Lola's room was not in the state she would have ever wanted it to be. Layers of dust covered everything. The room was dark with just partial rays of light struggling to filter in through the curtains. The queen size bed had no bed sheet on it yet the pillows were organised.

"Why is my room still unkempt?" She asked, her eyes raking through the expanse.

"I will order a maid to do the cleaning" Her mother replied.

"I will be in the family room" She started to head out.

"Lola"

"I am not in the mood to talk, mommy" She cut her mother off before she could talk any further.

There was no serious injury aside from the one on her head. There is some stupid bandage wrapped around her head. The injury will leave a scar and she hated the thought of it. Makeup will be in its best use. She will have to mask it until its fades away. She grinded her teeth, closing her fist into a ball. What had happened is still not clear to her. What she knew was her mother was screaming and the staffs pulled her out of her car which she had driven into the water fountain, smoke emitting from the bonnet. This is all Joshua's fault. Had he not annoyed her, she won't be the way she is.

The man is out of his mind. He sent the money. He expects her, Lola Kola-Daisi, to go to the market or whatever to shop for food. How dare he? The idiot sent the money. She will have to divorce him. That's just the best thing to do. She can't sit in a marriage where a man would think he can control her, tell her what to do and what not to do. If she chooses not to cook, he should bear with it. And what was he thinking when he wanted to marry her, that she was a wife material? She huffed. But divorcing him will mean.....She tapped her finger against her jaw. She can't divorce him. A lot will go down with their divorce. The best thing is if Joshua divorces her willing and the man is a stubborn donkey. He won't release her anytime soon. Even if they go to court, he might win the case. She hurried a frustrated hand through her sleek tresses.

Did she make a mistake by agreeing to marry Joshua? But that was the best thing to do at the moment. Had she not done it, then......she let out a heavy breath. She is stuck. Stuck in a marriage where the man thinks she should be licking his feet. A slight knock on the door got her attention. Lola rolled her eyes at the sight of her mother.

"I said I want to be alone"

"I can't let you be alone when you had nearly killed yourself" Cynthia strode into the room.

"I did not try to kill myself. The brake failed"

"That's not what the mechanic said"

She let out an angry groan. "I don't care about what you believe in"

The sofa sank next to her. Lola shifted away at the presence of her mother. "What's wrong?"

"Can you believe what Joshua said?

"What has he done this time around?"

Lola laughed as the memories rushed into her head. "He want me" She slapped her chest. "Me, Lola, to engage myself in household chores, cook, do the laundry and reduce the way I interact with men. Not just that, he does not like the skimpy clothes I wear"

"Is he mad?"

"I think he is. For if he is not, he won't spew such bullshit!"

"But you hired two maids. Are they not enough?"

"He wants me to do the cooking, clean the house and also shop for foodstuffs" She laughed again. "He expects me to shop for groceries. I don't shop for foodstuffs. I shop for clothes, bags and anything that will beautify me and not foodstuffs"

During her stay in the US, she had a maid who does the cleaning thrice in a week. She does not cook. She can make coffee and tea and use a microwave to warm food but she eats outs or order something. Before she moved out of her grandmother's house, her grandmother had maids who work for her. So, Joshua needs to understand that all women are not good in the kitchen and at household chores.

"I am tired. I am just so tired. No one told me this is how marriage is. If this is marriage, then I am so ending it. I can't sit and waste my time around some good for nothing man"

"So are you going to end your marriage with him?"

Cynthia watched Lola's eyes dart back and forth. The speckles of rich earthy brown fused with lighter tints held doubt. "I can't" Lola rubbed the back of her neck.

Dense squall escaped Cynthia's lips. She relaxed into the sofa. "You still will not tell me why you married him?" It was more of a question than a statement.

"I did....did....did....just forget about it" Lola flung her hands. "It's surprising that despite how smart you are mom, you are still kind of daft" Cynthia's eyebrows went up. "The answer to that question is right in front of you. You just need to figure it out"

"Sorry to disappoint you, young lady. Like you said, I am daft so I can't know the answer if you don't tell me"

"Can we just forget about it?"

