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***
I couldn’t sleep, I had read his text more than ten times. ‘Don’t dress like a stripper’, I smiled as I read the words, was he attracted to me?
The morning birds hadn’t begun their songs neither had the cock crowed when I began to prepare for my new job. I was going to excel at this, I promised myself, I didn’t know much about Henry, but I found myself yearning for his approval, I wanted to please him. he was a good distraction from Deji.

‘What do we have here’? I sighed and fetched my phone.
ZEE: Girl, I heard we’re still working together.
RIRI: And morning to you. Yes, Mr Henry reconsidered me, so we’ll be together.
ZEE: Good. You gotta brace up yourself for his bitchy secretary, I hate her.
RIRI: Really? Why?
ZEE: I don’t know, but from what I hear, they’re sleeping together.
RIRI: Sleeping with Henry?
ZEE: Yes, may be rumors.
That did it, that was enough to swing me to another mood. I shouldn’t have added Zee on my Whatsapp list, she always carried gossips ad I wasn’t cool with that.
I was acting crazy and paranoid, yes, Henry was sleeping with someone, what did I expect? He was such a hot guy and women would stop at nothing to seduce him.
I pressed my hands to my chest as I realized the emotion I had just felt, Jealousy.

Mfon was still asleep by the time I rushed out of house, I didn’t want to disturb her, so I dropped her a note, saying ‘I love you sleepy head’. Zee was right, maybe others also thought we were lesbians.
I waved a cab and slid into the back. I was always lucky to find an empty cab, being alone helped me think, it helped me prepare myself for the day.
I was so drawn to Henry, I decided to google him. He intrigued me and I couldn’t resist this new found obsession.

‘C.E.O, Olive Groves Corporation. Henry Oluwatosin’ I found his name severally on the Olive Groves Facebook page, but I couldn’t find a personal account of him.

‘What if he was a player’? I thought about this. I felt more stupid as the question crossed my mind, what was I doing? This man was my boss and I had to discipline myself.

‘Come this way’ a security man called to me as I was confused. I’d heard about Olive Groves, I knew they had a vast business network but seeing the establishment for the first time awed me greatly.
‘Thank you’ I whispered to the man as he screened me with some machine.

‘Please how do I find Mr Henry’s office’? I asked him sweetly, he didn’t seem like the friendly type.

‘The 30th floor’ he replied without blinking. I licked my lips nervously, I glanced around my environment, I couldn’t count them, but I was sure a more than a thousand cars were parked outside.

I followed the man’s direction and stepped into an elevator. I had taken my time to dress up, I wore my best clothes, brushed my hair and wore my best lipstick, but I felt out of place as I stood with others in the elevator.

‘You don’t belong here’ a voice whispered to me. I swallowed hard, they were all gallantly dressed, suits and tie and polished faces.

‘Who’s stopping at thirty’? a female voice asked.

‘I’ my voice sounded alien to me, I was terrified.
I stepped out of the elevator and found my way to the boss’ office, there was a queue, others were in line to see him. I felt like running out of the building, I was grossly underdressed and they all gawked at me. Did I really need this job? Cause truly, I didn’t belong here.

‘Hi’ I whispered to one f them, he ignored me totally.

I needed to speak with Zee urgently, I needed her around me. I quickly dialed her number and focused on the ceiling.

‘Where are you Zee? I’m on the 30th floor’ I quickly chipped in.
‘I’m in the elevator with a surprise’ she sounded mischievous.
‘What surprise?’ I wondered.
‘Hello’? I repeated but the line went dead.

‘This isn’t a call house, so you better stay put, if you want to see the boss’ all eyes turned on me as I struggled to see the owner of the voice.

‘Me’? I asked the lightskinned lady that was busy filing her nails.

‘Of course, don’t make stupid calls while you’re here’ she repeated. This must’ve been the secretary Zee spoke off, I hated her instantly.

‘Alright time’s up, the boss says he needs to go for a meeting, you can all return after two hours’ she announced as she dropped the telephone that lay on her desk.

Two hours? I wasn’t going nowhere, at least I’ll let him see me, my boss would be upset if I lost the job again, Mr Juwon was a very patient man but he was equally vicious when provoked.

‘What are you waiting for? Join the others, leave’ she eyed me disgustingly, I was the only one standing as others had left.

‘I have to see your boss, I’m reporting from Lynks PR, I’m to resume today’ I replied.

‘It’s like you’re deaf, my boss isn’t going to see you’ she was so confident.

‘It’s okay Tola’ he stepped outside swiftly, and I felt butterflies dance in my tummy. He was more handsome than I’d met him the day before, tall, dark and hard. His eyes were brooding and had a seductive glow in them, his lips were sensuous and I felt drawn to them.

‘But sir…’ she protested.

‘Good morning sir’ I bent my knee and tore my eyes away from his penetrating gaze, he was looking at me, I became very shy as I remembered his text message.

‘I’m happy someone got my message, where’s your partner’? he eyed me mockingly.

‘She would be here soon sir’ I replied still.

‘Good. Like Tola rightly said, I have some important matters to attend to, so I’ll refer you to the head of the media team, Mr Lawal’ he gave me a card.

‘Okay sir…’ I waited for other instructions.

He was about to say something, when Zee walked in and I felt my wound open, her ‘surprise’ had inflicted this wound on me.
Deji followed closely behind.

***
‘We are gathered here for the burial of late Miss Jennifer Kayode Temidayo, God gives and he takes. May her gentle soul rest in peace’ the wind carried the voice of the priest as he concluded the funeral rites.

‘You have to be strong’ Jake whispered to his cousin. They’d gone for the funeral together, the atmosphere was thick with grief. It was such a sorrowful scene, people, cried, her family wailed. How could Jenny die like that?

‘I don’t know if I’ll get over this, my life would never be the same’ Deji’s voice trembled. Life was truly a transient dream, what had happened changed him greatly. He was no longer the cheerful overconfident Deji, he was a terrified rabbit tormented by nightmares and fears.

‘You’ll have to, she would’ve wanted you to be’ Jake replied. He’d decided to forgive his cousin for accusing the poor girl he dumped for Jenny’s death.

‘And to think we were about getting married, I would never be the same’ Deji whispered.

‘You have to try, let’s go sit over there, we’ll speak to her mother when most of the guests are gone’ Jake suggested.

‘So what’s been happening at the company’? Deji asked.

‘Nothing much. Equipments are still being moved, Henry plans to stay over at Sazad Foods, he wants to have a meeting with us, that would hold tomorrow, so you have to stay strong’ Jake explained.

‘What do you mean by ‘staying over’? Deji grimaced and settled into a chair.

‘Seriously|? You’re being ungrateful man, the way I see it, the Tosin’s are doing us good, you act like they’re trying to steal something from us, but the question remains? What do we have left that can be stolen’? Jake asked.

‘Exactly the way I feel, their offer is too good to be true, a merger that would last for ten years after which they’d help us get back to our feet, and why did he insist we change our name from Sazad? To Olive Groves Foods? Think Jake, think. I don’t trust them one bit and advise you to do same, we need to dig deeper, something fishy is going on here’ Deji answered.

‘Well, I understand your point of view, perhaps the merger is for them to learn our business style, it’s not bad, we’ll equally learn from them, so no one gets cheated’ Jake said.

‘Enough of the Tosins anyway, here comes Moyo, Jennifer’s younger sister’ Deji rose to meet her, she walked with a man, probably one of the guests.

‘Deji! You came, mother has been looking everywhere for you, many of Jennifer’s friend showed up, she was a bit upset that you hadn’t come’ she was surprised to see him.

‘Moyo, how could you say that? This woman was my fiancée, our wedding was to take place in a month’s, I’ve been here all day, I planned to speak with your mum after the guests were gone’ he replied and eyed the other man, there’ s a way his face appeared as he spoke of Jenny.

‘Fiancee’? the man asked.

‘Uhmmm, see you later Jake, let me see him off to the car, one of Jenny’s friends’ Moyo had to handle the situation.

‘Wait, I don’t understand, Jenny was getting married’? Juwon asked, maybe he hadn’t heard right. Was that even possible?

‘Who is he’? Deji wondered. He’d noticed how uneasy Moyo acted when the strange man asked about his engagement to Jenny.

‘I am Juwon Ade, I work at Lynks PR and I’ll love to know your relationship with my late girlfriend’ Juwon said.

‘Oh my god, this isn’t happening’ Moyo muttered to herself.

‘What’? Deji scoffed, it sounded funny. Where did the lunatic escape from? Jenny? His girlfriend?

‘Moyo? What’s going on here? why do you stand there like you aren’t part of this conversation’? Juwon asked.

Jake watched the whole scene quietly. Truly, nothing would’ve been more ironical than this, so Jenny was actually cheating on Deji?
‘Deji, it’s not what you think okay? We have to go now Juwon, it’s getting late’ Moyo tried to drag him away.

‘Get your hands off me this minute, who is this man Moyo? I want to know him’ Juwon insisted.
‘Well, the way I see it, you are the intruder. I’ve been dating Jennifer for some years now and we were to marry but for death, let me show you our prewedding photos’ Deji wouldn’t stand and watch this deluded lunatic stain his Jenny’s name. She was an angel.

‘Save it, here are the pictures I took with her on our vacation last year at Dubai’ Juwon was the first to show the rest his pictures.

‘This is unbelievable’ Jake was stunned, the pictures showed a bikini clad Jenny in the arms of this Mr Juwon. From what he’d seen, they were lovers.

‘Moyo? I don’t understand what’s happening, do you care to explain this to me’? Deji bit his lip angrily. Had Jenny been cheating on him all that while? He’d trusted and loved her more than any other and she had been sleeping with another man.

‘Deji please, this isn’t the time, we’ll talk about this some other time’ Moyo knew the game was up.
Jennifer had been seeing other men while dating Deji, she was well aware of that, though she claimed it was Deji she loved. After Deji proposed and got more serious with her, she’d successfully entangled herself from her other relationships, she’d planned to break off with Juwon before the plane crash.

‘Are you kidding me? So Jenny was sleeping with this tramp’? Juwon couldn’t hold himself any longer. He was angry, she had played him, now she was dead and there was no where he could hurt her. There was no way he could humiliate her for bringing him so much shame.

‘Oh my god, guys, don’t do this here. Honor the memory of my sister’ Moyo became scared.
‘What memory exactly? That filled with lies and treachery? I gave her all my love, yet she did nothing but stab me in the back. She slept with this vermin, this creature from hell’ Deji suddenly felt foolish.
‘Who did you just call a vermin? How dare you’? Juwon moved towards Deji, he had to be thought a lesson.

‘Deji! Stop this, you’re causing a scene, let’s get out of here’ Jake knew he had to intervene.

‘No, let me teach this bastard a lesson’ Deji persisted. He had been a fool all along to think Jenny had loved him the same way.

‘I can’t wait to lay my hands on you, son of a gun’ Juwon replied.

‘Deji, let’s go’ Jake dragged him forcefully.

‘Moyo, tell your sister she’s a bitch and she should rot in hell’ Juwon scowled and left the building.

‘Did that just happen? Or I’m stuck in some kind of dream’ Deji exhaled sharply as they reached the car.

