''Sure for example when Junior was crying or something, she'll bring him over and stuff. We could sit and chat but that was it. It wasn’t like she slept here or anything''

''Hmm''

''What is hmm, you can ask the kids. She stayed in the guest room the entire time''

''Did she have her bath here? I mean did she ever have her bath in our bathroom?''

''The guest room is self contained in case you have forgotten''

''I just asked a simple question; no need to work yourself up to a fever pitch. You face is all red, I bet if I touched it, it would be burning''

''I'm sorry I sound slow but why would she bathe here? What is the meaning of all this useless accusation? I don’t even know why I'm answering you sef. Why would she come all the way from the guestroom to have her bath here when there is a shower in the guestroom?''

Then Cosmos headed for the bathroom and returned with a silk night gown. Immediately Blossom froze but she quickly recovered and smiled like it was no big deal ''mind telling me what Belinda's night gown is doing in our bathroom?'' Cosmos asked. ''And please don’t lie that it's yours. I have a fairly good idea of your nighties and I don’t recall this being one. And if you are thinking about lying that you got it last week, you better scratch that too unless you want to tell me how you now wear a size 16 or is it 18'' he looked at the collar of the night gown and exclaimed ''ah it says UK size 16 to 18. I don’t mean to pry and feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken. I don’t know I could be wrong, you probably added all that weight in a week and dropped it right before I arrived!''

''What does have to do with what we are discussing?''

''Hmm, just asking''

''Sunday, the day you left''

''Ahh, God bless her. A wicked week of woman wonder abi?''

Then Blossom folded her arms across her chest and frowned ''is that the new stunt you want to pull?'' she asked.

''Nah, its okay. You don’t have to answer me. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t agree without a fight too. Anyway did she sleep in this room on any night?''

''What room?''

''Why, ours of course''

''No''

''Did she come in here or something?''

''Of course she came in but it's not like she stayed for long or anything''

''Would you like to fill me in?''

[size=18pt]38[/size]
About 5 minutes later, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe came out of the bathroom with a smile on his face. Blossom began talking again but the moment he flung his towel aside, she whistled like a garage boy and switched topic ''is it not amazing how good your spouse looks when you see them after a while?''

Cosmos laughed but said nothing in reply then she continued ''look at your lean behind, come here let me tap some of that. I like that thing swinging between your leg''

''I thought you'd be tired after a week of woman pleasure''

''Meaning''

''Oh well, you've been left to your devices and I was thinking you'll be spent by now''

''Here we go again, do you have to ruin things every now and then? Do you have to tell your expensive jokes at my expense? I'm not sure why you do these things. I don’t think you realize how upsetting it is for…''

''When did Belinda come around?''

''Thanks, you may need to wash this one though. I'll drop it in the laundry basket for you''

Blossom hurried and got a clean one from his box. As she handed it over to him, she noticed he was hunched over the laundry basket in their bathroom ''catch!'' she announced. He turned around and caught it then fastened the door with a lock.

It seemed like a simple action but he had not closed the door while he was taking his bath. Why did he feel the need to shut it after he was done? Blossom didn’t know it then, but it was the sign that something ominous was about to happen.

''Hmm, are you sure? That’s a huge step you know''

''Don’t even worry about it. By God's grace we will get double the value of that land within a five year period in the States!’’

‘’Even less than the 5 years. My baby cousin that left which day here is doing so well. All she said is that you must work like jacky’’

''Well hard work never killed any serious minded person besides that land is beginning to give me cause for concern. It has remained fallow for quite a while and world people know how to convert things that are not put to good use. My brother is helping me watch it, but I want to dispose of it as quickly as possible''

''Okay''

''I believe this is the time besides its high time you picked up your career. All I ask is that you intensify your prayer for us. We must get that visa in Jesus name. I'm confident it will be easier now I've gotten this one coupled with the fact you have travelled before. That’s why I struggled so hard to travel this time. I want things to be so easy for us when that time comes. I believe it will end well''

''Amen''

All the while Cosmos talked, he was lathering his body. Afterwards he turned on the shower and the chatting came to a temporal halt. As soon as he was done, he tied Blossom’s pink towel around his waist but soon enough, he removed it in a hurry ''damn, this one is damp! Mine is still in the luggage''

''I'll fetch it for you'' Blossom replied.

