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Nice work.

By the time Lola got home, it was a few minutes to seven in the evening. Despite the expansion of road, the traffic had been hectic, especially between Ogolonto and Round about, Ikorodu. She heaved sigh of relief when she finally disembarked from the bus. Her mother had already started preparing the supper. She was turning the yam flour in the pot the moment Lola stepped into the house. She had already made the vegetables that would go with it. Lola was not surprised. Amala was one local delicacy that mama cherished. Dear mother. She insisted that Lola must take a rest while she would finish the cooking.

Her younger brother, Kunle would not be coming home tonight. He worked on Lagos Island and had often bemoaned the stress of traffic from his abode to his working place. To minimize the stress, he had secured a friend's place at Ikoyi where he would be staying Monday to Friday. Mama did not really like the idea, but she had been persuaded about its merits. She always acted as if her children must be protected and pampered. Lola was however grateful to her mother for her unconditional care. She hoped she too would become a caring mother like her mother.



The following morning, Femi took his time while taking his breakfast. His flight was mid-day. It was only few minutes after eight in the morning. If he should leave his house by ten, he would still have ample time to get to the local wing of the airport and board his flight. His wife was by his side at the table. The fried eggs, bread and tea was his favorite breakfast. Maggie had prepared everything before she took the children to their school, which was in the neighborhood. Since she was self-employed, she had no compulsion about early time for work resumption.

Just as Femi took the cup of tea to his mouth for another sip, his cell phone rang. He checked the caller. It was Sade. Smiling to himself, he picked the call.

'Hello, good morning. How's everything?'

'Good morning. I was on my way to the office, and I thought of saying hello.'

'That's thoughtful of you. How is the family?'

'We're all fine. How about you? How're your wife and children?'

'We're doing fine. We thank God.'

'So, when will you be in the office for me to come and say hello? Or should the greeting be in your house?'

'Er, I'll be travelling to Abuja this noon. Don't worry, when I come back in two or three days' time, I will surely be available. I'll call and let you
know.'

'Oh, I didn't know you'll be travelling. I wish you safe journey, then.'

'Thank you. I will surely let you know when I come back.'

'Alright, my regards to the family.'

'Okay, bye bye.'

Femi disconnected the line. He did not wait for his wife to ask who the caller was. 'It was the lady, my former colleague that I told you yesterday I met on my way home.'

'Oh, ' was all she could say. He changed the topic. When the breakfast was over, he decided to be on his way. His wife gave him a
farewell kiss.

'The almighty God will keep you safe. The flight will be smooth to and fro in Jesus name,' she offered. 'Your purpose of travelling will be achieved without hitches by the power of almighty God.' Femi responded gleefully. A very supportive wife she was.



Three days later, Femi was back in Lagos. The Abuja trip turned to be very successful. He had concluded everything he went for fruitfully. It was gladdening to be back to the warm embrace of his wife who enthused a lot about missing him. Femi chuckled. If he could be missed so much as a result of a few days' absence, how would he be missed if he should be gone for months?

Lola came in to tell him that the system engineer was around to work on the computer and laptops. The system was affected by virus, thus the exigency to call an expert.

'Tell him to start the work immediately. I'll soon be joining him.'

She closed the door, left his office and he continued with browsing on his i-pad. He had made it a routine to read news headlines every morning. Although much of the news were unpleasant - from kidnapping to suicide bombings - there was a need to be informed.

His phone rang. It was Sade, announcing that she was on her way to see him. Since the day he had met her, she had been calling him everyday. Even when he was in Abuja, she was the first to call to ask if he arrived safely. She had earlier called to inform that she would be coming by nine o'clock that morning. Since the address of the office was on the complimentary card he had given her, finding the place would not be a problem. Femi was still talking with the engineer when Sade came in.

Following.

Hello, dear fellow writers. This is a story of love and betrayal. Comments are highly welcomed.
Happy reading.


Femi was a devoted family man until he meets a former colleague. Sade, a beautiful and vivacious woman, is going through some trauma in her marriage and she needs somebody to share the heart burden with. Meeting Femi by chance provides the opportunity she years for.
Femi falters and it takes a while for him to retrace his steps. Temptations are not always the best. They can make or mar one's life. This is exactly what Femi has to fight against.






Tomi Danesi







This story is all a fiction. All characters and events are imagined and do no refer to anybody, dead or alive.
The story is, however, meant to encourage, inspire and urge people to remain steadfast in the face of challenges.





