Chapter 56: Chapter 56

William brings Kemi back to the family mansion after he almost burnt his house trying to cook for her. She has been laughing her heart out all through the ride. She has asked him to cook for him as a price for losing on their bet and he almost burnt the kitchen frying just eggs and plantains.

He feigns a frown, “I can actually do it, it's just because it's my first time, that's all. Besides, you were the one who asked for it." He shrugs.

She nods, “Yes yes yes, you are a guru when it comes to cooking, I'm sorry my Lord." She continues to tease him.

"I’ll let you win this time but you will pay for mocking me next time." He says pointing his index finger at her.

She sticks out her tongue at him. "I'm stronger than you think." She says making a confident face.

He grins, "Oh really? We'll see about that next time." He says before leaning forward to kiss her forehead. "I have to go now." He says softly.

"Yes you should, it's late already." She agrees nodding her head.

He smiles at her before entering into his car. She stands there watching the car drive out of the compound before turning around to the entrance. As she steps into the foyer, she freezes when she sees Richard standing there with a brown cigar in his left hand. She still can't get used to seeing the man. His hard expression all the time never ceases to scare her and it always seem like he's watching her all the time.

She quickly bows her head, "Good evening sir."

He furrows his brows and just stares at her without saying anything. It's as if he's studying her, trying to solve a hard puzzle and then he just sighs before walking away. She quickly starts walking towards the stairs but pauses when she sees a figure coming down from the other side of the stairs. She stares at the familiar figure closely until she recognizes who the person is. Her lips form into a wide smile and she walks to the direction of the person.

"Mike!" She calls out with a smile on her face. He leans his head forward to look at her and his eyes grow wide as he recognizes her. He quickens his steps to meet her.

"Kemi?" He calls out in surprise.

"Hi." She says smiling at him.

"How come you're here?" He asks.

"Um...I take care of the consigliere's mom."

His eyes grow wide in shock, "Really? The consigliere's mom? Since when?"

"Since um, since some days ago." She answers with a shrug.

He looks at her from her head to toe and smiles. "You look good. It looks like you went out."

She nods, "Uh, yeah, I am. This is my first time seeing you here." She smiles. It feels so nice to see a familiar face.”

Mike smiles before his face turns into a conflicted expression. "But, why did you decide to work here? I thought you were with the underboss?"

She sighs, "Well, that's um...That's like a long story. Stuffs happened and that's how I'm here."

He furrows his eyebrows leaning in with interest. "Things like what? What happened?"

"Well...l got sold out by the underboss...” She shrugs."Luckily for me, the consigliere found me and that's how he brought me here."

"What?" His voice expresses shock and surprise. "He sold you out? Why? Did you do anything to offend him?"

"Well...He has never liked me anyway. In fact, he doesn't like any one." She says pursing her lips.

He sighs, "This mansion is not really ideal for you, there are so many dangers and just as how big the mansion is, that's how big the troubles here are but well..." He shrugs. "If the consigliere got your back, then you're good but...” He leans closer to her to whisper in her ears. "Try as much as possible not to get in trouble. I'm not saying you always get into trouble but this place is really dangerous. A lot of things take place on here and I don't need to explain much because you have already faced a piece of it. Just be careful."

She smiles at him and can’t help but think he’s a sweet soul. "I will, Mike, don't worry."

"And also...” He leans close to her to whisper in her ear."Don't even think of falling for the consigliere. I understand that he's good looking and all but you'll get in trouble." He moves away with a serious expression.

She stares at him in confusion. She could see he isn't cracking a joke but is really serious and wonders why he is saying this all of sudden.

She feigns laughter. "Of course not...Why would I...” “But you never can tell." She adds jokingly.

He chuckles lightly, "I am serious Kemi, don't; in fact don’t even think of liking anyone that is a part of this mafia.” He sighs. “I guess you won't though, he's not an easy person for people to like.” He shrugs.

"Is he that bad?" She asks trying to get why he's sounding so serious, it's as if he's warning her.

He purses his lips before saying, "Well...I don't know much about the consigliere but one clear thing is that, he has a crazy wife and ..."

"The madam is looking for you." A girl's voice interrupts him and he turns to see her standing in front of them.

Mike turns to her, "Really?"

The girl nods, "Come at once." And then she leaves.

Kemi stares at him trying to process what she just heard. Did he say the consigliere has a crazy life or a crazy wife?

"Um…Mike, what did you say?” She asks him.

Mike turns to her and sighs, “I have to go now, just make sure not to get mixed up in the consigliere’s life; things would get really crazy." He starts walking away.

Kemi sighs as she watches him leave. For a moment, she thought she heard him say wife. It's as if her heart almost stopped beating when she heard him. What is she even thinking? If the consigliere has wife, he would definitely not be this way with her. She shakes her head, brushing off the thought before climbing up the stairs.

“I must have heard him wrong.”

THE NEXT MORNING

Kemi stands on the balcony beside Patricia who focuses her eyes down staring at the compound like it's her first time seeing it.

