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EPISODE 4

That night, I dreamed of Daniel. In the dream, we were in a swanky restaurant, eating oysters and drinking chilled champagne from long stemmed flutes, with a violinist playing a rendition of Celine Dion’s ‘My heart will go on’. I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the dream.

It was when I woke up in the middle of the night that I realized I’ve got it bad for Daniel. The dream was the last nail in the coffin. After tossing and turning for another twenty minutes with more sleep nowhere on the horizon, I got up and wandered to the kitchen.

I got out a bottle of coke from the fridge, opened the cap and took a long, satisfying swallow. I really should give up this soda drink called Coca-Cola, but it’s oh, so addictive.

After that intake of caffeine, I knew I wasn’t going to sleep anymore, so instead of daydreaming about what I couldn’t have, I decided to get some work done. I switched on my laptop and started browsing for some lovely designs I could use on the job.

After about an hour, I had accumulated some I found promising and my eyes were starting to dim. It was a little after 5 a.m. and I could still catch some much needed sleep. I needed to be sharp and on point for the meeting I have with Daniel at 9 a.m.

I dragged myself to my bed and crawled under the covers. Few seconds later, I was out cold. Oh, blissful slumber!

I didn’t feel so blissful when I woke up three hours later. I checked my bedside clock and saw it was a good twenty minutes after eight. I jumped up as if someone lit a fire beneath me. No, no, no, this is not happening again, I groaned.

I ran into the bathroom, almost tore my nightie off me in my hurry, and hopped into the shower. It was the fastest bath of my life.

I quickly dressed up in a flowered free flowing gown, belted it at the waist to give it a bit of definition and style, and I put on a pair of black low-heeled sandals. By then, it was eight thirty. I grabbed my car keys, praying frantically that there won’t be any horrendous traffic to deal with on the way. I barely had enough time to get there as it is. And to say that I had planned this so well; oh, you know what they say about the best laid plans.

Exactly thirty minutes later, I pulled into the car park. I clutched my bag and the folder I needed for the meeting and got out of the car. The car park was some distance from the office complex, so I had to run the rest of the way. I was in great shape, I wasn’t breathing too hard when I got to the receptionist.

“Hi.” I breathed fast. “I’m here for a 9’0 clock meeting with Mr. Daniel Omalu.” I smiled.

The lady just stood there, staring at me with an incredulous look on her face, her mouth wide open. I wondered what her problem was. Was I speaking French?

“Miss Ella Bendel to see Mr. Daniel Omalu, please.” I repeated.

She finally closed her mouth and found her tongue. “Mad….am,” she stammered, “Your hair…your fa…ce…you look a fright.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked. I turned to the glassed wall and checked my reflection. It was then I noticed my hair and face. I had not remembered to apply any make-up on my face, but that wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was I still had the hair cap I slept with snugly placed on my head. No make-up, no earrings, and a head full of uncombed hair. I stared at myself in horror. Oh, for the love of God!

Damage control was needed. “Do you have a comb, please?” I asked the receptionist.

She shook her head in the negative.

“No comb?”

“No.”

Powder?”

“No.”

Lip gloss?”

“No.”

“Nothing to salvage this?” I indicated the whole of my head.

“I’m sorry.” She said.

“It’s not your fault.” I answered her. “Oh well, I’ll just have to brave it.”

She looked at me with such pity, I almost laughed. I can’t wait to see the look on Daniel’s face. On the other hand, I’d rather be anywhere but here.

I faced the elevator as someone going to the gallows. I pushed the button and entered when it opened. I was the only one in and it felt as if I was facing the firing squad.

A sudden inspiration hit me. The cap I had on was silk, and very presentable, so I pulled it off, hand combed my hair till it cascaded down my back, and replaced the cap. I checked my reflection and saw it was better than before, the cap hid the worst of it. I pinched my cheeks to add some color to my make-up bereft face and licked my lips. By then, the elevator glided to a stop and I stepped out.

I so do not want to do this but I have to. I squared my shoulders and marched into the office with fake confidence. I adopted the saying; if you don’t have it, fake it.

Naturally, Daniel was waiting for me. I had wasted five minutes downstairs at the reception so I was about ten minutes late. At least it was better than the last time.

Daniel was engrossed behind his desk working on his computer. He looked up when his secretary announced me and frowned. At least he could have pretended not to notice.

“Thank you, Udi.” He said.

The secretary nodded and withdrew. She closed the door quietly behind her.

“Good morning, Daniel.” I said. “I’m sorry I’m a bit late, it was due to unavoidable circumstances.”

“An unavoidable circumstance like waking up on the wrong side of the bed?”

I looked down, and looked up; anywhere but at him. The scrape of his chair as he stood up caught my attention and I looked up. He came to stand directly before me. He had that cocky smile on his face again.

“Good morning, Ella. Or isn’t it a good morning for you?” his eyebrows rose. “You look like something the cat dragged in.”

“I didn’t have time to do my normal grooming.”

“I can see that. From the neck down is pretty good, but the other end is not as spick-span. Someone stole your make-up case and hair brush?”

“Ha ha ha, very funny.” I sniggered. “I was too much in a hurry, I forgot to do the necessary. I was here before I discovered it and your receptionist was no help in that regard.”

“Well, that is not part of her job description, is it?”

“I guess not.”

“Hmmm. Shall we get started?” he indicated the ornate chairs I so loved the last time. This time, there was a tea set on the table, and I saw a covered plate. Is there going to be some fine dining here?