"What if I say no?"

"Then you are on your own" She rose to her feet and stomped out.

-----

She was hazily conscious of the situation around her. The shouts of her father, the hysterical cries and angry words of her mother, the woman on her right spewing pitiful and apologetic words, the supportive hand of her friend that held hers, her brother's attack on Leke, Leke's mother's spiteful words at Anita who was not present, her pleads for her son's childish behaviour, and the chaos that stormed in the grand living room. However, what she felt was how her depression swallowed the whole of her. The only thought in her head was Leke's betrayal.

He was sterile. He knew all these years what his condition was yet he led her on in their marriage. He made her feel like it was her fault. How? How could she not have suspected? He explained when she had ruined Anita' baby shower few days back that he had bribed the doctors who carried out their test. He said he was ashamed but he made the world brand her a barren. She thought her body had failed her when she could have as many children as she wants. He stole fifteen years of her life, robbed her of the joy of motherhood. A hand caressed her shoulder, a way to console her but she was not sure if it did. She wanted to scream, cry and charge at the man who was the reason behind her despair but there was no energy to. The lot of it have been wasted on crying. The dam inside her has dried up. Despite the jarring pain in her chest that hit her gut, there were no tears to cry.

Someone called her name. All she did was turn her head. Richard, her eldest brother, had grabbed Leke's collar and was screaming at his face.

"Please release him! Don't kill him for me!" His mother cried.

Leke's eyes pleaded to be released. His voice strangled as he tried to speak. Clearly, he was choking from the way Richard twisted his collar. But all these won't bring back those fifteen year. Ruining Anita' baby shower, exposing Leke, will not change anything.

She exhaled and slumped into the leather seat. Tanwa turned to her, her eyes laced with worry. Aunty Dammy looked away. She hated the sorry looks people gave her.

The feeling was strange. The hollow she felt within her. It's like a shell covering an empty world. Her inside was a mess. Something was hurting her. She ache within. The excruciating pain was raw, naked, she was sure many could see it through her eyes. Leke knew those children were not his. Five years, Anita pinned another man's pregnancy on him yet he accept them because he loves her. He is still ready to stay with Anita after everything that happened on her baby shower. A lone tear slipped down the corner of her right eye. She felt like a loser. She is a loser. His mother's cries and tantrum did not bend him.

"Anita is the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with" He had announced after the whole drama had died down that night. "After my divorce with Dammy have been finalised, we will get married"

"Have you lost your mind?" His mother flared. "You will not bring these bastards to my house. I will not accept them as a part of my family" She screeched, pointing at the children.

There was tightness in her throat. Her lungs, instead of contracting were flaccid like the elastic of an old underwear. What wrong did she ever do to deserve such from a man? She gave him her all, her everything. Her effort to breathe gave rise to more breathing difficulty. Her lungs felt like metal bands. This was just too much too handle. Where will she start from? She can't just ask some random man to make her pregnant? And how sure is she that she will get pregnant easily. She's forty! Her chances are getting low. It's lower than it would have been ten year ago. Her chest heaved up and down but nothing came out of it. It's as though the air around her was void of oxygen. She slumped into the chair.

"Dammy! Dammy!" Someone screamed.

"You have finally killed her!" Her mother's voice grew distant as she faded away.

"Damilola!" Her name was the last thing she heard before she slipped into darkness.

-----

The ground was still wet from the rain that had stopped falling few minutes back. He had ended a very annoying day with Loretta. She had invited him to her house after using her weapon against him, forced him to eat and enjoy her tasteless meal. That was not food, it was salt and she had claimed to make it. She used to be a better cook. She is now a terrible one. The car made an abrupt sound as he locked it. From a distance, a car screeched. He heard a man shout and a kid giggled. The day was darker than usual. Though it was evening but the heavy rain had made the sky grey. He looked at the course of the voice and laughter. It belonged to his neighbour and his daughter. Their eyes met.

