Hello everyone! I know it's been a while I wrote here but I thought to drop by and say hello. My blog address has changed to buildtobloom.com so you can stop by and say hello. Also beautiful wings is available for download on okadabooks and the blog for free:

https://buildtobloom.com/books/

Born into wealth, Lara Olakitan has everything a girl could ever want: Money, fame, family, friends and a fiance envied by all. With everything and everyone at her beck and call, she can’t help thriving on the attention the world showers her.

Until tragedy strikes, dark secrets unfold and Lara’s world crumbles.

Nimi Adeyemi is Lara’s Personal Assistant and understands the battles Lara faces. As a woman with a resilient and passionate heart for Jesus, she believes she has the answer to Lara’s problems and longs to save her.

But when Nimi suddenly finds herself in the middle of it all, she is startled by the internal conflicts waging war within her soul. She slowly realises Lara is not the only one who needs saving and is compelled to make a choice that could either make or mar them both.

But what if choosing the right path meant losing everything?

You can get your free copy on okadabooks by clicking on the link below:

https://okadabooks.com/book/about/beautiful_wings/30245

Oh Hi JummyGee and Briona! I apologise I am just responding to your messages. I don't have Chocolates and Sushi uploaded anymore. I had to take it down due to some reasons. But you can grab Beautiful Wings from Okadabooks or my blog at buildtobloom.com.

Thank you.

Hello everyone!

Wow it's been a while and I do hope you're all doing well. I've missed writing in this space but so many things happened that kept me away.

I just wanted to make a few announcements so no one is left in the dark about glowingscenes disappearance and appearance. loool

I now write at buildtobloom.com

You can support me by checking out the site.

Beautiful Wings is now available on Okadabooks and on my Blog for free where you can download it for your reading pleasure. Thought to inform you guys, especially since the blog address has changed.

Thanks for sticking around guys! Thanks for the support and check up. God bless you.

bummybummy:
plz I want to follow u on ur blog but it was showing somtin dat I don't understand

hello dear? What did it show? There's a subscribe button when you scroll down. Thanks!

“He will be your child, I’m not denying you that right…” She really needed to ensure the girl saw her offer as attractive as possible. “I just need you to come to terms with the reality that the child will be seen as mine and Tahir’s.”

“I’ll have to think about it…”

She felt her heart constrict. “I have good lawyers if you’re worried about me going against my word. They will ensure everything is done right. We will take good care of you Erin.”

She shook her head. “I know… I just want to be sure I won’t regret my decision in future.”

“It’s fine.” She forced a smile. “But I would like you to do me a favour. Don’t tell anyone about this conversation. I want us to keep this between us. If you go back on your word, there’s no way I or Tahir can help you and you’ll be all alone. Think about it.”

She nodded. “I will.”

Chapter 9 continued

When Erin got the call, there was a certain kind of fear that greeted and washed over her the moment she identified the person speaking to her at the other end of the line. She wasn’t certain if greeting her was the formal thing to do but she did all the same.

“Good morning ma.”

“Good morning my darling, how are you?”

“Fine thank you ma.” This felt strange. How on earth did the woman get her number and why was she so polite and kind?

“And how’s the baby? I understand this might be your first time but don’t be worried. I don’t bite. I was just calling to check on you.”

Erin grew worried and slightly terrified. So her boss had the guts to tell his wife about their affair and she was acting like everything was fine?

“I’m fine ma.”

“If you need anything, don’t be afraid to ask me okay? My husband told me everything that happened but I just want to make things right instead of turning it into something else. I mean you’re carrying my husband’s child and that’s enough for me to respect you.”

Perhaps the woman wasn’t so bad afterall.

“I don’t know if you’ll be up for lunch but I don’t want to rush you. It would just be great to see you and register you into a good hospital so you can look after yourself. I understand if you find it hard to trust me so soon but I’m just a dial away.”

“Yes ma. Thank you ma.”

“Good bye Erin.”

And she was gone.

Erin stared at the phone silently wondering what just happened and if it was a dream as it felt weird to have her boss’ wife call her and act cool about the situation. She played the conversation in her head over and over again and wondered if it wouldn’t be a bad idea to call her and accept the help she so readily offered. Her abdomen was beginning to grow and she really needed all the help she could get. She needed a good hospital and some money to take care of herself as she grew weak and unhealthy each passing day. There was hardly any good food to eat in the house not to talk of feed a child. She was unable to buy any vitamins to keep her steady and stable during this antenatal period of hers. If possible she wanted to hide herself and wondered if the woman would help her in that area as well.

She reached for the phone. The lunch date did not sound like a bad idea.

*****

Oyinda raised an eyebrow when the object of her thoughts introduced herself. She removed her sunshades and was tempted to shake her head. She’d thought her husband would do better but he had obviously been pressed by nature to deposit his seed in some poverty stricken girl who was too plain-looking to describe. Even Sulola would have been a better option. Perhaps she would have been more intimidated or scared that Tahir had his heart somewhere else.

She remembered why she was here and perfected her professional smile. “You’re Erin?”

The girl nodded.

“Please sit down. Would you like a glass of water or milkshake? Please feel free to make a choice. I’ll have the waiter bring you the menu card.”

“Thank you ma. I think milkshake sounds nice.”

She smiled when the girl didn’t fall short of her expectations. Gold-diggers like her would jump at the opportunity to suck rich people dry. Well, she’d picked the wrong family to fool with.

“So, how are you faring with the baby? Not too stressful I hope?”

She shook her head and she could tell the girl was nervous. She had to do everything to ensure the girl felt safe before presenting her proposal. Food was a good start.

Make her comfortable…

“Ma… I just want to let you know I didn’t plan for this to happen.” The girl spluttered and she nodded. “Tahir told me everything and I perfectly understand. But you need to eat first, then we can talk. I want you to see me as your aunt and whatever question I ask you is because I need to know how I can be of help to you, in order to prevent this from getting into the hands of gossips. Now that’s not a pleasant sight and it will create a bad image on all of us. You don’t want that do you?”

