Echoes of Laughter, Shadows of Regret

In a dimly lit car outside the mall, Lydia fumed silently, her nails digging into the leather seat.

"How dare she humiliate me like that?" she hissed.

Kenneth smirked, his mind elsewhere. "Forget her, Lydia. She's beneath you."

But Lydia was not listening. In her mind, a plan was already forming, a way to get back at Olaedo and reclaim her place at the top.

In the mall, in the shadows, someone else watched the Arinze women, their intentions unknown.

----

The day had been a whirlwind of excitement. After hours of shopping, Nnenna left for her home, leaving Olaedo and Adanna to return to the grand Arinze mansion. As they entered the expansive hall, their joyous laughter echoed off the high ceilings, spilling warmth into the opulent yet often tense household.

Olaedo threw herself onto the plush sofa, her body sinking into its comforting embrace as peals of laughter bubbled from her lips. "It feels so good to finally stand up to my high school bully! The look on Lydia's face was worth every second."

Adanna, usually composed and reserved, could not hold back her own mirth. Her elegant features were alight with amusement as she joined in the laughter. "I have never been bullied before," she admitted, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Everyone always knew which family I came from, so no one dared to try. But watching what you did today, I think I finally understand the satisfaction of putting someone like that in their place."

Olaedo leaned back, her grin softening into a thoughtful smile. "You have no idea, Adanna. Lydia made my life a living nightmare. But today...standing up to her like that? I feel like I've reclaimed a part of myself. It's like I'm no longer that helpless girl she used to torment." She paused, then chuckled lightly. "We should do this more often. It was way too fun."

Adanna nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely! There's still some time before the ball. I think we should explore the city a bit, visit some landmarks, try out new restaurants. Just enjoy ourselves."

"Definitely," Olaedo agreed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Then, with a surprising twist, she added, "We should invite Ifeoma to come with us."

Adanna blinked, caught off guard. "Ifeoma? After the way she's been treating you? Are you sure you want to do that?"

Olaedo waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, it's fine. She's just a kid. Sometimes, when people lash out, it's because they feel excluded. If we include her in our plans, who knows? Maybe she will mature a little."

Adanna stared at her sister-in-law, admiration blooming in her chest. "You are really something, Olaedo. I wouldn't have thought of it that way. Okay, I'll talk to her and see if she's interested."

Olaedo smiled, satisfied. "Thanks, Adanna. And don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."

That night, after a lively dinner where the family exchanged casual banter, Chibuzor found himself back in his familiar place, on the floor of his study room. The "mattress" was hard, the night air cool against his skin, but neither could distract him from the growing unrest in his heart.

He reached for his phone, hoping to find solace in the mindless scrolling of social media. But as he opened his photo gallery, a flood of memories washed over him. His fingers hesitated as he hovered over a folder labeled Adaugo.

One by one, her pictures filled the screen. Her radiant smile, her sparkling eyes, the way she had always seemed to light up the room, it all came rushing back. His heart tightened painfully.

"Will I ever get over you?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

But as he stared at the images, another face began to creep into his mind. Olaedo. Her fiery spirit, her quick wit, the way her eyes sparkled with mischief when she smiled.

A frown tugged at his lips. "No," he told himself firmly. "I can't be falling for her. I'm still not over Adaugo." Yet the memory of Olaedo's laughter from earlier that evening refused to be silenced. It was hauntingly similar to the way he had once felt around Adaugo.

With a frustrated sigh, he scrolled back to the beginning of the album. His thumb hovered over the delete button. "Maybe it's time," he whispered, his chest tightening at the thought. But when it came down to it, he could not do it. Shutting off his phone abruptly, he turned away from the screen. "Not yet. I'm sorry."

He wasn't sure who he was apologising to, but something in the deepest part of his heart told him it was Olaedo.

The next day.

Olaedo, the Arinze sisters, and Nnenna set off for another outing, leaving Chibuzor sulking in the hallway as he watched them leave unknown to them. His frown deepened as the front door closed behind them.

