₦airaland Forum

Episode 56

Daniel was still seen in the uncompleted building, tied to a chair. His face was already swollen, which was as a result of the torture he received from Sniper and Gunshot. Sniper and Gunshot were also seen in the room, staring silently at him. After a while of deafening silence, Daniel spoke.

"things don't really need to end like this. I know the amount he paid you guys for this job wouldn't be much. Once you kill me, that's the end, and you get little cash for your service. This can change if I stay alive. I'm a very rich guy. I have an uncle who is a well know politician. My father too is very wealthy and he left me with a lot of properties that are worth billions. If I die now, all that will go to waste. Someone else would inherit all that. But things can change if I stay alive. Let's make a deal right now. If you keep me alive, half of my wealth will be yours, and it is actually worth billions of naira. Tell me what you will still be doing in an uncompleted building, trying to kill someone if you have billions in your account. You will probably be touring the world. This is a one time opportunity I'm offering you guys. If you kill me today, you will continue killing for money, but if I stay alive, your lives will change for the better. The choice is yours to make. Keep me alive and be rich for the rest of your life." Daniel said.

Just when he was about to speak further, Henry and Jewel walked into the room. Jewel froze when he saw Daniel.

"oh my God! what is Daniel doing here? why is he tied to a chair?" Jewel asked and immediately tried to untie him.

"leave that fool" Henry barked.
"you won't even go close to him if you realize how evil he is"

"Henry, what are you talking about?" Jewel asked.

"this fool here was the one that got Jessica pregnant." Henry responded.

Jewel froze again when he heard that.

"what are you talking about? how is that possible?" he asked.

"this fool here raped my fiancée that night you got drunk and dropped her unclad beside you on your bed, so that it would look like you were the one that got her laid." Henry said.

Jewel's jaw dropped when Henry said that. He stared at him in shock. He slowly turned to face Daniel.

"Daniel, is this true?" Jewel asked.

Daniel nodded in affirmation.

"I can't believe this. how can you be so wicked and heartless. How can you do such a thing to us" Jewel said, angrily.

"that's not the main reason why I called you here." Henry said.
"I know for many years now, you would have been pointing accusing finger on me for ruining your future. I want to tell you right now that everything that happened to you back then at the university was not my doing. Daniel did all that and framed me for it. You can ask him now to confirm" Henry said.

"Daniel, is this true?" Jewel asked.

Daniel nodded again.

"wait! I want to get something right." Jewel said."
"Those letters I received back then, were they from you?"

"yes" Daniel responded.

"my missing assignment. were you also responsible for that?" Jewel asked.

"yes. all I did was to remove it from the rest" Daniel responded.

Jewel sighed.

"the day I was poisoned, which eventually made me to miss the quiz competition. was that also your doing?" Jewel asked.

"yes" Daniel responded.

"but how is that possible? we drank together that day" Jewel said.

"yes, we drank together, but didn't drink with the same cup. The poison was in the cup you drank with and not in the wine." Daniel responded.

"but those cups were mine." Jewel said.

"that was why I put the poison there instead. so that if anything happened, it will never be traced back to me" Daniel responded.

Jewel shook his head in amazement.

"now, my last question. were you the reason I got expelled from school?" Jewel asked.

"yes" Daniel responded.

Jewel suddenly became weak.

"and I was accusing an innocent guy all these years. but why did you do all these to me?" Jewel asked.

"because you were trying to court the woman I like" Daniel responded.

"and who was that?" Jewel asked.

"Angel" Daniel responded.

"oh my God!" Jewel said, surprised.

"Jewel please save me. I answered all your questions correctly. Please save me. Henry wants to kill me" Daniel begged.

Jewel turned to face Henry immediately.

"do you actually want to kill him?" Jewel asked.

"yes of course. I would have killed him already, but I just want you to know the kind of person he is before killing him" Henry responded.

"you can't do that. you can't take laws into your hand. The best way to handle this is to allow him rot in prison" Jewel said.

"don't even try to convince me. I have already made up my mind. He must die today. That's the only way justice can be served." Henry responded.

"killing him is not justice. That's vengeance. vengeance and justice are not the same. Before you make any decision, let's go out and talk for a while." Jewel said.

"nothing you will say that will make me change my mind." Henry responded.

"just come with me" Jewel said.

"okay" Henry responded.

Jewel turned and left the building, while Henry followed behind him.

***********************************************

Jewel and Henry sat opposite each other in a bar. They were not drinking. They were just sitting silently in the bar. After a while of silence, Henry finally spoke.

"I hope you did not bring me here to convince me not to kill Daniel. My mind is already made up. Daniel must die" Henry said.

"Henry, you don't have to pay evil with evil. If you kill him, then what next? you will surely go to prison for that. I know you are angry, but you need to take things easy. What will happen to Jessica and the baby when you are in prison? who will be there for them. Don't do what you might regret later. I know you are very angry, but don't let your anger get the best of you. The best way to deal with Daniel is to send him to jail. Let him go and rot there. Henry, you have to think about this. This will be best for everyone" Jewel adviced.

Henry thought for a while.

"okay, okay, I will do as you say. I won't take laws into my hands. It is true that If I kill him I might spend the rest of my life in jail, and that won't be good for Jessica. I will only be making things worst by killing him. We will report him to the authority, but how are we sure that he will spend the rest of his life in prison?" Henry asked.

"you don't have to worry about that. I will take care of that" Jewel responded.

"how?" Henry asked.

"just trust me" Jewel responded.

"this is funny. how are you going to take care of him? you are just a cleaner. Okay, let me trust you this once, since you said I should trust you" Henry said.

"good. Now let's go and take care of that idiot" Jewel said.

They stood up and left the bar.

**********************************************

Jewel and Henry froze just as they step foot in the room Daniel was kept. They stared at the room in shock. Daniel was no longer in the room. Not even Sniper and Gunshot could be seen in the room. The chair which Daniel was tied to was empty and the rope he was tied with was seen on the floor.

"what's going on here? where is Daniel?" Jewel asked, surprised.

"I don't know. I thought we left them here. Not even Sniper and Gunshot are here." Henry responded.

"I hope he didn't escape" Jewel said.

"that's not possible. not under the watch of Sniper and Gunshot." Henry responded.

"something is not right here. there is no way Daniel would have loosened that rope himself. Someone actually untied him." Jewel said.

"let me call Sniper. He will have a better explanation to this" Henry said and brought out his phone.

He dialed Sniper's number, but it was switched off. He stared at his phone in shock. He was already very worried.

"are you sure this guys have not betrayed you? Call his colleague line to see if he will pick up." Jewel said.

"I don't have Gunshot's number" Henry responded.

"for how long have you known these guys?" Jewel asked.

"I don't know them before. I only saw them smoking in an uncompleted building and asked them to do this job for me, which they willingly agreed to do" Henry responded.

"It's obvious that these guys have betrayed you. How Daniel managed to deceive them is what I don't know" Jewel said.

"Daniel is a very cunning guy. He knows how to manipulate people's mind" Henry responded.

"we don't need to waste anymore time. Let's go and report him to the authority so that they will start looking for him immediately. He has done lot of evil things and shouldn't go unpunished." Jewel said.

"I'm very sure he is already plotting his next evil plan" Henry said.

"Let's leave already before it's too late" Jewel said.

"okay" Henry responded.

They turned and left the building immediately.

***********************************************

Henry opened his door and entered his sitting room. He was just returning from the police station, where him and Jewel went to report Daniel's case. Jessica was not in the sitting room when he walked in.

"honey!" he called, but got no response.

"honey, I'm home" he said, but got no response.

He went to her bedroom but didn't find her there. He entered her bathroom, but she was still not there. He emerged from her bedroom and walked to the kitchen, but still didn't find her in the kitchen. He was already very worried.

"where could Jessica have gone to without telling me" he said.

He walked back to the sitting room and realized that the t.v was on.

"she even left the t.v on. This is so unusual. Jessica will never leave this house without switching off the t.v." he said.

His phone suddenly started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and realized that the call was from Jessica.

"thank God you called. I was already very worried" he said to himself and heaved a sigh of relief.

He picked the call and placed the phone on his ear.

"honey, thank God you called. you made me so worried just now" he said.

"I guess you will be looking for your fiancée by now" a voice sounded at the other end.

He froze when he heard the voice. He recognized the voice very well. That was the voice of Daniel.

'what's Daniel doing with Jessica's phone' he thought.

"Daniel, why are you holding my fiancée's phone? Where is Jessica?" Henry asked, already very nervous.

"I don't have time to answer any silly question from you. I just want to tell you that you will never see Jessica again. Not in your entire life" Daniel said and immediately ended the call.

"ye!!!" Henry screamed in shock.
"I'm finished" he said and placed his two hands on his head.

Please o, I'm very sorry for the late update. I was very busy. it wasn't intentional. I can't deliberately delay the update. That wouldn't be fair na. I hope you all understand.

Episode 55

It was already time for Henry to receive the DNA result. He sat in the doctor's office waiting for him to arrive. He was eagerly waiting for the doctor. The door opened some minutes later and the doctor walked in holding the DNA test report. He shook hands with Henry and sat down behind his desk.

"I have with me here the DNA test result." the doctor said.

"okay doctor, what does the result says?" Henry asked, eagerly.

"The alleged father is not excluded as the biological father of the tested child. the probability of paternity is 99.99 %." the doctor said.

"what does that mean?" Henry asked.

"it means that the tested man is 99.99 % more likely to be the biological father than another man chosen at random from his same ethnic group" the doctor responded.

"does that mean he is the biological father?" Henry asked.

"yes, he is the biological father" the doctor responded.

Henry frowned immediately the doctor said that. He glared at the paper the doctor was holding. The doctor noticed the look on his face.

"are you okay" the doctor asked.

"yes, I am. thank you very much for this. I really appreciate it." he said.

"you are welcome" the doctor responded.

"I have to leave now." he said.

"okay" the doctor responded and handed him the DNA result.

He stood up and left the doctor's office immediately.

***********************************************

Daniel emerged from his flat and walked to where his car was parked in his compound. Just as he placed his hand on the car door to open the door, he felt an object on his head.

"don't move" he heard behind him.

He froze when he heard the voice. He recognized the voice. That was the voice of Sniper, the same guy that attacked him some days ago.

"if you turn, I go burst your brain" Sniper said.

Daniel realized he was actually placing a gun on his head when he said that.

"please, what do you want from me? I didn't do anything wrong" he said, already sweating profusely.

"if you wan stay alive, just do wetin I tell you" Sniper said.

"okay, I will do as you say, but please don't harm me" Daniel begged.

"now, you go enter this your motor with me, and drive to the direction I go show you" Sniper said.

"okay" Daniel responded.

"good" Sniper said.

They both entered the car and drove out of the compound.

**********************************************

Steven sat in his office, going through some documents. His door suddenly opened and Jewel walked in. He went straight to the visitor's seat and sat down.

"You told me Angel will only be staying there for 5weeks. This is the seventh week and she's not yet back. what's going on?" Jewel asked.

"Angel is returning today. She should be in the country by now." Steven responded.

"and you didn't tell me this" Jewel said.

He stood up and left Steven's office immediately.

**********************************************

Daniel was tied to a chair in an empty room, in an uncompleted building. He was blindfolded. He couldn't see a thing. He struggled to free himself but couldn't. Sniper and Gunshot suddenly walked into the room.

"who is that? please help me" Daniel begged when he heard footsteps.

They stared silently at him. He kept struggling to free himself. After a while of silence, Sniper walked to meet him and removed his blindfold. He observed his environment and realized he was in an uncompleted building. He turned to face Sniper, who was staring angrily at him.

"please don't harm me. I didn't do what you are accusing me of. you are mistaken me for someone else. please don't harm me" he begged.

Sniper continued staring silently at him.

"please don't harm me. It will be very painful if you harm me and later realize I'm not who you think I am." Daniel continued begging.

"you no wan shut up abi. say na until I deposit this knife for your belle you go shut up" Sniper said and showed Daniel the knife he was holding.

"no, no, don't stab me. I will shut up" Daniel responded and immediately kept quiet.

"good. just keep quiet like that and wait for wetin go happen next. If I hear you voice again, I go forget this knife for your belle." Sniper warned.

Daniel nodded. He was sweating profusely. Sniper and Gunshot continued staring at him. After a while of silence, Henry walked into the room. Daniel froze when he saw him. He fixed his gaze on Henry, and Henry stared back at him.

"Henry, what are you doing here?" Daniel asked, after a while of silence.

Henry didn't respond. He kept staring silently at Daniel.

"Henry please save me. These are the same guys I told you attacked me some days ago. I don't know what I did to them. Please tell them that they are mistaken me for someone else." Daniel said.

Henry immediately rushed to him and punched him very hard on the face. Daniel stared at him in shock.

"Henry, what are you doing?" Daniel asked.

"you fool. you raped my fiancée and got her pregnant." Henry said, angrily.

Daniel froze when Henry said that.

"Henry, what are you talking about?" he asked, trying to feign ignorance.

Henry punched him again, this time, very hard.

"aurrrrrgghhh" he screamed in pain.

"I'm talking about this" Henry responded angrily and showed Daniel the DNA test result in his hand.
"this is a DNA test showing that the child Jessica is carrying is yours"

Daniel's jaw dropped when Henry said that.

"Henry, please forgive me. I never knew she was engaged to you. If I knew, I wouldn't have done what I did." Daniel begged.

Henry punched him immediately.

"aurrgghh" he screamed.

"just shut up, you fool" Henry barked.
"just know that you will never leave this place alive."

"ha Henry, it hasn't come to that. please forgive me. it was the devil's work. please don't kill me" Daniel cried.

"why we dey waste too much time? make we waste this idiot already" Sniper said to Henry.

"sure, we will kill him, but not now. There's someone that need to see him before he dies." Henry responded and turned to face Daniel.
"I will ask you just one thing, and I need the correct answer"

"I will answer any question, but please don't kill me. please don't kill me, Henry" Daniel cried.

"were you the reason why Jewel got expelled from school, back then at the university?" Henry asked.

"yes, but please forgive me. I regretted all I did back then. Please forgive me Henry" Daniel begged.

"Jewel need to here this from you directly. All this while, he had been pointing accusing fingers on me, not knowing you are the real devil. I will contact him to come and see the kind of person you are" Henry said.

"Henry please forgive me. I will never do such a thing again" Daniel begged.

Henry turned to face Sniper.

"keep an eye on him. I will be back soon. I need to contact someone." Henry said.

"no problem. Just come back on time, make we kill this one." Sniper responded.

"I will" Henry said.

He turned and left the building.

***********************************************

Angel opened her gate and dragged her luggage into her compound. She was just returning from Johannesburg after spending 7weeks there. She dragged her luggage to her door. She opened her door and entered her sitting room. She dragged her luggage to the sofa and sat down. She heaved a sigh of relief immediately.

"thank God I'm finally back" she said.
"let me take my bag inside" she said and stood up.

Just as she took her first step, a knock sounded on her door. She stopped and turned to face her door.

"who could that be?" she mumbled.

She dropped her bags and walked to the door to see who was at the door. She opened the door and paused when she saw Jewel standing at the door. She stared silently at him.

"my Angel, you are back. I have missed you" Jewel said.

Angel didn't respond. She just kept staring silently at him.

"my Angel, I know I have wrong you. I know I broke your heart. I know I did......."

Angel immediately hugged him, without allowing him to complete his sentence. She hugged him tightly.

"I miss you so much, my Jewel. I miss you vere much. Those weeks without you was hell for me. Please let's not be separated again." Angel said.

Jewel stared deeply into her eyes.

"I will never do anything to hurt you ever again" he said.
"everything that happened then was........"

Angel placed her finger on her lips and prevented him from speaking further.

"you don't have to explain anything to me. I trust you very much. I know you will never do anything to hurt me. Anything that happened between you and Jessica was a mistake. Don't worry, when she finally gives birth, I will make sure I take very good care of her and the baby." Angel said.

"thank you very much Angel" Jewel said.

"anything for you my love" Angel responded.

"I think there's something else I need to tell you" Jewel said.

"what is it, my love?" Angel asked.

Just when Jewel was about to speak further, his phone started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and answered the call.

"hello.............who is this..................Henry!...........you want us to meet right now...........why................okay, I have heard you" he said.

He ended the call and turned to face Angel.

"that was Henry. He asked me to meet him at a particular location right now" he said.

"why?" Angel asked.

"he didn't say. he just said I should meet him at a particular location." Jewel responded.

"okay my love. you can go ahead. Maybe, what he wants to say has to do with the baby. Just go and see why he wants to meet with you" Angel said.

"okay, my Angel. Let me go and know why he wants to see me. I will be back as soon as possible" Jewel said.

"okay love" Angel responded and immediately planted a kiss on his lips.

Jewel turned and left her house.

Episode 54

It's been 6weeks since Angel travelled to Johannesburg, and she had not returned. She was supposed to return the previous week but was delayed because there were some other things she needed to take care of.

Jewel hasn't been doing anything productive within those weeks. All he does was to sit in his grandpa's mansion, waiting for the day Angel would return so that he could be with her again.

It was also already time for the DNA test to be done. Jessica's pregnancy was already 8weeks. Henry and Daniel had become unusually close, but Henry still hasn't thought of a way to make Daniel follow him to the hospital for his cheek swab sample to be collected, without making him suspicious.


Henry sat in his sitting room, thinking of how best to make Daniel follow him to the hospital for a cheek swab, without making it look suspicious. An idea suddenly crossed his mind.

"yes" he said, happily.
"that's what I will do. I need to act fast"

He stood up from the sofa and left the sitting room immediately.

*********************************************

Henry sat in the doctor's office, waiting patiently for him to arrive. The door opened some minutes later and the doctor walked in. He shook hands with Henry and sat behind his desk.

"good morning doctor" Henry greeted.

"good morning" the doctor responded.

"so doctor, it's already time for the DNA test. what am I suppose to do?" Henry asked.

"All you have to do is to bring your fiancée and the baby's possible father to the hospital. Your fiancée blood sample will be collected, and also a cheek swab sample from the possible father." the doctor responded.

"okay doctor. There is a guy I will bring here for treatment. He was badly beaten this morning by some thugs. I will like you to treat him yourself, and in the process of treating him, you collect a cheek swab sample from him. please do it without his notice." Henry said.

"I don't understand. Are you bringing someone here for treatment, or to collect a cheek swab sample?" the doctor asked.

"both" Henry responded.

"okay" the doctor said.

"and please doctor, don't say anything to him when he gets here. Just treat him and get a cheek swab sample from him." Henry said.

"okay" the doctor responded.

"let me go and get the guy" Henry said.

"okay" the doctor responded.

Henry shook hands with the doctor and left the office.

**********************************************

Daniel emerged from his flat and walked to his gate. He wanted to go and get something from a shop across the street. He opened his gate and came out from his compound. He observed that his street was very quiet and deserted, except for 2 guys standing few distance away from his gate. He noticed how the guys were staring intensely at him. At first, he became worried, but later calmed himself down. He made himself believed that the guys might be waiting for someone. They looked like hire killers. Their faces looked very scary. Daniel tried to wave aside any negative thought he was having about them.

'they might just be here to see someone' he thought.

Just as he closed his gate and turned, the guys started walking toward him. His heart missed a beat, but he tried to remain calm.

'maybe they want to ask me a question' he thought.

The guys got to him and blocked his way.

"How can i help you?" he asked, trying to look calm.

One of the guys immediately brought out a gun from his back pocket and pointed to Daniel. Daniel froze immediately he saw the gun.

"please don't harm me. please I beg you in the name of God." he begged.

The guy hit the gun on his head immediately and blood rolled down his head.

"shut up" the guy barked.

Daniel knelt down immediately, with his hands placed on his head. He was already shivering.

"you don commit. you don fvckup. we go treat your fvckup today" the guy with the gun said.

"please sir. please forgive me. I don't know what I have done wrong. please have mercy on me" Daniel pleaded.

The other guy quickly gave him a resounding slap.

"aurrrrghh!" Daniel screamed in pain.

"them say make you shut up, you no wan shut up" the guy barked.
"sniper, waste this guy make we commot for here jare" he said to the guy with gun.

"gunshot, make I waste am abi?" sniper asked his colleague.

"yes, waste am make we commot for here" gunshot responded.

"ah! please sir, please sir! don't kill me. I beg you in the name of God sir" Daniel cried.

"them say make you shut up, you still dey talk. say you wan die?" gunshot asked.

"no sir, I don't want to die. okay sir, I will shut up" he responded and held his lips.

Sniper placed the gun on his head. Daniel shivered, almost urinating on his body.

"now, if I ask you any question, just give me direct answer. if not, I go forget 3 bullets for you brain." Sniper said.

"yes sir. I will answer any question you ask correctly" Daniel responded, immediately.

"okay, now tell me, why another person cook food keep, you go carry the food chop?" Sniper asked.

"I swear, I will never eat another person's food without his consent. Every food I have been eating is either bought from the restuarant, or I prepared it myself. I can never eat another person's food without his consent. Even the rice I ate this morning, I prepared it myself." Daniel responded.

A heavy slap landed on his cheek, immediately he finished his explanation.

"aurrrrrrghh!" he screamed in pain.

"we dey ask you another thing, you dey yarn us another thing." Sniper said, angrily.

"but sir, I'm telling you the truth" Daniel responded.

"just shut up. your voice dey make me para more and more" Sniper barked.

"Sniper, this guy mumu pass as I think." Gunshot said.

"now I understand while the fool go dey eat food wey no be him own" Sniper said.

"how make we take treat him fvckup now?" Gunshot asked.

"just let am know wetin dey sup, make we commot for here" Sniper responded.

"okay, na the way e suppose be" Gunshot said.

Gunshot dragged Daniel roughly and sent a heavy punch to his jaw. Daniel screamed in pain. He pleaded, but his plea fell on deaf ears, because Gunshot still continued punching him. They left the scene when they were sure that they had inflicted enough injuries on Daniel.

Daniel lay helplessly on the floor, struggling to get up. Henry's car suddenly drove into the scene. He parked his car and alighted immediately. He rushed to meet Daniel and squatted beside him.

"Daniel, what happened? who did this to you?" Henry asked, feeling concerned.

"some hoodlums just attacked me." Daniel responded.

"why? what did you do? who did you offend? Henry asked.

"I don't know. I think they mistook me for someone else, because they were accusing me of eating someone's food. This world is turning into something else. How can someone send thugs to beat up a person just because of food. common food" Daniel said, painfully.

"it's okay. Get up, let me take you to the hospital. you need to be treated. you are bleeding." Henry said.

"okay, thank you very much. you came at the right time." Daniel responded.

Henry assisted Daniel into his car and they drove off to the hospital.

**********************************************

Henry was seen pacing up and down in the hospital. He had already brought Daniel to the hospital. He was waiting for the doctor's report. The doctor emerged from the ward few minutes later. Henry rushed to meet him immediately.

"doctor, how is he?" Henry asked.

"he is fine. He just have to rest a bit before leaving" the doctor responded.

"doctor, how about the cheek swab? where you able to collect a cheek swab sample from him?" Henry asked.

"yes" the doctor responded.

Henry heaved a sigh of relief.

"that means the DNA test can be done now" Henry said.

"yes" the doctor responded.

"thank you very much doctor. so when should I be expecting the result?" Henry asked.

"in a week time" the doctor responded.

"okay doctor, I really appreciate this" Henry said.

"I have to leave now. I have other patients to attend to" the doctor said.

"okay doctor" Henry responded.

The doctor turned and left. Henry frowned immediately the doctor left. He stared angrily into air.

"Daniel, just pray you are not the father of that child my fiancée is carrying. If I discover that you are the father, and you actually raped my fiancée, I promise you that you will die a very painful death." Henry said, angrily.

Episode 53

It was a new day at Edward Empire. Steven sat in his office, going through some documents. His door suddenly opened and Angel walked in.

"you sent for me" Angel said.

"yes, miss Owen. please have a seat." Steven responded.

Angel sat down on the visitor's seat.

"I hope you are aware that we will begin operation of our new line of product next week. So you will be travelling to Johannesburg tomorrow to oversee the production. As the team leader, you have to be there to make sure everything goes as plan." Steven said.

"how long will I be spending there?" Angel asked.

"you will be spending at least 5weeks there. you will have to make sure that things are going as plan before returning to the country." Steven responded.

Angel didn't like the idea of travelling out of the country for that long. She wasn't happy about it, but she knew she has to travel because she's the team leader.

"okay sir. I will prepare my things to leave tomorrow." Angel said.

"okay, that's good" Steven responded.

"is that all sir?" Angel asked.

"yes, that should be all for now" Steven responded.

Angel stood up and left the office.

*******************************************

Jessica sat in the sitting room, watching a programme on tv. Henry emerged from his room some minutes later, already dressed up. He walked to meet Jessica and planted a kiss on her lips.

"honey, I'm going out to see a friend" Henry said.

"okay my love. take care." Jessica responded.

Henry walked to the door. Just as he placed his hand on the door handle, a knock sounded on the door. He opened the door to see Daniel standing at the door.

"Daniel!" he called, surprised.

"hey, Henry" Daniel said.

Daniel was carrying 2 shopping bags.

"I told you, I will pay you a visit someday." Daniel said.

"I never expected it to be this early. please come in" Henry said and give way for him to enter.

Daniel entered and saw Jessica sitting on the sofa. her attention was still focused on the programme she was watching.

"Jessica!" Daniel called.

Jessica turned immediately to see Daniel in the sitting room.

"wow! Daniel. you paid us a visit. you are welcome to our home" Jessica said.

"thanks" Daniel responded.

"please have a seat" Henry said.
"I was actually about going out to see a friend"

"you can go ahead. I actually came to drop these things. I won't stay long." Daniel responded and showed Henry the bags in his hand.

"what is that?" Henry asked.

"they are some clothes and other stuffs for the baby. I want to be the first person to get gifts for your unborn child" Daniel responded.

