By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
‘I’m not surprised. I always knew you’d be busy and wouldn’t have time for your little Lamb.’ The news didn’t upset her. She had always supported his progress, and wished him well.
‘I hadn’t planned on leaving so soon, but suddenly it seems like a good idea for me to be at the conference. As the CEO of Jonas Corporation, I definitely should be there.’
‘Sounds good…’ Eva shrugged.
‘I’ll only be gone for a few weeks. I have female admirers lined up in America. Asia, and a few other places. ‘His eyes met hers. ‘I should probably pick one of them.’ He was really teasing her.
Eva knew that William wanted to see her reaction. But, she didn’t get upset or rather pretended not to be upset. She smiled. ‘Big brother Liam, I am always happy for you. I hope you have a good trip.’
‘Maybe my beautiful little Lamb will be married by the time I return.’
‘I wish to fall in love before you return. I promise that when I do, you’ll be the first I will tell the good news. You’re my best friend, so I should tell you first.’
‘Of course,’ William smiled. ‘Tomorrow, I’ll take you to Shoprite.’
Eva was excited to hear this that she hugged him tightly, drinking from his sweet scent.
A few minutes later, Margaux and Nathan strode into the house. They had both returned from an evening stroll together. Margaux who was dressed in a yellow turtleneck with jeans, caught William’s eye as soon as she stepped into the room. She smiled and lifted her hand in greeting. She wasn’t very close to William as Eva was. But, she was always comfortable with William around the house.
‘Good evening, big brother William.’ At Nathan’s warm greeting, William happily smiled at him. ‘I thought you’d be here with a bucket of Suya? Eva told me that you promised to feed her stomach with a bucket of suya…’ Nathan spoke as he bit into his cone of vanilla ice cream. He was in a pair of khaki trousers and beige t-shirt.
‘He already did,’ Margaux said, as her gaze fell on the plastic bags at the dining table. She immediately excused herself and went off to the dining. Picking up a chunk of meat from the bag, she put it in her mouth and nodded at how delicious the suya was.
‘Margaux, set the table. Nathan, go call your father to join us,’ Beatrice said, dishing the rice in a big bowl. She had already dished out some beef stew into the big yellow bowl on the counter.
When Edward came to the dining, Margaux had already finished setting the table. Beatrice placed the two big bowls on the dining table, and then gestured for William and Eva to come over to the dining. They stood up at once, heading for the dining table.
Margaux brought the jug of orange juice while Nathan came behind with the cups. Beatrice pulled off her apron, hung it on the kitchen hook before returning to the dining. She checked to see if everything was in place, then pulled out the chair at her husband’s right.
As soon as Beatrice was seated, Edward said the grace and immediately, Beatrice’s hands reached for the dishes and spooned the food onto their plates.
Edward looked around the table. Eva sat across from William while Margaux was sitting next to Nathan.
‘Big brother William really wants to turn my sister into a foodie,’ Nathan chuckled as he glanced at William who was putting food on Eva’s plate.
‘You know how much William loves his little Lamb,’ Margaux teased William.
‘We all know that.’ Edward said meaningfully.
Eva’s pretty oval face turned red from embarrassment. ‘Big brother William loves us equally.’
‘I see,’ Nathan chuckled, pushing away his empty plate as he drew out a burp. ‘It's true that William’s always bossy and headstrong but with Eva, he cares very much for her. The way he protects Eva is admiring.’
‘Clear the plates, Margaux.’ Beatrice ordered. She waited until fresh plates and tray were placed on the table before carefully putting the suya on the tray. Then, she began putting meat for everyone.
Just then, William’s phone rang. He put down his meat, wiped his hands with towel and slowly answered his phone.
‘Hello?’
‘Son, you forgot to take the handbag you bought for Eva.’
‘Yes, I know.’
‘Dinner is almost ready. Your father is back from Abuja.’
‘You don’t have to wait for me. I’m already eating here…’
‘Are there maids, chauffeurs and cleaners?’ Adaeze said playfully to her son.
‘Mama, I am an adult,’ William laughed.
‘Kids say that,’ Adaeze laughed. ‘Have you found any girl that you like?’
‘Mama, please stop it. You could ask me that when I come home.’ As William was holding the phone, he looked at Eva, who was happily eating her suya.
On the other side of the phone, Adaeze chuckled. Then, she hung up without saying another word.
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