Chapter 50: Strife with no efforts!

Strife with no efforts.

Campaigns have come and gone while elections followed sequentially, it was a battle fest. We were all stunned somehow about Eric, he was siding and contesting against the governor's party and there was absolutely nothing we or anyone could do. In a months' time Voting results would be announced by the speaker. We were so certain about the elections and the contestants, despite all odds we were ready to support Pete the governor and Calvin as his deputy governor.

  "Congratulations Mr governor!" I waled to the governor while he stood conversing with Thompson and Calvin, his friends.

  "Ahh Danielle! You always flatter me with dazzling words...." He opened his arms for a hug as I sunk into his fatherly embrace.

 "You deserve it, sir! I know you'd win the elections, Jada and Eric have nothing against you!" I assured him

  "Thank you but I haven't won yet..." Pete said

  "But you would, governor!" Calvin added in support

We smiled to Calvin's positive contributions

I walked to Carol who stood alone while Lisa Calvin Peters digressed to answer a phone call.

  "Mother, congratulations!" We hugged warmly

  "Mm-hmm. Than you Darling. Such positivity is what I need around me not some Grinch like Poor Lisa!" She teased, we laughed almost forcefully.

  "Lost in thoughts?" I asked as we both faced the Pete's election banners

  "Of course. I wouldn't find no peace until I bring down Dexter's pathetic family." Her made seemed made up

  "Hmm. do you have something Indestructible against her?" I asked

  "I'm on it..." Carol said a Kendall cleared his throat to get our attention, we turned to him

  "Yes Kendall, what's in for me today?" Carol asked authoritatively

  "As planned but not so well. Do you..." Kendall looked at me to know if Carol's would proceed with the discussion right in front of me

  "She's fine. She's what I need."

  "I could vanish for a minute..." I opted

  "Oh no." Carol declined she preferred I stayed back  "What this time?" She turned to Kendall

  "It failed. I did as you asked but it failed

 Someone got there before..." He explained

  "Are you incompetent?" Carol was indignant

  "My apologies ma'am, someone else knows about our plan." Kendall stated

  "Like who? We've only discussed with you and no one else" Carol inquired

  "I really don't know but trust me I'd find out" Kendall assured as he walked away. Carol turned to me

  "You see that? Its a gateway to my provocation." She sounded confidently

  "I guess its promising. Do you really trust him?" I asked

  "Just like I trust you!" She said with a faint smile.

Indeed, Carol was not in for no child's play; she was prepared for the worse and seriously I supported her. What Jada tried to everything humanly possible to buy the people and even the government. Undoubtedly, she had succeeded in taking the people's opinions about 'New man New Change', her slogan. Everyone began to exit the premises little by little. I caught a glimpse of Eric who seemed to be excited then his eyes met mine as he took them off immediately. Ada came forth with a bottle if sparkling water as she stood next to me while I stared a Pete's placard. 

  "You wouldn't speak to me even after a month!" Ada said stirring a conversation

Ada and I hadn't spoken in a long while simply because I couldn't handle her temperament but not solely on that reason, she never seemed to rely or talk to someone.

  "I wanted space for you just as your actions demanded." I said without turning to her

  "Hmm I see! Tooth for a tooth huh?" sh teased then I turned to her

  "Learn to value loved ones, Ada. We don't last longer than usual!"

  "What's that...." She began to ask for clarification then I interrupted

  "You're not the first to be cheated on, not the first to encounter death of a dear one neither the first to get divorced and cry out lonely nights and sulk in pain...." I stated

  "....just cut the chase Danni, I don't want to hear more sermons today. I'm here to support my father..." She said ignorantly

  "And I hope you support Lola's wedding coming up on Saturday." I reminded

  "What wedding? And I never got an IV for that? What friends meant for?" She thought me had on that statement

  "Ten emails cannot be an incident, Ada. Learn to acknowledge loved ones and even friends!" I walked away while she scrolled through her phone, I bet she saw the mails Lola and I sent to her then she exclaimed

  "Jeez!" I heard it few inches away

                    *******************

Entertaining Lola's big day was actually a dream come through. Her wedding was nicely planned out by the best wedding planner in the country. Lionel and Lola were a perfect blend. Her rose gold gown was a customized designed  gown from top designers while her heels were Chanel, her jewelry were Chanel as well; her hair was neatly designed from a French model she admired most. Jamal turned to me 

  "You look gorgeous, like the day was got married at the mansion. You look better than the bride though" He complimented

  "No c'mon. We both look pretty in our own way!" I simply added

  "Whatever. Woman of the people!" He sighed holding my knuckles with a kiss on it "I've decided to....Err....you know...ahh...you know trying to..." He stuttered

  "Finding it hard to apologize yeah? Just go over there and be a man."

