THE MAD MAMMOTH

Chapter 3-A Good Front

Adedayo Adeleke the 20year old son of Tolani and Tunji Adeleke was tall like his parents and almost the spitting image of his father, having inherited his good looks and features but that was as far as the resemblance went. Being the first born of the Adeleke's three children, he had seen a lot of things while growing up, even things his parents went all out to hide from their children. He was not particularly close to his father because he hated the things he had put his mother through and didn't understand why his mother put up with them or why she was still with him. Today was no exception. After Ms. Yemi informed him that his mother wanted him to join her at her table he had gone there, seen her bag on the table and wondered where she went to. He decided to go and look for her and as he stepped out of the hall he saw her and Big Uncle Ayo enter his father's office. He followed her without thinking about it only to meet the image of his father and one of the guests having sex. As soon as his mother and the lady left, he confronted his father

"Dad, couldn't you have shown Mom a little respect just

This once? What did she ever do to you to deserve all this?" he screamed at his father.

"Will you shut up Dayo?! I may have wronged your mother but that's between the two of us. It still doesn't give you the right to disrespect me, I'm your father."

"Well she is my mother and you didn't show her any respect either!"

"That's enough Dayo! You don't ever talk back at your father no matter what." Uncle Ayo said.

Dayo didn't wait to hear any more. He stormed out angrily. He left the hotel premises and was about to hail a cab to drive him home since he came with his father when he remembered his poor mother was still in the hall. I'll have to go back and get her. I can't leave her alone in there. He thought as he went back into the building and pressed the lift button.

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Ten minutes later, Tolani returned to her seat. She noticed Clara's bag was gone; She must have left she thought. Tunji was back on his seat, he kept stealing glances at Tolani as she sat down. Uncle Ayo was also back on his seat but Dayo was nowhere in sight. Poor boy she thought. While she no longer had any doubts about her husband's philandering habits, as much as possible she had tried to protect the children from the truth about his character. She really felt bad that Dayo had to see him like that but in her current state of mind she could barely help herself so she knew there was little she could do to help Dayo. Her message tone rang and Tolani's face was expressionless as she read Tunji's message,

"Omotolani mi, I'm so sorry. It was just a moment of weakness. I swear I haven't seen her in years. I'll make it up to you."

By now the playlet was over. The audience clapped as the

group Leo exited the stage.

"Now, let's put our hands together as we invite The MD/ CEO, Prince Engineer Adetunji Adeleke to talk about how this beautiful hotel started." The MC said.

Tunde got on stage. He had always been a wonderful orator and he gave a captivating description of the struggles they had faced in the past five years trying to bring the dream of a grand hotel to reality. If Tunji was in any way flustered by the events of a few minutes ago, you couldn't tell from his presentation. I wonder how he does it, switching moods like nothing happened. Tolani thought. The audience laughed and clapped in between his speech. In spite of the way she felt, Tolani couldn't help but admire his oratorical skills. He concluded by saying "Please join me in inviting my beautiful wife, my Queen and the love of my life; Omotolani Adeleke to come up to the stage. All the credit goes to her for without her, this dream wouldn't be a reality."

Tolani forced a smile as she walked slowly to the stage. She was so overwhelmed with the shock of Tunde's betrayal on this night especially, a night she had looked forward to for five years, a night which was supposed to be one of the best in her life, that she didn't know when the tears dropped and she was grateful her handkerchief was in her hand as she dabbed her eyes. "Thank you". Was all she could mutter into the microphone as Tunde handed it to her. The audience saw her tears but felt they were tears of joy and they clapped once again. Tolani handed the microphone back to Tunde as she walked briskly to her seat. She wiped the tears again as she sat down. From the corner of her eyes she saw Aunty Fadekemi Adeleke approach her. She was Uncle Ayo's wife. Tolani immediately knew Uncle Ayo must have told her about what happened in Tunde's office.