"Good evening" His neighbour, greeted, waving a hand.

"Evening" He replied, acknowledging his greeting with a nod. Something tugged in his heart at the duo. He reached for his phone to make a call.

"See who we have here?" An unexpected feminine voice said.

"Good evening Sasha" He smiled, slipping his phone into his pocket.

"I have not seen you for days. You know I had a great time with you at your house last time" She stepped closer.

He kept his smile neutral and friendly. "It was the best I could do to keep my visitor's company"

"You were really good. I will never know if you had not shown me" She winked, her lips curled at a corner and eyes never leaving his. "You have not been home?" Her voice was soft as cotton.

"I had to travel. Just came back"

"I hope the journey was good"

"Perfect" He slipped his left hand to his back.

"I am actually heading to a party" She tossed back her hair, sweeping her gaze over him from head to toe. There was an appreciative look in her eyes. "If you do not have anything to do, you can tag along. You can keep me company"

He rubbed his forehead. "I am a bit tired. I need some rest. Maybe some other time"

The disappointed look that came and vanished almost immediately did not go undetected by him. "Is your wife back?"

"Not yet. She should be back soon"

"Well then" Sasha pats his left breast, brushing a finger against his jaw. "My regards to her" With that, she walked to her car.

He sighed. Women! He can't allow her into their house again. Lola should not have any knowledge about Sasha's visit. She won't take it well. They have not spoken since their last fight. He had not called her and it was an act of stubbornness. He wanted her to call, plead and realise her mistake even though the lack of communication between them hurts him. It makes him yearn for her. He misses her. Her absence in the house gave their home a different ambiance. Something is missing, out of place and it was her, Lola. There are times he hated himself for missing her when all she did was make him feel miserable and unworthy. It seems she was a woman who cares so much about her pride or she just does not give a damn about him and his feelings.

"Good evening sir" A voice startled him out of his thoughts.

It belonged to one of the maids, Wummi. What is the maid doing here? She was at the dining table, setting down two wine glasses she held in hand. What is happening? He stood at the center of the living room, looking at the dining table that was setup for dinner. Whatever the maid had cooked were kept in fancy china wares. White ceramic plates sat on the table mats. The air of the house was bathed with the aroma of delicious meal. His mouth watered. Joshua can't remember the last time they used the dining table.

"Eve......ning" He replied not certain about his reply. He can't remember the last time he saw the maids. It's been over a month. Lola have been away for three weeks and none of them resumed works since she left. She might have told them not to come again. "Why are you here?"

"Madam has arrived" Wummi stepped away from the table, stood straight with her hands folded in front of her.

"What?"

"Your wife is here" She pointed at the corridor that led to the rooms.

"Oh? Oh?" He paused, giving his brain a chance to absorb the message. Lola is back! She is back home! He felt the corners of his lips inching. His heartbeat shot up.

"Joshua?"

He spun around and stared with shock at his wife's brown eyes. She marched to him, the maid in charge of cleaning, Abigail, threaded behind her. There was something different about her. Joshua noticed as she sauntered towards him. She smiled, a smile that reached her eyes. Lola was dressed in very free rompers and her face had a little touch of cosmetic. His heart skipped, before accelerating at a steady speed. Someone should please pinch him. She is here, in his house, walking to him.

"It's been so long" She threw her hands over his neck and pressed her lips to his jaw line. He had nearly stiffened. His desires for her had died. He thought so after their last argument but with the way the planes of his body was fully aware of her womanly curves, he knew those desires had just been sleeping. It took just the conscious caress of her lips, the slight stroke of her hair against his shoulder, that spicy scent of hers and her body subtly against his to wake them. "How are you?" Her soft voice was almost sultry as she reached for his bag and passed it to Abigail. Her other hand covered his. Only if she knows how wild his heart was racing in his chest.

The feel of her was almost foreign. It's been so long. She awakened something within him after those long weeks. He had arrived from work and had come home to meet a change he was not expecting. He was slightly taken back but not surprised that she had decided to welcome him home. It was not the first time she was angry, left and come back home a different person. This could be one of her games.

