Why? 3 || Shackled to the Heart 7

EPISODE 7

Your life is with me

INT. ANN’S HOUSE- NIGHT

The moment Ann enters her exquisite penthouse, her housemaid meets her at the door to collect her handbag and the files she is holding.

HOUSEMAID

Welcome back, ma

ANN

Thank you

She changes from her heels to house slippers

ANN

The kids?

HOUSEMAID

Joshua is asleep while Loveth is studying

ANN

Their father?

HOUSEMAID

In his study

ANN

My mother?

HOUSMAID

She is already in bed

She nods, then goes upstairs. She walks around for a while, then opens a door. On entering, she sees a four year old boy on his bed sleeping peacefully while sucking his thumb. She smiles softly as she walks towards the bed.

She gently removes the thumb from his mouth and covers him with the blanket he neglected. She pecks him on his forehead and leaves the room. She opens the opposite door to her son’s room and sees her 8 year old daughter Loveth burning the midnight candle.

Loveth smiled broadly when she sees her mother and runs to hug her

ANN

(Holding her tightly)Do you miss me?

LOVETH

Yes

She pecks the little girl on her nose and leads her the bed. Sitting on the little girl’s bed, Ann draws her baby into her arms

ANN

Why are you not asleep?

LOVETH

If I want to become a badass lawyer like you and Uncle Bankole, I need to study

Ann looks at her daughter in awe with a bright smile on her face

ANN

What did I do to deserve a daughter like you?

LOVETH

You must have saved Nigeria in your past life

Ann chuckles hugging her daughter tightly

ANN

Did I tell you that you look a lot like your father?

LOVETH

(With a soft smile) That is a lie, I don’t look like him at all

Looking into her daughter’s eyes, she smiles

ANN

No, you do. Your eyes looks a lot like his

LOVETH

That is a lie

Ann chuckles

ANN

You should go to bed

LOVETH

No, no

ANN

You have all the time in the world to prepare to be a lawyer, right now, you are still a kid, and you should enjoy your childhood. Now, go to bed

Loveth grumbling goes to bed, Ann covers her with the bed sheet and squats beside her bed, running her hand through the little girl’s hair

ANN

Did I tell you that I love you a lot?

LOVETH

You tell me everyday

Ann smiles and then pecks the girl on the head. She looks at the girl, then makes her way out of the room. She walks to another section of the penthouse. She knocks another door and then opens it immediately. At the center of the room is a young man in his early forties working on his computer. OLAMIDE OLAKIJA, smiles brightly when he sees his wife

Ann stands at the door without coming in

OLAMIDE

Hey!

ANN

Hey! How was your trip?

OLAMIDE

Good

ANN

The kids missed you

He smiles softly then he stands up and walks slowly towards Ann

OLAMIDE

You know there is a solution to this right, you and the kids can come and live with me in Lagos, that way I don’t have to be travelling all the time

ANN

(Looking uncomfortable) We talked about this

OLAMIDE

Yes, I know your law firm is here but you can always start another branch. Majority of your client are from Lagos anyway, so, it is not going to be hard

ANN

My life is here

He moves closer to her

OLAMIDE

Your life is with me and my life is not here

Ann turns to leave while her husband throws his hand up in the air

OLAMIDE

Come on, Ann

ANN

We will talk about this later, I need to freshen up, I feel itchy

OLAMIDE

(Looking disappointed) That is what you say every time I bring up the issue

She turns to him upset

ANN

Don’t make me the bad guy, Olamide, I told you this from the onset of our marriage that I am going to live in Ibadan and you agreed to it, don’t try and change our agreement

OLAMIDE

I know, I know… it is… I just want my family with me at all time

She sigh and relaxes

ANN

I am sorry for snapping at you

OLAMIDE

(Smiles) it is fine and congratulation on our victory today in court

ANN

It was Bankole’s victory and not mine

OLAMIDE

He represented your law firm, so it is your victory

ANN