April's dress in the media👆

Dedicated to y'all ❤

April's POV

My hands shook nervously as I picked the nudes lipstick from the dresser and my heart beat exacerbated.

I wasn't a fan of lipstick though but I decided to try it on today. I was more of a natural-color-type girl and nude peach was my favorite shade of lipstick. I closed my eyes and took deep breathe to calm my rising nerves but it wasn't working.

'Calm down April. You've got this" touching the color on my lower lips, I gazed at the mirror only to be stared back by a young lady who has undergone a lot of transformation in the last two months.

"I am going to see them and everything will be fine" I chanted those words as they shakily escaped my lips.

I dropped the lipstick frustrated and rubbed my forehead, muttering soothing words.
Going back there was like tearing open my healed wounds. It's not like I didn't miss them but I couldn't phantom my fear.

He told me that I could go there yesterday and at first I declined within but on a second thought I reluctantly decided against it.

I finally managed to calm my nerves and I carefully applied the lipstick ensuring that no shade escaped the outline of my lips. Satisfied, I stepped back to glance at myself from the mirror.

I wore a green emerald strapless midi gown that highlighted my edges in place. I packed my newly plaited braids in a ponytail and completed my outfit with a stilettos heel that had a peep toe and ankle strap with buckle closure at the side.

♦♦♦

The red wine didn't alleviate the tremor in my chest, instead my heart began to beat too fast for my liking. I scooped a little portion of the coconut rice in my plate and stuffed my mouth with it.

Adrian wasn't sharing in my frustration as he enjoyed every bit of his meal. Dad was sitting at one end of the large dinning table, he was wearing a black kaftan with embroidered neckline while Adrian wore a denim jeans and sky blue thick polo with 'sport' inscribed at the chest region. He sat beside me.

"Ada ke ki me' (how are you doing)" Dad asked in our Igbo accent and glanced at me briefly. He has emaciated over the months while Adrian added up, as if he were tapping from dad.

"I'm good dad" I replied with my gaze fixed on my meal. I held a cutlery knife in my right hand, while a fork was fixed to my left hand and I brutalized my share of fried turkey.

"I've had large returns lately and my company is back on track. I think I can pay Jordan half of the debt so that that you can return home, I will realize the remaining amount soon" he explained looking everywhere but me.

I dropped my cutlery abruptly and chuckled lightly, staring at father intensely. I couldn't phantom the feeling I had right now, whether it was anger or happiness.

On a second thought did he just realize what he said? Unconsciously, my eyes flitted to the diamond wedding ring on my middle finger and I huffed.

"Dad what assures you that he would agree to these arrangement" I replied bitterly with raw emotions and I waved my hands off. "What's done is done, we've taken our vows and I can't back out now" I blurted out with a tone of finality. Adrian stared at me like I had developed a horn and I rolled my eyes, real hard.

"Ada, can you listen to yourself? What's done? Which stupid vows?" Adrian snapped his fingers in front of me and I could sense his anger rile up a little. Dad rested his arm on the table and rubbed his temple and with the look on his face my heart melted. I took a long sip of my wine and stood up, adjusting my dress simultaneously.

"I didn't come here to get into more trouble, I came to see how you people are faring but it's obvious I'm not welcomed" my eyes began to moist and I tilted my head to the side so that those threatening tears would ware off. I turned to face dad.

"Dad I am perfectly doing fine... yea I am doing great. Your son-in-law is treating me well I am also schooling, so you see it's fair enough because not all men that buys somebody's daughter treats them well" Tears were brimming at the edge of my eyes and I choked out, Adrian's expression was priceless. "You people should resist pestering me with questions that require no answer" I pointed my index finger at each of them "I think I am done here" I scoffed and began to ascend the stairs.

The click-clap of my heels shoe was the resonating sound in the hallway.

My eyes traveled around the four walls I referred to as my room, two months ago. My printed leaf design velvet bedsheets was lying on my bed, carefully arranged with two fluffy pillows resting against the dashboard. The rearview mirror in front of the dresser was covered with dust.

