Song of the chapter: If by Davido

...

Abena's brain stopped working for that moment. Then slowly, she started to process what Tobi had said.

Mama.

Oh shit.

It was Tobi's mother. She didn't plan for that at all. The elderly woman gave her a scrutinizing gaze, and Abena wondered why she didn't wear something nicer than leggings and an oversized shirt.

"Isn't this my son's house? Since when do I have to let you know before I come?" She heard Mama's velvety voice. Tobi just rolled his eyes still smiling.

Did he not understand the situation?

"Omo mi. Who is this girl?" She asked, still standing outside the door, looking at Abena, or rather, at Abena's stomach.

Tobi shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "Oh. Mama. This is Abena, she's my... friend?"

Then suddenly a broad smile lit up on his face, he slung his arm around Abena's shoulder before she could protest.

"And she's pregnant with my baby."

Mama's scrutinizing scowl was suddenly replaced with a warm smile and an excited squeal.

"Why didn't you say so? Oh, my daughter, welcome to the family." Mama said pulling Abena into a warm but uncomfortable hug.

"Sarah, go and wait for me in the car." She said to the chubby woman she had brought, who scowled and left.

"Mama. Who was that?" Tobi asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

"Oh. Just one girl I was trying to set you up with. But who knew that my son would finally listen to me, and she's so beautiful." Mama laughed sitting down and pulling Abena with her.

"My daughter, were you cooking? You shouldn't stress yourself, let Tobi do that for you." Abena nodded and looking at Tobi giving him a look that said, 'I'm going to get you for this.'

"Abena. That's not Yoruba. What kind of name is that?" Mama asked.

"It's Ghanaian ma. My mother was Ghanaian but my father was from Osun State." Abena explained.

"Ohh. So where are your parents now?"

"They passed away a long time ago." Abena said quietly.

"Oh, well that's sad. But I can be your mother now, okay?"

Abena felt a pang of guilt as she nodded her head. Sure, his mother was overwhelming, but she didnt deserve the lies they were telling.

"Mama, let me check what I'm cooking and get you something to drink." Abena said, standing up quickly.

"Okay. Tobi, follow her. You better be taking care of her oh! I can finally have a daughter-in-law and a grandchild, so you better behave and take care of her." She pointed her finger at Tobi who just rolled his eyes.

Grandchild, yes.

Daughter-in-law, not exactly.

"Mama. I know how to take care of a woman." Tobi grumbled, and Abena laughed in spite of her anger.

"I know. You didn't even go to work today. Very surprising. I didn't know you were capable of missing work for one day." Mama teased.

"Shayy, Mama. Him and that his work, ehn." Abena added and Mama laughed.

As Abena walked into the kitchen, she heard Mama tell Tobi, "She's good for you."

As she turned off the gas, and got a pitcher of orange juice from the fridge, Tobi walked in grinning.

"You're dead!" Abena hissed.

"I didn't know she was coming." Tobi said, defending himself.

"This isn't part of the contract." She pointed out, grabbing a glass cup.

"Please. I'll make it up to you." He sighed.

"I don't like lying to people Tobi." She put the pitcher and the cup on a tray.

"What are you two still doing in there?" They heard Mama shout from the sitting room.

"Coming!" Tobi called back. "Can't you see how happy she is right now? Please, just help me keep her happy. For today."

Abena sighed in defeat, she picked up the tray and stomped on his foot as she walked back.

"So Abena, how far along are you?" Mama asked, after taking a sip of her juice.

"Five and a half ma." Abena replied, averting her gaze.

"Do you know the gender yet?"

"We want to keep that a surprise." Tobi said, still smiling.

"Oh, I'm so happy. I haven't seen Tobi like this in like, never!" Mama gushed. "Why didn't you come and see me earlier?"

"Mama, don't mind him. I've been telling him that we ought to go and see you, but he's always busy at work." Abena said, the lies spilling out of her mouth effortlessly.

"I understand. So you guys now did it without getting engaged or married? Children of nowadays ehn!" Mama joked. Abena choked on air while Tobi just scrunched his nose.

"So." Mama went on, not noticing their discomfort. "When is the wedding?"

...

After successfully evading most of Mama's questions for more than an hour, she finally decided to leave, much to Abena's relief.

"Take care of her oh. If she complains to me about anything, you know I know how to deal with you." Mama said to Tobi who just smiled in response.

"Mama, I've heard. Ask her, I take good care of her." Tobi replied cheekily, giving his mother a hug.

"My daughter, take care of yourself okay?" Mama said pulling Abena into a hug. Abena nodded in response and finally, Mama left.

"Thanks." Tobi grinned at Abena.

"What are you going to tell her when I give birth and suddenly disappear?" Abena blurted out.

"I'm sure she'll be more interested in a grandchild than you." Tobi said dismissively.

Ouch.

...

"His mother came?" Dera asked Abena. They were sitting in the incomplete nursery, while the interior decorator was making some calls.

"So awkward." Abena laughed.

"He likes you, have you noticed? He acts different now, like he's happy." Dera said quietly.

