"Where is Nikki?" Lisha queried immediately she got back into the house after seeing Mark off.
"She went out," Gran replied before gulping down her usual drinks, the habit that seems to have no ending, except maybe it kills her or she kills it by putting an end to such unhealthy engagement. Miracle was busy reading some things from her book.
"To where?" Lisha pressed further before settling herself on the sofa adjacent to the chaise lounge Gran and Miracle were seated.
Gran dropped the bottle on the centre table before replying, "To Kemi, she told me she was visiting Kemi at her place."
Lisha smiled to herself, she knew Nikki didn't only go there to visit Kemi, she had an hidden agenda which would certainly be related to Jimi, she was so desperate…
Gran interrupted her thoughts, "I know what you're thinking, but, tell me, why are you so bent on that handsome CEO?"
Lisha scoffed, "That question should be directed to Nikki."
"You're indirectly shunning me abi?" Gran picked up the vodka bottle and poured some amount into her glass cup and then mixed it with some drop of Coke.
"I didn't do that," Lisha replied before waving at Miracle who quickly walked up to her.
After Gran gulped down her drink, she turned to Lisha who was now dictating some things to Miracle.
"Lisha, this is a new year, you have to get married."
Lisha glanced at her, "I'll surely do that."
"When?"
"I don't know," she didn't look away from Miracle as she replied.
"How would you know, you're…"
Lisha cut in, "Gran, you're disturbing Miracle, she isn't concentrating well on the dictation, right Miracle?"
Miracle bobbed her head, "Yes."
Gran hissed in response as she decided to focus her attention on her best friend; alcohol.
******************
"What are you doing here?" Jimi inquired with a look of disgust as he marched into the living room with Hanmi and Daniel. As soon as he got to the living room, his eyes met with Nikki and he couldn't be more than shocked. He didn't expect her to show up in front of him after what went down the other day and how he even insulted her.
Nikki looked up with a smile but the smile dropped when her eyes made four with Daniel, Kemi decided to reply in her stead.
"She came here to visit me."
Jimi scoffed a laugh before sitting on the only wing chair in their living room, the one situated at a corner.
"And to also apologize," Nikki added as she tore her gaze from Daniel and then turned to Jimi with her bright smile reappearing.
"I see no reason for the apology, you didn't offend me but I believe Lisha deserves that apology," he said before crossing his legs while Hanmi and Daniel sat on the two-seater opposite him.
Nikki squeezed her face upon the mention of Lisha's name, her anger swelled up but she decided to conceal it for the time being, she raised her chin with a luring smile.
"I already apologized to my sister, but..."
Jimi cut her off, "That's good to hear, so, you have no business with me."
Nikki pressed on, "But you…"
He cut in yet again, "I think you should focus on Kemi who you're visiting or better still listen to Daniel's explanation."
Daniel lifted his brows as he turned squarely to her but Nikki eyed him before facing Kemi.
Just then Soil and Mr. Adeboye walked into the house with the duo dressed in the same native attire.
"Welcome," they all greeted but Nikki made her voice louder and even went to the extent of kneeling down with dancing smiles; someone who never knelt down to greet her parents or even Gran.
Soil raised her brows at this before casting Jimi a questioning glance who in turn gave her a half shrug.
"Thanks, how are you?" Soil forced a fake smile as she made a gesture with her hand in an attempt to make Nikki get up from her kneeling position. Mr. Adeboye had joined Hanmi and Daniel at that period.
"Fine, thank you ma," Nikki replied as she dusted her denim jeans; the one she'd worn on a turtle neck top that really hugged her pneumatic body.
"That's good to hear, you didn't come with Li baby?" Soil's eyes scanned around the living room.
Nikki rolled her eyes at the mention of the name, why does everyone keep mentioning her? She was the one here and not Lisha.
"She didn't want to come," Nikki responded after gathering herself.
"Oh okay then," she punctuated it with a smile before signalling to Jimi.
"Let's go up," she told her husband who bobbed his head but didn't follow her as she walked out of the living room while Jimi trailed quietly behind her.
When they were out of earshot, she finally turned to her son.
"Why is that girl here?"
Jimi lifted his hand in a shrug, "I asked her the same question when I met her at the living room too."
"And?"
"She said she came to visit Kemi and also claims that she wanted to apologize."
Soil pursed her lips before placing her hand on her jutted hips; that do not at any time need to be jutted out since she was blessed with hips, her hands rubbed on the lace material that had been sown into a long gown.
"I'm certain that girl is up to no good, be careful around," she warned sternly.
"I sure will."
She tilted her head, "So, how far with Li baby?"
A smile shadowed his lips.
"What's it? Talk and stop putting me in suspense jare," Soil shook her body with a tugging smile gracing her face.
"Well, Mark spoke to her, he went to her place earlier, so, he called me and…"
She butt in, "And what?" The excitement reflecting in her tone.
"And nothing."
The smile on her face disappeared that instant.
"What do you mean?"
"He only tried convincing her but he also assured me that she was somehow convinced."
"So, what are you waiting for? Call her now abi I should do that for you?"
Jimi chuckled.
"I intend to call her."
Soil's nose flared, "When? In twenty years time abi?"
"Mom, calm down, I'll call her in the night, then we can talk about it, I don't want it to be too soon."
She pursed her lips, "Hmmm, okay oo."
Jimi nodded, "Yeah."
"I'm going up now and I think you should too, don't give that girl any liberty to seduce you," she warned while glancing at the way to the living room only to see Nikki smiling with Kemi and the other guys including her husband were no where to be found, they probably left for outside when she called Jimi.
Jimi laughed.
"You're funny, how would she seduce me?"
"Who knows? Men are unpredictable, you can just say she's the one you like now after she seduces you," she teased.
Jimi wagged his finger, "That's impossible, never mom."
"There's nothing impossible, just be careful with that girl."
"Sure," he assured.
She tapped his shoulders before climbing the stairs. Jimi smiled at her retreating figure till she was out of sight, then he walked back to the living room.
Nikki raised her head and flashed a smile at him which he ignored and that made him realize the guts weren't inside again, then he decided to go out and join them, probably at the basketball court; it was the only thing they shared a common interest in.