‘I don’t know how to answer that, I’m as surprised as you are’ Jake shook his head. Inwardly, he felt glad his cousin was feeling the same pain he made others go through. The pain of a broken heart, the pain of trusting and getting betrayed.

‘So, our marriage was to be built on a foundation of lies and deceit? Yet I bared my heart to her? I even accused Redeemed of having a hand in her death? I was such a fool’ he closed his eyes.

‘Well, you were also dishonest, you were equally seeing other women’ Jake corrected him.
‘Yes, but I confessed to it. I stopped it. I changed because of her, hell, she was my angel Jake but what the good book says is true’ Deji still couldn’t believe it.

‘And what does the good book say’? Jake asked.

‘Even Demons appear as the angels of light’ he replied.

‘Well, enough for one day, we should head back to Lagos. I guess this recent revelation, would help you get over her faster, as you’ve come to realize, she isn’t worth your tears.’ Jake said.

‘You know what pains me?’ Deji tried to steady his voice, he tried to control the urge to break something.

‘What’?

‘I actually cried for her, when she found I and Riri having sex, I cried genuine tears, she even slapped Redeemed, I stood there, I did nothing, I denied the poor girl, I took her virginity, God, I’m a devil’ Deji rested his head on the car as the gravity of his offence weighed heavily upon him.

‘So what’s your plan now’? Jake asked.

‘I have to ask for her forgiveness’.

***
His lips curved into a mischievous smiled as he remembered her beautiful face and curvaceous body. She was tall, slender with a beautiful skin, he knew he’d startled her, she’d gotten his attention, he loved pretty girls.

‘Father? I am here at your request’ he rapped the study twice. His father had asked to see him, it was time to lay their strategy.

‘Come in son, I’ve been waiting for you’ the chief cleared his throat. He’d been more than pleased with his son Henry, he’d convinced the Williams to sign the merger, now Sazad foods belonged to them, that wasn’t what they were after, they were after something more.

‘Everything is set, just that the old man wouldn’t be the one working with me, he wants his son to do that.’ Henry settled in a chair.

‘Would that be a problem’? his father asked.

‘Not really, I don’t like him very much and I have this feeling he’d be very nosy’ Henry replied.

‘Well, we’ll handle him later, let’s talk about the land on which Sazad foods is built’ the man fetched some papers across the table and handed them to his son.

‘This isn’t possible, there’s no proof.’ Henry tossed the document aside, he hadn’t known his father’s true intentions when they had crumbled the William’s family business.

‘Well, the document states that the land upon which Sazad’s foods is built was once a cemetery for Jane Does and John Does during the civil war, remember I’d sent spies to watch the Williams for some time, I needed to know the secret of their success’ the man paused.

‘So? How does this prove there are traces of crude oil? That’s not even possible, they would’ve known this before now’ Henry replied.

‘One of my spies was a geologist. I don’t know how he did it, but he told me he’d explored part of the land and he was sure, something good could come out of it. Let’s say there’s actually crude oil on that land, and we’re able to get it before them, tell me how rich and powerful we’ll be’? the old man lit a cigarette.

‘We’ll be invincible. Olive Groves would rise to the apex, father, this would help us conquer the whole world, but it’s not as easy as you make it sound. Many battles would be fought, you know this father’ Henry rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Chief Tosin smiled at his favorite son, Henry was the second of his two sons, his wife was late and his firstborn was abroad, Berger Tosin was never interested in the family business, he’d always wanted to be a photographer and his father had granted him his wish.

‘Yes, there would be battles, there would be bloodshed. That’s the only way we would conquer. The Merger would last for a period of ten years, we need to buy the trust of the William’s, then we take them out, one after the other, remember, the company bears our emblem, when the law is brought into the case, she would see who the real owners are, after we show them the documents, that way, we take full possession of the land’ The chief smiled mischievously.

‘I see a loophole in your plan father. It is true, we have to shed blood, but what if we shed too much and draw attention to ourselves? I have a better idea, we manipulate them and force them to sell their company to us, that’s better than taking them all out’ Henry suggested.

‘I always knew from the day I carried you in my arms, that you’d be a wise and great man, you do me proud Henry. Keep it up’ his father rose to his feet.

‘Thanks father. So are we doing this my way’? Henry asked feeling pleased with himself.
‘No son. For any battle to be won, there must be bloodshed’ the chief replied.
‘What a man’ Henry shook his head, he wasn’t scared of shedding blood, he’d done it before and could do it again, all for power and fame.

His phone buzzed and he answered it.
‘What have you found’? he tried not to sound anxious.
‘Good day sir, I found a lot of things about her.’ His secretary replied.

‘Well be quick, I don’t have all day’
‘Her name is Redeemed Akpan and she is a writer’.
***
Deji had blocked me from his facebook, I felt slightly hurt about it, I wanted to check his timeline, to see if his fiancée was actually dead. What if my boss’ fiancé just had a semblance to Deji’s?

‘What are you so worked about’? Mfon strolled in with two plates of icecream.
‘Many things. I think we should reduce the way we take iccecream, it’s getting out of hand’ I declined.

‘Someone is in a very bad mood, still thinking of him’? Mfon asked, concern creased her forehead.

‘There’s been a plane crash today’ I paused.

‘Yes, I know that, did you have any relative on Dara’? she straightened.

‘No, but something weird is going on. My boss’ fiancée died on it’ I replied.
‘Poor him, that’s bad news, did you know her personally’? Mfon asked.

‘No, it’s just that, she is Deji’s fiancee’ I replied.

‘Deji’s fiancée? Seriously’? she rolled her eyes, it sounded like a joke to her.

‘Yea, she had the same eyes, nose, everything, I swear, that was Jenny and my boss called her ‘Jenny’ too. So I don’t know what to believe’ I swallowed hard.

‘Well, it could be coincidence, we both know, players hardly get played. Have you checked Deji’s end’? she asked.

‘He blocked me on facebook. I don’t know why I’m so interested in this’ I shrugged, I didn’t like Deji no more, I was just curious.

‘Well, he didn’t block me, let’s check him out’ she pulled out her phone.

‘Is this Jennifer’? she asked and offered me the phone.

‘Oh my god, she’s the one, I swear it. How is this possible? Dating two men at the same time’? I gaped.

‘I guess Deji wasn’t the only player’ Mfon scoffed.

‘I don’t feel sad or happy for him. I just pity him.’ My feelings surprised me.
‘Seriously? Well, I feel bad about the death of his ‘fiancee’ but, I think we should celebrate this, he isn’t the only heartbroken one now, he’s going to feel what you felt when he told you it was over. Now take this can of icecream and let’s lick to Deji’s heartbreak’ Mfon cheered.

‘Too bad for the player’ I sighed and picked up the icecream plate. Something else still lingered on my mind, I didn’t want to explore it, I wanted to block him out completely but the more I tried, the more I failed.

‘You’re still not okay, what’s wrong Riri’? Mfon observed me quietly.
‘I’m fine’ I lied. I just got my heart broken and I was here fantasizing about a guy I’d just seen. A rude and over confident one.

‘Spill it’ she dropped her plate and focused on me.

‘Well, this sounds crazy, I met this guy today, who’s supposed to be my new boss, he’s very cute and I think I like him’ I paused, I waited for her to caution me, but she just laughed.

‘Wow, you move fast, I like that, I’m happy you aren’t crying.’ Mfon laughed.

‘He’s really cute, cuter than that bastard that hurt me’ I blurted out.

‘Well, I guess you have a crush on this guy, just do whatever that makes you happy but be careful. Cute guys are bad guys’ she pouted.

‘Careful? I just admire him, nothing more, he’s so rude and proud. He called me a stripper today, that reminds me, did you see my boobs this morning? Why didn’t you tell me about it’? I remembered the scene at the office.
‘Oh god, she’s going to kill me’ Mfon winked and rose to her feet.

‘Why didn’t you tell me’? I shook my head.
‘Well, you wanted looking wild and changed, that’s why i let you be. You’d even painted your lips like some scarecrow, I let you be, cause it made you feel confident.’ She replied as I threw my pillow on her.

‘That’s crazy, let me pick this’ I reached for my phone and answered it.

‘Hello’ I hadn’t checked the caller’s identity. My heart raced, what if it was Deji?

‘Resume work early, dot 8 o’clock or don’t stop by’

‘Hello? Who’s this’? my heart raced. The voice was familiar, I’d heard it before. I dialed the number but the line was dead.

‘Are you okay’? Mfon asked noting the confusion on my face.

‘Yes I am’ I replied. Who was the caller? No, it couldn’t be him, Henry Oluwatosin wouldn’t call me. My eyes strayed to the mirror, I was good looking no doubt, but this was certain, I could never be his kind of girl.

‘You like this guy already’ Mfon shook her head.

‘I don’t know Mfon, I really need to see him again’. I replied. My boss had asked me to beg him for the job, now I couldn’t get him out of my mind, I had no choice, I needed to ‘beg’ him for the job.
‘Don’t dress like a stripper’ my phone buzzed again and I smiled as I read the text message.

My darling son,
I am so sorry to have kept this from you, but I had to, I needed to protect my marriage to your father while he was alive, but now he is gone, I feel it's time you know the truth.

Dayo gently squeezed the note and three it into the trashcan. Ten years back when he was just twenty one, he'd lost his mother, shortly after his father's death. He'd been crying one night alone, and decided to go through the family album when he'd found the note. That note had revealed so much about his parent's marriage.

His mother had an affair and had given birth to a child during her stay in the U.S.A for some training. He remembered as a child, she came home looking different, but they'd all felt, it was the better weather condition of the country.

Adaeze was borne out of that affair and his mother had kept her secret till she was fifteen, that was when she showed up at his doorstep and introduced herself as his "sister".

"Dayo?" She stepped gingerly into his room.

"Yes baby sis" he smiled as she neared him, though they had nothing in common, they both inherited their mother's dentition.

"Dinner is served" she caressed his arm.

"Okay, I'll be with you in a minute, checking through some stuff" he replied.

"Okay, about that, you don't really have to do what mother says, look at me, I'm comfortable, I'm okay, so why give me half of your inheritance"? She had to win his heart.

" No Ada, mum's will stated it clearly that I give you half of everything I own" Dayo differed. For many years, he'd suffered the pain of being the only child of his parent's, but fate had brought Adaeze to him and he was ready to do anything for his sister.

"I wish I had known her" she sighed. For all she knew, her mother was the one she saw in pictures, the light skinned and very attractive woman, whom she failed to resemble.

"Sorry about that, but she really loved you" Dayo replied and she nodded.

"Yea" tears welled up in her eyes.

Dayo inhaled deeply, Ada had grown into a very attractive woman, in her mid twenties, he always called her "my wife" playfully, but something bothered him and he wished to ask her about it.

"Can I ask you a question"? He arched a brow. Adaeze had never spoken of her dad in details, neither had his mother said much of the man in her letters to him, if not for the DNA test that was being carried out, Adaeze wouldn't have had him as family.

" Go ahead" she nodded vehemently, her plans were going on well, Emem had called her minutes earlier and confirmed she'd seen a woman at Kayode's place.

"Can you tell me about your dad"? Dayo asked, hoping for an answer, he'd asked her about this faceless man severally, but she always avoided it.