The girl nodded as if understanding her.

The waiter brought her milkshake and she could see her sipping the drink hungrily. She ordered pieces of spicy chicken, chips and salad and encouraged the girl to request for anything she wanted. For a while all she could do was organise her plan in her head. She wasn’t a lawyer, but she knew her job well.

When the girl looked relaxed, she smiled. “Are you okay?”

“Yes ma. Thank you so much ma.”

“So, if you don’t mind my asking…how far gone are you?”

“I’ve missed my period for three months now. I haven’t been to the hospital because I don’t have money for checkup but I’ve been feeling funny for a while.”

Oyinda bit her lip. She had to act fast. 3 months was a lot and soon it would be obvious. How long had Tahir been cheating on her? If it was a fling as he claimed then it was before their reconciliation. The same month she’d refused him sex and their fight began.

“Okay. So how do you intend taking care of your baby? Have you thought about it?”

She looked down. “I really don’t know but I’m just hoping I find help. I was thinking of aborting it but….”

“You can’t abort it.” She deadpanned. “I have a better option which I do hope you’ll be reasonable enough to consider.”

“If it makes things easier for me, I won’t mind at all.”

“Do you know what surrogacy means?”

She appeared to be deep in thought. “It sounds familiar but I’m not so sure.”

“Okay. So surrogacy is a term used to describe a situation where a woman carries a child for a couple that can’t have a child.” She pretended to be sober. “I know you must be aware that I can’t have kids for my husband. I don’t know why nature chooses to be cruel to me but perhaps this is one way to show my kindness to you where you can pay us in kind. Since you carry my husband’s baby, I’m offering you the best option. Let us have your baby and care for him. Tahir and I will see to it that your child is well taken care of but I need you to relinquish your rights to the child and I’ll give you everything you want. We will make sure this doesn’t affect your program and your life.”

She saw the girl glancing sideways and a worried look forming on her face. She had to raise the stakes. “You’ll deliver the child in the best environment. We will sponsor your trip to the United Kingdom to deliver the child there, get you the right documents and make sure you get the best treatment. All we just need you to do is leave your child in safe hands. You really don’t lose in all of this if you really think about it.”

“Are you saying I’ll never get to see my child or claim to be his mum?”

Hello all,

I apologise for the delay. I was working on my book release and it was quite a process. But the good news is the two books are out now so you can grab your copies from okadabooks, smashwords and kobobooks
Will upload the next episode of Forgiven soon.

Site is still myglowingscenes.com

Forgiven chapter 9

Oyinda sipped her morning tea slowly as several thoughts crossed her mind. Last night she’d tossed and turned in the guest room after hours of crying alone wondering if she’d done anything to deserve what Tahir did to her. The weekend had been the most horrible one she ever experienced in her lifetime. For days they hadn’t even spoken to each other though Tahir had tried to get her talking or saying something. She knew he was sorry but his apologies were not going to erase his cheating ways or the product of it. He’d told her it happened once and was a mistake. She’d thrown her claws at him when he kept probing and asking her to say something.

What did he expect her to say? Tahir had brought shame upon her, upon them both. How would people look at her? What about her sister? That one would mock her and ensure she tormented her about it to her grave. They would be in society news and media would fabricate so many lies against them bulking up the truth and filling it up with their creative filthy minds.

She couldn’t let them ruin her name. She wasn’t going to allow one golddigger of a girl soil her name or steal the empire she’d built with her husband. She could have as well been a prostitute. Tahir belonged to her and she wasn’t ready to leave him yet.

Her mind flashed to the baby and she grew cold. Life was really cruel to her. Just a fling and the girl was pregnant. Was it even certain? How far gone was she for Tahir to be sure it was his?

What if I come in?

She blinked as the thought crept in. The only way she could make sure this was neat was play her part. She was sure that’s why Tahir had told her, so they could come to a conclusion and start working towards doing something about the situation and not weep over split milk.

Her mind began working. The situation wasn’t so bad afterall. No one knew about this except the girl had been foolish and greedy enough to share the news. They could curtail it and work things out.

Negotiation?

This piqued her interest. What if they negotiated? Negotiation required an exchange. She would do the honourable part as a loving wife and reach out to the girl.

But what will we exchange?

You’ve always wanted a baby…

Oyinda swallowed as the tears stung but the desire grew as the voice within probed further. Yes, I want a baby… my own baby.

She’s carrying your husband’s baby…

Just then, Tahir strolled into the kitchen struggling with his tie while his briefcase hung in the other hand. She watched him and realised he had eyebags too. Good. If he didn’t look that way she would have been tempted to drench him in the hot water left in the kettle. She wished there was a way she could pay him for what he did to her but the constant thought of the child tugged at her and she knew she had greater things to pursue instead.

“Good morning.” She replied when he greeted her for the second time that morning. “How was your night?”

“Horrible.”

She fixed her hair behind her ears and stared into her cup. She knew what to expect, she just wondered how long it would take him for them to begin again.

“Babe, I’ll do anything. I just need you to believe me when I tell you I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Would you like to eat before going to work?”

He sighed. “You’re trying to avoid this…”

“On the contrary, I’m not.” She snapped irritated he would start whining and begging her again. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately and I came to a conclusion.”

She saw him stand at attention and smiled within. Hopefully this would be more easier than she planned. “I need to know the girl you got pregnant.” She looked up and saw him hesitate. “You don’t trust me?”

“It’s my fault babe and…”

“Tahir…except you’re hiding something from me or perhaps she’s more important than I am to you.”

He looked hurt. “You know that’s not true.”

She shrugged. “How am I supposed to believe you if you won’t tell me who carries your baby? All I just need is her number and I’ll handle it from there. It’s your mess and we have to find a way to clean it up before it blows out of proportion.”

She watched him reach for his phone and pass her the number. She typed it into her phone and saved it. Looking up, she offered him a stiff smile. “I’ll call you and let you know how it works out. At least she can’t blackmail you now so lighten up.”

