thanks. God bless u

Hi guys....


Honestly, I'm totally speechless. You guys made my day. Sorry, I didn't reply to your well wishes and prayers on time.(light issues)

Thanks for the love and everything.

I don't have the words to express how I feel.

But I pray that my father in heaven will care for each and everyone of you and surprise you beyond your wildest dreams. As you've all put smiles and grins on my face, you won't lack reasons to smile and laugh.

Thanks again.

I love you all to the moon and back.

Marcus Antonio.

"God bless you, Leo." Cristina, my fourth older sister, says.

Her husband's off on a conference and she can't stand staying alone in their house with her big belly and her due date gradually getting closer.

She's married to this great guy, Efe, a psychoanalyst. Her relationship with Dad hit the rocks because she chose to marry Efe and not Judge Felix, his choice for her. Cristina, being his prettiest daughter, was optioned to the young, promising High Court judge (Dad has a dream of starting a legal empire. Marital alliances have been working since the dawn of time.)

Cris(as I call her for short) went against Dad's choice and married Efe. They are expecting twins, one year after and I can beat my chest that she's the happiest of all my sisters.

I smile at her as I flop on to the couch beside her, after satisfying her cravings for fried plantain and egusi soup.(I've been dealing with all kinds of weird cravings all week.)

"Amen. Anything for future CJN and AG Fed." I throw at her and she gives me a stink eye.

I can't help it. I love poking fun at her.

Left to her, her children will not smell the letter L let alone read law. She struggled with two extra years just to give our Dad the LL.B degree he wanted and still she didn't get his devotion.

She was the first to realize that Dad wasn't going to love any of them like they wanted. And somehow, she's the only one who doesn't resent me. We are tighter than garlic in a clove and we get each other.

"Take your time," she warns as I laugh.

My phone rings out from my pocket and I pull it out.

Maribelle.

She's been calling non-stop and I'm honestly not ready to hear her explanation.

"Who is she?" Cris asks as I mute the phone.

The words no one are at the tip of my tongue, but I know that's not true.

She's not no one.

"Someone I want to forget."

Was she already back together with Faramade when she came over?

Call me obsessed but I went to check the CCTV footage just to make sure she was the one.

She was.

Was that why she ran like that?

She didn't want to make the same mistake her boyfriend made.

I can't even believe she took him back. She seemed resolved about it.

I thought she felt something for me. Maybe it was just physical.

"You're over thinking. That means something serious went down between you two." Cris says flashing her gap-toothed smile.

"It doesn't matter anymore."

"It does," she says, "Did she hurt you? I've been watching How to Get Away with Murder. We can kill her and throw her body in Dad's backyard. No one will ever suspect you."

I grin and shake my head.

I wonder when the vendetta between her and Dad will end.

She never forgave him for forcing her to read law. And he's not forgiven her for marrying Efe.

Probably on his deathbed.

"Don't worry, I'll manage."

She frowns.

"I don't like seeing you like this. I thought this gloomy Leo was gone."

I thought so too.

I sigh as Cris holds my hand. She's my rock. She's the only one who saw me cry after Iheoma threw my ring in my face and called it quits. She peptalked me back to work. She helped me rid my house of anything Iheoma.

"It's complicated."

"If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that, Bill Gates will be carrying my handbag and calling me madam. I can bet it's not that complicated." She says.

I sigh and tell her everything.

She smiles and asks, "Your d*ick scared her off?"

"Is that all you brought out from everything that said? And can we not talk about my.."

I can't believe she said that.

But then again I can. Cris has no filter.

"What? I diapered it and I've seen it the hundred times I bathed you." She says.

"T-That was then. And please stop. It's annoying."

She laughs and says, "Maybe she's just a shy virgin. You know all those girls that put on a brave facade that they've done it all, and then when it's time to do the do, they're scared. Maybe she was just afraid of her reactions to you."

"That doesn't explain the ex part."

