Meant To Be - Episode 45

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A call from Kore's phone woke them all around past 9. He picked up the phone and answered the call.

"Yes?... Oh! That's true.... I hope you have everything ready?... I will be there in 30...Okay."

"Are you going out?"

"Yeah. I totally forgot I had a meeting."

"But you said we were going to stay together today."

"I am sorry . I have to leave."

"Hmm."

"I love you, okay? And happy birthday to you."

"Okay." She said and he kissed her lips before leaving the bed and the room altogether.

Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ Δ

Around 11, the doorbell rang and she went to get it, it was Lara. She was carrying a shopping bag and then she hugged Ayo,

"Happy birthday Girlfriend."

"Thank you, ma. Why the excitement?"

"Well, you and I are going out."

"Out? What about Itunu?"

"He is tagging along too."

"ItunuOluwa!"

"Aunty Lara!"

"How are you my love?"

"I am fine. What about you?"

"Never been better

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/meant-to-be

. I brought something for you. Here, go change into it, we are going out."

"Oh! Okay." Itunu said and he collected the blue bag she held out to him and disappeared into his room.

"This your outing must make sense o." Ayo said smiling.

"It definitely is. We are treating you to a spa and then a salon and then a date with Mr hubby."

"I see. I knew this mischief won't be far from his name."

"Wait. Just wait. Is that what I am seeing?" Lara asked, dropping the bag and closing in on Ayo to take her ringed finger as she shouted,

"Oh my God! This is so beautiful."

Lara asked, "When did it happen?"

"Yesterday. He gave me a car and this was sitting in it."

"I swear you are so lucky. This man loves you so much."

"I know right."

"Oh! So, you are the owner of that Mercedes outside?"

"Yes baby."

"I am just happy things are finally right for you."

"Thank you, Lara. It means a lot to me and I hope you find your happiness soon."

"I definitely will. Oya, go and dress up. Before we go to the spa, you must first wash it for me."

Ayo laughed. "See this woman o. Who told you I am boxed up?"

"That one no concern me. Sha, do fast make we go. You will change into this dress at the salon and makeover shop. For now, do you." Lara said and Ayo went upstairs to dress up, grab the Mercedes key and called Itunu out. He could use one hour just to get ready and he is just a boy.

Soon enough, they were on their way. They all had sunglasses on because of any media issue that might crop up and then Ayo stopped the car at Domino's, Lara's favorite. Ayo bought three ice cream and took it to their booth which was at a shaded side of the restaurant then they liked and talked and made fun of the people passing the road or around.

An hour later, Lara was giving directions while Ayo was driving to the spa. They spent an hour there too, their bodies thoroughly worked on before Lara drove them to the salon/makeover shop. They met some customers there but then after some minutes, Ayo was attended to. An hour and a half later, she was looking so beautiful. Lara gave her the bag to change her dress and foot wear which she did then she drove them to a hall. As they were getting down, Kore showed up from nowhere and was at Ayo's car seat side,

"You cleaned up too."

"I would do anything I can for you baby."

"So, what's all these about?"

"It's your birthday. Whatever you see in there, enjoy it." Kore said and kissed her lips. Ayo stepped back a little and used a finger to dab his lips,

"Gosh! You are going to get makeup all over your face."

"I don't care, so far, it's your make up."

"Stop jo."

"Okay lovebirds, can the party start already?" Lara asked, as she proceeded inside.

"Party?" Ayo asked as she and Kore laced fingers and went inside.

As soon as she walked in, a crowd of 20 plus stood up and started singing,

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you Ayo. Happy birthday to you."

Then somebody, Kore's mum, Olori led as they joined her,

"May the good Lord bless you. May the good Lord bless you. May the good Lord bless you Ayo. May the good Lord bless you."

Then the highlight of it all, Kore's dad, Kabiesi led,

"We wish you many happy returns of the day. Long life and prosperity. Hip! Hip!! Hip!!!"

"Hurray!"

"Hip! Hip!! Hip!!!"

"Hurray."

"Okay. Thank you for the birthday song. Now the celebrant must cut her cake. Mama, please come and help us out here."

Ayo was close to tears as she saw her grandmother step out towards the cake which was rolled down to, she and Kore's front some seconds before.

"Hey! No crying, okay?" Kore said and she nodded. He gave her his handkerchief and then Mama was given the microphone and stood beside them as she talked,

"We are going to cut the cake for my granddaughter. So, her name is what we will use. Ayo. Are we ready?"

"Yes." They chorus while Ayo held the knife on the cake and Kore covered her hand with his and then Itunu joined in,

"Let's go. A! Y! O!" They chorused and she cut the cake then Kore took the microphone, his left hand holding it, his right hand around her waist.

"So, while we are all in the mood of celebration, I would like to make a toast." He paused as the servers quickly supplied everyone a glass and he had to hold his too.