It was an hour before Oyin sat staring at the number. Right now she wished there was an option other than the one currently on her mind but at the moment, none came. Besides, she was doing the girl a favour by accepting her child and not leaving her to abort or throw the child in some garbage can. There would no longer be any need for adoption and she suddenly felt happy. She would place all her cards on the table and ask the young girl to pick without strings attached. Something told her there would be more along the way but right now, what mattered was the fact that part of her prayers had come to pass and she would be wise to grab it and use it to her advantage.

heemah:
Following your blog already...

Thank you dear!

Erin found herself playing the conversation over and over again in her head on what Tahir had told her. She wondered if she’d been a fool to think he would want to be with her after getting the news of her pregnancy but his wife had an invisible hook on him she had used to secure her husband’s allegiance.

“Babe, if you’re going to carry my baby, what’s going to happen to my wife?”

Perhaps he should have thought of that earlier.

“As much as this is something beautiful, I really wish there was a way about this…”

“I’m carrying your child Tahir, that enough qualifies me to be someone important in your life. I mean what about my school? My church members would mock me and shame me. I’ll be the talk of the town. What will my sister think and my father will kill me and the baby, or worse make sure he finds out who owns the child. I don’t even have money to abort it if I want to.” She reached to wipe her tears. “I’ve been praying to God to make a way for me but right now I feel like I’m getting what I deserved. I loved you and trusted you and now that I’m pregnant, you just want to throw me away.”

He’d been trying to hush her and when he finally succeded, he ran a hand on his head. “What do you want me to do Erin?”

She wished she could hit him

“If I go down, you go down.”

She saw him blink then. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”

“I have no choice. If you’re not willing to help me, I have to help myself.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”

Her heart was racing but she said it anyway. She’d been mulling over the thought for days. Something wanted to pull her back but she ignored it. She had an ambition and cowering in fear wouldn’t put food on the table or deliver her from the misery she faced everyday in her house. It was his child and wouldn’t be found raising bastards. He had to carry the blame too. “I just want you to love me that’s’ all. I want you to care for me and accept my child as yours. It doesn’t have to be public and I’m not even asking for much. All I just need is assurance that everything will be alright.”

“Let me think about this.”

Her eyes welled with tears at the thought of what she’d said and done. She wished she could begin life on a new slate but it just felt too late to go back now. Besides, the deed was done, her abdomen was beginning to take form and soon, she would no longer be able to hide her ‘sin’. She couldn’t bear the shame and needed a covering. Tahir had been her only option and it wasn’t like she was doing something bad. She just wanted him to care for her and his child.

Was that too much to ask?

But why did she feel as if she was roping herself into something that would become more and more difficult to pull out from? She picked up her bible and searched for comforting words. When she found none, she put it beside her pillow and stared at nothing in particular. She’d heard them sing ‘He’s got the whole world in His hands’ in the children’s church last week but she doubted that at the moment.

Tahir had her life in his hands and whatever decision he took would leave her at his mercy. She just hoped God would touch his heart and make things work out for her good.

***

Tahir got home mentally exhausted after spending hours alone, contemplating on the thought of telling his wife the truth and let it out once and for all. Erin was trying to rope him in and he couldn’t afford to let that happen. What if his wife found out in the nearest future? That was worse. He wouldn’t have any excuse then and he didn’t want to end up like those men who kept their mistresses hidden somewhere all for the wife to find out and ruin their reputation and everything they had. He wasn’t ready for his marriage to be over.

“Hey baby…”

His wife stepped out in tempting attire and for a short while, he wished he could forget what happened and move on as he kissed her. She noticed how tense he was and withdrew running her hands along his arm. “What’s wrong, are you okay?”

He looked into her eyes then.

“You know you can tell me anything don’t you my darling…” She reached to help with his tie. “You look drained. Let me get you a glass of water.”

He stopped her and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He knew he owed her the truth. He would have to come clean.

hisable2:
op nice piece ride on, pls post your blog incase one needs the update

myglowingscenes.com

Georgeisco2007:


You are welcome. I just hope you could be updating everyday because this is the part we are all waiting for it to unfold itself more.
Meanwhile, tnks once again for your time and inspiring story

Hello George!
Lol @everyday. I'm afraid that's not possible but you can check the blog to be updated on the recent episode. As for everyday, if it was feasible, perhaps, but it's not feasible to produce a story content everyday. I think up the words and have to create scenes. That takes hours and research and brain power. I return from work each day and I'm exhausted already. Maybe if it wasn't story writing, I would have found a way, but thanks for stopping by. When the books come out, you can purchase a copy and digest all of them at once. I'm sure you would enjoy that. Thank you.

Georgeisco2007:
Am sure Erin is pregnant now, let's watch as the drama unfolds. Meanwhile, tnks for the write up, it's inspiring

Thank you George

Eniqurl:
I feel sorry for Erin tho. Nice story ma'am

Thank you Eniqurl!

BlissfulJeff:
nice one sweetheart.

Thanks Blissful Jeff!

adroitA:
Wow.! I started reading this morning and believe me I love love love love d story! Erin.... Hmm, over d years I've learnt not to judge people especially when I've never been in their kind of situation. I'll just keep reading and see what happens with Erin, Tahir and his wife.
Good stuff glowingscenes

Thanks so much dear! Thank God for his wisdom.

Tahir received the message on his phone and smiled. He was just about to go for a break when her message came in and he was going to respond when a call came through. His heart skipped a beat when he recongised the caller ID and he wondered if it was wise to pick her call at this time. He remembered seeing her in his office some weeks ago but by the time he returned, she was gone and there was nothing he could do about it. He wasn’t about sabotaging his reputation and his marriage just because of a fling and emotions that had gone out of hand.

He decided to pick the call.

“Hello…”

“Hello sir, good afternoon sir. I hope everything is alright sir…”

“Everything is fine Erin. Look, can I call you later? I’m in the middle of a meeting…”

“I’m sorry sir but this cannot wait.” He noticed the terse tone of her voice and he raised an eyebrow. If she thought that was enough to make him listen to her, she obviously didn’t know him.

