Chapter 39: Chapter 39

[Amsey's POV]

I knotted my tie as I hummed the lyrics to "In the end" by Linkin Park, trying to soothe my nerves.

Yeah, I appreciated old music because it made more sense.

I grabbed my suit jacket and my briefcase and stared at myself in the mirror one more time before exiting my apartment and bolting the door from outside.

Today was finally the day I got to pay my father back in his own coin and I knew all the odds were in my favour.

"Amsey!" I heard a puerile voice call.

I turned around and saw Cameron holding a toy in his hand and beaming at me making his missing tooth so obvious.

"Hey," I said and hugged him tightly.

"Let me go," He said, pretending to be choking from my tight hold on him.

I chuckled and let him go but remained bent while watching him stare down at me.

"I've missed you a lot, why haven't I been seeing you around?" I asked him.

"School," He responded.

"But today is Friday and also a school day so how come I'm seeing you?" I asked.

"I have to go to the hospital so I'm not attending school today," He responded.

"Are you telling the truth?" I asked.

"Why would I lie?" He retorted.

I sighed and stood up.

"I was thinking you may probably be covering up for your mum," I told him.

"How do you mean?" He asked.

"Your mum made it clear she doesn't want me near you so I thought she had probably been locking you indoors," I told him.

He giggled, "My mum isn't that bad. Besides, I think she just doesn't like you because you're handsome," He said.

I arched my brows, "What do you mean?"

"My mum believes she's the most beautiful person on earth so I feel she's threatened by your presence," He explained.

I burst into laughter, "You mean she's jealous?"

He shrugged, "Yes. Cause I don't know why she just doesn't like a nice person like you."

I sighed, "Umm... How about we call your mum Jealous Cassie?" I asked and we both broke into a fit of laughter.

The sound of an applause stopped us from laughing right away.

"Oh-oh," Cameron said.

I looked up to see Cas looking at us with a forced smile and her arms akimbo.

"Why did you stop? Weren't you having a good time laughing?" She asked sarcastically.

I swallowed, unable to come up with an excuse or even say anything.

"Mum, race you to the car," Cameron said and ran down the stairs.

He had apparently ran to save himself from his mother's impending wrath and had left me alone to suffer.

"Backstabber!" I said in gritted teeth.

"He's like you," She said, with a mock smile.

"Cas, I'm sorry," I said.

"Sorry for what?" She asked, feigning ignorance.

I scratched the back of my hair. "It was your son who had come to see me..."

"Well, you could have ignored him," She interrupted.

"But that'll make him think I'm a bad person," I said.

"But that's exactly what you are," She retorted.

"Of course not," He said.

"So you don't want him to think you're a bad person but you're painting me black to him, isn't it?" She said, raising her voice.

"Keep it down, Cas," I told her.

She scoffed, "What can I do to make you leave my son and I? You're the one who left so let us be," She said on top of her voice.

"I have a solid explanation, okay?" I told her.

"And I've told you I don't wanna hear it...."

I cut her off, "I thought you were going to leave with Pastor James, I tried getting us three Visas but I couldn't within a short notice and I didn't have that amount of money."

She raised her left hand to interrupt me, "You had a lot of money back then that I even began to suspect you were doing something illegal so don't lie to me," She said.

"I'm not lying. Things were tough for me, you just weren't aware," He said.

She scoffed, "Listen, you told me that day we went to shop for baby things that you had another source of income, it's like you've forgotten," She said, with a smirk.

I sighed, "No, Cas. It's not like that, the thing is I was selling men's wears online but that business stopped because I couldn't even continue to buy and resell, I was broke, I swear," I explained to her.

"Why were you broke? Were you doing drugs?" She asked sarcastically.

"Cas!!"

"Don't you dare yell at me," She said, pointing her index finger at me.

"I'm sorry for shouting, okay? I'm just a little frustrated. I spent too much money on my tuition fees and the rent of the house and paying my workers' salary and most especially, after Cameron's birth. I spent too much, I was really broke, Cas. Paying your hospital bills during your prenatal and even when you gave birth was really tough for me and taking care of Cameron was another issue as well, I never knew taking care of babies consumed a lot of money," I explained to her.

