*****

He disappeared without a trace, I tossed and turned for the rest of the night, mostly because I felt really guilty. I tried calling him but he wouldn't pick up, sighing deeply, I left him a message on WhatsApp.

"Hey, I know I really hurt you but I swear it wasn't my intention, I just wanted you to know the truth. Please reply when you get this."

Seconds later.....

*Delivered*

*Seen*

*Typing....*

*Offline*

"Uggh."

I groaned and fell into my bed. "Way am I feeling this way?" I grumbled and glanced at my phone. He was back online, but still didn't reply my message.

"Hey, I know I'm making things worse but please reply me"

*Delivered*

*Seen*

....

.....

.....

"OK, at least I said sorry, you can snub me as much as you want to"

*sent*

*Delivered*

*Seen*

And he still didn't reply. I went to the bathroom to freshen up and begin my day. I had already tried my best talking to him, and if he's not ready to listen, that's his headache not mine.

That day and the rest of the week turned out to be very busy, decorating the interior for the opening of the restaurant/art cafe that would be happening in a few days. I still haven't thought of a suitable name for the place yet. I literally suck at naming things, I wanted to name it after my mother and still have some connection to it, that got me confused and Papa wouldn't even help. In the end, I consulted Michael that took ages before he picked up my video call.

"Hey sis, what's up?"

"Oh finally, you picked up my call." I complained, pouting like a kid.

"Virtuous Vee, you know I'm busy right?"

"Ugh!, I told you not to call me that already, anyways I need your help."

"So what did we do this time?, you had a fight with Henry again right?" He asked seriously and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes I had a minor argument with him, but that's not why I called."

"Minor argument and you've not been in touch for days now?, I smell a big rat."

"Let's not talk about that, I need a name for the restaurant/art café, that's the only remaining thing to take care of."

"I'll help you, but you have to pay me." He smiled mischievously.

"Pay you?, how much money do I need to pay this rich young lad just for a name?" I rolled my eyes.

"Who says you're going to pay me with money, you can pay me in kind you know?" He smiled in mischief and winked at me, my face turned pink immediately.

"If you are not my brother and allergic to women, I'd call you a pervert."

"Oh virtuous Vee, just how dirty minded has Henry made you?" I frowned at his continuous mention of Mr. Gorgeous, how did he know him anyways.

"Can we stop talking about Henry and move to business?" I scoffed

"OK Vee, I want information, that's all I ask in exchange for the cutest name you can get for your kitchen."

"What information?" I was clearly puzzled.

"Your big fight with Henry, what happened?"

"Oh, is that the information you want?"

"Sure, what other information can't I get?" He rolled his eyes and I wondered why on earth this person came out as a guy.

"I'm not telling you."

"OK, kiss your cute business name goodbye then. Talk you you later, cha cha." He was about to end the video call when I stopped him, there's absolutely no hiding from this a.s.shole.

"We made out, things went awkward and I blurted out a few unrelated things I shouldn't have said."

"So....?"

"I said sorry but he wouldn't even talk to me, I texted called and chatted him up to no avail, he thinks he's G.o.d and I can't do without him, he has this stupid belief that I'll fall head over heels in love with him, he's the craziest, most egoistic, c.o.c.kiest b.a.s.t.a.r.d I've ever come across, I could go on and on but let me just pause here." I fumed and Michael smiled, shaking his head in wonderment.

"Are you done?" He asked seriously.

"I guess so."

"Do you feel better now?" Only Michael knew the third thing that could make me feel better when I'm in a state –a listening ear. He had always listened to my rants since we were kids and it always helped me calm down, this situation wasn't an exception.

" Yeah, big brother to the rescue." He chuckled at that.

"Weeelll, do you want my opinion or I keep my peace?"

"Of course I want your opinion."

"Alright. First, stop denying the fact that you love him, you've gotten over that d.i.c.k named Kelvin and you miss your Henry boo boo real bad....." I couldn't believe Michael had a one tracked mind, oh yeah I believe. He has never really been in a relations.h.i.+p, so he didn't understand how love works.

"You got it all wrong Bro, maybe I have gotten over Kelvin, but I definitely do not love or miss Mr. Arrogant."

"You mean Mr. Gorgeous?" Colour crept up my face immediately, how in h.e.l.l did he know that was what I secretly call him?

"Keep denying it, I just pray that it's not too late when you finally tell yourself the truth." He looked at me knowingly and I shook my head, trying to deny his accusations. It was useless anyways, there's no way you can ever change Michael's mind when he has already formed his opinion.

"Forget that, I paid my bills already now tell me what name I should use." I tried to divert the topic but failed miserably.

"Why don't you consult Henry?, he's better than me at naming things, his books are proofs. I really have to go now hunn, duty calls. Tjae care of yourself and send my kisses to Dayo. cha cha."

"Bro don't you dare—" He had already ended the call before I managed to finish my sentence. The d.i.c.k, he actually played me, I'm just going to name it anything that comes to my mind then.

Opening day came swiftly, a lot of high profile was going to be present thanks to Papa and Mr. Gorgeous. It was an herculean task to convince Papa not to invite the media, the last thing I want was inviting trouble back to my doorstep just when my life was finally falling into place.

Maids helped me dress up, Papa wouldn't listen to the low profile outfit in the least. He old man personally took me shopping by himself, telling me that was my first social outing since I started living with him as his granddaughter. I wondered why G.o.d decided to punish me with men that thinks like women.

It was war trying to get a comfortable yet cla.s.sy outfit, Papa wanted me to show skin (can you believe that?), and I wanted to bury my baby b.u.mp that was becoming obvious. In the end, after trying outfits after outfits, we settled for a wine coloured off shoulder full length gown. Only the neckline was cut low, the arms were long sleeved with French lace and the waist downwards was free yard, the front of the gown was open from the knee, with the pleats cascading beautifully downwards to my ankle. White pearls designed the edges of the gown beautifully, Papa jumped excitedly like a teenager shopping for prom. I rolled my eyes and picked up some random white designer purse and matching sandals.

After getting into the dress and getting my hair done, my phone beeped, indicating that I have a WhatsApp message. A maid handed my phone to me and lo! it was Mr. Gorgeous.

"Hey, I won't be able to pick you up, I have a very IMPORTANT thing to attend to, I'll try to make it today though."

Hmmph, cla.s.sical Mr. lover boy, what was so 'IMPORTANT' that couldn't wait till the end of the party?, and who asked him to pick me up in the first place?, My mood changed immediately, I frowned throughout the rest of my hairstyling and refused to put on make up.

After dressing up, I met Papa in the living room and greeted him unenthusiastically, he sensed something was off but didn't ask what went wrong.

"Smile for Papa Vee, don't let anyone ruin your special day. You're doing this for you and your mom, OK?" He said and gently patted my head. I nodded and hugged him almost tearfully. I went with him to the car to make our journey to LEE-VEE's.

Almost everyone that was anyone was present, the place was packed with people. From the restaurant to the backyard kitchen to the art café. I was really nervous as I hardly knew anybody, Papa was busy chatting away with his a.s.sociates and I just stayed in the kitchen, making sure everyone was served properly and glancing at the clock almost every minute. I was secretly hoping Mr. Gorgeous would show up. OK I admit that I care about him, but it's not love.

The kitchen was in a position that you can see anybody coming through the entrance. So when Mr. Gorgeous finally walked in, I noticed and was shocked beyond words.