Chapter 69

GORIOLA ADAMS

"Mr Adams, you are welcome sir."

"Welcome sir. Please follow me to the high table sir." "We are pleased to have you join us sir."

"Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence sir."

The greeting was too much for me to handle. All I did was nod my head, and followed the man leading me to the high table. That wasn't part of my plan until around five in the morning when I got a call from Dad to represent him at one of the schools he had supported in a time. I wondered why they thought the President himself could come, or may be they knew he was going to at least send someone. I wasn't disappointed when I got to the school because of their good hospitality. It was beautiful in its own way, and was quite expensive in looking. It was a big school which made me agree they could somehow have a connection to the President.

The students were all sited in the big hall. The heights and the looks I saw made me realize it was a combination of both primary and secondary school. But what I heard from Dad was to go to Star college at Ajah thinking I was going to be seeing mature faces. I sat with the other guests sitting at the high table, maintaining my peace. All my thoughts were to get things done there and take my leave. I was supposed to meet with the guys after my two days of arrival, but since I got back, I had been representing Dad at different places. My plan to be at the shooting for my clothing

line was canceled too, and immediately I decided it has to go on without me. I thought his PA and Mom was enough, but I was shocked when I got a call in twelve hours of my arrival in Nigeria. I could barely take a good nap.

My tall man just kept me busy here, and there like I didn't have a plan of my own. Everyone knew I was back, but no one had been able to see me face to face. Not even mom and Lola because I decided to stay in lag instead.

When I messaged Tade, my second brother who was planning to visit Nigeria to start the preparation of our big brother's wedding, he immediately pulled out after getting my gist, and decided to stay a little behind till the couples to be decided to come home too. I was expecting that. Tade was lazy and worse than me. I guess it was one of the reason Dad didn't pester him to come home, knowing he wouldn't anyways.

Songs, Drama, poems and choreography were done to entertain us. I looked around thinking of the perfect time to leave, but I knew I couldn't leave yet because they would definitely want to give an award which I had received at the six places I represented Dad. This time, I didn't use my face cap. I only had my dark shades on which protected my eyes, giving me the opportunity to look around very well. Prizes were starting to be shared out to students who did well in all subjects, and positions from third to first. I wasn't really concerned until I heard a name that bought the whole of my attention. My name. I believed many people were bearing the name, but something about her struck me.

"Primary two students, are you ready?" The guy holding the microphone yelled causing the pupils in primary two replying with a thunderous shout, as some got to their feet shouting...

"We are ready Mr. Philip!"

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" He laughed. "You guys are indeed ready. And the best student in mathematics for this beautiful session goes to..." He brought down his voice making the students more eager, and ready. He laughed seeing what he was doing to them. "I'm sorry, but I'm thinking of how to call this name because she never fails to surprise us every session. Oh Jesus, join me, as I welcome the one and only Bella

Adams!" The crowd cheered and clapped as the rest of the students got up too. "She's my student you know. I'm her teacher. As in, her teacher gan gan. I take her in class." The guy boasted causing many including I to chuckle a little.

In her pink ball gown, she walked very fast to the stage. All smiling, and happy. She was tall, looking seven, and eight years of age. Or I should agree her tall stature was deceiving me because I couldn't really tell how old she was. Just like how some people couldn't tell my age. Her dark skin looked so beautiful. It was as if I was seeing myself in her. The first thing I saw that brought confusion to me was how she looked so much like Lola. But a little more beautiful than my sister. At that moment, I agreed God created everyone two, two like they always say. But it wasn't just the

look, she had the two dimples just like my sister. She wasn't just the best in mathematics, but in English, drawing, and many other subjects.

After the guy who was anchoring the programme was done calling the rest that did well in the same class, he heaved a sigh. "Now, is the time we've all been waiting for." Everywhere went quiet again. "We've known the overall best student from kg to primary one. Now, primary two students, who is taking this beautiful set of chair and table home to read better, and make us proud again. Okay now!" He shouted through the microphone. "Can we have our representative from the President of this country. President Noah Adams couldn't be with us as we celebrate our fifteen years anniversary today. He has been a great support to us and because of his tremendous love for us, he sent his beloved son, and our most handsome, Mr. Goriola Adams. If you don't know him, then you are on a "

"Long thing " The students dragged.

