Chapter 18: Family Matters

Chapter Eighteen of Ruthless 😊

Is your Mum dating Nathan Brown 😁

All eyes on the white whip.

Tacha's mum created a good show as she climbed down from the white Toyota Prado that brought her to the party. She made sure to greet people for her to be recognised, and she did pull that well.

She didn't attend the party because she was happy for her sister. No. She would be a hypocrite if she pretended to be. Her sister, Subomi deserved what she was marrying after rejecting all the men in her prime, and as well breaking their good hearts. And what about her? She had found love in the wrong person, and even after all the signals, she waited for change. She deserved her portion too, but was angry. Very angry her sisters chose to neglect her because they warned her yet she disobeyed them.

Isn't what they call family is love, trust, being supportive regardless, forgiveness, and acceptance. Not being selfish. Self-centered. Choosing to control one's life because one is in a position to.

None. None did Omolara James receive from her family. Her sisters. Instead, she received the opposite.

Now, she had come to flaunt.

She had come to show off.

She had arrived in a Toyota Prado, the lace they thought she could not afford, a gold necklace worth a plot of land in Lagos, looking like a complete big woman to a rich man.

Tacha smiled realising how happy her mum was to attend the party and not hide behind the hall. For that reason, Tacha was proud of her mother's madness as she walked in with confidence and a happy face.

Nathan did as promised, letting Tacha's mum have the new car he promised her for the party. Allowed his driver to take her for the day and told her to have all the fun she could.

The moment Tacha's mum came forward to sit with her sisters...

Side talks started.

Is that not Omolara?

Have you forgotten her husband ran away with her properties taking a side chick with him. Hmmm...look at her now.

Maybe she's dating a politician. Or a wealthy man you know. Cause how can she afford that car? She's gone bankrupt, and all her sisters abandoned her. You barely see her at any gathering sef.

Ehnn...you mean they abandoned her when they should have helped her. All her sisters are still rich now. Look at Mama D. All her girls are in Canada.

Is it me you are telling? Look at Aramide. Come and see the way she celebrated her sixtieth birthday in grand style. I was there now. I didn't see Lara.

And if you see Lara then. Despite the wealth of their parents, she was the most successful one among her sisters in those days. And I can still remember her sister Funmi who got married to her husband who is now a senator. I can tell you Lara sponsored that wedding the most. And I just can't believe they are watching her struggle now.

Wait sef. What about the one that followed Lara? I haven't seen her yet. Hannah's mum. Always jumping from one man to another. There is nothing her sisters can tell her ehnn.

Abeg, their parents must be turning in the grave now. Six children expected to show love to themselves are now separated. The rich ones separate. The poor ones separate. Is their life Biko.

They laughed.

Where Tacha was sitting, she could barely hold herself listening to different gossip flying about at the moment her mum came in. She had vowed not to join her mother in her madness, but she wouldn't just stay quiet while they all said sort of stupid things they knew nothing about. Tacha came because she had no choice but to come. Her Aunt, Subomi had personally invited her. She arrived with Kenny in an Uber because she didn't want to be alone. Too many familiar faces looked at her with pity, dirty looks, and all sorts of looks she couldn't even explain.

The reason she hated family parties.

Tacha tried to hide her face, dodging from her cousins who came in nice cars, ladies flaunting their human hair, bags, heels, and phones. And her male cousins whose table stood out among the rest.

Just what she was avoiding didn't avoid her. Tacha's aunties approached her to greet her, bragged about their lives, and then left just like that after insulting her mum. They always made Tacha and her mum feel small. One of the reasons she would always hide from the rest of her cousins, because everyone of them knew her mother's story. She wouldn't lie. It was always so embarrassing.

Even Kenny couldn't believe Tacha's Aunties were wealthy people because of how Tacha had suffered while in school. How could she have these Aunties and not call them for assistance? A lot had been happening lately and she was waiting for the perfect time to ask Tacha why she had been hiding so much from her. She never told her that Ricko cheated on her with Hannah. If she had known, she wouldn't have entertained those cheaters and even told them her whereabouts. She had been asking Tacha which car her mum came in with and Tacha had yet to give her an answer.

Kenny tried many times not to ask Tacha about her personal life, but the fact that she told Tacha everything happening in her life including the men in her life made her angry at her best friend for becoming secretive.

"Oh my God, Tacha My darling. I've missed you so much."

