Chapter 8

It's been two years in London already and it is time to go back home to play their end of the bargain. Vanessa and Henrietta made their way back to Nigeria in a grand style. How money can change a man completely. Venessa did not look like who she was two years ago and neither was Henrietta. Many things changed about both of them but what can never change was their origin. Vanessa wore a classic chick gown with short afro hair and very beautiful yet simple makeup. Henrietta on the other hand wore a long beautiful ankara gown as the makeup artists were doing their job. Vanessa made her way to the dressing room to check on Henrietta.

"And who do we have here? If not the soon-to-be bride of the Aderibigbes." Vanessa smiled as she admired Henrietta's beauty from afar.

Henrietta smiled back at her looking at her from the mirror in front of her. "I am not even close to being a bride yet Vanessa. It's just an introduction, not an engagement."

Vanessa moved closer and stayed at her back. "You look so beautiful." She massaged Henrietta's shoulders. "Can you excuse us please?" Vanessa asked referring to those working on Herietta's look for the introduction.

They both waited for them to leave the room before they say another word.

"Why did you send everybody out?" Henrietta asked curiously.

"Because we need to talk," Vanessa replied.

"Well, I am all ears."

"Do you like this man? Better said, have you developed any feelings for him?"

"I don't know seriously but what could have triggered you to ask such a question?"

"Just to know if you are not slipping away. Loving that guy will do you more harm than good and I don't want to see you hurt."

"I know but I don't know how I am feeling right now."

"You will be fine and we are going to fight our way through," Vanessa said as they both chuckled.

Henrietta and Vanessa entered the sitting room together. "See our wife. Fine girl." Some relatives chanted as she walked past with curtsy to her seat. All the guests admired her and they started the introduction properly.

"So it is with uttermost pleasure that we welcome our in-laws, the Aderibigbes into our home for our daughter's hand in marriage."

"To start with let's call on our Reverend in the Lord to pray for us before we start the event."

Luckily the Master of ceremony is a sweet talker. The way she carried herself and the way she handled the event was top-notch. The people that were employed to play the role of the relatives of the bride were good actors and they look wealthy as they claimed.

"You did exceptionally well today. No doubt Damola's family will respect you." Vanessa said with a smile as they walked into Henrietta's room.

"So I will soon be one of the Aderibigbes?" Henrietta asked excitedly.

"Yes, you are honey and you will make a beautiful bride."

"Vanessa." Henrietta held her hands.

"Thank you for everything, if it was not for you, I would have turned down this kind of opportunity."

Vanessa smiled and squeezed Herietta's hands softly. "That is the sole reason why I am always by your side. We are in this together and we will fight it till the world knows our name."

Damola walked into Henrietta's room after the party to meet Vanessa and his fiancee talking. Vanessa was quick to leave the room immediately she saw Damola.

Henrietta, I will talk to you later." Vanessa left the room.

"Thank you," Damola whispered.

Henrietta turned around to face Damola who was standing with a smile. Henrietta was forced to smile too.

"You are beautiful this day" Damola complimented as he moved closer to her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you, Babe," Henrietta replied as she stood up from her chair to hold him.

"You are most welcome Sugar." Damola kissed Henrietta passionately with his hands running on her back and waist.

"Baby stop, I had a long day today. Let's just talk." Henrietta drew back from the kiss.

"What is it? Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Just that I don't know how I am feeling."

"Or do you want to go to the hospital?"

"No, I will be fine. It might just be stress. Don't worry I will be fine."

"Be fine okay."

"I will. I will be fine."

"But seriously I have missed you." He kissed Henrietta and she gave in just for him to stop along the way.

"Be fine first, I am coming over to your house in Lagos. Make sure you call me when you get there." Damola said as he made his way to the door.

"Thank you once again Damola. Thank you for everything."

"You are welcome once again." Damola said as he opened the door.

"I love you Damola." Henrietta said as Damola looked and smiled instead.

Henrietta's business came into the spotlight and of course she had enough money to make a good business work. She went into fashion and became one of the most well-recognized fashion designers in the country. Vanessa was her close ally and they run the business together. Vanessa was sorting some new fabrics out when one of the sales attendants ran to her office.

Well done ma. A man is outside causing a scene and he said he would not leave until he set his eyes on Labake."

"Is there anyone with the name Labake here?" Vanessa asked curiously even though she was scared.

"No ma."

"Tell Ahmed to bundle the idiot out and if he can't handle it. Call the police."

"Okay ma." The girl left before Vanessa peeped through the window to see who it was.

"What is he looking for?" She soliloquized.

The sales attendant got out and tried to send the man out gently but he didn't agree.

"Sir. There is no one here with the name Labake. Please respect yourself and leave now."

"I will not leave this place until I see your boss Labake."

"I am only respecting you as an elderly man sir. I don't want to be rude. Please leave or I will be forced to do the needful."

"I will not leave until I see who I am here for."

The sales attendant left him in the corridor of the shop and called the police to arrest him. "Mr.Man, you have to follow us to our station."

"Labake even went the extra mile to arrest me. That is good. We will see again."

Henrietta got to the office later disappointed at what happened even though she did not know the full story.

"Vanessa please tell me Officer Tunji was joking when he called that someone was arrested at my shop today."

"No Good afternoon at least. Henrietta be calm please,"

"Okay. I am calm, I am very calm."

"That's fine," Vanessa said as she continued with what she was doing.

"Vanessa I asked you a question."

"Please don't stress yourself out with that. I will deal with it."

"I am tired of you doing things at my back. Vanessa please I want to be worried."

Henrietta, please trust me. Everything is fine okay. It's just a minor problem and I will fix it immediately." Vanessa said as she carried her bag.

"Who was arrested?"Henrietta asked.

"It's a nobody. Don't stress yourself out." She said before leaving the office.