Chapter 10

KEZIA GRIPS THE TEST STRIP, staring at it and willing it to turn negative. But no, no such luck. It turned positive. She sagged on the toilet seat. Dropping the strips by her feet. "I'm pregnant" she mutters to herself. It felt so foreign to her. She did not see herself getting pregnant and thinking of marriage at Twenty-four. She has a whole lot of things planned ahead, dreams she wants to fulfill before getting married. Will it still be possible with a baby now in the picture? Not just any baby but a royal one. “God! I'm really pregnant. I have to let Henry know." Kezia picked the result from the floor, stepping out of the bathroom. She trudged out of her apartment to his, knocking timidly on the door. His housekeeper has gone for the day, so they will have enough privacy. Kezia heard the click, as the door was pulled open. "I'm pregnant" she blurted out.

"Come in" Henry said, stepping aside for her. He has changed from the suit he wore to the office into a more casual clothing. She stepped inside, sitting down stiffly as he padded to her side shoeless.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, concern filtering his words. He is not shocked to hear that she is pregnant because he knew it's only a matter of time and that's why he has started putting things in place. He's had time to think and come to terms with the life changing moment he's about to experience but it seems Kezia is still very much in denial. He can understand how she will be feeling at the moment.

"I don't know what to feel" she mutters, the test strips still on her hands. "I just find out now, but I'm sure we will need to do a proper test at the hospital—"

"It's alright. I believe what that strip you are gripping in your hands says, when it's time I will make an appointment for you with the doctor." Henry told her soothingly, "I just need you to remain calm and leave everything to me. This is my responsibility and I will handle it. We will both travel to Ijomo, and I will talk to your parents so that we can get married as soon as possible."

"Oh God, this is really happening" Kezia mutters.

"Yes, it is. Is it so bad to be married to me? Is the age difference bothering you—" he asks, his eyebrows drawn together?

"No. I mean no, it has nothing to do with age, you are not old" she sighed. It's true he is much older than her Thirty five to her Twenty-four, but it has never stop her from being attracted to him. He did not even look his age, years of training has kept his body in shape. What's bothering her is much more than that love.

"So what is it?" Still waiting for her to be honest with him.

"What about Love?" She asked lamely.

"What about it? This is not that kind of marriage, I can't tell you that I love you when I don't. But I promise to respect you and care for you. You won't lack anything."

"I don't think I can marry someone without love"

"Do you want to give birth to a baby without the father in the picture? Because that's what is going to happen. People will start talking, asking questions and before you know it, rumors will start. Or is that your plan all along? To embarrass me, tarnish my family name?" He glares at her, getting impatient. "After all you knew I was not in my senses that night, and yet you were parading around half naked, maybe you planned it all along!" He said with indignation.

"What! Please don't say that, of course I didn't. I will never do such a thing to you or your family. I have an image and a family to protect as well, believe it or not. Fine I will marry you" Kezia surrenders.

Henry knew the only way is to push her and it worked just as he thought it would. "Good. We will leave for Ijomo, our flight leaves Eleven tomorrow morning, so pack just a few things you will need. You will get whatever you want at Ijomo. Clothes, shoes, and other stuffs. We will be getting married there"

"Alright, I will take my leave now” It’s done. There is no need crying over a split milk now is there? Kezia rise from her seat. "Excuse me".

"See you tomorrow". Watching her leave. It's settled then, now it's time to call his brothers. Not something he is looking forward to, but they need to know about the big decision he is about to make. He brought out his phone and dialed William's Mobile, He waited as it rings.

"Henry" Liam said in his usual way of greeting. "How are you little brother?"

"I'm good. How is it going?"

"Busy as usual, the vacation has to be over at some point. Lola and the kid misses you. Did I tell you another one is on the way?" Liam said with pride.

"Wow, way to go bro!" Chuckling. "Speaking of family, tell your wife that there's no need for her to remind me of my age again. I'm getting married."

"Wait. What? Did I hear you correctly? To whom? How—"

"Slow down brother. Yes, I am getting married; just find your way down home because it's happening this coming weekend."

"This is unbelievable, to who if I may ask?"

"Kezia. Save all your questions for when we see. I will be traveling to Ijomo tomorrow"

"I did not see that one coming, Father will be ecstatic about this. Have you told him?"

"No I haven't." Switching the phone to his left ear, searching for the TV remote with his other hand.

"It will be epic, guess we will see you soon then."

"Yes. Later" he sighs. Next person to call will be his little brother. Definitely not something he is looking forward to, because he will not stop running his mouth. He can just picture the look on Leo's face right now. He can be annoying but Henry loves him all the same. The three Gbadegesin brothers shares a strong bond. No matter how far apart they are, they are always there for each other. Henry figures he should be back from his trip by now, the little punk does whatever he likes. Living the Playboy prince lifestyle to the full, he is never out of the media sights. He obviously enjoys the attention and neither does he lack the attention of women.

Henry dials his mobile, it rings but no response from his end, he tried again the second time, and luckily Leo answered it this time.

"If it's not my favorite brother calling me" Leo said in a groggy voice. It's obvious he has been sleeping.