" I think we should talk about that later" She avoided his penetrating gaze. She had a lot to protect and he was asking too many questions.

"Later? No, we talk about this now, why don't you ever want to talk about the man"? Dayo could feel fury rise up his spine.

" Your phone is ringing, you need to pick that, could be one of your patients " she pointed at the buzzing phone and stormed out of his room.

"I'll still get you" he hissed loudly before taking the call.

"Hello Kay, what's up"? He remembered the girl he'd succeeded burying in his thoughts.

" There's a problem Dayo, Emem paid me a visit and sent Moyo out of the house, I'm out in the streets right now, I don't seem to find her and it's getting late" Kayode was frightened, what if something bad happened to her?

"What? That's serious, where are you now? I'm coming" he fetched his car keys. The thought of her being harmed got him wild, he remembered her face, as it paled when he worked on her wound, what if she got kidnapped? Or raped?

"Where are you going"? Adaeze asked.

" I don't know, just lock up, when I'm back, I'll call you" he answered and rushed out of the house.
****
"Where am I"? Her voice was weak and her head throbbed like she'd been hit by a thousand rocks. Her eyes flickered, an attempt to adjust to the dimly lit room.

" Untie her" a voice in the shadows ordered.
Immediately a pair of hands reached out to her and released her from her bondage.

"Where did you find this one?" the voice asked.

"We found her roaming, she seemed lost, hence an easy prey" the young man beside her answered.

Her eyes ached, her throat itched, why were all these things happening to her?

"She's a pretty girl, very pretty, she'll fetch me a fortune just like Adaeze" a dwarfish man stepped out of the darkness. He was very short and robust, with a mischievous glint in his bulky eyes.

"Adaeze"? The name rang in Moyo's ears, she'd heard the name before, but she couldn't remember where.

" You're so lovely, my pretty one, I could keep you for myself" he circled her and scooped strands of her hair in his hands.

"Please don't hurt me, I have done you no wrong" Moyo's lips shivered.

"Oh no darling, I'm not going to hurt you, I'm going to take care of you" he whispered harshly into her ears.

Darling Diary,
I wish I listened to the voice or reason. I gave my heart to a man called Deji and he stole my happiness along with it. I’ll take it back.
‘Good to go’ I scribbled hurriedly on my diary. I felt new, like a baby butterfly that had just escaped its cocoon. I felt reborn in the rage planted by heartbreak, I was a new person, no longer naïve and gentle. I had to become new, I had to be born again, in order for me to regain my sanity.

‘Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the slayest of them all’? I applied three coats of red lipstick, I had to move on with my life.

‘So how do I look’? I fished for complements.
‘Like a rebound girl. Are you okay Riri’? Mfon loved the way her friend appeared but she was still uncertain, how could she get over her darling Deji just like that?

‘Oh, you thought I’d still be sad and pouty over him? I took your advice, I’m going to rock it’ I winked at her and walked towards the door. I’d never felt so free, freedom had come but Mfon’s words caged me.

‘Redeemed’? she called gently.

‘Yes’? I turned and faced her.

‘Grief can do crazy things to people, don’t go ahead of yourself. Don’t do anything stupid’ she advised.

‘Thanks’ I pondered on her words for some minutes before I moved out.

I waved a cab and slid in. The ride was slow and steady, it gave me enough time to think. Mfon’s words never ceased to ring in my head.
‘Ah, e don happen again’ the cab man exclaimed. I was too lost in my own world to make sense out his blabbering and abuses. Everyone had a cross to carry.

‘Madam u don hear’? he had noticed I wasn’t interested In making small talk so he forced his way into my thoughts.

‘Eh’? I waited for him to speak.

‘Dem don use people do ritual again for this country’ the man cursed once more.
‘Wetin happen’? I wondered, after I realized Deji had blocked me, I didn’t bother surfing the web anymore.

‘Big bad tin madam. Plane don crash again. This time, everyone for the aeroplane die except ten people dem.’ The man explained.

‘A plane crash’? I asked? That was pathetic, I was heartbroken no doubt, but I hated such stories, tragedies were never my thing, that’s why my stories always had a happy ending.

‘Yes’ he nodded vehemently.

‘What’s the name of the plane that crashed’? I asked.

‘Na dat one wey I no sabi’ he replied.

‘Stop, there’s my office’ I informed him. Plane crash? As a writer, you needed to be abreast of current situations.
I noticed a black porshe packed along four Honda civic cars outside our building, I couldn’t help but wonder who this visitor was.

‘So, your workers don’t resume early? How are they going to deliver?’ a tall man barked. My heart raced, my boss would be so angry with me for reporting late.

‘Oh here she comes, I told you, she’d be here son. I’m really sorry Mr Henry for the inconvenience.

I walked into the office, I knew I was the subject of discussion by the way all eyes turned on me, even Zee looked shocked. That was when I realized I had forgotten to button, and half of my breasts was out.
‘Really?’ Henry eyed the sassy looking female that had just walked into the office.

‘Good morning sir’ I felt confused as I looked from my boss to the most handsome man I’d ever set my eyes on. Who was this man? And why did he have to be this cute?

‘Send the other one, I don’t need my workers looking like strippers’ he eyed me dangerously and stormed out of the office.
I had never felt more ashamed in my entire life, me? A stripper? My shame quickly gave way to anger and I felt like running towards his direction and giving him a slap for calling me such a name.

‘Really? You didn’t do badly after such a guy ditch you’ Zee walked up to me after our boss left with the rude guy.

‘This was a mistake, I don’t expose my body, you know me’ I tried to explain.

‘Save it. I knew something wasn’t right, the red lipstick, the cleavage and all, I like it though, it makes you very sexy’ she winked and left my mouth hanging for the right words.

‘See me in my office’ my boss ordered and I knew I was in deep shit. It had been a rough weekend for me, but I’d also realized if I didn’t take control of my life, I was going to lose more than Deji, my career was at stake.

‘Have a sit’ he spoke without looking up as I stepped into his office.
‘Are you tired of working here’? he asked curtly.

‘Uhmmmm, not at all sir, it’s just…’ I licked my lips nervously, his question made me feel very bad.

‘Just what? First, I’d hopes you’d take up that job, you turned me down and you walk in late today looking very wild. You’re not the girl I used to know, what’s wrong with you? From the way Mr Henry sounded, he wasn’t pleased by your appearance’ he paused while drumming his hands on the table.

‘I’m sorry sir, I don’t know what to say, I’m really sorry for everything, I promise to be on my good behavior’ I apologized. So Mr arrogant was Henry Oluwatosin? I don’t know why, but my heart raced as I recalled his handsome face.

‘Good. Now, you’ll have to beg him for the job, I know my workers and what they’re capable of doing, Zee cannot take that job alone, and Dee is down with some flu, so, you’re going to find Mr Henry, you’ll apologize, and tell him to take you’ my boss said.
I thought I hadn’t heard him well, why did I have to beg for the job? Clearly he didn’t want me, begging him was the last thing I had on my mind. He was so arrogant and full of himself, how could he speak that way to me?
‘I guess you understand, you can leave now’ he dismissed me and faced his laptop.
My mouth fell dry, words hung in my throat, I had just promised my boss that I’d be good, refusal to ‘beg’ Mr Arrogant would piss him off greatly, he could even sack me.

‘Oh my god’ he muttered and my eyes followed the laptop, he sounded like something bad had happened. I prayed it had nothing to do with his documents, as a writer, your laptop could act very funny at times. You could take your time and write an article, then you wake up the next day and realize, it had vanished.

‘Oh no, this cannot be’ he rose to his feet.
‘Are you alright sir’? I asked. From the look on his face, something bad had really happened and it had nothing to do with his laptop.

‘Dara airlines, I can’t believe this’ his lips shook.

‘Oh my god, I heard about some plane crash earlier’ I recalled the words of the cab driver.

‘I lost her, I lost my baby, I lost my angel’ tears welled up in his eyes as he pointed to the laptop.

‘I’m so sorry sir’ I followed his direction and was too shocked to say a word. This wasn’t happening, i saw her face, her smile was genuine and reached her brown eyes, I saw Deji’s fiancée.

‘I was as shocked as you when I saw pictures of the victims, I had to look at her face, it’s still like a dream, how could she leave me? I planned to propose on her birthday and she left me without warning. How could Jenny do this to me’?

‘Everything would be fine sir’ I didn’t know how to comfort, I was lost, was Deji’s fiancée really dead? And was she cheating in him the whole time?
I felt bad for her, dying under such circumstance, but Deji? I felt nothing for him, if only he knew he was also played.

‘You know what Redeemed? I’ll have to travel to her town, I need to see her face, I need to be there at the burial, so fetch me the secretary quickly, let me put things in order.

‘Yes sir’ I rushed to do his bidding.
I was a bit surprised at myself, I’d expected to feel something while thinking about that bastard that fooled me, but I felt nothing, just this coldness and hatred. I sighed as I neared the secretary’s office, did that mean I was over him?
***
‘You have to put yourself together man, what’s happened has happened, I know this is going to be tough but you have to try’ Jake watched as his cousin wept. He had never seen Deji so broken and this made him feel pity for him. So he actually loved Jenny this much?

‘It’s not that easy Jake, she was my everything, we were supposed to marry next month, but look at what death has done.’ He cried.

‘Hey, you’re not the only one hurt here you know, I loved her too, she was an angel and perfect for you.’ Jake confessed his love openly. He’d loved Jenny from the time Deji had introduced them both, but he had never had the chance to tell her about his undying love. She had blindly fallen for Deji who played with her love, who took it for granted, now, she was lost, he would never see her again.

‘My whole world is shattered, how I’m I going to pull through this? I’m never going to see my Jenny any longer’ he fetched his phone and stared at her picture.

‘Hey, just know you’ll be fine’ Jake reached out to him.

‘I don’t know if I would be, what if I’m cursed Jake? I’ m so scared’Deji asked. What had just happened was too sudden.

‘Cursed? Why would you think that’? Jake was taken aback.

‘All those women I hurt, what if, they’d known about Jenny, what if they’d kill her just to pay me back’? Deji rubbed his chin.
Truly, he’d broken many hearts, he’d cast them aside like they were mere toys, here he was also swimming in heartbreak’s river.

‘That’s funny bro, you aren’t cursed, you’re perfectly fine, only God knows why this happened’ Jake pondered on his cousin’s words.

‘What if Redeemed killed her’? the events of that day carefully played back.

‘You really have nerves Deji. Remember you hurt that girl, you humiliated her and you now feel she had something to do with Jenny’s death’? Jake was a bit irritated.

‘What do you want me to say? Someone has to take the blame’Deji cursed.

‘I guess you’re crazy in grief, see you later’ Jake stormed out without looking back.

‘She killed my Jenny, I’m going to deal with her’ Tears fell on his cheeks.

please don't be upset, more updates this weekend, thanks!

DAYO'S ANGEL 5
***
"Make yourself at home, feel very comfortable and relaxed, let me prepare you something to eat" Kayode rushed into the house to prepare her a room.

Moyo nodded silently and scanned the whole the living room, he was right, his house was really a paradise. They'd journeyed from Dayo's place for an hour plus, she was glad they'd finally arrived, at least, she could rest her head and worry about the days ahead. Kayode had offered to shelter her for some days before she embarked on her journey "home".

