Continued...

“You’re looking at the future UN ambassador baby.” Erin laughed over the phone while chatting with her friend Laide, chatting her up about her conversation with her Boss this evening. Though she’d gotten home late, she couldn’t stop talking about how he’d been talking to her like a friend and future proposals she could already envision.

“Wow, I’ve been hearing many things about the guy but I didn’t know he was for real. I used to think men that act nice that way are looking for something…”

“Well, this one is married.”

“Look at you! You must be naïve if you think marriage stops some men.”

“Forget o babe, his wife is very fineeeee. Like! You need to see her picture on the internet. She looks like all those princesses that can’t even walk on their feet. You know the types that float on the floor.”

Her friend chuckled.

“Kai, some women are just lucky. If he can be nice to me an outsider, I wonder how much he would love his wife. Babe, did you notice that it’s most of these rich gentlemen that are even kind and know what’s up. Someone like my old boyfriend that lives in bungalow will now be doing anyhow. Mschew. He needs to learn from people like Mr. Otaiku.”

“Do you blame the boy? When those lecturers have almost frustrated his life with physics. What do you expect? Anyways, sha remember me in your kingdom when you get to the top. I can’t afford to carry last in things like this. Me sef can boast that my friend knows someone.”

They both laughed.

“You remember my suspervisor, my Boss’ P.A I told you about right? The one that wanted to give me query…”

“I do…what happen to her? She’s sleeping with your Boss?”

“I doubt it, but something tells me the Sulola babe has something up her sleeves. You need to see the tight dresses she wears to work and she’s his P.A. She’s such an attention seeker. I won’t be surprised if she’s using bleaching cream too.” Erin snorted. “I think she’s just transferring her frustration on me because the man isn’t giving her face.” Wait till I become someone important in life, I’ll show her.

“But seriously babe, shey its all these big men we see that waltz into our school compound with big cars to come and carry babes to midnight party. Do you remember last month when we went to planet one and saw Cynthia with the president of Texcore smooching each other.”

Erin allowed her mind briefly drift to her Boss showing interest in her. She’d never imagined drooling over him but just speaking with him tonight brought a smile to her face. She’d never go to a party with him or do what Cynthia had done with another woman’s husband, but she wondered if Mr. Otaiku could even for one second show a slight interest in her. She tried to imagine how Sulola would feel.

She shook her head. He’s married for goodness sakes Erin!

Her friend broke into her thoughts. “Did I tell you what happened in Adanna’s choreography dance class? The babe fought o. She totally lost it.”

“What happened?”

“That saucy Belinda girl had what was coming to her. Just because she’s a leader she thinks she can boss people around anyhow. Okay, so that’s how they’d chosen survivors and independent women by destinys child, all for Madam Linda to come today and start saying rubbish and how she believes Sean Paul’s own would work better for the choreography they have to present this weekend. Can you imagine?”

“Wow, this weekend? Saturday or Sunday?”

“Saturday…”

“But I thought it wasn’t till two weeks time. We have workers meeting this Saturday.”

“Wo, babe had to take permission and form one lie like that jare. She isn’t going to dance for free y’know. They’ll be paying her.”

“If they’re paying her, no wahala then. Wow, so did Ada beat the girl to pulp or what?”

“She almost did o till the others stopped her. I hope they call her back sha ‘cos she’s been suspended for now.”

“Ah, suspended ke?”

“She told her boyfriend James and he said he’s going to come in for her. Y’know Belinda was James’ ex so the ashewo is probably looking for how to frustrate the poor girl.”

“Eya…I’ll call her now. Thank God for this MTN Xtra cool. I can call her when you drop.”

“Better don’t disturb the girl o. She and her boyfriend are probably talking to each other right now so she won’t have your time.” Laide giggled.

“Ah, it’s okay then. When God does my own, all you people’s shakara will stop.”

“You’re working in a top multinational company na. So, enjoy your own luck while you can. Ada’s luck is boyfriend.”

