E13


"Mother!" Andrew called out from the couch; his greeting sound weak, but still held contempt within. His voice was weak, yet clear, as Mother could tell. She was glad he was home, though she wouldn't let her emotions show; she was a bit worried and wanted him to find a way out of their custody. Her weaknesses were a default she had perfected hiding, no one was worthy to know what bugged her - that ideology had kept her going for a very long time now and she welcomed it. She stared intently at his son, her boy; rarely did she allow herself indulge in her own emotions, they always brought out the worst in her, they always let her guard down, just as they were doing now. She walked towards him and placed her hand on his bare belly, “Have you had something to eat?" she asked feigning little concern. He said “No!" He asked to be let to go to bed; he remembered clearly the last time Mother acted all concerned and worried it didn't end well for him.

"Dimeji is threatening to destroy us,” Her words caught him on the flight of stairs, he froze on his steps. He slightly turned to the left, towards her, his face visible enough to her eyes even though the stairs chandelier was switched off. He said to her, "We'll destroy him first, like we do all our enemies." His reply pleased her very much.

***

Andrew walked through the firm in self-absorbed quiet, he still felt sleepy: Lately he had always slept with one eye opened, he wasn't even sure if it was because of the increased crime rate, or because of his Housemate. He was stuck in the same house with a woman his brain told him wanted him dead, and had always given him a thousand easy to kill; it's been hard and exhausting trying not to. He kept moving till he realized he was now at the paralegal quarters; his thoughts drifted towards Anna and how he used to come smoke her out in the name of official duty before the overhaul transferred her directly under him. He missed those days as much as he missed his self-absorbed quiet. He wanted to continue on his way, but his curiosity got the beter of him - he wanted to know why everyone gathered. As he walked towards the center of their gathering, loud chants of "CONGRATULATIONS" filled the room.

A large banner that bore the words ‘CONGRATULATIONS' stood overhead Anna and Mark's position, they were smiling and loving up.

Andrew wondered if Mark had just proposed to Anna. His heart squeezed and his face immediately clawed with mild jealousy. He tried to get a better view from the back, and saw the big baby picture frame by Anna's side; he immediately realised the gathering was an announcement for Anna's pregnancy. Joy inadvertently creeped into his heart; the thought of Anna not ending up with the father of her unborn child guiltily but unsurprisingly pleased him.

"Hey!" He called out to Anna. He was bold enough to offer his own congratulations. All eyes were on him. He collected a glass from Patricia who was sharing, and raised a toast to the unborn child's long life. Anna looked at him with a piercing gaze. He alone knew why.


***

Andrew barged into Mother's office. He wanted her to call off the hit on Dimeji, "No more killings," he announced. Mother at first was glad he didn't barge in that way to demand to assume the duties of CEO, she would have been forced to discipline him again for been unnecessarily rude, especially when she thought they were progressing in their evolving relationship. "Are you alright?" She wanted to know; yet she didn't care; something was off with him; he was the same person who suggested yesterday that she take Dimeji down like they were known for; what change within the last eighteen hours? She wanted to know.

Andrew didn't have the urge to explain, but he had to. The surge of electricity he felt in his body caused him to take a seat. His body shook gently at the surge of realization: All life had value, that was something he just realized, being in the same room with Mark and Anna.

All Mother could say was her boy had become a love-sick puppy. She felt like hitting sense into his head. "You've been friend zoned,” she maintained; worst, he hadn't even realized it: He was still in love with Anna. He didn't dispute it. To him, he never fell out of love with her.

Mother agreed to think about it. "I'll do what's best for us," she said; the decision wasnt for Andrew alone, it concerned them both.


***

Andrew went to Agnes. When she saw him earlier in the day, she was filled with joy and ran from the distance to hug him, having missed him. He wanted someone familiar and comfortable to talk to now.

Two men dressed formally but not like Lawyers walked up to them, they wanted to see the CEO of the firm - “whoever it may be now,” as one of then joked. Agnes didn't find the joke funny even though Andrew laughed. The young man apologized to her; they were from the forensics department of the police and were here to officially report Ms. Ramon's death, who up till the point of her death was a staff of Lewis Chambers.

"O my God!" Agnes exclaimed when she found out how Ramon died - Of rare poison. Andrew was numb; he felt shaken within but couldn't show it. Agnes had already begun to cry.

"I can't stay here anymore,” her words supported her tears. What would her children do if she died? What would Marcus, the guy who had begun to make her feel alive again, do if she was sudeenly caught up in the thick web of power-tussle and incessant deaths in the firm? What if the demon killing staffs of their firm located her as well? All these questions she threw towards Andrew while buried in his shoulder, heavily crying. He tried to carry her into his office, he didn't want anyone to see her this way, but she wouldn't budge. He went on his knees to assure her on his life that nothing would happen to her, she meant the world to him, and he wouldn't let anyone or anything hurt her.


***

Mark sat opposite his father, he still hadn't touched his branded 'The Bar' drink, even after fifteen minutes of being served. He obeyed out of courtesy, as Anna urged him to honour his father's call to show up for a drink at The Bar. He knew his father wanted to gauge his anger and know how to start making amends for his many sins. He called Akin's attention to his dubiousness and excellence at manipulating people, “This is the reason why I won't let you anywhere near my child,” Mark threatened.

Family still meant the world to Akin, and hearing Mark threaten to cut ties with him, to prevent his grandchild from ever knowing him didn't please him. "Who would it please?" He asked himself. He loved Mark more than life itself, and that was the reason he was trying to mend fences now rather than later, it was the reason for all he'd been doing since; to get his inheritance back from Andrew and his LovePeddler-thief of a mother. He wondered why Mark couldn't just see that.

Mark maintained he didn't want any part of the inheritance, all he ever wanted was his father, and his father left him to rot away for weeks in the prison cell. As far as he was concerned he was done with everything that had to do with Akin and the firm.


***

"Bring your sight back here,” Patrick tried to win Huey's concentration, he had been staring at Akin and Mark seated tables away from them at The Bar. He and Huey were there to catch up on old times, and Huey dwelling on his past enemy wouldn't do them any good in moving on.

Huey still maintained as he'd always claimed that he was done with all things Akin, and had left the fight for God to avenge his mother's death as it pleased his wisdom. To prove it, again, he volunteered to change seat positions with Patrick, that way Patrick would be the one facing Akin. Patrick agreed. Soon they were engrossed in their own discussion and matters that they forgot Akin was seated away from them.

"I miss this bar,” Huey exclaimed at a point: The newly commissioned daytime band made the sunny drinking experience more fun that it was.

"I can't remember the last time I came here."

"Me either."

Both men cheered to the pleasuring sound emanating from The Bar's band. It wasn't everyday two lawyers from different firms sat over a bottle of whiskey at everyone's favourite bar to talk.

Huey broke momentary silence. Patrick had called him earlier today, he sounded tensed and in dire need of him over the phone; so he had to travel the distance to heed his call; yet since they arrived here he appeared calm and hadn't said a word concerning the matter of urgency.

"I needed to talk to someone outside the firm,” Patrick finally cleared the air. He filled Huey in on all that had been happening of late, and claimed to be having hard times continuing with all that had been happening at the firm.

E12


Andrew walked into his home with an uneasy kind of feel. He walked upstairs and made certain Mother wasn't around. He was very hungry and grabbed something to eat from the refrigerator in the dining room. He sunk into his extra soft cushion that lay at one corner of his wide living room to relieve himself a little off stress and worried thoughts.

***

Mother kept a lazy gaze at Dimeji as he spoke. He was the chick and she was the hawk, yet he continued to defy her magnificence with his lies; How could he say her son raped her goddaughter? Did he not realize who he was talking to? Even with his insinuated video evidence, Mother never appreciated been threatened, it never ends well for whoever threatens her.