"So you're saying it's my son and I that were the problem?" She asked.

I sighed in exasperation, "No! I'm just telling you why I couldn't have enough money to get us three Visas. If you're being honest, Cas, you'd know I tried my best for us. I didn't have any financial aid from anyone, I'm sorry," I told her.

She heaved a sigh, "You know, you leaving wasn't my problem. My problem was you betraying my trust," She said.

"How?" I asked.

She wore a sullen expression, "You belittled me, made me feel so small. You told your devil-like father that you took me in out of pity...."

"I'm sorry, Cas," I cut in.

"Let me finish!" She yelled. She continued, "You shouldn't even be calling me Cas, that day, you called me Cassandra, didn't you?"

"I had to put on an act...."

"For what purpose?" She retorted.

"So he could think you guys don't mean anything to me and let you be," I said.

Tears fell from her eyes and she spoke, "You didn't have to expose the secret that Cameron isn't your son, you didn't have to make it look like I was just a beggar you picked off the streets and helped, you didn't have to prick my feelings by saying I'm unaware of who my child's father is," She said.

"I had to and I'm sorry," I apologised.

"You weren't obliged to help me in the first place but you did and I'm extremely grateful for that," She said to me.

"But?"

"But stay away from my son and I. It was hard trusting you after my trust was broken in my previous relationship but I did, but I won't make that mistake again. Please, let us be," She said, tears still rolling down her eyes.

I heard someone trodding up the stairs.

"Mum, why are you crying?" Cameron asked, as he came into view.

She wiped her tears with her palm and sniffed a little bit.

"Did you make my mum cry?" Cameron asked, looking at me with a glint of hurt in his eyes.

"No, it's not like that," I told him.

"You're a bad person," He accused.

"Let's just go," Cas told him.

"I won't talk to you ever again," He told me.

"Cameron, it's seriously not like that," I tried to explain.

"I'm sorry, mum, for disobeying you at first, I won't talk to this man again," Cameron told his mum, ignoring my apology.

"It's fine, let's go," Cas said and grabbed Cameron's hand and walked away with him.

I didn't want Cas to cry because of what I did to her and I didn't want Cameron to detest me. Why was life doing this to me?

"Feeling gloomy?" I heard a very familiar voice ask.

I spun around and saw Cassandra's old time friend, standing in front of their door, wearing her same old pretty smile but I couldn't remember her name.

"Umm... I know you, you're Cas' friend, what's that your name again?" I asked.

"So you've forgotten about me," She accused.

"No, never. It's just your name that I can't remember," I said.

"You have to try to recollect it, I won't be the one to remind you," She said.

"Umm... Anita?" I guessed.

She shook her head.

"Okay, let me try again. It's ummm... It's Binta, isn't it?"

She eyed me highly disapprovingly, "Of course not."

I scratched my head wondering what her name could be.

"Whatever, dude. You have to be in court, you must be running late," She said.

"Nah. I still have over an hour and the court is about a ten-minute drive from here. Wait a minute, how'd you know I have a court case today?" I asked.

She shrugged, "Who doesn't know you have a case today? The whole nation has been talking about you and your alleged father," She said.

"What is alleged there? We both know it's true, I'm sure Cas must have filled you in on all the details," I said.

She sighed, "I'm just saying what the news headlines are carrying. No one other than Cas and I know the kind of man your father is," She said.

"There's one more person, a barrister, who knows. I have all the necessary documents I need to make my father fall to his knees begging for mercy," I boasted.

"I also hope you have all the necessary things to win Cassie's heart back," She said sarcastically.

I sighed, "That your friend is a tough nut to crack. I'm surprised you both are still friends though," I told her.

"Why wouldn't we be friends? Not everyone is a backstabber, you know," She told me.

I scoffed, "You can't seriously be saying that as well, I had felt you'd be on my side," I told her.

"Sweetie, I like you and I know you're a nice guy. You probably did all what you did with good intentions but I was there and I know how your words really broke Cassie's heart. You hurt her badly and it's only natural she detests you," She told me.

