Chapter 1
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the Adewale mansion as the family gathered for breakfast in the elegant dining room. Mama Adewale sat at the head of the table, her expression troubled as she sipped her tea.
"Has anyone heard from Baba?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern. "He's not answering my calls, and he hasn't returned any of my messages."
Tuade, seated beside her, furrowed his brow. "No, I haven't been able to reach him either," he replied, his tone filled with frustration. "But I've been getting angry calls from the garden and pool services. They haven't been paid in months."
Nkechi, who was indulging in a croissant, looked up in surprise. "And my credit card from Baba was declined yesterday," she added, her expression perplexed. "I couldn't believe it."
Tuade shook his head in disbelief. "I find it hard to believe that Baba could have spent all the Lotto money already," he muttered, his tone incredulous. "I'm going to call the bank manager and find out what's going on."
Mr. Oluwole, who was seated at the other end of the table, offered Mama Adewale a reassuring smile. "Mama, if there's anything you need at the house, don't hesitate to let us know," he said kindly. "And if you want or need anything, just call Nkechi, the professional family shopper," he added with a chuckle.
Mama Adewale couldn't help but smile at Mr. Oluwole's attempt to lighten the mood. "Thank you, Mr. Oluwole," she replied gratefully, feeling a sense of comfort in his presence.
The tension in the room began to ease as they shared a moment of laughter, the warmth of their bond helping to lift their spirits despite the troubles they faced.
Chapter 2
Tuade arrived at Mr. Oluwole's office, feeling a weight of worry pressing down on him. Mr. Oluwole welcomed him with a warm smile, gesturing for Tuade to take a seat.
"Thank you for coming to see me, Tuade," Mr. Oluwole said, his tone sincere as he sat behind his desk.
Tuade nodded, a sense of gratitude for Mr. Oluwole's support washing over him. "Of course, Mr. Oluwole. You've always been there for us," he replied, his voice tinged with appreciation.
Mr. Oluwole leaned forward, his expression serious. "As the men of the family, it's our job to help and protect our loved ones," he stated firmly.
Tuade nodded in agreement, then took a deep breath before delivering the troubling news. "I'm afraid I have some bad news, Mr. Oluwole," he began, his voice heavy with concern. "The lotto money... it's all gone."
Mr. Oluwole's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "All of it?" he exclaimed, his tone filled with disbelief.
Tuade nodded grimly. "Yes, the account is deep in overdraft. Forty thousand dollars in the negative," he confirmed, his voice tinged with frustration. "I can't believe my father spent all that money so fast, and with nothing to show for it. No investments, no property, no assets."
Mr. Oluwole leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Forty thousand dollars isn't that much, Tuade," he reassured, his voice calm. "At least the Victoria Island mansion is paid off and considered an asset."
Tuade sighed, feeling a sense of relief at Mr. Oluwole's comforting words. "Thank you, Mr. Oluwole," he said gratefully, his tension easing slightly. "But what are we going to do about Baba?"
Mr. Oluwole regarded Tuade with a determined look. "We're going to Paris to fetch him," he declared firmly. "The two of us, as the men of the family, will bring him back to Victoria Island to walk both our brides down the aisle."
Tuade felt a surge of gratitude towards Mr. Oluwole. "Thank you, Mr. Oluwole. I don't know what we would do without you," he said sincerely.
Mr. Oluwole smiled reassuringly. "We'll figure it out together, Tuade. We always do," he replied, his voice filled with confidence. "Now, let's make the arrangements."
Chapter 3
The hum of the airplane's engines filled the first-class cabin as Tuade and Mr. Oluwole settled into their seats for the long flight to Paris. Tuade fidgeted nervously, feeling out of place in the luxurious surroundings.
"You didn't have to book first class, Mr. Oluwole," Tuade began, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I'm just an estate agent and small-time property investor. I can't afford this kind of luxury. I don't know how I'll ever be able to pay you back for the flights."
Mr. Oluwole smiled reassuringly, placing a hand on Tuade's shoulder. "Tuade, this is family business," he replied firmly. "There's no need for you to pay me back. What's important is that we fly in comfort, rest, and arrive fresh in Paris so we can begin our search for Baba. The sooner we find him, the sooner we can get back to our brides."
Tuade nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over him. "I can't fault that logic," he admitted, his tone appreciative. "Thank you, Mr. Oluwole."