Erin smiled.They talked for a short while before she finally hung up by 1a.m. Laide knew her way around and she’d been lucky to have been pushed by her friend to get a placement at Otaiku’s enterprises, something she’d never have gotten on her own. She had her friends to thank for connecting her to the right sources. She was told to get to the top, she needed the right connections and she wouldn’t stop till she achieved her goal and dreams. Her mind began working on how to keep her Boss as a friend and remind him of the promises he’d made while he drove her to the busstop. She wrote them down and opened the bible to attach a few scriptures to them decreeing that she was going to be the head and not the tail. She wanted to prosper and God would see her prosper as she was a child of God. Pastor Ayo had shared how bible verses could be attached to dreams and come true for prosperity. They even shared testimonies in church and one day, she wanted to stand there and share her testimony of how God had brought her from tail to head.

When she was done praying, she fixed her earplugs switching to her favorite station while reading one of her notes. A few lovers were still calling in to send goodnight kisses and shout out to their loved ones and she hoped one day, she would have someone to send goodnight kisses to. Her favorite girl Angel was on air today and she wished guys would admire her the way the callers gushed over the radio presenter. She was calm and beautiful unlike her.

Perhaps her dreams would come true someday and everything would be alright. She would forget her father’s snores which permeated through their current two bedroom apartment and the mental fatigue of having to share a small bed with her sister when she would soon wake up in a few hours’ time to rush to work. At least they’d fetched water for bathing and she was sure to set her alarm this time. Staring into the darkness, she wondered what it would be like to live in a well furnished apartment with everything she could ever wish for. A good and fine husband with a car and a good job, while their children played around their big compound. Her sister would be done with school by then and she could come visit. She and the husband would travel often to Dubai, go to the Emirates stadium to watch their favorite team play, visit the beach, go shopping and have the most amazing sex life, just like the ones she’d seen in the movies.

She could see her dreams becoming a reality soon. The more she pushed, the more it would manifest. She yawned but tried reading a few pages before turning off the lantern.

Someday…One day, everything will be alright.

Glow...welcome..but some of us are already far in this book #grins# am just happy for those that don't know your blog but can access it here. It has potensials.
I follow your blog not just the novels but I can't comment there so see me here lol. Thank you for allowing God use you.

I just learnt about the book release coming up. That's great news. Our own very francine Rivers in Nigeria . more mb to your laptop

kirikwu:
Glow...welcome..but some of us are already far in this book #grins# am just happy for those that don't know your blog but can access it here. It has potensials.
I follow your blog not just the novels but I can't comment there so see me here lol. Thank you for allowing God use you.

Aww thanks so much dear. God bless you. And don't forget to spread the news. Xx

The moment Miss Sulola stepped out of the office, Erin got the chance to find her way to the office and knocked. She told herself she just wanted to return the umbrella and thank her Boss for yesterday. She just hoped he wasn’t currently in a meeting at the moment as she could hear a few voices.

She was about to retreat, but the ambitious side of her pushed her forward. This might be the only chance she got to see her Boss and perhaps jog his memory of what they’d discussed yesterday.

She knocked on the door. No response. She knocked again and someone else opened the door. She swallowed when she saw two young men, one sitting, the other standing close to a large board with a poster draped over it. She recognized one of them from the Human resources department and greeted them both.

Oh God what am I doing?

She looked at her Boss and saw he had a wary look on his face but it was gone the moment she stepped in. She bent to greet him and smiled showing him the umbrella while trying to fight the nervousness that was biting down in her stomach. She hoped she wasn’t being too forward. He looked handsome as usual and it was the first time she’d seen him without his jacket as he wore a blue button down shirt with Ralph Lauren logo on the side.

“Hello Erin, are you alright?”

She nodded. “I’m sorry if I disrupted anything, I just wanted to return this and thank you for yesterday sir.”

He laughed and she was glad she could make him smile. He looked tired too and briefly wondered if he’d had trouble sleeping at home. “It’s fine. You didn’t have to. I have others which come in handy when the rain starts. Keep it.”

“Thank you sir.”

She turned to leave when he stopped her. “On second thought, you could come in handy in a situation like this, being a neutral person on ground.” He stood up and walked round the table, settling halfway on his desk while pointing to the screen and gesturing with his fingers for the visuals to be switched. “You do school projects right? As a young lady, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind when watch this? Something's been tugging in my mind but I can't seem to figure it out. Hit or miss?”