I sat down, dropped the folder and bag I was still clutching, and tried to ..........


FINISH UP EPISODE 4 HERE: https://ugobestiky.com/2019/01/10/twice-bitten-with-love-4/

LOVE BEYOND CAUSE 5

About two hours later, a knock sounded on the door. Ugochi jumped up from the couch where she was sprawled watching TV and went to the door. Dawn had left the apartment to get some groceries from the supermarket and to get some pain relieving drugs for Ugochi, so she was home alone. She opened the door to find Frederick on the other side. His jaw dropped as soon as he saw her battered face.

“What happened to you? Were you in an accident?” he asked, incredulous

Ugochi smiled. “Please come in.” she said and made room for him to get in.

Fredrick walked in but stayed by the door. Ugochi closed the door and saw him watching her curiously.

“What happened to you?” he asked once more

“Come sit down and I’ll tell you everything.” She interjected

He reluctantly followed her to the sofa and sat beside her.

“What can I offer you?” Ugochi asked

“Forget about that for now, will you? Tell me what happened to you? Were you in an accident?” he repeated.

Ugochi knew she couldn’t put it off any longer. “No, I wasn’t.” she said quietly. “It was Ikemefuna.”

Fredrick jumped off the sofa. “What?” he screeched

“Relax, Fredrick. That was why I said we needed to talk. Will you sit down, please? It hurts my neck to look up to you like that.”

“Sorry.” Fredrick quickly sat down. “You mean Ikem did this to you? How could he do that? What sort of man is he?”

“I don’t know why Fredrick. All I know is that he got home yesterday and all hell broke loose. He started calling me names. He didn’t explain anything to me, didn’t allow me defend myself before he lit into me and started punching me. It was all I could do to get away from me before he succeeded in killing me.”

Fredrick watched her pensively. “He didn’t give any explanation at all? Although, nothing could warrant such treatment of a woman.”

“No, he didn’t. I guess he saw us together, or he was told we’ve been hanging out together. In fact, I don’t know what to think. All I know is the only reason he could have acted so unforgivably is if he thought I was cheating on him. He actually called me a liar and a cheat, if I recollect correctly.”

“I still don’t think that’s an excuse for battery. Why do you think he saw us together?”

“He mentioned going to see his co-worker and that the guy told him something unbelievable. I asked him what the guy told me and he said I shouldn’t act dumb, that I knew exactly what he was talking about. That was when he started shouting and calling me names.”

“Amazing. Then he just started hitting you? Just like that?”

“I guess he was angry I acted dumb. That could be what triggered him. The funniest thing is he had never shown any violent tendencies. I’m as amazed as you are at this turnabout.”

“It just gets more curios by the second. I can’t believe he could treat a woman he professes to love like this.”

“Don’t rub it in, please. It hurts too much.”

“I’m sorry. Have you been to the hospital?”

“No and I’m not planning to go.”

“What? Why not?”

“They are just surface wounds Fredrick. They look a lot worse than they feel.”

“Women!” he rolled his eyes, sounding exasperated. “Anyway, I’m sorry my advent into your life made it possible for your guy to treat you this callously. I’m truly sorry.”

“Forget about it. You’re not responsible for his actions.”

“I really feel responsible though. What do you propose we do?”

“I think it’s high time we tell him our news. It won’t do for him to go on thinking the worst about me. Though, I would never go back to him even if he comes crawling, I owe it to him and to myself to come clean about our association.”

“Are you sure he is ready to hear all these?”

Ugochi looked him in the eye. “The question is are you sure you’re ready to tell him about you? Are you ready to be vulnerable with him? Are you ready to tell him you’re his twin?”

Fredrick looked at Ugochi curiously. “The truth is I don’t know.”

Three days later, Fredrick decided to meet his yet to be disclosed twin, Ikem on his own terms and not make use of the relationship between him and Ugochi. He didn’t want Ugochi to be more hurt by his own inability to take the bull by its horns. It was time to meet the guy and talk to him, straighten issues out and see if what he wants is actually possible. Although, after the way Ikem treated Ugochi, he was having second thoughts about wanting anything to do with him.

He had gotten Ikem’s phone number from Ugochi when they met three days earlier. He had not told Ugochi what his decision is, he just told her he would think about it and he left it at that. He isn’t planning on telling her anything until he has made contact with Ikem and gotten some things straightened out.

He stared at the number on his phone screen for several minutes before he decided to dial the number. Ikem picked up on the third ring.

“Hello, who is this?” Ikem asked on picking up.

Fredrick hesitated for a moment before replying. “Good afternoon. Am I speaking with Ikem, please?”

“Yes, and who is this?”

“This is Fredrick.”

“Yes?”

“I’ll like us to meet and discuss some issues.”

“Do I know you?” Ikem asked. He was clearly confused by the strange call.

No, you don’t Ikem.”

“So, I should just come running because you crooked your fingers? What is this about?”

“It’s about your girlfriend, Ugochi and about your future.”

“What about Ugochi?” Fredrick could detect traces of annoyance and incredulity in his voice.

“I’d rather we see face to face so we can discuss it. You can choose the time and place.”

“Okay, you’ve got me interested. Do you know ‘De Gome’ restaurant? It’s at Clip bus-stop near Samonda.”

“Yes, I do. What time do we meet?”

“I’ll be free by 8pm.”


FINISH UP EPISODE 5 HERE: https://ugobestiky.com/2019/01/15/love-beyond-cause-5/

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