"I don't think so. I'm a pain in his side." Abena replied.

Dera rolled her eyes. "This is one annoying thing about love stories. The guy is always too proud to admit it and the girl is always in denial."

...

"You're leaving for a week?" Abena asked.

They were having pasta for dinner, and Tobi announced that he had a business trip that lasted for a week.

"Yes. I have some matters to attend to. Would you like to come with me? Or stay at home?"

Abena pondered on her choices for a while. Following him would make her feelings grow faster, and if she could stay away from him for a week; maybe, just maybe she could get over her silly crush.

"What would I be doing in Canada? Abeg, I'm staying home." She said nonchalantly, although she really didn't want him to go.

"Are you sure? The hotel room is really cozy." Tobi wiggled his eyebrows and her jaw dropped.

"Tobi! Ew. We're eating." She laughed.

"I could provide desert." He joked.

"Oh Jesus!"

...

"Remember to lock the doors every time. Don't leave lights on when you're not using them in case of anything like a high current. Don't sleep off when you're cooking. Don't move furniture. Don't over work yourself. I've instructed one of my guys to come over everyday and check on you. Chinwe would still come to cook and clean. No running down the stairs. Keep the house tidy. Don't do anything stupid-"

"Abeg be going to where you're going jare." Abena cut him off, slightly amused.

"I just want to make sure you'll be okay." He sighed and looked at her.

"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself." She replied, a small smile on her lips.

"Be careful. You're the only one at home. Don't slip and fall or anything, you know how clumsy you can be." Tobi said quietly.

"Excuse me?" She feigned annoyance, placing her hands on her hips.

"It's not too late to join me. Its a private jet." He offered.

She was so tempted to say yes.

"Just get going. The faster you leave, the faster you come back home."

Home?

He didn't seem to notice her choice of words. And if he did, he didn't seem to mind.

"Yes ma'am. Cook for me when I get back." He said.

"Get me Canadian stuff." She replied and he laughed. He pulled her into a hug and she relaxed in his arms, inhaling his scent.

"I know you''ll miss me." He joked as he pulled away, about to head for his car.

"What can I say? You're growing on me." She gave a cheekily smile and watched him get into his car and drive away.

She walked back into the large house and suddenly, if felt too big.

Too empty.

...

Abena spent her days decorating the nursery with the interior decorator, or hanging out with Dera, trying to pass the time so that the week would go quickly. She missed Tobi, no doubt. And instead of her feelings to start diminishing, as she planned, instead, it seemed to be the same.

Or even worse.

She had given the interior decorator the day off, because the woman needed to sort out a family issue, so it was just her and the sound of the television drowning the silence.

She surfed through the channels, not finding anything to watch. She heard the door bell ring and lifted an eyebrow.

She looked at the clock, 12pm, it was the time that the interior decorator normally resumed.

Didn't she get the text?

She walked up to the door and opened it. "Uju, I sent you a text. Didnt you recieve-"

Standing before her wasn't Uju, it was a slim model like lady glaring at Abena, or more specifically, Abena's stomach. She wore a body con dress that was too short for her, and she shifted uncomfortably in the dress, meaning it was also too tight.

Trying too hard?

"And you are?" The woman asked rudely.

"I should be asking you that question." Abena replied, not ready to take any insult that would come her way.

"I'm here to see Tobi." She said.

"Hes not around. He went for a business trip. Come back in like, four days." Abena replied.

"And who are you? His baby mama?" She asked angrily.

"Nope." Abena replied, popping the 'p'. "Just a friend. Watching his house while he is gone."

"I don't believe you." The woman sneered.

"I don't care." Abena shrugged. "Now are you going to leave a message, or are you going to keep on wasting my time?"

"Tell him Eniola came by." She said.

"Will do." Abena said and moved to close the door but Eniola stopped her, and glared at her.

"Listen, whoever you think you are. Tobi is my man. We're going to get married. And if I find out, that a low life like you, is taking him away... I would show you pepper." She threatened.

"I have a show to watch, and I can't miss it because a desperate idiot is threatening me over a guy she doesn't own. Please move so I can close the door." Abena replied and slammed the door in her face, letting her anger out on the door.

...

Abena's sleep was interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. She checked the time, it was past two a.m.

Grumbling to herself, she reached for her phone on the bedside table. She squinted at the caller ID, it was Tobi.

She smiled in spite of her self and answered the call.

"Hey, are you awake?" She heard his husky voice ask. She missed that voice.

"No. I'm picking beans." She replied dryly. "Of course yes I'm sleeping you idiot. Its past two in the morning, what else would I be doing?"

His laugher floated from the phone and she rolled her eyes. "Sorry. I haven't been able to call, so I decided to make out time this evening. I'm almost done with the contract, then I'll come home."

"How are you doing?" She asked.

"I should be asking you that. Are you alright?" He replied.

"I'm fine. Just sleepy." She yawned.

"Sorry." He laughed.

"No biggie. You should see the nursery. Its half done, but I like how it's coming so far." She said.