She dreaded the day she'd have to leave back to the streets, what if she just opened up to him and told him the simple truth? That she was homeless and had no place to stay.

" What if"? Her lips moved as she caressed a fine still life painting, The walls of the living room were brightly colored, a fine beige hue, illuminated by blue chandeliers and pictures graced it.
She laughed as she watched the pictures, from his childhood to his adulthood, his whole life could be followed on the wall.

"Do you like it"? He'd been observing her for some minutes, he loved the way she laughed.

" Uhmmm, yes I do" Moyo sighed and faced him, she had begun to relax in his presence, he really meant no harm.

"I prepared a room for you, come see" he beckoned to her and she followed him.

"Thanks so much" she smiled, he was really kind. He'd dressed the bed and placed a tiny puppet on it, she wished she had such a room for herself, buy her aunt's husband had ruined it all.

"I should get you some food" he said and walked towards the door.

"I don't feel like eating" Moyo called after him. Thoughts about her dillema had resurfaced and she suddenly lost appetite.

"Why? Are you upset with me"? He rushed to her side.

" No, why would I be"? She narrowed her brows.

"So why are you rejecting dinner"? He asked.

" I am not hungry, thanks very much for everything" she insisted.

"Okay then, darling, do you mind taking a cup of tea"? Kayode asked.

" No problem" she replied.

"Do you hear that"? Moyo heard someone screaming, whoever that was, was seriously upset about something.

" Excuse me, let me handle that" Kayode peeped outside the window and felt his heart race, why did she choose to show up then? He'd already set his plans in motion and her presence would ruin everything.

Moyo quickly rushed to the window, she wasn't a fool, Kayode was hiding something from her.

He'd rushed outside to meet her, what was she doing in his house? She was his ex an he had not set eyes on her for six months.

"Where did you hide your bitch? I need to see her right now" Emem yelled angrily.

She'd been in a relationship with Kayode for six years and he'd broken up with her on her refusal to abort his pregnancy.

"What are you doing in my house? "? He asked coolly. Emem was his ex and he didn't regret his action, she was not good enough for a wife.

" I need that girl out here, as you can see, i am heavily pregnant for you, i also have with me,a weapon i would use on youand your LovePeddler, so i need to see her now" she fetched the Ak47 from her purse. That did it, that got his attention, he couldn't let anything happen to Moyo, he had to save her.

"Emem, please put down that gun, don't do anything stupid, please" he begged.

"I like the way you sound, just bring the girl out here and i promise i wouldnt pull the trigger" she poked her head sidewards,

"I swear to you, she isn't my girlfriend, i hit her by accident and i had to take responsibility, she's innocent, don't hurt her please" he fell on his knees.

"I see, you really love her so much, to cook up such a lie, you think I'm stupid? I just want her out of this house, right now" Emem thunderec. Adaeze was right, Kayode had fallen in love with this girl, but she couldnt take that chance, he needed to marry her and take responsibility for her pregnancy.

"Moyo" he rushed into the house to fetch her. He had a better plan, he wanted sneaking her into a room, then he would call the police later.

"I am here" she replied with tear filled eyes, she had heard their conversation, she was unwelcome there and she needed to leave.

"I promise, i wouldnt let her hurt you" he assured her.

"No, i need to leave, i saw her eyes, she is going to harm me, if i stay here, please let me go" tears streamed down her cheeks.

" Moyo please, listen to me! I can handle this" he held to her hands.

"You've done enough, thanks very much, at least, i can walk now, I'll try and find my way" she replied defiantly and rushed out of the house before he could reach for her.

"Moyo wait" he called after her, but it was too late.

"I hope you're happy now" Kayode walked to where his ex stood after Moyo had left the house.

"Of course i am happy, i just took back what is rightfully mine" Emem smiled mischievously.

"I would never forgive you, if she is harmed" his hatred for her was renewed.

"I don't need your forgiveness darling" she patted him on the shoulder and walked into his house.

***

What had she done to deserve such hatred? She swallowed, the street was dark and eerie, maybe she should've listened to Kayode, but that in itself was risky, what if his crazy girlfirend found her and murdered her?

She refused to cower, to wallow in self pity, she still prayed for her angel.

She paused in her steps as she reached a church building, she scanned her environment carefully, she hadn't walked too far from Kayode's house. She sighed and stepped closer to the building, it was dimly illuminated but she was still able to see the sign board.

"Dayo" she whispered his name as the wind began her sojourn that night, only his name brought her comfort, only that name soothed her pain.

She heard some footsteps around, she flung her eyes open, but it was too late, she felt a hard object crash into her skull.

***

sorry for the long wait, more coming this week

" I hope you are happy now, I'm sorry for neglecting you, I've been very busy" he kissed her forehead after they'd made love. She was his sweet little pea and he relished her love for him. She reminded him of her mother, when she was younger.

"I'm fine dad, but promise not to keep me this long" Rose pouted her lips. She had been drawn to her father since childhood, and they'd lived that way for many years, till that fateful day when the stupid girl had walked in on them.

"We should get going before your mother gets worried, there's something I failed to handle" Pastor Ita rose to his feet.

"What could that be?" She raised her brows.

"Joy your cousin has arranged for us a new maid, she is to arrive today, I forgot to tell your mother about her" he replied.

Grace had discovered his affair with his own daughter, god knows how she did but she confronted Rose about it on the day she was about leaving, a fight ensued and she ended up dead. Helen had helped them put things in the rightful place, but she never knew the secret behind the fight that led to Grace's death and it had to remain that way.

"A maid?" Rose swallowed hard as she recalled her last moment with Grace, she hated maids, either they were dirty or plain stupid.

"Yes, your mother needs help, you are not at home most of the time" the man said and felt slightly jealous, what if his daughter had another lover?

"I guess she does, we have to be more careful" Rose replied.

"Yes we have to, now let's get going" he forced the disturbing thoughts out of his mind and forced himself into the clothes.

She observed her father quietly as he dressed, she felt guilty sometimes about what they did, but she couldn't help her unnatural attraction to him, they weren't the only guilty ones, her mother had a lover, she was sure of it, but she didn't have prove.

Countless times, she'd listened to her phone calls and read her messages, but she couldn't pin point this person, what if her mother knew about her affair with her dad? She shuddered at the thought of them being discovered.

"Time to go" he patted her shoulder and they both stepped out of the hotel room.

"Something is bothering you" she observed her father.

"Not really" he ignited the engine.

"Talk to me dad, what's it? I could help" she offered.

"It's you I'm thinking of, do you have a boyfriend"? He asked.

" No dad" she licked her lips nervously, how could he ask her that? She had no lover except him and she didn't plan on having anyone else.

"Good, I love you so much, always remember that" he pecked her and drove off.

****

"Grace"? My mouth felt dry, I was confused.

" Mum? Are you okay"? I heard a deep baritone voice from inside, I didn't know why, but I felt a tingle in my chest at the sound of the voice, who was he?

" I'm coming soon Mark" she replied and stepped outside, shutting the door firmly behind her, I felt like an intruder.

"I rebuke you, blood of God" the woman pushed me roughly and I panicked, I watched in shock as she bent down and scooped sand into her hands.

"Go back to where you belong" Helen inhaled sharply and stepped closer to the ghost, talk of the devil, why had Grace come back to haunt her family?

"I don't understand Ma" I shifted from her. Was I a ghost? I knew the significance of what she was doing, it scared me too.

"Shut up, you demon from the pit of hell, I cast and bind you out of my house" she threw the sand at me and I sneezed. This woman was juts, I concluded, I should've listened to my mum.

"Mom? What's going on here"? a tall lanky guy stepped outside.

" Thank Jesus you're here with me, see her, she's here to haunt us" the woman pointed fearfully at me.

"Mum? What are you talking about"? Mark eyed be steadily. He was tall and brown, with broody eyes and a sharp nose, he was cute and seemed kind.

" Uhmmmm" Helen coughed and gained composure of herself, suddenly realising she'd allowed fear take control of her. She had almost spilled the truth to Mark.

"This girl here is Grace, our maid that ran away, why has she come back"? the woman eyed me with annoyance.

Mark's eyes ran over my features briefly and his eyes softened as our eyes met, he seemed to remember me from somewhere, but I couldn't recall. Did I know him?

" Grace?" He seemed excited to see me. This situation I found myself was no longer funny, why were they calling me "Grace"? When I was. " Ajunwa"?

"I've found you, I knew you'd come back, I knew you'd return to me" he embraced me without warning while his mother stared daggers at me. I could feel hatred in her glare, and whoever this Grace was, must have done something real bad.

"Enough Mark, she has to leave" Helen was still in shock, she was sure of it, Grace was buried in the garden, so why and how had she come back to life?

"So where have you been"? He finally released me.

" I am sorry, my name isn't Grace" I replied coolly and he laughed for some minutes.

"Are you kidding me? Do you have amnesia now"? He gazed at me mockingly.

" I am Ajunwa, I came here from my village, on reccomendation by Joy Ita to serve as a maid here, she gave me this address " I handed him the slip of paper which Joy had written the address.

"This is a big joke mum" he showed his mother the paper, she had relaxed a bit.

"Ajunwa"? Helen breathed deeply, this was all a lie, this was a ghost speaking to her and she had to get rid of it.

" Yes Madam" I replied.

"We don't need your services, so I'll fetch you some money and you return to your village. Thank you" the woman hissed and retreated into the house.

I was stunned by her coldness, what had I done to receive such treatment?

"Ajunwa?" Mark's eyes romaed me over another time, they seemed so sure about me.

She was plump, average and lightskinned just like Grace, she looked every inch like his Grace but she wasn't Grace of a truth. This was a stranger who looked so much like her, he'd spent so much time with her and he knew the brightness of her eyes and most importantly the birthmark that sat proudly on her forehead.


"Please I really want to stay here, I really need this job, please talk to your mother about it" I pleaded, tears had already welled up in my eyes.

"It's okay. You'll be here, I promise" Mark assured her, he was equally surprised by his mother's behavior.

"Have this, just take it and leave, Thanks" Helen returned with a wrap of naira notes.

I couldn't take the money, I needed this job badly, I needed to save up for so many things.

"Mum, you don't have to do this, you don't even know her, I took a closer look at her and I realised, she isn't Grace" Mark said.

"What do you mean? Do you think me blind"? She sounded angry.

I watched as mother and son engaged in a silent battle over me, I wondered where Joy's uncle, the Pastor was, maybe he'd have had pity on me.

" Madam" a handsome young man ran towards us, from the way he called her, something bad had happened.

"Yes, Nelson what is it"? She quickly faced him.

" It's about your husband Ma, the pastor, they've gotten to him" he panted.

"Gotten to him"? Mark raised his brows.

" Have this" he gave the woman the phone he held.

PASTOR KISSING GIRLFRIEND IN A HOTEL.

"No, this isn't possible, this isn't my husband, remember he left with a driver" Helen pressed her hand on her chest.

"Besides the girl's face isn't clear, it could be Photoshop" Mark suggested, he knew his father well, he was a godly man and could never cheat on his mother. Their marriage was a match made by heaven.

