Chapter 1 : WELCOME TO MY LIFE

Welcome to my life. My name is Valerie Geoffrey. I am 20 years old. I live in Lagos, Nigeria but I'm an American. My live with my dad and stepmom. I am a black American so I have a dark skin, long black hair,a slim face, thick eyebrows, dark brown eyes,long eyelashes,a straight nose and good looking lips. I am a tall lady with a good body shape because I always do my morning workout as I'm a person that loves fitness.

My dad's name is Andrew Geoffrey, he's a doctor and he works for an American hospital branch in Ikeja Lagos so basically we live in Ikeja. He's so nice,caring and also handsome. 

My stepmom's name is Brittany Geoffrey, she's a nurse and she works at thesame hospital with my dad. She's very wicked and she hates me so much for a reason I do not know.

I have an elder brother but he lives in America because he works there. His name is Dylan Geoffrey. He is a Manager in a company in Los Angeles, California. He loves me so much, he always calls me my love.

I lost my mom since I was twelve and my dad got married to my stepmom three years later because he was worried I'll be lonely but unknown to him that was the greatest mistake of his entire life because my stepmom hates me so much. My mom died of Blood cancer living me and my brother in this world. She was a photographer and since from then I said I will also be a photographer like my mom. I missed her so much.

We moved to Nigeria when I was 15 years old and I was enrolled to Loral International School in Lagos to complete my secondary education. I then went to Nile University, Abuja for my First degree education in Arts and Photography. And now I'm a graduate and ready to start work and move out of my dad's house to have a peaceful life which I don't have because of my great stepmom.

I have two best friends who are both beautiful Nigerians. They are the best I could ever ask for they are so nice and friendly. Temitope who's Yoruba and Aishat who's Fulani.Temitope,We a dark skin girl with a slim face and large eyes. Aishat, a fair skin girl with a round face,sexy eyes and dimples. We all went to the same University, studied the same course and graduated the same year. They both live in Lagos.

I also have a boyfriend who's also an American, he's name is Brian and he's so cute and handsome. We finished from the same University but he is a year ahead of me. He lives in Abuja and his mom is a Nigerian, a politician and his dad is an American, he is a Manager if one of the dangote companies in Nigeria. He studied Business Management in the university. I love him so much.

This is just an introduction to you about my life. Continue reading to see how my life is going to be after my university. I LOVE YOU FAM❤️

Chapter 2 :LEKKI

The flight we took from Abuja to Lagos just landed in Murtala International Airport, Lagos and I am so excited that I'm now a university graduate with a First class degree result in Arts and Photography from one of the best Universities in the country.

Aishat, Temitope and I carried our luggage to the car temi's parents sent for us. We didn't go home directly, we went to Lekki to check the house we are going to buy through an agent company in Lagos because we want to live our parents' houses and start living together.

We stopped in front of a black gate. And inside the compound was a duplex that was painted in green and Ash colour. A man in suit came out of the compound.

"Hello young ladies. My name is David Daniel. Are you the ladies interested in buying a house through our company?" He introduced himself and asked.

" Yes we are. I'm Valerie Geoffrey, this is Aishat Ahmed and this is Temitope Jude. " I answered with a smile plastered on my face.

"Okay then Let's go in and check the house" he said as he gestured us to go in.

" Okay" we said in unison.

"The house has four bedroom each having a bathroom,a living room that also has a bathroom, a kitchen,a store room, a dinning room, a garden, a swimming pool and a large parking space  It has a good water supply and this estate has good security so you won't have to worry about your safety.The house selling Price is 12 million naira ." He explained.

We checked the house and we were very impressed with the house, it is big and beautiful, it has large rooms and is also situated close to our new work place.

We signed the property papers to make the house officially ours.

"Now the house is yours and this your property papers. Enjoy your new house. Thank you"  The man said before leaving.

