Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl - Literature (3) - Nairaland
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| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 5:40pm On Aug 24, 2025 |
Ibunkun1:  |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 5:41pm On Aug 24, 2025 |
jupitre:lol! |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by Vulcanheph(m): 1:11pm On Aug 26, 2025 |
repogirl , today na Tuesday oh! |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 8:25pm On Aug 26, 2025 |
Vulcanheph:  |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 8:28pm On Aug 26, 2025 |
Dear Readers, Kindly bear with me, please. This week is quite hectic over here preparing for the kids going back to school, so give me till Sunday evening by 9p.m to put the next chapter together. Thanks for understanding. |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by Vulcanheph(m): 5:31am On Aug 27, 2025 |
repogirl:Ewoooo !!!!
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| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by sal1974: 5:59am On Aug 31, 2025 |
repogirl:Noted and kudos for your effort,I know when you finally drop it, it will worth the waiting |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 5:53pm On Aug 31, 2025 |
Hi Guys, Thanks for being patient. Chapter 7 will drop tonight. Sometime around 10p.m. |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 5:54pm On Aug 31, 2025 |
sal1974: thanks for being patient. |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 9:36pm On Aug 31, 2025*. Modified: 10:03pm On Sep 07, 2025 |
Chapter 07 Eleven Years Ago Ezinne was unbelievable, Mofe thought to himself. He still couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that they had fought over sex of all things. After everything he had given her, every piece of himself he had poured into their relationship, she still wanted more, still measured his devotion by that one act. As if he wasn’t already carrying enough weight on his back, she had chosen to make him feel as though he wasn’t doing enough for her. The thought stung. Because he loved her. God, he loved that girl so much it twisted something sharp inside him to think she couldn’t see it, to think that she could doubt the way he cherished her. How did she not understand? How did she not see how sacred she was to him? He wanted her, yes, but not like that yet; not rushed, and definitely not pressed into something that would cheapen what they had. What they shared was pure, rare, and he wasn’t ready to stain it with hurried need. There would be time for that … plenty of time. Why couldn’t she just trust him to do things the right way? His chest tightened, and he let out a long, shaky breath. It wasn’t just her impatience that gnawed at him, it was the world pressing in on all sides. Eric’s frantic call still rang in his ears. His boss, Mr. Doherty, the man who trusted him to house-sit his compound, was back in town and demanding to see him. Soldiers were circling Ezinne’s family compound like he was some criminal, and her father had branded him a kidnapper for daring to elope with his daughter. Eric had been trying to reach him for two days, and where was he? Hiding away with Ezinne, letting her talk him into silence, into switching off his phone and shutting out reality. If he had kept his head, none of this would have spiraled so far. Now, his employer thought he was missing, maybe even running from responsibility. If the man had left Lagos and flown into Abuja just to find him, then Mofe was neck-deep in trouble. And yet, even knowing all this, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. Not one moment spent with her. He knew from the start her idea was reckless, and maybe even foolish —but the Romeo in him had gone along anyway, drunk on her presence, on the way she made him feel alive. He wasn’t afraid of her father, not even of the General’s soldiers circling like hawks. There had to be a way through this mess, some road back to reason. What weighed heavier on him was the thought of his Aunt, the woman he called mother. Thank God Eric had kept her in the dark. She didn’t need to know what storm he had gotten himself caught in. She didn’t deserve to be brought into this chaos. But Ezinne… she was worth it. She was always worth it. He only wished she could see that his restraint wasn’t rejection—it was reverence. Mofe had already called his boss a little earlier after leaving the hotel, so he knew he was expected. Still, his chest tightened as he got closer to the tall black gate of the compound he lived in. Everything around looked calm in the estate, the neatly trimmed hedges moved softly with the evening breeze, but inside, Mofe felt anything but calm. He pushed the gate open slowly, the iron hinges groaning as if warning him, before stepping inside. His footsteps echoed on the paved stones, sounding too loud in the silence, like the whole place was waiting to judge him. He braced himself for whatever was coming. The main house rose tall and spotless, its cream walls catching the last light of the day. Normally, whenever his boss came to Abuja, he would call ahead, and Mofe would rush down to air the rooms, dust the furniture, and make everything ready. But this time had been different since this hadn’t been a planned visit. Mofe hadn’t been at the house for a few days, although he’d tidied the compound about two weeks ago. The compound looked neat -ish on the outside, it was the interior of the house that he couldn’t be sure about. In Abuja, finding a place to stay was like finding gold, and Mofe knew how lucky he was. His aunt Moni had used her connections to get him this job and free accommodation in such an expensive city. The last thing he could afford was to embarrass her. She always stuck her neck out for him, and if he ever felt he let her down, it would hurt him. He pressed the doorbell, and the chime rang faintly inside. Silence stretched for a moment, then he heard slow, steady footsteps moving toward the door. It opened, and there stood Mr. Doherty. His face was firm, not smiling, not angry, at least not yet. “Mofe,” he said curtly. “Good afternoon, sir.” Mofe bowed slightly, keeping his tone respectful. “Afternoon.” The older man wasted no time. His brows pulled together as he said, “What is this I am hearing from General Onu? That you kidnapped his daughter?” Mofe’s heart dropped. The words cut sharply, harsher than he had braced himself for. “I’ve been trying your phone for two days now,” Mr. Doherty continued, his voice clipped with disapproval. “No answer. I had to come here myself to find out whether you have truly turned into a kidnapper.” Mofe’s mouth went dry. He forced the first words that came to him, keeping his eyes lowered because he couldn’t withstand the man’s piercing stare. “I didn’t kidnap Ezinne, sir.” Mr. Doherty narrowed his eyes. “But she is with you?” “She… she said she needed a break from her father,” Mofe stammered. “She came to me.” “And you took her in? Another man’s daughter? Do you even hear yourself?” The disappointment in Mr. Doherty’s tone was heavier than shouting. “Mofe, are you thinking straight at all?” “I—I thought I was helping her, sir,” he said weakly. “Helping her?” Mr. Doherty snapped, his voice rising. “Do you know who her father is? Do you know the weight of this matter? General Onu has already had your cousin detained at the police station. You are in far bigger trouble than you realize.” The words struck Mofe like blows. Eric… detained? His chest tightened even more. Eric hadn’t mentioned anything about being arrested when they last spoke. Mr. Doherty shook his head gravely. “I vouched for you. I only gave you access to this house because of the respect I have for your Aunt. But this—this is reckless, irresponsible. I cannot house a kidnapper in my compound. You must go and plead with the General directly if you hope to save yourself.” Panic laced Mofe’s voice as he pleaded, “Sir, please, I’m sorry. I never thought it would get this far. Please, leave my aunt out of this. She has nothing to do with this issue, please don’t tell her, I beg you.” But Mr. Doherty’s expression was immovable. “I can’t turn a blind eye, Mofe. I will not let my premises become part of a scandal. Move your belongings out within the week. You are no longer welcome here.” And with that, the man shut the door firmly in his face. Mofe stood frozen on the porch, staring at the polished wooden door as if it might reopen. But it didn’t. The weight of what he’d just lost settled heavily on him. His job. His accommodation. The wages he had been counting on to build his travel savings, gone in one stroke. For a long moment, he let the disappointment wash over him, but he knew he couldn’t afford to dwell. There was no time. If Eric was truly in police custody, that had to take priority. