The following week, the days moved slowly. Just as Ms. Judith Aka promised, a new accounts clerk was employed to fill the gap left by Ruth. Henry Ogah soon showed himself to be the talkative type who would bring up issues like the latest European league matches or politics and politicians.

I tried to show interest in his discourse, though with reservations. As for Ruth, there was no single day that we would not converse on the telephone at least twice in a day.

Saturday finally came. It was the day I had promised to pay a visit to Ruth in her parents’ house. She had earlier texted the address to me. I knew Isaac John Street at Ikeja G.R.A, and getting to number 280B should not be a problem.

I had told her I would be there by ten a.m. since the traffic was light and since I had left home earlier, by twenty minutes to ten, I was at the gate of the house that occupied the number.

I had to check the number again to be very sure that I was in the right place. I had expected to see a building that was at best a duplex, but what I saw was a mansion with a very solid gate. Was this where she lived? Inside a mansion that looked grand like this? I hesitated but pressed the bell by the gate.

A side gate to the main gate opened and a security guard viewed me. Ruth must have made a mistake in giving me the number, I felt. All the same, I would ask the guard.

‘Good morning,’ I greeted the guy.

‘Good morning. Can I help you?’

I could see that he was the polite type. I smiled and tried to relax. ‘Sorry, but I’m looking for a lady by the name Ruth. She gave me this address and I wondered if this place is where she lives.’

‘Who are you, sir?’ He gave a courteous smile.
‘I’m Francis. Frank, in short.’

He smiled and nodded. ‘She already told me you’ll be coming. Please, come in.’

So, I was in the right place! I entered the side and was astounded by the site I saw. If the outside of the building was grand, then the interior was even grander.

There was a short driveway that led to a large canopy-covered garage. I could see not less than six luxury cars parked there. Was Ruth living with a rich uncle? I thought she said she was staying with her parents.

The security bolted the mini gate. ‘Please, follow me.’

I followed him to the main entrance door of the building. I could see that it was a well secured door.

The guy pressed the bell and waited. Few seconds after, the door was opened from inside and a young lady gave a smile to welcome me.

‘He came to see Sister Ruth,’ the security guy said.

The lady nodded and ushered me inside the building.

There was a short corridor. We walked a few meters and got to what looked like a waiting lobby. All along, everywhere smelt of opulence.

‘You can sit down and wait for her here,’ the lady said. ‘She’ll soon be joining you.’

I nodded. ‘Thank you.’

I sat on one of the exotic and comfortable seats. The lady left me and disappeared through the corridor. I looked about the room. I could see what looked like a micro camera.

For a grand place like this, I would not be surprised if it was a CCTV camera. I concentrated on watching the 32-inches flat-screen in the room. But what continued to surprise me was that Ruth never hinted that she lived in a place as grand as this.

Few minutes later, the lady that ushered me in was back.

‘Sorry, sir, what will you like to take?’

‘Er, nothing for now,’ I replied.

She looked surprised by my answer. ‘Really?’

‘Yes. Maybe later, but for now, nothing.’

She looked at me for a couple of seconds and smiled.

‘Okay.’

I sighed as she retreated. Somehow, I wondered if the same Ruth I was looking for was the one that lived in that house. I didn’t wonder for long. Another lady soon breezed in with an apologetic smile, wearing a t-shirt and a bum short.

‘Good morning, dear. Sorry to keep you waiting.’

It was my dear Ruth. Unconsciously, I stood up from my seat.



For complete story: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460

Nice 1

Not bad bro
You have me glued to your thread with your writings

How can l get the PDF of this story bro

Tonyspecial:
Nice 1

frbona:
Not bad bro
You have me glued to your thread with your writings

Thanks

Deleman234:
How can l get the PDF of this story bro

Thanks for your interest. Send N100 glo recharge pin number to oloruntoyin21@gmail.com for the PDF.

FrankAkowe:
The following week, the days moved slowly. Just as Ms. Judith Aka promised, a new accounts clerk was employed to fill the gap left by Ruth. Henry Ogah soon showed himself to be the talkative type who would bring up issues like the latest European league matches or politics and politicians.



‘Good morning, dear. Sorry to keep you waiting.’

It was my dear Ruth. Unconsciously, I stood up from my seat.



For complete story: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460

Nice story.

FrankAkowe:
The following week, the days moved slowly.

