Lies From Pretty Lips

PROLOGUE

Wale stared hard at the picture his assistant had sent to him on whatsapp. If the picture wasn't in his hand and right in his face, he wouldn't have believed Oyinda.

She was what most people referred to as a 'busy body' and she gossiped like it was her God-given talent. His eyes darkened as he looked at the couple in the picture, they were so deep in their illicit embrace and kiss that they hadn't noticed that someone had taken a picture of them.

What the hell was Arin thinking?! It could have been anybody, anybody could have taken a picture of his wife kissing another man in public!

About two hours ago, Arinola had left the house. She'd told him in her usual sweet coaxing voice that she couldn't stay at home with him all day because she had some errands to run for her mother.

And thirty minutes ago, barely three hours since she left the house, Oyinda had sent him this picture of Arinola kissing a strange man at the shopping centre in Ikeja.

For the love of God, her damn parents' house was at Ajah, and her mother's shop was at Ikota Shopping Complex.

So why the hell was his wife kissing this strange man at the Ikeja Shopping Mall?

His heart pounded furiously as he thought of fifty bloody ways he could strangle out the answer from her. He was not a violent man, but Arinola was driving him mad.

Arinola will pay for this betrayal, not just her, her lover, and her entire family too.

COLLIDE

ARINOLA

The sound of my alarm woke me up but I ignored it wanting to go back to sleep and dream about the good life.

The life where I was rich and married to Osaze, with no problem at all.

"Arin!" I buried my head in the pillow, I should have known she'd disturb me too.

She was the second Alarm clock in this house. Once she was up, she wanted the whole house to wake up with her.

"Arinola Ajisafe!" she called again but I ignored her hoping she'd get the message and leave me alone.

"Don't let me come inside that room o lazy girl! Your mates are up and at work, you're still lying down there" she shouted from the living room.

"Oooh, what is it na, why wouldn't she just leave me alone to sleep?" I grumbled before getting out of bed.

I'd slept late yesterday after a night out at the bar with my girls.

They'd taken me out last night to drink and forget about my problem with Osaze.

"Arinola, I hope you're out of that bed because if I should enter that room and meet you still lying down there you will hate me" My mother called again.

I swear some African mothers were created to frustrate their children, my mother being one of them never failed to frustrate me.

Few minutes after dishing out threats from the living room, She came into my room dressed in an Iro and Buba, an angry expression on her face.

"Lazy girl, you're just waking up. Didn't I tell you to get up early so you can put the icing on that cake and deliver it? Am I the one that will decorate the cake and still deliver it for you?" she asked.

"Good morning" I greeted grumpily.

"I did not kill my mother Arinola! You will not kill me, is this how you will be sleeping from morning till night in your husband's house? So that he will send you back here, God forbid! You will not disgrace me and your father" she raged on and on theatrically.

Did I mention that my mum is a drama queen?

"Mummy I'm going to bathe now" I rolled my eyes.

"Is it me you're doing that face for, silly, naughty girl? I will slap your face" she hissed referring to the way I'd rolled my eyes.

I shook my head to avoid more drama, she simply glared at me before walking away.

I don't know why mummy is always so worked up in the morning.

I took off my sleep shorts and singlet before walking into the bathroom.

Mummy ran a confectionery and a restaurant and I worked for her, after I'd graduated from the University of Lagos and completed the youth service I hadn't been able to secure a job.

So I turned to mummy and she taught me how to cook. After her teachings and mentoring, she offered me a job.

The arrangement then suited me because I hated the stress of the Nigerian labor market besides Osaze my boyfriend already promised to help me start up my restaurant when we get married.

I'm hoping it's soon because I'm getting fed up with working for mummy and I want to leave this house.

I hastily brushed my teeth and took my bath before mummy would start screaming my name again.

After having my bath quite quickly, I hurried to my wardrobe and got dressed in my mini blue flower prints chiffon dress that showed off my fantastic legs and fixed my makeup and hair hastily.

Born with really pretty features, I loved to accentuate it more with makeup and wigs.

I slipped into my nude-colored heels and walked to the living room to go decorate the cake I was delivering in a few hours.

My dad, Mr. Olakunle Ajisafe was sitting on his favorite chair in the living room reading a newspaper.

"Daddy good morning," I said walking over to him, leaning down to kiss his cheeks.

"My light-skinned princess, pretty angel. Turn around let me see you, my gold, my wealth" I chuckled and turned around as daddy went on with the compliments.

Mummy came into the living room scowling.

"My husband, don't encourage her jare! You're the one spoiling this girl" she said to my father before turning to me.

