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Nic pulled into his parking space at his place around one fifteen in the morning. He did the impossible...by pulling Anzor away from Sunny and back to his business. He met them for dinner, but he could tell that Anzor had wanted an apology from him for missing their meeting. He definitely didn't know Nic if he thought that might happen. Nic wasn't the apologizing type. He stepped around it and made them feel silly for coming all the way to Nigeria to work with a two-bit hustler like Sunny, instead of a proven, hardcore businessman like himself. Eddie launched a bunch of figures and deals at Anzor, proving that Nic had an impeccable track record. Anzor seemed impressed. Plus, Anzor kept checking out Kim. Nic silently prayed that Anzor would take her off his hands. She was probably more annoying than his wife.
After dinner, Anzor had shaken his hand and the deal was set in motion. Nic had gotten back into his car with Kim. She had tried to run her fingers through his hair, to get a little action going...but she was completely surprised and pissed when Nic dropped her back off at her place and said goodnight. She just stared at him incredulously with her hands folded across her chest. He hadn't spared another glance at her as she got out and slammed the door.
Nic had raced all the way back to his loft, where he was now sitting in his car. He knew she was up there with a million questions, but he wasn't ready to answer them. Truth was, she made him crazy and he couldn't think half of the time when he was around her. He didn't want this 'thing' that they had to end, but he wasn't sure what to do with her. He agreed with Eddie, in the sense that she was definitely bad for business. He had never had to balance his personal life with his business life before. They were always intertwined. Bisi was more a second thought, on most occasions. For that, he had to blame himself. He never gave their marriage a shot. Because he hadn't wanted to marry her. But she seemed to fit with his lifestyle, and most nights she didn't care if he didn't pay her attention.
But with Eno in his life this way...he was slipping. When dealing with a situation like Mark Hinson...that needed to have been done quickly and efficiently, but his men were stuck waiting on him because he was sitting in a movie theater with his phone. He knew it wasn't Eno's fault, but he still wanted to blame her. Her words at Jimmy's house had done something to him. They had changed him. And he didn't know if he liked this new change. He prided himself on being the guy you didn't want to mess with, and now...he felt he was becoming, well...a pussy. And THAT was unacceptable. He exhaled and exited the car.
Eno opened her eyes when she heard the front door close. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was one thirty-six in the morning. She immediately sat up on the couch and stared toward the door, watching his tall frame lurk there before turning on the light.
Nic found her staring at him as he set his car keys on the counter. "I need you to get dressed. There's an afterparty down the street and I need to make an appearance for a friend."
Eno just stared at him like he was crazy. "That's it? You're not going to explain why you never called and who that girl was?"
"Eno, I don't have to explain my actions to you. And I'm not going to discuss it further. Now get dressed. You have fifteen minutes," Nic said, glancing down at his watch.
She just continued to stare at him, her eyes wide and mouth open. Nic sighed and walked to his bedroom. He removed his shirt and searched for something a little more casual. When he turned around, Eno was waiting by the closet door. She looked so hurt. He glanced back over his clothing and selected another shirt. Anything to avoid staring into her sad face. Damn, this was harder than he thought it would be.
"I don't understand, Nic. What did I do?" she softly asked, while gripping the door frame.
"You didn't do anything. Just leave it alone, and get dressed."
"But..."
"End of discussion, Eno," he snapped. He was not going to lose control of this situation. Hell, there shouldn't even BE a situation. She was an arrangement, and that was that. No questions asked, no complications.
"No, it's not the end of the discussion. I thought..."
Nic turned around angrily. He had to get this through her head. "You thought what? That I would want you as my girlfriend? Some slut who bleeps me in every way just for money?" he barked out at her, his eyes as cold as a winter's day.
All of the air in Eno's lungs vanished. She couldn't speak for a few seconds. His words caused her to wince. Smacking her would have probably caused less pain than those nasty words piercing her heart. How could he...? How could he say something so hateful to her?! This wasn't Nic talking. He was different with her. He wasn't as callous about her feelings as he once was. He had changed. No, this wasn't him talking. He would apologize in a minute. In just a few minutes, he would take back those malicious words. She hoped...
Nic stood there staring down at her. He felt a sharp pain in his chest, but he refused to acknowledge it. He knew his words...had hit the mark. Oh, Bleep...
"Take that back," Eno whispered when she could finally catch her breath. Tears were already glassing over her red puffy eyes. "Take that back right now, Nic," she whispered again.
"You know me, Eno. I always say what I mean."
"You're just saying that because you're hurt or upset for some reason. You don't mean it. Just talk to me and tell me what happened!"
Nic brushed past her as he made his way back into the bedroom. Eno followed him. "Nic, I'm serious, take it back!"
Nic turned to look at her. "What, are we fucking four years old? Now get dressed, I have to be there in five minutes," he said.


