Chapter 34: Chapter 34

The crowd went wild after my performance, I removed my expensive 24-carat gold ring and threw it at the crowd and they struggled to get it.

I looked around, everywhere was filled up with people cheering and wanting more from me, this was one of my biggest concerts in 5 years as I had successfully shut down the whole arena in Lekki, Lagos State.

I smiled at the crowd who continued cheering for me, wanting more. I spoke into the microphone:

"There are famous singers here today as well, the moderator will call them one after another, I hope you're enjoying today's concert, this is the end of my performance," I said.

The crowd started screaming, "We want you! We want you!!"

I only waved at them and handed the microphone to the moderator and left the arena and made my way backstage to the dressing room.

I stared at myself in the mirror as I admired myself from head to toe.

I had on a very short armless lilac dress which hung tightly to my body making my more mature curves really obvious. The shiny black ankle boots on my feet only made the outfit top-notch and I had adorned myself with a gold necklace and five gold bangles each on my wrists.

I had given my expensive ring to the crowd and the Lord only knew who got it at the end of the scuffle, that person will be rich if he/she had the sense to take it to the jewellery shop but I didn't think the person would sell it if the person was a die-hard fan. Fans could be really crazy over someone they didn't personally know. The person will probably keep it on the shelf to remember me all the days of his/her life. You can imagine!

I removed my purple coloured wig from my head and stared into the mirror. The makeup had remained on for hours, talk about getting an expensive makeup. I hated makeup though, I was naturally beautiful so I didn't need such.

I removed the artificial eyelashes immediately, that was my worst makeup enhancer; it made me look like a cat and I most definitely wasn't a cat person. I kicked off my boots then got the wipes and proceeded to clean off the makeup, then I could have my bath and go home. Gosh! I missed home!!

"Cassie, Mr Muffin's angry with you," Rita said, coming into the dressing room with a file in her hand.

Rita had left her aunt's house with myself and Cameron six years ago to be in the flat Mr Muffin acquired for us at the time. She had studied how to be a manager for six months and she became my manager and personal assistant; she also went into modelling and was now a renowned model. We still remained friends and she had always been there, she had gotten enough money to pay for a new home for her parents in Jos and send her younger ones to school and sent money home every month.

As for me, I had decided to study Theatre arts and I did that online because I couldn't be going to school because of my busy schedule and I had graduated last year. My fans had been extremely touched at the fact that I still furthered my education even though I was now a celebrity.

Mr Muffin had been right. Immediately I rose to limelight, people loved me because of my story and how I also made good music. My name had been mentioned thrice among the top 20 most successful women all over Africa and twice in the top 100 most influential personalities all over the world.

I had made more money than I had ever expected and got recognition all over Africa, The U.K and U.S.A. My world tour had been a success and I had gotten over 60 awards over the last six years of my career from all over the world.

I even got into the top 10 most beautiful female celebrities last year and my beauty had been widely praised and it amazed people that I didn't do a surgery to look that amazing, even after having a child.

I scoffed, "Is there ever a time he isn't angry?"

"But I think his anger is justified this time around. Those people paid to see you perform, you can't just leave after performing three songs and expect them to be happy...."

I cut her off, "I can and I already did."

"Cassie...."

"They should make do with the guest artists that were invited," I interrupted her still.

"Cassie!" Her voice was loud this time around.

"What?" I retorted.

"What you did was extremely wrong of you. They paid, didn't they? If you act like this, how do you expect them to buy your concert tickets again?" She hollered.

I stared at the wipe which I had used in cleaning my face, it was now dirty. I stood up and threw it in the bin and turned to face Rita.

I snickered, "Your problem is you forget that I'm not Cassandra but Cassie P. Those people are my fans and they love me. Even if I hadn't shown up to perform, they'll still buy my next concert tickets. Sure, they may criticize what I've done but after making a 5-minute video to apologise to them, they'll forget about it like this," I snapped my fingers.

She looked frustrated, "Why do you keep taking advantage of the love your fans have for you?"

"I don't take advantage of their love, I'm just being myself," I responded.

"Cassie....."

"That's enough! That file in your hand must contain some documents you need to attend to so go and do your work and leave me be," I told her.

She eyed me angrily and walked out of the room, I'm sure she was annoyed but that was her problem. I certainly wasn't in the mood to be nice to anyone and she could be angry for all I care.

"Cassie, you've ruined me!" Mr Muffin said as he walked into the dressing room looking really angry.

"Have I?" I feigned ignorance.

"You left in the middle of your performance. What do you want the world to say?" He asked.