We were so happy and excited that we finally own a house and we will be leaving in it in the next two to three weeks or even one month.hahaha

"I can't believe this house is our yayyyyy " I said smiling

" Yes, my love it ours and ours only nobody has the right to step a foot in here without our permission. Oh I'm finally going to get my own space and get away from that clingy sisters of my mine phew".

" Hahahahaha" we laughed.

" Ummm babes, I don't know if my parents are going to agree with this I mean I haven't told them yet, plus I don't know how they will react when I tell them oh God help me ahhhh".

" Heyyyy Tems I haven't told my parents too. Actually I was planning to tell them tonight and I also do not know if they will agree or no."

" Hey, Aishat and temi pls stop being babies, you're fully grown women, ladies. Why are you afraid of telling your parents you're moving out and it's not like you will be living with a man, we're living together okay. Just tell them hmm".

" Okay then". They said in unison.

We went back to the car and drove away. Temitope dropped me at home and bid me goodbye.

I entered the compound to see the watchman sitting on a chair close to gate,he collected my bags and took them inside. 

The first I saw was my stepmom watching TV in the living room.

"Good afternoon,mother." I greeted her.

"Afternoon, pls go to your room and do not disturb me as you can see I'm watching a movie". She said without sparing me a look.

" Okay" I said

"And Val, do not enter my kitchen if you are hungry you can go and buy food with your money you are old enough to take care of yourself. You are not allowed to enter my kitchen, hor you get that into your little brain?" She said

" What do you mean by I'm not allowed to enter you kitchen, this is my father's house not yours so I can do all I want and you can't stop me.i am not going to buy any food from anywhere I am going to ear the food that is cooked in this house. Just because you're my dad's wife doesn't mean that you can restrict my freedom in this house, I am not a child any more  This is my father's house and you cannot change that I'm the daughter of my father. And just because Dad insisted that I call you mother doesn't give you the right to stop me from doing what I want in this house." I said with an angry face.

I went straight to the stairs leaving mother in the living room. Mother stood up from the couch followed me to the stairs, drag me back to turned around and face and slapped me hard on my face.

"You little thing,you think you are now a grown woman, don't you? You even dared to insult me in my own husband's house. I also do not want you calling me mother because when ever you call me mother I always feel like you are comparing me to that disgusting death mother of yours. You think you are now a grown woman and you are free from me never. You can only be free from me if you leave my husband's house because I am fed up of sharing my husband's love with a white like you, do you understand, Valerie Geoffrey??".

" My mother was never a disgusting woman neither am I a *****. You are the ***** and the disgusting woman here. I have never seen a heartless woman like you. What did you say?? Sharing your husband's love you've never loved my dad why do you think you deserve his love, you married him because of his money and now you're telling me to leave. Yes I will leave, I will go far away from you and your troubles not because of anything but because I'm fed up with seeing you ugly face every time I come back here. I am fed up with your pretensions attitude when my dad is not around, the fake love and concern. But I'm not leaving now  Brittany. And if you'll excuse me I have better things to do than to talk to you stupid witch. " I said as  I turned and started climbing the stairs.

Valerie, you do not know who I am and I will make sure you dad throws you out in less than two weeks time . Mark my words Valerie.

'Oh God,h can a woman be this wicked' I asked myself.

I entered my room and locked the door behind me,fell on the bed and started crying.  This woman always insult my mother using the slightest opportunity she get. She always gets to me,she always makes me cry and I hate her so much for that.'I wonder how she treats patients in the hospital'i wondered. I kept on crying till I fell asleep.

It was 5pm when I woke up. I went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. I came out of the bathroom to see my phone ringing.I check the caller and it was my baby.

"Hey babe, how was your flight, sorry I didn't call you earlier. I was at work oh God I'm damn tired right now."

" It was fine. I just woke up from sleep.Urghh I hate this house I just came back from Abuja and this woman has already made me upset". 

" Babe don't worry everything is going to be fine and you're moving out right ohh yeah that reminds me  did you buy the house?"

" Yeah we bought the house "

" How much did you buy it"?"