“I’m pregnant sir.”

“What?!” Sulola stood but he waved her down and stepped back into his office closing the door while reaching for his tie. This had to be a joke.

“It’s why I tried calling you but you refused to pick my call or reply my messages.” That was when he heard the tears in her voice. He was about to mention her ex which she’d told him about but as if reading his mind, she continued making it hard for him to escape the truth. “I haven’t seen my period for a while now and you’re the only man I’ve ever been with. You know this…we both know this Tahir.”

He swallowed unable to say anything for a while and he wondered if it was a dream which he would be waking up from as soon as possible. This would have been so different if Oyin was the one carrying the baby, not his former IT student. He couldn’t believe the mockery that taunted him. A few nights with a young lady had gotten her pregnant, and his wife for years still sought a child.

“Hello?”

“What’s your plan?”

“I was thinking of what to do, it’s why I called you. It’s all new to me.”

“Where are you?” he finally found his voice.

“I’m heading home. Ever since I got pregnant I’ve not been feeling too good to stay back in school like before.”

“Okay… have you told anyone? Your friends…your sister or your father?”

“No sir I haven’t.”

“okay that’s good. You know what, I need you to do something for me, stay back in school. I’ll come and pick you for lunch. Can you do that for me?”

“I don’t know if I can.” He could perceive the hesitation and tiredness in her voice.

“Erin you need to do this for me…for us. Can you just trust me to handle this situation? You need me as the father of your child and that’s why you called. Together we can think of what to do.”

“I hope abortion isn’t an option?”

His heart sank. If the girl wasn’t thinking of abortion, then he would have to think up something that will benefit them all in the long run or this would ruin him completely. He wanted a child but not in this dilemma.

“No it’s not.”

“Then I’ll wait. Please be here by 2 o’clock.”

“Sure.”

“See you soon.” And she was gone.

Tahir stared at his phone as perspiration built from the inside. His mind worked as he picked his keys and headed out. His mind tormented him as he drove finding his way to Erin’s school. The last thing he needed her to do was tell anyone of their affair, most definitely not Oyin. He suspected she wanted more, but he couldn’t offer her anything when he was commited to someone else. He knew the girl adored him, but was a witness to how adoration could turn to hatred overnight if things didn’t work out well and he wasn’t about to get himself into worse trouble.

What if she threatens to call my wife to tell her?

He wasn’t going to allow that happen and he began thinking of ways around it to ensure that whatever happened, no one would be at a losing end. The last resort that settled in his mind was to tell Oyinda himself if the worst happened. It was better if he confessed to her, than she hearing it from someone else.

heemah:
I knw this was going to happen.
Thanks for the update Ma'am

Thanks for reading Heemah!

Forgiven 8

“I want the turquoise colour.” Oyin smiled when she remembered how much her husband loved that particular colour and often mixed it up with blue instead. She couldn’t wait for him to see her nails as a compensation for his listening ears to her last night. She’d brought up the adoption suggestion once again and this time he listened and choose to look up the sites and documents she’d obtained from her research. She knew he would bend, she just wasn’t expecting him to take so long.

Her mind flashed back to the constant nagging thought that had been on her mind for weeks ever since their reconciliation. When they were together there was a certain look in his eyes she would catch before he would look all smiles again. He was still the same man she’d married, and this wasn’t the first time they would have a row, but something stood out this time, something she couldn’t lay her fingers on. She tried to spy on him, perhaps gain access to his phone since she had his password or check his recent account statement as to how money had been going out but she allowed her trust for him hold back. Besides, Tahir couldn’t find out she was having suspicions about him. They’d come too far to start suspecting each other. Her husband’s P.A came to mind immediately but she dismissed the thought the moment it came in. Tahir wouldn’t stoop so low, besides, if he was having an affair with his P.A, she would know. Things like that were easy to sniff out. She had her loyal ones in his office as well.

But what about the weekends he travelled on his business trips? She’d been to herself for a month and had expected him to come around soon enough. She flipped through the catalogue pages choosing to focus on the matter before her. She was looking up a few nursery designs and tonight she could show her husband the little progress she’d made so far. She’d always wanted a boy so that people could compliment how her child bore a striking resemblance to his father but since that wasn’t happening, adopting a girl child wouldn’t be bad at all. She would cherish and love her like her own and have less to worry about a future. She’d been dreaming of it day and night, it had become her driving force, her motivation every single day she woke up and started a new day. She’d never felt so alive. She knew the Otaikus would throw a tantrum but right now, she was too unperturbed to be bothered. Their son had a family and she was his family, not them anymore. It was high time he listened to her. If he was ready to marry someone else, he knew the price he would pay. Yes Love was what tied them together, but money was the wheel on which their love drove. Tahir represented a lot of brands and had a big reputation and she knew his pride, knew his ego was to keep being at the top. He was like her puppet, even though he failed to admit it.

Her phone buzzed reminding her of the society wedding she had to attend the coming weekend. She made a mental note to catch up with her girlfriends the moment she was done with her pedicure and spa treatment. She couldn’t wait to catch up with the latest news on their lives. The last time they met for lunch, she heard Nura the divorcee was getting married to a rich Alhaji while Toyosi was still debating over the custody of taking the kids away from her husband after their bitter divorce. The judge wasn’t giving her a good time and the woman was thinking up ways to have the court order in her favour. Toyosi’s husband had money and so money wasn’t an issue. Perhaps, she would have to think of more obvious ways to have the judge favour her. The lady had been the one advising her on withholding sex from Tahir if he wouldn’t play fair and it had been working so far. They were also friends turned clients patronising her business and also helping her promote her brand. Not all advice they gave was good, but some they’d given she’d found wealth of wisdom in them.

But for how long?

She reached for her phone composing a text message.

Hey baby, I’m making your favourite dish for dinner tonight. Don’t stay too long outside. Love, your One and Only. Xx.

A young lady holding a little girl walked in and she looked up from her phone. Her eyes settled on the child and a smile tugged on her lips.