"Yes it's photoshop" Helen replied with a shaky voice, what if it wasn't Photoshop? She wondered.

Marchborn123:
And wen re going to update again as regards to in love with my pastor episode 2? Am seriously waiting dr.

oops sorry about that....you can purchase it @okadabooks or you get the PDF.

***
They’d spent the weekend together, making love and reassuring each other of their love.
‘I’m going to miss you baby, I’ll miss you xoxo’ Jenny placed a kiss on his forehead.
‘I’ll miss you more sweetheart’ Deji returned her kiss. He was more than happy she’d forgiven him, no other woman understood him the way Jenny did.

‘So you dropping me off or what’? she winked at him.
‘Well, I’ll like to make love to my angel once more before she flies away’ he winked and warmed her lips with his’.

‘I love you so much Deji, promise you wouldn’t hurt me again’ her eyes were pleading.

‘I swear I’d never do something like that again’ he smiled. He was going to stand by his words, no woman would come between he and Jenny.

‘I like the attention we’re getting, we’ve gotten like a thousand likes’ she checked out their pre-wedding photos she’d posted on facebook.

‘Yeaa, what if a thousand people turn up for the wedding’? he asked.

‘Scary question, that’s not possible though’ she rolled her eyes.
‘I’ll have to pick this, it’s Jake, should be important’ his phone buzzed.

‘Oh, say me hi to him’ Jenny beamed. She’d carefully kept Deji away from the fact that his own cousin had snitched on him. That still baffled her, Jake and Deji were quite close, she was still shocked he could tell on Deji like that.

‘Jake morning, what’s up’? Deji winked at her.
‘Hurry to the company right now, we have a situation’ Jake replied.
‘Okay, I’d have to drop Jenny off the airport first’ Deji answered.

‘Oh, she’ still with you’? Jake felt hurt, had his plans failed?

‘Yeaa, we’re still together man, see you at the office’ Deji brought the call to an end.

‘What’s going on’? Jenny asked.

‘Stuff at the office, let’s have a quickie, then I drop you off, before heading towards the office’ his eyes darkened mischievously.

‘I can’t wait to have you inside me baby’ she replied.
***
I could feel the sun on my face, the singing birds wouldn’t just stop, couldn’t the world understand I was heartbroken? The weekend had been dull for me, without the help of Mfon, who’d constantly fed me icecream and had tried to lift my spirit, I would’ve been deep in grief about my ex boyfriend a.k.a Lucifer.

I sighed and got out of bed, I checked the time, I wasn’t late for work, so I had enough time, to practice the face I’d wear to the office. I didn’t want them to know what I was going through, I was the confident Redeemed, who’d given a talk about love on Friday, ironically, I got jilted that same Friday and woke up single.

‘You’ll pay for this’ I whispered silently as I stared into the mirror. I lost the job offered to me by my boss, cause I let Deji into my head, I’d never understand his reason for asking me to quit the job. I still blamed him for it,if he hadn’t confused me by kissing me and running his hands over me, I’d never make such a stupid mistake.

‘This is all your fault, not his, you let him do this to you, it’s on you’ my mind whispered briefly as I stared at the mirror. Fresh tears welled up in my eyes, and I knew, Deji had gone with a part of me I’d never get back, I needed to hurt him, just the way he did me.

‘Goodmorning Princess, I trust you slept well’ Mfon stormed into my room, she’d hidden my keys so I wouldn’t lock myself up. i loved her more than ever, how many friends could comfort like she did?

‘Morning’ I quickly wiped my face, I didn’t want her to see me this way.

‘Hey, you don’t have to hide from me, I understand everything, your pain, the humiliation, being played like a fool, I get you Riri, I’ve been down that road too many times till I gave up completely on love but I don’t want same for you. You were just unfortunate to meet a guy like Deji, I guess you’ve learnt your lesson now, but don’t block your heart, don’t shut yourself out from the rest of the world, love can still find you’ she caressed my head as she spoke.

‘Love can still find me? I doubt that, Deji hurt me real bad, I’ve been waiting up, staring at that phone, checking my messages, expecting him to call and say something. An apology would reduce the pain I feel right now, but no, he’s gone quiet on me, how I’m I supposed to move on’? I cried. I’d seen him online, though I hadn’t sent him any messages, I waited for him to speak first, but he’d said nothing.

‘He isn’t going to say nothing, what do you want him to say? That he’s sorry? Or he wants you back? Redeemed, you have to accept what has happened, you’ll have to move on with your life’ she replied.

‘So, do I just let him go? I wish I could kill him? this pain would all go away if he is dead’ I sounded crazy but I didn’t mind, I needed to pay him back.

‘Well, revenge is beautiful but it never gives peace, if that’s what you want fine, I won’t share I murder though…’ she paused as we both listened to the doorbell.

‘Deji…’ I swallowed hard, maybe he had come, I rushed to the window, but there was no car outside.

‘That guy really hurt you sister, let me get the door, I’ll be back’ she walked away with pitiful eyes.

‘I’m so weak, I’m going to show you how strong I can be, I would get over you in time’ I fetched my phone from the table ready to rain all the curses of this world on Deji.
‘You sonofabitch’ that’s what I typed first, then I paused as I realized he’d blocked me. The pain I felt then was immeasurable.

‘Someone is here to see you’ Mfon returned with a smile on her face.

‘Who’? I replied quietly.
‘She says she’s from your office and she has got goodnews’ Mfon replied and left once more.
I inhaled deeply, after everything we’d shared, he’d decided to block me out of his life, I made a decision at that moment, Deji Williams would feel my pain.

I washed my face in the shank before moving out to receive this unwanted visitor, I wasn’t expecting no one, could it be my boss? I shrugged, he didn’t know where I lived.

‘So, how long have you too been friends’? the visitor asked and I paused to listen.
‘For a very long time. Can I make you tea or somehting’? Mfon smiled.

‘Nope. So Riri has a pretty friend, can I ask a question’? i recognized the owner of the voice minutes later, Zee.

‘Sure go ahead’ Mfon braced herself for the question.

‘Are you two lesbians’? Zee flashed her a mischievous grin.

I hadn’t had cause to smile for some days, but that question cracked me up seriously and had me grinning like a boy eating cotton candy.

‘What’? Mfon was flabbergasted.

‘Don’t mind me, I’m kidding’ Zee burst out laughing as she saw me.

‘Goodmorning Zainab, how are you’? I trotted into the livingroom.

‘Fine. So, the boss had asked I and Dee to take up the advertising job with Olive Groves Corporation, Dee is in bad shape, she’s ill with chicken pox, so you’ll have to cover for her’ Zee explained.

I rolled my eyes. I and Zee working together? That would be disaster, we didn’t match, Dee was the right person for this job. I’d already lost interest in it, since my heart got broken.

‘What? Don’t you want to work with me? Why the face’? Zee noticed my reluctance.

‘Uhmmm, it’s not that, I am also in a bad shape, I need to stay away from work till I’m okay’ I replied.

‘Oh? So fast’? she eyed me in a way that made me uncomfortable, like she knew what I was going through.

‘What’? I asked.

‘Well, Dee and I betted on it, that guy was never good for you, I’m sorry he broke your heart. I guess it’s time you drop your good girl act and come be with us’ she rose to her feet.

‘Wait, how did she know’? Mfon was surprised as I was.

‘Deji was a flirt, we all knew that, you were too blind to see’ Zee patted me on the back and made for the door.

‘Wait, so, how did you know about his flirtatious lifestyle’? I asked curiously.

‘I’ve given him B.J before, B.J means Mouth Gig at some nightclub’ Zee winked.

‘Wow’ I was really a big fool.

‘Oh honey, you never should’ve taken that guy serious, but it’s too late now, he’s getting married to some rich bitch, I like you a lot Riri and if you’re up for it, we could deal with him’ she blew me a kiss and rushed out of the house.

‘Geez, did you just hear that? So they knew all along, they knew Deji was playing me and they couldn’t even cough about it’ Zee irritated me from that moment.

‘Really? I told you about the kind of guy he was from day one, what difference does that make? Even if those girls had walked up to you, you still would’ve ignored their advice, I’m just happy you’re stronger than yesterday. You’ll be fine’ Mfon said.

‘Yes, I will be totally fine’ Deji was going to pay.

‘Don’t do anything stupid’ she pointed a finger at me and moved out.
***
‘Always the late one’ Jake spoke under his breath as Deji hurried into the conference room.

‘I was making love to my wife, we reconciled over the weekend, now I feel like a brand new man’ Deji whispered to his cousin.

‘Next time, spare me the details’ Jake replied as Jealousy pricked him. how could Jenny take him back? Even after catching him red handed?

‘Whatever, so what’s going on here’? Deji asked.

‘What about the other girl? Do you still plan on seeing her’? Jake asked, he wouldn’t give up on Jenny.

‘No way, I blocked her out of my life, Jenny has given my another chance, I wouldn’t mess it up. Now let’s focus’ Deji answered.

‘Good’ Jake replied tightly and turned his face towards the door, Henry Oluwatosin had arrived.

‘I don’t like that guy, there’s something off about him’ Deji grimaced as Henry walked into the room.

‘Like I said, this is business, you don’t have to like him’ Jake replied defiantly.

‘Goodmorning Chief Williams, your call was a bit urgent and I had been busy, sorry for the delay’ Henry smiled and took a seat.

‘It’s okay son, did you get my message’? Chief Williams asked?

‘Yes, I am happy you have reconsidered, we have a lot we could offer each other’ Henry replied and fetched some documents from his briefcase.

‘What are they talking about’? Deji’s heart pounded against his chest? Had his father considered Merging their company with Olive Groves?

‘Oh, you didn’t hear. We lost twenty million naira worth of goods today, the ship that conveyed them, cap sided and everything got lost. You know the current situation of things, and how much debt we are deep in. We have no choice, this merger, is our salvation, only for a period of ten years’ Jake replied.

‘Ten years? Have you asked yourself why they’re insisting on a merger’? Deji scoffed, how could his dad be so blind?

‘Deji’ his father called.

‘Father’ Deji answered and rose to his feet, they were being played, and he needed to unmask the real reason the Tosin’s needed this merger.

‘Henry, this is my son and I would love him to work hand in hand with you, I want you to teach him how to be successful, just as yourself’ the old man smiled as he introduced the young men.

‘You give me too much credit, Chief Williams. Everything I have learnt, all that I am, is by the grace of God alone’ Henry smiled and eyed the arrogant man that had been introduced to him, he decided on the spot, they wouldn’t be friends.

‘So how can I be of help father’? Deji felt devalued, what did his father mean by ‘Teach him how to be successful’? wasn’t he a success?

‘Oh, we’ll talk about your job later, but first things first, let’s go through these papers together’ Henry smiled mischievously and passed the papers around.

‘This is unacceptable’ Deji flared and threw the document on the floor.
‘Deji! Behave yourself, don’t bring your untamed tendencies here? if you had kept your head on the ground, instead of frolicking around with numerous girls, maybe we would’ve had a solution before now’ his father reacted.

‘Frolicking with women eh’? Henry mused.

