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"Boo!" Naleli said jolting Naala out of her sleep. "Get up big head," A big smile stretched across Naala's face as she took in Naleli's.

She laid there smiling until Naleli's face started to fade, leaving her in the empty bed.

"Princess," Ruby said tapping Naala's foot again. "You said I should wake you at 8," She added stepping back.

"I did," Naala nodded with a sigh, slowly lifting herself up. "Can you pick me out something to wear, something comfortable," Naala asked the maid.

"My pleasure, I've already started the shower for you," Ruby smiled sympathetically. Naala thanked her and got up, arranging her silk headscarf.

She was currently staying with Miani and she brought Ruby along to assist her throughout the day. The kids were home with Dave which was expected after the previous week.

Naala showered quickly and came out, putting her clothes on. Ruby went with a simple all black outfit with her Chanel boots.

Taking her purse, Naala left the room and headed down the stairs for breakfast. She spotted her mom sat staring into space by the window.

"Has she eaten anything?" Naala asked Ruby, who shook her head.

"Miss Miani told me no," Ruby answered quietly. Naala huffed and turned to her mom.

"Mommy?" Naala muttered walking towards her. Miani couldn't bare to look at Naala because when she did, she saw Naleli staring back at her.

"My angel," Miani whispered softly holding her hand for Naala.

"Mama you have to eat something," Naala said rubbing her hand. "Let me make it for you," She suggested.

"Will it bring Leli back if I eat one sausage and a lousy egg," Miani replied looking out of the window.

"No it won't ma but I can't lose you too," Naala said, her eyes burning with tears.

"You don't even care. This whole time you've not shed a tear for your sister," Miani spat carelessly.

Naala stiffened up and looked away, tears wouldn't solve their problems.

"I have to go now," Naala sighed standing up. "Make sure she eats something please?" She directed to Ruby.

"Will do Princess," Ruby nodded.

"Mama I'll be back later." Naala told her mom, touching her shoulder.

"I don't care," Miani called out making Naala shake her head. She knew it was the grief talking, not her mom.

Naala's new driver opened the door for her, letting her slide into the back.

"Your husband would like to speak to you," Craig the driver passed Naala his phone.

"Hey bae," Naala said quietly into the phone,

"You good? I haven't spoken to you in two days baby," Dave said in response.

"I know I'm sorry," Naala sighed. "It's good you called, can you meet me at Dr Reece's office?"

"Yeah what's wrong?" Dave questioned her,

"Just meet me there, did Hassan pick up Samar?" Naala muttered looking out of the window.

"He got him last night," Dave informed her. "I'm about to leave now," he added.

"I'll see you there," Naala answered before they hung up. "Thank you Craig," She thanked the driver and handed him back his phone.

Her own phone was somewhere at the bottom of her purse, she didn't want to hear sorry for your loss ten times a day.

They pulled up to Dr Reece's office and Craig escorted her in through the back entrance. Naala waited patiently for Dave to turn up and when he did, her heart fluttered.

"I missed you," Naala said quietly as he hugged her. "So much,"

"I missed you too, don't cry," He said holding her tight.

"I'm not crying," Naala cleared her throat and pulled apart. Dave raised a brow, it was true - she wasn't crying. Her eyes were as dry as anything.

"How's your mom?" Dave asked pulling her into his lap. Naala shrugged and leaned on his shoulder.

"She won't look at me, she won't eat either," Naala replied intertwining their fingers.

"You're doing all you can," Dave influenced her. "The kids miss you," He changed the subject.

"I miss them too, I want to see them today," Naala replied quietly.

"We can do that," Dave nodded and tightened his hold on her. "Are you gonna tell me why we're here now?"

"Hello hello hello," Dr Reece said happily, stopping Naala from replying to him. "What can I do for you two lovebirds today?"

"I took a pregnancy test last week and it was positive. I didn't have time to come and see you because er- my- my sister died," Naala spoke softly, stumbling over her words.

Dave rubbed her back and listened carefully, he was shocked that she didn't say anything.

"Okay, well firstly I am so sorry for your loss," Dr Reece said sympathetically. "I can only imagine what you're going through,"

"Thank you," Naala replied looking away from her.

