Life hasn't been a bed of roses, but it hasn't been a bed of Thorns either. Munachi grew up like every Igbo girl, sheltered from the harsh realities of life until she wasn't anymore. Finding a way to make ends meet when things became really difficult for her family, she had to face things she never knew was in existence. Making choices costs most of the time.
Prologue
A gasp left me as I took in the person in front of me. Standing before me is the exact stranger I insulted when he asked me for directions when he got lost.
If I begrudgingly thought he was handsome that day, then today he's more handsome than he was then, standing on the other side of the door wearing clothes that look as if it was specially made for him.
His hair was gelled back and whenever I inhale I perceive his sweet scent that's purely male.
What's he doing here,
how is he related to Mr. Kalu?
Maybe he's their errand boy?
I tried to convince myself, but based on his dressing, you can deduce he's nothing like the errand boy I pegged him as.
I browsed through my memory of how I looked that day.
Recalling how snappy I was that day made me blush hard in embarrassment.
Seeing him here made me regret applying for the job, what if he tries to exact his revenge on me?
What if he humiliates me in the presence of Mr. Kalu?
What if_?
"Earth needs your awesome presence, miss," he said in a smug.
I looked up to find him smiling at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Chapter 1
Looking back on this carriage life that they call life with a smile on your face, you will come to the same conclusions as I have.
#
The harmattan weather is always harsh.
This year's harmattan season isn't like the others. In Nigeria, harmattan season starts in December and stops around February time, but last year's harmattan season didn't start until February of this year after two months of intensive heat, making it the first late harmattan witnessed in Nigeria.
The streets were filled with layers of dust, a compliment of the season it is.
Snow falls in some countries during wintertime, but in ours ggetseye tearing dust.
I trudged along the paved way which is the only safe place to walk on if you want to escape the dust, although I was putting on three layers of clothing, I can still feel the stinging claws of harmattan on me.
My bones ache as though I ran a marathon with time.
Most of the children playing in the streets had split lips, and some unfortunate ones were burdened with calloused feet.
The stings of the season were mainly visible on the poor, they are recognized by the signature white of their body.
"Auntie good morning!!" Chorused the happy kids as I walked past their playing space.
They weren't bothered about the cold since they have friends to play with.
"Morning, ole otu unu di?" I smiled at them, "we are fine, thank you!!" They chorused as they resumed their game of tag.
I smiled at the cute little creatures, the children are the main reason I like walking to my mom's shop every morning instead of taking a motorcycle there, their smiles brighten my day as they have contagious smiles.
*
Walking towards Uzoma street, I frowned when I saw Kachi in his mother's shop, my brightened countenance turned sour.
I don't consider him an enemy, but he's certainly not a friend.
I turned my face towards the left pretending I haven't seen him, knowing it was a futile plan as he has already seen me, but it didn't deter me from hoping.
"Well, well, well, if it's not my pretty pretentious wife," he cooed pathetically as I side stepped him with my face still turned.
As much as I love walking to shop to see the children, his also the reason I hate walking to shop.
"You know you can't ignore me forever nwanyim, the more you run from me, the more I give chases", he threatened.
I didn't reply to his taunt I walked past him.
"You can't run forever!" he shouted as I turned a corner.
*
Almost near our shop, I stopped frowning.
I tried to smile, as my mom gets a kick whenever I frown.
"Madam sees the time you are coming to shop, I your maidservant has already swept the shop for you, "my friend Ifunanya joked.
I kept a long serious face, "oh sorry madam, I don't know you arrived earlier. I'm I apologize for my tardiness, it won't happen again," I sarcastically said.
She laughed at my poker face, "gama Biko, I don't have your time, your mom is expecting you, and you know how she is when she's kept waiting. " She joked.
I laughed as I entered our stall.
" This one you are smiling today, itutara counter? Federal government onyeregi scholarship?" mom joked.
"Some people are just enemies of progress, ekwutumekwu, my enemies must be put to shame.
So, you want me to be sad abi?, okwalagi," I chuckled as my mom lightly spanks me.
