CHAPTER 3 THE ODDS

In the small well furnished chamber, they both sat on the long black couch with their hands resting on each other, watching Elsa Boseman walk into the chambers.

She was dressed in a long silver corset dress and black heels which made sounds as she walked. She took her seat on the couch opposite them and one of the men poured drink in the glass on the table before her.

She crossed her legs stylishly as the glass was handed over to her, and her eyes fixed on the couple sitting together before her with smiles on their faces.

“You said you have something to say, spill it,” she urged as she looked away from their faces.

Dotun took a glance at his wife whose face was beaming with a smile. She adjusted her short black hair and cleared her throat.

“Mother, we are here because of Daren. We witnessed what happened last night between him and grandmother and we are quite concerned about his welfare. I guess the issue of his childlessness is taking a great toll on him and that’s the reason for his outburst recently,” she related.

“Go straight to the point,” she cut in.

“Oh, mother, the truth is that Daren would not care about producing a child unless he faces extreme pressures. As you can see, Melisa has turned his heart away from us and he is unwilling to take a second wife. But if we can put him through extreme pressure, we believe he would listen to us and do the right thing,” she continued.

“And what kind of extreme pressure are you talking about?” she cut in again as she looked at their faces.

They both took a quick glance at each other and Dotun cleared his throat.

“Mother, we want Daren to be placed under a condition that the wine company would only be handed over to him if he produces a child before the year runs out. And failure to do so, he would lose possession over the company,” he spilled.

“And the company would be handed over to who? You?” She asked with a chuckle as she shook her head.

Silence fell in and they both stared at each other slowly.

Her thin lips curved into a smile with her fists clenched against the glass she was holding. She stared at the couple who were staring at her in silence and she scoffed and shook her head.

“Her idea?” She asked as her gaze narrowed from Dotun to Diana.

They both shifted uncomfortably on their seats and they shook their heads in unison.

“I knew it was your idea, Diana. You’ve always been jealous of Melisa and you would do everything possible to get her out of your sight!” She slammed as she stood up and paced in front of them angrily.

“No, mother,” she tried to speak.

“Hold it!” She slammed again as she stopped and her small dark eyes burned into them.

“Dotun, this is so despicable of you! Trying to covet that which belongs to your brother?!” she thundered.

“Mother,” he tried to speak again.

“The both of you, leave my sight this minute!” She ordered and they both stood up and hurried away immediately.

*

Her slow footsteps could be heard as she walked into the luxuriously furnished room. She could hear laughter and voices deep within the room and she wondered what the old woman was up to at this moment.

She stopped and heaved a sigh as she saw her standing before the wardrobe, with the maids and a lady in red dress helping her fit into her clothes.

“Mother,” she called.

“Oh, Elsa,” Selina called with excitement as she turned to see her daughter who was standing wearily in the middle of the room.

“Come, check this out. Doesn’t it look good on me?” She asked with a smile as she walked away from the women. She stood in front of her daughter and sampled the blue native Buba blouse she was wearing.

“It’s.. it’s.. Beautiful,” Elsa commented with a forced smile on her face.

“Elsa, I missed Africa so much. And I want to step out so glamorously tomorrow. Come, check out the new jewelry I bought,” she said as she moved her small stature towards the bed where the gold jewelry was lying.

“Mother, I’m here to have a discussion with you,” she said bluntly.

She pulled a long face as she looked at her daughter. Her attention turned to the women and she signaled them to leave.

“What is it you have to say that you couldn’t share my joy with me?” She asked as she packed up the jewelry on the bed.

“Mother, you missed breakfast with the family this morning,” she said as she sat on the single sofa facing the bed.

“Yes, I couldn’t withstand the presence of that Insolent son of yours,” she said without looking up.

“I told him to apologize. He didn’t do that yet?” She asked in surprise.

She smiled and looked up at her daughter.

“He came with Melisa earlier today and they both apologized,” she said.

“Mother, I don't know what to do with Daren. I’m so confused at the moment,” she lamented.

“He will come to his senses, but we need to do something fast before it gets too late. You know how long it took me to produce a family, Elsa, and I would do everything I can to keep my family growing. I want a large family, Elsa, I want our family to be broad and we shouldn’t have to fear about our generation getting wiped out,” Selina related with emotions.

“I know, mother, and I will try my best to ensure that Daren produces a child of his own. And you know what, mother?” She asked with a chuckle.

“What, my daughter?” She asked with curiosity.

“Dotun and Diana approached me earlier today. They wanted Daren to be placed under a condition, that the wine company will only be handed over to him if he produces an heir before the end of the year. Failure to do so, will see him lose his inheritance,” she related.

Silence fell in and Selina stood up with her tiny finger placed underneath her chin.

“Isn’t that laughable, mother?” She continued.

“Laughable? Laughable you say?” She asked as she walked over to her.

She kept silent as she stared at her mother in surprise.

“That is the most sensible thing I’ve ever heard since my arrival,” she said with excitement.

“Mother,” Elsa called in surprise.

“Yes, daughter,” she called as she smiled and sat on the chair facing her.

“It’s a great idea,” she said.

“What great idea? We can’t give what belongs to Daren to Dotun,” she protested.

