Heart Strings

Chapter Seven: Meeting Family

“So, when do I get to meet her.” Lamide asked her brother

Ladi chuckled at the phone.

“I’m bringing her to you today.”

“Are you sure? Because you are hiding her from the world. Even me now, I am also the world.”

“Madam, I just picked her up now. We are almost at yours.” He answered

“Wait, she is with you in the car? Am I on speaker? Hey, she will now think I am a troublemaker.” Lamide replied

NJ laughed at this.

“Haaa Ladi! Is this how you want to introduce your sister? The only family you have in the world.”

“Madam, we are at your gate.” He ended the call

NJ walked beside Ladi into the living room of the house. A tall and attractive woman came bustling out of one of the rooms to greet them.

“Hi NJ! It is so nice to finally meet you.”

NJ found herself enveloped in a hug.

“It’s nice to meet you too.” She replied, “I’ve heard a lot about you Lamide.”

“Good things I hope?” Lamide replied. “I have heard so much about you too. He never stops talking about you. NJ this, NJ that. Yet he hides you from me.” She continued

“Madam! You talk too much.” Ladi said, placing his hands on her lips. “Where’s my baby?”

“She’s sleeping.” Lamide replied, “Don’t wake her o!” She added as Ladi walked past her and into the room.

“So, gist me.” Lamide said to NJ, offering her a seat,

“It is you who should do the talking.” NJ said, “I want all the dirt. I’m sure you know where all the bodies are buried”

Lamide laughed, but before she could talk, she was interrupted by Ladi. He had a baby in his arms.

“There is no dirt. There are no bodies.” He said, “I did not wake her. She woke up while I was looking at her.” He added,

“So, your charms work on women of all ages?” NJ said sarcastically

“Hahahaha! I knew I would like you! Don’t mind him. He probably woke her, but she won’t cry. She likes him. If it was me now, she would be bawling.” Lamide said with a laugh

“You are just jealous of our love” Ladi replied

*******

“So, why didn’t you tell us the emergency you had was your sister in labour.” NJ said to Ladi as they drove away from Lamide’s house later in the day

Ladi shrugged. “I was not going to use my sister as clickbait.”

“How did her husband die?” NJ asked

“Cancer. It was quick but brutal.” Ladi replied

“I’m sorry.” NJ said

They drove in silence for a while.

“We are almost at your office.” Ladi said. NJ insisted he pick her up and drop her off from there. “It’s a bit late, let me just take you home.” He added

“No. I’m not ready for them to know. By the way, there are rumours about you having a babe in Mariam’s office. She mentioned it today.”

“Really? How do they figure?” He asked

“Apparently, you have been distracted during meetings and smiling sheepishly at your phone. They even figure that you are in love. Ludicrous.” She said with a laugh

“What is ludicrous?” He asked

“The love part. As if…” She replied allowing her voice trail.

“Is that how you really feel? Or you are testing to see how I feel?” He asked her

NJ was silent.

“NJ?”

They had gotten to her office building. He placed the car in park and turned to look at her. She was staring straight ahead. He turned her head to face him. The look in her eyes was unsure, but somewhere in the depths, he saw what he wanted to see. No. What he needed to see.

He leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. She stiffened a bit, then her lips yielded under his. He felt her sigh before he heard it, then he sank into the kiss. Her hands came around his neck and into his hair.

“I love you.” He said, his lips still on hers. She sighed again

“I love you NJ.” He repeated, drawing back from hers so he could look her in the eyes

“I love you Ladi. But…” She replied

“No. Don’t rationalise for once NJ. Just let it be.” He said

She smiled and then she kissed him again.

What was your favourite scene in this chapter? Mine, their “moment”. 👀🙃

Note: Dear Reader, Thank you for being here. NJ should really be calming down, lol. NJ and hard guy.😂
See you next week Monday. 😉