Her breath hitched as the man in flowing white agbada approached them. He was so attractive. Towering over her by a few inches, she gawked at him. This is her exact type! Tall, dark and handsome.

"I suppose you are Sewa Ade?"

He knows her name? He knows her name. How did he know her name? How?

"Yes," She stuttered, wetting her suddenly dry lips. She could taste the lip gloss on her tongue.

He looked deep into her eyes making her blush. Who was this immensely attractive man?

"I am Mr Thomas Adekanye. You may call me Tom." He took her hand in his and led her away.

Breathtaking, she followed without hesitation. There was something about his name. She heard it before.

"So how are you?" His large hand rested on her waist much to her delight.

"I am doing well, Tom. And you?"

"I am equally fine, Sewa."

She inwardly squealed at the way he pronounced her name. How could he voice be so deep and rich?

"What do you do for a living?"

"I work part-time jobs," She said and suddenly felt ashamed. She quickly added, "I offer catering services. I prepared this event dishes."

"Really? That must be why it is so delicious. I haven't tasted anything like that in a long time."

"Why? Don't you have a girlfriend or a wife?"

She crossed her fingers. Let him have neither!

"I am too busy to taste my wife's cooking. Traveling from country to country can be devastating."

"I see," she said, dryly. Of course, he had a wife. She glanced at his finger and spotted the gold band. She almost whimpered.

What was wrong with her? Why was she behaving like a teenage girl? What happened to the mature woman who would not give a man the time of day? Her mother has been influencing her with her fangirling over every good-looking man. Sewa quietly hissed.

"You look distressed. Is something the matter?"

"No, sir."

"Sir? I believe I told you to call me Tom."

"Sorry."

"Do you know why I have pulled you away from your friends?"

Her friends? She glanced in their direction and noticed how they looked at her with worry. What was going on?

"No. Why?"

"Because I want to know what it is about you that makes my son tremble."

Wait...Son?!

"I'm usually the only one who makes him scared but you? You're just an ordinary woman who apparently works hard. I do appreciate the threats you sent his way but once he has repaid you, stay out of his life."

"I'm sorry. What are you saying?" She noticed his grip on her waist had grown tighter. Frantic, she tried pulling herself away. Tears pooled in her eyes.

"Women like you hang around my son for the same reason; money. I do not like that."

"Father? Let her go."

Niyi glared at the man holding her.

"Of course. It was nice chatting with you, Sewa Ade." He let loose on his grip and flounced again.

Sewa trembled, fisting her palm. Niyi came into view as he held her gently. "What did he say to you? Are you okay? Why are you crying?"

"I am not crying. I am sweating." Hoarse, she said. She wiped her cheeks and sniffled. A storm of anger rose as she asked, "Why didn't you tell me? Why did you make a fool out of me?"

"What are you talking about?"

She could see the sincerity in his eyes but if she let go of her anger, she had nothing against him. "How could he be your father?! He looks like your big brother or something? What did you tell him about us? You know what, forget it."

Elijah and Funmi approached them, the worry and concern on their faces.

"Forget about the money. I'll be fine on my own. Just stay out of my life. All of you" She looked to each of them and lifted her dress. Running out of the hall, she could not stop the tears that pooled in her eyes.

*

"What happened?" Funmi asked while Elijah ran after Sewa.

"I don't know." Confused and shocked at her outburst, he watched her run out of the hall.

"What did your dad say to her?"

"I don't know."

"He must have said something hurtful."

"I guess he did."

"Why is your dad so mean?"

"I don't know."

"Is that what you're going to say all evening?"

"Are you going to keep asking me questions?" Niyi retorted. "I have to go see my father."

Niyi rudely cut in his father's conversation with a man in white suit.

"What did you say to her?"

"To stay out of your life," His father said without concern.

"Why is it your business anyway?" Niyi exclaimed, drawing attention from the guests around them. "She is my business, not yours. You sent me here to 'fix my life' and now you're intruding? I made my mistake so let me fix it myself. I thought you wanted to talk to her or praise her for standing up to your 'spoilt child' but you did that? You don't need to wonder why I dislike you so much. You cut ties so stay on your part of the  deal. Don't hurt my friends because of me."

It wasn't until he finished talking that he realized the music had stopped and that everyone was watching them. The guests murmured to one another.

Grunting in frustration and anger, he gave his father one last glare and walked away.

Once he was outside, he exhaled and bent over. His anger dissipated and became fear. He felt empty and anxious.

"Wow. I knew you needed to stand up to your dad today but not in front of those people."

"Gee thanks." He felt her small hand rub his back and relax.

"How do you feel?"

"How do you think I feel?"

Funmi chuckled and gestured to the car park. "Let's get you out of here before you regret everything you just said."

He placed his arm on her shoulder and drew her closer. "Thanks."

"What are friends for? Just don't go scamming girls again."

"I promise."