Chapter 50

A smile lighted his face immediately he saw the young woman and the kids.
My Florence, David said.
My Darling, the young woman replied.
She walked to David and gave him a passionate hug and a kiss.
Daddy, the children screamed and ran to David.
David hugged them and lifted the second daughter up.
Who is she? Florence asked and pointed at me.
She is a maid I brought to be helping me, David replied.
Sir! my gateman gasped.
Will you shut up and go inside now, David barked.
My gateman shrugged and ran into the compound.
And you, How dare you keep my family outside? David asked and gave me a hard slap.
I held my cheeks.
Let's go in, David said.
I watched as David helped carry some luggages and lead the way into the compound.
Don't be insolent to your master, David's mother said.
I didn't know how long I stood outside the gate.
Please come inside ma'am, my gateman whispered.
Am I dreaming or awake? I asked my gateman.
You are awake. They were the once that lived here with your husband when you traveled, please come inside, my gateman begged.
I sighed and walked into the compound.
I went back to the kitchen, Florence was washing.
I stared at her for a minute and shook my head. Without a word, I turned around and went to the bedroom.
Raymond had fallen asleep in his cradle with his cartoon tablet beside him. I removed the tablet from his cradle and switched it off.
The door opened and David walked in.
Sign this, David said.
I looked at the divorce in David's hand and chills ran down my spine.
What's this? I stammered.
A divorce!! What else do you see? David asked.
I'm not signing this? I muttered.
No problem then, David said and threw the divorce on my bed.
I'm giving you two days to pack out of this house, David added.
I built this house from my sweat. This house is a symbol of my raise from grass to grace, it is the labor of my hard work, I won't move an inch out of it, I replied.
You are a joker. If after two days you don't leave my house, we will talk in court and as for the divorce, you will sign it in court, David replied and stormed out of my room.
I clapped my hands and stood akimbo.
I carried Raymond from the cradle, picked my handbag and walked out of the room. I locked my room and walked down the stairs.
David's children were in the sitting room watching an epic movie with David.
I ignored David's glare and walked pass them out of the house.
Open the gate please, I called out to my gateman and brought out the car key from my handbag.
I unlocked the car, dropped Raymond into the baby seat and shut the door. I entered the driver's seat and drove out of the compound.
It was drizzling when I arrived pastor Charles's house. I was welcomed and let in by his gateman.
I drove inside the small compound and parked. I got down, left Raymond sleeping inside the car and went into the sitting room.
Pastor Charles and family were on the dinning table eating dinner.
My darling girl. To what do I own this surprise visit? Pastor Charles asked with a smile.
Good evening daddy, mummy and everyone, I greeted with a feigned smile.
Sit!!, I will soon be done, pastor Charles said.
Ok dad, I replied.
I collapsed on the sofa heavily.
Pastor Charles joined me an hour later.
My daughter I hope all is well. How is Raymond and David? Pastor Charles asked.
Raymond is fine, I left him sleeping inside the car. It is David I came to talk about, I replied.
I'm listening, pastor Charles said.
I narrated everything to pastor Charles without hiding even a single detail. When I was done, pastor Charles shook his head with a dry laugh.
I'm not surprise, pastor Charles said.
How? I asked curiously.
When you brought David to me for introduction, I saw that he was not serious with you. When preparations for the wedding was ongoing, the way he left everything in your hand convinced my thought about him. I knew your money was his target, pastor Charles said.
Why is this happening to me? I lamented as hot tears rolled down my cheeks.
It is happening because you didn't pray before saying "I do". Marriage isn't a child's play. It is not something we jump into because if you jump into marriage, you will jump out of it and if not, careful you will jump out with broken leg. Marriage isn't something to rush into, it is something to be extra careful when going into. marriage needs prayer and intersession with God, pastor Charles said.
I wiped my cheeks with my palms.
I noted David wasn't serious with you, I played my part as a godfather by advising you to suspend the marriage and go on a fasting and prayer. You were in a rush to marry and lied that you prayed. What was I to do? I did what you asked me to do. I wedded you and left you to your fate. I knew that experience will be the best teacher for you. I prayed that the experience won't be too horrible for you, pastor Charles replied.
So pastor Charles, what should I do now? I sobbed.
Pack out of the house with your son. You can rent an apartment and move in. Forget the house, forget the money you spent on David, forget everything and move on with your life. Leave vengeance to God, pastor Charles said.
