Chapter 1
Baba and Mama Adewale strolled arm in arm along the bustling streets of Paris, the city of love. The sun was shining, casting a warm glow over the elegant buildings and cobbled streets.
Mama Adewale couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding them. "Isn't it just magnificent, Baba?" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Baba Adewale nodded, a contented smile on his face. "It truly is, my dear. This is the life we've always dreamed of," he replied, his voice filled with satisfaction.
They wandered through the streets, stopping to admire the intricate architecture and vibrant street performers. Everywhere they looked, there was beauty and charm.
As the day turned into evening, they made their way to one of the city's finest restaurants for dinner. They dined on gourmet cuisine, savoring each mouthful as if it were the most exquisite delicacy.
But as the evening wore on, Mama Adewale couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in her stomach. "Baba, I'm starting to worry about our spending," she confessed, her voice tinged with concern.
Baba Adewale waved off her concerns with a dismissive gesture. "Nonsense, my dear. We've worked hard all our lives, and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of our labor," he declared, his voice filled with determination.
Mama Adewale sighed, her worries weighing heavily on her mind. "But Baba, we can't keep spending like this. We need to be careful with our money," she insisted, her voice pleading.
Baba Adewale placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his gaze softening. "I understand your concerns, my love. But we deserve to be happy. We've spent too long living in the slums, scraping by with barely enough to survive," he said, his voice tinged with emotion. "Now that we have money, we should enjoy it."
Mama Adewale sighed, knowing that she couldn't argue with Baba's logic. Deep down, she longed for nothing more than to revel in their newfound wealth and live a life of luxury.
And so, with a heavy heart, she pushed aside her worries and allowed herself to be swept away by the magic of Paris, determined to make the most of every moment of their dream life.
Chapter 2
Baba Adewale continued to live his life in Paris with an air of extravagance that bordered on excess. He spared no expense in indulging himself, relishing every moment of his newfound wealth.
Each day seemed to bring a new opportunity for lavish spending. Baba would stroll into designer boutiques, selecting the finest suits and shoes without so much as glancing at the price tags. "Who needs to drink water when you can have Moet Chandon?" he would boast, ordering bottles of champagne without hesitation.
He refused to wear the same clothes twice, claiming that it was beneath him to have his clothes washed like a commoner. Instead, he would simply discard his attire after a single use, replacing them with new garments from the most exclusive fashion houses in Paris.
And when it came to dining, Baba spared no expense in seeking out the finest restaurants and sampling the most exquisite cuisines. He would order the most expensive dishes on the menu, washing them down with the finest wines and spirits available.
Mama Adewale watched with growing concern as Baba's spending spiraled out of control. She tried to reason with him, urging him to be more cautious with their money, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.
"Baba, we can't keep spending like this," she implored one evening as they sat in a luxurious restaurant overlooking the Seine River. "We need to be more responsible with our finances."
But Baba simply waved her off with a dismissive gesture, his eyes glazed over from the effects of too much alcohol. "Nonsense, woman! We have money now, and we're going to enjoy it to the fullest," he declared, his voice slurred with intoxication.
Mama Adewale sighed, feeling a sense of frustration building within her. She knew that arguing with Baba in his current state was futile, but she couldn't stand by and watch as he squandered their wealth on frivolous luxuries.
As the evening wore on, Baba continued to drink, his laughter echoing loudly through the restaurant. And though Mama tried to intervene, urging him to slow down, her words fell on deaf ears as Baba plunged deeper into his life of excess.
Chapter 3
The night air in Paris was cool as Baba and Mama Adewale made their way back to their lavish hotel, the glow of the city's lights shimmering around them. Baba stumbled slightly, his steps unsteady from the copious amounts of alcohol he had consumed.
Mama Adewale walked beside him, her expression one of concern as she watched her husband's drunken state. "Baba, we need to talk," she said, her voice tinged with worry.
Baba let out a loud, raucous laugh, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol. "Talk? What's there to talk about, woman? We're living the dream!" he exclaimed, his words slurred.
Mama Adewale sighed, feeling a sense of frustration building within her. "Baba, we can't keep living like this. It's not healthy," she insisted, her tone pleading.
Baba waved her off dismissively, his eyes glazed over with intoxication. "Healthy? Who needs health when you have money?" he retorted, his voice loud and boisterous.