Soon, her prayers would be answered. God willing she would adore and do all she could to ensure the child lacked nothing and had everything her parents couldn’t give her for them to have abandoned her. One part of her heart wondered why God would give a careless teenager or woman a baby when she who was ready had some ‘disease’. She’d heard God had a sense of humor but she couldn’t understand what kind of jokes he played to leave her feeling this way even after all the money and sacrifice she’d made for him to give her a child.

The child turned to look at her and she smiled again. The little girl gave her a gap-toothed smile and waved. She waved back as her heart constricted. Perhaps it was a sign that hers was coming soon.

She would be patient through the adoption process as she’d read the disadvantages and found them scary and intimidating. She’d been patient this long and she hoped everything turned out alright. She was a fighter…she would fight her way out of this one, no matter what it cost her.

damis28crown:
GLOWING PLS SHARE A LINK I CN READ IT ON UR BLOG IT STOP AT 15 PLS

The link is myglowingscenes.com That's where I post the stories weekly.

Erin didn't understand the changes that were going on in her body but grew scared that it was something more than she could handle. This was the third month she'd stopped seeing her period and she knew she was faced with the inevitable as she sobbed into her pillow at night. The naps in class, the morning sickness she was experiencing of recent and how she often got tired, too tired to do so much work as she would doze off at it. Even Wura asked questions as she thought she was sick but she knew she would be pretending if she didn't face the truth. There wasn't any other explanation to what she felt apart from the truth that she was pregnant. There was no point acting surprised either. She was a sexually active girl who had been sleeping with a married man for weeks though he often used a contraceptive.

Was it still possible to get pregnant even with every precaution we took?

The artiste crooning on the radio did little to ease her fears at the moment and at a point she turned it off. Where would this place her? One part of her couldn't help but wish Tahir would embrace that she'd given him what his wife wasn't able to but the other side of her grew wary of the thought that he had every opportunity to deny he was responsible. If he could ignore her presence the day she came to see him, how much more an affair they'd been trying to hide.

She placed a hand on her abdomen wondering if she could abort it and just continue life. Exams were in a month's time and the last thing she wanted to do was worry about a child or stop her education because of a child. She was going to be in her final year in a few month's time and the big future she'd often dreamed of couldn't be hindered by this. Mr Tahir had shown he had nothing to do with her anymore and she was just beginning to live with that fact. The last thing she wanted to do was push herself on him again.

But it's his child...

She closed her eyes not knowing if calling her friends or praying to God to solve this would ease the burden or provide a solution.

What if the child makes him stay...

She opened her eyes as the thought lingered. She couldn't blackmail him, neither could she threaten him to tell his wife. She would even be on the losing end because she still loved him and wanted him to acknowledge the same. She'd never stopped loving him, except he had moved on without her. What if the news made him see what he was missing and come to his senses that he was meant to be with her.

He'd told her she was beautiful and those other words he said when they were together. The child was a product of their love together and it wouldn't be outrageous if she took her last chance into his heart.

It was a while before she slept but there was a flicker of hope this time. If her Boss accepted her baby, she would be the mother of his children and there was a future in that. She just hoped her dreams became her new reality sooner than she hoped.

"I love you." She reached to kiss him as her hands slid into his side underneath his blazer. When their desire peaked, he broke free and looked into her eyes seeing only passion in them.

"Guess what?" She asked giving him that sultry look he was used to as she worked on his buttons.

"What?"

She leaned close touching his thigh in the process while whispering something into his ears. When she saw the effect of her words, she smiled and stood stretching her hands so he could place his in hers.

"The bath is going to grow cold if we don't hurry." She winked at him and turned. "I'll race you to the stairs."

And he ran after her silently hoping and praying that the chapter of his life with Erin was closed.

There was a chance for new beginnings and Oyin was offering it to him on a platter of gold.

***

It took Erin a month to realize her Boss wanted to remain platonic friends or better said, seemed to want nothing to do with her. She wished she could make things better and forget him the way he was choosing to forget her but she couldn't find a way to. He'd told her not to call him at home and she couldn't say when he was home or at work since he hardly texted her. There was no one to ask about her grades, no one to encourage her and it felt as if she was back to square one, struggling to keep up with her grades and worse, reality of life. Her future didn't look so bright anymore as she'd envisioned and her father wasn't helping matters. Right now he was at the hospital and though she wished he would just die and leave them alone, she pondered if that would make things better and easier. She'd spent the little out of her savings on the useless man and she had to take care of her sister and herself. She was going to be reasonable about it and maybe seek help?

But she constantly fought against the thought.

She silently wondered if she could stop by at the office, hiding under the impression of visiting to say hi, but she was worried he wouldn't like it. Besides if she wanted to see him, she would have to keep an appointment.

What would she say if she saw him when she wanted to just run into his arms and tell him how much she missed and wanted him? Perhaps she would go and ask him for help and pray that seeing her would make him remember their relationship and bring back memories of their time together.

As Erin sat at the visitor's lounge, her eyes couldn't stop staring at the door, wondering if her Boss would step out soon since the past one hour she had been waiting and expecting him to step outside. Miss Sulola made things worse by informing her he had a very important visitor and couldn't be disturbed till he was done. She wondered what Mr Tahir would do if he stepped out and discovered his P.A had left her sitting for a long time without even alerting him. She knew he would talk, he always had her back just like the first time they met. She was sure this time wouldn't be different.

She was almost dozing off when she heard a woman's voice and she blinked just to see a a very beautiful and tall lady stepping out of the office. Her throat went dry when her Boss leaned close to kiss her on the lips right in front of everyone.

Miss Sulola stood immediately on seeing them and that was when it clicked that the woman was Tahir's wife. She'd seen her in pictures but seeing her right now intimidated her and made her wonder how she'd thought her Boss would pick her over the princess that stood before her. Her throat went dry as she watched how the two love birds unashamedly displayed affection publicly and right there and then, she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. She'd never felt so humiliated and used in all her life and when she felt the tears sting, it took her all the effort to hold it in and not embarrass herself right in front of them.