"Secondly, we can have a look and see if there is a little one growing in there. Would you mind?" She asked referring to a sonogram.

"We can do that," Naala nodded giving Dave her purse. She sat on the bed and laid back, lifting up her shirt. Dave sat close by, holding her hand, he used his thumb to rub it ever so often.

Dr Reece squirted the substance on Naala's stomach and started to look for a baby. She searched for a while before a small black blob appeared on the screen.

"There you are," Dr Reece smiled, "It seems like there is a little baby in there,"

Naala opened her eyes quickly and looked at the screen, her heart swelling at the sight. She didn't think this would be possible for them anymore.

"You did it baby," Dave said into her ear, kissing her cheek multiple times.

"And there goes the heartbeat," Dr Reece added as the loud heartbeat filled the room.

Dave felt himself get emotional, "Man," He dragged out looking up to the ceiling to stop his tears from falling.

"How many weeks am I?" Naala asked trying not to take in his emotions.

"I would say roughly 6 weeks, so we still have to be very careful. No unnecessary stress or extraneous activities," The doctor explained.

"I'll make sure she doesn't outdo herself," Dave nodded from beside her.

Naala zoned out for the rest of the appointment, she didn't speak up until they were in the car on their way to the house.

"You don't seem happy about the baby," Dave said holding Naala's hand.

Naala took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to control her breathing.

"My sister is dead, how can I be happy?" Naala spoke lowly. "My twin sister, the only sibling I have," She continued.

"You don't have to hold in your emotions, talk to me about how you feel," Dave urged, bringing her closer.

"I want to die. Is that what you want to hear?" Naala sniffed. "I can't breathe most days without her. I can't sleep or think without her face showing up,"

"I want my sister back, I need her back," Naala muttered her tears forming. "No amount of tears will do that though,"

Naala wiped away her tears and let go of Dave's hand.

"Love, you need to let yourself grieve," He answered using the pad of his thumbs to wipe her tears.

"She wouldn't want that," Naala replied, "She would want me to find who did this to her."

"Take a break, you've not stopped since she died," Dave told her, he was genuinely worried about her.

"I can't," Naala shook her head. She was never going to stop until she avenged her sister.

~~

Naala laid down in her bed, clutching Naleli's scarf as she cried lightly.

"What am I going to do?" She cried to herself, her entire pillow wet from her tears.

"You're going to get up," Naala heard from behind her. She shook her head and buried her face deeper into the bed.

"Naala you have to get up," Naleli's voice spoke once more, making Naala's tears fall faster.

"I can't do it without you," Naala sobbed softly. This was the only place where she could cry freely.

"You have to," Naala heard. She turned around and Naleli stood at the edge of the bed, with tears also streaming down her face.

"Why did you have to go?" Naala cried sitting up in the bed.

"I'm still here La, whenever you need me," Naleli smiled through her tears.

"I need you," Naala said reaching out to her. "Please Leli,"

Naleli disappeared leaving Naala on her own in the bedroom.

Naala sighed and opened her eyes, angry that she was still dreaming about Naleli.

"You didn't have to stay," Naala mumbled moving Dave's arm from around her waist.

"I'm not gonna leave you Naala," Dave said his voice low from sleep.

"I have to go to the funeral home," Naala responded getting out of the bed. Dave pulled her back down,

"La you need to chill," He spoke against her skin.

"Amir let me up," Naala answered. "I have things to do."

"Promise me when you're done, you're gonna rest," He said kissing her cheek.

"I promise," Naala nodded pecking his lips. Dave deepened the kiss and rubbed her back, slowly moving down to her ass.

"No," Naala pulled away from him. Right now wasn't the best time to have sex, she was thinking about what coffin to bury her sister in.

"I'm sorry," Dave said letting her go. "You want me to come with you?"

"Joy is coming with me, she's my assistant," Naala reminded him. Dave kissed her again and let her get up and get dressed.

"You have so much more security now," Joy mentioned as she turned back. There was 2 cars trailing them and 2 cars in front.

"Mmm," Naala nodded leaning her head against the headrest. "Talk me through the plans," She instructed her.

