There is going to be a compulsory author's note at the end of the chapter. Kindly take your time to read it. Thank you.

Let's dive in!

THEODORE

After two tired blinks, my eye sight became clear. I sighted Toby at the window his full concentration outside.

"What do you find so fascinating over there?" I asked and that was enough to get his attention.

"Just the view from up here. It's beautiful, magical even." He responded not looking away from the window.

I got up from the bed and walked towards the window where he stood. The sight was indeed alluring but it felt like Toby exaggerated a little.

I shrugged and walked into the closet and grabbed my toiletries. "I'm going in for a bath. You can have yours after me."

"I've already had my bath." Was his crisp response. With a nod, I walked into the bathroom.

As the train of hot water hit my skin, I could only have my mind think of meeting my extended family. I missed dinner the previous night but there was nothing I could do about breakfast. I'd have to be present whether I liked it or not.

Someone knocked on our door the moment I was done dressing. Toby pulled open the door and poked his head outside.

In barely twenty seconds later, he shut the door and turned to me. "It's time for breakfast." He said and grabbed a small bag pack.

"What are you carrying that for?" I asked him and he turned to me with a grin on his face.

"My camera is in here and so is yours." He said and walked out of the room.

With how much I was beginning to like Toby I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that he was one of the strangest persons I knew. One moment he's all sunshine and the next he's silent.

His silence shouldn't mean a thing but there was just something I couldn't fathom about him that interested me.

I quickly rushed out and met him halfway down the hallways. "Have you met him before?" I mistakenly blurted out.

"Who?" Toby asked immediately.

"Grandpa." I called out the word left a stale taste in my mouth.

"I haven't met any of my extended family members. It's my first time here, my very first time in Lagos." He said and shrugged nonchalantly.

"Same here." I said softly. Somehow, my anxiety dropped.

"That's not true, your dad was the Governor of Lagos." Toby said and I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"What?"

"You haven't been to Lagos before."

I stopped walking and just stared at him. He was officially the strangest person I had met.

He broke into short fits of laughter causing me to watch him in so much awe.

"I'm sorry." He said in between fits of laughter.

"Heyy." He nudged me when I didn't say a thing." I looked at him with a questioning look.

"Chill out, I'm not crazy." He said and wrapped his hand around my shoulders. "I was just trying to kill the tension."

"Well thank you for inflating it." I retorted with an eye roll.

"My bad." He drawled with mock sympathy. I simply shook my head with lopsided grin on my face.

The chattering and faint clashing of cutlery caught my attention. I was so engrossed in Toby and our little conversation that I did not know we had just gotten down the long stairways.

I looked around the extremely large dining area at everyone seated. Mum, dad, Tony and Dayo were already seated with a couple of unfamiliar faces. They were all speaking like that was how we all dined together everyday.

"Adewale!" I turned to the voice and watched as Toby engulfed the caller-his mum in a hug.

My mum was watching them as the woman in question ruffled his curls. I walked up to her and gave her a kiss on both cheeks. She smiled and ruffled my neatly combed hair.

"Who do they remind you of?" She asked still watching Toby and his mum.

"Us." I replied. The relationship between them seemed like the one I shared with my mum before the incident two years ago. Before I started keeping to myself, before I started facing incessant nightmares, having various episodes and panic attacks, before home school, and most of all, before Irene.

My mind quickly drifted to Irene. It had been only a few days since we last spoke but it felt like months. I genuinely hoped she was fine and not peeling open old wounds.

Lord, keep Irene Safe.

I said a short prayer for her.

I took a seat beside Toby after exchanging pleasantries with Dad, my brothers and a number of family members which included Toby's mum.

The loud chattering slowly died down and I turned my attention to where everyone had their gazes on.

The stairway.

Eliakim Irede Thompson walked down the stairs oozing so much confidence, taking a step at a time. And must I say that the man was very tall for someone old. No surprise how my entire family, Toby and a few other relatives were very tall.

Grandpa has a large mass of gray hair on his head and beards that complimented them. It somehow reminded me of the legend Professor Wole Soyinka.

I was in awe of my own Grandfather. He took a seat at the far end of the table and dipped a hand into his pocket, grabbed something I couldn't quite see and packed his hair into man bun.