"Fifty million or the police get to know," Dimeji maintained. This was a haphazardly thought plan because his original with Imelda went to nought the moment she was murdered; he couldn't defraud Andrew alone, but he could defraud his mother through blackmail. As he tried to make her understand the level of his seriousness he couldn't help but think about his planned escape to Singapore: The implied-ransom would still go into the illegal deal he still wanted to achieve if his plan for Andrew and Imelda had come through. He gave Mother two days to make the money available to the offshore account detail he wrote down on the paper he offered to her.

***

"Let's toast,” Ramon wore a huge smile: Malik made her happy.

Spending the past three days behind closed doors with him reminded her the reason she fell in love with him years ago, he was still loving as she remembered and she couldn't help but fall for him again. He slept over at her place three days ago because the rain wouldn't let him go after their meeting of revenge against everyone at Lewis Chamber. She knew it was a bad idea letting him sleep over, but she couldn't send him out into the rain, no matter their quarrel, and when inhibitions went dead under the serene weather for two that night, she felt happy in his arms. It happened again the next day, more times than the day before, and also today. They'd just finished making love and they wanted to toast to their reignited love.

"A toast,” Malik asked with concern, he wasn't really a wine guy. Ramon remembered but she wanted him to drink to the health of their renewed love. She ran to the bar, her bare skin shone in the dim light of the night and the dim light of the mini coloured bulb Malik had fitted specially for tonight. Tonight was the anniversary of the day they met and he remembered, he wanted to make it special in every way, extra spiced sex and all that. Ramon had a choice problem, she stared at her two most expensive drinks at her bar, Andrew's seemed more appealing, probably because she welcomed the naughty idea of drinking what he bought for her with her ex. Everything Andrew pissed her off, he betrayed her and she was going to betray him in every form possible. She grabbed The Brut-rose.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers,"

They clinked their glasses. Ramon drained her glass at a go and went for another, she watched Malik struggle with the pungent odour the drink gave off, it made her laugh. She had drained three glasses and he was still deciding whether or not to take his first. He finally decided to not. He rushed to kiss her neck, he wanted to go again but she wanted to drink more than she wanted to touch body. She placed her middle finger on his intruding lips till she finished her fourth glass.

Malik withdrew a bit, her admired her again, this was the umpteenth time, her body held no blemish. He agreed to wait till she drained the glass, it'd increase his chance of the marathon sex he desperately craved for with her tonight. He kept on admiring her, encouraging he to drink up. Out of the blues he yelled for her to stop.

Ramon could taste the blood on her lip, she tried cleaning up but more drained from her nose, and as Malik just pointed out her ears had started to bleed too. Ramon stared desperately at the wall mirror located at her bar, her reflection showed her eyes had also started crying blood just like her nose and ears. She turned in horror, her tears had mixed with the blood, and she could still taste it on her lips, she felt the metallic taste of blood as perfect as she could feel her own strength failing her, she had begun to gasp for breath.

Malik didn't know what to do to cool her down. He held her by the hand to prevent her from clawing her own face out in horror. He let her rest down at the base of the bar. He wondered what started the bleeding, at that moment he turned around, and saw the empty bottle of "The Brut-rose Armand de Brignac Midas.' He immediately asked where she got the drink from, her mouth opened but the words coming out weren't audible enough. He placed his ear close to her mouth to listen better but what came out was more blood that stained his skin. She was desperately gasping for breath and he was crying begging her to stay alive.

Ramon kept her eyes fixed on Malik, she could feel her life force fleeing her body but couldn't do anything to help herself. She could feel the light of life dimming from her eyes but she struggled to focus on her love. She could read his lips, his "I love you," came through, but she couldn’t return them, she immediately regretted all the years she was estranged from him, she desperately wanted to tell him she loved him too but she couldn't. Her neck tightened and all she could do was rest in the warmth of his arm for the moment she had left and ask the Almighty for his forgiveness if he would listen to her now.


***


Sleep still refused to come, even as the hour of Mother drew closer, he prayer to the god of sleep that he slumbers before she returned. For the better part of today he had been thinking about his life, and all he had done to be where he was today. From the police custody when he thought of Ramon till now, he hadn't been able to get her out of his head. This was a woman who had done so much good for him, a woman he sincerely and deeply loved, but like all women who loved his cursed self she got bitten by the vicious viper in him.

The 24th of December, 2004 came to mind: The day he met Ms. Ramon.

He was in the police cell for being the only suspect in a case of stolen money in the compound where he lived. Without anyone to pay his bail he rotted away till she saw him. She claimed to have seen him for the three days he had slept there: She also claimed to be a consultant for the police, but he later learnt that she was dating the DPO then. She took him in when his Mother was away in the white man's land raising funds to strike her enemy, she saved him from himself and his demons, his agoraphobia was at its pick then and she helped him put it under check, she made him use it as a weapon to always strike first at people's comfort before they could take a strike at his unease and make him uncomfortable, she helped his life have purpose, she helped him to take a career in law to help further his plot against the elusive Akin he had described to her then, she made him promise to grant her whatever she wanted when their plan worked, she taught him to love and he loved her for that. His eyes began to shrink, his thoughts were getting much for his head to comprehend any longer, he wanted to sleep now. The entrance door keyhole turned twice and its knob followed once: Mother was back.

bibijay123:




Babe don't just write because u want to be appreciated. Write because you want to be a better writer n wen u get to that stage u will be begging ppl to stop commenting. You ve a beautiful story, make it interesting , n suspense filled. D suspense will keep ur fans coming back for more. BTW good job,! Keep it coming!

See why I secretly love you. You've got the flare for sincere encouragement. Keep it up dear.

A not-so-secret fan,
Talius.


My dear author, don't mind my being carried away. You're doing a nice job. Keep growing in the art. All men must die, but before they do, they must grow. Cheers!!!

Story, story. This science village rep. Thank God for your successful first year. Make good use of your holiday - November will be here before you know it, sophomore years are usually the hardest because of increases expectations. I wish you all the best bro.

E11

He walked up her back porch, knocked twice but no reply. This was the same way he got entrance the last time - The time he threatened her to never get pregnant for him - She never took this long to answer his call, something was wrong. He heard a noise and turned to the front porch where it emanated from. He was late, her assailant had struck - a stab to the neck - She was down and fast bleeding out.

His legs seemed heavier than ever, yet he pushed them harder than he'd ever done. What should he do? "Stop the bleeding, or stop the assailant," he was stuck in between decisions. He finally settled for the latter, with her bleeding Imelda was good as gone already, “This evil would not go unpunished,” He consoled himself as he ran after the fast fleeing hooded assailant.

"Stop! Stop!" He kept shouting on top of his voice, the increasing distance between them had started to frustrate him. His legs were too heavy for the burden, but he pressed on and caught up to the assailant. He threw his weight and sent them both crashing to the rough floor of the empty road they had been running on for a while. The assailant fell with the face to the floor, Andrew pulled off the hood and turned the figure around for a view. He saw himself behind the hood.


"Wake up Mr. CEO,” Detective Ojo snapped his finger at him for him to stay awake. He sounded rude; the other one with the protruding stomach was far nicer to him, possibly he could see pass this entire frame job.

Andrew's eyes were burdened with stress, he hadn't gotten much sleep since he arrived here but he still found strength within to put up the act and charisma he was known for. "I didn't kill her you know,” he channeled his inner voice, he needed to keep his flaw in check, they shouldn't see his emotions failing. He watched as Ojo exchanged banter with his partner, they obviously had a clash of interest in the way they questioned suspects.