"Leo, I'm friends with all my exes. It could have been a friendly dinner. And the waitress said she left after what seemed to be an argument," she starts and sighs, "Leo, don't over think things. You are not going to get the answers you want by muting her calls. Talk to her."

"What if I don't like the answers she gives me?"

She palms my face and says, "Then we kill her and dump the body in Dad's backyard."

I chuckle and she smiles.

"You'll find someone better then."

"Thanks Cris."

"De nada. I think I'm getting hungry." She says and stretches.

"Bia, when is your husband coming back? If you want a personal chef, I have to discuss my fees with him."

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

AnaGrey**

I was so not into my work today. I tried teaching inflation today, but I kept trailing off in class. This has never happened to me. Not even after my breakup with Faramade.

I called Leo twenty-nine times(now that I think about it; WTF) and he didn't pick any.

Leo always returned my calls, but now, no returned calls.

All I have is a call log with blue arrows and 00:00 call durations.

Not even a text.

I know I deserve this but it still hurt.

Real bad.

I'm standing in front of his door and my knuckles are raised to knock but I can't. I took permission from work and left early, just so I could see him, before he left for work.

What if he doesn't want to be friends anymore?

Maybe he's only looking for a friend with benefits.

Or what if he liked me but doesn't anymore because of my attitude.

I shake my head and knock.

Think of the one-two you spent on Taxify and have sense. My alaroro self screams at me, still pissed that I didn't take public transport.

I shun it as I try to practice my apology speech. I wrote one, but forgot it at work.

The door opens and I'm faced with a heavily pregnant woman.

Another Faramade. Tsk, tsk, tsk. A voice says as my alaroro mind begins to calculate what I could have done with the excess money I spent on transport.

"I'm sorry I think I have the wrong door." I say and want to get the hell out of there.

"You're Maribelle, right." The lady says smiling.

Did he tell his baby mama about me?

"No," I lie, "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm at the wrong unit."

"Even if I were blind, with the way he described you, I'd be able to recognize you." She says smiling.

So, they talked extensively about me? What did he tell her? She's the pitiful girl calling twenty-nine times.

"I'm Cris. Leo's sister." She says.

His sister?

"Please come in and tell me your own side of the story. I've been plotting your murder all week." She says and walls into the flat.

Did she just say murder?

Run, Maribelle, run. My alaroro mind says. You've already put up the down payment for your new place.

I defy the penny-pincher in me and enter.

Do I have a sense of self-preservation?

Apparently not.

I enter and shut the door behind me. I walk slowly to an arm chair. Cris is sitting in the sofa Leo and I fooled around in.

I can still feel his hand running up my thigh and his warm breath on my neck and the taste of chocolate in my mouth.

My toes curl as I bite my lip.

The guy's a f*ucking good kisser.

My mind replays the moment I felt his erection and I feel nauseous.

I take deep breaths and focus my gaze on Cris's face. I spot a little resemblance. They have the same chin and lips. Other than that, nothing.

"I'm sorry I left you at the door. I can barely stand five minutes with this big belly of mine." She says and I smile.

My mum and I stayed with Michael and his wife, Bimpe, when she was happy their first baby and it was like I was the one carrying the pregnancy.

Being orphaned, Bimpe had no mother to explain the experience to her and while books predicted the feelings that would come, Bimpe was nowhere near ready for them.

I went through the mood swings with her, the putting on weight insecurities, the aching feet and all. She held my hand to her belly virtually every time the baby kicked. I think I got more the experience than my brother. Even in the labour room, I was the second person she was holding and beating.(as though I was there when she was getting knocked up.)

Iya Michael was busy cooking and praying like Paul and Silas every midnight for the safe delivery of her first grandchild.

I swear, Ayomide has no reason not to be successful in life. Not with all the prayers my mum prayed and all the maternity prayer meetings she dragged Bimpe and me to.(She said I should start praying in advance for my own children.)

"I understand." I say smiling. I turn to look around for a trace of Leo.

"He's still at work." She answers and I cringe at getting caught.

