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Sunday arrives faster than expected, meaning we're counting down days til the wedding.

So far it's going great spending time with my dad. He is aware that one of my closest friends is soon to be married and he's okay with attending the white wedding.
Noni managed to get Kenya a gift before her departure which warmed my heart because they also bonded a little, even with Hannah.

At the moment, I'm driving home with my dad from the church I go to. He seems to be at ease so I'm assuming church was grand for him.

"Would you like to stop somewhere for lunch?" I ask.
"Of course. How could I turn down such an offer," I laugh at his response, making a turn to Logan Square.
"This place looks immaculate," he praises.
"I knew you'd love it. I actually work with the owner of this place, he's extending it so I'm part of the project," I fill him in.
"Oh that's good,"

I park the car and we head into the complex. Judging from his expressions he seems to like the place. We find a restaurant to eat in and settle down.

"I don't see any stores here," he comments.
"It's just restaurants here, strictly wine and dine," I respond.
"So what if I want Ceres juice and they don't have it here?" I deadpan at his question.
"Dad, Noni bought you juice. You can have any other here you'll still go home to some juice,"
"You'll ask the waiter and if they don't have, you'll go buy," he ends the discussion, looking into the menu card.

The waiter arrives and takes our orders, my dad being the man he is asks for Ceres mango juice- they have fresh mango juice but I reason with him until he gives in to take what they have.

Our afternoon goes well and we head home after.

The following day is cloudy and it's probably going to rain. It's seven am and I'm preparing breakfast and some afternoon snacks for my dad so that he doesn't have to. Once I'm done I head back to my room to freshen up quickly, then sliding into a forest green dress and pairing with black heels and my bob wig to match.

I walk down the staircase when I hear the sound of the coffee machine turned on and running.

"Good morning,dad." I greet him as he takes a sip of his cup of coffee.
"Good morning to you too my princess," he smiles at me and placing a cup on the countertop, "I'm assuming you're off to work?"
"Yeah I am. I made sure to make you some breakfast there's waffles in the Tupperware and then chicken salad for lunch. If you'd like anything else I'm just a phone call away," I hug him and he thanks me as I make my exit.

Khale is livelier today and I enter my office after greeting a few subordinates and giving orders here and there.

"Good Morning, Ms Yané," Wendy greets me.
"Good Morning, are you alright?" I notice her looking a bit off edge.
"Well..." she follows behind me to my desk where a blue booklet is resting.
"What is this?" I scan through it and pause when she starts to speak.
"Brisk called at 8am inform us about the changes with the Logan Square project. Mr Greear is handing over management to someone else. These are just the adjustments they sent plus schematics of what's left to do and if you have any questions they put contacts at the back,"

Of course I have questions! Like why the hell is he not informing me himself or at least coming back to finish this project?!

"Alright, thank you, Wendy," I sigh and begin work.

As the day progresses, my mind grows tired and I close up for the day at 3pm. I drive home and spend the rest of the day there.

At 5pm Kenya calls and let's me know the program for the week with the bridesmaids. I smile, because I'm looking forward to this wedding and its the only thing making me happy so far.

I head over to her house and help her out until 7.
Arriving at Townhill estate entrance, I scowl at the sight before me; the infamous jeep with James waving at the security guards through his window before speeding off.

Marching into my house once I get there, I find my father seated in the living room over a glass of juice, watching the news on television.

"Ah, you're here. You just missed James he had come to see us but I told him you're at work,"
"I don't think he saw my car when I was entering the premises. Did he enter the house?" I rest my bag on the coffee table.
"I walked out to speak with him briefly-"

"Thank God," I whisper to myself. The last thing I want is James setting foot in my house. It just doesn't sit well with me.

"James sure is something," he remarks.
"Sure," I force a smile and sit near him.
"I can tell the feeling's not mutual from your end," I turn to my dad, "You don't like him."
"I honestly don't," I say truthfully.
"Your visit back home made it clear,"
"I'm surprised you noticed,dad. But then why couldn't you have said anything when the Kagans and mum constantly pushed the idea that James and I will be together?"

He looks at the coffee table in deep thought, " The Kagan family have been helping your mother's family for a very long time. They invested time and money to develop each other's home villages and such. When your mother and I were soon to wed, I became acquainted with the Kagan family. By then they had made a name for themselves- I remember my brother, your uncle Ntwali, asking me in shock as to how I knew the Kagans when they were in attendance at our wedding. Frankly speaking if it wasn't for the fact that I was a doctor and schooled abroad I'd have been a commoner to them.
The loss of your grandmother- from your mother's side, was the biggest shock for everyone, and when that happened it was more than just a family figure that passed on. They held her in high regard and supported your mother's family through it all. Your mother then took up a certain business after her death and the Kagan's second son- James' father, was close with your mother, almost like a brother. He funded the business and eventually your mother dropped her job as a PA at law firm. I only found out about it later when they planned to purchase land in town," he clears his throat and takes a sip of his juice.

