₦airaland Forum

Curiousgirl:
I like this Samantha character... when will the next update be made?

Soon

Ann2012:
I love Sam....

Thanks for the update

She loves you too.

Chapter 6
“Yes?’’ Samantha says staring at the girl who walks up to her.

“I am so sorry, Mr. Bass called and asked me to do it, I couldn’t even ask him why because he
was so angry and was shouting over the phone, I had to pack up all your things. He said something about you messing up his meeting
and you know, he was angry, what happened?’’

Samantha blinks.

“The file, I didn’t take the most important one and...’’ she trails off.

“But you had worked so hard on it, them, I saw your work it was amazing and you placed some files on the table which you put in your bag, so how come?” she grabs a cup of coffee from one of the staff and hands Samantha one.

“Here, drink something, it would calm you down, your nerves is all over the place, oh poor baby.”

Samantha shifts the box to her side placing it on her hip as she takes the coffee from Sophie, glad for the warm feel of it, she takes a sip.

"Thank you Sophie. I saw it on the floor just now... but it’s too late for that. You should have seen the way he spoke to me, addressed me he was mean and he was very way out of line, he even...” she sniffs.

She wasn’t going to cry, not in front of her and not in this building. She was strong and she had survived the worst hasn’t she.

“I am so sorry, what can I do, try and talk to him maybe?” Sophia rubs her hands, placing her hands on her shoulders.

Samantha shakes her head.

“No... it’s fine. I am not needed here anyways. My letter is on his desk already, you take care of yourself Sophie."

She turns away as the doors open …Mr Bass walks in, followed by some other people into the building, he frowns seeing her standing there with Sophie. He had managed to put on a cheerful countenance for his guests, now seeing her with her box on her hands, his anger and everything returns. But people were coming in behind him, the press was here, and some media team… it wouldn’t be good for him at the moment to explode…and then he frowns even more.

If people see a girl, who looked as though she had been crying leaving his company with a box
on her hands they would begin to ask questions wanting to know why she was being sacked, and who knows if she was a drama queen. Didn’t she know he had a state dinner this evening? Why didn’t she get back earlier to take her things away…?

NO!! she picks this minute to come here... oh right okay! this was her pity party strategy right?

“To cry in front of his guests, cause a scene and he would now be forced to keep her in his company because people would ask him to give her another chance... ”

No Way!!! Satan, not today.

He beckons to one of his attendance, whispers in his ears and the person leaves, walking
directly to Samantha and Sophie.

“Miss, Mr. Bass asked that you leave your box at the service entrance, and stare clear away from the party until his guests are gone, then you can leave.”

“Wait what? No, tell Mr. Bass that he stopped being my Boss a couple of hours ago and I have made it official, So he cannot boss me
anymore” she frowns.

“It wasn’t up for discussion Miss Samantha” the man says, touching her hand to direct her away.

“Let go off me!” Samantha snaps, it wasn’t enough that he talked rudely to her after her mistake, it wasn’t enough that he left her stranded in that city not knowing if she had a means home, okay so what that she refused his card, she wasn’t going to beg him, she was
visibly shaken that he had drove off, what if her mother wasn’t able to help, what would have happened to her out there.

“Always carry money with you Sammy, wherever you go, it doesn’t matter if it’s down the road or to take a drink across, you never know what would happen and you may be in need of cash...” her mother used to say. Well, she always listened, but how do you do that when you don’t have money…?

But it was okay, it was fine. Now he had succeeded in making her mother worry and her father complain about how she is doing nothing other than been useless… it was typical of her father, she was used to him, but it upset her, all
because she had to call her mother to beg for money, something she hadn’t done for years.

So she was angry…really mad.

Now he had the guts to tell her when to leave his company, what else does he want from her... hell no!! he wants her gone, oh she was going and she was going now. She wasn’t going to spend another minute in this place.

“Samantha, okay lets go upstairs and relax and I would stay with you for a bit and then later you
can go, let’s not upset him further, there are a lot of people here” Sophie says.

“No, I am leaving” she still held the box and coffee in her hands.

“Ma’am, do not make a scene here, follow me” his voice was stern.

Oh...really? Mr. Bass didn’t want her to make a scene. He wanted to save face. Well… she would do just that, make a scene. She was
already fired, so he couldn’t fire a person who had already fired.

As the man grabs her arm she nudges him away.

“Touch me one more time and you would regret it!”

Her voice increases, people turn, Jake Bass’s frown deepens as his face becomes a darkened mask.

“Excuse me everyone.., Miss Andres can you step in here for a minute?” he beckons to the lady who comes immediately, he whispers something into her ears and steps away from her.

She brings everyone’s attention towards her and began to talk to them.

Jake walks towards them.

“Oh dear Lord, he is coming” Sophie fidgets. When he nears them he scowls at her.

“Do what the man says Samanatha Brookes” he tells her, he was toweling over her.

“Or what Mr. Bass?”

“I would drag you out of here myself, damn the consequences” he was visibly mad, his eyes drew closer together.

The man steps away as Jake Bass takes his place, Sophie is scared and worried at the same time.

“I am stepping out of here right now, whether you like it all not Mr. Bass, so if you don’t want me to make a scene you better move out off my way” she looks him straight in the eyes…

“You fool, I would teach you some manners!’’

He grabs her arms intending to turn her and walk her out back the stairs and up to his office…then he would lock her up in there till the party was over and if he was not done being angry he would leave her there till tomorrow… then he would kick her out, without paying her a single dime.

“Let go off me!” she says, but his arm tightens over her own arm, and because she was holding the box with one hand on her hip and the other one the coffee.

She does the only thing dramatic enough to cause an effect.. she tips the contents of the coffee over black tux from his face, the brown contents on the coffee made a large patch on his white shirt travelling from his neck to his tummy.

Sophie gasps, The man behind Mr. Bass is shocked… the hall suddenly went quiet… as more gasps filled the room.

Jake Bass is rooted to the spot, speechless… he lets go off her hand, raising his hands up as the hot tea stings his body slightly… then he looks at her, daggers for eyes.

“That would teach you some manners Mr. Bass, let go means to let go.”

And with that she drops the cup as it hits the floor, she re-positions her box on her hands, with her head raised up she walks through the crowd of people who had parted for her like the Red Sea staring from her to Mr. Bass and then back to her as she leaves the building.

He was speechless…then he takes a deep breath to calm himself, as the murmuring continues.

“Relax everyone, Women, PMS, you know how they can get…they like to have the last say and
apparently the last grand exit!!’’ he laughs nervously.

Miss Andres joins in, then Sophie nodding and forcing a laugh, then someone else does laugh and soon the hall vibrated with rich laughter, then someone throws in... “I know right, even the wife throws the biggest tantrum when she is on her period... “I would be clawing out anyone’s eyes when I am in the mood.”

“What was her deal, the girl?”

“Oh just an intern who isn’t happy about her... erm…” Miss Andres began.

“Her transfer,” Bass says.

“Oh the ladies love to be around you, don’t they?” someone says.

Bass manages a soft smile, Sophie had suddenly brought towels to dab him, he stops her.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please if you would excuse me, I would be back shortly” he says as they nod, he turns around heading upstairs, his face turns to something worse than granite… as the camera clicks almost blinded him.

He would have to kill off any story the press might release. The media feasted on anything, and before long they might change the story to being: “Bad Boy Multi-Billionaire in a love anger with his worker who had found out that he was cheating, had confronted them, then he fires her and she retaliates by spilling coffee on him in front of his guests and storms out crying.”

“Or Mr. Bass and his love interests part ways as she gave him his ring and spill his coffee too.”

Or much worse “Mr. Jake Bass and the mysterious girl."

He sighs taking off his shirt as he enters his office, good thing he always insisted on extra cloths being in his wardrobe in the office for times like this. He goes into the toilet to clean up the liquid which had begun to stick to his chest, with water and a towel he wipes his chest and neck, cleans his face, then he comes back out, stripping to his briefs and changes cloths...
He reaches for his cuff-links on his table and he notices the letter, he tears if of and reads it.

She didn’t mention why she was terminating her employment , most people who have vented, knowing that it would be taken into
consideration too. But she had thanked him for the opportunity for being able to work in his prestigious firm, apologized for any trouble she must have caused and told him that she was terminating her employment because her skills were not what was needed in his company. Then she signed it.

He sits down on his desk, typing on his computer and pulled up her Cv...

It was an impressive… very impressive Cv. He logs off. Then he sees the file, frowning he opens it up and a small piece of paper falls out... “it was on the floor, it fell that was why I didn’t notice it and mixed it with the others files.
I do hope you have another opportunity… I am sorry. SAMANTHA” he reads.

He takes a minute to go through the file, indeed, it was well arranged, articulated, compiled and analysized, and she had added a few things to it, things he didn’t think off.

It takes another 10 minutes before he puts the file down, and leaves his office and back to his guest and his party.”
*************************************

Samantha opens her door to find Jamie standing there “Are you okay?’’ Jamie comes in and enveloped her in a hug.

“Yes I am.”

“I am so sorry, I am sure Mr. Bass was just angry but you shouldn’t have gone that far… the whole place is buzzing , news flying, true and untrue.”

“It doesn’t matter, look let’s not talk about it anymore, I don’t want to please” she steps away from the door.

“Okay” Jamie walks in , frowning when she enters fully into the house.

“Why are you packed?"

“Because I am leaving, I can’t afford this place, I have no money and even if I did I cannot afford this place anymore, so I am moving out.”

“Okay, I can start loading your stuffs into my car and we can—" Samantha stops her.

“No, I have to do this on my own, I am not staying with you Jamie, you have done enough for me and I am grateful but… no more."

“But Samantha where are you going to go, how are you going to survive, what will you eat, are
you going back home to your mother’s...?”

“I don’t know yet but it’s okay, I will survive, junk maybe, and nooooo not mum’s, look I will be fine okay. I just need you to load it into that taxi parked out, don’t worry, been cutting through some magazine clippings for the past two hours, making calls... there is a small opening for a bar attendant, booking staff so I will start from there and see how it goes...”

“But Samantha?”

“No buts babes...”

Jamie sighs and hugs her.
*************************************

“What do you mean you couldn’t reach her?”

Jake Bass asks the next day when the accountant calls him to tell him he couldn’t pay her.

“The account she had given us was closed down an hour ago, her numbers isn’t connecting and we couldn’t pay her for the month as you requested” the accountant says.

“Fine” he cuts the call, then he dails Sophie”s “Come into my office."
*************************************

“I don’t know how else she can be contacted sir, Todd has just called to tell me that she is no longer in the address she listed in her Cv and there was no forwarding address and she didn’t drop a number or where she would be staying.”

“How come no one knows how she can be reached, no friends here in the company, none?’’

“Well... there was one person she hunged with when she wasn’t working..."

“Who is she?’’

‘’Jamie, Jamieliah Sawyer from the logistics department."

“Send her up.”
*************************************

Jamie bites her lips as Jake Bass stares at her.

“Are you sure?”’

She didn’t know what he wanted with her and Samantha had said she didn’t want to have anything to do with the company anymore. She
didn’t even tell her exactly where she was going to, changed her number, she said she wanted to
just start afresh and she would call her when she is settled in.

“Yes sir, I am sure. I don’t know how to contact her or where she is.”

‘’it’s not possible, she couldn’t disappear into thing air.”

“Sir, why do you want to find her? if it’s her payment I can get it across to her somehow.”

“How? When you said you don’t know how to contact her. Well it doesn’t matter, good riddance to bad rubbish anyways, you can go.”
Jamie nods and leaves.

He drops her check into her letter and puts it in his drawer and closes it. He forgets about her in a week.
*************************************

***THREE MONTHS LATER***
“Thank you so very much for gracing this Gala event with your presence, but it won’t be complete if we don’t thank the dignitaries, the sponsors for their fat checks” the man who had been speaking laughs, everyone else does too.

Jake Bass, looking dashingly handsome is standing with other guests, his glass of drink in his hands as Veronica held his other hand, she had been one of the models here.

It was a Special Gala Night, and he was given a special invite, they held it twice every year and they tend to outshine their last... and tonight, from the presentation, performances, art and speeches, even to the decorations and timing
was perfect.. whoever planned it did an excellent job.

He should ask the manager for the number, he wants to host a charity concert for next month, he needed someone who would get the job
done… as beautiful as this.

The man who was talking, finished speaking; thanking everyone, as he rounds up his speech he says “And last but not least, it wouldn’t be
complete if we don’t acknowledge the wonderfully gifted hands, mind and creative inattentiveness of our head team player, who made sure you had a good time, food on your plates, drinks, good music, all this was because she understands the intricacies of event planning… and she would give you a good run for your money and because we are proud to call her our own , please a round of applause for the delectable, beautiful Samantha Penelope Brookes, come over here and take a bow” he holds out his hands to her as a beautiful lady
who had been in the crowd walks out gracefully dressed in a black dinner gown, comes out smiling and standing on the stage, and gives her vote of thanks.

Jake Bass chokes on his drink, coughing when he sees her... he blinks a couple of times… And in that minute, both their eyes meet... then she looks away, as though she didn’t know who the hell he was.

He follows her as soon as she steps down. She frowns when she notices him follow her out of the hall to the balcony. She was answering a call.

He waits.

“Why are you following me?” She turns, done.

“Samantha Brookes...” he began.
*************************************

Dear readers, am sure you've read what transpired between Samantha and Bass. I won't ask any questions to raise your curiosity.

But kindly drop your positive comments in order to unlock the next episode.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Finnestgreat:
OP sorry for the late comment but i really love this story.Keep it up and more update pls

No qualms bro. Welcome on board... your popcorn can't waste.

xaviercasmir:
I think Mr Bass after seeing the file will start to regret his actions

Yes, he will. But it will take him sometime for such. Remember his attitude from the onset.

Chapter 5
They leave the hall immediately after the meeting comes to an end. Jake Bass had spoken to a few people trying to salvage the mess already made but Mr. George was proving difficult. There was no use, until another year, his window for the CEO’s company project for
the Engineering Institute of oil and gas was gone.

He was furious, shaking hands and giving them a brief smile, he carried his shoulders up, and taking his leave from the rest as they too began to enter into their cars, leaving.

Samantha had been sitting in the car waiting for him.

She had spent all night working on those files, all of them...not a wink of sleep had she had, she had filed them up, arranged it and without
as much as a close of the eyes she had rushed a bath, without eating had gone to the office, and placed those files on his desk, arranged
them in his shelves and even tagged them. She remembered putting the files she needed on the
table and gathered them into her bag as she was talking to Todd on the phone. She did carry them so how come the most important file wasn’t there unless…unless she had mixed it up without knowing…Argghhh!!!

Now because of her he had lost an opportunity he had been working towards for a year, because of her he had been embarrassed by that pigged –faced Mr. George who seems to be in charge of the elders council, and because of her carelessness he had shouted… okay, not shouted, but he had rudely, and annoyingly snapped at her, and then he had told her he
was going to slap her... after she had spent her days putting up with his arrogance, his annoying and pompous self, after cancelling her plans... well she didn’t have any plans because she didn’t have a boyfriend, or a dog not even a cat
to hang out with and she had been too busy being his PA since his bedmate...erm PA Betty had been on leave...which was besides the
point, even if she didn’t have a plan or plans or a supposed social life it still didn’t mean that he had the right to infringe on her non-social life and have her non-social life be cancelled because he is Mr. Bass.

She had literally worked her ass off, and it was a mistake an honest mistake, a mistake that she wasn’t even aware off.

“Stupid, stupid, stupid” she hits her forehead with her open palm. But he didn’t have to talk to her like that, like she was not even a reasonably person. It wasn’t as though she didn’t do her job, she did. Now it would look as though she didn’t even try. But she had, she had…and she did a darn good job, even Sophie was impressed. But all that hard work gone, because she didn’t check the files, like crosscheck the files again that she had left it on the table before putting them in her bag, she couldn’t understand anything.

She was angry...he had no right. OK! Yes he was angry, yes he should be angry. It was understandable, what he had planned for months couldn’t be achieved because of her but she didn’t do it on purpose, if he wanted to get angry and scold her, she would have taken it... not well but she would have taken it. She always owned up to her faults and took responsibilities for her mistakes but, the way he spoke to her with such disdain, even she was shocked and his choice of words were uncalled for...she made a mistake but she wasn’t stupid and an unintelligent fool.

She had gone to school and did come out with distinction, she had been amongst the youths pioneering educative stances in her department, she had indulged in intelligent discuss bordering on society, the government and politics. She was far from dumb...no. She wasn’t even close to being stupid…and he said all that’s inside her head was money, fun and whatnot?

Does he have any idea what she does for fun? Solve Maths, read an Encyclopedia, put her mind to good use solving puzzles, putting down possible solutions for upcoming brands and companies, even counseling and when she isn’t
all about being serious she enjoys a time out with her best friend Jamie, and when there was a boyfriend? An occasional stroll to MacDonalds, the movies and skating ring doing the snow, karaoke bar…and no...she has never been a materialistic kind of girl, that was why her ex-boyfriend was content on living off her and not bothering to buy her something as small as a toothpick and she wonders why she ever fell in love with him in the first place.

“It was his eyes, his dreamily eyes and mac-steamy body without his shirt, his rich voice and the fact that he was a great kisser and he was such good lay and he was smart and sweet and…loving and caring and he…he understood me” she remembers telling Jamie who rolled her eyes.

“That bin there is where Boy Wonder should go in and remain” was what Jamie had told her as
she cried over him that day after catching him red handed sleeping with her friend and he had the guts to tell her what they both had was fun but he didn’t even love her and that…in fact he had been having an open relationship with her for months, and she had cried and wailed because she loved him and was been exclusive with him... the asshole shrugged, he didn’t care, leaving there she had come home to find out that her credit cards bounced when she entered
a supermarket to get somethings for the house that was long overdue.

“Boy problem?” the lady at the counter had looked at her and her wet eyes and deduced, she had cried even harder.

“Ssssh its okay, chocolates and ice-cream works magic for broken hearts, trust me I know” she had patted her hands, but when her card bounced, she had to ask her: “You don’t have any money girl?’’... it wasn’t possible, she had money, enough, not Bill Clinton stacked money in the bank but it was enough to last her for a couple of months.

She had been on a contract job and they had just recently finished a project, she was an event manager, and they only contact her for when they needed her, she did two other jobs on contracts too and the pay was good, that was
why she could afford a nice apartment and a car, which he took for his... and the house which
he practically lived in with her. And when she called the bank to demand what was up, they told her she had just withdrawn all her savings within the hour.

“I always told you not to be stupid. Your money is your money, girl and his money is for you both.”

“But he didn’t have any money, he was looking for a job” she remembered saying.

“Yeah, the pity party materializes into a $3xy man and you fell in love with him and while you
slept the pity party took away your mansion and kicked you out of your own home Samantha... didn’t I warn you?”

“But I love him” Samantha wailed, drooling into her hanky, her eyes red and puffy, she was still
wearing his shirt.

“I swear if you say that again I would literally slap you with this spatula and I mean it, then I would apologize and slap you again till you forget his name and your stupid love... he was a leach, a pest and a blood sucker."

Samantha had wailed… breaking out of her reverie she sighs as she watched as he walked towards the car. He had no right to talk to her like that, and he had no right to sack her like that without giving her a chance to explain, or to apologize or even to find a solution…. okay she couldn’t solve it but still he didn’t have to talk to her like that.

Her eyes stings with tears, she wipes it away immediately as he enters into the car, his anger could be felt and even seen as his veins were threatening to pop out.

Taking a deep breath she made to try again.