"So, you're on her side then?" I inquired.

"Nope, I just want you guys to settle this matter and move on," She said.

There was silence for about a minute.

"Could you help me talk to her?" I asked.

"Hell no!" She retorted.

"But you said you want us to be together," I accused.

"Yes, I did. But you have to do the begging, you're the one who hurt her, not me," She said.

"But I've tried begging her," I said.

"Not at all, you've only tried separating her son from her," She said.

I was provoked, "You're spilling that gibberish as well?"

"It's the truth. You should be making efforts to speak to Cassie and not Cameron and the things you even say to him makes it seem like you want to turn him against his mum," She told me.

"I didn't mean it that way, I was just having a friendly discussion with him," I explained.

"Well, his mum doesn't see it that way. All she sees is a betrayer coming out of the blue and trying to turn her very own son against her," She said.

I heaved a sigh, "But we both know that's not the case. I've only been trying to use Cameron to come back into her life."

"Cameron doesn't know what you did to her, even I isn't aware of how bad she felt after what you did to her. Only her knows what's eating her up so you should face her directly and not use other people. Getting other people to do your work makes you seem less of a man," She elaborated.

"You just crossed the line in that last sentence you made," I said.

She shrugged, "Well, I'm being honest."

"Go to hell," I said and started walking away.

"You just have a problem with hearing the truth," She yelled.

I didn't respond.

"Amsey! Amsey!! You're forgetting something," She yelled at me.

I just kept walking down the stairs, ignoring her. She was being too blunt and I knew she was right.

Maybe I had hurt Cas a lot.

No! It was true I had hurt Cas a lot.

And she was right. I should try talking to Cas one-on-one.

Just as I arrived downstairs, I received a text from Barrister Chidi informing me that he was on his way to pick me up.

I really needed a car. What if Cas came back to me? How was I gonna take her out on a date?

I shook my head reminding myself that I shouldn't count my chicks till they hatch.

I said hi to the security guards and walked out of the compound. Standing in front of the gate waiting for Barrister Chidi to arrive, I adjusted my outfit here and there out of idleness cause they rarely needed adjustments to be honest.

I looked up to see a shiny black G-wagon speeding towards where I was.

I heaved a sigh. G-wagons were unnecessarily overrated. I'd go with a Maserati or a Ferrari any day, those cars were so sleek and the best.

Surprisingly, the G-wagon stopped right in front of me and I began to wonder why.

The next thing I knew, two muscular men in masks came to me and in a twinkling of an eye, they forcefully collected my briefcase, got into the car and sped off.

I was rendered speechless, helpless and stunned.

"Amsterdam, are you okay?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

I saw Barrister Chidi who hurried up to meet me with a worried look on his face.

"They... Some people.... People I don't know.... Took the briefcase...." I stuttered.

"Yes, I saw. I was coming in the opposite direction and I saw them. Good God! I hope you are fine," He said.

"I am... But.. but that was my only hope. I'm so flustered, I don't even know what to do," I told him.

"I'm sorry, Amsterdam," Barrister Chidi said.

"My father is behind this, isn't he?" I asked, clenching my fist.

"Who else will be behind this except him?" Barrister Chidi asked.

"I'm going to kill this man, I swear," I said, boiling with rage.

"You have to take it easy...."

"Take what easy? Those documents were all I had, I don't have anything now. You made photocopies and ended up telling me to be with them. If only you had kept some, all these wouldn't have happened," I yelled.

"I thought they'd be safer with you. Besides, original documents are important and not just photocopies," He said.

"So there's no way now, right?" I asked.

He sighed.

"Talk to me!" I yelled.

"We can get the CCTV footage of when those guys stole your briefcase to prove they were actually stolen and we could find out the plate number through the footage but...." He paused.

"But what?" I retorted.

"But we'll need time," He said.

"Then we'll ask the court to give us time," I said.

He sighed again, "I'll try, Amsterdam, but I'd have to tell the judge something convincing for him to give us time."

"I don't want to see my father win," I told him.

