BELLA'S MEMOIRS (ENTRY #10)

DADDY DILEMMA

Having a stepmom who is only about ten years older than you has its perks and like almost everything else in life, it also has its “non-perks”. My stepmom being an avid follower of celebrity gossip was definitely a non-perk. She had been calling me all day and I just knew it was because she had seen the picture of Yinka and me which had now gone viral. How was it possible that I didn’t know he was the vice president’s first son??? Only son! Vanessa had come over and she was clearly in a bubble. She was so excited, she kept looking for information about him on the internet, and so far he seemed too good to be true.

Vanessa: Ok so he has a degree in Economics from Princeton. He is an alumni of Harvard Business School. He is on the board of about five social enterprise organisations, has received three international awards for his social impact initiatives and he is supposed to be like some sort of genius. He just started an e-commerce company that is supposed to change the face of retail in Africa. He got funding from like 3 major commercial banks and there are already talks about partnerships with some major global retail chains. Walmart…..

I had heard enough. I grabbed her tablet from her and was about to toss it on the bed when my eyes landed on a picture. It was a picture with him and some top American politicians, obviously I recognized them because I had lived most of my life in America.

Vanessa; you are looking at a potential president of Nigeria, Bella. Imagine you as first lady oh my God! That would be so cool!

Vanessa was annoying me. Apart from the fact that I had absolutely no interest in marrying into a high profile family, I was more concerned about the way Okechukwu had left my house. I kept blaming myself. Why in the world had I left the file so carelessly on my dresser? Or then again maybe I should have told him from the day my father had given me the file, but now I was finding it hard to be remorseful after having gone through the content. I was confused and had to tell someone. Vanessa was out of it, I love her but she talks a lot especially when she is excited.

I sent my stepmom a message that I was on my way over to see her, it was also my way of dismissing Vanessa. I took the file with me and went home to meet Ms. A, my stepmom.

She wanted all the scoop of Yinka and me from the night before but I calmed her down and handed her the file. She read through the content and I could see she was not impressed.

Ms. A: Was it The Duchess that gave you this?

I shook my head.

Ms. A: I could have sworn it was her, this is her style. Was it your dad’s sister?

I shook my head. I hadn’t seen my aunt in weeks. Last I heard she was on holiday in Paris with her boyfriend.

Ms. A: Where did you get it from?

Me: Daddy gave me.

Ms. A: What??? TK did this?

I nodded.

Ms. A: I can’t believe this. He didn’t even tell me anything! Bella I didn’t know about this and I didn’t tell him about Okechukwu. I promise.

Me: Yes I know. It’s ok.

She sank into the nearest chair. I could see she was at a loss for words, like I was.

Ms. A: Does this change anything for you?

Me: I don’t know, I don’t think so though. But it obviously changed things for him. He saw it and walked out on me.

There was absolutely no need to mention that I was naked at the time after offering myself to him on the altar of what could only be described as love with a pinch of stupidity.

Ms. A: Wow! That’s bad Bella. I can imagine how he feels, trust me I know what it’s like to be in the Ayo-Kensington you-are-not-good-enough-for-us books.

I smiled. I knew the story of what she had endured before she could settle into her relationship with my father.

Ms. A: I find it very hypocritical that your father would do to you the exact same thing he fought his mum for doing to us.

Me: I know I just don’t…..

I was interrupted by my father’s voice as he walked into the living room. He had just arrived from his trip. Ms. A got up and went to give him a hug and kiss.

Ms. A: Welcome back babe how was your trip?

My Daddy: Tiring. I need a hot bath and a hotter meal.

Ms. A: I’m on it. I’ll be right back Bella

She said as she made her way to the kitchen.

Me: Good Afternoon Dad. Welcome back. I was just on my way out.

I said standing to my feet. I picked up my handbag and car keys.

My Daddy: No you weren’t. Sit down young lady.

Me: Dad, I really have to go…

My Daddy: I said sit down!

He yelled at me. He had never spoken to me like that. We had never had a fight and I had a feeling this was going to be our first one. I had a lot to say to him but I wasn’t ready and so I sat down with my hands folded on my laps as I stared at my feet.

He spotted the file lying where Ms. A had dropped it on the couch. He walked over and picked it up.

My Daddy: Good. I can see you have read up about your lover. Now he isn’t so attractive anymore. Is he?

I didn’t answer so he went on…

My Daddy: Since you have stopped seeing him I trust you would have time to focus on your future. I think your uncertainty was mostly because you were being distracted by him. I was thinking it might be a good time for you to go abroad for your Masters degree.

I still didn’t answer and then he went on further.

My Daddy: My PA sent me a picture of you and the Vice President’s son. Now that’s good thinking, he is a responsible boy with a good track record and I think a relationship with him which may lead to marriage would be a strategic move for you.