Henry's jaw dropped when Daniel said that. He stared at him in amazement. He never expected such from Daniel.

Jessica was just smiling sheepishly when Daniel said that.

"wow Daniel! that's very kind of you" Henry said, after recovering from his shock.

"thank you very much Daniel. I'm very grateful." Jessica said.

"you are welcome" Daniel responded and sat down on the sofa.

"Daniel, I will have to leave now. A friend of mine is waiting for me. we have something important to discuss. We will talk some other time" Henry said.

"okay, no problem. I will just stay for a while and leave." Daniel responded.

Henry shook hands with him and left the house. Jessica stood up immediately Henry left.

"give me a minute" she said to Daniel and went into the kitchen.

She returned minutes later with a glass of juice.

"keep yourself busy with this while I prepare something for you to eat" Jessica said.

"don't tell me you still do house chores while pregnant. you shouldn't be doing anything. you should be taking very good care of the baby. don't bother going to the kitchen to prepare anything. Just rest. I'm sure Henry will understand. The baby comes first." Daniel said.

Jessica didn't know what to say. She couldn't understand why Daniel was suddenly showing concern for her baby.

"these stuffs are for my baby right" Jessica said, pointing at the bags Daniel brought.

"yes" Daniel responded.

Jessica tried to carry the bags, but Daniel immediately collected the bags from her.

"you don't need to stress yourself. Just tell me where you want to keep it and let me take it there for you" Daniel said.

Jessica stared at him, surprised and confused at the same time. She couldn't understand while Daniel was suddenly being nice to her.

"I'm actually taking it to my room." Jessica responded.

"let me help you with it" Daniel said.

"okay" Jessica responded and led the way to her room.

Daniel carried the bags and followed behind her.

***********************************************

Jewel opened the door to Steven's office and stomped into the office. He walked angrily to meet Steven who was sitting behind his desk.

"what was that nonsense you were telling me on phone?" Jewel asked, angrily.

"Jewel calm down" Steven said.

"don't tell me to calm down" Jewel barked.
"how can you send her to Johannesburg without even informing me"

"she went for business purpose" Steven responded.

"shouldn't you have informed me before sending her there. you know she's angry with me and you still sent her there. How am I suppose to reconcile with her now that she has travelled?" Jewel asked.

"this might be for the best. Just give her some time. I'm sure when she returns, she would have forgotten all that happened and come back to you" Steven said.

"and for how long will she be staying there?" Jewel asked.

"just for 5weeks" Steven responded.

"you call 5weeks just" Jewel screamed.
"what will I be doing within those weeks?"

"just focus on other things. before you realize, it is already 5weeks" Steven responded.

"this is so frustrating. so I will wait for 5weeks before seeing her again" Jewel said and sighed in frustration.

*********************************************

Henry opened the door to his sitting room and entered. He saw Jessica sitting on the sofa, but Daniel was no longer in the room. Jessica stood up immediately he saw him and went to hug him.

"welcome my love" Jessica said.

"has Daniel left already?" Henry asked.

"yes, he left not long ago" Jessica responded.

"okay" Henry said.

"my love" Jessica called.

"yes honey" Henry responded.

"something about Daniel don't seem right" Jessica said.

"what do you notice about him?" Henry asked.

"he cares so much about me and my baby. When I tried to prepare something for him to eat, he didn't allow me. He said I shouldn't be stressing myself so that the baby will be healthy. He didn't even allow me to carry the bags he brought for the baby. He had to carry it himself to the room." Jessica said.

Henry smiled when Jessica said that.

"maybe he loves babies a lot and want you to take good care of the one you are carrying" Henry responded.
"come on, let's go to the room"

"okay love" Jessica responded and they headed to their room.

Episode 52

Henry sat down quietly in the doctor's office, waiting for him to arrive. He had been waiting there for some minutes already. The door opened and the doctor walked in. He went straight to sit behind his desk.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting" the doctor said.

"it's okay" Henry responded.

"so, why do you want to see me?" the doctor asked.

"doctor, can a DNA test be done while pregnant?" Henry asked.

"why are you asking? Are you saying that the child your fiancée is carrying is not yours?" the doctor asked.

"not that, I just want to confirm something." Henry responded.

"yes, a DNA test can be done while pregnant." the doctor responded.

"how is this done, doctor?" Henry asked.

"there are 2 ways of doing this. we have the invasive method and the Non-Invasive DNA Prenatal Paternity test (NIPP)." the doctor responded.

"please doctor, give me every detail of how this is done" Henry said.

"like I said earlier, we have the invasive method and the Non-Invasive DNA Prenatal Paternity test (NIPP).
The most common invasive methods are Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. The first involves a needle being inserted into the placenta, either through the stomach or the cervix, to extract a small number of cells from a section known as the chorionic villi. The other method, amniocentesis, is a very similar procedure, but instead of taking a sample of cells from the chorionic villi, amniotic fluid is collected. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever be recommended this option for prenatal paternity or sex tests, and many doctors will refuse to carry out the procedure unless it’s for a health reason that has already been non-invasively tested for. Most DNA testing providers offer non-invasive options for DNA testing while pregnant. These allow you to get answers to questions about baby’s paternity, sex, or health, without having to worry about the mother going through an unpleasant procedure, or the baby being at risk. The methods used for these types of test usually require the mother of the unborn baby to provide a blood sample. This is because the mother’s blood contains small amounts of the baby’s DNA, which can be detected from as early as seven weeks into pregnancy. It’s thought that the baby’s DNA could make up as much as 12% of the total DNA in a mother’s blood. if you want to take a paternity DNA test while pregnant, this can be done from 8 weeks into the pregnancy if you choose the non-invasive method. The accuracy of these tests is 99.99% which is the same as invasive tests. The stage of pregnancy at which you can take invasive prenatal paternity tests is later than for non-invasive: CVS can be carried out at between 12 and 14 weeks, whereas amniocentesis can’t be done until 16 weeks into pregnancy." The doctor explained.

"so doctor, which method will you recommend for me if I want my fiancée to take the test?" Henry asked.

"I will recommend the Non-Invasive DNA Prenatal Paternity test (NIPP), because it is the safest. This test requires only a blood sample from the mother and a simple cheek swab from the possible father, and can be performed as early as eight weeks into the pregnancy. The amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling, which are invasive tests may cause miscarriage, so I don't recommend such method.

"so doctor, I will have to wait until the pregnancy is at least 8 weeks before the Non-invasive DNA test can be done?" Henry asked.

"yes, and you have to also be aware that a paternity test while pregnant is not an option for a woman carrying multiple fetuses (twins or triplets) because current technology does not permit the isolation of multiple babies’ DNA profiles. So if your fiancée is carrying twins, we will have to wait until she gives birth before DNA test can be done." the doctor responded.

"we also need a cheek swab from the possible father, before this test can be possible." Henry said.

"yes" the doctor responded.

"okay doctor, thank you very much for this information. I will come back here whenever I need any other information" Henry said.

"you are welcome to my office anytime" the doctor responded.

Henry shook hands with the doctor, stood up and left the office.

************************************************

Angel sat in her sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. Even if her eyes were fixed on the t.v, her mind was somewhere else. She just kept staring blankly on the t.v. She took the t.v remote on the table and switched off the t.v. The programme was already so boring for her. She stood up from the sofa and went to her room. She sat on her bed and busied herself with her phone. After a while, she tossed the phone to one side on her bed and lay on her back. She sighed in frustration.

"this house is just so boring. Everywhere is just so quiet. I can't stay here all alone. I might just run mad if I continue staying here alone." she said.

She stood up from her bed, changed into a different cloth and left her room.

************************************************

Jessica sat in the sitting room, waiting for Henry to return. Henry had not returned since he left the house hurriedly. It was already getting dark and Jessica was very worried.

The door suddenly opened and Henry walked in holding a Pink Rose Lily Bouquet. Jessica stared silently at him, wondering who the bunch of flowers was for. Henry walked to meet her and knelt before her. He stretched the Pink Rose Lily Bouquet to her. Jessica stared at him, surprised. She couldn't believe that the same Henry that was treating her badly some moments ago was now kneeling before her with a bunch of flowers.

"my love, I know I have hurt you. I treated you badly. There's nothing I can say that can justify what I did to you. but please my love, forgive me and accept this flowers." Henry apologized.

Jessica stared at him with so much emotion. She collected the flowers, hugged him tightly and broke into tears.

"it's okay my love. Everything is okay now" Henry said.

"thank you, my love" Jessica said.

Henry held her hands and stared into her eyes.

"do you know where Daniel lives?" Henry asked.

"yes, he gave me his house address when we met at Angel's place" Jessica responded.

Henry quickly brought a pen and paper. He handed it to Jessica and sat beside her.

"please write down his address here for me" Henry said.

"okay" Jessica responded and wrote down Henry's address on the paper.

Henry collected the paper and stood up.

"my love, I have to go somewhere now. I will be back soon. There's something I need to take care of." Henry said.

"okay, my love" Jessica responded.

Henry turned and left the sitting room.

***********************************************

Henry was seen standing outside Daniel's gate. He had been standing there for 30 minutes already. He was waiting for Daniel to come out, if at all he was at home. When he was tired of standing, he went to a nearby tree and rest his back.

Daniel's gate suddenly opened and he emerged from his compound. Henry quickly hid behind the tree when he saw him. He didn't want Daniel to see him.

Daniel closed his gate and walked to a shop down the road Henry trailed him immediately. Daniel entered the shop to get some provisions, while Henry hid somewhere, waiting for him to come out. Just as Daniel turned to leave the shop, Henry quickly walked toward the direction of the shop, making it looked as if he was going there to get something. They almost bumped into each other at the door.

"Daniel!" Henry screamed, pretending like he was surprised to see him.

He wanted Daniel to think that they met by coincident.

"Henry!" Daniel called, surprised.
"what are you doing here?"

"I want to get something from this shop" Henry responded.

"This is my area. I stay few houses from here." Daniel said.

"really!" Henry said.

"yes" Daniel responded.

"it's been a long time" Henry said.

"yeah, very long time" Daniel responded.

"how is everything?" Henry asked.

"everything is fine" Daniel responded.
"how about you?"

"I'm fine. Jessica and I are already engaged. She is even carrying my baby" Henry responded, happily.

Daniel paused when Henry said that.

'so Henry didn't know that the child Jessica is carrying isn't his' he thought.

"Aren't you happy for me. I just told you that my fiancée, Jessica, is pregnant for me." Henry said, bringing him back to reality.

"oh, I'm really happy for you. one of this days, I will pay you a visit to see how Jessica is." Daniel said.

"please do. I will really appreciate that" Henry responded.

"I hope she's fine" Daniel said.

"yes, she is fine" Henry responded.

"and I hope you are taking very good care of her" Daniel said.

"yes, I'm taking good care of her." Henry responded.

"okay, I have to leave now. I will pay you a visit someday" Daniel said.

"okay, let me have your number" Henry said.

They exchanged contacts, hugged each other and Daniel left. Henry glared at his retreating figure.

"just keep smiling for now" he said, angrily.

Episode 51

Daniel tiptoed out of Jewel's room immediately he lay Jessica beside him on the bed. He went back to the sitting room and took Jessica's phone from the table. He saw 25 missed call on her phone but didn't bother to check who the caller was. He tiptoed back to Jewel's room and dropped the phone beside her dresses on the floor. He brought out his phone from his pocket and took some pictures of them. He left the room immediately.




The vibration of Daniel's phone brought him back to reality. He brought out his phone from his pocket and stared at the screen to see that it was a message from his network provider. He dropped the phone on his bed, stood up and went into his bathroom.

***********************************************

Jewel dragged his luggage from his room to the sitting room. He was about leaving Angel's apartment. Angel sat on the sofa staring sadly into air. He walked to meet Angel.

"my Angel, even if I leave today. That won't stop me from loving you. I will always love you. I love you so much, my Angel." Jewel said.

He dragged his luggage to the door and went out. Just as he left, Angel broke into tears. she wept bitterly.

********************************************

Jessica had already prepared breakfast. She was waiting for Henry to come out from his room so that they could eat. She sat down in the sitting room, waiting patiently for him. She was scared of going to his room to inform him that breakfast was ready.

Henry emerged from his room some minutes later. He went to the dining and sat down. Jessica quickly rushed to the dining to meet him when she saw him.

"good morning, my love" Jessica greeted.

Henry didn't respond. He only glared at her. Jessica quietly dished out the food, sat down and started eating. Henry took a spoonful into his mouth and turned to face Jessica immediately.

"why is the food so salty?" he asked, angrily.

"it is salty?" Jessica asked and immediately tasted the food again.

"are you asking me? are you so stupid that you didn't know the quantity of salt that should be enough for the food" Henry said, angrily.

"but by love, this food is not that salty" Jessica said.

"you are very stupid. You should have poisoned me instead" Henry responded.

"okay my love, let me quickly prepare.........."

Just when Jessica was about to speak further, Henry took the plate of food from the table and poured it on her face. Jessica froze immediately. she stared at Henry in shock. She never believed Henry could do such a thing to her.

"you can eat the poison you called food alone" Henry said, angrily.

He stood up and stomped out of the sitting room.

************************************************

Jewel sat in his grandpa's sitting room watching a programme on t.v. He had returned to his grandpa's mansion, since Angel was still mad at him. The sitting room door suddenly opened and Steven walked in. He went straight to meet Jewel.

"I hope there is no problem. you didn't sound well when we spoke on phone" Steven said and sat down beside him on the sofa.

"Steven, there is problem o. A very big problem." Jewel responded.

"tell me, what is it?" Steven asked.

"it's a long story, but the summary of it all is that, when you and Angel travelled to Johannesburg for the board meeting, I got myself really drunk and ended up sleeping with a lady, who happened to be Angel's best friend. The main problem now is that the lady is pregnant and Angel knows about it." Jewel explained.

"this is very serious. what did Angel say about it?" Steven asked.

"Angel is very mad at me. She is mad, not just because I slept with her best friend, but also because I kept it a secret from her. She wanted to leave her house, but I had to leave instead, so that she won't leave. That is why I'm back here." Jewel said.

"this is very serious. I will advise you to give Angel some time. It's obvious she's very angry for now. Just give her some time. You can go back to her after some days and ask for forgiveness. I'm sure she will forgive you. Angel really loves you. Her feelings for you are genuine. I have never seen a lady like her before. She is beautiful both in and out. She changed my perspective about ladies. you should never lose such a lady. Such ladies are rare. If you lose her, you will regret it for the rest of your life. Just give her some time and go back to apologize for you mistake" Steven advised.

"I can't even stay a day without seeing her. I want to be with her. I'm already missing her. I don't want to be separated from her even for a minute. I want to be by her side always. Tell me, what will I be doing within those days that I won't be with her. I might just run mad" Jewel said.

"I know that you love Angel very much. I'm sure she loves you just as much as you love her. you just have to give her some time to calm down before going to her" Steven said.

"this is really killing me" Jewel said.

"you will overcome this. I'm very sure of that" Steven responded.

Jewel sighed in frustration.

**********************************************

Jessica sat in the sitting room, watching a programme on t.v. Henry had not returned since he left home angrily. The door suddenly opened and Henry walked in. He headed straight to the direction of his room without glancing at Jessica's direction. Jessica stood up immediately she saw him and followed behind him.

"my love, please we need to talk. You have to listen to me. You can't keep treating me this way" Jessica said.

Henry didn't pay attention to her. He kept walking. Just as he was about entering his room, Jessica held his hand.

"my love, please listen to me" she said.

Henry turned immediately and gave her a resounding slap. She fell on the floor and held her face. Tears rolled down her face.

"if you lay that you filthy hand on me again, I will cut it off" Henry said, angrily.

He glared at her and walked into his room. Angel sat on the floor, staring at Henry's door in shock.

'Henry has really changed' she thought.

She stood up from the floor and entered Henry's room. She wasn't ready to give up. She saw Henry sitting on his bed and went to stand in his front.

"Henry, you have changed. This is not the Henry I fell in love with." Jessica said.
"why can't you just forgive me and let's go back to how we were before. I know I made a very big mistake, but please forgive me. There's no one above mistake. Or is it that you didn't believe me when I told you that I was drunk that night. If you don't believe me, you can call Daniel to confirm. He was there with us that night."

Henry paused immediately Jessica mentioned Daniel. He slowly turned to face Jessica.

"which of the Daniel are you referring to?" Henry asked.

"Daniel, our course rep at the university. He was there with us, but later left" Jessica responded.

Henry stared at Jessica open-mouthed. Just by the mention of Daniel, he knew something must have gone wrong. He knew Daniel very well. He knew how evil Daniel is. He knew something evil is bound to happen whenever Daniel is around. He knew Daniel was very good at committing crime and framing others for it. He did it with him back then at the university. All the crime Daniel committed against Jewel at the university, he made Jewel believed he was the one that did it. He won't be surprised if Daniel also had a hand in what happened between his fiancée and Jewel. He knew what Daniel is capable of.

"Jessica" Henry called, calmly.

"yes, my love" Jessica responded, immediately.

"sit down beside me and explain everything that happened when you paid Angel a visit at her place. Explain everything without leaving any part out. I want to know everything that happened" Henry said.

"okay, my love" Jessica responded and immediately sat beside Henry.
"when I paid Angel a visit that day, I didn't meet her at home. I met only Jewel, who told me that Angel travelled to Johannesburg to secure a job. After spending about 5minutes there, Daniel visited Angel also. That was my first time of seeing him since we graduated from school. He told us that Angel is his colleague at work, and he paid her a visit to know why she hasn't been at work for 2days. We all sat in the sitting room, catching up on old time before Jewel received a call from Angel, and she told him that she got the job. Daniel suggested we should celebrate Angel's new job with some wine. He offered me a glass of wine but I rejected it. He insisted that I should at least drink a glass to show that I was happy for my friend. I didn't know that the wine contained high quantity of alcohol. I became tipsy just after drinking 2 glasses. Daniel left some minutes later. I couldn't leave because I was already drunk. Jewel couldn't take me home because he drank too much. He couldn't drink and drive. He suggested that I should spend the night there and sleep in Angel's room since she was not around. I agreed. He left me in the sitting room and went to his room. That was all I could remember. I don't know if I later went to Angel's room. All I know is that, when I woke up, I found myself lying unclad beside Jewel on his bed."

Henry was already very angry, just by listening to Jessica's ordeal.

"if what I'm thinking turns out to be true, then someone must surely die today" he said, angrily.

He stood up from his bed and stomped out of his room.

Episode 50

"Henry, are you insane?" Angel barked.
"how dare you come to my house and immediately pick a fight with my boyfriend"

"you called this idiot your boyfriend" Henry responded, angrily.
"this idiot you see here has impregnated my fiancée"

Angel froze when he said that. she stared at Henry in shock. Jewel too was dumbfounded when he heard that. Angel slowly turned to face Jewel with teary eyes.

"my Jewel, please tell me this is not true" she said.

Jewel stared silently at her, still in shock. He couldn't even utter a word. It was as if his body system stopped working. Angel stared sadly at him when he wouldn't respond. The tears which had already formed in her eyes finally dropped. She turned and immediately ran into the sitting room. Jewel ran after her immediately, leaving Henry to stand outside alone. He caught up with her just when she was about entering her room. He held her hand and stopped her from entering her room.

"Angel, I can explain" he said.

"explain what!" Angel barked.
"What do you want to explain. Do you want to deny that she's not carrying your child, or you didn't sleep with her when I travelled to Johannesburg."

"my love, it's not what you think" Jewel said.

"do you even know what I think. Tell me Jewel, what do I think?" she barked.
"I waited, Jewel. I waited for good 2weeks for you to tell me this yourself. Even if something happened between you and Jessica while I was away, I just wanted you to confess it to me and tell me it was a mistake. All I wanted was for you to confess and tell me it was a mistake. I would have believed you if you had done that. I never wanted you to keep a secret from me. I waited for you to confess and ask for forgiveness so that I could easily forgive you, but no, you chose to keep it a secret from me. You kept sure a thing a secret from me for 2weeks, and acted as if everything was cool. I trusted you, Jewel. I never believed you could do such a thing to me. Jewel, you just shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. I will never forgive you, Jewel. I will never forgive you for hurting me this much." She said and stomped into her room, slamming the door behind her.

Jewel tried to enter her room, but realized she locked the door from inside. He walked to the sofa and sat down. He stared into air in frustration.

**********************************************

It was already getting dark. Jessica sat quietly in the sitting, waiting for Henry to return. He had not returned since he left the house angrily. Jessica was already very worried. The door suddenly opened and Henry walked in. Jessica stood up immediately she saw him and went to kneel before him.

"my love please forgive me. I'm very sorry, my love. please have mercy." Jessica begged.

Henry pushed her aside and walked straight to his room. Jessica resumed her weeping. She wept bitterly.

*********************************************

It was a new day. Jewel entered the kitchen very early in the morning to prepare breakfast. He wanted breakfast to be ready before Angel comes out of her room. she had not come out from her room since she went in angrily the previous night. Her door was still locked. Jewel believed that she would be a bit calmer when she finally comes out. He went to the sitting room and sat down when he was done preparing breakfast.

After waiting silently for an hour in the sitting room, Angel's door finally opened. She emerged from her room, dragging 2 travelling bags along with her. Jewel stared at her confused, not sure of what she was doing. He stood up from the sofa and when to meet her.

"my Angel, what are you doing?" he asked, confused.

"I'm leaving this house. I can't be in the same house with you anymore. My head might just explode if I continue staying here." Angel responded, this time calmly, but looked really pained.

"my Angel, at least give me the chance to explain what happened" Jewel said.

Angel looked deeply into his eyes. Her eyes were already swollen, which showed that she must have been crying all through the night.

"you want me to give you the chance to explain" she said, sadly.
"when you had the chance to explain 2weeks ago, why didn't you explain."

"I know I made a mistake. I shouldn't have kept it a secret from you. I should have told you immediately. my Angel, I swear, I regret not telling you. Please give me this one chance to explain myself." Jewel said.

"if only you know how hurt I am right now, you won't be saying that to me. Jewel, I loved you. I trusted you. I gave you my all. I could even swear that you will never do anything to hurt me, but at the end what happened? you shattered my heart." Angel said and began sobbing.

"my Angel, it shouldn't end this way. We can still overcome this" Jewel said.

"there is nothing to overcome. Jessica is pregnant for you. Henry's fiancée is carrying your baby, or don't you get it?" She asked and tried to leave but Jewel held her back.

"this is your house. you can't leave your house. If anyone should leave, it has to be me. I will go in now, pack my things and leave your house." Jewel said.

They heard footsteps outside the sitting room door immediately Jewel said that, as if someone was eavesdropping on them. They both turned their attention to the door.

"who is that?" Angel asked, angrily but got no response.

She went to the door, opened it but saw no one at the door. She closed the door and went back inside. Just as she closed the door, Daniel came out from where he was hiding. He had been eavesdropping on Jewel and Angel conversation all the while. He stood still, staring at the door in shock.

"so, Jessica is pregnant" he said in shock.

He turned and quietly left the compound.

***********************************************

Daniel plodded into his bedroom. He was just returning from Angel's place. He sat on his bed and stared into air.

"so, Jessica is Henry's fiancée. I never knew they are engaged. I never took a look at her finger to see if she was wearing a ring. If I knew she was engaged, I wouldn't have done what I did to her. So, she is also pregnant. That means she is carrying my baby. what should I do now?" he asked.

His mind suddenly flashed back to when him, Jewel and Jessica were at Angel's apartment.

FLASHED BACK TO WHEN DANIEL, JEWEL AND JESSICA WERE AT ANGEL'S APARTMENT.

Just immediately Daniel and Jewel had consumed all the wine in the bottle, Daniel checked his wrist watch and realized it was late already.

"It's 8pm already. I need to start leaving" he said and stood up from the sofa.

"okay, no problem. And thanks for making me drink this much" Jewel responded.

Daniel shook hands with Jewel and left the sitting room. He went to the compound and entered his car which was parked at the parking lot. He started the car and drove out of the compound.

After driving halfway to his apartment, It suddenly occurred to him that he dropped the key to his apartment on the table at Angel's place and didn't remember to take it when he was leaving.

"oh! what sort of silly mistake is this" he muttered.
"so, I will have to go back there to get my key"

He quickly reversed his car and headed back to Angel's apartment. He parked his car outside the compound when he got there and alighted. He entered the compound and headed to the door. He quickly opened the door and entered the sitting room. He walked straight to the table to get his key, without observing the sitting room. He took his key, and just as he turned to leave, he saw Jessica lying on a sofa. She was already asleep. The way she lay made her thighs to be exposed. Daniel stood still, feeding his eyes on her thighs. He slowly walked to meet her and squatted beside her. He placed a hand on her thigh to see if she would wake up, but she didn't move. He took his gaze to the direction of Jewel's room. He stood up and tiptoed to Jewel's door. He slowly opened Jewel's door and peeped inside to see him already asleep. He quietly closed the door and went back to squat beside Jessica. He slowly massaged her thighs, with his gaze fixed on her to see if she would wake up. He pulled down her skirt to reveal her lace detailed panty. Just as he place his hand on her pants, Jessica opened her eyes. He froze when he saw Jessica staring at him. He couldn't do or say anything. He stared silently at her.

"Henry" Jessica called with a sleepy voice, closed her eyes back and slept off.

He heaved a sigh of relief immediately. He quickly pulled down her pants, unzipped his trouser and lay on her body. In no time, he started thrusting in and out of her.

When he had satisfied his urge, he stood up from her body, zipped up and turned to leave. He stopped just when he got to the door. He thought for a while, then turned and walked back to meet Jessica. He undressed her completely, carried her and tiptoed to Jewel's room. He slowly opened Jewel's door and tiptoed inside. He quietly lay Jessica beside Jewel on the bed, dropped her clothes on the floor and tiptoed out of the room.

