₦airaland Forum

Juliet was still holed up in his bed-room.

She smiled up at him when he re-entered the room.


‘How’s your visitor?’ she asked.

‘She’s gone.’

‘Is she your woman friend?’

He laughed shortly. ‘Come on, Juliet. She’s the Permanent Secretary of my Ministry.’

He sat by her side on the bed and wrapped his right hand on her shoulders.

‘Are you sure she is not your woman friend?’

‘No, she’s not. I don’t have a woman friend.’

‘What about Ore?’

He was surprised she mentioned that name. ‘Who?’

‘Ore. Who’s she to you?’

‘How did you know that name?’

She pointed at his phone. ‘She was the one calling you the other time.’

His natural reaction would have been to express indignation at her going through his phone without his permission. But he was not angry. With Juliet, so many things were changing.

He grinned. ‘She’s just a woman friend.’

‘I don’t think so.’

He was curious. ‘And what makes you not to think so?’

‘From what she told me.’

He was stupefied. ‘What a minute, are you saying you called her?’

‘Yes, I did.’

He opened his mouth. ‘With my phone?’

‘Yes.’ She looked at him straight in the eyes.

Again, his natural response would have been serious indignation. How dare she do that? How could she pick his phone, go through his privacy and call a lady whose number was on the phone?

He breathed in and out fast. He was surprised that he felt no anger for her.

‘I told her to back off; that I’m your sweet-heart, your girlfriend,’ she continued very calmly. ‘And that she should get herself another boyfriend.’

He got to his feet. ‘Oh, God. You said all that?’

She was studying him. He paced briefly around the room.

‘Why are you behaving as if you hate me?’ she asked.

He was surprised again. ‘Hate you? What are you talking about?’

‘Because you look very angry.’

He tried to calm down. ‘I was just wondering at your audacity.’

‘If you really like me, you won’t behave like that.’

He was now on the defensive. Juliet had pushed him on the defense line.

‘Of course I like you, Juliet.’

‘I don’t want you to have any other girlfriend. If you must be unfaithful to my sister, I must be the only option.’

He sighed deeply. Now, she was telling him that he was unfaithful. ‘Well, I guess faithfulness would have been better in a case like this.’

His phone rang. Ore was calling again. Juliet picked it and answered it.

‘Yes, what do you want again?’

At the other end, Ore was perplexed. ‘Please, I’ll like to speak with him. Is he there?’

‘Yes, he’s here,’ Juliet replied slowly. ‘But he doesn’t want to speak with you.’

‘That can’t be,’ Ore said almost in frustration.

‘Please, give him the phone.’

‘What nonsense is all this?’ Juliet’s tone rose up. ‘He is not interested in you again and does not want to talk to you! Can’t you understand simple English? Don’t call him again. Bye-bye!’


With that, Juliet terminated the conversation.



https://selar.co/8j040l

Through out that weekend, Precious refused to pick my call or respond to my messages. I could not understand her grouse.

Was she not a pastor's daughter who should understand the sanctity of my stand? I did not hear from the firm too until late Sunday afternoon when they sent a message congratulating me and directing that I should report to their V.I office by nine o'clock Tuesday morning.

That morning, I tried to look my best in the formal clothes that I wore. I had to set out early so that I would beat the traffic. This time, I realized only a lady and me were invited. I was called in before the lady.

I met a panel of three members who asked me sundry questions, ranging from educational qualification to professional qualification, including my membership of institute of public relations.

They said what their client was willing to pay me. The pay was satisfactory but I was puzzled by the use of the word 'client'.

They explained that all they were doing was on behalf of the client. Now that everything had been concluded, I would start the job that week.

"Can I know who the client is?" I asked.

The only female member of the panel smiled. "You will know in due course," she said. "All I can tell you for now is that he is a very reputable member of the society."

The head of the panel hemmed. "Tomorrow, you will start a three-day workshop," he said. "It is a crash programme to prepare you for the challenges of the new job. Before you go, you will collect a letter from the secretary that will detail the themes, venue and time of the programme. For now, accept our congratulation on your success."

