They were sat in Gina's room, relaxing and watching the sun as it got ready to go home. At least Sisi was, sitting cross-legged on the bed and munching on chin-chin from a snack jar. Gina, on the other hand, was pacing continously, and as she strolled from one edge of the bed to the other for the umpteenth time, Sisi deduced she had been at it for nearly thirty minutes.

"Gina," she began slowly, uncertainty hidden in her tone. She didn't think this amount of stress was good for the baby.

"She's his daughter. She has to be!" She blurted out, still prodding the room, her face scrunched up in consternation.

"Who has to be?" Frankly, she was lost here. She just had an exhausting day catering to Anthony's snobbish friends who delighted in throwing horrible pick up lines at her while her crush was having a good laugh at her expense. All the things we do for love, she thought idly.

"Cecelia!" Was the curt response, and before she could conjure a follow-up question, Gina was already babbling. "I saw that little girl today, Tracey's daughter, and the resemblance is so uncanny. Tracey admitted she was adopted when she was a baby, and Gabriel had been instrumental to that. Do you not understand it? She's Amelia's child. The little child that was taken away is Cecelia."

Mind blown, Sisi could only look on like a fish out of water. She never expected they would discover such hidden secret from right under the noses. Even Anthony didn't seem to know where Amelia's child was, or that it was even a girl.

Come to think of it, how did Gina know?

"He's so heartless. I mean, he takes the child away from the mother, and gives her up for adoption to a close family friend, so she's neither close nor far away. It's like he didn't want anything to do with her at all." She let out a mirthless laugh to portray her angst. "The poor girl thinks he's her uncle whereas they are much more than that."

"We don't know that." Sisi was skeptical, her eyes curious. "Just because Gabriel helped in her adoption doesn't mean she's his. For all we know, that baby died at birth."

"What nonsense are you saying?" She had paused her pacing to stare at her as if she had two horns atop her head and a goatee beard underneath her chin. "Did you not hear what I just said? Cecelia is Amelia's daughter, and since Amelia and Gabriel were an item, it only makes sense that he is the father."

"Your argument would probably hold water in court, but I have to ask, what is the reason behind your conviction? Cause you're pretty adamant about this theory."

Feeling caught in a mouse trap, Gina stumbled back before settling into the chaise, nibbling on her perfectly manicured nails.

Finding her behaviour odd, Sisi abandoned the snack jar and eased out of bed to go stand in front of her. "Gina, how did you know she's Amelia's daughter?"

Gina shrugged dismissively. "I know what Amelia looks like from your description of her, so once I saw the girl, I just put two and two together."

"Spare me the balderdash about descriptions and answer my question!" She retorted, eyes flashing furiously.

She thought about twisting the lie a bit but knew the implications of keeping her in the dark for so long. Sisi was becomming more than just a partner in crime. "Well, I know that because Amelia is my elder sister."

Suddenly winded, Sisi staggered back, her mind reeling hard from all the clues that she hadn't paid mind too cause the coincidence was unlikely. How could she have missed it? An uninvolved girl wouldn't be so eager to go digging into family secrets that didn't concern her like Gina had been. Nigerians weren't that nosy. Even she was not that curious.

"Sisi, I wanted to tell you," Gina began tentatively, pulling her bottom lips in between her teeth.

"When?" Sisi glared daggers at her. "After you've gotten your revenge? Cause I see now what this is. A revenge tactic against Gabriel for hurting your sister? A sister you can't be too sure is innocent in all these. Is that why you're dating Gabriel? Are you using him for evil gains?"

Gina refrained from rolling her eyes at the insinuation that Gabriel was her pawn in her plans. "No, that's not why I'm dating him. My feelings for Gabriel are sincere and I would never think of hurting him this way. When we started dating, I didn't even know he had anything with her cause she and I weren't that close. She came to Lagos when I was fourteen in search of greener pastures and that was the last time I saw her or had a heart-to-heart conversation with her. Her letters were very vague, so that doesn't count.

"The only thing I knew was that she worked in this house, and she always sounded happy with her job. So imagine my anger when I overheard the maids talk about her in such degrading manner. She's my sister, not some lowlife tramp like he's made her out to be." Gina finished, sniffing and hiccuping slightly from recounting the painful memory.

