Part forty three

Monae's POV

It's finally here.

Clothed in a strapless original Ghana Kente v neck gown with my head wrapped into a Nigerian gele style, I walked majestically and cautiously down the stairs as my gown was very long, being carefully not to trip given the heel I was wearing.

It's crazy how Michy and the gang were able to plan and organize such a big engagement party within a small time frame of less three days excluding today Sunday.

Whichever way they were able to, I'm happy they didn't forget my Ghanaian root and surprised me with this Kente gown that I'm feeling very, very much, even the gele alone is making me feel nostalgic.

As I walked down it, I caught the eyes of Michy who's eyes were trailed on me. Our eyes locked for a very long time and I had to stop and maintain it till I looked away, my cheeks burning by that and the look on his face as he continued to stare at me while I walked down the stairs till I was at the foot of it.

I took his stretched hand, walking closer to him with an ever lasting smile on my face. He took a brief minute to check out me out once again, twirling me around slowly before leaning in and whispering into my ear, "your beauty is more than mesmerizing babe and I don't think I can ever take my eyes off you."

"I'm glad to know I'm going to be the center of attention of my fiancé this whole night."

"Forget this night, you always are, your beauty always makes me spell bound." He said this in a raspier tone that sent ripples of excitement through me, my neck and ear felt it the most.

"Do you always have to flatter me?"

"It's surprising how ladies know the truth but always feign ignorance just to hear it again and again."

I chuckled, hitting his chest with the bridal feather fan. "True you got me there, now come on let's join the guests."

"Yes, it will look bad if we're absent from our own party. They gonna think we're not serious but wait for them to see you, they'll understand why we're late."

"Always been the smooth talker."

"You can't deny I won you over with this slick and smooth tongue that only tells the truth."

"Not today, tomorrow or over. I love you Michele."

I held my breath as I looked at Michy who was darting his eyes in mine, his held seriousness that I've never seen before. "No matter what happens, don't let anyone change your mind about me because I love you more than my life, Araba." He solemnly said and leaned down to me.

His words caused warmth to instantly flood my heart and my whole being, the love I had for him shooting up higher and higher. I gladly welcomed his lips on mine to seal our confession with a kiss.

Bubbles of happiness and excitement burst through me as he slid his tongue inside my mouth gently, his hand moving to the back of my neck the same time I flung my hand around his neck.

When we pulled away, a spontaneous smile took over my lips and whole face, cupping his cheeks and looking into his eyes, "no one in this world will ever make me change my mind about you or our love because I've witness firsthand how much of an amazing person you are. I'll always want to be with you forever and with no one else and when I said it I mean it." I assured him.

"Thank you, for making me the happiest with your words of assurance."

"I got you." I held his hand again, leaving to the garden where the party was being held. I stopped walking mid way when I remembered something, my lipstick on Michy's lips from the kiss. "Wait."

"Is everything okay?"

"Uhm..." I traced my thumb on his lips, smiling sillily before wiping the scarlet color off them. "Yeah, this is better."

"You don't want the guest knowing about our little secret do we? For me I don't mind, everyone knows you're mine so.."

"I don't mind either babe but you can't have your lips so red all night, you gonna look queer." I giggled, stepping out into the garden.

He chuckled, shaking his head as we approached the guest who I've come to realize were quite a lot than I imagined they will.

"Finally, the lovely couple is here..let's give them a round of applause as they join us."

I've never been this nervous through out all my life, having the beaming crowd clapping and cheering, it felt as if I was walking down the aisle already, only I wasn't in a white wedding dress and in church.

Had Michy not hold my hand tighter and wrap the other around me to steady my jittery body, I would have clumsily fallen. Now I get why some people do call of their wedding when the stress and nervousness gets too much for them to handle, it ain't easy charley.

********

We stood in front of a couple whose looks tell they are in their late forties, the twelfth, thirteenth or fourteenth, I can't remember cause I've lost count of the number of his clients and associates I've been introduced to since we got here.

I pressed my lips into bright smile, not them fake ones that makes your cheeks hurt, this one is genuine af from being elated Michy was showing me off as his fiancé and soon to be wife.

Clinging onto him, his hand that was resting on my lower back moved to wrap my waist as he turned to gaze at me when the woman complimented him on an excellent choice of a life partner.