  "Oh God. I'm trying to be nice here!" He said. I tucked my arm in between his as we walked down to the bride and groom covered in golden and red glitters, balloons and lights. Jamal cleared his throat to interrupt the kissing couple

  "Lola and Lionel congratulations." He began

  "Thanks!" They both answered in unison

  "I'm so happy to have you both on our big day!" Lola added

  "Nice! I'm....I...ah....I'm sorry for being rude to you earlier, I just don't listen!" He finally said then I smiled.

  "I'm sorry too for detecting and overstepping. I'm sorry Jamal, it won't happen again." Lola assured

Lola was emotional at that moment. She gave Jamal a hug. I couldn't remember the last time they hugged as friends that we were, I was proud of them.

  "Y'all might want to see someone you've long expected to turn up?" Lionel said as we turned to the person he spoke about. 

  "Ada?" Lola and I said in unison

She came forth in our bridal train red dinner gown, as much as I hate to admit at that moment, she was beautifully stunning. I took on Jamal's words that I was the prettiest because each of us look overly stunning.

  "I'm sorry...." Ada started as Jamal interrupted

  "This sorry thing's really meddling. C'mon Lionel.....their girl code something..." He air quoted, Lionel adhered as they excused us

  "If you had tried to skip this wedding, I wouldn't have forgiven you. You know its my big day." Lola began angrily

  "I'm sorry for everything. I didn't realize y'all sent 10 mails...."

  "...And 5 voicemails, too busy for us we get it." I snapped with a shrug rolling my eyes

  "No. No. No! I'm so sorry for being stupid and inconsiderate." She finally blurted, jet eyes could define her sobriety and sincerity, we just had to hug and the party continued. 

Right after the party, Lola and Lionel flew out to Paris for honeymoons through their private jet.

While on the way at around 7pm off the wedding venue, we bumped into West again at the supermarket. I saw him contemplating on the cocoa powder he picked.

  "West!" I exclaimed excitedly as we hugged. I remembered that Jamal was holding Jordan at the corner.  Then I refrained

  "Oh ahh....West this Jamal. Jamal West."

  "We know ourselves... Nice to see you after a very long time." Jamal stretched his hand then West acknowledged it topping it with a smile.

  "O....Of course. I can see the big man there. Mama's eyes...papa's face..." West exclaimed with politeness

  "Perfect family yeah!" Jamal smiled

  "Of course." West actions seemed somehow and maybe Jamal's politeness was unexpected.

  "And your wife...we've not seen her..." I mentioned. Speaking of the devil, a woman approached with a stylish catwalk and a black shape wear while her hair was tied into a ponytail and this glowing red lipstick.

  "Hi everyone! Did I miss something." Her tone was calm and kind of flirty, I couldn't tell. We stood staring at West for a proper introduction

  "Sorry. This is my wife, Nina." He turned to her "These are my friends from back in the day....before I got into rehab." He reminded

  "Mm-hmm. Danni, the lady from before and uhm, Jamal the rich rich guy....Nice to meet you all." She said. We only gave a faint smile.

  "And you are the doctor he fell in love with. Mm-hmm, West was so irresistible..."

  "Still irresistible!" West said underneath his breath.

Jamal snuggled me on the arm to cut the drama because it seemed like we didn't blend at all.

  "Uh huh. You turned against this...." Nina caressed West in the chest and continued "....sweet, sexy, romantic man to the FBI."

  "Are you a love specialist 'coz I don't understand your profession. You speak well for love and drama." I replied

  "Ok, this is going somewhere. West? See you soon." Jamal interrupted

  "Yeah sure. Good night y'all." West said

  "I'd love to have you Danni, for a little cocktail party. Would you?" Nina inquired

  "Why not, I love shades." I said with the same mockery tone she used

  "Me too. West, we blend a lot, I love her." Nina added as West dragged her away.

Jamal turned to me with a questioning look

  "To the car, Danielle." He went ahead

I groaned in annoyance then I followed from behind.

He kicked the engine as he drove safely. While in the car, he brought a conversation I disliked

  "What was that all about?"