"12 million naira babe"

" Oh that's cheaper than the one you girls wanted in Abuja"

" Yup,it is"

" Okay babe let me allow you to rest, I love you and remember to take of yourself don't let that woman upset you hmm"

"Sure , I love you too baby"

'Okay bye"

"Bye" 

Beep

I hung up and started dressing myself. Maybe dad is home now I thought

'Okay Val let's go ad tell Dad you are moving out' I said to myself

I went downstairs and found dad watching TV alone

"Hi Dad"

"Hi my princess"

Dad always calls me his princess and it makes me feel special. 

"How are you dad?"

"I'm fine as you can see. What about you?"

" I'm perfectly fine dad and I'm so happy I'm back from Abuja,  Lagos is way more fun that Abuja. The restrictions there are just too much huhhh".

" Hahahaha you still hate it when you are being restricted huh?"

" Yes dad dad annoying"

Okay Princess, how was school? "

" School was fine ohh God our grad was phenomenal. But dad know that I'm still upset with you cause you didn't attend it. "

" Nobody was there for me. Bro is in America, you said you were to busy to attend it and mother intentionally ignored it".

" Don't say that about you mother"

" She's not my mother, dad"

" Are we still on this"

Anyways that's not what I wanted to talked to you about, I wanted to tell you 8 will be moving out from this house and moving to Lekki cause I'll soon start my service there in a cosmetic brand as a photographer".

" What do you mean moving out?"

" Dad, I'm leaving this house and I even bought a house there,

Well not me alone but with Aishat and temi we will be living together."

" No young lady you're not going anywhere, "

" Please Dad, please" I begged with pleading face.

Sigh" Okay then since you insisted but I'm not giving you a Kobo , so don't expect any amount of money from me."

"But  dad I need money right now,and if you don't give me where will I get it?"

" I don't know,you should have thought of that before deciding you'll leave this house"

" Okay Dad I'll look for money and I will never ask you or accept your money from now on". I said crying

" Ohh my little Princess stop crying, just mention any amount I'll give it to you ahhhh"

" I don't want your money father"

" Heyy, stop crying okay please" 

" Okay" I said as I wiped the tears in my eyes

"Ohh yeah that's my baby. So now tell me how much do you need"

" Daddy, you see I need to buy all the necessary furnitures for my bedroom, I also want to buy a new make up kit, I need to contribute money so that we can buy furnitures for our sitting room, kitchen utensils and other  stuffs and last but no the least I want to buy a car, my car is old and you know that, daddy. "

" Okay Princess as for your furnitures just go to my friend's showroom and choose,. For your makeup items I'll give you 10 million naira, for your contribution I'll give you 15 million as for the new car I have already bought one for you and your brother sent you a gift."

" Okay Daddy, so what's the gift you know I love gifts right"

" Yes, it's the new collection of skims and good American."

Ahhhh oh my God yes yes yes..... I've always wanted those clothes yes oh God, I'ma call my brother right now oh 8m so blessed"

" Okay, I'll be heading out anything you want?"

" Nope daddy"

Okay Princess" 

"I love you Daddy"

"I love you too Princess. Take care of yourself Princess, bye. "

" Bye!!"

'Oh God I have the best dad in the world. Any ways where's that witch I haven't seen hear or heard her since I woke up uhhhh God.

Damn I'm hungry lemme go get food' I thought

I went straight to the kitchen to see what I can cook cause I hate that woman's food.  I went to the fridge and saw some fruits and vegetables so I decided to cook Jollof Rice and make some fruit juice. 

Just as I finished cooking I heard a voice from behind.

"Ohh woman, didn't you understand what I mean by you are not allowed to enter my kitchen?" Britt said

" Ohhh Woman, didn't you understand what I mean by this is my father's house and you can not restrict me from coming in to this kitchen?" I said with a light chuckle.

" Ohh good, so now you've grown that you are now answering me with a question?"

" Well, I think yessssss" I answered making sure I stressed the word 'yes'.