“Sir Bass, I am so sorry about what happened in there I swear it wasn’t on purpose I swear it and–"

“Shut up Samantha, you do not want me to unleash my anger on you, just shut up. You don’t realize how bad this is do you? You think your calm soothing voice can abate my anger, you think that crocodile watery eyes would save
you? And back at the office you don’t waste time to let go of the sharp retorts on your tongue always trying to prove something you are not, I left you from the beginning because you were pitiful, a girl who thinks she could
stand up to her boss and get away with it, but I knew you were nothing but a very malfunctioned girl, and I felt why not allow her
believe she has the ability to change the world but in retrospect I was taking pity on you because no one would have tolerated your
nonsense, I could have easily thrown you out of my company but I let you, hoping you would have the sense one day when you have been tamed, and now, amongst other things, you did utter rubbish , mixed up a file, common file a child would have handled, how stupid can you be Samantha? How senselessly careless... I have worked with Betty and Sophie for a long time and even they... which their IQ is low by the way... is still better than yours. You are a liability to me and my company and because I would not want this to ever repeat itself you shall
immediately tender your resignation, your working package for the month would be sent to you via the accountant; take your stupid unintelligent self away from my company. I know you also didn’t work on those files you
took home, God knows maybe you went out partying and clubbing , draped over a man’s arms all night and forgot to do something
simple as filing, editing and compiling and this morning your waltz in thinking about first class
ticket in a plane you have never been in, thinking of five star restaurants and all this with a billionaire you forgot to get your head out of your ass. I know your type Samantha, stupid, unintelligent, money conscious and a luxury magnet attaché, that is why you are totally useless to me, much like a dumb blonde, no, at
least they are sophisticated dumb, you are just pitiful, and a pitiful person with a sharp mouth is an eyesore!!!” He spat looking at her as
Samantha blinks back tears.

“I am sorry sir...but, surely it wasn’t on purpose...I am not a dog that needs to be tamed and I am a person, not perfect and we do make mistakes but I assure you that I am not stupid, and your choice of words are degrading and I refuse to be spoken to that way sir, I will not–”

He grabs her hand and pulls her.

"Shut up Samantha, just shut the hell up. In fact, pull over driver!”

“Sir?”’ the driver is confused

“I said pullover!!!’’ he snaps, as soon as the driver does, he opens the door, giving her one of his credit cards, writing out four digit
numbers on it.

“Here, take this and get out from the car, your presence is infuriating me even further!"

“You are kicking me out, in the middle of a city I have no idea about?” She was shocked, disbelieving as her mouth drops open and her eyes grew wider.

“You have my credit card Samantha, book yourself a private car to take you to the airport, book a flight, when you land, go to the office, pick up your items, drop my card with Sophie, if you try to be smart, I already know how much
an economic class ticket cost, and I would be putting a call to my accountant , there is a limit of withdrawal on the card…so what I expect you to take away is for your flight, transport fare to the airport and from the airport to the
office, anything more than the stipulated amount I would send to him, all transactions would be stopped, I know girls like you would want to steal my money seeing that is all that concerns people like you, as soon as you get to the office, I will also get Sophie to pack up your table, drop my card, your letter and leave, and
now, get out of my face!!!” H says holding out the credit card for her.

She blinks.

“I don’t need anything from you Mr. Jake Bass, I would find my way home.” She alights from the
car, carrying her bag and slams the door shut.

Angered!! How dare he?!!!

“Suit yourself” he winds down the window, turning away with his face still granite as his fine features is dampened with his frown, he tells the driver “ Drive”, the windows goes up as the car speeds off immediately.

She stood there watching the car leave... she blinks back the tears threatening to fall, until the car disappears... then she moves to the curb, she sits on the pavement and let the tear drop. She had never felt so humiliated and talked down to ever in her entire life. Never felt so horrible and angered and pissed and then sad, all the emotions put together. She messed
up the file business, Yes. But he was a bad bad person, very bad. He was arrogant, unforgiving, a proud pompous dxxk, and he feels that all should bow to him , she rather walk on the streets than take his stupid credit card.

She cleans her eyes and look at her environment. She didn’t have any idea on how she was going to get back. She brings out her phone from her bag.

“Just one last time, just one” she says as she cleans her eyes. She dials a number and then
someone picks “Hey mom!!’’
*************************************

When he was angry, everything shuts down, everything , and that includes thinking straight. He knew how hard he had worked to get the
partners interested in that institute, it would have been great for the location he had in mind and he would have been the largest share
holder, but it would have been government approved, for international bodies, and the team
put down in place were professionals, the best in the country… it would have been a masterpiece. He could have done it on his own, he had the money...well technically he had, but like they say... sometimes you need to be part of something bigger than just you and this was it... this was his baby project and all gone
because of the incompetence and carelessness of that stupid Samanatha Brookes.

He is in the plane now. Maybe he shouldn’t have been so angry, at least he would have tolerated her presence till they got back into the state… then he would have kicked her out. He frowns, not wanting to think about how she was getting home, she looked all classy, surely she would have means to go home, even if she spends all that she had, at least it would be her own extra punishment.

He lost a whole year’s work because of her, a little lose of money on her part would be
punishment enough, then he would have her resignation letter.

He turns away, removing her and the incidence from his mind as they plane set for take off. It was just 1pm, he would be back within the
hour. The state dinner was this evening, by 4pm, and he was hosting it in his company.
*************************************

It was 5pm when Samantha got to The Bass building, seeing lots of cars and well dressed people trouping into the hall area of the
building. She walks in and takes her left, with a fixed smile she greeted the staff she knew and
made her way upstairs. Jamie had given her a thousand calls, she didn’t have time to talk, she would call her later. And then Sophie too...Mr. Bass must have called her.

She patted the letter in her bag, she had written it on the plane. Her mother had wanted to know what she wanted to do with that huge amount of money... and she had told her... but she promised to pay her back after she gets another job.

They weren’t rich, not even close to being very comfortable, but her mother tried to gather the money for her from friends... and sent it to her.

She paid for her flight and came back to the state. And her mother had been worried, he made her worry her mother and so she was
angry.

She didn’t meet Sophie on the floor, her box was stacked already. Without another word she goes to his office and drops the letter on his table, his box of pen had poured to the ground as she hits it. Bending she picks it up and there
is was... on the floor behind the chair...The file. it must had slipped while she and Sophie arranged the files. She puts it on his table too and leaves with her box.

“Samantha... Samantha?” she turns when she hears her name.
*************************************

What's your take on this?

TO BE CONTINUED...

Chapter 4

“You sound pissed Samantha” Jamie’s voice came through the phone.

“Pissed? I am beyond pissed. I am infuriated. I am angry, I want to slam my fist into his face.”

“You can’t do that though.”

“I know that’s why I am…ARGGHHHHHHH!!’’
Samantha exclaims biting her lips.

Jamie laughs “Hey calm down, look at the bright side, you get to travel with Mr. Bass, eat at a fancy restaurant,and maybe the storm will come and you guys get stuck and because you guys can’t return, he books you both into an hotel and because they have just one room left, you both get to share and maybe it’s small and no chair so you share a bed and then…who knows, thunder may strike, then lightening, you may be scared, he holds you while you both look into each other’s eyes, then there is this moment that is so electrifying, then your lips would touch and even the heavens would quake and before long there is the erm… ohhhh... uhhhh... ahhhh ahh yes yes YES! Take me to hell... or 7th heaven you $3xy beast!!!!’’

Samantha face palms... ”you are one shy away from being completely insane Jamieliah
Sawyer.”

“Oh what a nice complement Samantha Penolope Brooke.”

“It wasn’t one Jamie and stop talking nonsense, look, he thinks because he is rich and all that so whatever he says should go, it doesn’t work that way, I have a life outside the company and just to think he was listening to me in his office, he was being smart, so I can stay and do his work for him. By the way, like literally he was
pressing his phone and replying to text messages from random girls while he tells me to do research, jot, analysis and everything, and
he had the audacity to claim he is tired when it had been my fingers and head at work... then out of the blue instead of mentioning in
passing...’oh Miss Samantha, about that meeting, it’s going to be out of state so… cancel your plans for the day’. Nooooo, he throws it off his shoulders like...’Hey! I own you, you work for me so when I say jump, you should go ‘how high?? The asshole!!!!’’ she snorts

“Breath Samantha breath, when do you leave?”

“Now. I am just… grabbing the files I worked on all night, didn’t have any sleep.”

Samantha is holding the phone and putting things into her bag. She had been up all night working on the files he gave her to do, and she had wondered if he was trying to punish her for her forwardness.

“Those files on Betty’s desk, it’s for the construction company which we would be attending to next week, take them and sort through them, and the Tsuki files as well, the company overview file, the one with the financial statements, pet projects, that should be separate, for my eyes only and that of the
audit and accountant, and no one else, when you are done with the files for tomorrow’s meeting, make sure you don’t mix them up, do well to tidy the rest, I want all of them done with...” he had told her before they left the office, causing her to pile up her hands high with them... right before he spewed the nonsense in the car, he was lucky she carrying files and he wasn’t close, she would had dumped it all on his feet, given him a scrowl and left him staring after her.

Annoying man!!!!

She hears the car horn…”look Jamie, I think Todd is here, have to go.”

‘‘Okay sure… but let me know if anything juicy happens over there, after the meet—‘’

“Byeeee... I can’t hear you” Samantha cuts the call, grabbing the files, which almost slipped to
the floor, she catches them, grabbing her bag and hanging it, she makes her way downstairs to the car.

“Good morning Miss Samantha, trust you had a good night?’’

“Good morning Todd, oh I wish” she says.

Todd nods, “Are you taking those with you Ma’am?”

“Oh noo, I need to drop them at the office, Mr. Bass needs them first thing on his desk.”

“Okay”

They drive to the The Bass Company, once she alights, greeting people as she passed, she
goes up and reaches their floor, Sophie greets her with a smile.

“Wow!!! That’s a lot of file. You know I was wondering what happened to those, I came in this morning to find them gone, my desk and Betty’s, and I was about to put a call to the department if they cleared our desk and where
they dropped it, I was so scared, Mr. Bass would have had my head… but why do you have them?” she says helping her with some.

“Oh Mr. Bass thought it a brilliant idea to have me work on them.”

“Wait all of them… like all. Like all, why??”’ she frowns." It takes days to sort through all this, and you did all of them in one night?” she is impressed.

“Tell me, are you some sort of an alien, a genius or what some secret agent?’’

Samantha laughs walking ahead of her “No, once you know what you are looking for and how to systematically arrange things its easier, plus reading and correcting and editing is sort of what I like doing, so with the right coffee, good music, I was able to spend 12 hours going through it all... so, no I am not any of those things you mentioned, would like to be super
girl though or storm, or someone smart and $3xy like Green arrow’s $3xy nerdy secretary.”

They laugh, placing the files on the desk.

“Wow, I really don’t have much to do for the rest of the week, thank you Samantha.”

“Oh well, I didn’t have a choice so you are welcome. We need to get it to Mr. Bass’s office though and I would be out of here.”

“He made me book flights out for him for 10 this morning, he has a meeting out of state.”

“I know, I am the scape goat who has to suffer through his presence" She rolls her eyes.

Sophie looks at her.

“Like you aren’t pleased.”

“Not you too? And no I am not. Help me with the files, Todd is waiting for me downstairs."

They drop them, arranging it in his office and his shelves, tagging them, she removes the three files he needed for the meeting and places them on the table, making sure the most important one “ CEO’s /Companies project laid there amongst them.

Her phone buzzed, she steps away answering as Betty continues.

“Yes Todd?’’ she had taken his number before she left the car.

“Boss is ready, we need to go get him and head to the airport Miss.”

“Okay I would be right down” she replies, turning… grabbing her bag and putting the files from the table into her bag... she cuts the call.

“See you Sophie!”

"You too!’’
*************************************

Mr. Bass walks out through his door as they drive into his estate, driving through his gates with securities to stop in front of his house took another 30 minutes. It was a vast area of land, and then gardens, and a beautiful mansion at the center of it all.

“Too much money and nothing to do with it” she rolls her eyes, Todd hides a smile.

Mr. Bass slips into the car held open by one of his attendants, Samantha mutters a good morning and then ignores him throughout the ride to the airport, while on the plane she was glad she carried her earpiece and listened to
soothing songs.

Once they landed, they had 30 minutes to spare before his meeting.

“You have poor communication skills Miss Samantha.”

“I just don’t like to talk” she replies.

“Right. I am ordering breakfast in the VIP lounge, I assume you don’t eat too. Not that I care I am just saying you can order one too, the
way your stomach is grumbling is beginning to upset me” he says.

Her stomach makes noise again.

“And I wouldn’t want my business partners to assume I do not treat my workers well” he says walking away as someone leads him to the VIP lounge.

Taking a seat, he unbuttons his suit, and stares at her from across the room.

Her stomach grumbles again, sighing she goes and sits opposite him, smiling at the cute male
attendant who takes her order.

“How would you be paying ma’am?”

“Put it on Mr Bass’s tab please, after all he does take care of his workers” she turns to him. He doesn’t say anything but nods when the attendant leaves.

“You strike me like someone who is frustrated with life.”

“Oh… no I am not sir, just with a certain presence“ she replies.
*************************************

They eat silently, by 10 am, they head to the conference meeting hall, where they were ushered into the room with a couple of others.

“I thought it was a meeting with only a couple of people say 2-5, this looks like a mini conference sir.”

“That’s why I am not paying you to think. You are not expected to think Samantha, I am sure that is not your strongest points, girls like you
are only pretty on the outside but inside... its a box of cheeries and chocolate. Try not to embarrass me, and do not fraternize with
people you don’t know. This is a gathering of great minds, decisions are made here, and despite being a private venture, sometimes you
need the Government approvals on certain projects, partnerships if not... you would be alone and no man is an island. I am hoping to
win over the council of elders which they are called, once my talk and project and proof of it is given a thumbs up, I am another step high up the ladder, I have been working towards this for a year, I expect to excel greatly. So you do understand why nothing can go wrong today??’’

“I see”

“Better”

Once the room was filled with people, she recognizes some faces from other leading oil and gas companies in the country, in and out. it was a meeting with people of wealth, affluence and connection. They meet once in a year to talk, take decisions, partner up to build projects for the betterment of the country, private
businesses and the likes.

As the greet, meet and introductions were made, the meeting commences… CEO after CEO, president after president showed their projects and plans for their upcoming project and what they think would be open for partners in their company.

Quite a number of people had spoken, it was now his turn, and he was introduced as one of the youngest in his field, a promising strong foundation to last a life time and a fine legacy his father had left, something Mr. Jake Bash had made even stronger over the years.

Taking the stand, with Samantha beside him, he spoke about Bass Industries home and abroad, he reviewed the company and showcased the projects pending... he spoke well, eloquently and quite a number of people nodded to him, a few smiles, more expanding the faces of the ladies as their smiles stretched across their faces.

He commanded authority, making them understand why he seemed to be the best and rising fast with his company.

“We recently had a talk with the Chinese government for the Tsuki projects, the Reservoir for the locals, the mainstream and down
streams drilling processes that is another pathway to finding more minerals and ore and then the refinery which would be located at the heart of the city, creating new jobs for citizens, and the project I and some partners would be working together as discussed is an engineering institute for oil and gas, this is the structure and location, this is what it would look like, pros and cons, and also I have it all researched, analyzed and laid out, working with experts and professionals, teams ready and trained on ground. We have put all this together, and last night we did the finishing touches to the file and paperwork, covering all corners and edges, and it is a worthy presentation to the government for approval after the council of Elders gives it’s first bill passing... and once you take a look at it and its satisfactory,we would drop it with the departments for project xyz and proceed from there.’’

Nodding in agreement, they inquire to take a look.

“Can we see it Mr. Bass?”

“Sure of course you can, Miss Samantha, please hand him the files for both the Tsuki and that
for the Gulen Services” he nods to Samantha, who has picked up her bag, pulling out the files and hands it to him.

“She seems really handy” someone commends, Samantha smiles a ‘thank you’.

As he looks through the first two files and passes it along to the others, he picks up the last goes through it, flips pages and then frowns.

“Is there a problem Mr. George?” Mr. Bass who had been talking and flipping through the monitor by pressing a key in his hands stops
and asks him.

“Yes Mr Bass, this isn’t the research files and analysis of what you just spoke to us about, this is the financial review of your company, and pet projects you intend to do in the near future,
your financial statements… which is none of our business and not for our eyes Mr. Bass, and it also includes your legal private company properties... didn’t you check the files before you brought them along??’’

Mr. Bass frowns “You must be mistaken sir, that is the file for it."

“I am wearing glasses but I am not blind Mr. Bass or maybe someone should cross check it too” he hands it to next person who flips through it and frowns, nodding.

“Indeed, this isn’t it” Samantha is confused, Mr. Bass leaves the stand, crosses to their table before Samantha could leave her spot and takes the file, his jaw flexing, the frown distorting the fine features of his face as his eyes scans through the file.

“My apologies it must have been a mistake in packaging sir."

“You do understand Mr. Bass that there are certain mistakes that shouldn’t be allowed, aside being the owner of a multi-billion company and doing well, you also do need us, as a synergy and link to the government to give you a go ahead for certain ventures you require to go into. Knowing this is an annual gathering of important industrial heads, government
parastatals and representatives, and oil and gas companies, we give companies like yours the
chance to excel and go higher, and if you have come here to wow us with talks and not have laid down structures on paper so that we can go back and analysis this ourselves before allowing people take a step, will do more harm than good. At the end of the day, it is your company’s name that would go down the drain if anything goes south because you would be the one anchoring it yourself. We are greatly
disappointed, and to think you are thorough is pitiful” the head of the council, Mr. George states.

He was known to be overbearingly strict and doesn’t back down to put one down especially when one errs.

“I am so sorry, it’s my mistake, I didn’t check the file, well I did because I was the one who
composed it down on paper as he compiled and pulled thoughts together and I took it to the office, put it on the table and then I turned to answer a call and then I put it in my bag and... oh dear... maybe I must have mixed it up and I-‘’

“Be quiet Samantha!” Jake Bass orders, anger visible as he manages to keep a straight face.

“My apologies, we can go ahead and-“ Mr. Bass began.

“No Mr. Jake Bass we cannot, not with you. Everyone other person took out time to be here and prepared, we won’t be listening to all talks without concrete show of work. Unless you can have that file here within the hour, I don’t see
how we can continue with you. Let the next person please take a stand, perhaps next year Mr. Bass’’ George says.

Jake Bass nods his thank you, goes to his seat, Samantha not knowing what to do, gathers the other files on the table and goes to her seat,
next to him as someone else begins to talk and attention was diverted from him.

“I am so sorry Mr. Bass please I-"

“You are nothing but an incompetent fool. One more word Samantha one more word and you
would regret ever stepping foot into my building. A simple task, one simple task you can’t handle, do you know what you have caused me, one whole year’s expectation gone just like that and you have the guts to speak to me… I knew it, you are nothing but a lousy excuse for a woman, all you all know is how to look pretty, dress good but all that is in your heads is makeup, money, and a life of stupidity. Lousy and incompetent, one more word Samantha and you would be sorry” he says, his eyes bloodshot, his fists clenched.

“It was a honest mistake sir… how dare you.. ?’’

He turns to her, grabbing her by her hand.

“I would slap you if I could right now. Shut up Samantha, you don’t want to test me.” he snaps.

People turn. He gives them a fixed smile letting go of her.

She is speechless and shocked at his outburst.

“And once we land, I need your resignation letter.”

She blinks.
*************************************
TO BE CONTINUED...

What's your take on the recent development between Mr. Bass and Samantha?

Chapter 3

“Samantha Penelope Brooke, are you crazy” Jamie says almost choking on her food, as Samantha relayed everything about her run in with Mr. Bass.

“Er... No Jamie I am not crazy, I mean what is wrong with the lot of you. How can I stand there and have him talk to me like that, who the hell does he think he is?’’

Samantha crosses her legs under her, and shoves food into her mouth as her friend stares at her as though she was an alien.

“DURH!!! Hello!!! He is Jake fxxking Bass, hot, rich, handsome and a frigging multi-billionaire...
I mean...are you crazyyyyyy?!!!’’ Samantha laughs.

“Oh Jamie don’t be too dramatic, okay what did I do wrong?”

“Everything with a capital E, you are lucky you are still working there, in fact how come he didn’t fire your ass, I should slap you for even talking to Mr. Bass like that…hawt hawt stuff... damn girl, something is wrong with you, I think Christopher did a number on you. You are on this hating men spree and you are all out to even hate on the innocent and dashing ones, including Mr. Bass” her friend pouts.

“No I don’t hate all men…just men who are egocentric, proud and pompous, who thinks that all women should bow and lick the ground they walk on, plus men who cheat and lie and who are serial womanizers. I like men, honest men, men who are considerate, loving and all
lovey-dovey and mushy. He isn’t classified as such a man, Christopher isn’t either... and my
dad isn’t, they are all the same... Men.”

