Chapter Three

"Laila'" I called, "How have you been? "

I asked as soon as we sat in my bedroom.

"I've been okay little sis, how have you been coping with mum and dad? " 

She said as I rolled my eyes at the last statement. 

"You know them na, their own wahala never gets old"

Laila laughed again, while unloading her suit case, as expected, she bought lots of ʂƚυϝϝ, duh she just came in from Dubai

My sister is the other major "shopaholic" I know. 

We were just catching up, when one of the workers came in, to inform us of our parents' arrival. 

It's funny that they came in together, they haven't done that for a while.

I know my family looks cute and all from the outside but only us know that our home is not a  peaceful place. 

That explains why my siblings prefer to live far from home, and honestly I prefer the same, but my parents wanted me to get a job before moving out or should I say, get the job for me. 

Worsening the case, is the fact that I'm the last child, "baby of the house",that's so annoying. 

"Okay madam, let's go downstairs , I'm starving " Laila groaned and I laughed. 

I mean who wouldn't be starving, after such a trip?shrug

"Oya let's go aunty, before you swallow me" I said jokingly as she yawned. 

"I will beat this girl oh" She said to no one in particular, turning around like she wanted to get something to hit me, she could only get a pillow which she threw at my face, I was out the door before it could reach me, she shouted after me. 

"Don't come inside this room again, okoro!!"

"I love you more sis" I said laughing, only to bump into my dad in the middle of the hallway. I gulped.

"Daddy! Good evening sir" I half yelled trying to alert Laila that Dad was coming towards her. 

He looked stern as always, he adjusted his glasses, took a quick glance at me and replied "Titilola, how are you? " He always calls my full name whenever he's in a very good mood or vice versa. I guess he's in a good mood today, besides he came in with mummy. 

I was so engrossed in my thoughts, daddy called out again "Lola..." , I was a little bit startled then I answered. 

"Dad I'm fine, thank you", " Where's your sister? I heard she arrived earlier today " He asked, as if on cue Laila came out of her bedroom , went on her knees and greeted our dad. 

"How are you my dear? " He asked as he pulled her up and engulfed her in a hug. She replied sweetly after giving me a 'what's up with dad? ' look. 

Our dad was everything but he wasn't really the very affectionate type. Whenever he's like this, there has to be a major reason. Probably a new contract or business deal. It had to be something really big. 

  We went downstairs where we greeted mummy, and I served dinner. She was smiling too and not engrossed In her phone. Now there has to be something going on. She was talking with Laila and stealing glances at me after dinner. 

Dad suddenly cleared his throat and we all turned our attention to him. "Lola  we have news for you" My breath got hitched immediately. This must be about the job.

"We contacted Mr Wole concerning you, and he's decided to give you a good job at his company" Dad said looking excited. Even mum was excited about it, I stood with a blank expression on my face. Laila gave me a knowing look, she wanted me to voice out my thoughts. I've never been the outspoken type but this was my only chance. I opened my mouth to speak and the only thing I could blurt out was "I need to think about it " I shut my eyes briefly as if  the statement had hurt me. 

"Think? !" Mum scoffed "Lola this is a major job opportunity, one of the most productive firms in the country, you would handle the financial department , this job is what people would kill to have,you're having on a platter of gold and you need to think about it? " Mum spat, she looked so irritated with me. 

"Mummy"  Laila called as if trying to pacify her, "Lola is right, I know it's a great opportunity but she still needs to think about the odds, she can't just jump at some job offer and even Mr Wole giving her a job just like that sounds fishy, we all know he's the typical example of 'nothing goes for nothing'" Laila explained.

I love her cause she's always got my back. 

Mr Wole was one person we all could never trust, I was actually wondering why my dad would go out of his way to meet him. He was a very notorious for sexual escapades and he had no shame. 

"Laila, keep quiet my friend! " Daddy yelled startling all of us. I wanted to scream my lungs out but there was nothing I could do cause I was too scared. Laila had shut up immediately. 