Mr. Nice Detective finally spoke, “She was stabbed multiple times in the neck region." The pictures he placed before Andrew depicted the gruesome crime scene of the murder; he made sure Andrew understood how much bleach and manpower it took to clean up the crime scene, Detective Ojo seemed to enjoy Andrew's face of conflict at the sight of the pictures.


Andrew remained silent. His brain calculated the probability of him having a dream about her death in the same position she was killed; he wondered if he could have had something to do with her death and suppressed it like they do in most movies.



***

Patrick had just returned from his sponsored wedding anniversary vacation with his wife. He didn't appreciate not been looped in on all that had been happening while he was away. Patricia was the one to bring him in on all the info he was missing, luckily she was passing by Andrew's office when he went to check on him. He couldn't believe his ear when Agnes told him Andrew was arrested here, it took the confirmation of Patricia for him to believe. Now, he wanted to know everything he had missed. As far as he was concerned, Andree was leaving that police station immediately he understood all on ground, he wondered how a building full of lawyers would let their CEO spend even a minute in police custody without raining on them the full weight of the law they claimed to be experts in.


***

"Where is your Son?" Akin asked Mother. She wasn't pleased with his barging onto her office without invitation. Akin shrugged it off with a reminder that he built the office. Mother couldn't believe she could still hate him more than she already did at that moment. Akin wanted to assume position of interim leader in Andrew's absence, he was best suited for it at the moment - The firm must always have a leader at all times, that was what Article 3 of their constitution dwelt on - He controlled the largest percentage of company's stock, and was already let off the hook by the court. Who could contest? He was here to see the look on her face when he made her understand that her time and plotting were over. Yes, he knew she was the one behind the entire thing; and he was ready to bury their long time hatchet if she was ready to move on too. "See you on the other side,” he bade her farewell, he was off to announce his taking over.

"Wait!" Mother called out in time. A was already at the door, but the sound of uncertainty he picked in her voice caused him to smile, he felt she had realized her chances and probably wanted to cut a deal, that was what she had always done all these years. He felt her hands on his shoulder, they began to caress him. He turned and kissed her, and moved her backwards to her desk. He didn't want to, but he couldn't help it, he would accept this sign of surrender from her if that was all she had to offer.

Mother let him ravage her with kisses long enough to locate what she searched for on her desk. She slapped him to send him off her. "Idiot!" She insulted him, how could he think she'd be quick to jump into bed with him, at her age she was wiser than that. "Take," she threw him a file, it was the document of Andrew's power of attorney, in his absence she controlled everything he controlled including the firm, Akin had lost again and as far as she was concerned he was a lost cause without a comeback.


***

Akin left the office thinking. The power of attorney crap was something he didn't see coming. How couldn't he? It was a basic thing that even a break out lawyer would know. He realized he was fast losing track of the law world. He needed to get his life in order as soon as possible.

"Hi Dad!" Mark's voice came from behind him. Akin couldn't believe his ears. He quickly turned and saw him standing before him. He panicked, how could he have forgotten he had a son?
.

***

Detective Ojo walked in with a gloating face, he was ready to run Andrew down with detailed questions that would expose him for what he knew he was - A killer.

"Bastard,” Andrew silently cursed him. He was still holding his composure just as he had been doing for more than twenty-four hours he'd been held here: There was no working time piece around but he knew how to keep track of time without a time piece, that was something he'd use to his advantage now. "It's more than twenty-four hours now,” Andrew gloated. The law specified all preliminary interrogation to end after twenty-four hours if no substantial evidence against the accused was found, and the police were already faulting that law as far as he was concerned, taking the battery away from the table clock before bringing him in wouldn't save them if he decided to press charges against this precinct and Ojo in particular.

Detective Ojo muttered, he couldn't find something substantial to say in his defense; Andrew was right about everything, especially the battery part, he wondered what kind of person this was, and realized his intelligence must have been the reason he ascended to the position of CEO and not through bribing of a High Judge as he had always thought. He had always hated Andrew since that court proceeding, but now he knew better. "You're free to go now Sir,” he panicked, the threat of the full weight of the law seemed more real before him now than when his partner pointed the possibility out to him. He wanted Andrew out of here as fast as humanly possible.

Andrew was having the time of his life watch the Detective fumble with his locks and clearance proceedings. He laughed at how fast his manner of approached had changed when he realized his gimmick had been found out - Times like this made him love Ramon well, he blessed her for making him learn to mentally follow the time where there was no time piece. He kind of enjoyed his experience here, but was in no hurry to return a second time.

E10

The Monday that followed the funeral weekend; Mother wasn't smiling - It wasn't because she loved or missed The Late Sanni as most in the firm did; after all she didn't even know man in his lifetime - It was because the private investigator she contracted to spy on Andrew brought back damning reports from the burial.

"Who is she?" Mother seemed particular about this one face amongst the many faces that littered the pictures the young man had just checked in; she could tell by simple observation, that the lady and her son had chemistry, hence a possible ongoing relationship. The slow assimilation of her spy pissed her further, he was reasoning far lower than a high school fresher. She needed answers to why Imelda appeared cozy with her son in all the pictures before her.

***

"Have you seen my wallet?" Andrew spoke into the intercom. He had hope that he left it one way or the other in Agnes's possession. The fall of “No,” from her lips crushed his soul: That wallet contained a lot of vital documents and tiny sized credentials. He let out a hiss and another one in heightened frustration. Lately, life had been finding new ways to frustrate him. He called her a bitch inspired by the popular saying. Agnes laughed because the intercom was still live.

Beatrice approached Agnes, her face looked weak and very sad. They exchanged a warm embrace; Agnes began to feel her own surge of emotions, she let go in to see Andrew before he dashed out on one of those his meetings.

Andrew stood up the moment he saw her; he had been thinking about her all through the weekend; he worried over how she was handling Sanni's demise. Of them all she was the closest to him, seeing her looking pale troubled him lightly.

"I'm leaving," she said. Memories made with the late Sanni littered the entire firm and she couldn't remain here if she wanted to quickly move on with her life. He was practically the only father she had known, everything she ever did in this firm was directly and indirectly in service of him. Andrew volunteered to grant her the transfer she had requested weeks ago but she didn't want it anymore, it couldn't solve her problem. "Anywhere is better than here for now," her sob aided her plea. She was here to say goodbye; the least he could do was make it easier for her.

Andrew embraced her again, he engulfed her firmly and more passionately than he did the first time. He remembered those times when those arms were all the comfort she ever needed. He found himself longing for something as permanent as that again, maybe not with her but with someone in the world meant for him.


***

Everyone kept staring. Their gazes were piercing as though they had just seen an alien. Akin let go of a hiss, they had all forgotten within months all he did to make sure their employment conditions were favourable - Humans would always be humans, selfish and uncompromising when whatever happening didn't directly affect them - He held it in mind to be different, should he achieve his aim and regain control of his company, he'd be a different man, a different kind of CEO.

So engrossed in his bitterness, he didn't realize when he bumped into Anna. "Excuse me!" She aggressively yelled before she realized who it was before her. Though surprised to see the father of her lover before her, she held her cool. A lot more eyes were on him, they wondered why the security officers hadn't thrown him out already. Their buzzing and noise attracted Mother.

"I'm back!" He announced with a grim, and flashed her a paper. Mother snatched the paper from him, her eyes breathing fire at the possibility of truth in his announcement. Her eyes caught the authentic stamp of the High Court Judge who precedes over his case. Her eyes were now on fire, she wondered aloud what he did to get to the Judge to make him back out of prosecuting him.

"This doesn't mean anything,” Her proclamation of war was fearsome and direct. The court document flew from her hand in the opposite direction of where she turned to, it landed on Anna's feet. Anna took the chance to greet him, she wore a warm smile to complement as she handed over the piece of paper to him.