"They were involved in everything your mother and I did, but they did not involve me as much when it came to their family business. A year passed and we had Noni. Everyone was excited; she's a girl, the Kagans were known for having sons and it was a perfect match. Noni would continue with the businesses your mother's family were working on and marry a Kagan. Years later, you were born so two girls now, and they became even happier.Noni later wanted to study abroad and your mother had reservations about it so she said as long as it was medicine. I could only do so much as to encourage her as a father to do medicine- or what her heart of hearts wanted to pursue and... yeah, she took up the idea to study medicine, and met Gareth along the way. Your mother wasn't pleased but she went with it when she found out Noni's surname would be Koye, doesn't make sense to me but- she takes surnames seriously," he chuckles, but I sense bitterness in it.

"So now you're the last of the Yanés- or at least to the Kagan family. But whether your mum likes it or not you're part of my family, however her culture regards the girl child closer to the mother so I'm assuming you're their last hope. And what better way than to pair you with your childhood friend, James," he sighs, I'm guessing he's done with the in-depth explanation.

This is alot to digest but it makes sense as to why my mother has been on my neck with getting together with James.

"So what is going to happen now that mum is back home with her family?" I ask.
"I am yet to find out," he says, " I love your mother dearly, but with the order in which she's moving it is just drifting everyone apart. My only wish is for us to move on peacefully and acknowledge what is before us; that we have raised our children the best way we could and now you should live and not forget your values from home,"

My dad has said alot, I'm noticing how he's been sharing much about the family with Noni and I. Maybe it is a good thing that this scandal is happening otherwise we'd fall into this never ending cycle of tradition in attempts to continue their legacy.

I stand from my seat and so does my dad, but he heads to the kitchen, cursing under his breath about how warm his juice is.

That should teach him to keep his deep talks short and straight to the point...jokes.

**
The forecast says it will be rainy for the next two days, and my dad is completely okay with it. All he ever does now is watch the news, watch more news on his phone or iPad, drink juice and walk around the neighborhood. I love that he's not just sitting, it's good.

As usual I head to work despite the weather change, clad in a black suit paired with black heels and a tan trench coat to top it off.

Once at work, I attend to a few clients before lunch arrives. It's now partly cloudy so I decide to go out for lunch.

"Ms Yané?" Wendy walks in, "your meeting with Brisk has been scheduled for after lunch."
"Okay that's fine," I sigh. Christian really decided to step away from this project...very well then.

Lunch passes and I'm back in my office to meet with the new representative and manager for Brisk. The booklet has a new name, new description, all of that.

I take a few minutes going through other things until he arrives, and it goes pretty great.

"It was great speaking with you, Ms Yané," he stands and shakes my hand.
"Likewise, Mr Thompson," I return the handshake. He's a tall and tan man with hair in tight coils,shaven on the sides.
"And I'm looking forward to working with you," he adds, "Mr Greear has told me alot about your zeal when it comes to projects and teamwork."
"I'm sure he has," I force a laugh as we walk out the office.

The drive home doesn't feel the same. I'm definitely not at ease and I decide to take a detour to Kenya's as usual.

I find her car outside, awesome.

"Hello," she chimes.
"Hey girl, I'm at your house just turning the car off," I explain, stepping out the car and fluffing my curled wig.
"Okay girl, I'm home alone and Adrian isn't in surprisingly,"

She opens the door and embraces me, ending the call quickly.
We spend a good while talking about her wedding arrangements and our last night together with her.

"Let me call Hannah, girl. She needs to spice up the mood," she dials the number just as the front door opens. I hear a cheery roar and Kenya scowls, moving away once Hannah picks up. I turn my head as the noise becomes louder, Adrian probably brought guys to take to his man cave or something.

He emerges into the kitchen and notices me, his voice quiets down immediately.

"Imani, hey. I didn't expect you see you here," I stand to give a side hug
"Hey, babe," Kenya walks over to give him a kiss once her call with Hannah ends. He seems a bit off guard but I'm guessing it's because he was as loud as the voice of an auctioneer just seconds ago.

"I'm going to be down in the basement with the guys so if you need us you know where to find us," Adrian says and makes his exit when we wave.

Time passes and Hannah arrives, also in her office clothes and we relax in the guest room that has all the dresses and accessories for the wedding. We take a few mirror selfies in our work clothes because we looked like boss baddies and then kicked the heels off because girl- it was too much!

"Lets move to the other room with the wine and things, I need to lock up this room," Kenya announces once we finished our once-in-a-lifetime photoshoot.

"Let me grab- oh shoot the wine opener," Hannah mentions.
"I'll get it," I roll my eyes and Kenya does the same, heading to her room to place her keys while I head downstairs.

I hear some shuffling in the kitchen and my senses are heightened, but I soon relax because what- a thief is in Kenya's house? Impossible.

I stop dead in my tracks when I notice the tall and built figure in the room, his back facing me. He turns sharply and my breath hitches, watching him turn fully to face me.

Our eyes lock for what feels like forever. My mind travels back and forth with memories, spiraling out of control.

I never quite thought about how I'd react to seeing this familiar face again; if I'd get angry about his return, or tell him I missed him, I don't know. Should I say what's on my mind right now? That I'm shocked that he's standing there? Am I hallucinating and maybe its just my mind playing tricks on me because he's been on my mind for a while?

All I know is the man before me came at a time I could not imagine, and I'm totally unprepared.
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