Now if only she could run away before he saw her but it was too late as he spotted her and stopped. She saw the look of familiarity and surprise in his eyes before it was gone.

Or was it fear?

He turned back to the woman before him as they found their way out of his office together, while Mrs Otaiku greeted everyone on her way as they headed out. Torn between what to do, she found her way out of the building fighting tears with the new found truth that had just been displayed right in front of her.

She wasn't certain as to how she would spend the rest of her life, neither was she sure of what next, but the only place she could find refuge right now was a place where no one could see her, somewhere dark and lonely where she'd been just before Tahir had reached to bring her out.

adroitA:
Wow.! I started reading this morning and believe me I love love love love d story! Erin.... Hmm, over d years I've learnt not to judge people especially when I've never been in their kind of situation. I'll just keep reading and see what happens with Erin, Tahir and his wife.
Good stuff glowingscenes

Thank you dear! You can catch up with more episodes on myglowingscenes.com

heemah:
I knw this was going to happen... Dating a married man and you think he would love you more than his wife or leaave her for you?
Thanks for the update Ma'am

Thanks for reading Heemah

She nodded trying to accept his truth of things. She was in love with him and was certain he loved her too. It was why he spent most of his weekends with her, even checked up on her about her sister and her school work. He treated her even better than any man or her ex boyfriend had in the past. She was beginning to wish she'd met him first. Maybe that would have been enough to marry her, especially since they had so many things in common. She silently wondered if she would be able to do without him. He was everything she dreamed of, the only man she fantasized about and would do anything for. But he just told her to her face it was an affair. She just hoped he would come to realize that they were meant to be together.

"So I won't see you again?" She really wanted to believe there was some other way to keep their relationship going, but she was going to hold on to their love...this thing between them.

"Of course you will, I just need us to keep this as simple as possible and y'know... give ourselves space. If this blows up, you're the last person that needs to be dragged in the mud." He reached to caress her cheeks and kissed her softly.

She allowed him kiss her and love her the way he used to, only this time she hoped it would last forever.

***

Tahir got home exhausted, his bed the only thing that was on his mind as he found his way into the house. Though the guilt of sleeping with someone other than his wife ate at him for a while, making him leave the house earlier in the mornings and later at night, he wished things had not taken a downward spiral the way it had. One side of him wished Erin had not walked into his life. If she hadn't, this would have been a fight like it'd always been before and he would wait for his wife to come around.

She always did.

He was about to head up the stairs when he stopped by the living room and found the object of his thoughts sitting on the couch hugging a throw pillow to her chest with tissues and chocolate wrappers littered all over the place. He briefly glanced at his watch and realized it was 11 pm. Oyinda would have slept by this time but for some odd reason, she was awake with swollen eyes which made it certain she'd been crying for a while.

His heart skipped. Oh God I hope she doesn't know.

He stopped and she looked up. "Hi."

They were back to the first time they met. "Hi."

"I thought you were not coming home tonight..."

He shrugged, hoping he looked as calm as possible. "Well, here I am. Are you alright?"

"I'm not." She shook her head and before he could utter another word, she was crying again. He dropped his suitcase and ran to her. "Baby what's wrong?"

"I don't know...I was watching this show on TV where a couple loved each other and everyone tried to tear them apart. No one wanted them to work out and some girl framed the guy that he was having an affair. It made me remember us. Ever since our fight, you've been ignoring me, coming home late and all sorts. At one point I was scared you were cheating..."

"Why would you think that?"

"You've been acting strange lately..." She reached to wipe her face as he pulled her close to his chest.

"I actually thought you were the one cheating on me when you wouldn't even allow me touch you."

She looked up at him. "I would never do that to you Tahir. You know that. All my life I vowed to love one man only, and that one man was you. I know I could act and do somethings which I really wish I didn't and I'm willing to see this work between us irrespective of the kids we don't have. Sometimes I can't help it and I do those things. Y'know that right?"

He nodded, hoping she didn't see how her words struck him. "I do." Stroking her hair absentmindedly, he reached to plant a kiss on her forehead and she wrapped her arms around him.

7.

On the contrary, the affair led to more and more escapades between the duo. Erin found herself eagerly waiting for everyone to leave the office each day before her IT finally ended. She’d never envisioned she would come to desire her Boss so much he was everything she ever thought about. After a while she stopped thinking of her grades and everything else that mattered. He was her escape route and she was his. Even when school resumed a few weeks after her send forth from his office, they had their private rendezvous where they met and couldn’t get enough of each other after her classes. There was a time she was certain she couldn’t do life without him and he was her soulmate. They had so many things in common and he told her everything that was happening in his home and how he probably wished things were different.

She woke up one evening and found him staring at her and her heart soared. She’d always dreamed of the day she would wake to find the love of her life watching her sleep.

“Hey…”

He leaned close to kiss her. “You’re beautiful when you sleep.”

She felt the tears sting and rose to kiss him. That was when she saw the slight frown on his handsome face that indicated something was wrong. Wrapping her arms around him, she asked. “Are you alright my love?”

He sighed placing his hands on his face. “It’s my wife…”

She closed her eyes. Anytime he mentioned her when they were together, it soiled her feelings and made her bitter that he still considered a woman who despised him as a wife.

“What did she do this time…”

He shook his head.

“Why don’t you just divorce her already.” She snapped feeling irritated that he was even bringing her into the conversation when he’d just made love to her and called her name some hours ago. She was the one giving him pleasure, not some cocky old childless woman who was hoarding her body like it was some gift to mankind.

He looked at her then, almost as if she’d said something outrageous. She could feel his body tense and he shook his head. “That’s not the solution.”

“Then what is? Your wife this, your wife that! Tahir, this woman doesn’t love you the way I do. She wouldn’t even let you touch her. I wonder why you’re still living with her when it’s obvious where we are headed.”

He squinted. “Don’t get ahead of yourself Erin. I never told you I hated my wife. She’s still my wife and I love her.”