Akin thanked her, and watched as she walked away. He had never really liked her. He always thought her a good digger because of the way she hopped from Andrew to Mark, he still thought her same, he was certain if she had the chance she'd hop back to Andrew now he was the CEO, the same way she tried to close up to him when her newly employed her.

***

Anna walked briskly to Andrew's office. Time was against her, and she needed to offset the matter of her resignation that brought her to the firm today. Mark awaited her at home to celebrate the beginning of their new life.

"You have the right to an attorney ...," Anna heard from the distance she stood. She looked up and saw Andrew cuffed and led away by two men of the Nigerian Police while a third read him his rights. She rushed through the path to the left to intercept then at the crossroad. "Where you taking him to?" She asked. The one who read him his rights pushed Anna and the others who gathered to watch. Anna watched helplessly as Andrew was politely ushered out of the firm in cuffs like a high profile criminal. Agnes caught up to the frenzy, she panted out of worry and crying. Anna later learnt his wallet was found littered close to Imelda's corpse at the entrance to her rented bungalow. Anna argued Andrew wasn't a murderer. He was a lot of things but a murderer wasn't one of them, this she tried to let everyone around understand, but no one seemed to care. Soon everyone dispersed to their stations as though nothing had just happened, Agnes sat at one corner drenched in her own tears.
.

***

Mother sat in her office without a care to the source of the loud noise outside her office, her confrontation with Akin still pissed her off, his perceived insolence angered her still, she hoped for a positive feedback from her spy.

The extremely lanky guy sighed with relieve when he got the turn to relate his findings to her. He'd been waiting for her for the past hour to break the news of his finding to her; he was certain she'd love it hence his resolve to wait for her amidst his increasing hunger for food. When mother asked what he'd found his face lit in joy, the information he was about to divulge was worth a million naira and he was certain she'd pay for it.


"Imelda is Akin's illegitimate daughter?" Mother repeated after him to be sure she heard him well the first time. That was a finding she didn't expect. She trusted Isa's professionalism to thoroughly sought out the truth, he was good at what he did, yet she didn't want him to continue as he requested, the matter had taken a dynamic turn that would be best left buried. This she made him understand, and promised to pay his requested fee by midnight.

She always had her reservations about Dimeji, now she confirmed he was up to no good bringing Imelda into the firm.

E9

Anna still couldn't believe her eyes - She had wiped them twice and he was still here - it truly was Mark before her. She opened her arms for a hug, though she remained skeptic over the reality of this setting; she still felt her was an apparition, a figment of her hyper-imagination. All such thoughts rolled away the instant his skin touched hers - Reality just dawned on her.

Mark didn't want to waste another moment here; to leave with his pregnant woman was what matter most, even if the law would frown at it. But, he didn't care for the law, he cared only for Anna, and if she wanted same he would do it in a heartbeat.

"What do you think?" He asked for her opinion, her next words would be life defining for the both of them.

Anna was all for that, but she felt skipping town this early in the day without any form of good bye to their lives as they've known it wasm't something she was sure she wanted to live regretting years to come. "Let me think it over at work," she pleaded, her eyes sent a thousand other messages her mouth couldn't. Mark get the messages; they'd discuss the matter when she got back from work - It was a Friday and the assurance of a blissful weekend gave them both the much needed strength to carry on.

***

Mark's words kept ringing in her head from the moment she stepped her feet into the firm; the thought that today could possibly be her last day in the firm kept ringing inside her head. "Thank God,” she said, when she saw Patricia, someone familiar to take away the hard-hitting thoughts off her mind.

Patricia wore an gloomy face, which was very unusual for her; the mode and manner with which she replied Anna told the latter that something serious was up. "Mr. Sanni is dead." Patricia finally said. Anna felt bad, and agreed to attend his funeral as plans for an official goodbye were already made.

***

Almost everyone from the firm had dark shades on: One would have thought it was a Law-thing, save for the few enlightened members of The Late Sanni's family who graced the ceremony in theirs.

There was a little argument before the funeral was finally able to proceed. The bereaved family refused to bow to pressure from the firm to defile the corpse of their loved one by dressing him in his Barrister regalia; "Twenty-first century or not, we would not throw away the core values of our belief," they maintained, till the firm back off. Those who choose to not align themsleves with the funeral rite as termed barbaric strayed away from the site, till it was time for festivities.

The entire funeral rite didn't take lomg, about an hour, give or take; Sanni's corpse was cremated just as he had always advocated for during his lifetime; this he always said was to protect human lives from the pollution his decaying corpse would cause, and the degradation that accumulated corpse caused the earth. "The dead is dead,” his first son quoted him during his eulogy, he had a lot of pleasant things to say about the man many including Andrew learnt to call Father. Andrew himself had a lot to say about the late Sanni in his eulogy; he was a man of honour, integrity, and uncompromising; he was the father Andrew never had.

It was Anna's first time in Ogun state; here would go down as the one state she'd give anything to visit again in the near future; she loved everything she saw about the state, especially the infamous Olumo rock close to the late Sanni's hometown. In her entire reason for excitement she remained at Patricia's side - The fear of getting lost was far greater than whatever excitement she felt.


***

Andrew strolled alongside Mother - They both welcomed the familiar scenery of unpolluted air, open field, and chirping insects. It was a while since they both loosened their guard to enjoy nature at its fullest, the more reason the limited time they had to spend here ached their hearts; this place offered them the little opportunity to bond without worry or scheming as had become thir norm.

"Do you still remember the way you used to run each time your father wanted to beat you for dancing in the rain with the neighbours?" Mother asked. He turned to face her, his hands swung lazily as he did, he finally rested them on the mini statue that separated them, that way they were positioned closer. "How could I forget," he placed his hands on his buttocks to augment his reminiscing of the many lashes he received at that age.

Mother smiled but for a moment, memories of her late husband had began to surface. she exchanged awkward eye-contact with her son when she tried to look away. He mistook it for weakness and tried to console her: He was caught up in their moment.

"Your father was a horrible man,” Mother responded to his show of affections, with a smirk; joy returned to her heart as she swiftly took control of her dampened emotions and of the moment; she observed as he rose to the defense of a father he couldn't remember anymore. It made her mad that he thought it easy to forgive a man who was horrible to them.

“Forgiveness makes you weak Son."

Andrew always knew the connection they felt here was too good to last long. As the days went since her return, communication with his birth mother got more difficult than a cripple trying to qualify for the Miss World beauty pageant. Now was the opportunity to ask a question that had been bugging him for a while now: He needed clarity on how his father died.

His question was rated 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. With the way the conversation had been headed Mother knew it was a matter of time before Andrew wanted a reminder on what killed his father. He always had doubts about the popular recap of Larry's death - He died in his sleep. Mother knew she couldn't tell him the truth, he wasn't ready for it yet, it needed to remain in the past; the true fact that Larry died in an accident needed to remain with her, it was a burden she had resolved to carry alone to protect him from his memories. She remained silent.

***

Patricia had waited patiently in the distance for Mother to leave Andrew before she approached him. Agnes provided the perfect distraction for her Anna problem, to give her the opportunity to talk to him, but he still didn't want to see her. He feigned tired, and blamed her wrong timing. All these excuses he gave without turning to face her. He walked out on her in silence.

Patricia felt she didn't deserve the treatment she was getting, he was taking things too extreme and personal. She wondered what his obsession with Anna was, and hoped that his wallet she just stole contained something to answer that question. How could annoying, self-righteous Anna entice him so much that he'd risk sacrificing her?

