BELLA'S MEMOIRS (ENTRY #19)

THINGS GET COMPLICATED

After what seemed like forever, my stepmom and I finally returned from our wedding shopping trip to New York and Dubai. It had lasted ten days and had I been “marrying” the right man, I would have described it as the time of my life but unfortunately I wasn’t and each time I found a beautiful dress or piece of wedding accessory I would tear up. My stepmom thought I was being emotional, if only she knew how nervous I was. What if The Duchess’ plan didn’t work? What if Okechukwu decided to keep his end of the bargain and truly stay away from me after the ordeal was over? I had been communicating with him via an email account he opened in another name just in case Yinka had a way of checking my mails because The Duchess had warned us to be careful. I had spoken to him once on the phone she gave me and then we decided to communicate only via email afterwards. He had opened an email account as Susan Watson, my classmate from College. I thought it was a clever idea when he had suggested it on the phone because if Yinka tried to investigate, he would discover there had actually been a Susan Watson in my class. The mails were a bit casual – we didn’t reveal much but had a way of knowing what exactly the other person was trying to say even though the words were kept casual.

I was worried that Okechukwu did not tell me about his deal with The Duchess and I desperately wanted to ask him about it but she had warned us about messing up her plan so I just couldn’t risk putting all of that in an email.

I had been gone for ten days and so it was now barely a month to the wedding.

Vanessa: I can’t wait to see your dress! Who is the designer? Vera Wang?

I nodded as we walked up the stairs to my bedroom.

Vanessa: I just knew you were a Vera Wang kind of girl.

She was so excited, I wished she was the bride. I pulled out the dress from my closet and showed it to her. She gasped and I couldn’t blame her. The dress was absolutely amazing. I had been indifferent while we shopped because I knew I wasn’t getting married but as soon as I saw the dress I just had to have it. The dress was an ivory lace dress, it had sleeves that reached my elbows and a “V” neckline. There were real Swarovski crystals hand sewn across the neckline and it had a full skirt beneath, I loved the way the skirt twirled around when I turned from side to side. I had also gotten a matching veil that had a gorgeous tiara to complete the look. I knew with the right make up I would look like a princess. My reception gown had been made in Paris. It was champagne gold and made of the most exquisite French lace I had ever seen, it was so incredibly beautiful.

I felt really bad that my father had been so generous with the shopping budget and yet it was all going to waste; I definitely wasn’t going to wear the dress I had bought for my wedding to Yinka to marry another man!

Vanessa: You are the luckiest girl in the world Bella.

As soon as she said those words to me tears started streaming down my face and I started sobbing uncontrollably.

Vanessa: I have been waiting for this moment. I heard Okechukwu moved away. You have to move on Bella. I know you really care about him but if it’s not meant to be, you can’t force it. He had all the time in the world to be with you yet he always came up with a reason not to. The only time he wanted you was when another man claimed you, it’s a game to him Bella and you deserve so much more than that.

I just nodded, I couldn’t tell her what was going on and there was no point arguing about it. My introduction was the next day and she soon had to leave so I could get some rest.

The introduction was a grand affair, my dad said later on that we should have just done the traditional wedding on the same day. Over three hundred guests filled the compound that day and there was a live band and a DJ. The pictures went viral even while the ceremony was still on and Yinka and I were trending. I had to admit we looked good together but behind every smile was a tortured pang in my chest that I was betraying the man I love and I knew Yinka didn’t really love me. However, we were able to put on a really good show for our audience.

Later that night Yinka came to my room just before he left my house.

Yinka: I am sorry Bella. I know these last few weeks have been rough, I didn’t mean to put you through all that but I couldn’t just bear the thought of losing you to him.

Me: It’s a game for you Yinka. We both know you don’t love me, you can drop the act when we are alone together.

Yinka: How can you say I don’t love you? There are different definitions of love Bella. I have made you into the woman I want to be with. Young, beautiful, smart, noble family, not overly ambitious, ladylike and without a colourful past. Even your northern heritage is a plus. What more could I ask for?

Me: What has my northern heritage got to do with this?

Yinka: Bella do you have any idea how much leverage we could get from constantly selling the story that your mum is from the north when I am ready to run for office? You have a lot of time to learn more about your culture and also learn the language. We would be the people’s choice trust me.

Me: You plotting devil! You just use people.

Yinka: My choosing you was not a coincidence Bella.

He kissed me on my lips and was about to leave when he turned back;

Yinka: Tell The Duchess to back off. I can read her mind like a book with bold prints and I know what she is up to. You better tell her to stop Bella or she would make life harder for all of us.

With that he walked out. I had been so scared when he had said he knew what The Duchess was up to. I had to warn her but I couldn’t do that on the phone. She had left for The Villa a couple of hours ago. I picked up my car keys and rushed to warn her.