"I don't have your time," my mom countered as I walked into her production office.
My mom came from a rich, aristocratic family, but her entitlements were transferred to her younger sister when she got married to dad against her parent's wish.
They didn't only deprive her of her right, they disowned her.
My dad, on the other hand, came from a humble family of artisans, his father was a furniture maker and my father inherited his business when he _my grandpa_ passed on two years ago.
"Muna, Muna, Munachi!!" I jerked from my thoughts, my mom was giving me a funny look.
" Good to have you back, earth requires your presence," she looked at me as if I've committed an abomination by thinking.
"Mom, I was just lost I thought, you know", I babbled.
"You better not get lost again, and better still don't go there at all. What were you thinking of exactly?", she folded her arms.
"Wow woman, you've become an expert in bead making", I tried to beg the question, I can tell she knows what am up to, but decided to give me a break as she continued making the bead bag in question, I let out a breath of relief.
"A for being an expert, wait until you see the teddy bears and flower vase I made, that when you will truly realize you have a professional mother", she beamed with pride as she-cats walked out of the shop flaunting the beads she was putting on.
My mom was a model before she got married to dad, although she doesn't complain much about it, I know she misses those good ole days.
"You might be an expert in beading but you and I know am the professional wrapper, ana amakwanuaka?", I scoffed.
" Mtcheww, I don't blame you, I blame your father for spoiling you rotten with praises when it's obvious you didn't merit them",
"hmm, I don't have much to say, my work speaks for itself. Good wine doesn't need an advertisement", I pursed my lips.
We bickered back and forth as we got the shop ready for the day's sales.
Distance separated them, but fate brought them together. Separated when they were little because of a medical problem, Marble and Mabel grew up in different homes. Marble the sick one was sent to live with his biological father, while Mabel lived with the mother and father. Over time, they forgot about each other, until fate brought them back, together. They parent desperate to put a lid over a secret of many years, and you will get one dramatic novel. Other Info
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She escorted her husband to be crowned as the Emperor, but the day he took power became the day all her family members were slain brutally. She was reborn five years ago when her parents were healthy and alive, and she was unmarried. Above all, nothing started yet. Ye Muxi swore to take her revenge to eliminate all the regrets she committed in her previous life. Carrying the memories she collected for these five years, a weak Miss, who always got bullied, had transformed attractively. She protected her younger brother and stamped on the scum cheater. She took every step seriously and always took action first.  However, how did she accidentally enthrall this scheming and handsome Royal Master? She killed people, and he set the fire. She poisoned someone, and he killed others.  If she was willing to love only one person in the world, then he would spoil her all her life and stay with her forever. … … A couple, both invincible, held hands together. He would be loyal to her until he died.Â
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
It took only a second for a person's world to come crashing down. This was what happened in Hannah's case. For four years, she gave her husband her all, but one day, he said emotionlessly, "Let's get divorced." Hannah's heart broke into a million pieces as she signed the divorce papers, marking the end of her role as a devoted wife. Within Hannah, a strong woman awakened, vowing never to be beholden to any man again. Embracing her new life, she embarked on a journey to find herself and command her own destiny. By the time she returned, she had experienced so much growth and was now completely different from the docile wife everyone once knew. "Is this your latest trick to get my attention?" Hannah's ever-so-arrogant husband asked. Before she could retort, a handsome and domineering CEO pulled her into his embrace. He smiled down at her and said boldly to her ex, "Just a little heads-up, mister. This is my beloved wife. Keep off!"
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
The night before her engagement, Valerie was tricked by her boyfriend and stepsister into spending the night with a stranger. After the night together, the man vanished. Later, her boyfriend accused her of cheating, revealing his affair with her stepsister. Pressured by her father, Valerie married an unconscious man in place of her stepsister. Valerie exposed the scheme, sabotaged her father’s ambitions, and transformed herself. When her husband woke and chased her to the airport, she calmly refused him, saying, "It's over between us." He held her firmly. "You married me, so you must commit."