"You'd do just fine," He assured.

An hour and thirty minutes later, we were in the courtroom and on the verge of losing the court case.

I had testified against my father, telling the court how he had mistreated my mother and I. My father had stood his ground that he had only helped an abandoned child and I was only adopted.

"My Lord, Governor Folorunsho Ibitoye keeps denying the fact that he is in fact, Amsterdam's father. I'd suggest that we go for a DNA test to prove he's telling a big lie if your honour will permit us and give us the time," Barrister Chidi appealed to the judge.

"Objection, my Lord! We're in the court today over Mr Amsterdam's claim that His Excellency, Governor Folorunsho Holland Ibitoye has accession to the former's properties and has refused to hand it over to him, the alleged rightful owner. My Lord, we are not here to argue over Amsterdam's paternity or are we?" My Father's lawyer asked in a sarcastic tone which provoked laughter from the audience who had come to watch.

There were news reporters and the court was filled up to the brim, some people were even recording the court proceedings live; everyone was really eager to know how everything will turn out.

I was skeptical and actually nervous. Was I going to lose? I wondered what I'd even do if I ended up losing the case and making a fool out of myself.

The judge cleared his throat and the courtroom went dead silent.

"Barrister Hakeem Lawal is right (my father's lawyer). You've been beating around the bush for quite some time, let's go straight to the point. What evidence do you have that Governor Folorunsho is actually infringing on your client's property?" The judge asked Barrister Chidi.

Barrister Chidi sighed and looked at me with a look of sympathy and like there was nothing left he could do.

I swallowed hard and stood up.

"We had evidence, concrete evidence but they were stolen earlier this morning by people I suspect were sent by my father here...."

"Objection, my Lord! Mr Amsterdam is making accusations which are not backed by solid proof against my client," Barrister Hakeem yelled, standing to his feet.

"Objection sustained! Mr Amsterdam, you'd mind your mannerism, please," The judge said, almost immediately.

"Screw this!" I yelled and kicked the long desk with my feet.

"Order in the court!," yelled the usher.

"Control yourself," Barrister Chidi said.

"At this stage, we're not even gonna get a reschedule for the case so what's the point?" I retorted, angrily.

"Mind how you speak or I may be forced to hold you in contempt of court," The judge warned.

I banged my fist on the desk and fell back into the chair, battling with my raging emotions.

"My Lord, we have a witness that can tell you that indeed and in truth, Mr Amsterdam here has always been a liar and at the end of this whole thing, he should be made to render a public apology to the governor and pay the damages he ensued by defaming his character," Barrister Hakeem Lawal said.

Wait, what?!!

The doors to the courtroom opened heavily and heads swayed to see who had so majestically come in.

Cas stepped into the courtroom elegantly dressed in a red velvet off-the-shoulder body-con dress that barely touched her knees. Her curves were highly magnified and it felt like my heart was thumping so loudly that everyone could hear.

She had on a ponytail wig with dangling silver earrings and a matching silver necklace. She wore silver heeled shoes and carried a silver clutch. Her makeup was light but she had on a straight face; just a little smile and she'd have looked perfect.

But the question was "why was she here?"

She ignored the sweet comments people passed at her and the cameras flashing lights at her and made her way to the front of the courtroom.

The judge adjusted his reading glasses and looked at her, obviously awestruck as well.

I saw him swallow then he said, "What a grand entrance, to what do we owe your graceful presence?"

Barrister Hakeem Lawal spoke up, "This is Cassie, she's a renowned musician. She spent close to a year living with Mr Amsterdam as his girlfriend and she's here to testify to the fact that he's not a straightforward person and he's always been a liar and so, this case shouldn't be dragged any further," he explained.

Whoa! That hit me harder than anything in this life. Cas was going to give a false testimony about me?

"Step into the witness box," The judge said.

My heart broke into a million pieces as she made her way gently and confidently to the witness box where she seemed unfazed at what she was about to do.

"What's your name?" The judge asked.

"Cassandra Msheila Peters," She responded.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I'm a musician," She responded.

"What's your religion?"

"Umm... Christianity."