© 2018






Dedication

This book is dedicated to the glory of almighty God. It is also dedicated to those who believe in faithfulness in relationship.










cover picture credit: eye-for-ebony-341041-unsplash


This book is available on


https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329







The coolness of the morning could not be unnoticed. The cold, dry wind unleashed by the harmattan had come with a great deal of fierceness this time around. It was its season. People had expected it, but no one thought it would be as fierce as this. Lola switched off the air conditioner system in the expansive office. When she had first arrived that morning, she felt the need for her body to get some coolness after the bustle on the road while coming to her place of work. Thirty minutes after arriving there, she felt otherwise. She was sitting on her swivel chair with eyes glued to the computer screen as she typed a document her boss had given her.

Her mind was hovering between the work she was doing and the most prominent personal challenge she had At the age of thirty-three, her mother had been on her neck over her inability to bring home her 'future husband'. This was a big problem because many people from this part of the world placed so much value on ladies marrying on time. By the time a lady got to her thirties, the pressure would become intense. This was the category in which Lola found herself. Her mother saw no reason why she should not have settled down. The older woman had consistently argued that by now, Lola should be nursing her third child.

Lola had a good education, capping it with a degree in Mass Communication from a federal university. She was pretty by any standard. Her dressing was neither loud nor dull. She was modest in all that she did. With her job, it was apparent that she would not depend on a man for survival. That meant no man would see her as a liability. Yet, despite all the attributes, no 'serious' man had made any move to have a lasting relationship with her. Some men had come her way, but it was glaring they were just the 'play type' that had no immediate or remote plan for marriage. Lola was active in her faith - in principle and in practice.
The 'no sex until marriage' tenet drove those young men away. If she had been not so strict, she would enjoy the worldly thing to the
maximum, but thank God for her firm belief. She would rather wait until a serious guy came along. Even the guys in her church parish had been hesitant in making any amorous move. Well, all hope was not lost. She would have to intensify her prayers. This mountain of her life must come down.



Femi knotted his tie the way he liked it to be. He then put on the black coat. His wife, appreciating what she saw, smiled at him.

(Stories of Inspiration)



Tomi Danesi



Life is all about hope and inspiration. I mean how will life be without these vital ingredients? Dreadful, I suppose.

This is a compilation of stories that will synergize you never to say never again.

See you at the top.



Acknowledgement: The stories are from different sources.


1. Laziness won’t get you anywhere

“In ancient times, a king had his men place a boulder on a roadway. He then hid in the bushes, and watched to see if anyone would move the boulder out of the way. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers passed by and simply walked around it.

Many people blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none of them did anything about getting the stone removed.

One day, a peasant came along carrying vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to push the stone out of the way. After much pushing and straining, he finally managed.

After the peasant went back to pick up his vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and note from the King explain that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the road.”


2. Don’t say something you regret out of anger

“There once was a little boy who had a very bad temper. His father decided to hand him a bag of nails and said that every time the boy lost his temper, he had to hammer a nail into the fence.

On the first day, the boy hammered 37 nails into that fence.

The boy gradually began to control his temper over the next few weeks, and the number of nails he was hammering into the fence slowly decreased. He discovered it was easier to control his temper than to hammer those nails into the fence.

Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father the news and the father suggested that the boy should now pull out a nail every day he kept his temper under control.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

‘You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there.'”





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There was a long pause. She waited patiently for his answer. Then, in a move so dramatic and pathetic, he covered his face in his palms and started sobbing. Eneh was aghast. For some seconds, she could not say anything. Then she moved to him and placed her hands gently on him.





'Make sure you switched off the kitchen bulb and locked its door,' Sade instructed.

'Yes ma,' Kike replied. She was Sade's cousin, living with her. She had already finished her secondary school and was planning to take the university matriculation examinations that would be coming up in a couple of months time. For now, Kike assisted in taking care of the children, especially since the departure of the house girl..

The children had already slept. For some days now, Bayo had travelled to Abuja. It was not that Sade actually missed him. No. Her only consolations in that house, as far as she was concerned, were the children.

She stretched her body on the three-seater, gazing at the television. She selected the Yoruba movie channel, her favorite. Kike soon came to join her. Sade was barely paying attention to the drama on the channel. These days, her mind was always on Femi.

She had no qualms about setting him on the path of infidelity. In fact, she felt she was doing
the right thing and always tried to justified it. She knew Femi before Maggie did. Femi was her first love, though in an implicit way. She believed
Femi rightfully belonged to her. If Bayo had not lost his senses and had been faithful and loving, if he had continued to treat her nicely, the renewal of passion for Femi might not be a reality. But the way things were, Sade believed that Femi was God-sent with his reappearance in her life. She had run into him when there was a need for a big emotional vacuum to be filled

She remembered when they first started getting close. They had been in the same tutorial group in the English language department. One afternoon, she had approached him to ask if he could explain some aspects of semantics to her. He had obliged and that soon generated into a close relationship. He seemed to be highly reserved and serious-minded. He never broached on love, much to her chagrin. It was not that she was loose. She was a decent girl by all standard, but she wanted more than what she got from him.