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and turned away from the house. He made a quick detour to the small apartment in the boys quarters part of the compound where he stayed, dropped off his laptop bag, and then hurried straight to Ezinne’s house next door. But when he arrived at the familiar gate, even Adamu, who had once been warm and welcoming, met him with an icy stare. The air between them was thick with hostility. “Hi Adamu, please,” Mofe greeted, trying to keep his voice calm, “let me see Oga. I need to explain.” The gateman’s lips pressed into a hard line. He didn’t return the greeting, only looked at Mofe as if he were something foul. “Oga General don carry police arrest your brother. E dey for State Police headquarters wey dey Central Area. Na there you go find am.” He finally replied, his voice dripping with disdain as he spoke in heavily accented pidgin. With that, Adamu swung the smaller gate shut, the clang reverberating like a verdict. Mofe exhaled slowly, his shoulders slumping. He had lost his job, his home, and now, his cousin’s freedom hung in the balance. He rubbed a hand down his face, muttering under his breath, “What have I gotten myself into?” And with that, he started towards the Central Area. ******* Ezinne was restless and out of sorts. She hated fighting with Mofe, hated the tension that lingered in the air after he’d stormed out of the hotel room. The silence he left behind had become heavy, pressing down on her chest until she felt she couldn’t breathe properly. She kept replaying every word, every sharp glance, every unfinished sentence between them. It gnawed at her that he was so quick to walk away instead of staying to sort it out. The strangest part was the way her body reacted to the fight, her hands trembled slightly whenever she thought about him, her stomach felt unsettled, as though she’d swallowed stones. She didn’t even know what to call the feeling. The closest word was unsettled. She hated it. Her mind circled back to the heart of their argument, Mofe’s restraint. His maddening self-control. She just couldn’t understand how he could claim to want her, to confess it was a struggle to ignore his desires, and yet still hold back. Why was he doing that? If he truly wanted her, why didn’t he act on it? The thought that there might be another explanation, one she didn’t want to entertain, crept into her mind. The only way he could so easily ignore his urges was if he was already being satisfied elsewhere. The idea made her chest ache with a sharp, twisting pain. She quickly shook her head as if to fling the suspicion out of her thoughts. No, that wasn’t Mofe. He wasn’t a man who double-played. He was disciplined to a fault. That was the problem; he lived by rules, by lines he refused to cross, and it frustrated her because she wasn’t built that way. She didn’t have the same iron will to keep her emotions and desires neatly in check. Desperate to distract herself, she tried the television, flipping through channels without really seeing anything that could take her mind off their fight. Everything felt dull and meaningless. Finally, with a resigned breath, she reached for her phone, which had been lying untouched for days. The moment she switched it on, it buzzed to life, flooding with notifications. The screen lit up with missed calls and messages. She already knew what to expect, but still, she felt a heavy sense of apprehension. With a sigh, she opened her messages. The first cluster was from her father. There were dozens of texts stacked one after the other; the earlier ones carried concern and were soft with worry. “Ezinne, where are you? At least let me know you’re safe.” By the middle, the worry had hardened into disappointment. “You’re not picking up your calls. This isn’t like you.” Then came the ones written in full-blown anger. “Do you really think you are making a point by cohabiting with that boy? When you are done with this foolishness, you will have some serious explanations to do.” She closed her eyes briefly, his words stabbing into her. Her father’s disapproval always cut deeper than she wanted to admit. She exhaled, long and heavy, before moving on to the next set of messages. Her friends had written too, their tones gentler, full of worry and confusion. “Ezinne, please just let us know you’re okay. Where did you disappear to? Don’t do anything you’ll regret.” She felt a pang of guilt for keeping them in the dark. She hadn’t told them about her plans because she knew they would have tried to stop her—or worse, betrayed her intentions to her father. Plus, she just hadn’t wanted to drag them into her personal storm. Then, scrolling further down, she froze when she saw his name. Ekene. Of course. Her father must have reached out to him and told him about her disappearance. She opened the message slowly, bracing herself. It wasn’t long, but it carried a weight she hadn’t expected: “Ezinne, I hope you are well wherever you are. I’m sorry I pushed you to this. I know why you left with him. Please don’t do anything drastic. I need to speak with you urgently. If I ever meant anything to you, you’ll call me. We need to talk.” She read it twice, frowning as a strange feeling settled over her. There was something different about his tone this time. She could sense genuine distress, almost desperation, bleeding through the words. Ekene wasn’t one to show cracks easily. Yet here, in just a few lines, she felt his worry pressing through the screen. She hesitated for a moment, trying to determine if she should call him. What was the worst that could happen? They would talk, maybe argue, maybe nothing at all would come out of it. But something in her gut told her she owed him that much, at least to hear him out once. With another sigh, she placed the phone on her lap, staring at the name on the screen. The choice weighed heavily in her chest. Finally, after a long pause, she reached for it again and against her better judgment, she dialed his number. It rang only once before he answered, his voice sharp with urgency. “Ezinne?” Her breath caught, but she forced herself to respond evenly. “Yes… it’s me.” “Ezinne? Oh thank God… I didn’t think you would call ...” His words tumbled out quickly, as if he’d been holding his breath for days. “Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? How worried we all are? You vanish without a word … for two days!” Ezinne pressed her fingers to her temple, her chest tightening. “Ekene, I didn’t vanish. I just needed… space. I needed to think.” “Think?” His laugh was bitter, low. “You call this thinking? Running off with Mofe like a reckless teenager? Do you realize how it looks? To your father? To me?” Her throat constricted. “You don’t get to lecture me, Ekene. Not you. Not after everything you did.” That silenced him for a beat. When he spoke again, his voice was quieter, almost pleading. “I know I treated you unkindly, Ezinne. I know I broke what we had. But this… this isn’t you. You’re better than hiding away with him, and letting everyone imagine the worst. We’ve all been so worried about you. I’m so sorry for everything. I never meant to push you so far that you’d run off with him.” Her jaw tightened. She said nothing, and for a while, the silence lingered between them. It was so sharp it felt like it might cut through her resolve. Then Ekene’s voice broke through, trembling with desperation. “Ezinne… please. Just .. just listen.” His voice cracked, heavy with regret. “I know I ruined things between us and everything I did can never be undone. I was foolish and blinded by anger, by fear of losing you. And now… I’ve lost you anyway.” Her lips pressed into a hard line, but she didn’t interrupt him. “I went to your father yesterday,” Ekene confessed, his words still tumbling out in a rush. “I told him everything. About the thugs, about how I let my rage destroy us. He was furious with me. He was mad at me for the things I did. But he… he only cared about you, Ezinne. He only wants you safe. He wants you to come home.” His voice dropped to a pleading whisper. “Please. For his sake, come back. Don’t keep running. I've confessed my wrongdoings; what else do you need me to do to get you to return home?” Ezinne’s throat tightened. The mention of her father cut through her anger like a knife, stirring feelings of guilt and longing. “I don’t want anything from you, Ekene,” she said quietly, her tone steadier but no less cold. “You don’t get to fix this with apologies or confessions.” “I know,” he whispered back quickly. “I know. I’m not asking you to forgive me, or even to speak to me again. I’ll stay away, from you, from Mofe, from everything that belongs to you. I swear it. Just… Please, don’t punish your father because of me. He doesn’t deserve that.” Her hand trembled around the phone. For a moment, she closed her eyes, fighting the swell of emotion. Finally, she drew in a shaky breath. “I’ll think about it.” And before he could respond, she ended the call and switched off the phone. |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 10:31pm On Aug 31, 2025 |