"You are back?" He decided to play along with a little incline of his bushy brow.

"Not expecting me right?" She planted a kiss on his cheek, hand sliding into his. The maids looked down then walked out.

When Lola drew away, Joshua had the slightest of amusement in his eyes. His eyebrow went higher, a gesture Lola found kind of appealing.

"How was work?"

"Good" He nodded his head. "Are you back to make me fall harder for you then you give me useless attitudes and push me away like I am some shit?" Joshua asked, his face becoming grim.

"What?" Lola smile shrunk away, confusion masked her face.

"Lola" Joshua slunk his hand from hers. "You can't keep playing games with my emotions" His voice became stern, eyes turning hard. "You can't keep giving me hope then shatter that hope. I am tired of your games. Come out clean and let me know your mind!" He almost barked then marched away, his strides heavy.

Joshua left behind a devastated woman. His word tore her from within causing her to recall everything she had done in the past allowing guilt to settle in. He was right. She had been playing games but at the moment, she was ready to end those games. Lola bit her shaking lip, forcing tears back. Why does it hurt? It caused a throb in her chest. She just wanted to make things right. A man should never make her feel this way. Never! She is a strong woman. She should be the one making him feel this worse! Pride kicked in. What a bastard! She grinded her teeth, her eyes suddenly dry. How dare he just shout at her when those maids will be listening from the kitchen? She decided to dismiss them for the day.

She found him in the room. He was just ending a call. After which he pulled off his polo shirt. She sighted the scar amongst other scars. It's new. She's sure of that. It was fresh against his caramel skin. Its edges was rough. She could not tell what had been the cause of the long pockmark but she can guess. A dagger? Or something blunt? The stiches were rough, done by incompetent hands. Her heart galloped in her ribs. Has something happen the past few weeks they have not been together? His eyes met hers taking her attention from his wound. Lola shut her eyes, her fingers folded into her palm. She can't believe she was planning to say sorry. God! She would be apologizing first. That's going to bruise her ego really bad. So, she headed to him.

"I agree I was foolish" Her hands shook. To mask her nervousness, she joined her hands together. "I might have been playing games. I might had been making you hope then shatter those hopes but whatever I did today was real" She lifted her eyes to stare at him. His face was stern, lacking emotions that caused her heart to wrench. He should not do this now? Not when she want to amend thing "They contain no games" She continued. There was something shy about the way she behaved. She would barely meet his eyes without looking away. When did Lola become a shy person? His lips twitched a bit but he held back the smile. "I want a new us. I want to change and I am ready to have a normal married life with you. Joshua" Lola raised her eyes. Her eyes, framed with thick eyelashes, brown and compassionate, soft and captivating met his. "I am sorry" She whispered.

He felt his heart thud in his chest. Her voice had been in its softest volume. Her apology almost vanished into thin air but he picked it like the whispering of the breeze. "I deserve to be punished. I deserve your cold shoulder but I apologise for whatever pain I have put you through"

He watched her like he was seeing something exotic for the first time. He does not know what to think or say. His tongue was tied. His mind had gone blank. She did something with her eyes that never left his. She seduced him making them softer, pitiful like she had been through hell. There are times venting out one's anger can change a lot of things.

His silence was like a knife in her chest. She wanted him to speak. She was desperate for his voice. Has he forgiven her? She wanted to know his thought but the veil he kept over his emotions shielded her from seeing or knowing his thoughts. Lola swallowed to realise her throat had turned dry. He won't say anything. She drew away from him.

"Come and eat. You should be hungry"

"When did you begin to care about my stomach?" He turned around and headed for the dining room.

Lola's eyes became hard and narrow. Like a deadly poison, the anger she was trying to keep away hissed through her body. She balled her hand, hard and tight. What the hell is wrong with him? Everything she is doing did not softened him. Her lips formed an angry pout. She gritted her teeth together.