That was then. Now, she had made up her mind that she would recover whatever she had lost. There was no going back, even if it meant officially severing her relationship with Bayo through divorce.

She picked her phone and called his number. He soon picked the call.

'Hello, sister Sade,' his voice came over the line. He emphasised the word., sister. Sade got the hint - his wife was around him..

'Good evening. Just to say hello. How is the family?'

'We bless the name of God. We're doing fine. How about yours?'

'All is well. Is your wife there? Can I speak to her?'

'Yes, she's right here by my side.'

He handed the phone over to Margaret. The two women exchanged greetings and asked after members of each other's family as if they were
the best of friends. Sade then bade her goodnight and cut the line.

She smiled to herself over her mischief. She was more determined to have Femi to herself. She sent a short text massage to his line: I wish I
am with you. I love you and I miss you.

There was no response forthcoming from him. She could understand. He was still with his wife and could not script beautiful reply for her.
Very soon, the relationship would not be hidden. Very soon.





When he calmed down, Martin told her a most heart-rendering story she had ever heard from such a close range. It happened that even as a teenager, he never had desire for the opposite sex. There was never a 'wet dream' and even an intimate hold on a girl never brought any warmth in the groin.

By twenty-two, he needed nobody to affirm that it was a case of total erectile dysfunction. Since then, he had been battling with the
malaise. He had also stepped up his faith, believing that with God, he would overcome it.

Eneh was crestfallen. She could not believe her eyes. No, this must be a nightmare.

'You mean you can't do it at all? That you have never done it?' she cried

He shook his head in dejection. 'No, I have never done it.'

'Oh God, oh God. Why didn't you tell me this before? Why didn't you tell me?'

She wept the way she had never wept before. It was the saddest day of her life. With continuous tears in his eyes, Martin tried to console
her. That night, she had a very restless sleep.


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She pressed the hand against the mammary organ. 'Martin, don't you think you should desire this? How can you say you're tired? How can tiredness prevent you from doing it? For about two weeks now. Two weeks!'

'I'm sorry,' he said plaintively.

'Am I not beautiful enough? Am I not good enough?'

'You're more than beautiful, my dear. You're an angel.'

She sat up on the bed and looked at herself. Could anything be wrong with her? Did she emit offensive smell? She knew nothing was wrong with her. Even if she was not beautiful, the night wear she wore had been carefully considered and bought to ignite his erotic imagination.

. The material was enough to make a man turn his head, that was what the sales girl at the store where she had bought it said.

She looked at her boobs. They were fresh, shapely and firm. They were as firm as
when she experienced full puberty. Could a new husband see these and say he was tired?

'Martin.'

He too sat on the bed without saying anything.

'Martin,' she called again. 'It can not be tiredness. I know the kind of work you do in your office. They're paper work and the work is not tedious. So, tell me, what is the problem?'

There was a long pause. She waited patiently for his answer. Then, in a move so dramatic and pathetic, he covered his face in his palms and started sobbing. Eneh was aghast. For some seconds, she could not say anything. Then she moved to him and placed her hands gently on him.

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'Oh,' he said. Whatever that meant. They chatted a bit more, then the food was brought. She ate slowly, enjoying the meal.

'How's the food?' he asked.

She munched and smirked. 'It's delicious. I'll give a thumb up.'

He could only smile at her. After she had finished eating, she thanked him for the meal.

'Thank you, too, for eating it.'

'D'you still remember when my birthday is?'

He thought briefly. 'I know it is this month, March, but I'm sorry I can't remember the exact date.'

'It's next week, March 12th. I'll be thirty-five.'

He whistled softly. 'You're joining the senior club.'

'Abi o. But you're still my egbon.'

'Yes, by some months.'

'Do I look older than my age?'

'Of course not. You look good for your age.'

'Really?'

'Sure. Don't you trust my words again?'

'I don't know o.'

'Of course you do.

'Can I ask you a question? I need a honest answer.'

'Go ahead. Ask any question you desire.'

'Did you ever love me?'

'Oh, no. I overrule that question'.

'You can't overrule it. You promised to give answer,'

'Okay, okay. I loved you and I still do. But it is a brotherly love.'

'You mean I was never good enough to be your wife? That I was only good for conversation and to pass time?'

He laughed. 'Oh, come on. I cherish you more than you think. I just wasn't thinking of anything about marriage then.'

'You dashed my hope.'

He sighed deeply. 'I'm sorry. I didn't know you had so much attachment to me.'