No no... All my labour is now lost to another woman, I cried.
You are a strong lady, you can build a new house, pastor Charlesreplied.
I broke down and sobbed...
Seeing how broken I was, pastor Charles insisted and begged that I spend the night in his house. I declined insisting I will spend the night in a friend's place or in a hotel.
Seeing my mind was made up, pastor Charles shook his head with pity.
When we rush into marriage, it always ends in tears. I repeat leave vengeance to God and don't fight for your house, pastor Charles repeated.
I gave a nod.
Pastor Charles walked me outside to my car, he said a quick prayer for me and bade me goodnight.
I managed to drive myself to Kimberly's house. I was allowed into the house by Kimberly's gateman.
Kimberly and Danny were sitting outside the compound gisting.
Kimberly got up at seeing my car drove into my compound.
I parked in front of them and got down.
Longest time. I've only been hearing from you through calls. I can't remember the last time you visited me, Kimberly commented with a smile.
Are you alright? Kimberly asked noticing my paleness.
I tried to talk but broke into a sob.
Kimberly held me and sat me down.
What's wrong? Danny asked and placed his hand on my back.
I'm very sure David is at it again, Kimberly spat.
I'm swindled, I replied.
By who? Kimberly asked curiously.
David. I've lost my house to him, I replied.
How? Danny asked.
I explained everything to them.
Kimberly banged her fist into the wall in anger.
How much stupid are you? Didn't I warn you that his sudden change from a beast to a loving husband is questionable? Kimberly screamed.
I didn't think it is possible for a man to pretend for a whole year, I replied.
A man can pretend for ten years and more just to get what he wants, Kimberly said.
The most shocking part is that judging from the ages of his two daughters, David married his wife long before he met me. The first daughter should be around 8years and the second looked 5years and My marriage to David is just advancing it's 4th year, I lamented.
That's serious, Danny gasped.
So he was married and kept it a secret. He married you to acquire wealth that he will enjoy with his family, Kimberly blurted.
Even the woman and man he introduced to me as his mother and father whom I took as my mother and father In-law aren't his parent. He paid them to represent him. David doesn't have a father and I got to see his mother yesterday, I said.
He will not live in that house. Tomorrow  morning inform your lawyer we are meeting him in court, Kimberly said.
My godfather told me not to fight for the house...
Pastor Charles was giving you the advise every man of God will give you. Leave vengeance to God, that's what every man of God will say. Heaven help those that help themselves, you have to fight for your house. I know you can build a new house even finer than that one but don't just let the house go easily, fight back. Don't let him live in that house in peace, give him war. The money he got from you, let him spend it on lawyers and let's see who lose at the end, Kimberly said.
I don't want to involve Raymond in all this, I said.
Raymond is safe here with my kids...
Kimberly was cut short by Raymond's cry.
I watched as Kimberly opened the car and carried Raymond out of the baby's seat.
I seriously need to rest and now my son is awake, I said.
I will take care of him, just go inside and rest, Kimberly said.
I got up and went into the house.
I didn't bother to refresh, I slumped on the bed immediately I entered the visitor's room.
Memories flooded my mind and tears rolled down my cheeks, I didn't know when I slept off.
I woke up the next morning with a headache, I laid on the bed rubbing my forehead.
The door opened and Kimberly came in.
Good morning, breakfast ready, Kimberly said.
I sighed and continued rubbing my forehead.
Kimberly stared at me for a minute, she left the room and came back some minutes later with a plate of food and pain reliever.
Dear God, in my next life I want Kimberly as a friend, I said.
Awn, Kimberly blushed and dropped the tray on the bed.
I should call my boss for a day off, I said.
Kimberly picked my handbag and brought out my phone.
I collected the phone from Kimberly and unlocked it to see a text from David.
Federal court house, 4pm. You have a case, I read.
My eyes instantly clouded with tears as I showed the message to Kimberly.
Don't cry baby. You need to be strong for this. Call your lawyer, Kimberly consoled.
I scrolled down my contact to my lawyer's name. I sighed deeply and called the contact.
I'm having a case at federal court today by 4pm and I want you to be there, I said.
I can't just handle a case I know nothing about, we have to meet and talk. See me at Penn's bar by 12pm, my lawyer said.
Ok, I replied and ended the call.
Eat while I bath the kids, Kimberly said.
She gave me a peck and left the room.
I ate half of the macaroni and cheese and took the pain reliever.