He extended his hand for a hand-shake. I stood up to take it.

"Thank you, sir."

The other panelists took turn to shake my hand. It was the end of the interview.

I went to the secretary. She gave the letter for the workshop and explained that the letter of employment would come upon completion of the workshop. I thanked her and left the place.

The letter I got showed the venue to be Dolphin Estate, Lagos. The three-day programme would start by nine a.m. There would be morning and afternoon sessions with break in-between.

I was happy I would be starting something new. It suddenly dawned on me that I would have to resign my teaching appointment with immediate effect.

While I would not miss this opportunity, I would certainly miss my students and colleagues. Well, in life, change is a constant thing.

On getting home, I decided to call Precious. I wanted to share the good news with her. Once again, she refused to pick or acknowledge. I decided that in days to come, I would have to see her mother and explain things to her.


https://selar.co/i62003

Thumb up

‘Ops, the children will be disappointed.

Anyway, it’s okay. See you tomorrow morning, then.’

‘Please explain to them why daddy will not be making it tonight. Bye.’ He disconnected the line.

Juliet had been studying him with amused smile.

‘Are you pleased now?’ he asked her.

She came to hug him. ‘I just want to be with you,’ she said.

‘It’s alright.’ He relaxed and sat on the bed. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

‘Who’s it?’ he called out.

‘I want to know if I should come in to carry your bag,’ the house maid said.

‘Don’t worry,’ he replied. ‘I’m not traveling again today.’

There was a slight pause. ‘Alright, sir,’ the maid said and left.

‘Thanks for staying till tomorrow,’ Juliet said.
‘It’s okay. Anything for my Juliet.’

She came to sit on his laps. He knew he was playing a dangerous game with her, but seemed helpless about it. Come to think of it, the game seemed to be getting more intriguing and sweeter.

‘So, have you got your primary posting now?’ he asked.

‘Yes. Ministry of Youth and Culture. I’ll report there on Monday.’

‘Oh that’s good.’ He wrapped his right hand round her. His phone rang and he checked the caller. Ore was on the line. He let the phone to ring on and on.

‘Won’t you answer your call?’ Juliet asked.

He shook his head. ‘It’s not important.’ After a while, Ore stopped calling. He put the phone on a stool.

‘What will you like to eat tonight?’ she asked.
He smiled. ‘I’ll tell the cook to prepare amala and ewedu soup.’

‘I can prepare it.’

He rubbed her back. ‘Oh, no. Why bother yourself when the cook is there? Let her do her work.’

There was another knock at the door.

‘Yes, who is it?’

‘Munirat, sir,’ the house maid said. ‘You have a visitor, sir.’

‘Who?’

‘She said she be Perm. Sec., sir.’

He was surprised to hear that. The Perm. Sec. in his house? ‘Alright, I’m coming.’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Who did she say wanted to see you?’ Juliet asked in curiosity.

‘She said the Perm. Sec. That must be Ms. Popo.’

She shrugged while he sighed. ‘Let me go and attend to her.’ Juliet got up from his legs while he left the bed-room to attend to his visitor.
As soon as he stepped out of the bedroom, Juliet picked his phone to check who called the other time. She noted the person stored as Ore and the frequency of her calls. She would challenge him on that.

‘Madam, what a surprise! It’s good to see you,’ Ayo greeted the guest in his sitting-room.

The woman looked at him and smiled warmly. ‘How d’you do, Mr. Ariyo?’

‘Fine, madam. It’s an honor to have you here.’

‘The pleasure is mine.’

He sat on a sofa not too far from her. ‘What can I offer you, madam?’

She smiled and shook her head. ‘Perhaps, another time. I was just passing in the neighborhood and I decided to come and say hello.’

‘Oh, very kind of you ma’am.’

It was indeed a surprise to have her in his residence. She had never visited before and had not given an inkling to her coming.

‘How’re you finding this your environment?’ she wanted to know.

‘Fine. So far so good.’

She nodded. ‘By the end of the month, you’ll be given your real official residence. Just like I said, this is just a stop-gap measure.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

They chatted a bit more and she stood up. ‘I’ll be on my way,’ she said.