"You think I care about that?" I retorted.

"You should. This concert started by 7pm and was supposed to last throughout the night but it isn't even 8:30pm yet and you're already leaving. You're going to get backlashes and worldwide criticisms and that is bad for business," He yelled.

"Did you just shout at me?" I questioned.

"Of course," He retorted.

"Yell at me one more time and I won't be renewing my contract with this crap agency of yours when it expires in two months time," I said, calmly.

"Was that a threat?" He asked sullenly.

"Of course," I said, giving a mock smile.

He swallowed hard, "We'll just find a way to calm the crowd down, you should go home and rest," He said.

"It's amazing how soft you become at the mention of me not renewing my contract," I said, still with the mock smile.

"Cassandra!" He yelled.

"Are you talking to me?" I questioned.

"No," He quickly replied.

"I thought as much, get out!" I ordered.

He gave me this "if looks could kill" look and walked out.

I heaved a deep sigh and got into the bathroom where I showered and let myself think. I needed a break from this whole music thing and just one night of rest wouldn't cut it.

Tomorrow, I'd still have a bunch of things to do but people never understood how tough being a celebrity actually was. I had to write songs for my fourth studio album and I had to be at concerts and events. I also had to go for various photoshoots and advertise for all the companies I was signed to as an influencer or ambassador.

I was damn tired and I needed a break. I was tired of not eating what I wanted just to maintain a good figure and always working out. I'd been on a worldwide tour for the last three months and I had shut down all arenas but Mr Muffin just had to fix in a concert right after my tour.

Didn't I deserve to rest? Was I not a human being? I was tired and I had known that I'd probably collapse if I went on with the show and that's why I had left like that without telling anyone the real reason. I couldn't afford to slump and embarrass myself just to please people, I couldn't.

All I wanted was a me-time and to be curled up in my comfy bed for the next 72 hours.

I turned off the shower and grabbed the towel which I tied firmly around my chest then left the bathroom.

I slipped in a pair of black trousers and a brown coloured hoodie with oversized brown slippers I had gotten from the cupboard. Gosh! They were damn comfortable.

The door opened and Rita came in.

"Learn to knock, will you?" I said to her.

"Oh, sorry. Wanted to ask what you told Mr Muffin that made him stop being angry just like that," She said.

"I threatened him about not renewing my contract."

She broke into laughter, "That's a good one you did."

"Of course," I said, grabbing my purse.

"Okay, so I have your schedule for tomorrow. Firstly...."

"Cancel my plans for tomorrow, I'm not working tomorrow," I said.

"And why is that?" She retorted.

"I need some alone time. After my tour, I didn't even get a break before this whole concert thing and the preparation for my fourth studio album. I need to rest," I explained.

"But...."

"Tell Mr Muffin I took a day off to write songs," I said.

She shrugged, "Okay then."

I stretched my right palm to her.

"What is it?"

"My phone,"

"Oh, here it is," She said, handing over to me my iPhone 12 Pro I had recently acquired.

"Thanks and goodnight," I said and walked out of the room where I was greeted by my two bodyguards.

"Let's go," I told them and we left the whole arena building unto the garage where my pink 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata Convertible was parked.

My driver was there to open the backseat door for me and I entered and sat then he slammed the door.

The bodyguards entered the Toyota Camry which will be following closely behind us then the driver entered the driver seat of the convertible and slammed the door.

"Franklin?" I called the driver.

"Yes, ma," He hastily replied.

"Do you think you'll ever be able to own a convertible?" I asked.

He cleared his throat, "Errmm... Ma... Why are you asking ma?"

"How many times will I warn you not to slam the door of my car? Do you think I didn't work hard to buy the car? Do you know how much this car costs? I'm talking to you, answer me," I asked, shouting mildly.

"Ma... I don't know, ma," He replied, timidly.

"Even if you drive for the next 30 years, you still won't be able to afford this car," I said.

"I'm sorry, ma," He said.

"Shut up and drive," I told him and relaxed back in my seat.

I unlocked my phone and saw I had fifteen missed calls from Cameron's nanny. What could be the issue? I decided to ignore it because I would soon be home considering the fact that I also lived in Lekki.

The radio was on and I heard a presenter on one of the stations say:

"Miss Cassandra Msheila Peters, popularly known as Cassie P provoked a lot of fans after...."

"Change the station," I ordered.

I wasn't ready to hear such news, at least; not now.

The driver tuned to another station and I heard the presenter of the station say, "Today, being the 22nd of January, famous singer, Cassie P annoyed....."

"Just turn off the radio," I barked at the driver.