Feeling guilty for lashing out earlier, Sisi went to sit on the chaise, tentatively rubbing her back in a soothing gesture. Overwhelmed, Gina turned around and flung herself into the girls' frame, shocking her. Hesitantly, Sisi returned the hug, patting her back until she was done sobbing.

Twenty minutes later, with the tears, and the hurt of betrayal now bygones, Gina happily clued her in on their next line of action.

"We need to get a DNA test done."

++++++++

Gina was feeling bored and in desperate need of finding answers to her puzzles. The DNA test idea would only be possible if they could get their hands on both parties involved. Gabriel was easy to find, Cecelia, on the other hand, refused to come visiting again. It frustrated her immensely when Anthony deduced the likelihood of Tracey coming to the house again was once in four months, and Gina was certain she couldn't afford it.

Out of options, and people to stylishly interrogate, she and Sisi headed their ship into Monica's harbour to dock. The girl was showing signs of hatred and malice towards her, evidence that Lilah had brainwashed her, and she was hoping to get a leverage on that girl and fast, before she ruined everything.

Today, Lilah had gone out for whatever reason, and she felt the need to go out and exercise her muscles. Monica, however, was hosting friends and the house had been turned into an upheaval just to get her demands done. Sisi had snickered her friends were more infuriating than Anthony's, and it was best to steer clear of them. She took her word literally.

Since she was in dire need of eating, --no, scratch that, wolfing down-- something crispy, meaty and spicy, chicken nuggets quickly came to mind, as well as sharwarma, and she knew Gabriel wouldn't complain too much if she washed it down with a huge tub of ice cream. Benefits of being pregnant and unsupervised, she mused, feeling mischievous.

Donning her army green T-shirt with the words 'kiss me' emblazoned on it, she forced her waist to squeeze into her black ripped skinny jeans before slipping her feet into a white Vans converse. She wanted to burst into tears that her newly trendy clothes were beginning to turn into two sizes too small for her, but opted for muttering curses at Gabriel for putting this much stress on her.

Feeling stuffy, she removed her long curly wig, and quickly worked her hair into a bun with trendy baby curls matting her forehead before exiting the room, Gabriel's unlimited Mastercard in hand.

Her quick descend down the stairs was met with silence, and she quickly deduced the helps were somewhere in the house gossiping away, or that the expected guests were already here. Waving their matter as inconsequential, she waddled down the stairs, her bump looking more pronounced in her T-shirt than she would have liked. 

She had almost made it to the foyer when she realised she didn't take her phone. Feeling annoyed, and out of breath which she thought was ridiculous, she trotted to the kitchen to find a maid who'd bring it for her, and the maid left to go do her bidding.

While waiting for her return, she took a leisure step towards the dinning room of the house to go settle into, knowing if she chose the sofa, she drift into sleep judging by how tired she felt. She was admiring a painting when a high pitched cackle sounded from her right, making her jump in fright.

What was so funny?

Despite her best intentions, she found herself moving towards the glass panelled window stealthily. She supposed her knack for eavesdropping was quickly becoming a habit in this house. She was barely halfway there when the maid returned with her phone, nearly giving her a heart attack in the process.

That was her cue to leave, as Solomon the driver would be waiting for her, so she sighed at her bad luck and turned to leave.

"Lilah? No, please. She and I can never be friends."

Gina knew that voice, and somehow, the sentence sounded more interesting to her now. Monica was in the midst of her friends, and gossip was a major characteristics among friends, more so among rich, snobby ones who maintained the status quo.

If they were talking about Lilah in such a condescending tone, she was certain Lilah would love to hear all about it.

Making sure no maid was in sight, she tiptoed to the glass wall and slid down, sitting back straight while straining her ears to hear more. Luckily, they were sat on the deck chairs placed on the patio and their voices filtered through easily.

"Seriously, let's discuss this issue before it gets out of hand," a voice she couldn't identify piped up, and curiosity forced her to crawl to the opened window to get better audience. "Monica, this one your brothers are dating random nobodies, I hope all is well?"

It was clear she was obviously fishing for information on their relationship status and Gina wished she could tell the nosy girl to clamp her big mouth shut and poke her nose somewhere else.

"Nne, I don't know about that," Monica replied cheekily, "all I know is that this is the first time either of them are dating classless girls. I've never seen a bunch of people so loud and boisterous. It's unbelievable!"

The high pitched laughter went round again and Gina edged closer to the wall to get a detailed look at the gathering. They all sat with their backs to the glass wall, facing the pool, which offered Gina the opportunity to note their features slightly.