He stood up too. ‘Thank you very much for coming.’

He accompanied her out to her car. He waved at her as she was driven off, still wondering at her surprise visit. He went back to the house. Juliet was still holed up in his bed-room.

She smiled up at him when he re-entered the room.




https://selar.co/8j040l

sighed. "Of course, I do, darling. How could you doubt me?" 

"If you really love me, prove it." 

Now, I was getting exasperated. "Have I not been proving it all this while?" 

She shook her head and placed it on my chest. 

"You can take it," she said gently.

 "Take what?" 

"You can take my virginity." 

I was aghast. "What! But, we've agreed that one will wait till we are married." 

She shook her head again. "No need to wait again. You can have me now." 

I was not comfortable with her luscious offer. When she first told me that she was a virgin, I had expressed admiration. At her age, she was like a pearl among sands. 

Now, she was professing that she was ready to lose her virginity. Well, I wasn't the kind of man to jump at such an offer. 

But then, as a man, the temptation was high. The flesh was indeed weak. When her lips came to mine for a long French kiss, I did not resist the gesture. 

She put my right hand on her boob. It was a licence granted to explore the enticing part. I found myself buckling. My mind swirled in thoughts. It is not easy to be a man of one's words. 

But, why is it not easy? Are human actions not products of the mind? Perhaps the mind is weak. That is why it will resolve to do something one moment and will forget that very resolution the next moment. I asked in my mind if my resolves were so weak.

 I instantly removed my hand from her boob and stopped the kiss. 

"It is better we keep to our initial agreement," I said, quite breathless. "My dear, let's keep to the agreement." 

She looked  at me for a long time. Without saying a word, she stood and moved towards the bedroom. 

"Good night," I said after her. 

She did not respond. I shrugged it off and decided it was time to sleep. I had a long, sweet sleep. 

It was few minutes to eight in the morning when I woke up. I decided to see Precious in the bedroom and to ask her what we would take for breakfast. 

In the bedroom, I met an empty bed. May be she was in the toilet/bathroom. I checked the place but she was not there. 

Could she be in the kitchen? I went to check the place. 

"Precious?" there was no answer and she was not there. 

Maybe she went out to buy something. I went back to the bedroom, hoping to find her bag or her clothes. 

None was there. How could Precious leave without telling me? 

I picked up my phone to cal her. It rang on and on. I sent a Whatsapp message to her, demanding to know why she left just like that. 


https://selar.co/i62003

Idowu wasn't a man to ignore. If he said he wanted to see you, so be it.


Raymond went on his knees. It was a few minutes to six p.m. and it was time he started his prayers. Since morning, he had been fasting. It was the sixth day of fasting. Now, his purpose of doing that might be amusing to many people. He was not fasting to ask for anything from God; rather he was making the effort just to thank the almighty One.

As usual, he would start with worship songs before graduating to praise songs. The prayers of thanksgiving would end it all. He felt glad as he observed all these. He always felt gladdened to serve the Lord. Since he heard the call of God and started the ministry about five years ago, he had had a lot of challenges along the way, but there were fulfillment too. In fact, there were great fulfillment. He had risen from relative obscurity to fame, honor and reverence. Many people had come to know Pastor Raymond Olufemi as a young, fearless and powerful man of God.

By ten after six, he rounded up his prayers and sat on the executive chair in his office. He could hear sound of music coming from the church auditorium. It was a Saturday and the choir was having rehearsals for the Sunday service.

His wife had already brought the food he would take. He opened the flask to eat his meal. He only ate a little. What he really needed was water. He closed the flask and brought a plastic water bottle out.

He pressed the intercom button. Titi, his personal assistant came in.

'Yes, sir?' Her voice sounded like a person much younger, almost like a teenager. She was a short, slim and a delicate looking lady.

'I'm ready now to receive any visitor.' He sipped little more water from the bottle.

'Yes, sir. Actually, you have two visitors - a man and a woman.'

He nodded. 'Let the first one come in.'

'Yes, pastor.' Titi, the cool and efficient P.A went out of the office as smoothly as she had come. Few moments later, an important looking female visitor was ushered into the office.