Episode 49

Henry froze immediately the doctor said that. He stared at the doctor in shock. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He slowly turned to face Jessica with an inquisitive look. Maybe asking her to explain what the doctor just said, because he knew that the child she's carrying certainly cannot be his.

Jessica too was dumbfounded when she heard that from the doctor. She stared at the doctor, wishing he never said those words. She wished the doctor didn't just say she's pregnant. She wished she was just having a bad dream.

Henry turned to face the doctor when Jessica wouldn't say a word to him.

"doctor, are you sure of what you just said?" Henry asked.

"yes, you will be a father very soon. congratulation once more" the doctor responded.

Henry stood up immediately, glared at Jessica for a while, then stomped out of the doctor's office, slamming the door behind him. Jessica buried her face in her palms and sighed. She knew very well that there was problem.

********************************************

Jewel sat in the sitting room watching a programme on t.v. That was what he had been doing all day, since he was no longer going to work. His mind suddenly flashed back to what happened between him and Jessica 2weeks ago in his room, but he immediately waved it aside.

"I think not telling anyone about what happened then was the best thing to do. Everything had gone back to normal now. I have forgotten about that experience and I'm sure Jessica would have done same. Who knows what would have happened if we had revealed it to Angel and Henry. I'm sure Angel would have understood, but I can't say the same for Henry. He would have strangled me to death. Jessica was right. Keeping it a secret was the best thing to do." he said.

He fixed his gaze back on the t.v and continued watching the programme being displayed.

*******************************************

Henry stomped into the sitting room and went straight to sit on the sofa. He was just returning from the doctor's office. He looked very angry. He was waiting impatiently for Jessica to come and explain what the doctor said, because he couldn't seem to understand anything. He sat anxiously, stamping his foot on the floor.

The door opened and Jessica plodded in. Henry stood up immediately and went to meet her.

"will you explain what the doctor said to me, because I don't seem to understand anything. We both know that I have not touched you for months now, so how can you be 2weeks pregnant?" Henry asked.

"my love, you have to believe me. I swear, this was not done on purpose" she said, already sobbing.

"what was not done on purpose?" Henry asked, almost losing his patient.

"my love, please you have to forgive me" Jessica said.

"who is responsible for your pregnancy?" Henry barked.

"my love, you have to believe me. we didn't do this on purpose. We did it under the influence of alcohol." Jessica said.

"This is the last time I will ask you this question. Who is responsible for your pregnancy?" Henry asked.

She sobbed bitterly.

"Jewel is responsible for my pregnancy. It was all a mistake. Please forgive me, Henry" Jessica said.

Henry suddenly became week when he heard that. He plodded the closest chair and sat down. He stared at Jessica in shock. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"I'm very sorry my love. We were both drunk. Everything happened when I paid Angel a visit 2weeks ago. When I got to her place, she wasn't at home. Jewel was the one I met at her place. He told me that she travelled to Johannesburg to secure a job. Just when I was about leaving, Angel called and informed us that she got the job, and the salary is 3times greater than what she got in her previous job. We were so happy for her that we had too much to drink. I didn't know what happened next, but when I woke up the next morning, I found myself lying beside Jewel on his bed." she explained and sniffed.
"my love, I'm very sorry. you have to forgive me"

"so, you want me to believe your lie. Tell me, when did you start taking alcohol? Stop looking for silly excuses. You did it because you wanted to. How could you, Jessica? How could you do this to me? How could you cheat on me with just a common cleaner. Someone whose future is already ruined" Henry barked.

"my love, it wasn't intentional. please believe me." Jessica said and wept bitterly.

"if it wasn't intentional, why then did you keep it away from me? why didn't you tell me as soon as you got home? you even lied to me that you didn't spend the night at Angel's place. if it wasn't intentional, you should have told me as soon as you got back, but no, you kept it to yourself because you enjoyed it." Henry barked.

"I swear I regret not telling you. I was only scared of how you would react to it. you have to forgive me." Jessica begged.

"so if I didn't find out about this, you would have kept it a secret from me forever. What if I had slept with you within those weeks, you would have also claimed that the baby is my" Henry said.

"no, my love. I will never do such a thing" Jessica responded, still sobbing.

"that's what you would have done" Henry said.

"no Henry" Jessica responded.

Henry suddenly stood up from his seat.

"I think there's something I need to take care of first. We will continue from where we stopped when I get back." He said and stomped out of the sitting room, slamming the door behind him.

Jessica sat on the floor and wept bitterly when Henry left.

********************************************

Jewel sat quietly in the sitting room, waiting for Angel to return. He had already prepared dinner. All he was waiting for was for her to return so that they could eat.

The sitting room door opened and Angel walked in. She went straight to meet Jewel and immediately planted a kiss on his lips.

"welcome home, my love" Jewel said.

"thanks" Angel responded.

"you must be tired. Just go in and have your bath, while I set the dining for dinner." Jewel said.

"honey, let's have dinner in my room." Angel said.

"are you sure about that?" Jewel asked.

"yes, my love" Angel responded.

"okay, go in and have your bath, while I go bring the food to your room, for us to eat." Jewel said.

"okay love" Angel responded, kissed his lips and went into her room.

Jewel rushed to the kitchen to get the food. He emerged from the kitchen some minutes later and headed straight to Angel's room with the food.

He opened the door and wanted to enter the room, but paused before he could take a step. He stared at Angel who was sitting on her bed. She just finished having her bath. She was already on her nightgown. The gown was so revealing that Jewel could see perfectly the pink demi cup bra and the pink thong she was wearing.

"my love, you are here already. let's have dinner" Angel said, when she saw him staring at her body.

Jewel carried the food and went to sit beside her on her bed. He dropped the food on the bed and they ate silently. Just as they finished eating, Jewel stood up to leave but Angel held him back.

"are you leaving already?" Angel asked.

"yes my love. I'm going back to my room, so that you can rest" Jewel responded.

Angel stood up from her bed also.

"not yet baby. it's not yet time for you to leave" She said.

She slowly pushed him back on the bed and he fell on his back. She seductively climbed the bed and lay on his body. She stared deeply into his eyes. In no time, she wrapped her hands around his shoulders and cover his mouth with hers in a hungry kiss. Jewel responded and they kissed passionately. Like their lives depend on it. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, gentle but demanding, and it was nothing like she had ever experienced. Her fingers gripped his hair, pulling him closer. She had never wanted anyone like that before. She began to lift his shirt. He helped her, pulled it off over his head. There lips locked again once his shirt was off. He unbuttoned her nightgown, and in no time her nightgown was already lying on the floor, leaving her with just her bra and thong. Just as he tried to unhook her bra, a heavy knock sounded on the sitting room door, making them to halt abruptly. They turned their attention to the door.

"who could that be?" Jewel asked.

"I don't know. whoever it is, I'm sure he has no manners. How can he knock on my door that way" Angel said, angrily.

"let me go and see who is at the door" Jewel said and quickly dressed up.

"I'm coming with you" Angel responded and changed into a different dress.

They both went to the sitting room to see who's at the door. Angel opened the door to see Henry standing at the door. Just as Henry set his eyes on Jewel, he immediately dragged him out of the sitting room and punched him countless time on the face. Jewel managed to push him away after receiving several punches on his face.

He stared angrily at Jewel, gasping for air.

"Henry, are you insane?" Angel barked.
"how dare you come to my house and immediately pick a fight with my boyfriend"

"you called this idiot your boyfriend" Henry responded, angrily.
"this idiot you see here has impregnated my fiancée"

Angel froze when Henry said that.

Episode 48

Angel stared at her phone for a while, then dropped it back on her desk to continue with what she was doing. Just as she fixed her gaze back on the documents she was going through, her phone beeped again. She quickly took her gaze back to the phone. She dropped the document and picked up her phone from the desk to see another whatsapp notification from the same number. Her heart missed a beat even when she had not opened the message. She couldn't tell what the message contains, but something tells her it won't be funny. She opened her whatsapp and saw the message from the unknown number. She suddenly became nervous. She slowly clicked on the message and watched as the message opened. She froze immediately, when she saw the message. Her eyes widen in shock as she stared at the picture of Jessica lying completely unclad beside Jewel on his bed. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her lips parted in shock. Her phone suddenly became too heavy for her to hold. She couldn't even hold the phone properly, that it involuntarily dropped from her hand. She still couldn't believe what she just saw. She was totally shocked. A sharp pain suddenly struck her head. She placed a hand on her forehead and rested her head on her desk. She tried not to think about what she just saw, but couldn't. It was as if her head would explode. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

A knock suddenly sounded on her door, but she didn't respond. The knock sounded again, but she still didn't respond. Her door opened and a lady walked in.

"madam, it's time for the management meeting" the lady said.

Angel looked up from her desk and fixed her gaze on the lady.

"just leave. I will be there in 5minutes time." Angel responded.

"but madam, the staffs are already......."

"I said you should leave. Are you deaf" Angel barked.

Her sudden anger startled the lady. She stared at Angel, surprised.

"sorry ma" the lady said and immediately left Angel's office.

Angel buried her head in her palms when the lady left.

********************************************

Angel opened the door to her sitting room and entered. She looked very tired. Her face was paled. Jewel was not in the sitting room when she entered. She walked to the sofa and sat down. She dropped her handbag on the table and took off her shoe. She stared sadly into air. Jewel emerged from the kitchen few minutes later. He went straight to meet Angel in the sitting room.

"my Angel, you are back" he said and hugged her.
"you are right on time. Dinner is almost ready. Just go in and have your bath while I set the dining for dinner."

Angel didn't say a word to him. She just kept staring intensely at him. From the look on her face, one could tell that she wasn't happy. Jewel noticed the look on her face.

"what's wrong, my Angel?" Jewel asked.

"nothing" Angel responded and flashed him a smile that wasn't from her heart.

"okay love, go inside and have your bath while I set the dining for dinner. I'm sure you will like the food I prepared." Jewel said.

Angel carried her handbag, flashed him another smile and went to her room.

Jewel went back into the kitchen to continue with what he was doing, and when he was done, he set the dining for dinner and sat down quietly, waiting for Angel to join him.

Angel emerged from her room few minutes later. She went straight to the dining to join Jewel. Jewel served the food and they ate silently. After eating silently for a while, Angel dropped her spoon and fixed her gaze on Jewel.

"Jewel" she called, calmly.

Jewel looked up from his meal.

"yes, my Angel" he responded.

"When did Jessica leave this house, after she visited me 2days ago?" Angel asked.

Jewel stared at her for a while, not sure why she was asking.

"She left just after she spoke with you on phone" Jewel responded.

"is that so?" she asked.

"yes" Jewel responded.

She continued staring at Jewel. She didn't want to believe that Jewel was lying to her. If at all something happened between him and Jessica when she was away, she wanted to hear it from him. She wanted Jewel to reveal it to her himself, so that she could be able to forgive him when he ask for forgiveness. She didn't want to be the one to reveal it to Jewel, because if that happens, she might not be able to forgive him.

After staring silently at Jewel for a while, she continued eating her food, and when she was done, she went straight to her room.

********************************************

It's been 2weeks since Angel received those pictures on her phone. She never showed the picture to Jewel to confirm if it was true that he slept with Jessica when she travelled. He wanted him to tell her himself. All through those weeks, she acted as if everything was cool. She never made mention of Jessica's name again to him. she always act as if everything was okay whenever she was with Jewel in the house, but wouldn't waste time in transferring her aggression to other people, when she goes out.

After waiting for 2weeks for Jewel's confession and didn't get it, she made herself believe nothing happened between him and Jessica. She made herself believe that someone was just trying to frame them. She made herself believe that the pictures were not real. She made herself believe that someone was only trying to ruin her relationship with Jewel. She deleted the pictures from her phone and went back to her normal self. She believed Jewel would never do anything to hurt her.

*******************************************

It's was a new day. Angel opened the door to Jewel's room and entered. she was already dressed for work. she seemed very happy. She went straight to sit beside Jewel who was sitting on his bed.

"good morning, my Jewel" she greeted and planted a kiss on his lips

"good morning, my Angel" Jewel responded.

"I'm ready for work, my Jewel" Angel said.

"okay love. Don't worry, dinner will be ready before you return" Jewel said.

Jewel had finally stopped working as a cleaner in his grandpa's company, just like he promised to do.

"what will you like to eat when you return?" Jewel asked.

"you don't have to prepare anything. I will make dinner when I return." Angel responded.

"no, I will. I will prepare rice" Jewel said.

Angel kissed him and stared into his eyes.

"thank you" she said.

"anything for my Angel" Jewel responded.

"let me start going to work then" Angel said.

"okay, my love" Jewel responded.

Angel kissed him one more time, stood up and left the room.

************************************************

Jessica lay on her bed, with her body completely covered with blanket. She wasn't feeling fine. It was already time for her to get up from bed, but she was feeling very weak. Her door suddenly opened and Henry walked in. He went to sit beside her on her bed.

"honey, you are still in bed, what's wrong?" Henry asked.

"I'm not feeling too well. I feel so tired. my whole body is weak. I feel like I will throw up anytime soon. I can't even count the number of time I have urinated this morning" Jessica responded.

Henry placed a hand on her forehead.

"this is serious. we need to go and see the doctor immediately. Get up, let's go and see the doctor" Jewel said and assisted her up.
"dress up, let me go and get the car ready."

Henry stood up from her bed and left the room, while Jessica changed into a different cloth.

*********************************************

Henry and Jessica sat quietly in the doctor's office, waiting for him to arrive. He had already run some tests on Jessica. All they were waiting for is the result of the test. The door suddenly opened and the doctor walked in. He went straight to his seat and sat down.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting" the doctor apologized.

"so doctor, what is wrong with my fiancee?" Henry asked.

"I have with me here, the result of the test" the doctor said, smiling.

Henry couldn't understand why the doctor was smiling. His fiancee is sick, and he was smiling.

"so what does the result say?" Henry asked.

"congratulations" the doctor said and stretched his hand for a handshake.

Even when Henry didn't know why the doctor was congratulating him, he still shook hands with the doctor.

"your fiancee is 2weeks pregnant" the doctor said.

Henry froze immediately the doctor said that. He stared at the doctor in shock. He couldn't believe what he just heard. He slowly turned to face Jessica with an inquisitive look. Maybe asking her to explain what the doctor just said, because he knew that the child she's carrying certainly cannot be his.

Episode 47

It was a new day. Jewel stretched his body on his bed. His eyes were still closed. He was too weak to even open his eyes. He was having headache, which was as a result of the wine he drank the previous night. He slowly opened his eyes and froze immediately. He quickly sat up. His eyes widen in shock as he stared at Jessica lying completely unclad beside him on the bed. He continued staring at her in shock, as he couldn't understand how she got into his bed. Jessica yawned and slowly opened her eyes. She froze immediately, when she saw Jewel staring at her unclad body.

"oh my God!" she screamed and immediately covered herself with the blanket.

"Jewel, what have you done? What did you do to me?" she screamed.

"what are you saying? I'm suppose to be the one asking you how you got into my bed. I thought I told you go sleep in Angel's room" Jewel responded.

"how did I get in here?" Jessica asked.

"I'm suppose to be asking you that. maybe you walked in here while I was asleep and lay beside me on my bed, thinking you are in Angel's room." Jewel responded.

"what did we do, Jewel?" She asked, this time calmly, but at the same time very worried.

"I'm sure we didn't do anything. If we did, I will surely remember, no matter how drunk I was." Jewel responded.

"but why am I unclad?" Jessica asked.

"I don't know, but I'm sure nothing happened, because I'm still wearing the boxer I slept with last night." Jewel responded.

"Jewel, I'm a woman, and I know when I get laid, even if I did it when I'm unconscious. I'm certain something happened between us" Jessica said.

"If something happened, there is no how I won't remember." Jewel responded.

Jessica's phone suddenly started ringing. Her phone was lying on the floor, just beside her dresses. She stretched her hand and took the phone on the floor. she stared at the screen and realized that the call was from Henry.

"oh my God! Henry is the one calling. What will I say to him now?" she asked, nervously.

She took a deep breath and answered the call.

"hello dear" she said.

"Jessica, what happened? I have been trying your line since last night but you were not picking up. Are you okay, my love?" Henry asked, immediately.

"yes my love. I'm okay" Jessica responded.

"thank God." Henry said and heaved a sigh of relief.
"I was very worried"

"you don't have to be worry, dear." Jessica said.

"so what happened? why didn't you return home last night?" Henry asked.

"honey, I will explain everything to you when I get home" Jessica said.

"okay dear. I'm already prepared to go to work. I will see you when I get back" Henry said.

"okay honey" Jessica responded.

"take care, baby" Henry said.

"you too, love" Jessica responded and ended the call.

She heaved a sigh of relief.

"I think it will be best if we tell Angel and Henry about this. We didn't do this on purpose. We were under the influence of liquor. I think they will understand. It will be worst if they find out themselves." Jewel suggested.

"no, we can't do that" Jessica responded immediately.
"how will I tell my fiance that I slept on the same bed with another guy, all through last night. How will I tell Angel that while she was away, I was busy warming her boyfriend's bed. Even if they forgive, I sure they will never forget such a thing."

"won't it be worst if they find out themselves." Jewel said.

"how will they find out if we don't tell them. We are the only once that know about this. As far as we don't say anything, it will remain hidden forever. As for why I didn't return home yesterday, I already know what I will say to Henry. So let just keep this a secret" Jessica said.

"do you think that's a nice idea?" Jewel asked.

"yes, that's the only way. Let's just pretend this never happened. Let's pretend we never met. Let's pretend we never slept on the same bed. Let's just forget about everything and move on. That will be best for everyone." she said and stared into Jewel's eyes.
"promise me you will not tell Angel anything about this. Promise me you will not say a word about this to her. We have to forget about this and move on"

Jewel thought for a while.

"okay I promise. I will erase everything that happened from my mind. Let's just believe nothing happened. I won't say a word to anyone" Jewel responded.

"okay, I need to leave now" Jessica said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

Jewel stood up and went to the bathroom, while Jessica dressed up to leave.

*********************************************

Jewel sat quietly in the sitting room, staring into air. The t.v was on, but he wasn't watching. He looked very worried. It was almost time for Angel to return. He wanted to reveal his real identity to Angel once she returns, but things were already complicated and he thought it wasn't the right time to reveal it. He was lost in thought.

While he was still pondering, the door opened and Angel walked in. He quickly comported himself when he saw her. Angel dropped the bag she was carrying on the floor and immediately ran to hug Jewel. she hugged him tightly.

"I miss you so much" she said, smiling.

"I miss you too" Jewel responded, but wasn't smiling.

Angel notice the look on his face.

"what's wrong?" she asked.

"I'm having headache" Jewel responded.

"is it because you miss me?" Angel asked.

"I think so" Jewel responded.

"okay, I'm back now. so headache can leave" Angel said.

"you are welcome back. Let's go to your room now." Jewel said.

"I'm not moving an inch from here unless you carry me to my room" Angel said, smiling.

"really!" Jewel said.

Angel nodded, still smiling.

Jewel lift her up immediately and gave her a piggyback ride to her room.

*******************************************

It was a new day. Jewel lay on his bed, feeling reluctant to get up. He didn't plan to go to work. He had already decided to stop working as a cleaner in his grandpa company. He didn't want to keep deceiving Angel by pretending to be what he is not. He rolled from one side of his bed to the other. His door suddenly opened and Angel walked in, already dressed for work. She walked to meet Jewel and sat beside him on the bed.

"I thought you would be dressed for work already, so that we can leave together in my car" Angel said.

"I'm not going to work today. I'm not feeling fine. I have headache" Jewel responded.

"I thought you were only joking when you told me that you were having headache yesterday" Angel said and placed a hand on his forehead.
"let me quickly buy you some drugs"

"no, you don't have to. it's just a slight headache. I will be okay. you have to start going to work. This will be you first day at work, so you don't have to go late" Jewel responded.

"are you sure you will be okay" Angel asked.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"okay, I will start leaving now. Your breakfast is in the dining" Angel said.

"okay, thanks" Jewel responded.

"see you in the evening. make sure you take care of yourself" Angel said.

"yes I will" Jewel responded.

Angel planted a kiss on his lips, stood up and left the room.

*******************************************

Angel opened the door to her new office and entered. She fixed her gaze on every corner of the office with smiles. The office was wide and spacious. Everything needed in an office were seen in her office.

"wow! exactly what I want." she said.

She walked to her seat and sat down. She dropped her phone on her desk and busied herself with the documents on the desk. After some minutes of going through the documents, her phone beeped. She took the phone from her desk and saw that it was a whatsapp notification. She opened her whatsapp and saw a message from an unknown number. She clicked it and read the message.

'while you were away, trying to secure a job, your so called boyfriend was busy screwing your best friend in your house. This next message you will receive will contain some pictures that will surely break your heart' that was the content of the message.

She stared at her phone confused, as she couldn't understand a single thing from what was written in the message.

After staring at her phone for a while, she dropped it back on her desk to continue with what she was doing. Just as she fixed her gaze back on the documents she was going through, her phone beeped again.

Episode 46

It was a new day. Jessica was seen setting the dining for breakfast. Henry emerged from his room with his briefcase. He was already set for work. He went straight to the dining to have breakfast. Jessica served the food and they ate silently. After eating silently for a while, Jessica spoke.

"I will be going to Angel's place the evening. I just want to see her. It's been long we saw each other." Jessica said.

"what time exactly are you going?" Henry asked.

"Either 5pm or 6pm." Jessica responded.

"that means you will not be at home when I return from work." Henry said.

"yes, but I will make sure I prepare dinner before leaving." Jessica responded.

"okay love, but don't spend too much time there" Henry said.

"I won't, my love. I will return as soon as possible." Jessica responded.

They continued eating their food, and when they were done, Henry left for work.

***********************************************

Jewel sat alone in the sitting room watching a programme on t.v. He had been indoor all day. He didn't go to work. It was already 6:30 pm. The room was already so boring for him, but he still managed to keep himself busy with the programme showing on t.v. He had already promised to reveal his real identity to Angel once she returns from Johannesburg. That was the first thing he will do once Angel gets back. He already had a feeling that if he delays any further, Angel might find out herself and it might affect their relationship. Just as he kept pondering about it, a knock sounded on the door. He turned his attention to the door immediately.

"who could that be?" he asked.

He stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door to see Jessica standing at the door.

"Jessica!" he called, surprised.

"Jewel!" Jessica called, also surprised.

They hugged each other immediately.

"wow! is this really you?" Jewel asked.

"yes o" Jessica responded.

"it's been a long time" Jewel said.

"yes o, it's been 7years" Jessica responded.

"please come in" Jewel said and gave way for Jessica to enter.

"thank you" Jessica responded and entered the sitting room.

"please have a seat" Jewel said, pointing at the sofa.

"thank you" Jessica responded and sat down.

"what can I offer you?" Jewel asked.

"just get me water. I'm very tasty" Jessica responded.

Jewel quickly went to the fridge to get a glass of water. He handed it to Jessica and sat on the sofa opposite her. Jessica immediately drank the water and dropped the glass on the table. She turned to face Jewel.

"Angel told me that you guys are now dating" Jessica said.

"yes, we are" Jewel responded.

"I'm happy for you guys. you both look good together" Jessica said.

"thanks" Jewel responded.

"you are welcome" Jessica said.

"I heard also that you and Henry are engaged" Jewel said.

"yes o, I'm engaged to the love of my life" Jessica responded, happily.

"I'm happy for you guys" Jewel said.

"thank you" Jessica responded.
"by the way, where is Angel? I'm here to see her. Has she not returned from work yet?"

"Angel travelled to Johannesburg. didn't you call her before coming?" Jewel asked.

"no, I didn't call her. I thought she would be at home, that's why I didn't bother calling. When did she travel?" Jessica asked.

"this morning" Angel responded.

"Why did she travel all of a sudden?" Jessica asked.

"she travelled to secure a new job. The pay is worth three times her current salary. If she gets the job, she will be earning three times as much as she earns currently" Jewel said.

"wow! this is great. I pray she gets the job." Jessica said.

"I pray so too" Jewel responded.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door. They both turned their attention to the door.

"let me see who is at the door" Jewel said.

"okay" Jessica responded.

Jewel stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door to see Daniel standing at the door. He froze when he saw him. Daniel too was equally shocked to see him.

"Daniel!" he called, surprised.

"Jewel!" Daniel called, also surprised.

"long time?" Jewel said.

"yeah, long time" Daniel responded.

"what are you doing here?" Jewel asked.

"is this not suppose to be Angel's apartment, or did I get wrong address?" Daniel asked.

"yes, this is Angel's apartment" Jewel responded.

"for a moment I thought I got the wrong address." Daniel said.

"you didn't, please come in" Jewel said and gave way for him to enter.

"thank you" Daniel responded and entered.

He saw Jessica just as he entered the sitting room.

"what a surprise. Jessica, you are also here" Daniel said and sat down beside her.

"Yes o, Daniel. It's been a while" Jessica responded.
"what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Angel. She hasn't been to work for 2days now, so I came to know why." Daniel responded.

"you and Angel work in the same company" Jewel said.

"yes, she is my colleague at work." Daniel responded.

"interesting, I never knew you were her colleague" Jewel said.

"so where is she now?" Daniel asked.

"she travelled to Johannesburg to secure a new job" Jewel responded.

"but why" Daniel asked.

"The pay is worth 3times as much as she earns in her current job." Jewel responded.

"If that's the case, then I pray she gets the job." Daniel said.

"I pray so too" Jewel responded.

"If Angel travelled, what are you now doing in her apartment?" Daniel asked.

"Jewel and Angel are dating. And they live together" Jessica responded him.

Daniel froze when Jessica said that. He stared at her in shock. He turned to face Jewel.

"are you guys really dating?" Daniel asked.

"yes" Jewel responded.

Daniel's mood suddenly changed. His tried his best not to show how angry he was.

"I'm happy for you guys. you look good together" Daniel said, masking his anger with a smile.