"I'll see it when I come home." He replied.

She bit her lower lip. Should she tell him about Eniola?

"Yeah you would." She said quietly.

She really didn't want to tell him about her.

"I've missed you Abena. And your cooking. I'm getting used to it." He chuckled.

"Well I don't think I've missed you much." She joked.

"Way to ruin the moment. You couldn't just roll with it ehn?" He laughed and she rolled her eyes, forgetting that he couldn't see her.

"I've missed you too. I hate watching tv alone." She said.

They were silent for a while, listening to each other breath softly.

"I'll get you stuff when I'm coming." He finally said.

"Good. Although what matters most is that you bring yourself."

...

Abena stood up quickly from her bed. She heard the front door of the house open and someone walked in. She checked the time. It was almost twelve a.m. And it couldn't be Tobi, he was coming in two days.

She got a golf club that she had 'borrowed' from Tobi's study and tiptoed out of her room and down the stairs. It was still dark, but the person was putting some things down on the kitchen island.

"Freeze, or I swear, I'll make sure I'll make sure you never have children again." She threatened in a shaky voice.

"Baby. You're already having my children, and is this the way to treat someone who has been away for almost a week?"

"Tobi?"

"Yeah? When am I getting my welcoming hug?"

She let out a sigh of relief and laughed, walking over to the wall to switch on the light. There he was in all his glory, wearing a white shirt and sweatpants, smirking at her.

"Well?" He opened his arms and she rolled her eyes before going into them, inhaling his familiar scent.

"What did you bring for me?" She asked as soon as he released her.

"Apart from my awesome self, chocolates mostly. They're in the fridge. And we're going for a boat trip tomorrow."

"Yay! Chocolate. Wait, a boat trip?" She asked, walking over to the fridge.

"Yeah. I owe you one remember, for putting up with my mum. And if I brought something like clothes and jewellery, you would have killed me." He joked.

"True." She said, taking a big bite out of a chocolate bar. She let out a satisfied moan and rested on the fridge.

Tobi looked at her, and gave an amused smile. "You shouldn't make sounds like that. Or you would end up giving me more than a welcoming hug."

...

The week went by quickly. They had gone on his private yatch, though Abena wasn't surprised that he owned one.

The week ended with another visit at the hospital, and Abena found out something about the baby.

...

Abena let out a sigh and stared at the mirror. "Hey. Welcome home. I made dinner, your favorite, Spaghetti Bolognese. Go and freshen up so we can eat." She repeated to herself.

She jumped at the sound of Tobi entering the house.

"Abena. Hey, I'm home." He grinned, loosening his tie.

"Hey. Welcome home. I made dinner, your favorite, Spaghetti Bolognese. Go and freshen up so we can eat." She said immediately, saying everything she had practised, sounding like she was a recorded voice.

He lifted an eyebrow in confusion but shrugged.

As long as he was getting free food, and his favorite too.

They sat down in awkward silence, the only sounds that could be heard was the sound of the cutlery against the plates.

"Abena. What's wrong?" He finally asked.

"I went to the hospital today-"

"Oh my God. Are you okay? Is the baby okay? What did the doctor say? I should have called him today, I totally forgot. I should probably go call him now. Oh Abena, I really hope you're okay, if you aren't-"

"There are two babies!" She blurted out.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"Two babies. I'm having twins." She said slowly.

A grin spread across his face. "Yes!" He shouted, pumping his fists in the air. "Yes! Yes! Yes! I said it! I'm a sharp shooter baby! I've got to call Joseph, and Mama would be so happy. Oh this is amazing Abena."

"I want to keep one." She said and immediately, the grin on his face vanished. He stared at her, anger bubbling slowly inside him.

"Excuse me?"

...

Uh-oh

Trouble in paradise already!

How do you think this offer would go down with Tobi?

Who likes Mama?

Who hates Eniola?

'Omo mi' means 'my child'

When someone says that they would 'show you pepper', it means that they would 'make life hell for you'.

You guys should check out my sisters book. "Becoming Miss. Popular" by it's not a Nigerian book but it's really good, she just posted the first chapter last night.

The banner was made by my sister from another continent

I got a ship name: Tobena! Given to me by @clearlypowell

To Team Tobena! *shares drinks for everyone* No alcohol guys, sorry, I'm underaged.

If you guys have banners for me, send me a private message.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Advice, suggestions, criticism, they are welcome. Let me know what I'm doing wrong or right.

Don't forget to:

Vote - You! Don't leave here without pressing that star button 😉

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Keep on being amazing, my lovely bananas;

☺

- Timi

P.S

Omg you guysssssss

I know I already posted this chapter earlier today but I just found out that 'The Contract' has 1k reads omg!

We're throwing a partyyyyyyy

But you guys provide the food sha

Thanks so muchhhh 😆😆😆😆

P.S.S

I just entered The Contract into the Nigerian Watty Awards.

You guys should check it out.

Search for Nigerian Watty Awards, it's like a book.

Please nominate the characters for the different categories.

Thanks

☺