'Good evening, pastor.' She was reverent. The tall, big woman smiled at him courteously.

'Good evening, madam. Sorry to have kept you waiting.'

The woman's smile became widened. 'I can understand, pastor.'

'Please, sit down.'

The woman adjusted a seat before resting her big frame on it.

'Pastor, you don't know me, but I've heard a lot about you. I've heard about how God is using you for his mighty works. There have been many testimonies about you.'

Raymond nodded modestly. 'To God be the glory. I'm just a vessel in his hands.'

'Yes, we must indeed thank God.' She cleared her throat. 'I'm Chief Mrs. Gloria Meshaga. My husband is the famous politician, Chief Edwin Meshaga.'

Raymond nodded. 'I see.'

Chief Edwin Meshaga was indeed a famous man. He was the chairman of the board of trustees of the ruling political party. People knew him as a very crafty and smart politician.

'You're welcome, madam. What can I do for you?'



Ayo drove his SUV into the premises of I-News building complex. The clock on the dashboard showed the time to be few minutes to seven o 'clock. He got down from the car, locked it and walked briskly into the building. He was the political editor of the national newspaper. He had joined the newspaper soon after his national graduate service. From a political reporter, he had risen to become the political desk editor. It was not easy but he had braved the odds.

He took the staircase to the first floor where the publisher and the ebullient Chief Executive had his expansive office. Alfred Idowu was not just a publisher, he was a man of connections and great influence. He wined and dined with the mighty ones in the society, up to the President and Grand Commander of the armed forces.

Ayo opened the anteroom of the Chief Executive office. The office was cold, courtesy of the split air-conditioner. The ever busy secretary was at work. She smiled up at him.

'The chief has been expecting you.' Her eyes searched him. She adjusted her glasses.

Ayo's smile was apologetic. 'Is he in the office now?'

She nodded and gestured towards the door to his office. 'He's expecting you.'

When Ayo entered the office, Idowu was on the phone. Ayo curtsied. The man paused from listening on the phone and gestured that Ayo should sit down. Ayo nodded and sat comfortably. The office was colder than the anteroom. Ayo would have preferred that it should not be that cold. He searched the office with his eyes. Many plaques and trophies were on display. I-News was certainly hot in laurels.

Idowu finished the conversation and cut the line.

'Ayo Ariyo, how do you do?'

'I'm fine, sir.' Ayo shook the hand that was extended to him.

'How's our political beat?'

Ayo nodded. 'It's getting more intriguing and interesting every day, sir. The ruling party affirms that good governance is going on, but the leading opposition party says the reverse is the case. It's a season of politicking.'

Idowu nodded too. He looked at the young man intently. 'Let me start by saying that I've looked into your profile keenly. You have been a good journalist with keen nose for news. You have written many exposé. Your editing is thorough while your columns are incisive.'

Ayo felt honored. 'Thank you, sir.'

'I'm impressed by your sterling performance. I have a deal for you, Ayo.'

Ayo sat upright. 'A deal?'

Idowu breathed in deeply and smiled. 'Yes, a deal. It's a deal that will mutually benefit the two of us.'

Ayo was curious. What kind of deal could that be? He braced himself.

'My good friend, the Minister of Communications and IT wants a Special Assistant on mass and social media. I'm thinking of recommending you for the job.'

Ayo was very attentive. The import of what his boss said hit him and he broke into a smile. 'That's a good deal, sir. I'm grateful.'

Idowu raised his hand to stop him. 'That's not the deal. That's just the proposition.'

Ayo stared at him. His mind raced in frenzy. Well, what was the deal?

Idowu seemed to enjoy the keenness and anticipation of his employee. He smiled again.

'This is the deal. Upon your acceptance of the proposition, you will agree to remit forty percent of your income to me. Forty percent of all your earnings from that office. You will also protect my interests, including my business.
That is the deal.'

Ayo appeared to think over it. He mused briefly over the keywords - remittance, forty percent, protect interests.

'Perhaps you want to think over it.' Idowu opened his diary. 'I'll give you up till tomorrow afternoon. By Sunday noon, you must communicate your acceptance or rejection of the offer to me.'