Jamie shakes her head “Let us pray, Father please reach down and slap my friend, she sees
chocolate creamily, yummy hawt stuff and calls it plain ol’ pizza. Forgive her please, Amen.”

Samantha rolls her eyes “PS... I think he is sleeping with his PA.”

“Well I would sleep with him if he gave me the chance. Hell a thousand and one women want to sleep with him...in fact the entire world of women want to sleep with him.”

“Well I don’t."

“Yes you do...I mean let’s be honest, don’t you find him attractive and arghh just want to tear his cloths off?”

Samantha thinks for a second “I do admit he is terribly attractive, handsome, exudes class and a strong $3xual appeal, but I also see him as an annoying, condescending bastard. So... no I do not want to tear his cloths off, in fact I don’t even want him close to me. You all can have him, I am too concerned thinking about me to
think about men and he is one man who I would never fancy.” she pause.

“Can you imagine he threatened me... challenging me and he thinks I would chicken out... nooo!!! I went back into that office, got him his damn food, made sure his cloths were fitted, all of it, I even sat there and watched him until he felt uncomfortable and asked me to leave... and he was like “I need those files on my table first thing in the morning’ Argh!! I wanted to slam my heel into his face. I mean, just because he is Jake Bass, he should learn how to talk and treat women right, the way he threw off the scent of His PA , he really didn’t care about her feelings because he would have wanted to protect it, he is shameless and you all are bunch of dxxkheads for not valuing yourselves more… he is just all about his business, money, class and women...he don’t care about the lot of you.”

“Well, we don’t care, we love us some Mr. Bass, quit hating” Jamie pouts.

“Oh... your lives! Now… I have to get to those damn files. Thank you for bringing me dinner and you should stop living cash for me...”

“Hey, you are welcome. But until you get your first pay… I won’t stop. I mean Christopher cleared you to your last dime, I wonder why you never reported him to the police. Guy was a thief, simple.”

“It’s over now, doesn’t matter. I swear I would pay you back.”

“You don’t have to, you did a lot for me while we were in school...this...is little compared to all that but if you insist, you can follow me to that gig later on tonight...”

“Work remember, files...Mr. Bass.”

“Oh right, you can pay me later. But I have to go and please...don’t get into other run-ins with Mr. Bass, he barks when he gets angry, and
sometimes he bites.”

“Oh I am made of steel Jamie, sadly, I don’t scare easily.”

They hug and bade each other good night.
*************************************

Mr. Bass alights from his car, the attendant carries his briefcase, then he looks up and sees her walking towards him.

Well, well, well…

Who says he didn’t know how to tame them?

“Goodmorning Mr. Bass” Samantha says, her smile stiff.

“Good morning Samantha, what’s my schedule today like?”

"Oh…I am thinking along the lines of, why don’t you find out for yourself but…I would be nice."

She begins to tell him his schedule as they walk into the building then up the elevator and out to his floor, Sophie greets him excitedly and then turns away, he stops her.

“Sophie, let Samantha do it, I think she is more than capable.”

“But sir, I always get your coffee.”

“I know Sophie but I want her to do it… you can tell her the way I like it…so she doesn’t make a mess of things.”

Sophie turns to her “Ok he likes it hot, not stingy, he likes two spoons of...’’

“Milk, one and the half spoon of sugar, and the milk he likes it on the side of the coffee so he can stirs it himself, and on Mondays he likes his coffee black, Tuesdays he likes it a little African and then on Fridays he takes it light, so it doesn’t disturb the bourbourn he drinks after work...did I get it correctly?“ Samantha stares at him.

Sophie is surprised “I didn’t tell her that sir, even I am not exactly accurate.”

“Oh I am very observant, shall I go get your coffee sir while you relax in your office?’’

He gives her a sly smile and walks away Samantha rolls her eyes.
*************************************

Three hours later as the last person leaves his office, his call came through on her desk.

“Yes sir.”

“What is the time Samantha?”

“A few minutes past 12noon”

“And my lunch?”

“Would be here in 20 minutes.”

“Cancel it, I am going out to have lunch, tell Todd to be ready and you wait for me in the car.”

“Wait what?”

“Are you deaf Miss Samantha??”

“No obviously I am not deaf but I am just wondering why I have to wait for you in the car when you are going to have lunch.”

“An order is an order Samantha...And PA stand for Personal Assistant and you would be
personally assisting me all day...even while I have lunch breaks.”

He cuts the call.

The asshole.

A few minutes later she is fuming in the car, some attendant opens the door and he slides in next to her.

She doesn’t say anything.

“Todd, my usual place please.’

“Yes sir.”
*************************************

So it wasn’t bad that he was arrogant and annoying during work hours, now the time she had to herself, her peace of mind is now threatened because she now has to spend it with him…right in front of him as he eats.

She hopes he chokes on his food he coughs.

Yay!! Samantha 0ne- Mr Bass -Oh wait, was this the part she has to tell him sorry?

She bites her lips instead and presses her phone.

“You could at least pretend to be caring to your boss.”

“Oh I am sorry, I didn’t realize pretence was a criteria.”

He wipes his mouth and leans back.

“What is your deal Miss Brooke, you seem uptight and rather…spiteful.”

Oh really, she was uptight? She laughs.

“Oh nothing sir, I just have a problem with pompous bastards.’’

“Excuse me??’’

“Oh I meant…men without mustache.”

He smiles.

“You don’t like me very much do you??”

Oh I don’t like you at all. Point of correction.

“You want the honest answer sir or the dishonest answer?”

“Whichever one you dim fit.”

‘’Well I think that you are..."

“Jake darling” a woman sees him and walks towards him, reaching him she leans him and kisses him full on the mouth.

“Hello Veronica, how are you?”

“Marvelous Jake, Marvelous!!!’’ she hugs him, touching his face, then she looks across at Samantha.

“You are on a date?”

He shakes his head “Don’t be ridiculous Vero, I rather spend my time doing something meaningful than go on a date with someone
who looks like that. She is nothing but my stand-in PA, very infuriating I might add, you on the other hand are pure divine, join me for lunch?”

Oh no he didn’t...

“Mr. Bass I-"

“Do be quiet Samantha, know your place. Kindly do leave your seat for Veronica and take the one
behind hers.” He says cutting her off.

Veronica is looking at her, the lady looked familiar, was she a designer form one of those fashion magazines, no...she was the model..., that face can never be missed. And she looked ready to pounce. One of his many bed
graces maybe.

“Very well sir.”

She gets up and takes a seat behind, and having to bear their presence for an hour.

“Oh Jake darling I have missed you, what plans do you have for tonight, I long to be with you, it’s been so long.”

He smiles, “Vero, you are a beautiful woman, but I told you that it wasn’t going to be serious
with us.’’

“But...’’

“No buts, if I need you I would call you.”

“I know that’s what you said but I miss you so much, I can love you if you let me?” she purrs leaning into him.

“I don’t doubt that Vero but… I am a man of many needs and right not you are not one of them, but I appreciate the offer darling,” he
leans in and kisses her.

“Okay, if you change your mind, you know where to find me” she gets up, touching his cheeks and leaves.

Samantha felt like going to her and giving her a slap.

Here was a man who was out rightly telling you that he just used you and you mean nothing to him and here you are begging him, telling him to call you if he changes his mind.

Wow!!! Women, who did this to us?

Okay... those women because she was definitely not on that train with them all...

Wow!!! Mr. Jake Bass, whatever jazz you are using for this women… got them bad.

Oh wait, did she just make a Rhyme?

“If you are done staring can you call the waitress and pay her so we can leave?”

Samantha blinks, and turns away.

The waitress comes, she was the same woman he had been with just two nights ago, she walks right past Samantha and goes to him, touching his shoulders.

“Hello Mr. Bass, I hope you enjoyed your meal?”

“Indeed, I did.”

“I am glad, how come you didn’t call me back, after that night?”

‘’I believe we had an understanding Donalyne is it?”

“Ashley."

“Oh Ashley, my apologies.”

‘But it was great wasn’t it, I was great?”

“Absolutely you were, it still doesn’t mean I would call you back.’’

“I don’t understand Mr. Bass” She seemed hurt.

“We both had fun, no strings attached, you got paid, you gladly took the money, I see you got
yourself something expensive and even accepted the gold bracelet I sent over, and now, you want more, not the man but what you can get out of the man is that it?”

“No…’’

“No?’’ he repeats, touching her by her arm and running his hands over her arms.

“Okay, what would you say if I take you on a cruise Friday night, a night in the ocean, and do all things sweets?”

Her face breaks out in a smile.

“I would love that...”

“I thought so... sadly, I am no longer interested, try not to contact me again Miss Ashley, even I have my limits."

Then he walks away, Samantha walks up to the girl who suddenly had tears in her eyes. Giving her hanky, she touches her face.

“You are too beautiful, to allow a man treat you like that. You should learn to love and value yourself, so men like that would love you too. Stop crying, I think he is a jerk too so that makes two of us.”

She wipes her eyes “He slept with you too?”

“Oh no God forbid, that would never happen, I just feel sorry for the girls who fall for his cute face and charms. You need to begin loving yourself... then let another man treat you like that, not even him.”

Then she walks away, he was in the car, waiting.

“Another minute, you would have walked down to the office Samantha” he says.

“Oh I am sorry sir, I was just trying to mend the vase you broke in there.”

“What vase? I didn’t break any vase.’’

“Exactly!’’ she says.
*************************************

It is 5:00pm, everyone is leaving, Samantha is packing up for the night when Sophie leaving his office comes to her.

“Mr. Bass needs you in his office.”

“Wait, now?”

“Yes now.”

“But...we have closed.’’

Sophie shrugs, walking away. She knocks and enters.

“Grab a sit Samantha, we are going to have a long night.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I have a meeting I need to prepare for tomorrow, but I need different approaches to garner up points, I would be meeting with different CEO’s of the oil companies tomorrow and we are to chip in possible projects that we all can partner together in. so I need you to be my point man, meeting man or whatever...”

“And we couldn’t do it during the day when you had some free time?”

“I decide how and when I choose to work Samantha so grab a pen, and a file and get to listening.”

Oh no way...

“With all due respect sir, I believe in what was stated in my acceptance file that working hours
begins from 8am to 4pm, and I even give an hour of myself more to tidy up things around the office now you are asking me to stay behind without asking me if I do have plans for the evening?”

“I do not care if you do have plans for the evening Samantha, when I give an order I expect you to shut up and nod.”

“Sir, I am not a dog, so I cannot just shut up and nod, secondly with due respect, I work for you and I believe even your workers are expected to be treated with respect, it is earned and not forced sir, and thirdly...my working hours ended an hour ago so if you need me to stay after hours for say something important you should ask me nicely… I do have and know my rights as an employee in this company, even though temporarily, and it is stated clearly that we should exercise it if we think we are being treated unfairly and right now sir, you are. I have a life outside this office sir and that life begins at 6am before 8am, and then it ends... leaving me to be your supposed slave from 8am – 4pm, and because I am generous I give you an extra hour, and then my life gets back on track from 5pm to before 8am the next day. So sir, if you need to encroach on my personal space , you would need to ask, nicely because during that period of time, I am my own Boss Mr. Bass.”

“You are not afraid that I could let you go right this minute.”

“No sir, infact I am not. I did mention I know my right…so you can either let me go, terminating
my internship here and which you have to state reason why you did it, or... you can ask me nicely if I am free to help you attend to your thingies for tonight.’’

What the hell was wrong with this man, he should learn how to talk and treat people, she wasn’t one of those girls… she was Samantha,
and no one talks to her that way, she was her own person, and leaving here wouldn’t even cause her to blink.

Okay fine, it would make her jobless and maybe without money but at least she would walk out of here with her head help up high.

“Fine Miss Samantha, I give it to you, you are not exactly stupid, but be careful, and tread lightly, it’s not everyday you think you can step on the lion’s tail and don’t expect it to bite. That being said, if you don’t have plans for tonight,
could you kindly stay back to help with my meeting for tomorrow.”

Much Better Mr. Bass, Much better.

“Fine whatever. I can spare a few hours more, but I intend to get home in due time” she says sitting.

They stayed till midnight.

“Todd, take her home, and then come back for me” he says to the driver, then turns to Samantha.

‘’We would be leaving by 10am tomorrow morning, we would be taking the second flight out, back before evening, make sure you
prepare the files, and bring it along with you.’’

Samantha is confused “Wait,where are we going tomorrow, thought the meeting is in your company?”

“Out of state. Drive Todd” he shuts the door.

Argghhh!!! He did it again, forcing his will.

How dare he?!
*************************************
TO BE CONTINUED...

What's your take on this?

xaviercasmir:
front seat booked

You're welcome

Chapter 2

“Is there a problem Miss Samantha Brooke?” the lady asks her, everyone is looking at her, including him, someone was whispering beside her, asking if she was okay, that she gets to
work on the same floor with Mr. Bass, the actual Jake Bass, all hot, fine, $3xy and oozing of bliss and she is frowning, and everyone here would wish to be in her place.

Someone even asked what the hell she was doing here and if she knew who Mr. Jake Bass was, another was saying maybe she needs to be checked, to see if she was gay and all that crap, another manages to say… I wish I could stand up and switch places with her.

Maybe she could.

“No, there is no problem but... why me?” Samantha is curious.

“Miss Samantha, like I said, the managerial department is on the last floor, then we have the human resources, the construction and other departments below it, we have already placed everyone where they would be spending their internship for the next couple of months and there is only you who has experiences in management, according to your Cv, you have also worked in organizations as an event planner, consultant and also amongst other
things, you are good in secretarial admin as well yes?”

“Yes” Samantha replies.

“And that being the case, we have an opening in the managerial department at the top floor, where you would be assisting Betty here...when she is not on seat, you would be in charge and that means, you would be assisting Mr. Bass most times as his stand-in PA” she completes.

The girls gasps.

What the hell was wrong with these people, he was just a man. A man!!!

Jesus!!!

“So...?”

“So…if you think you are not competent enough for the task Miss Samantha, you can step down for someone else to fill in, I do not want someone who is slow in understanding, and looks daft to work with me. This would be
problematic for me Miss. Andres, kindly find a replacement, If not that Betty would be going on
leave in a couple of days, I won’t be looking for a stand-in, she has worked with me long enough and she seems competent enough even though poorly, at least my patience hasn’t run out on her... yet” He says.

“Yes sir” The Andres woman nods.

Samantha frowns, what the hell does he mean that she was incompetent by just looking at her, was it written on her forehead.

“Hey look!! I am stupid and I would work poorly, don’t hire me?"

She didn’t have those work experiences on her Cv for nothing, she wasn’t stupid neither was she daft… and she hates to be told she was slow, she wasn’t slow, she just didn’t like his aura as soon as he walked in and didn’t want to work with him.

Well fine “I can do it, and I rather appreciate sir you don’t assume about my capabilities by stressing it on incompetence at a first glance, I can assure you, incompetence, daft and slow isn’t the adjectives used in describing me.”

“And what adjectives would that be Miss Brookes?”

“I would live that to you...,like they say Mr. Bass, seeing is believing.“

“Miss Samantha Brooke, you would watch your language when speaking to Mr. Bass, he is your
superior and your boss, and your internship here would be based on your good conduct, based on your merit and hard work, this altitude won’t get you very far...so I advise you to apologize to Mr. Bass.”

Betty, standing close to Mr. Bass says Oh wow!! What is she now, his saviour , his Calvary? Oh wait, she was VolTron, defender of the
universe or rather, Mr. Bass’s enterprises!

Pfffft!!!

Let the man speak for himself, he knows how to put people down, he should fight his battles. Well, she won’t be apologizing, she didn’t say anything wrong, she just stated what she wasn’t.

She mentally crossed her hands, puts her legs on her invisible desks and waits.

That was no crime, unless it was in his books she stares at him straight in the eye.

“There is no need, No harm done” Mr. Bass says.

“I am sure Miss Samantha would mend her ways soon enough and realize that here, we do not suffer fools. For today, I let it pass” then he turns to the interns.

“Ladies, welcome, now that you all have been fully apprised of your duties and fixed in your departments, I do hope you enjoy it here, it’s a stiff market out there and here, the competition is stiffer, we may not be able to take all of you after your internships but have no fear, we would give you good referrals, recommendations, and a worthy thank you package for being part of us because here at
Bass, we take care of our own, and the interns who do exceedingly well, you would be made staffs, until then, work hard, be beautiful and may the forces be with you.”

He smiles, they gush again, Samantha felt like puking. Was it just her or it felt as though she just walked into a class of girls not minding an orgy with Mr. Bass himself, only that they weren’t naked and all over themselves, they were doing that with their eyes and mouth, if only their eyes could do the magic. She rolls
her eyes again. She literally felt like screaming.

“You all should go get a room and beg him to join you, be less obvious” Lord!!!

He leaves, the lady, the one they call Betty walks up to her “Follow me and I would show you to your corner. I expect that you follow through instructions, know his schedules and meetings, timing and even every tiny detail even to what he eats and the colour of tie, what he likes and what floss he uses for his teeth, his meals and lunch, his different suits for different days…, dinner dates, kind of girl, loose cash for what and what, his shirts... he loves white...”

Oh really, do I have to know the colour of his boxers too and if he likes to pee sitting like a girl or standing like a man. She rolls her eyes.

What am I, his babysitter?? Jamie didn’t tell me there was a big baby running his daddy’s company.

They are walking as Betty continuous to talk “I expect that you do know and have all these
information at your finger tips and because I would be out of town for a few days and I would not want this place to be in chaos before I get back. Mr. Bass likes things to be done accordingly, he hates last minutes changes and anything unorganized and uncoordinated so you would do well to listen, be sharp, be quick and attentive, you only have a couple of days to
learn all these before I leave...so understand your duties and I also expect that you keep your attitude in check, that thing you did in there
would only reward you with a kick to the door and trust me, no one would miss you, they would forget you in a minute, and Mr. Bass’s patience is thin, so don’t be smart.”

She takes her to her desk, right after hers “This is where you would be working... and try not to
be lazy, He doesn’t like that, he likes us to be smart, punctual and know what we are doing and being paid for. Your first call of duty Is
already in that file, get to it.”

Betty leaves her to herself.

A girl smiles to her across the hall, Samantha smiles back.
*************************************

For the next couple of days, Samantha does her job, and before long she was getting the hang of things, even sometimes helping Sophie with issues she is having and attending to projects Betty is too lazy about.

Then Betty goes on her leave, she would be out for two weeks, which meant that she was Mr. Bass’s PA for that duration of time and she
wonders if she could switch with the secretary.

“Hi Sophie, Good Morning” Samantha walks to her.

Sophie looks up and smiles “Oh hi Sam, how are you, how has this place being treating you?, I know we don’t talk much even despite being in the same hall and stuff, Mr. Bass keeps us on our toes… huh?”

“Oh yes he does... and I would rather you call me Samantha or Brooke, Sam makes me feel as
though I shouldn’t be having these full things on my chest” she answers, Sophie laughs.

“Ok Samantha.”

Samantha nods, “So Betty is going to be on leave for two weeks and…”

“Oh yeah and boy am I glad, she just keeps blocking my chances with the Boss, dude did you see how hot and fine he was looking,” she fans herself “I mean...wow!!”

Samantha frowns “Okay….stop. Seriously you all need to get all those vibes away from me. What
I mean is that, why don’t you PA for him while I take your spot for the rest of the week, cool?””

Her eyes sparkles “For real??;’’

“Yep, realer than Santa Claus at the moment.”

Samantha nods.

“Oh wow!!” she claps in an excited glee.

The Elevator door opens and then Sophie jumps.

“Oh my duty starts now, thanks babes, you don’t know how much this means to me” she carries the iPad, picks up the file Samantha drops on her desk as she came and rushes to meet him, Samantha walks round her table and sits.

“Oh Good morning sir” she hears Sophie greet him.

“Good morning Sophie, please coffee and where is Betty, she didn’t meet me downstairs” he says
, not seeing Samantha as he walks to his door, opening it and entering, Sophie dances behind him, Samantha shakes her head, bends and begins to type what Sophia was typing halfway, she hears Sophie reminding him about Betty’s
leave before the door shuts behind her.