She stood still, trying to steady her racing heart as she watched the men replay the video on the screen. In about 5 minutes, she watched their presentation and turned to face her Boss. She was trying to understand how he could trust her so much to request for her option. Their conversation yesterday evening probably helped.

“It looks like you’re trying too hard.”

"That's it!" He nodded rubbing a hand on his chin. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

“But isn’t that the point?” The taller guy cut in, like he was wondering who she was to tell him his job. She ignored him and looked at her Boss.

He raised a hand and nodded his approval for her to go on. She suddenly felt confident that he wanted her opinion. Her prayers were definitely working.

“Go on…”

“It really depends on the message you’re trying to pass across sir. If you’re begging people to believe what you deliver, then they might smell something fishy, but if it’s natural, make it as natural as possible and real too. Yes, the statistics are on point and the population percentage you’re hoping to target are quite good, but whoever you’re selling it to needs to know there’s something in it for him and we need to communicate this across in the best way possible. Humans are selfish but they don’t like to make this really obvious. There are other NGOs out there and we need to do enough to make them realise why they should pick us.”

“She’s speaking politics.” The other guy scoffed.

Her Boss smiled giving her a knowing look and folded his arms across his chest staring at the screen. “Impressive. From your perspective, what I can see is how we can assure them of the resources we have even if it feels like the national stability isn’t supportive of their investment.”

She nodded. “That’s another way to it.”

“Thank you Miss Olaoye. You’re convincing me to create a seat for you in this company in the nearest future.”

She blushed and bent to thank him. “Thank you very much sir.”

“I owe you lunch. Just in case I forget, just remind me okay?”

She laughed. “Ah, thank you sir.”

When she stepped out of the office, she was tempted to scream as she found her way to her chair. She realized she’d been holding her breath for too long and exhaled.

He’d promised her lunch. That was a good start. All things really worked out for good to those that loved God.

Very interesting story, madam. Well done.

But this your update get as e be o. Too short

following.

You guys are far behind. If you find this story really interesting and cant wait to read it, then go to this website www.myglowingscenes.com

Rinsola32:
Very interesting story, madam. Well done.

But this your update get as e be o. Too short

Thank you!

Chapter 5
“Are you really going to do this?”

Oyin ignored her husband while sitting before the dressing mirror wiping off her make-up and acting like she didn’t want him too, but what was the point of sleeping with him when his seeds were wasting away in a body like hers. Besides, he needed to know how bad she wanted the adoption. He’d brushed it aside like he didn’t care, because he had work to drown himself in. Perhaps, if he saw how serious she was, he would yield, especially when it came to steering clear of his hands.

She glanced at him through the mirror and looked away. “I have a right to my body don’t I?”

She saw his jaw clench but ignored it. They’d been through this same route everytime. He would have to yield. It only took him time and he would bend. He would always come back to her and she knew how to take advantage of her prowess over him. She had a right to demand something she wanted and he was thinking of his parents above her. She had to let him prove that his love was much more the way he’d been doing years before.

“Even on our anniversary…”

She shrugged picking a brush to comb her hair. “We’ve had 9 anniversaries. What difference does it make.” She focused on the split ends making a mental note to trim it when they returned home. Traveling to Dubai for their anniversary honeymoon was becoming boring for her each and every year. If there was a child, she would have gotten busy and longed for a vacation. Right now, there was really nothing to relish in being alone with a man she had no intention of sleeping with at the moment.

She didn’t see it coming, before she could shout jack, her husband had pulled her and crushed his lips on hers while reaching for her robe at the same time.

“Tahir stop.” She snapped.

He didn’t listen and she struggled to break free. Wiggling out of his kiss, she smacked him hard across the face and pushed him away. She saw the shock in his eyes and how he had his hands on his face. She didn’t back down. Her husband had never come unto her this way.

“Are you trying to rape me?”

“I want to be with my wife Oyin! And you accuse me of rape.” She thought she heard him swear under his breath but rolled her eyes.