"You are becoming something else, Val. You need to know your place." She said raising her hand to slap me but I swiftly caught her hand and stopped her.

"Ohh please, you should also know your place. See if you by any chance in your life tried to slap me, I swear you are going to be taken to the hospital because I will make sure I hand you over to the Area boys I know here in Lagos to beat you up." I said

" Hahahahahahahaha... Val, Val, Val ohh I like your attitude girl but lemme tell you something before you get the chance to do that I'll make sure your father disowns you, Okay?"

" Ohh you are so senseless, excuse me I need to go and eat, stupid witch"

"Did you just called me a witch Val? ". She asked. When she didn't eat a reply she left fuming with anger and I just smiled.

I mean this woman has been insulting me from the day she got married to my dad till this day and I just wanted to let her feel how it feels to be insulted.

I took my food to the living room and sat on the couch. I turned on the TV and changed the channel from BBC World news to E! Entertainment to watch KUWTK. Ohh it's my favorite reality show. I love Kim.

After I ate my dinner, I went back to my bedroom to call my friend so we can schedule the day we will go shopping for our new house. I picked my phone from the bed side table and dialed Temi's number before adding Aishat to the call. They both picked the call.

"Hello, ladies" I said.

"Hello Val"  they said in unison. 

" How are you doing?"

"Val, I'm fine, I just talked to Dad and he agreed to let me move out"

" Nobody asked you that Temi, you are a talkative I swear. I'm also fine Val"

" Ohh Aishat let me enjoy, why are you a buzz kill"

" I'm not a buzz kill, I'm just saying the truth cause nobody asked you, she only ask you how you're doing?" Aishat retorted.

" Ohh Ladies, stop why do you always like fighting over little issues?" I asked trying to shut them up.

" Okay then, I'll not say a word again hump"

" Ohh Temi,come on don't get angry pleaseeeee" I pleaded.

" Why are you begging her let her not say a word sef, that will be better" Aishat said

" Aishat!!!" Temi shouted through the phone.

" Ohhh young lady, stop shouting my name ahhhhhh"

" Okay ladies enough, what's this nonsense, you know I hate it when people quarrel." I said trying to sound angry so that I can shut them up or else we'll end up not discussing what we are supposed to discuss.

"I'm sorry, Val" Temi apologized

"I'm also sorry, Val".

"Okay"

"So why did you call us?"

" I called you to decide the date we're going to shop for our furnitures".

" Is everybody free on Monday?"

" Ummm...Yeah" Me and Temi both said in unison.

" Okay then Monday it is I think by 10 in the morning right?"

"Yes Aishat" I said

" Okay" Temi said

"Okay then, Good night darlings." I said

" Okay bye" they said in unison.

After the call, I went straight to bed since it's 8:57pm and I was feeling sleepy.

***

The next morning

I woke up because of the light rays escaping into mu room through the curtains. I woke up with a bad throbbing head.

"Oh Lord" I held my head with my hands.

This is not good' I thought.

I layed down on the bed snuggling for a while before I stood up and went straight to the bathroom.

Just when I was about to enter the bathroom, I heard my phone ringing. I went straight to my bed side where the phone was charging and check the caller ID  I checked and saw 'My love'. I smiled and pick the call.

"Hello love" I heard a deep voice.

"Hey babe" I replied blushing.

"How was your night, dear?"

"It was fine yours?"

"It was also fine my love"

"Hmmm. Good"

"So baby how's Lagos?"

"Fine fine"

"Okay good"

Hmmm"Babe, bye. I'll call you later I have some matters that needs to be resolved right now. I love you and make sure to take care of yourself."

"Sure, I love you too!"

I hung up the call and stood there holding my phone in a daze .

'I love my boyfriend so much but he doesn't seem to love me back the same way and just thinking about it hurts a lot. He always doesn't have time for me or anything that has to do with me. I don't know if I've wronged him in any way but even if I did that he'll always tell me'. With the thought of this I just couldn't control my tears and it flowed down my cheeks.

'knock knock' l heard a knock on the door.

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