"I think you should run for governor," Joy suggested. "Everyone in this city knows your name, for a good or bad reasons. You would definitely win,"

"Governor?" Naala repeated quietly. "I don't care about politics,"

"It's not about politics, it's about power," Joy convinced her. "I spoke to a few people about it and they agreed,"

"How does it work?" Naala asked wanting to know more.

"You express interest first but you need big investors," Joy explained.

"Money isn't a problem," Naala said looking at her nails. "Talk to who you need to," She agreed.

"You won't be able to fund the campaign on your own," Joy told her.

"I know and I won't be," Naala responded. Running for governor would be a very good way to hide their dirty money and also clean it.

"Princess it seems like we have company," Mason informed her from the front seat. Naala turned back and saw three police cars following them.

"Company?" Joy spoke to herself,

"Let them follow us," Naala said sitting back properly. "I want them to see how much they ruined my life,"

Naala noticed Joy seemed uncomfortable about the situation and was on edge.

"Those things you've heard about me," Naala said to her. "There not true, I'm not that person,"

"But your family are," Joy responded. "I've seen what they can do,"

"So why do you still work for me?" Naala asked her blankly. "I'm not a bad person Joy, you can either get over what you hear about me or there is a thousand other people that would kill for this job,"

Joy nodded and looked away from Naala, her words resonated with her.

Naala enjoyed the silence for the rest of the ride, until they pulled up to the funeral home and everything became real again.

"Princess," Mason said to get her attention. He could see how spaced out she was.

"I won't be long," Naala said to Joy picking up her purse.

"Okay," Joy peeped out sitting back. Mason held the door open for her and led her inside the office of the funeral director.

Tarek stood by the door, his shoulders sunken and his eyes red from tears.

"Hi," Naala said lightly, walking into his open arms. Tarek hugged her tightly, almost lifting her off her feet.

"You smell just like her," He whispered breathing her in. Naala let him hug her, and she could even hear him sniffing her.

"Tar -" Naala tried to get him to let go but his hold only got tighter. "Tarek it's me," Naala muttered pushing him off gently.

"Shit, my fault Lala," Tarek sniffed stepping back. He was having a tough time, he lost the love of his life and their first child all in one go.

"You're fine. How are you?" Naala asked taking a step back also, letting Mason fill the gap.

"I'm living, what about you?" Tarek responded fixing his watch on his wrist.

"Same," Naala nodded. "Do you know how long this is going to take? I have to get to the church before 3," She said checking her phone.

Naala had taken on all the funeral arrangements, anything to take her mind off Naleli. She couldn't let somebody else plan her sister's burial.

"I'm not sure," Tarek shrugged looking around. He avoided looking directly at her because if he did, he would probably try and hug her again.

They waited patiently for the funeral director to come out and when he did, Naala became overwhelmed with all the information.

"The doves would be a good touch, it's a symbol of new life. We can add those in for a cheap price," The director pointed to the photo of Doves.

"The price doesn't matter," Tarek replied lowly. "Naala what do you think?"

"I-I, I need to leave," Naala spoke standing up quickly. She rushed out of the room and stood in the corridor with her back against the wall.

"I can't do this," Naala whispered to herself, her eyes watering.

Tarek followed behind her, catching her before she fell.

"I don't know how to do this," Naala cried in his arms. "This isn't how it should be, Leli is meant to be here," She sobbed loudly.

"I know, I know," Tarek held her, letting her cry into him. "But you gotta keep going," He said to her.

Naala finally broke down, her cries almost inconsolable. Tarek found himself getting upset because he could feel her pain, it was radiating off her.

"It hurts so bad," Naala cried into Tarek's neck. He turned his head and kissed her cheek.

"It's gonna be okay," Tarek said stroking her face. Naala didn't realise he was getting carried away because she was too caught up in her tears.

"I've got you," Tarek spoke lowly before lifting her chin up and kissing her lips. It was safe to say that grief had blinded Naala because she didn't attempt to pull away.

When Tarek started to bring her closer and explore her body with his hands, she snapped out of it. Naala smacked his arm and jumped back.

