Title: Bound by Blood, Broken by Pride
*Chapter 10: A Storm at the Door*
The wedding had been grand - talk of the town. And now, with Ekene and Nancy whisked away to Europe for their honeymoon, the house was beginning to quiet down. But only on the surface. Beneath the calm, new tensions were brewing.
Charles was in his office, comfortably seated behind his massive glass desk. Files were neatly stacked, and his fingers danced across the laptop keys while his phone rested on speaker mode. He was on a video call with Queen Preshido. Her smile lit up the screen, her voice soft but teasing.
"So, Mr. Charles, are you missing me already?" she said, brushing her braids over her shoulder.
Charles chuckled. "You have no idea. I've not even started working and you're already disturbing my heart."
Queen Preshido laughed. "You're no longer the arrogant lion I used to know."
"Maybe love has a way of humbling lions," he said, voice low and smooth.
But just then, another phone vibrated on his desk. One of his other lines. He glanced at it - an unknown Nigerian number.
"Hold on," he told Preshido. "I have a call. I'll be back."
He picked the second phone and answered. "Hello?"
A familiar voice burst through.
"Baby, it's me! Soma!"
Charles froze. "Soma?"
"Yes! I'm in Nigeria! I just landed. I'm at Glazview Suites in Lekki. Come get me. I can't wait to see you!"
His heart sank. "You're… in Nigeria?"
"Yes! And guess what? I used a Nigerian line just for you."
He ended the call slowly, staring at the phone. Then, as if waking from a trance, he dropped the phone, grabbed his car keys, and left the office.
***
Queen Preshido sat in the living room of her father's mansion, legs crossed elegantly as she browsed her phone. The day was calm, her thoughts drifting to Charles, until her father walked in - Chief Ugezu J. Ugezu.
"My Queen," he said, smiling. "You look thoughtful."
She rose, walked to him and gave him a soft hug. "Daddy, good afternoon."
"You've been quiet lately. Who is the young man keeping your mind occupied?"
She laughed. "I haven't told you about him yet."
"Why not?"
"When the time is right, I will. For now... let's just say he's different."
Ugezu nodded. "Well, any man who wins your heart must be truly exceptional."
***
Charles pulled up at Glazview Suites and picked up Princess Soma. She looked radiant, even more beautiful than he remembered, dressed in tight jeans and a designer top. They hugged tightly.
"Gosh, I missed you," she whispered.
"I missed you too."
As they drove, they talked about Germany - the streets, the snow, the old memories. But Charles' mind wasn't entirely there. His thoughts were split - between his past and his present.
When they arrived at the house, Osaho the gate man rushed to open the gate.
"Welcome, sir," he said.
Charles gave a nod. "Osaho, this is Princess Soma."
Osaho's eyes flickered, then he smiled. "Welcome, madam."
They drove in. I stood near the corridor with a tray. When I saw them, I greeted.
"Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon, ma."
Charles responded gently. To my surprise, he actually smiled at me. The lady responded too, a little distracted as she adjusted her bag.
He called out, "Mummy!"
Marita appeared from her room. Her smile dropped slightly when she saw Soma, but she held her manners.
"Mummy, meet Princess Soma. She's... my girlfriend. From Germany."
Marita nodded slowly. "You're welcome, my dear. Please feel at home."
"Thank you, ma," Soma said, dropping her purse on the couch.
They chatted briefly. But then, Princess Soma did something strange - she reached into her bag, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it right there in the living room.
Charles' eyes widened.
"Soma, wait - " he whispered, glancing at his mother.
But it was too late. Marita's face tightened with disbelief.
"What are you doing?" she asked, coldly.
"Oh, I smoke. I hope that's not a problem?" Soma said casually.
Charles laughed awkwardly. "Chioma, please prepare something nice for her."
"Yes sir," I said and hurried off to the kitchen.
Before I left, I heard Soma say, "Take me to your room, Charles. I want to rest."
Marita's mouth opened slightly. She looked at Charles. He hesitated, then took her hand and led her upstairs.
***
Later that evening, sir Frederick returned. Marita quietly pulled him aside and told him everything. The cigarette. The attitude. The room.
He stormed into the living room just as Charles came down.
"Where is she?"
"Upstairs," Charles replied cautiously.
"Call her down. Now."
Charles obeyed. Soma came down, now wearing one of his oversized T-shirts. She greeted politely.
"Good evening, sir."
Sir Frederick nodded stiffly. Dinner was served. I brought the food to the dining table. Everyone sat.
Then, as if trying to prove herself, Soma brought out a small bottle of German liquor from her trousers and gulped it at the table.
Silence.
Sir Frederick dropped his spoon.
"Young lady," he said, "is this how you were raised?"
Soma blinked. "Excuse me?"
You smoke in my living room. You drink from your trouser. This is not Germany. This is my house."
Charles bowed his head, ashamed.
Later, Sir Frederick called Charles into his study.
"You have five minutes to send that girl out of my house," he said. "Or I will personally do it. If she ever lights another cigarette here, I'll throw her out myself."
"But Dad - "
"Not in my house, Charles. I don't care how she was raised. This is Nigeria. This is my home."
Charles stood there, torn between history and reality, between Germany and home - and between two women who couldn't be more different.
ready for chapter 11