She was handed a Bible.

"Do you solemnly swear by the Bible to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" The judge asked.

She heaved a sigh, "Yes. Yes, I do."

Cas freaking knew how important this was to my mother and I, she was well aware of what my father had done to me and she was even his victim as well. How then could she support such a man?

Yes, I had hurt her but had she forgotten the good I had done for her? Damn!!

Barrister Hakeem Lawal smiled broadly and asked her, "How long have you known the plaintiff?"

"Umm... I knew him for almost a year but we got separated and I only just met him again a month ago after six whole years," She responded.

"How well did you know him?" Barrister Hakeem asked.

"Umm... I knew him well enough. He was... He was good to me, really caring and understanding," She said.

"So what changed?" He asked.

"He left," She responded, looking at me with sad eyes.

"Why did he leave?"

"Ummm..."

He didn't even let her speak anymore and just interrupted her.

"Did he extort money from you? Did he try to get you in on his game plan? Did he exploit you sexually and emotionally? Was he abusing you physically? Did he abandon you? Was he on the run from the police?" Barrister Hakeem asked, without pausing for breath.

Cas looked from me to my father then to the judge and shook her head slowly.

"No. No, he did not do any of those things," She said, fiddling with her fingers.

What had she just said?

Barrister Chidi and I exchanged puzzled glances and I was seriously wondering what they were up to.

Surprisingly, Barrister Hakeem and my father looked taken aback as well and they looked like they didn't have the slightest idea on what was happening.

"Miss Cassie, are you sure you know what you're saying?" Barrister Hakeem asked.

Cas swallowed and nodded rapidly, "Amsey... Amsterdam is the sweetest person I've ever known. The world knows my story, how I had nowhere to go and how a stranger took me in," She paused. "That stranger is Amsterdam here," She said, pointing at me.

Barrister Chidi gave me a tight squeeze on the hand but it was too good to be true, I just couldn't believe what was happening.

Shock was written all over Barrister Hakeem Lawal's face as he looked aghast and confused.

"Are you feeling unwell, Cassie?" Barrister Hakeem asked.

She gave a sly smile, "I'm perfectly fine."

She then turned to face the judge: "My Lord, Governor Folorunsho is Amsey's biological father. I stayed with Amsey and I saw the proof of transfer of ownership of all properties to Amsey and the DNA test report between Governor Folorunsho and Amsterdam. Also, there's a marriage certificate of Amsey's late mother with Governor Folorunsho," Cas told the judge boldly.

What had come over her? And how had she seen the documents? Why was everything happening so fast?

My father was panicking and he was drumming his fingers on the table looking sideways and breathing heavily. His lawyer was scratching his hair and looked like he was frustrated with life.

He suddenly looked up with a glint in his eyes, "My Lord, Miss Cassandra was supposed to testify in your favour, she has obviously been coaxed into telling a lie," Barrister Hakeem accused.

"No, I haven't. You're the ones who wanted me to tell a lie in court but I just couldn't do that to someone who saved my skin. Your honour, this man, the governor, nearly had me killed with my one-month old son and came back six years later to ask me to testify against Amsey in court," Cas yelled.

"My Lord, her claims are obnoxious. This could tarnish my client's well built reputation," Barrister Chidi yelled back.

The judge removed his glasses and looked thoughtful. He spoke up after a moment.

"Miss Cassandra, do you have proof to back up your claim?" The judge asked.

"She does," A male voice said from the back and we all looked to see whose voice it was.

It was Cas' boss, Mr Andrew Muffin who had worn a black suit that was there, holding up a flash drive.

Gosh! Will today's surprises ever end?

"And who are you?" The judge asked.

"I'm Cassie's boss and I was there when Governor Folorunsho Ibitoye asked to see her and I have a video recording showing the conversation they had, it's all installed on this flash drive," Mr Muffin said.

My mouth gave way for a smile and I could hardly comprehend that every thing happening was going in my favour entirely.

"I'd like to see what's on the flash drive," The judge said and Mr Muffin walked up to where he sat on his bench in front of the courtroom and handed him the flash drive.