"First of all, I want to say thank you to everyone here today. It means so much to me. To her. To us. We are really grateful you made out time on a work day to come celebrate with us. God bless you."

"Amen."

"Also, I would like to use this opportunity to officially announce our engagement (Ayo raised her left hand so they could see her ring and the crowd went oooh and aaah). You see, love is more than words. It is more than the feelings and romance it comes with. Love is mainly about sacrifice. This woman has sacrificed so much for me. She has made me understand what love truly is and she is the best thing that has ever happened to me and for this, I am eternally grateful to her and in front of you all today, I make a toast to my wife-to-be, the mother of my kids and the love of my life. Ayodunmomi." He said, raising his glass and then the clinking began and he asked Ayo,

"Any words?"

She said, "I just want to say thank you so much to you all for making it down here. You really surprised me. God bless you all."

They applauded and then the meet and greet started. Ayo went to her grandmother first.

"Mama, how did you get here?"

"It's Kore o. He called me and told me he wanted to throw a party for you and he will be so glad if I can join the royal family to come. And what am I doing? I said yes kiakia."

"I am so glad you are here."

"And I am happy you are happy."

"Let me say thank you to his parents, Mama. I will be with you soon."

"Okay, it is very necessary. Go!" Mama said and she went to where Kabiesi and Olori were sitting and knelt down,

"Good evening sir, ma."

Kabiesi answered, "My daughter. How are you?"

Ayo replied, "I am fine sir."

Olori said, "When Adekorede told us he was throwing you a party, I could not believe my ears, I had to come down here to be sure, he actually won you over again. Thank you for forgetting the last my dear."

Ayo replied, "It is nothing ma."

Kabiesi said, "She has to forget the past na or is it not our forefathers that said, ti a o ba gbagbe oro ana, a o ni ri eni ba sere. I know it was not easy for you but thank you for forgiving him. You make my son happy and he is a good boy. He will treat you right."

Ayo appreciated, "Thank you Kabiesi."

Kayode, Kore's younger sister shouted, "Iyawo mi oooo."

Olori scolded, "Adekayode!"

Kayode apologized and dragged Ayo away from her parents as she talked, "Oh! Sorry. When Kore told me, you had finally forgiven him, I was so ecstatic. I wanted to come sees you and I.T but he said no that he had some plans and till it worked, he didn't want anyone near you."

Ayo said, "Don't mind him."

She said, "I am glad you guys are back together. I missed you and that your efo elegusi."

Kolade, Kore's elder brother, said, "Foodie. For food only."

Ayo greeted, "Good evening sir."

Kolade asked, "Sweetheart, hope this girl is not boring you?"

"Hahan." Kayode said and walked away.

"At all sir. How are you? I haven't seen your wife." Ayo said,

"Oh! She should be anywhere there is food, she is pregnant again so she can eat the whole house as it is." Kolade said,

"Were you talking about me, Kolade?" Kolade's wife appeared, asking,

He narrowed his eyes before asking, "You? Talking about you? Why would I? Come, let's go over there so you can sit." He led her towards a couple of cozy chairs arranged at the left side. Ayo looked to her right to see Kayode already moved to the serving table. Then she turned only to see Wale walking towards her with two glasses of wine. She looked round the room frantically for Kore and saw him at the far end talking to his friends. If he saw her with Wale or saw him here at all, there could be a problem.

"How did you get here?"

"Lara told me about the party and I decided to come. Congratulations." Wale said, handing her a glass.

She collected it, saying, "Umm, thank you."

"I am sorry. I should have called or texted after that day. I never knew something happened to Itunu. I was too pissed to think right."

"It's fine. I should be apologizing. Knowing my heart is with someone and leading you on."

"You are a good woman, Ayo. All I want for you is simply happiness. Are you happy?"

Ayo stared at the ring on her finger for a long minute before answering, "Yes.

Read " Saved by Love " by the same author ( Olufunlola Adeola )

. Yes. I am happy."

"That's all that matters. So, I can see this party is for only VVIP, so, how many of the babes here is single? It's been a while I had a woman to tease."

Ayo laughed, "Something is wrong with your brain."

"I am serious jo. I can see your friend is taken." He said and Ayo followed his gaze to where Lara was smiling at Deeman while he talked. She knew it! Lara was attracted to the guy.

"How about that one at the table over there? She fits my physique requirements for a woman. Tall and bold."

Kore said appearing behind Ayo, "Don't even think about going near my sister."

Wale said drily nodding, "Kore."

Kore said, "Wale. Can I have my lady please?"

"With all pleasure." Wale said lifting his glass up a little before retreating.

Kore held Ayo for some minutes in silence before she asked,

"Are you mad?"

"No."

"I might have been eavesdropping on your conversation. I am glad you are happy. With me."

"I am glad you make me happy."

"Can we go home already? I want to ravish you till sunrise."

"Like you can. When you are not a machine."