The door opens up barely ten minutes later and then someone walks towards her, “Oh Sophie,
this Tsuki Ventures, isn’t it supposed to be on the construction file for Tuesday” Samantha says without looking up.

“Stand up Miss Samantha and step into my office” he orders.

Samantha’s head shots up.

“Sir? Good morning Mr. Bas-” she trails off as he turns and walks away, Sophie is behind him “I am sorry, he didn’t look happy about it.

“It’s okay” Samantha says going into the office She knocks and enters, he is backing the door, facing the window.

“You asked for me Sir.”

“I wonder if there is something wrong with you or you are simply oblivious of your duties here, or you lack basic understanding of and for simple instructions Miss Brooke.”

“I am sorry sir, I do not understand your burst of anger?’ she frowns, really she didn’t.

“You are supposed to be my Personal assistant for the duration of Betty’s leave is that not so?”

“Yes sir but...”, he cuts her off with his index finger up.

“But you choose not to shoulder your responsibilities but give it to Sophie who is nothing but my secretary, do you not have any
idea that there are pressing things that should be attended to by my personal assistant and not my secretary. You see both roles are distinctive, separate. it’s like having a labourer choose to work as a plumber even if they both work under the same roof...,the labourer wouldn’t be able to be fully carry out the duties of a plumber, so do you see how senseless your act is?”

Whoa!!! Samantha blinks.

“With all due respect sir, did Sophie do anything wrong when she attended to you just now?”

“That is irrelevant to my point of discussion” he says turning to her.

“Still because if she has worked for you for so long and at the same time been assisting Betty as well, I believe she should be well competent to stand in as your PA too sometimes, and I don’t see how a plumber and a labourer is
relevant to your point of discuss. I simply asked if she could take my place while I attend to some work, work I am simply good at...and I
believe that standing around, staring at nothing in particular, go for errands I don’t have business going for and writing shot notes isn’t exactly tasking enough. I like to be productive and spend my hours doing something worthy
of value sir.”

“So are saying that my PA does nothing meaningful other than errands, stands and stare?”

“I didn’t say...”

“Yes you did.”

“No I said amongst other things, they are asked to do errands that she shouldn’t ordinarily be asked."

He is looking at her “Miss Samantha, be specific.”

“Well erm….Having to know personal details about you that needs to be attended to.”

‘’Like what Miss Brookes” What is his problem, should she spell it out?

“Well like...erm...your schedules and meetings, which is okay...but your ties, socks, eating...that is, what you like and what you don’t, erm...even who you have dinner with after hours and who you want in your bed’’ there, she said it.

He smiles “And that bothers you?”

“It should bother any decent girl. You should handle those yourself or do you say you have your personal assistant dress you up? She isn’t your designer or your caterer, not you $3x timer...nor even your wife. I believe somethings shouldn’t be amongst a job description...sir.”

He is staring at her, then he smiles.

“Sometimes...if they want to do it.”

She blinks rapidly. Did he just let on that he sleeps with his PA, no wonder she was quick to come to his defense.

Then she frowns at men. They think because they are handsome, rich and powerful they can do and undo.

“Well Mr. Bass, your personal business is none of my business, Betty can continue being your
PA in that aspect or more...but while she is away, I won’t be whatever she was." Whatever she was…Lord!!! No wonder all the girls were drooling after him, so how many had he slept with, five, ten, all of them?? Her eyes grew big.

“Why is your eyes about to pop out Miss Samantha?”

“Oh I just remembered something disgustingly annoying my dog did” What else could she say, she didn’t have a dog.

“Which was?”

“How he was a typically dog, fraternizing with all the ladies and getting all of them pregnant.” Doesn’t that seem a lot like you Mr. Bass?

He smiles, “Miss Samantha, let me make this clear, as long as you are working here, this would be the last time you would go against
orders given to you…and if you have to pick up my suits, shop for my socks, and tie and fix my date with a woman and change the sheets on my bed before and after $3x with any lady friend I have over, you would do it, what I pay you even as an intern is enough to cater for needs of children on the streets, now, you go back there, take the files and what you gave to Sophie and resume your PA duties and if you feel I am being inconsiderate…you can drop your letter of termination of internship and leave. I would not allow insubordination or have your loud mouth spew nonsense. Women aren’t made to think, or be smart...because if they were smart you would have realized that up to a second ago you weren’t making sense other than showing me that...you seem not to like leaving your comfort zone and you hate to be told what you don’t like to do, but sadly enough that is my specialty. Starting right this minute, you would pick my lunch and bring it here, you would check in with the designer for my suit, I have a state dinner coming up, which you would be in attendance and thirdly, I have a meeting with some private investors, the file is on my desk...the blue one, you are going to go through it, the notes I have made and compile it and makes sure you have it ready by tomorrow. Mind you there are two files there...one is for the Tsuki Ventures, and the other most important one is for the Gulen Services and their oil reserve I am hoping to buy...make sure you dot every I’s and cross every T’s and prepare it for the meeting by tomorrow. lastly, you will come in here and sit across from me and stare at me while I work and not make any sound. If that is not okay with you…I will gladly accept your letter.”

Dxxk!!! Who does he think he is? Oh this is what I am going to do with your letter Mr. Bass, I am going to roll it up and shove it up your rectum... You think you can scare and bully me, me??
Hell No!!

“Never underestimate me sir, I would be back shortly, because I can do all of that without blinking, and I can juggle between Betty’s job and that of Sophie’s too and maybe some of yours.”

She excuses herself and walks away.

He is smiling. Typical, He knew her type, all mouth and no action, he was waiting for her letter. He was surprised that she was even bold to talk to him that way.

She comes back in, file and iPad in her hands, no letter “Ready to begin when you are... SIR”!!!

He was impressed, and he didn’t like it.
*************************************

TBC

Chapter 1

An independent lady who have lost all trust in love and men because of her first love...

and

A rich man who have no respect for women and has no belief in LOVE because of the way his mother treated his father. The best part is he's so handsome that one look at him a lady will lose all her senses and forget about all her principles. Who is going to be hundrumed?

Enjoy...
*************************************

The Bass Oil and Servicing Company stood like a giant on tenth avenue, Brooksville ,
overshadowing the other buildings beside it as the building boldly reflected itself on its glass walls stretching all the way to the top.

As soon as his convoy drives in, the doors are open and he swings his legs down, alighting from his car. He fixes his cuff-links to his wrists and then buttons his suit, his fine black silky hair laid lazily on his head as he ran his fingers through it, someone picks his suitcase from the car and waits for him.

“Good morning sir” Betty, his Personal Assistant says coming towards him with a smile on her
face as she takes his briefcase away from the attendant, she had an iPad in her hands and some files.

“Morning Betty, what’s my schedule like today?” he walks away from the car, the doors slides open for him to enter the building, he nods his head as people turn to greet him, the ladies
smile more, he gives them a half smile. They enter into the elevator, he is listening as she talks.

“The meeting with the Marks Industry by 10am, the conference call meeting with the president
of Tsuki Ventures has been moved for 12 noon. And oh, meetings with the staffs is by 9am, and then the new interns would be around by 1 for the briefing. Lunch for you afterwards, possible prospects for new projects with our sister company is by 3. Then you have a dinner reservation by six with Miss Veronica from the fashion industry, new suits fitting would be in an hour from now because he has to catch a flight back to get work done before weekend, and oh...“ her voice fades as the elevator door closes and they go all the way up to the last floor.

The door opens and they step out of the lift, and walk directly to a door with the name 'MR. BASS', boldly written on it in gold. He opens the door and walks in, before she walks in behind him, she turns

“Coffee please Sophie,” she tells his secretary before she enters his office. He sits down, facing her... his legs are crossed. She goes on about the rest of his schedule. Sophie knocks on the door and enters, “Just the way you like it sir” she smiles at him as she placed the coffee on his table, he thanks her and takes a sip.

“Would there be anything else you want sir?” she lingers, he smiles and tells her.

“No”, she excuses herself reluctantly, Betty rolls her eyes.

“What’s the matter Betty?” he asks, leaning back on his chair, with a finger to his temple, watching her.

“Oh nothing sir, it’s just that… can she be any less obvious?’’

“What do you mean??”

“Well… see the way she was practically gawking at you, I am sure if I had a magnifying glass I
could literally see “Take me.. here and now Mr. Bass” she purrs. He smiles.

“And how would you know that’s what she is thinking about Betty.’’

“Well because pffftt!! It’s obvious. Have you ever asked yourself why we have more women coming to apply to work here, why they come dressed with tight skirts or dresses and make it a tad too short, and why they all fight to be on this top floor and close to your office? It’s so that they get to bump into you every now and then” she says.

He smiles “Betty... if I didn’t know you better I would think you are jealous?”

“No sir I am not, I am just saying..’’

“Nothing Betty. I don’t pay you to analyze the female folks of this company and neither do I pay you to stand around and spew nonsensical’s just because I smile a little and let you be free; or is it the fact there was a thing between us... which was just that, a thing, a fleeting moment, nothing more. Doesn’t give you the right to act as if you own me. You work for me Betty, you are NOT any other thing to me. The sooner you understand that the Better, and if you feel as though I am being unfair because I
don’t care about your feelings, you can hand me you resignation letter within the hour. After all, it was a ‘Thing’ of mutual agreement and the tip you got afterwards was worthy enough so…”

“I am sorry Mr. Bass” she lowers her lashes, and here she thought since they had been together for a night, he liked her well enough to be something more. She should have known better to sleep with the Boss.

“Please forgive my forwardness.”

“Good, if the designer is here, do well to send him in, then I would follow through my schedules , if I have any change of plans I would let you know. You are dismissed.“

She nods, and then leaves. He puts on his computer and begins to do an overview of the company. Done with all that he needed to do and the meetings, he goes out to a five star restaurant, with an escort to have lunch.

It is 12:45 when his phone rings.

“Yes Betty?”

“The new interns are here sir, how would you want me to proceed?”

“Let the head of department carry on with the meeting, I would be there shortly.”

He beckons to the waitress to bring his bill. She is pretty, very pretty with fine curves, she smiles at him as she hands him his bill, he pays, leaving her a large tip. Then she leans into him, showing him more than he needed to see…

“Mr Bass, I wonder if you would like company, afterwards” she purrs.

Women, they were all the same, once they see a fine man, single or not, as long as he was rolling in box, driving a fine car and wearing expensive suits, they throw themselves at you. He was used to meeting women like this, even while he was growing up; always the richest kid on the block or school, the girls had flocked around him like bees, wanting to be friends with him or date him, fighting over themselves just to get him to carry them along.

He had long concluded that girls could never be different, they don’t love anyone other than themselves, even his mother was no different.

She had rejected his father when he came to ask for her hand, a year later when his father had hit a oil block and flew his company, and the bucks was starting to roll in, she had appeared in front of his door one day and begged him to take her back. And he did, because he had told him that he loved his mother and he was too happy to take her back.

But she had only come back for his money.

He loved his parents, but he also detested the way his mother was when it came to money, she spent a lot, she spent even more, buying things she didn’t need and getting those she needed only to toss them away for something more ludicrous.

Twenty years later as the fights became worse, she filed for divorce, asking him for half of what he owned, including his company. His father had agreed, he was a simple man, he loved peace and he would give up the world to make his mother happy. But tragedy struck, while they attended a charity concert together, on their way back, they had died in a ghastly motor accident with a few hours. They were buried, with friends and family in attendance, their only child and son ‘Jake Bass’ the only heir and the sole owner of all of Gregory’s Bass Multi-Billionaire Oil Block Servicing Company.

Jake Bass, just fresh out of college, and already taking up a huge responsibility. But his father always taught him to be prepared at all times, to be independent, to be able to shoulder responsibilities even ones he never would have been given. His father taught him to be a man, and times when he came home for summer breaks, he worked with his father while his father showed him the ropes. Jake knew that with his father gone, he had to continue from where his father stopped, which was making sure his father’s dream and his empire never runs to the ground.

He accepted all of his father’s values and teachings, he was grateful for that, but there was one thing he didn’t take from his father
and refused to learn.

Its was that his father was too soft, too gullible, when it came to a woman, his woman, Jake’s mother.

No matter how transparent the fact that his mother was only using him was, his father never cared. If she wanted money, he gave her, if she insulted him and asked for more money, he gave her. She knew just how to press him, and all the while, after she gave birth to Jake, she left him in the arms of nannies and traveled the world...

She was an high class lady, his mother. But he loved her, he just wanted her to treat her husband, his father better.

Jake had vowed to treat women the way they ought to be treated. Women to him were nothing more than things to be used and thrown
away, and go unto the next. He wasn’t exactly a womanizer or a playboy. He was simply not
interested in the female folks enough to give them his time, his attention… and God forbid his
heart. It made men stupid, they go around like dogs flabbing their tongues as they chased the women folk.

He was glad he didn’t think with his one –eyed member between his legs. He loves women, he
appreciates their body and their prowess in bed. But that is all, Entertainment.

If he wanted a woman, he had her. In fact he doesn’t need to search, they came pouring in, falling over his feet, begging to be had. All he
has to do is pick. But after the night is over, much to his disappointments, it all boils down to money. They are always after the money, the flashy car, the houses and the life of luxury. They love the money not the man. If he were poor and wretched, it doesn’t matter he had this $3xy body, much like a Greek god’s, deep blue eyes, and the most capturing smile, it doesn’t matter that he got his handsome looks from his mother and the height and perfect build from his father.

They would stare for only a minute, just a minute and they won’t give a shit about him. But he was Jake, Jake Bass, son to Gregory and Jessica Bass, owner of the Multi-billionaire Oil Company, which stood big and tall, one of the best in the country... he was 36 years old, still a bachelor and a fine one at that, he had the cars, the houses, the wealth and luxury... he had it all.

It was natural to have women fall over themselves to get into his bed. And just because they do that… he has no regard for them, and treats them as they are.

‘Things’ Entertainments!, and then tips them and forgets about them.

And if they were pretty, and a good talker, maybe they last for two days. But he gets bored and moves on.

Women meant nothing to him, treating them as he deemed fit, came naturally.

Thanks to his father and his mother’s marriage, he has no desire to be a fool for no woman,
and no woman alive can bring him to his knees.

None!
*************************************

Jake smiles “Of course, drop your address with my driver and I would have him pick you up after work.”

She was smiling broadly when he got up and left.

“Back to the office Todd” he spoke to the driver ‘’then you come back for the lady.”

Todd nods and puts the car on drive.
*************************************

Samantha Brooke was ushered in together with a group of people, they were not more than 20, into the hall and they were all asked to sit.

A lady, dressed so nicely, and her deep accent is addressing them about the company, it’s goals and visions, their mission statement and all they have to know about the company. Then she places them in their departments and working through their job descriptions, their do’s and don’t in the company.

Samantha allows her eyes wonder around the people seated with her, she suddenly observes that almost all of them were women, young
girls between the ages of 22-28. And they all seemed excited.

She wasn’t, she didn’t even want to apply for this job, her friend made her do it, telling her of how it would be great for her resume and that what if after her internship she gets to be made staff, she would be rolling in bucks and who knows, she might get to meet someone nice too for a change.

Samantha didn’t want to meet someone nice, the someone nice she had meet before, succeeded in using a sledge hammer over her heart and broke it into a thousand different pieces and walked away, clearing her bank accounts with him, after she found him sleeping with his best friend’s girl.

She was done with men. They were all the same, lying , cheating, womanizing, thieves and heart breakers. Now the downside to it is that, she was broke, like shake-her-now-with-her-legs-upside-down-not-a-coin-drops broke, and she would need to pay her house rent or else she would be kicked out and be homeless. And home... was two worlds apart... okay she was being dramatic... it was a flight ticket, two train tickets, 3 cabs apart, and a whole of two days journey. She didn’t even have the money for that. And she didn’t want to go home, going home meant she would be back under her parent’s roof and being taken care off, she was an adult, a 26 year old woman... she was a big girl and should be able to take care of herself and her parents, not the other way around.

She sighs. Her friend Jamie, had told her about anbopening for interns in the company she worked for, and forced her to apply.

“You won’t take money from me , I don’t know why, I am your friend, I should help, but if you don’t want to borrow from me, at least move
into my apartment with me... yet you refuse. Okay apply for this job as an intern, the pay is good, and you get to meet people and mingle, and oh…. our Boss... like Mr. Bass Boss... is super hot and...argh $3xy. Like every girl here is literally drooling all over him and…’’

“Jamie… I really don’t care!“

“Fine, forget Boss, I was just day dreaming. But I am serious though, apply, you get in and maybe you are one step away from broke-ness and boredom and loneliness, plus it would take you out of the house and stop thinking about... Christopher, the asshole.”

“I don’t think about him.”

“Yeah right. Then why do you still have your voice and his own on your leave-a-message-back-tone after this voice...?”

“I will change that… I forgot.“

“That’s what you said a month ago. Look, I already filled in your details in the application and I just need you to sign it or else I am going to forge your signature and submit it.”

“That’s a crime you know.”

“Bite me.’’

“You are too far.”

“At least you know I love and care about you and I hate to see you in a fix and not want me to help you. Sign it and submit it… they would
call you, with others… just kick ass in the interview.”

“Thank you Jamie, I owe you one.”

“Make that a thousand and one owe-me-ones.”

They laughed.
*************************************

The woman is still talking, then two men in suits open the door and someone walks in, the room
becomes a scene gotten from a movie ‘bye bye birdie”, when the cutest guy in school and a rock star ‘Conrad Birdie’, walks in and all the girls goes ballistic, literally swooning and getting wet.

Samantha rolls her eyes.

“Quiet down ladies, show some manners. I believe you all have only seen him in tabloids and on Tv or read about him off some magazine, so I know, I understand the feeling and excitement but please settle down… ladies, this is Mr. Jake Bass, President and CEO of the Bass Oil and Servicing Company, best in the country. Sir, would you like to address them
or...”

He steps forward, “Good afternoon ladies...

Samantha is frowning, a few ladies are busying whimpering beside her, gushing was the word.

She felt like telling them to shut up. They were literally smiling, wide mouth and teeth… they would strip and beg him to have them if they were given the chance.

Samantha suddenly felt disgusted.

He is talking...

Yes, she had heard about Mr. Jake Bass, original bad boy, Billionaire, ladies man, serial heart breaker, but the one that stuck... an egocentric, proud and pompous jerk. Yet the ladies loved him.

All the traits she found distasteful in a man, her father was no different. But what did she care, she was here to work and make some money so she doesn’t get kicked out of her home and remain broke, not to gawk at a man, who was just that... A man.

“Miss Samantha Brookes?”

“Yes” she frowns when they call her name, she stands up.

“You would be working alongside Betty Micheals. Your Cv shows capabilities in Management. You would be on the floor where Mr. Bass is in."

Brooke frowns.
*************************************

TO BE CONTINUED...

cc
@Finnestgreat
@BigDebbie
@aprilwise
@zika19
@nki4christ
@youngking22
@omeifa
@odogu
@Adeola25
@Ann2012
@opeade939

Adeola25:
It's a wonderful ending. Thanks for sharing the story with us.

You're welcome

Odoogu:
las las na we end am.

wa gbayi oluspicy

You go fit bless us another?

Amin.

Just keep your fingers crossed.

FINAL EPISODE
The day Chinwe started work, Tokunbo also had to resume back to work after taking two weeks off. He offered to drop her off at her new workplace and gave her a congratulatory hand written note for her to stick to her desk.

Chinwe was attached to an administrative supervisor who would ‘groom’ her for sometime before she will be made to work with one of the partners at the law firm. So far the instructions are easy to follow, easy to understand and also to remember, she realized she could get used to this and even.be better at it.

A message came in from Tokunbo before lunch asking how it was going, she quickly replied him that all was going on well; she sent another one asking him to focus on his job while he.allowed her to do the same.

She called Clara during the lunch break and was worried about her.

“Hi Chinwe...”

“Clara, you have not been picking my calls. Have I done anything to offend you?”

“No, why would you think that? I am just ashamed of myself and I don’t know how to tell you how sorry I am for almost ruining your marriage.”

“I am sorry for everything too, but I was worried that you did not agree with the interpretation of the test and maybe thought we might have influenced things.”

“What? No! Why would I do that? I actually had a second opinion and the interpretation was the same, but I never thought you might have influenced the result anyway. I was just disappointed that I did not find the answer I was looking for, although even if he had ended up being the father, I would still have forgiven him.”