My jaw literally dropped and I was certain my expression mirrored every one's.

"Why are y'all staring at me like that? Never seen someone look this great?" I blinked twice. Who's this man?

His voice and sitting posture oozed confidence, something my dad had and I also did.

Grandpa started eating when nobody decided to touch theirs. In a couple of minutes, cutlery were lifted and every other person started eating. The entire dining area was silent.

"So Father, why did you call every one of us here?" My dad broke the silence.

"It's not right to have conversations while having a meal but I'll break that one rule today to save y'all the heart attack you want to give yourselves."

He dropped his fork and knife back on his plate and placed his neatly manicured hands on the table.

"Well most of you haven't been here since you got married. I've missed my kids so much that's why I called for everyone of you." I didn't miss the look of relief on the faces of everyone.

They could have thought that he called us to announce that he had a terminal disease. Humans can be subconscious pessimists.

"Also, I'll be turning eighty in a few days and I just want to reunite this family before then. I've created a WhatsApp group and I'll be adding everyone one of you there. There should be regular communication between all of you." He said.

The air around Grandpa's castle was lighter after his little speech and I could see everyone interacting.

I got to know a lot about my grandpa after breakfast. I got to know that he had three wives and all were dead, I also got to know that he once contested for the presidency post but didn't win. My dad really did have a lot in common with him.

I got to know that Toby's grandmother was the third wife. She was American therefore his dad was a Nigerian-American and that he was born in the US. I also got to know that he lost his dad when he was younger and he was an only child.

I met with so many of my cousins and we had short conversations.

*****

"I was in complete awe of this place yesterday," Toby said as he lead me through the large flower garden after the staff quarters in Grandpa's house. "I still am though. I mean this place is very beautiful."

We were taking beautiful shots of the surroundings on our cameras. Deep in my heart, I wished Lucia was here to see how beautiful the garden was. She had been a nature lover.

"I've been thinking on opening an Instagram page where I could just post my photography stuff." He said as he took a seat on a boulder.

"That's a great idea," I responded sitting on the concrete bench beside him. "It'll give you more exposure."

"That's the exact thing April said when she made this suggestion about a year ago. I now regret not taking her advice." He sighed.

His expression piqued my interest and I smirked. "So who's this April you speak of?" I asked wiggling my brows. I was beginning to think Tony and Kazeem were having a negative effect on me with the way I sounded.

"April Waje." He said going through the pictures he had taken.

"And how did that answer my question. You don't just tell me the girl's name and expect me to know her."

He turned to me with an arched brow. "You don't know April?" He asked me and I nodded.

"I don't have a single idea. Tell me."

"She's this teen actress and model I used to date. A great friend too." He took my camera and started going through my own shots. "She'd freak if she found out you haven't heard of her." He said with a small chuckle.

"Reminds me of Irene." I said recalling our first meeting.

"Irene Coker?" He asked and I nodded.

"She did a few shoots with April back when we were dating. That's how I know her. Who knew April and Irene were so similar?"

I chuckled. "Those models can be a handful." I said crossing my legs. It was so fun to have someone to relate to with so many things.

"Funny how our lives are almost so similar." Toby said his eyes not leaving my camera.

Trust me you don't want that Toby.

We did have a lot in common but I doubted he'd ever have problems that'd cost him his sanity. He looked and sounded to happy to have any problems but then there's nobody without a problem.

"Nice camera you've got here." He said turning it around to have a better view.

"It was a birthday gift from someone special," I said. "A friend."

He nodded still holding it. "Irene?" He asked and I shook my head.

"No, Lucia."

"The girl with the big afro?" He asked and I nodded. I didn't even know I still had her pictures. Who was I kidding? I did but didn't have the courage to look at them and that was the more reason I never used the camera since the incident.

"Can you ask her where she got it, I'd like to get mine customized too." He said handing me the camera.

My heart constricted as the memories came flooding in. "Unfortunately I can't. She's dead. She died about two years ago."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that-"

"It's fine, I'm fine. It's not your fault."

That was a big lie. I wasn't fine and I wasn't sure I could ever be. I closed my eyes as I tried to get her face away from my head, her smile, her goofy personality, her serious part, her bossy self also.

