Ripples E. 5

[Catch Up On E. 4]

"Dapo. What a pleasant surprise."

"Good evening Chief. Good evening Mommy"

"Hello my son how are you?"

"Very well. Mommy you look amazing as always."

Dapo flattered the beautiful middle aged woman who always reminded him of Sade. 

"At this age? Chief did you hear our son in law?" She laughed elegantly and placed the business magazine she was reading earlier face down beside her on the sofa. 

Dapo managed to smile tautly at the graceful middle aged couple who were now staring at him as he stepped into their stylishly furnished spacious living room, a perfect blend of European and African designs brightly illuminated with led recessed lights and a crystal chandelier hanging from the roof. The brilliant light bounced off matching heavy drawn curtains and highlighted the luxurious, homey and amiable ambiance of the Metuh family home which failed to appeal to Dapo that evening. 

His eyes darted to the large family portrait magnificently gracing the designed white wall surrounded by mini portraits of all the younger generation of Metuh's. Overlooking them, his eyes impulsively moved to Sade's beaming face. It was a picture of Sade in her graduation gown. He had become accustomed to seeking out the portrait whenever he dropped by their house. Dapo blinked rapidly as a cold shiver ran down his spine. He knew that feeling meant his anger was spiking. He was in a foul mood and was finding it difficult to pretend about it.

Sade's dad was standing in front of the wall mounted plasma TV with a glass of wine in his hand. His figure looked less intimidating in a casual but expensive wear. He slowly swirled the red liquid as Dapo walked over. Overcoming the urge to prostrate, which was normal for his people, he firmly shook Chief's extended hand as their eyes met. Chief hated anyone prostrating before him. Turning towards Mrs Metuh; Sade's mom who was elegantly reclining on one of the royal wood carved luxurious sofas gracing the living room  he bent slightly and pecked her cheeks.

"How are your parents?" Mrs Metuh beamed at him while gesturing towards one of the single sofas.

"They are very well. I am actually expecting them in the country within the week." 

Dapo claimed the seat and loosened his necktie. He noticed Chief's attention was on the news showing on the large TV screen.

The man always infuriated him with his aloof behavior. If he had a choice in the matter, he would avoid visiting Sade's family house. Visiting them was another level of torture for him. If the stupid Sade had answered his various calls, he would have gladly saved himself the double trouble of being ignored by chief and having to view the usual romantic soap opera. The warmth and love openly exhibited by her parents always irked him. Even a blind person could see that Sade's parents were still in love and happy after several years of being married, unlike his parents who were always daggers drawn. 

"To what do we owe this August visit on a rainy day?"

Chief Metuh's firm and commanding voice pulled Dapo back to the living room and its exquisite occupants. Dapo turned to look at him just as a maid walked in to refill Chief's glass. 

A new maid! What happened to the last one? What was her name again...Tina! Sweet Tina who would always cry in bed; Dapo thought, his interest piqued.

"I promised to take Sade out on a date this evening. There is this new five star hotel in town and I want to give her a well deserved treat." 

His explained, his gaze briefly lingered on the tall and dark skinned young maid in a loose fitting uniform that could not conceal her perfect curves. 

Dapo control yourself, he cautioned himself and shook his head slightly before focusing on Mrs Metuh who had picked up her magazine again and was flipping through it slowly.

"Bam Bam? You should know my daughter prefers having family and close friends address her as Bam Bam. Since  you are now part of the family I think you should do same. Unless you young ones already have endearments for each other."

Mrs. Metuh pointed out with a faint smile and a happy twinkle in her eyes.

Why? Why would a smart woman like Sade prefer a stupid, childish sobriquet to her name? It made no sense to Dapo especially since he  detested the name passionately. Anyway, he would never reveal his disgust to her. Atleast not before the wedding. Dapo fought to maintain an amicable facial expression.  

"Forgive me. I must admit that I am distracted by the recent problems I am having with your daughter. Mommy I've been trying to reach Sa... Bam Bam all day. She has not been returning my calls. I think she is intentionally avoiding me for reasons I'm not even aware of."

The same unfamiliar maid walked in again bearing a bottle of an expensive wine and a fragile flute. Dapo's eyes narrowed as she walked towards him. Hmm beautiful new maid, you will surely be mine, he thought as he gave her a once over, taking in her shapely legs sticking out under her knee length gown. She averted her eyes the moment they met his interested ones. Dapo felt his trouser tighten.

"Manda, is Bam Bam upstairs?"

"She's not home at the moment ma."

Cute name, beautiful face and a lovely voice; Dapo noted before dragging his eyes off the girl as she filled his glass before placing the bottle on the mini table beside him. He sensed her curtsy  before slowly walking out.

"She speaks well. l don't think I've seen her before."

He took a sip of his wine, feigning nonchalance.

"Manda? Oh yes she's new. Lovely girl and brilliant too. She came highly recommended." 

Mrs Metuh explained before getting up to join her husband on the soft leather couch facing the gigantic  TV.

"You have excellent taste Mommy."

"I know my dear. Ahha! Before I forget, when are you coming to take your wife?"

Chief cleared his throat while not shifting his gaze away from the TV. Dapo guessed he disapproved of the question but Mrs. Metuh ignored him.

"Actually, I've been trying to discuss the details with Bam Bam but she has refused to agree on a specific date. Instead she became unpredictable and distant. I don't want it to sound as if I am complaining but I'm finding it difficult to figure out what she wants from this relationship... I mean from me." 

Dapo explained with a deep frown pleating his brow. Truth was he had only mentioned marriage to Sade's mother.  Sade was avoiding him and had told him she would never marry him. That was when he approached her mother with his intentions. She was being unnecessarily difficult and Dapo was no longer finding it funny. As the most eligible bachelor in town, women fought for his attention, but not Sade. To her, he was non-existent. She would not visit him so all his attempts to get her into his bed had failed. There was always a darn meeting or emergency at that her office. 

Who does she think she is? The President's daughter? Where the heck is she? He thought angrily while glancing at his phone. He tapped the screen and the light came on. There were no calls from Sade but he saw several messages and missed calls from Clara, his girlfriend . Sighing deeply, he placed the phone on the side table. Raw anger rushed through him as an image of Sade with another man flashed through his mind. She won't dare me. I will kill the idiot or any man who dares to mess up my plans.

Dapo's fingers shook as he reached for the wine glass.  He gulped down the content and grimaced. The liquid was too mild and he suddenly wished he could get something stronger.

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