I missed my room or rather this room.

I ran my hands on the chair I used to sit to apply my makeups and style my hair as a stray of tears left my eyes. I smiled through my tears as the good old memories returned in a flash, my eyes had become glassy from the blurry mirror.

"What has he done to you?" Adrian's now deep voice cut short my train of thoughts. I turned to face him and his eyes flashed red.

"Adrian" I sighed in relieve "hum.. You didn't inform me that aunty Cassie had left" I asked clearly brushing off the topic.

"Ada, don't pretend like you didn't hear me" he replied through gritted teeth and shut his eyes in a flash, for some reason I shivered.

"What has he done to you that you can now lie to father?" his voice was demanding and he gestured towards the door as If dad was standing there. I let my tears spill and soil my makeup. "Look at you, Ada you're crying. What happened to the strong lady I knew months ago? What happened to your tough sid..."

"Adrian stop it.. stop it" my words choked and my voice quivered "Young man, I hope you didn't have a memory loss. I am your elder sister" I said sternly, trying to sound confident.

He chuckled lightly, clearly unfazed.
He exhaled sharply and cursed under his breathe meanwhile I was visibly shaken, I feared I might catch a fever. He drew closer to me and held my shoulders with his hands. It was then I realized how tall and muscular built he had become.

"Ada, I love you so much" his words were deep and I felt them surge through my veins. A stray of tears escaped his eyelids. "I am worried sick about what will happen to you in the hands of that cruel man.

You're losing it and I can feel it in my veins. When you left Ada, you left with our souls. Dad is just a working corpse and I don't know.." he trailed off and his tears finally ran down his cheeks.

I fell into his arms, at first I didn't realize I did that but I remained in that position for God knows how long. We both cried out the tremor in our hearts in each other's arm but the hurt still lingered there. After what seemed like minutes, I broke the hung and passed him a weak smile, cupping his cheeks.

"Baby brother. I love you and dad so much. What has to be done must be done" my throat felt really dry and my tears ran down like a torrent. "I want you to take care of yourself and father. Make sure he eats well, rests properly and he doesn't think too much. You should learn how to worry less and study for your exams okay?" I rapped in one breath, indicating with my fingers.

Adrian wanted to counter but I stopped him by looking at my wrist watch.

"I have to get going" I stated and walked out of the room, slamming the door shut. I leaned my back against the it and Adrian's voice cooed from the other end.

"Yeah! You have to get going because you are timed and monitored. As per prisoner na, my sister is now held custody na. Fu*ck!" I heard him crash something and I registered the sound. Painfully I lifted my numb legs and took a step but I still stared at the door with tears stung in my eyes.

April, you are strong and beautiful. You can surge this phase of life, don't let your weakness rule you.

I chanted to myself as I made my way the final door of dad's large house. Jordan's Hyundai Philippines car was parked in the drive way with the driver whom I got to know his name as Peter, was waiting patiently in the driver's seat. A guard was sitting in besides him, 'yes a guard to checkmate my movements' I snorted.

I glanced briefly at the large house with massive widows and exotic doors as Peter drove out through the gate and I smiled.

A real smile

A real smile to convince myself that it was worth it.

♦♦♦

Entering the living room, I walked to the bar section as If I was under a force. My eyes scanned the different bottles of exotic wines and alcoholic drink and it settled on one, a sly smirk formed on my lips.

I picked out a Smirnoff Vodka drink and a short glass of cup, I poured some content into the cup and gulped it down in one breath.

The hot liquid ran down my throat and I cringed. I sprawled on the bare titled floor and unbuckled the closure of my heel, I placed the Vodka drink in between my thighs and poured myself another round then another.

✴️✴️✴️

A severe headache plus hangover brought me back to reality, I huffed and tossed on the bed, grabbing the sheets and caused loudly. I placed my hands on my forehead and shut my eyes in pain. "Mehn this hurts, is this what a hangover feels like?" Just then a knock came through from the door.

"Come in" I managed to say in a whisper. Emily walked into the room holding a white tray with printed butterfly design on it. The tray held a bowl of hot soup, a glass of water and pain killers.