I knew I missed her so much. I needed a distraction so bad before I get a panic attack.

"Hey there boys." I soft sultry voice spoke up and I opened my eyes to be met with a tall, curvy and chocolate skin girl. In a way she reminded me of Osaze.

She walked over to us and took a seat beside me. "What's up?" She asked as she popped a lollipop into her mouth.

Toby and I gave each other weary looks. "You two should loosen up. I'm no stranger. I'm your cousin and the name is Amy."

"I'm Theodore," I said. "And this is Toby." I gestured towards him. He have her a small wave.

"Nice to meet you." she said

"My pleasure." I replied while Toby just watched.

"I came out here to have some fun. This place is so boring." I was guessing she was my dad's younger sister's daughter as her thick American accent gave her away. Her parents were based in the US even before their marriage and they live there. Funny how they flew down here only to hear grandpa say what he said.

"Theodore, Toby. Go get dressed we're going into town." Tony said as he walked to us.

"Finally some fun." I heard Amy say beside me.

"Didn't know you're here Amy." Tony said as he plopped down beside me and ruffled my hair.

"I combed my hair you know?" I frowned at him while he gave me a smirk.

"Where are we going T?" Amy asked as she grabbed her purse from beside her.

When she got no response she gave us all wary looks. "What's up?"

"You asked a particular T where we are going. In case you have forgotten, I'm Tony," My brother said gesturing to himself.

"He's Toby," he said patting Toby's shoulder.

"And he's Theodore." He said digging his large hands into my hair.

In conclusion, we're all T's." He said dipping his hands into his pocket. The setting sun shone on his face and he had this bronzy look and his chiseled jaws were more pronounced.

"Whatever." She declared with sass and walked past us.

"We're going to the club!" He called after her and she rushed inside the castle after giving him a thumbs up.

The expression on my face mirrored Toby's. "Club?" I asked almost loosing my mind. Not like I hadn't been to a club before but it just didn't seem like the right thing to do at the moment.

"Calm down guy, we're going to my club to check things out. I just didn't want to go alone. You guys will have fun, stop being so uptight." He rolled his eyes and began to walk away.

"Go get dressed and be down here by seven. We'll be leaving then." He said not sparing us a glance as he walked out of eyeshot.

➪➪➪➪➪

We walked into the building as soon as we got down from the car. The music blaring through the speakers could turn one deaf. I winced as we walked past groups of sweaty youths as we made our way to the VVIP section.

I didn't miss the looks we got. The guys had their eyes on Amy. I couldn't blame them, the girl was dressed in a denim off shoulder crop top and tassel hem short set and need I say it hugged her curves at every angle.

I also didn't miss the looks the girls gave Tony. He was quite famous. A young medical doctor and club owner. How contrasting both were.

Tony wrapped his arm around Amy's shoulder in a protective way. One that kept the guys away.

The noise reduced drastically as we got into the VVIP booth. Three guys were seated there. Two about my age and the other older.

"Omo Pastor!" Tony hailed as he got to the older guy. They did a bro handshake thingy. Tony and I used to do something like that when I was younger.

"Omo Governor!" The guy retorted earning a playful jab from Tony.

Toby, Amy and I had already taken our seats. While Toby and I observed the surroundings, Amy just kept typing away on her phone.

"Meet my younger brother, Theodore." Tony gestured to me "And my cousins, Toby and Amy." He said gesturing respectively.

"And you guys, meet Michael Bamidele. He manages my Lagos branch and he's a good friend of mine too."

I flashed him a small smile, Toby gave him a wave and Amy, she smirked at him taking her bottom lip between her teeth. The Michael guy took her in like she was some delicious snack to be devoured.

"Nice meeting you." She said and stretched out her hand for a handshake. He took her hand and held it for longer than usual.

Tony pulled her hand away from his. "Guy no dey play that kine play. Na my cousin she be no dey look am." Tony said to him in pidgin English and he chuckled brushing it off but I didn't miss the wink her gave to a smirking Amy.

"This is My brother Matthew." Michael said giving one of the other guys seated a pat on the shoulder. "And this is his friend Clinton." He said gesturing to the guy with dreads on.

I couldn't quite see Matthew's face because he had a bucket hat on. A few handshakes and we were done with pleasantries.