Present Day Ezinne had had enough of this nonsense. How could he just come back and turn her whole life upside down? He was arrogant, bossy, and exhausting, and she was done with it. She hadn’t missed the cutting tone he had used on Tony at dinner. The same Tony he had hired to run the centre. And yet, in front of her, he’d treated him like some nuisance to be swept aside. She had promised herself to stay calm, to try to ignore his excesses because she hadn’t wanted to fight with him—especially in front of Tony. But Mofe was making it so damn hard. She hated his deep, commanding voice, the way it filled the room as if no other voice mattered. She hated that infuriating scent of his, that her body still remembered. She hated the warm press of his palm on her arm, hated that it still sent heat flooding through her when she should feel nothing. Most of all, she hated that he was here at all. Why couldn’t he have stayed gone? The second the study door closed behind him, she yanked her hand free from his grip. “Who the hell do you think you are, Mofe?” Her voice cracked with rage. “Who the Bleep do you think you are? You vanish for months without a word, and then you stroll back as if nothing happened! You embarrassed my guest—Tony, the very man you hired to manage the centre. If you thought he wasn’t good enough, then why hire him in the first place? Why treat him like trash? Why dismiss every single thing he said tonight?” Her chest rose and fell sharply, her cane trembling in her grasp. She tightened her hold, leaning on it to steady herself, but her fury burned on. “You think you’re untouchable, don’t you? Because you’re this hotshot tech genius now, this wealthy celebrity with the world at your feet? Let me tell you something, Mofe, none of that excuses you. You are a bully! You are a royal ass, and a really, really big jerk!” Her voice shook, half from anger, half from the storm swirling inside her. After a long, heavy silence, Mofe finally spoke, keeping his voice calm and steady. “I agree I was out of line at dinner. I was… surprised to learn you had your employee over for a meal.” And the way he’d made her laugh so easily, he thought bitterly. Once upon a time, he had been the one who owned her laughter. Now, it hurt to see someone else effortlessly draw it out from her. “You two seemed quite close,” he continued, “and I don’t approve of that sort of closeness between you and your staff. That’s not the right relationship.” Ezinne let out a sharp laugh, full of disbelief. “Oh please! Since when do I need your approval for who I invite to dinner?” “That’s not what I’m saying,” he replied, his voice still calm, almost too calm. “I just think there should be boundaries between bosses and employees.” “Boundaries?” Her tone shot up, her anger breaking through. “What line exactly did we cross, Mofe? Tell me! When did a simple home-cooked dinner become a crime? Rachel was here too, so what was improper about it?!” “Ezinne, please… Calm down, we can discuss this calmly. I’ve agreed that I was out of line and I’ve said I’m sorry about my attitude. I’ll do better next time. Just listen to me—” “I don’t have to listen to your bullshit, Mofe!” she snapped. He flinched but pressed on, “Do you really need to use such words? I said I’m sorry.” She glared toward the sound of his voice, her chest heaving. “You’re not sorry. You’ve never been sorry. This is just another one of your games. Another plan to twist me around until I can’t think straight. You vanish without warning, then show up acting all… calm, and cool, hugging me as if you’ve somehow become …different ... But I know you, Mofe. I know your tricks and I’ll find out what your game is soon enough!” Her voice rose until it cracked, carrying all the bitterness she had bottled up. “You don’t get to walk out of my life and then return thinking you have a say in my actions. No! Bleep the hell off back to wherever you came from! Do you hear me?!” She turned on her heel, her hands feeling for the door, her fury pushing her forward. She wanted space, air—anything to breathe again without his shadow pressing close. “Ezinne, please wait,” he pleaded, hurrying after her as she grabbed the knob. He pressed his hand against the door to stop it from opening. “Please,” he tried again, his voice softer now, almost desperate. “I mean it when I say I’m sorry. All I want is peace between us, a truce… a chance to raise our daughter together. I know I left wrong, but I’ve had time to think. Fighting like this isn’t helping anyone. Azora needs us both. I’ve already missed too much of her life.” His voice caught. “Please, Ezinne. All I want is a chance to be the best father I can be. We can work something out, between us—” “Azora!” Rachel’s sharp exclamation cut him off. Mofe froze and turned to see his daughter standing in the hall, eyes wide, her small hands clutching the railing like she was holding herself steady. Guilt was written all over her young face—his face. Ezinne frowned deeply, confusion flashing across her features, before Mofe pulled the door open. Rachel was striding toward them with a look of clear disapproval, and his heart sank. Shit. Azora had definitely heard. He hadn’t planned for her to find out this way. “What is it?” Ezinne demanded, her voice clipped. “It’s Azora… she’s been out here for a while,” Mofe admitted, guilt pressing heavy in his chest. “Azora! You know better than to listen at doors!” Ezinne snapped, her voice sharp and heated. “I—I’m sorry,” Azora stammered, shrinking a little under her mother’s glare. “I only wanted to say hello to Uncle MJ. I didn’t mean to listen.” Ezinne’s eyes narrowed. “And when did you get back? What happened to your sleepover?” “I… I asked Aunty Dara to bring me back home. I just wanted to see… Uncle MJ,” Azora whispered, her voice cracking, tears threatening to fall. Mofe stepped forward, his heart aching at the sight of her trembling lips. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You didn’t mean any harm. Don’t be scared.” “It is not okay!” Ezinne snapped, her voice loud enough to make Azora flinch. “Go to your room. Now.” Azora looked as though she wanted to protest, but Rachel’s firm tone cut in. “Come, Azora.” “But—” Mofe crouched a little to meet her eyes. His voice was soft, steady. “It’s fine, princess. Your mum and I still need to talk. I promise we’ll explain everything later. Go with Aunty Rachel for now.” Azora nodded weakly and let Rachel lead her away. Mofe closed the door with a heavy sigh, then turned—only to face the storm on Ezinne’s features. “I blame you for all this, Mofe!” Ezinne’s voice shook, low but sharp as a knife. “You only bring chaos and discord between my daughter and me! Do you know how long it took before she started talking to me again after you suddenly left? You built this bond with her, made her trust you, then just vanished. Who does that to someone they claim to care about? For weeks she blamed me for your departure and now, just look at what you’ve caused!” Her words hit him like a slap. And suddenly it made sense. She wasn’t only angry for herself, she was angry for their daughter. Ezinne hadn’t been the only one hurt by his sudden absence. Shame weighed heavily on him. In his desperate attempt to distance himself from Ezinne, he’d not considered the little girl whose heart mirrored his own. “She blamed me for