Saturday finally came. It was the day I had promised to pay a visit to Ruth in her parents’ house. She had earlier texted the address to me. I knew Isaac John Street at Ikeja G.R.A, and getting to number 280B should not be a problem.

I had told her I would be there by ten a.m. since the traffic was light and since I had left home earlier, by twenty minutes to ten, I was at the gate of the house that occupied the number.

A side gate to the main gate opened and a security guard viewed me. Ruth must have made a mistake in giving me the number, I felt. All the same, I would ask the guard.

‘Good morning,’ I greeted the guy.

‘Good morning. Can I help you?’

I could see that he was the polite type. I smiled and tried to relax. ‘Sorry, but I’m looking for a lady by the name Ruth. She gave me this address and I wondered if this place is where she lives.’

‘Who are you, sir?’ He gave a courteous smile.
‘I’m Francis. Frank, in short.’

He smiled and nodded. ‘She already told me you’ll be coming. Please, come in.’

So, I was in the right place! I entered the side and was astounded by the site I saw. If the outside of the building was grand, then the interior was even grander.

There was a short driveway that led to a large canopy-covered garage. I could see not less than six luxury cars parked there. Was Ruth living with a rich uncle? I thought she said she was staying with her parents.

The security bolted the mini gate. ‘Please, follow me.’

I followed him to the main entrance door of the building. I could see that it was a well secured door.

The guy pressed the bell and waited. Few seconds after, the door was opened from inside and a young lady gave a smile to welcome me.

‘He came to see Sister Ruth,’ the security guy said.

The lady nodded and ushered me inside the building.

There was a short corridor. We walked a few meters and got to what looked like a waiting lobby. All along, everywhere smelt of opulence.

‘You can sit down and wait for her here,’ the lady said. ‘She’ll soon be joining you.’

I nodded. ‘Thank you.’

I sat on one of the exotic and comfortable seats. The lady left me and disappeared through the corridor. I looked about the room. I could see what looked like a micro camera.

For a grand place like this, I would not be surprised if it was a CCTV camera. I concentrated on watching the 32-inches flat-screen in the room. But what continued to surprise me was that Ruth never hinted that she lived in a place as grand as this.

Few minutes later, the lady that ushered me in was back.

‘Sorry, sir, what will you like to take?’

‘Er, nothing for now,’ I replied.

She looked surprised by my answer. ‘Really?’

‘Yes. Maybe later, but for now, nothing.’

She looked at me for a couple of seconds and smiled.

‘Okay.’

I sighed as she retreated. Somehow, I wondered if the same Ruth I was looking for was the one that lived in that house. I didn’t wonder for long. Another lady soon breezed in with an apologetic smile, wearing a t-shirt and a bum short.

‘Good morning, dear. Sorry to keep you waiting.’

It was my dear Ruth. Unconsciously, I stood up from my seat.



For complete story: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460

Nice story.

FrankAkowe:
You can get a FREE Preview copy of The Love Grotto here:

https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

Thanks for the offer.

Few minutes later, the lady that ushered me in was back.

‘Sorry, sir, what will you like to take?’

‘Er, nothing for now,’ I replied.

She looked surprised by my answer. ‘Really?’

‘Yes. Maybe later, but for now, nothing.’

She looked at me for a couple of seconds and smiled. ‘Okay.’

I sighed as she retreated. Somehow, I wondered if the same Ruth I was looking for was the one that lived in that house. I didn’t wonder for long. Another lady soon breezed in with an apologetic smile, wearing a t-shirt and a bum short.

‘Good morning, dear. Sorry to keep you waiting.’

It was my dear Ruth. Unconsciously, I stood up from my seat.

‘Good morning, dear.’ I was surprised by the keenness in my voice. She came to give me a short hug.

As soon as the show of affection was over, I voiced what had been nagging at my mind. ‘You never told me you live with a rich uncle or something.’

She smiled. ‘Uncle? No, this is my dad’s house.’

My surprise was total. ‘Your dad? Your dad owns this place?’

She was still smiling as she took a seat not far from where I was sitting. I sat down too.

‘Why didn’t you tell the maid what you wanted?’ she asked, tarrying on my question.

The maid! That lady was a maid?

Well, it was the first time I would see a maid dress so nicely and speaking very good English. I however kept my opinion to myself.

‘Er, I told her I would have something later.’

She nodded. ‘Okay. Hope you did not find it difficult to locate this place.’