***

All eyes turned towards the latest visitors to pay their condolences at the register: It was Ramon and Malik - They entered with a bang, to make a statement. They walked in together, dressed in all black and dark shades like most others. The thing that made them stand out was the large black bouquet Ramon had in her possession. She boldly brandished it as she blushed to whatever Malik whispered to her: They obviously didn't care they were at a funeral.

callmeomotee33:
Eyha so he finally die .....thanks
I really enjoyed it

Thanks for following. I appreciate you callmeomotee33 specially. More God's blessing.

LabiaDestroyer:
Nice one op.....short and juicy
Enjoyed it...

He he! Thanks bro.

Cc: Obinnau, mynd44, lalasticlala, obynoscopy

E8

Dimeji stood confused for a little while. He looked around but couldn't see anything substantial to make him remain a second longer on this floor - Everyone knew the 18th floor was the uncompleted floor used for sexual escapades during working hours - Imagine his confusion when Imelda repeatedly assured him it was the same floor she was talking about when she said she wanted him to surprise him. He had finally exhausted his patience, the edges of his Italian suit pants were already hitched by the dusts of the earth. He turned to go, but stopped as soon as he heard his name.

"Uncle Dimeji,” Imelda called again softer.

Moments like this she hated why her voice sounded too sweet and tender, because they usually failed to pass across her full emotion. When he finally stopped she jerked with joy: She couldn't wait to show him the office space Andrew just handed over to her this morning.

Dimeji didn't seem to appreciate the office space even after he learnt major repairs had immediately been commissioned. Imelda tried to calm his worry that things were already going south, she insisted Andrew gave her the floor to ensure their privacy, if she played her cards right she could be in charge of everyone who found him or herself transferred to this floor as soon as the renovations were completed.

Dimeji still had his doubts, but his words were corrupted and constantly clouded by her hands; they played with his tie all the while she explained. They progressed to his upper collar button now, and he quickly surrendered to the woman power - Even though what she received from Andrew wasn't what they had initially discussed, he had to agree with her that it was a step in the positive direction, he could only pray she doesn't mess it up. He gently removed her hands from his white starched barrister shirt and set her back by two steps, he pulled the tie off himself: She had fiddled with them for too long, and had started a reaction in his body he couldn't suppress any longer.


***

The increasing sounds of 'koin koin' told him it was a woman headed his way, and as he felt, he didn't mind the extra company; three hours alone had added nothing to his life other than a higher blood pressure brought about by burdened thoughts of why Akin would drop him at this crucial moment when he was already very close to the goal.

He understood blood was blood, but couldn't understand why he had to be sacrificed by Akin in this manner - His license as a practising lawyer was heavily threatened - Akin sold him over and he couldn't take it.

"Malik!”

He quietly looked up at the sound of Ramon's beautiful voice calling his name. He didn't expect to see her, but could still flash her a smile, without making noise over the fact that she had been trying to make a fool of him for all the weeks they'd been working in the same building. He heard the rumours about Andrew's betrayal and had been expecting her to switch over to Akin's side ever since the news went viral; imagine his surprise when he found out what brought her here.

Ramon was here strictly for business, she wanted to form an alliance with the one person she knew hated everyone at the firm as much as she did at this moment. If there was one thing she could count on Malik for, it was his resolve to perfectly get back at whoever tried to take him and his loved ones down, and if his many attempts to woe her back since she got back into the country didn't prove that he still loved her, then nothing would. Anyone who would want to toy with their feelings was living in a dream if he or she thought they'd get away with it - She could count on Malik for a revenge plan. They were still not getting back together, and not even Malik's announcement of his undying love for her at this moment would change that.


***

Patricia staggered momentarily but soon found her comport. She understood Andrew was still angry at her for not protecting Anna from getting knocked and worse, for not telling him the moment she found out. She pushed him back with great force, “I'm sorry,” she forcefully pleaded. How was she supposed to stop a grown woman from having sex inside a government prison? No matter the amount Andrew offered her for her services, that was far above anyone's pay grade. She recalled his threat, she wondered what he'd do to her now.

Andrew was really fuming with anger. Ever since he found out about Anna's condition he'd been thinking of what to do with Patricia: She had failed him in her foremost responsibility of protecting Anna from any form of harm, including self-inflicted ones like her present condition. He believed Anna didn't know what she was doing, and would in a little while regret keeping this pregnancy .

"I'm sorry,” Patricia pleaded again, her voice had softened more, perhaps the sudden realization of the kind of damage done caused her tone to lighten. She agreed to give Andrew the time he requested to process his pain and know what next to do with their relationship.


Agnes ran into the office evidently shedding tears. Andrew initially wanted to transfer his aggression on her, but held back the moment he noticed her tears; his approach changed like the wind flow. "Talk to me," he pleaded. Patricia brought her water to calm her husky throat that suffered from grave weeping. They both wondered what made her cry this way. Each time she tried to talk, more tears submerged her words, she couldn't help herself, her heart was very heavy.

"Mr. Sanni is dead,” she finally managed to let them in on the reason for her heavy tears.


***

"Mark!" The Chief Warden pronounced his name with guilty pleasure. The name-sound felt raunchy, as though it was the first time he'd be experimenting with the sound. He fixated his gaze on Mark who walked away from the gathering of the other inmates with humility, head down. It gave him great joy to observe humility in his prisoners, it showed him Mark had learnt fast the rules of the prison walls: He had theoretically and practically made Mark his b!tch hence there was no way he wouldn't have learnt to be humble.

"Those things you hear about prisons are true, men do men here," those words would forever hunt Mark even outside these walls. He was free to go, but he knew he'd never be free of the memories his father had made him accrue in there. He thought of his dad, how he'd face the man who refused to visit his own son sent to prison on his behalf. He thought about Anna, the surprised look she would have on her face when she realized he would be home with her to have their child and live their lives together forever. He thought about how the smallest of things in life mattered. His heart still brewed fresh hatred for the Chief Warden for his defiling acts against him almost every day, even on his birthday, because he was the son of the famous Barrister Akin, it seemed to give him joy while he was doing it that he had his way with the son of the man whose firm had sent a quarter of the inmates to the prison; playing along was the way he had survived all these months, and not the stipends he offered them as Anna thought. He believed he'd live pass the experience, all he needed was to leave here as soon as possible; he would prove the Cheif warden wrong in his believe that no one could escape the claws of homosexuality once hitched.

The End of Book One. Thank you for reading.

E10: Let us Fight

"How is he?"

Bimpe yelled at the nurse. This was the umpteenth nurse to come out of the emergency room, and the umpteenth one to give her a silent response. She was still in shock. It took the intervention of concerned witnesses to snap her out of it before she was able to drive a heavily bleeding Tommy to this hospital which was the closest to where the shooting occurred.

"Madam can you try and recount what happened "

The police officer she had been ignoring by her side asked her again for a statement of what occured at the crime scene the past hours. She couldn't bring herself to recount the incident, not when the father of her child was still battling for his life inside the theatre.

A little while later, Tommy's parents came around, Bimpe noticed how unusually calm his mother was. "She must be a very strong woman," Bimpe said to herself.

Another police officer joined them not too long after. "The shooter has been apprehended," He announced, but they needed Bimpe's statement before they could divulge further privileged details. He additionally told them the shooter was caught while trying the escape the vicinity by the angry youths around who tracked him from the angle from which the shot came, and caught up with him in no time.

"He obviously is not a professional, otherwise we won't have caught him so easily," the happy officer announced to all available to hear, that the police was very very active.

Bimpe hurriedly wrote the statement with guardiance from Tommy's mother constantly reassuring her that everything would be alright.


