CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE
A sudden loud bang jolted me out of my sleep, and instinctively, my hands flew to cover my belly. I looked to my side—Kylian wasn’t there.
“Ahh,” I groaned softly. Kylian must be preparing to leave, and on cue, he came into the room, wearing only a towel around his waist.
“I’m sorry I woke you,” he said apologetically. “Go back to sleep.”
Then he disappeared into the closet.
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I glanced at the wall clock
4:01 a.m.
That is early
I stood up. On my way to the closet, I saw the rain falling through the sliding glass doors leading to the terrace. In the closet, I found Kylian, now in his underwear, applying lotion to his skin.
Leaning against the wall, I gently caressed my now 16-week pregnancy. I thought two weeks of bed rest would drive me crazy, but I was wrong. Kylian made it enjoyable. If he wasn’t training, he was home—watching movies with me, massaging my body, talking to my belly, or my personal favorite—making love to me in every corner of our bedroom. Or sometimes, just sitting in silence, listening to each other breathe.
He practically moved in with me. And while I loved having him around, his staying over had come at a cost to him. He had to wake at odd hours just to make it in time for training. With the Champions League finals just days away, training had gotten more intense.
“You know you still have one more hour before your usual waking time,” I said.
“I know. But the weather forecast says this rain might continue till noon. I won’t be able to take the boat—I’ll have to go through Eureka City and that is at least two hours journey” he explained.
“Okay.” I walked closer to him. “You know there’s a solution to this, right?”
“And what’s that?” he asked, still not looking at me.
“I can move in with you.”
His posture stiffened, and he turned to me. “What?”
“I said I should move in with you. That way, you can sleep more comfortably and still make training in time.”
His eyes darted around the room, unfocused. A few seconds later, he cleared his throat.
“Thanks for the concern, but the season is almost over, so there’s no point,” he said, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
What was that?
“I just want you to be comfortable.”
“I know. But I’m not complaining, am I?”
Now he’s defensive. And why is that?
“Are you not comfortable living with me? Is that it?” I pressed.
He gave me a strange look. “We’ve been sleeping and waking up together on the same bed for the past two weeks. That’s the definition of living together.”
“Right? I haven’t even been to your house in Paris. W—”
“I might be late today. It’s my mother’s birthday and we’re throwing her a little party. Well... not a party, more like a dinner.”
And just like that, he changed the topic.
Fully dressed now, Kylian picked up his purse, walked toward me, and gave me a light kiss on my lips. “See you later.”
Why doesn’t he want you at his house?
“Did you say there’s a party and you didn’t invite me?” I asked, following him back into the bedroom.
Are you seriously not going to ask about his house?
He stared at me oddly. “You want to come?”
“Am I not allowed? I thought I was family.”
“But you and my mom...”
“Mother-in-laws are like small gods where I come from. Even if the relationship is rocky, you shouldn’t encourage it.”
Bewaji!
Enough. He clearly doesn’t want to talk about it. No amount of probing will make him. I’m the paranoid one. Not you.
“Fine,” my husband said. “Meet me at the club by 5 p.m. We’ll go together.”
“Okay. Can you think of anything I can get for her? Something she doesn’t already have?”
“On short notice? I don’t know.”
Then he left.
Something is going on, Bewaji. Something related to that secret...
We decided to let it go, in case you forgot, you and I decided to let it go and that is exactly what I am going to do.
I picked up my robe from the bed and walked downstairs. I found the Clouder family in the kitchen. They greeted me, but I just nodded with indifference—unlike my usual self where I would ask how they were doing.
Alice and I were friends again, but I still kept the rest of the Clouder family at arm’s length. I don't know what their deal is, and I am not trusting them until I know their true intentions toward me.
I opened the gym door, where I knew I would find Alice.
“Good morning,” I greeted from the doorway, approaching her with a beaming smile.
“Hey. Kylian left?” she asked, her voice slightly strained as she continued exercising.
“Yeah. He had to leave earlier because of the rain.”
“Makes sense. But you should be in bed.”
“I was going to do that until I scored myself an invitation to Mama Fazya’s birthday.”
“Oh?”
“Do you know a gift I can give her that says: ‘I am bribing you to love me and let me be your daughter?’”
Alice burst into laughter.
I stood by Kylian’s side as we entered his mother’s house. The birthday dinner had already begun—they were in the middle of singing for the celebrant.
I only recognized a handful of people; the rest were strangers. But from how indifferent they were to our arrival, I could tell they know who I am
I looked around for France—but I didn’t see her.
He probably hid her away.
I silenced the inner voice again.
When it was time to present gifts to Fazya, everyone did—including me. Thanks to joint brainstorming with Alice, I had gotten her some beautiful Ankara fabrics. She appreciated all the gifts.
After dinner, I stood up to leave the table.
“Bewaji, come,” Fazya said and walked away.
What does she want?
Fear crept into me—and I wasn’t alone. Kylian looked just as uneasy.
“Let’s go,” he said.
We both rose to follow her, but she turned and frowned at him.
“I asked for Bewaji, not Kylian.”
"Mama..." Kylian started but I quickly held his hand
“It’s fine,” I said quickly.
Kylian nodded and I followed her upstairs. She opened a door and stepped in. I followed and from judging from Fazya's pictures which adored the wall, I realized I was in her bedroom
“In here,” she called out, her voice coming from the closet. I followed the sound and found her rummaging through her wardrobe.
“How are you feeling now?” she asked without looking at me.
“What?” I asked in confusion.
“I’m asking about your health. The doctor said you were at risk of pre-eclampsia.”
What? She called me in here to ask how am feeling?
“Yes, but I’m better. My BP is stable. I’m not completely in the clear, but everything is under control.”
“That’s good. Found it,” she said aloud.
She emerged with a jewelry box and handed it to me.
“Here. That’s your birthday gift.”
“What?” I gasped.
Now I’m more shocked.
“Sorry I didn’t give it to you earlier. I wasn’t around then.”
I opened the box. Inside was a wristwatch. My mouth fell open in surprise.
“I’ve noticed you rarely wear wristwatches. So I got one for you.”
“Thank you. I wasn’t expecting this”
I looked closer and saw the engraving—B.E.M.
“BEM?” I asked.
“Bewaji Emily Mbappé,” she explained.
“Mbappé…”
“Or are you keeping your maiden name? I should have asked. I can have it redone.”
“No, it’s fine,” I said with a beaming smile. “I love it.”
“And I would love to throw you a baby shower, if you’re okay with that.”
“That is fine.”
“So, what would you like at your baby shower?”
So this is because you are pregnant?
No. I found out about my pregnancy after my birthday which means she got me the gift before my birthday. I think things are looking the way it should.
Still… you can’t just ignore—
I silenced the voice again as I engaged in my first real conversation with my mother-in-law.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SATURDAY 9.00 PM WAT
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