Mr. President’s

“For security. I have them here as well,” Nathan shrugged, unfazed. He needn’t think it through. One way to the other, Lanre was going to find out and it didn’t matter when.

“You knew she was cheating Lanre blamed him. Nathan ogled irritably,

*1 only saw a hickey on her neck the day she came here to get you. As her husband, couldn’t you have been smarter? How come I saw it and you never did!”

“You should have told me, don’t forget we were constantly having disagreements so why would I look at her when I didn’t want to see her? Lanre was perplexed, he was just searching for a way of relief by accusing Nathan mindlessly but, Nathan would not allow himself to feel guilty for something that wasn’t his fault.

“I do as I please Lanre. I can’t put my nose into your marital affairs and if I meant to keep it to myself as she asked me, I wouldn’t have given you that advice” Nathan removed his shirt and was headed for his bedroom when Lanre staggered as he tried to lift himself from the floor again, gripping hold of the furniture.

“After begging you not to tell me, she still didn’t change,” he uttered remorsefully while trying to get close to Nathan who had stopped walking to

save him the stress.

“So let me guess, you caught her with her lover so what? Nathan was unfeeling but it was just worse so this to him was nothing.

his

nature. For all he knew, it could have still been

“No, she doesn’t have a lover, she has

man whores she pays to satisfy her. No wonder her demands for the divorce were outrageous and I can understand why she doesn’t do it with me,” Lanre thoughtfully said in a daze. Having kept everything inside since yesterday, he kept drinking and smoking to forget it but everything remained fresh on his mind. Nathan was slightly sensitive this time, from what Lanre revealed.

“Why is that?”

“I can’t give her the satisfaction she needs Nat, she does threesome. Two hunks–one in front, the other behind. It was like she was acting a porn movie.”

Nathan grimaced “that’s disgusting

That is too good a word to use.”

“So what are you gonna do? Nathan returned and sat on his superfluity sofa. He was genuinely concerned this time.

LO SLY”

“I’ve already signed the divorce papers and I ain’t giving her a dime. But now, she refuses to sign her part and begs me to Nathan scoffed. “Will you let her?”

Im considering my form of revenge.” Lanre let out a bitter smile but Nathan was curious. He couldn’t imagine himself in a situation like Lanre’s.

“Which is”

“Giving her two conditions. One, we divorce with her getting nothing, or she signs a prenup and stays”

“Prenup to what terms?”

“That if ever she leaves, she would take nothing with her and while she stays, she finds a job and takes up some bills” In a situation like this, Nathan couldn’t encourage or discourage him. He doesn’t wish to be in Lanre’s shoes and could only sympathise with him.

1 wish you luck, so what are you doing in my house?” Nathan’s attention was brought back to his messy room Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“I saw everything through CCTV in my office yesterday, I couldn’t believe it so I went home and they were still on it. She couldn’t look me in the eyes. I’m disgusted by everything. She, the house, I just came here to cool off men.”

“Cool off or burn down my house?” Nathan was sarcastic. What made his penthouse a relief centre!

“That depends on how you see it, anre–smiled

For

your punishment, you are cooking supper, Nathan said and stood up. Lanre froze for a second.

“Now, I’m gonna burn down the entire neighbourhood, he responded matter of factly. Then he added, “thanks, Nat, for drawing my attention to it.

3.14 PM c c

“I need to rest. The old man wants to see me tomorrow,” Nathan revealed. Lanre’s eyes widened, the alcohol cleared quickly. The old man as they referred to was Alexander Legend, Nathan’s dad. His visit always sparked conflict, especially when he came without his wife, Nathan’s step mum. His real mom died when he was a child but he got along with his stepmom quite well, which meant staying out of each other’s way.

“I thought he vowed not to see you till everything was resolved?” Lanre asked, concern knitting him.

I guess he changed his mind. Nathan frowned and said.

“And do you think he will bring her along! You know who I’m talking about.” Lanre was careful not to mention the name that would upset Nathan.

“I don’t care what they do. 171 maintain my stand,” he grimly responded. Lanre felt sorry for him. He knew Nathan and his dad were like a cat and mouse because the older persona wasn’t as honest as the younger.

“And face the consequences?”

“Whatever it takes. We aren’t going beyond what we are.”