When I arrived at The Villa, I was told she had gone to bed by Iya Bade the housekeeper but I told her it was urgent. She went to wake The Duchess up and when I got to see I told her all Yinka had said. She was obviously surprised but glad that I had come to warn her. She assured me she was handling it all so I went home. When I got home I was shocked to see Yinka lurking around in the dark compound.

Me: What are you still doing here?

Yinka: Bella you never learn do you?

Me: What do you mean?

Yinka: I thought to myself how a guy as stubborn and arrogant as Okechukwu just up and leave town without a fight and how a girl as feisty and self-opinionated as Bella just allow me to run her lover out of town and still agree to marry me. I thought to myself they had options: they could have run away together, they could have told their families and made a combined effort to stop me but they didn’t and I wondered why. Then it occurred to me, they must have a plan. This entire disappearance and wedding planning is a distraction because they have a plan. Then I thought – but they don’t have the money and connection they need to pull it off on their own so they must have solicited for help from someone with the resources to help them and of course the person must also have something to lose if this goes south. Then I thought hard and then it hit me, who else but The Duchess! I did not have evidence, did not have proof so I decided to set a little trap for you. When I told you earlier that I knew what The Duchess was up to I was bluffing and you fell for the trap and ran straight to your grandmother’s house to warn her. Now you must tell me what she is up to so I can stop her.

Me: I don’t know what you are talking about. She forgot her purse and I took it to her.

He grabbed my arm.

Yinka: Bella I hate liars. Tell me all she is planning or I swear I will make your life a living hell.

Me: Yinka let go of my hand, you’re hurting me.

I said as tears filled my eyes

He held my arm tighter.

Yinka: Answer me or else…

We heard footsteps coming towards us and he instantly let go of my arm. It was my dad.

My Daddy: Bella is that you?

Me: Yes daddy.

I tried to mask the emotions in my voice but it still came out a little shaky.

My Daddy: Are you ok?

Me: Yes daddy.

My Daddy: Yinka I didn’t realise you were still here.

My arm was bruised where Yinka had grabbed me and my dad noticed it.

My Daddy: Bella what happened to your arm? Are you hurt? You sound like you have been crying.

He rushed over to me and looked at the arm “Who did this to you?”

He immediately turned to Yinka;

Yinka: Some hoodlums tried to rob Bella sir. That’s why I rushed back here, she called me shaken up so I came back.

My Daddy: Hoodlums where? How? Where did you even go at this time of the night?

Me: I went to The Villa to pick something up and it happened on my way back.

My Daddy: I have warned you about going out by yourself at night. There are three drivers that live in this house and at least one is always available. You could have sent anyone of them tonight. I hope they didn’t hurt you anymore than this?

Me: No dad and they couldn’t get anything from me. Some cars were approaching so they ran away.

My Daddy: Bella you must tell me exactly what happened and where. I will get the Commissioner to send some of his men to raid the area tomorrow. Anyone they find who as much as fits the description of these so called hoodlums would rot in jail for the rest of his life.

He put his arm around my shoulder and started leading me towards the house.

My Daddy: Thank you Yinka. Its late you should go now. Apparently, our neighborhood is no longer safe, let us know when you get home.

Yinka: Ok sir. Good night.

That night I fell asleep after I had a good cry on my dad’s shoulder. He thought I was frightened by the supposed incident. I was actually frightened about my future and what Yinka’s next move would be.

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The next morning I tried to send Okechukwu a cryptic email with a silent prayer that he would be able to decipher it. It read;

Dear Susan,

Remember our crazy psycho friend Yvonne Atkins, well turns out her boss Kate was trying to get her kicked out of her current job and she found out. She also found out there were two other people working with her boss to get her out of the way and now she is threatening to sue in a couple of days. I wonder if her boss and colleagues would have enough time to cook up another plan or if she would be able to take them all down.

Crazy world don’t you think?

Xoxo

I had used Yinka’s initials and also the first name of The Duchess of Cambridge and hoped he would understand. A few minutes later he responded:

Dear Bella,

I don’t think Yvonne Atkins is any match for her boss from what I have heard. I happen to know for sure that Kate is every bit as crazy as Yvonne is. My money is on Kate.

Talk to you soon.

Xoxoxo to infinity

Susan

His message warmed my heart and I knew he had found a way to reassure me that he knew The Duchess would come up with a better plan. I was about to respond when I heard a knock at my door. It was the housekeeper Abigail who told me I had a message at the gate.

Me: Tell the person to give you the message.

Abigail: She said she must see you.

I rolled my eyes, it was probably one of the overzealous wedding vendors who just wanted to come into the house and feast their eyes. I was getting tired of all the invasion of my privacy. I got to the gate and got the shock of my life. Standing at the gate looking all flustered and scared was Toni. Yinka’s mistress.

Me: What in the world are you doing in my house?

Toni: Please I need your help.

Me: Why would I help you?

Toni: Because helping me also means helping yourself.

Me: What is the problem?

Toni: I am pregnant.