"I'm very lucky to have her."

"Indeed and an advice from someone who has seen and learnt great lessons in life, love her more than yourself, cherish and keep her close and never let her go."

"Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it." He said sincerely, "I don't intend to ever let her go away from me, I'd pull her back even with my last breath."

"Such beautiful words, may God bless you both, keep you happy forever and in love."

"Amen, we won't take much of your time, so please do enjoy the party and help yourselves to anything while you're here." He then pulled me closer to the point, I was resting my side on him. "On behalf of my love and I we thank you for honoring our invitation."

"The pleasures is all ours, we wanted to see for ourselves the reason the great Michele Krupp is  settling down and after seeing dear Monae here, we understand it and are happy for you."

"Haha, her love can tame the worst playboy. We will see you around."

"So you had quite the reputation huh?"

"That will be a no and yes, I had the reputation of being a playboy because girls were attracted to me but never a manwhore, I kept that aspect very private."

"Should I be looking out for a crazy ex who still hasn't gotten over you?"

"No babe, not that I know of but I assure you that you're safe from those crazy exes. I ended things on a good note, relax and let's enjoy our own party, I put in all these efforts just for your happiness so give me a smile."

"You always warm my heart and set me at ease."

"It makes me happy to know." He said while looking into the crowd, a little while passed and he was silent, no word came from him. Michy only held my waist and occasionally drink from his glass, I could sense he was in deep thoughts.

"Sugar?" I could feel is so much. "It's everything okay?"

"What?—oh yeah, fine..everything is fine."

"You don't look and sound fine, what is wrong? I can feel everything is not as you claim."

"Yeah, you're right." Michy tugged at his long hair, "I'm anything but that, actually I have something to tell you." And admitted truthfully.

"You can always tell me anything, I'm all ears."

"I don't know how you're going to take it or see it, we need to talk."

"Relax, you sound so stressed. We can disappear for a while and talk—"

"You're right, but the guests."

"They will notice our absence but I'm sure they will understand we need some moments away from their eyes, they will."

"Okay, let's go."

"Michele, such an honor to finally see you."

"Mr Schneider, what a surprise! When did you arrive?" He removed his hand that was in his pocket and took the man's, shaking it.

"Not less than two hours ago and I've been looking everywhere for you but to avail until now when I saw you..leaving your own party?"

"Excuse me ma'am, you have a call." I didn't realize one of the maids was beside me.

"Excuse me Mr Schneider, this seems very important, I'll see you." I beamed politely at the man.

He nodded, his eyes stuck on mine. "Oh sure, don't you worry, I'm like a family so I'll surely meet you before I leave."

"Alright, I'll be back honey."

Michy leaned down to peck me on the lips then removed his hands from around me. "Okay babe but don't be long, we still need to talk."

"I know, I'll be back before you know." I beamed at him before walking away with the maid. Out of the noisy garden, she handed me the phone and left, I checked my phone and saw missed calls from Imogen and another from Roxie.

I called them back immediately, they must have arrived or still looking around the hood for the house, either ways I have to.

"Imo I'm so sorry—"

"Don't shit your pants sis, I completely understand, it's your party so you'll be busy attending to guests and all that, it's fine."

"Thanks for understanding, are you here?"

"Yeah we've been here for close to thirty minutes that was why we've been calling you."

"I'm so sorry for keeping you two waiting, where are you like now?"

"Here."

I heard the voice over the phone behind me so I turned around and lo, standing there was Imo  dressed gorgeously as always in a sequin dress, looking no less than the beautiful queen she is. Beside her was Roxie who I haven't seen in months.

"Rox!" I squealed, feeling my eyes began to water. I walked briskly in these damn heels, thank fully she met me halfway cause I was ready to take em off and run to my Roxie.

Like old times, she pulled me into her motherly arms and engulfed me in a hug that was sucking the breath out of me but I didn't care as long as it meant being in the arms that cared and treated me as a daughter with so much love and affection.

"Monae." She exclaimed, pulling back and cupped my cheeks, "my Nae! It's so good to see you again, I feel so much alive now."

As she said that, she hugged me again and pulled back, her eyes glowing with a smile and an unspoken joy. I couldn't help but smile myself, my life today is complete. I have the woman who I consider a mother with me on such an important day in my life, I feel blessed.