I grinned. ‘No, I didn’t. I only find it difficult to believe that you live in a place like this and you never hinted me.’

She smiled and nodded as if she expected me to say that. ‘I can understand.’

I shook my head as I remembered the exotic cars parked outside and could see grandeur all around me. ‘But I don’t understand. You mean you came from a wealthy family and you didn’t tell me?’

‘But you didn’t ask about my background, did you?’

I sighed. Yes, it was true that I didn’t ask about her background. Wait a minute, I realized she didn’t tell me anything about her parents apart from saying they lived here in Lagos.

‘Well, I guess it’s time to tell you the truth, now.’

‘Truth?’ I was all curious. ‘What truth, Ruth?’

She smiled briefly. ‘Have you heard about Otunba Ola Daniel?’

What a question! Who had not heard about Otunba Ola Daniel? He was an oil magnate and a well-known philanthropist. But why was Ruth asking?

‘Yes, I know about him. Why are you asking?’

She nodded and looked down on the floor. Then, in all modesty, she said: ‘I’m his daughter.’

‘What!’ There was no way I could contain my astonishment. Ruth? Daughter of Otunba Ola Daniel?

I knew her name to be Ruth Bisola Daniel, but I never had inkling that she was in any way related to Otunba Daniel. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.



You can get the full download at: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get FREE Preview copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

Nice update.

Ruth is humble despite her background

Ann2012:
Ruth is humble despite her background

You are correct.

Nice story.

FrankAkowe:
Few minutes later, the lady that ushered me in was back.


I shook my head as I remembered the exotic cars parked outside and could see grandeur all around me. ‘But I don’t understand. You mean you came from a wealthy family and you didn’t tell me?’

‘But you didn’t ask about my background, did you?’

I sighed. Yes, it was true that I didn’t ask about her background. Wait a minute, I realized she didn’t tell me anything about her parents apart from saying they lived here in Lagos.

‘Well, I guess it’s time to tell you the truth, now.’

‘Truth?’ I was all curious. ‘What truth, Ruth?’

She smiled briefly. ‘Have you heard about Otunba Ola Daniel?’

What a question! Who had not heard about Otunba Ola Daniel? He was an oil magnate and a well-known philanthropist. But why was Ruth asking?

‘Yes, I know about him. Why are you asking?’

She nodded and looked down on the floor. Then, in all modesty, she said: ‘I’m his daughter.’

‘What!’ There was no way I could contain my astonishment. Ruth? Daughter of Otunba Ola Daniel?

I knew her name to be Ruth Bisola Daniel, but I never had inkling that she was in any way related to Otunba Daniel. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.



You can get the full download at: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get FREE Preview copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

Nice story.

I sighed. Yes, it was true that I didn’t ask about her background. Wait a minute, I realized she didn’t tell me anything about her parents apart from saying they lived here in Lagos.

‘Well, I guess it’s time to tell you the truth, now.’

‘Truth?’ I was all curious. ‘What truth, Ruth?’

She smiled briefly. ‘Have you heard about Otunba Ola Daniel?’

What a question! Who had not heard about Otunba Ola Daniel? He was an oil magnate and a well-known philanthropist. But why was Ruth asking?

‘Yes, I know about him. Why are you asking?’

She nodded and looked down on the floor. Then, in all modesty, she said: ‘I’m his daughter.’

‘What!’ There was no way I could contain my astonishment. Ruth? Daughter of Otunba Ola Daniel? I knew her name to be Ruth Bisola Daniel, but I never had inkling that she was in any way related to Otunba Daniel. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

‘I came to work for Apezlinks because dad wanted me to have experience outside his companies. He also wanted me not to disclose my real identity.’

I realized that my mouth was open in wonderment. I had to force it close.

‘Dad knows the MD of Apezlinks, so he arranged with him that I should work there for six months. While I was there, I met you. Here, we are.’

I sighed. This sounded like a fairy tale. At best, it sounded like a tale from the movie industry. How was she able to mingle with me and other members of staff when she was at the advertising company without once betraying her real background?

How was she able to conceal all these from me until now?

‘This is serious,’ I said. ‘What about your current job? How come the six months you wanted to spend with the advert agency coincided with your getting a new job?’

Once again, she smiled. ‘There was no coincidence. It was all planned. Saturn Oil and Gas Company, the company I’m currently working for, is owned by my father.’