weeks!” Ezinne went on, her voice trembling though she kept it low. “I only just got her to put it behind her and now—look. Just your first night back, and already you’ve ripped everything open again.” She turned sharply, leaning on her cane, moving toward the couch. Mofe wanted to steady her but knew better than to try. Instead, he followed silently, sitting across from her as she sank down. He drew a slow breath, forcing the words out. “You can’t imagine how sorry I am for leaving the way I did. At the time, I thought the best thing was to create some distance. After that night… I needed space. I didn’t think Azora would take my departure so hard.” Ezinne let out a bitter laugh. “Really, Mofe? You have a daughter—your daughter—someone you were just beginning to know. And you distanced yourself from her because of something we could have talked through?” “You don’t understand. I—” He cut himself off, biting down the urge to confess the real reason, that being near Ezinne, wanting her, had been too much. But the truth pressed against his chest like fire. If only I’d known running wouldn’t change a damn thing… “Understand what exactly?” she shot back, her voice sharp. “That you have a fiancée? Fine. We had a lapse .. a moment, and that’s all it was! That’s all it is ever going to be, it’s never happening again. Trust me, being with you again is not even a thing I’d ever consider. But hear me now, Mofe—if you leave your daughter again, I will never, ever let you back into her life. I mean it.” “Hey, hey! You’ve started again with these threats of yours! You will not keep me away from her, Ezinne.” His voice hardened slightly. “ And what do you mean by ‘If I leave my daughter again?’ What are you talking about? I wasn’t the one who left the first time, all those years ago.” Her head snapped toward him, eyes blazing. “Oh really? I guess flying out of the country doesn’t count as leaving your pregnant girlfriend, right?” His jaw tightened. “You know I didn’t know you were pregnant at the time. And once again, don’t forget you were the one that walked away from me first.” “I left the state, yes. But you could have reached me if you’d really wanted to. You could have always called me but instead, you left the country, Mofe. And then your cousin told me you never wanted to hear from me again!” This was going nowhere. He dragged a hand over his face, frustrated. He decided to concede defeat. “Okay. Fine. I get it. And I’m sorry. But that’s the past, Ezinne. Can we stop circling it and focus on now?” “Now?” she repeated with a scoff. “Now, when you’re still disappearing without warning?” “Ezinne…” Her jab hit him but he intentionally ignored it, keeping his voice soft. “It won’t happen again. This time I’m here to stay.” “About that,” Ezinne said sharply, her voice tight with steel, “there’s no way you’re moving in here. It will be too confusing for our daughter.” Mofe froze. For a moment, he wasn’t even listening to her warning. His chest tightened, his breath caught—our daughter. Not her daughter, not Azora, but our daughter. She didn’t even realize what she had just said, but to him, it was everything. The word wrapped around his heart with a warmth so fierce it almost hurt. If only she could see his face, she’d know how stunned he was, how much that careless word had shaken him. But Ezinne couldn’t see. And even if she could, she wouldn’t care. She heard the silence that followed, the kind of silence that always made her suspicious. Her jaw tightened. “What? Did I say something funny?” she snapped, heat rising in her chest. He let out a low breath, and though he tried to mask it, she could hear the edge of a smile in it. That smile rattled her. What was so amusing? Why did he sound so…pleased? Her stomach churned. She hated this new version of him—the soft-spoken, agreeable Mofe who nodded instead of fought, who smiled instead of raised his voice. It didn’t fit. The Mofe she knew argued until her head pounded, wore his pride like a weapon, and never, ever gave in. Now he was sitting there like some reformed saint, and every nerve in her body screamed that it was an act. She pressed her lips together, trying to ignore the twist in her chest. And yet, against her will, a flicker of longing passed through her. A dangerous, shameful part of her wanted to know what that smile looked like—what his face looked like when it wasn’t hard with anger or shadowed with bitterness. The thought sliced through her like a blade, and she shoved it away at once. She didn’t want to see his smile. She didn’t want anything from him. “Ezinne,” his voice came low, measured, almost careful, “I want to work with you. That’s all. No fights, no arguments. It’s a waste of time. We need to stand together for our daughter. Her well-being is my priority, and if that means I have to bow to you on some things, then I will. For her sake. Do you understand?” Her chest rose and fell sharply. The words were too smooth, too perfect. He sounded like the kind of man who had suddenly found his peace, but she knew better. People like Mofe didn’t just change overnight. Not the man who had stormed back into her life months ago, spitting fire and demanding everything. Something wasn’t right. Something was off. “However,” he added, his tone firming, that almost-smile still hiding in it, “I will only concede to what I truly believe is good for my daughter—not for you. There will still be debates. Fierce ones. Until one of us convinces the other. That’s the only way forward.” Her fists clenched in her lap, nails biting into her palms. So there it was. The truth beneath the sugar-coated words. She gave a short, clipped nod. “Fair enough,” she forced out, her voice cool, though suspicion knotted deeper inside her. “Good,” he said, as if they had just reached some historic agreement. “Now that we’ve settled that, what do we do about the news we accidentally broke to Azora?” A weary sigh escaped her lips before she could hold it back. Her shoulders slumped slightly. “We’ll have to talk to her. I don’t even know how to begin.” “It’s okay, I think I know what to say, just follow my lead,” Mofe said gently. And then—too close. She felt him shift, his presence closing in, heat brushing against her skin. His fingers grazed her elbow, light but burning, and her body betrayed her, shivering before her mind could scream no. She stiffened instantly, dragging her arm back like his touch was fire. Her breath came uneven, though she tried to steady it. He thought he could soften her with this act—these patient words, this sudden gentleness, these small touches. He thought he could trick her. Fine. Let him think so. She would watch every step, every word. And the moment he slipped, she would be ready. ******* |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 10:40pm On Aug 31, 2025 |
Hello Dear Readers, Hope your week went well? I'm still quite swamped this week and will not be able to resume regular posting yet. Once again, kindly give me until next Sunday evening, by 9p.m., to come up with the next chapter. Thanks again for understanding. |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by Herbiedeen(m): 2:50am On Sep 01, 2025 |
repogirl:Always welcome And nice work👍 |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by sal1974: 6:24am On Sep 01, 2025 |
repogirl:Kudos for your effort and well done for a master piece as usual, take care of your yourself and the the family and have fruitful week ahead |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by jupitre(m): 11:21am On Sep 01, 2025 |
repogirl:We understand... Thank you for the updates |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 7:25pm On Sep 01, 2025 |
Herbiedeen:🙏🏽 🙂 |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 7:26pm On Sep 01, 2025 |
jupitre:You're welcome 🙂 |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 7:26pm On Sep 01, 2025 |
sal1974:You too, thanks 🙏🏽 |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 10:09pm On Sep 07, 2025 |