''You are most welcome. What about the wrist watch?''

''Oh lord! How could I forget? That's like the best gift I've received in ages!''

''I know you would like it, they said it's called Mother of Pearl watch - whatever that means. America is great. It is indeed God's own country, that title nor be for mouth. My dear everything works there. The roads are clean, wide and free of potholes. You call the ambulance and police and they are there in a jiffy''

''Na so''

''Not once did light blink - not once. No matter the weather oh, no shaking. I can't tell you how comforting that was for me''

''Oh my God, come and help us in this country!''

''He sure will. Well while he does, I will check out with my family. I loved everything I saw in Arizona. Honey, that is indeed the place for us. I have calculated everything and things will work once we leave this place. It is a bit of a gamble but I will sell that land at Abuja and we will relocate''

[size=18pt]37[/size]
By the time Blossom entered the room, Cosmos was still up ''I thought you were going to sleep there'' he joked.

''Nah, just tucking the kids in''

''Well done, it's not easy''

''Nah it was all good. Nkem was well behaved while you were away, she is preparing for her common entrance so I had respite. Chichi was preoccupied with her art project and Junior … oh dear me!''

''Pele!''

''It wasn’t bad at all oh. Belinda was on hand to help and of course keep the kids thoroughly entertained''

''Ahh! God bless her. I was a bit worried about you and that’s why I kept calling. I mean being alone all by yourself at night so I'm grateful you had company'' then Cosmos stood up and announced he was going to take a shower. ''You look knackered'' Blossom announced.

''It’s the jet lag dear. My system is also trying to adapt to the time zone thing'' as Cosmos spoke, he walked into the bathroom and began to whistle. The door was open so Blossom continued to talk ''I loved the perfume, thanks''

''All of them?''

''Yes''

''Did the dresses fit?''

''Yes''

''Yes mummy''

''Sorry. Yes mummy''

Blossom continued to stare at her but she could not tell what was going through the young child's mind. She stroked her forehead and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Suddenly she cleared her throat and lowered her voice, her other child was asleep so it was safe to talk
''Nkem, mummy would like to explain something to you''

''Aunty Bel…''

Then Blossom smiled at her and replied ''yes, Aunty Belinda. You see sometimes grownups can be happy or filled with gratitude and they express that happiness in different ways. Do you understand what I mean by gratitude?''

''That’s like you are thankful''

''That’s right. Mummy was very happy because Aunty Belinda came to stay with her while daddy was away. Mummy needed help with taking care of all of you and your aunty helped with that. You saw her cleaning, cooking and sometimes holding Junior while I helped with homework or dinner. You saw her didn’t you?''

[size=18pt]36[/size]

She picked up her hand bag and beckoned to her son who was playing on her rug. He promptly got up and ran in her direction. And just before she left, she glanced around the room one last time and smiled in satisfaction. It looked great, nothing was out of place so she shut the door and walked towards the dining area ''are you done with your cereal kids?'' she announced. She didn’t get a reply but she was not expecting one.

''C'mon let's go!'' she yelled. She hurried them out and made sure they were all seated in the car. She placed Junior in his car seat and buckled him in. Everything seemed perfect and she was going to have that talk with Nkem later in the day.

She didn’t want to say anything in the car and arouse the suspicion of her second child. That one was another typewriter on standby! Besides, if she spoke too soon, it may be termed desperate. Did kids even think like that? An adult would certainly think along that line, but what about a kid under the age of 10? Damn it! Blossom thought to herself. What a way to start my week!