I gaped at her. Now, I knew better. ‘But why didn’t you tell me all these this while? Why playing secrecy with everything? And knowing my humble background, why did you accept my offer of companionship?’

She came to sit on the seat next to mine and held my right hand. ‘I played secretly because I wanted to be very certain you really have affection for me. I had to be careful.

'Then, I accepted your offer of companionship because I wanted and still want genuine love.’

I sighed. Alright, so she was a daughter of a multi-millionaire, where would that lead me? My father was a retired level sixteen judicial officer in Kwara State judiciary who presently lived on pension.

My mother, of blessed soul, was a trader. While alive, she wasn’t making much money from her trade, but she gave all that she had. Now, her humble son was about to bring home the daughter of a rich business mogul.

Would it not amount to being unequally yoked if I continued my relationship with Ruth? How would I be able to meet her demands or satisfy her taste? How would I fit in?

I grinned and shook my head. ‘Well, it’s been wonderful being friendly with a down-to-earth and nice person like you. Thank you for the friendship. But then, I can see clearly that this relationship cannot really get to the destination I would have wished it gets to.’

She looked at me sharply. ‘What d’you mean? What are you talking about?’

I grinned. ‘I mean we don’t belong to the same class. The marriage I have in mind will not be possible with this sharp class difference.’

She chuckled. ‘I should be the one to complain. I should be the one to show disapproval.’

I shook my head again. Would it work? Would her parents approve of me? Above all, sooner than later, would she not put on condescending air and be a thorn in my flesh?

Well, maybe I should just play along for now. At least, I could regard her as a friend. I sighed and tried to relax.

‘Are you still in doubt of my sincerity?’ she asked.

I grinned and squeezed her hand. Of course it went beyond sincerity, but this might not be the best moment to discuss that. ‘No, I don’t doubt you.’

‘You’re scared?’

I tried to be a man. ‘Scared of what?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Somehow, you look scared or something.’

Why would I not be scared? I however tried to keep a cool mien.

‘I’m okay,’ I said.

‘Alright, now, what do you want to be entertained with?’

‘Anything.’

She smiled. ‘Are you sure you want anything?’

I shrugged. ‘Sure.’

‘Okay. Give me a minute.’ She smiled at me, stood up and moved out of sight.

I looked about me unbelievably again. Wonderful.
She must be good in one thing and that was keeping a secret. With all the chat we had had in the office and in my home, she did not even make a slip in revealing her identity. She definitely knew how to keep a secret.



You can get the full download: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get FREE Preview copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

Nice update.

Class apart. Thanks for the update.

FrankAkowe:


‘Well, I guess it’s time to tell you the truth, now.’

‘Truth?’ I was all curious. ‘What truth, Ruth?’

She smiled briefly. ‘Have you heard about Otunba Ola Daniel?’

What a question! Who had not heard about Otunba Ola Daniel? He was an oil magnate and a well-known philanthropist. But why was Ruth asking?

‘Yes, I know about him. Why are you asking?’

She nodded and looked down on the floor. Then, in all modesty, she said: ‘I’m his daughter.’

‘What!’ There was no way I could contain my astonishment. Ruth? Daughter of Otunba Ola Daniel? I knew her name to be Ruth Bisola Daniel, but I never had inkling that she was in any way related to Otunba Daniel. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

‘I came to work for Apezlinks because dad wanted me to have experience outside his companies. He also wanted me not to disclose my real identity.’

I realized that my mouth was open in wonderment. I had to force it close.

‘Dad knows the MD of Apezlinks, so he arranged with him that I should work there for six months. While I was there, I met you. Here, we are.’

I sighed. This sounded like a fairy tale. At best, it sounded like a tale from the movie industry. How was she able to mingle with me and other members of staff when she was at the advertising company without once betraying her real background?

How was she able to conceal all these from me until now?

‘This is serious,’ I said. ‘What about your current job? How come the six months you wanted to spend with the advert agency coincided with your getting a new job?’

Once again, she smiled. ‘There was no coincidence. It was all planned. Saturn Oil and Gas Company, the company I’m currently working for, is owned by my father.’

I gaped at her. Now, I knew better. ‘But why didn’t you tell me all these this while? Why playing secrecy with everything? And knowing my humble background, why did you accept my offer of companionship?’

She came to sit on the seat next to mine and held my right hand. ‘I played secretly because I wanted to be very certain you really have affection for me. I had to be careful.



