"Don't worry, you will be fine. Stop getting nervous." Alex whispered in my ear as he led me towards the Adebayo's empire.
Nervous? How wouldn't I be nervous? For the first time in my life, I am stepping into the compound of one of the most prominent and wealthy families in Nigeria so we can get introduced as his fiance.
Mom on the other hand welcomed Alex with all opened chest. She eagerly went to the kitchen to prepare a local delicacy called amala, gbegiri, ewedu and offals. It has always been my favourite native food and Alex confirmed he likes it too but he prefers pounded yam and egusi soup.
Mom didn't only sing my praises of finally getting sensible with choosing the right man, she also insulted the good-for-nothing Marcus and claimed she is happy he has gone with his bad luck. Mom loved Alex, even more, when he dropped a fat wad of Nairas for her to stock up her shop. She was more than excited. She began telling us to pick a date for the wedding so she can invite everyone and paint the whole city of Lagos red.
One thing was certain, mom accepted him hook, line and sinker. But will the Adebayo's accept me? Wouldn't they write me off as an ordinary gold digger or a bitch like Lilly, especially since I came from a middle-class background?
"You know what, go in first, I have an urgent call to receive, it is work-related." Alex ushered me in while he went to pick his call.
Friday, 10:40 am, I was left standing in front of another massive black and gold inner gate of the Adebayo's mansion. Above the gate was an iron arch with a huge bold letter 'A' inscribed on it. Now, what exactly are these people guarding that people have to go through crazy protocols before they can enter. A robber will definitely know he is coming to lose his life or rot in jail if he attempts an operation in this house.
A security guard wearing dark glasses and a dark suit sat at the guardhouse. An enormous and extravagant house.
I observed he is wearing a suit with a bold letter 'A' inscribed on his breast pocket as well. He is a bald man with an athletic feature.
"Why are you here?" His harsh tone made me flinch.
"I'm here to see the Adebayos." I curtsied a little.
"Your mean of identification, miss?" He stretched his hand forth.
I handed over my work ID and told him I have an appointment by this time and I'm kinda running late but he didn't listen.
"What's your business with the Adebayo's?" He fired.
"I'm a fiance and I'm here for introductions." I sighed tiredly. The scorching sun made it all worse.
Another guard came in, he is less muscular than Mr bald head and he has grey eyes. Now I can't tell if it as a result of contact lense or if it were natural.
"Let her in, they just confirmed her invitation." Gray eyed whispered to bald head.
"You are under, T-A502BI." Gray eye announced.
"And your passcode is; 21594783. Have fun." Bald head bid me and left me to myself to wonder that huge house alone. It is like an estate and the Aebayo's owned it all.
I finally walked towards the main entrance where another man stood and scanned me from head to toe with a metal detector.
"You may now go in," the guard ushered and led me towards the dining room. I can perceive the aroma of boiled meats.
"Good morning, Mr Adebayo." I knelt to greet the man and from his look, I can tell he is the father. Alex is a chip off his old block because boy, they did look alike only that this man has a white beard and moustache.
"You are Boluwatife right?" He cracked his knuckles.
"Yes sir." I stood up.
"Hmm!" He tapped his chin. "It is only a well cultured Yoruba girl that can do that." He gesticulated widely with his hands.
"Thank you, sir," I smiled knowing I just won a point.
"Here, have your seat." He pointed at a chair and I sank in immediately.
"Darling, the food is almost ready." I heard a softer voice call from the kitchen.
"Look who we have here, it is our guest." He smiled at me, while the
The woman squirmed in happiness as she came out to hug me.
"She is a lot more younger than
Mr Adebayo, so I'm suspecting it used to be a sugar daddy and daughter relationship.
"How are you, pretty young girl?" She tugged at my cheeks.
"I'm fine thank you ma, Alex never told me you were this beautiful," I commented, making her blush.
She sure is beautiful and she looks like she is in her late forties. She is white-skinned but I can't tell if her features were enhanced with surgery or not.
"Where are you from?" The father asked.
"Lagos sir, I hale from Ikeja." I linked my hands together and began toying with it.
"Wow! That side is local, isn't it honey?" The mother gave a visible look of disgust and faced her husband.
"You can't judge a book by its cover, there are some of my friends that live there and they are doing well, it doesn't stop or dim their wealth." Me Adebayo assured his wife and soon she was beaming again.
"So what family do you hale from? Otedola? Tinubu? Adenuga? Which one of them." She chuckled and stared at me with wide eyes, waiting for me to tick the aforementioned names.
My heart began pounding heavily. I knew it, I shouldn't be here. All this marriage thing can't work out if the parents' expectations are high. I don't even merit any of the names she mentioned. She mentioned top billionaire families in Nigeria.
"Uh!" I scratched my neck and prayed Alex showed up soon to save me. So far the meeting hasn't been going well, starting from the security interrogation outside.
"I'm not from any of the names mentioned. I'm from Coker's family." I stared at the floor with interest.
Silence passed for some seconds before I heard heavy sighs from the both of them.
"I believe you mean the prominent Coker family that are under the millionaire cycle?"
"I hale from a simple family from the mainland, sir and ma." I picked at my nails and watched them both ashen in shock.
"Oh my God, this is such a disgrace from Alex, how dare he bring a gold digger into the house?" The woman eyeball gave a blazing eye.
"What of your dad?" Mr Adebayo asked immediately.
"My father is late and I'm just an ordinary employee, trying to provide for my family," I answered politely and bit my lips.
"Look here woman, you can't marry my son because you are poor. I don't want a wife who will be more of an asset than a liability." She spat.
"I love Alex and he does love me wholeheartedly. I have my job and I don't depend on anyone. I'm hardworking." I countered.
"Hmm, love?" The woman laughed, "they all claim its love so what makes yours different?" The woman snapped.
"Because I'm pregnant for him," I blurted out, making everyone pause what they were doing.
"You are what?" The mother screeched.
"Yes, you all heard her right, she is pregnant for me and we will be getting married soon." Alex walked in and set his arm on my shoulder.
"Are you sure she ain't a mistake, Alex?" The mother cried out dramatically and began fanning herself with her manicured hands.
"Mom, she ain't fake so just forget about it and accept like the daughter you never had," Alex warned sternly, silence his mother.
"I hope she doesn't drain your account like Lilly?" The mother's voice became softer.
"She is nothing like Lilly, father we need your blessings and approval so we can proceed to the next level." Alex heels clicked as walked towards his father.
"Aren't you excited to see your grandkid?" Alex said to his mother and she began to sign inwardly and outwardly.
"Of course I am, I'm looking out for you. But I understand you are a big boy now so make the right decision," his mother said and walked towards me and pulled me for a hug.
"I am sorry I was rude earlier on, I was only looking out for him. He has had his fair share of heartbreak and any more heartbreak may shatter him." She held my hands and squeezed them softly.
"I promise not to break his heart mom," I called and she gasped in surprise.
"Did you just call me mom?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am, I figured out that if I was gonna see you as my mother-in-law, then I should--"
"Say no more, you are welcomed to the family." She pulled me in for a bone-crushing hug. Her body smelt like curry and pepper.
Right honey? She asked her husband.
"Definitely, I can't wait to hold my grandkids," he said and stretched out his arms while I ran to his warm embrace. It is finally happening-- I'm now an official member of the family.