Chapter 20: Chapter 20



Charles POV

I woke up with a start, looking around the room with blurry eyes. I was completely in a haze as I tried to figure out my surroundings. Where the fuck was I? I was already going into a state of panic when I caught sight of an old lampshade on the bedside table. It was then I realized I was at home, in my childhood bedroom. I wasn't even done breathing in relief when memories of yesterday's events hit me like a flood.

The trip home, my mother, the fight...

I gave a heavy sigh.

It just never got old. I always came home to repeat the same routine. She'd insist on being a bitch, and I'd completely lose my temper. It was quite exhausting, to say the least.

I rolled over to the other side of the bed and picked up my phone from the bedside table. unlocking It with my left index finger, I checked for highlights, missed calls or messages. I found none. With a sigh, I dropped the phone beside me. My mind drifting to Annabelle. I still didn't know where I had gone wrong. Women were completely unpredictable. One minute they want you and the next they want to kill you. It had never really affected me what side I was on. That was until Annabelle appeared.

Damn the woman for getting under my skin.

I needed a distraction. Picking up my phone, I found Eric's number and dialled it. After a few rings, he picked.

"Prodigal son," Eric said. His crunchy male voice coming out jokingly. "So, you couldn't call us because--"

"Because I was busy, okay. Don't crucify me please," I said, cutting him off on purpose before he began creating stories from that crazy head of his. Eric was very good at 'creating things out of thin air.' It was part of his job description as an artist.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night." He chuckled. I could almost feel him rolling his eyes at me from behind the phone screen. "So, what's your purpose of calling me now? Because I know for a fact you don't do anything for free."

I busted out in laughter. "Oh lord, Eric! Can you stop reading me for like five seconds? You sound like an old man."

"Okay then, I'll stop. But we'll see if I'm right as the conversation proceeds." He cheekily replied, probably with a knowing look plastered on his face.

"Oh stop being like that. I've missed you guys, I just wanted to let you know that I was back in town." I took a pause then asked, "Would you guys like to flex with me tonight, "

Eric coughed, and I quickly added, "It would be my treat of course." It seemed I sucked at the whole acting thingy when it came to Eric. I couldn't look innocent even if my life depended on it.

"And there it is. I said it didn't I? You are just looking for a means to offload your burdens. Aren't you?" He asked, slowly emphasizing the question to prove his point.

When I didn't answer immediately, realisation dawned on him. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

It was almost like he just discovered something juicy. "What happened in Abuja Charles?" There was pure curiosity lacing his voice.

"You got me," I said, completely ignoring his last question as I stood up and moved to the bathroom.

"Do you know anything about my father's triangle insignia?" I asked, tilting the topic away from Belle.

"Hmm, I can clearly see you are not gonna tell me what happened. It's fine for now but just know-"

"Eric. Focus. Insignia."

"Okay, okay, what do you want to know?"

"Everything. Who drew it. When it was drawn, why it was created. What it means. Everything."

"Why are you suddenly so curious about your father's insignia? I thought you said you wanted nothing to do with the company or him?"

I sighed. "Look, if you don't want to help me just-"

"Okay then. Let's change the topic. Have you called Paul?" He asked instead and I smiled.

"No, but I plan to do so the moment I drop this call," I replied with a sigh, grateful that he decided to let it go. I took off my shirt with one hand and stuck the phone between my ear and shoulder.

"Don't bother." A familiar voice responded. "

Oh shit! Paul.

We all knew that Paul was emotional, and as such tended to get jealous whenever he felt left out.

"Paul?" I asked in a surprised tone. "Man! I didn't know you were there. Why didn't you tell me?" When I didn't get any response from him I continued, "I planned to call you after Eric."

"Oh really?" He replied.

"Yeah! You and I both know that Eric is the hardest human to handle in this whole fucking world. I had to call him first because I knew you'd immediately understand me. I am sorry okay. You know I love you brother."

"I'll waste my saliva on my patients instead." Yeah, the doctor has spoken.

"Man! You are matured. Don't take this too personal now." I said with a sigh. "Eric, please help me out here."

Deep down I knew the moment I had explained, Paul stopped being angry. But he was putting up a show because he loved the attention and he knew I would willingly give it to him.

"It's all good Charles," Paul said. Effectively cutting off whatever Eric was about to say. "You don't have to involve Eric in this. I can see you are already pissing your pants." He said, chuckling.

My voice vibrated with laughter. "You've always loved it when I beg haven't you?"

"Of course I have." He said. I could feel him smiling behind the phone. "It always feels good seeing you squirm. Ain't I right Eric?" Paul asked. Directing his question to his current partner in crime.

"Damn right it does!" Eric replied. His voice showing how much he was enjoying the show.

"You know what? Screw the both of you."

"Yeah yeah.. ..." Paul said. I was sure he was rolling his eyes at me as he popped a chunk of chocolate into his mouth. "So, who is she?

Fuck! They weren't going to relent.