"Yes ma," He responded and turned off the radio.

I rolled my eyes and my mind kept flashing back on what the radio presenter had been going on about. I knew my fans will be annoyed but..... Wait! Did she say 22nd of January?

"Is today's date 22nd of January?" I asked the driver.

"Yes ma," He replied.

Gosh! It was Cameron's birthday and I had forgotten, no wonder his nanny had been calling me; Cameron was probably feeling sad.

"Hey, drive to a shopping mall," I told the driver.

"Why ma?" He asked back.

"You're crazy to ask me that, your job is to do whatever you're told to do not question my orders," I said, in a firm voice.

I was definitely going to fire this Franklin of a driver, he never minded his business and always found a way to piss me off. He was just 32 and had been working for me for six months, I was extremely tired of him.

Michael, one of my bodyguards gave me a call and I picked it.

"Madam, is the car changing direction on your watch?" He asked.

"Yes, I asked the driver to drive to a shopping mall, we'll go home from there," I said.

"Okay ma," He said and hung up.

It was even sickening having bodyguards watching your every move. Now, they had to find out if I was safe or not. Everything irritated me now anyways.

The driver pulled up at an exquisite shopping mall and the Toyota Camry my bodyguards were in pulled up behind us.

My bodyguards alighted from the vehicle and walked up to my car and after winding down the window of the backseat, Michael lowered his head to talk to me, he was aware that I couldn't go into the shopping mall to avoid being swarmed by fans so he knew he would have to go into the mall himself, he ran practically all my errands and I was extremely grateful to him.

"Ma, why did you stop here?" He asked.

"Today's Cameron's birthday," I told him.

"How come you didn't throw a party?" Franklin chipped in.

Before I could reply him, Michael spoke up, "Hey, know your place. No one was speaking to you, okay?" He said to him.

"I wonder why that Muffin man hired him, I could change him for you," Michael said to me.

"Please, I'm sorry," Franklin said.

"Who spoke to you? Mind your freaking business!!" Wale, the other guard hollered at him in his thick barritone voice.

Wale had zero patience and although he rarely spoke, he could scare the living daylight out of someone when he did speak.

"I'll change him soon enough," I said.

"Don't let him bother you too much, I'll look into good driving agencies on that note. What do you want me to get for Cameron?" Michael asked me.

"Ummm... I don't know... A car, maybe? Also, get a cake with nice decorations. Write "mum loves you" on the cake. Also, get him a Justin Bieber action figure. He keeps saying Justin Bieber is the best musician in the world like his mum isn't a musician," I rolled my eyes.

Michael gave a light-hearted laugh, "He's a boy, it's only natural he likes Justin Bieber more."

"Whatever. Also get him a birthday card and chocolates, you know his favourite, don't you?" I asked.

"I do know," Michael responded.

"Good," I said and took out my credit card from my purse and gave it to him.

"I'll be right back," Michael said and walked inside the shopping mall.

"Get into the passenger seat, do you want to stand till he gets back?" I asked Wale.

"I'm good," He said and remained standing outside.

"Suit yourself," I shrugged and went through my phone.

There were hate comments all over my social media platforms and I was not bothered about it all.

I'd received hate comments in the past but that only lasted for a while. I'd learnt to just release an apology video or do a giveaway to stop the hate comments, it was amazing how the hearts of people quickly changed.

It was already 9pm, I sincerely hoped Cameron was awake when I got home. It was his sixth birthday and I'm sure he felt like I had forgotten. Well, I had, but it would hurt him if he knew.

This was why I needed a break, I needed more time for my son and I. Ever since he was eight months old, I had hardly been there for him. I was always busy with one thing or the other and his nanny, Mary had always been the one to take care of him. Earlier on, I still had all my Sundays to be with him and we caught up on most things but for the past two years, that hadn't been possible.

Yes, I sent him gifts and spent some minutes with him in the morning before he went to school but I knew that wasn't enough for him but I was hustling for money for his sake so I really wanted him to bear with me and not get annoyed.

About thirty minutes later, Michael returned with the items in his hand.

He offloaded the items into the boot of the Toyota Camry and came back with my credit card and receipt which I collected.

"The cake decorations was what took my time," Michael explained.

"It's fine, thank you so much, I'm grateful. You and Wale have the day off tomorrow," I told him.

"Thank you very much, ma," Michael said excitedly.

"You're welcome," I said and soon, we were on our way.

We got home at exactly 10pm and I bade my guards and the driver goodnight and carried the items alone with much difficulty all the way upstairs to my six-bedroom duplex on the third floor.