"What are you doing?" Naala asked in horror. "No stay right there," She ordered when he started to move closer to her.

"Fuck, Naala I don't know what I'm doing," Tarek cursed reaching out to her.

"I think I should leave," Naala sniffed walking away. Not only had she just cheated on her husband but she cheated with her dead sisters boyfriend.

Tarek didn't try and chase her, he stood back and kicked himself for coming onto her the way he did.

~~

"Can I get you anything else?" Ruby asked Naala who was sat by her window, watching the men secure the gate.

"Boil me some water and put some of that scotch bonnet in it," Naala muttered not looking away from the window.

"Are you sure?" Ruby asked. Naala was asking for hot water and chilli mixed together - she couldn't understand why.

"Just do it!" Naala snapped turning to her. Ruby nodded and scurried away.

Naala sat in silence waiting for Ruby to return, her eyes not once leaving her window.

Ruby placed the hot water down and left Naala on her own. Naala got up and took off her shirt, she grabbed the whip she made especially for this.

With a shaky breath, she dipped the whip in the water and cracked it on her back.

"Ah," Naala screamed as the whip tore into her skin, leaving cuts for the hot chilli to infiltrate.

Naala continued to hit herself, her screams getting louder.

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" Naleli spoke from behind her.

Naala pushed out her voice and kept hitting herself all over. The whip creating welts and scars all across her back.

"Stop punishing yourself," Naleli's voice rang over Naala's yelling.

Naala sobbed loudly, the pain unbearable but she needed to feel pain - that's what she deserved.

She carried on whipping herself, yelping as the whip tore into her more and more.

"What will you do about the people that did this to me?" Naleli screamed, tears falling from her eyes.

Naala dropped the whip and curled up into a ball, crying to herself. She didn't know what more she could do.

In a few days, Naala would have to bury her twin sister and it felt entirely surreal to her.

"Princess, the car is ready for you," One of the workers said from the hallway.

Naala sucked up her tears and gathered the strength to get up.

"Give me a second," Naala said weakly. She put on her clothes and tried to ignore the stinging sensation running through her entire body.

"Mama," Naala said taking her mom's hand. She was sat in her normal position, only today she had managed to get dressed.

"We have to see her, one last time," Miani said squeezing Naala's hand.

"I don't think you should mommy," Naala muttered sitting beside her.

"I have to. I need to see my baby," Miani said firmly. "She's already here," She continued pointing towards the other room.

"I can't do that," Naala shook her head, trying to repress the feeling to be sick.

"You have to omo alade," Eli said firmly from behind her. "We all have to say goodbye,"

"I can't do that," Naala repeated wiping her stray tear. "I'm not saying goodbye to her, I'm never saying goodbye to her,"

"Naala you will go in there," Miani tutted.

"My Princess," Eli said stepping forward. "You are her other half, without her there would be no you and vice versa."

It was a Yoruba custom that as her twin, Naala would open the floor for them to say their final goodbyes. No one was allowed to see her body before Naala.

"I won't," Naala replied moving his hand away from her.

"You have no choice. Awon orisa kii yoo je ki o sinmi laisi idagbere ikehin re," [The gods won't let her rest without your final goodbye]

Naala nodded and stood to her feet, staring at the door she knew her sister was behind.

"I'm right here," Eli mentioned urging her to go into the room.

Naala let her feet carry her into the room, her breath getting stuck in her chest when she saw the coffin in the middle of the room.

The room was cold and eerie, like her spirit was wandering around.

"You really do know how to make everything about you," Naala said after a while.

She sat down in front of the coffin and laid her head on top of it, this was the closest she had felt to Naleli since she died.

"I want this all to be a dream," Naala huffed, her eyes burning up. "I want to wake up from this nightmare and for you to be alive, waiting to laugh at me,"

"Naleli come back to me," Naala cried, her tears creating a puddle on top of the coffin.

"Life is odd without you, it doesn't make sense to me," Naala sniffed. "Turns out I am pregnant, you were right,"

"Was this your way of making me name my child after you?" Naala laughed through her tears. "Because if so, that's so fucked up," She mumbled.