"Look at you." She gushed, releasing me from her hold and twirled me around. "You're looking so beautiful my dear!"

"Her fiancé sure knows how to take care of his girl, I'm happy you met someone like him. At least you can have the happiness you deserve in your life that we were never able to give you."

"Thank you guys, so much for being here with me today." "And don't say that, it's true I had some bad times living with you but I can say every time was bad, I had happy moments and those were spent with you two so I can say I was happy there as well."

"After everything—"

"Hey sis, today is my happy the day. Let's put the last behind us and focus on this beautiful present."

"You've matured the more."

"That's how life can be." I said then cleared my throat. "How about we go in and enjoy the party? I'll introduce you to everyone."

"I'm eager to meet my brother in-law and his family."

"Ah, and so I'm I. I want to see the man who has been able to get my daughter to love and freely give herself."

"Wait and relax sweeties, you'll see him and feel free to make his life hell with questions."

"You're such a meanie."

"You can say that again." I walked with the two into the garden. As we neared the place, I scanned around for where Michy could possibly be. Darting my eyes about, I saw he was still talking with the man he was with before I left, they seemed to be wrapping up the conversation as they shook their hands.

I took that as an opportunity to go to him after telling Imo and Roxie I'll be back.

"You kept me waiting."

"But you had company."

"I know, I only prolonged our talk because you weren't here." He said, "by the way, where did you go?"

"I went out to meet some special people in my life and I want you to meet them."

"Who are they?"

"You'll see, they're eager to meet you as well." I chuckled, slapping his chest as we headed to where Imo and Roxie were seated.

Sine their backs were turned to us, I cleared my throat and called them. With a smile on my face as they turned, I wrapped my hand around Michy's torso and introduced him. "Roxie and Imo, I'm pleased to finally introduce to you, the love of my life—"

"Junior?"

"No, Michy. He is Michele."

"Michele? Oh yes, Michele Krupp Steele Junior! My husband to be and your fiancé, interesting!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you fucking ask me what I am talking about when you know very well exactly what is happening here!"

"I'll have you know that this is my house and she is my fiancée for a reason, she's the woman I love and you know very well I don't take any disrespect towards the person I love, don't you?"

"Michy, please. She's my sister, push aside your enmity towards her away at least for tonight on our day."

"Sister?" She scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I am not your sister and you are not my sister!" Her voice was raised so high, it stole the attention of some of the guests.

"Imo can you please lower your voice at least? You're attracting attention!"

"I want to attract as much attention as possible, everyone at this party deserves to know what a whore and backstabbing bitch you are—"

"Enough!" I slapped her before I could retract my hand from her face, I was boiling with living anger at the kind of names she chose to address me with. "I have heard enough Imogen, it's either we go inside the house and talk like matured adults or have your childish ass walk out of my fiancé's house! The choice is yours."

"Listen to your sister and let's go inside, we can't have that long and important talk outside in the open, we're a respectable family here and we don't want to wash our dirty linen in public for all to see or do you?" Roxie reasoned with an angry Imogen.

She looked to have bought the idea as she nodded and glanced in my direction, the friendly eyes that once looked at me with filial love pierced through me with intense hatred in them. "No, but I want everyone to see who she really is." Her tone equally carrying hatred and disgust.

"What if you're getting all this wrong?"

*********

"Will someone talk?" I spoke, breaking the thick silence that was hanging in the air.

Michy fixated his eyes on me, breathing out like his life depended on it. "I will." He said almost in a whisper.

"No, I will."

"Imogen—"

"Roxie please stay out of this as this is between the three of us." She warned with blazing eyes, it's a first I've seen her like that. I wasn't scared in the least, even I myself was trying to control the anger that was building up inside of me. "And you." She said icily, her index finger pointing at me. "Can you stop this pretense? Your important guests that you don't want to disgrace yourself in front of are not here, save the pretense and face me like the woman you are.

"Face me Monae, I dare you." She seethed. "I'm ashamed that I even considered you a sister, I regret ever looking at you like one. Mother was right all along, you're a sneaky and snakey bitch!"

"Imogen! I warned you before and I won't do it the next time. Watch how you talk to my woman or get out of my house!"

