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.

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.

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

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.

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.

djpaparazzi:
Beautiful story.... Please continue

Yes Sah. Sure Sah.

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."
***

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

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.

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
Los Angeles
Mike tried reaching Sharon on phone but it didn't connect. Her phone was either switched off or the network there was bad. He put down the phone. His hands were sweaty. He was nervous. "To bet or not to bet? That is the question." He said aloud.

He was in the lawn seated on an iron bench and watching butterflies perch on the rosebuds in the nursery. His thoughts kept wandering from 1 billion to the equipment in Machine Agency to Sharon's soft and deep eyes to Jake's cunning smile when he said : then let's bet.

"Darn the consequences!" He said aloud once again. He was squeezing the plastic cup he had drank his juice from unconsciously.

Jake's voice came back to him in his mind. "If I can't make her fall for me in 4months time. You get 1 billion plus your 50 mil. But if I can make her fall for me and get into bed with me, I keep my money but you get your 50 mil. Either ways, you keep your money."

"How can I trust you will play fair?"

Jake smiled in that cunning fox way. He had a dimple on his right chin. "All is fair in love and war. Anyway, I give you my word."

"So does this mean you'll be travelling to Nigeria?"

"Yep. As soon we bet officially, I'll be on my way to Abuja. It's been five years since I visited. I'm sure many things have changed."

"So how exactly are we going to bet officially?"

Jake had taken up his laptop and signed into a site. He showed him the homepage of the site.

"Loverbet. The number one site where people gamble on the fidelity of their lovers."

"You mean a site like this exists in reality?"

"Yes. Welcome to the end of days."

Mike exhaled.

"It's simple." Jake went on to explain.

"You simply sign up. Request for a fidelity test. I accept. You stake your money on the site and I stake mine. The site will keep our money and pay you when you win."

"That's it?"

"Told you. Simple as ABC."

CHAPTER TWO continued
Sharon finished reading her Emails at 2:40 p.m. She closed her laptop and got up from her study desk in her room. She shared the room with Sheila, her youngest sister who was in Abuja for holidays. She lived in Lugbe. She had rented the three bedroom flat a year after Sweets and Joy started. Her besties Frances, Adoo, Ene and Tuleh were also staying with her in the flat. Sharon was not used to staying alone in a house so she invited her friends to stay with her.

She was back early from work today. Ever since her first shop had become a success, she spent less time working. She had trained her workers to use her recipes and make the snacks just the way she did. She came to the sitting room. Adoo and Frances were seated watching King of Hearts on Telemundo. They were engrossed in it. Sharon laid down on the long settee and tried hard to follow the soap. It was futile. She hated Mexican soap operas. Her best T.V programs were kids programs on Disney Junior, Nickledeon, Jim Jam and Cartoon Network. She only loved movies that starred kids in them.

"I'll go and join Sheila so we can watch Annie together." Sharon stood up from the seat just when she had had enough of one of the actress' loud crying.

"Say hi to Mr Stacks for me." Adoo replied and she and Frances giggled together.

Moments after Sharon had left, they heard her phone ring. It was her message ring tone. Frances jumped and took it. She hissed when she saw who the message was from.

"It's from her Dumbo fiancé."

"Read the message na. Wetin in de yan?" Adoo who was the eldest lady in the flat and seemed to control all the others said.

"Wetin concern me concern Sharon love message?" Frances threw the phone back on the seat and went back to the T.V.

Adoo got up with an effort because she was huge. She took the phone and read the message.

"Babe, there's something I need to tell you about. I'll be calling you when it's night over there. I love you. Cheers."

Adoo threw the phone and hissed. "I've never seen a more unromantic dude than Mike. I wonder why Sharon didn't just marry Tersugh? We would have been cruising in Dubai by now."

"No go marry your own husband, Adoo. You too dey chuk mouth inside other people matter."

"Whatever."

Nephilim:
Are you talking about me, in your Diary
Nairaland just told me that you mentioned me!
Anyway can we be friends

You got me laughing out loud. Okay Bro. Nice to meet you.