I stayed in a big compound comprising of three floors in Sheridan Gardens Estate, Lekki, Lagos State. There were two duplexes on the third floor but only mine was occupied so I had my space and no neighbours.

My guards and driver stayed on the first floor in a flat and my agency paid their rent coupled with mine.

I stayed with Cameron, Rita and my nanny and we had our own private rooms where we could do our things.

I knocked on my door and it was opened almost immediately. I saw it was my son, Cameron who had opened up the door.

"Mummy," He said and hugged me tightly but I couldn't hug him back because of the items I was carrying.

I got into the living room and dropped the items on the marble floor.

I took Cameron in my arms and kissed his forehead.

"Happy birthday, darling," I told him.

"Thank you, mum," He said, smiling.

I smiled back, "Did you lose a tooth?"

"Yeah, since last month but you probably didn't know," He said.

"Darling, I'm sorry," I told him.

"It's fine, I'm not mad at you. Put me down, I'm a big boy," He said, trying to get off.

"Says who? You're my baby," I said, with a grin.

"Nope, I'm a big boy. I'm six years old for crying out loud," He said.

"Okay, Mr Big boy," I said and put him down.

He ran to see his gifts. "Gosh, mummy. You got me a white Benz?!!" He yelled.

"Don't you like it?" I asked, worried.

"I love it," He said and ran to hug me.

"I'm glad you love it," I said.

"Thank you mum," He said and went back to examine his gifts.

I removed my slippers and went to sit on the couch, "Where's Mary?" I asked.

"She's sleeping," He replied.

"And she left you awake all by yourself?"

"Nope. I pretended to be asleep so she'd go to bed. I was actually waiting for you to come back. If you hadn't showed up by 12, I'd never have forgiven you," He said.

Those words hurt my very soul.

"Darling, were you angry with me?" I asked.

"Not anymore," He replied.

"Mum, how does this remote work?" He asked, holding up the car's remote.

"I'd teach you that tomorrow," I responded.

"You have to teach me right now because by tomorrow, you'd be gone even before I wake up," He said.

I felt a pang of guilt, "Well, guess what? Mummy won't be going anywhere tomorrow," I said to him, smiling sweetly.

He ran to sit on the couch with me, "Really?"

"Yes, I took the day off."

"Mummy, guess what? I'm also not going anywhere tomorrow. Tomorrow's Sunday so there's no school," He said.

"Really? That means we'd have all the day to ourselves, isn't it?" I asked.

He nodded his head excitedly and hugged me tightly.

"I miss you, mum," He said.

"I miss you too, love," I said as I carressed his back affectionately.

"You do?" He asked.

"Of course, baby," I responded.

"Then don't go anywhere for a week," He said.

"But I'm working...."

"Then you don't miss me," He said and withdrew from my hug.

"But I do," I said.

"You're always busy, I think you love your work more than you love me," He said.

"That's absurd, I love you more than anything in the world," I contravened.

"Then prove it," He said.

"Okay then, I won't go to work for one week..."

"Yay!"

"On one condition,"

He arched his brows, "Which is?"

"Say I sing better than Justin Bieber," I said, with a smirk.

"But that's a lie," He said.

"Okay, I won't be staying with you for a week then," I said.

"Muuuuuum!"

"Caaaaaaameron!!"

"Fine! You sing better than Justin Bieber," He said.

I grinned, "Finally!"

He lay on the couch and placed his head on my laps, "Mum?"

"Yes?"

"We'll eat the cake tomorrow, okay?" He said.

"Sure," I said.

"Thanks for everything, mum. You're the best mum," He said.

A smile lit up my face, "And you're the best son," I responded.

"I love you, mum"

"I love you too," I responded.

Soon, I heard him snoring. He was really tired and I knew he had denied sleep just to see me come home. I owed him more than one week of my time and I'd try to show him how much I loved him within the next one week.

I stroked his hair calmly as he slept as I yawned repeatedly. Soon, I had also drifted off to sleep.

[Amsey's POV]

I was clad in a pair of black leather pants and a black long sleeved turtleneck with black boots. I held my blue tweed coat in my left hand while I wheeled my suitcase as I left the airport with my right hand.

I removed my black Ray-Ban sunglasses from my eyes as I looked around the Murtala Mohammed Airport I had just left.

"Gosh! It's been six years since I last saw here, I missed Nigeria," I said to myself, rather too loudly.

Some people stared at me obviously wondering what kinda crazy lunatic just left the airport.

I was back! And I was well prepared.

I saw my Uber driver waiting for me outside the airport and I got into the car after he helped me keep my suitcase in the boot.