"Tell me. Are you still single or you're back together with your ex?" She says bluntly.

Wow! They really have talked extensively.

And f*uck! Leo saw me with Faramade.

That's why he's not picking my calls.

Double f*uck! He thinks we're back together.

I cringe and curse Faramade. Enemy of progress.

"I'm still single. My ex only wanted to return cash I lent him." I explain to her.

Her smile returns.

"He's still at the restaurant. He'll be working late, but nothing's stopping you from dropping by. I'll put in a word with Wole, so you're let in."

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

is today her birthday or tomorrow? Well..Best wishes ma, I love her soft flow, so remarkable!

Emex100:

I don't eat meat!!!

Owh. Taking just pie wouldn't hurt or would it?

Happy birthday Oremeyii Long life and prosperity. Love ya loads, hon. May God grant you all your heart desires according to his will.

Marcus Antonio.

A sigh leaves my lips as I push open the door to my office. I'm so tired. So, I spoke to Chef Sedleigh last week and I've been promoted to Chef de Cuisine. Chef Lucy's been transferred to Glyks, his restobar closer to her house.

I've had to prepare complimentary meals for everyone as a live singer cancelled last minute. We've closed up and I think I'm just going to sleep in here.

I shuffle through the door and meet Maribelle sitting in my chair with her head bent watching what I'm guessing is a movie on her phone with a ginormous power bank hooked up to it. She has headsets on and doesn't hear me come in.

What is she doing here?

Who let her in?

And why did no one tell me?

The shirt she was wearing is draped on the back of my chair.

That reminds me. I have to get someone to check the air-conditioning. It's been acting up.

She bursts into giggles, still staring at the phone and I just stand there and soak up her happiness.

I don't know what gives me away but she looks up. She pulls the headset away from the bronze coloured Ghana weaving on her head and taps her screen, probably pausing the movie.

I remove my neckerchief and work on the buttons of my jacket.

"How are you?" I start, ending the silence between us.

"Good. And you?"

"Perfect." I say with a sting.

Why am I angry?

I'm not sure.

She stands and says, "Um, I met Cris. She asked someone to let me in."

Figures.

"Okay. Um, are you okay? Is there a reason you need to see me?"

What am I saying?

I pull off the jacket and I'm left in a white vest. She eyes my chest for a few moments and I can't help but feel proud.

I walk to the sofa and unlace my shoes.

"Uh, yeah," she says after clearing her throat. "I came to apologise for my behaviour. Running out on you like that, ignoring your calls and messages. I'm really sorry. I just had to think things through and… Basically, I'm sorry."

"Are you back together with Faramade?" I ask.

No need beating about the bush.

"No. God forbid." She says, snapping her finger around her head. "I can't deal with baby mama drama."

There's silence for a few minutes and then she asks, "Is my apology accepted?"

"I don't know."

"Someone once told me it's rather impolite not to accept apologies." She says.

I look up at her.

"I'm sorry."

"Why did you run off?"

Her tiny smile disappears and she scratches her head. She fiddles with her cord for a few seconds before she says, "It's complicated."

Complicated? Interesting.

"Uncomplicate it."

"You won't understand."

"I have an LL.B. I think I can understand."

"It's personal. More like something I don't want anyone to know." She says looking at her phone.

"In that case," I say and shrug, "I don't accept your apology. Thanks for giving it anyway. I'd have loved to drop you off but I'm dead tired and it's pretty late. There's a hotel nearby. I'd advise you spend the night there. It's too late to take public transport."

I speak so distantly and detached that she just stared at me in awe.

What was she expecting?

She gives me no reason at all, and all's forgiven?

"Leo-"

"Maribelle."

She sighs and steels her back.

"Thanks for the advice." She says and begins to stiff her phone and other gadgets into her black and white tote. She snatches her shirt off the chair.

"Bye." She says and storms out of the office, slamming the door behind her.

And I'm wondering if I was right.

I sigh and lay down on the sofa.

Comparmentalise Leo. The bistro needs it Chef de Cuisine rested.