‘Shut it Deji’ Jake hushed him, knowing he was about saying something stupid to their only helper.
‘Okay, I’m fine, but I’m not cool with us changing our company name to Olive Groves Food, when it’s just a merger, it’s not like they’re buying the company. We should still retain our name’ Deji retorted.

‘Does it really matter son? What matters is our ability to pay off our debtors and rise to our feet after ten years and be stronger like never before’ Chief Williams said.

‘Your father is right, Deji, it’s just ten years’ Henry replied, hoping their plans worked out fine.

‘You have to sign these papers, so we move forward’ Jake observed his cousin wasn’t happy about the arrangements.

‘I’ll sign it then’ Deji shrugged, no one trusted him enough to listen to him, maybe they were right, maybe the Tosin’s were the best thing that could ever happen to Sazad foods Limited.

‘I’ll move here for some time, so I supervise everything’ Henry spoke later. He wasn’t suggesting, he had already gotten for himself the power he needed.

‘Do you really need to pick that now’? Jake asked his cousin.

‘It’s Jenny, I guess, she has arrived’ Deji lifted the phone to his ears, he couldn’t wait to hear her voice.

‘Hello baby’
‘Sorry, I’m I speaking with Mr Deji Williams’? a strange voice questioned.
‘Yes and who are you’? Deji wondered.
‘I’m very sorry sir, I’m a reporter for the African News Network(ANN), there’s been a plane crash and we found this phone on your fiancee’ the woman replied.

‘What? What are you talking about’? Deji lost control of himself but the line went dead.

‘Deji’? his father scowled, his son rarely acted like a responsible man.

‘Father, something bad has happened, I have to go now’ he rushed out without looking back.

‘Typical, Henry, say me well to your father, sorry for my son’s behavior’ the old man apologized.

‘I shall do as you say, I have to leave now, I’ve got other pressing matters to attend to’ Henry cleared the table and strolled out.

HenryQuest:
Cool. Any poem from JP Clark is usually on point. I just read Soyinka's " Telephone Converaation". It's cool. Do you write poems?

yes I do

My best poems are STREAM SIDE EXCHANGE" by J.P. Clark
"TELEPHONE CONVERSATION" BY Wole Soyinka
"I will Pronounce your name"
"The quartets by T,s Elliot"

Chummypinky:
thank u ma for this update really appreciate av been waiting.......hope helen won't kill this poor girl

thanks dr

bossy512:
Well done

thanks

Milliano007:
Kheeng pls open the fridge and bring me the bottle of Hennessy, we did not finish last time.... lemme sip it while waiting for d next episode.... more grace mami.....pls kip on posting...NEPA go always they give una light ooooo..lol

lols amen o

Idaraobong5:
Nice one Eyeneka

sosongo

BlissfulJeff:
nice one swithrt

thanks dear

bossy512:
Nice update, welldone sister

thanks dear

***
‘To victory’ the old man raised his glass up, while waiting for his son to join him in merriment, the olive Groves empire was expanding, in time, they would rule the world.

‘Victory eh’? Henry tossed the documents he worked on aside and poured himself some wine. Like his father, he’d learnt the ropes of the Olive Groves Empire, they had worked hard for everything and it had paid off, sooner or later, the Williams would surrender their company over and that would be a plus to the Tosins, as they had their own plan.

‘What did the old man say’? Chief Tosin referred to Chief Williams, the head of Sazad foods, the company that had come running for their help

‘As expected father, he felt insulted, you’d ask him to merge with us’ Henry sipped from his glass.

‘Good, good, he’ll come around, I sent spies to check out their situation, it’s even worse than I imagined, as it remains, we’ll be their only salvage, so get prepared son, we’re taking over’ the man replied.

‘Yes father, one more thing, I gave a contract to a public relations firm, so they help us with our advertising, we need new hands on the team’ Henry added.

‘Good. Just take care of everything’ his father replied.

‘Alright father’ Henry dropped his glass and sauntered out of the study, he had a lot of work to do, first, he had to weaken the finances of the Williams, that way, they’d come for the merger faster. A Tosin, always had what he wanted.
***
She stood there facing the man she was to marry in a month’s time, Jake was right, Deji had been seeing someone else, she’d always had her suspicions but she had pushed them aside once he proposed to her.

‘Please say something, I’m really sorry baby, please talk to me’ Deji was still on his knees, begging, crying for her attention. Jennifer hadn’t said a word to him since the departure of Redeemed. She was too shocked and confused to utter a word.
‘I trusted you Deji, you don’t know what you’ve done to me’ her lips quavered as she sank into the cushion.

‘I’m sorry baby, this would never happen again, I promise, I swear to you, just give me another chance, you could trust me again’ he crept towards her.

‘Trust you again? You think it’s that easy to build trust?’ she scoffed. Trust was something so fragile, like a glass, once broken, very difficult to mend, but you if mended, they’d still be a crack in the glass.

‘I know it’s hard, I know it’s going to take some time, but I promise to work on it’ he begged.

‘I was such a fool, now I see why you never wanted me to make our engagement so public, you deleted the pictures off of facebook, how many girlfriends do you have Deji? How many’? tears welled up in her eyes.

‘Jenny…’ he felt bad she cried because of him.

‘Answer me, you bloody bastard, how many women have you been screwing around behind my back’? her voice was strained.

‘None Jenny, please forgive me’ he replied.

‘You know what? I think we should call that wedding off, what’s the point? I’d always be suspicious, let’s call it off’ she rose swiftly and walked towards the door but he ran and held her in his arms.

‘No, I want to marry you Jenny, only you, please don’t leave me alone, I love you baby, only you. I’d do anything you want, I’d put the pictures right back on facebook, I’d throw a party to celebrate our engagement, please don’t leave me’ he begged.

‘I don’t know what to say Deji, you really hurt me’ she blinked the tear drops on her lashes away. He looked sincere, her heart yearned for this man and she was going to stay, he was sorry, she could see it in his eyes.

‘I love you so much’ he wetted her forehead with his kiss. She managed a smile and relaxed against his shoulders.

He sighed and forced his eyes shut, he’d almost lost Jenny, Jake had warned him about something like that, but he’d been blinded by lost for Redeemed. He felt awful for the way he’d treated her, but he couldn’t have done any better, Jenny was his queen, she’d been nothing but his bed warmer.

‘Make love to me’ Jenny whispered.
‘I’d do anything for you’ he wiped her forehead with his palms.
***
I walked into the house gingerly, I’d seen her clothes outside, so I was sure she was home, I didn’t want her to see me this way.
She’d say: ‘I told you, I warned you, Deji was a bad guy’. I had never been so humiliated in life, and what made it worse, was the way he denied me, like I was nothing more than a fling or a bad habit he’d planned to drop all along.

‘Riri’? somehow I had stopped, I just stared into the ceiling, trying to blank my mind, trying to erase the memory of what happened in Deji’s house.I shivered as I recognized my friend’s voice, she’d caught me. I inhaled deeply and tried wearing this neutral look, like that of the mona lisa, neither happy nor sad.
‘Hello Mfon, how are you’? I forced a smile and faced her. From the look on her face, she felt pleased I spoke to her after my angry outburst earlier.

‘Where have you been Riri’? Mfon warmed up to me.

‘Work, been really busy’ I said flatly, trying not to show emotion but I was dying inside, I couldn’t wait to rush into my room and cry my eyes out.

‘Okay. Let me make this quick. I realized I’ve been wrong about your Deji, maybe cause I’ve had very bad experiences with good looking guys like him, I felt he could be the same way. all what I did was because I cared about you, but one look at you, makes me believe he is the opposite of what I thought. I am truly sorry for interfering in your relationship that way, I promise to stay off it, I don’t want anything to come between us’ she said.

‘Oh’ a tiny sob escaped but forced it in. How could I look her in the eye and tell her the truth?

‘Oh’? Mfon raised a brow.

‘Thank you, I have to go now, still very busy’ I spoke in a rush. I couldn’t control it anymore, I had to leave before my pain became obvious.

‘Does that mean you’ll start talking to me’? she called to me as I turned my back on her.

‘Yes’ I whispered, tears were already streaming down my face. The pain I felt couldn’t be numbed by any kind of drug, Deji had torn me apart, from that moment on, I vowed never to give my heart to any man.

‘Redeemed? Are you okay’? Mfon noticed the way she carried herself. This wasn’t Riri, she was this lively girl and here she was looking like she carrying the weight of the world on her frail shoulders.

I couldn’t answer. Pain choked me, clogged my throat, my tongue was sour too.

‘Riri? Oh my god, you’re crying, what happened? Did something bad happen at work’? she rushed to my comfort.

‘I’ll be fine’ I gently pushed my door open and slid into the room.

‘What have I done’? I cried silently and fetched my phone. I played so easily into the hands of a player, how could I’ve been so stupid? So naïve?

‘Bleep love’ I cursed for the first time. Deji had hurt my pride and I had to pay him back, I needed to make him feel bad for what he did to me. I wanted him dead, I hated him so much.

I quickly logged into facebook, my fingers itched to type something, just to distract myself from the pain I felt. My heart stopped when I saw her face, the woman that had walked in on I and Deji, she was smiling and he stood next to her, holding her like some treasure he’d found in the desert.
‘Save the date’ those were the words inscribed on the pictures, Mfon had been right. My hands shook like that of an epileptic, darkness clouded my world, I suddenly became very afraid, I felt weak as I realized, I had been used and dumped.

‘open up Riri’ Mfon tapped lightly on my door. The sound of her knocking brought me back to reality, my eyes strayed to the clock and I realized, I had slept off. It was 8 P.M. I had the urge to call him, I wanted to see him once more, I wanted his arms around me. I needed my Deji back, how could I live without him?
‘Redeemed? You’re scaring me, just open up, talk to me, I’m here for you’ Mfon was persistent.

‘I’m coming’ I pushed Deji out of my thoughts. Calling him would be foolish, he’d bluntly denied me, he was due for marriage the next month, I needed to stay strong, I needed to get over him.

‘Here I am’ I pulled the door open and Mfon rushed in.

‘What’s wrong Riri? Please talk to me, don’t push me out’ she was really concerned.

‘I’m fine’ I still couldn’t tell her about it. I bet she was going to laugh her head off, who wouldn’t? I had been stubborn and foolish.

‘No you’re not, why are you blocking me out? It’s not fair’ she felt hurt.

I paused for a while. The memory of my first sex came again, Deji was riding me and I moaned shamelessly beneath him, how foolish I’d been. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I found myself trembling.

‘Oh my god, I know this look’ Mfon observed me quietly.

‘It’s okay, laugh at me, do whatever, tell me you were right and I was wrong. Just do it.’ I waited for her reaction.

‘I could never mock you like that, I’m so sorry’ she walked towards me and enclosed me in her arms. I felt loved and special and I knew I’d get over the bastard with my friend around, if only I had listened.

‘You’ll be fine, trust me’ she whispered and I nodded.

****
"Do you like the food? If you'd informed me of your home coming I'd have prepared something for you dear" Helen poured some juice into his glass.

"Thanks mu'm okay with this" Mark smiled sheepishly at his mother.
"Where is dad? And Rose? It's almost evening and none of them is yet home" Mark checked his watch.