'You dashed my hope,' she repeated. Her tone was low and sad. Femi too felt hollow. He had to move close to her seat to hold her by the
shoulder. He was becoming too sentimental, he told himself. His mind flashed back to their university days. He shook his head. Their kind of
relationship was rare. They were intimate, yet they stayed off anything sensuous.

Now, he held her by his side. She could smell her perfume and hair. She was aware that he was staring at her. She turned to face him
squarely and held him too. Their faces made a close up. Sentiments, beware of sentiments, his mind screamed at him. Her lips touched on his.
There should be no harm in that, he thought. It was just a kiss. Even Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus.

What he planned to be a soft kiss turned to be a very deep one that left their hearts beating rapidly.


It was closing time. Eneh parked the files on her table to one side and quickly made up her face. Since she had become married, she had been
coming and going to work with her husband. Everybody seemed to be happy for them, from her department to his. It was an entirely new phase
of life, and she was enjoying it. She checked her face on the small mirror to be sure that the powder was moderate.

She stood up and moved to his office. He asked her to wait as he was putting finishing touches to what he was doing. He soon finished and
picked up his briefcase. They went downstairs to the parking space. His car, a Toyota Avensis, was glittering in the sun. Along the way home,
he stopped at a supermarket close to their residence to buy groceries and provisions. At home, he was darling Martin, while in the office, he was
Mr. Martin Yakubu. He, played the role of the devoted lover. He would stay with her in the kitchen and chatted. They were not only married,
they were also friends. His favorite meal was tuwo shinkafa and vegetables. He also said he liked pork. She had decided to prepare his favorite.

When he ate the meal, he commended her as usual, that her food was very delicious. Eneh glowed at his commendation. She ate her own
food in satisfaction too, although she did not really like pork. After the supper, she cleared the plates and spent some minutes in the kitchen to
wash them. By the time she returned to the sitting- news, he was watching CNN. She was not a big fan of news channels. She would prefer
soap operas but she never complained about his choice. She went to take a shower and changed her clothes to a skimpy satin sleep wear. She
then went to meet him in the sitting-room. He had started dozing already.

'Darling,' she tapped him. 'Maybe we should retire to the bedroom.'

He nodded and stood up. It was just few minutes to nine in the night. There was no crime in going to bed early. She led him to the bedroom.

He was in white singlet and blue boxer, and those would be his night wears. Eneh cuddled up to him. When she rubbed her hands down his
chest, he muttered that he was rather tired and would like to sleep.

She was certainly becoming agitated on this issue of perennial tiredness. Why? Why would Martin be giving the same reason every night for not consummating his love for his newly wedded wife? Why was it that when it came to coital issue, he would say he was tired?

No, she would not take that excuse again. Tonight, she would not let him be. He had been so passive about demonstrating what it meant to
have a new bride. He was not even making any effort. No problem, she would try to revitalize him and put him in the mood.

She rubbed his chest the more and pressed her breasts against him.

'Eneh darling, please I'm really tired. What I need now is rest and a good sleep.'

'You can't be tired. What have you done that you're tired?'

'It's the work. The work is not easy.'

'The work must not stop you from fulfilling your obligation. At least for once.'

He sighed. 'Do not worry. Tomorrow, I will try not to work too hard. Tomorrow, I'll do all you expect me to do.'

She took his left hand and placed it on her bosom. 'Don't you feel anything for this?'

She pressed the hand against the mammary organ. 'Martin, don't you think you should desire this? How can you say you're tired? How can
tiredness prevent you from doing it? For about two weeks now. Two weeks!'


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'I will love, I'll do anything.'

'Hey, take it easy Mister,' she cautioned. 'It's always easier said than done.'

Alfred had reiterated his commitment to keep to those words.

Now, he had paid her a visit.

She washed her hands, dried them on the apron and went to meet him in the sitting-room. He stood up to greet her, like a gentleman. She introduced him to his mother, but as a friend. She still believed she must tread cautiously with him. Men could be so deceptive. She had heard and seen a lot, and would not want to be carried away by unguarded passions.

Her mother was happy for her. After he had gone, she was all smiles.

'I think he's a good man,' she said approvingly.

'Mummy, have you forgotten that Jesus said no one but God is good?'

Her mother smiled. 'I know, but my mind says he' ll be a good husband.'

'Ha, mummy, you hardly know him.'

'Mark my words; he'll be a good man.'

'So you're a prophetess now. Okay o, let's wait and see.'

Deep in her mind, she was glad her mother approved of him. It was a good sign.










Chapter Three

By 2.45 pm, Sade was in Femi’s office. These days, she would come in and head straight for his office without waiting for the Secretary to inform him of her presence. Femi would only chuckle at her behavior.

She sat on her usual seat and looked coolly at him.