The doctor came out, and told them that Tommy was stable now, and that the three bullets had been removed from their hit locations predominantly his chest. Bimpe, who was in tears, was relieved to hear that. They all needed to know who the shooter was, and why he/she wanted to kill Tommy. A part of Bimpe told her it was Amanda's doing, but she refused to comprehend that Amanda would go to such length, just to get Tommy back. Everyone headed to the station to unmask the shooter. By the time the arrived, Amanda was at the entrance waiting, so they all could go inside together and unmask the hitman. She too was invited by the police. Bimpe was relieved to see it wasn't her friend who tried to kill the innocent man who got caught up in their world of drama. Bimpe impulsively hugged Amanda, and began to apologize for letting all that transpired between them get to the stage they were.

"I want to repair our friendship"

"As do I"

The younger and elder sisters embraced themselves. They all walked into the station together.

The shooter was seated on the bare floor, bloodied, as a result of the massive beatings he received from the youths, and the police to confess to his motives and involvement in the crime.

"Who's this?" Tommy's mother asked

"Mike" both ladies chorused, instantly recognizing the shooter.

The police said he had confessed to following Bimpe to the restaurant, and on seeing it was Tommy she was meeting with, he became instantly jealous and felt she was going to leave him. His anger skyrocketed and in that moment, he remembered Amanda's word before she sponsored his trip back to Nigeria - she said to him, "Do whatever it takes to get the love of your life back" and that is exactly what he did - getting the love of his life back fully, required him to kill off his competition, with the 9mm caliber Amanda gave to him when he landed Nigeria.

The police felt Amanda gave him motive to shoot Tommy, and therefore was an accomplice to his attempted murder. That was why they invited her to the station to be arrested and questioned.

"I'm truly sorry"

Amanda repeatedly said as she was handcuffed and taken away by a police officer; she was to be interrogated in the inner room. She pleaded with everyone present as she was escorted, that she didn't mean to get Tommy shot.

"I love him with all my heart" she said.

Bimpe was in tears, the father of her unborn child was fighting for his life, the love of her life was responsible, and her bestfriend was the one who premeditated the entire problem before them. "Could life get any more bitter"

Brrrrh! Brrrrh! Her ringtone interrupted her sob.

"Hello, who's on the line" Bimpe wiped her wipe to clear voice.

"This is Dr. Souza from Stars Hospital Ijesha. I'm calling on behalf of Mr. Tomiwa Martins. Is this Miss Enitan?"

"Yes this is Enitan. How is Tommy?"

Everyone's attention was drawn to the phone call at the mention of Tommy's name.

"Hello! Hello! I can't hear you, speak up ... Hello... You say?" Bimpe screamed one word after another into the inaudible phone call.


***

"Can you hear me Ma'am?" The Doctor asked into the phone one more time before finally giving up on the horrible network. His eyes lingered over the hospital bed with well covered body.

"What was the time of death again?" The Doctor asked the attending nurse.

"5:45PM."

callmeomotee33:
Talius u av post this episode before now....

I haven't dear. Look at it well.

E9: A show of faith


Amanda felt heavily slighted by the words that came out of Tommy's mouth and began to shout on top of her voice.

"After taking my time to clean the house, that's all you can say. After having your way with me, you want to throw me out of your house like one of those cheap prostitutes your friend Uche sleeps with?"

"We're two adults who consented to have sex. Who said anything about strings attached?" Tommy yelled back.

"Waka! You and your strings, waka there!" Amanda cursed. She ran away to the living room. She hoped Tommy would chase her, even if he didn't care much would care little to bother about her hurt feeling. But, he didn't, she had lost him to a girl no longer in the competition for his heart.

She reached for her phone to dial someone.

Five days later...

The last few days had been a series of eye opener for Bimpe, with jaw dropping events that happened all around her, back to back, she was assured of her continued love for Mike, and his for her, and had decided not to marry Tommy out of pity; for his sake and for their unborn child's, her happiness should come first. Armed with this new found clarity, she found the courage to dial Tommy the day before, and like a gentleman that he'd always been, he agreed to a public meeting at a popular fast food joint in town.

By the time Bimpe arrived Tommy was already seated. He greeted her with a bright face and a smile that hid how hurt he felt inside the way things turned out. He gave her a peck and returned her greeting politely. They spoke for about an hour, and in that time Bimpe explained to him all that had changed and what prompted her new strain of decisions - What's best for their child. Suprisingly, he agreed without any hassle, saying things turned out this way for the best. They resolved to remain good friends for the sake of their unborn child, and they wished each other goodluck in their various love lives.

The last three days Tommy spent with his mother made him understand a lot of things; amongst which the popular saying 'What will be will be' was paramount; If Bimpe was truly destined to be his, she would have been, baby or no baby. This new found understanding was what made him agree to the meeting in the first place, he very much would be involved in her life, but not in the capacity that he previously wished for - not as her husband, but as the father of her child.

They left the restaurant together, and headed to the parking lot, their cars were parked close.

Bimpe was the first to get in, she wanted to give Tommy a considerable distance, and he wanted to see her drive off safely. She started her engine, and began to reverse while Tommy stood and watched. She ocassionally threw a glance at him though, trying not to lose focus of her steering, lest she bump into a moving car on the busy road behind her.

Her attention was drawn back to Tommy by the sounds of loud gunshots. She just saw Tommy hit repeatedly by bullets.

She screamed as loud as her voice would let her whilst still inside her car. She tried without success to locate the door knob.

E8: Tests


"What have we done?"

Bimpe was troubled. Mike was very much unconcerned about the whole Tommy finding out thing, he was even ready to fight the father of Bimpe's child had she not step in to quell the bad blood - He was more concerned with her returning to bed to pick up where they left their desires before Tommy's intrusion.

"He wasn't supposed to find out this way," Bimpe tried to make him see reason.

"How then is the best way he knows you're no longer his bride, but mine?"

She found Mike's words profane but surprisingly none-annoying.

"Let's just say things turned out the way they were supposed to," he finalized his words. He stood up and ealked towards her, they kissed for a while before he carried her to the bed without resistance.


***

"Brrh! Brrh! Brrh!"

"Hello, who's this?" Amanda asked into the mouthpiece, she wondered loud who would call her with an unknown number in this present times.

"Can you come over?" The voice at the other end asked.

Amanda recognized the voice instantly. Why wouldn't she? When she had been daydreaming about this particular request ever since the breakup.

"Of course, right away," she gave her reply.

He was a mess. He couldn't stop wondering why Bimpe would disrespect him so much, after being so sweet and loving to her. He knew she didn't love him, at least yet, but having sex with another man in the house he paid for was the greatest height of insult he could ever receive, and he wasn't known for handling insults well.

The door open, and his nagging thoughts closed as it did.

He looked up towards the entrance door, and saw her - she was enticing. And without much thinking, thanks to the 55% alcoholic drink he'd been taking non stop for the past twenty minutes, he rushed up to her, and kissed her. He kissed her nonstop and fondled with her sensitive body parts.

"You're drunk," Amanda pronounced.

"And you're hurt. Being drunk doesn't affect my performance, you can ask your best friend," he sounded scornful but cheerful. He began to roughly UnCloth her in the living room, and when he was done he took her roughly from behind, he lasted about two hours with just three positions. His pains took over and he could thrust no more, even without a release.

After a while of lying face up on the bare floor, he rose up and got dressed. "I'll soon be back," he said, and walked away without awaiting a reply from her.

Amanda immediately rose up, and tidied the enter house within minutes, with the mindset of impressing him when he returned. She awaited his return eagerly, but it didn't happen. After a long while of waiting, she fell asleep, and woke up after two hours, she checked the time, and it read 9pm - It was time to leave..