“Hmm.., you don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that.”

“I know. I am glad too. Does that mean you two are going to stay together?”

“I will and I think he wants to, I just pray he can forgive me truly for all I did, as he said he has.”

“He loves you, I’m sure he will or he has.”

“I know that now.”

“Has he told you about any brother anywhere?”

“He has not said it yet, but I think he met his father about that on Friday, the meeting was private and I am yet to know what they talked about.”

“Okay, please, would you let me know when they see him?”

“I promise. How are Henry, Joseph and Davis?”

“Davis is in Lagos. His sister and their parents are having a little problem as I heard, Joe and Henry are fine. There is a midterm break and Henry is with him.”

“So is he the real deal?”

“I want to believe so, I just hope so my dear. I like him a lot. He adores Henry and Henry is already attached to him too.”

“I pray it all works out well.”
*************************************

Chief Ajayi looked at the doctor in front of him as he interprets the DNA result to him.

The result had been 0%, he had known what that meant but he just needed to be sure he saw the right thing before concluding. He had not told Tokunbo he would be coming to the hospital but was sure he got the mail the same time as him. He could not think beyond the paper in his hands and the meaning of the result. He had been fooled for almost 33 years of his life was the only thought ringing in his head, drowning all other thoughts and reasons.

The boy he loves and calls his, is not his. The son, because of whom he had gone into a business deal with Babalola, is not his biological son. The boy he had invested so much love, money, time, and even his emotions. Where will he start from?

When Dr. Kunbi finished speaking, he personally walked him to the car and told him again and again to take things easy. As he was being driven home, he stopped the driver on the way and asked him to buy him a bottle of water, he did not know what he needed it for but when the driver handed it to him

He automatically unscrewed the cover and drank from it, got down from the car and rested against it as he wept softly into the night.

Sola Ajayi could tell something is wrong. Since she returned from her store last week Friday, making it a week today, she has been suspicious of her husband’s calmness. He has always been cool headed, but he now has taken it to another level that scares her.

Ever since Tokunbo came in to see them with his wife and her friend, her acts of almost 33 years has been keeping her restless, she has
been locked up with the consequence of her action in the corner of her mind. She has tried everything possible to be free from the burden whose fresh weight is threatening to crush her.

As she sits with her phone in her hand before her dresser table, trying to call his phone again, worried that he has not returned from wherever at almost 11pm in the night.

She was startled as he walked into their room and the look on his face, he looked at her and her heart stopped beating in her chest.

“Tola, what is the problem, I have been calling your line but no replies. It is late you know.”

“Sola, for over 30 years, I have loved you, protected you and been faithful to you, but you have repaid me back by giving another man’s child to me. What have I done to deserve that? Well, thank you so much, I just want to ask you this, is Toluwalase mine?”

Tola, please, I don’t know…”

“Answer me! Is Toluwalase mine?!”

“Yes, she is. She is your child” she said, shaken by the coldness in his voice and eyes.

She broke down in tears as he walked out of the room. Finally her deception and lies of over 30 years have finally caught up with her and her mother who had helped her to bury it this long is no longer alive to help her out of it.
*************************************

Chinwe got a message from her husband, informing her that he would be coming late to pick her from work. When he arrived, he
apologized for keeping her waiting, explaining he had been locked in a meeting that was two weeks late and could not be suspended any longer.

“I think you need to go and get your car from your father’s house, so you could drive yourself sometimes.”

“Tired of driving me already?”

“Of course not, I want you to be independent in some ways, you could need to go to the store, drive to church or anywhere, of course, you must always come back home...” he said with his finger pointed at her.

She grabbed his finger and turned it down “of course.”

“And talking of church, we have to pick a day for the wedding thanksgiving.”

“Any date would be fine, but I think we need to settle the issue of your DNA result with your father’s.”

He could not help but told her, especially since they both agreed there would be no more secret between them.

“I know. Can you help me turn on my other phone; I had to put it off in the meeting when some messages were coming in."

When they got home, he checked themessages on the phone, the DNA result was the last thing he looked at. The result confirmed his greatest fear. he does not need a doctor to interpret this to him, the result is perfectly clear.

He was staring at the phone when Chinwe walked into the room to invite him to dinner, but he handed the phone to her when she asked him what was wrong.

She understood the result too, she dropped the phone on the bed and sat with him comforting him in the way she understood best, the same way he had comforted her some nights back. Telling him all would be well.

They ended up not eating that night as both were too drained for food. The only comfort was that they had each other, which could
not be said of Chief Babalola, who was also weeping like a baby in his study.
*************************************

<<<<<<<<THE END>>>>>>>>>

Taink you!

Omeifa:
This story is interesting

Thanks for stopping by.

aprilwise:
No secret hide under the sun forever

Definitely

EPISODE 24 (SEMI FINALE)
When they drove into their compound, he was not surprised to see his father sitting alone in his evening wear, listening to the news. With the look of things, his mother had not arrived from her store. She has a big depot for all sorts of drinks, a store that takes up to 6 plots of land in the city.

“Tokunbo, what a surprise, don’t you think it is quite late.”

“Good evening sir.”

“Hello Chinwe, how are you?”

“Dad, I need to speak with you in private.”

“I hope all is well?”

“We are about to find out.”

“Come with me.”

Chinwe watched as they both walked towards his study and shut the door behind them.

“Yes, I am listening.”

“The result of the DNA test came in today and when I could not make any sense from the file, I took it to Dr. Kunbi, who told me I am not the father of Clara’s child…”

“Thank God, I was thinking you would say…”

Chief Ajayi heaved a sigh of relief as he patted his son on the shoulder.

“That is not all; he said I am related to the father of her child. He said he could be my brother.”

“So why are you looking at me that way? Did he say you could be the brother to that young boy? Did he imply I could be the father?”

His father asked incredulously, obviously.not getting the whole idea.

“No, but that means you have another son aside me dad. So I want to ask, did you have an affair with any woman, that could have resulted to having a child? Who perhaps looks exactly like me or that has some semblance?

He stared at his father with some hard look beaming with some cold fire.

“Calm your anger right now young man; I am not the object of your fury. Sit down. You know when you left here on Sunday, I went to the hospital to have my DNA included in that test but Kunbi said he would not allow it, that if you wanted me to take, you would have invited me along.“

”What are you trying to say?”

Tokunbo said.

“I am trying to say that I would like us to take another DNA, just the 2 of us, and if you can keep it our secret, I mean not telling your mother, I would be grateful. But in answer to your question, I do not have any woman aside your mother. I have been a faithful husband to her all these years. Yes, I had some ladies before I got married to your mother but none of them got pregnant for me.”

The atmosphere of the study suddenly changed for Tokunbo, he began to sweat profusely in his father’s well air conditioned study. The whole thing just dawned on him.

His father said put in other way meant he probably is not his son. The pace of his heartbeat tripled immediately.
*************************************

The drive back to the house was more tensed than what it was initially; Chinwe could not help but worry at the frown on his face. Could he be angry with her for shutting him out all the while? Clara accused him wrongly. If he wanted to be angry then he deserved to be but she is used to being married to him and would love it for them to start all over again.

When he parked the car, she followed him gently into the house and went to their room to change for the night, but decided to still try her luck with trying to get through to him; what he could he be thinking and what could his next steps be?

Tokunbo was surprised to see her still awake when he entered the room, he had been lost in thoughts that he did not realize it was almost 11pm.

“What is it?”

“Nothing! I just want us to talk about the result of the DNA test,” she started almost inaudibly.

“What else is there to talk about? I did not rape your friend” Tokunbo said as he made to walk to the bathroom.

“I know, but, I also have something to say. I have wronged you and I am sorry. I should have listened to your own side of the story and given you the benefit of doubt.”

“Yes, you should have” Tokunbo looked her straight in the eyes.

“I will understand if you want to go ahead with a divorce now, I know I have been.unfair and would not blame you if…” she continued in a shaky voice, trying to hold back her tears, so as not to make it more difficult than it already was.

“Divorce? You think that is the next thing, well, let’s talk about that later.”

He shook his head and walked to the bathroom this time, leaving Chinwe to almost run after him, to beg him to just forgive her foolishness and if he would give her a chance, she would be the
best wife ever.

Chinwe watched as he went into the bathroom and when he came out some minutes later, he was already in his bedclothes. He recognized the fear in her eyes, the guilt and the shame in her eyes and even if he would like to punish her for all she had done, he would not be able to, not when she was looking like that.

“I have a brother out there, who I don’t know and who is responsible for Clara’s baby. Divorce is the last thing on my mind. I know you still want the divorce, so…”

“No I don’t want it… I don’t want to divorce you.”

“You don’t?” Tokunbo turned to face her fully this time, hoping he heard her right.

“No I don’t, I would like to still stay married, married to you. That is if you still want me.”

“I want you and I will always want you, I am not just sure we know each other very well, especially to the point of trusting each other fully,” he said as he held her jaw softly.in his hands, cupping her whole face as he talked.

“I know and I am ready to tell you anything you would like to know.”

“Really? Okay, why would you believe I raped Clara, without hearing from me?” he asked her gently, his tone devoid of any trace of anger.

“I was raped when I was 14 by my dad’s cousin.”

Tokunbo sat straight in their bed as she narrated the horrid event to him; he listened without stopping her or interrupting with questions.

When she finished the story, she waited to hear him say anything but he simply gathered her in his arms and that was when she finally could cry.

“Stop crying please, but you should have told me or better still know that all men are not the same.”

He rubbed her shoulders and imagined what she could have gone through, at that age especially from someone who should have protected her.

“Does your father know about this?”

“No, I could not tell anyone, Nkem might know, although I did not tell him, but he might have guessed.”

“That is terrible, you should learn to share your burdens, no wonder you and your father don t see eye to eye.”

He continued to rub her shoulders till she fell asleep and he also fell asleep.

<<<<To be continued>>>>

EPISODE 24 (SEMI FINALE)
When they drove into their compound, he was not surprised to see his father sitting alone in his evening wear, listening to the news. With the look of things, his mother had not arrived from her store. She has a big depot for all sorts of drinks, a store that takes up to 6 plots of land in the city.

“Tokunbo, what a surprise, don’t you think it is quite late.”

“Good evening sir.”

“Hello Chinwe, how are you?”

“Dad, I need to speak with you in
private.”

“I hope all is well?”

“We are about to find out.”

“Come with me.”

Chinwe watched as they both walked towards his study and shut the door behind them.

“Yes, I am listening.”

“The result of the DNA test came in today and when I could not make any sense from the file, I took it to Dr. Kunbi, who told me I am not the father of Clara’s child…”

“Thank God, I was thinking you would say…”

Chief Ajayi heaved a sigh of relief as he patted his son on the shoulder.

“That is not all; he said I am related to the father of her child. He said he could be my brother.”

“So why are you looking at me that way? Did he say you could be the brother to that young boy? Did he imply I could be the father?”

His father asked incredulously, obviously.not getting the whole idea.

“No, but that means you have another son aside me dad. So I want to ask, did you have an affair with any woman, that could have resulted to having a child? Who perhaps looks exactly like me or that has some semblance?

He stared at his father with some hard look beaming with some cold fire.

“Calm your anger right now young man; I am not the object of your fury. Sit down. You know when you left here on Sunday, I went to the hospital to have my DNA included in that test but Kunbi said he would not allow it, that if you wanted me to take, you would have invited me along.“

”What are you trying to say?”

Tokunbo said.

“I am trying to say that I would like us to take another DNA, just the 2 of us, and if you can keep it our secret, I mean not telling your mother, I would be grateful. But in answer to your question, I do not have any woman aside your mother. I have been a faithful husband to her all these years. Yes, I had some ladies before I got married to your mother but none of them got pregnant for me.”

The atmosphere of the study suddenly changed for Tokunbo, he began to sweat profusely in his father’s well air conditioned study. The whole thing just dawned on him.

His father said put in other way meant he probably is not his son. The pace of his heartbeat tripled immediately.
*************************************

The drive back to the house was more tensed than what it was initially; Chinwe could not help but worry at the frown on his face. Could he be angry with her for shutting him out all the while? Clara accused him wrongly. If he wanted to be angry then he deserved to be but she is used to being married to him and would love it for them to start all over again.

When he parked the car, she followed him gently into the house and went to their room to change for the night, but decided to still try her luck with trying to get through to him; what he could he be thinking and what could his next steps be?

Tokunbo was surprised to see her still awake when he entered the room, he had been lost in thoughts that he did not realize it was almost 11pm.

“What is it?”

“Nothing! I just want us to talk about the result of the DNA test,” she started almost inaudibly.

“What else is there to talk about? I did not rape your friend” Tokunbo said as he made to walk to the bathroom.

“I know, but, I also have something to say. I have wronged you and I am sorry. I should have listened to your own side of the story and given you the benefit of doubt.”

“Yes, you should have” Tokunbo looked her straight in the eyes.

“I will understand if you want to go ahead with a divorce now, I know I have been.unfair and would not blame you if…” she continued in a shaky voice, trying to hold back her tears, so as not to make it more difficult than it already was.

“Divorce? You think that is the next thing, well, let’s talk about that later.”

He shook his head and walked to the bathroom this time, leaving Chinwe to almost run after him, to beg him to just forgive her foolishness and if he would give her a chance, she would be the
best wife ever.

Chinwe watched as he went into the bathroom and when he came out some minutes later, he was already in his bedclothes. He recognized the fear in her eyes, the guilt and the shame in her eyes and even if he would like to punish her for all she had done, he would not be able to, not when she was looking like that.

“I have a brother out there, who I don’t know and who is responsible for Clara’s baby. Divorce is the last thing on my mind. I know you still want the divorce, so…”

“No I don’t want it… I don’t want to divorce you.”

“You don’t?” Tokunbo turned to face her fully this time, hoping he heard her right.

“No I don’t, I would like to still stay married, married to you. That is if you still want me.”

“I want you and I will always want you, I am not just sure we know each other very well, especially to the point of trusting each other fully,” he said as he held her jaw softly.in his hands, cupping her whole face as he talked.

“I know and I am ready to tell you anything you would like to know.”

“Really? Okay, why would you believe I raped Clara, without hearing from me?” he asked her gently, his tone devoid of any trace of anger.

“I was raped when I was 14 by my dad’s cousin.”

Tokunbo sat straight in their bed as she narrated the horrid event to him; he listened without stopping her or interrupting with questions.

When she finished the story, she waited to hear him say anything but he simply gathered her in his arms and that was when she finally could cry.

“Stop crying please, but you should have told me or better still know that all men are not the same.”

He rubbed her shoulders and imagined what she could have gone through, at that age especially from someone who should have protected her.

“Does your father know about this?”

“No, I could not tell anyone, Nkem might know, although I did not tell him, but he might have guessed.”

“That is terrible, you should learn to share your burdens, no wonder you and your father don't see eye to eye.”

He continued to rub her shoulders till she fell asleep and he also fell asleep.

<<<<To be continued>>>>

youngking22:
Tokumbo mum has some serious explaining too do, tokumbo has a step-brother , so if chief is not his father , Mr senator (chinwe's father ) will loose the deal. my own point of view oooooooo.

Well said.

EPISODE 23
<<<<<May 1982>>>>>
Sola Adebisi got down from the back of her father’s volkwagen car and walked to the main house to greet her mother. The last time they saw was when she went to school three months ago. The letters have not been enough. Her mother ran halfway to meet her darling daughter who was making them proud in school.

After her diploma, she had insisted on going to the university to study Literature and she had been there for about two years now. She
brought home good results. Her mother could not be more proud of her, especially because she is a lady and the only son she has was not showing any interest in education.

Ever since she started a relationship with Tola Ajayi, her live had changed and everyone can see it. She suddenly wanted to go to the university, getting better grades each semester and even advising her brother to go and further his education; though he did not listen to anyone on that.

They always asked after Tola and hoped he would return to Nigeria when he’s through with his masters and would formally ask for her hand in marriage. Happy that their daughter would be marrying someone who has gone to the white man’s land to further his education. He is a cool headed man also, the perfect in-law and would surely succeed.

That particular break, her brother had come home with his friend who he claimed his parents lived in the village but would love to
spend the break with them so he could get a job. Unknown to them, he was just a wanderer, who had no will to school nor learn a trade. He would wake up to help them fetch water from the deep well at the back of the house, feed the goats and sweep the compounds. After all that, he would simply go back to sleep till he is called for breakfast.

He was just doing all that to gain their favours and for them to allow him stay. He ended up staying for the entire month.

Sola was at home and things happened between them.

Sola had been rushed to the hospital some weeks after resuming her 300L in the University of Ibadan.

What they thought might be ordinary malaria turned out to be five weeks pregnancy and they could not advise her to abort it. So they were lucky that Tola returned that same month and formally asked her to be his wife.

The whole process was sped up so he would not notice a thing and when she delivered a healthy baby earlier than the normal 9 months, they ruled it to nature and asked them to thank God that she has a healthy child, in spite of the fact that he came early.

The secret has been their secret for years; Sola and her mother, although her father cannot say he doesn’t know about it.

When Ade started asking after her even after she moved back to school, her brother had been
suspicious and when Sola’s mother threatened to have him locked up for stealing, he stopped coming.

Sola’s elder brother left for Lagos to learn fashion designing and became quite successful, but whenever he sees his nephew, no one needs to tell him that he was right when he accused his friend of sleeping with his sister.

He had denied it and so had she. The unserious boy eventually impregnated another girl in the same community as Sola’s parents and he was forced to take responsibility.

The other family got him a security job with a company and he was sacked within months for drunkenness and theft.

When sola visited her parents with her kids for a Christmas break when Tokunbo was about 18 years old, she had come across Ade and his son from the other woman. She could have snatched him away from Ade if she was not sure Tokunbo was sleeping in the house with his sister.

The resemblance was too much and anyone would have taken them to be twins. The holiday break was cut short for that singular reason and she has never taken her children back to the village to see their grandparents for fear of someone linking Tokunbo to Ade. Even till their death.

The birthmark on his head appears on the head of all his children from the other woman; male and female. Although her mother said it would eventually not bebnoticeable on Tokunbo’s head with time, but they have been wrong in that prediction.

The only thing they have been right about is that Ade would ruin her life if she married him, they were right when they advised her to marry Tola Ajayi and not tell him about the pregnancy that he would not suspect a thing.

They said he would make her life better, andbthey have been right.
************************************

Chinwe has tried everything in her book to avoid Tokunbo. Call it out of guilt, love, fear or whatever you may. Every method she tried
was met with his smiling face and helpful hands. He had waited for her to use the toilet that morning, despite the fact that there were
three other toilets in the house he could use.

When Clara called her from Uyo the night before to tell her she arrived early, he had spoken with her and asked how her journey went, even saying hello to Henry. His actions said it all, Tokunbo did not rape Clara, and he couldn’t have and still be comfortable withbthe hospital lab results they all are waiting to get.

When the nights come, he simply would lay on his side of the bed and would calmly wait for her to get in beside him before turning off the lights.

He made sure they ate together, and would sometimes help her to wash afterwards.

When she got a call from her father’s lawyer, who told her she would start work on Monday, she had turned to him after the call to ask what she should expect from starting a role without an interview.

He had simply told her to take it as a merit, no one would hire her without one, she looked worried and ended up asking if they thought she would not have passed the interview and just employed her so they would not stress themselves, to which Tokunbo laughed and told her to quit being silly.

He told her to think it that they believe so much in her ability that they knew she would catch up with the workplace irrespective of her being interviewed for the position or not.

The reply seemed to relax her as she went into the bedroom to start sorting her clothes.

When he came into their room that Thursday night, he was surprised to see her reading some documents she must have printed out from his printer. She was so engrossed in it that he almost wanted to ask what she was reading until she turned to him and ask.

“Do you think I can do this, I mean I have never worked in my life.”

“We all have to learn work someday, I know you will fit in and be wonderful at any job you are given to do.”

Tokunbo said sincerely and when he caught her staring at him from the corners of his eyes, he looked back at her and patted her knee before facing the other side of the room.

“Thanks for that.”

“You are welcome.”

When Friday came, they were together in the sitting room; he typing away on the laptop and she reading the printouts from the night before when they both got an alert on their phones.

After going through the results of the DNA on his phone, Tokunbo could not fathom the meaning; all he could see and understand is 75%.