'What will my dear guest have?' he asked.
'Guest? Do you still call me guest? No be me and you get this office?'

He laughed shortly. 'But seriously speaking, I hope your coming before closing time is not having its toll on your work.'

'There's no problem whatsoever with my work. All is well.'

'Alright. So what can I offer you today?'

'I need food. Real food.'

He summoned the office assistant to get fried rice and chicken for her.

'How is madam at home?' she asked.

'She's fine. How about your man?'

'He has travelled to Abuja.'

He noticed the listless way she answered him on the question concerning her husband.

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Interesting work.

* * *

Lola's mother came to the kitchen to tell her that she had a visitor. She knew who it was. For the past two weeks, Alfred had been telling her he would like to visit her home, especially since she had refused to visit his. He worked in the office complex where she worked and had met as she was about to take the elevator on the ground floor. He worked as an architect for an architectural firm on the third floor.

The first day they met, he had discreetly followed her to her office and was glad she worked in the same building. When he made his love intentions known, she hardly gave him a chance. He looked so urbane and suave that she could have sworn he would be a playboy. She said this to his face and he laughed it off.

'Why not give me a chance to prove my love,' he had pleaded.

''You don't even know the kind of person I am,' she said further.

He had laughed again. He seemed to laugh at many things.

'So tell me. What kind of person are you?'

'You really want to know?'

'Of course, I want to know.'

'Alright. I'm not after any unfruitful relationship. I hope you understand what I mean. I'm interested only in long-lasting relationship.'

She stopped to look at him. His eyes were popped out in excitement.

'Wow! That's what I have in mind too! I really, really want to marry you.'

'Marriage is not as easy as you think it is.'

'I know. But, really, that's what I want from
you.'

There was a slight pause.

'There's another important thing,' she said.
'What could that be?'

There was a sense of eagerness all over him, like a zealous school boy.

She had allowed an emphatic silence,

then she said: 'There will be no sex until marriage.'

She was so point blank abnout it.

His face first look clouded, then he smiled. 'Is that all?'

'Yes, for now.'


Before she could stop him, he gave her a hug.


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For two days, Femi did not hear from Sade. He decided not to call her for now. It seemed she had raised some dusts which needed to settle.
That Saturday night, he was playing at home with his last child, a two year old boy, in the sitting-room,. The other children were with their mummy in the bedroom. His phone rang and it was Sade calling.

'While didn't you call?' she began in an accusing note..

'Ah, well, I wanted to give you time to regain your composure.'

'What composure? Did I at any time lose my composure?'

'Of course you did the other time.'

'Were you upset about what happened? Are you angry with me?'

'No, I was not upset. Neither was I angry with you. I was only surprised that you could say that.'

'You don' t believe me? You think I was saying nonsense?'

'Phone, daddy, phone,' his little boy interrupted, attempting to take the phone from him.

'Is that your little boy?' she asked over the line.

'Yes, he wants to take the phone.'

She laughed shortly. 'How is he and everybody?'

'We thank God, we're all fine.'

'So, tell me, do you think what I said is nonsense?'

'It's not nonsense, but it's something I can't do anything about.'

'Really?'

'Of course. What can I do about it?'

'Ehn ehn. So you will just leave me in the cold, abi?'

'Sade, why're you talking like this? You know I'm married. There's nothing I can do again.'

She did not say anything for some time.

'Hello, are still there?' he asked.

'Yes, I am.'

'I still believe your marriage will work,' he said encouragingly. 'Keep on praying and believing. Things will ultimately work out.'

She did not say anything.

'Bye for now,' she said finally and disconnected the line.

Femi shook his head and sighed. Now, things were obviously taking a new dimension. Sade was implicitly suggesting that he should give her love. How would that be possible since the two of them were married? The fact that she was experiencing some storms should never be a reason for infidelity. He loved his wife a lot. He had never cheated on her. Above all, God reproved adultery. He must never engage in it. He just had to make Sade understand that engaging in extramarital affairs would only exacerbate the situation.

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'We bless the name of God for the success of the wedding,' he said.

'Yes o. Jesus be praised for ever for his mercies.' She knelt by the bedside to give some praise songs to God for His goodness.

Martin too knelt by her side. Together, they sang some choruses and offered some prayers. Thereafter, she gleefully asked him to unzip her wedding gown. It was tight fitting and she had to wiggle her body to remove it. She removed the dress, leaving the lingerie. Now, she had no inhibition to be naked before him, although she was semi nude.

There was nothing improper about that from this moment on. Actually, this was the first time she would be this near nude in his presence. Throughout their courtship, they had mutually agreed that they would wait until their wedding before sex. They had kept to that. Tonight would be the night for the ultimate in the conjugal.

