Chapter Ten

Andrew's POV

"You look like hell."

I looked up and found Adrian making his way to me, Funke beside him. I forced a smile and stood up to hug both of them.

"I feel like hell," I sat back and ran my hand through my hair.

Adrian took the seat beside me while Funke sat beside Adrian. Funke ordered drinks for her and Adrian.

"When was the last time you spoke to her?" Adrian leaned on the bar counter and turned his profile fully to me.

"About a week ago," I ran my finger over the rim of the glass in front of me that once held a fine amount of bourbon. I beckoned to the bartender for a refill.

"I saw her message on WhatsApp, it sounded like she was in hell." Funke said as she passed Adrian's drink to him before taking a sip of her Margarita.

"She is in hell, basically on house arrest and of course being forced to go on dates with that guy," I groaned and snatched my drink from the bartender before he even got the chance to set it in front of me.

"How do you know all that?" Adrian eyed me skeptically.

I quirked a brow, "I have eyes and ears inside that house."

He gave me a 'spill it' look and I groaned again.

"Fine, Ana gets info from Temi and she tells me. Apparently my name is basically a taboo at their house, it's like I never existed in their lives." I answered then took a swing of my drink.

"That's brutal, I hope Victoria doesn't lose it quicker than I thought," Funke shook her head sadly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I leaned into the counter to get a good look at Funke.

She chuckled, "you know what I mean Andrew. She was losing it before."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear you," I leaned back and sighed.

"Anyways, what are you doing in Chicago? Last time we talked you sounded in a rush." Adrian nodded at whatever Funke said to him before we both watched her walk away.

"Business," I rolled my eyes. "And I was in a rush, I was about to get on a plane. Were you able to reach her?"

"Nope," he shook his head. "No one has been able to reach her since she sent that message on WhatsApp."

I groaned and ran my hand through my hair once again.

After dad dragged me to Abuja for a 'business meeting' he also dragged me to Chicago in the name of business. The night we left for Abuja by the time we got to the hotel I was so tired that I forgot to plug my phone and to worsen it my phone was on silence so when Victoria called I was out like a light bulb, she called so much my phone died.

I was pissed at myself when I woke up the next morning and saw the missed calls, I tired calling her back but it said switched off. I was utterly shocked when I saw that she used one of her old numbers to call me.

Throughout the day at the meetings I had I couldn't think straight, couldn't do anything right. Dad kept yelling at me over and over again but I blocked out his voice completely.

When he told me we were leaving for Chicago I had to call Adrian first to tell him I was coming over and also to tell him to find a way to reach Victoria but no luck at all.

It's been a week since I saw her and five days since I left Nigeria. We just finalized the deal we came over to do in Chicago and now I actually have the time to drink and unwind so I called Adrian and Funke over. I haven't seen them since they left Nigeria.

"When I get back to Nigeria, I'm going to march over to her parents house and damn the consequences, demand to see her." I said with determination flowing through my entire being.

"Please tell me how it goes at the end and please send my deepest sympathy to her," he patted me on the shoulder. "When are you going back?"

"If my father doesn't bring up another business issue by tommorow, I'll be on the next flight home."

He nodded just as Funke reappeared and this time took a seat on my other side.

"So Andrew," she started and I knew that it wasn't going to be good but I answered nonetheless. "What is this news I'm hearing about Lily?"

My mouth dropped and Adrian nearly choked on his drink.

"Where the hell did you hear that from?" This wasn't good and for Funke to hear about it that means Lily really has a big mouth.

"A friend knows her and let's just say you've become the next hot topic at work," she sipped her drink and tilted her head enough to look at me.

"Jesus!" I face palmed myself. "She really has a big mouth."

"Wait!" Adrian piped in. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"Lily," I started. "She's some girl that my father and her mother who really thought they could play match making set me up with. Like we were forced to go on a date."

"I can already imagine the kind of girl she is if half of the people at work know about it already," he looked at Funke who just shrugged.

"Exactly, she's annoying and all she talked about was her dog and her plans for her next photo shoot. She even made a move on me when I dropped her home that night," I shuddered when the memory of two nights ago came flooding back. It was a bad date.

"Trust me Andrew, in the next twenty four hours your faces will be the next cover of Vogue." Funke joked and I glared at her.

She laughed, "okay I'm just joking but don't be surprised if magazines and all those hungry journalists start talking about you."

"It can't get that bad! Ahn ahn!" Adrian eyed Funke who was still laughing.

"Just watch and see. With the way word travels fast you'll be surprised. Don't say I didn't tell you," Funke shrugged.

"You're just overreacting Funke," I rolled my eyes. "Enough about me and my messed up love life, how have you guys been?"

"We've been fine, missing Victoria though," Funke answered.

"Yeah, work has got me choking," Adrian held his hand over his neck and made a face of someone struggling for air. "Makes me wonder how my dad managed all this while."

"Trust me I've been there but you'll get used to it." I gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"I pray so," he nodded.

"How's Matt? Haven't heard from him in a while," I suddenly remembered Adrian's step brother and one of my oldest friends.

Yes his step brother. When his dad left him and his mum, he moved on and married a new woman and they now have three kids, Matt being the oldest. He's my age mate meaning two years younger than Adrian and Funke.

"He's fine, we see each other almost everyday." He snapped his fingers suddenly, "speaking of which he's throwing his girlfriend a surprise party, you should come if you're still around."

"If I'm still around I don't think I'd want to go," I shrugged.

"Come on Drew, I'm very sure he'd want you to be there if he knows you're around. Just surprise the dude," Funke spoke now.

"I'm still not sure if I'll be around so let's see how it goes."

"Alright," Funke drummed her fingers on the bar counter. "I'm ready for some shots."

"No!" I shook my head in protest and began to stand up but Adrian held me back.

"Nope you ain't going no where," Adrian pushed me to sit down. "Just two," he rose two fingers in my face.

"I hate you people," I groaned, half of me not liking the idea of shots right now. The other half of me just wants to loosen up, after all that's why I'm at the bar.

"You love us," Funke disagreed and I braced myself to get wasted because Funke and Adrian never go for just two shots.

***

Happy Sunday to you all!

Who missed Adrian and Funke?

🙋 I know I did.

And who the fuck does Lily think she is to just waltz in from wherever?

Vote, comment and share! Love you all! ❤️