‘Alright, now, what do you want to be entertained with?’

‘Anything.’

She smiled. ‘Are you sure you want anything?’

I shrugged. ‘Sure.’

‘Okay. Give me a minute.’ She smiled at me, stood up and moved out of sight.

I looked about me unbelievably again. Wonderful.
She must be good in one thing and that was keeping a secret. With all the chat we had had in the office and in my home, she did not even make a slip in revealing her identity. She definitely knew how to keep a secret.



You can get the full download: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get FREE Preview copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

It is very risky to get along with a secretive lady.

Janet96:




It is very risky to get along with a secretive lady.

Yes. It's likely there are more secrets.

Janet96:




It is very risky to get along with a secretive lady.

Secretive or not, Ruth is humble. She's a good lady.

FrankAkowe:
I sighed. Yes, it was true that I didn’t ask about her background. Wait a minute, I realized she didn’t tell me anything about her parents apart from saying they lived here in Lagos.


‘Are you still in doubt of my sincerity?’ she asked.

I grinned and squeezed her hand. Of course it went beyond sincerity, but this might not be the best moment to discuss that. ‘No, I don’t doubt you.’

‘You’re scared?’

I tried to be a man. ‘Scared of what?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Somehow, you look scared or something.’

Why would I not be scared? I however tried to keep a cool mien.

‘I’m okay,’ I said.

‘Alright, now, what do you want to be entertained with?’

‘Anything.’

She smiled. ‘Are you sure you want anything?’

I shrugged. ‘Sure.’

‘Okay. Give me a minute.’ She smiled at me, stood up and moved out of sight.

I looked about me unbelievably again. Wonderful.
She must be good in one thing and that was keeping a secret. With all the chat we had had in the office and in my home, she did not even make a slip in revealing her identity. She definitely knew how to keep a secret.



You can get the full download: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get FREE Preview copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

Nice story.

FairCritic:



Secretive or not, Ruth is humble. She's a good lady.

Ruth is a humble lady, wife material. Interesting story keep it up Thanks

Humbleness:
Ruth is a humble lady, wife material.
Interesting story keep it up
Thanks

Thanks.

She smiled. ‘Are you sure you want anything?’

I shrugged. ‘Sure.’

‘Okay. Give me a minute.’ She smiled at me, stood up and moved out of sight.

I looked about me unbelievably again. Wonderful.

She must be good in one thing and that was keeping a secret. With all the chat we had had in the office and in my home, she did not even make a slip in revealing her identity. She definitely knew how to keep a secret.

A couple of minutes later, I could hear soft footsteps, but they didn’t belong to her. The maid was back, grinning.

‘Aunty Ruth said you should come along.’

I slightly raised my brows but stood up.

‘This way, please,’ she continued.

I followed her down the corridor. I could see the way that led to an expansive sitting-room by the left. The maid did not go there. We kept walking on the corridor.

At the end of it, to the right, was a door. It was opened and I was ushered inside a big room. Ruth was inside, sitting on a navy blue sofa and smiling up at me.

The room contained a bed, a set of seats and a dressing table with a giant mirror. There were also a laptop and an i-pad on the dressing table, apart from some make-up kits.

Rows of wardrobes were on the left side. Above the table, a six-inch by four-inch photograph of a beautiful lady who was unmistakably Ruth was hanging on the wall. Nice scents permeated the air. This was, without doubts, Ruth’s room.

‘Welcome to my humble room,’ she said. ‘Please sit down while Titi gets your food.’

I smiled, took a seat and sat down gingerly. She called it a ‘humble room’. What an irony! To me, I might as well be inside a room in Birmingham palace or inside the White House.

Everything inside the mansion was grand including the room I was presently inside.

‘You look nervous,’ she observed, smiling.

Again, I tried to relax. There was nothing to be nervous about again, was there?

To make me be at ease, she opened one of the drawers attached to the table and brought out a photo album.

‘Here, you can go through these meanwhile.’

She came to sit by my side while I went through her many pictures. I could see her pictures of different ages, from babyhood to childhood and adulthood.

There was no mistake that she was born with a silver spoon. She explained some pictures to me as I gazed. From what she said, she had two siblings – a senior brother and a junior sister.

‘Mick lives in the U.S.A while Irene is schooling at Redeemers University here in Nigeria.’

