Why? 3 || Shackled to the Heart 45

PREVIOUSLY ON WHY?

Imade confides in Sister Elizabeth about her guilt over cheating and her fear that her husband, Wemimo, is involved with another woman, Anita Macaulay. Despite being urged to trust him, Imade’s insecurity grows after learning Wemimo once felt attracted to Anita. Determined to save her marriage, she decides to manipulate him into abandoning the business project involving Anita.

EPISODE 45

Perfect!

INT. DUPE’S ATELIER- AFTERNOON

Imade tries on some new dresses that she designed and contracted Dupe to sew. She looks at herself in the full length mirror with a 32 year old Dupe and one of her assistant watching her

DUPE

I don’t understand how you look so good in everything

IMADE

(Chuckles) that is probably because I have a good tailor. Let me try another one

Dupe helps her out of the dress while her assistant hands her another dress which she tries on immediately. Imade turns to Dupe

IMADE

What do you think about it?

DUPE

I only have one word for it, Perfect!

Imade chuckles

IMADE

Let try another one

Dupe helps her out of the dress again

DUPE

This is more of Ann’s thing, when did you become so obsessed with dresses

IMADE

I am a billionaire but I don’t spend my money on anything, Wemimo won’t allow me

DUPE

Isn’t that a good thing, a lot of women will love not to contribute to anything in the house

IMADE

So what am I suppose to do with the money I have, I can’t exactly take it to my grave

Dupe burst into laughter as she helps Imade adjust the dress she is tried on

IMADE CONT’D

Since I am not allowed to spend it on my kids or contribute to the welfare of home, I might as well spend it on myself

DUPE

I understand, so do you have a design for the dress you will be wearing to Bankole’s wedding

IMADE

You received an invitation already?

DUPE

I don’t have to, I am your family’s tailor remember?

IMADE

Well, I haven’t thought of anything

DUPE

Don’t take too long, Brother Wemimo already sent his design

IMADE

Of course, he has. I can swear that he is looking forward to that wedding more than Bankole himself

Dupe burst into laughter

DUPE

Considering everything that happened between Bankole and Sister Ann, it is a good thing that Bankole is taking the next step, I never thought it was possible

IMADE

So you are okay with the fact that Dunsin moved on without you?

DUPE

(Opens her mouth with utter confusion) We are taking about Bankole, when did the conversation digressed to Dunsin

IMADE

It has now, you guys were the latest couples of KINGS back in the days

DUPE

We were kids, Sister Imade, of course we were not going to end up together

IMADE

He is the CFO of KINGS which mean he is making a lot of money, aren’t you a bit sad that someone else is beside him

DUPE

No, am not

IMADE

Not even a little

DUPE

Not even a little, I love my life. He may be an accountant making a lot of money but so do I. I make millions sewing clothes for your family in a year, have you ever thought of what I make from other families too. So no, I am not jealous of the pregnant wife I am sure I am richer than

IMADE

I thought you don’t care, how did you know that she was pregnant?

DUPE

I saw her at the last Akara Carnival

IMADE

Oh, well she has given birth already, a boy

DUPE

Congrats to them

Jo comes in, in a haste at that moment, breathing heavily

I am so sorry that I am late, I got tied down at the court

IMADE

It is fine (Points to Dupe) you remember Dupe right?

Yeah, we met at the introduction ceremony, Bankole’s tailor if I remember correctly

DUPE

Yes, it is nice to see you again

Nice to see you too

DUPE

Congratulation on your forthcoming wedding, Bankole is a good man, you chose wisely

(Smiles brightly) Thank you

Imade turns back to the mirror to adjust her new dress

IMADE

I wanted us to have dinner with your significant other but your fiancée is on business trip with my husband

Yes, I was surprised when he told me that his boss asked him to spearhead the deal

IMADE

(Looks up at Jo through mirror) You know his boss

I am sure every lawyer in this country knows who Anike Wada is

Imade raises her eyebrow in utter surprise at the mention of Ann’s full name. One of Dupe’s assistant comes in another dress which invokes a reaction from JO

Wow, that is beautiful

IMADE

You think?

(Nods) Yes, it is stunning

IMADE

Try it on

What? No

IMADE

Trust me, you will be doing me a favor, try it on

Jo gives in and Dupe with her assistant goes to help with it

IMADE

So did Bankole tell you she was his ex?

Tension envelopes the room as everybody in the room directed her attention to Imade. Dupe looks at Jo, trying to get her reaction to the question while Imade holds Jo’s eye contact

IMADE

Did he?

Yes, he did and he also told me that she left him for a richer man

IMADE

Hmmm, a richer family is the word. See…

She turns to face the party

IMADE

Wemimo and Ann both came from a family where marriage of convenience is a thing. They marry for the good of the family, so Ann had no choice but to do as her father commanded. Just thought you should know the whole story

Jo smirks

IMADE

What is it?

I get that you are trying to put your friend in good light but I don’t think family is enough to dump the man you claim to love

IMADE

Oh really?

I mean, look at you. Your mother raised you and Bankole on Akara business and still, Brother Wemimo married you

IMADE

And he was disowned for that

(Her jaws drops) What?

IMADE

Bankole didn’t tell you

DUPE

Maybe because she is not part of the family yet

IMADE

His father of blessed memory gave him two resounding slaps when he told them he was going to marry me, after which he disowned him. So, my marriage to Wemimo was not an expressway like you think it was

I didn’t know that

Imade chuckles when she see how perfecting the dress fits Jo

IMADE

That is beautiful

(Looking at the dress on her body) Really?

IMADE

Come look

Imade leaves the front of the mirror as she allows Jo to look at herself in the mirror

(Chuckles) This is beautiful

IMADE

I told you… so did he tell you anything else about Ann

Jo talks in a deep breath

Yes… he said she has destroyed every other relationship he had after dating him

IMADE

And yours is the next

The little smile on Jo’s face disappears

I know you don’t like me but you can’t say that to me

IMADE

(Taken aback) I don’t like you?

Yes, you don’t. You show it and you are showing it now. You think Ann is a better match

IMADE

No, I am not thinking, she is the perfect match for him and you are just reaping from where you didn’t sow

DUPE

(Tries to defuse the situation) Sister Imade, please take it easy

No, it is fine. I have overcame far bigger problems than this

IMADE

(Scoffs) You think I am the problem, sweetheart, you are highly mistaken. I don’t like you but that does not mean I will stand in my brother’s way of happiness but Ann… now that is a problem you have never encountered. She may be married to another man but she still sees Bankole as her own and when she finds out about your little wedding, she is going to tramp on you

(With confidence) There is nothing she can do to me

IMADE

How about we put that to a test

A test?

IMADE

Dupe, please excuse us

Dupe and her assistants all go out of the changing room

Next on Why?

IMADE

I am getting myself ready for when he leaves me

ANN

Leave you? What are you talking about?