*********************
TBC.

Chyksbae:
Hmm continuation please it's been decades already

Wow guys! I'm terribly sorry for the long absence, I promise to update before next Friday.
Once again I'm sorry and thanks for your patience.

No offense bro but your stories are dross. You need to do better.

Captivating story. Well done!

Tridroid:
Episode 5

He dished the hot steaming catfish pepper soup into four different bowls. He placed the bowls on a big stainless steel tray and carried it out of the kitchen, a step at a time. He navigated his way to the dining and placed the tray on the wooden table. He looked sideways. Where were they? He returned to the kitchen and poured hot milky chocolate beverage into four large mugs. He placed the mugs on a plastic tray and carried it to the dining. He arranged each mug beside each bowl and took a seat. Should he go and call them or wait? He raised his head and glanced at the wall clock. It was past eight. He heard footsteps and turned his head. The dark chocolate skin slim elderly man, about five feet seven inches, approached him. He looked better now that he had freshened up. The red tee-shirt and black trousers was a little bit big for him, but, it wasn’t that noticeable. His wife followed. She was darker, shorter, slimmer and the clothes she was putting on made her look like a clown. He averted his eyes and tried not to laugh. Their daughter walked behind them. Her chocolate brown skin was complimented by the brown fitted blouse and white ‘A’ shaped skirt. She was taller than her parents, probably his height.



He lifted his eyes and met her watchful brown gaze. She was pretty. Her straight dark brown hair graced her shoulders. Was it her real hair or a hair-extension? Women and their weave-on were like inseparable twins. He tore his gaze away and leaned against the wooden chair. They all took their place at the dining and started to eat. The hot soup warmed his body and chased the biting cold away.

“My name is Bassey Etim; I am a Christian and a Dentist by profession. Welcome to my home,” he sipped at the hot liquid.

The elderly man cleared his throat twice, “Oluwatomisin Philips is the name. Thank you for…” he coughed and met Bassey’s encouraging gaze, “Em… we are grateful.”

He nodded with understanding, “You are welcome sir.”

“Jesutofunmi is my name.”

He turned to look at the man’s wife.

“We are strangers, yet… you accommodated us. God will bless you,” her eyes smarted with tears. Her husband reached out for her hand and gave it a light squeeze.

“I am Oluwagbemisola.”

He directed his eyes at the young woman.

“I am the only surviving child of my parents. Thank you for helping us.”

“Thank God.”

They ate in silence for a while, each lost in his and her own thoughts.

“I… I was a business man,” Tomisin finished eating and pushed the empty bowl away, “I dealt in the import and sales of exotic cars here in Lagos. I brought my best friend into the business and…”

Bassey snorted at the sound of the word ‘best friend’. It seemed best friends all over the world were dealing with their friends mercilessly.

Tofunmi noticed the young man’s angry expression. It was truly a wicked world if his best friend had also hurt him too.

“He took over my business in less than a year. He stole all my customers, manipulated my investors and rendered me penniless…” Tomisin had a lost look on his face.

Bassey pushed his plate away and picked up his half-empty mug of milky chocolate drink. He was beginning to feel very irritated. Why were people so wicked?

“I couldn’t pay the loans I took at the bank. They claimed my houses, cars, properties, everything was taken from me,” Tomisin’s voice shook.