"The place is hot." Patricia complains with a frown on her face and Kemi turns to her.

"It's hot?" She asks in disbelief. The place is actually freezing because of the cold weather. How can she say it's hot? Could it be...? She quickly presses the back of her palm against the crook of her neck trying to check her temperature.

She arches a brow, "Your temperature is fine though. Should we just go inside?" She asks with concern.

Patricia shakes her head, "No, bring a cooler over here." She says.

Kemi smiles and nods her head. Patricia has asked for the same thing all through the morning and she realizes it could just be one of the ways people with dementia behave.

"Okay." She walks out of the balcony. As she walks pass two guards while she hears them whispering.

"I heard the accident was serious." One of them says.

"It was only minor; he's recovering at the hospital."The other argues.

"Of course he's recovering at the hospital but it was a fatal one. I even heard he broke his hand. Why would l say wrong things about the consigliere?"

At that, Kemi pauses in her track at the mention of the consigliere.

The other guard sighs, "That stupid driver would definitely be killed; he put the consigliere's life in danger."

Her eyes grow wide when she hears them. The consigliere got into an accident? She blinks continuously as she feels panic run through her. How did he get into an accident and when did it happen? They had met yesterday so how could that have happened? She can’t help but wonders if he would be okay? Since the men had said that he broke his hand, she figures it could be serious. She can’t stop thinking about as she makes her way upstairs.

AT THE HOSPITAL.

Ella sits beside William who lies on his back with his right hand in a cast and a plaster covering the slight injury on his forehead, with a worried expression on her face. There is also a cervical collar (neck cast) around his neck. He has been in the hospital after the accident which occurred on his way home after seeing Kemi. The driver had almost run into a vehicle and in the process of dodging it, ended up hitting a pole. The driver also sustained injuries on his leg and right hand but instead of the hospital, he was taken to the treatment house where they treat every member of the mafia.

As Ella strokes his hair, he opens his eyes slightly.

"William?" She calls out almost in disbelief. "You're awake."

"Where the hell am I?" He manages to ask as he sits up on the bed.

"No no, don't sit here, you need to rest." Ella says quickly as she tries to stop him. He looks around and realizes that he's in the hospital.

"Why the hell am I brought here?" He demands with a frown on his face.

Ella holds his hand tightly. "You got into an accident, baby." She says to him.

He touches the plaster on his head and groans slightly in pain. "I know that, obviously." He rolls his eyes.

She stands up and walks over to the table before taking up a telephone. She dials on it while William stares at her in puzzle.

"What are you doing?" He asks her with furrowed brows as he watches her.

"I'm calling the doctor since you're awake." She replies with the phone still on her ear.

William sighs and rests his back against the pillow. After she finished making the call, minutes later, the doctor walks inside along with a nurse.

He starts to say, "Hello Mr. William, I'm doctor..."

"Can we just skip the introduction?" William says cutting him off already getting annoyed. His head is throbbing and he's not in for any unnecessary talks right now. He just wants to leave the hospital at once. He hates hospitals.

The doctor smiles and nods before moving closer to him "How are you feeling?" He asks him.

"Not too good but I'll be better if l go home. I have a personal doctor, don't worry." William answers plainly.

"Shouldn't you recover first sir?"

"I'll be better at home, so...” He trails off as he starts coughing.

Ella quickly walks over to him rubbing her hand on his back. "You should rest babe, we can go home when you're better." She says reaching for his hand but he withdraws it abruptly forgetting he is injured and he winces from the pain before groaning in annoyance. He squint his eyes before reaching for his head which keeps throbbing badly.

"I want to get discharged now." He says glaring at the doctor who nods slowly before moving over to check up on him.

"We will need your signature as his wife."

Ella nods before standing up to exit the room with the doctor. William who has already fallen asleep was discharged and Ella instructed for him to be taken to the family mansion instead of his. She figures it would be better to take him to where his father is so he would allow her to take care of him.

He wakes up along the way only to find out that he's already in the family mansion instead of his.

"Why am I here?" He asks glaring at his guard, Kenny, who is driving the car.

"Um...Sir, we um...We thought you wanted to come here?”

"When did I say that?" He yells at him.

William sighs in annoyance as he tries to tilt his head but couldn't due to the neck cast. He rests his back against the car seat as the guard drives into the compound.

"You all are f**king stupid." He grumbles before shutting his eyes. Kenny quickly comes down from the car to open the car for him. He slowly steps out while they try to support him but he stops him.

"I can walk." He says curtly as he slowly walks into the entrance. Kenny follows him side by side until they reach the elevator. He presses on the button and the elevator slides open before William walks inside. He is still feeling dizzy despite having already slept and his head is still throbbing heavily. When he reaches the floor, he walks over to his room and then Kenny helps him rests his head on the pillow.

"Is there anything else I can do for you consigliere?" He asks.

"Have you called my doctor?"

Kenny nods, "Yes sir, he's on his way."

"You can go now."

Kenny nods and before leaving the room.

Xoxo