I placed a call to my boss demanding for a day off with the excuse of fatigue.
Hope it's not another pregnancy, my boss said.
I merely giggled as he ended the call.
I rested for some minutes and immediately the headache subsided, I went to the bathroom and refreshed. I borrowed a simple gown from Kimberly. The gown was oversize but I didn't care, it was better than repeating the clothes I wore the previous day.
My lawyer was sitting in the middle of the bar drinking sparkling beverages. She got up at seeing me walk to her. She gave me a hug and waited for me to sit before sitting back.
So what case are we dealing with? My lawyer asked.
Always straight to the point. Not even a greeting, I teased.
Hmm, welcome and good noon Mrs Ama, my lawyer replied politely.
I rolled my eyes and told my lawyer everything. My lawyer listened attentively and sighed when I was done.
You mean you met him unemployed and gave him a job in your Warehouse before marrying him? My lawyer asked.
Yes, I replied with a nod.
Then there is still hope. All you have to do now is to go back to your house and pack all your certificates especially your work permit and your brands ownership, that's what we are gonna use against him in court, my lawyer said.
Hope you locked your room and all your certificates are safe, my lawyer asked.
Yes, I replied.
That's all, my lawyer replied.
I can't go to that house alone...
I'm coming with you. 4pm is near, let's be on our way, my lawyer replied and got up.
We left the bar and I drove to my house.
I honked at the gate expecting my gateman to come out but anelderly man with black singlet and black trouser came out.
Who are you? I asked.
I'm the gateman, he replied.
Where is the main gateman? I asked wondering if David took an assistant gateman.
I'm the main gateman, the old gateman was sacked. I was employed yesterday. Oga said anyone that comes, I should inform him so who are you? He asked.
I swallowed a sob.
Tell him that Ama came to pack, I said.
He nodded and went back into the compound.
Shit women eat from men, my lawyer spat.
The elderly man came back with David in a minute.
I came to pack, I said and got down from my car.
My lawyer followed.
Ama will go and pack, you will wait for her, David said to my lawyer.
You dare not try shit with me otherwise I will harass you and still sue a case of harassment against you, my lawyer threatened.
David stood staring as we walked inside the gate.
David's mother and wife were in the sitting room watching a Nollywood movie.
Is that his mother and wife? My lawyer asked.
Yes, I said.
What sort of a mother doesn't care to ask his son how he acquired his wealth but moves in and enjoy? My lawyer asked.
Are you talking to me? David's mum asked.
From a broke man to a mansion owner in less than four years: It's takes a miracle for such to happen...
Ignore her mum. She is crazy, David put in.
Who is this thing? David's mum asked.
I held my lawyer's hand and dragged her to the staircase.
In my house? Where do you think you are going? Florenceasked.
Calm down Honie. Let them go and pack, David said sweetly.
I felt my heart drop.
Just try and keep your cool please and watch your mouth, I begged
You are such a humble and kind woman Ama, it pains me that this is happening to you. You need to add a little madness to your humility. Being too humble breeds insult, my lawyer replied.
I heaved.
They should get ready to move back to where ever they came from, my lawyer said bitterly.
I opened the drawer I kept my certificates and gasped at seeing the drawer empty.
I pushed the drawer in and quickly pulled out the lower drawer. I heaved with relieve seeing all my certificates intact and just the way I arranged them.
What's happening there? My lawyer asked.
I pulled out the wrong drawer, I said with a smirk.
Gather it up let's get out of here, my lawyer replied.
I was thinking David has stolen them, I said and placed a hand on my chest.
Thank God he hasn't, my lawyer said.
I hurriedly gathered all my certificates into a polythene and gave it to my lawyer.
I packed Raymond's stuffs into a big box, I didn't bother packing my clothes, I will get clothes from my boutique for the meantime and come back for it another time.
I locked the door. My lawyer helped me carry the box down the stairs, we left the house and walked to the gate.
David's gateman was sitting on a bench outside the gatehouse, his elbow on his lap and his fist supporting his head.
Open the gate for us, I said but he didn't seem to hear me.
He was startled when my lawyer kicked him lightly.
Open that thing, my lawyer ordered harshly.
I stared at him as he walked to the small gate and opened it. I could tell something was bothering him.
On an impulse, I decided to tip him. I removed the money I had in my handbag and stretched it to him.
I'm sure it's more than ten thousand naira, I said.
