CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Further Rift
Marcus and I later went over the Fatima’s place to help with the nursery. People were right when they said you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. Their place was as grand as mine. I don't know how Marcus got himself some really rich friends.
Few hours later, Joy and Adebayo joined us. At that time, we were almost done with nursery. When we finished, we sat outside at the balcony and to eat. After which, we remained at the balcony watching the sunset…. chatting, laughing and cracking jokes.
Whatever happened to me at home this morning was not forgotten but its hold over me was loosening. I felt safe with these people. They talked about everything including their sex life, they didn’t make me feel like a stranger and for some reason, they didn’t ask me any personal question. It was like as if Marcus asked them not to
“Do you have any sister you can introduce to Marcus?” Adebayo asked me out of nowhere
“What?” I heard the question but I was shocked by it
“What the fuck, Adebayo?” Marcus grunted
“I didn’t know you were searching” I muttered to an upset Marcus
“That is because I am not” he grinded his teeth at Adebayo
“Don’t give me that look, if you won’t get back with your ex, you need to move on” Adebayo chastised him
“I am more interested in the reason why he would break up with his fiancée... I mean they look so perfect together” I retorted and then, a deafening silence envelopes us. Marcus looked away and I looked at the others who all paid ample attention to him
“Am I not suppose to ask?” I asked baffled at their reaction
“You should, we are also interested in knowing why he would break up a perfectly healthy relationship” Fatima pointed out
“You don’t know?”
“We don’t” she shook her head “He walks….” Marcus stands up at that moment “… away each time we ask”
“See what we are saying” Adebayo retorted
“Come on, Marcus” Abdul shouted at the retreating Marcus
I steal looks at Marcus as I drive to the birthday party he needed to attend. He didn’t come back to the group after they asked him after his relationship with Lola
“What is it?” He voiced out after he couldn’t take my staring anymore
“Did Lola cheat on you?”
“No”
“Was she in love with someone else?”
“Is that any different from cheating?”
“Yes, there is a difference. She could be in love with another man or woman and not cheat on you” I explained to the best of my knowledge
“No”
“Then, why did you break up with her?” I questioned him loudly
“I needed to leave Manchester, I could have stayed but I needed to leave”
“And you did, so what happened?”
“She was about to make junior partner, she said she couldn’t leave with me”
“Makes sense, her career was on line” I looked at him and saw that he was in anguish “Please, don’t tell me, you made her choose between her career and you” I yelled at him
“Yes, I did”
“What is it about you footballers that make you expect your woman to drop everything she is doing and follow you to wherever your career takes you to” I retorted angrily
“I needed to leave Manchester and she needed to stay”
“So she could leave her career but you can’t do the same for her”
“It was not about my career, premier league is the most challenging league in the world. So, it was never about my career and she knew that. I just needed to leave Manchester, I needed fresh air, I needed to meet new people. I just needed to get out. She knew that and she understood that I needed to do what was best for me but she was not ready sacrifice her career for me and I understood that. So, a break up was the only option” he explained
“No, a break up was not the only option. There is the long distance relationship, you two should have considered that”
“I can’t pine over a busy woman, it hurts. Even in Manchester, we barely meet, now imagine what would happen when we are countries apart”
“So, you are telling me you are not longing for her right now?” I asked sarcastically looking between him and the road as I turned the car round a sharp corner
“Of course, I am but each time I do that, I remind myself that she is not mine anymore and then I divert my attention back to my game. I know that might sound cruel but that was the only way I could survive”
At that moment, I suddenly understand his pain
“I know what is like to long for someone that does not have your time, so I understand”
“Actually, our situations are different. Lola and I love each other”
I couldn’t save my heart from the painful stab of his piercing words. Kylian does not love me, he loves Lola
“Fuck! I am sorry, I didn’t mean it like that” he apologized in his thick British accent after he realized the effect of his words
“Fine, I am saying I understand… but what I don’t understand is why you didn’t tell your friends. I am sure they would understand your predicament”
“You think they would?”
“You underestimate them”
He sighed deeply and looked out the window again
“While we are on the matter, I do have three beautiful sisters….” He chuckled loudly “Who won’t mind dating you”
“I would think of them… shit!” he groaned
“What?”
“I totally forget to get the birthday boy a gift”
“Oh! I am sure that can be fixed. An expensive wristwatch or sneakers will do. You boys do love sneakers” I commented
“I am sure he has a lot of sneakers and wristwatches, I mean he is an ambassador to a wristwatch brand. Do you think he would love to have more?”
There was silence, then I turned to him from the road and found him staring at me
“Are you asking me?”
“Yes, would Mbappe want more wristwatch and sneakers? It is his birthday”
“What!” I exclaimed in total in shock as I try to keep my attention on the road
“You didn’t know today was your crush’s birthday, aren’t you one awful crush?”
“Not that, Kylian is having a birthday party”
“Yes, it is not a secret, everyone knows”
I didn’t know
Kylian’s utter disrespect and disregard for me is highly appalling and becoming very annoying
“Are you okay?”
“You know I don’t think I can go with you to the party anymore”
“Why not?” his brow twitched in surprise
“I thought it was a small party, I don’t think I can be with a large crowd right now, I am sorry”
“You gat to do what is best for you… You want to go Madam Black’s place for some pepper soup” he suggested
“What about Kylian’s party?”
“I am sure he won’t miss me” he muttered
Then I changed the course of our journey to Madam’s Black'splace
I found Maria and the others waiting for me when I got back home by midnight. Maria huff in relief when you saw me
“Where have you been since morning?” she yelled at me
“I am going to interpret this rudeness of yours as a sign of concern but you need to be clear about something, I am the boss here. You work for me and not the other way round. The next time you repeated what you did with me today, I am firing your ass” I warned her with stern voice
“You….” Maria started but I cut in sharply in an angry tone
“If you don’t believe me, you can ask Alice, I have the authority” I walked few steps away before turning back to the group “This is my house, not Kylian’s, the next time, he want to have a birthday in my house, you fucking tell me first” I lashed out and stormed upstairs
I was removing my clothes in the closet when Alice came in
“I spoke to Kylian, he will be available during Christmas” she informed me. I nodded “Frances was busy preparing for Kylian’s birthday today, so you couldn’t have been with her, Rashford on the other hand was missing from Kylian’s party, were you with him?”
And here I thought he won’t be missed. I hope this does not cause further rift between him and Kylian
“Were you with Marcus?” She yelled this time but I don’t give rat ass about her right now after this morning’s betrayal
“Goodnight Alice” I entered the bathroom and banged the door in her face
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SATURDAY 9.00 PM WAT
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