She only smiled, strutting to him and trailed her fingers on his chest, gliding them down to his stomach. I watched all this, unable to grasp it. "I won't get out of here, I have as much right over this house, no, more than she has here. Because I am your soon to be wife, your first love!"

"You're nothing like that, you're neither my soon to be wife or my first love, you're my first and worst mistake ever!" His face and tone was hard and cold.

"Junior!" Imogen shrieked, unable to believe the words he had just uttered. Out of nowhere, her eyes blazed again, her chest heaving as she walked to him and raised her hand, ready to connect it to his face.

But he was quick in grabbing it and angrily shoving it to her side before stepping away from him, turning his back to him for a while then faced her. "Never for once in your life ever try to raise your filthy hands at me! You're the mistake I made that I want to erase over and over again!"

"Mi..Michele," I gulped, tears threatening to flow made my throat heavier than ever. "Is it true? All this, is she speaking the truth?"

"Baby don't listen—"

"Is it true?!! That is what I want to know, yes or no?!" I stopped myself from screaming out, why was I even asking him this question when I already knew the answer? It was clearly written on his face, his glare and rage towards Imogen for blurting it out, I have seen it.

"Well this is fun—"

"I wasn't talking to you Imogen so stay in your limits." I warned her, flashing her a glare. "Is it?" I directed the question at Michy, turning to him, still persisting to know something I already knew.

Maybe I wanted to hear it from Michy himself, I want the truth out of his own lips.

He looked at me with sad eyes but didn't say anything. I saw the truth in his eyes, the bitter truth. I took a step back, swatting his arms from me when he made an attempt to hold it.

I swallowed thickly and slowly as I marched for what I was about to say. "I don't want this, I can't be relationship or a possible marriage with someone like you. A person who never cared to tell me the truth about his past, a past that involved my sister and a past that had a connection with our present. When were you ever going to tell me you were the one going to marry my sister? Was it when you were about to see her walk down the aisle or was it when you're going on your honeymoon?"

"No, no, please don't say that. Please, I've always wanted to tell you, trust me I did. It's just something that held me back,baby, I wouldn't trust your sister if I were you. It is because of her I never had the heart to tell you, please—"

"Save it Micele, own up to your mistakes and stop dumping the blame on someone else, that's so unmanly." I spat at him and slid the ring off my finger, "as I said before, I won't be a part of this charade of a love story, you two can have fun and get married, after all you have a history together which I don't!"

"Baby, baby please!"

"Nae, don't go!"

I halted in my step when I heard Roxie's voice, I'm sorry Rox but I won't listen you to tonight. I have to do what is best for me, for once in my life, I need to place my happiness above others. If it were before, I would have stayed back just for Michy but it isn't only me now, my heart is bruised and a bruised heart can't stay beside the one who rendered it in that state.

"That's what happens to whores who have green eyes for what doesn't belong to them."

Wham! "Shut up Imogen!"

I turned a deafening ear to whatever they were saying as I rushed into the elevator and quickly pressed the button before anyone could get it. At the sight of the door closing, I slumped to the floor as tears trickled down my face. I covered my hand over my mouth, lowering my head and sobbed.

How foolish I was!

To think love was ever meant for me!

How foolish I was!

To think someone like Michy could end up with someone like me!

God!

And how foolish I was, to have ever trusted a man, a handsome and well mannered man like Michy who's looked screamed playboy!

I had always guarded my heart against wolves like him who go about parading in sheep's clothing, only to fall into the hands and web of one.

The pain I'm feeling is worse than losing a loved one, that's how much I loved Michy and how much I gave myself—body, spirit and soul to him. Only for it to be taken for granted, snatched and trampled upon like a useless piece that held no importance for its owner.

*****

"Baby please, I beg you."

Silence.

"I can't live without you, please don't go."

Silence.

I closed my eyes, exhaled heavily as I shook my head. It's weird how his words haven't been able to stir a reaction or any emotion in me expect wanting to hurt him.-

"I can't bear you anger, neither can I your silence, please do talk to me please, anything." He held my shoulders, turning me to look at him. When our eyes were about to meet, I refused to and swatted his hands away from me only to have them glide down my arms and hold my hands. "Please Nae, I love you so much to lose you. You're my life, I'd die if you leave me."