A while later Tommy returned, he'd been at the bar downing his sorrows into more bottles of hard drink, until his high tolerance came under integrity check, he decided to unwillingly return home. All he wanted to do was sleep in peace and quiet. He walked straight to his room, opened the door, and climbed his bed. He rolled to the other side after a while of stationary posture, and he had something. Or someone. He pulled away the bed cover and is extremely shocked to see Amanda.

"What are you still doing here Amanda?"

E7: Mountain on fire

The degree to which they both missed each other was well detailed in the passionate way they had a feel of each the other's body, there was no doubt that each had missed such romps greatly.

At the peak of her climax, Mike hurriedly came. He then rolled away and settled on his back with his bare chest facing the ceiling. Bimpe rolled up close to him and began mildly stroking the tattoo he had inked up two years ago on her behalf, she matched up her left hand to reveal her own half of the larger tattoo-mystery: The matching tattooes were a constant reminder of the love the shared for one another. They began to talk, to catch up on lost times and also to regain their strengths. Bimpe told him about all the many moments she wished he was around, all the many times she wished he was here to make her smile, and all the many times she resigned to her fate that he wasn't coming back for her again; those times she hated herself for having the tattoo. He promised he wasn't going anywhere again, he'd be here for her, and her unborn child which he promised to accept.

With that he reached for his trouser, brought out a well closed designer case, opened it to reveal the kind of ring that she has only seen in foreign magazines.

"Will you marry me?" He popped the question. The atmosphere was perfect, naked in the light of day, no worries whatsoever.

Bimpe was full of smiles, her heart filled with joy, the man of her dreams was ready to settle down and he still wanted her with all her baggage. She ignored the question and kissed him. The kiss picked up pace, and ventured into violent territory, with each going hard to please the other. In the midst of that aggressive display, the room door opened.


Tommy walked in talking into the phone's receiver, he carried a basket containing the latest samples of materials Bimpe had requested for their asoebi, which they were supposed to show to his parents today. His eyes, which were looking down initially because of his been absent-minded, was drawn up to the bed position, by the chattering, and double commentaries his ears were involuntarily picked up. His brain processed what he saw - the mother of his unborn child, his soon wife-to-be, in bed with another man.

Mike laid peacefully on the bed, not minding there was someone else in the room - He was that confident with his size - Bimpe was uneasy, and was trying unsuccessfully to explain. She had a conscience, and she knew he wasn't supposed to find out this way, even if she was going to still say yes to Mike's proposal.

Many thoughts began to fly through his head, punch the man, stab them both, call the police. Finally, he called him out for a fight.

"You."

"You!"

Both men stared ferociously at each other, bitterness and anger pumped through their veins in place of blood at this moment; Tommy felt his pumped fiercer because of his tight position in this situation
.

E7



"Thank you all for coming,"

Andrew repeated those words for the third time as he hoped the crowd's murmur would subside. He wondered which of his announcements made them clamour this loud; was it the one where he announced Mother as a Director, or the one where he said he now controlled 55% of the firm's stock.

The men and women of the press present counted themselves lucky enough to have been granted permission to listen first hand as the events broke inside one of the biggest firms in the country. They all were in a frenzy as they eagerly awaited the most important announcement of the day - The new name of the firm.

Andrew exchanged a quick glance with Ramon, he could see the happiness written all over her face, they matched with the beautiful dress she had on today that for once didn't threaten to pop out her mammary glands. The glance was quick because he needed to keep his head clear, and on the task at hand. He started with the usual epistles most CEOs were known for before getting to the more interesting part, “I present to you, the new face of legal backing in the country," he said and held onto the handle that would unveil then new logo bearing the firm's new identity if he pulled it.

"Lewis Chamber,” The logo finally read. Ramon was the first stand up, she ignored the other members of the audience who were giving a standing ovation and walked towards the podium as she always intended to do, but for a different reason this time. The bright flashes of the cameras of media houses didn't deter her her movement; she walked up and tried to disrupt the working of the setup that projected the imagery of the new logo. The media feasted their flashes and lenses on the headline worthy show the relatively unknown lady pulled. Andrew's security detail whisked him away to safety. He followed diligently as he knew Ramon would be very mad; the hurry in his steps took a praise when he heard the words, “You promised” behind him; he took a moment to turn back, he could see the pain and signs that announced betrayal written all over her face. "We have to go now,” His Chief security Officer called his attention that they keep moving because of the increasingly surging crowd who wanted to taste of the CEO - It was difficult to say who was who, because certainly, Akin's loyalist would be part of the commotion, and one couldn't say what they had planned for Andrew - The safest game was to take him away.


***

Mark could tell something was different with Anna today, she looked and acted pale, and he couldn't but wonder if it was reason why he hadn't seen nor heard from her in a while. He thought he hurt her the last time, he apologized just in case; the way she cringed her eyelid made him suspect something else was wrong and that the words she just said to him were lies. He pressed further.

"I'm pregnant,” Anna finally yelled, she couldn't take it no longer. The laughter from the two wardens sanding close on her side of the room gave her slight goosebumps: Maybe they thought her announcement a confession, and laughed in anticipation of how her lover would react. She couldn't look up to Mark even when he asked her to; she felt she had committed both their futures into a ditch; Andrew's suggestion started to sound meaningful now even though she had out rightly refused to commit murder then. "I'm getting rid of it,” she finally looked up to say.

"No!" Mark pleaded. He already loves his unborn son as he already claimed his embryo to be a boy. Anna found herself giggling, her thoughts countered his words with a proclamation of the embryo a girl. But she had to face reality: How was she to do this alone without his help?

Mark pleaded she find the strength for as long as it took. He knew he wouldn't be here forever, no matter how long his trial was being delayed. Anna should find the strength to carry on. For their love and for their unborn son.


***

He knocked again, just in case she didn't hear him the first time. "I'm coming,” that familiar voice spoke. Soon Anna was before him. Though she wore a surprised look as to his mission at her home late that night, it didn't deter him from saying his mind as he wanted to since he arrived

"Stay away from me,” Anna turned her back on him. He was wasting her time by not speaking, perhaps, he thought she still loved him, she had to prove him wrong. It took him holding her arm firmly and drawing her back towards with force to stop her from slamming the door at him. She resisted his embrace, his familiar scent and hold that always sent her into frenzy when they were together. He finally let her go.

Andrew wanted her to get an abortion, he said so again. Unlike the first time, she had the courage to resist his suggestion or compulsion, whichever effect she felt he was having on her. "Stay away from me!" She yelled better than the first time. He tried to hold her hand again, and she gave him a weak slap, “Better that than nothing," she thought, and ran into her house with hurry.


***

If there was a recurring theme in Andrew's life today, it had to be rejection: It was becoming unbecoming, and he needed a break. Behind the wheels of his G-Wagon Benz, he thought of whom to roll up to. He had succeeded in alienating most of the woman who he knew cared deeply for him: Anna, Beatrice, Ramon and a few others he couldn't recollect easily. All he had left were booty calls, the likes of Patricia, Imelda, and that girl with the delightful honeypot who ran away because she thought him a ritualist for boldly referring to his mother as Cruella. Her memory mattered less the closer he got to feeling Imelda again; he could mentally feel her skin press against his, his groin mused at the reality he was about to face.

The door opened and the goddess of lust stood before him. Imelda pulled off sexy effortlessly with a loosely fitted silky red robe that exposed her heavy assets scantily coveted with a matching purple lingerie; judging by majority of her clothing having that touch of purple, Andrew could tell that was her best colour. She kissed him and led him by the hand to her bedroom down the dark passage of her rented bungalow. Andrew could wait no longer, he began to devour her breasts at the entrance to her room, and wasted no time in jacking her to complete the journey to her bed. Imelda got on her knees, she wanted his clothing off so he could give her his pecker that she clearly needed in her.

