CHAPTER 2 THE PLOT

The hall was thrown into a frenzy as able bodied men in black outfits appeared at the entrance of the hall. Walking in the middle of the men was Selina Taiwo, one of the wealthiest women in the whole of the country. She was clothed fully in a long black corset dress that flowed down her toes, with a long white fur coat hung over her shoulders. Her small round face, coupled with high cheekbones was heavily beautified with makeup which made her wrinkles less visible.

She moved her slender, short stature with pride as she waved at the crowd who were cheering as she walked. Flashlights and cameras became the order of the day as everyone struggled to capture a picture of this woman who was one of the most influential women in the country as a whole.

She stood up from her seat as she saw Daren running towards her.

“Love, our attention is needed,” he said as he grabbed hold of her hand and they both walked away.

As she stood with her husband alongside other members of the family, her heart began to palpitate with fear. She could see Mrs. Selina shaking hands with some of the noblemen who were present at the party. As she left the presence of the men, her face broke into a smile seeing members of the Taiwo’s family who were lined up in front of her.

They all made a slight bow before her and she smiled as she saw her daughter walking to meet her.

“Mother,” Elsa Boseman called with all humility as she knelt in front of her.

“Elsa, It’s nice seeing you again,” she said with a smile as she patted her back and she rose up immediately.

She was about to turn to the rest of the family when the host’s voice came from the stage.

“We will now welcome Mrs. Selina Taiwo to the stage, to give us a short speech,” he said from the stage.

She walked away to the stage and everyone clapped as she took hold of the mic.

“She’s still as stunning as ever,” Daren whispered to his wife and she nodded with a forced smile on her face.

“It’s an honor to receive such a warm reception from everyone gathered here, including friends, families and other distinguished members. It’s been seven years since I last set foot into my beloved land, and last set eyes on my beloved people,” she spoke with emotions.

“And right now, I’m back, and I must say that it feels so good to be back in my father’s land,” she said with a smile and there was a spontaneous round of applause.

The party went on slowly and as the day plunged into the night, people began to disperse slowly.

“Is Evan gone?” Melisa asked as she walked towards her husband who was walking to the stairs.

“Yes, he just left now. You didn’t show your face. Is it because of Toyosi?” He asked.

She sighed and waved her hair backwards. She was about to speak when they saw Charles Boseman walking towards them in a hurry.

“Daren, your grandmother is requesting the presence of every member of the family, right now,” he said with all seriousness.

“Ok, we will be there shortly,” he said as he turned to look at Melisa whose face was wearing an anxious look.

As they walked up to the spacious, serene chamber, she could feel her heart racing seeing Selina Taiwo seated alongside her daughter, Elsa. The both were engaged in a low toned discussion and only their chuckles could be heard.

She gulped as she stood beside her husband who was taking hold of her hand. She tried to maintain her composure as she felt her heart pounding underneath her dress.

She could see the eyes of the women rising in her direction and her heart jumped into her stomach immediately.

“Come on, let’s say hi to grandma,” Daren whispered into her ear.

She gulped as she walked towards the women whose faces were wearing nothing but a demeaning look as they stared at the couple.

“Grand..grandmother..I’m,” she stammered as she walked towards the old woman.

“Grandmother Selina,” they heard Diana’s voice behind them and she turned and saw Diana and her family rushing towards Mrs Selina whose arms were wide open to receive them.

“Oh, my sweet daughter inlaw,” she praised as they both embraced.

“Where is my great grandson?” She asked and Dele ran into her arms.

“Wow.. look at this boy, he’s grown so big! What have you guys been feeding him?” She asked and they all laughed.

“Nothing much, grandma, he’s enjoying all the good life,” Dotun put in and they all laughed again.

“Grandma, I got you a present,” Diana said as she presented a sparkling golden necklace before Mrs. Selina whose face was filled with awe.

“Oh, this is beautiful, Elsa, check it out,” she said as she handed the necklace to Elsa Boseman who was sipping her drink slowly.

“It’s beautiful,” She commented bluntly and continued sipping her wine.

From where she stood, her gaze buried to the floor as she stood dejectedly, watching Mrs Selina relate with Diana and her family. She felt a presence behind her and she turned to see Daren behind her. He took hold of her hand slowly and her nerves relaxed.

“Mother, Daren and Melisa are here,” Charles Boseman’s voice sounded and they all turned to look at him.

From where he stood, he could see his wife, Elsa, glaring at him with her face as hardened as a stone.

“Oh, Melisa,” Mrs. Selina called as she turned her attention to Daren and Melisa who were standing a few meters away from her.

“Grandmother, Welcome home,” Daren said bluntly and she smiled and nodded.

“Wel..come home, grandma,” Melisa added as she tried to force a smile on her face.

“I was hoping to see and hear the voice of your child when I returned, but there was none. So, what is happening?” She asked as she crossed her legs stylishly.

Silence fell in and there was a rising tension in the air.

“Mom,” she tried to speak.

“I’m not done yet!” She cut in with her hand raised.

She kept silent and looked at Daren who was trying to maintain a calm face.

“It’s almost four years now, and there is still no sight of a baby. Melisa, Daren, I need a great grandchild. You are the heir of the Taiwo’s family and you should be the first to produce an heir to this family!” She yelled.

She held onto her husband tightly as she felt tears trickling down her cheek. He placed his arms around her as he shot his grandma an angry look.

“We’ve been patient with you, Melisa. You need to step aside, sign the divorce papers and let’s get Daren a wife. A woman who is capable of producing us a child,” she continued.

“With all due respect grandmother, Melisa and I are trying our best. The doctors say we are fine and there is no need for all these pressures. We will have children when the time is right and I won’t have anyone speak to my wife so rashly all because of her inability to conceive!” He said in a rather high tone and all eyes were raised.