Monica wore a yellow maxi gown, and sat next to a lady in a body hugging red gown. Her short black weave framed her round face, highlighting her perfectly made up face. Even Lilah couldn't beat that. The next lady wore a pink jumpsuit, at least Gina thought it was that, judging by the fact she had a similar clothing courtesy of Gabriel's card. However, the fourth lady wearing a lacy white crop top was familiar, and Gina grinned at the fact that she had seen someone she could intimidate if need be.

"I think I like Lilah," piped up lady in red, adjusting on the seat. "She looks like a first class olosho but you can see her brain is screwed tight on her head, although I can't say for the other girl since I've never met this Gina you talk about sometimes, Moni," she pointed out while reaching to grab her Campari drink.

"I agree with you on that, Ada," pink lady spoke up, obviously wanting to hear more gist about her. Gina could tell now she was the lady who spoke earlier.

"Well, I have met her, Sharon. And trust me, she's bad news and horrible behaviour stuffed into one person. She may be dating a rich guy, but she's still a tramp," Queen informed the rest, her face marred by a despicable look.

"At least, she knows better to keep her hands to herself than be jumping from one brother to another unlike another disgusting whore," Monica muttered in disgust.

"I know you shared the gist with us the minute it happened, but for Ada's sake, I need to listen to how not to disgrace myself ever," Sharon prompted, laughing at the memory.

"Do I need to put it in recording that Sharon is using Ada to get favours from you, Moni?" Queen asked, pointing at a grinning Sharon. "Cause I don't want you denying it when I use her to ask for my own favours."

Gina didn't understand what that statement was all about but she knew what she had to do. Without preamble, she pulled out her phone and tapped on a voice recording function.

"Tell me more about Gina," Ada prompted, looking interested. "She sounds like an interesting girl and I think I wanna meet her.

"Trust me, it's better that you don't. She's a tramp who doesn't know her place. A rabid dog that managed to attach her claws on Gabriel for some weird reason. Which reminds me, she almost gouged my eye out the first time we met."

It's like you've forgotten the beating I gave you, abi? Gina bit her lips from blurting out her threat.

Monica chuckled at that, obviously linking it with a similar incident. "You guys have absolutely no idea how embarrassed I was when she engaged Lilah in a fight during Church service. Gosh! I was mortified. Like seriously, doesn't she know who she's dating?"

"And that's the annoying thing here. Gina is a nobody, and worse, she's temperamental. Always picking up fights everywhere she goes!" Queen blurted out, looking aghast.

There was a few clatter and a few chortle, and before they died down, Monica interjected. "I don't understand how Gabriel can live with that girl. I understand he's being rebellious by choosing to date outside of our social circle just to spite my father, but he made a mistake here. Gina isn't the one for him no matter how much he believes it."

Easier said than done. Come and convince him, let me see. Busybody.

"As if that is not enough, the girl is even pregnant. I keep saying it, that girl sounds too local to fit into Gabriels' life," Sharon declared with a straight face, which made the situation all the more amusing.

If you're sure of yourself, come fit into his life, let me see. Anu ofia.

"No, local is too posh for someone like her. What Gina is, is a bush girl. Onye ime obodo," Queen corrected, which resulted in another uproar.

"Village champion!" They chorused before bursting into laughter.

No one had ever made Gina feel self-conscious as these group of ladies. She had never been subjected to listening to rich folks talk, knowing better but to steer clear of their assembly. The King's children in her village, Ubaka, were typical examples of snobs and their belittling of peasants had forced her to build her shield early in life. Their vile, degrading words taught her that the rich mingled with the rich, never the poor no matter how welcoming they might seem at first, but to stumble upon this and not have the will to turn around and leave hurt her more than she was willing to admit.

She had always been wild, fighting with every child her age bracket and above, giving them as good as she got it. Her family had accepted her for who she was, believing it was a phase she'd outgrow with time. She hadn't, puberty adding to her roughness. With an almost flat chest, and lack of a mother's love, she hadly learnt how to act like a girl, preferring to tussle with boys instead.

Coming to Lagos at eighteen to join the strip club had forced her to hide that part of herself in order to blend in, and in all her days of working in that club, no one had ever irked her as much as Lilah did. But she didn't erupt, deciding to choose her battles wisely, that is until Gabriel maneuvered her into this ridiculous arrangement with his exasperating family members as extra baggage. After that, flipping out came easy to her.