Ayo smiled warmly. 'There's nothing to think about, sir. I gladly accept the offer.'

Idowu smiled knowingly. 'That's very smart of you.' He extended his hand for a handshake again. 'Congrats.'

'Thank you, sir.'

Idowu nodded. 'You're welcome. There's one more thing. When will you be available for the swearing?'

'You mean the oath of office? As soon as possible, sir. Anytime. If I get the letter of employment from the Minister today, I will be ready to travel to Abuja right now.'

Idowu broke into a laughter. Then, he became serious and looked sternly. 'I'm not talking about oath of office. I'm talking of oath of allegiance to me.' He touched his chest earnestly.

Ayo stared briefly and blinked rapidly. 'Well, I didn't ...'

Idowu butted in. 'There must be personal oath of allegiance to me. It's a precondition to the deal.'

'I understand, sir.' Ayo nodded in agreement. If the man would need an oath before he could trust him, that should not be a problem or a barrier. Was it not about averring that he would keep his own side of the bargain?

Ayo smiled. 'That will not be a problem sir. I will be ready for the oath anytime.'

'That's another smart thinking from you.' Idowu moved his head approvingly. 'You know my house, don't you?'

'Yes, I do.'

'Let's meet there tomorrow by ten p.m.'

Ayo's brows went up. 'You mean ten, in the morning, sir?'

The boss shook his head. 'No, I mean ten in the night.'

He stood up. Ayo stood up too.

'You must not fail to be there at the appointed time.' For the third time that evening, Idowu extended his hand for a handshake. 'Once again, congrats, Ayo. See you tomorrow.'

Ayo was all smiles. 'Thank you, sir. God bless you.'



Source: https://selar.co/8j040l

Out of Bound













O Toyin


Ayo is a guy on the move. With a better job, he leaves Lagos to live in Abuja. There, new things happen and without restraints, he goes out of bound with a leader he is not expected to have an affair with. This, expectedly, boomerangs.

(The story is formerly titled The (Sweet) Taboo).


This work is protected by the act of copyright. No part of it can be reproduced without the permission of the author.

Other book by the author:

Money Can't Buy Love
Lost in Love
Captives of Lust



For comments, enquiries, write: oloruntoyin21@gmail.com

WhatsApp: +2348113703920




Dedication
This work is dedicated to almighty God















Ayo steered his partner to a table close to the window The eatery was busy. Many mouths were munching, chewing, sipping, drinking, licking, or just chatting. It was a cozy place Ayo liked to frequent.

'Fried rice and chicken?' It was easy for Ayo to guess. Ore always asked for that. He smiled at her face as he awaited her response.

Ore nodded and smiled back. She winked in the you-should-know manner. He sighed and went to join the short queue. He stood behind a voluptuous but pretty lady who smiled at him hopefully. Ayo smiled back and turned to cast his glance at the direction where Ore was seated. The smile went off the chubby lady as she got the message.

His gaze shifted to the flat screen t.v. A horror scene gazed back at him. A suicide bomber had detonated explosives and had taken over thirty lives. The reporter was obviously agitated as he gave the mordant reports. Ayo shuddered briefly.

He wondered when peace would return to North East region. Has mind wandered from the scene to something else. The line moved fast. It was his turn to be attended to. The fair sales girl smiled at him in what she hoped was a patronizing one. She had tooth gap in her denture, which reminded Ayo of his mother's own. He gave her the order. In a jiffy, the hot, spicy and tantalizing meal was brought. He paid for it and took the tray to the table where Ore was waiting.

He sat down beside her, looking excited.

She looked gusty too. 'I can't wait to eat.' The smile still danced on her cheeks as she looked at the food approvingly.

'Well, here we are.' He patted her on the left shoulder. Spoons, knives and forks soon went to work. They sipped their orange juice intermittently. There was silence from the two.

'Darling, I hope you've not forgotten my birthday.' She paused briefly to turn to him.

He grinned. 'Of course, I've not. How would I forget it?'