“What do you think this means? ”She asked him nervously.

“That is what I was about to ask you. You know what, I will print it out and we can head to the doctor’s together.”

As they got into the vehicle, Clara called Chinwe’s line who told her to stay put with her phone as they were on their way the hospital.

Clara also called Joseph, who abandoned all he was doing as he hopped into his car and drove to meet Clara.

The tension in the air was thick and both were saying different prayers.

When they sat at Dr. Kunbi’s office, he went out to attend to a patient and asked them to spare him some minutes. When he did not arrive immediately, Chinwe could no longer find comfort in sitting down, so she stood up and paced the space of the office.

Clara’s call came in again, but she silenced it.

When Dr. Kunbi returned some 40 minutes later, he apologized for keeping them and took the paper from Tokunbo, before he started talking, they asked if they could call Clara and make her listen to the interpretation of the result.

“Hello Clara, can you hear me? This is Dr. Kunbi, your friends are here.”

“Go ahead Dr. I can hear you.”

“Well, from the result with me, it shows Henry has about 75% genetic makeup as Tokunbo, which could simply be interpreted that Tokunbo is not the father, but he is surely related to the father of your son. If we have anything above 95%, then Tokunbo would be his father. However, with 75%, he is only related to the person who fathered your son most likely his brother. This is my interpretation and I would advise you to get a second opinion if you have doubts, but I can assure you, the interpretation would be the same.”

The silence at the other end of the line matched that of the office as Dr. Kunbi stared at the 2 people sitting in front of him.

“Hello, do you have anything to say, or would you like to ask any question?”

“No sir, I…”

“Hello Dr. this is Joseph, her friend.”

Hi Chinwe. We will continue our discussion later but for now, no question. Thank you so much.”

“Hi Joseph, is she alright?”

“She will be fine. She is just in shock.”

Ok, thanks.”

They both thanked the doctor and left his office with more questions on their mind, but more on the mind of Tokunbo than on Chinwe’s.

As they drove away from the hospital, it was nearing evening, Chinwe watched her husband as he drove down the busy road, but suddenly changed the direction to the road that leads to his parents’ house.

<<<<<To be continued>>>>>

Now that Tokunbo is not the rapist, not the father of Henry...

Abosede512:
what a story, I enjoyed it daku. well done, the truth will soon be out

Please don't daku o

Am glad you're enjoying it sis.

Dacaller:
thanks for d update...... tokunbo problem b like.......from frying pan to fire

You're welcome

BigDebbie:
Omo,dis story just keeps getting better and better...weldone Op

You're welcome sis.

Am glad you're enjoying it.

EPISODE 22
Chinwe walked with slumped shoulders to the car, where her husband was waiting patiently for her with his father, she had stayed some few moments more to say farewell to her mother-in- law who was disappointed they would not be staying to eat.

“Can you give me a lift to my parents’ place?”

“Okay, but why would you like to go there?”

“I just need some space to think.”

“If that is your reason, then you can think all you want in our house, we still need to talk.”

“Tokunbo, please, this is not easy for me.”

“And you think it is for me? If there is anyone who would like to be alone right now to think some things through, then I should be the one, I have been abandoned, ridiculed, disbelieved by the woman I have come to love and it is so heart breaking, but you know what? I don’t know how to hide and run from my challenges, so I won’t be able to do so now. We still have to live together, at least till the result comes out. However, I still get this feeling that you still do not believe me and if that is the case, then give me this one week.”

Chinwe could not find her voice and before he finished speaking she started crying, her tears were falling so heavily that she looked as if she was sweating around her neck.

Tokunbo looked at her and pulled out his hanky and placed it on her thighs, this seemed to have made her cry harder. He did not know why she’s crying but he would love her to stop, she could fall sick from too much crying. And for some reason he would like to know what else she could be keeping from him because it seemed there were more.

When they got home, he walked beside her to their room and asked her to get some sleep, when he came back some minutes later, he
found out that she was still crying.

Tokunbo placed a call to Chris to ask him for the tablets he used on him when his wife ran away, he directed him to a part of the cabinet in the room. Seconds later, Tokunbo dissolved the tablet in a cup of water for Chinwe.

She took the water from him with teary eyes and drank up.

He was glad to watch her doze off some minutes later; he sat beside her and wiped her face with a moist hanky. Tokunbo just could not bring himself to be upset with her, maybe later or some years to come, but definitely not today, not the way she looked now, fragile, beautiful and broken, and definitely not after that night at the
hotel.

He called his father and asked him if he could still get a week off work to which he agreed.

He set some plans in place as he waited for the results to come. All he needed to do was to follow his plans through and wait.
*************************************

Chief Ajayi drove out of the house without wasting time to tell his wife where he was headed, he drove straight to the family hospital, the same place his son had visited earlier. He went without any formalities to the office of the doctor that did the sample collection.

“Ah, Chief, what brings you here?” Dr Kunbi looked up from the file in front of him and stood up to shake hands with his guest.

“Good to see you too, I just want to
pay you a visit.”

“Are you feeling well?” he asked without wasting time, knowing fully that he was joking about the visiting part. Men like this don’t pay him a visit unless something is wrong.

“I am well; I would just like to ask about the test my son and some two other people came here to do this morning.”

“Well, that is between them and the laboratory, you don’t expect me to give you any information on that, do you?” Dr. Kunbi smiled professionally as he relaxed back in his seat.

“Have you sent it already?”

“Chief, this is a patient’s…”

“Forget that confidentiality, all I want is to be included in the test, he is my son, so.”

“So, you have to buy your own test kit and bring the person you want to confirm his paternity to us here and you fill the forms, fill the reply route and we send the samples to them. My job is to sell the kit and send to the lab the samples.”

“So there is nothing you can do?”

“Absolutely none. Wait for the result to come and if your son wants you to know the results, he will tell you. I don’t even get the result unless he brings it to me to interpret for him; which would still be confidential.”

“I am not after the result, I just want to know if Tokunbo is my son.”

Ajayi could not hold it in any longer. *************************************

There he got it off his chest, his suspicions have left him restless since the little boy walked towards him in the house some hours back,

He trusts Tokunbo and believed him when he said he is not the father of that little boy; but what father could forget the face of his son while growing up.

The resemblance is just too much, the birthmark is the least of what he saw, the teeth, the way he walked, the eyes and even his stature. Everything just points to just one fact, no make that two facts; Tokunbo is either not his son or he is the father of that boy.

When all he had to say would not change the doctor’s mind, he pretended to have some other issues he wanted to complain about, but Kunbi knows him too well and told him he needed to rest. He wrote him some pills that could be bought over the counter and sent him home with a pat on the back, reminding him to take it easy.

When he got home, he walked to the sitting room and one of their staff came to welcome him.

“Where is my wife?”

“She’s in the kitchen sir.”

“Doing what?”

“Cooking sir”

That made him more suspicious, since Tokunbo announced that they had gone for DNA test, his wife had gone quiet compared to her normal self and the antagonist stand she was against the young lady. She had been acting nervous, asking him what he would love her to prepare for him.

Well, it is not that she did not use to do that, but when she cooked for him, it would be on his birthday or they were expecting guests.

She would rather stay in the kitchen and supervise the meals than do the cooking herself.

Not that he blamed her, he is not a great eater, he wastes more than he eats and that could be discouraging for the person who makes the food. They have been married for 32 years and known each other too well. She knows him too well and he could say the same about him of her.

They met when he was about to finish his University degrees at the University of Ife. They started dating. She being an indigene of the town. She was running a diploma program in one of the colleges. He had asked her to be his girlfriend surprising his friends who had lost hope on him finding a girl before leaving school.

When he introduced her to them, they had been shocked at his good choice and luck. She was so lovely and well groomed. They called her good pedigree. Most of his friends were envious of him.

When he finished his university degree, he was posted to Kaduna for his NYSC and she started a
program at the University of Ibadan. He went for his masters immediately in the UK, hoping to give her more time to go further in her education before tying her down with marriage.

He had planned to marry her after her NYSC but things did not work that way as they married in her third year in the University.

Immediately he returned from the UK, his parents had informed them they were not getting any younger and but mounted pressure on him to get married. He got married her eventually.

He has come to know her by listening to her, watching her and patiently listening to her, but one thing he knows too well about his wife is that, when she is nervous, she cooks.

<<<<<To be continued>>>>>

EPISODE 21
“But I am a bit confused here, have you seen Henry?” Chinwe asked, talking for the first time as they all sat to have the conversation.

“I have seen him and the mark on his head is the same as the one on my head, I looked at it when I carried him from the airport, but believe me, I am not his father.”

“Are you a twin?” Clara asked, sitting upright in her position now.

“Not that I know of, but I will ask for my parents to meet us tomorrow so we can talk about this extensively and see the possibility of someone else in the family having that mark.”

“It is not just about the mark, the resemblance is glaring too.”

“I know, but I am not your guy. August 28 or whatever date you said. I can’t say for sure where I was or what I was doing, but I definitely was nowhere near a club not to talk of raping a woman in that club. I used to work with my dad, and if I sit to think about it more, I’m sure I will be able to tell you exactly where I was on that date.

However, trust me, it would not be at any club. The last club I entered was in 1998 and it was not even in Lagos.”

“What have I done, what do we do?” Clara said, almost in tears already.

When she turned to her friend, she could see her fear mirrored in her eyes too as Tokunbo stared calmly at the two women. All the while he was talking, he never mocked, insulted, ridiculed nor raised his voice.

They were like that for some minutes before Tokunbo stood up and went to get his phone, he placed a call to his mother immediately.

“Hello mom, sorry were you sleeping already?”

“No dear, what is going on there?”

“Nothing serious, I just want to ask you and Dad to please wait for us tomorrow morning we will be coming there first thing in the morning.”

“Is everything alright, is Chinwe still acting the same way?”

“No mum, not Chinwe, we just need you to help put some light on a particular issue.”

“I am worried, I just hope you can give me a clue of what is going on, would you like me to pass the phone to your father?”

“No, no need for that, just be available tomorrow morning please” he ended the call and placed a call to his doctor immediately.

“Hello Doc, do you run DNA test in your hospital?”

“Hello Tokunbo, no we don’t, we only sell the DNA kit and help take samples and send to another lab outside Nigeria.”

“Okay, how soon can the results be out?”

“It depends on the type and how soon it gets there, but 5 days max, you will get the result mailed to you.”

“Can you take samples tomorrow? What are the things I need to get?

“Nothing much just the person whose paternity has to be determined, the mother and father.”

“Can we do that tomorrow?”

“Why not, we open by 8. I will be here to attend to you myself.”

”Thank you” Tokunbo ended the call and turned to the women staring at him.

“We all need to get some rest, we will continue tomorrow.”

“But my flight is for tomorrow, what will happen?”

“We can postpone it till Monday; I understand you work and would not want to jeopardize that.”

“Okay, we will continue tomorrow then.”

Tokunbo walked outside the house and felt the fresh breeze on his face, he could not believe he is being wrongly accused and he had been suffering for another man’s sin; someone who probably is his lookalike.

Chinwe and Clara went to the room Clara, would be staying and she sat down beside her friend who could not hold back her tears.

“Clara, stop this for Christ’s sake.”

“Do you know what I have done,I made you believe the wrong information and accused the wrong person, because if he did not do it, why would he go to the extent of wanting to go for DNA?”

“You did not make me believe anything, I made my decisions and I will have to live with it.”

“But...”

“Shhh, we are yet to find out the truth.”

“But he is so certain he did not do it.”

“I know’'

“And as odd as it might sound, I believe him.”

“So do I” Chinwe closed her eyes and let the tears fall freely at her stupidity.

When Chinwe left Clara alone on the phone with Joseph, she walked to the room and stopped in her tracks to find Tokunbo already preparing for the night on her bed.

“Don’t tell me you are surprised to see me here, I already told you and your friend I did not rape her. I am sure you won’t expect me to sleep in the guest room after knowing I have been wrongly accused.”

“But we are yet to know that.”

“I do, I know I did not rape her and she can take the test anywhere of her choosing after tomorrow, the result would still be the same. So don’t expect me to play the fool and suffer in silence for the sin I did not commit.”

He settled in under the duvet and left Chinwe staring at him with a defeated look.

As she opened the door to leave the room, Tokunbo stopped her...

“If you go to the guest room to sleep, I will come there to join you also. We are married and I tend to take my vows seriously, you hear me, so do whatever it is you do before bed and get in here, tomorrow, we continue with who did this.”

Some minutes later, Chinwe joined her husband in bed and even though they were not touching in anyway, she could feel his presence beside her and for the first time since she can remember, she could not fall asleep.

She abandoned the thought of getting any sleep, after a while she stood up and went to the sitting room where she sat and wept her heart out.

Could she be more stupid? Using one man’s error to her to judge all others?
*************************************

In the room also, Joseph was trying to calm Clara down ; she had not stopped blaming herself for everything that had transpired
between Chinwe and her husband.

“See, if you keep doing this, I will have to take the first flight to Lagos tomorrow, you hear me?”

“You don’t have to.”

“Then you need to be strong. For me, for Chinwe, for Henry and for yourself, you did the right thing and you have to remain strong to get to the bottom of this.”

“Okay, I just don’t know what would come out of this.”

“But whatever does, you are not to blame, okay?”

“Okay, thanks”

“And know this I love you and will be waiting for you on Monday morning, ok?”

"Ok” not replying the I love you part for fear of him saying it only to calm he down.
*************************************

Tokunbo woke up and was surprised to see Chinwe all dressed up; he looked at the time and expected to see he has over slept but was surprised to see it was not even 6:30 am yet.

“Where are you going?”

“Nowhere, I thought we all are going out early.”

“Early, but the hospital opens 8 and we go to my parents’ place from there, is that what you are dressed for?”

“Yeah, I assumed we would be leaving early, we have to so we can get there early.”

“Yeah, I assumed we would be leaving early, we have to so we can get there early.”

Tokunbo collapsed back on the bed and wiped his face before replying her calmly.

“Chinwe, we will get there on time and even after we do, the result still will not be ready until about 5 days.”

“I know, I am just…”

“Anxious?, so am I, but we are not leaving before 7, your friend still needs the sleep; that is if she slept at all and besides, that small boy needs to sleep too, so please, calm yourself down and relax.”

Instead of going back to sleep, Tokunbo went outside the room to get a bottle of water but was not surprised to see Clara boiling water, probably for her son.

When she saw him, she was startled but recovered quickly “sorry, I want to be ready so we won’t have to delay in going.”

“No problem and Chinwe is ready too. I will go and get ready soon but the hospital does not open till 8 am. I hope we don’t have to get there to wait, so we might all still have a little time to have breakfast.”

“I don’t think that is necessary, I will just make some golden morn for Henry before we go. I don’t think I will be able to eat.”

"That is alright, but take your time.”

Tokunbo left the kitchen and went back into the room, this time Chinwe has already slumped over a pile of pillows and she looked like she has been crying. Tokunbo felt like comforting her and
reassuring her but did not know how to start, so he went into the bathroom instead to have his bath.

When they got to the hospital, the doctor true to his words was waiting for them. After the payments were made, Tokunbo was asked to open his mouth and the nurse in attendance poked an object that looked like a longer version of a q-tip into his mouth and scrapped the side of his cheek followed by Henry and then Clara; hers was to make the result very accurate.

Forms were filled and he put his email address, Chinwe and Clara’s email addresses as the reply routes, the doctor spoke with them on the possibilities of getting the results later than Friday but assured them he would try his best to make everything be on time.

Before they left the hospital, his mother had called about four times and when he did not pick, she sent him two messages; warning him not to be the reason she would have a heart attack.

When they got to his parents’ house he met his mother at the door as he was about to lead his companions into the gigantic mansion that he grew up in.

“Why have you not been picking your calls nor replying my messages, do you want to kill me?”

“Good morning ma” Tokunbo replied instead and the people with him greeted before his mother would allow them into the house.

“You called since last night and instead of you to get here as soon as you can this morning, you…”

“Woman, they are here now, at least you can see they are with guests, so why don’t you let them feel welcome.”

Chief Ajayi answered from the corner of the room and they all greeted him before they were seated at the veranda at the back of the house.

“Mom, Dad, that is Clara and her son Henry, she is a friend of Chinwe, they were friends from way back” not knowing how long precisely.

“Welcome my dear, how are you?”

“Fine sir, thank you ma” Clara replied calmly.

“I don’t know the softest way to say this, but Clara here believes I am the father of her child; Henry.”

“What, do you know her or what is the meaning of that claim” his mother cut into his sentence.

“I have never met her, but she was raped four years ago by someone and she got pregnant and she believed I was the culprit, which Chinwe later heard about and I asked to meet her so we could clear things out.”

“Is that why you ran away Chinwe?”

“One of the reasons, yes!”

“Clara, how certain are you of these allegations because my son says he did not rape you?”

“As certain as I was, but now I am no longer sure.”

“But what were you hoping to gain from such ludicrous allegation, saying something like that about a man you have never met, what do you want, money?”

“Mom!”

“Ma, with all due respect, if I wanted money I would not be here, I just wanted to protect my friend from the man I thought him to be and if you look clearly at Henry, you will see the reason for my claim, forgetting the face of the man who rapes one is not the easiest thing to achieve ma. So if you can help us with family members that bear the same resemblance with Tokunbo, maybe we all can finally move on with our lives.”

“We don’t have lunatics in our family young lady and...”

“Come here boy” Tokunbo’s father beckoned on Henry and with the look on his face, it was clear he sees the resemblance too. Chief Ajayi touched the base of his birthmark and looked at Tokunbo.

“Go to the shelf in my study and get the albums, all the old albums you can get from there.”

“What is the need for all that; I still don’t believe her for one moment.”

“Why not let’s settle this like sensible people, if she wanted money as she said, it would be over the news now, don’t you think?”

When Tokunbo returned with the albums, about 6 in all, Chief Ajayi started flipping through them and were looking at Henry when he got to a particular page of the second album he picked. With a sigh, he passed the album to Clara and Chinwe, in the album were pictures of Tokunbo, looking exactly like Henry, the resemblance cannot be dismissed at all. Clara also pulled some from her bags and handed them to Chief Ajayi, who looked through them patiently before passing them to his wife, who flipped through them hurriedly before dropping them carelessly on the coffee table beside her husband.

“Tokunbo, I will ask you again as your father, even though you already said it, did you have an affair with this woman or any woman that could have resulted to this boy here?”

“No sir, I swear it and I am ready to do anything to prove it wrong, I did not know her before I met her yesterday.”

“That settles it then, Clara or what is your name, my son is not responsible. I am sure there are ways we can help you, out of the goodness of our hearts, consider it charity.” His mother interrupted again.

“Ma, keep your money, I have been able to care for him single handedly till now and I will continue to with the help of God, and if you think this is still about money, then ma, you don’t have any compassion.”

“Will you insult me in my own home?”

“Listen, this is not the time to trade words, we are here to find solutions, so please, let’s all calm down so we can find solution. Daddy please, is there anyone in the family, who you think has that kind of resemblance with Tokunbo, or someone with the birthmark, we can start from there” Chinwe said.

“As a matter of fact, I can’t think of any, when she had Tokunbo, he was the first of his kind in my family to have that kind of mark, even my mother who was alive then thought it was a birth injury and we did all we could, even outside Nigeria to get it off or find its cause, but nothing worked. A doctor friend of mine asked us to rule it to genetic marker that could have been recessive in our lineage both for years.” Chief replied.

“It is the same with Henry, I saw that mark clearly on the head of the man who raped me and when I saw it on Henry, I and Chinwe tried to find a way to get rid of it but nothing worked too.” Clara responded.

“That is that, there is a sure way to find out the truth and that is through DNA testing.” Chief Ajayi said.

“We already stopped at the hospital and Doctor Kunbi should be sending it off now to the US for analysis, he promised to press some buttons so we can get the results within a week.” Tokunbo replied.

“Very good, so in the mean time Clara, let’s all continue with our lives, we will get to the bottom of this, but I can assure you, if there is any other information that would be helpful to this matter, I will get in touch with your friend.” Chief Ajayi replied.

“Thank you so much sir.” Clara said.

“You are welcome, where do you live, so the driver can drop you off?” Chief asked.