“I ask that you respect my wishes, is that too much for you to understand? My goodness Tahir, am I not even safe in my own home?”

“Fine! Go on and be dramatic. Soon, you’ll say the world is going to end because I want you to perform your wifely duties. I work my ass out everyday for you, giving you everything you can ever want and this is how you pay me?”

“I never knew sex was now a payment for you being my husband. Soon, you’ll ask me to bend for you because you put food into my mouth. Go on, act like a chauvinist and send me right back home.”

When she saw he remained quiet, she continued.

“I married you as a partner, not a slave. I need to have my own say in this marriage too. I need you to listen to me and not boss me around. I’m your wife Tahir and you should treat me like one. You didn’t marry your parents and they should have no say in our marriage. When I say I want a child, to hell with their thoughts…”

“Leave my parents out of this.”

“Or what? You’ll hit me? Ever since we brought up the adoption topic, you’ve been mooning yourself around the house, like some Pharoah I can’t even talk to.” She saw him head for the bed reaching for his trousers and throwing on a shirt at the same time. As usual, he was going to walk out on her anytime they were having a conversation.

Not this time.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

He ignored her, working on his buttons and reaching for his wallet. She ran to the door.

“You’re not going anywhere till we finish this conversation.”

“Step out of the way Oyin.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “The only way out of this door is through me.”

“Alright then.” She watched him wondering if he was finally going to sit and listen to her bleeding heart but just as she relaxed, she found herself being lifted unto his shoulder.

“Put me down!”

He dumped her on the bed and before she could gain momentum to stand, he’d gone.

She broke into tears throwing her face into her hands. Their anniversary had turned into a disaster.

Oh God what have I done?

good job .

nice.

***

Tahir hadn’t smoked in a very long time, but tonight he needed to ease the tension and drinking wasn’t one of the ways he wanted to end up back in the hotel room tonight. Drinking made him loose control and the last thing he wanted to do was loose control with the nagging woman his wife had become all of a sudden. He wasn’t one to hit a woman but Oyinda had poked a part of him that if he hadn’t left the room, he might have done something he would regret. Today wasn’t the day to go down that road.

He smashed the butt of the first stick on the ashtray and took the last glass of gin and tonic he’d been offered at the bar. He glanced sideways and saw some arabs and a few white men talking and laughing while at the other end of the room, his eyes caught two ladies in black lacey gowns smiling coquettishly. He looked away immediately. He knew when ladies flirted and he wasn’t ready to obtain release from anyone asides his wife.

He’d been faithful for 9 years. Today wasn’t the day to break his record and he intended keeping it that way. The cigarette was doing wonders to his system and he soon forgot about the tension and heated argument upstairs. He would return when she had slept.

His phone buzzed and he picked it to see a text come in.

Happy anniversary to the best Boss in the world. May we have many more like you sir and may your marriage wax stronger and stronger and taste sweeter with age. Sorry this is coming late sir, but I hope it got to you on time! From Erin Olaoye, the IT student at work.

He didn’t realise when a smile crawled up his face and he buzzed her back. She was a pleasant girl with a pleasant personality. No dull moment with her.

Hey Erin! Thanks so much. You know you don’t have to indicate you’re an IT student in the text. I know who you are and I doubt I’ll have a hard time forgetting you.”

In a few seconds, she’d replied with a smiley.

“I just wanted to be sure you knew who sent you the message sir as I know you would have many important people sending you greetings.”

It’s fine. Are you on bbm? Remind me to replenish your credit when I get back.

She sent her PIN in a couple of seconds while he found his way to the lounge where he secured a couch and settled in glad that he hadn’t taken more than one stick. It was a good thing Erin had interrupted him. She was good company and would keep his mind off things. He suddenly wondered what she would have up her sleeves this time. The girl was knowledgeable about almost everything.

Spicy Erin: Hello sir.

Tahir: Hmmn, spicy Erin huh?”

Spicy Erin: *chucklesmiley* Well, we drop it like it’s hot sir.”

Tahir: Lol. How are you? How have you been?”