As the flight continued, Tuade turned to Mr. Oluwole with a thoughtful expression. "I was thinking," he began, his voice thoughtful. "Perhaps we should consider getting a nice apartment for Baba and Mama Adewale and renting out the Victoria Island mansion. With the rental income, they can pay for the apartment rental and live comfortably."
Mr. Oluwole nodded in agreement. "That's an excellent idea, Tuade," he replied, his tone approving. "It would provide them with a more manageable living situation and ensure they have a stable income."
Tuade smiled, feeling a sense of relief at Mr. Oluwole's support. "Thank you, Mr. Oluwole," he said sincerely. "I appreciate your guidance and support through all of this."
Mr. Oluwole clasped Tuade's shoulder once more, his expression filled with pride. "You've handled everything remarkably well, Tuade," he remarked, his voice filled with admiration. "I look forward to having you as a brother-in-law."
Chapter 4
Tuade sat in a small café in Paris, his phone pressed to his ear as he dialed Mama Adewale's number. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead.
"Mama, it's Tuade," he said as soon as she picked up. "I wanted to give you an update on our search for Baba."
Mama Adewale's voice came through the phone, filled with concern. "Tuade, my dear, what did you find out?"
"We went to the hotel where you and Baba were staying," Tuade explained, his tone somber. "But Baba was evicted from the hotel when he couldn't pay for the room anymore."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Mama Adewale spoke. "Oh dear, that's not good," she murmured.
Tuade continued, his voice heavy with disappointment. "We also went to the bar around the corner where Baba spent a lot of time and money while you were here," he added. "The bar owner told us that Baba is no longer welcome there and that he left an open tab of over $11,000."
Mama Adewale gasped in shock. "Oh no, not again," she sighed.
"We settled Baba's outstanding bill," Tuade reassured her quickly, "but the bar owner hasn't seen Baba in over a week. He suggested we check the cheaper parts of town."
Mama Adewale's voice trembled with worry. "Oh Tuade, I don't know what to say," she said, her words tinged with sadness. "Thank you for trying to find him."
Tuade felt a pang of guilt at his mother's words. "We'll keep searching, Mama," he promised earnestly. "We won't give up until we find Baba and bring him back home."
Mama Adewale let out a soft sigh. "Please take care of yourself, Tuade," she said softly. "And please, keep me updated on any developments."
"I will, Mama," Tuade replied, his voice filled with determination. "I love you."
"I love you too, my dear," Mama Adewale replied before ending the call.
Tuade stared at his phone for a moment before slipping it back into his pocket. He turned to Mr. Oluwole, who sat across from him, his expression filled with concern.
"We'll find him, Tuade," Mr. Oluwole said reassuringly, placing a hand on Tuade's shoulder. "We won't give up until we do."
Chapter 5
Chapter 4: The Search Continues
As the sun began to set over the city of Paris, Tuade and Mr. Oluwole found themselves wandering through the cheaper neighborhoods, searching for any sign of Baba. The streets were bustling with activity, the air filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation.
Tuade glanced over at Mr. Oluwole, who was studying the surroundings with a thoughtful expression. "Do you think we'll find him here?" Tuade asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Mr. Oluwole nodded, his eyes scanning the area. "We have to try," he replied. "Every lead is worth pursuing."
As they walked, Tuade found himself opening up to Mr. Oluwole, sharing stories about his childhood, his dreams, and his worries. In turn, Mr. Oluwole shared snippets of his own life, revealing that his first name was Harry.
Tuade chuckled. "Harry, huh? I'll have to remember that," he remarked teasingly.
Mr. Oluwole shot him a playful glare. "Please, Tuade, don't go spreading that around," he said with a smirk. "I prefer Oluwole, or Mr. Oluwole if you must."
Tuade laughed. "Got it, Oluwole," he said, emphasizing the name. "But does Nkechi know your first name?"
Mr. Oluwole sighed dramatically. "She does, unfortunately," he admitted. "She saw it on my passport when we went to Istanbul."
Tuade grinned mischievously. "Ah, so the mystery man of luxury has a first name after all," he quipped.
Mr. Oluwole rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Yes, but let's keep that between us," he said, his tone playful. "I'd hate to ruin my image."
They shared a laugh, the tension of the search momentarily forgotten. As they continued their search through the winding streets of Paris, Tuade felt grateful for the newfound friendship he had forged with Mr. Oluwole. Together, they would find Baba and bring him back home.
If you enjoyed Fortunes and Follies,
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