I chant to myself, trying to forget the shocked look on her face, trying to forget the brimming of tears in her eyes, trying to forget her in entirety.

I close my eyes and all I can see is her giggling.

The door swings open and I open my eyes. She's standing there crying and she stalks to me vibrating in anger.

"I ran off because I'm a psycho. I'm a scarred, bruised girl whose scared of d*icks. There. I've said it." She says, with her chest heaving heavily.

Did I hear her correctly?

"I'm not sure I heard you right. You're scared of what?"

"A man's penis. Okay? You can start laughing now." She snaps.

How does one get scared of a man's… Hold the phone. She said scarred and bruised. Was she raped?

I feel like a jerk right now. She said she didn't want anyone to know. And I can only imagine her pain.

"I'm a medorthophobe and a phallophobe. I'm scared of joysticks. Erect or otherwise. I was molested once by my older brother's friend and I never got over it. That's why I ran off. Feeling your-"

She stops and shivers as though the Devil were standing before her.

Is she so scared just by the mere thought of it?

"Oh God," she cries and holds her forehead in anguish.

I stand and move to her. I want to hug her, take her pain away, but I'm not sure if I can or how to go about it. What if I accidentally … I don't even know.

"You don't have to talk about this if you don't want to. I'm sorry I asked." I say.

She shakes her head and starts sobbing.

"I fucking hate this. I'm tired of being slave to this memory. Rotimi's married and no matter how much I hate on him, he's still going to go on living his life and I'm the girl who can't stand dicks." She sobs.

"Faramade wanted to have sex that night, but I was scared senseless, and look what happened. We we're making out, and look what happened." She continues.

I reach for her hand keeping a respectable, Deeper Life distance between us. I'm not sure how to go about physical contact with her anymore, but I do this to reassure her.

"Faramade's a jerk. Even if you aren't a medo-whatever-phobe, he'd still cheat because that's what he is. And as for me, I had known I'd have taken things slower and I wouldn't have let things get so far." I say.

"Well, it's not exactly something I put out there when I'm meeting someone for the second time." She says sniffling.

"I understand. We'll work through this. I've got you."
I say and she stares at me.

"Why? Why bother?"

"In case you haven't noticed, I sort of like you." I say and she smiles.

And it's like a rainbow after a stormy day.

"You like me? I'm not just an opportunity to get laid?"

"F*uck no!"

Where did she get that impression from?

The erection on your second meeting. A voice in my head says.

"I'd like to see us become an item. Maybe I should have started with this before making out with you. I want to see where we go."

She smiles and nods.

"I like you, too." She says in a cute, bunny-like voice.

She's so cute.

"So, are we boyfriend and girlfriend now?" She asks.

"Only if you don't want us to be."

She nods enthusiastically and I chuckle.

"Okay then."

This is weird, but for Maribelle, it's mushy.

And I think I'm beginning to like mushy.

���������

One year later

AnaGrey**

It's been a year since Leo became my boyfriend and today's our anniversary. So many things happened between then and now.

We've both grown, changed and learnt. We're like fine wine. (Yen yen yen, say anything you want, twelve months no be joke.)

I just wonder what my life would have been like if I missed the wonderful person Leo. And it's all thanks to Nairaland (Who knew good things could come out from that Nazereth?)

Today's also the grand opening of Casa Maribella, Leo's restaurant.(Yeah, I snagged myself a boyfriend who names his restaurant after me. Shoot your catapult of envy, e no go kill our love)

The make-up on my face is somewhat flawless.(Yeah, I started learning and Cris was very helpful.)
My cut crease eyeliner is perfect, though my brows are a bit uneven. I've redrawn the right one four times now and I've just given up. I'm late as it is. I just hope I won't be late to heaven.

The phone dings as Bolt notifies me my driver is here. I spritz on my perfume and grab my clutch off the vanity and sprint out of the house with my mother begging me not to break my leg.

