Seven years later...

"We are gathered today to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of new horizon limited. As you can see, the venue is packed with the country's finest and most established men. Senators and governors have also graced the event, and let's not even talk of the hosts themselves, the Ezebuikes, who just arrived to the venue. It is being said that today would mark the beginning of a new era, a celebration of new partnerships, and the one we've been waiting for, the announcement of chief Nathaniel Ezebuike's successor. The entire people of Enugu state can not wait to know who the chief has chosen to walk in his stead, stay tuned as Enugu Awake news brings all of the state's top news to your screens."

The large hall was packed with powerful men and women of different colors and nationalities just as the newscaster had said. It was the twentieth anniversary of the company and it looked like time had gone by so quickly. Anyone could see how proud Nathaniel was of the company, and the crowd he was able to pull for the event. The high shoulder pads of his suit was more than enough to show that.

The hall was colorful and beautifully decorated to suit the event and the DJ knew how to play only the right songs. The event had barely even started but it looked like everyone was already having the time of their lives making conversations in groups the way rich people always did. Even the Ezebuikes were not left out.

"It's amazing what you have done with the company over the years. Who would have thought new horizons would hit international market so soon." The words of the white man that spoke to him made his shoulders hurt from all that pride but Nathaniel just let his smile widen.

"It is no surprise Mr Edward. New horizons always had what it took to hit markets that exist to the ends of the earth. It's just a pity that countries are only just beginning to notice what a sustainable brand this company is. Over the years, all the staff of the company has worked diligently to bring the company all the recognition it has now, and not to mention the good brains and company I've had on my side." He slowly turned to his daughter Sommadina, and gave her arm a gentle squeeze, causing the smile she had on her face to remain even brighter.

"It was my daughter's idea to make the company a franchise five years ago."

Sommadina loved the attention she was getting as the group of white men nodded in approval and amusement while they turned to her. She went red immediately.

"Then I must say, you have not only a very beautiful daughter, but very smart too."

"Thank you for your kind words Mr Walker, but the truth is I didn't do any of this on my own, as a matter of fact, it was my husband's idea to turn New Horizon to a franchise company."

"Oh really?"

"Is that true?"

The white men whispered among themselves while she slowly turned to her side and grabbed the hand of Randal who just stood there, forcing a smile on his face the moment they were finally giving him some recognition.

He had aged well in seven years, he even grew his own mustache and beards that connected beautifully. His shiny suit could almost blind your eyes not to talk of his golden wristwatch as it came in contact with the room's spotlight.

"Oh I must have forgotten to introduce you to my son-in-law." Nathaniel went on, gesturing to Randal. "Randal Okonkwo, the vision of New Horizon. He has successfully managed five outlets over the years and is looking forward to heading our branch in London. New horizon has grown tremendously well since he joined us."

"It's nice to meet you Mr Randal." Randy shook hands with him.

"The pleasure is mine Mr Walker."

"And congratulations, I can see that you both are expecting another." He lowered his gaze on Sommadinah's swollen belly just as she placed a hand on it and rubbed her belly slowly. Her cheeks went rosy too. "Is it the second?"

"Third." They both chorused before Sommadina chuckled.

"We are in our second trimester." Randy added.

"It must feel so nice to be young and in love." One of the men said as Randal slowly reached for her shoulders and placed his arm over it. He rubbed her arm gently and smiled at her before he turned back to the men.

"Talk about being young and in love, there is someone I would like you all to meet." Nathaniel managed to get their attention once again. "Shall we?" He gestured to the rest of the crowd, not exactly anyone in particular.

Sommadina followed the men with her gaze just as Randal slowly took his hand away from her shoulders and turned to the direction of the voice that had approached them.

"Drinks?"

"I'd take one." He told her, watching how she smiled and slowly reached for the last glass filled with wine in her tray. Sommadina turned to them. She wished she could also have a drink but she wasn't sure it was a good idea, at least in her condition.

The lady slowly bit on her lower lip seductively as she handed the glass to Randal, making sure that her hand caressed his while he took it from her. Randal raised his head to look at her, she let out a flirtatious smile that aggravated Sommadina as she watched. She held her breath when she saw how Randy returned the woman's smile.

"Thank you." He said to her, almost in a whisper before she slowly bowed and walked away with the tray. Sommadina placed a hand on her protruding belly as she watched him flicker his tongue around his inner cheeks while he watched the waitress walk away lustfully. She was probably going to get a refill.

Sommadina was about to say something when he slowly turned to her.

"I should go meet some of the investors." He told her. "I just remembered that I have some unfinished business with Ezikel Kanayo." He gave her a kiss on her cheek before she could even refute or say anything and then walked away briskly. She let out a weak exhale as she watched him walk away.

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The disco lights filled the entire hall as the DJ soothed everyone's hearts with the right song that brought them to the dance floor.

Sommadina on the other hand didn't feel like dancing, not like she could drink anyway. It had been over twenty minutes since they had all left her by herself and she was extremely bored. She had no idea where she was going but somehow, she just let her legs lead her out of the dance room and down the hallway.

It would be a lie if she had said that she was walking aimlessly without a reason but she knew she what she was looking for, more like who.

It had been a while since Randal had claimed that he was going to meet some investors but none of the investors she had bumped into had an idea where he was. They didn't seem to have seen him either, and she didn't too. There was only one explanation she could think of and she prayed in the whole of her heart that she was wrong.

She swallowed hard as she approached one of the doors at the corner of the hallway, it was slightly opened, just a little bit but she could see the lights that came out of it, and the moaning sounds that were quite loud even with the loud music coming from the dance hall. She could hear the slapping sounds that eluded the room, more like skins hitting on each other. She froze for a minute, her hands trembling as she hid right beside the wall, summoning all the courage and strength she needed to do the next thing. She peeped into the room and held her breath at the sight of what she saw, at the sight of her husband, half way undressed on his lower body and on top of the waitress that had served them drinks earlier.

She placed a hand over her mouth to stop herself from screaming and quickly looked away from the scene, holding on tightly to the neck of her dress as tears welled up in her eyes. Just like every other time, her heart was breaking into beats. Each time she thought she was used to it, used to the idea of catching him cheating, he always found a way to remind her that it was something she was never going to get used to. She was done, she was done pretending like she didn't see or hear.

She was done watching him make a fool out of her all the time. She had had enough and this time, she was going to confront him, the both of them. She turned and  took a step towards the door again when she heard a loud scream from the hallway and the music stopped.

Something was wrong.

She now had to decide stoping her husband's adultery or being the good host her father had expected her to be. Confronting Randal could wait, she couldn't afford something wrong going on at the biggest event her family had hosted in the year. She started to find her way back to the hall as fast as she could, wiping the tears that fell from her face with the back of her hands before they ruined her make up.

She could hear the disturbing noise that filled the hall as she got closer and it got even worse the moment she was in. There was a crowd, gathering the center of the hall and forming a circle right there. She frowned, furrowing her brows as she tried to make her way past the crowd. Sommadina froze when she got close enough to the center, her eyes widening in shock with what she saw. It was Nathaniel, he had collapsed while dancing right in the middle of the room and he wasn't breathing.

"Father!" She rushed to him as fast as she could and bent over to him. "Father!" She shook him a bit and could feel her heart beating even faster when he didn't respond. She turned to the crowd immediately.

"Somebody help me!"