Father lord bless this girl for me biko
A huge grin formed on my lips and she bowed after placing the tray on the side table.

"Good morning ma'am" she greeted with her smile intact.

"Morning Emily. Thank you, this was what I needed" I replied and managed to sit upright. She placed a pillow under my head as I placed it on the dashboard.

"You're welcome ma'am. Will that be all for now?" she asked and I nodded, picking up the bowl of soup.

"humm.. Emily one question" I raised my index finger, stopping her in her tracks.

"Yes ma'am"

"How did I get up here because I kinda figured that I passed out in the bar last night"

"Oh that, master brought you up here" she replied subtly.

"O" my mouth hung open while I took in what she just said. "Alright, that would be all" I dismissed her. My face heated up and a smile spread across my lips, I was literally blushing.

I had drank a lot of the Vodka drink yesterday and that explained the force behind this unbearable hangover. I glanced at myself briefly and realization dawned on me that I was wearing my pajamas.

'Wait a minute, did he also change my clothes?" I gasped .

Paranoia thoughts raced through my mind. 'April get thoughts off your head. Maybe Emily did that and besides he doesn't have that time' my subconscious chided me and I couldn't agree more. The large wall clock came into view, 11:36am it read.

After I had feasted on the soup and taken my pills, I made my way to the bathroom for a cool shower. I got out minutes later with a thick red towel wrapped around my body from my bust to my middle thighs and a shower cap on my head in order not to wet my braids.

I sat in front of the dresser and applied my body lotion tactfully, humming a song to myself. I entered the closet and picked out a light pink embroidered kaftan dress with a relaxed shape, a split neck and a tie waist.

It was perfect

I descended down stairs and walked to the kitchen through the lonely hallway. I imagined little Jordan's and April's chasing each other and filling the hallway with their contagious laughter.

'Ode continue imagining nonsense, don't come back to reality" my subconscious teased and I laughed real hard.

I was savoring the taste of the mouth drooling noodle in front of me when my ringtone disrupted me. The sound filled the quite dining area, the caller ID came into view and I smiled.

"Hey girl" I cooed.

"My love, how are you doing?" Irene's cute voice echoed over the phone.
"I'm doing fine. I went to see dad and Adrian yesterday and experience is something I wouldn't want to talk about" My smile melted into a scowl and my thoughts wandered again.

"Oh, I understand"

"Enough about me jare. What's up with you?"

"Mhmm, April I'm not sure if I should tell you about this" she spoke in a whisper.

"What is it?" my curiosity riled up.

"I got admission and I would be leaving next week" her voice quivered. Irene would leave me for Ibadan? My throat felt dry and I grimaced.

It was early October so obviously schools in Nigeria would start proper by next month, although some would begin next year.

"April are you there?" her worried voice cut short my thoughts.

"Yeah...yes.. I'm happy for you, make me proud" I smiled through my tears, trust me it was genuine. "We would talk later okay? Let me give you time to park for your journey" I said harshly and hung up without waiting for a reply.

'Is that sarcasm I trace in your voice' my subconscious reprimanded me. I just snorted and dropped the phone on the table, I suddenly lost my appetite so I abandoned the food.

Just as I was about to ascend the stairs, some voices stopped me in my track. I turned only to come face with a very pretty lady. She looked like a half cast with emerald eyes.

Her brown hair were held in curls, she wore a black handless dress that highlighted her slim self with a silver stone beaded sandals heels. She seemed to be in her late twenties.

A dark complexioned lady was trailing behind her, she parked her natural hair and wore a jeans short with black hoodie. She finished up her dressing with a simple sneakers and seemed to be a year older than I am but I observed a big bag in her hands.

'Who are they?" I said to myself but I needed to find out so I walked towards them.

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So guys i hope you enjoyed this chapter?

Who felt the love between April and Adrian and do you think April should come back?

And before I forget who is the strange lady?

Oya oo, share your thoughts on this chapter...

Next update: Monday.

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Love you guys ❤