Spicy Erin: I’m fine sir. But sir, shouldn’t you be with your wife enjoying your honeymoon? I can be boring o. Hehe.”

Tahir: And shouldn’t you be asleep young woman?”

Spicy Erin: You just decided to dribble my question like that. *straightface smiley*

Tahir: ROFLMAO

Spicy Erin: I’m waiting

Tahir: I came out to take some air. Will be going back soon. So, back to you. Why are you still awake?”

Spicy Erin: The day just started for me. I have to read, write and submit my report. Then I got carried away listening to music on radio. They’ve just been playing old school jamz on this station for a while now.

Tahir: Interesting. I think you’ll help me work on my playlist. I’m getting tired of the ones on my ipod. It’s been there for ages. I have a feeling we will like the same songs. My car will thank you too for sparing it’s music life.”

Spicy Erin: Haha, I would gladly do anything for you sir.

Tahir felt his blood stir at her statement but shook away the thoughts that crawled in. The sexual tension had brought in images he was certain the poor girl wouldn’t approve of.

Tahir: So, tell me about your favorite artistes.

Spicy Erin: Lionel is a first for me. Diana king, Mariah and Whitney, Celine, boys2men.”

Tahir: Impressive. I’ll show you my collection when I get the chance. I like to think I’m an old soul…”

Spicy Erin: Do you believe in soul mates? Just asking.

Tahir blinked wondering where that question came from and if Oyin was really his soul mate. His mind suddenly flashed to how her desire for a child was constantly driving him away from her. Couldn’t she see how much he loved her regardless? Did she even care?

Or was she having an affair and wanted him to be the guilty one? He’d read an article online that explained how signs of cheating was when a woman refused to sleep with her husband.

Could that be it and she was pushing it to her want for a child?

Tahir: I really don’t know what to believe. Why? Is your boyfriend your soulmate?”

Spicy Erin: My ex was definitely not my soul mate. We hardly talked and all he wanted to do was get into my pants. I’m waiting for the one and I believe when he comes, I’ll know.”

Tahir: You would make a good future ambassador someday y’know. It’s good you know what you want and don’t let any man take that away from you.”

Spicy Erin: Thank you sir. You’re my role model. You inspire me to become great in life, chase my dreams no matter what it costs me, with God on my side.”

Tahir: *smile*

They talked about other things, laughing and chatting like they were seeing one on one. Erin had to go because her battery was low. By the time he looked up, 2 hours had gone between them and he wondered where it all went.

When he got upstairs, he found his wife sleeping with her Macbook on and he closed it for her when he saw she’d been watching a movie and slept off at it.

He slumped into the bed and turned off the light staring into the darkness. He’d thought his conversation with Erin would wear him out and make him tired but it only kept him wide awake wondering if only. He wanted to work but seeing his wife’s body again wish he could just wake her and make love to her till morning. He rose and picked up his laptop heading for the bathroom.

If she wasn’t going to give him sex, he was going to have it some other way.

Interesting read, more grace dear.

You got me glued sister...
More grace to you

nice piece swithrt.

nice 1 hun next pls

Skimpledawg:
You got me glued sister...
More grace to you

haha, thank you dear

queenDD:
Interesting read, more grace dear.

Thank you queen! Xx

BlissfulJeff:
nice piece swithrt.

thank you dear!

sexy377:
nice 1 hun next pls

Thank you!!

Her boss kept his word. One lunch turned to a few more lunches and one dinner, one of which Erin had the privilege of meeting with the company’s sponsors and foreign investors and played a role in contributing to the work carried out behind the scenes. She realized that she enjoyed every single aspect of the job, no matter how tasking it was, and how much she had to ensure she kept to time and wasn’t lagging behind in the task that was assigned to her. Time flew by and Miss Sulola was becoming a forgotten memory especially when her Boss was beginning to appreciate her company. In a few weeks’ time, she would be done with her IT and she wondered where it all went. She wished she’d gotten to know Mr. Otaiku earlier as he made life easy for her, so easy that the employees in the office saw her as Oga’s favorite. Not that she snitched, but ever since he’d asked for her opinion right before his Human resources department the news had gone on that he had a soft spot for her.

