Qhupid_247 for using the Triple-J and Tobias in her story❤️ Y'all should check her book,{Runways and Deception} likeee it's underrated for real.

PS: Hehe, you'll get to know some things about our dear Tobias there >3

Gif banner by Iyanuoluwa-Temi thanks girl ;-)

♤

~Not edited!~

This has got to be the most infuriating long ass journey ever. Right now, my secondary-immediate family members and I are all seated in the latest Toyota Sienna, with Zion as the driver and a Toyota Hilux and Tundra filled with security personnels trailing behind us to Chief Bolanle's residence.

Uncle Tee sat down at the passengers seat speaking to someone through Skype, Onome and Cheryl sat at the middle while Derek and I are seating at the back seat.

And nobody is talking!

B.o.r.i.n.g - that's just it.

My face morphs into a smile when I reminisce on how the game ended on Saturday. I was taken aback when I saw Iwinosa because for one, I didn't think she would come to watch me play since we just became friends recently and boy was I excited when she kept smiling and telling me she owes me a gift for a good performance.

Yup. I love gifts so much.

And then uncle Tee and Onome came. I did not know how or when, but I cried at the locker room when I was changing. Simply because I felt overwhelmed with the love I was surrounded by with the new set of family and friends around me.

I've never been loved to an extent like this.

I scowl when I remember what I discovered also. We were so confused about Jamal having a lookalike...it felt too surrel and unreal. They both had to explain themselves after Kiki slapped Matthew mistakingly. The slap was meant for the jerk, Olamide. But it landed on Matthew instead. It was then I discovered I ratted out to the wrong person. Still, I know it was Jamal who ignored my greeting in the morning when I came.

Aggh damn you Jamal.

Why is he messing with my head like this? I hate how he almost made me to yell and cry but fortunately for my sanity, I held myself.

And Derek...speaking of Derek.

I turn my head swiftly to look at him and he is already staring at me with clear amusement. Immediately he knows that I caught him staring, his face goes blank as he stares out of his side window.

What is doing this cousin of mine?

I huff and cross my arms over my chest. I can't suffer this boring ride alone. Somebody must suffer it with me...and the best candidate is Derek who is not in talking terms with me...but well, damn all consequences. I turn my head 90° and stare at him again. This time, he is bobbing his head in a rhythmic pattern as his headphone is currently over both ears and I am damn sure he is listening to a Burna boy music.

Yup, Burna boy is his favourite musician. His gamepad is on his both hands as he is playing a game.

How can he be enjoying when I'm suffering?

Impossible.

But my cousin is fine sha. What? Just because he is my cousin doesn't mean I am blind to the fact that he is catchy and fine. Suddenly, he snaps his head and raises his eyes to me. He quirks his left brow silently asking, 'why are you looking at me like a creep?'

I hiss and snatch his gamepad from his palms. I don't care if he fails this round of his game it is his own business. His jaw slacks open at the audacity. I know I am playing with fire but what can I do? I miss talking with him considering I and Cheryl never talk or discuss on a civil level.

"Aramide what do you want?"

Whoops! Finally!

He has said more than three words to me.

I pout my lips and feign a posture as if I'm hurt deeply. "What I did? Seriously? You ignored me for one week and three days straight!" His face however, looks like he has been trying to hold his laughter in. He succeeds in covering it up as he narrows his eyes at me and scowls.

"C'mon Derek. Give it up." I plead as I am still holding his gamepad behind my back. He does not say a word as he glances out of his own window view and bobs his head to music playing from his headphones.

See this one. He doesn't know I can disturb for Africa.

I scoot and ram my body against his. He does not react as he acts numb. I start poking his sides and saying funny names.

"Osheyyy! Finest, handsomest, beautifest cousin in the whole wide world. Derek boo. Derek the fine boy with no pimples. Chai, baba you fresh die! Warris doing you na? Oya smile for me." As I say smile for me, I start singing the lines of, Simi's Smile for me. Horribly may I add.

It does not take up to four seconds before he finally chuckles and his eyes glints with playfulness.

Told ya!

