CHAPTER TWO continued
"So how exactly are you going to contact her?"

"You'll give me her number and address. I'll take it up from there."

Mike's thoughts went to Sharon. His heart skipped a beat. What if he lost her? What if she fell for Mr Playboy? What if this was a mistake? But Sharon was a good woman and he knew this. He didn't need to put her to any test. But he needed a billion naira for his business. He couldn't just go back to Nigeria without the deal certified.

"Tell me somethings about Sharon." Jake broke into his thoughts. He had been watching him struggling with the decision. Mike's demonstrations proved his dilemma. His hands were fidgeting and his eyes were miles away.

Mike sighed and tried to relax. He started describing her in a sober yet proud tone.

"She's beautiful. But, you already know that. When we met, what struck me about her was her poise, her calmness and maturity. She was doing comfortably well when I met her. But she didn't brag about any of her achievements or make me deliberately notice her success. She was humble, still is. She called me "Sir" even though I was technically her mate. She genuflected whenever she greeted me and spoke to me with respect.

At first I thought she did all that because she was desperate for a husband, so I intentionally stopped calling and texting her to see her reaction. She called twice but I didn't pick. She sent a text and I didn't reply. It didn't bother her. She stopped calling. The next month I decided to check up on her, she still greeted me normally. She was even in the company of a guy I knew was interested in her. As I sat in her office that afternoon waiting for her to dismiss the guy, I noticed the same respect she gave me was what she gave the other guy. She remained calm and poised while he complimented her recipes and made flattering comments about introducing her to his mum.

I knew from then that she was special. I began to pray concerning her. I prayed if she was God's choice for me, then God should let me know. And He did."

Jake cleared his throat to interrupt him. "How exactly did God let you 'know'?"

Mike smiled. "I heard Him speak to my heart. While I was still fasting and praying about her, I heard Him speak. He said, 'Go on. Approach her. You have my blessing."

Jake nodded. It was not the nod of acceptance. It was the nod of a person who was not convinced but didn't want to show it.

"So you approached her?"

"Well, not immediately. I became close to her. Got to know what she liked and what were her goals. She told me she wanted to make an impact in people's lives through her business. That was the same goal I had. Then I proposed: "I believe we are heading to the same direction in life. But I need you by my side to be more focused and efficient. And I promise to support your dreams and values. Please, marry me Sharon."

"And?"

"She said yes."

"Right there? She didn't go back to pray about it like religious sisters do?"

"Na. She already had her own conviction. She already knew I was the one and Sharon hates wasting people's time. She is too business conscious."

Jake smiled. "She seems interesting. I can't wait to meet her." He meant it.

"I haven't made up my mind yet."

Jake got up and put his hands into his pockets the way he did for effect. "Learn from Sharon. Grab the opportunity before it slips away. Be business conscious."

CHAPTER TWO continued
***

Tunde entered the living room carrying bags containing groceries. Mike stood up from the T.V and assisted him in taking them into the kitchen. Stella had not come to work today. She had phoned in the morning to say she had a flu and had to stay home. Mike laughed at the way of Westerners who made a big deal about little illnesses that would mean nothing to anyone back in the country. He helped Tunde remove the fresh bread from the bakery and the fruits that he knew without being told were organic. He thought how often he didn't care about organic fruits back at home. Life was so much complicated here. You had to worry about everything, including the freshness of the air you breathed.

"Where's Jake? Did he go out?" Tunde asked opening the package containing the freshly baked bread. The sweet aroma from it rose up and engulfed their nostrils provoking hunger and appetite.

"He's on his way to Nigeria now. He couldn't wait, he told me time was life and he wanted to make judicious use of the one given to him now." Mike's eyes were vacant, puzzling and searching for answers he did not want to hear.

Tunde was staring deep into Mike's eyes and all that could cross his mind was how foolish and greedy some men were. Whoever Sharon was, he knew she was in serious trouble.

"You mean you accepted his deal?"

Mike looked away.

"Are you mad or just plain stupid?" Tunde growled. He was naturally humble and gentle but had trouble controlling his anger many times.

"I see. Money means more to you than the safety of the woman you claim you love. I've met greedy men before, but you surprised me Bro. And there I was thinking Jake was the bad guy. I never knew you were the greater evil."

Mike sighed and fought back his tears. "Don't judge me, please."

Tunde gave him a piercing look and walked away.

Mike's foolishness is foolish. I don't know if this my grammar make sense self

drewsman:
Mike's foolishness is foolish. I don't know if this my grammar make sense self

Beautiful story.... Please continue

I love the story..
Pls is it on okadabooks?