CHAPTER TWO continued
She began to pray for a husband. At age 25, she was not yet engaged. Almost all her friends were 'hooked' or already in their matrimonial homes. There were men coming around her to build friendship and ask for a relationship, but anytime she went back to consider their proposals, she will lose interest in the men. She just didn't seem to connect to anyone.

"Time is running out oh!" Her aunts would warn her when she tried to explain why she turned down another proposal.

"Be there forming princess. A woman doesn't have all the time in the world. Smart ladies get engaged before they graduate, these days men are really scarce."

"Don't become an old maid joor. We don't have old maids in our family."

"What about Tersugh?" One of her aunts will chip in. "He is handsome, well educated, responsible and he is doing well financially."

"Auntie, he drinks too much?"

"And so? There is no perfect man out there. It's either he drinks, or smokes, or chases girls, or is poor, or is a woman beater, or is into rituals. This one only drinks, his own is better. Husband na husband." Aunt Mimi will say.

Talks like these started getting to her. Everybody was suddenly ' advising' her to settle and not allow money deceive her.

"Money is good but a husband is better." They will say.

"What shall it profit a woman to gain the world and die a spinster?"

Sharon couldn't take it anymore. With pressure mounting from her family and friends asking her what she wanted to do with wealth and fame and no husband; she gave in. Tersugh, the rich handsome son of a senator asked her to marry him and she said yes.


It was the talk of the town. Tiv people carried the news from Abuja to Lagos to Benue to Nasarawa and Taraba. Event managers started advertising themselves on her Facebook timeline. Friends started jostling who would be her Bridesmaid. Fashion designers started becoming friendly. Family members were already calling her "Future Mrs Tersugh Shagbao", "Tersugh's Sweetheart", and many other names. But she was not at peace with herself.

Tersugh wanted the wedding rushed. They had only courted for four months when he started fixing dates for introduction and traditional wedding. The more he talked of their wedding, the more her heart weighed her. It was not as if Tersugh was not nice. He was a nice man. He 'spent' money on her the way he was expected to, he called her family members frequently and gave them generous amounts, he put her picture as his Facebook cover picture. He called her everyday and told her how much he loved her. But deep down in her heart, she knew he was not the one and if she ended up marrying him, she will never be happy.

She also started noticing some things about him. He was excessively jealous. "Where are you?" He will say on the phone when she picked.

"I'm at the office, why?"

"Are you with someone?"

"Yes, a client."

"He or she?"

"He. What does it matter?"

"Put the phone on speaker now!"

He embarrassed by his constant feeling of insecurity. He deleted all her male friends' contacts from her phone book, checked her email and Facebook messages. Picked her calls and warned her male callers not to disturb 'his wife'. He was unbearable. The last straw that broke her patience was his adamance that they have sex before marriage.

"Have I not already gone to see your people?" He will ask trying to unbutton her blouse when they were alone in his living room.

"I've told you. Let's wait till we're formally married." She will push him away.

He will come back for her skirt more determined. "You're always acting too holy. It's old school. Sex is a demonstration of love."

"I said, we will wait until we're officially man and wife. What's the rush? You'll be tired of sex when we finally get married."

"I want to have you now, Baby." He will say and a certain lust will set his eyes ablaze and he will start licking her earlobes.

One such day she slapped him and pushed him away. Picked up her bag and walked away.

"Come back Sharon!" He ordered.

She turned. "I can't do this anymore. I'm sick and tired of pretending to the world that I'm happy with you. Let's just end this."

He stood up from the cushion and went over to her and hugged her. "I can't do without you."

"Yes you can." She said and broke free from him.

"Sharon!" He called. "I know you think you're born again. But if you keep up with these so-called convictions of yours, I'm afraid you'll never be married."

"I want to be happy Tersugh. And I want peace of mind. If marriage can't give me that, then maybe you are right, I'll never be married."
***