Michael!!!!!!

"The fuck, Michael!!!!!!!!!". I pinched myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming. It was indeed Michael.

" We finally meet again, my virtuous Vee ". I rolled my eyes at his ironic nickname for me.

" Bro, don't you think I'm too old for that nickname now?". I lamented as he pulled me in a bear hug not minding the rumples it'll cause to his million dollar jacket.

"Bro, don't treat me like a boy anymore, I'm a full grown woman". I didn't want to tell him about the baby yet, I didn't even know how much he knew about my situation.

" Heh, so this is what I get for going to the trouble to look for my sister and niece? ". He pouted adorably. Wait he said niece?, oh just how fast does news spread?, there's no denying anymore, he already knows.

" Bro, how do you know it's a girl?". I shook my head in wonderment, only God knows his much I've missed this shemale¹.

"Well, we can't continue to talk in the scorching sun right?, let's go to that restaurant over there". He gestured to a signpost not far away from us.

" Sure Bro, whoever reaches the last would foot the bills?". I smiled mischievously as his face turned pale, I know he wasn't scared of paying bills, he was actually worried about my baby and that made my heart warm.

"No no no no no no no no no no, I'll foot the bills, don't stress my Dayo".

" OK. but we're walking, it's not very far from.... wait, did you just call my baby by name?"

"Of course, who do you think would do the honors of naming her?, I've been racking my brain for a suitable name since I knew of her existence, don't you dare say you won't accept my name for her". I couldn't hold in my laughter, this uncle to be is just too cute

"Bro, are you actually going puppy dog on me, you know it wouldn't work right?".

" I don't even need your permission to call her whatever I like, my name for her is Oromidayo and that's final, hmph". Understanding the meaning of the name, my eyes glistened.

"Aren't you a hypocrite brother, that name is so ironic, I don't want such name for my baby". I said shakily and gently sat on the chair he pulled out for me.

" Hey, stop being a prude OK?, she's my niece just as she's your daughter"

"Does that mean you accept her, even knowing.......". He placed his index finger on my lips to shut me up.

"Let's order, what will you have?". Well, I was famished and Michael is family so I wasn't shy in ordering almost everything on the menu, the waiter's eyes registered shock but Michel just laughed and told the waiter to run along.

" Your appetite seems to be very good recently, am I permitted to call you a cow?". He was teasing me with his perfect smirk again, I so wanted to punch him but

we were in public

"Bro, it's been a while since you received the V-punch, how about we practice a little". I said with a look of boredom, my brother's terrified face made it difficult to keep a straight face.

" Oh no my virtuous Vee, I wouldn't want any of those punches for now, I wonder why those two idiots taught you his to combat".

"Well, maybe because they wouldn't like guys like you bullying me". I said in my too sweet voice and laughed audibly.

" You look your best when you laugh and smile, never stop smiling for any reason ". And what he said started to make my eyes water. I tried to blink my tears away and focused on the food that just arrived on our table.

"On a more serious note, how is everyone in the Coker family?". I asked as I gobbled down a plate of noodles.

" I don't know, I severed ties with the Cokers ". The fork that had already journeyed halfway to my mouth dropped suddenly.

" What?!". My abrupt exclamation attracted attention of a few costumers, making the both of us uncomfortable.

"What the fuck happened?". My voice was more like a whisper this time.

"Well. I found out everything that happened to you was a plan, everyone in the Cokers apart from I and dad is involved". My head was beginning to spin again at this unpleasant development, all the accumulating appetite dissolved immediately.

" Tell me what happened, everything in details".

****

30 minutes later

I was drained of all emotions, even Becky helped the Cokers in their scheme, and to think they did all these things just to get back at my Dad and get the property I never even knew I had was disheartening, my whole life has been a lie, and the people I trusted the most were those who brought about my end. Thankfully they all think I'm dead and I know my maternal granddad is in the same city as I am.

"I knew you were alive, I searched the whole citybut couldn't find you, news had it that you couldn't bear the shame of your actions hence you jumped off third mainland bridge, everything was planned meticulously and nobody could find proof".

"So how did you know my whereabout?". I asked curiously.

" I found a lead as to where you were held hostage, and from there I saw more clues and proofs then I heard you were admitted into some hospital at the border under the Vee Vee Brown name, then I followed leads and found you 3 days before the wedding". He went through a lot for me, I couldn't help but wonder why.

"Bro, why did you go against your family for me?". My shaky voice managed to ask.

" For the fact that I wasn't there when you needed me the most, I felt eaten by guilt. I wanted to make everything right, and even if it turned out that you are gone, I want to make sure that they pay ". My heart swelled with contentment, even if I've been surrounded by hoes and snakes my whole life, there was one person that was true to me.

" So how are you coping without the Cokers? ". I was still worried about his well being.

" Vee, how can you ask that of me, take a look and tell me what you see". The way he emphasized the 'me' and 'see' like a poet and stood up dramatically to show off made my laughter return.

"Oh Bro, you'd do well as a poet" I mocked as he curtsied dramatically before taking his seat. He is one person I could count on anytime.

"Do tell me about Henry", he wriggled his eyebrows and bit through a sausage.

" How did you know?" I rolled my eyes for the umpteenth time.

"Oh, little Vee has forgotten that Michael has his ways". He winked and me and I sighed heavily. Michael needs a girlfriend.

" He saved me from Susan and helped me migrate, we got married because I am indebted to him and want to help him in his own family drama, only to get accused and threatened by him and his goddamned family, I'm filing for divorce ". I complained bitterly and continued to munch fried potatoes, I was stress eating.

" *chuckles* How many days have you been married?". is Michael mocking me?

"Seven days I guess, everything happened too fast OK?, and there's no way I'm getting into another family drama, I just want peace and rest of mind. for my baby and I".

" You don't have to justify your actions, you're an adult, but give this guy a chance or you'll make me think you're still in love with Kelvin ". I stopped eating and feigned anger.

"I was never in love with that douche bag ooo"

"Of course you were, and you still are, but the bastard is a user and he's getting married soon, the least you can do to forget about him is to move on too, and that Henry guy likes you, I can tell by the way he looks at you". There's no getting used to Michael's teasing.

" He's in this marriage for a reason, he only has eyes for his Chloe, and even if he's gorgeous, he still pales in comparison to.....". I quickly covered my mouth with my hand,I said too much. Michael sighed heavily and looked at me suspiciously.

"You need to sort yourself out, for the main time let's meet your grandad". I tipped the waiter generously and stood up, we held hands like a married couple and made for his car.

********