  "She started it, Jamal!" I said defensively in a low tone

  "I really can't believe you were the villain in there." He teased

  "Really! And seriously I'd love the cocktail party, we should go." I advised

  "Nah Danni, that's a lot of trouble." He warned

  "Seriously babe, she's exciting. She's cool."

I really didn't like her but she see med interesting with the teases she spilled out.

Few weeks past, 

I was surprised to see Jada sitting in front of me abruptly while I was at a coffee feeding my soul with coffee and the news headlines. Of course, it was simply crime and elections. I kept the papers on the table

  "What do you want from me?"

  "Your cooperation." She stated

  "What cooperation? I don't need you In my life so?" I said bluntly

  "Of course you do, Danni. I want you around me, join our force to end corruption." She said calmly as always

  "Corruption? Who's more corrupt? Well, I'm not interested, Elena!" I mentioned

  "Elena! I see you know me really well, I'm proud of you." She said

  "What exactly do you want?" I asked In confusion. I wondered why she came around

  "I'd warn you about the McClure's for the last time Danni. From the goodness of my heart, leave them to their detriment..." She leaned over "If I get to hurt the McClure's, you'd get hurt regardless." 

  "Ouch. I think I'm scared. Jada? You won't scare me, I'm better than you think." I proudly said

  "TikTok says the clock!" She sang out mockingly as she walked away.

                      *****************

Few days later, I noticed some abnormality anytime I'm out side the house, either at work or Jordan's school or the governor's Residence, I was being followed step by step. Sometimes I'd buy time at the supermarket just to get out of sight and when I'm out, I was always followed. My husband changed from the flirty, sweet, free spirited and protective man to  a reserved man and sometimes he wouldn't sleep on the same bed as i would. The moment i tried to confront him, it felt horrible. He was working on his computer then I rubbed his back slowly, lovely things I usually do but instead he got frightened

  "Babe, are you ok?"

  "Oh...yeah. I'm fine. I....I...uh...I should go to sleep." He scurried out of the room then I followed him to our private living room

  "Jamal. Jamal. What's wrong with you? Are you ok? I'm scared! This ain't you." I asked with concern, I was frightened and confused too

  "I'm fine honey....I..just ahh..."

  "Just stop stuttering. I'm here!" I said coming close gently

  "No....No...I'm fine. Just go to bed, I want to be alone. My therapist said that I should stay alone and meditate. About....us...yeah...us." He looked confused

  "Ok, calm down Jamal. I'd be right back!" I said as I walked out. He ran to the door and locked it instead. I banged on it severally but he wouldn't surface, I was confused then I decided to call Mrs Brownie. 

I dialed her severally but she didn't respond. I tried Doctor Jim, our family doctor but he didn't respond, I knew it was late and definitely would be asleep. I dialed West sin that I could speak to his wife, it was really unexpected buy I had no choice. I was lucky he responded to my call.

  "We....West! Are you there? Sorry to bother you but I'd love to speak with Nina, is she close?" I asked almost stuttering. I heard him yawn from the background

  "She's asleep. Is it really important? Sometimes she get cheeky. You women..." He explained sleepily

  "Please just go ahead, I'd explain later."

I waited for over three minutes then she answered.

  "Ahh. Danni, its late yeah. What's up girl?" Nina asked nicely sounding nicely

  "My....My husband is not feeling alright, do you know what I can do? He stutters a lot, he doesn't want to look at me in the eye..." I tried to explain almost calmly

  "Does he look scared?"

  "Yes Nina, always scared and now he locked himself in the living room and he wouldn't open up. I'm so scared!" I began to sob before I could realize

  "Ok...Ok. Calm down, let him be. I'll come check up on him tomorrow ok. I'd need my team around So I can't do nothing tonight. You got sleeping pills?"

  "Yes...Yes."

  "Give him his favorite wine and dissolve two in it. Not water ok?" She instructed "Just try it out."

  "Ok. Thank you so much. I got to go!" I hung up.

I did as I was instructed then I knocked on the doctor for over five minutes then he scurried to the door and opened then I handed him the glass of wine. He gulped it like he wanted water

  "Thank you. I...I'm so sorry Danni, I don't know what's wrong with me." He fell on me. His weight was heavier than I could handle then I dragged him from his shirt to our bedroom then I provided a pillow and a blanket while he laid on the ground. Good thing the rug was soft and fluffy, he slept off. I sat beside him