He gasped and collected the money with a bow. The appreciation I saw in his eyes shocked me.
I looked at my lawyer, she rolled her eyes with a flinch.
We carried the box inside. I unlocked the car and we placed it at the back seat.
Something is bothering that man, I commented and entered the driver's seat.
Maybe David is unfair to him, my lawyer replied.
How possible is it for someone that was employed yesterday to have a problem with his employee? I asked.
Play music please, my lawyer replied ignoring my question.
I ignited the car and turned on the music player.
I drove to Kimberly's house and dropped Raymond's box with her gateman asking him to take it inside. I felt an urge to see Raymond but resisted the urge.
I had lunch at a restaurant with my lawyer and by 3:30pm, we were at the Federal court house. The courtroom was half filled with people.
My lawyer went to join the jurists, I sat on the front bench meant for the accused.
It was my first time of having a case in court and my second time of being in a courtroom. My first time of being in a courtroom had been in California when my college boyfriend's dad had a case and my college boyfriend asked me to follow him to his father's trial.
I felt a soft punch and turned to see Kimberly behind me.
You came? I asked.
Why won't I? Kimberly asked.
But what about the kids? I asked.
I left them with Jeremy, Kimberly replied.
I gave her a nod and faced front.
Having Kimberly around will help boost my self confidence.
Few minutes later, David came in with a tall man that I assumed to be his lawyer.
At 4pm on the dot, the chief judge came in and after he took his seat, the case started.
David was called into the bar and a Bible was handed to him. He made an oath with the Bible that everything he will say will be the truth.
You made a petition to divorce your wife "Ama" and also to send her packing from your house and to claim one of her brands. Is that true? Chief judge asked.
Yes, David replied.
We will focus on your first petition which is to divorce your wife. Please tell the court why you want to divorce your wife "Ama", chief judge said.
I want to divorce Ama based on the following reasons:
Firstly, Ama is rude and self centered, She doesn't have respect for me.
Secondly, Ama refused to consummate our marriage.
Thirdly, Ama is more concerned about her beauty than her marriage. Fear of pregnancy changing her body made her abort two pregnancies. Twice I noticed signs of pregnancy on her, I happily waited for her to break the news of her pregnancy to me but after a while, the signs vanished. The third time I noticed signs of pregnancy on her, I asked her if she is pregnant and she replied no. She was planning on her third abortion and was told by the doctor that if she abort the baby she will die in the process. She had no choice than to keep the pregnancy which was how our child Raymond was born.
There was gasps in the court room and all eyes turned on me.
I lowered my face in shame and tears rolled down my cheeks.
The devil is a liar. If David could tell such lies with a straight face after swearing with the holy Bible then David is a devil. I was married to and lived with the devil, I thought.
Order..., The chief judge screamed.
Quietness was restored in the court room.
Those are the reasons I want to divorce Ama. I can't live under the same roof with such a woman hence she should pack out of my house. She can keep our son Raymond, David concluded.
Return to your seat, chief judge said.
David left the bar.
I was called into the bar and handed a Bible. I collected the Bible and swore that everything I will say will be the truth.
What do you have to say concerning the accusations your husband made against you? Chief judge asked.
Everything he said is a lie...
Pardon your highness, David's lawyer cut in.
Granted, chief judge replied.
You have no right to call my client a liar, David's lawyer warned sternly.
I'm sorry, I replied.
What I mean is...... My voice trailed off as I broke into a sob.
I covered my face with my right palm and sobbed like a baby.
Be strong, Kimberly screamed.
Pardon your highness, my lawyer said.
Granted, chief judge replied.
My client is too broken to speak hence I ask that she'll be given five minutes to put herself together. That five minutes she uses to put herself together, I wish I could use it to ask David some questions concerning his accusations on my client, my lawyer requested.
I was told to return to my seat and David was called into the bar by the chief judge.
I cried back to my seat.
Control your emotion, Kimberly consoled and placed her hand on my neck.
You said that Ama refused to consummate her marriage and you also said that Ama got pregnant three times and aborted twice but couldn't abort the third pregnancy. if she didn't consummate the marriage, how did she get pregnant three times? My lawyer asked.
David was thrown off balance by the question, his expression clearly showed he didn't expect such question.
Pardon your highness, David's lawyer requested.
Granted, chief judge replied.