“She came in from Uyo yesterday and luckily she would be able to make her flight back.” Tokunbo replied.

“Ok, then the driver can take you to the airport. Little Henry, take care of your mother, hmm?” He rubbed his head and pulled some wads of clean naira notes and gave to him.

“I am sorry we won’t take that sir!” Clara replied.

“It is for the boy.” Chief said.

“Sorry but I will not allow it, please, when next we meet, under a better circumstance, maybe when Chinwe delivers a bouncing baby boy, anything you give to Henry then might be appropriate.” Clara replied.

She took the money from Henry who was not too cooperative and she straightened the bills and placed them on the coffee table before picking up her photos.

Chief Ajayi watched the young woman with admiration and he could conclude in his heart that she was not doing all this for money. He looked at his wife who suddenly had gone silent and went with them to the car park to give instructions to the driver.

Clara and Chinwe hugged tightly and she picked Henry up to give him a kiss on the cheek, which he did not stop wiping till they drove out of sight.

“Now that she is gone, can I see the two of you in private?”

Chief Ajayi said and led the two of them to a door that led to a large study and he asked them to sit.

“First, I want to thank God for this opportunity because since Chinwe returned, I have been hoping to get a chance to talk to both of you. I will be fast about it, and when I am through, if you have anything to say, anything at all, please feel free to do so, are we on the same page?”

“Yes sir.”

“Fine, Chinwe I want to assume you ran away from the reception because of this rape allegation, am I correct?”

“Partly sir, I have another reason but...”

“Then on a side of the coin, would you have left the reception if the rape case was not brought to your notice?”

“No sir”

“Then you ran away because of it, I might be wrong but leave me to my conclusion. What I just want to say is this, I know you feel we pushed into this whole marriage thing down your throat, but just to make it clear, I told my son specifically to see you and decide if he would love to marry you, if not then we would not allow it. I am a proud man yes, but I would love to tell you here and now that I will not subscribe to anything that would make either of you unhappy. In relationships, there are always hurdles, we jump over them with the strength we get come love from our partner and the information we get from the communication. I am sure if you told Tokunbo about what you learned, he would have told me and we would have sorted it without you having to run away, but all that is in the past now I am confident there is something about the two of you that is beautiful, so I would like you both to go home and try to build a home and shut out all the noise and the distractions, if things are not working as you expect, lock the doors and settle it before you allow anyone else in or before either of you go out. So is there something either of you would like to say?”

“Just that I am sorry for whatever my action might have cost you, I am truly sorry. But what do we do about the DNA test, what if it is positive or negative or…?”

“In the mean time, we wait, when it comes, we will have another meeting like this, but I want to bet you that it would not be positive, I know the boy I raised to become a man, he would not look me in the eye and tell me otherwise if he actually did it, especially something of this magnitude. Chief Ajayi replied.

<<<<To be continued>>>>

Hmmmm...

•What's your take on this recent development?

•Do you think the DNA test with clear Tokunbo of the allegations mettled to him?

EPISODE 20
It was a night the couple would not forget in a hurry. The moment Chinwe and Tokunbo came together, there was no letting go at all. Chinwe was overtaken with passion like a child in a candy shop while Tokunbo made sure there was no short supply of excitement.

Just like a deer panting for water in a dry season, the couple kept at it until they both fell tired out and fell asleep. *************************************

Joseph was sitting on one of the chairs in Clara’s apartment waiting for her to come back from putting Henry to sleep. He had insisted on waiting and talking with her face to face instead of doing the talk over the phone as they have been doing for some days now.

He got a feeling she is not looking forward to the trip they would be embarking on in the morning and would like to help reassure her and calm her nerves.

Davis is back in their apartment talking with his sister who insisted she would continue with her course of study. He encouraged his sister to tell their parents now that she might be having an extra year or if she did it better, an extra semester at most.

He was impressed by the way he was handling the situation for his sister, giving her the support she needed and deserved especially since none was forthcoming from their father. Joseph even over heard him promising to pay for the extra semester or year if they flare up more than necessary.

“Sorry Joe, he did not want to sleep.”

“No problem, I am not in any rush.”

“Thanks”

“Do you mind telling me what the worry was about, you look so tensed.”

“First, that would be my first flight ever,” she laughed nervously.

“And I don’t know how tomorrow would go, I just pray everything I do there would be to repair their
marriage and not drive a larger rift in between them.”

Joseph moved close to where she sat and took her hands in his, “the flight would be lovely, just remind me to get a bubble gum for you before leaving. And about those 2, you are going there is to confront him and forgive him totally, not to go over it again and again. Just remember forgiving him would be the first step in moving on.”

She shook her head and clasped their hands together.

“Joseph, what is happening here, between us that is? I don’t want to jump to any conclusion, but I need to know what is happening between us.”

“What is happening is simple, I found a beautiful lady with a funny little boy and I like her, but before we get more serious, I would just love that lady to settle her past so when I fully come out to declare my intention which I believe she already knows, we would have nothing to worry about.”

“Hmmn, I don’t know what to say, but believe me, I will settle my past quickly and come back the day after to hear your declaration.”

“I will be waiting. Don’t forget to send me a message about what I want to get Henry tomorrow morning, I might just forget.”

“Okay, are you leaving now?”

“Yea, I have to, you need to rest for tomorrow and I still need to help you print out your flight schedule before I forget,” he said as he held her hands not wanting to go either. He pulled her into a simple hug.

Clara watched his car drive away and could not help but pray that whatever Chinwe wants to do tomorrow, she better be ready to forgive that husband of hers because she no longer had time to waste nor to convince her.

She went back inside to pack the last of her stuff into the small bag and before she finished, a call from Joseph interrupted her.

“Joe, you must have flown down to your house, it is less than 5 minutes that you left here, mister.”

“The road is free, how are you?”

“I am still fine, fine as you left me.”

“Okay, just wanted to tell you to have a wonderful night rest and see you tomorrow.”

“Okay o, goodnight to you too and have a pleasant night rest too. Say hi to Davis, I can hear him in the background.”

“Yeah, I will. He’s on the phone with his sister.”

They ended the call with him asking her to remind him about the things things he wanted to bring for Henry very early the following morning.

Davis dropped the call he was making, his mother had called him after getting a message from Blessing about her results and her possibility of having an extra year or semester and they did not hold back their disappointment.

He had let them say their fill before asking his mother to listen to him, they had been the reason the girl is failing in the first place because they did not want her to study what she wanted. They had forced their lost dream on their children and now they cannot even encourage her to face the fear of failure without making her feel like the most unserious person in the world?

His mother had wanted to argue with him, but he had asked her to calm down and listen good, if she failed and had an extra year, they can disown her for all he cared. If they liked, they could good their threat, but he would not support them. He would open the door to his sister and take her. He threatened that when she finally makes it, they both would be taking another surname.

His father had come on the phone and called him a ba.....d. That would be the first sentence they would be sharing for close to a month now. He could not be more glad he resigned, took the chance on an MSc in Computer Engineering and now standing up this way for his sister.

The call had not ended well, it had been a lot of shouting from his parents’ end. A call from his mother later, demanding that he called back to apologize to his father, immediately.

Of course he made the call, but not to apologize as they expected, it was to tell him in all humility that he had driven their lives down his own path for too long and should allow them make a decision for themselves for the first time.

Joseph had listened to the calls and wondered where the boldness was coming from, could it be Chinwe had given his dear friend some courage to finally say his mind to his parents?

Talking of Chinwe, Joseph stood up from the chair and went to print the flight schedule for Clara, his darling Clara and funny Henry.
*************************************

When Chinwe woke up, she almost could not open her eyes from the memory of the hour before and the presence of the man lying beside her. She continued to feign sleep until she felt him sit up in the bed.

“You need to stop pretending so we could talk.”

Chinwe gently sat up in bed, holding the duvet as a shield and avoided his eyes altogether.

“I don’t know what to say, but I know what just happened is a clear indication that there is something between us, something good that we share that is worth fighting for, and if and when your friend shows up and we clear the air, we should please, fight for this marriage.”

Instead of responding to his speech, Chinwe attempted to remove herself from the bed but Tokunbo prevented her.

“You have nothing to say? Chinwe, we did not do anything immoral, we are married and I would like us to remain so…, so you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I am not ashamed; I just need to use the bathroom and that is all.”

“Oh, okay, you want me to come with you?”

“No of course not” she replied sounding alarmed, but was surprised to see him smiling down at her instead, so she gave him something looking like a smile before running into the bathroom. At that moment he knew all is not lost, there is hope for their marriage.

Tokunbo called their driver and asked him to be ready to drive them to the airport from the hotel, more than ever he wants to settle the rumor about him and he hopes the lady is mistaken about her claim. He went to the wardrobe and brought out the t-shirt be had beneath the suit and jeans he wore the day before for the interview and waited for Chinwe to finish using the bathroom.

When she did not come out, he knocked on the door to ask if she wanted breakfast to which she said yes, he ordered for toast and baked beans for them both.

When she finally came out of the bedroom, he was disappointed she chose to dress in the bathroom, but he consoled himself that Rome was not built in a day.

He went to use the bathroom and before their breakfast was brought, he came outside and
found her searching between the sheets.

“What are you looking for?”

“My other ear ring, the one you were helping me to remove earlier this morning.”

“I placed it on the dresser there, here it is, but why not wear the other one you wore for the
interview, it will fit this jeans you have on.”
“You think so?”

“Yeah, it is a nice piece.”

The waiter knocked on their door and their breakfast was served, they ate in silence with Tokunbo mainly looking at her face throughout the entire meal and Chinwe trying not to look.

When his phone rang, Chinwe saw that he had changed his screen saver to the picture of them the night before, one of the many pictures Nkem took, and in the corner of her heart, it pleased her.

“Chris, how far?”

“How are you?”

“I am fine; can you believe the party was just like the reception that we missed?”

“Really, so how was it?”

“Good good, I will talk to you later, because we have to get going now?”

“No problem, but I hope all is fine, Chinwe and others?”

“We are fine, see you later?”

He helped her with her bag to the car and when he sat down beside her this time, he found it easy to ask her some questions, talk about the news, listen to the music and listen to her sing.

The conversation was still not that smooth, but it was better than the silence they have been subjecting themselves to.

The tension however retuned when they got to the airport and the waited at the arrival point for Clara, he still does not know about the son, but Chinwe is ready for them to talk things out this time and would love her friend to forgive him.

Henry was the first person she saw and she ran to pick him up in her hands swinging his little body above the ground and swinging him round before Clara came with the bag, they all hugged as Tokunbo watched without any ability to speak or move, something about the little boy looks familiar.

When he got a better look at him, there it is, the little boy looks like him, he sees the birthmark on his forehead and he wondered if that is the reason he is being accused.

He watched them patiently as they all tried to talk and hug at the same time, the other lady’s face totally unfamiliar to him.

Some minutes later, they walked towards him and he watched the woman’s face clearly to see if he could place it, but nothing came to his mind.

“Hi, welcome and how was your trip?”

“Fine, thank you.”

“What is the little boy’s name?”

“Henry”

“Hello Henry” Tokunbo stretched his hand to him but instead of taking the handshake, he went into his arms instead, making Chinwe hand him over to him.

He ended up seating with him at the front of the car, while the two friends sat at the back. The tension was so palpable in the car, but Henry kept looking over his shoulder to ask either of them for something.

When they got home, Chinwe showed her to a room as Henry refused to go with them, walking with Tokunbo to the guest room instead.

He went to the kitchen next to get him a cup of water and to wait for Chinwe to come out so they can agree when they can have the talk.

“Henry, your mom is calling you.” Chinwe said as she came out of the third room.

They both watched as he ran off to the room his mother was.

“I think you need to feed them, they must be hungry.”

“Yes, I will heat something up.”

“When do you think we can have this conversation?”

“When she’s rested I guess.”

“Okay, let me know. But you should have warned me she has a child.”

“Does that change anything?”

“Not really, I was just surprised to see her with a boy.”

“Well, we will talk about all that later.”

“Yeah”

Clara was still shaken at seeing that face again after all these years and she called Joseph immediately she was alone. She was not sure she could do it without some encouragement too.

“Hi, have you landed? I was just about to call you.”

“We have reached her house too; they were at the airport to pick us up.”

“Okay, so did you see him?”

“Yes and I must confess I am shaken, he still looks the same.”

“Just focus on why you are there and remember he can no longer hurt you. You are way beyond him now and when you forgive him, he will be beneath you, continue to remind yourself of that, hmm. I will be waiting for your call after the meeting.”

“Thanks, how is Davis?”

“Fine but in school.”

After freshening up and a bowl of garri and soup, she put Henry to sleep and decided to not prolong the inevitable. She walked to the
sitting room and asked Chinwe to call Tokunbo and they can the conversation.

The two of them took seats apart from each other and Tokunbo went first.

“Hello Clara, I am glad to finally meet you, I trust your flight was good.”

“Yeah it was.”

“So we all are here, how do we begin? Okay let me, I got married to Chinwe three weeks ago and she ran from our reception, when she came back last week, she told me I raped someone some years back and she left me because of that, as a matter of fact, she asked for a divorce because she thought I raped you.”

“I know all that happened and I was the one who told her you raped me, August 18, 2000, at the Colossal Club, it is not too long ago for you to have forgotten.”

“I still don’t think you are talking to the right person, yes, I was in Nigeria that time, but I don’t even know where this club is and I have never been there.”

“See, Mr. Ajayi…”

“Tokunbo is fine.”

“Tokunbo, I am meeting you to just tell you that I was raped by you and I had a child from that unlucky incident. I am not here to cause more trouble for you two, because I believe we all have to move on but to tell you that I have forgiven you and I would like you...” turning to Chinwe now “to live beyond the past and embrace the future.”

Tokunbo looked at the woman in front of him and was impressed at how mature and courageous she sounded, but she is mistaken here, he did not need her forgiveness.

“See Clara, I am sorry to say this, but I don’t need your forgiveness, I did not rape you Clara. Today is the first time I am setting eyes on you.”

<<<<<To be continued>>>>

EPISODE 19
The couple remained cordial to each other. On Wednesday before she woke up, he already made some fresh juice for her, he knocked when she did not come out on time and when she asked what he wanted, he said he was just checking on her to see if she was okay.

On Thursday, she decided to pick out the attire for the Friday event especially when she got a call from the lawyer, who said she would soon be called for an interview.

However, she would love if they could have it the following week. She also called to inform Clara that she would be traveling on Saturday and a return flight would be booked for Sunday. She made a mental note to book the flight for her and Henry later in the day and send the code to him on time too.

The tension in the house has reduced and they moved about their daily chores with knowledge and respect for each other. She even received her brother in the house and Tokunbo played a good host. They played a couple of games, ate and watched a movie together before he returned home later in the day and to their respective rooms. Chris also stopped by but did not stay long. Davis’ call has also reduced as they have less to talk about now; all these within just a few days?
*************************************

FRIDAY
Tokunbo woke up and imagined how the day would go, the message they got from the lawyer said they should be ready to be picked up abound 11:30. He took a look at his phone.to check the time and saw that it was some minutes past 6:00 am.

He stood up to have his bath because he knew he would not be getting anymore sleep, after his bath, he checked the clothes he picked for the 2 events they would be having. The interview and the dinner. The fear in his stomach is actually because of the guest they would be having the day after.

When the driver from her father- in- law arrived to pick them up, Tokunbo was ready but needed to check with Chinwe if she was, so he could ask the driver to come in or not. When he knocked on the door…

“I will be out soon!”

When she finally came out of the room, he almost fell off his seat; she was clad in a glimmering black dress, stopping some inches
above her knees. The gown fitted her perfectly and he wondered if he could keep his hands off her, especially her neck with her hair packed high up on her head in a soft bun.

Chinwe almost dropped her bag when she saw Tokunbo staring at her with a look that she cannot describe. He looked immaculate in the white plaid tuxedo and black t-shirt he has on with a pair blue jeans, he has another suit resting on the back of the chair he sat on and when he finally stood up, she almost told him he is handsome and if she said it, she would have meant it.

They went outside together and took the back seat as the driver drove them off to the venue.

Tokunbo took out the list of question and answer they got from the lawyer and he read through them, but he could swear he was not getting anything to his brain. The beauty queen seated beside him is taking all his concentration.

When they arrived at the hotel and were led to the room where subjected to some experts patting on their faces, they did some magic with Chinwe’s hair and the result was simply splendid. The interview they were told would start about an hour later.

Chinwe was not surprised to see her mother and brother there. They told them her father would be
arriving late, some minutes later after he arrived, Tokunbo’s parents also arrived and the interview started.

The first session of the interviewed were just for Tokunbo and Chinwe and most of the questions were what they were prepared for, after that, the 4 parents were included and most of the questions were directed to her father, who answered them like an expert and almost believably.

Nkem was also asked some questions as the brother of the kidnapped, after which pictures
were taken; when the reporters finally left, night had come and they were led to a room where they could change and retire to when the party is over.

Tokunbo watched Chinwe excuse herself to the bathroom to change into the dress for the night and he waited patiently as she did, when she came out it was in a long wine dress with some stoned adorning the neckline. She took his breath away and could not pretend not to be looking, which she caught him in “You look pretty amazing” he said softly.

“Thanks” she said shyly as she moved to the dressing table to change her neck piece and earrings, Tokunbo’s eyes went to the back of her dress and noticed the zipper was not fully up, so he walked to her and did the final touch on the zipper and they both froze in the process; their eyes locked in the mirror.

A knock on the door shook them out of their reverie and Tokunbo quickly walked away from her as if he had been caught doing something wrong. He opened the door gently and allowed Nkem into the room, who was grinning slyly as if he wanted to crack a joke on his sister and he expected her to open the door.

“Sorry, I thought Chinwe would open the door.”

“Come on in.”

“Babe, you look wow” Nkem said dramatically.

“Thanks, what am I seeing, you are looking good too.”

Chinwe stood up and took a good look at her brother who was grinning like a don.

“Excuse me you two, I need to change too before we all go downstairs.”

Tokunbo excused himself from the room and returned later to find them laughing as Nkem was taking her pictures.

“I like this suit too, it must be from the same designer as the one you wore earlier.” Nkem said to Tokunbo.

“Thanks and yeah, the same designer.”

“Why not stand beside her let me take a picture of you 2 before we go downstairs.”

“Don’t worry, we will get…”

“Bro, move!” Nkem commanded and was surprised to see Tokunbo standing beside his sister and he took several shots of them.

A thought occurred to him and the smile on his face alerted his sister who asked.

“What evil are you planning?”

“Just oblige me, you hear, Bro. Toks, can you just hold her on the waist and rest your head on her head, yeah…, just like that, perfect.”

“Wait” Chinwe was about to protest.

“Just stand still, it’s just a picture, Chinwe” Tokunbo whispered into her ear as she tried to fidget away from his gently hold on her waist.

Nkem took several pictures of them and when he finally told them to sit down, he showed them the pictures and Tokunbo was blown away by the beauty he captured.

“Nkem, these pictures are good, you should do this for money abeg.”

“Ahh, and let Senator disown me?”

“What do you mean?”

“He would not hear any of it when I told him I wanted to do Industrial Design and major in photography; he told me he would buy me a
professional camera if I graduate with at least a second class upper in Geophysics. Look through, you would see some from your wedding before the reception when this Dundee ran away.”

That earned him a poke from his sister and a chuckle from Tokunbo, who looked through the pictures and saw the sadness in her eyes for the first time.

After going through the pictures, he passed the phone to Nkem.

“I need all those photos.”

“You’ve got to pay for them, I was not your official photographer.”

“We will discuss price later, send them first.”

“Nah, I know better, do you know who my father is?, I learnt from him.”

“So how much are you getting for them?”

“You are not really thinking of paying him, are you?” Chinwe asked in disbelief as she watched both of them.

“They are his and I must confess, he did a good job, so dude, how much for them all.”

“I could get everything from him without a dime entering his pocket believe me” Chinwe said.

“There are about 48 shots in all, that would be like 1k for each” he said with a smirk on his face and Chinwe rolled her eyes in a playful disgust as they bargained and agreed on a price; which Tokunbo transferred to him before he started transferring the pictures to his phone.

“You need to brush up this photography thing, they are so nice.”

“Thanks, and as my first client, your next photoshoot would be on the house.”