Kenny recognised the wife of the popular senator who went viral on Instagram. She couldn't believe it. Both Tacha and her saw the news carried by different bloggers yet Tacha never said this man was her Uncle.

"How have you been? Hannah told me you've finished school and you are working in a very good company already. Is the pay okay?"

Good company indeed.

Tacha faked her smile, nodding.

Kenny was surprised. She wondered why Tacha couldn't tell this woman she needed a good job rather than being a maid.

"Your mum has not been picking up my calls for years now. I only ask Hannah about you since none of us don't really see you and Angela around. I hope Lara is good. Is she working now cause I'm worried about the car she brought knowing my sister is just roaming about the street. You know your mother doesn't use her senses when it comes to men matters. That's what brought her to that level she is now because she would never listen."

Kenny's mouth gaped open at what she just heard. How can someone say that about her own sister to her daughter? That was rude and Kenny seemed to be surprised.

"Anyways, keep your job well o. Trying to help Hannah get a good job is very hard since her grades are very poor, and I don't think she can sell anything with that lifestyle of hers, so someone shouldn't bother wasting one's money."

Tacha faked her laughter. "She's trying ma."

"What stupid try." Her Aunt hissed. "Anyways, so good to see--"

"Mum has been looking for--"

There was another pause. "Tacha!" The guy who interrupted his mum yelled, embracing Tacha in a big hug. His smile was the biggest in the room upon seeing his cousin after many years. He almost carried Tacha and that made Kenny laugh, admiring the love of two cousins. Kenny admired his voice. His masculine body and how he spread love over the women around him.

"Mum I asked you about Tacha and you didn't tell me she was coming."

"When will you stop calling her Tacha. Is she not older than you by one year? She should be twenty-six now."

Tacha was finally able to laugh genuinely since she arrived at the party. Seeing one of her cousins, Tade made her happy. They always quarreled about the age when they were younger, but when things changed between the sisters and they barely saw each other, she had forgotten all about that. But parents can be very funny. One year! Her Aunt raising that again caused her to remember some things they shared and that brightened her unhappy face, letting her smile and laugh so genuinely.

"Why are you sitting here all alone when we are all over there. I'm sure everyone will be happy to see you." Tade pointed to their table. "Hey mum don't go yet. I brought my girlfriend to greet you." Tade looked around. "Where is she now? Babe, come over."

His mum left before he could turn around. Tade laughed. "She doesn't take me seriously. You should meet her Tacha."

Tade's girlfriend turned and Tacha's legs became numb with shock. Was she dreaming or what? Kate. Or was that someone else who looked like Kate Brown?

"Kate meet my cousin Tacha," Tade said, and Tacha accepted she was correct all along. Kate Brown, was her cousin's girlfriend. Of course, instantly, she prayed that Tade uncover the veil on Kate's face and get to know the real her for she was a young girl with a wicked heart. Kate wasn't someone she would recommend for her cousin to date.

Kate stared at Tacha. She was shocked at first, but immediately, her eyes switched to someone who would do anything to not associate herself with Tacha. Her looks slowly told lies, acting like she never knew Tacha. Those eyes turned to Tade. "Babe, are you really sure she's your cousin. Like, how can someone...like... I mean her be your cousin. Everyone in your family is...you know—is rich. I'm just--"

Tade didn't hide the expression on his face. He understood Kate clearly but he didn't seem to like how she spoke. "What do you mean am I sure? Do you care about all my cousins' backgrounds or what? Wait...are you going out with me because I'm a senator's son?"

"What! Babe no. I'm just saying. Nice meeting you sis." Kate quickly faked a smile at Tacha,  bringing her hand forward, pleading for Tacha to be nice to her. That was unexpected though.

Tacha smiled back, more like making fun of Kate for how she was fidgeting. "Same here," Tacha said not too loud.

"Oh my God!" Kenny jumped up from her seat. "Guys look. Tacha, my God! Is your mum dating Nathan Brown?"

"What!" Both Tacha and Kate exclaimed together.

"God forbid!" Kate added. She turned very quickly to Tacha. "Are you going out with my brother? Don't even try it!"

There was a very long silence.

Tade looked between Kate and Tacha, perplexed.

Kenny stared, completely intrigued.

Tacha was dumbfounded.

She was at a loss for words.

"Kate... nothing is..."

"Where are your manners, Kate?"

Tacha swallowed, and immediately all heads turned to Nathan Brown.