The thought of Anna suddenly visited Andrew, he tried to rebuke them but they persisted, he could hear her rejection replay in his head, they replayed consistently and louder with each turn. He let go of Imelda's left breast which had suffered dearly at his mouth's action, he sat on the single bar chair present at a corner of the room and begun to scratch his head violently as though they would make the haunting thoughts disappear. "Don't get pregnant for me,” he said out of nowhere, he felt confessing those words were a means to confronting the demons haunting him now.

Imelda couldn't believe he could say such a thing, as long as she was concerned, this was her body and she would do whatever she wanted with it, no one had any right to dictate to her how she should use it. She certainly had no intention of getting pregnant now, not even in the nearest future; her flat belle couldn't be exchanged for anything in this world, at least for now. She still wanted him, even though her libido weren't as pushy as they were when he called to say he was coming over. She grudgingly stood up from the bed where he left her for the bar chair. She completely removed all forms of clothing she had on.

E6: Attack on a titan


It's been two weeks, since Amanda made her resolve, to rain fire, and brimstone on Bimpe, and Tommy's new found relationship. She spent the entire first two days locked indoor, hoping Tommy would come back to his senses and rush back to her on realizing what he'd been missing. But, that never happened, and it dawned on her that Tommy had moved on with his illusion of a better life with Bimpe, which she just couldn't accept. Her actions now were centred on her strive to ensure the planned wedding didn't take place. She stared at the occupant of her passenger's seat she had just picked from the airport to aid her campaign of war and destruction - she couldn't help but wonder if the stress would be worth it at the end; her thoughts were cut short the moment she recognized she had arrived her destination

"This is where you enter," She intimated her company, who obliged with a nod and alighted, the next set of gestures showed movement towards the gate Amanda initially held in reference.

Amanda drove away, hoping the company was capable of executing this duty. The stranger pressed the bell at the gate, and was attended to almost immediately.

"Yes. Who do you want to see this late evening?" The agile old man on security uniform asked.

"Your madam. I can assure you she wants to see me," the reply
came instant and direct.

In a short while, the security man was out, and following closely at his back was Bimpe, who really wanted to see the man who had much confidence that she'd be happy to see him.

"Mike!"

Her voice held joy and surpise closely within. She ran towards him with happiness all over her face, and gave him a long lasting hug that got the gateman, the house dogs, and all the birds around very confused. He followed her closely as they walked into the house. Bimpe couldn't help but release the tear she'd been suppressing with all her strength outside the house - Thank God for Mike's broad shoulder, ever ready to condone her tears and sobs, his soothing hands to console her with soft caresses. Mike's the non-avaoilable boyfriend, the one who made her heart squeak constantly, even as he has been thousands of mile away for months in the search for a better paying hustle. Even after months away, he still knew how to touch her right.

Matters just got more complicated with Mike's arrival, he was the main reason Bimpe had a conscience all along in her delay to get married to Tommy. She initially took solace in the fact that he was far away in Canada, and before he'd know of her betrayal she would have already become a wife to Tommy.

"You obviously know it's Amanda who brought me back to Nigeria"

"I do, but it doesn't matter. I'm getting married in less than two weeks," Bimpe turned her back the other wey from where she sat, she tried to hold her ground to sound tough, her hormones raged harder the other way.

"I love you Enitan. It doesn't matter what has happened, what people say, or what people will do. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I want to do it the right way," Mike's plea sounded genuine.

"Don't you get it? It's not possible. I'm carrying another man's child, and we're getting married. I'm going to see my future parents-in-law tomorrow for God's sake, there is no us anymore." The pain in her heart spread to her face - She burst into tears, and sunk harder into the couch because of her overwhelming emotions.

"Without you I am nothing Bimpe. I love you very much"

"You should go. I beg you, leave."

Mike crawled over to face her, he planted a light kiss on her lips.

"Please Mike you should go," her plea sounded weaker than they did the first time.

"I'm not going anywhere." He sounded authoritative. He planted more kisses on her lips which she received with little resistance. He pulled off his sweatshirt, to reveal his hard chest with a bold tattoo on it - A tattoo of a woman with a heart in her hand; his heart.

E5: Tommy

Tommy had just dropped Bimpe off at the new place he rented for her two days ago: A quiet and serene environment, perfect for the raising of their child. The entire drive from the clinic was in silence, she only dropped a thank you before she walked away. He could only speculate what he believed was going through her head, he knew she was not passing through funny times. He too had been doing a lot of thinking as of late, all revolving round the big question - How did his life get this complicated? He wasn't the type to run after anything on skirt; few years ago that would have been assurance enough that he'll never have ended up in his present predicament, but here he was, trapped in a web of complications, trapped in the twists of life.

Few years ago when Barr.George gave him the opportunity that turned his life for the better, he swore to never relent, to never go back to the pit he was pulled out from. But, here he was, drenching slowly into an emotional bottomless pit, which felt much worse than his former life of abject poverty. Oh! His father would be ashamed if he ever got to know the full details of his son's present life - The same way he was when he heard of the abortion Amanda had committed late last year without telling him or anyone. His father didn't hide his feelings neither did he mince words when he openly rebuked his son for been irresponsible, and negligent to the tune of having a love child, and then losing it. Ever since then his love for Amanda had dwindled, partly because his father's love for her ceased to be too. That was the genesis of their rocky relationship that got worse, and now has finally ended.

He didn't want to hurt Amanda, but she made things worse. If only she had given him the space he required, and not send her best friend after him that unfortunate night, all these complications, sadness, and heartbreak would have been avoided, and probably they'd be on their way to the merry wedding she had always hoped for.

He often wondered what she expected him to do - Reject his child? He wondered what he would have done differently - Establish Bimpe for life? Keep her comfortable with needed resources at her disposal to care for herself and their unborn child? - Arrgh! He couldn't decide which was more right; for his child he'd do anything and everything. He continued to growl in pain; he knew it wouldn't be fair to him or to Bimpe who didn't ask for this, nor to his unborn child who didn't decide the way he wanted to enter this evil world; no child would choose to be born in this kimd of situation.

"An incomplete home is a dysfunctional home," he cried out and punched his car steering repeatedly.

None of those options was to be considered, as far as he's concerned he made the right choice proposing marriage to Bimpe, and he'd stand by his decision no matter what, for the sake of his unborn child. This was not the life he wanted, certainly not the life Bimpe wanted, but they both have to work things out, for the sake of their unborn child they need to begin to love each other in all honesty if truly they want a future where they child will be safe and grow in love. He steered the car to the road side, and killed the engine - the sudden realization that he also needed to fall in love with Bimpe made him too emotional. The first tear to escape his eye, didn't get lucky enough to get down his cheek, but the one that followed did, and all the others after. He got tired of holding them back, and decided to let them all out. It was his opportunity to take off the bold and always-confident facade he showed everyone, and let out his pain and frustrations in the comfort of his air-conditioned car, packed by the roadside of a major expressway - His secret was safe here: What happens on the expressway stays on the expressway. For the love of his unborn child he was ready to do a lot of things he wouldn't have thought possible less than a year ago, he's going to get married to Bimpe, and nothing was stopping it - his dad should see him now making pragmatic life changing decisions.

Aunty Repo, help!!!

I don't know why some people's review go through, while some end up only adding up the value of votes.

A friend of mine tried to rate this afternoon, and spent a long while endlessly searching for the five stars to rate (which were missing from his own account, for reasons best known to oga at the top.

Or is it my friend who rated a four but got a one at the other side of the loading page.

I don't know if I'm missing some more points, but I plead that you and those involved to look into the effective running of the site, so that even after this competition we can still use it perfectly and be happy as its alumni.