?

''How old is she again?'' Belinda asked.

''She is your god daughter nah''

''Blossom, I can't think again. I'm dying here, help me out please''

''8 years old in primary 3''

''Jesus Christ! It's not a matter of did she notice it. She clearly saw it and so she understands. I know it like I know my name''

''How can you be so sure?''

''The way she stared at me after you'd gone. She kept staring like I'd bewitched her! Chic, you'll need to wipe the slate clean and say something so she does not get confused and blurts something out. She is your child so you know how best to handle it. You may pretend it was nothing or try to distort the image of what she thought she saw''

''I'll handle it, she is my daughter. Jesus Christ this is nasty''

''I'm sorry but I've got to rush now'' she rushed towards the bathroom door but suddenly turned around and held out a finger in warning ''ensure you say something today, preferably before she gets back home because of Cosmos. If you can say something in the car this morning, better do it. You don’t want her talking rubbish to friends at school''

''She won't. She is far too smart for that''

?

''Do you want it? You could have it, I've got loads of them'' then she got up and tossed it on Blossom's lap. Blossom got up too and they kissed again. Almost immediately, they began to laugh like children ''I know you wanted to do that'' Belinda joked. ''When you go on and on about something as dumb as my lip gloss, I know what you really want. I know you chic'' she ran a hand along Blossom's arm and they kissed again.

This time it was passionate but unbeknownst to them, someone had opened the door softly and was peeping through the small opening she had created. Suddenly Nkem, pushed the door wide open and called out for her mother ''mummyyyyyy!'' it sounded like an astonished cry as opposed to the regular call.

''Fúck sake!'' Belinda swore quietly.










TBC

***
It was a week of wonder for Belinda and Blossom but on Monday, Cosmos was due back. His return flight had departed the day before and Blossom was expecting him anytime from 12noon. Belinda was getting ready for work while Blossom watched her apply a light makeup.

''I had fun'' she whispered. ''Thanks for coming''

''I hear you. This could have been our life but you had to ruin it. See how happy we've been with the kids this past week'' she smacked her lips and applied another coat of pink lip gloss''

Blossom ignored her statement and continued to stare at her wistfully ''I'll pay you a visit say this weekend'' she continued.

''Suit yourself'' Belinda replied. She tried to get up but Blossom held her hand back. She (Blossom) leaned closer and gave her a quick kiss ''thanks for everything dear. Thanks for coming and thanks for spoiling the kids rotten… and please don’t say anything silly, you are leaving so let's just bask in these final moments''

''Okay, no more whining and griping''

''Good. By the way I love the pink lip gloss. It suits you, you should wear it more often''

'It's always been about the money with you isn't it?''

''You're damn right Mr cos I can say the same for you. If it were not for the money, you would have kicked me to the curb long ago''

''Natasha, I know you are very angry now but I plead with you to tread softly. I beg you to reconsider for the sake of our marriage. I plead with you from the depth of my heart. I use God and God alone to beg you. The devil is trying to break my home at the verge of a miracle. There is no perfect man anywhere. No man is completely innocent and that’s why I've been on my knees…'' as he continued speaking, Natasha picked some things and walked out of the room.

He ran after her and made the mistake of holding her hand and she blessed him with a sound slap ''leave me alone!'' she screamed. Then she shut the door with a bang. It was so bad, it seemed like the hinges would come off and when Ken opened the door, a nail dropped to the floor.

''Oh so you are admitting now? We don't need the test anymore? Wow!''

''I am sorry. It was the devil that pushed me''

''No it wasn’t. Your mistress has been speaking and she talks - nineteen to the dozen! You knew what you were doing. You had this all planned out and by a stroke of luck, your plans went awry because someone lost his plumbing contract. Your so called business contact and her uncle dearest - I've been so stupid!''