He faced me this time. "Sir, this T-shirt I'm wearing is from your clothing store sir. See this my correct shades, na your company sir. Even this shoe sir--"

"All the way from Adams Goriola clothing store!" The students were really flowing. He must have boasted getting his clothes from my company a long time ago. Then he smiled at me. "I hope you recognize your able customer sir.

Because this watch I'm wearing "

That made the whole congregation burst into laughter including me. Why was he telling me anyways! They must be paying them well for him to have gotten all that from my store. They were quite expensive, but still, people kept ordering, and kept buying no matter the prizes we called and sold them. He was right, I should remember him in prayer so he could keep patronizing us. The guy just turned my mood around getting my whole attention. And when I thought we were going to give the prize out immediately, I was wrong because Mr. Philip wasn't even done yet.

"No, no, I'm not done yet. It's a blessing to have someone like Mr. Goriola Adams here today. It's a sign that some of us here will study in Harvard. May be me. Who knows? I'm a still a small boy. As you all know "

"Learning continues!" The whole crowd shouted, which was obvious the guy must have been saying that too. "So, Mr Goriola, can we have you please." I got up, and stood beside him as we shook our hands together. He was really happy and I felt honoured. The places I had represented Dad before coming to the school made me realize people really knew me than I thought.

"Please, let us rise to our feet as we honour the overall best student in primary two for this session. She's my student again. One cute girl like that. With her parents, let us welcome on stage, the one....and only Bella Adams!"

I knew it was her with all the gifts she had gotten. Her Dad, and Mom must be so proud of her. That reminded me of when I was in primary school too. But collecting

such gifts like that didn't last because I became too playful, and never study anymore. And no matter how brilliant you are, you still need to put that effort into reading cause that's how you learn more.

"Where is her mom please?" The guy shouted through the microphone seeing that it was only her on the stage. I smiled down at the replica of my sister, and she smiled back at me. Her smile made her look really cute, and innocent. At the same time, her smile brought an image of someone I knew I missed. I didn't know why I felt so connected to her, but her smile just made me remember someone as sweet as her.

All my life, I wanted to see her again. And the moment I looked up, I thought heavens were playing trick on me. Could it be real? Never have I played bet9ja, so bet9ja could never even play me. No it wasn't her. That was my first thought. It couldn't be her.

That was my second thought. Oh, my God! I was going crazy. The same feelings I felt when I saw her at the pool years back came rushing back. It was her. It was really her. Jadesola Coker. But she acted like I didn't exist.

"Mr. President son sir. You are not looking at the overall best student sir. See her here." I heard Mr. Philip but I didn't know it was that funny that almost everyone in the hall burst into laughter. I wasn't really bothered, and quickly I handed the prize to the girl. "Congratulations to you Bella." I shook her hand.

"Thank you Mr. President son sir," she replied causing Mr. Philip to laugh. "Sweet girl." He gave her the microphone for her to talk. "Go ahead Bella. Say something my sweet girl."

She collected the microphone and her voice was so smooth like an adult was speaking. "I want to say thank you to my teacher, Mr. Philip. Thank you for teaching me and my classmates very well sir. And to my mommy, she's the best Mommy in the world. I love her so much. I love you so much mommy. And today is birthday. I'm six years old today." She hugged Jade's thigh, and everyone shouted 'Happy Birthday Bella'. Looking up at Jade, she was almost in tears, but covered it up with a smile.

Everyone congratulated them as they left the stage. At that moment, my system was not settled because I felt I deserve some explanation. When I noticed Jade and her daughter were alrey leaving, Immediately I awarded the next overall student, I took an excuse and left the hall.

There was a lot I needed to know. I saw her hands, there was no ring. But the child... The girl! There was something about her. I succeeded to reach her car, but she drove off after throwing me a deadly look.

It was clear she wasn't happy and ready to see me. That child had my name. Did something happen, and I didn't know?