"Why are you sleeping at this time, lazy bone" Henry chuckles, knowing fully well that Leonard may be many things but being lazy is not part of it. He works hard the way he plays hard. He's an artist and once he's in his element he can be off the grid for a month or so before he pops out again.

"Just got back to my hotel not long, pretty much tired. The art exhibition went very well thank you for asking big brother" he said in a sour voice. An art exhibition was held in London, and some of his paintings were displayed.

"Don't be such a needy baby, little brother. I know it went well, you know I have my ways of knowing this things. Your work always gather attention."

"Yea right. How could I ever forget that we have a detective in the house? I'm sure you didn't call me to talk about me, so what's up"

"What if I did call to check on you, you make it seems like I don't." Henry said, rolling his eyes heavenward, "Anyways I'm getting married" Henry was cut short by the peel of laughter Leo burst into. Typical of him, he will not let this go down easily. "Are you done laughing now? Because I will just end this call if you don't" Henry fumes.

"Alright I'm sorry, but I thought you crack a joke just now."

"It's not a joke, I'm serious. Find your way home because it's this coming weekend"

"You are serious? Oh God. Who is the unfortunate lady?"

"Now you are just being immature. I will be traveling to Ijomo tomorrow, it will be cool to see you but if you can't come, I understand"

"Of course I will not miss your wedding. It's just sudden and I'm shocked. Wow, but seriously we need to talk man. Do I know her?" Still surprised about Henry's announcement.

"It's Kezia" he answered with reluctance.

"No shit! Kezia? The —"

"Yes, Martha's daughter. See save your questions for later. I have to do some stuffs now. Later" ending the call before Leo bombards him with questions. If they were like this when he announced that he is getting married, how will they react when they finally know that he's expecting a child soon? He drop his mobile phone on the sofa, crossing to his room. He needs to rest, because it's going to be a long day for him tomorrow, he needs his wit intact.

He thought of Kezia as he wanders into his room, wondering what is running through her mind at the moment. He's certain their marriage will work; he will make sure it does. Thank God there's some sort of chemistry between them, he can deny that he felt a strong desire for her ever since the day he had kissed her. It shouldn't have happened but it did anyway. Lately it seems like a lot of things that he shouldn't be doing are the things he is doing.

He was right to have stayed away from her, now see what happens when she is around him.

It was the royal private jet that flew them to Lagos, where they had a stopover. Liam had asked Henry to stop over in Lagos, so that Lola and his nephew could just fly with them to Ijomo. He will be joining them later when he is done with the business meetings he has lined up. The air hostess usher them onboard.

"How is my favorite brother in-law" Lola chuckles at the sight of Henry, enfolding him in a hug, though her baby bump did not allow much of it. She looks radiant in her powder blue gown.

"Liar. We both know you have a soft spot for Leo" Henry chuckles, "I must say you look more beautiful than ever, my brother should get you pregnant often" holding her at arm’s length to stare at her. Lola hit him playfully on his shoulder. "Ouch" rubbing his arms. "And who do we have here." Henry said, feigning ignorance at the sight of William jnr. He knelt down to squint at him.

"It's my uncle Erie! Willem" the little boy pouted, stomping his chubby feet.

"Oh my! It’s my favorite nephew all grown up" Henry chuckles, taking the little boy in his arms as he carries him into the seat beside him to strap him into the seat. William junior is a little menace, the boy reminds Henry of when they were all little. He's exact copy of Liam.

Kezia, who was quiet, keeping to herself all through the flight from Abuja to Lagos, seems to have found her lost voice the moment she saw Lola and her Son. She smiled with warmth at Lola, rising to greet her. "Your majesty" she curtsied.

"Oh please Kez we are now family, stop all the formalities just call me Lola. Congratulations" Lola said, drawing her in for a hug, before settling down, taking the seat beside Kezia's. "Let's leave those two, while we talk about your upcoming wedding".

Kezia shyly sat down, it's refreshing to have someone to talk to, and right from the first moment she has met Lola, Kezia knew she's someone she can talk to. Her gaze cross to where Henry and William jr. sat. Henry was showing the boy something that must have fascinates him on his Tablet. They were both engrossed, Kezia love this side of him relaxed and playful. There's no doubt in her mind that he will be a good father to their child.

She strapped her seat belt back on, as the plane prepares to take off again.

"So tell me, how did you two ended up with each other because I was dazed when I heard the news." Lola asked the moment they were in the air, in a hushed undertone. "Don't get me wrong I'm happy and excited to hear it, but I just feel like there's a story there."

"I ehm. I mean—"

"It's alright. I understand perfectly, just know that you can talk to me, if you need a friend. I married my husband not because I love him but because my late father owes him a debt. I had no option than to marry him when I realized there's no way out. Now things are different, we love each other like crazy. I can't even see my life without him in it." Lola told Kez, with a wistful smile. "Why I'm I telling you this? Because I know how a happy bride should look, and you reminded me of myself when I was about to get married. You will be fine" She concluded, patting her hands gently. She understands her reluctance perfectly.

"Thank you" Kezia replies, sadness creeping into her eyes.