“All the best Nat, this doesn’t sound good. Anyway, I left your birthday present on your bed. I picked it up before the whole CCTV thing Hope it makes you smile, Lanre patted him on the back.

“You know the answer to that. I’m not a fan of birthdays,” Nathan reminded him. Lanre knew but he always bought a present anyway, On Nathan’s birthday, his stepmom was the only one who sent him warm wishes but Lanre had a belated birthday gift for him. It would have been different if Nathan hadn’t gone on a trip.

“So can I spend the right here? Please?” Lanre implored like a good boy. Speaking with Nathan had appeased him tremendously.

“This is the last time. Stop running from your problems pal” Nathan snarled while he went to pull down the glass windows. The smell and smoke had all dissipated.

not your pal but your best friend and for the record, I’m not running. All I needed was the company of a friend, Lanre expressed.

“Well the next time you smoke in my house, 1 will put friendship aside and put you behind bars for three days,” Nathan grimly warned and Lanre knew he wasn’t joking.

“It won’t happen again and by the time you wake up, your house will be clean again.

Mercedes could smell pasta from the entrance of the door. She tiptoed to the kitchen to see Angie busy cooking. “Need some help?” She stood at the entrance and asked.

Angle breathed out relieved, dropping the spatula and making her way towards Mercedes. “OMG, you’re alive and this dress is gorgeous,” she complimented before wrapping her arms around Mercedes.

Mercedes tightened the hug, a smile brightening her face as and asked, how are things?”

“No calls, no messages, it took a while for me to realize you left your phone. I hope he didn’t disfigure you. Is everything okay down there? Do you need a doctor?” Angie asked playfully but there was a tinge of seriousness in her tone.

Mercedes‘ cheeks turned red, “Stop it. Angie, you are being paranoid and I’m not a kid,” she pushed Angie gently away and said. Angie could detect amusement in her tone.

“Let me guess, you enjoyed it. Come on Merce, tell me everything,” she pulled Mercedes to the kitchen counter while she stirred the pasta.

“Let me go change first and where is Griff?” She curiously asked. Despite everything, she still missed him.

He went to meet Penelope at the airport, Angie revealed, Mercedes‘ countenance sank. Angie noticed it and asked,

“You guys got into another fight?”

“Penelope is cheating on him. She’s engaged to my former boss but Griff doesn’t believe me,” Mercedes explained to Angie.

“What the bitch” Angle was upset. She could see just how much Griffin loved this girl and had given his all for her. Mercedes suddenly recalled

Nathan’s warning.

We need to move out in an hour, she revealed. Angie had forgotten all about it.

“To where?” she asked, lost

“The penthouse and while we are at it, help me pick a belated birthday gift for Nathan she shyly said. She wanted to surprise han on the trip but

she never had any time to herself.

“You call him by his first name? Tell me everything”

“He only allowed me to address him by his first name during the times we spent together”

“How was it?” Angie’s curiosity was ludicrous

Π

Mercedes‘ smile flowered. To be honest Angie, I loved every bit of it. Sometimes, he was beastly wild but I kinda got used to it. He was a gentleman. romantic and protective of me, she revealed in a reverie while recalling the times they spent together.

Angie could understand her language. “Oh Merce, you’re in love,” she sighed, pulling Mercedes from her trance.

“Stop it. I’m not. Besides, everything ended already,” Mercedes uttered with a disappointed grim.

“That isn’t possible. You see, sex is like a magnet. Once you start it, it keeps pulling you close, especially when emotions are involved,” Angle deciphered.

“You got it wrong. Angie. He isn’t my type”

“There we go again. Let’s eat and start packing. We can leave a note for Griffin to join us later.

By the next four hours, Mercedes was at her penthouse. She left the gifts she picked for Griffin in his room and gave Angie hers as well. The latter was overly excited.

With Angie’s help, Mercedes picked a gift for Nathan’s belated birthday present. It was already late and since both of them had to resume work, they left unpacking for the weekend and rather took time to adjust to the luxurious atmosphere but the best surprise was when Mercedes got to her closet, it already had everything she needed.

She couldn’t help her heart pang in her chest. Another surprise. The last time she came, everything was empty. She didn’t know whether or not to call to thank him. Who was Nathan Legend?” The mere thought of him gave her pleasurable shivers. What was happening to her?