Sniffling, she brushed a finger across her left cheek where a tear had escaped her lids, wiping it off before inching away from the wall. She had heard enough, she decided painfully. There was no need to listen to fake friends she knew would backstab each other if they were suddenly tossed into a battle. In fact, she felt pity for Monica who was clearly a sheep among wolves.

She was almost on her feet, her phone in hand, when Ada muttered in a voice laced with pain, all signs of laughter gone.

"At least she's a village champion who's pregnant for a man that wouldn't even engage me in bed more than a few times."

Gina quickly resumed her former position. This particular gist sounded too important to miss.

Sharon hissed loudly at that, obviously used to her pity party. "Hia, ho!" She exclaimed in frustration. "There's nothing persin will not hear in this life."

Queen glared at Ada fiercely. "Where is this one coming from? What does we discussing Gina's behaviour have to do with your failed relationship with Gabriel? It's over. It ended. Move on."

"Look at this pathetic idiot telling me to move on," Ada retorted, eyes flashing. "Were you not the one that shamelessly fought with the so-called Village champion just to get his attention? How did that work out for you?"

"For your information, I didn't go there to get his attention, unlike you who accepted a position you were more than qualified for so you could see him everyday. Too bad he dodged you and shipped you off to his brother." Queen's comeback was loud, and if Gina wasn't trying to be unnoticed, she would have been laughing out loudly.

"Girls, let's be mature here. No name calling, alright," Monica demanded, breaking through the tense atmosphere. "You're all my friends, and we can't be fighting over a man, even if he's my brother. We are better than that."

With the intense banter over, Sharon piped up with a new topic, deducing it wise to not thread in that direction. For now.

"Enough about Gina. We all know she's loud and uncultured and plainly rude, but that's Gabriel's cross to bear. Let's talk about why we are here which is Lilah. I don't get it, Moni, what's the deal with you and that girl?" Her voice was filled with curiosity.

"Yeah, she's totally not your class, and we know you shouldn't even be seen with her, so where's the sudden mutual relationship coming from?" Queen concurred with a nod.

"Well, it's more of a symbiotic relationship," Monica began after taking a sip of her drink. "She definitely knows a lot of dark shady things concerning Gina and I've been trying to get her to tell me some of them. Besides, Gina is our common enemy and I'll use her till I can get rid of that girl from Gabriel's life, and then I'll get rid of her too."

"But what if Lilah betrays you?" Sharon was skeptical, sounding genuinely concerned about her friend. "Girls like that don't have loyalty. She seems like an ambitious girl who would not hesitate to step on people's toes to get to the top."

"She won't betray me, not when I know every dirty little secret about her. She's smart, but she's not that smart, and I know what to do to her if she tries it."

"If you're so ahead of Lilah, why is the case different with Gina? I don't think that girl is who she says she is based on what you told us," Ada pointed out, her attention peaking.

Gina deduced the girl was interested in her, or at least in any conversation that she came up in, and couldn't help but wonder if she hoped to get back with Gabriel based on the argument earlier.

"You don't think I've tried. Lilah won't tell me anything useful and I don't know how to do so, unless I'd befriend Gina and pray she magically tells me herself."

"Good luck with that," Queen muttered, raising her drink up in a toast.

"Enough talk about those two girls already. We came here to have fun with our friend, not discuss insignificant nobodies, so let's do that." Sharon cheered, signalling for a maid to bring them more drinks.

Having heard more than enough, she knew it was time to leave, before someone notices her. It amazed her that throughout their gossip section, none of them bothered to look in the direction of the house, but then again, people in this house didn't make it their daily work to eavesdrop on private conversations.

Talking about private, she grabbed her phone and eased away from the wall, quickly tiptoeing out of room, on her way upstairs until she was safely locked in her room. Pulling out her ledger, she pressed play on her recording, ecstatic that she night have found a wedge to drive between Monica and Lilah before climbing into bed to start digging.

In her state of happiness, as she made her way into the room, she had failed to notice the tall figure lying comfortably under her bed, listening conveniently to the recordings as well.

~~~~~~~~

Hopefully, Lilah's schemes would be ruined, and Gina would be freed from her clutches.

Do you think the recording would work?

What do you think will happen next?

Don't mind the mini interview, I was feeling bored.

Vote, comment and share.

Thank you