Chapter 08 Eleven Years Ago The clang of the metal door rattled through Mofe’s chest as two policemen shoved him forward. He stumbled, barely catching himself before the rough concrete scraped his palms. The cell reeked of sweat, urine, and something sour that clung to the back of his throat. It was darker than he expected. A single naked bulb flickered overhead, its weak light barely cutting through the shadows. The walls were damp, stained with patches of mold, the paint long peeled away. Iron bars ran across the small window near the ceiling, letting in only a thin slice of the night air from outside. On the floor, sprawled bodies stirred. Some men sat hunched in corners, their backs pressed against the wall like they were trying to melt into it. Others stretched out on torn mats, too weak or too indifferent to look up when the door slammed shut. “We don bring new catch for una,” one of the policemen jeered as he locked the gate. “make e cool here small.” Mofe’s jaw tightened. He’d arrived at the station demanding answers about the whereabouts of his cousin. The officers hadn't understood who he'd been talking about but the moment he’d mentioned the General's name, the officers had pounced. They'd arrested and accused him of being a kidnapper. They'd taken his phone, wallet, and belt and now here he was, thrown into a jam-packed cell and treated like a criminal. One of the officers had warned him to not resist arrest or they would get physical with him. The officer had said the only reason they were being lenient with him was because the General had specifically ordered he'd not be harmed but he was to be remanded in a cell. A man with sunken eyes lifted his head from the floor, studying him. “This na your first time inside cell?” His voice was hoarse, almost mocking. Mofe ignored him, moving to the corner where the stench was least suffocating. He leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breath. The cement was cold through his shirt, but fury simmered beneath his skin. Mofe’s mind was already racing, wondering how long they would keep him there? It was getting late and his thoughts went to Ezinne, alone in that shady hotel room. “Officer! Officer!” He called at the top of his lungs, maybe he could explain that there had been some mistake. Another inmate chuckled, revealing missing teeth. “You go shout tire, nobody go hear you. E better make you calm down, oga.” The bulb flickered again, plunging the cell into a brief, suffocating darkness before sputtering back to life. The air was thick, heavy with hopelessness. Mofe clenched his fists. He would not break here. Not in this place. The silence stretched, broken only by the occasional cough and the scrape of restless feet on concrete. Mofe shifted, his chest still burning with anger, but his mind sharper now. He couldn’t waste time. He cleared his throat. “I came here looking for someone,” he said, his voice low but steady. “My cousin. Eric. Did they bring anyone in by that name?” A ripple of amusement passed through the men. The toothless one let out a dry laugh. “Eric? My brother, if dem carry your cousin come here, you no go even hear him name again. E go just vanish.” Another inmate, older, with a scar running down his jaw, leaned forward from the shadows. “Nobody dey here wey answer that name. People dey come and go every day, but no Eric.” Mofe’s heart sank, but he pressed on. “You’re sure?” The scarred man gave a slow nod. “We dey notice new faces here. Your cousin no dey inside this cell.” A younger man lying flat on the ground muttered, “If dem really carry am, maybe e dey another room, or dem don move am. Police get many places to hide person.” He let out a bitter laugh. “Sometimes, dem go just disappear.” The words cut deep, a blade of fear twisting inside Mofe’s chest. His jaw tightened, his eyes sweeping the small, filthy room as if Eric might somehow appear from the shadows. The toothless man chuckled again, shaking his head. “You too dey worry. Best thing you fit do now na to save your power. No be your shouting go bring your cousin here.” Mofe clenched his fists. He wanted to shout some more, to demand answers, but the hopelessness in the men’s eyes warned him of the futility. These weren’t men who believed in justice. They had seen too much of its absence. He leaned back against the damp wall, his mind racing. Eric wasn’t here. But if he wasn’t, then where would he be? By the time the station’s corridor lights dimmed and shadows thickened across the barred window, Mofe knew it was close to 8 p.m. His chest tightened as thoughts of Ezinne crossed his mind once again. She would be waiting by now, maybe pacing in that restless way she always did when worry overtook her. She’d probably think he was still sulking about their argument. That whole issue seemed like child’s play now compared to the nightmare he was in. He dragged his hand down his face, wishing he had told her where he’d been headed. He should have told her about Eric's call. Why in the world had he kept it from her? At least she would know why he hadn’t come back. Instead, she was in the dark, and he was stuck in this suffocating cell. The scar-faced inmate’s words echoed in his head, refusing to let go, “Sometimes, dem go just disappear.” Mofe’s stomach knotted. What if that was what had happened to Eric? What if he was next? His throat felt dry, his palms damp. He had come here boldly demanding to see his cousin, but what if they had set a trap? What if all of this was designed to silence him? His mind drifted to the General—Ezinne’s father. Could he really be capable of making someone vanish? Could Eric already be… gone? The thought chilled him to the bone. He pressed his back harder against the damp wall, staring at the rusted bars. For the first time since stepping into that police station, true fear clawed at him. He swallowed hard, whispering into the stale air, “God, don’t let them bury me here.” ******” By the time the wall clock ticked half past ten p.m., Ezinne could no longer sit still. She had tried distracting herself, pacing from window to window, even boiling water for tea she never drank. But the silence weighed too heavy. Mofe hadn’t returned to the hotel, and worse, his number was off. She sat on the edge of the bed, twisting her fingers together. A hundred thoughts crowded her mind, none of them good. She figured he was still upset about their fight but she couldn't bring herself to believe that he'd be so angry, he would stay out so late. The awkwardness of their argument over intimacy replayed in her mind. She deeply regretted accusing him of all those things in the heat of the moment. She knew the accusations had hurt him deeply. What if he was tired of her? What if this was the moment he decided she wasn’t worth the trouble? Her chest squeezed. The idea of Mofe breaking up with her, of walking away without explanation, sent a cold dread through her. He wasn’t that kind of man… was he? Finally, desperation drove her to scroll through her contacts and hit Dara’s number. Dara’s familiar voice came after two rings, sharp with both relief and reproach. “Ezinne? What the hell? Ezinne, where are you? Do you even know how worried we’ve been? You just disappeared into thin air—” “I know, I know.” Ezinne pressed a hand over her forehead. “I should have called, I’m sorry. I'll fill you in on everything later, but right now, I have a more serious issue. it’s Mofe. He hasn’t come back since afternoon and now his phone is off. Did you see him today?” There was a pause, then Dara sighed. “No .. I didn't, maybe he’s busy with work. Or he stayed over at a friend’s place. Guys do that sometimes. Don’t overthink it.” Ezinne shook her head even though Dara couldn’t see her. “No. Mofe isn’t like that. Even if he had to stay somewhere else, he’d call. He always calls. We had a fight just before he left.” Her voice wavered. “Something feels wrong, Dara. I can feel it.” The room felt colder as she said it out loud, as if her fear had finally taken shape. She clutched the phone tighter, wishing her friend’s reassurance could seep into her heart. “Ezinne,” Dara said softly, then steadier, “you need to calm down. Worrying like this won’t help him, and it won’t help you either.” Ezinne curled into herself on the bed, phone pressed tight to her ear. “I can’t, Dara. You don’t understand. The past two days… I thought I was finally doing something for myself. Rebelling. Making Ekene and my father see that they can’t just control me. And it felt good, Dara. Being with Mofe, it felt right. But then we argued this afternoon and I don’t know… maybe he’s had enough. Maybe he won’t come back.” Her voice broke on the last word, and silence stretched between them. Dara exhaled, a sound full of patience and sisterly sternness. “Listen to me. Mofe doesn’t sound like someone who would just disappear on you because of a fight. Stop