"How are you doing?" I asked the designated driver.

"I'm good sir, you seem pretty happy," He said.

"Of course, it's been six freaking years without being in my country. I missed here, you know?"

"Welcome back," The driver told me.

"Thank you," I said and laughed.

I received a notification on my phone and I checked it. It was from my lawyer and it stated something pretty much interesting.

I had the lawyer to thank for everything. At the dying moment, he had gotten me a ticket to England where he resided with his family and I had gone to meet them.

I had been skeptical about leaving Cas and the baby back then but she was doing good for herself and she was comfortable. I wondered how that became possible though, I kept asking myself if my father had anything to do with her journey to stardom.

Had he used her as one of his charity cases? I saw no point in Cas exposing everything about her life, it made it seem like she was throwing a pity party and I knew only one person that was capable of making her do that: Folorunsho Holland Ibitoye.

He was probably using her to make good cash and she had probably had no choice than to do his bidding.

In all honesty, I had felt Cas will have no choice than to go with her father and I never imagined she'd rather sit with the devil. If I had known she wouldn't go with her father, I'd have ran away with her.

She didn't even have a visa nor a passport and there was so little time, that's why I couldn't go with her nor the baby.

I thought about Cas every night and day and always checked her social media handles to see how she and the baby were faring. I'd even been at her concert last year during her tour as England was one of the places she had visited but of course, the whole place was filled up so she hadn't seen me.

Even if she had seen me, she'd act like she didn't know me. I'd never forget the hurt on her face the day I had unwillingly betrayed her. I'm sure she had deep resentment for me and would probably never forgive me but I still loved her, Heaven knew I did.

I was back in Nigeria to get my rights, my love and my son back and I most certainly will.

The car pulled over at a very luxurious mansion.

"Wow! So this is the place Barrister Chidi got for me, it's massive," I said aloud.

"It's a really nice apartment in one of the best estates in Lekki," He said.

"Wow! I believe you've already been paid," I said to him.

"Yeah,"

"Thanks for driving well, I'd have given you a tip but I don't have the Nigerian currency at the moment," I explained.

"You don't owe me anything, sir, but I'm willing to work as a personal driver. In case you know anyone who's looking for a personal driver, I'm available," The driver said.

"Of course, just give me your name and your number," I said, handing over my phone to him.

He punched in his digits and saved his number.

"My name is Okorie Johnson," He said and gave me a smile.

I nodded and got out of his car then got my suitcase from the boot and waved him goodbye as he drove off.

I walked into the compound after being interrogated by the security guards. They had to make sure I was actually a tenant before letting me in.

A ball suddenly hit my knee as I entered the compound and I heard someone scampering from the scene.

"Ouch!" I yelped.

I heard some men laughing and I shouted, "What's funny?"

I immediately regretted what I had said as I saw the people I had talked to so rudely were big muscular men. I felt so intimidated and scared.

Now, I wished I had taken gym lessons. Maybe I'd have muscles like them too and won't be so scared of my fellow men.

One of the men walked up to me and shook hands with me forcibly.

"You're such a softie," He told me.

"Thank...thank you," I stuttered.

"That ball was thrown by a six-year old and yet, you felt so much pain. Are you a new tenant?" He asked.

"Ye....yes," I responded.

"Then you'd have to go to the gym with us everyday, okay?'

"Is that a requirement for being a tenant?" I asked.

He wasn't able to reply as a harsh feminine voice interrupted him.

"Go on, go tell him you're sorry," The voice said.

"But mum....." A little child's voice said.

"I won't hear anything, own up to your mistakes. That's what big people do and you're a big boy, aren't you?" The female voice asked.

"I am," The child's voice said, enthusiasm laced in his voice.

I soon saw a little boy walk up to me with more fear than bravery.

"Hi Uncle, I threw a ball that hit your knee by mistake and I'm sorry about that," He said.

The boy was a very cute dark child with black curly hair and shimmering brown eyes that looked so innocent. He was very handsome and a sweet child.

"Do you forgive me?" The boy asked, pouting cutely with a puppy face.

I could only smile at him and pat his head, then he smiled back at me.

"Hi, please, forgive my son. He was terribly scared after hitting you with his ball but I assured him you're a good man and you will forgive him if he owned up to his mistake," The female voice said.

I looked up to see who spoke and our eyes met just like the first time.

She was taken aback as she opened her mouth in awe and I had a similar reaction.

I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who she was, she was my life and I finally met her....again.

This time, I wouldn't let her go so easily.

And I absolutely meant it.