They all burst into laughter and the phone ring interrupted them.

“Hello, ok, right away” Tokunbo answered the phone.

“Let’s go, that was your mom, they are downstairs already for the party.”

They all went down to the hall and when the door was opened for them, Tokunbo was shocked at the crowd. He turned to Chinwe and took her hands gingerly in his, expecting her to withdraw but was surprised when she held him back. They both walked into the room, with Nkem right behind them.

The MC was hilarious and kept directing questions to the couple, the guest artists were there on the stage when her father introduced
them to some of his cabinet members, who were happy at her safe return and blessed her marriage and said they would be around in the next 9 months to name another Ajayi-Babalola.

Chinwe spotted her parents-in-law and walked to them to say hello, her father in-law was quite chatty and when he left her with her mother in-law Chinwe wanted to escape.

“I am glad you both are getting over your differences, but if there’s any way I can be of help, don’t hesitate to call me, you hear?” She said before another socialite claimed her attention again.

Chinwe found Tokunbo staring at her from the corner of the room and she tried to quickly walk away, but she saw him walking towards her instead.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

But before she could answer, Nkem took a picture of them, and Chinwe could imagine what they would look like in the picture, with Tokunbo leaning close to her to ask her the question.

“You slowpoke, get out of here.”

“Leave the man, he is just doing his work, remember chap, it would be free this time, so take as much as you like.”

“Thanks jare, it’s a relief to finally get someone who finally believes in my dream.”

“Oh God!” Chinwe shook her head at them as she took another glass of wine from the waiter walking past them.

“I don’t want to believe you are a heavy drinker, I lost count of the number of glasses I’ve seen you take since we joined the party.”

“Are you scared I might embarrass us here, don’t worry, I am a pro.”

“Just be careful.”

“I always am...”

“Now ladies and gentle men, I would like to invite to the dance floor, the most important people of tonight’s gathering, they are the reason we are having this gathering tonight. Call it another reception, after the almighty God orchestrated the return of our dear sister from the hands of the fools that interrupted her wedding reception, give it up to Mr. and Mrs. Ajayi!”

The MC got the attention of everyone and before long the whole guests in attendance made way for them as the cool music took the room and she found herself dancing to the beautiful rendition from the band.

Everything felt so perfect as Tokunbo swirled her gently on the ground floor and they moved as one, camera flashes could be seen from different angles of the room and Tokunbo couldn’t care less if the whole world was watching them now, all that matters most to him is in his arms now, and everything is perfect. Tomorrow would surely bring the fear again, but he would cherish this moment forever.

Chinwe could not believe she felt so at home in his arms and it felt as if the whole problems of the world could go to hell. This man holding her is doing it so right and tomorrow will just have to wait, it has to, tonight is for them.

Nkem watched both of them on the dance floor through the screen of the phone he is using to cover the whole dance and he could not but smile and conclude, they look like love birds.
*************************************

After saying their thanks and shaking hands, they went back to their room and Tokunbo decided what he has to do, if he has to beg her to forgive him for whatever it is she believed he had done, then he had to, he was definitely not going to lose her.

He walked back to the bed where she sat, trying to get her earring out of her ear but instead of saying what he wanted to say, he bent down and helped her to free the ring from her ear lobe and that was where they lost it.

Not knowing who made the first move, they both got into it. They were in each other arms doing what married couples do and what should have been done weeks ago.

<<<<<To be continued>>>>>

EPISODE 18
Earlier that morning,, Tokunbo received a message from hismother-in-law asking him to
“ please, be patient with her, I know God will make all things right ”.

As if they were together, he got a call from his mother....

“Tokunbo, how are things, has she spoken with you?”

“Not really ma, but I know she will.”

“It is not easy to live like that, but I want to implore you to be patient with her, be good to her, that would make you have a little control. Don’t be rude or unkind to her, whatever is eating her would be killed with a little compassion from you. She must have had a difficult life with that wicked man called her father. So don’t be quick in ruling her out of your life.”

She said so much and all he could just hold on to is to be patient and kind with her; which he planned to do.

“Chinwe, I need to get to the store, I want to pick up some things from there, is there anything you will like me to get for you.”

Tokunbo announced at the bedroom door, holding his breath for the NO he knew she. would say.

“No, thanks”

“Okay, but I noticed you have not been eating much, give me a list of something we could have in the kitchen, you need to eat.”

“You can buy anything; I will be fine with anything you buy.”

“See, I don’t really want to argue with you and I want to make you comfortable as much as I can, you barely eat since you came to this house on Saturday, if you know there is nothing we can do till your friend comes on Saturday, let’s be well and alive till she comes.”

Chinwe looked up from her phone on the bed she sat and stared at the man standing at the door, he seems to be making sense.

“I will meet you outside, let me change my clothes.”

Tokunbo was taken aback by her decision, he did not expect her to respond that way; all he wanted was to get a list of the things she would love to buy.

Minutes later, they drove out of the house, with her sitting beside him, fiddling her phone again. He can’t complain, at least she is willing to be seen with him.

When they got down in front of the supermart, they walked in together, the store was almost empty of customers, since it was a Tuesday morning and most people would be at work.

They went the opposite sides of the store and when they met at the counter, she had very few things in her basket, sanitary pads, toothbrush, roll on, mouth wash, a set of combs, and soaps. Really?

Tokunbo pushed his shopping basket to the cashier and pulled Chinwe back to the food and grocery section.

“We need food, help me, please” he said in an almost frustrated whisper.

She looked at him and pulled a bigger shopping basket and walked to the shelves, picking all sorts of canned food, with Tokunbo following closely. When the basket was almost full and was pulling it with a noticeable effort, Tokunbo took it from her as she continued to pick, inspect, replace or drop some items.

When they got to the frozen food section, he watched as she picked a pack of washed snails.

“You can take for yourself, but I don’t eat snails” he said.

“Really?”

“I don’t eat it.”

“Okay” she said as she picked one pack and took some shrimps and chicken instead, when they finally got back to the counter, the cashier asked politely.

“Can I go ahead now?”

“No no, wait!” Chinwe said as she disappeared between the shelves again, making Tokunbo smile at how beautiful she looks.

She returned with a loaf of bread and a pack of grape fruits.

When the cashier finished adding all they bought, he paid with his card and a boy appeared beside him to carry everything they bought, leaving the bread behind, he quickly took it from Chinwe so she doesn’t have to carry a thing.

Chinwe looked at his back as he walked ahead of her to the park. He is quite a gentle man, she always knew that, just that the circumstances would not allow her to commend him.

The drive back to the house was quiet and Chinwe did not like the silence, she reached for the radio at the same time Tokunbo did and theythey both withdrew their hands immediately.

“Go ahead” Tokunbo said as he focused on the drive.

Chinwe turned on the radio and tuned to a station playing some good music, she sang along some of them and Tokunbo could not but look at her sometimes.

When they got to the house, Tokunbo handed her the keys and asked her to open the door for him, which she did without arguing. He moved all the bags at once and went straight to the kitchen. She joined him in the kitchen and they started unpacking, storing away and clearing the table together.

The moment looked almost perfect, only if they could talk. The last bag contained Chinwe’s toiletries, he handed it over to her as he went to the guest room to drop his.

Chinwe went to the room to drop off her things; an idea popped into her head as she was in her room. She went back to the kitchen and started cooking.
*************************************

Tokunbo opened his laptop and started replying some mails that needed his urgent attention, when he finished with the mails, he quickly searched online for some t some news to read. However, that was short lived, he abandoned the search for news and quickly typed in Google search bar... “how to make my wife happy”.

So many blogs, articles and features were brought as results and he glanced through them and picked one that looked interesting.

He read the article and would have readily clapped for the writer because he nailed it, or may be the writer is a woman, he did not bother to check.

He decided to make use of 2 of the numerous points stated...
1. Compliment her.
2. Pay attention to her.

With those 2 ideas, he went out of his room to get a bottle of water and almost stopped in his tracks at the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. He quickly went into the kitchen and saw Chinwe frying, tossing, turning and wiping her hands at the counter, beads of sweat settled on her forehead. He went into the spacious kitchen and opened the back door to allow in some cool air.

“Smells nice, well done.”

“Thanks” she looked up from what she was turning a little bit surprised.

“Can I Help?”

“No thanks, I’m almost through.”

Tokunbo walked to the sink and started washing the dirty bowls, utensils and pans she used; she stopped what she was doing to look closely at him, like seriously.

“Well, if washing would make me eat from whatever it is that you are cooking, then wash I will.”

Tokunbo said and continued washing.

Chinwe just had to return to the fried rice she was turning on the cooker. With the plates washed, wiped and arranged, utensils hung and the counter wiped clean,

Chinwe took out 2 plates and dished some rice for the 2 of them. Tokunbo watched as she placed a plate of hot steaming rice, chicken and some plantain in front of him and was more surprised when she sat on another chair at the table.

They ate in silence and in between each mouthful of the delicious meal.

Tokunbo kept contemplating striking a conversation with her but each time, he thought better of it.

When he finished his food, he looked at his wife’s plate and saw she could not finish hers.

“That was a very lovely meal, thanks.”

“You are welcome, there’s more in the kitchen” she said when she found him looking at her plate.

“No, I’m fine, thanks.”

He stood up from the table and took his plate to the sink washed and dried it. He returned to the table to sit with her. Not hiding that he wants to make them work; just not clear on how to start a conversation with her, so when she stopped eating , he stood up and went to his room.

Chinwe watched him walk to the guest bedroom as she struggled to finish the rice in front of her. She seemed to have eaten to her full, she stood up also to wash her plate.

She stood against the counter and went over the day’s event in her head, they went to the store together, ate together and she knew she enjoyed it and would love more of it. She wished the turn of event had been different. For the past 4 days, he has been very patient with her, and kept denying he did not rape anyone.

For the first time since she ran away, she prayed Clara would be wrong and they could move on with their lives, she deserved to be happy and so does he.

<<<<<To be continued>>>>>

EPISODE 17
“What nonsense are you saying?”

“Senator, it is either you listen to me this time or no show. I want to work and I must be sure of a place to work before I get out there to give more lies.”

Senator looked at Tokunbo to see if the decision was from them both but saw the same surprise mirrored on his face.

“You can work at your husband’s side when he resumes office after the press conference.”

“I am not working beside anyone, get your phone and call your friends and get a position for me somewhere; otherwise, I will tell them I eloped and will tell them more than you want them to know, sir.” She added the word spitefully.

“Chief, about her working, I can arrange that, we need an administrator at our chamber and
she could work there, but you have to still meet with my partners so we can decide a befitting salary, I’m sure we could use your expertise and education. Is that alright with everyone?” the lawyer sensed trouble and decided to interfere quickly.

Tokunbo looked up and was surprised they were all looking at him to give his blessings; so he was the ‘everyone'?

“I am totally fine with that, it is what she wants” Tokunbo replied with a shrug.

“So that is settled, on Friday hopefully in the afternoon, we give the interview and later that night, we will have a dinner party to host our well wishers; it will also serve as a welcome party for you my dear.”

“Sir, don’t deceive yourself, it s more like a campaign party than a welcome party. Well, I am still standing on the condition; no job no
interview.”

“Young lady, you will not push me to suit your desire.”

“Father, you have pushed me to suit yours longer than I can recall, so it is either my way or no way,” she replied him hotly and walked out of the room, leaving everyone staring after her.

Tokunbo walked their guest out and watched as they drove off in a Hilux vehicle full of police blaring their siren as they went.
*************************************

Davis sat down at the desk in the admin room of the café and read from his laptop, his mind was not on the pages opened in front of him but on the woman that has been occupying his thoughts. He decided to take a careful and logical look at the situation, could she give them a chance irrespective of the situation confronting her at the moment. Would he really take that leap with her, considering who her father is and the kind of force he pulls.

Is Chinwe even willing to divorce the man she is married to or is there more holding them together than what she told him?

She once liked the guy enough to marry him and she only left him because of the incident with Clara, even though she claims they have
nothing more to do with each other and that they are only together because of her father, would she give them a chance?

Each time he tried to open a discussion down that line of thought, she always said something to change the topic or ask him to forget about him. He really likes her but who was he kidding, do they have a future together or is he simply grabbing onto nothing?

One thing he cannot deny is that he likes her a lot and feels comfortable discussing things with her, maybe because they are practically the pawns in their parents’ hands or because he could relate with the vulnerability she exuded.

They have never stopped chatting nor talking since she left Uyo. His phone vibrated and he smiled as he saw Clara’s number calling him, funny how you think of Chinwe and Clara calls. They agreed to meet today at the café to help discuss how much she could get a laptop and what type she should go for.

Poor lady, he has never stopped admiring her kind of person since Chinwe told him about her. She never looks sad, her approach to everything is all smiles and positivity and she’s funny in a cool way too and yes, Henry, his own buddy always pulls a stunt that makes him smile whenever he thinks about them.

Davis deduced she was not getting much from the new job, and considered paying part of the laptop cost for her without really letting her in on it; he has to tell Joseph about it too. With a genuine affection in his voice he listened to Clara; who just wanted to confirm if he was in the café and would like to come over.

Joseph watched his friend and Clara chatting away and sitting very close, too close for his
comfort. He has never really felt this way about a woman. Yes, he has had his days of wild party, drinking and all that but he stopped when he moved down to Uyo.

He walked up to the chair that was not occupied and pulled it to join them, for all he cares, Davis is still pinning for Chinwe but he has never told him he feels anything for Clara. He pretended to be listening to the explanation Davis was giving about the different laptops that would be affordable to her.

“That is true, I think you should go with that one, it is 65k, or what do you think Rabbi? He is the chief here” Davis turned to his friend.

“Perfect choice”

“Joseph, I heard you opened the café yesterday; why do you open the café on Sunday.”

“Because the house can be boring.”

“Be serious.”

“I mean it, the house can be pretty boring, but I don’t come every Sunday, I just do when some people ask me to come because of them.”

“That means you have to charge them like crazy.”

“Not really, but it can’t be the normal charge.”

“Of course not, let me be in charge of that next time you have a customer” Clara said.

“Mommy, poopoo” Henry announced with a contorted face.

“Ehn, what poopoo are you talking about Henry?” she made to stand up before he spoils the atmosphere. Davis simply stood up and pulled the little man behind him, leaving his friend with Clara; he probably needs it, seeing the way he keeps staring at her when he thinks he’s not watching.

“Clara, what’s happening with Chinwe, and before you look at me with those crazy eyes, yes I know everything, but what is happening? With what I gathered from Davis, she is not happy and that can only be solved by you?”

“How do you mean?”

“I mean what do you think is happening with her and her husband, and how long can she live like that. Maybe all she needs is just you forgiving her husband and then she would to, or what do you think? It is not just her life that is in a pause, yours is too and Henry’s.”

“I understand, but I just don’t know if I can face the man just yet.”

“You face him every day; Henry”

“I know, but you can’t imagine how hard it is to even think about it.”

“I can’t but I have an idea.”

“And besides, I have forgiven him.”

“You can’t be sure of that until you can look him in the eyes and say that to him, and on another note, seeing him and straightening things out would make you move on with your life, date other men.”

“Men ke, at this age?” she said with a short laugh.

“What is wrong with you, what are you talking about. How old are you?”

“27 years with a 3 year old boy. You?”

“31, and you are way too young to be ruling out men, sorry a man and for your information, Henry is a better part of the deal if someone dates you. Don’t date men, just date a man; at least one at a time.”

Joseph knew he was blabbing but he could not help himself, he is smitten by her and he prays she knows the underlying truth behind his whole preaching.

“Ok o, so how do I go about this?”

“You can go to Lagos.”

“Where is the money for that now, Joe” Joe?

She already gave him a pet name? Nice.

“Money is the least of the hurdles, the first is your willingness to go, the second is to get Chinwe’s house address and then the money will come.”

“Chinwe told me he said he would like to see me, she sent a text this morning and asked if I would be able to see him.”

“Excellent, then we have a solution. How soon can you take time off work? You can go and
see them.”

“Joe, I don’t know…”

“See, you have to, otherwise, we all will be stuck in this position for a long time,” he announced more forcefully this time as if he were in the position with her. They stared at each other for a long time, neither saying a word, just staring.

“This your son is funny o” Davis said as he returned to the table, breaking the spell.

“What did he do?” she said in a funny voice and cleared her voice.

“He said uncle go back, it will smell o.”

They all burst into laughter and Joseph found himself laughing harder as he swung the little boy up to his laps to sit him down, looking at the mother who could not stop laughing too.
*************************************

Her mother has been on the phone with her for over 10 minutes and the direction of the discussion is becoming uncomfortable.

“Chi, you know what I want to say? I know you have your reason but if you can’t tell me, that means it is between you and Tokunbo, but for goodness sake, I have watched that boy and he is a good kid, I know you know he is and I am suspecting something happened before you met him that changed your mind, but please, settle it and find a way to move beyond that. I don’t have another man to find for you, but if he has not murdered anyone or you found a shrine in his room or he raised his hand against you then please settle whatever it is."

"Give him a chance to prove to you he is a good man, don’t shut him out totally and choose each day at a time. Please, see beyond the things you think you know about him and learn to forgive. Forgive him, forgive your father, forgive everyone you think has wronged you, you will sleep better at night when you do that.”

She did not ask what happened again but ended the call. Chinwe dropped her phone on the bed and expected her Mom to call back and when her phone rang again, she took a look at the screen.

“Hello Chinwe?”Clara said over the phone.

“Clara, how are you, did you see my message?”

“Yeah, I did, told him I would see him. I will take time off on Friday and would come with Henry. We will come back on Saturday.

“Are you sure about this?”

“Of course I am, we all need to move on, far beyond this mess holding us all in position.”

“True, thanks a lot. How was your day?”

“Fine, I went to the cafe.”

“How is Joseph? I have not really spoken with him since I left on Saturday."

“He is fine, he even dropped us off and they left not too long ago.”

“Hmm, you sound like you like that.”

“Yeah, he’s showing me break light, but has not really said it in plain words, but I like him too.”

“I like him too, just be careful and don’t you dare shut him out.”

“I hear, goodnight, approko madam.”

“Ahhh, when he reach the time where I wan ask questions now, you dey say good night, ok o, good night.”

Chinwe smiled to her phone and imagined her friend with Joseph. Clara needs a man and Joseph is a good specimen, his sense of humour is what Clara would need more at this time.

Since her father left in the morning with his lawyer, Tokunbo has practically disappeared and they have not crossed each other’s path ever since. All day she has been either chatting with her friends or calling someone to while away time. She needs to inform Tokunbo that Clara would be willing to come to Lagos to see them, so he would be prepared about buying the tickets
for her and the son. She walked to the door of the guest room and knocked gently and was surprised the door opened slightly at her gently knocks. Without waiting she popped her head into the room and almost screamed.

Tokunbo was in the process of pulling on his shorts, probably preparing to sleep.

“Sorry, I thought you were not inside” she said as she recoiled her neck quickly out of the room.

“Come in” Tokunbo called on her from inside the room.

“I am sorry for barging in on you like that…. I” she said, still standing outside the room.

“Chinwe, you can barge in like that all you want, we are married. To what do I owe this honour?” he pulled the door opened and invited her in, but she remained outside still, so he stepped out of the room.

“Clara, my friend that you…”

“That said I raped her? So that is her name, don’t worry, you can say it, so what about her.”

“She agreed to see you, this Friday.”

“This Friday too, that would be the same day we will be having the dinner you father told us about this morning, can she come on Saturday instead?”

“She works and she wants to return on Saturday.”

“Well, she can return on Sunday.”

“I will have to ask her.”

“Please do, so that we can have time to talk and we can personally pick her up from the airport.”

“Alright, I will tell her.”

“Would that be all?” Tokunbo asked.

Chinwe still stood there, staring at everywhere, except his face.

“Yeah” she turned quickly and left the room.

It is amazing how they could have this kind of conversation agree over it and they can’t seem to find that kind of effort to make other conversations.

Well, well, well, far be it that she finds him attractive. Could she possible still like him and feels uncomfortable alone with him?

Well, if it any consolation, he finds her attractive too and must confess that he would love to feel that the feeling is mutual. Tokunbo thought to himself as he shut down the laptop he had on and settled for a lonely night again. What a way to spend a honeymoon.

<<<<To be continued>>>>

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