"thank you" Jewel responded.

Jewel phone suddenly started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket to realize that the call was from Angel.

"She is the one calling" he said to Jessica and Daniel.

"please put it on speaker. I want to hear the good news from her directly." Jessica said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

He answered the call and put it on speaker.

"hello Angel" Jewel said.

"my Jewel" Angel's voice sounded at the other end.

"how are you?" Jewel asked.

"I'm fine and you?" Angel asked.

"I'm fine too" Jewel responded.

"my Jewel, guess what" Angel said.

"what?" Jewel asked.

"I got the job. The board gave me their approval" Angel said, happily.

"wow Angel! I'm happy for you" Jessica interposed immediately.

"Jessica, is that you?" Angel asked.

"yes o, I came to visit you and was told you travelled to Johannesburg." Jessica responded.

"I'm sorry I didn't inform you that I was travelling" Angel apologized.

"That doesn't matter. what matters now is that you got a job with an handsome pay. And I'm very happy about it" Jessica responded.

"thank you very much Jessica. I'm very grateful" Angel said.

"you are welcome, my dear" Jessica responded.

"Jewel!" Angel called.

"yes dear" Jewel responded.

"I'm returning to the country tomorrow. it's only been a day I travelled, but I'm already missing you so much." Angel said.

"please return quickly. I'm also missing you very much." Jewel responded.

"I will be in the country tomorrow" Angel said.

"okay dear, I'm waiting for you" Jewel responded.

"talk to you later" Angel said.

"you too" Jewel responded and ended the call.

All through the conversation, Daniel didn't say a word. He just kept staring at Jewel with so much hatred. He couldn't believe that Jewel and Angel were having such lovely conversation.

"we have to celebrate this great news. Jewel, quickly go and bring the strongest wine you have, let's drink ourselves to stupor." Daniel said, masking his anger with a smile.

"are you sure about that?" Jewel asked.

"yes, bring as many wine as possible, let's drink ourselves to stupor. We need to celebrate this" Daniel responded.

"okay, give me a minute" Jewel said and rushed inside.

He emerged minutes later with 2bottles of wine and 3glasses. He dropped them on the table and sat down. Daniel opened the wine and poured it into the glasses. He gave Jewel a glass and also gave Jessica a glass, but Jessica rejected it.

"I don't take alcohol. I have never tasted alcohol" Jessica said.

"there's always a first time. This is your best friend we are talking about, so you have to celebrate with us" Daniel said.

Jessica thought for a while.

"okay, I will take just a glass" Jessica responded and collected the glass of wine.

Jewel and Daniel downed theirs immediately, while Jessica slowly sipped hers.

"how was it?" Daniel asked Jessica.

"strong" Jessica responded.

Daniel poured more wine into the glasses. He stretched a glass to Jessica.

"I thought I said I'm taking just a glass" she said.

"just one more" Daniel responded.

Jessica collected the wine and sipped it slowly, while Jewel and Daniel downed theirs immediately.

Daniel poured more drink into the glasses. He stretched a glass to Jessica.

"I can't take that. I'm already feeling tipsy." Jessica responded.

"just the one. you are already getting used to it" Daniel said.

"Daniel, it's okay. She said she hasn't tasted alcohol before. This is her first time. She had taken 2glasses already. That alone is enough to get her drunk." Jewel said.

"okay, that means we will have to drink the wine alone." Daniel said.

"yes" Jewel responded.

Daniel poured more wine into their glasses and they drank. They continued drinking until the 2bottles were empty.

Daniel checked his wrist watch when they were done drinking.

"It's 8pm already. I need to start leaving" he said and stood up from the sofa.

"okay, no problem. And thanks for making me drink this much" Jewel responded.

Daniel shook hands with Jewel and left the sitting room.

"I also have to start leaving" Jessica said, immediately Daniel left.

"okay, I also need to go and get some sleep before this wine start having effect on me" Jewel responded.

Jessica stood up to leave. She staggered to the door, but fell on the floor before she could get to the door. Jewel rushed to assist her up. Her vision was already blur. Jewel assisted her back to the sofa.

"it seems you are already drunk. Did you come with your car?" Jewel asked.

"yes" Jessica responded.

"I would have driven you back home, but I have taken too much alcohol. I can't drink and drive. That means you will have to send the night here. You can sleep in Angel's bedroom since she is not around." Jewel said.

"okay" Jessica responded.

"I will go to my room now. I need to go and sleep. I'm already feeling tipsy. when you feel like sleeping, just go to Angel's room" Jewel said.

"okay" Jessica responded.

Jewel stood up and went to his room. Immediately Jewel went to his room, Jessica lay on the sofa and slept off minutes later.

**********************************************

It was a new day. Jewel stretched his body on his bed. His eyes were still closed. He was too weak to even open his eyes. He was having headache, which was as a result of the wine he drank the previous night. He slowly opened his eyes and froze immediately. He quickly sat up. His eyes widen in shock as he stared at Jessica lying completely unclad beside him on the bed. He continued staring at her in shock, as he couldn't understand how she got into his bed. Jessica yawned and slowly opened her eyes. She froze immediately, when she saw Jewel staring at her unclad body.

"oh my God!" she screamed and immediately covered herself with the blanket.

"Jewel, what have you done? What did you do to me?" she screamed.

Episode 45

Steven emerged from his bathroom to see his phone ringing on his bed. He just finished having his bath. He took the phone from his bed. He smiled when he realized that the call was from Jewel. He answered the call immediately.

"hello Jewel, what's up?" Steven asked.

"Steven, we need to meet right now" Jewel said immediately.

"what's wrong Jewel? you don't sound fine" Steven said.

"could you believe that someone sexually harass my Angel today at work. And it is no other person than that her superior called Mr James. That idiot forcefully kissed Angel today at work. I will strangle him to death if I get hold of him." Jewel said, angrily.

Steven froze when Jewel said that. He suddenly lost his voice. He didn't know what to say to Jewel. He knew Jewel was very angry. He could sense it in his tone.

"did you say Angel was sexually harassed today at work?" Steven asked.

"yes, and I need to deal with that idiot called Mr James. Meet me at the bar right now. I'm waiting for you there. I need to look for the best way to deal with that idiot." Jewel said.

"okay, I will meet you there" Steven responded and ended the call.

He fixed his gaze on his phone screen.

"did Angel actually tell Jewel what happened between her and Mr James at the office? Was she truly sexually harassed?" he asked.

He immediately dialed Mr James number. He picked up after the second beep.

"hello" Mr James said.

"did you sexually harass Angel?" Steven asked.

"what do you mean by sexually harass?" Mr Jude asked.

"did you forcefully kiss her?" Steven asked.

"why all this questions? I have given you what you wanted, so what is the problem now?" Mr James asked.

"just answer the question. Did you forcefully kiss her?" Steven asked.

"erm, you see, I tried to talk to her nicely, but she proved to be stubborn. I just had to apply a little force to it" Mr James responded.

"you are a big fool. did I tell you to use force on her? I told you to seduce her into kissing you and not to forcefully kiss her" Steven barked.

"I thought you said you don't care how I do it. All you want is for me to kiss her. Why are you now bothered?" Mr James asked.

"now I see that you are a very big fool. If I tell you that I don't care how you do it, does that imply you should forcefully kiss her. You should have raped her instead, you fool" Steven barked.

"this one you are sounding this way, I hope my contract is still intact?" Mr James asked.

"if you want to have any chance of winning the contract, you better start deleting every pictures of Angel you have with you" Steven responded.

"you mean I should delete the pictures I sent you?" Mr James asked.

"yes, and the ones you didn't send me, delete it also" Steven responded.

"okay, I will do that immediately" Mr James said.

"and also make sure you don't tell anyone that we had any sort of deal." Steven said.

"okay, I won't" Mr James responded.

"I will talk to you later" Steven said and ended the call.

He stared at his phone screen.

"what have I done? Jewel must not know that I was behind this, if not, there will be trouble." he said.

He immediately deleted the pictures Mr James sent to him, dressed up and left his room.

**********************************************

Jewel sat in a bar, waiting impatiently for Steven. He wasn't drinking. He just kept staring angrily into air. Steven walked into the bar some minutes later. He went straight to join Jewel immediately.

"Jewel, what were you talking about on phone?" Steven asked.

"Mr James sexually harassed Angel at work today. I'm taking legal action against him. I'm filing a lawsuit. but before that, I'm taking Angel out of that company immediately. I can't leave her in a place where she will be harassed. I want you to offer her a job in our company, and I need you to do that immediately." Jewel said.

"okay, I will do that, but won't she be suspicious?" Steven asked.

"no, tell her that you saw her credentials and find it attractive, that's why you want her to work in the company. I want you to make her the team leader in our new line of product. Since you are travelling to Johannesburg in 2days time for the board meeting, make her go with you to get the board approval. That way she won't be suspicious of anything. She will believe her qualifications earned her the job and nothing more." Jewel said.

"okay, I will do that. if that's what you want." Steven responded.

"I just want her to leave that job as soon as possible." Jewel said.

"I will do as you say, but Jewel, I will advise you not to take legal action against Mr James yet. You should wait until you reveal your real identity to Angel. If you file a law suit against Mr James and Angel gets to know that you are the vice president of Edward Empire, without you telling her yourself, things might backfire." Steven said.

Jewel thought for a while.

"okay, I will wait until I reveal my real identity to Angel before taking legal action. but I will definitely get that idiot behind bars." Jewel responded.

"that's how it should be" Steven said.

"I will take my leave now. I left Angel all alone in the house. I need to go back to her now. make sure you call her right now and give her the offer. I want her to have received the news before I get home" Jewel said.

"okay, I will do that" Steven responded.

"see you at work tomorrow" Jewel said.

"see you too" Steven responded.

Jewel stood up and left the bar.

**********************************************

Jewel opened the door to Angel's sitting room and entered. Angel was not in the sitting room when he walked in.

"Angel!" he called, but got no response.

He went to the kitchen to look for her, but she was not there. He emerged from the kitchen and walked to the direction of her bedroom. When he got to her door, he knocked softly on it, but got no response.

"Angel!" he called again, but still got no response.

He opened the door and entered. He didn't see Angel in her bedroom when he walked in. He didn't realize that Angel was hiding behind her door. She stood there staring at Jewel with smiles on her face. Jewel walked closer to her bed and stood there. That was his first time of entering Angel's bedroom. He took his time admiring the beauty of her bedroom. Just as he turned to leave, Angel immediately ran towards him and jumped on his body. He staggered few steps backward, before finally landing his back on Angel's bed, and Angel too falling on his body.

"caught you" Angel said, smiling.
"I saw you coming and I quickly hid so that you will look for me"

She was lying on Jewel's body. Her bosoms were pressing against his chest. Her lips were just an inch away from his. Jewel stared intensely at her. He couldn't help but notice for the first time just how soft her body was, and how sexy her lips looked. He let his gaze slip lower, to the rest of her body he had seen a thousand times, but which seemed so utterly different that moment. After feeding his eyes on her sexy body, he looked back up to see Angel also staring intensely at him. Angel watched as his eyes slowly flickered from her eyes down to her lips. when he looked into her eyes once again, her expression was intense, almost threatening.
For a moment, Jewel thought maybe she was angry at the way he was staring at her body, but before he could ponder it further, she yanked him to her and covered his mouth with hers in a hungry kiss. He responded immediately and they kissed passionately. Her mouth was so warm, the caress of her lips softer than he could have imagined. They kissed for about 5minutes before Jewel abruptly stopped. He stared at her and all he could see in her eyes were desires.
Jewel gently rolled her off his body and sat up. He thought it wasn't the right time yet.

"I will head to my room now" he said.

He stood up and walked to the door.

"wait!" Angel said.

He stopped and turned to face Angel.

"I got a call from Edward Empire some minutes ago." she said.

Jewel walked back to meet her and sat beside her on the bed.

"what did they say?" Jewel asked.

"They are offering me a job in their company. The pay is three times as much as my current salary. But I need to get the board approval first. That means I will have to travel to Johannesburg in 2days time to get the approval. And once I get the approval, I will be employed as a team leader in the company" Angel explained.

"wow! that's great" Jewel said.

"do you think I should accept the offer?" Angel asked.

"yes, please accept the offer. The pay is handsome, and it's better than being in a place where you will be harassed." Jewel responded.

"okay love, I will accept it" Angel said.

"let me head to my room now" Jewel said.

"okay" Angel responded.

Jewel stood up, heaved a sigh of relief, and left the room.

**********************************************

It was a new day at Edward Empire. Steven sat behind his desk in his office, going through some documents. A knock suddenly sounded on his door.

"come in" He said.

The door opened and Angel walked in. Steven dropped the document he was holding immediately he saw Angel.

"miss Owen, you are here already. please have a seat." Steven said.

"thanks" Angel responded and sat down.

"I will go straight to the point, without wasting much of your time" Steven said.

"okay" Angel responded.

"we saw your credentials and they are great. we thought we will need your idea in my new line of product, that's why we are employing you as a team leader in our company. All you have to do is to travel with me tomorrow to Johannesburg where our next board meeting his holding and get the board approval. Once you get the board approval, you automatically become an employee of Edward Empire." Steven said.

"okay, I accept the offer" Angel said.

"good, that means we are travelling first thing tomorrow morning" Steven said.

"okay sir" Angel responded.

"okay, let me leave you now to go prepare things you will be taking along with you" Steven said.

"okay sir" Angel responded and tried to stand up.

"Angel!" Steven called.

Angel sat down back and turned to face him, surprised that he suddenly called her by her first name.

"yes sir" Angel responded.

"I have been in many relationships and none ever ended well. I always get my heart broken. All the ladies I have dated only want my money and once they get what they wanted, they would dump me. The one that pained me most and made me to nearly commit suicide, was the lady I dated for 5years. She was so kind, loving and caring. She was very quiet. I could swear that she wouldn't do anything to betray me. I was even about to propose to her. but eventually, I caught her in bed with a guy she claimed to be her cousin. you can't imagine how devastated I was that day. It was as if my world had ended. I was heartbroken. After that experience, I vowed never to fall in love with any lady. I believed they were all the same. I shunned every lady that tried to be nice to me, because I believed they always have ulterior motives. I ignored them completely.
But with what I just witnessed recently, I think I'm beginning to change my perspective about ladies. They are not all the same afterall. There are still some good ones out there. I wish to find a lady like the one I recently cross path with. That's only when I will be happy again" Steven explained.

"I'm sorry for your sour relationship experience" Angel sympathized with him.
"but why are you telling me this?"

"because I think I owe you an apology." Steven responded.

"apology for what?" Angel asked.

"never mind. you can leave now and go prepare what you will be taking with you. We are leaving first thing tomorrow morning" Steven said.

"okay sir" Angel responded.

She stood up and left the office.

omonifamily:
Hi! I think I need to call the OP's attention to this. A guy with the name Haa dee Cabasa is posting this story on facebook in a group (Adebimpe the facebook girl). Check it out

If they post my story on their page and give recognition to the writer, then I'm cool with it. My only problem is when they copy my story without giving recognition to the writer.

Episode 44

A knock sounded on Mr James door.

"that should be Angel. Now, it is time to act." Mr James said and sat properly on his seat.
"come in, the door is open"

The door opened and Angel walked in.

"you sent for me sir" Angel said.

"yes, I want to show you something. please have your seat." Mr James said.

"okay sir" Angel responded and sat down on the visitor's seat.

Mr James stood up immediately and went to stand behind Angel. He dropped a file on the table, for her to go through.

"I want you to go through this report and see if it is okay for me to submit it to the MD" He said and rested his chest on her back.

Angel didn't complain. instead she fixed her gaze on the file he was showing her.

Mr James placed one hand on Angel's shoulder and pointed to a particular spot on the file with his other hand.

"do you think this part should be added to the report" Mr James said.

"it's okay. There is nothing wrong with it" Angel responded, still sitting calmly.

She didn't complain of how close Mr James was standing behind her, instead she continued examining the file. Mr James suddenly placed his second hand on her shoulder and started massaging her shoulders. Angel turned to face him immediately.

"what are you doing sir?" Angel asked.

"I thought you might be stressed out already, that's why I'm trying to massage your shoulders" Mr James responded.

"I'm sorry sir. If I need a massage, I know where to get one" Angel said.

"okay, you can continue with what you are doing" Mr James said.

"I think I'm done already. I need to return to my office now" Angel said and stood up.

She tried to leave but Mr James immediately held her hand.

"what's the meaning of this sir?" Angel asked.

"we are not done yet. I still have something else to show you." Mr James said.

"I'm sorry sir. I also have something to attend to in my office" Angel said and tried to leave, but he held her tightly.

"what's all this nonsense sir" Angel asked.

"why are you proving stubborn? It is not as if someone will see us if anything happens here. This is my office, and I assure you no one will know what happens between us. so you can calm yourself down" Mr James said.

"I beg your pardon. what nonsense are you saying?" Angel asked.

"just calm down" Mr James said and tried to touch her face.

"will you get your filthy hand off me" Angel said.

"you don't have to make me do this the hard way. Just give in willingly." Mr James said and immediately grabbed Angel's hands.

"will you take your hands off me" Angel said and tried to free herself, but he held her tightly.

He drew Angel closer. Her bosoms rested on his chest.

"please stop this. I beg you in the name of God. please don't do this" Angel begged.

Her plea fell on deaf ears, because him drew her even closer and forcefully kissed her. Angel struggled to free herself, but he overpowered her. The kiss lasted for 5seconds before Angel finally pushed him away. She stared at him in shock, gasping for air.

"I am .............." Mr James tried to speak, but a hot slap landed on his cheek before he could complete his sentence.

He staggered few step backward before gaining balance. While he was still trying to recover from the effect of the first slap, Angel landed him another one on his other cheek, which eventually sent him landing on his desk. He held his cheek and stared at Angel in shock. Angel stared angrily at him for a while, then turned and stomped out of his office.

*************************************************

Steven opened the door to his sitting room and entered. He dropped his briefcase on the table and sat on the sofa. His phone started ringing immediately he settled down. He brought out the phone from his pocket to realize that the call was from Mr James. He answered the call immediately.

"hello Mr James." he said.

"have you seen the pictures I sent you?" Mr James asked.

"No, when did you send it?" Steven asked.

"I sent it some minutes ago. Check your whatsapp. I'm sure you will find it there" Mr James said.

"okay, I will check my whatsapp now" Steven responded.

"I hope you will keep your promise" Mr James said.

"don't worry, if you sent me exactly what I want, then the contract is yours" Steven responded.

"okay thanks" Mr James said.

Steven ended the call and immediately opened his whatsapp. He saw Mr James message and immediately clicked it to see the pictures Mr James sent him. His face suddenly curved in a smile when he saw Mr James kissing Angel in the picture. It didn't look as if Angel was forcefully kissed in the picture. It looked as if she willingly accepted to be kissed. Steven stared at the picture with smiles.

"is this not the same lady, Jewel said is trustworthy. Look at how she was kissing her superior affectionately in his office. I told Jewel that these ladies are not to be trusted but he didn't listen. Now look at what the so called Angel is doing behind him. I'm sure he will be heartbroken when I show him this, but I still have to show him. I warned him but he didn't listen. Now, see what he has gotten himself into. I will show him this picture when we meet tomorrow" Steven said.

He stood up from the sofa, carried his briefcase and went into his room.

**********************************************

Jewel sat in Angel's sitting room, watching a programme that was being showed on t.v. He had moved in just as he agreed to do. Angel had not returned from work. He was alone in the house.

Minutes after sitting silently in the sitting room, the door opened and Angel walked in. Jewel stood up when he saw her and immediately went to hug her.

"welcome back, my Angel. how was work today?" Jewel asked.

Angel didn't respond. She only stared silently at him. Jewel noticed that she wasn't happy. He stared at her, and all he could see in her eyes was pain.

"My Angel, what's wrong?" Jewel asked, feeling concerned.

Angel didn't responded. She continued staring silently at him.

"please talk to me, my Angel. what is wrong?" Jewel asked.

"my superior" Angel said, painfully.

"what about him? what happened to your superior?" Jewel asked.

"he forcefully kissed me today at work. I tried to stop him but he overpowered me" Angel said, bitterly.

Jewel's mood suddenly changed when Angel said that.

"is it the same guy that came to Edward Empire with you to submit your company proposal?" Jewel asked, trying to look calm.

"yes, his name is Mr James" Angel responded.

Jewel took a deep breath and held Angel's hands.

"I will surely deal with him. He must pay for what he did to you. This is sexual harassment and I won't take it lightly." Jewel said.

"you don't have to do anything. I will report him to the M.D, and I'm sure he will be punished" Angel responded.

"you must be very tired. please go inside and have your bath, while I go get something from the store at the roadside." Jewel said.

"okay love" Angel responded and walked to the direction of her room.

Jewel fixed his gaze on her until she entered her room.

"So, someone dare to harass my own Angel. He is so done for. I will so deal with him that he will regret ever meeting Angel. I won't take this lightly. I will strangle him to death if I lay my hands on him. I need to act immediately" he said, angrily.

He turned and left the sitting room immediately.

Episode 43

"Angel, I'm in love with you. please, will you be my girlfriend." Jewel said and stared anxiously at her for her response.

Angel stared silently at him for a while. Her face suddenly curved in a smile. She held Jewel hand and stared deeply into his eyes.

"Jewel, my worst moment too was when I got separated from you. Never a day passed without me thinking of you. Jewel, I have always loved you, right from when we were in the university. Never for once did I stop loving you. Even as we speak right now, I still love you very much. Your current financial status can not stop the love I have for you. I know you are very smart and hardworking, so you won't remain this way forever. I have waited for a very long time to hear these words from you. you can't imagine how happy I am right now. You just made me the happiest woman on earth. It's true they say, the pain of parting is nothing compared to the joy of meeting again. I'm so very happy right now" she paused and smiled broadly.
"Jewel, I will be your girlfriend. I love you so much. I will always be here to support you until you achieve your dream."

"thank you very much Angel. I promise to take very good care of you. I will also cherish you. I will never let you down." Jewel said and immediately hugged her.

**********************************************

Steven sat in his sitting room watching a football match on t.v. His sitting room was very wide and spacious. The interior designs of the sitting room were magnificent. The sitting room door suddenly opened and Jewel walked in. He went straight to meet Steven and sat down beside him on the sofa.

"I told you, Angel is not who you think she is. She loves me sincerely. She accepted to be my girlfriend. you can't imagine how happy I am right now" Jewel said, happily.

"she accepted to be your girlfriend" Steven said.

"yes, she accepted. if you see how happy she was, when I asked her to be my girlfriend" Jewel said.

"it seems she is a nice lady after all" Steven said.

"yes, she is" Jewel responded.

"so, what do you plan to do next, now that she has accepted to be your girlfriend?" Steven asked.

"The first thing I will do is to reveal my secret to her. I don't think it's proper keeping my identity a secret from her. She is my girlfriend now and there shouldn't be secrets between us" Jewel responded.

"I don't think now is the proper time to reveal your secret to her. You should wait for a week at least, before telling her. If you tell her immediately, she might think you are testing her all this while, and might get mad at you. Just wait for a week or two, before telling her." Steven suggested.

Jewel thought for a while.

"I think that's a nice idea. I shouldn't tell her immediately. I will wait for a week before telling her" Jewel responded.

"yes, that's what you should do" Steven said.

Jewel's phone suddenly started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and Angel the call, when he realized it was from Angel.

"hey, my Angel, how are you?" he asked, smiling.

"I'm cool" Angel responded.

"good to know" Jewel said.

"my Jewel, I was thinking, maybe you should come and stay with me in my place. There are lot of empty rooms here. You can just stay in one of them, until you find somewhere better to stay. I won't have rest of mind, knowing you are staying in such a place. I will be very happy if you can come stay with me here" Angel said.

"will you be okay with that?" Jewel asked.

"yes, I will be very happy to have you here with me" Angel responded.

"when do you want me to come?" Jewel asked.

"you can come tomorrow. I don't want you to keep living there" Angel responded.

"okay, my Angel. I will be at your place tomorrow. Thank you very much" Jewel said.

"you are welcome. Talk to you later" Angel said and ended the call.

Jewel turned to face Steven immediately.

"Angel just asked me to come stay with her for the meantime until I find a better place to stay. This is perfect timing because my grandpa is travelling out of the country tomorrow for medical check up, and he will be spending some time there. I think I need to rush back home and go prepare few things." Jewel said.
"see you later"

"okay, see you too" Steven responded.

Jewel stood up and walked to the door. Steven stared at him until he left the sitting room.

'I still don't trust this lady called Angel. I'm sure she has ulterior motives. She looks very suspicious. How can a lady as beautiful as that, who must have lot of rich guys flocking around her, chose to be the girlfriend of someone who is just a cleaner. Such ladies don't exist. She has ulterior motives, and when she finally strikes, it will be disastrous. I need to find out whatever hidden motive she has. I need to test her one more time. This time, I won't involve Jewel. I will do it alone. Let me see if she will pass the test this time around.' Steven thought.

He stood up and left his room some minutes after Jewel had left.

********************************************

Steven sat in a bar, drinking a glass of wine. He was waiting for Angel's superior, Mr James. Mr James walked into the bar minutes later. He went straight to join Steven.

"This one that you suddenly asked me to meet you here, I hope all is well" Mr James asked.

"do you want your company to win the contract?" Steven asked.

"yes of course. it will be a great achievement for me, if I could get the contract signed." Mr James responded.

"as it stands, your company has no chance of winning the contract. There are lot of proposals that are more appealing than the one you submitted." Steven said.

"that means we will lose the contract" Mr James said, sadly.

"yes, but I can make you win the contract if you can do just one thing" Steven said.

"what do you want me to do? just tell me. I will do anything to win this contract. This means a lot to me. Once I get the contract signed, I will be promoted." Mr James responded.

"you can do one thing to get it signed." Steven said.

"what is it?" Mr James asked.

