CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

FELICIA'S POV

I lined my eye carefully and used a pink and purple lipstick combo to get exactly what I wanted. The short sequence body hug gown I got from the boutique was already on me.
I smiled at my reflection and the new hair I got made me take turns every minutes. My look was so perfect I'd fall for me if I walked pass myself.

* * *
"Thank you" I said smiling at Philip who was being a proper gentleman.
He held my hands out of the car and kissed my hands. We walked arm in arm and with the help of someone directing us, we got to the table reserved for us.

"Trust me, you're beautiful"

"I know baby. well you look like you need a kiss"  I said and allowed my smile to show my dentition.

"If my Lord finds me worthy,  I'll be honored" he said turning to his left where I was standing.  "That ass makes me want to stand behind you"

"shh,  don't get a boner in public" I teased

"shall we?

"yea" I replied and we went over to the table. I walked behind him and when he located the table, he politely pulled out a chair and gestured me to sit.
It wasn't until we got there that I realized the table was for chief's immediate family.
Chief must really love Philip like a son to have him on his family table.

"here's beautiful" I complimented

The music was on a moderate volume and it was certainly what the moment needed.
Few minutes into sitting patiently having people stare and look at me,  Chief arrived and Philip stood to greet him immediately he got to the table.

"Good evening sir,  welcome chief" he greeted straining one hand out and using the other to support.

"Arghh,  Philip.  Thank you " he replied smiling

"Good evening Chief and a happy birthday" I said calmly but audible.

"Ourhh,  thank you dear, thank you" he replied

"Chief,  this is Felicia,  My Girlfriend" Phil introduced

"I'm really proud of your eyes son" Chief Emeshile said nodding

"Thank you Chief" Philip replied with pride.

"Reminds me of how pretty my wife looked the first time I met her" Chief said holding hands with his wife who had just walked to the table.  "Honey,  look who we have.  Philp's girlfriend" he said turning to her.

"Good evening ma" I greeted

"A lovely evening to you,  uhm..?

"..Felicia.  Felicia Nyemike"

"You're welcome dear, Please let's sit" she said and we all had our seats.

"I was telling them how you looked this pretty during your youthful age and of course,  how you look very much still beautiful after 35 years of knowing you" Chief complimented and she blushed.

"It's said that True beauty remains till a day after forever and Ma is a holder of that true beauty" Philip said but She ignored his compliments.

"So tell me, do you live in Abuja? Chief asked.

"Yes Chief,  I moved to Abuja about a year and six months ago before my call to bar"

"Oh,  you're a lawyer" he pointed "which firm or is it a personal chamber you operate?

"I work with JT law firm here in Abuja" I replied

"That's brilliant, congratulations" Chief said

"Are your Parents alive?  Mrs Emeshile asked

"Yes,  alive and hearty" I replied smiling to her direction.

"I'm sure they'll be proud to see how far you have come.  Are you their only child?  Chief questioned

"No,  I'm just the first. My parents have three children"

"That's nice. I'm a father of two,  you must have known already" Chief started before he choked on his saliva and had to cough. "I'd have really loved my sons to be here,  in this gathering, and of course with the women they want to marry. I'm close to death and would love to meet and ensure they're successful like you" he finished and coughed so loudly again.

"Chief stop. Don't talk like that again" Mrs Emeshile warned with a look that showed she was hurt hearing about him dying.

"Here,  take water" she offered and passed a glass of water to him.

"My wife here doesn't like hearing the truth.  maybe she thinks there's really something like forever. But I'm afraid forever is the time you have to spend" Chief replied laughing

"Chief,  I understand why Ma doesn't want you talking about your death, and not on your birthday" Philip Chirped

"Why are you not eating?  Chief asked directing his question to me.

"I'm just listening, but I'm eating" I replied smiling,  taking my fork from the tray in front of me.

Philip turned to look at me and I smiled back. I felt his hands on my laps, like the mild touch of comfort. He squeezed my left hands that was on my lap and gave a nod telling me it was okay.

"Have you visited the E.R Estate here in Abuja?  Chief asked

"No sir"

"ah ah,  Philip why haven't you taken your girl site seeing? Chief asked Philip

"Lol,  Chief I will.  I will" Philip replied smiling

"Well Felicia, you can come to the office on Monday. I'd do just that if I don't have a pile of meeting" Chief said

"Okay Chief" I said and took my glass of water

"Chief,  let me get fruits for us " Mrs Emeshile said and left

"Excuse me,  I'll just join her" I said and stood up to my feet.

I walked behind Mrs Emeshile and watched her walk into the kitchen. I stopped at the door and stood there waiting for her to finish addressing her house help.  She scolded the young girl for bringing Chief Cold water instead of Warm water.
When I saw she was done, I walked into the kitchen and offered to help her wash the fruits.

"I'll take that"

"Thank you dear" she replied and handed the tray to me.

"These fruits are fresh" I said raising one apple up

"Yes very. Chief likes them fresh"

"I was thinking we could have a discussion" I said

She turned to me and looked at me blankly.

"Discuss about what??

"Your son's business. I believe you have alot you'd love to share" I replied her question turning off the tap.

"My son's work for their father and you know about Chief's Estate"

"Aww,  I wish that was what I wanted to hear"

"I don't understand" She replied and dropped her tray.

"Tell me about your son's Drug business, Mrs Emeshile"

"What nonsense are you saying?  My sons are not drug dealers!!

"Calm down Mrs Emeshile, I'm offering you a deal.  Tell me about The business and i'll have Chief not know about a secret"

"Are you threatening me in my own house??  She asked a little nervous

"I don't think I have to when I could just tell Chief he's not the biological father of your first son" I fired

"Who are you!!? She asked, her voice higher than usual.

