately.

He'd all but dragged me to his car. I didn't appreciate his hounding and sneaky behavior and I'd let him know that by refusing to talk to him while in the car and ignoring his apologies.

So while I looked like a fish out of water amongst his well-dressed aunties and uncles, I didn't care because I was very comfortable in my jeans and faded T-shirt. I didn't want to be here and I wasn't even trying to impress anyone.

"Wale told me you're a caterer," his aunt said in that snobby 'rich people' voice.

I scoffed mentally at the contemptuous look on her face.

This is why I despise wealthy people,  the way they look down on other people below their status. The way they assumed they were better than us just because they had money to throw around. Money most of them didn't even work for.

I bit back a sarcastic reply and nodded.

"Arinola's pastries are the best,  she's a goddess in the kitchen. I plan on setting up a restaurant for her after we get married" Wale said in his usual cheerful manner. 

He'd be expecting my gratitude but he's wasting his time,  I want nothing to do with the restaurant business. I stabbed the steak with my fork a bit harshly.

"Did you learn in Paris or Italy perhaps? How did you acquire your culinary skills?" Another asked, she didn't sound as snobby as the other one but I was sure she was just as bad

"Her mother taught her everything she knows and she's really good,"  Wale said.

"I see," she said but I knew she didn't see anything.

"I think that a pretty girl like you should have done better for herself. Didn't you ever consider a more sophisticated profession?" she asked in a condescending tone.

I fought the urge to glare at her and merely shrugged. 

Her opinion didn't matter to me after all. He'll, I'd even be grateful if she found me unworthy of being a Solade and convinced her nephew not to marry me. 

Mrs. Solade smiled at me politely.

"Arinola is a lovely Yoruba girl, beautiful, well mannered, and properly cultured. She's just what Wale needs.  I've seen him with other ladies and honestly, those girls are no good for my son" she tells her elder sister. 

"How about that other girl? The one he was going out with that year, the senator's daughter. What was her name again, Vanessa or Valeria?" His aunt asked.

"Aunty, why don't we just enjoy dinner?" Semilore said probably tired of the discussion.

The woman huffed and looked back at her plate.

"I just hope you're making the right choice Wale, marriage is a big deal. Take things a bit slow,  your wedding is in two weeks isn't that a bit rushed?" the woman didn't give up.
Well, I didn't mind this angle, marriage shouldn't be rushed and Wale was rushing. Talk to your nephew ma'am, I wanted to scream but I sipped my drink instead.

Wale's hand caressed mine and I fought the urge to pull away, I still wasn't speaking to him.
"Honey, why don't you go check if the chef is done with dessert?"  

"Okay" I got up and excused myself.

I remained in the kitchen with the chef even after he had told me he wasn't done,  the air in the dining had been suffocating and I couldn't bear it any longer

"Miss, you can head back to the dining.." I interrupted the chef a bit rudely.

"Mind your business dude" I eyed him a bit upset. 

He only smiled at me and continued whatever he was doing.

Wale's best friend walked into the kitchen, I glanced in his direction for a few seconds before returning my gaze to the chandelier. Great, what did this one want now?

"Let's talk outside," he said.

"Why?" I asked. I want to get out of the house but I didn't trust the guy. 
He looked cunning and suspicious.

"I just want to know a little about you, come on. We'll take the back door" he said.

I considered the offer a bit before accepting.

The air was refreshing when I stepped out of the house.

"You smoke?" he brought out a pack of Marlboro.

I was tempted to say no just in case any of Wale's snobby family came out and caught me in the act, but I needed it so badly so I stretched out my hand.

He handed me a stick and a lighter.

Then he watched me take slow puffs after I lit the cigarette.

"Funny enough, Wale told me never to smoke in front of you because you can't stand the smell of cigarettes" Femi chuckled.

"Well Wale doesn't know anything about me" I replied sourly.

"He loves you....but you on the other hand. I can tell you don't love him" Femi said.

If only Wale wasn't blind and could see as clearly as Femi.

"I don't trust you, I know you're only after his money" Femi continued.

I didn't say anything, I just let him talk. Just another rich boy assuming shit and thinking he knows jack about me and he knows nothing all.

"Break off the engagement while you still can, Wale is one person you don't want to mess with. He's sweet and loving sure but I've seen his ruthless side, he bites hard when he's hurt, fooled, or betrayed" Femi warned.

"I've grown accustomed to bites,  I'm not scared. If you care about your friend then tell him to cancel the wedding" I put out the cigarette, threw the stick far away, and walked back to the house.

Two weeks to the wedding.

Two weeks and I'll be trapped possibly forever.