" Your father went for a programme, I know that for sure, but your sister? I don't know where she is" Helen sighed and settled into the chair. By now, Nelson had found a way out of that cursed room, she trusted him, but she wouldn't drag him into the secret she shared with her husband and her daughter.

Pastor Ita, her husband was a good man, she believed this strongly, he was too good for her. He was prayerful, loving, caring and he took his responsibility as a father seriously, that showed how nice of a man she was. That was why she felt guilty for dragging him into the mess her daughter had created.

It happened one hot sunny afternoon, Rose had rushed into her room looking frightened, she follows her daughter to Gracy's room and realized the maid had written a note and was ready to run when Rose had found her and they had fought, Gracy's head had collided against the wall and she died instantly.

As a mother, she knew she had to protect her daughter, and as a wife, she had to protect her husband's reputation as a pastor, so it was her whole idea they discard the body, they had cut the corpse into bits and buried it in the garden.

"They will be back soon" she forced the memories out of her mind. She didn't feel guilty, she only did what was necessary for her family to survive.

"So why didn't you go along with him"? Mark asked.

" I had other things to attend to" she replied curtly.

"Okay, I guess you have to do all the chores now, since Grace vanished" Mark gulped some water.
The mysterious disappearance of Grace had hurt him greatly as he had fallen in love with her, he was deeply hurt when he realized she had left without saying goodbye.

"Yes, but your father, told me he would get us a new maid" Helen replied, she tried to change the topic of discussion, hearing the mention of "Grace" made her feel uncomfortable.

"I hope she would be as nice as Grace" Mark said.
Though Grace had been a maid, she was very smart and intelligent and he had vowed to help her with her education before she disappeared. He still hoped he would see her once again.

They had fallen into silence for a few minutes, each to their own thought when the door bell rang and Helen rose to her feet to answer it, she knew her daughter must have been the one, they still had a lot to discuss.
Rose had not told her what had led to her fight with Grace that afternoon, she needed to speak with her daughter in private and she needed to warn her to keep their secret, else it could destroy their family.

"Good afternoon Madam" my lips quavered nervously as I looked into the eyes of a woman whom I knew instantly would be my Madam.

"Grace?" Helen held her breath as she stood face to face with the maid her daughter had killed.

"Grace"? I was confused, I could see the fear and shock in the woman's eyes but I couldn't comprehend it, I couldn't understand why she looked so scared.

I had arrived Calabar with Joy, but she had left me after receiving a call from one of her numerous boyfriends who resided in that part of town. So she had left me with the address and some money for my fare down to her uncle's house.

I was so confident that everything would be fine, that I would get this job and work for some money, but one look at the woman before me, I really doubted that.

harunablezin:
diz will be more dan interesting

I guess so too

khennydexy:
Nyc post by upload fast

thanks dr

not abandoned, m back. I'll update twice a week, long updates. Was in Nysc camp, just settled at my Ppa

*
‘Drunk in love’ I hummed queen Bey’s song as I boarded a cab to Deji’s place, he sounded so sweet on the phone, he caused all my worries to vanish and this increased my faith in him. I knew he was the man for me, Mfon was just being paranoid and jealous, I made up my mind about her, she was nothing but a frienemy. Just because she couldn’t find happiness didn’t mean we shared the same fate, I was Redeemed Akpan, and my case had to be different.

‘Keep the change’ I whispered to the cab driver who smiled like the words I spoke to him were made of chocolate. I was just in a very good mood, I needed to see my lover once more.

I rapped his front door twice, while waiting for his response, by phone buzzed. I grimaced slightly, I didn’t want any intrusion, no interruptions, I decided to check the caller, I planned to switch off the phone later.

‘Shit’ I swore, my boss was calling, what if he wanted me back at the office? I didn’t take permission before leaving. I dived the phone back into my bag, I had to ignore the call, I didn’t want him getting into my special moment with Deji.

‘Sweetheart, you look stunning’ he pulled open the door and winked. His smile dazed me and I felt lost, I was overthrown by the mere sight of him, this was nothing but love and I silently prayed it lasted forever.

‘Thanks Deji’ I whispered shyly as the images of our lovemaking resurfaced in my head.

‘Is something wrong? You don’t look relaxed’ Deji scanned his eyes over her. She looked more beautiful, her innocent look was gone, thanks to him for introducing her into the world of sin.

‘I…I am fine’ I replied shyly. I don’t know what he was doing to me, but I couldn’t face him, I couldn’t look him in the eye.

‘Riri’? Deji smiled, he understood why she acted that way.

‘How was your day’? I cut in, I had to divert his attention from my face.

‘Are you shy about last night’? he ignored my question and winked. A smile played on his luscious lips, those lips that had brought me immense pleasure the night before.

‘Excuse me, I’ll have to pick this’ my phone had buzzed again. Perfect timing, I mused, I needed to move away from him and get some fresh air before he choked me with his sexiness.

‘Funny girl’ Deji poured himself some wine as he stared at her backside, she backed him while receiving the call.
He couldn’t wait to get his hands on her beautiful body, just this last time, just this once, and it would be over, he would stay focused on his Jenny.

‘Good day sir’ I inhaled deeply, while trying to cook up some lie I could give as an excuse for leaving the office that way.

‘Redeemed, I need to see you right now, something came up and I think you’ll be the right person to handle it’ he said.

‘Uhmmm sir, what could that be’? I asked and bit my lip gingerly.

‘Remember the P.R job I told you about’? he asked.

‘Yes’ I nodded, he’d told me about some job that would take us to a high mountain, I remembered clearly.

‘Good. Zee and Dee got me upset minutes ago, so, I decided to put you on the job, no other person could represent us like you. So I need you right now, I have brief you on the job. The Olive Groves Corporation is a huge business empire and you cannot afford to misrepresent us’ he explained.

‘Olive Groves’? my mouth fell agape. It was the biggest company in Africa,owned by the Tosin family, what would a girl like me offer?

‘Yes, that’s why you need briefing’ he added swiftly, almost impatiently.

‘Okay sir, I’ll be there in a few minutes, I left to get something at the mall, I’ll be right back’ I was a bit excited and terrified as I dropped the call.
‘Olive Groves’ I whispered and found Deji staring icily at me, like I had done something very bad. I had never seen him this way.

‘Is something wrong’? I asked as I moved closer to him.

‘What business do you have with Olive Groves’? Deji had listened to her call, there’s no other name he dreaded like that of the arrogant man that had asked for a merger earlier.

‘Well, my boss, said I’ll be working there, on behalf of our company, so we should celebrate’ I moved to pour myself some wine, at least to calm my nerves. Was this real?
‘So, are you going to take that job’? Deji pressed my hand from reaching the glass.

‘Yes of course, who would refuse a job like that? Olive Groves is the largest in Nigeria and Africa, soon, it would conquer the Americas, only a fool would turn down the job’ I replied, not understanding the sudden change in him.

‘No, I don’t want you working there, there are better places, I could even get you a job in my company, just stay away from Olive Groves, please darling, do this for me’ Deji begged. He hated the Tosin’s for trying to humiliate his company.

‘Deji….’ I swallowed. How could he ask me to do something like that? I could see he really wanted me away from Olive Groves, for whatever reason, I wanted to please him, to do his bidding, to show myself worthy of his love.

‘Yes, if you love me, you’d listen to me. I know your boss has sent you there, to help with their advertising, I know you’re really good with that, maybe you should do that for my company, Sazad foods, please baby, if you really love me, you’d turn your boss down’ he rubbed my arm, his eyes were pleading and once again I was lost in them.

Coincidentally, my boss called, I inhaled deeply and placed the phone against my ears.

‘Where are you? Let me drive down and pick you up, there’s no time, we have a lot of work to do’ he said.

‘Uhmmm, I’m sorry sir, but I think Zee or Dee would excel at this job, advertisement isn’t my thing, I do writings, I think you should reconsider one of them, please.’ I begged.

‘Are you okay? Do you realize what you’re throwing away? If you work at Olive Groves, you could even be retained after the contract expires if you prove yourself worthy. I think you’re drunk on something, this isn’t Redeemed’ my boss was annoyed with me.

‘I’m sorry sir’ I almost added, that I was drunk in love. Nothing else mattered then, except Deji, I wanted him so badly, I was prepared to do anything for him.

‘It’s okay, I’ll take Zee up, she’s smarter than her evil twin’ he sighed and brought the call to an end.

‘That was easy, thanks baby’ Deji kissed my forehead, which was now covered with perspiration. I felt scared, but I chose to be strong. If Mfon ever got to know, that I rejected a job offer because of a man, she wouldn’t talk to me for a long while.

‘Yes’ I replied weakly and faced him. his bright eyes had grown dark, I knew what this meant, desire had encapsulated him in her lair and he would trap me in it soon. I couldn’t wait to die in his arms.

‘Come here teddy’ he pulled me towards him and caressed my face. I didn’t resist, I let his fingers roam my face, then to my neck and my breasts.

‘You’re so beautiful, I want to love you again’ he whispered and brought his mouth close to my ear lobe, I felt hot, I felt my blood rush. He brushed my hair neatly away from my ears, then slid his tongue into my ear drum, it felt like heaven.
He licked my ears and chewed my lobes lightly for some minutes, I never knew, something so easy could drive one so crazy.

‘You’re killing me’ I moaned softly.

‘I haven’t started’ Deji smiled wickedly and lifted me to the table where he first loved me.

‘Why can’t we go to your room’? I asked, I was slightly uncomfortable being on the table, I wanted to be in his bed.

‘No, here’s more fun, you’ll like it here’ he ripped my clothes off my body and did same to his.

‘I love you, you know that’? he asked.

‘I love you too’ I relaxed and offered him a smile. He pulled me into him and gave me a long and slow kiss. It was beautiful, it was real and meant the world to me, no man had ever kissed me this way.
His left hand glided down my belly and spread my soft legs apart, I couldn’t wait to be touched by him, I couldn’t wait to be underneath him. Moaning, groaning and swimming in pleasure.

‘Give yourself to me’ he rubbed his hands against my wetness and I groaned.

‘Deji….’ I whispered and moved my hips as he touched me.

He suddenly stopped, I begged him to continue but he refused. He smiled wickedly and parted my legs wider, my breath was ragged, I was burning for him, without words, he buried himself into me and drove me.
He rocked me slowly at first, but as I began to call his name, he increased his pace. We were so engrossed in our love making, that we failed to notice her.

‘Deji’ I groaned as I found my release. That was when I saw her face, a strange woman.
‘Let’s go another round’ he smacked my back eagerly, he hadn’t seen her because he backed her.

‘Deji…’ I called again, trying to gain his attention.

‘What’s that’? he saw the look on my face and quickly turned back.

The lady stared at me as if I were her arch enemy, I was equally confused, I needed an explanation.
‘Bleep’ Deji rose to his feet and got into his clothes as swiftly as lightning.

‘Jenny, it’s not what you think, Jenny’ he searched for words but his mouth felt dry.
I was still confused, I equally hurried into my clothes, but who was she? I was still lost.

‘Jenny, I’m sorry, please forgive me, this wasn’t supposed to happen’ Deji fell on his knees. Tears streamed down her face, Jake hadn’t been lying afterall.

‘Deji? What’s going on here’? I asked weakly as I ran my eyes over the other woman. He ignored me totally; he didn’t even spare me a glance.