Elsa rose up from her seat with her eyes burning with rage.

“How dare you, Daren, how dare you speak to your grandmother in such a manner!” She yelled as she walked towards him.

He tried to speak but Melisa pinched him and he kept silent with his whole body fuming.

“Let him be, Elsa. We’ve always known him to be the black sheep of this family. Taking sides of your barren wife against your family? Who does that?” Mrs Selina asked with a scoff.

“Grandma, if it was that easy to bear a child, you wouldn’t be having my mother as your only child, of which I know that it took you seven years to have her!” He yelled.

“Shut up!” Elsa yelled as she sent a slap across his face.

“Elsa, that’s enough!” Charles cut in and she stood for a while with her body shaking violently.

“Daren!” Melisa yelled as she took hold of his hand which was placed on his cheek.

His angry dark eyes burned through his mother who was standing in front of him, undauntedly. He lowered his palm from his face and licked his lips. Without saying a word, he turned to walk away.

“Daren!” Melisa cried after him.

“Leave! Leave, you ungrateful bastard!” Elsa cursed after him as he ran up the stairs with his wife running behind him.

A smirk appeared on Diana’s face as she watched the couple leave. She turned to her husband who was also wearing a smirk on his face. They both smiled sinisterly as they sipped their drinks spontaneously.

*

She barged into the room and saw him standing before the window, with his head resting against his hand which was curved on the window.

“Love,” she called anxiously as she walked over to him.

He turned to look at her face slowly and she could see his face burning with rage. His round brown eyes stared into hers and she sighed and took hold of his hand.

“You shouldn't have spoken so disrespectfully to your grandmother,” she said calmly.

“Really? And I should stand and watch them humiliate you in that manner?” He asked angrily.

“Love, we need to take things easy. I don’t want them to have the impression that I’m turning your heart against them. Family is family,” she said calmly.

He kept silent and placed his palm on the side of her face. He looked into her beautiful brown almond eyes and she gulped and lowered her gaze from him.

“You once sacrificed your family for me, Lisa. You turned your back on your father just to be with me. And you think I wouldn’t reciprocate the love you’ve shown me? My love, not even my family can separate us right now. If the pressure gets stronger, then we will have no other option than to leave,” he said softly.

She cringed and her eyes raised up to his face in dismay. She could see the emotions written all over him and a tear escaped her eyes. She made her palm rest on his face and their heads touched.

“I love you, Daren, '' she whispered with tears streaming down her face.

Just then, the door opened and they both turned to see Elsa Boseman storming into the room, with her small pretty face as hardened as a stone.

“What stunts did you pull out there, you ungrateful son!” She barked as she stood in the middle of the room, staring at them with her eyes burning with fury.

“With all due respect mom, this is my room and I will appreciate some privacy,” Daren voiced out as he walked away from his wife.

“Love,” Melisa called after him as she hurried to meet him.

He stood before his mother whose fingers were clenched together as they stared at each other eye to eye.

“Love, you shouldn’t speak to your mother in such a manner,” Melisa scolded as she grabbed hold of his hand.

“I see the wings you’re growing, Daren. And in just an instant, I won’t hesitate to pull them down,” Elsa Boseman said, confidently.

He kept silent as he felt his wife’s hands in his and she urged him to remain calm.

“I give you less than 24 hours to apologize to your grandma,” She said as she turned away from them.

“We..we will, mother,” Melisa stammered.

“Suit yourself” She said as she walked out of the room, majestically.

“Love, we should do as she has said,” she said as soon as Elsa stormed out of the room.

He kept silent and walked over to the bed while she followed behind him.

*

In the spacious dim room, she sat on his body, caressing his unclad chest as he laid on the bed with his arms wrapped around her tiny waist. She was dressed in black panties and black bra with her head bent over him as she caressed his chest slowly.

“Is Dele Asleep?” He asked with a deep voice.

“I've put him to bed already,” she said with a hoarse voice as he smiled and shut his eyes in pleasure.

“Babe,” she called seductively.

“Hmm,” he muttered with his eyes closed.

“You were aware of what happened tonight, uh?” She continued.

“Hmm,” he voiced again.

“Don’t you think everything is happening to our own advantage?” She asked and he opened his eyes.

“How?” He asked and she chuckled as she sat up right and waved back her black short hair.

“Are you still interested in the Billionaire wine company that would soon be handed over to your brother?” She asked thoughtfully.

He paused and gave her a surprised stare.

“Of course I am, you know how badly I want it for myself,” he said and she smiled mischievously.

“Then it’s time to take that which you’ve always wanted,” she said as she moved away from his body.

He sat up right and watched her take a sip from her glass of wine. She dropped the glass on the stool and returned her attention to him.

“The company will be handed over to Daren who has failed to produce an heir. Why don’t we have a little discussion with mother, to place Daren under a condition for him to produce an heir before the company would be passed over to him? And if he doesn’t within a year, the company would be handed over to you, Dotun, '' she related with a smile.

He scoffed and shook his head.

“That’s absurd. And what if Melisa gets pregnant before the end of the year?” He asked and she hissed.

“That’s not gonna happen. Besides, we will have a plan B if she ever gets pregnant,” she said with a smile.

He heaved a sigh and rubbed his palm on his face.

“You think mother is ever going to listen to us? Besides, she doesn’t have the final say. The company belongs to grandmother and she has the final say,” he said.

“Mother will listen to us. We aren’t gonna present it like we are trying to gain Daren’s inheritance, we would present it in a way that will make her think we are concerned about Daren’s childlessness,” she said with a chuckle.

“And how are we gonna do that?” He asked.

“Leave that to me,” she said with a smile as she took a sip from her drink again.