"Chief introduced me as Phillip's girlfriend last I checked Mrs Emeshile, or better still my dearest  Nneka Odili"

"Looook,  I don't know you and I don't know what you're talking about. Go back there, pick your bag and get out of my house!!!

"or what?  I asked

Just then,  Chief Emeshile and Philip appeared by the door.

"Honey what's going on??  Chief asked approaching where we stood.

"uhm ----we--"

"We were just washing the fruits thoroughly" I said speaking for her.

"Are you alright?  Chief asked her

"Yes Chief.  Let's just return before the party starts properly"

Chief held her hands and they both left the kitchen while Philip walked to me immediately.

"Babe,  what happened?

"Happened in where? I asked him

"I mean,  did anything happen?

"No,  why?

"I don't know. I just feel there's a transfer of hatred"

"I don't think so" I said smiling before I walked away.

* * *
We returned to the table and Mrs Emeshile kept avoiding eye contacts with me.

"Honey,  are you sure you're okay?  Chief asked

"I just have a slight headache. It's fine Chief" she lied

Well,  being her headache wasn't bad after all.

The party got heated after the dinner and soon Chief was called to dance with his wife.
They held each other and danced, Mrs Emeshile looked so worried that she sometimes stepped on chief's shoe.

"Hi? A voice called
I turned to my back to look at the young man standing right behind me.

"Heyyyyyy, Derrick is it? I asked before letting him take my hands in admiration.

"Yes Pretty.  Been a while"

"Of course it has.  You know Chief?  I asked

"Oh yes.  He's a good friend of Alhaji Abdulbasit, My Father" he explained

"Ohhhh, that's nice. Well I never knew you are a Muslim" I added

"Yeah,  you didn't stick around long enough"

"Who would have known from a first guess?  I mean I hardly see Muslims have English names" I replied

"That's right. Well, I was given birth to in the states and my mom's sister found it necessary to give me one.  But it's just a casual name friends use,  I answer Rhashid at home"

"Ouuu,  I see.  That's nice"

"Yeah, So back to you. You know Chief?  He enquired

"Yesss, I know Chief Emeshile plus my Boyfriend works for him.  There he is" I pointed to Philip who was already walking towards us.

"Oh, you've got a man for the night" He said

"Hey Babe. Sorry I took long" Philip said kissing my cheek.

"Sure.  Meet a friend,  Derrick" I said smiling

"Hey Man" Philip said

"And Derrick,  here's my Man Phil" I completed

"Nice to meet you man" Derrick responded

"I should get back to my table,  see y'all around and please watch over this gem carefully" Derick said before walking away

"I assume he was once a suitor or Admirer" Philip said turning to me and smiling uncontrollably.

"Yes Mr Assumer" I teased.

"Good thing I'm the lucky one" he said and left a quick kiss on my lips.

"uhm-uhm" I sounded nodding my head in agreement.

"Want to dance with me?  He asked offering his hands

"Of course, I want to" I replied and placed my hands on his.

* * * *
Good thing I wasn't drunk else walking up the stairs in Philip's house would've been hell.
We got back home by 10:45pm, it was a short drive because of how free the road was.

Immediately he opened the door,  I slipped out of my heels and started zipping down my clothes.
The house was empty unlike before when his househelp was around.  He employed her to go with his mom. His mom needed the help more than he did.

I went to wash up,  and then I changed into one of his Polo. I took off my wig and used my deodorants, It was also one habit I couldn't let go.

I shrugged and fell on the bed while waiting for Philip to finish bathing.
After a while,  he came out with a boxer and a towel on his shoulder. He dried his hair with the towel then went to sit on his reading chair. He claimed he wanted to Map out something real quick and would get back soon.

I laid on the bed and took my cell phone to text Jacinta,  only to find five missed calls from her.

I called her line but it kept diverting to voicemail,  so I just left a message telling her to call me back immediately she got my message.
I felt a wave of emotions and it could be traced back to eight years ago when Princess died.

"Babe?  I called

"Yeah baby,  I'm coming alright?  He replied from the table, eye fixed on his laptop.

"Do you think Something might be wrong with my friend?

"Huh?  I don't even know who.  You mean Jacinta?

"Yes"

"Of course not.  Why?

"She gave me five missed calls and I can't reach her now.  I'm just -- I'm --"

"Scared" he said standing up and walking to the bed.

I gave a nod in affirmation.

"You don't have to be.  Stop over thinking" he said "want me here?

"Yes" I replied smiling and tucking my self in his arms and letting my head rest on his chest while he drew circles on my face.

"So did you enjoy tonight?  He asked

"yeah I did"

"It was fun having you with me,  although I had to leave my baby to go and make appearances for chief" he said

"And that's because none of his sons showed up, uhm" I added

"Busy with work I guess. Chief sees me as a son so it wasn't as awkward"

"I guess so" I replied.  "Does chief's children work for him? 

"Uhm,  Well Kendrick partly does,  but Caleb doesn't. He works for himself, he's planning on building a Club"

"A club" I repeated

Obviously he'd never spill the truth.  Who doesn't know a club is just a building for Undercover illegal Businesses? I became silent and just enjoyed the movements of his hands on my face and hair.

"Phil, do you sometimes miss your dad?  I asked

"Not exactly" he replied bluntly.

"And Dafe?

"I miss my brother, but not so much anymore.  I've gotten so used to his absence. I guess the would isn't as fresh as it was eleven years back" he concluded

"Yeah" I muttered

"..but I know you miss her, everyday" he chirped

"Yes I do" I admitted.

"I'm sorry baby girl"

"Yeah it's fine"

"You really should fall asleep already.  You've had a long night"

I agreed and curled my legs. I was going to spend the weekend in his place then return on Sunday so I could prepare for work on Monday.