'You're still in your suit?' she asked, frowning slightly as she observed him.

He was staring at her, obviously fascinated by her half nudity. He smiled. 'What a nice figure you have, my darling. Am I not lucky?'

'Yes you’re very lucky, but don't just stand there staring at me.'

In smiles, he walked up to her and lifted her. Her lips searched his and got glued. They became breathless. He flopped her on the bed.

'I m sorry, we can't do anything further for now. I'm so tired, darling. I'm so tired.'

She was surprised to hear that.

'All the hassles of the wedding have worn me out,' he explained further.

Eneh was quite disappointed, but she tried to smile it off.

'Come. Let me just cuddle and pamper you a bit. Let me do that for now.'

That pacified her, at least a bit. He pulled her to himself with kisses.







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'It's alright ....it's alright,' he managed to say.

After a couple of minutes, she calmed down and dabbed her eyes.

'I'm sorry,' she said.

Femi nodded. 'I understand. I'm sorry too. I mean I'm sorry to indirectly be the cause of your distress.'

She picked up her handbag and stood up. 'I'll be on my way.'

'So soon?'

She smiled wryly. 'I think I've given you enought trouble for a day.'

'No, you've not given me any trouble. It's a pleasure to have you here.'

'Thank you, but I've got to go now.'

He did not know what else to say. In the usual manner, he saw her to the elevator and waved to her. When he returned to his office, he felt burdened.


+ + +


When Martin was asked to give vote of thanks, he made it as brief as possible. The venue of the wedding reception which was the playing ground of government secondary school, Gboko, was filled to capacity. It was obvious Eneh's family members had a lot of goodwill.

Finally, Martin was getting married to his heartrob. He had been a chronic bachelor but he had patiently waited for this day. He would be free from the teasers and their snide remarks. One of them had sarcastically called him Saint Martin. Well, all that was about to end now.

He looked at his brand new bride who sat by his side. Eneh was unarguably the happiest person there that day. She looked very beautiful in her white, perfectly fitting wedding gown as she smiled from time to time.

A woman came to whisper something to her ear. In turn, she whispered to her husband. He nodded and they stood up. The programme was coming to an end and it was time for them to leave the reception.

They had booked a modest hotel room not far from the venue. That was where they would be having their first night together as a couple.

They were driven to the hotel in a Lexus jeep. He collected the room key and they made straight for their room on the first floor.



The Last Temptation: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329

Two months after first coming in contact with Sade, Femi and she still maintained contact. Femi took her to his home to meet his family. Sade found them adorable. The love between Femi and his wife was noticeable, and Sade wished she could have a home like theirs. His wife too was pleasant.

Nothing suggested that she harbored any mistrust or suspicion for her husband. This was unlike what happened in Sade's home. Despite Bayo's maltreatment of her and the children, he it was who would not want to hear about his wife bringing a male acquaintance home.

It was a taboo for Sade to discuss about male colleagues at work or male friends. It would therefore not be possible to introduce Femi to her own home. It was paradoxical that Bayo who was keeping late nights and gallivanting with women would not want any man near his wife. This life!

Sade however preferred visiting him in the office. He had been trying his best to encourage her not to be despondent; that in any situation one was facing, one should never give up. He had even joined her faith in fasting and praying - all directed towards having a homely home.

This afternoon, Sade had left her office earlier than closing time to spend some time with him. She did this from time to time. They sat in his spacious office while he ordered snacks and drinks for her. As usual, she insisted that the only drink she would have was water. As far as she was concerned, sugar must be avoided as much as possible.

While she munched her snacks, he surfed the internet and listened to what she was saying.

'I think I've married the wrong man,' she blurted out. He was surprised by her outburst.

'How could you say that?'

She laughed a mirthless one. 'I said that simply because it is becoming more glaring that I married the wrong person.'

He shook his head. 'I don't think it was a mistake. The Lord has a purpose for everything. It was His will that you should marry who you've married.'

'And it was His will that I should be subjected to this unhappiness? Femi, I don't agree with you.'

He suspended what he was doing on the laptop. It was obvious he had to do a serious work of counseling now.

'Oh, dear. I don't think you have to feel that way. Everything that happens to us is for a purpose. God has His reason for everything.'

She nodded grudgingly. 'I quite agree with you that God has a purpose for everything, but somehow I still have the belief that I shouldn't have
married Bayo.'

He shook his head in sympathy. She was looking at his eyes so intently that he looked away.

'Femi,' she called as if she wanted his full attention. He still looked away, but raised an eyebrow in response.

'You know what I have in mind.'

'Oh, no. I don't,' he protested. 'What do you have in mind?'

She paused for a while. The silence that followed was meaningful.

'You're the man I'm supposed to be married to.' She said it with an air of finality.