However, we hear a long hiss from Cheryl as she shoots us-me in particular a sharp glare which automatically makes me to stop smiling.

"Why does your sister hate better things?" I whisper in Derek's ear with a frown on my face. He adjusts his leather jacket collar and whispers back.

"Her husband didn't provide money for soup." And at that, we laugh at least easing the tension in my body for the main while. I can't imagine such a situation. I really pity the person that will marry her though. Cheryl hisses and plugs her earphones in her ears.

Good we don't want your bad energy.

I become worried again as I glance at Derek after our laugh dies down. I don't know if he is still angry with me. In the first place why did he ignore me though? This boy is really confusing me.

"Look.." He says softly as he carefully threads his fingers with mine. "I'm-I am really sorry for my unessecary tuff attitude. It's just that...." I cut him off before he can continue.

"Oh come on, I am at fault too." I assure him. He smiles in return and before I can say Jack Robinson, this boy has snatched the gamepad from my hands! No wonder his hands were on mine.
He winks and goes back to his own side of the car. Sly human.

He connects his phone to the car's speaker and in less than seconds, Burna boy's music streams melodically. Sure enough, everyone got in the mood of singing and trust me when I say this;

IT IS HORRIBLE!

The mixture of Derek's voice, mine and Uncle Tee is an awful disaster in a tornado. How my uncle knows the lyrics word for word, is a big wonder to me!

🎵....I'm Fela Kuti with the hoes!

My aunty grimaces as uncle Tee sings that part of the song while maintaining a direct eye contact with her specifically. We all laugh at that and continue our terrible singing without any care.

🎵.....shirt off like I ain't got no clothes!
Cause where I'm from there ain't no snow!
So I refrigerate my flowwww..

🎵......and I do this with my eyes closed
La-la, la-la, la la, la la la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la la, la la la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la la, la la la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la la, la la la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
(Whoa whoa whoa!)

How could I not be happy all day?
I'm from the streets from Africa
How could I not be happy all day?
I'm from the streets from Africa
How could I not be happy all day?
I'm from the streets from Africa
How could I not be happy all day?
I'm from the streets from Africa

Back home they call me Oluwa Burna
Cause I'm so awesome, you should kn...

Just then, the upbeat flow of the music pauses abruptly. Too shocked at the sudden disruption, we stare dazily at Onome as she disconnects Derek's phone from the MP3 player, and shoves it at him and shrugs as if nothing happened while munching on the fried chicken we bought for her along the way.

"Incase you guys didn't know, we've reached our destination." She sasses back as she helplessly rolls her eyes, cracking the bones of the poor chicken.

Huh? just now? wait that can't be true!

Realisation dawns on all of us and I didn't miss the slight bitterness that crosses uncle Tee's face as he takes in our current environment.

"Um, Aramide dear?" My uncle calls out from the front seat as he makes eye contact at me through the mirror after seconds of silence.

"Sir?" I mumble in response wondering why his mood has switched to a solemn look. I hardly see my uncle not smiling so this is definitely strange.

"Be strong okay? Whatever happens inside, ignore it. Don't let thier words get to you. Especially Makan...." He could not complete his words as Onome starts coughing in an awkward manner while giving him a knowing look which makes me to be confused a thousand times. "You know what? Just be yourself." He says and opens the passenger door with such a force as the car and the entourage parks in the underground garage.

My dear people that is when my nervousness increases in million folds. The churning in my stomach and shaking of hands didn't help matters. This is it. I am finally meeting my extended family and from the look of things, uncle Tee isn't pleased about the family thing either. Derek once told me his father is not in good terms with his eldest brother.

"Derek have you taken your medications?" I ask randomly with a high-pitched voice. He looks at me worriedly but still answers in the positive.

"Are you sure? Because I care about you. Jesus! No..Not in a romantic way, but as in like a brother. You can never replace Ayo in my life though. But guess what? You've been so wonderful! Did I tell you you're a genius? Like I'm happy yo-" he chuckles by my side as his warm large hands, encircles my cold trembling ones thereby cutting my ranting short.