It wasn’t a thing of alarm as many of the employees saw their growing bond as something brotherly rather than romantic, but Erin couldn’t help the rise and fall of her heart anytime she caught him walking into his office. It took her extra effort not to stare when he passed by or gave her a wave. She had come to know his scent, especially since he’d been dropping her at the BRT bustop for a while now. A few days ago, he’d taken the extra mile by asking the driver to drop her at home and if she’d had dormant feelings for him before, she was scared something was beginning to rise to the surface and she really wished she could stop it from happening, or control her feelings, but they seemed to have minds of their own.

She remembered their last conversation over the phone and wished they could have time to talk that way again. If not for her battery, she was sure they would talk for more hours. He had become like her bestfriend and confidant. She told him about her ex and he didn’t judge her the way some in church had. They talked about so many things like it was natural and she was beginning to read so much into his statement of her soul mate question.

He hadn’t given her the right answer, or the answer she expected for a man deeply in love with his wife. Could it be his wife wasn’t his soulmate afterall and they were meant to be together?

“Miss Spicy Erin.”

Erin jerked on hearing the familiar voice that had been bombarding her day dreams of recent and swallowed when he moved in beside her as she made her way to the elevator. Ever since their bbm exchange, he’d been teasing her with the name when they were alone. One side of her liked that he was beginning to talk with her like a friend more than a boss.

They were the only ones in the elevator and she silently wondered if fate or God had made it happen that way. She breathed in his scent as he moved to press a button. She was becoming familiar with his perfume and silently wondered how expensive something that exotic would smell, permeating the room and her senses as they stood beside each other.

“Good afternoon sir.” She bent slightly

“You need to stop bending for me dear.” He gave her his charming smile that sent another electric jolt through her heart. “Where are you off to?”

“I have to get to school today as I have a few things to confirm.” She inhaled deeply remembering why she was leaving the office in the first place. “I was told the results are out.”

“Oh really…”

She nodded feeling nervous and excited at the same time. Was it even possible to have both pulsing through her this way? This man’s presence was beginning to do funny things to her.

“Wow, I can see why you look so tensed up. I’m heading towards Yaba so perhaps I can drop you at the back of the school gate if that’s fine for you? I hate heading towards the main gate due to traffic.”

“Thank you very much sir.”

He nodded and assessed her briefly. “That’s a nice blouse by the way. Is that blue?”

She looked down smiling inwardly that she’d chosen to wear the blouse. It was a gift her mother had bought for her months before her passing.

“Turquoise blue.”

“I think you should wear it often, it fits you.”

She looked down shyly at her sandals hoping he wouldn’t see her toenails and be turned off compared to the well-polished brown brogues he was wearing. He looked and dressed way higher than her and he complimented her like she was as beautiful as Miss Sulola. No one had ever complimented her this way before. No man looked at her the way her boss looked at her and she silently wondered if she was falling in love with him.

Was it even allowed?

It took a while before they got to the school and he promised to return to pick her and drive her home when she was done. She just hoped it was good as she wouldn’t know how to look him in the eye with a bad result. Her father hardly cared and she hardly thought about him. This man right here was beginning to mean so much to her and she didn’t want to disappoint him.

He gave her 1000 naira for campus cab and she thanked him one again before finding her way to the department. She could see eyes on her as she stepped out of the luxurious car and suddenly felt important for the first time in her life.

Finally o... It's about to go down... *in Flavour's voice #

After reading the whole of part 1 on your blog sis, I tell u, u are amazing...you made me emotional and I cried.
Life can be so cruel mehn



Can't just stop crying

I pray Erin lives... One mistake ain't enough to end our lives...

its was so beautiful @ skimpledag can u pls send me ur blog site!!!!!

Lolsd:
its was so beautiful @ skimpledag can u pls send me ur blog site!!!!!

Me too please.

Skimpledawg:
After reading the whole of part 1 on your blog sis, I tell u, u are amazing...you made me emotional and I cried.
Life can be so cruel mehn



Can't just stop crying

I pray Erin lives... One mistake ain't enough to end our lives...