Femi completely looked taken aback. 'What?'

'Why're you looking surprised? Were we not intimate years ago?'

'Yes, we were, but what are you saying?'

'I'm saying that you're the cause of my predicament. You made me fall into the wrong hands.'

'But... but, Sade, you're like a sister to me.'

To his shock, she burst into tears. At first, he did not know what to say or do. She must be traumatized by her marital experience to be
acting this way, he felt. Poor Sade. She kept on whimpering and he could not just sit there watching the scene. Truly, he felt sorry for her, but what could he do? She had been his good friend in the university. He had visited her in front of her hall several times and she too had visited him in his room.

Fact was everything was platonic. He actually saw her as a sister. Apart from warm hugs and occasional pecks, he had not done anything overtly sensuous with her. And he had not made any conjugal promise either. Why then was she making the grave allegation?

He moved to her to pat her on the shoulder in consoling mode. It was as if she was waiting for this. She clung to him so tightly he was short of breath. Oh, women and sentiment!



The Last Temptation: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329

Chapter Two

After the day's hard work, Bayo believed there must be moments to cool off. It should not just be work, work, work. By 6.00 pm, he was at the club house in Palm Groove. He had his own firm now and had just won a big case. That meant there was need for celebration.

To savor the moment with him was Ada, his latest girlfriend. Bringing her to the place was one of the ways Bayo believed he was having a good time.

He ordered for two plates of pepper soup and drinks. The red wine was always his preference. As he took the peppery delicacies, he sipped the wine intermittently. Sitting across the table, Ada chatted excitedly, while Bayo nodded from time to time. It was his habit not to talk much while eating or drinking.

The big screen in the large room was showing musical videos. Some exuberant youth, with frenzy, half-clad ladies, were twisting their bodies and gyrating in what they called dance. Bayo was not a music fan and was barely paying attention to them. Even if he were to be a music fan, his choice would not be this very genre. He would rather put his interests in other ephemeral things.

'You're not answering my question,' Ada interjected his thoughts.

'Hmn? Sorry, what did you say?'

'What could you be thinking of that you were so distracted?'

He broke into a warm smile. 'It's the noise that distracted me. I'm sorry. What were you saying?'

'I asked if the shopping you promised will be this weekend.'

So he had even promised to take her for shopping during the weekend! He could not remember making such a promise. All the same, he smiled and nodded.

'Oh, you're such a darling,' she gushed and gave him a peck on the left cheek. He winked at her.

'I expected you to turn the other cheek,' she said, animatedly.

He laughed and obliged her. It seemed to please Bayo to indulge in such frivolities. Ada was recently employed in his law chamber. That was
about three months ago. So far, for a greenhorn , she was doing well. It was not difficult to see that she had a lot of zeal . She combined brilliance with beauty.

That combination was enough to make Bayo lose his senses. At first, he was given to making so much effusion about how beautiful and desirable she looked. A colleague of hers whispered a warning that she should not be carried away by his flateries. She was told that the highly sentimental boss had a beautiful wife at home and was only after flings. Ada was not dissuaded by such counsels. By the time Bayo offered to take her out for dinner, she said yes without any reservation.

Since then, the affair had been going on and had blossomed. She ignored the fact that apart from being married, he probably also had other lovers. To her, if he chose the life of a philanderer, that was his business.

Ada finished the first plate of pepper soup and indicated interest in having another. She was particularly fond of catfish own. Bayo smiled at her and wondered about her appetite. She seemed to like food a lot, yet she looked very slim. He nodded again and ordered an extra plate for her.




The Last Temptation: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus

No, not one. No, not one.

'I'm sorry to hear that,' he said. He had heard similar story before. As an assistant pastor, he had been in a position to give marriage counseling to troubled couples on many occasions. Some were even on the verge of calling it quit in the relationship. With divine and wise interventions, such relationships were mended.

'You need to be very prayerful about it. Yes, I can feel your pains and I sympathies with you, but you just have to endure the odds. Marriage is not a bed of roses as many people mistakenly take it to be. There're bound to be ups and downs. There will be the good times and the not-so-good ones. It is God that helps one to make it work - God, and our own conscientious efforts.'

'He has become very insensitive,’ she stated in a bitter tone. 'He makes life a hell for me and the children. As a matter of fact, if not for the sake of the children, I would've packed out of his house.'

'I'll advise you not to do that. That really is not the best option.' Femi said solemnly. He tried to assuage her agitations and to assure that God would intervene and heal the ills of the relationship, but he knew it was not always easy to mollify a woman who felt scorned.