"Just send me a picture of you either kissing or cuddling Angel. I don't want to know how you will achieve that, all I want is a picture of you, either kissing or cuddling her affectionately. Once you can do that, the contract is yours" Steven said.

"but why will you want me to do such a thing?" Mr James asked.

"don't ask any question. if the contract is very important to you, you will do it without asking questions." Steven responded.

"So, once I send you a picture of me kissing or cuddling her, I will get the contract" Mr James said.

"yes, just send me a picture of you either kissing or cuddling her affectionately and the contract is yours" Steven responded

"I will do it. if that will make me win the contract, then I will do it" Mr James said.

"you made the right choice" Steven said.

"I just hope, I get the contract after doing this" Mr James said.

"sure you will" Steven responded.

**********************************************

It was a new week and a new day at Grassland company. Mr James was already seen sitting behind his desk, in his office. He came to work very early in order to make arrangement for his plan. He had already set everything in order. He had also placed a camera in his office, to capture everything happening in the office. He already sent for Angel some minutes ago. All he was waiting for was for Angel to arrive, so that he could carry out his plan. He stared continuously at the door.

'this contract means a lot to me. Once I get it signed, I will be promoted. I will do anything to get it signed. Even if it means forcefully kissing Angel, I will do it. I can always apologize later. By then the contract would have be signed already' he thought.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door.

"that should be Angel. Now, it is time to act." Mr James said and sat properly on his seat.
"come in, the door is open"

Episode 42

Jewel froze immediately, when he realized he had said something he shouldn't have said. He cleared his throat.

"you see Angel, when I was expelled from school 7years ago. I couldn't look at my parent in the eyes. I knew I disappointed them. I left home and travelled to a far village where I could be alone, with the hope of doing something useful for myself. The village I travelled to was called U.S by the people who live there. There is also another village called small London close to the one I stayed. The funny thing is that, these villages are very local. They don't even have common electricity. I wonder where they got those names from. After spending some years there, I couldn't help but to start calling the village U.S just like those who live there. And I'm already use to it. so the U.S I just mentioned was the village I stayed for 7years." Jewel explained and fixed his gaze on Angel to see if she bought the lie.

"everything seems clear to me now. 7years ago when you got expelled from school, I was so worried and had to visit you at your house. But when I got to your place, I didn't find anyone there. The lady I met there told me that your parent relocated. She told me they relocated without even knowing your whereabout. She told me that you were brought home from hospital after you got expelled from school, and you left home days after and didn't return." Angel said.

Jewel nodded. His explanation aligned very well with hers. She even helped in perfecting his lies.

"you have gone through a lot. It must have been very hard for you." Angel said.

"at least, I survived" Jewel responded.

"let's forget about the past and focus on the future now" Angel said.

Jewel nodded.

"you can eat your food now" Angel said.

"okay" Jewel responded and started devouring the food.

*********************************************

It was weekend, meaning no work for that day. Jewel sat in the sitting room of his grandpa's mansion, watching a programme on tv. His phone suddenly started ringing beside him on the sofa. He took the phone and answered the call when he realized it was from Angel.

"hello Angel" Jewel said.

"Jewel, how are you?" Angel asked.

"I'm cool and you?" Jewel asked.

"I'm cool too" Angel responded.

"so, what's up" Jewel asked.

"Jewel, are you at home?" Angel asked.

Jewel paused for a while. He tried to figure out why Angel was suddenly asking if he was at home.

'could it be that Angel is already at the place she visited me last time. What if I say yes and she realized I'm lying' Jewel thought.

"I'm not in my house currently. I just step out to get something, but I will soon return." Jewel responded.
"is there a problem?"

"no, I just thought maybe you can come over to my place, since today is weekend. I want to show you something." Angel said.

"yes I can come to your place. should I start coming now?" Jewel asked.

"yes, if you can." Angel responded.

"okay, I'm coming" Jewel said.

"so, I should be expecting you right?" Angel asked.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"okay, I'm waiting for you" Angel said and ended the call.

Jewel dropped his phone on the sofa and quickly ran into his room.

*********************************************

Angel sat on the sofa, in her sitting room, reading a novel. A knock sounded on her door. She turned her attention to the door and smiled.

"Jewel" she said.

She stood up and walked to the door. She opened it to see Jewel standing at the door.

"Jewel!" she called and immediately hugged him.

"please come in" she said.

"thanks" Jewel responded and entered the sitting room.

He sat down on the sofa and Angel sat down beside him.

"how are you?" Angel asked.

"I'm fine and you?"

"as you can see I'm doing great." Angel responded.

"that's good" Jewel said.

Angel stood up from the sofa.

"please give me a minute" she said and went into her room.

Angel emerged few minutes later with 2bags. She dropped the bags on the table and sat beside Jewel.

"I went shopping today and I bought you this" Angel said.

"really" Jewel said.

"yes, open the bag to see what is inside" Angel said.

Jewel immediately opened one of the bag. Inside the bag were some shirts and trousers. He brought them out from the bag.

"wow Angel! You bought these clothes for me" Jewel said.

"do you like them?" Angel asked.

"I love them" Jewel responded.

"open the second bag" Angel said.

Jewel opened the second bag and brought out the brand new android phone in it.

"wow Angel! is this also for me?" Jewel asked.

"yes. now, you won't have to remove your battery from your phone before charging it" Angel responded.

"thank you very much Angel. I really appreciate this. I'm very grateful." Jewel said.

"okay, let me set the dining for lunch" Angel said.

She stood up and went into the kitchen.

*********************************************

Jewel sat in the sitting room, in his grandpa's mansion, arranging the clothes Angel bought for him. He was just returning home, after spending hours at Angel's place. The sitting room door opened and Steven walked in. He went straight to meet Jewel and sat beside him.

"This one that you asked me to come here all of a sudden, I hope there is no problem." Steven said

"I want to show you this" Jewel said and showed Steven the clothes.
"I thought you said Angel would break my heart, but instead she is doing the opposite. I told you that Angel is not like others ladies. She is different. Now, see for yourself. Look at how she is taking very good care of me." Jewel said.

Steven took a look at the clothes. He dropped them on the sofa when he was done and faced Jewel.

"Jewel, don't confuse this for something else" Steven said.

"what do you mean?" Jewel asked.

"All I can say is that, Angel really don't see you the way you think she sees you. She might not really have any special feelings for you. All she might feel for you is pity, that's why she's doing all this for you. She feels pity for you that you couldn't graduate with your mates and ended up as a cleaner. That's why she is trying her best to see how she could be of help to you. So don't confuse this feelings for love. It's just pity" Steven said.

"That's not true" Jewel said.

Even if what Steven said sounded realistic, he still tried to make himself not to believe it.

"how will you know if it is not true?" Steven asked.

"Angel can never see me that way. She wouldn't be taking care of me just because she feels pity for me." Jewel responded.

"there is only one way to find out if what she feels for you is pity" Steven said.

"how?" Jewel said.

"do you love Angel?" Steven asked.

"yes of course. I love her a lot." Jewel responded.

"If you love her, then asked her to be your girlfriend. I'm sure she will turn you down, with some silly excuses that she is not ready yet. That will tell you she doesn't see you the way you think" Steven said.

"isn't it too early to ask her to be my girlfriend?" Jewel asked.

"it is not too early. you have known this lady for 7years or more. If she loves you, I'm sure she will be waiting already to hear those words from you" Steven responded.

"okay, I will asked her to be my girlfriend. I'm sure Angel loves me" Jewel said.

"we will see about that" Steven responded.

***********************************************

Jewel sat in a local fast food joint, waiting for Angel. He had earlier called her to meet him there. The place was very local. It was more like 'mama put' joint. The place was also Steven's idea. He believed that was the best place for Jewel to profess his love to Angel.
Jewel sat down quietly, staring into air. His heart was pounding. All what Steven said kept recurring in his mind.

'what if what Steven said is true. What if all she feels for me is pity. what if she turn me down when I ask her to be my girlfriend. What if she really doesn't feel anything special for me. it will be very heartbreaking if she turns me down today. I don't think I can take the rejection.' Jewel thought.

Jewel was lost in thought that he didn't realize when Angel walked into the fast food joint.

"penny for your thought" Angel said, bringing him back to reality.

He turned to see Angel smiling at him.

"you are here already" Jewel said, masking his worry with a smile.
"please have a seat"

"thank you" Angel responded and sat down.
"so, what's the occasion?"

Jewel cleared his throat and stared deeply into Angel's eyes.

"Angel, one of my saddest moment was when I got separated from you. I couldn't get you off my mind, even when we lost contact. I kept thinking about you. You wouldn't imagine how happy I was when I saw you again after many years. It was as if I got a second change to do what I couldn't do back then. I think this is the right time for me to say this. I might not have another opportunity to say this if I don't say it now. Angel, I might not have a good job now. my current salary might not be able to take proper care of me, not to talk of taking care of someone else. But one thing I know is that, when I love, I love completing." he paused and took a deep breath.
"Angel, I'm in love with you. please, will you be my girlfriend." Jewel said and stared anxiously at her for her response.

Episode 41

Angel emerged from the elevator few minutes after going to submit her file. She saw Jewel still waiting for her at the same spot and went to meet him.

"I'm done. Let's start leaving." she said and held Jewel's hand.

"Angel, I really appreciate your concern. I'm truly grateful, but I can't leave now. if I leave now, I will be the one at loss. The month is almost coming to an end, and I need to get my salary. if I leave now, all my work for this month will be in vein. Let me stay for now and get this month salary, then I will leave" Jewel said.

Angel thought for a while.

"okay, you can stay for just this month, but once you get your salary, you will leave this place" Angel said.

"yes" Jewel responded.

"okay, I will take my leave now, but make sure you send me you house address immediately you get home. don't forget. I want to pay you a visit today after work." Angel said.

"I won't forget" Jewel responded.

"okay, see you later" Angel said.

"see you too" Jewel responded.

Angel turned and left the building.

*******************************************

Steven sat behind his desk in his office, going through the file Angel submitted to him some minutes ago. The door opened and Jewel walked in. He went straight to the visitor's seat and sat down.

"Angel said she want to pay me a visit today at my place. What am I suppose to do now, knowing fully well that I stay with my grandpa in his mansion." Jewel said.

"really! did she say that? did she say she wants to visit you at your place?" Steven asked.

"yes, and I don't know what to do" Jewel responded.

"we have to look for a place for you immediately" Steven said.

"how are we going to do that within this short time?" Jewel asked.

"you don't have to worry yourself about that. I will take care of it." Steven responded.
"let's go and start making preparation immediately"

Steven stood up from his seat and they both left his office immediately.

*********************************************

Steven's car pulled to a stop in front of an abandon building, in a remote area. The whole place in the area was littered with trash. The streets were very narrow and lot of abandoned houses were seen around. The few houses that had occupants in it, were already very old. The whole place stank. Jewel and Steven alighted from the car. Jewel stared at the place in disgust.

"what are we doing here?" Jewel asked.

"I find a place for you to stay here. This is where Angel will be visiting you" Steven responded.

"what!" Jewel exclaimed.
"why will you bring me to this kind of place to stay? do you want me to die before my time?"

"it's just for today" Steven responded.

"Of all places in the world, why must it be in such a place. This place is not conducive for human being to live in. I wonder how people survive in this kind of place." Jewel said.

"You have to stay here, so that this plan can be more effective. I thought you said Angel is trustworthy. Let her prove it today. I'm sure that by the time she gets here and see that you live in such a place, she will turn back and leave immediately without bothering to know your actual house." Steven responded.

"so where is the exact house?" Jewel asked.

"we still have to trek some distance. I stopped here because the road that leads there is inaccessible for vehicles." Steven responded.

"let's go and see the house then" Jewel said and walked ahead.

"okay" responded.

*******************************************

After trekking for about 30minutes, Jewel an Steven finally got to their destination. They stood still, staring at a building which was almost situated in a forest.

"don't tell me this is the place" Jewel said.

"yes, this is the place." Steven responded.

"how will you expect someone to visit me in this kind of place. I wouldn't visit someone in such a place if I'm in her position. once I get to the area and see how disgusting it looks, I will just turn and leave immediately" Jewel said.

"if she cares about you, she won't leave. she will make sure she locates your house. Now send her the address as a text message, and switch off your phone immediately, so that she won't call to give you excuses of why she couldn't make it" Steven said.

"what are you trying to achieve by doing all these?" Jewel asked.

"I'm just trying to make sure you don't make the same mistake you made back then that almost ruined your future." Steven responded.

Jewel brought out his phone and sent Angel a text message.

********************************************

Angel sat on her bed, waiting for Jewel's message. She had already dressed up to leave. Her phone beep beside her on her bed. She took the phone and saw Jewel's text message.

"now we are set" she said

She stood up from her bed, carried her handbag and left her room.

********************************************

Jewel and Steven sat on a mat, in the room Steven got for Jewel. There were no properties in the room, except for a cupboard seen beside the wall. They were no form of electricity in the room. They sat quietly on the mat waiting for Angel to arrive. They had been waiting there for 3hours already.

"I told you. she won't come. she must have turned back and left when she saw how disgusting the area is." Steven said.

"why won't she leave. Do you expect her to visit me in this kind of place. This area is not safe for her. This is not a test. I wouldn't have passed such test myself. I would never visit someone in such a place." Jewel responded.

"let's start leaving then." Steven said.

"yes, let's leave. I might just fall sick if I spend anymore time here" Jewel responded.

They stood up to leave. A knock sounded on the door immediately they took their first step. They paused and stared at the door.

"that should be her" Jewel said.

"I think so" Steven responded.
"she shouldn't see me here. let me hide"

Steven quickly hid inside the cupboard in the room. Jewel walked to the door. He opened it to see Angel standing there. She was holding 2bags which contain the stuff she bought.

"you came" Jewel said, happily.

"yes of course" Angel responded.

"please come in" Jewel said.

"thank" Angel responded and entered the room.

She stared at every corner of the room.

"please have a seat" Jewel said, pointing to the mat on the floor.

Angel dropped her bags and sat on the mat. Jewel sat down beside her.

"the roads here are very bad. I parked my car very far from here and trekked all the way here" Angel said.

"that's how it is" Jewel responded.

"but why will you look for a house in this kind of place?" Angel asked.

"that's because house rent is cheaper here" Jewel responded.

"I bought foodstuffs on my way here. I thought you will have a place where I can cook. but it seems there is none. You will have to follow me back to my place so that I can cook for you." Angel said.

"really"

"yes" Angel responded.

"when should we go?" Jewel asked.

"right now" Angel responded.

"then let's start going. I'm ready." Jewel said.

Jewel stood up, carried Angel's bags and left the room with her, without even bothering if Steven was still hiding in the cupboard.

*******************************************

Angel opened the door to her sitting room and entered with Jewel.

"welcome to my home" Angel said.

Jewel fixed his gaze on the interior designs of the sitting room.

"you have a very nice home" Jewel said.

"thank you" Angel responded.
"please have a seat"

"thank you" Jewel responded and sat down on the sofa.

Angel picked up the t.v remote from the table and switched on the t.v.

"please give me a minute" she said and went into the kitchen.

She emerged from the kitchen minutes later with a glass of juice and biscuits. She dropped it on the table.

"keep yourself busy with this while I prepare dinner" She said.

"okay, thanks" Jewel responded.

Angel turned and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner, while Jewel fixed his gaze on the t.v.

Angel emerged from the kitchen few minutes later. She set the dining for dinner. When she was done, she went to meet Jewel.

"dinner is ready. please come to the dining" Angel said.

"okay, thanks" Jewel responded and headed straight to the dining.

He sat down and Angel served him the food.

"thank you" he said.

He took a spoon full into his mouth. He paused immediately he tasted the food. Angel noticed the look on his face.

"don't you like the food?" Angel asked.

Jewel turned to face her.

"Angel, this food is very delicious. you are an amazing cook. It's been long I tasted food as delicious as this. That was 7years ago when I was still staying with my parent, before I traveled to the U.S." Jewel said.

"you traveled to the U.S, when?" Angel asked, curiously, as she didn't understand what Jewel just said.

Jewel froze immediately, when he realized he had said something he shouldn't have said.

Episode 40

Angel opened the door to her room and entered. She was just returning from work. She dropped her handbag on her bed and went into the bathroom to freshen up. She emerged from the bathroom minutes later. She changed into a different dress. She prepared herself for her outing with Jewel. She had already made arrangement in a restuarant. All that was left was for her to call Jewel and tell him to meet her there. She sat on her bed and put on her shoe. She applied red lipstick on her lips, to match the red gown she was wearing. She took her mirror and looked at her reflection.

"Jewel" She said and smiled at her reflection on the mirror.

She was already set. She dropped the mirror and picked up her phone. She dialed Jewel's number and placed the phone on her ear.

'the number you have dialed is not available at the moment. please try again later" That was the response she got.

She dialed the number again but got same response. She stared at her phone.

"Jewel, what's wrong? why is your number not going through?" she asked.

She dialed the number again but got same response. After many attempt of trying to reach Jewel without success, she finally gave up. She dropped her phone and lay on her bed. She stared sadly at the ceiling and sighed.

"so, what should I do now? How else can I get to meet him" she said.

She rolled from one side on her bed to the other in frustration.

********************************************

It was a new day at work. Angel resumed very early to complete the work she couldn't complete the previous day. She sat behind her desk in her office, going through some files. A knock sounded on her door, and the door opened almost immediately. Mr James entered the office, holding a file. He went straight to meet Angel.

"I'm going to Edward Empire right now to submit this file." Mr James said.

"why?" Angel asked.

"are you asking me? were you not there with me when he told us to bring this file today. Why are you now asking me why" Mr James said.
"Don't tell me your mind was somewhere else, while we were trying to secure a contract. No wonder you didn't contribute anything."

Angel stood up from her seat immediately.

"let me take the file to Edward Empire instead. I know you are very busy, and you have a lot to do. I really don't have much to do today" Angel suggested.

"okay, if you say so." Mr James responded and handed the file to Angel.

"let me start going then" Angel said.

"okay" Mr James responded.

They turned and left the office together.

**********************************************

It was a new day at Edward Empire. All the cleaning staff were already doing their morning duties. Jewel was also seen cleaning his usual spot. Henry walked into the building few minutes later. He saw Jewel cleaning the floor, but ignored him. He walked straight to the elevator and entered. Jewel stared at him until he entered the elevator.

"Just continue ignoring me for now. I'm very sure you will still pay for your sins" Jewel said.

**********************************************

Steven sat behind his desk in his office, going through some documents. A knock sounded on his door.

"come in" He said without taking his gaze off the document.

The door opened and Ella walked in.

"sir, you sent for me" Ella said.

Steven looked up from the documents.

"yes, have your seat" Steven said.

"thank you sir" Ella responded and sat down.

"apart from cleaning, what else can you do?" Steven asked.

"sir" Ella said.

She didn't really understand Steven's question.

"I mean what other qualification do you have?" Steven asked.

"I'm a graduate sir. I studied business administration sir" Ella responded.

Steven brought out an envelope and gave to Ella.

"That's your employment letter. You are now employed to the management team. You will no longer be working as a cleaner" Steven said.

Ella stared at Steven in shock. She didn't understand what Steven was talking about. It was not as if she applied for a post in the company. She didn't even submit her credentials to the company, and there she was being offered a job she didn't apply for. How could that be possible.

"sir, are you sure you are not mistaking? I didn't apply for a new position. I didn't even submit my credentials to the company" Ella said.

"I know you didn't apply for a new position. I have seen how dedicated you are to your work. So, I thought you will be more useful if you work in the management team. You can give me your credentials later" Steven said.

"really sir! Thank you very much sir" she said, happily.

She knelt down immediately.

"God bless you sir. God will surely reward you sir. I'm very grateful sir. Thank you very much sir. I will never let you down. You don't know what this means to me. After how many years. I finally got a nice job. This is my best news. Thank you so so much sir" Ella said, almost tearing up.

"you can get up now" Steven said.

"thank you sir" Ella responded and stood up.
"when should I get my credentials sir"

"you can go and get it now" Steven responded.

"really sir! you mean I can abandon my work and go get my credentials" Ella said.

"you are no more a cleaner. so, you are not abandoning any work. Go get your credentials and resume work immediately" Steven responded.

"wow! okay sir, I'm heading straight home now to get my credentials. Thank you very much sir" she said and ran out of the office, happily.

********************************************

Jewel was still seen cleaning the area assigned to him. The entrance door opened and Angel walked into the building. She saw Jewel cleaning the floor when she entered the building.

"Jewel!" She called, happily.

Jewel turned to see her standing few steps behind him. She was smiling broadly. She felt like giving Jewel a hug, but just had to comport herself. She walked to meet Jewel.

"what happened? I tried your number all through last night but it was not going through" Angel said.

"my phone charging port has fault. whenever I want to charge it, I will have to remove the battery from the phone to charge the battery separately. Maybe you called when I was charging the battery" Jewel responded.

"I was very worried" Angel said.

"I'm very sorry for making you worry" Jewel responded.

"tell me your house address let me pay you a visit after work. I think it will be better that way. so that I can know where you live" Angel said.

Jewel's eyes widen in shock when Angel said that. The only address he has was his grandpa's mansion, because that's where he lives. Giving Angel that address would reveal all his secrets.

"I really don't know the name of my street because I just moved there last week. I will send the address to you as text message when I get home" Jewel responded.

"okay, please do. I want to pay you a visit at your house" Angel said.

"Jewel!!!!" someone screamed Jewel's name.

He turned to see Ella standing few steps away from him. She was smiling broadly. She ran to meet Jewel and immediately hugged him. She hugged him tightly. After a while, she freed him and stared into his eyes.

"Jewel, I'm so happy right now. you won't believe the great news I just receive. you are amazing. I'm very fortunate to have met you. It was just after I spoke to you that I got this great news" Ella said.

Angel stood still watching the both of them.

"Jewel, I have to rush back home now. I will explain everything to you when I return" she said.

She turned and left the building happily, without even noticing the presence of Angel.

Angel turned to face Jewel when Ella had left.

"your girlfriend is beautiful" Angel said.

"she is not my girlfriend. She is just my colleague." Jewel responded.

"the both of you must be very close" Angel said.

"we are not that close" Jewel responded.

"you must be very special to her. That's why she hugged you tightly" Angel said.

"I don't think so. we just knew each other recently." Jewel responded.

Henry emerged from the elevator, while Angel and Jewel were still discussing. He saw Angel and froze, but Angel didn't see him.

"is that not Angel? what is she doing here? What a surprise. I never expected to see her here. let me greet her. I know she will be surprised to see me too" he said and walked closer to her.

"Angel!" Henry called, happily.

Angel turned to see Henry standing few steps away from her.

'what is this devil doing here' she thought.
'so, he is even working in the same company with Jewel. I'm sure he will be happy to see Jewel working as a cleaner. Devil in human form. If not for you, Jewel would have attained great height. You just ruined his future and made him a cleaner.' Angel thought.

"Angel, wow! is this really you? long time. you now look even more beautiful. how are you? how is everything? when did you return to the country?" Henry asked, happily.

Angel stared at him for a while, then hissed. She turned to face Jewel, completely ignoring Henry.

"what were we discussing, before the interruption?" Angel asked.

Henry stared at her with tearing eyes. Angel's reaction hurt his heart. He was really pained. He couldn't believe that her coursemate who he had not seen for 3years could completely ignored him when he only tried to be nice. He was so pained that his heart was pounding. He needed someone to transfer his aggression to, or his heart might just explode. He turned to face Jewel.

"why has my office not been swept this morning?" Henry asked angrily, even though the office had already been swept.

"I don't know. I'm not the one assigned to clean your office." Jewel responded.

"who cares whether you are assigned there or not. Will you go into my office right now and clean it up, you foolish idiot with no ambition. I'm telling you to clean my office and you opened your lousy mouth to tell me you are not assigned there. What else can someone with no future like you do, if not to clean the whole building" Henry barked.

No a normal day, Henry wouldn't have said all that to Jewel. He just had to say it, to see if it would ease his pain.

"by the time I get to my office and you are not there, you will see what will happen to you" Henry continued.

He turned and walked out on them.

Angel stared angrily at the retreating figure of Henry. She was almost tearing up.

"This is the highest I can take. I can't take this anymore. I can't continue seeing such nonsense. my head might just explode if I keep seeing this" she said and turned to face Jewel.
"you are leaving this place with me today. you can't keep working in a place were you are treated like a slave. once I drop the file I came here to submit, you will leave with me"

"but what will I be doing if I leave this place?" Jewel asked.

"you can always get another job" Angel responded.

"there are no job out there. I know how I suffered before I got this job" Jewel said.

"It's better you don't have job, than to work in this place. Jewel, you are special. you deserve more than this" Angel said.

"but how am I going to survive when I don't have job?" Jewel asked.

"we will talk about that later. Just know that you are leaving this place with me once I drop the file. Just wait for me here" Angel said and left Jewel to drop the file she was holding.

Tobennz:
Infant plz i nid ur reply, do u have d complete story? I nid a reply asap

I haven't completed the story. I don't even have any of the episode saved somewhere, except for the ones I have already posted. Every episode is freshly written. I post each episode immediately I finish typing it. That's why the updates are not coming frequently, because some time I would be very busy and won't have the chance to type. You will have to bear with me, until I find a better way to make the update frequent. You can read my other story 'Life Of A Shy Guy' if you haven't, while you wait for the next episode.
https://www.nairaland.com/4222866/life-shy-guy

Episode 39

Jewel stood up and walked to the door. He stopped and turned to face Steven.

"don't forget what I told you. Give Ella a job in the managing department" Jewel said.

"I won't forget. I will do that immediately" Steven responded.

A knock sounded on the door for the second time.

"come in. The door is open" Steven said to those at the door.

"talk to you later" Jewel said and turned to leave.

