Chapter 54

Nathaniel had noticed the next door open as he sat up on the bed. Christian opened his eyes immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing" Nathaniel replied as he stood up and opened the door. He walked down the stairs and when he got close to the balcony, he stopped. Semiloore had her back to him and with the way her back moved. It was obvious she was crying.

"She's crying?" Christian whispered

"Mnn"

"Shouldn't you go and cuddle her?"

"She needs some alone time"

"This hotel is really big. I didn't even notice it when we came in yesterday"

"Go back and sleep"

"We are going to Abuja today right?"

"Yes"

"After some minutes you should take her inside. Its just past 2am" Christian said

"Okay"

Christian patted him carefully on the shoulder before walking up the stairs.

Nathaniel leaned on the wall and just watched. Some minutes later, Semiloore stood up and turned only to find Nathaniel leaning on the door.

"How long have you been there?"

"I heard your room door open. Only you could come out at this time of the day and besides I know you are not fine"

Semiloore blinked her eyes before running towards him and hugging him. She began to cry all over again as she hugged him.

"Won't you tell me to stop crying?" Semiloore whispered

"Its been a long time you've been holding it in, you should cry to your heart content"

Semiloore stared at Nath as he gave her a brief smile.

There were so many things that she didn't understand about Nathaniel but as for him? He probably knew everything about her. He could tell if she wasn't okay even if she was faking it. He didn't force her to tell him anything believing if she wanted him to know, she'll tell him herself. He respected her decision and had never questioned her actions for once. Sometimes she wouldn't even tell him her plan, yet he would believe and trust her. He knew what she wanted to say just by looking at her expression. He knew when to talk and when not to. He never asked her questions. He even put up with her super annoying character and slowly adjusted to it. He accepted her for who she was and didn't try to change her or anything. She was really lucky to have him. Really lucky.

"Its probably to 3 already, get some sleep okay?"

Semiloore nodded as they both walked upstairs and Nathaniel watched as she entered her room and closed the door.

Nathaniel brought out his phone and put on his data. He opened Chrome and punched in Micheal Falana

The bus was already on its way to Abuja the next day. The final competition was in Abuja and because of the far distance;a day was put in between to allow the students to rest and travel.

The bus was unusually quiet. No one was sleeping but no one was talking either. Everyone was immersed in their own thoughts.

"Olamide"

"Huh?"

"Edit that video and post Winnie a part"

"Okay"

The bus drove into Abuja as the students jaws dropped.

"Whoa!"

"Its truly the capital"

"Mad o"

"This city is beautiful"

"The hotels here are very expensive" Semiloore said

"Buying food is expensive as well"

"Isn't food supposed to be more cheaper here?"

"Reason"

"Shebi they are the ones who produce the food"

"You have a point"

"Buying foodstuffs is quite cheap but buying the already cooked food is expensive"

"That's gross"

Semiloore's phone rang and she picked it.

"Hello mom"

"How are you?"

"Am fine. What about you?"

"Am fine too. I saw the news yesterday"

Semiloore reclined in her seat "Mom?"

"Huh?"

"Are you okay?"

There was silence for a while "I have Joe"

"He's with you?"

"He must have seen the dignitaries list since the HOD of his department got invited too. So he rushed over"

Tears welled up in Semiloore's eyes "Mom?"

"Huh?"

"You and Joe should get married soon"

Her mom laughed quietly "Don't worry"

"Mr regards to him"

"How's everybody?"

"Fine. We are finding it hard to get a place to stay here. The hotels in Abuja are really expensive"

"Ah, that's true oo"

"Hi Semiloore"

"Hey, Joe. Whats up?"

"Give the phone to Mr Williams"

"Mr Williams?"

"Or rather put the phone on loud speaker"

"Okay" Semiloore replied still confused as she put the phone to loud speaker.

"Good afternoon Mr Williams"

"Professor Joseph? Good afternoon. Its so nice to hear from you"

"Same to you. Semiloore just told me you guys have problem getting a less expensive hotel. My sister lives in Abuja with her husband but her husband is outside the country right now. Their house is quite huge and would be able to accommodate you guys. I'll call her now to pick you guys in front of the Art gallery"

"Oh my god, Professor Joseph we are putting you through such trouble. Thank you so much"

"You are welcome"

"Thank you so much sir" they chorused

"You are welcome"

Semiloore quickly removed it from loud speaker as she pressed the phone to her ear. "I wasn't expecting that"

"No need. Let me call my sister now"

"Okay"

"Isn't this the art gallery?"

"It is"

The bus pulled up and waited. Just then a light skinned walked up to them.

Mr Williams opened the door and got down immediately.

"You are Mr Williams?"