Indeed there was no way he would forget; not with her persistent reminder. Ayo had met her about six months ago. She was a final year undergraduate student at the Lagos University. Ayo had met her at the corridor of the office of the Dean of the faculty of Social Science, after he had just interviewed the dean.

He had not wasted time in making his amorous intention known to her. Ayo was, of course, married with two children. At forty two, he still had a lot of zeal about life and his career. To him, Ore was one of the side attractions he needed to 'spice up' life. Ore did not mind his marital status. He seemed to be handsome, kind and generous; and that was all that mattered.

He munched his chicken rather noisily. It would be a big understatement to say that the food was not bad. He and Ore were truly satisfied after the delicious meal.

'You enjoyed the food?' It was an unnecessary question but he still felt like asking it.

Ore nodded. 'Sure I did. It was very delicious.'

He nodded too and squeezed her hand. Just then, his phone rang. It was Alfred Idowu, his publisher and employer calling.

He winked at Ore. 'It's my oga patapata.' Then, he received the call.

'Hello sir. Good day, sir.' Ayo listened to the caller for a moment.

'I'm with a friend, sir.' He listened again for more seconds. His face became grave.

'Alright, sir. I'll be there later this evening,'

After few more seconds, he thanked the man again and hanged up.

'My boss says he will like to see me in the office. Says it's rather urgent.'

Ore's beautiful face knitted into a frown. 'But today is Saturday!' She glanced at her watch. 'And this is after five o'clock. You're still going to the office at this hour?

He nodded in understanding. 'That's the nature of my job, my dear. Journalism is one hell of a job, especially when one works for a daily tabloid and is holding the position that I hold.'

He grinned to reassure her, even as she still made a face. The call he received meant further interaction with Ore would be suspended for now. He had hoped to take her to the small hotel where he normally took her. From all indications, that would have to wait till another time. Idowu wasn't a man to ignore. If he said he wanted to see you, so be it.



https://selar.co/8j040l

She turned swiftly to stare at me. "And where are you going?" she asked.

"To the sitting-room. I'll sleep on the three-seater."

She looked at me as if I had said a very strange thing. "You are joking, right?"

I shook my head. "That's the best way to go about it. See you in the morning."

I smiled wanly at her and left the bedroom.

In the sitting-room, I tried to make myself as comfortable as possible. If I thought I had dealt with Precious' angle, I was making a big mistake.

She was soon in the sitting, wearing what obviously was a sexy sleeping-wear. She sat on my legs.

"I don't like this funny drama you're acting," she said. "What's the meaning of all this?"

I was confounded. "Is it not better we avoid temptation?"

She looked almost angry. "What temptation? What are you talking about?"

I sat up on the seat, gently making her to sit by my side. "Dear Precious, you know the temptation I'm talking about."

"Are you saying it is a sin for two lovers to be together?"

I shook my head. "I never said anything like that. All I'm saying is we have to be careful and cautious."

As if she did not hear me, she moved close and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Sometimes, I doubt if you love me."

I sighed. "Of course, I do, darling. How could you doubt me?"

"If you really love me, prove it."



https://selar.co/i62003

She stared at the numbers for several seconds.

"I don't understand all these," she finally said. I decided that I would worry about it later.

Precious had always come around to my place, but she had never slept over. I was therefore surprised when she said she would sleep over tonight.

The relationship had been platonic in which we had agreed that there would be no premarital sex. So far, we had been able to keep to that agreement.

"But, what about your parents? Are they not going to express disappointment that you sleep outside?" I asked.

"Seyi, stop treating me as If I'm still a teenager, for God's sake. Why are you saying this? You are supposed to be glad at my decision, aren't you?"

Really? Was I really supposed to be glad by what she wanted to do? I however kept quiet.

She went to the small kitchen to prepare jollof rice. Thankfully, she had brought all the ingredients that were needed along. Precious, I must say, was good at cooking.

What she cooked was delicious and I wasted no time in commending her. After the meal, she cleared the table and took the plates to the kitchen for washing.

She was a good wife material, I decided. She snuggled to me as we watched movies together. Somehow, I still felt uncomfortable that she would be sleeping in the house. This might sound strange to some people, but that was how pruddish I could be.