My client to say that his wife refused to consummate the marriage doesn't mean she starved him sex entirely. There are some nights she gave in which resulted in the pregnancies. Married couples are meant to have sex every night but some stubborn women will be selecting days to have sex with their husband which I'm sure is what Ama did, David's lawyer said.
David said and I quote "Ama refused to consummate our marriage" my lawyer replied.
"Refused to consummate our marriage" not "refused to consummate our marriage entirely". He didn't say "entirely" David's lawyer replied.
Fine, my lawyer surrendered.
Their marriage is few months to it's forth marriage anniversary hence their marriage is still three years old. I'm a lady and I can  boldly say that it is not possible for a woman to get pregnant three times in three years because of body hormones. A woman who fears pregnancy will do everything to make sure she doesn't get pregnant. My client "Ama" isn't an illiterate, she is a woman who schooled in California through scholarship. experienceshould tell everyone in this courtroom that if Ama really fears pregnancy she is intelligent enough to know a way if not ways of preventing pregnancy. Why would Ama commit abortion instead of pregnancy control? My lawyer asked.
Five minutes over. Go back to your seat and wait for your period, chief judge said.
Thank you, your highness, my lawyer said with a nod.
I was called back to the bar and David was sent back to his seat.
What do you have to say concerning the accusations from your husband? Chief judge repeated.
Concerning David's first petition on our marriage, I agree that his request should be granted. Our marriage should end as I have zero percent interest in it, I begged.
A member of the jurists brought the divorce to me and a stamp. I collected the stamp and attached it on the divorce. The lawyer stretched it to the courtroom as witness and handed it to the chief judge.
Considering David's accusations, I was the opposite of everything he said. Our wedding was sponsored entirely by me out of love and David added not a penny of his money. I've never disrespected him in any manner throughout the three years we have been married. Even as a beast of a husband, I still loved him, refused to divorce him and chose to pray for him to change.
I've never even for a night refused to consummate our marriage no matter how tired I was and lastly, I've not aborted any pregnancy and I've never had the fear of pregnancy. When I didn't get pregnant after two years of marriage, I was scared that I'm barren and I did everything under my power to get pregnant including inviting a doctor to my house to check me and David, I did everything the doctor advised. David wasn't interested in all my efforts to get pregnant until luck smiled on me and I took in last year. David tortured me with the pregnancy that I had to ask my boss for a pregnancy leave at four months, my boss can affirm to that...
You hear her? I tortured her with pregnancy? David cut in.
In the court of law. You don't speak if you are not asked to speak, chief judge replied and signaled me to continue.
I travelled to New York and that's where I gave birth to my son. I came back to America with my son expecting David to do his worst to me for travelling to Europe without informing him but to my surprise David was entirely changed. He became the husband I prayed for. My friend was suspicious and warned me but I refused to listen to her. Few days after my son's birthday he called me to the sitting room and asked that I handover my house ownership to him because he is scared of my son thinking that his mother owns everything. I didn't buy the idea but just to be a loving wife, I decided to go with the idea. I handed over the house ownership to him...
She is lying, David cut in.
Any more word from you when you are not told to speak and I will get you arrested, chief judge ordered.
I blurted the whole story to the court.
David didn't even wait to divorce me before moving his mother, wife and children into my house, I concluded.
There was exclamation from the courtroom.
Order, chief judge screamed.
Are you trying to say that the house belongs to you? David's lawyer asked.
Yes, I handed the house to David based on trust, I replied.
The house ownership clearly shows David as the owner of the house not you, David's lawyer said.
I kept mute.
He walked to the chief judge and handed the house ownership to him.
Pardon, my lawyer replied.
Granted, chief judge said.
With me here are the certificates of Ama showing her work permits, her ownership of three brands and her connection to foreign companies, my lawyer replied.
She walked to the chief judge and handed him my certificates.
That house is a mansion and not a type of house that one can build without any certified source of income hence I demand that David shows the court his work permit and the source of money which he used in building the house, my lawyer demanded.
All attention turned to David.
David can you please provide her request? Chief judge asked.
David was lost and shook his head.
In that case, we have to adjourn this case.  David you are expected to show up next week with your work permit or your source of income or anything as a prove of how you made the money to build the house, chief judge said.
Case adjourned until next week, chief judge concluded and hit his gravel on the desk.
I sighed and shook my head.
Court... Chief judge ordered.
The court rose and the chief judge walked out of the court room.
I peeped at David, he was seriously angry that the veins in his face was coming out.