"What are you wearing, is this what you will wear to go and deliver the cake? Heels! So that you will fall and destroy my cake? Go and wear your sandal or your sneakers joor" mummy hissed.

I frowned, pouting a little before looking to daddy to support me.

"Hey! Abike, leave her alone. Let her dress as she pleases, look at how beautiful she looks. Don't you know she's the one who will bring our fortune? You'll never know the rich man she'll encounter on her way" Daddy chided mummy.

Mummy hissed and rolled her eyes at my father's statement.

"Like father like daughter," she said walking into the kitchen.

I followed her to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on the cake.

"Ehem! madam hurry up, let me drop you off at Alesh so you can get a bus going to Oshodi," mummy said.

"Alright, I'm almost done," I said.

Minutes later I was done with the cake decoration and packaging.

"My husband, I'm leaving there's breakfast and lunch in the kitchen. If you need anything else, just come to the shop" she handed him a couple of Naira notes.

Mummy has been the breadwinner of the family since my father retired from the Nigerian power holding company.

He'd spent his pension on bad business and lost a lot of money, since then mummy took care of the house rent and the bills.

An outsider would never know that because mummy never harassed him for money or disrespected him.

I admired the love and connection between them.

Soon mummy won't be able to work again and the both of them will look up to me to take of them.

When that time comes, I don't want to disappoint them, not after all they've done for me.

I kissed daddy goodbye and followed mummy to her car.

The old battered family car that daddy had bought during his working days.

"Nothing should happen to that cake Arinola, Mrs. Okoji is my very good customer and I don't want to disappoint her. Don't fail me" Mummy reminded me.

"I won't mummy," I said frowning, she treats me like I'm incompetent sometimes and I don't like that.

"Okay," she said as we drove out from the compound and into the main road.

Mummy's restaurant was located at Ikota while we resided in Ado-Ajah area.

She dropped me off at Alesh to get a bus going to Oshodi.

"Goodbye Arin, don't fail me" she repeated.

Words.... I've been hearing since I was a child, 'don't fail us Arin'.

I sighed, smiled, and nodded before getting out of the car.

Minutes later after standing under the merciless Lagos sun for a long time, I began to regret wearing these heels.

I checked my wristwatch and groaned, I didn't want to take a public bus because of the way they packed people like sardines in it.

Mummy will kill me if I mess up her cake, I couldn't also get a BRT.

I stood under the sun hoping for a private vehicle going to Oshodi.

I checked my watch again before saying a silent prayer to God to send a private vehicle, God must have answered my prayers immediately because luck smiled in my direction.

A/N: Iro and Buba - A traditional Yoruba attire for women, consisting of a blouse and a wrapper.

COLLIDE

AKINWALE.

"You have a meeting with Marcellina Dubois this morning Akinwale, I went to your penthouse at Ikoyi this morning and I was told that you didn't come home last night, let me remind you that your meeting is at nine o'clock and Mrs. Dubois doesn't tolerate tardiness" Oyindamola's voice boomed in the car.

"Yes, Yes, Oyinda. I'm on my way to the office. What other appointment do I have today?" I asked navigating the car as I went through the roundabout at Ajah.

My Appointment with Mrs. Dubois had been the last thing on my mind when Christine one of my good friends had invited me to a threesome with her cousin Helen at her place last night.

We'd been super busy till three in the morning, so I got up later than usual only to receive a text from my dearest Oyindamola that I had a freaking appointment at nine with the manager of one of the biggest Jewelers in France.

'stupid, stupid, stupid' how could I forget?

I have to close this deal with Mrs. Dubois today, I checked my wristwatch and it was past seven a.m already, hopefully, I'll beat the Monday morning traffic and get to the EKO hotel before nine, which was highly impossible because Lagos traffic was hell.

"Well...you have a busy day, you're having a board meeting by twelve with your team of designers, then You're having lunch with your sister after that. You also have a date with the Deputy governor's daughter Moji, and a dinner date with the actress. I've fixed your lunch with Semi by one o'clock, your other date is by three o'clock so you have time to rest before your date with the actress. Do remember to get me her autograph" Oyindamola said.

"Cancel my date with the governor's daughter. Send my apologies to her, she likes emeralds and hydrangeas" I said with an exasperated sigh.

"Wale, this is the third time you're refusing her. I doubt she'd be happy about it this time" Oyinda warned.

"Come on, just do it. I can handle her" I smiled rubbing my jaw.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk I wonder what these girls see in you," Oyinda said.

I can imagine her shaking her head.

