LoveToRead:



He didn’t like that answer. It was true that there was no ‘string attached’ in the relationship, but using the boyfriend as an excuse not to have intimate time with him would not be accepted.
‘So, what are you saying?’
The car exited the club and joined the main road.
‘What I’m actually saying is that I would not be able to spend a long time with you.’
He sighed and nodded. That was a better way to put it. He drove to the small hotel along Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way. That was always their love-making rendezvous. The short time they would be spending together there would be memorable, he thought gleefully.
Several minutes later, his session with Tina was over and he drove to Ogba. His three-bedroom apartment was at Acme Road. He parked at the lot and moved inside to the first floor. His flat was by the right. In the sitting-room, his three children, aged between twelve and seven were watching Nickelodeon. His wife was on night duty at the private hospital where she worked as a senior nursing officer. But he would not be missing her. He rarely did again.

On Tuesday morning, Benita had a warm, soothing bath and prepared for work. After rubbing her body with oil of Olay, the face received an anti-aging face cream moisturizer that contained rose scent and hyaluronic acid. She sprayed Elizabeth Arden White Diamond Night fragrance on her body. The satin blouse atop the classic grey midi skirt was the choice for her dress. She admired herself before the giant mirror in the bedroom before picking her Gucci bag and stepping out.
It was 7.10 a.m. The driver was waiting for her at the lot. Although she had options, she would still prefer to go with the BMW 440 today. Without any ado, the driver started the car and drove it out of the house. It took just about half an hour to arrive at the Alausa Business District office of the conglomerate.
She took the elevator to the third floor. As an Executive Director of the conglomerate, she had an expansive office that befitted her status. Her secretary welcomed her with the customary smile.
‘Good morning, madam.’
‘Good morning, Mrs. Dauda.’
She was much older than Benita. And she had years of experience too as a professional secretary. But then, Benita was the boss.
The air-conditioning system in her office was already on, and that made the place to be cold. Benita loved it like that. She settled down behind her big executive desk. The day’s work had started in earnest.
At thirty-five, she considered herself not too young to occupy the position she occupied in the office. When Seni ceased to be the Group Chairman, she would not mind becoming the next occupant of the seat. It was a tall ambition, but it wasn’t a crime to dream.
Benita was the vivacious Personal Assistant to Seni before he decided that consummating the relationship by marrying her would be a most desired decision. People were quite surprised that Benita could find her way to his heart in that assertive manner. It didn’t take long for such people to conclude that some psychological or spiritual manipulation might have been used.
Initially, it was kept as a secret as his first wife, Modupe, didn’t know about the affairs. But that was not for long. Weeks after Benita started bearing his name, Modupe read it in a social tabloid that Seni had secretly taken a second wife. The picture that went with the story indicated that it was no other person other than the erstwhile P.A., Benita.
Modupe had raved and had called him names. She reminded him about how they had weathered the storm together as a young couple. Things were not exactly easy then, but they had persevered together. There was a time the landlord of their rented flat had threatened eviction over non- payment of rent.
Despite all these setbacks, Modupe had remained faithful. It was, therefore, a complete act of ingratitude for him to take another wife now, she had berated. Well, the deal had been done, Seni had argued, and she had to live by that reality.
Benita was happy about the ‘feat.’ It was just the first phase of her actions. Things were happening the way she wanted them to be. The other plans too must come to fruition. That was what she intended to do.
About few minutes to one o’clock, the Finance Director came to present some records. She scanned through and then nodded approvingly.
‘Alright, Mr. Ariyo. Thanks.’
‘Thank you, madam.’ He rose up to go.
‘I understand you’re happily married.’
Donald stopped. He grinned sheepishly. ‘Yes, I am.’
Benita chuckled. ‘But, is that really true? Are you really happily married?’
Now, what kind of question was that? What was her business if he was indeed happily married or not?
‘Well …’ he was saying, but she interrupted him.
‘Mide is not exactly pleased with your ways of life,’ Benita said.
He was surprised to hear that. ‘What do you mean?’
She smiled at him. ‘I mean she’s not completely happy with you, or is she?’
How did she know that? To what extent did she know? He found himself asking in his mind. ‘What made you come to that conclusion?’ he said.



The Heart Robber: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/the-heart-robber/54475

LoveToRead:




She smiled at him. ‘I mean she’s not completely happy with you, or is she?’

How did she know that? To what extent did she know? He found himself asking in his mind. ‘What made you come to that conclusion?’ he said.

‘Let’s just say I’m quite good in discerning things. Let me ask you, are you really pleased with her? Do you still love her?’

Donald was still on his feet. Maybe it was better if he sat down. He moved back to the chair.

‘Sit down, please,’ she offered.

He was back on the seat where he had sat down.

‘Do you know why I’m asking all these?’ she asked.

He sighed. ‘No, I don’t, and as a matter of fact, I was wondering why you were asking.

She nodded. ‘I asked before I realized you and I were in a similar situation.’

He raised his brow. Really? ‘How?’

‘I’m not happy with my relationship. Neither are you happy with yours.’

Briefly, he thought over what she said. It was news to him that she was not happy in her relationship. How could she say that? She had married a billionaire and had become a heiress to fortune. Many ladies would do all they could do to find themselves in her shoes, so what could make her unhappy?

As for the aspect that he was not happy in his relationship, that was not very true. It was his wife that was not happy. To him, he was simply having a good time with the ladies he frolicked around with. But if Benita wanted to believe that it was he that ‘was not happy with the union,’ then let her believe whatever she chose to believe.

‘You’re not happy in your relationship?’ he asked.

She shook her head. ‘No, I’m not.’

‘Even with all the wealth at your disposal?’

She shook her head again. ‘Even with all the wealth. Sometimes, what gives happiness goes beyond wealth.’

He pursed his lips. Just what was this lady driving at? He suddenly realized that he had to be very careful with her. Her husband was not only his boss, but his employer. He must tread carefully.

She smiled at him again. ‘Thank you for your time, Mr. Donald Ariyo. Have a nice day.’
He was surprised. Why, he had just thought he was in for a warm conversation. Surely, this lady had whims.

He stood up and nodded. ‘And you too.’

This time, he walked slowly out of her office. Imagined or not, he felt she smiled at his back.







The Heart Robber: https://store.okadabooks.com/book/about/the-heart-robber/54475