Just as he was about placing his hand on the door handle, the door opened from outside. He froze before he could even take a step. His lips parted. His eyes widen in shock as he stared at the door. Standing at the door was Angel and his superior. Angel too was so shocked to see Jewel. It was as if the world just paused the moment she was Jewel. It was as if her body system stopped working. Her handbag fell off from her hand involuntarily. The pen she was holding also dropped from her hand, making a cracking sound on the floor. They stood still staring at each other in shock. Angel's superior stared from Angel to Jewel, back to Angel, as he couldn't understand what was going on.

Steven noticed what was going on and immediately went to meet them at the door.

"Mr James, Miss Owen, you guys are here already. you are welcome." Steven said to Angel and her superior.

He turned to face Jewel.

"what are you still doing here? will you get out from this place immediately and go continue with your cleaning job" Steven barked.

Steven's voice brought Jewel back to reality. His voice was so loud that even Angel felt the effect. Jewel stared at Steven confused, not sure why he was suddenly shouting at him.

"will you just stand there and look at me like an idiot or go continue with your cleaning duty." Steven barked again.

Jewel continued staring at Steven, confused.

"so you don't want to leave. I will make sure you lose your job today. you are even useless to this company" Steven said.

Jewel had never been so shocked and confused at the same time in his entire life. He was already shocked seeing Angel, and Steven was adding to his problem by confusing him with his sudden change of behavior. He couldn't understand why Steven was suddenly saying all that to him.

Steven held his hand and forcefully dragged him out of the office.

"get out of here, you slowpoke" Steven barked.

Steven walked back to Angel and Mr James and invited them into his office.

"please come in" Steven said and led the way.

Mr James walked in, while Angel stood at the same position, staring at Jewel in shock. The shock of seeing Jewel again after many years was already too much for her, but she still had to watch how Jewel was being treated like a slave.

"Miss Owen, aren't you coming in?" Steven asked when Angel wouldn't move an inch.

Angel slowly picked up her handbag from the floor and entered the office. She didn't take her gaze off Jewel who was now standing outside the office, not until Steven closed the door.

Everything Steven displayed was just a show. He noticed that Jewel and Angel might know each other, from the way they stared at each other. That was why he quickly put up that show for Angel to think that Jewel was just a common cleaner who is being maltreated.

"please have your seat" Steven said to Angel and Mr James.

They sat down on the visitors' seat while Steven sat behind his desk.

"so, let go straight to business" Steven said.

Mr James brought out a file and dropped it on the desk.

"this is our business proposal. I'm sure you will find it interesting when you go through it."Mr James said.

Steven took the file and busied himself with it.

Angel's mind was far from what was happening in the office. She was completing lost. What just happened in the office kept recurring in her mind. She was having mixed feelings. She was happy to see Jewel again after many years, but at the same time sad that Jewel ended up that way. She was sad that Jewel ended up being a cleaner, even to the extent that he was being treated like a slave. She stared sadly into air.

'Jewel, why did you end up this way? I never expected to see you this way. why did you give up on your dream. You shouldn't have given up so easily. you shouldn't have allowed your future be ruined just because you were expelled from school. Jewel why? why didn't you fight? oh God! This is really sad.' she thought, almost tearing up.

"Miss Owen!" Mr James called, bringing Angel back to reality.

She turned to see him already standing up.

"let's start leaving. we are through" Mr James said.

Angel was so carried away that she didn't realize when the meeting ended. She didn't even contribute anything to the meeting.

"okay sir" Angel responded and stood up.

She carried her handbag and they left Steven's office. She looked for Jewel, immediately she came out from the office, but he was nowhere to be found. Even as they exit the building, she still didn't see Jewel. They located their car in the parking lot and entered.

"wait" Angel said, immediately Mr James started the engine.

"what is it?" Mr James asked.

"I think I forgot my pen in that office. I need to go get it." Angel said.

"you can get a new one" Mr James said.

"no, I need that one. it's very important to me. Just wait here while I rush back inside to get it." Angel said and alighted from the car.

She rushed back into the building. She went straight to the reception desk.

"please I'm looking for a guy. He is actually a cleaner here" she said to the receptionist.

"it there a problem ma?" the receptionist asked.

"not really, I just want to tip him" Angel responded.

"there are lot of cleaners here, and I don't know the exact person you are looking for. I will only be of help if you know the person's name." the receptionist said.

"his name is Jewel" Angel responded.

"okay, Jewel is cleaning the restroom. Just head straight to that direction you will meet him there" the receptionist said and pointed toward the direction of the restroom.

"okay thanks" Angel responded and headed straight to that direction.

*********************************************

Jewel sat on the floor in the restroom, staring into air. He still haven't gotten over the shock of seeing Angel again after 7years.

'so, that was Angel.' he thought.
'thank God she is doing well for herself. She looks so beautiful'

"Jewel!" he heard his name behind him.

He slowly turned to see Angel standing few steps away from him. He stood up immediately. Angel ran to meet him and gave him a very tight hug. She wrapped her hands tightly around him. Jewel also hugged her tightly. They hugged for almost 5minutes before Angel freed him. She held his hands and stared into his eyes.

"I have missed you Jewel. I miss you a lot" Angel said.

"I miss you a lot too" Jewel responded.

"what happened? why are you working here as a cleaner? why will you be working in a place where you are treated like a slave?" Angel asked.

"I have no other choice" Jewel responded.

"but why.........." she paused.
"don't worry, we will sit down and talk about everything. My superior is waiting for me in the car. I need to go now. Just give me your number. I will call you and tell you where we will meet." Angel said.

Jewel brought out his broken Nokia 3310 phone from his pocket. The phone was tied with rubber band to prevent it broken parts from falling apart. Angel saw the phone and shook her head. Jewel gave Angel his number and she typed it into her phone.

"I will call you" Angel said.

"okay" Jewel responded.

Angel hugged him tightly again.

"see you later" she said.

she turned and left the restroom. Jewel stared continuously at the door.

********************************************

Steven sat in his office, going through some documents. His door suddenly opened and Jewel entered. Jewel walked to the visitor's seat and sat down. He stared silently into air.

"who is that lady? I saw the way you looked at her. She must be very important to you." Steven said.

"yes, she is very important. she would have been my girlfriend if I didn't get expelled from school. We lost contact when I traveled abroad to complete my study." Jewel responded.

"is that why you almost ruined your plan. If I didn't intervene when I did, I'm sure that lady would have known you are not a cleaner. You need to stay focus." Steven said.

"you don't need to worry yourself. Angel is not included in the plan. she is a very nice lady and I trust her. I don't plan of keeping my real identity a secret from her" Jewel responded.

"Jewel, how can you say that. This plan is working very fine, and no one should be exempted from it" Steven said.

"I know Angel, and I trust her. She is not like other ladies" Jewel responded.

"you knew her 7years ago, but you really don't know her now. 7years is enough time for someone to change. She is a human too. people change. The lady you knew 7years ago might not be the same lady you met today. If you think she's trustworthy, then let her prove it. don't exempt her from the plan." Steven said.

"okay, if you say so, but I promise you that she won't disappoint me. I trust her a lot" Jewel responded.

"I hope you have enough superglue to mend your heart when she finally breaks it" Steven joked and they both laughed.

Episode 38

Angel walked into her room and sat on her bed. She was just returning from work. She dropped her handbag beside her and lay on her back. Her phone suddenly started ringing in her bag. She opened her bag and brought out her phone. She stared at the screen and realized that the call was from Jessica. She answered the call immediately.

"Hello Jessica" Angel said.

"hi Angel. How was work today?" Jessica asked.

"fine. thanks for asking" Angel responded.

"Angel, guess what" Jessica said.

"what?" Angel asked.

"Henry has proposed" she said, happily.

"wow! I happy for you, Jessica" Angel said.

"thank you" Jessica responded.

Even though Angel didn't like Henry, because of what she believed he did to Jewel, she still didn't allow that to effect her relationship with Jessica. Jessica had been her best friend from their university day, and still remained her best friend. They had always been in touch. Even when Angel went abroad to study, they still didn't lose contact.

"okay Angel, I will talk to you later." Jessica said.

"okay dear" Angel responded and ended the call.

She dropped the phone on her bed and sighed.

***********************************************

It was a new day at Edward Empire. All the cleaners had assembled in their meeting room. They sat down quietly, waiting for their supervisor to arrive. Jewel sat down also, staring into air. He wasn't talking to anyone.

"hi" the lady sitting beside Jewel said.

He turned to see the lady smiling at him.

"hi" he responded.

"why are you so quiet?" the lady asked.

"am I?" Jewel asked.

"yes" she responded.
"by the way, I'm Ella"

"I'm Jewel" Jewel responded.

"nice to meet you" Ella said and stretched her hand for a handshake.

"nice to meet you too" Jewel responded and shook hands with her.

"so tell me, why are you always alone. Why haven't you made friends with other workers? Are you an introvert?" Ella asked.

"do I look like an introvert?" Jewel asked.

"yes. you don't talk to anyone. you don't associate with your colleagues. you always keep to yourself. Don't you know that I have been observing you for some time now" Ella said.

"is that the only thing you have discovered about me?" Jewel asked.

"not just that. I think there is something special about you. it seems like you are hiding something. That's why you always keep to yourself" Ella said.

"what do you mean?" Jewel asked, calmly, not sure if the lady beside him already knew his secret.

"I don't know. maybe you are suppose to be something more than just a cleaner, but due to situations, you ended up here" Ella said.

'who is this lady? could it be that she already knows my secret' Jewel thought.

"I might not know exactly what brought you here, but I just want to tell you never to give up on your dream. I know that if you continue working hard, you will one day achieve your dream. starting as a cleaner doesn't mean you will remain a cleaner forever. All that matter is time" Ella advised.

"why are you telling me this?" Jewel asked.

"because I think we share something similar" Ella responded.

"and what could that be?" Jewel asked.

"determination to succeed. Just because you see me working as a cleaner here doesn't mean I don't have bigger dream. To tell you the truth, I'm actually a graduate of business administration. I started working as a cleaner because I couldn't get a job. but I believe one day, I will land my dream job and leave this place." Ella said.

"you are a graduate" Jewel said.

"yes" Ella responded.

Just when Jewel was about to say something, Mr Jude and Steven entered the room. Steven walked to meet Jewel.

"Jewel!" Steven called.

"sir" Jewel answered and stood up.

"see me in my office right now" Steven said.

"okay sir" Jewel responded.

Steven turned and left the room while Jewel immediately followed behind him.

*********************************************

Steven opened the door to his office and entered. Jewel followed behind him. Steven sat on his chair while Jewel sat on the visitor's seat. They sat silently for some minutes before Steven finally spoke.

"I hope you are not finding this job difficult" Steven said.

"you don't have to worry yourself. Everything I'm doing now is worth it." Jewel responded.

"if you say so" Steven said.

"Steven!" Jewel called.

"yes, Jewel" Steven responded.

"do you know Ella, the lady that works as a cleaner?" Jewel asked.

"yes, I know her" Steven responded.

"I want you to give her a job in the managing department." Jewel said.

"but why? she is just a cleaner" Steven responded.

"that lady is not just a cleaner. She is a graduate. She is very intelligent and wise. I will need such people around me when I finally take up the vice president position" Jewel said.

"okay, if you say so. I will do that immediately" Steven responded.

******************************************

A car drove into the compound of Edward Empire and parked at the parking lot. Angel and her superior alighted from the car. They stared at the building before them.

"if will can get this contract. we will be highly rewarded" Angel's superior said.

"I'm sure we will get it" Angel responded.

"let's go in now." her superior said.

"okay" Angel responded.

They entered the building and went to the reception desk.

"sorry, we are here to submit our business proposal" Angel's superior said to the receptionist.

"okay, take the elevator to the fifth floor. The attendant you meet there will direct you on what to do" the receptionist responded.

"okay, thank you" Angel's superior said.

They walked straight to the elevator.

*******************************************

Jewel was still seen in Steven office. He had been there for 30 minutes already. He was still having a conversation with Steven.

"Steven, you haven't told me why you called me here." Jewel said.

"nothing really, I just wanted to have a chat with you" Steven responded.

"what do you want to talk about?" Jewel asked.

"at first, I didn't like the idea of you working as a cleaner, but it seems I'm starting to like the idea now. it seems to be working very fine. In less than a week, a lot had happened, but the one that surprised me most is the lady that dumped you for the second time, just because she thought you are a cleaner. I will advise you to continue this way. That's the only way you can know who to trust and who not to" Steven said.

"I don't plan to stop anytime soon" Jewel responded.

A knock suddenly sounded on the door. They both turned their attention to the door.

"are you expecting someone?" Jewel asked.

"yes. two people from Grassland company. They are here to submit their business proposal. I believe that should be them at the door." Steven responded.

"let me leave then, so that you can attend to them" Jewel said.

"okay" Steven responded.

Jewel stood up and walked to the door.

Episode 37

After his first day at work, Henry went straight to a store to get an engagement ring with part of the money he saved up. He had wanted to do that for a very long time, but couldn't because he thought he didn't have any source of livelihood. Now that he has gotten a job, he thought it was the best time.

**********************************************

Jessica entered her kitchen to prepare dinner before Henry returns from work. After spending about 15minutes in the kitchen, Henry walked in. He went straight to meet Jessica and hugged her from behind. Jessica turned to face him and immediately kissed his lips.

"my love you are back" Jessica said.

"yes baby" Henry responded.

"okay, how was your first day in work?" Jessica asked.

"it was great. I met............" he paused as he thought it wasn't the right time to tell her about Jewel.

"you met who?" Jessica asked.

"never mind" he said.
"guess what my love"

"what?" Jessica asked.

"I got a brand new car from my company" Henry said.

"wow! that's great" Jessica said, happily.
"that means you won't have to use public transport anymore or wait for cab"

"yes baby" Henry said.

"I'm really happy to hear this" Jessica said.

"I'm happy too, but there's something more important" Henry said.

"what is it my love?" Jessica asked.

Henry held her hands and stared into her eyes.

"in this few years that we have spent together, you have showed me the real meaning of love. you stood by me through tough times. You never for once got tired of taking care of me. you didn't give up on me even when I almost gave up on myself. you love me unconditionally. Right now, there is nothing I want more, than to spend the rest of my life with you. We are meant for each other. I have always wanted to do this for a very long time. I think this is the right time." he said.

He knelt down, brought out a ring from his pocket and showed to Jessica.

"will you marry me?" he asked.

Jessica froze when he said that. she stared at him in shock. Her face suddenly curved in a smile. She immediately knelt down also and hugged him tightly. She freed he and stared into his eyes.

"yes Henry. yes, I will marry you" she said happily.

She stretched her hand to Henry and he put the ring on her finger. He drew her closer and kissed her.

*********************************************

It was a new day. All the cleaners in the company were already in the company. They usually get to the company first to keep it clean before other employees start arriving. Jewel was already seen on his duty post doing his own part of the cleaning. After cleaning for a while, the door suddenly opened and Henry walked in with his briefcase. He saw Jewel and his mood suddenly changed. He stared silently at him and Jewel stared back. After staring silently at each other for a while, Henry walked out on him without saying a word to him. Jewel stared at his retreating figure until he entered the elevator. Even when Henry was out of sight, Jewel continued staring.

"Jewel!" someone screamed Jewel name from behind.

He turned to see his supervisor, Mr Jude, standing few steps away from him. Mr Jude walked to meet him.

"what are you doing here staring like a slowpoke when your mates are already through with their work" Mr Jude barked.

"sir I am........."

"just shut up! I hate excuses. It's not even up to a week that you got employed here and you are already giving me headache" Mr Jude said.

"I'm so.........."

"I said you should shut up. Don't talk when I'm talking. If this repeat itself, I won't hesitate to report you to the management. And you know what that means. you will be fired." Mr Jude said.

"it won't repeat itself. I'm very sorry sir" Jewel said.

"sorry for yourself" Mr Jude said and walked out on Jewel.

Jewel heaved a sigh of relief immediately.

*********************************************

Angel sat in her office, going through some documents. Her door suddenly opened and her superior walked in. He walked straight to her and dropped the file he was holding on her desk.

"this is the business proposal we will be submitting to Edward Empire. Other companies will be submitting their also. I drafted this one in a way that it will give us advantage over other companies. Our company really need to win this contract from Edward Empire. We need to be the ones that will be in charge of producing their new line of products. If they consider this proposal and agree to partner with us, it will be a very big achievement for our company. Edward Empire is a very big company and it's well known across the continent. partnering with them will give our company the exposure it needs." her superior explained.

Angel took the file from her desk and went through it.

"it's a good proposal, but we need someone that will be able to present and convince them to see why our proposal is more favourable." Angel said.

"that's why I'm here. You will be going with me to Edward Empire in 2days time to present this proposal to them. I believe that with you by my side, we will be able to achieve this." her superior said.

"I will do my best sir" Angel responded.

"okay, let me leave you now to continue with your work." her superior said.

"okay sir" Angel responded.

Her superior turned and left her office.

***********************************************

A car drove into the compound of Edward Empire and parked at the parking lot. A guy neatly dressed in suit alighted from the car. He rushed to the other side and opened the door. Jane and Maureen alighted from the car also. Jane stared at the Edward Empire building for a while and turned to face the guy beside her.

"Nate, you haven't told me what we are doing here." Jane said.

"maybe he wants to surprise you" Maureen responded Jane.

"no Jane, I'm not actually planning any surprise. I came here to submit my business proposal to Edward Empire and I thought you should be here to support me." Nate responded.

"okay my love. I'm here for you." Jane said.

"if this work out fine for me, it will be a great achievement for my company." Nate said.

"it will work out fine. you just have to believe" Jane responded.

"that's why I love you. you are always optimistic" Nate said.

Nate was actually Jane's boyfriend. They started dating 2years ago. Jane broke up with Dan immediately after graduating from the university, just like she promised to do. After waiting for Jewel for a whole year without any sign of him, she decided to date Nate who was way richer than Dan. She had been with Nate for 2years already and he had been taking very good care of her. Her friend Maureen was in support of all her decisions and was actually the one that convince her to forget about Jewel. She had already done than a long time ago and was doing very well with Nate.

"let's go get the contract signed" Nate said after standing at the compound for a while.

"okay my love" Jane responded.

They all walked to the entrance of the building. The door opened and they entered the building. Jane froze just as she took her first step into the building. standing before her was Jewel, holding a bucket and a broom. She stared at him in shock. Jewel couldn't hide the surprise on his face either. He was also very surprised to see her. He stared at her also in shock. Maureen too was also very surprised to see Jewel. Except for Nate who was just staring ignorantly, everyone else was shocked.

"what's going on here?" Nate asked, bringing them back to reality.

"Jane do you know this guy?" Nate asked.

Jane stared at Jewel for a while before responded.

"Yes, he is my childhood friend" Jane responded.

"oh I see. Then I will have to leave you guys to catch up on old times. I need to go and submit my proposal. Just wait for me here. when I'm done I will meet you here." Nate said.

"okay" Jane responded.

Nate kissed Jane on her cheek and walked to the elevator. Jane stared at the retreating figure of Nate until he entered the elevator. When she was sure that Nate was out of sight, she turned to face Jewel.

"my Jewel!"Jane called and immediately ran to hug Jewel.

She hugged him tightly.

"I miss you so much Jewel. I miss you a lot" Jane said.

Maureen quickly separated them from each other. She turned to face Jane.

"what are you doing, Jane? why are you embarrassing yourself? can't you see that he is just a cleaner." Maureen said.

"Maureen, don't you know who Jewel is? don't you know that Jewel is my first love?" Jane asked.

"who cares? does that really matter now? have you forgotten that you have another boyfriend now?" Maureen asked.

"Maureen, why are you saying that here?" Jane asked.

"yes, I need to say it. let him know that he got no chance with you again. Or are you planning to break up with Nate and go back to this one that has no future. It's obvious that his future got ruin the day he was expelled from school" Maureen said.

Jewel couldn't say a word. He was just staring at them silently.

"Maureen, how can you say sure a thing?" Jane asked.

"but that's the truth. You have to tell him right now to keep his distance before Nate gets back here. You wouldn't want Nate to know about this. You have to end this now. I know you love him, but love isn't enough" Maureen said.

"I have been watching you silently and you keep blabbing nonsense. Now I see that you are a bad influence to Jane" Jewel spoke for the first time.

"I'm just saying what's best for my friend. Just stay away from her. you are of no use to her. you are just a common cleaner. How will you be able to take care of her." Maureen responded.

"and you think you are useful to her" Jewel said to Maureen.

"enough!" Jane cut in immediately.

She turned to face Jewel.

"Maureen is right. Love is not enough. I have a better life now and can't ruin that because of love. I'm sorry Jewel" Jane said.

"so, you have heard her now. stay away from her. don't ruin her life just like yours" Maureen said to Jewel.

"just shut up! your voice is the last thing I want to here right now. As if you are better than me. I didn't get the opportunity to complete my education, but you that completed yours, what have you achieved. All you do is to apply make-up that would be enough to paint a whole building on your face just to look beautiful when you are not" Jewel said to Maureen, angrily.

"look at who is talking. It's true that I apply lot of make-up on my face to look beautiful, but I'm sure you are aware that my face is brighter than your future" Maureen fired back.

Even when Jewel knew that was not true, her words still hit a nerve. What if he didn't get the opportunity to complete his education and Maureen said such a thing to him. He stared silently at Maureen and couldn't utter a word. Maureen just sealed his lips with her reply.

Maureen turned to face Jane.

"please let's go and wait for Nate in the car. I can't stand this guy's presence anymore" Maureen said.

Maureen dragged Jane out of the building while Jewel continued staring silently into air.

Episode 36

While Angel was still staring at David, surprised, he brought out a small box from his pocket, knelt down, opened the box and showed Angel the diamond ring in it.

"will you marry me?" he asked.

Angel's eyes widen in shock when she heard that. She couldn't utter a word. She stared silently at David. She wouldn't have ever imagined that David could propose to her. She couldn't believe that David had feelings for her all this while. He never for once showed it to her. All the while, she thought he only saw her as a friend. She couldn't believe that he could propose marriage to her. They were not even dating, and he was already talking about marriage. He didn't even try to find out first if she felt the same way for him before proposing. She knew very well what marriage is all about. She knew marriage is a lifetime commitment. She knew that once she accepts the proposal, she would have to spend the rest of her life with him. She knew David to be a good guy, but that was not enough reason for her to accept his proposal. She had to be in love with someone she would marry, and from what she knew, she doesn't have any feeling for David. She only saw him as a friend. Going into marriage with someone she doesn't love will be a big mistake which she would regret for the rest of her life. She can't just accept the proposal, just because she doesn't want to disappoint him. She need to make decisions that are best for her.

"will you marry me?" David asked again when Angel wouldn't respond.

"David!" she called.

She didn't know what to say, or how to say what she has to say.

"yes Angel" David responded.

"David, I can't marry you. you are my friend. I don't have any such feelings for you. I'm sorry" she said.

She knew that was not the best way to turn him down, but she just had to be frank with him.

David stared at her in disappointment. He stood up, turned and left the restuarant without saying a word to her. Angel stared sadly at the door he walked out from.

***********************************************

Steven sat alone at a bar, waiting for Jewel. He was actually waiting for Jewel to tell him if his grandpa agreed to his plan. Jewel walked into the bar some minutes later. He went straight to join Steven.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting" Jewel said.

"not at all" Steven responded.

"good to know" Jewel said.

"so tell me, did your grandpa agree?" Steven asked.

"Yes he did. He said it's a good plan. it will make me know who to trust and who not to, when I finally take up the vice president position." Jewel responded.

"that's good then. so what position will you like to take?" Steven asked.

"I think I will start as a cleaner." Jewel said.

"what!!!" Steven exclaimed.
"why will you say sure a thing. You will be a cleaner in your grandpa's company. that's absurd"

"that's the only way this plan can be effective" Jewel responded.

"but it doesn't sound right" Steven said.

"it's just for the meantime. We have to do this" Jewel responded.

"okay, if you say so. I will always support you" Steven said.

***********************************************

Angel trudged into her room. She looked very tired. She whole incidents that happened at the restuarant kept recurring in her mind. She walked straight to her bed and lay on it. She sighed and stared silently at the ceiling. Her phone suddenly started ringing beside her on the bed. She ignored it the first time, but picked it up when it started ringing again.

"hello.............yes, this is miss Owen...........really!" she said and sat up immediately.
"yes sir, I will. thank you very much sir. I really appreciate it" she said, happily.

She ended the call and stared at her phone.

"wow! this is good news. I need to start preparing immediately" she said.

The company she applied for job with, just called to inform her that she got the job.

"Daniel actually said that I will get this job. He is very correct." she said.

She stood up from her bed and left her room immediately.

************************************************

Henry and Jessica sat down quietly in their sitting room watching a program on t.v. Jessica's head was resting on Henry's shoulder. Henry's phone suddenly started ringing. He brought it out from his pocket and answered the call.

"hello.........yes......... really!!!" he screamed.

He jumped up and down in excitement.

"thank you very much sir. I will be there sir" he said and ended the call.

"what is it?" Jessica asked immediately.

"I just got a job" Henry said, happily.

"wow! that's good news. I'm very happy to hear this, my love." Jessica said, happily.

"my love, you know what? just go inside and get your bag. Let me take you out. we need to celebrate this." Henry said.

"wow! that will be great. Just give me a minute let me get my handbag" she said and ran into her room immediately.

*******************************************

Jewel stood outside his grandpa's company, staring at the skyscraper before him. That would be his first time at the company. He was supposed to assume office as the vice president, but there he was, planning to work as a cleaner.

"my work in this company officially begins today" he said.

After staring at the building for a while, he walked into it to begin his duty.

**********************************************

All the workers in the cleaning department of Edward Empire were seen having a meeting in a room. that's how they usually meet on a daily basis before duty post would be assigned to them. They were all seen on there uniforms. Their supervisor could be seen standing in there front, while they were all seated. She was assigning duty post to them. The door opened and Steven walked in with Jewel.