Awww, thank you so much! Thank God for the inspiration to write and bring the words to life. Don't worry. Just keep reading okay? The story hasn't ended. And don't forget to share. Much love. xo!

Lolsd:
its was so beautiful @ skimpledag can u pls send me ur blog site!!!!!

Hey dear, its myglowingscenes.com

When she got to the department, she met her friends who were already coming out of senate building. She really hoped they had no carryovers this time.

“Here comes the efiwe.” Laide greeted when they sighted her. Adanna smiled on seeing her and they embraced.

“Na you sure pass o babe.”

“No resit?”

They shook their head and she jumped excitedly running in to go and check herself. When she returned, she was smiling and crying at the same time. She’d gotten As and Bs. Her hard-work had finally paid off. Her midnight candle was rewarded.

She had to call her boss to tell him the good news. Without thinking, she dialed his number and he picked on the second ring.

“Hello Erin…”

“I passed all my papers sir. All As and Bs and just one ugly C staring at me.” She laughed.

“That’s my girl! This calls for celebration. We go pop champagne….” She heard him sing for the first time in pidgin and couldn’t contain her joy. “I just left the meeting with a friend but I’ll be there to pick you shortly. Let’s say in about 20 minutes. Where do you want me to take you, just tell me.”

She swallowed. Was he really asking her to pick a restaurant choice?

“Uh, La Mango?”

“Then La Mango it is. Are you bringing any friends or just coming alone?”

She glanced at Adanna and Laide and wondered if it would be good to involve them, especially when her relationship between herself and her boss was just beginning to bloom. They were so engrossed in their conversation they didn’t even realise she was talking to one of the most important men to walk on earth. Besides, she wanted to relish the time with him alone, without having questioning glances thrown her way.

“Just me sir.”

“Awesome.” His response made her glad she opted to come alone. “Be a good girl till I come pick you okay? Will buzz you when I’m close. Later.”

When she hung up, she had to interrupt their conversation before they turned to her. “What’s up?”

“I have two Fs. That Mr. Badmus is just a cow. My father must not know or he’ll kill me.” Adanna groaned. “Laide and I were thinking of how to go and sort ourselves out. Shey you’ll follow us?”

“I have to report back to the office.” She didn’t see it as a big lie and tried to look as convincing as possible.

“Okay, so we will see in church on Sunday.” Her friends didn’t detect anything and she silently heaved a sigh of relief.

“Bye.”

***

On the drive home, Erin silently wondered if it wasn’t too late for her Boss to be driving her home by this time. He seemed so relaxed about it and wondered what his wife would think. They ate and talked so much she had to pinch herself to confirm if it was a dream or reality. They even did a little shopping at the mall to celebrate her grades. She picked a black dress and a pair of red heels for the upcoming dinner he told her about where there were going to be lots of networking and she didn’t want to disappoint. Her friends were going to be shocked when they saw her and she made a mental note to make her hair. Could this be what she prayed for? Prayers really worked. The bible verse picking was legit too. God was probably compensating her for her mother’s death and everything else she’d been through. Her boss had even bought a few things for herself and her sister and she couldn’t thank him enough. Wura was going to scream excitedly when she saw the take-away she was bringing home and the few bracelets and tops she’d gotten for her.

Even if their father didn’t care and all he did was yell and drink and say all sorts of words against her, as if they were responsible for their mother’s death, at least her Boss cared and showed it.

As they drew closer to home, she wondered when she would get the chance to be this close to her boss once again. She cherished each moment they spent together and prayed it would never end.

He found a good parking spot and she turned to greet him once again.

“Thank you very much sir. I appreciate it. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“Thank God. It’s fine Erin. Really, you need to stop thanking me like I did some big deed and have my name in the Guinness book of records.”

“Well, you’re in mine.” She didn’t know when the tears came and she reached to wipe them away but he’d seen them. He reached to touch her. “Oh, don’t cry. Please don’t.”

She nodded and he passed her a tissue so she could blow her nose. She laughed when she remembered the first day he’d given her tissue as she knelt begging Miss Sulola.

“I remember the first day…”

“Me too.”