Chapter 27

"Why are you staring at your laptop like it holds all the answers to your problems?" Amaka asked.

I snapped out of it, looking at her.

"Sorry... just nervous" I replied.

"What's wrong?" She inquired walking into the cubicle.

"Nothing really. Did you need something?"

"Yeah, Mr. Adebayo wants these files looked at. Something about him not trusting the new staff" she explained rolling her eyes. I chuckled at that before collecting them from her.

I pushed the thoughts to the back of my head and concentrated on my work.

*********************

By 1pm, I drove to Yasmin's school to pick her up. Parking in the lot, I noticed a familiar looking car but I couldn't remember where I saw it.

Oh well

I walked into the school, heading to Yasmin's class. The door was ajar and Ms Anne was talking to a woman in a black suit, our eyes met and she smiled.

"Just on time" she said making the other woman turn around.

What. The. Fuck?

"Are you stalking me?" I sputtered glaring at her. Mrs Balogun frowned, glaring at me.

"I am just doing my job." she snapped. I ignored her and brushed past the both of them.

Yasmin was seated on the playing mat, building something with the Lego pieces, I squatted in front of her and smiled.

"Hello Mama na. Are you ready to go home?" I asked.

She looked up from the blocks and nodded. I helped her up, grabbing her bag and lunch box.

"See you tomorrow." I said to the teacher, ignoring Mrs Balogun, who hurriedly followed after me.

I buckled Yasmin into her car seat, tossing her bag and lunch box to the side before walking over to my side. I didn't bother glancing at Mrs Balogun, I started the car and drove off.

"How was school?" I asked glancing at her through the mirror. Yasmin smiled before launching into a story of everything that happened in school. I smiled at her enthusiasm, half listening to her talk while I concentrated on the ride home.

I parked the car in the compound and watched as Mrs Balogun parked hers near mine. Her hawk eyes on me, I rolled mine at her shaking my head and getting out. I unbuckled Yasmin and lifted her out of the car. She took off into the house and I followed with her bag and lunch box, holding the door open for Mrs Balogun to pass.

Old me would have slammed the door on her face... scratch that, old me would not be caught dead in this situation. I chuckled at the thought.

"Is something funny?" Her sharp voice asked piercing through my thoughts. I turned my attention to see her glaring at me.

I shook my head and closed the door behind me, making my way to the kitchen to drop her lunch box.

"Yasmin." I called walking back to the foyer. She came running, her socks and shoes off.

"Na'amm" she answered smiling up at me, Atine came running after her out of breath.

"Here you go." I said handing her the bag. "I'm going back to work. I'll see you later."

She frowned before nodding, giving my legs a hug before running off, Atine chasing after her. I turned to Mrs Balogun to see her frowning, a look in her eyes that I couldn't quite place. Shrugging it off, I adjusted my shirt.

"You can stay here and observe her. If you need anything just let the maids know." I said walking to the front door.

"So the maids do the work for you." She stated. I stopped sighing, she was trying to pick a fight with me and I was not going to let her rile me up.

"No, but it's an added bonus being rich enough to employ maids to help you take care of your kids." I answered, she scoffed "Last time I checked, your grandmother the wealthy one, you have nothing to your name."

"Tomahto, Tomato." I replied opening the door. "One more thing Mrs Balogun, try to be professional about this, don't let your distaste for me and my background deviate you from doing your job."

I closed the door as a cry of outrage escaped her lips. I chuckled, heading to my car. Serves the old woman right.

******************

I had a huge grin when I got back to work, Amaka seemed suspicious about my grin but I assured her I had not caused any major trouble, major being the operative word.

The rest of the hours seemed to fly by, I hoped she was gone by the time I got home. I could only deal with her in little doses and I had enough to last me a week.

However, it seemed my goodluck had ended because her car was still parked when I came back home after Isha. I groaned resting my head on the steering wheel. I had a killer headache and something told me she was going to make it worse.

I dragged myself out of the car, wanting nothing more than to drag my feet through the house just to show my dissatisfaction with this, knowing Hajiya, she would probably smack me up the head if I tried that.

So I tugged on my big boy pants and headed inside the main house. I could hear voices coming from the dining area which was odd because dinner was usually after Maghrib and not Isha.

Hajiya, Yasmin and Mrs Balogun were seated at the dining table, empty plates infront of the adults, while a plate of pasta and vegetable stirfry was in front of Yasmin... a very grumpy looking Yasmin.

"What's going on?" I asked looking at them all, Yasmin stared at me, eyes filled with unshed tears, her bottom lip quivering.

"Mama na what's happening?" I asked softly, my heart breaking at the sight of her.

"She insists on eating Coco Pops for dinner." Hajiya answered casting her an exasperated look.

I sighed walking over, I glanced at Mrs Balogun and she looked unimpressed at the whole situation.

I dragged a seat closer to Yasmin and sat, taking a spoon full of the macaroni and bringing it to my lips, I hummed at the taste and looked at her.

She was still frowning, her eyes told me she was not buying it. I placed the spoon and turned to her.

"You want Coco Pops?" I asked.

"You can't possibly be serious about giving her that!!!" Mrs Balogun interjected. I shot her a glare before turning Yasmin.

"Well?" I prompted. She nodded staring at me. "Then take ten spoons of this." I said gesturing to the food. She frowned shaking her head. I sighed massaging my temples. My head was pounding and I couldn't deal with her tantrum.

"Mama na, either you eat ten spoons of the macaroni and have a bowl of Coco Pops or you eat the macaroni and no Coco Pops and no Sofia the first."

Her frown deepened as she furrowed her brows at me. I stared back at her, pushing the plate to her.

"Eat." I ordered. She huffed leaning over to take the spoon. I watched as she grudgingly ate, sighing I turned to Hajiya who looked very impressed.

"I'm going to head to the chalet. I am beat." I whispered, leaning over to press a kiss to Yasmin's temple.

"Goodnight Mama na."

"Na Night" she mumbled mouth filled with macaroni. I turned to Mrs Balogun who also stood. "I will also be taking my leave." She announced.

"Goodnight then." Hajiya replied, her eyes on Yasmin.  Mrs Balogun and I walked out of the house in silence. We parted ways at the parking space.

"What's your game?" Her question had me pausing.

"Game?" I inquired.

"Why are you doing all these, is this a ploy to get your company back, using this girl as a pawn?" She asked taking a step closer to me. "Because if it is, I will take her away from you and you will never set your eyes or sink your filthy claws in her."

I stared at her stunned. "I might be angry that I don't have control of my company, If I could push a magic button to get my company back, I would. But to insinuate that I would exploit an innocent girl just to get my company back, that's the lowest of lows. I might be a lot of things but I am not that. Have a good night Mrs Balogun."

With that I turned and left her standing there, she could think whatever she wanted, it didn't matter. All I cared about was emerging through this case victorious

***********************

A/N

Hey everyone... this is long overdue. I plan on doing a but uploading of the rest of the chapters tomorrow... Inshaa Allah.

What do you guys think about Mrs Balogun? And do you guys think Abba is going to win this case?

Let me know in the comments.

Sarah xx