These words.

They used to hold a lot of meaning to me, had a huge control over me but not anymore. They sounded fake and forced, everything about it screamed deceit and more lies!

That angered me, making me snatch my hands and brushed past him, proceeding to shove  last piece of cloth I bought for myself during my stay here into the suitcase containing the rest of my belongings. Some what proud that I was able to carry myself up from the floor after breaking down in the elevator to my room and went straight to the closet where I've been packing my things, unfortunately not in peace.

Michy has been here all this while on his knees begging and imploring me and audacious enough to stop me from packing my clothes. No matter how hard he tried, I stopped myself from succumbing into his arms and not once did I look his way.

"Please don't leave me, don't leave us, I'm begging you." I heard him sniffle and involuntarily I blinked away a tear, sniffling myself.

After I was done, I pulled the handle of the suitcase and was about to wheel it out when he yet again held my hand, preventing me from doing so.

I raised my head to look at him but quickly looked away when I saw his tear stained face and bloodshot eyes, it broke my heart to see him like this but he deserves it for being a liar and another word I can't bring myself to say.

"Get out of my way Michele and don't try to stop me if you have an ounce of regret and guilt for what you did to me."

"I made a vow never to let you go babe and I'm going to keep it. Please baby, don't go. Remember what you said—"

"Unfortunately, I recall my words too well but you should know I'm not allowing Imogen or anyone come in between us. It's your lies, secrecy and deception that has forced me to take this difficult decision," I stabbed his chest with every word I said, my voice not breaking once. "Michele and if you ever loved me and cared for me, you would allow me go. You very well know this isn't good for me." I said the last part looking straight into his eyes.

He held my gaze and I saw hurt in his eyes. It was an undeniable fact he was shattered by the turn of events tonight, I should have felt happy he was feeling what I am going through but instead it was only pangs of pity that was directed towards him in my heart.

I wish I could walk to him, hold him like nothing has happened and that everything is perfectly fine. Sadly no, I want nothing do with him no matter what he says to convince me, I'm done with this relationship.

"You're right, I'm the cause of this but can't we look past it, for our love's sake? I'm going to tell you everything, I even tried to tell you at the party but things kept cropping up and preventing me from doing so—"

Holding my hand up to stop him from saying anymore, I scoffed. "You could have tried enough, Michele. You could have but you didn't and the time you chose to tell me was already too late. I'm sorry but I have to go, don't look for me because even if you do I'll never come back to you." I wiped tears from my eyes and looked away from him, "I'm leaving you in peace to fulfill your duty towards your parents and Imogen, I wish you two a happy life, goodbye."

Michy as if possessed, in flash of seconds rushed to the doorway to block me from leaving.

Shaking his head with his face contorted in anger, he spoke up. "I have no duty towards them! I don't love Imo and I don't care about her.." he trailed off, falling on his knees, "you're the only person I love Monae, the only person I ever loved and this person you're sacrificing your love and happiness for isn't worth it—"

I've had enough, enough of this!

"Please Michy, just stop it! I'm tired of you always blaming her and them for whatever hatred you have for them. Excuse me!"

I shoved him away from the entrance of the closet and briskly rushed out of the room, making for the elevator.

"Monae!" I heard Michy's voice which sounded like thunder ring through out the floor. Hearing his voice and the pain, guilt and brokenness in it made my heart twitch in pain.

My will power and strong resolve crumbled, hard as I tried I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

Saying goodbye isn't as heartbreaking as actually leaving, my heart felt as if it was ripping into pieces and from my chest.

I don't care that once again, my life is back to square one. I'm at the same place I was when daddy found me and the same place Michy found me and where our fake love story began. I have no where going, I'm homeless, yeah but what I won't do is staying in a house and with a man who never felt his conscience prick his heart every time he led me on, deceived me and betrayed me in a way no woman deserves, I can't bear that.

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

The three chapters I've just published haven't been fully edited as I write them in a rush so I'll do so later and make some changes to it.

It's weird how I've kinda lost the zeal to continue with this story when it's nearing its end😔, that's why I couldn't update these past days.

I'm trying hard to rekindle that zeal I had from the beginning and imma lost the next updates on Friday, if maybe I'm not so busy, I'll do triple updates🙂

Xoxo☺️❤️