I laughed heartily, one of the reasons why Oyinda still worked for me despite her annoying, loquacious nature is because unlike my previous assistants she's not attracted to me and she actually calls me out on my shit when I mess up.

At first, it had bothered me that she wasn't attracted to me, since I'm Akinwale Solade the female magnet but I got comfortable with the idea later on because she didn't throw herself at me every second.

I looked out of the window and something else or rather someone else caught my attention.

"Wale, make sure you make it to the hotel on time" Oyinda reminded me again.

"Yeah, yeah," I said already distracted as I was pulling over to the side of the road.

I don't know why I stopped, I mean I've certainly seen a lot of beautiful women but there was something different about this one.

I couldn't place my finger on it, it was just this feeling.

She was putting on a short dress that showed off her sleek legs and she was holding a large package from the looks of it, it was a cake.

I noticed She looked distressed and I was immediately concerned.

"Hey beautiful" I winked.

She smiled but ignored me and looked away.

"Come on, the heat of the sun isn't good for your pretty skin. Hop in, I'll give you a ride" I offered.

She hesitated, checking her watch before moving towards the car.

I ended the phone call with oyinda who was already raging, she must have heard me speaking to the lady.

She got into the car and I watched her settle into the car before I reached out to turn on some cool, nerves relaxing music before driving into the main road.

"So where are you going?" I asked.

"Gbagada" she replied not looking at me.

I remembered Oyinda's warning about tardiness but I just couldn't resist this girl, I have to get to know her.

Close up, she looks really pretty that I thought.

"Gbagada is far and out of my way, but I can make that work for you" I smiled.

She didn't even bat an eyelid in my direction.

"Anything for a pretty face," I said with a smirk.

She turned to me now and gave me a strained smile.

"So what next?" she asked.

I gave her a confused look, what next?

"Huh?" I uttered.

"You'll compliment me, ask me for my number, tell me you like me, you want to see me again. Probably fix a date with me, more compliments then you'll try to get in bed or a relationship. Which is it, you might as well get started after all that's the only reason you picked me up" she said sarcastically.

Wow, I chuckled really amused.

Another woman immune to Wale's charms, perhaps she was related to Oyinda.

"Well, I was hoping to get you in bed" I half-joked

She rolled her eyes and looked away.

"Well you're no different" I pointed out defensively.

"Meaning?" she asked.

"Meaning you saw a handsome face and a nice ride and hopped him. I bet if I was ugly, and in a battered Volvo you would have ignored me" I said.

She made a face, "Oh please, the only reason I got into your car was that I was already tired of waiting for a cab and I need to get to Gbagada on time. Your face, your wacky pick-up line, and your ride weren't impressive enough" she said twisting her pretty lips.

I chuckled, "What a sharp mouth," I remarked.

"Thank you, it's one of my best features," she said.

I laughed.

"I'm Arinola Ajisafe, and you?" she asked.

"Akinwale Solade" I replied and waited for her reaction.

Her eyes widened, "Like the Solades?" she asked.

I nodded "Are you impressed now?" I asked teasing.

She narrowed her eyes at me and hit me playfully.

"Well, yes.....I mean I follow your sister on Instagram, her fashion line is to die for. I'm actually saving up for one of her dresses. That's what is impressive, not you" she said.

"Yeah right," I smiled.

The Solades were one of the richest families in Nigeria.

My great grandfather had created a legacy for us when he started selling pieces of jewelry with a loan from one of his white friends, over the years Solade stones have dominated the country and all other countries in and outside of Africa.

I ran Solade Stones since my father's death and my mother managed her own jewelry line that had also made a name in Africa, my sister Semilore Solade owns a clothing line that was popular in Africa and Europe.

After the whole introduction, the tension between us broke and we began to talk like we've been friends for decades.

She was humorous and smart, worked at her mother's restaurant.

Her culinary skills were on fire, and she wanted her own restaurant after she got married.

No sooner than I expected, we got to Gbagada, not wanting the conversation to end I offered to drop her off at the Medina Estate at Gbagada to prolong our conversation.

"So when do I get your number?" I asked.

"Um...Wale we had a great conversation. Thanks for the ride and everything but you're the kind of temptation I don't need in my life right now. I'm sorry, this can't happen again" she apologized.

I didn't push it or beg her because I, Wale Solade do not chase women.

It is a rule I cannot bend or break, so I let her go.

It isn't every day one comes across a woman like Arinola but if she didn't want to be pursued, I won't chase.

"Goodbye Arin," I said with a charming smile.

She smiled back at me before getting out of the car.