She later slept off on the couch. It was a Friday. Since the following day was Saturday and I would not be going to work, I decided to watch movies late into the night.

When I was finally going to sleep, I woke Precious up.

"Time to go to bed," I told her.

We went to the bedroom and she started changing into the sleep-wear she had brought along.

"Okay, have a nice sleep," I said, picking up a pillow.

She turned swiftly to stare at me. "And where are you going?" she asked.



https://selar.co/i62003

Nonetheless, I knew I had done well. What I had done was better than giving in to her whims and allowing myself to be led into temptation.


* * *


From the next day on, I made sure that I never remained in the staff-room alone again. As soon as the last teacher was leaving, I too would leave. I decided not create a chance for temptation to have its way. Ada did not mention anything on the relocation again.

As a matter of fact, I observed she had become aloof with me. I decided to mind my business.

Two weeks later, I received an e-mail inviting me for a job interview. The address was Victoria Island and I was to be there by ten in the morning.

On getting there, I saw many others that had also been invited. We were given a test to write. I wrote the answers to the best of my ability, so I was not surprised that some days later I was invited for another interview.

This time around, I discovered that only five of us were invited - two ladies and three men.

Again, I put in my best. Three days later, I received a Whatsapp message from the firm. It read thus: Sequel to your performance after the second test, you are to solve this puzzle: 20 9 26 5 18 7 26 8.

You have three days to solve it. I stared at the numbers. There were eight numbers in all. What did they mean? What did they stand for? I had three full days to unravel it, so I still had time. Later in the evening, Precious, my fiancee, came around to my mini-flat at Ijaiye Road.

Precious was twenty-four and had just finished her national youth service at Gombe state. She had read Bussiness Administration in the university and hoped to work in the corporate world.

She was the daughter of a pastor and we had actually met in the church. That was when she was in her final year in the university.

We exchanged pleasantries as she sat herself comfortably in the sitting-room.

I showed her the message from the firm.

"They want me to solve the puzzle," I told her. She stared at the numbers for several seconds.

"I don't understand all these," she finally said. I decided that I would worry about it later.

Precious had always come around to my place, but she had never slept over. I was therefore surprised when she said she would sleep over tonight.

https://selar.co/i62003

She shook her head like a petulant girl. "You are not going anywhere until you answer my questions."

I could not believe my ears. What an audacity from a student to a teacher! I decided not to engage her in further conversation, but to move on. As I moved to pass her, she gripped my left arm.

"What on hell is the meaning of this?" I uttered in astonishment.

Her grip tightened the more. I was very angry, but I realized I must control my temper. I could have exerted force to break her grip and push her away.

But that could be counter-productive. The option I had was to dance or rather pretend to dance to her tune. That meant I should take her to the staff-room to answer her questions.

But, was that really what Jennifer wanted? She should be around fifteen years old. What explanations would I say I was giving to her if the security man should come and see only the two of us together at that 'ungodly' hour?

My mind suddenly struck an idea. I smiled at her.

"Alright, Jenny, relax. There's no need you grip my hand like that. Relax."

She relaxed her grip a bit.

“See, I will love to answer all your questions, but not right now. I got a call from a friend some minutes ago. He called to inform me that he is at my residence. He wants to pay me the money he is owning. Don't worry, tomorrow, I will give you all the time you need.

“For now, I need to hurry home before he changes his mind."

Her stance softened a bit but I could still see doubts on her face.

“Look, I can even buy you lunch tomorrow from the money. Let me go right away to meet him. That money is very important."

I could see that I had hit her soft part. "Do you promise tomorrow?" she asked.

I smiled at her again.

"Of course, there'll be no hitch tomorrow." I patted her on the shoulder.

She released her grip on me and I could almost give a sigh of relief. On my way home, I jeered at myself for pleading with her and giving her a big lie. How could a grown-up man like me deign to a teenage girl?

Nonetheless, I knew I had done well. What I had done was better than giving in to her whims and allowing myself to be led into temptation.

Source: https://selar.co/i62003