‘So this cheap tramp was what you chose over me? How could you hurt me like this Deji? What does she have? What does she give you that I can’t’? Jenny was deeply hurt.

‘I am sorry Jenny, she’s the one that came to me and I couldn’t resist, please, forgive me, I swear, this would never happen’ Deji cried.

I wiped my ears carefully, maybe I hadn’t heard well, what was he insinuating? Suddenly, the scale fell from my eyes and I realized then that I had been fooled but it was too late.

‘Deji, I need an explanation’ I tried sounding confident. I had lost already, I needed to save my face before running out of his apartment.

‘Would you shut your mouth? You bitch? You think coming to my man like this would make him leave me for you’? Jenny hissed angrily.

‘Just shut up Riri and leave, this is all your fault, you shouldn’t have come here’ Deji wiped his face and rose to his feet.

‘What? But you asked me over? what has come over you Deji’? I shook my head in disagreement.

‘How dare you?’ I felt his hands on my cheeks. Blood tweaked my cheeks and tears stung my eyes as I realized Deji had just slapped me.

‘Deji…’ a tear slipped from my eyes.

‘Get out. Just leave’ he ordered and avoided my eyes.

‘You heard him, man thief’ Jenny moved closer to me.

‘Alright then, if that’s what you want’ I moved out of the house defeated. I’ve never felt so humiliated in my life. What had I done to deserve such? I needed to run home as quickly as possible. I couldn’t return to the office this way, I felt my heart disintegrate into a thousand pieces, right before my eyes.

‘Where are you going’? the cab driver asked.

‘Anywhere’ I replied and rushed in. he had lied to me, everything was a lie. What hurt me most, was the fact that I’d given myself wholly to him, without fear, I trusted him, I offered him my virginity.

‘I’ve been such a fool’ I cried at the back of the car. Once again Mfon was right, how on earth was I ever going to face her?

‘Are you okay ma’m’? the young man that drove the cab asked?

‘Yes I’m fine’ I wiped my face.

‘Alright’ he replied and slid a disc into his C.D player, I felt like smashing his head into the wall as Adele’s ‘someone like you’ played in the car.
‘This is a dream’ I muttered silently as we neared my house.

"A maid"? She repeated and gazed deeply into my eyes, I knew she wouldn't agree, but she had no choice, I had to do something to help our family.

" Yes mother, please don't say no! , this is the only opportunity I have, Joy has assured me that this Pastor is genuine and his wife is a nice person too, so I'll be fine" I replied.

I was sure of this, Joy had so much faith in her Uncle and his family and I shared in her conviction that I would be fine.

"How can you think of being a maid? You don't know these people, I would not Let you out of my sight, Ajunwa, do you hear me"? She rose to her feet.

" Mother, I am not asking for your permission, you are being difficult here, why do you want to stand on the way of something that would help us out eventually?" I was slightly bitter about her refusal.

"How can you say something like that, I want what's best for you, but being a maid is out of it" her eyes brimmed with tears and this made me more uncomfortable.

"Mother, I need money for us and for father's burial and If possible, I would save up for school, so just let me be, I'm leaving with or without your consent" I rose angrily to my feet and stormed out.

I heard my Nokia phone ring and I rushed to pick it, I knew it would be Joy, I was already prepared for the journey.

"Hello Joy, how are you doing"? I was nervous but I played cool, I prayed this worked out well.

" Aju, I am fine, there's a little problem..." Joy paused and I panicked inwardly, didn't her Uncle want me anymore?

"What is it"? I asked.

" My Uncle couldn't make it to the village, you know he is a pastor, he is hosting a program on his church, but he asked me to take you there, if you are ready, we could live for town now" Joy answered and I felt relieved.

"Wow, that's good, I'm already packed, give me few minutes, I'll be there" I answered and threw the phone carelessly on the bed.

I quickly changed my clothes and slid on my best looking ones, I inhaled deeply and carried my bag outside, I had to do this.

"Are you really going child"? My mother cried.

" Yes Mother" I walked away from her as fast as my legs could carry me, I didn't want her tears to dissuade me, I was doing this for all of us.

In my hurry, I failed to hear the words she whispered to herself or the doubts that were buried in her eyes.
***

"Oh my God, is that a human hand"? Nelson leapt from his lover, a strange stench filled the room and they both rushed towards it.

" I don't know, let's get out of here" Helen whispered fearfully.

"No, I think we should search the room, what if there's a body here"? Nelson scanned the room, something weird was happening.

" That's not a good idea, I think we should leave, I'll get someone to clean up the room, let's go" Helen slipped on her clothes and urged him on.

What was a human hand doing in the old maid's room?
They had a maid, Grace by name, but she packed up her bags and left the house mysteriously, though she dropped a written note, explaining her reasons for running off like that.

"Are you sure that's safe? What if I clean this up myself? You know your husband's place in the society, if other servants should see this, something may come out of it, so let me find a place in the garden and bury it" Nelson rubbed her face gently.

"You're always so considerate, I never thought about that, I love you" Helen kissed him.

"This stays between us, it's our own secret" she quickly added.

"Really? Won't you tell your husband about it"? Nelson was confused,

" No, it's just a hand, God knows where that came from, I'm not really interested, just get on with the cleaning" Helen waved him off.

"Okay" Nelson replied quietly, she was not being honest with him.

She was about to speak when they heard a loud knock on the door, they both exchanged glances.

Who was it?
Helen froze, she was quite sure they were home alone, her husband was out and her kids were seldom home.

"Mum, it's me, Mark" he rapped the door a second time.

"Okay Mark, I'm coming" Helen sighed with relief.

"Hide" she whispered to Nelson who understood and fetched the human hand and his behind the huge cupboard.

"What are you doing here mum? I heard you talking to someone? I arrived few minutes ago, been looking for you, the gateman told me you were home' Mark smiled and hugged his mother.

" Welcome darling, I was just checking round the house, some rooms need renovation" Helen smiled. She felt more relaxed knowing her husband was still far away, she would make love to Nelson later.

"Let me see it" he tried to enter but Helen blocked him.

"Let's have lunch first" she smiled and embraced him, she couldn't let Mark into the room, it was too risky.

Mark was the only one in the family who was unaware of Grace's death.

****

"Come to me baby, I really missed you, Helen is always at home and I find it hard to come to your room" the man closed the hotel room gently and walked over to his lover on the bed.

Rose wore a bikini and folded her legs across, she ignored him at first, how could he abandon her like that for her old mum?

"Darling? Talk to me" he knelt beside her.

"What if I tell you mum has a lover? Would that make you leave her side?" Rose asked,

It all started when she was a child, her father, had given her light pecks, from light pecks to kisses before he started touching her private areas and later making love to her. She was scared at first, scared and confused, but she later begun to enjoy it.

"No, Helen is faithful, just forgive me, I'll create more time for you" he kissed her lips and lifted her up.

"I want you to make love to me" Rose sighed and slid off her panties.

They had been this way for many years, they loved in secret.

Hello guys, get ready, story continues tomorrow.
Tommorow is my bday
I apologize deeply for the long wait.

SÁKÁDINIA(House of Secrets )
There is a house on Maryland Street, Cross River State.
It has a blue roof and its body is painted milky white.
This house is built on Secrets.

*****
My father had just died three months earlier, his body was not yet laid to rest, this was because we had no money.

"Poverty is a sin, how can he still roam this earth when he'd departed long ago"? Mama cried and wiped her eyes with the edges of her old wrapper.

" Mama, you need to pull yourself together, there would be a way out, just believe in God" I tried to console her. I hated the way we were, the way we lived, like rats caved in a hole, we were as poor as that but that never wavered my dreams, I had made up !y mind to conquer poverty, and thati could only achieve through education.

"I doubt if there is a way out of this one Ajunwa, there is no way, no one is here to help us, all your uncles have abandoned their brother's body to rot, I doubt if there is a way out of this one" she sobbed louder.

I cried along with her, she was right, there was no way out. I had finished secondary school five years back, yet there was no money for me to further my education. I had hoped to find myself a job, but it was difficult finding one talk more of keeping it for a long while.

"Mama, I will find a way out of this" I inhaled deeply. I knew my mother would object to the idea, but that was all I could do to help her and my five little younger ones. My best friend, Joy, had spoken to me about it. Unlike myself, Joy was already in her final year at the University of Calabar, under the sponsorship of her wealthy Uncle whom I was to work for.

"What way ehn? What way Ajunwa? I would never allow you go into prostitution to save this family" she sat upright and stared deeply at me.

"No mother, it isn't prostitution" I replied calmly.

"Then what"? She arched her brow.

" I want to be a maid" I replied quietly, that was the only thing I could think of.

***
"He is gone, they are all gone" Nelson rushed into his Madam's bedroom, his boss' wife was a very beautiful woman and he found himself to be very lucky to have her as his girlfriend.

He was a graduate of Mass Communication, he had searched for a job for more than two years, he got tired of searching and decided to find gimslef something doing, that was how he became Pastor Ita's personal driver.

"Are you sure"? The beautiful Mrs Helen Ita asked her lover.

" Yes, he left with the church driver' Nelson nodded eagerly, he couldn't wait to devour her body.

Helen Ita was in her mid forties but she looked nothing like forty, though she had mature kids, she still looked very young. She was not !much of a tall woman but she had a flawless and radiant milky white skin, well rounded hips and large breasts and a face to die for.

"So what are you going to do to me today"? Helen winked and dragged Nelson's slender body into her arms. She had grown to love him, though he was younger than she was, he made her feel young again, not her fanatic husband who had no time for his family but the church.

" I want to make you squirt, then I'll lick you all over again" he dragged her lips with his teeth, she groaned and yanked his shirt off him, revealing a nest of dark hairs, Nelson was not just a good lover, he was a cute one.

"I love you" Helen whispered to him.

"I love you too" he replied and lifted her to the bed. They didn't usually make love in her matrimonial bed, she had designated a special room for that.
He caressed her neck for some minute, then his mouth fell on her tits while his hands rubbed her honeyed hips.

"Awwwww baby" Helen groaned as he pleasured her.

His hands decided to explore her beautiful body further, they found a place beneath her abdomen, where she was already dripping for him.

"I can't wait to feel you inside me" she writhed as he touched her core with his fingers.
"Me too" he parted her legs and was ready to plunge in, when something fell down from the cupboard and she screamed as they both found a decaying human hand.

Thank you all for rising to my defence. Many lunatics are on the loose. Please bear with me, I'll keep to my promise my angels.

Chumzypinky:
stupid story? Lyk seriously? Have u bin able to pen down a few words in ur entire lyf? Wat kind of a human being are you? Make i naked swear for u?

Dear Chumzypinky, thanks for rising to my defense. But always remember two things
1- Empty vessels make the loudest noise
2- Silence is the best answer to a fool like political thug.
thanks love

cyndylove64:
Mummy pinky. Please take it easy.u can't blame him.u no kids of dis days lack respect and manner.most think dat nland is a place full of teenagers.dy dnt no matured mind are here.so bikonu.don't be angry.ma bi nu.aunty angelssss/buttersss.take ur time.happy camping oooooo.[color=#990000][/color]

Thanks honey