"Why do they always leave me behind? She's my wife, you know!" he muttered to himself, folding his arms.

Chukwudubem, noticing his brother's glowering expression, approached with an awkward smile and patted his shoulder. "They didn't invite me either. I guess we don't matter that much."

Chibuzor glared at him, his irritation evident. 'Is this supposed to encourage me?' He shook his head and retreated to his office, muttering.

Meanwhile, Chukwudubem tilted his head in confusion. "What did I say wrong this time?"

------------

At the amusement park downtown, the lively atmosphere was infectious. Bright lights, carnival music, and the excited screams of children and adults alike created a symphony of joy. Crowds moved from one attraction to the next, the energy palpable.

Adanna and Ifeoma, who had been relatively composed in the car, now radiated unrestrained excitement as they took the lead. They darted ahead like kids discovering a treasure trove, pointing at every ride and booth that caught their eye.

Olaedo exchanged a knowing glance with Nnenna, who seemed startled by the younger girls' uncharacteristic enthusiasm. "Is this your first time at an amusement park?" Nnenna asked, her brows raised.

Adanna and Ifeoma stopped and turned, blinking like children caught sneaking candy. "Yes!" they admitted in unison, grinning.

"For families like ours," Adanna explained, "fun usually means visiting an opera house, attending an art exhibit, or learning about political, economical, and social strategies. But this? This is incredible! I want to try the rollercoaster first!"

Nnenna shook her head in disbelief while Olaedo chuckled softly. "Well, let's get in line, then," she said, following their lead.

They joined the queue for the rollercoaster, which snaked through the crowd. Nnenna groaned audibly. "Ugh, I hate standing in lines for these things." But as she watched the excited expressions on Adanna and Ifeoma's faces, her annoyance softened. 'Maybe it's not so bad if they're enjoying themselves,' she thought.

Before long, it was their turn. They climbed into the seats, struggling with their seatbelts amidst nervous laughter. When the ride began, it started slow, then picked up speed rapidly.

Adanna and Ifeoma's initial excitement turned into screams as the coaster plummeted down a steep drop. "Ahhhhhhh! Th-this is so… fun!" Adanna shouted, gripping the safety bar for dear life.

Nnenna, beside her, squeezed her eyes shut and muttered, "Never again," while Olaedo laughed, the wind whipping through her hair.

Next, the group tackled the pirate ship ride. Olaedo hesitated, a faint shadow crossing her face. "I have bad memories of this one," she admitted to Nnenna. "It always gives me a headache."

But seeing the unbridled excitement in Adanna and Ifeoma's eyes, she pushed her reservations aside. "Let's go," she said with a faint smile.

The pirate ship swung higher and higher, leaving their stomachs lurching with every drop. By the time they stumbled off the ride, Adanna and Ifeoma clung to each other for support.

"I am never doing that again," Ifeoma declared dramatically, her face pale.

Adanna, equally shaken, nodded fervently. "Agreed. That was... intense."

But before they could fully recover, Ifeoma spotted another ride. "Come on! Let's try that one!" she cried, grabbing Olaedo's hand and dragging her forward.

"Are you sure you're not dizzy yet?" Nnenna called after her, laughing as she followed.

After several more rides, the group finally took a break at the food stalls. The air was rich with the aroma of caramel popcorn, fried snacks, and sugary treats. Nnenna took charge of ordering, returning with her arms full of bags of chips, cones of cotton candy, ice cream, and more.

Since she had overheard that the Arinze sisters had never been to an amusement park, she wanted to make sure they experienced everything. "Here you go," she said, handing everyone their share.

Ifeoma tore into her cotton candy immediately, relishing on the sweetness, while Adanna was far more skeptical. She held up the fluffy pink treat, frowning. "Are you sure this is edible?" she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Olaedo chuckled, already nibbling on hers. "If it's not edible, why are we eating it? Do you think we have a death wish?"