Following

Chapter Three
Abuja
Jaka Shaibu came out of the airport dragging his gold suitcase containing his books, mobile phones, tablets and laptop. He had packed for business. He would purchase all the clothes he needed for his current assignment when he had decided when and how to operate. He was wearing a blue kaftan nicely pressed and shiny. He wore dark sunshades to protect his eyes from the harsh sunlight that will take him months to get used to. The air carried a nostalgic scent that spoke a million things to him. His mind travelled for seconds to his childhood days in Adamawa. The millet plants in the short rainy season, the dried dates he and his friends gorged themselves on till they were nauseated, the dust that blew in harmattan and paled his skin... This is Nigeria, the land of my birth. He said within himself. Home was always home no matter what.

He held up his International passport momentarily and glanced at it. He then kept it safely in his wallet that was at his back pocket. A black Range Rover pulled over in front of him and the front door opened. A man in suit went up to him hastily and bowed slightly.

"Mr Jaka Shaibu, welcome back to Nigeria. I'm Nuhu Isa. We spoke before you embarked on your journey."

Jake smiled and extended a hand to shake the man. "Take me to Sheraton to cool off. I need some comfort before I get to work. One more thing, call me Jake."

Nuhu put his arms forward to collect his suitcase. Jake hesitated.

"On a second thought, call me Jimmy. My name is now Jimmy." Jake pushed the suitcase into Nuhu's hands.

"Jimmy." Nuhu experimented. "Jimmy is Okay."
***

djpaparazzi:
Beautiful story.... Please continue

Yes Sah. Sure Sah.

sindali:
I love the story..
Pls is it on okadabooks?

For you Darling, it would be. Though it's unavailable for now. I need a laptop to type it faster.

Nice one op, u have a great story here.

CHAPTER THREE continued
Jake entered the vehicle and sat comfortably. He crossed his legs and leaned backwards with his hands supporting his head. The air con blew softly on his handsome round face sending his eyelids to close for a moment. The air in the car smelt of lavender and lemon. It tingled his large nostrils and made it's way into his lungs. Nuhu changed the station from Kiss f.m where a female was narrating her ordeal in the hands of hoodlums in a sweet British accent. He put the station on Cool f.m where a jazz record was playing.

"Please put it back on the talk show." Jake said.

"I thought you would love music."

"I prefer the talk." Jake answerred still with his eyes closed.

The lady's sweet voice resurfaced as the car sped to The Sheraton Hotel.

Sorry for the long break. I've been involved in a competition. I'll soon be updating. One love.

Shalomdee:
Sorry for the long break. I've been involved in a competition. I'll soon be updating. One love.

best wishes, Mrs

CHAPTER THREE continued
At the Sheraton hotel. Jake, now Jimmy was booked in one of the best lounge. He laid in his king sized bed doing some surfing on Facebook. After purchasing an already used Facebook account from a guy on Nairaland forum, he started editing his new profile. Jimmy Abu was now his name and he was 27. He searched for his new target's name. Sharon's profile came up soon. She already had 4050 friends.

Jimmy smirked. He was really interested in his new target. She was nothing like all the targets he had been assigned to. He had a cool feeling about Sharon. Perhaps this was really his big break.

Her profile details were devoid of too many details. Her bio read: God lover, funny, mature. God over everything!

At other times his lips would have turned down to see his target declare her love for God. But for once and for reasons he could not explain, his lips parted into a broad smile. He checked her profile picture. He saw just three photos of her. The best of them was one she had taken in a business event. She was wearing a gold and white embroidered kaftan gown and white stilettos. Jimmy looked closely at the stilettos, he knew their worth. Judging from the worth of her shoes and dress, he placed her on a monthly income of two million naira. That was not bad for a Nigerian lady.

He closed the laptop and dialled room service. He ordered pizza and wine. Then laid back to sleep.

Afostev11:
best wishes, Mrs

Wonderful! Are you upgrading my marital status in prophecy? I'm totally single. Thanks anyway for following. I'm super glad.

Shalomdee:


Wonderful! Are you upgrading my marital status in prophecy? I'm totally single. Thanks anyway for following. I'm super glad.

You welcome.....seems u scared been upgraded as a Mrs ..... pls update

Welcome back. I am hungry for more updates. Please update more.

Welcome bk op, u have a very nice story here but pls don't go on a long break again

Mike might lost everything

lovey story pls update soonest

Please dear readers, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting, I'll update soon. Thanks, Jesus loves you and so do I.

Of a truth I have waited for the continuation of this story. The love is mutual

Op how far