She was about to reply but the shock made her unable to utter the words. Was he actually telling her to her face or she was imagining things?

“I don’t understand…”

He inhaled deeply and came back to the bed. “This thing between us…it’s just something temporary. It’s an affair Erin.” He wanted to touch her but she jerked free.

“I thought you loved me.” She choked on her sobs as her voice thickened with tears. “How could you do this to me?”

“Erin…baby…look, this thing between us is amazing but you need to be realistic.”

“So what am I to you? Some girl who was ready to throw away everything just to be with you, just to make you happy. I gave you myself Tahir. I would have given you everything if you asked…” She stood to face him. “What is she giving you? Food? Sex? You have her now and I’m suddenly that girl that’s becoming an inconvenience to you?”

“Erin don’t do this. We can sort this out like adults.”

She tried to reason with him, understand things perhaps as she couldn’t point fathom loving someone else. She reached to wipe her face as a tear strolled down and looked up at him. She didn’t want to upset him, but that didn’t stop the dull throbbing pain in her heart.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay sweetheart. I just need us to take a break for a while. My wife is beginning to get suspicious and I don’t want that.”

They’d been together for a month but she never envisioned it would be ending so soon. He’d been good and kind to her, buying her things and took her along on one of his trips outside the country. She’d envisioned they would do life together and she would give him everything his wife didn’t. Love, affection and sex. He had bought her everything she wanted though she chose to eliminate the sex part when she told her friends. She knew they wouldn’t approve, but they weren’t saints either and they were just entering the relationship.

Or was this even a relationship in the first place?

“I really wish there’s a way we can go about this without hurting you Erin, but I’m hurt as well. We will still be friends okay? This doesn’t change the bond between us. I just don’t want it to get more complicated than this, for the both of us…especially you.”

aprilwise:
Erin is playing dangerous game with her boss. she knew the romance won't take no where cos he a married man. nice story

Thanks for reading April!

Tahir tried to work as sleep eluded him, bringing a nagging guilt alongside as he lay beside a woman who wasn’t ready to love him or let him love her. She’d slept in the other room for a week now, not backing down on her resolve but tonight, she was sleeping in their room in her nightdress.

Had she expected him to come early so they could be together? The guilt of this thought plagued him as he glanced at her and her soft breathing. She’d been the reason for all of this and here she was sleeping peacefully while he couldn’t. He was tempted to hate her right now, wishing she could pay someway somehow for how much she’d put him through.

He wondered how Erin felt at the moment. Was she still hurting? He’d been so carried away by desire and passion he hadn’t bother to take things gentle with her and except for the gasp and her expression, he wouldn’t have stopped.

He wanted to text her but he had to keep things as discreet as possible. If this was an affair, he would have to properly cover his tracks to avoid suspicions and questions. Oyinda’s heart would break if she ever found out. He had never broken her heart for 9 years, and today wasn’t the day he wanted to go down that trend. She would leave him and he loved her too much to let her go. She was an independent woman and he wasn’t ready to see her go.

His affair with Erin was ending tonight. He would have to let her know it was a fling and nothing else.

He just hoped everything would be alright from there.

Episode 6 continued...

***

“Hey babe. I’ve got to take you home.” She blinked and looked at the time. It was just 10:30p.m and she wished she could sleep in beside him forever. She looked at him and saw he was already dressed while she was still naked underneath the covers.

He reached to caress her cheeks and out of impulse pulled his fingers kissing it in a way that scared and excited her at the same time.

He smiled and reached to kiss her again lingering this time.

“Don’t go…let’s stay here and make love till morning.” She pleaded.

“I wish I could sweetheart, but reality requires me to drop you at home and go back home as well.” He looked away this time. “My wife…the media gossips…”

She swallowed as the sudden mention of his wife struck a blow in her chest reminding her of what she’d done. and she pulled the covers over her immediately trying to preserve a little dignity of what she had left while finding her way to the bathroom, picking her underwear and clothing on the way. It took her 5 minutes before she stepped out looking responsible once more and she was the first to leave the room this time while he followed some minutes later.

Her father had slept by the time she returned home and Wura was watching TV as PHCN decided to give them light today. She greeted her when she stepped in and she waved at her.

“Wow, I actually thought you were not coming back this night Sis Erin. Even Daddy kept asking if you’d told me you would be coming home tonight.”

Then why didn’t he call? Useless man

“If I had my way I wouldn’t.” She moved close to touch her forehead checking her temperature. “How do you feel?”

“Still weak but better than yesterday.”

“Did you take your final dose of anti-malarial tablets?”

She nodded.

“That’s good.”

“How did it go? Anything for me?”

She realized she hadn’t been able to bring food from the event as usual due to her rendezvous tonight. Her boss had given her money instead. 10,000 naira. At first she’d felt as if he was paying her for the night spent and almost felt insulted. But now, she reasoned that he only cared for her.

“I think you should have this.” He fished a few 1000 naira notes from his wallet and handed it to her. “For your little sister and to buy yourself icecream and anything. I can send you some money into your account if that’s not enough.”

She refused him at first.

“C’mon Erin, we have passed the politeness stage haven’t we?” He teased giving her a knowing look. She blushed and accepted it. “Thank you sir.”

“Tahir when we’re alone.”

She swallowed and he reached for her hands planting a soft kiss on it. “Dream of me would you?”

Like he needed to tell her that. He was sucha gentleman.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at work okay? And remember you need to be professional about this as much as possible. No one can suspect anything happened tonight. I’m doing this to protect the both of us…you especially.”

She nodded. “I promise I won’t disappoint you sir.”

“That’s my girl.”

“We can go out for ice-cream tomorrow. How about that?” She told her sister.

“I’d like that.”

“Oya, bed time. Just because you’re sick doesn’t equate license to watch Paloma and Diego.”

“ahnahn Sis. This is not Pamela and Diego now. It’s something else.”

“Anyone. Time for bed. You should be resting not exercising your brain on TV.”