"Yes. Thank you very much"

"Don't say it" she replied with a big smile as she entered the bus and sat down while directing the bus driver to her house. The students greeted her and she replied them. Her gaze skimmed the bus before it settled on Semiloore.

"You are Semiloore right?"

Semiloore looked surprised "Yes"

"You look more beautiful in person. Joseph talks a lot about you and Tamiloore"

"He does?"

"Dad probably has an earful already"

"Your dad?"

She smiled and nodded as she directed the bus to turn into an estate. They were stopped at the gate and she quickly showed them her pass.

"Whoa!"

"This estate is smelling money"

Everyone burst into laughter at Timi's words.

"These are not houses oo"

"What are they then?"

"Castles and mansions"

Although everyone laughed at the reply, it wasn't far from the truth. The houses in this estate were huge with tall fences. There was no single house with aluminum roofing. Some walls were marbled, some planted flowers and almost all had electric wires over the tall fences.

"This is paradise"

"Like seriously"

"The house with the black gate" the woman said

"Oh my god!"

"This is your house?"

"Yes"

"Mad"

The bus driver horned and the gateman opened the gate frowning but his frown disappeared as soon as he saw Madam and quickly allowed the bus to enter.

The house was really a mansion-castle. The floors were all marbled. There was a huge fountain with a goddess opening her mouth were the water poured from. There were flowers everywhere. Up ahead was a huge house.

It was painted in cream and merely looking around you needed no one to tell you this was money.

"I didn't know Professor Joseph had such a rich sister" Olamide whispered

"Doesn't Professor Joseph look rich to you too?"

"He is. The suit he wore that day we went for excursion at OAU, I later saw it on Jumai, it was worth about sixty thousand"

"Am sorry I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Omolola Adekunle. Am a barrister actually but I also dabble at interpreting sometimes"

"Whoa!"

"Barrister? That's way too cool"

"What do you mean interpreting?" Nathaniel asked

"I pose as an interpreter to tourists. I speak five languages, six actually"

"Six languages?"

"Whoa!"

"English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and a little Greek"

"Whoa!"

"You are totally cool"

"You guys should come in please"

Everyone got down and walked into the house. The inside was far more impressive than the outside.

They sat down on the arm chairs while Mrs Omolola walked into no one knew.

They soon heard voices

"You lost!"

"Just by 12 marks! The agreement was 30 marks"

"Stop trying to evade it. You lost all the same. You are washing plates throughout this week and next week"

"Like am an idiot! Follow the rules!"

"You lost!"

"Then give me back my chicken tonight"

"I told you I was going to give you tomorrow"

"Aniyo, I want it tonight"

"Is this because you lost?"

"Its because you are breaching the rules"

"Fine!"

The two youngsters appeared to have being arguing on the stairs. As they turned and saw people seated on the chair, they froze.

"Mom?"

"You guys didn't hear me yell on top of my lungs earlier"

"Who are these?"

"Our visitors"

"Our visitors?"

"Right. Hi everyone meet my children Olivia and her younger brother Samuel"

"Hi" Olivia replied waving at them while they waved back.

"Will you guys keep their company till I get the food ready?"

"Sure"

Olivia jumped down the stairs as she looked at everyone.

"Hi everyone. I'm Olivia and am in JSS3"

"Hi Olivia. My name is Timi and these are my friends. Rebecca, Christian, Peter,  Olamide, Semiloore and Nathaniel"

"Nice to meet you all"

"What are you guys doing in our house?" Samuel asks sitting on the floor "I don't mean to sound rude but we don't get visitors all the time"

"We have a competition tomorrow and the hotels here in Abuja are very expensive. Your mom helped us"

"A competition?"

"Yes"

"You mean cowbellpedia?"

"Yeah"

"You guys got to the final round?"

"Yeah"

"Oh my freaking fuddy! That's so cool. You guys are so cool"

"Our school didn't even get through the second round" Samuel said

"That's because that block head keeps representing us" Olivia replied with a scoff

"Snr Wole isn't a block head Olivia. He's really cool"

"No. He's just a pompous showoff"

"Like you aren't a pompous show off too"

Olivia chuckled "At least I don't hide it"

"Who are the ones representing you guys?"

"Those two" Peter replied pointing to Semiloore and Nathaniel

"Whoa!"

"You guys are so cool"

"Snr Nathaniel, you are really handsome"

Nathaniel smiled a little at the girl "Thank you"

"Let's play PES" Samuel suggested

"Oh joy"

"Let's just watch some movies" Olivia said to the girls

"We can't do both on the same TV right?"

Olivia shrugged "There's another sitting room"

"There's another?"

"Yup. Let's go"