"good morning sir" The supervisor greeted Steven immediately she saw him.

"good morning" Steven responded.

"good morning sir" the rest of the workers in the room chorused.

They didn't even recognize the presence of Jewel.

"Mr Jude, this is Jewel. he will be working with you guys. He is our new employee" Steven said to the supervisor.

"okay sir" Mr Jude responded.

Mr Jude turned to face Jewel.

"you can go and sit down with the others" he said.

"thank you sir" Jewel said and went to sit with the rest.

The meeting continued immediately Steven left. After the meeting, Jewel was assigned to be in charge of cleaning the entrance of the company. That means everyone coming into the company would see him first.

*************************************************

Angel sat down quietly in her new office. She took her time to examine everything in her office. She was sitting behind her desk. Her desktop and some files could be seen on her desk. She heaved a sigh of relief.

"finally, work begins" she said.

Her door suddenly opened and Daniel walked in. He walked to the visitor's seat and sat down.

"congratulations once more." Daniel said.

"thank you" Angel responded.

"so how should we celebrate this?" Daniel asked.

Angel thought for a while.

"let me buy you dinner after work" Angel said.

"that will be great" Daniel responded.

"see you after work then" Angel said.

"see you too" Daniel responded, stood up and left Angel's office.

******************************************

Henry walked into the compound of Edward Empire for the first time as an employee, and not as a job seeker anymore. He stared silently at the surrounding and heaved a sigh of relief. Different cars were seen in the compound.

"finally, after years of searching" he said and walked to the entrance of the building.

He got to the entrance and opened the door. He entered the building and froze immediately he saw Jewel working as a cleaner. Jewel was holding a broom and a bucket. He was so busy with what he was doing that he didn't see Henry. Henry stared silently at him. He never expected to see Jewel there, working as a cleaner. He never expected that Jewel could end up that way. He continued staring at him in shock. Jewel suddenly turned to see Henry staring at him. He stared back at him. He wasn't surprised to see Henry, because he already knew he was coming. Afterall a while of staring silently at each other, Jewel walked to meet him and stood in his front.

"I guess you are happy to see me this way. That's what you have always wanted" Jewel said.

"I don't know what you are talking about" Henry responded.

"stop pretending like you don't know what I'm talking about. you have always wanted me to end up this way. I guess you are happy now" Jewel said.

"you are just accusing me wrongly. I didn't do anything to you" Henry said.

"you are not just an evil person, but also a bloody liar." Jewel said.

Henry frowned when Jewel said that.

"you know what, you can go to hell for all I care. who cares what you think about me. If you like believe me. if you like don't believe me, that's your problem not mine. you are always ignorant that's why you ended up like this." He said and tried to walk out on Jewel.

He stopped and turned to face him.

"The next time you see me, you should call me sir Henry, because I'm now 20 times above your level." he said and left Jewel's presence, without sparing him one last glance.

Jewel stared at his retreating figure until he entered the elevator.

"yes, you are right. I was ignorant, that was why my life almost got ruin. but I promise you that it will be different this time" Jewel said.

Episode 35

Angel sat quietly at the reception area, waiting for her name to be called, so that she could go in for her interview. She had been sitting there for close to an hour. The receptionist could be seen sitting behind her desk. She wasn't even looking at Angel's direction. The receptionist suddenly picked up the telephone on her desk and answered the call.

"hello sir.............okay sir" she said and dropped the telephone. She turned to face Angel.

"Miss Owen" she called.

"yes" Angel responded.

"you can go in now" the receptionist said.

"thank you" Angel responded and stood up.

She sighed and walked to the direction of the meeting room. She opened the door and entered. The first thing she saw when she entered the room were 6 men in suits, sitting on a round table. They were already boring holes on her body with their eyes. She took her time staring from one person to the other. She froze when she saw Daniel sitting among the men. She tried not to show how surprised she was, for her not to mess up her interview. Daniel on the other hand wasn't surprised to see her. His face was curved in a smile instead. He stared at her and she stared back.

"Miss Owen!" one of the men called, bringing Angel back to her senses.

"yes sir" Angel responded.

"you can have your seat" he said.

"thank you" Angel responded and sat down.

Angel tried to take her mind off Daniel and focused on her interview. The interview went smoothly and she answered all questions brilliantly. Before she left the meeting room, Daniel told her to wait outside the company for him. She left the company and went to wait for him in a restuarant that was opposite the company. She sat down quietly at the far left of the restuarant, waiting for Daniel. After about 20 minutes of waiting, Daniel walked into the restuarant. He went to meet Angel immediately.

"wow! Angel, is this you? you look so beautiful" Daniel said and sat down opposite her.

"Daniel, I didn't ever imagine that I will see you here. it's been a long time" Angel said.

"yes, very long time. it's 3years already." Daniel responded.

"you are doing so well for yourself." Angel said.

"thanks, you aren't doing bad either. You graduated with first class degree, and you have also done your master. That's a great achievement." Daniel said.

"but how were you able to climb to such position in short period of time, even though you graduated with a ............" she paused and didn't complete the sentence as she felt it wasn't right to mention his grade.

"Angel you see, everything in this country involve connection. once you have the right connections, life will be easy for you. I didn't even struggle to get to this position in this company. My uncle is a well known politician in the country and he his very well connected, so getting a job in this company wasn't stressful for me. Even with my second class lower degree." Daniel responded.

"I'm happy for you. I'm happy to see that you are doing great." Angel said.

"thanks. I'm very sure that the company will employ you. You did well in your interview and your qualifications are appealing. That means we will soon be colleague" Daniel said.

"I'm looking forward to that" Angel responded.

"let me have your number" Daniel said and gave Angel his phone.

Angel typed her number and returned the phone.

"let me rush back to the office before my superior start looking for me. I will give you a call" Daniel said.

"okay, I'm leaving also" Angel responded.

"see you some other time" Daniel said.

"see you too" Angel responded.

They stood up and left the restuarant.

*********************************************

Jewel sat down in the sitting room, going through some documents. The sitting room door opened and Steven walked in. He walked to meet Jewel and sat beside him on the sofa.

"it seems you are already preparing for your task ahead. " Steven said.

"my grandpa will introduce me to the board in 2days time. I'm just going through some of the company documents to get all the information I need" Jewel responded.

"that's good" Steven said.

Jewel noticed that Steven was holding a file.

"what file is that" Jewel asked.

"it contains the informations of those that might be considered for employment. From the interview we did recently, these are the best candidates to be employed." Steven responded.

"let me see" Jewel said.

Steven handed the file to Jewel. Jewel went through it and froze when he saw Henry's name on it.

"what's this name doing on the file?" Jewel asked.

Steven looked at the name Jewel was showing him.

"he is among those that the company wants to employ" Steven responded.

"you mean Henry actually applied for a job in my grandpa's company. what a small world" Jewel said.

"do you know him?" Steven asked.

"he was my coursemate back then at the university, but I actually got expelled and didn't finish with them. He was actually the reason why I got expelled from school. He framed me" Jewel said.

"then I will immediately remove his name from the list. he doesn't deserve to work here" Steven said.

"no don't do that. I'm not very sure if he was the one that actually framed me. He is just my prime suspect. let him join the company. That's the only way for me to find out if he actually framed me." Jewel said.

"okay, if you say so. you are the boss" Steven responded.

"I think there will be a change of plan. Back then at the university, just because I didn't know who my friends were, and who the enemies were, my life almost got ruined. I won't make the same mistake again. I need to know who to keep as friend and who not to. The only way to achieve that is with a plan. I think I won't assume office as the vice president for now. I will work as just an employee. that's the only way for me to know those who care about me" Jewel said.

"you mean you will do this just because of one guy" Steven said.

"it's not because of Henry alone. it's applied to all staff in the company. I want to see those that will be nice to me when I'm just an employee. Those are the people I will keep as friends when I finally take up the vice president position." Jewel said.

"I don't think your grandpa will agree to this" Steven said.

"I will convince him and make him see reason with me" Jewel responded.

"if that's what you want, I will support you" Steven said.

"thank you" Jewel responded.

***********************************************

Angel walked into the restuarant she met David the previous day. She was invited there by David. The restuarant looked somehow different. It was designed as if there was a special occasion going on there. There were no customers in the restuarant when she walked in except for David who was sitting at the far left. His table was specially designed. different type of flowers could be seen on his table. An expensive wine and 2 glasses were also on it. Everything seemed odd to Angel. It was as if David rented the whole restuarant just for two of them. It seemed David has a big surprise for her. She was already surprised by what she was seeing. The smiles she saw on the waitresses faces showed that David was up to something. She walked to meet David at the far left.

"it seems there is something special today" Angel said.

David stood up immediately.

"please have a seat" he said.

"thank you" Angel responded and sat down.

David sat down also.

"what's the occasion? what are you celebrating?" Angel asked.

"today is a very special day. today will determine whether I will remain in the country or go back to Canada." David said.

"wow! is today your birthday?" Angel asked.

"no" David responded.

"tell me what the occasion is. I'm very curious" Angel said.

"you remembered when I told you that I still have an unfinished business here. this is the unfinished business" David said.

"how?" Angel asked.

David held Angel's hands and stared deeply into her eyes.

"Angel, I love you. I have always loved you right from when we were at the university of Montreal. I couldn't tell you then because I saw how serious you were with your study. I didn't want to distract you from your study. but I think now is the right time to tell you how I feel. I love you Angel. I truly love you." He professed his love.

While Angel was still staring at him, surprised, he brought out a small box from his pocket, knelt down, opened the box and showed Angel the diamond ring in it.

"will you marry me?" he asked.

Episode 34

Angel walked into a restuarant to have lunch. That was her first time of going out since she returned from Canada. She noticed the number of heads that turned when she walked in but didn't mind. She went to the far left and sat down. A waiter approached her and she order for food. Her food was served and she started eating. Few minutes after eating silently, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up from her table to see a guy standing beside her.

"David!" she screamed, happily and immediately hugged the guy.
"when did you return to the country?"

"not quite long" David responded.

"why did you return all of a sudden?" Angel asked.

"I have unfinished business here" David responded.

"I see. please sit down" Angel said.

"thanks" David responded and sat down opposite Angel.

David was actually Angel's coursemate and closest friend at the university of Montreal, where she did her masters. He was very nice to her and that was what drew her closer to him. He was from a rich home. His father was a well known politician in the country.

"so what is this unfinished business that brought you back to the country?" Angel asked.

"I will tell you, but not now. Maybe when next we meet." David said.

"okay, if you say so. I'm very happy to see you" Angel said.

"I'm very happy to see you too" David responded.

Angel's phone suddenly started ringing. She brought out the phone from her bag and saw that it was an unknown number. she picked the call.

"hello..........yes this is Angel............yes, yes.............thank you very much. I will be there" she said and ended the call.

She turned to face David.

"I think I have to leave now. I just got a call from the company I applied for a job. I was told to come for an interview tomorrow, so I need to go and prepare." Angel said.

"it's okay. you can go ahead. I wish you goodluck" David said.

"thank you very much. see you some other time" Angel responded.

She carried her handbag, stood up and left the restuarant.

********************************************

Jewel and Steven walked into a bar. They went to the counter and sat down on the stool beside it. The barman served them wine and they drank.

"congratulations once more on your new position." Steven said.

"Steven" Jewel called.

"yes" Steven responded.

"I know that the main reason why my father employed you to work directly under me, is for you to keep an eye on me. He wants you to report my every move to him. I want to tell you right now that you don't have to do that. We are grown ups now and we shouldn't be always guided by my parents or grandparents. We are big enough to make our own decisions. How we you feel if your movement is restricted because someone is reporting your every moves to your grandpa. I like you already and I don't want us to have any misunderstanding. Instead of acting as my grandpa's spy, why not become my friend. I'm sure we can achieve a lot if we work together." Jewel said.

Steven thought for a while. It seemed like what Jewel said sank in.

"It's true that your grandpa actually employed me to keep an eye on you. He wants me to report your every move to him. He wants to know the places you visit, the people you meet, and every other things you do. For this few days I have spent with you, I have come to realize that you are a nice guy. you treat me very well. I don't think you actually need to be monitored. So, I'm telling you this moment, and right now that, I pledge allegiance to you. I will never betray you. If at all I would report your movement to your grandpa, it would be what will favour you. I will never report anything that's doesn't favour you to him. That I promise" Steven said.

"I believe you, and thanks very much" Jewel said.
"so we are friends now right?"

"sure" Steven responded.

"friends" Jewel said and stretched his hand for a handshake.

"friends" Steven responded and shook hands with him.

"let me use the restroom" Jewel said and stood up.

"okay" Steven responded.

Jewel walked to restroom. He opened the door and entered. He observed his environment to see if there was anyone there. When he was sure that there was no one around, he brought out his phone and dialed a number which he saved as prof. Humphrey. He placed the phone on his ear and waited for response.

"hello, Jewel my son" his mum's voice sounded at the other end.

"hello mum. how are you?" Jewel asked.

"I'm fine and you"

"I'm fine too. How is dad?" Jewel asked.

"he is fine" his mum responded.

"mum, I have good news" Jewel said.

"what is it?" his mum asked.

"grandpa just made me the vice president of the company and also got me a new car" Jewel said, happily.

"wow! that's great. I'm happy for you, my son. you have to continue obeying your grandpa so that he will keep believing in you. Don't do anything that will make him suspicious of you." his mum said.

"yes mum. I'm trying my best" Jewel responded.

"that's good" his mum said.

"mum, do you know that grandpa is smarter than I thought" Jewel said.

"why do you say that?" his mum asked.

"he actually employed someone to monitor me" Jewel said.

"that means you have to be careful" his mum said.

"you don't need to worry yourself. everything has be resolved already." Jewel responded.

"okay, if you say so" his mum said.

"I have to go now before someone walks in here" Jewel said.

"okay dear, take care of yourself" his mum said.

"you too mum" Jewel responded and ended the call.

Jewel had always been in touch with his parent. He never lost contact with them, even though his phone was collected from him before he traveled to U.S. He had his parent numbers offhand. So all he did when he got to the U.S was to call them with his new phone, and they had been in touch ever since. He actually saved his mum's number as prof. Humphrey in order not to arouse any suspicion. He wouldn't want his grandpa to see his mum's number on his phone.

When Jewel was done, he walked back to meet Steven at the bar.

*********************************************

Jessica was seen in her kitchen preparing dinner. She was living in a flat which she rented for herself a year after graduating from school. While she was still searching for job 3years ago, she started a small business with the little money she saved up. After searching for job for a whole year without any success, she decided to focus alone on her business. Her small business grew over the years into a supermarket. She now earns more than she would have earned, working for any company. She also had people working for her and she pays them monthly salaries. Her status had gone from unemployed to employer of labour. Even if she gets a job offer from the best company in the country, she won't accept because she was already doing well for herself.

Henry suddenly entered the kitchen. He walked to meet Jessica and hugged her from behind.

"my love, you are back" Jessica said, smiling.

"yes love, I'm back for my baby" Henry responded.

She turned to face Henry and wrapped her hands around his neck.

"how was the interview?" Jessica asked.

"what else, if not same statement we get in all interview. we will get back to you." Henry said.

"don't worry love, you will still get a job" Jessica said.

"I think this will be the last time I will hunt for a job. I think I have to start a business just like you did. I have saved up to #250,000 already. It should be enough to start a small business. I can't just sit down and wait for one useless job that is not coming" Henry said.

"my love, whatever decision you make, just know that I'm right here to support you." Jessica said.

"thank you very much for being so supportive. I don't know what I would have done without you" Jewel said.

"you are my world. I can do anything for you" Jessica responded.

"thanks" Henry said.

"now go and wait in the sitting room, let me prepare dinner." Jessica said.

"okay love" Henry said and planted a kiss on Jessica's lips.

He turned and left the kitchen while Jessica continued preparing dinner.

Jessica and Henry actually started dating immediately they graduated from university. He couldn't help but fall in love with her, after the love and affection she showed to him when they were still in school. He later realized that what he felt for Angel wasn't love, he was just lusting after her. Ever since Jessica and Henry had been dating, Jessica had been the one taking care of him, as Henry couldn't get a job. All his effort to secure a job proved abortive. He had to move in to live with Jessica in her house when his landlord evicted him because he couldn't pay his rent. They had been living peacefully ever since.

Episode 33

7 YEARS LATER.








INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

A plane from U.S landed on the landing strip at the airport. Among the passengers that boarded the flight was Jewel. He was just returning to the country after 7 years of staying abroad. He looked more handsome with nice physique. His jacket hugged his body tightly. He was returning to the country after spending years at Stanford university, where he obtained a bsc and master degree, both in Economics.

He headed straight to the baggage claim to get his luggage. When he got his luggage, he brought out his phone and dialed his grandpa driver's number. He placed the phone on his ear and waited for him to pick up.

"hello sir" the driver said at the other end.

"where are you? I hope you are at the airport already." Jewel said.

"no sir. I'm still on my way. I will be at the airport in 20 minutes time" the driver responded.

"aren't you suppose to be here already. So, I will have to wait here for the next 20 minutes." Jewel said.

"I'm sorry sir. I was delayed." the driver responded.

"it's okay. just make sure you get here on time" Jewel said.

"yes sir" the driver responded.

"I will be waiting for you outside the airport" Jewel said and ended the call.

He dragged his luggage and went outside the airport to wait for the driver.

*********************************************

An hour after the plane from U.S had landed, a plane from Canada also landed on the landing strip at the airport. Among the passengers that boarded the flight was Angel. She was just returning from Canada after spending about 3years there. She actually went for her master degree in Canada, after completing her first degree. She graduated top of her class in her first degree in Economics and went for her master at the university of Montreal, on scholarship, where she obtained a Master of Mathematical and Computational Finance. She had become even more beautiful. She had a shapely figure. Her waist was curvilinear and she had a glossy skin. Her delicate ears, framed a dainty nose. Her black hair flowed over her shoulders. Her enticing eyes gazed into air over her heart shaped lips.

She headed straight to the baggage claim to get her luggage. She dialed her mum's number immediately she got her luggage.

"hello mum, I'm now in the country................ I'm heading straight home.......... okay mum, see you at home......... I missed you too." she said and ended the call.

She dragged her luggage and walked toward the exit direction of the airport.

*********************************************

Jewel was still seen standing outside the airport, waiting for the driver to arrive. He had been standing there for an hour. He was already frustrated. He kept staring at his bags. A car suddenly pulled to a stop at his front. His grandpa's driver quickly alighted from the car and went to meet him. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw the driver.

"what took you so long? do you know for how long I have been standing here" Jewel said.

"I'm sorry sir. There was traffic jam." the driver responded.

"put my bags in the boot let's get out of this place" Jewel said.

"okay sir" the driver responded and quickly put the bags in the boot.

They entered the car and the driver started the engine.

Angel emerged from the airport immediately Jewel's car was about to drive off. She saw the car but didn't see the occupants in it. The car drove off before she could get closer. She went to the exact spot Jewel was previously standing and stood. She flagged down a cab, entered the cab and the cab drove off.

*********************************************

Jewel sat down quietly beside his grandpa in the sitting room. His luggage had already been taking to his room, and he had also rested already.

"welcome back home once more my son. I must say, I'm very proud of you. you made me vere proud. you showed that you are truly my grandson. Now that you have proven your worth to me, I think it's time to go into the business fully. Just get ready, next week I will introduce you to the board as the new vice president of the company." his grandpa said.

"vice president!" Jewel screamed, happily.

"yes, vice president" his grandpa responded.

"but grandpa, it's that position too big for me" Jewel asked.

"no, it's not too big for you. you have proven your worth already, and moreover you are my grandson. That position is rightfully yours." his grandpa said.

"thanks you very much sir for believing in me. I will never let you down" Jewel said.

Jewel couldn't believe his ears. So he will the vice president of his grandpa's company. A company that was well known all over the country. He couldn't believe that he would be the second in command, just directly under his grandpa who's the chairman of the company. He was very happy.

The sitting room door suddenly opened and a guy of about Jewel's age walked in. He went straight to Jewel's grandpa and prostrated before him.

"good afternoon sir" the guy greeted.

"good afternoon dear. how is your father?" Jewel's grandpa asked.

"he is fine sir" the guy responded.

"okay, you can have your seat." his grandpa said.

The guy sat down comfortably on the sofa.

"Steven, this is Jewel, my grandson. The one I told you about. He just returned from the state" Jewel's grandpa introduced Jewel to the guy.

"Jewel, this is Steven. He is my friend's grandson. He his very smart and trustworthy. He will be working directly under you when you finally assume office as the vice president." he introduced Steven to Jewel.

Jewel and Steven shook hands.

"it's nice meeting you" Jewel said.

"it's nice meeting you too." Steven responded.

Jewel seemed to like Steven already, even without knowing much about him. He looked cool, and Jewel felt they would do good together.

"where is the thing I asked you to get?" Jewel's grandpa asked Steven.

Steven brought out a car key from his pocket and handed to Jewel's grandpa. Jewel's grandpa handed the car key to Jewel.

"there is a brand new Lamborghini Aventador parked outside. It is your first official car. Let's say this is a way of saying, welcome to Edward Empire (E square)" his grandpa said.

Jewel screamed happily and immediately hugged his grandpa.

"thank you very much sir. I'm very grateful." he said.

He ran outside immediately to see his new car. He entered the sitting room minutes later.

"I love it grandpa. I love it a lot." he said, happily.

"I'm glad you like it." his
grandpa said.

"grandpa, can I drive my new car round town?" Jewel asked.

"sure, it's yours" his grandpa responded.

"thank you very much grandpa" Jewel said.

He turned to face Steven.

"what are you waiting for. come on, let me drive you round the town. We need to celebrate this" Jewel said, happily.

"you have to be careful on your way" Jewel's grandpa said.

"yes grandpa" Jewel responded.

Steven stood up and they both left the house happily.

Episode 32

Angel lay quietly on her bed. She hasn't returned to school yet. She was told to have enough rest because her blood pressure was high, which was as a result of too much thinking. She was also advised to erase any thought from her mind that would make her blood pressure to rise. She didn't plan to return to school that week. She needed to gain enough strength before resuming. Her phone suddenly started ringing beside her on her bed. She took the phone and picked the call when she realized it was from Jessica.

"hello Jessica" Angel said.

"how far Angel, did you get to meet Jewel?" Jessica asked.

"no, they relocated already" Angel responded.

"but why would they move out all of a sudden?" Jessica asked.

"I don't know" Angel responded.

"so when are you returning to school?" Jessica asked.

"I'm not returning until next week" Angel responded.

"why?" Jessica asked.

"I'm not feeling too well. The doctor said that I have high blood pressure." Angel responded.

"see what I'm talking about. Angel, I think it's high time you forgot about Jewel. You need to take care of yourself. You just have to believe that Jewel is okay wherever he is. You have to focus on your study. If you continue this way, it might hinder you from achieving great things in life. You have your own future ahead of you. please don't do something you might end up regretting later. your parent sent you to school to study. Do not disappoint them. I know they will be expecting the best from you. Just believe that everything that has happened is for the best. focus on your study alone and not on other things. I hope you will listen to my advice." Jessica advised.

"Jessica, thank you very much for your advice. It shows that you are truly my friend. I promise to yield to your advice. Thanks for your care" Angel said.

"you are welcome" Jessica responded.

"talk to you later" Angel said and ended the call.

She sat up on her bed and heaved a sigh of relief.

"Jewel, I have done everything possible to contact you but to no avail. Even to the extent that it's now affecting my health. It seems things were meant to be this way. I think it's time for me to move on with my life. I hope you will do same also. I hope you will not allow your life be ruined by this. I wish you well in your future endeavour. Starting from now no, I will stop worrying about you. I will only focus on my study from now on. I will strive to be great. I will achieve great things in life. That's my future now. you are no more part of my future, so I will erase all memories I have of you. that's what I will do. goodbye Jewel" she said.

She stood up from her bed and left her room.

***********************************************



A car pulled to a stop at the airport. Jewel could be seen sitting beside the driver at the front seat of the car, while his grandpa was occupying the back seat. Jewel alighted immediately and went to open the door for his grandpa. His grandpa alighted also. The driver quickly went to the boot to get Jewel's belongings.

"so my son, everything is now in your hand. I hope you will make me proud. Be on your best behavior when you get there. study very hard and achieve the best. I want you to make me very proud when you return. I know you will do that" his grandpa said.

"yes sir, I will surely make you proud" Jewel responded.

"that's my boy. Now go on, so that you won't miss your flight." his grandpa said.

"okay sir" he responded and waved his grandpa goodbye.

He dragged his luggage and walked to the airport. He entered the airport in the section of his airline carrier, and located their counter. When he got to the check-in desk, he brought out his ticket and passport and gave to the attendant he met.

The attendant quickly examined the documents. Jewel's boarding pass was immediately printed and handed to him, together with his passport and ticket.

Jewel handed his luggage to the attendant for it to be checked. He headed straight to the security with his boarding pass in hand. A security agent checked his boarding pass and his passport, and then he passed through the security check. All of his belongings were placed in bins and sent through an x-ray machine while he was being checked over in a separate machine.

When he was done with the security, he got his bags re-packed and put his shoes back on and went straight to wait for his plane in the terminal.

He sat quietly in the departure lounge waiting for his flight to be announced. His mind suddenly drifted to Angel. He waved the thought aside and tried not to think of anything that would make him sad.

'Angel will be okay. I'm very such of that. I need to do this. This is the only way for me to be great in life. This is for my good. This is the last time I will think about Angel. After today, I will try and erase all memories of her from my mind. I need to focus on my study abroad, and there is no how I will do that if I keep having memory of her. This is just like a second chance for me to be successful in life. If I waste this opportunity, I might not get another one. Angel, this will be the last time I will think about you. I hope you also do same. I have a future ahead and I need to secure it. bye Angel. It was great knowing you.'