I was boiling now and desperately trying to hold myself back.

My Daddy: I know when you’re young you feel the need to sow your wild oats; I went through that as well but when it’s time to make life changing decisions you have to be strategic.

I had now had enough.

Me; Oh yes I know you sowed your wild oats with my mother and abandoned us and you were strategic in marrying Anjola right? Just because her father happens to be a billionaire, you feel you can talk down on my choices! You didn’t even know that when you married her, so why can’t I make my own decisions?

My Daddy: Anjola did not have a criminal record! Did you read this?

He asked waving the file at me. I ignored the question so he opened the file and started flipping through its content.
My Daddy: 1. Rustication from University of Benin on the grounds of exam malpractice. He and his girlfriend if I may add.

2. Suspected money laundering activities for his elder brother, the Senator. Of course he got away with it because his brother was involved so strings were pulled.

3. Credit card fraud in the UK when he went to get a diploma to cover up for his lack of a University degree. By the way, do you know the house he lives in Oniru was bought with cash? Cash Bella! Do you know how much that house is worth?

4. He has a passport with a different name. The boy is a criminal and I have no other way of proving it to you. If you decide to be stubborn about it, at least I know I have played my role as your father.

I started clapping.

Me: And the father of the year award goes to you Mr. Tokunboh Kessington. The same man who was almost convicted for fraud and embezzlement.

I saw the blood drain from his face.

Me: Oh you think I didn’t know about that? The walls have ears daddy. Am I supposed to aspire to marry a man like you? Or grandpa who had a mistress for over a decade and decided to walk out on his family after over 40 years of marriage? Oh maybe I should aspire to marry a man like Anjola’s dad who robbed your family and almost left you penniless. Tell me daddy where is the sterling example of the man I should aspire to marry because all the men in my lives are flawed including you.

He was in shock and speechless and then we noticed for the first time that my stepmom was standing in the corner listening. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment, she didn’t deserve all the things I had said about her family and her marriage to my dad.

Me: I am sorry Ms. A. I was just really upset…

Ms. A: Save your apologies for your dad Bella you had no right to talk to him like that.

My Daddy: Trust me it won’t happen again Angie.

Ms. A: As for you TK, nice to see you are turning out just like your mum. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree now does it?

With that she walked past both of us and up the stairs.

There was nothing left to be said so I packed my things to leave and then my father said.

My Daddy: If you do not stop seeing that boy I will cut you off.

I smiled at him.

Bella: I lived without your money for twenty years daddy I can do it for another sixty.

No daddy, no Ms. A, no Okechukwu. I had managed somehow in the space of twenty four hours to ruin the most important relationships in my life and I didn’t have a job or any activity to keep myself distracted. It was at that point I discovered how uneventful my life was. No wonder I had clung so hopelessly to Okechukwu, my social life revolved around him…and a little around Vanessa. It was definitely time to get busy. I got a surprise call that evening, it was from Yinka and I couldn’t pretend it wasn’t completely unwelcome.

Me: Hello

Yinka: Hi Gorgeous. Staying out of trouble?

I had saved his number but I didn’t want to appear overeager so I asked…

Me: Ermmm who am I speaking with?

Yinka: Ouch. I took a punch for her and she didn’t even save my number.

Me: Hi Yinka. I’m sorry. How are you doing?

Yinka: Fine gorgeous. My ego is recovering gradually. I can see you made me a celebrity, our pictures are everywhere. Apparently you’re my new leading lady.

We both laughed.

We went on to have a pleasant conversation that lasted almost half an hour and he was about to hang up when out of the blue I asked:

Me: Would you like to hang out with me tomorrow?

I wished I could take the words back immediately but it was too late.

Yinka: Of course I would love to!

We decided to meet somewhere for dinner and I was nervous. It wasn’t a date right? After all, we had established the fact that we were just friends.
I wanted to make some changes in my life. I needed to make some changes. First of all I needed to figure out what I wanted to do. My few business outings with Okechukwu had made me realize that I may be interested in a career in Public Relations. I went on the internet and started carrying out some research on courses in PR and the certifications I would require. I was glued to my computer screen, when I got a notification from my bank. It was a credit alert, a seven digit figure from Okechukwu’s company…I called him immediately but he didn’t take my call he just sent an SMS instead.

It read:

“Just got paid for the project you helped pitch for. That’s your cut of the deal. You have a lot of potential Bella, don’t waste it. Best wishes always”. Ferrari

Message: Best wishes always …Ferrari.

Interpretation: It’s over. Have a nice life.

Ferrari??? Really??? This time I was determined to move on and in grand style too. Fortunately I had the perfect rebound guy…the Vice President’s son. All is fair in love and war, or so they say.