Mama Adewale shook her head, her heart heavy with worry. "Baba, please. I miss our children. I want to go back to Lagos and help Tuade and Nkechi prepare for their weddings," she confessed, her voice tinged with longing.
Baba's expression darkened at the mention of their children. "Weddings?" he scoffed, his tone filled with bitterness. "Neither of them even had the respect to ask for my permission to marry. Why should I help them with their wedding plans?"
Mama Adewale's heart sank at Baba's words. She knew that deep down, he was hurt by the thought of their children leaving them behind. "Baba, please. They're our children. We should be there for them," she pleaded, her voice breaking with emotion.
But Baba's resolve remained firm. "Fine, you go back to the third world. I'm staying here in the first world," he declared, his words dripping with disdain.
Mama Adewale felt a sense of despair wash over her as she realized that she was losing her husband to the allure of wealth and excess. With a heavy heart, she knew that their dream life in Paris was beginning to crumble before her eyes.
Chapter 4
The bustling atmosphere of Lagos International Airport greeted Mama Adewale as she stepped off the plane. She looked around anxiously, her eyes scanning the crowd for familiar faces.
Suddenly, she spotted them—Tuade, Adeola, Nkechi, and Mr. Oluwole—standing near the arrival gate, their smiles bright and welcoming.
"Mama!" Tuade called out, waving enthusiastically as he rushed forward to greet his mother.
Mama Adewale's heart swelled with joy as she embraced her son tightly. "Tuade, my dear boy! It's so good to see you," she exclaimed, tears of happiness welling up in her eyes.
As they pulled apart, Mama turned to greet Adeola, her new daughter-in-law. "Adeola, my dear, it's a pleasure to meet you again. I remember you sold us the beautiful house in Victoria Island." she said warmly, extending her hand.
Adeola smiled graciously, taking Mama's hand in hers. "The pleasure is all mine, Mama Adewale," she replied respectfully.
Mama Adewale studied Adeola for a moment, impressed by her charm and poise. "You make a fine bride for my son, Adeola," she commented with a smile.
Adeola's cheeks flushed with pleasure at the compliment. "Thank you, Mama Adewale. I'm honored to be a part of your family," she replied graciously.
Mr. Oluwole stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "Mrs. Adewale, it's a pleasure to meet you," he greeted her warmly, bowing slightly and kissing her hand.
Mama Adewale smiled, feeling a sense of admiration for the dignified businessman. "Mr. Oluwole, such a gentleman. Thank you for coming to greet me," she said sincerely.
Chapter 5
As the Range Rover Sport maneuvered through the lively streets of Lagos, Mr. Oluwole drove with confident ease, while Tuade sat in the front passenger seat beside him. Mama Adewale was in the back with Adeola and Nkechi.
"Mama, how was Paris?" Tuade inquired with genuine curiosity, glancing at his mother through the rearview mirror.
Mama Adewale sighed, her expression somber. "Paris was... interesting," she replied, her tone carrying a weight of concern.
Nkechi leaned forward eagerly. "Did you go shopping? Tell us all about it!" she exclaimed, her eyes bright with anticipation.
Mama Adewale offered a weary smile. "Yes, we did some shopping, but there were some... complications," she admitted, her gaze drifting out of the window.
Nkechi furrowed her brow. "Complications? What do you mean?" she asked, sensing there was more to the story.
Mama Adewale hesitated, then decided to be honest with her children. "Your father... he won't be coming back to Lagos," she revealed, her voice tinged with sadness.
The news sent a wave of shock through the car. Tuade's grip tightened on his seat, while Adeola and Nkechi exchanged concerned glances.
"He won't be coming back for the weddings," Mama Adewale continued, her voice heavy with regret. "He's offended because you didn't ask his permission to get married."
Tuade's brows furrowed in frustration. "But that's ridiculous! We're adults, we don't need his permission," he retorted, his tone reflecting his annoyance.
Mama Adewale nodded, her eyes clouded with worry. "I know, Tuade. But I think there's more to it than that," she confessed. "I think it's the alcohol and the lavish lifestyle he's gotten used to in Paris. He doesn't want to come back to Lagos."
A somber silence settled over the car as Mama Adewale's words sank in. Nkechi's eyes filled with tears, and Adeola reached out to grasp Mama Adewale's hand in a gesture of comfort.
"We'll figure something out, Mama," Tuade said reassuringly, his voice filled with determination. "We'll find a way to help Baba."
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