tormenting yourself. For all you know, his phone died or he got caught up somewhere. He’ll show up.” “But what if he doesn’t?” Ezinne whispered. “Then you’ll deal with that if it turns out to be the case. There's no point being afraid of the unknown. But Ezinne, you can’t keep staying away like this. You’ve been gone for two days. Start packing your things, Girl. You need to come back home. And —” Dara’s said sharply. She was obviously really pissed with her. “Call your dad. Tonight. Don’t wait till morning. He deserves to know where you are, and you need to hear what he has to say.” Ezinne closed her eyes, tears threatening. The thought of calling her father sent a wave of dread through her, but so did the silence pressing in on her. Between Mofe’s absence and her father’s shadow, she felt trapped on every side. Still, Dara’s words lingered like a lifeline. Call your dad. Go home. But the thought of Mofe not walking back through that door tore at her more than anything else. Ezinne sat staring at her phone long after Dara hung up. Her fingers trembled as she scrolled to her father’s number. For a moment, she wanted to toss the phone aside and hide under the covers. But Dara’s voice echoed in her head—Call your dad. Tonight. Ezinne stared at the screen for a long time before pressing Call. Her palms were clammy, and she half-hoped her father wouldn’t pick up. But he picked the call on the first ring. “Ezinne?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. “Yes, Daddy..” she responded cautiously. “Ezinne! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Disappearing without a word! Do you think this is some kind of game? What in the world has gotten into you?” Her chest tightened, but she steadied her voice. “Daddy, I’m fine. I just needed space. I’m twenty-one now, I’m not a child anymore.” There was a pause, then his voice rose, shaken with both anger and disbelief. “Space? By running off and shacking up with a boy like some loose girl? Is that what you call space? I did not raise you to throw away your dignity like this, Ezinne. I never thought I would ever be so disappointed as I am in you right now.” Her breath caught, but she pushed back. “Dad I … I'm not a child anymore, and I have the right to stand up for myself especially when I or the man I care about is being bullied and mistreated. Besides I have the right to make my own choices, even if you don’t agree with them.” “You think being twenty-one makes you an adult?” he snapped. His tone was hard, but beneath it was something almost desperate. “Adulthood is not about rebellion, it’s about responsibility. Do you know the sleepless nights you've put me through? Do you know how many calls I’ve made, how many people I’ve asked about you? And now I hear you’ve been shacking up with that boy? Ezinne, what are you doing to yourself?” Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let her voice shake. “I’m living my life. I’m not a little girl you can order around. If I want to move out, I can. If I want to be with someone, I can. You don’t get to decide that anymore.” His breathing came heavy through the line, and when he spoke again, his voice dropped, quieter but still firm. “You don’t understand. The world is not kind to young women who think they can do as they please. I worked too hard, fought too much, to protect you from that. And now you throw it back in my face like this? I’m not just angry, Ezinne—I’m… I’m disappointed. I expected better from you.” Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to reply. “I’ll come home when I’m ready, Daddy. Not because you tell me to. When I’m ready.” There was a long silence. Then his voice, low and cold, yet laced with a thread of worry. “Don’t test me, Ezinne. You are still my daughter. No matter how much you fight me, you will always be my responsibility. Come home tomorrow.” The line clicked dead. Ezinne sat frozen, the phone still pressed to her ear. Her father’s words cut deep. Not just the accusations, but the raw disappointment in his voice. She had stood her ground, but the unease in her chest was heavier than ever. She curled onto the bed, whispering into the dark, Where are you, Mofe? ******** |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 10:19pm On Sep 07, 2025*. Modified: 5:30pm On Sep 09, 2025 |
Present Day The walk to Azora’s room was wrapped in silence, yet the air was anything but still. The faint brush of Mofe’s cologne lingered close, sharp and warm, unsettling her more than she wanted to admit. It wasn’t just a scent—it was the kind that curled around her senses, daring her to notice, daring her to remember. Ezinne’s hand brushed against the wall as they walked, steadying herself, annoyed that she even caught herself thinking about the way he smelled. “I want to formally apologise for my abrupt disappearance and reappearance, Ezinne.” His voice came low and almost hesitant beside her, breaking the quiet. Her lips parted slightly, surprised. Of all the things she expected, another apology wasn’t one of them. And yet, there he was, sounding so utterly sincere that it disarmed her. “I’ve heard,” she murmured, brushing it off, even though the words landed deeper than she wanted to admit. He had already apologised enough times tonight. Why did it come so easily for him? And why did that ease make her suspicious, as though there was something more beneath it? He slowed his steps slightly; she could hear it in the rhythm of his shoes against the tiled floor. “I spent the time catching up on company business I had fallen behind on. I also worked on a few new projects.” He paused, then added softly, “But you and Azora were always on my mind. It’s why I called almost every day. The only voice I heard was Azora’s. You never came to the phone.” The words settled heavy between them. Ezinne kept her hand firm against the wall, grounding herself. “Is there a reason you never spoke with me?” His tone was quiet, not accusing, just searching. Her fingers curled slightly, tightening against her palm. She didn’t want to answer, but silence would give him too much power. Finally, she forced the truth out. “I simply had nothing to say to you,” she said, her voice steady though her chest tightened. “We both know there’s no relationship between us except for Azora. There was no point in pretending otherwise. Before you left, things between us weren’t cordial, so what was the use?” His footsteps halted for a brief second, then resumed, slower this time. “I see,” he said quietly. That was it. No protest. No defense. Just acceptance. Ezinne’s chest tightened. Something about his calm unsettled her more than any outburst could have. The Mofe she knew would have argued, maybe even pushed back until she regretted her words. But this .. this quiet resignation felt foreign. Almost like it was strategic. Something was definitely different. And whatever it was, it wasn’t normal. When they reached Azora’s door, Mofe knocked lightly before easing it open. “Hi, A.Z!” he said warmly, his voice carrying a smile. “Hi, Uncle—” Azora began, then stopped herself halfway. The silence that followed was sharp, heavy, as if the weight of what she remembered had suddenly settled on her. Ezinne tilted her head, hearing the creak of bedsheets as Azora shifted. She knew her daughter was sitting up now. Mofe’s hand brushed her arm briefly, guiding her to the sofa, and she sank into it, stiff-backed, while his footsteps padded across the floor. A beat later, his voice confirmed what she already suspected—he was at the bedside. “Can I get a hug? I missed you so much,” he murmured. Azora’s small gasp, followed by the muffled tone of her voice, told Ezinne she had wrapped her arms around him. “I’ve been fine, Uncle MJ… Do I call you Uncle MJ or Dad?” The words pierced through the quiet. Ezinne’s chest tightened as unease coiled inside her. How did one even begin to answer that? “You can call me whatever you feel most comfy with, Zee,” Mofe said, smooth, almost too smooth, as if none of this carried the weight it did. “But you’re my father, right? My real father?” Azora pressed. “Yes, he is your biological father,” Ezinne cut in, her voice firmer than she intended. This wasn’t how Azora was supposed to find out. Not through half-overheard conversations and awkward slips. “H-how… when? Why didn’t you ever tell me?” The sharpness in her daughter’s tone stung like a slap. Ezinne winced. But Mofe stepped in without missing a beat, his voice steady, practiced almost. “Your mother was only protecting you. Our relationship ended long before you came along, and she was already married to your father. I was away, and she lost touch with me. That’s why we should be grateful we’ve found each other now, shouldn’t we?” For a moment, Ezinne thought he would leave it there. But then, his tone shifted, firm and deliberate. “But, Zee, you were wrong to be listening in on our private conversation. You were raised better than that.” “I know,” Azora said quickly, her voice small. “I’m sorry, Uncle Mofe. I was just so excited to see you, and the door was open. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” “You need to apologise to your mom as well,” Mofe added gently but firmly. “I’m sorry, Mom.” The words came grudgingly, her tone betraying what she really felt. And Ezinne knew. She knew in the quiet shift of her daughter’s voice, in the thinness of the apology, that Azora wasn’t truly sorry. In her daughter’s mind, she was the villain again—the one who had kept her away from her father. It was happening all over again, the wedge being driven between them, only this time it was faster, sharper. Mofe had barely been back for hours and already her footing with Azora was slipping. “Alright, that’s enough for tonight,” Mofe said softly. “You need to get some sleep.” “No, Uncle MJ,” Azora whined, slipping back into the ease of a child. “I want to hear all about your trip. Did you get me anything cool?” Mofe chuckled, a low, easy sound that filled the room. Ezinne sat perfectly still on the sofa, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her face a mask of calm. Inside, though, fear gnawed at her. This was uncharted territory, a dangerous crossing with no clear road. She couldn’t see the look on her daughter’s face, but she could feel the distance already growing in her voice. And it scared her. “Yes, I did actually,” Mofe replied with an ease that made Azora’s voice brighten. ‘Of course you did,’ Ezinne thought snidely. He had never been able to resist showering Azora with gifts, a habit that only seemed to widen the distance between mother and daughter. “But you’ll see it all tomorrow,” he added firmly, ending the exchange before it could stretch. “It’s bedtime now.” Ezinne rose from the sofa, her hands brushing the air until she caught the faint edge of the doorframe. The sound of the bedsprings told her Mofe had stood up too. “Have a lovely night’s rest, A.Z,” he said, his voice low and warm. Ezinne didn’t need sight to know he bent down and hugged her; Azora’s muffled reply gave her away. “I’m glad you’re back, Uncle MJ. I missed you so much.” “I missed you too, my angel,” Mofe replied, his tone tender in a way that made Ezinne’s stomach knot. “Now, goodnight and sweet dreams.” “Goodnight, Azora,” Ezinne added quickly. “Goodnight… Mom,” came her daughter’s reply, soft but stripped of the excitement she’d just poured on Mofe. The difference was like ice in Ezinne’s chest. She felt her way toward the door, but before her fingers reached the knob, Mofe’s hand brushed her elbow. “Allow me,” he murmured, guiding her out. She wanted to tell him she didn’t need his constant assistance, that she had built her independence carefully over the years. But she also knew Mofe—once he made up his mind to care for her in some way, he did it without asking. So she stayed silent and let him lead. “You don’t think we were too easy on her, do you?” he asked quietly, his hand still resting lightly on her arm. “You barely said a word.” The question startled her. He was asking for her opinion—something she hadn’t expected from him. “It was already a delicate situation,” she answered slowly. “She’s still processing the shock. I didn’t want to pile more confusion on her tonight. I’ll let her settle, and when she’s ready, she’ll have questions.” Mofe sighed, the sound heavy in the hall. “You’re right. I wanted her to know, but this… this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.” “She probably thinks I’m a monster for keeping it from her. Ten years is old enough to know the truth.” “She could never hate you,” he said without hesitation. “You’re her mother. You’re the center of her world.” “And you’re the shiny new toy,” Ezinne said flatly, though her voice trembled beneath the calm. “The cool dad she suddenly finds out she has. Trust me, Mofe, I’ve already been pushed to the side.” “You’re exaggerating, Ezinne,” he countered gently. “Azora idolizes you. That won’t change.” Then, almost too casually, he added, “But speaking of shiny new toys, I got you something too.” She froze mid-step, suspicion pricking her. “What are you talking about?” “My team and I developed a device. Something I think you’ll love.” Her brows furrowed. “What kind of device?” Her tone carried a sharp edge. “If you think you can dazzle me with jewelry or money, you are sorely mistaken." “Nothing like that,” he said smoothly. “Something to help you. I’ll show you tomorrow. It’s late now, and we’re at your door.” He paused. “Do you want me to help with anything else? Or maybe pick up supplies from town tomorrow?” The questions unsettled her more than anything else he’d said that evening. Concern, consideration—it wasn’t the Mofe she remembered. “There’s… nothing I need,” she said faintly. “Alright then. Goodnight, Zinnie.” Her breath caught at the word. He pressed her palm lightly, a touch warm enough to stir a memory, then stepped away. His footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving her alone at the threshold of her room. Zinnie. It had been years since he’d called her that. Years since she’d allowed herself to remember what it had once meant to her whenever he called her by that name. Now, as the sound of his steps disappeared into silence, she leaned against the doorframe, her chest heavy with confusion. The name had unlocked something she wasn’t ready to face. ******* Mofe could sense Ezinne’s unease even though she tried to mask it. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her that all would be well, but he understood that words alone would not do it. Only time, combined with his actions in the days and weeks ahead could prove his intentions. She had admitted earlier that her relationship with Azora hadn’t been the same since his abrupt departure. He had noticed it too. He’d seen the way Azora’s warmth toward her mother had dimmed when they’d stepped into her bedroom. It had been a subtle shift, but one he couldn’t ignore. The last thing he wanted was to deepen the rift between them. Yet Ezinne herself had seemed so distant, so tightly guarded, that even the smallest gestures, like hugging Azora goodnight, had been absent. She never used to be that way with Azora? Was his presence pressing her into this rigid shell, forcing her to retreat rather than open up or was it something else? These questions weighed on him as he descended the stairs, intending to head back to his hotel suite for the night. The living room lights were low, casting a warm glow across the space, and there on the couch sat Rachel. She was leaning forward slightly, hands clasped, clearly waiting for him. Mofe paused, offering a polite smile. “Hey, Rachel. I’ve got to run now, but I’ll be back tomorrow.” Rachel rose to her feet quickly, smoothing her dress with a nervous hand. “Great. Can I walk you to your car?” She hesitated, her eyes meeting his with a seriousness that made him stop in his tracks. “I’ve got something I need to discuss with you.” Her tone carried more weight than casual conversation, and Mofe knew instantly this wasn’t about small talk. Whatever she wanted to say, it mattered. “Sure,” he replied evenly, bracing himself. He knew Rachel well enough to expect nothing less than a grilling. They stepped outside into the cool night air. The faint hum of crickets filled the silence between them as they walked toward the car. Rachel’s voice came calm but laced with curiosity. “How are things back in America? Work, business, and the usual?” “They’ve been good,” he answered with a small nod. “Busy as always, but good.” “And your fiancée? She’s doing well too, I hope?” He slowed his pace, then stopped altogether. Turning toward her, he said quietly, “There’s no fiancée anymore. We ended things.” Rachel’s brows rose slightly. “Oh. I’m sorry.” Then, tilting her head, she added with a faint trace of sarcasm, “Though you don’t seem too broken up about it. Was it your