The video recording of what had transpired between my father and Cas was projected using the projector and gasps escaped the audience's mouth.

The video showed my father telling Cas to lie in court and smashing a vase angrily and also revealing his lust for power and admitting he wasn't the good man everyone thought he was. In the video also, he had disclosed that I was his son and everyone knew the truth now.

I wasn't surprised at what I had seen but the audience obviously hadn't expected their beloved Folorunsho to be the kind of despicable man they could now see, thanks to the video.

The judge had asked my father to pay a small amount of money for asking someone to bear false witness and had adjourned the case to the 21st of February being about two weeks later.

Barrister Chidi and I were all smiles as the judge pronounced his judgement and then adjourned the case.

"I think the boy's telling the truth," "All these politicians will never cease to amaze me," "To think I use this man as an example to my husband, God forbid!" "Thank God for good people like Cassie P, she's sweet inside and out." People went on and on as we left the Court's premises.

I had seen my dad bury his head in shame and looked downcast and feeling sorry for himself. Well, who cares?

I stayed outside the courtroom after expressing my gratitude to Barrister Chidi and I told him to leave. I was waiting for "her". Barrister Chidi only flashed me a knowing smile and left, driving off in his car.

I saw her step out of the courtroom with flawless grace and poise. Without thinking, I stretched out my arm and pulled her unsuspectingly to where I was so she could face me.

She stumbled and almost fell but I was quick enough to grab her by the waist and saved her from falling flat on the floor.

She let out a gasp and wrapped her arms around my neck holding tightly onto me and my hands held her waist.

Our eyes locked as we stared deep into each other's eyes, breathing hard and I got lost in her eyes.

"I wanna kiss you," I told her, without thinking.

"What's wrong with you?" She yelled, forcing herself out of my hold.

"I thought we had made up," I said.

"In your dreams," She retorted.

"Ohh.. So why then did you help me?" I asked.

"Because in as much as I dislike you, I can never forget everything you did for me and I know how this is really important to you. Also, I was hoping if I did this favour for you, you'd leave my son and I for good. I figured out if you could get your properties and everything, you won't even be living with us and being around my son and I," She said.

I broke into a fit of laughter.

"What's funny?" She asked.

"Cas, I let you go once but I won't ever again and that's a promise," I told her.

She scoffed, "I'm already gone, you can't get me anymore," She said.

Mr Muffin strode out of the courtroom and saw Cas and I discussing.

"Hey, my favourite lovebirds," He said and smiled, patting Cas' shoulder.

"Save that talk, how did you do it?" Cas asked.

"I don't understand you. Do what?" He retorted.

"How'd you get the video?" I asked.

His head swayed back and forth.

"You're not gonna tell me?" She asked.

He acted like he was in deep thoughts, "You know what? I'd tell you when you renew your contract," He said.

She gave a small laugh, "Very funny. I'm sure as hell I don't even really care. But thanks for exposing that sly wicked old man," She said.

"Of course. You're more important to me than he is. If anything had gone wrong and you didn't have proof, your name would have been dragged into the mud...." Mr Muffin said.

"And that's bad for business," Cas completed.

"Exactly!" He said, with a smile.

She giggled.

My father came out, cleaning his sweat with his handkerchief.

"You'll pay for this, Amsterdam," He growled on seeing me.

I chuckled, "Sorry, father," I told him.

"Do not mock me," He yelled, pointing his index finger at me.

"I'm not. By the way, why don't you just let go of my properties as I've already won? I bet you've never felt this trapped on not having a clue as to what to do," I told him, with a mock smile.

He gave a hearty laugh, "Well, we're both trapped, my dear. The world may know you're actually my biological son but the truth is you still can't prove who owns the property, you've failed your mother," He said.

I clenched my fist and watched him leave, laughing like the fool that he was.

"He's right though, you're both trapped," Cas said.

"Thanks, you sure know when to speak," I retorted sarcastically.

Cas gave a mock chuckle and walked away, with her boss by her side.

Folorunsho was caught in the web.

And I was trapped as well, without knowing my next move.