"My brother here," Michael started taking off his brother's hat and slamming it hard on his head.

"Guy what was that for?" Matthew asked pissed at his brother who found the entire situation amusing.

"Has girlfriend issues. Matthew has girlfriend issues and I brought him here to have some fun but he doesn't even want to loosen up. What else can I do?" He asked feigning confusion.

"She's not my girlfriend." Matthew responded with a scowl and Clinton scoffed.

I watched every one of them. Matthew and Michael had similar facial features but there was something about Matthew that made him seem very familiar and I wasn't sure what it was.

"She is your girlfriend, you just haven't asked her out to seal the deal." Michael retorted and Matthew just kept quiet and buried his face in his palms.

"My brother also be denying this really hot chick I think he's dating." Tony spoke up and I shook my head immediately.

"No, no Tony. It's completely different here, Irene and I are just friends. Nothing more."

Tony snorted causing Amy, Michael and Clinton who found it funny to laugh.

"Could the Irene you're speaking of by chance be the same Irene Coker. Yunno the model." Clinton asked and Tony beat me to it.

"Yeah, that's the girl."

I heard Clinton whistle under his breath. "That girl is hot." He said a smirk marrying his face.

"If I were you, I'd be careful. Wouldn't want Zino to hear that, now would you?" Matthew said not lifting his head.

He immediately do the cross sign and sealed his lips with an imaginary zipper.

"You guys, we'll be back in a short while. We have things to discuss. In the meantime, the waiters will serve you with drinks." Tony said as he walked out of the booth with Michael.

"You look so much like Jamal." Amy spoke up as soon as Michael and Tony walked out.

I zoned out when it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't heard Toby speak since we arrived at the place. I turned to my side to see Toby so engrossed in whatever he was doing with his phone.

I peeked at his phone's screen. He was chatting with someone and boy did I notice that ghost of a smile on his lips.

"April, Isn't it?" I asked as he jolted.

"Huh?"

"Is it April that got your attention?" I asked gesturing to his mobile phone.

"No, Yara." He replied and I found myself smiling.

"We have a lot to talk about when we get back to the house." I said to him as he smiled heartily.

All the boys seemed to have their mumu button in someone's hand.

I thought about Lucia, how much would have happened if she didn't die and how great things would have been. What would have been and what wouldn't have been.

"So Theodore, what's your opinion, what can Matthew do to win Kesiena back?" Amy asked and I shot her a confused look.

"Who?"

"What do you think Matthew can do to win his girlfriend whom he had hurt back."

"Can you give me details of what happened?" I asked and Amy frowned.

"You haven't been listening to Clinton."

"It's fine. I'm certain thoughts of Irene were running through his mind." Clinton spoke up.

You're very wrong bro, thoughts of Lucia were running through my mind. Mind wrecking thoughts may I add.

"I'll narrate it one last time." Clinton said and Amy sat up with so much eagerness and interest. Matthew on the other hand looked like he was going to break down any moment.

And Toby, he was so engrossed in his conversation with the Mystery girl, Yara that he barely heard a word uttered in the booth.

My eyes rested on the table as I listened to Clinton. Funny how I didn't noticed that our drinks had been served before.

I sighed.....

*

Hey guys, it's been three weeks since I last updated and that's a long time, I'm so sorry about that. Expect more frequent chapter henceforth.

Thank you so much for over 3k reads on this book. I'm so grateful.

I'd like for y'all to know that I'm dropping hints for my next book and for the later chapters of this book, shine your eyes wella.

My Collab with UjuritaElliana for her book Tequila is still ongoing.

Michael, Matthew and Clinton are characters from vilalove09's book 14 days.

Check out these books I have listed above.

I'd really like for y'all to be more supportive. Ghost readers please make effort to vote even if you can't comment, just vote. It's very easy. We need your support to keep going, I need your support to keep writing.

That said, I'll be giving room for questions and answer session after the next chapter. Send your questions to my DM or even here in the comment section.

Note: I won't be giving spoilers, do not ask for them.

If I don't get up to ten questions, I will not be doing the question and answer.

Thank you so much for reading, do well to vote and comment. Expect the drama from the 31st chapter.

Love y'all, see you in the next update.

Stay safe.

Word Count: 3430