"If you guys agree to go out with me, you'll hear all about it."

"Deal," Paul announced. Not wanting to waste the opportunity given.

"I don't wanna be halfway down the bottle before you arrive," Eric added.

"Of course, I know exactly how much of a lousy drunk you are Eric," I said with a smirk. "See you guys at 5 pm," I added, making sure to have the last word.

There was a moment of sporadic laughter between us before I dropped the call. Damn those men. They always got the best and worst out of me. I couldn't help but smile as I dropped the phone on the bed and hopped into the shower. The mere fact that I had the boys in my life was the biggest consolation I had.

When I was down or stressed. I had them lay off some steam. That was if a woman wasn't around to take the heat.

As I stepped out of the shower, my belly rumbled. I couldn't deny my poor tummy anymore. So I threw on something casual and went down to the kitchen to fix myself some breakfast. It was true that I didn't eat my mother's food. That was because she was truly and completely a lousy cook.

When I was little, Mary our current cook was the one in charge of the domestic work at home. She was the reason I hadn't died of food poisoning. Because if my mum had been in charge of the kitchen, that would have been the case. The moment I was old enough, I asked Mary to teach me how to cook. And she did. She had practically saved me.

When I got into the kitchen, I went for the fridge. I needed something cold to gulp down before the main meal. I opened the fridge and inhaled. Deeply enjoying the smell of fresh fruits as they permeated the atmosphere.

"Are you trying to steal my yoghurt again?" A voice accused, startling me as I went for the park of freshly made yoghurt that was sitting there waiting to be plucked. I spun around immediately, only to find Mary smiling back at me.

"Mary!" I said excitedly. "It's been too long. Are you done with your leave? How is your family?" I said as I moved to give her a motherly hug. She had always made me feel loved. Like a mother would her son.

"Slow down young man. You are talking too fast and asking too many questions at the same time! Where do you want me to start now?" She asked lightly as she patted my back and released me.

"Start from anywhere. I have missed you. It's been a year! The assistant chef you left here almost killed us with salt." I said as I picked up a glass and poured myself some yoghurt.

"Which means you never actually missed me. What you missed was my cooking." She replied. A smile forming on her lips.

"Well, there is no difference between your cooking and you so..." She looked at me for a second with a knowing look, and I busted into laughter. She joined in moments later, tapping me on the shoulder as she walked past me to the kitchen counter. That was when I noticed she had come in with some groceries.

"What are you making," I asked her. Settling myself on the kitchen stool that was opposite the cooking counter.

"A verity of dishes, and yes, your favourite is involved. But first, how have you been, Charlie?" She asked, addressing me with my childhood nickname.

"I am fine," I replied casually, but I knew she wouldn't let it go.

"You are always fine, son. You look like there's a lot on your mind. Talk to me." She said as she began chopping the vegetables she had bought from the market.

"I met a woman," I grumbled softly, succumbing to her probing and gentleness.

"You've met lots of women Charlie. What makes this one special enough to tell me?" She asked as she turned on the gas to begin boiling the meat.

"I can't seem to get her out of my head," I answered, sipping a mouthful of yoghurt from my glass. "She's just stuck in there. It bothers me." I said with a sigh.

Taking to Mary was like freeing your muscles after a good workout.

"Son, you'll have to take out time to sort out your feelings for this girl before you act. If not, you might end up making a decision that could cost both of you."

"Hmm," I murmured.

"What's hmm?" She scolded.

"It means I hear you, mum. ." I replied jokingly. I had great respect for whatever Mary told me. She was the only woman I couldn't fuck with.

"Would you ever stop calling me mum? You know Bola, your real mother would love to hear you call her that."

"She's not my mother," I replied nonchalantly.

Mary turned and looked at me.

"She loves you more than you know Charlie." She said, turning back to her work as if she didn't just say something that would affect me.

I had a feeling that was her end game.

"Thank you, Mary," I said, and it brought a bright smile to her face.

"You are welcome, dear. Now, come here and help me out." She coaxed, waving me over to her side of the counter.

"Yes ma," I said as I moved to do as she instructed.

After the food was cooked, we sat in the kitchen and ate. The Jollof rice was so good that I couldn't stop eating even though I was full. Mary had to practically drag the food away from me. When we were done, She went to serve my mum lunch at the dining table. And since I was trying to avoid confrontations from my mother, I decided to take the kitchen stairs to my room.

I needed to make some business calls, create appointments with every investment company that could afford to fund me, then get to my office and do some work before my outing with the boys. As I contemplated where to start, my phone suddenly rang out.

I picked up my phone and looked at the screen. It was an unknown number. I picked and placed the phone on my ears.

"Hello?"

"Hello," A female voice responded. I was trying to figure out who it was when she said, "Charles. It's me.

I frowned. A puzzled expression on my face as I asked, "And who are you?"

She paused for a bit as if contemplating her reply, after a full second of complete silence, she finally responded.

"It's Meg."

What the fuck?