“No, this is only going to be a challenge for him. Daren cannot afford to lose the billionaire company and so he will go to any lengths to bear a child, even if it means throwing that witch out of his life,” she said as she looked into her eyes.

“Mother, I’m not comfortable with it,” she protested.

“Elsa, I've always taught you to be strong. Success is not for the weak. And in order to achieve your aim, you have to be strong and make bold decisions,” she said as she placed her hands on her shoulders.

“Like the decision you made concerning Charles, your husband. You did a great job by not letting him subject you. You took full control over his life and now, see him subjecting to you like a slave,” she continued with laughter.

She looked away from her mother’s face and her gaze lowered to the floor.

“Elsa, you have to be strong. Diana and Dotun’s plans are perfect and I believe Daren will bear me a great grandchild before I die,” she said with a smile and Elsa heaved a sigh.

*

At the long dining table, they all sat in silence as they watched the old lady walking towards the table which was covered with dishes containing appetizing meals, cutlery ,fruits and wine.

“Sorry for taking so long,” she said with a polite smile as she settled her small stature on the high chair.

They all ate in silence and after the meal, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked at their faces.

“I want everyone’s presence at my chamber tonight,” she said with authority.

In the small furnished chamber, they all sat in silence with their eyes fixed on the old lady who was going through some files. She looked up and removed her glasses and her face broke into a smile.

“ You guys are doing really well in handling the family’s business, '' she said with a smile.

“Daren, how are you faring with the car business?” She asked with her legs crossed stylishly.

“Great. More investors are coming from both far and near,” he said, confidently and she smiled with satisfaction.

“And you, Dotun, how is the hotel faring under your care?” She asked as she turned to look at him.

“Everything is going just fine, mother,” he replied and she nodded.

“I know my beautiful daughter here is doing just great with the Real estate and I’m highly satisfied. '' she said with a smile as she looked at their faces which were beaming with smiles.

“But as you all know, the Wine company which has been fetching us billions and billions of dollars is still under my control. As you all know the story, your grandfather and I set on an adventure to Italy. And there, he found a secret recipe on wine making. And he returned and put this recipe into use. And ever since its release, our Jack & Rose wine has been fetching us billions and it has proved to be our main source of Income over the years.

It’s still doing great till date, and our brand has been ranked 24th in the world, 2nd in Africa, and 1st in Nigeria,” she said with a smile and they all clapped.

“But as you can see, there are competitors in the market, like Mateo and his counterparts who are trying to get their brands to the top. And over the years, our brand has managed to remain on top due to the presence of your grandfather. And after his demise, the company was handed over to me, his beloved wife and would thereby pass on to his future generations,” she said with a smile.

“But right now, age is not in my favor any longer. I’m 72 already, Oh, poor Selina, the once beautiful and young vibrant lady back in the days,” she said sadly as she brought out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes.

“Here goes the drama queen,” Daren whispered to his wife and she let out a silent chuckle.

“And as you all know, I’m aging and could no longer compete in this market. I want to spend the remaining part of my days enjoying my life to the fullest. And so, just as you all know, the company would be handed over to Daren, the first son of the Taiwo’s,” she said as she looked at Daren who was smiling with his wife Melisa.

Diana felt her heart cringing and she looked at Dotun whose face turned cold immediately.

“But on one condition,” Selina continued and their brows raised.

They all sat up right as they looked at her face curiously.

“Daren, you have failed to bear the Taiwo’s family an heir,” she said and he pulled a long face as he stared at his wife who was wearing an anxious look on her face.

“Yes, and we don’t know when your years of childlessness would be over. For that reason, the rules have changed,” she said authoritatively as she directed her gaze at him.

The air became tense as they all anticipated to hear what she had to say.

“The wine company would be handed over to you, if only you produce an heir before the year runs out. Failure to do so, you lose your inheritance to Dotun, your younger brother,” she spilled.

Silence fell for a few seconds and their gazes buried to the floor in disappointment.

Charles Boseman took a quick glance at his wife who was seated beside him, with her face beaming with a smile. His face hardened and she turned to look at him and turned away immediately.

Daren stood up a few seconds after Selina’s announcement. He adjusted his suit and he could see Melisa standing up after him.

“To hell with you,” he said as he pointed at Selina. “To hell with your daughter,” he said while pointing at his mother. “To hell with this goddamned family, and to hell with your company!” He flared.

“Daren!” Melisa shouted as she tried to hold his arms.

“How dare you!” Elsa voiced as she stood up Majestically.

“You!” He pointed at her and Melisa pulled his hand back.

“Enjoy your family,” he said and stormed out immediately with his wife running after him.

“Let him go, Elsa, he’s gonna come back to his senses,” Selina said with laughter as she grabbed her glass of wine.

Charles stood up from his seat and shot his wife a death stare.

“What? Are you going to insult us like your son just did? We’ve always known him to be just like you,” Selina continued with a mocking smile on her lips.

Without saying a word, he walked out immediately and Elsa’s gaze buried to the floor as she watched him walk away.

A sinister smile appeared on Diana’s lips as she looked at Dotun whose face was beaming with a smile.

“The odds are finally in our favor,” she whispered and he smiled mischievously and turned away.