So I didn't move out anymore. My down payment was refunded with a two percent deduction removed from it. My stingy self is still smarting but I couldn't say no to my mother. Not when she started crying.

Yes, I'm a weakling when it comes to my mother.

Technically, I may never have met Leo if I hadn't been looking to buy her a phone. So…

I get into the taxi and the ride to Ligali Ayorinde begins. And after an hour and forty-five minutes, I get there, barely make it to the ribbon cutting, which is done by a National Industrial Court judge. Leo's dad of course. The man is something else.

All the glamorous, posh guests shuffle into the restaurant and I can hear the compliments on the decor.

The ambience is cool and chick with hues of yellow, brown and orange. There's a live band playing classical pop. I think the band is playing Happy by Pharrell Williams.

Waiters and ushers lead people to their tables and I can't help by smile at my boyfriend's achievement. Leo's worked hard for this and I'm happy to see everything go smoothly.

I go to sit at the bar and I request a glass of champagne. Waiters begin to flood out from the kitchen with trays of delicious looking food. I've tasted a few already. I was one of his guinea pigs for new recipes. (He stopped using me when I couldn't give the tough criticism he needed. I'm not a critic. I just enjoy food.)

Thank God for my metabolism, else a panda would have been calling me fat by now.

I spot Cris and I wave at her. She's still round with baby fat, but still looks gorgeous in her purple floor length, empire waisted dress. The sweet heart neckline is doing wonders for her milk filled boobs.

I hope lactation does that to me. I've never been on the big boobs side of the divide.

She waves back smiling and whispers something in her husband's ear. He looks at me and waves as well. I return the gesture. Cris excuses herself from the group and crosses the room to meet me.

I'd have gone to meet her but she's with her father (yep, they mended fences after she gave him his only grandsons. Sexist much.) and he doesn't like me.

I'm not sure I like him. Not with all the stories I've heard. He's like Viru Sahastrabuddhe on steroids. (If you know, you know. I met a kindred spirit in Tade.)

And technically, he already had lined up for Leo the daughter of the name partner of a big law firm. Leo put his foot down and since he doesn't want to push away his only son, he takes out his aggression on me.

Crazy.

He doesn't know I'm crazy too. Mum's warned me not to disrespect the man and that's why I'm keeping my distance.

"Hey bitch." Cris calls and I smile.

With the way she talks, you'd think she's in her twenties.

"Your brow's off." She says.

"Leave it. Who's looking at me?" I say frown a bit.

"My brother, my father, half the eligible bachelors in this place." She says.

"Are you trying to hook my girlfriend up?" Leo says behind me.

I turn and smile at him as he kisses my temple and wraps a hand around my waist.

"Yes. She can do better than you." Cris says matter-of-factly.

"I don't want to do better than him." I tell her.

"Really?" She asks smiling.

I snuggle closer to Leo. "You'd have to pry me off him with a diamond crowbar."

"Love in Tokyo." Cris jives and I giggle.

"If you're done, get your fat ass back to your husband and stop trying to corrupt my girlfriend." Leo says and Cris gives him the middle finger.

I laugh as she walks away.

"I'll be sure to do that around the twins." Leo calls and she turns to give him the glare and I laugh again.

Leo chuckles lightly and walks to stand in front of me.

"Happy anniversary." He says and I smile.

"Happy anniversary and congratulations."

"Thanks Mar. I got you something." He says and pulls out a necklace from his pocket and places it in my free hand.

It has a rose engraved medallion with his initial on the back of it.

"So I'm close to your heart."

I look up at him.

"You're already in my heart, Leo."

He smiles and collects the necklace back. I turn around and he puts it on me.

"Thank you." I smile and look down to see the necklace. It doesn't suit the highnecked dress I'm wearing but I don't care.

�����������

Two years later

Marcus Antonio

The urgency with which we are shedding our clothes would make you think there are ants crawling in them. I lack restraint and control right now. Not after I've waited for three years.

It's funny thinking about it. Most of my guys didn't believe it, but who cares what they think. How I stayed celibate three years waiting till after marriage is a mystery.

