Chapter 28—The Unexpected Visit

Work, work, and work—those were the only medium David knew in dealing with his rejection and he was at it voraciously, his hands steadily typing commands to his keyboard while his eyes were glued to the computer screen. It was 10 a.m., and he was already running out of commissioned designs. With the pace at which he was moving, he could be done with all the jobs assigned for the week by the end of the day.

All of his hard work was to take his mind off Korede and the previous day.

Love isn’t enough.

What did she mean?

After sending a couple of texts messages and calls through and getting no response whatsoever, he was left to his own assumptions. Maybe he was wrong; maybe she wasn’t in love with him as he had thought, maybe it was time for him to move on.

His eyes took a momentary glance from the computer screen down to his coffee mug. He had barely touched the drink and now it was cold. He rubbed his eyes with his fingers slowly and cussed under his breath, frustrated at the thought of getting up to prepare another coffee.

Just as he was about springing to his feet, the doorbell rang.

“Come in,” he barked in frustration.

He remained seated as he waited to see whoever was at the door. To his surprise, it was Mide.

"Good morning, David," Mide walked in with the charming swagger he carried on his shoulders, as usual, rocking a designer shirt and grey colored jeans that were torn at its knees for style.

David wore the same puzzled look he had on when Aunty Bukky walked in the previous day.

"Good morning, Mide." He rose to his feet and offered Mide a firm handshake.

"I'm sure you must be surprised to see me here." Mide smiled.

“Yesterday, it was your aunt, and today, it’s you. I think I need to stop giving out my business card too often.” David chuckled, and they both burst into a round of laugher. “Please sit.” He offered.

“Thank you.” Mide smiled as he took his seat at the opposite end of the table.

"So, what brings you here?" David asked.

"I just wanted to apologize on behalf of my aunt," Mide replied. "I wasn't aware she was coming to see you yesterday, and I am sure it was how she gave her instructions that prompted whatever you said to her."

"Oh, I didn't mean what I said." David rushed to his defense.

"Don't worry. I'm not judging." Mide chuckled. "I just wanted to make sure it hasn't created any grudges between us."

David forced a smile. "We're cool, as long as your aunt is."

"She is…about the new designs she gave you—you can pull them off, right?"

David tapped his lips in deep thought for a moment before he answered. "I can, although I am not sure about the colors she was talking about."

"Mhm, what if I can get that part sorted out?"

"Then there's no problem," David replied.

"Great, I will get back to you by the end of today. But if nothing comes up, you will have to go along with the original plan," Mide pointed out.

"Alright, noted." David gave a slight nod.

"Thank you, David. Sorry for all the trouble." Mide rose to his feet and offered his hand once more.

"You're welcome, and how could I object with all the money you're pumping into this?" A smirk emerged from David's lips.

Mide gave a short chuckle but then straightened his expression almost immediately.

"One more thing, David. Can I ask you a question?"

For some reason, David felt beads of sweat form on the lines of his forehead. "Go ahead," he muttered.

"Are you still in love with Korede?"

David, utterly stunned by Mide's question, didn't know how to reply.

"Pardon me. I know my question seems strange. But ever since my aunt told me about you and Korede having lunch together, I have been losing it a little, overthinking some things and being overly jealous and controlling…I just want to know so I can put my mind at ease."

"Oh," David mouthed as he studied Mide's expression, wondering what answer he should give. A part of him didn't want to hide his feelings for Korede anymore, but Mide seemed like a nice guy. He knew how shattering it would be for him if he said how he truly felt. Plus, Korede had made clear she didn't want anyone knowing about their kiss, and despite how much it pained him not to, he wasn't going to betray her.

"It was nothing, really. We were just having lunch. Your aunt probably just blew things out of proportion as usual," he said finally.

"Mhm, I thought so. So you're saying there are no more feelings between you two?"

"Yes, there's nothing between us. Not anymore." David felt a tug in his heart as he spoke.

"Oh, that's such a relief to hear." Mide heaved a sigh. "I have to be on my way now," he said, heading for the door.

"Have a nice day, David."

"You too."

** ** **

"So, how did it go?" Aunty Bukky fixed a questioning stare at Mide as he slumped into the driver's seat.

"He's agreed to go along with the designs you proposed if we can get the right colors in time," he muttered, slotting his key into the ignition and starting the engine.

Aunty Bukky heaved a sigh in disdain. "Such incompetence. I don't know why you still choose to give him the job."

"Come on, Aunty, you know I can't put him off now. It's bad enough that Korede is mad at me already. If I hire someone else now, I might make things worse."

"There you go again wondering what Korede might think before you take action."

"I'm not!" Mide objected.

"Then why do you strongly believe she would be angry if you do? Don't you see now that she shouldn't be unless she is still attached to that boy?"

"First of all, I was the one who brought up the idea of hiring him, not Korede," Mide countered. "Secondly, I confronted him straight away about the incident at the Villa…He told me straight away that he doesn't have any feelings for Korede."

"And you believe him? Just like that?" Aunty Bukky shot a glare at him.

"What other choice do I have?" Mide cleared his throat as soon as he realized he was raising his voice. "The important thing is I trust Korede, and that settles it for me."

Aunty Bukky heaved a sigh. "Alright, then," she said as he returned her eyes to the road. "So we head to the airport now, right?"

"Yes, his flight should be arriving in Lagos any moment from now, and you know how daddy is—"

"It wouldn't be wise to keep him waiting," Aunty Bukky finished his words as if reading his thoughts. "Are you ready to see him?"

Mide scoffed. "Should I be scared or something? Come on, Aunty. I'm not a child."

"I'm just saying. You haven't seen him in two years."

"Neither have you," Mide retorted.

Aunty Bukky forced a smile to clear the tension building up. "You understand what I mean. Your father sent you back to Nigeria for a reason, and I'm sure you must be feeling a certain pressure to show him how much you've changed."

Mide didn't respond. Rather, he maintained his gaze on the highway.

"Listen, don't stress it. Everything will play out the way it should. More importantly, you've got me by your side throughout. So cheer up, okay?"

Mide forced a smile. "Thank you, aunty. Now, let's go see my father."