The voice of a gate attendant distracted him from his thought. She was announcing that it was time to board the plane. Jewel stood up and went to join the queue at the gate. A gate attendant checked his boarding pass and passport. After that, he walked down the hallway that leads up to his plane and entered the aircraft. The door closed when everyone had entered. The plane took off some minutes later.

*********************************************

Angel resumed school the following week. She had forgotten about Jewel and move on with her life. She made sure she studied very hard. She refused to associate herself with guys and didn't make even friends with them. Henry automatically became her enemy and she made sure she didn't go close to him. She made sure she didn't get involved in other people business. That was how she lived her life all through in school.

Episode 31

Angel opened the gate to Jewel's compound and entered. She had come all the way from school to visit him. She wouldn't have peace of mind until she was sure that Jewel is okay. She stared at the compound and sighed.

"Jewel, I hope you are okay" she said.

No one could be seen in the compound. She walked straight to Jewel's flat without delay. She got to the door and knocked softly on it. She waited for response but there was no response. She knocked again but still got no response. She suddenly realized that the door was locked.

"Jewel is not around. not even his parent are around. Where could they have gone to?" she asked.

She peeped into the flat through the window and realized that the house was empty. not even a single property could be seen in the flat.

"what's going on? where is Jewel and his parent?" she asked.

She suddenly became scared.

"Why is their properties no longer in their flat? This is so sudden. where could they have gone to? Does this have to do with the fact that Jewel got expelled from school?" she asked.

Several questions were on her mind and she needed answers to them. She walked back into the compound to see if there's anyone that would provide answers to her questions. She couldn't find a single soul in the compound. The compound was deserted. It was as if no one live there. She stared into air in frustration. She immediately brought out her phone from her handbag.

"I think I should call Jane. maybe she will know of Jewel's whereabout. Jewel might have contacted her already." she said and dialed Jane's number.

She placed the phone on her ear and waited for her to pick the call.

"hello Angel" Jane's voice sounded at the other end.

"Jane, how are you?" Angel asked.

"I'm fine and you?"

"I'm fine too" Angel responded.

"that's good" Jane said.

"Jane, have you heard from Jewel since you returned to school? has he called you?" Angel asked.

"no, I haven't heard anything from him. I called him 2 days ago but his phone was switched off" Jane responded.

"same here. I have been trying his number for a week now, but it's switched off" Angel said.

"wait! isn't he suppose to be in school with you. Tell me Angel, what's going on?" Jane asked.


"nothing you should worry yourself about" Angel responded.

"you can't tell me it is nothing and expect me to believe you. if it is nothing, why then are you calling me to ask for Jewel's whereabout, when he is suppose to be in school with you. Angel, tell me what the problem is. I need to know. I have the right to know." Jane said.

Angel took a deep breath.

"Jane" she called.

"yes Angel" Jane responded.

"Jewel was expelled from school" she said, bitterly.

"what!!" Jane exclaimed, immediately.
"how come? what was his offence? what did he do wrong? why will Jewel be expelled? Angel, please talk to me. I need answers"

"he was caught with answer booklet in the examination hall" Angel responded.

"Jewel would never do such a thing. Jewel would never cheat in an exam" Jane said.

"I know he didn't do it. I know Jewel would never do such. He was framed" Angel responded.

"but who could have framed him?" Jane asked.

"that's not the issue at hand now. The issue at hand now is that I haven't set my eyes on Jewel since he was expelled and I'm worried." Angel responded.

"why not go back home to see if he is alright. I'm sure he would have gone home already." Jane said.

"do you think I will be calling you if I haven't done that. I'm currently in Jewel's compound as we speak. I have checked there flat but it is vacant. Not even a single property can be seen in their flat." Angel responded.

"what could this mean. could it be that they have relocated." Jane said.

"relocated! why will they relocate all of a sudden?" Angel asked.

"my Jewel, where are you? why would this happen to you" Jane said.

"Jane, I will come you back when I have any information about Jewel" Angel said.

"please do, I'm so worried" Jane responded.

"okay, take care dear" Angel said and ended the call.

A lady emerged from one of the flats immediately Angel ended the call. Angel heaved a sigh of relief when she saw her. At least she can ask her why Jewel's flat is vacant. She approached the lady immediately.

"good afternoon" she greeted.

"good afternoon" the lady responded.

"please where are the occupant of that flat?" she asked, pointing at Jewel's flat.

"They have relocated to a new area" the lady responded.

'so it's true. they have relocated. but why will they suddenly move out' Angel thought.

"when did they move out?" Angel asked.

"just yesterday" the lady responded.

"why did they move out all of a sudden?" Angel asked.

"I really don't know" the lady responded.

"have you seen Jewel this week? has he returned home from school? Did he move out with his parent?" Angel asked.

"I saw Jewel earlier this week when he was brought home from the hospital. I don't think everything is okay, because Jewel looked paled and his parent looked sad. Just a day after he returned home from hospital, he left home and didn't return. Up till this moment, I still don't know where Jewel is. His parent relocated without knowing the whereabout of their son. I think there was a misunderstanding between Jewel and his parent, that was why he left home, but I'm not sure what the problem really is" the lady explained.

Angel stared at the lady in shock. From all she just narrated to her, it was obvious that all was not well.

'so Jewel was even in the hospital.' she thought.
'but why did he left home? could it be that his parent has disowned him, because he was expelled from school. could it be that his parent disowned him because they thought he brought shame to their family. Jewel where can you be now? Is this how your future will be ruined'

"do you know where his parent relocated to?" Angel asked.

"no I don't, but I'm sure it is not in this state." the lady responded.

Angel stared at the lady in frustration. She was even too weak to ask another question. Different thought were on her mind.

"okay, thank you. I will take my leave now" Angel said.

"you are welcome" the lady responded.

The moment Angel turned to leave, a sharp pain struck her in her head.

"urrrrghhhh!!" she screamed.

The lady approached her immediately and held her.

"are you okay?" the lady asked.

"I'm fine" she responded.

She tried to take a step and the pain struck her again.

"urrrrrrrggggghhhh!!!" she screamed even louder this time.

"are you sure you are okay?" the lady asked again.

"I think I'm having headache. Is there any pharmacy around here?" Angel asked.

"yes there is" the lady responded.

"please take me there" Angel said.

"okay" the lady responded.

The lady assisted Angel and they left the compound immediately.

*******************************************

Jewel emerged from his room to see his grandfather sitting on a sofa in the sitting room. His grandpa was reading a newspaper. Jewel had been in his room all day doing nothing. He walked to meet his grandpa.

"good afternoon sir" Jewel greeted.

His grandpa looked up from the newspaper he was reading.

"you are awake already." his grandpa said.

He wasn't even sleeping. He was just resting in his room.

"Your documents are here already. come and take a look at it" his grandpa said.

Jewel noticed an envelope beside his grandpa.
'Maybe it will contain the documents' he thought.

Jewel went to sit beside his grandpa on the sofa. His grandpa opened the envelope and brought out the documents in it.

"this is your passport" he said and showed Jewel the passport.
"why the remaining documents are your visa, your travel insurance, your air ticket and your proof of accommodation. you will be leaving in 2 days time"

Jewel stared silently at the documents. Even if that was a sure way to secure his future, he still didn't look much happy.

'so this is how everything turns out. I won't have to see my parent before I leave. I won't even have to meet Angel. I know how worried she would be by now. Will I ever meet her again? once I leave for the U.S, I will lose all form of contact. The chance of ever meeting her again is very slim. Where exactly will I even meet her. The world is very big and some people who lost contact never meet again in there life time. Would that be the case for Angel and I. Is there a chance that we will ever meet again. She would have graduated from the university before I return from the state. Is this the end for us? Are we never meant to be together? Is this our destiny? This is really sad' Jewel thought.

He continued staring sadly at the documents.

Episode 30

Angel lay on her bed, staring sadly into air. She had been that way ever since she knew that Jewel had been expelled from school. She doesn't even take her meal. The door suddenly opened and Jessica dragged her luggage into the room. She took her luggage to her locker and arranged her stuff in it. She went to meet Angel when she was done and sat down beside her on the bed.

"Angel, how are you?" Jessica asked.

Angel turned to face her without saying a word. Jessica noticed that her eyes were swollen.

"don't tell me you have been crying since" Jessica said.

"I wasn't crying" Angel responded. her voice was not audible enough.

"of course you were. just look at you. do you want to kill yourself?" Jessica asked.

"I'm fine" Angel responded.

"no, you are not fine. look at how you are. if I didn't return to see you this way, who knows what would have happened to you." Jessica said.

"I said I'm fine" Angel responded.

"no, you are not. Before anything, you have to eat something" Jessica said and immediately went to her locker.

She brought out a food flask from her bag and took it to Angel.

"I brought food from home. eat it so that you will gain strength." Jessica said and opened the food flask.

"I'm not hungry" Angel responded.

"even if you are not hungry, just eat something." Jessica said.

Angel sat up and held Jessica's hands.

"don't you get it. Jewel has been expelled from school. Jewel won't be attending classes with us anymore. His future is now in a mess. How do you expect me to be okay after all this" she said, sadly.

Jessica took a deep breath and stared deeply into Angel's eyes.

"I know Jewel has been expelled. but you don't have to kill yourself over it. When one door closes, another one will open. This might be for the best. I know Jewel very well. He won't allow his future to be ruin by this. He is very smart and he will overcome this. That I know for sure." Jessica said.

"how I wish I will just see him. I want to know how he is. His phone is not going through" Angel said.

"I thought you told me that you now live in the same area with Jewel. If you are very worried, why not visit him at home this weekend. I'm very sure he will be at home" Jessica suggested.

"yes, that's what I will do. I will visit him this weekend, to be sure he is okay. I just pray he is okay when I get home" Angel responded.

"He will be fine. Now eat your food" Jessica said.

Angel collected the food and started devouring it immediately. She seemed very hungry.

**********************************************

Jewel sat in the wide and very beautiful sitting room, staring in amazement. It looked as if he was sitting in a palace. Everything in the sitting room seemed like gold to him. He couldn't believe that was the house his grandfather is living in. It looked like a king's home. He couldn't believe that his grandfather had such a mansion and still left his father to be living in just a flat. He felt like giving his grandfather a hard knock on his head. How could someone be that heartless. That's very bad. He knew his grandfather is rich, but he never knew he is very rich. What he saw beat his expectation. He never imagined to be in such a place. The first thing he saw when he walked into the compound were fleet of expensive cars parked in the parking lot. He wondered what his grandfather was doing with all those cars. Even the structure of the building was magnificent. That was his first time of visiting his grandfather. He had never visited his grandfather before. He never knew his grandfather had such a mansion. That would also be the second time he would be meeting with his grandfather. The very first time he met his grandfather was when he just finished high school. That was when his grandfather told him to cut all ties with his parent and come stay with him. That same offer he turned down then, was what he was about to accept. Prior to when he hasn't met his grandfather, he had always thought he had no grandfather. His parent never talked about him. He was made to believe that his grandfather died many years before he was born, but there he was, in the house of his grandfather. He sat down quietly in the sitting room, waiting for his grandfather to arrive. His grandfather suddenly emerged from his room. Jewel stood up immediately he saw him. His grandfather was already 70 years old, but looked like he was still in his early 60's. He command respect. By the look on his face, one can tell that he is very strict. He walked to a high chair in the sitting room and sat down majestically. He raised one of his leg and placed it on the table beside him. Jewel prostrated immediately. Jewel made sure that his forehead touched the floor.

"good afternoon sir" Jewel greeted.

"good afternoon my son. you can get up now." his grandpa responded.

"thank you sir" Jewel said and stood up.

"you can have your seat" his grandpa said.

"thank you sir" Jewel responded and sat down.

"I must say that you made the right decision by accepting my offer. You don't have to be like your father. He is a very stubborn child. I will never forgive him for disobeying me. His action made me lose lot of money. I lost the opportunity of setting my branch in china all because of him. That would have been the biggest achievement for my business. If he had married my friend's daughter, I would have achieved that, but his stubbornness made me lose that opportunity. You don't have to be like you dad. you have to listen to me always" Jewel's grandpa said.

'so you love money more than your son's happiness' that was what Jewel wanted to say, but dare not say it. Instead he shook his head in affirmation.

"okay, since you have accepted my offer, can I have your phone" his grandpa said.

Jewel slowly brought out his phone from his pocket and handed it to him.

"I don't think you will be needing this phone anymore. so I will keep it" his grandpa said.

"but sir, I have some important contacts on that phone." Jewel said.

"since you have accepted my offer, you have to cut all ties with anything that has to do with your past. you will only focus on your future now. Your travel-documents are on the way. I'm sure by weekend, they will be ready. you will be going to the U.S by next week to complete your education. so I see no reason why you still need this phone. You will get a new one and a new line when you get to the U.S." his grandpa said.

Jewel stared at his grandfather in shock. How could he just seize his phone like that with such silly excuse. And he was even planning to call Angel once he leaves his grandfather's house, but how was he going to do that when his grandfather already seized his phone. He knew Angel would be very worried. He wanted to call her and tell her that he is fine, but that can't be achieved because his grandfather already collected his phone. He didn't know Angel's number off hand.

"okay sir, since you say so. I will leave now and return next week when the documents will be ready" Jewel said.

He already planned to use the opportunity to pay Angel a visit in school and tell her not to worry. since he couldn't do that on phone, because his grandfather already collected his phone.

"you will be staying here with me until your documents are ready. you are not allowed to leave this house for any reason. you already cut all ties with your parent the moment you set foot in this house. so there is no home for you to return to. This is your new home.

'not even a final goodbye to my parent!' Jewel wanted to scream.

He was still trying to recover from his first shock and his grandpa immediately hit him with another one. He never expected things to turn out that way. He only came to inform his grandpa that he accept the offer and not to actually start staying with him immediately. His parent would be expecting him back home. If he doesn't return, they would be very worried. And his only way of communicating with them had been cut off.

"but sir, I still need to get my things from my house" Jewel said.

"you don't need those old stuff. Everything you need will be provided for you here" his grandpa responded.

Jewel sighed and surrendered. He knew nothing he would say that would make his grandpa agree with him. He stared into air in frustration.

Episode 29

Angel had falling asleep in her room, while waiting for Jewel's call. she lay quietly on her bed. Her phone suddenly started ringing beside her. She woke up and reluctantly sat up on her bed. She took the phone from her bed and stared at the screen to realize that the call was from Jessica. She picked the call immediately.

"hello Jessica" she said.

"Angel have you heard?" Jessica asked, immediately.

"heard what?" Angel asked.

"so you have not heard." Jessica said.

"heard what? Jessica talk to me please" Angel responded.

Angel seemed worried already.

"Angel, I can't be the one to break this news to you. This is a very bad news" Jessica said.

"Jessica, talk to me. you are scaring me. what happened?" Angel asked.

"just visit the school website and see for yourself. I'm really shocked seeing this" Jessica said.

Angel quickly ended the call without asking anymore questions. She quickly log on to the school website. Her heart started pounding in her chest. She knew very well that whatever news that's on the school website would not be a good News. The webpage opened and the first news she saw on the news feed was a list of students penalised for examination misconduct. She froze when she saw that. Without even going through the names, she knew for sure that Jewel's name would be among. That was why Jessica called. She prayed silently for that not to be the case. She quickly went through the names in search for Jewel's name. She froze when she saw his name. She stared at her phone in shock. tears immediately formed in her eyes. She shook her head, trying to hold back her tears but couldn't, because it dropped freely from her eyes. She slowly read the sad news with tears in her eyes.

'Name, Jewel Edward. Offence, smuggling of answer booklet into the examination hall. penalty, expulsion.'

"this can't be. This is nothing possible" she said, shaking her head.

She logged out from the school website and quickly dialed Jewel's number, but it was switched off. She stood up from her bed and stomped out of her room immediately.

*********************************************

Jewel slowly opened his eyes to realize he was in an unfamiliar environment. He was lying on a bed. He carefully observed his environment and realized he was in a hospital. He tried to get up but was too weak. His head still hurts. His mind suddenly flashback to when he was at the senate building, and he realized that he was brought to the hospital because he fainted. The pain he felt back then suddenly resurfaced. He closed his eyes and sighed. The door suddenly opened and his mum walked in.

"mum!" he called, surprised.

His mum went to sit beside him on the bed immediately.

"Jewel, thank God you are awake. I was so worried." his mum said.

"mum I..........."

"don't say anything" his mum cut in immediately.
"I have heard everything that happened. you just have to be strong. This is not the end of the world. When one door closes, another one will surely open. Your future is bright my son. You are destined to be great, and you will surely be great." his mum advised.

"but I didn't do what I was accused of. I was framed" Jewel said, as tears dropped freely from his eyes.

"I know, my son. I know you will never do such a thing. just get some rest. Let me see the doctor. once I get back, we are going back home." Jewel's mum said.

"okay mum" Jewel responded.

Jewel's mum stood up from the bed and left.

**********************************************

Angel opened her door and entered her room. She plodded to her bed and sat down. She looked very tired and frustrated. She had searched everywhere possible in school for Jewel, but couldn't find him. His phone too was still switched off. She had dialed his number many times already. She didn't know how Jewel was feeling. She wanted to be there for him to comfort him. She felt like crying, but crying wouldn't take away the pain she was feeling in her heart. If crying would do that, she would have cried all day. She took her phone and dialed Jewel's number once more, but it was still switched off.

"Jewel, please where are you? please switch on your phone, please. I need to speak with you. I need to be sure that you are okay, for me to have rest of mind. please, Jewel switch on your phone before my heart explodes out of worry" she mumbled.

She stood up from her bed and paced up and down in her room.

"oh God. why is this happening? This is very frustrating. Where could Jewel be." She said and went back to sit on her bed.

She stared silently at her door.

"I can't be in this room anymore. I might just run mad being in this room alone." she said.

She stood up from her bed and left her room immediately.

*******************************************

Jewel sat quietly with his mum and dad in the sitting room. They were all staring silently into air. one could tell that all was not well. Jewel stared from his mum to his dad, but they just kept staring sadly into air. He buried his head in his hands and sighed. After a while of deafening silence, his mum finally spoke.

"honey, what is the way forward now. we can't just sit down and do nothing" she said to her husband.

"yes, we must do something. this can't be the end for Jewel. our only child for that matter. I'm trying to thing of an idea right now" Jewel's father responded.

"I wonder what sort of devil's work is this. why must this happen to our son" Jewel's mum said, sadly.

Jewel's dad turned to face Jewel.

"Jewel, I think the only solution here is for you to consider your grandfather's offer" Jewel's dad said.

Jewel stood up immediately from his seat.

"dad! how can you suggest such a thing. We all know the conditions he gave. How can I consider that" Jewel responded.

"but that's the only option we have. you can't even apply for another school because you were blacklisted. This is the only way for you to secure your future" his dad said.

"I can't do that dad. It will be better if I just go and learn trade. Not everyone are meant to go to school." Jewel responded.

"yes I know not everyone are meant to be in school, but certainly not you. you are very brilliant and need to complete your study." his dad said.

"Jewel, your dad is right. you should consider your grandfather's offer. That will be the best for you" his mum said.

"mum, even you. you agreed to this" Jewel said.

"Jewel, just know that whatever decision we take, it's for your good. we are your parent. we can't deceive you." Jewel's mum said.

"but mum, if I accept that offer, I will have to cut all ties with you guys. my own parent for that matter. who does that." Jewel said.

"it's not like you will truly cut all ties with us. we are your parent and will forever be. You just have to make it look like you have cut all ties with us, to gain your grandfather's favour." his mum said.

The whole issue they were discussing happened many years ago. Jewel's grandfather was actually a wealthy and influential man. He is a billionaire who own a multinational company. His company is spread across all state in the country with branches in many other countries of the world. Jewel's dad was his grandfather only son. His dad was the heir to his grandfather's wealth. He dad was in charge of his grandfather's company. His dad and grandfather had a cordial relationship until his mother appeared into the picture. His dad married his mum against his grandfather's wish. His grandfather wanted his dad to marry his best friend daughter, but his dad disobeyed his grandfather and married his mum instead. From that moment onward, his grandfather cut all ties with his father and vowed never to include his father's name in his will. Ever since then, Jewel's dad and his grandfather had never crossed path. But recently, Jewel's grandfather offered to make Jewel his heir if only Jewel will cut all ties with his parent and come live with him. He promised to make Jewel attend the best university in the world and put him in charge of all his businesses once Jewel graduates from the university. He didn't want Jewel to suffer for the sins of his father. Jewel turned down his offer without even thinking twice. He couldn't accept an offer that would make him cut all ties with his parent.
That same offer that Jewel turned down, was what his parent were asking him to accept now, because that was his only option.

"Jewel, you just have to accept the offer" Jewel's father said when Jewel didn't say anything.
"I have been transferred to a new state. your mum and I will be relocating. you just have to go stay with your grandpa"

Jewel sighed and stared into air.

Episode 28

It was a new week and a new semester. Angel had prepared everything she would be taking to school already. Jewel on the other hand had not done any preparation. He knew he has a case to settle in school. He hasn't been himself since the new week began.

********************************************

Angel dragged her luggage out from the compound. She took it to the cab, parked at the front of the gate. The cab man collected the luggage from her and arranged it in the boot.

"let's start leaving. what are you waiting for?" the cab man asked, when he was done arranging the luggage.

"I'm not going alone. I'm going with my friend. He will soon be here" Angel responded.

Jewel emerged from his compound almost immediately, but wasn't carrying any bags. He went to meet Angel.

"were are your bags?" Angel asked.

"I'm not going with bags. what's the need going with bags. what if I'm rusticated, will I now drag my bags back home" Jewel said.

"God forbid! you will not be rusticated. don't even joke with such a thing" Angel responded.

"okay, I will come back to get my stuff once my name is cleared." Jewel said.

"okay, let's start leaving" Angel said.

They entered the cab and the cab man drove off.

*********************************************

The cab pulled to a stop in front of the school main gate. Jewel and Angel alighted from the cab with the luggage. Angel settled the cab man and he drove off. She turned to face Jewel.

"okay, I will head to my hostel now. I wish you goodluck" Angel said.

"Angel!" Jewel called.

"yes" Angel responded.

"I don't know what might happen next once we go our separate ways from here. I don't know what my fate will be, but I think I have to tell you this right now, because I might not have the change to say it again." he paused and stared deeply into Angel's eyes.
"I like you Angel. I like you a lot"

Angel stared silently at him. She couldn't find the right reply to give. She didn't expect to hear those words from him.

"okay" that was all she could say.

She waited for some minutes to see if Jewel will say anything else, but he didn't. After staring silently at each other for a while, Angel turned and left his presence. She felt Jewel didn't like her response. she wanted to say more than just 'okay' to him, but her mind suddenly went blank.

Jewel stared at her retreating figure for a while, then turned and headed to his own direction.

*********************************************

Jewel's heart missed a beat when he realized he was already standing in front of the senate building. He tried to summon all the courage he could.

"nothing will happen. Jewel you have to be strong" he said to himself.

His heart kept pounding. He took a deep breath and walked into the building to face his predicament.

*********************************************

Angel sat alone in her room in the hostel. she seemed very worried. it had been 4 hours since Jewel went to the senate building to clear his name, and up till that moment, she hasn't heard anything from him. she had been trying to call him but his phone was switched off.

'maybe he is still at the senate building, that's why his phone is switched off. but why are they taking so long to resolve the issue' she thought.

She stood up from her bed and paced up and down in her room. The room was so boring for her. Jessica has not yet resumed.

'maybe she won't resume until next week.' she thought.

If not for the fact that she had to be with Jewel in school, to support him, she wouldn't have resumed also. Lecture usually don't hold in the first week of resumption, so being in school for that week is like a waste of time. Most of her course mates haven't resumed.

She went back to sit on her bed when she was tired pacing up and down. Her phone started ringing immediately she sat down. She grabbed the phone immediately, thinking the call was from Jewel, but it turned out to be Jessica. she picked the call.

"hello Jessica" she said.

"Angel, how are you?" Jessica asked.

"I'm fine and you?"

"I'm fine too" Jessica responded.

"are you still at home?" Angel asked.

"yes o, what about you? have you resumed?"

"yes, I resumed today" Angel responded.

"are you serious? I thought you won't resume until next week, that's why didn't bother coming to school" Jessica said.

"I have resumed already" Angel responded.

"have lecture commenced" Jessica asked.

"I don't think there will be any lecture this week" Angel responded.

"I will be in school tomorrow, since you are already in school. I'm bored staying all alone at home" Jessica said.

"that will be great. I'm already bored, staying alone in this room." Angel said.

"okay dear, see you in school" Jessica said.

"okay love" Angel responded and ended the call.

She dropped the phone and lay on her bed.

**********************************************

Jewel trudge out from the senate building. He had spent over 6hours in there. He stood at the entrance, staring into air. He was in shock. He couldn't walk. His legs were heavy. His vision were becoming blur. He was even too weak to speak. A hot sweat rolled down from his forehead.

"this can't be true. it certainly can't be true. I must be dreaming." He mumbled.

Different voices were sounding in his head.

'no this is not true. I'm just having a nightmare. this is certainly not possible.' he thought.

He managed to trudge along. The distance between the senate building and it gate seemed like eternity for him. He managed to plod ahead until he got to the gate. The first thing he saw when he got to the gate was a crowd staring at a notice board beside the gate. He managed to walk closer to the notice board. He read the heading of what was posted on the notice board.

'the following students have been penalized for examination misconduct.'

He carefully observed the names on the notice board.

The first student was rusticated for 2 semesters, for possessing of unauthorized material in the examination hall. The second student was rusticated for 1 semester, for abetting others to copy. He took his time observing every names on the notice board. He suddenly froze and his eyes widen in shock. He stared at the notice board open mouthed.

"so it is true. I'm not dreaming." he said.

He stared continuously at his name, which was also on the notice board.

"I'm finished" he said.

He slowly turned to leave that place, but collapsed to the floor before he could even take a step.