I nodded. The guy looked smug while the young lady looked conceited. If everything worked out well, Mick would be my brother-in-law while Irene would be my sister-in-law. Something told me that was not going to be easy.

I saw pictures of Ruth with her friends, her mummy and her dad, Otunba Ola Daniel himself. In most of his pictures, he looked snobbish and aloof. I sighed.

Certainly, this man was going to be a tough father-in-law. I also saw Ruth’s pictures when she was abroad.
‘I took that in Cannes, France,’ she said, pointing at a picture where she posed at the entrance of a hotel.

‘That was during last year summer.’

I nodded. My mind was busy.

There was a soft knock on the door. Titi was back.

‘The food is ready,’ she announced. ‘Should I serve it on the dinning-table, or should I bring it here?’

‘Bring it here,’ Ruth answered promptly.

‘Yes, aunty.’

Few minutes later, Titi brought a tray in. She set a stool in my front and put the tray on it. There were plates of food containing delicious-smelling meal. I opened the first plate and saw fried rice.

I had guessed it was rice and I was right. This must be my plate. Ruth opened the second plate. She nodded at the fried chicken there. The third plate contained salad and some greens. They were not my favorite but I guessed I must have a taste of them.

‘If they’re not enough, I’ll get you more.’

I was surprised. ‘What about you? Are you not eating?’

‘I’ll eat, but this is all for you.’

My eyes popped out. ‘But I can’t finish all these!’

She smiled and shrugged. ‘Why don’t you eat to your fill first?’

I surely had a lot to eat, and as greedy as I might be, I couldn’t finish even half of it. After the food, she ordered Titi to bring a bottle of wine and two glass cups.

Then, she played movie on the video player. The intimacy could not go beyond the chit-chats. Besides, I had my reservations. I knew that except by divine providence, a relationship like this would not go far.

I was just too conscious of the class where I belonged.



Get the full download: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get the Free Preview Copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

Nice update.

Thanks for the update

Let's see how it goes

Bring It On

Nice story.

Thanks for the update.

FrankAkowe:
She smiled. ‘Are you sure you want anything?’

I shrugged. ‘Sure.’

‘Okay. Give me a minute.’ She smiled at me, stood up and moved out of sight.

I looked about me unbelievably again. Wonderful.

She must be good in one thing and that was keeping a secret. With all the chat we had had in the office and in my home, she did not even make a slip in revealing her identity. She definitely knew how to keep a secret.

A couple of minutes later, I could hear soft footsteps, but they didn’t belong to her. The maid was back, grinning.

‘Aunty Ruth said you should come along.’

I slightly raised my brows but stood up.

‘This way, please,’ she continued.

I followed her down the corridor. I could see the way that led to an expansive sitting-room by the left. The maid did not go there. We kept walking on the corridor.

At the end of it, to the right, was a door. It was opened and I was ushered inside a big room. Ruth was inside, sitting on a navy blue sofa and smiling up at me.

The room contained a bed, a set of seats and a dressing table with a giant mirror. There were also a laptop and an i-pad on the dressing table, apart from some make-up kits.

Rows of wardrobes were on the left side. Above the table, a six-inch by four-inch photograph of a beautiful lady who was unmistakably Ruth was hanging on the wall. Nice scents permeated the air. This was, without doubts, Ruth’s room.

‘Welcome to my humble room,’ she said. ‘Please sit down while Titi gets your food.’

I smiled, took a seat and sat down gingerly. She called it a ‘humble room’. What an irony! To me, I might as well be inside a room in Birmingham palace or inside the White House.

Everything inside the mansion was grand including the room I was presently inside.

‘You look nervous,’ she observed, smiling.

Again, I tried to relax. There was nothing to be nervous about again, was there?

To make me be at ease, she opened one of the drawers attached to the table and brought out a photo album.

‘Here, you can go through these meanwhile.’

She came to sit by my side while I went through her many pictures. I could see her pictures of different ages, from babyhood to childhood and adulthood.



I nodded. The guy looked smug while the young lady looked conceited.


Then, she played movie on the video player. The intimacy could not go beyond the chit-chats. Besides, I had my reservations. I knew that except by divine providence, a relationship like this would not go far.

I was just too conscious of the class where I belonged.



Get the full download: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto/28460


Get the Free Preview Copy: https://publish.okadabooks.com/book/about/the_love_grotto_preview_copy/28461

I can feel your mood, Frank. A man that finds himself in that situation will certainly feel uneasy.