"It. Is. Okay. Aramide." He says the words one by one with a calm smile that somehow puts me at temporary ease. I slowly breathe in and out because honestly, I'm freaking out and I feel like an incoming anxiety attack is going to wreck me.

"Derek you don't understand! I'm freaking out for real! Like what of if I am being rejected? Gosh your dad just indirectly said something about this family! You know my mum ran from home so-"

"Will you just shut up?" Cheryl yells exasperatedly and that is when I notice that everyone is already out of the car except, Derek, I and her. "Thank God you know you're a loser for life." She adds with a smirk as she covers her her eyes with her Gucci shades and hops out of the car humming. My nose flares at that but Derek's hand presses down on my own reminding me he's still there.

"Don't mind my sister at all. She's just being a bïtch." He says with an unknown expression crossing his face. "And, please don't sweat it. If nobody accepts you for who you are, then that's thier mother fucking luck. Let them try their worst." He continues with a lopsided smile. I am going to be strong and prove to them that I am nothing like my mother. I only wish AY was here with me but then again I can do this.

With a new feigned courage, I get down from the SUV while taking in the surrounding of the excellent, exceptional, wonderful place it is. I'm sure my eyes almost popped out at the worthy drooling sight before me.

The building has different lucent windows and classic marble walls. I can see the bodyguards lurking around with two gardeners shearing the variant beautiful flowers perking at the extra wide frontyard. There are parts of the building that looks like it was made from diamond and shiny stones because when the sunrays hits a certain angle, a blur of a rainbow radiates everywhere.

From what my uncle explained to me, this is where they spent their childhood and literally grew up. The building consisted of four different parlours, grand dining room, study rooms, library with word class collections of various articles, wine cellar, arcade room, gym room, crafts room with a huge counter work space, tennis and basketball court, dancing room, greeting room, worker's quarter, home office, storage for seasonal decorations, ball room, music room, billiard room, pool house, kids area, sauna room, indoor swimming pool with another one that's outside at the back of the building, greenhouse garden, home theatre conservatory and an underground garage.

Yeap ask me how I remembered all of that? well I have a good memory. And you can not imagine how my face drained of all its colours as that was being mentioned to me.

Like how can can someone not get lost in this super, duper, freaking, house?

I suck in a breath sharply, as we step into the vestibule of the gigantic building. The coolness of the air and change of temperature degree pricks my skin, alerting me that the air-conditioner level is high. Classical music is streaming through the building, thereby giving the house a homely touch although everything looked so expensive in it.

Turning to my side, the walls are filled with different drawings and paintings with people and features, abstract paintings drawn in such great detail and I swear at that moment, I fell in love with the artist who did all these. I see a particular one where my grandfather is standing proudly in. I subconsciously reach for the picture and trace it, he really has Ayo's eyes and sharpness of nose.

Ayo...I miss you.

"Hey couz, c'mon." Derek draws my attention back from my surreality. I trail behind them like a lost puppy as we pass through a corridor that leads to a wide parlour. The size of the parlour is times seven larger than the one we used to stay in when it was just I, Ayo and mum.

"She definitely has her face." I hear an unfamiliar masculine voice say. I tear my gaze from the beautiful artworks and that is when I recognise different pair of eyes are staring intently at me. I clamp my mouth with my hands when I notice the audience who are all sitted on the different couches in the parlour. My eyes widen as my cheeks flushes hard.

Shit.

I notice three matured adults, two semi adults, three teenagers and a little girl. How did I not see them before?

Maybe it's because you were busy ogling the artworks.

My uncle, Onome, and cousins has already taken their positions in the empty couch remaining. I awkwardly greet the rest and sit down on the next available space which is close to one of the good looking teenage guy that is donning a golden rimmed glasses.

And for the first time since I stepped in, that is when I notice the tensive atmosphere.

"Where's mum and dad?" Uncle Tee directs the question to the lady that wore a strapless summer gown with a shining diamond ring, sitting proudly on her finger. And my guess is, this is elder sister. The one that follows the first born.