She stood while Erin went to turn off the TV. She stepped into the bathroom and washed off, especially the little blood stains she’d spotted in the hotel just before leaving. She knew she should have told him just before but she’d assumed he would know. She’d seen the shock in his eyes but desire had won over sympathy and she’d lied that it didn’t hurt when all she could feel was a throbbing pain after all the passion was gone.

The pain extended to her heart as one thought lingered in her heart.

What next?

So many thoughts ran through her mind and rather than feel triumphant just as she did a few minutes ago, she suddenly felt ashamed and disgusted.

What am I doing?

She’d told her Boss she was waiting for the one and here she was, acting like a wanton woman with a boy from the office whom she never thought she’d give access to. She suddenly felt ashamed and excused herself, hoping to keep her makeup intact without soiling it with her tears. The dinner had ended anyway and this was just an after party.

She was returning from the restroom when she saw her Boss talking with a young man in the lobby. She was just about to pass by when she heard his voice.

“Miss Olaoye, a minute please?”

She stood trying to still her racing heart while watching him round up the conversation. When he was done, he looked at her and smiled stiffly.

“Can we talk?”

She nodded, unable to say anything. She saw him turn and followed obediently till the voices in the background grew distant and inaudible. It looked like a lounge that no one really visited and she grew a bit scared.

When he turned back to her, she was taken aback by the hurt in his eyes.

“What do you think you were doing out there?”

“Chima asked me to dance…”

“Oh cut the crap Erin. You knew that was more than a dance, that was out rightly downgrading and not the Erin I know.”

She frowned upon the use of the word ‘downgrade’ and replied. “I’m sorry but I don’t know how my dancing with Chima became a situation for you to dwell on.”

She saw his jaw clench and inhaled deeply. She shouldn’t be talking this way to a man who had been nothing but kind to her.

“I’m sorry I---“

She didn’t see it coming but his lips crushing on hers wasn’t the first thing she expected from someone who had just yelled at her. A few seconds more and her shock was gone as she reached to wrap her arms around him, wondering what took him so long.

“You’ll be the ruin of me do you know that?” She heard him sigh as he breathed into her neck. “I couldn’t get you out of my head and that dress…your stunt with that boy had me going nuts.”

She laughed as he savored other parts of her body ignoring the part of her conscience that wanted to hold back. “I missed you…Oh Mr Tahir…”

“I missed you too…so much it hurt.” He confessed and kissed her again. When their desire got out of hand, he pulled out his keys struggling to keep up.

“Anyone can come in here, I have a suite reserved.” He kissed her again. “You deserve the best, not some chair or couch. Room 312, 3rd floor. Second door by your left.”

She swallowed knowing what this meant. There was no going back. She saw the fire in his eyes and realized he wanted this as much as she was ready to give.

“I’ll go first.” He explained trying to help her adjust what was left of her dress while she smoothened her hair and was once again glad she’d settled for braids instead of a weave. “In 5 minutes time, just come along so all signs of suspicions are erased.” He kissed her again. “Okay baby?”

He’d called her baby. She wanted to jump into his arms right there and then.

She nodded eagerly and watched him leave wishing 5 minutes didn’t have to feel like eternity as she waited pushing away of thoughts of reasoning. It was only for tonight. She would feel loved and wanted once more and reality could sort out itself afterwards.

Afterall she deserved some form of happiness.

Was he even happy in his marriage? Could his wife love him the way she was willing to? She’d do anything for him.

She took every chance she could to see him but he greeted her like everybody else rather than someone he’d touched and kissed. At night she sought solace in music and her books though that wasn’t enough to numb the throbbing ache on the left side of her chest reminding her of what she could have if she was bold enough.

He’s married Erin.

But her heart didn’t know this fact, or better said chose to ignore this truth. She didn’t know how to stop her beating heart whenever she saw him or dreamt about him. He’d kissed her. It meant the whole world to her. It did something to her. She wasn’t sure what to call it because love felt too early, but this was something she’d never felt for any man before.

But the man she loved didn’t love her, was probably even ashamed of her and tried to avoid her like a plague which was worse.

She watched him talking and laughing with a few people on a separate table and remembered when he’d laughed and smiled at her that way. She thought his wife would be beside him as was expected but Miss Sulola was the one looking like a desperate attention seeker beside him in a plunging neckline dress. He’d spoken a few minutes ago greeting everyone in that sonorous voice of his and acknowledging the investors and sponsors that were present tonight.

She couldn’t wait to leave this place.

“Babe, you’re dulling o.”

She turned to see Chima settling in beside her with a glass of champagne. She’d previously seen him with an older woman chatting like they were old friends. The guy probably had a thing for older women.

“Because I’m not drinking champagne?”

“Because you’re just sitting here all by yourself like you were forced to come here when you should be grooving.”

She looked at him then and Wande Coal chose to come on to the stage at that moment. She wasn’t the best dancer present in the room, but she knew how to pull her own. Besides he was right. Why come all the way to a luxurious and reputable hotel like this and brood. Her Boss wasn’t the only person who could have fun. She could too if she wanted to, especially since she was being invited to have fun.

“Wanna dance?” She didn’t know where the boldness came from, but she was ready to let go.

She saw him smile and pull her to her feet as they headed to the dance floor. It was when she turned she saw her Boss’ eyes settle on her briefly before looking away.

So he knew she was there all along and he’d been ignoring her. She’d seen the way he looked at her, though unreadable but he’d caught her eyes as if to pass a message across. Perhaps she needed to let him know she meant business. She imitated the snake dance she’d seen Adanna do and twisted her body against Chima’s in such a way that got an edible response and sigh from him.

“My goodness Erin, who would have known you had moves like this.” She allowed him settle his hands on her waist and kept watching surreptitiously for any other reaction from her Boss. She saw him glance again and in less than a minute he was standing up and adjusting his suit jacket.

Soon, he was out of the room and she silently wondered if she’d hurt him the way he hurt her. She was only having fun…except he’d left for some other reason and not her.

Perhaps she wasn’t that important or special enough to make him leave.

Or have I made myself cheap?