Immediately Ken went on his knees and began to plead while Nat stood up and continued to yell ''such treachery! What did I do to deserve this? You stabbed me a hundred times, you did it while looking at me in the face and while I was on bended knees''

''I am so sorry Nat''

''I don’t blame you though; you are a man after all and you have every right to look elsewhere if I can't give you what you need. But you know I've tried, I was to commence another round of IVF at the end of this month but of course you couldn’t wait''

''I can dear, it's only a matter of time so…''

''And it was the time you didn’t have. It's okay, I accept my fate, but you should have been man enough to make your decision and leave me the hell alone. You should have left me alone while trying your luck outside''

Ken got up to where she was and tried to touch her but she screamed at him ''don’t you dare touch me unless I'll fling something hot in your face! I want you out of this house tomorrow. I want you out! I don’t want to come from work and meet you here…''

''This is my home too''

''No its not. It is in my name and my name alone. With all the attitude you've been giving me and my precarious position in this home, you didn’t think I'll be a foól two times over, did you? Abi you nor know who dey cry dey see road? You think the only reason I chose Ebube to do the legal work is because she is my best friend? You must be out of your God damn mind! My interest must be protected and that goes for the property in Warri and Abuja''

''All I'd say is that lady is a liar, she is a promiscuous soul and she would say anything…''

''She is all of that and yet you have been frolicking with her all these while?''

''Natasha dear, say anything but her child aint mine''

''I'll believe that after she has put to bed. I'll accept that after the baby goes through DNA test in a hospital of my choice. And there will be no hanky-panky; I will have my representative on hand to ensure all goes well. In the meantime, I want you out of my house''

''Don’t do this Natasha, I beg of you''

''You have nothing to fear. She is weeks away from having her baby - slightly less than 2 months. Now don’t be shocked, I told you she told me everything! I want you out before I return from work tomorrow and you will get your respite once I'm happy with that test''

The room was suddenly quiet and Natasha continued to stare at her husband ''you would agree I've been fair on this issue, haven’t I?'' she continued.

''It was a mistake'' Ken whispered.

''Perhaps she is but not her unborn child''

''Jesus is Lord!''

''Yes he is''

''Nat, it is not what you think. I know that lady but not in that way. I am not responsible for whatever she bears''

''Really?''

''I am not and just because I told her that, that is why I am in this mess today. I know I erred but I am not responsible for her pregnancy''

''I wasn’t born yesterday Ken''

''Would you believe her over me? Would you believe a stranger over your husband?''

''She said it's been going on since the first quarter of last year''

''That means nothing''

''I agree but would you look me in the eye and swear that for every time you met with her you used a condom?''

''Don’t make me do this. Don’t make me start recounting and stuff like I'm a bloody teenager''

''You've behaved worse than a teenager. You've acted like a toddler with a toy and in your case your toy has been your pe**nis!''

''This room I've been knocking on the door since?''

''I'm sure sir; that was the last place I saw her sir. She sent me to buy Panadol for her. I've just brought it''

''Okay, go ahead and give her the medicine'' then the maid knocked on the door once and announced her presence. Some seconds later, a teary-eyed Natasha opened the door and collected the medicine from the maid. All the while, Ken was staring at the scene in surprise. As the maid turned around to leave, Natasha called her back ''dish food for yourself and the gateman and afterwards, you can close for the day''

The maid thanked her and hurried away while Ken stepped inside the room. He noticed the curtains were drawn together like it was early in the morning. He tossed his bag aside and continued to look around in wonder ''didn’t you hear when I was knocking?'' he asked. She ignored him and he continued to stare at her. After some seconds he asked the next question ''what is the problem dear?''

Natasha stared at him from the corner of a room but she said nothing in reply. She was seated on a large arm chair and it seemed like it had swallowed her slender frame. Ken watched as she slowly took a sip of water and swallowed the pill. She had her back propped against a pillow and she was still wearing her work clothes save for her jacket. Ken was worried but he tried to remain calm. He took off his suit and sat on a nearby chair ''you are scaring me dear'' he whispered. ''Did something happen at work? Did someone say something? Did you get a call from home or…''

''She called me'' Nat whispered.