Misi stopped eating. She could still remember everything that happened to her family like yesterday.

“We… no one… not even family… relatives… friends… no one helped, no one came to our rescue,” tears spilled all over Tomisin’s face.

Bassey’s stomach tightened with pain. He placed the empty mug on the table and swallowed hard.

“I… I lost my children. One after the other, to sickness and hunger…” Tomisin began to weep. His wife started to cry too, “Here we are… no way forward…” he sobbed. His daughter covered her face with her hands and cried.

Bassey pressed his lips together. He breathed out loudly and held back the tears threatening to burst out of his eyes.

“Sir…”

Tomisin looked up at the young man through blurred eyes.

“It is going to be all right. God has not forgotten you,” Bassey’s voice turned hoarse.

Tomisin nodded in agreement. He had not lost his faith in God.

“You can all stay in my house for now. We will put our heads together and think of a way forward.”

“Thank you,” Tomisin whispered. His heart swelled with gratitude.

“Thank you sir,” both women chorused. God had sent them help when they least expected it.

Bassey pushed the chair backwards and got up, “Have a goodnight,” he smiled at them and left the room.

Tomisin held his wife and daughter’s hands. They bowed their heads and said a prayer of thanksgiving.



xxxxxx



Bassey could hardly sleep that night. The Philips family situation lingered on his mind. He called his parents and told them about the Philips. They decided to donate their old clothes. They promised to send it through his younger sister the next day. He called his sister the moment they hung up and asked her to sort her wardrobe and bring everything she wasn’t wearing or using to his place the next day. He also called his brother and asked him to start looking for any vacancy in his place of work. He hoped to get Misi somewhere to work before the end of the week. He would also discuss with his parents about employing Tomisin and Tofunmi. They would be able to start afresh and move on with their lives. He had seen the sign board of a two bedroom flat for rent along the street where his clinic was located. He would check out the place on his way back from work the next day. He had learnt early in life that it was good to be good. One never knew when one would also need help. No man was an island. He felt a bit relieved and at peace with all the plans he had made. He turned on his side and closed his eyes.



xxxxxx



Misi leaned over the sink and washed the dishes. Her parents were fast asleep, but, sleep had evaded her. She couldn’t remember the last time they had a decent meal and bathed with clean water. She had thought she would work in her father’s company as an accountant when she graduated from the university, but her dreams ended when his friend hijacked the firm. The thought of how her siblings died one after the other consumed her. Everyone turned their backs on them, even those who had benefited from her father’s wealth. It was exactly a year since they had been living on the street, jumping from one uncompleted building to the other. She didn’t want to think of what would have happened to them if the doctor had not rescued them from the angry crowd.

God I cannot thank you enough. E se baba.

“E se o o o, baba oluwa, e se, e se, baba oluwa, e se baba, baba wa, baba e se…” she started to sing and dance.

Bassey strode into the kitchen and found her washing the dishes, singing and dancing. He leaned over the refrigerator and watched her with a smile on his face. Her voice sounded nice to his ears. He knew the song she was singing, although he doesn’t know the meaning. He had heard it in church a number of times. She appeared graceful as she moved left, then right, swirling her hips, lost to the world.

Instinctively, Misi sensed that she wasn’t alone. She turned around and found the doctor in the kitchen watching her. She stood still and heard the throbbing of her heart. The loud thuds echoed in her ears.

He walked over to the cabinet beside the sink and opened one of the drawers. He brought out a tin of Milo and a tin of Dano milk. He set it on the table and reached out for one of the mugs she had just washed.

She returned her attention to the sink. She wanted to finish washing the dishes, but, her hands refused to respond to the message her brain had passed.

I have made a fool of myself. What does he think of me now? He found a crazy girl dancing in his kitchen. Misi, Misi, Misi oooo!

She exhaled loudly when he left after making himself a hot mug of chocolate drink. She bit at her lower lip and started to rinse the bowls she had washed. His face flashed through her mind’s eyes.

Watch out for Part 6

see your head like part 6. This is someone else's story. Blatant plagiarism.