"Lola " Dad faced me, "you have till the weekend to think" He said emphasizing on the word "think" Making a quote with his hands. He continued. 

"But I don't care what the outcome of your thoughts cause you're working there whether you like it or not".

This is so unfair

" You two can leave now " Dad said dismissing my sister and I. 

As soon as I got into my room I laid on my bed, I burst into tears as soon as Laila came in and gave me a sorry look. She had done the best she could do for me. She didn't say anything when she walked in. She just laid by my side patting my back as I cried wetting my pillow

"I really want to speak up but I can't " I cried out again, Laila sighed "Lola, you have to try, you know I'm here for you but if you don't speak up I can't support you" She was right. I had to open up to my parents but I was terrified. So many 'what ifs?' Popped up in my head. I had to make my decision. I didn't want to go against my parents but I can't stand the fact that my parents want to control my life for me. 

I sat up looking at Laila, who still had the sorry look in eyes, I don't know what came over me but all I could blurt out was "I'll take the Job", she didn't seem shocked, she knew I always took hasty decisions whenever I'm intimidated especially by my parents. 

"Titilola" She called in a tone that depicted the fact that she's tired of the drama "Are you sure about this? " She asked with a worried look, I hesitated for some seconds before answering,

"Yes I'm sure".

I wasn't but I just had to see what the future holds. 

*******************************************

   "What?!!!!" Tana screamed as soon as I told her. She took a wide eyed look at me, of course I had told her of the new development. She shook her head In frustration 

"Lola" She said in between a tsk and sigh. 

"Ma..." I said trying to lighten up the already tensed atmosphere. 

"Man up Lola or should I say woman up " She said as I laughed, she glared at me shutting me up instantly. 

"We're not joking here, you can't take that job na..., you have no interest in it, you struggled to get your second class upper, and even with that grade your parents didn't appreciate you" She sighed again. 

She was right as always. I had to struggle with my studies, without any form of distractions because I wanted to impress my parents with a good grade for a course I never had interest in, and even with that grade they didn't hide their disappointment. 

Yes that's how bad my parents are 

"Lola what are you going to do? For real? " She asked

"Tana I'm going to take the job, I just said that" I shrugged. 

"So you've given up on your dreams and aspirations? Just like that? This 'last born' spirit sef " 

She said as she smacked her face making me laugh. 

"Tana Davis, I'm in a tight corner here, Dad would kill me if I don't take it ".

She stood up and paced about my room, she was obviously thinking of something. 

"Eureka! " She screeched. 

"Fish, what is it? " I asked folding some of my clothes in the wardrobe. 

"Take the job, earn enough money to start up your designing business, when you've earned enough and your business starts flourishing, go into the business full time " She said. 

"Warris this one saying? " I hissed shaking my head. 

"Tana what do I know about designing , I've got nice sketches and all but I can't even cut out a dress, apart from owning a boutique of already made clothes there's nothing else I can do in the fashion world" I stated dryly.

"Then you learn tailoring" She countered 

"How do I do that with an 8 to 5 job? " I said again

"Hmmm, There's the problem, Lola " Tana sighed dejectedly. 

"Lola don't take it, you're a great fashionista, and you'll help my modeling career if you go into the designing business" She pouted.

"Crase, you know that's not happening" I shoved my hand in her hair, as I walked over to my bed.

"Sabotage the job?" She stated, it sounded more like a question than a statement as she said it with a shrug, she had a point there. 

Once she noticed I was thinking about it, she said excitedly. 

"Once your parents realize you can't do very well with this, they'll let you choose what you want to do, but you still have to tell them about your dreams, cause if they don't know they'll make you get another 8-5 job".

  She looked at me,I still had a very unsure look on my face. 

"Please do it, for me, if not for yourself" She pouted 

"Okay... Fine..., don't give me those puppy eyes" I said rolling my eyes  

"Yeahhhhh" She half yelled hugging me. What would I do without this girl?! 

Here goes nothing*sigh*