decision?” He almost smiled at her sharpness but instead sighed. “It was mutual, Rachel. Not that it’s something you need to concern yourself with.” Her eyes flashed. “Oh, but it is my business. Because anything that concerns Ezinne and her daughter concerns me. Don’t think I don’t know why you got me that internship. You just wanted me out of the way. I may not know what game you’re playing with Ezinne, but I’m watching you like a hawk, Mofe.” He sighed, his voice lower now. “I’m not playing any games, Rachel. I just want to know my daughter. That’s all.” She wasn’t convinced. “Sure.” Her scoff was sharp. “If that’s true, why did you disappear the very next day after I personally begged you to check in on Ezinne? You left her alone without a second thought.” The weight of her words pressed on him, but instead of defending himself, he nodded slowly. “You’re right, I shouldn’t have left the way I did, and I’ve apologised to Ezinne for it. I had pressing matters back home, but I should have handled things better. I should have explained, instead of disappearing. That’s on me.” “And those issues? Are they settled now? Or should we expect you to vanish again the moment it suits you?” Her words cut clean, almost sneering. That was enough. His patience frayed. “Look, Rachel,” he said firmly, “I can’t undo the past, but I can do better from here on. I only want to be present for my daughter. Nothing else. If you don’t trust me, I can’t force you to. But at least believe this—leaving again isn’t an option for me. Not anymore.” Her expression softened slightly, though her voice was still firm. “You’d better mean that. Ezinne may act strong, but she’s been through enough. And Azora—” she shook her head, “that little girl has the purest heart, which should be protected. You and Ezinne have your issues, but she is the mother of your daughter. Whatever you do to her will have an effect on Azora. Don’t forget that once upon a time you cared for her, and although mistakes happened, she is still that same woman. Don’t hurt her again, or you’ll have me to answer to.” He held her gaze for a moment before replying, “I won’t. I promise you that.” Rachel didn’t reply. She simply nodded once and walked back toward the house. Mofe stood for a moment, watching her retreating figure, his chest heavy. Then, with a slow exhale, he made his way to the waiting Range Rover. The driver, Joe, already had the engine running. “Hotel,” Mofe murmured as he slid into the back seat. The vehicle rolled out quietly into the night while Mofe pulled out his phone. His inbox was loaded. There were messages from his partner, from P.A.s, from business associates. He skimmed them, uninterested. One email stood out. It was from his lawyers. It tugged at a memory he’d been pushing aside. Weeks ago, after his return to the States, they’d presented him with a full dossier. Their strategy was clear: they could win him full custody of Azora. They’d even partnered with a firm in Nigeria, confident of victory. They were asking about the next steps, but Mofe made a mental note to write back and tell them to drop the case, as he no longer had any interest in pursuing it. What mattered now was something far more personal. His lawyers would need to focus instead on updating his last will and testament. He had a daughter now, and if anything ever happened to him, she and her mother had to be protected. Back then, his anger at Ezinne had been raw, his pride wounded. But now… the thought of dragging her through a court battle, of tearing Azora between the two of them like a prize no longer sat right with him. Custody battles, legal fights—it all seemed meaningless now. What mattered was healing, not breaking things further apart. He didn’t want to fight. He only wanted peace, whatever it took. Sifting through the rest of his mail, his eyes snagged on another message. This one made his chest tighten. It was from Dr. Edwards—the ophthalmologist he’d secretly reached out to in the U.S. He had pulled strings and paid a heavy sum to get hold of her medical records without her knowledge. Normally, in the States, there would have been strict rules, and he would have needed her consent. But here in Nigeria, things were easier to bend. With the right price, confidentiality could be overlooked. He knew what he had done was sneaky, even wrong. At first, his intention had been selfish. He’d meant for it to be used as a weapon, as part of his cruel plan to use her impairment against her in court. But after his change of heart, he had reached out to one of the best ophthalmologists in the United States desperate to find a way to help her. After his generous donation, the local hospital had sent her file directly to Dr. Edwards in the United states. It was unprofessional, but he’d told himself it was for the right cause. If there was even the smallest chance that Ezinne could regain her sight, wouldn’t she forgive him? Wouldn’t she want that more than anything? And now the doctor’s email was sitting right in front of him. His hands trembled slightly as he clicked it open. Hello Mr. Johnson, I tried reaching you directly via your phone contact, but the service was unavailable. Having looked through the records you sent, and conducting some preliminary research along with our consultants, we are quite positive that with some specific treatments and surgery, the patient’s vision can be improved. We can help her. Kindly get back to me to discuss the next steps. I’m looking forward to helping your friend. Regards, Doctor Edwards Mofe sat forward in his seat, his hand tightening on the phone. He read the message again, then once more, his chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. It was real. It wasn’t just vague hope. It wasn’t just him wishing blindly. There was a real chance that Ezinne could see again. “God,” he whispered under his breath, leaning back, exhaling sharply. “This is great news.” The news was too big, too good to keep to himself. He couldn’t just sit on it. He was carrying so much on his mind, he needed to offload on someone. “Change of plans, Joe” he said quickly, his voice rough with urgency as he leaned toward his driver. “Take me to my cousin’s place in Gwarimpa.” Joe gave a brief nod and steered the car onto a different road, the city lights flashing past the window. Mofe leaned back in his seat, gripping his phone tightly, as though it wasn’t just metal and glass but the fragile weight of hope itself. **************** |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 10:25pm On Sep 07, 2025 |
Dear Readers, Once again, thanks for being so patient. Regular posting continues this week; however, the next post will be on Wednesday evening at 9pm. Thanks for reading. Kindly feel free to drop your thoughts on the story as you read; it encourages the writer. Thenks. |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by Dirdamed(m): 10:42pm On Sep 07, 2025 |
Thanks for this masterpiece ma👍🏼🙏🏼 More grease to your elbow 🙏🏼🙏🏼 |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 10:49pm On Sep 07, 2025 |
Dirdamed:You're very welcome |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by sal1974: 11:35pm On Sep 07, 2025 |
repogirl:Master piece as usual. Kudos for ur effort |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by Ibunkun1(m): 5:40am On Sep 08, 2025 |
Dayuuummm! Thank you for this loaded update, we mount for hiaaa |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by jupitre(m): 7:18am On Sep 08, 2025 |
Wow. .thanks so much repo... Why do I keep getting this feeling the email sent by his lawyer would get back to Zinnie |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by afroditte(f): 10:35am On Sep 08, 2025 |
Very lovely update |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 9:01pm On Sep 08, 2025 |
sal1974:Thanks |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 9:02pm On Sep 08, 2025 |
jupitre: hmmmmm |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 9:02pm On Sep 08, 2025 |
Ibunkun1:You're welcome |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by Uthman51(m): 3:44pm On Sep 09, 2025 |
Thank you repogirl |
| Re: Forever And For Always BOOK II - Story By Repogirl by repogirl(op): 5:19pm On Sep 09, 2025 |
Uthman51:You're welcome |
; D you dey tell that one to a jealous man. Ezinne go do her own back 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Reply
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