''Who?''

''Your mistress''

''Ehn?''

''Okiemute''

''She is a bástard!''

***
As soon as Ken got back home, he knew something was amiss. Normally, Nat would come out and welcome him but today it didn’t happen. He had spent some minutes downstairs looking around and even getting a glass of water but she had not made her way downstairs. He knew she was home though because he could see her car in the drive way. He hoped she was fine. As he walked upstairs he yelled out her name ''Nat, are you home? Honey are you back?''

The house was eerily quiet and their bedroom was locked. He knocked on the door but it remained locked. Soon enough he began to mutter under his breath ''han han, what is this about nah? Natasha are you not inside?'' he continued knocking but she didn’t budge. He kind of suspected she was in because he could hear the air condition humming.

He continued knocking on the door before he heard a rustle behind. It was their housemaid ''welcome sir'' she greeted.

''How are you?''

''Fine sir''

''And where is your madam?''

''Inside the room sir''

''You mean she is inside this room?''

''Yes sir''

olashas:
Prediction time . Ken might forget something and catch them in the act. The next update better be raunchy

Sorry to disappoint you. I want this book to be as clean as a whistle but don't worry my next story will revert back to status quo. A big thanks to every reader.

Then the stranger began to talk. It was meant to be a friendly call to intimate someone of her husband's mistress, but it quickly took a different tone. The stranger began to speak in a belligerent tone and Natasha froze in shock.

At times the stranger wept then she would cry out in anger before accusing her of trying to sabotage her relationship? The stranger spoke a lot in a short while. She spoke about Ken, their affair, Uncle Monday AKA the plumber, the botched contract (this was clearly a sore topic for her) and her unborn baby!

When Natasha found her voice she began to whisper in a croaked tone ''hold on, hold on madam, please come again. You said what? Pregnancy? For who? By whom? Yes, yes, Kenneth who? Come again please…''

And Okiemute continued to yell like a possessed woman.

''Aunty, I'm so sorry but there is someone at my door. I will call you back and we'll talk some more'' immediately, Okiemute switched off the phone and stared into the distance. There was no one at the door but she was tired of the talk from Uncle Monday's end. They had been talking nonstop since he was sent out of the site 2 days ago. It was not only embarrassing but annoying for Okiemute. Ken had played her like a fiddle and at every turn, he had an excuse to give. She had accepted everything he had thrown her way but it was going to stop. If she allowed this one go like that, he was just going to keep throwing rubbish in her direction.

He was using her to do yeye but he didn’t know the stuff she was made of. She was not a Delta girl for nothing. She had an ace up her sleeve and she was going to show him pepper! She was going to do what would shock him and make him sit up. By the time she was done with Ken, he would never take her for granted again. And so high on emotion and drunk with a mixture of insanity and anger, Okiemute reached for her phone again and switched it on. Next, she dialled a special number. She waited with some seconds but the call went unanswered.

At the other end, Nat continued to stare ahead while the light from her phone emitted a red light. It was the sign that someone was calling but she couldn’t pick it. As soon as her meeting was over, she hurried out of the room and stared at her phone.

The number was unknown but it probably had something to do with the plumbing contract. But why would anyone be calling about that unfortunate issue besides her husband had handled it. Maybe it was her tailor, she was angry with that woman because she had disappointed her as usual. Perhaps she was calling to tell her she had fixed the cloth just at the nick of time.

That tailor was impossible but Nat could not do without her. The tailor was the best she had come across and she knew she was good hence her dengeposing. She knew how to disappoint her customers and whenever Nat left her store in anger, she could continuously call her starting with her number before switching to an unknown number. Nat wanted to ignore her today, but she decided to let it go. She dialled the number and a strange voice answered the phone before she got a chance to say a word ''can I speak to Mrs Natalie Abe please''

Then Natasha smiled and replied ''Natasha Abe you mean, who is this by the way?''