"They're up and I'm sure they would be down in some minutes." She replies politely as she is still staring at me. I squirm in my seat for the umpteenth time as I run my hands over the chiffon knee-length dress I wore.

"Oh please, spare those sardonic formalities for the devil in hell." The man that spoke earlier, speaks again. My uncle clenches his fists by his side as his jaw ticks. Onome glares at the said man, holding my uncle's hand in the process. It was like, they were both expecting something like this to happen from onset.

"Dear big brother," My uncle starts as his teeth gnashes harder and harder with every passing second. "For the love of God, drop this immature act of yours for once."

"Wow really? What a mortification though. I was really having a fun time in riling you up. Oh, I get it! is it because our dear little niece is around today?" His tattooed arms flails to the air in demonstration as he shoots me a cynical look. The look alone makes me feel disgusted instantly and right here, I feel like puking on his face.

It's official, I hate this man.

The woman that answered my uncle earlier, speaks up again. "Makanaki and Titus, this is a family get together and I would not tolerate it if you guys start your useless bickering today." She retorts as she finally removes her eagle-like gaze from me, and glares at her two siblings.

Uncle Makanaki is a divorcé, and has the custody of his two grownup children. More like, he bullied the children out of thier mother's hold. He has tattoo all over his arms and dressed like a gangster. Please why wouldn't I hate him? He has been giving me an uneasy look since and God so helps me, I would rip those wondering eyes off him.

Uncle Tee and uncle Makanaki back down from their stare down as they hear their sister's scolding voice.

"What is your name dear?" The woman turns her eagle gaze back to me. The question catches me off guard as I am clearly not expecting anybody to give me thier attention so soon. Everyone. I mean everyone eyes, fall on my frame at this.

Oh boy.

"Ar-Aramide is the name ma." I reply with a shy tone. She bobs her head slowly as she beams like a little kid.

"I am your aunty. And you can call me Aunty Sade. With me here, is my husband." She interlaces her neatly manicured fingers with the man sitting beside her who has not said a single word since we stepped in. "Those are my four children." She points to the teenage guy sitting beside me, the two other guys who sat beside Cheryl and then the pretty little girl.

"C'mon kids, introduce yourselves." She urges with enthusiasm. My phone beeps by my side repeatedly and I had to quickly glance at the notification panel.

Kiki❤️(4):

Don't hesitate to message or call if you feel like escaping that family thingy.

I'm serious girl.

That family get-together isn't going to end well.

Be safe okay? Xo

My eyes narrows into tiny slits at the message. How does Kiki know what will happen? Suddenly remembering where I am, I shrug and brush the messages with levity and return my attention back to aunty Sade who is still urging the children to speak.

"Hey, I'm Cecelia, the first grandchild of Chief Justice Bolanle. I am 23 years old." The first young adult speaks up after rolling her eyes at aunty Sade's antics. I stiffle a laughter and manage to smile as they all introduce themselves. I mentally guess that Cecilia would be older than Ayo with just two years hence, AY is the first grandson.

Mayorkun the third grandchild and second grandson, is 19 years old. Trust me the boy gives me the creeps.

Like father like son.

The other set are twins. Both guys are eighteen years old, Kwesi and Kwame respectively. I later learnt than aunty Sade married a Ghanian hence thier foreign names. The last are the fourteen and six years old. Denola and Sara respectively. All these, are aunty Sade's children while the first two, are uncle Makanaki's children.

"Goshhh! You resemble Tiara a lot. I can't believe you're a split image of her!" I know she did not mean harm in speaking about my mother. But the sudden heart-stabbing pain, surges through my heart at the memories of her.

"Sade! Enough." Thank goodness the person obviously realised the havoc aunty Sade is causing to me. But then...that voice! I spin my head to the direction of the voice.

Lo and behold, Chief Justice Bolanle.

Live and direct.

In flesh and blood.

~A/N~

Okay I know y'all must hate me for postponing this update...but here I am, free, whole and healthy :)

Ugggh I hate Uncle Makanaki🙄

What do you think of the family get-together?!

Soo, I'm updating tomorrow again. That's my compensation for you all. See ya tomorrow!

-Jasmine ©️