But I'm not putting it past my love for her and her mother's prayers. When Mar finally opened up to her mother about her phobia, the woman was heartbroken and angry that she couldn't keep her only daughter safe from abuse. It was an emotional moment. Maribelle tried to comfort the woman but she wouldn't be. She was pretty devastated.

Long story short, the woman begged me not to hurt her daughter. She begged me because in her words she knew how to handle a pestle well and she wouldn't want me begging her when she came trying to crush my family jewels.

I'm quoting her.

That was a scary moment.

The woman said she'd be praying and if I wasn't the man for her daughter, God would help her destroy our relationship before I did anything with her daughter.

Anyway, it took a while before we did anything beyond a light peck on the lips. I didn't trust myself around her and I didn't want to scar her. And when she said she wanted to wait till marriage, I was okay with it.

"Leo," my wife pants, "please make love to me."

She tugs at my waist band trying to figure out how to remove the silk strip and I laugh.

"Take it easy. We've got a whole lifetime ahead of us."

The End.

Hope you liked my birthday gift to y'all.

Thanks again for the wishes.

We love love your birthday gift. Me thinks Millieademi is the greatest gift of all. Thanks dear.

[quote author=enirock post=93342011]We love love your birthday gift. Me thinks Millieademi is the greatest gift of all. Thanks dear.[/quot

Thanks love

Thanks milli and happy belated birthday

Thanks for the birthday wishes and dedication Millieademi

Happy belated birthday to you also,may God enlarge your coast.

I`m a bit confused though, from the part where Dele was playing with the kids with Seyifunmi and Tinu been around, is that where that exact update ended.

Kindly clarify and kudos with the good work,hope you enjoyed yourself yesterday??

Wow thanks. u too much

Thanks Millie for this bday gift. It's gripping as usual n as a die hard romantic fan of Ur writings, I still award it a medal of excellence for being tasteful in a short space of time

And they live happily ever after. Thank you for this interesting piece.

Khriztarl:
Owh. Taking just pie wouldn't hurt or would it?

Lol.......oya bring the pie without the meat

Missmossy:
Thanks for the birthday wishes and dedication Millieademi

Happy belated birthday to you also,may God enlarge your coast.

I`m a bit confused though, from the part where Dele was playing with the kids with Seyifunmi and Tinu been around, is that where that exact update ended.

Kindly clarify and kudos with the good work,hope you enjoyed yourself yesterday??

Can you highlight or quote the update exactly?

I'm so angry at myself
I wish I logged in to nairaland sooner
thanks Millie, I really appreciate the last line of your birthday wish I've psycho analysed it in my head *laughs*
Anyway, we've come to the end of Mar and Leo
A short, quirky, funny, love story. I'm sure everyone loved it, if they don't, my vote counts as a billion *winks*

Tearing at each other’s clothes

Thanks for the update

Damn!! Wanted to read that part, anyways it has been an interesting ride, thanks for the wonderful story. it was so blissful and calming to the soul.

Themmycruz:
please I don't understand again,which story is this and what's the sponsored post about

I don't understand tooo
I thought it will be continuation of oceans of secrets
Pls explain

Glory4567:


I don't understand tooo
I thought it will be continuation of oceans of secrets
Pls explain

The sponsored post was used by the Op to celebrate her birthday with us her readers(its just a different story with no connection to OOS). The part two of ocean of secrets (OOS) is up though titled the flow. I don't know how to paste links, would have done that. Modified: The link to the part two of OOS-the flow is in page 70 of part one. It wast posted by EAhumble I think.

Thanks for your gift millieademi, i really appreciate and happy new month all.

enirock:
The sponsored post was used by the Op to celebrate her birthday with us her readers(its just a different story with no connection to OOS). The part two of ocean of secrets (OOS) is up though titled the flow. I don't know how to paste links, would have done that. Modified: The link to the part two of OOS-the flow is in page 70 of part one. It wast posted by EAhumble I think.

Thanks for explaining