Contd

***
As Uncle Monday continued talking, the tears ran down Okiemute's eye but she didn’t allow its effect seep into her voice. It was a difficult talk for her handle and her heart was broken for her uncle's sake. At some point, his wife snatched the phone from him and continued to talk in an angry tone ''I'm so sorry aunty'' Okiemute explained. ''I don’t have the answers myself''

''Your uncle borrowed that money and …''

''He will be paid back, ₦80,000 plus he can sell the materials for extra cash''

''This is so unfair because they signed a contract sef. Every how you look at this thing, your uncle has been swindled. We have written, verbal and even instructions sent via text message. We have all of them, I even munched some chat and showed Eka's daddy''

''Aunty, who is Eka's daddy again?''

''The lawyer in our church. I showed him the messages and he said wherever your uncle carries this case to, he will win. We are now considering…''

''There is no need for that aunty. Don’t spend the small money you have to give any lawyer. Everybody is looking for where to chop but let God judge the matter for all of us''

''We are not happy at all. Your uncle was walked out of that compound like a common criminal. You should have informed him earlier so he finds his square root. It was embarrassing to say the least. He had little time to pack all the things he bought. Why didn’t you tell us the moment he was told to leave?''

?

''Blossom my dear wife, okay bring the food here. I'll take half of what you have on that plate. I’ve not seen it oh but I know its half I’ll take. I don’t want to upset my stomach at all''

''Okay dear''

Some minutes later, there was a horn at the gate ''that must be the driver'' Blossom announced. Immediately, Nkem ran to get the gate while Blossom looked through the window. It was the driver alright and Cosmos ran in to get his luggage. In another 5 to 7 minutes, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe was gone and Blossom felt as light as a bird in flight.

Immediately she began to whistle as she did the dishes. She could hear the sound of her children chatting in the parlour. The sound of the television was audible in the background and it felt like Christmas morning all over again. Indeed, it was going to be an exciting start to the New Year! Blossom was as happy as a lark. After she had done with the dishes, she came out with an announcement ''we are expecting company children''

''Is that company like where daddy works?'' Nkem asked.

''No this one means having a friend around''

''Aha! Who is coming then?''

''It's your Aunty Belinda''

Immediately the children began to yell out in excitement and even her son broke into a smile. The children liked it whenever their favourite aunty came around because she spoilt them with treats ''Is she going to buy something for us?'' her younger daughter cried out.

[size=18pt]35[/size]

?

''Muté''

''Please don’t call me Muté. That makes it sound like I'm dumb and I'm starting to believe I have been with the way you've been treating me. I've been keeping quiet and giving you long rope but I'm no fool!''

''I'm sorry you feel that way''

''Just admit it! Be a man and admit it for once in your life!''

There was silence for some seconds and Okiemute began to think Ken may have hung up. It went on for a while before he spoke in a small voice ''I'm sorry the visa thing didn’t work out as planned. My bank account is reading red so I can't afford that trip for now''

''Dubai nko?''

''Okiemute, I can't do Dubai. I can't even do South Africa; that tells you how bad it is''

''Unbelievable!''

''I am sorry I'm yet to see your parents. These are hard times for me dear, the contract has dried up like a rivulet. The small small ones I've been getting by the corner is what has been helping this relationship. I have been living mainly on my savings which is fast depleting. You may not believe it, but this is the first contract I have received since that new director assumed office in Nat's company. I cannot even say I received it because they have given and taken at the same time!''

''I hear you''

''If I am lying then let God do to me as he wills. It has been tough for me dear. It is not everything a man says so please bear with me this time''

''You have always lied so now I don’t even know if you are saying the truth about this contract. Truth be said, I don’t believe you one bit!''