Eneh was very happy. Things were going on the way she had envisaged, so why must she not be glad? At twenty five, she was certainly not too young to be getting married. She was working in a federal agency in charge of petroleum resources at Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos. She had decided to combine that with a degree program she was running at the open university. Her lucky groom-to-be was Martin, a slim, dark dude and a senior colleague at work. Martin was already forty years of age, although his looks bellied his age. When he first proposed to her about eight months ago, she had told him she did not wish to be a second wife. Her mother was the first wife to her father and she knew what a house of troubles their home turned to be the moment her father took another wife. Baba had got a woman assisting him on his farm pregnant and subsequently introduced her as a new wife. Eneh's mother could not believe her eyes. How could she have imagined that Peter, her husband, who always professed that no woman could be like her, do such a thing? Peter had looked like the meekest among the meek. Well, Eneh's mother had no choice than to accept the other woman. Ever since then, the erstwhile love, trust and peace in the house had waned to the minimum.

Eneh was thinking that she would not go for that kind of relationship. No matter what could be Martin's promises of love and undying affection, she would not be a victim like her mother.

She had been surprised when Martin said he had never been married. Did that mean he had a child or children out of wedlock? Eneh wanted to know. She had pleaded that he should tell her the truth. No, no, no, Martin replied. There was no love child anywhere.

Being assured, she had told him he should give her some time before she could give her consent. Her parents in Gboko had not posed any problem, although he was of a different tribe from Nasarawa state. They were happy for their daughter and wished her the best. As the wedding day approached preparations were in top gear.

So far, Martin had been a complete gentleman. He had related with her in love and respect. He also appeared to be generous and kind-hearted. Sometimes, Eneh would wonder why a man like him had not settled down with a woman before now. He seemed to be a devoted Christian. Maybe he was bidding his time.

Maybe he was waiting for divine assurance. Whatever it was, the wait was over, or about to be. Hadiza, her colleague came in to chat with her. She had been so carried away with thoughts that she did not know when she came in. Hadiza was older than her by more than a decade and was a senior colleague. Despite the differences, they were close. Eneh always confided in her while the latter would tutor her about life.

'You must be thinking of the great event ahead. We all look forward to that day,' Hadiza said.

Eneh knew the 'great event' she was referring to. What else could be the 'great event'?

'Good day, ma. How is work?'

'Fine, fine. I hope you and oga Martin are preparing well. We pray almighty God to make us witness the day in good health and sound mind.'

'Amen.'

'See how radiant you look these days. Allah be praised for His mercies.'

'Amin.'

Religion was another factor that could have created differences between them, but the two women would not allow that. Hadiza was a Muslim from Plateau state while Eneh was a Catholic from Benue, but that had never been a problem. For the proposed wedding of her good friend, Hadiza had decided that she would be travelling to Benue State, insha Allah.





The Last Temptation: https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329

Nice update

'There you are,' Femi said as a way of greeting. She gave him a hug.

'Good to see you again,' she said. He ushered her into his office and motioned her to a settee.

'Please, have a seat and feel relaxed.'

'Thank you.' She looked around the office and nodded appreciatively.

'A nice office you have here,' she complimented.

‘Thank you.'

He sat down too, opposite her. That gave him the chance to look at her squarely. Sade had not changed much. She had gained some weight, no doubt, but the features of her face remained the same. Ten years ago, when they were still in the university, some of his friends had teased him that Sade would be a good wife and that he should not waste time to propose to her and in planning a lasting union. Femi had regarded it as a big joke. Sade was like a sister to him, he had argued, pointing out that he had no such spousal inclination. That was years ago. His recollection brought a smile to his face.

As a devoted student trying to make a headway, he knew he must fully concentrate on his studies. There was a time for every thing. He believed when it would be time for him to settle down with a life partner, God Himself would bring the person.

'So, how's your family - your husband and your children?' he asked.

'My children are okay.'

He nodded. He did not notice that she deliberately skipped commenting about her husband.

They chatted about old times. Lola came in to ask what the guest would like to have, but she said she did not need anything.

'What about your place of work? Are you not going this morning?' Femi asked.

'There is no problem about that. I've taken permission that I'll be coming quite late to work.'

He nodded again.

'I can see that your wife is taking good care of you,' she said.

'We thank God o. It is the doing of our good Lord.'

'How I wish I can say the same,' she said wistfully. The words and the tone had the desired effects. This time, there was no way Femi would not have noticed the tinges of sadness.

'My goodness, you sounded so low.'

She sighed. From her look, it was obvious a lot was on her mind. With a little prodding from him, she poured her heart out. Things were no longer as rosy as they used to be. Sade went down the memory lane. She had met Bayo about seven years ago, not long after she got her job. Bayo worked for a flourishing law firm. With his brilliance and charm, he had very bright prospects and was able to climb the success ladder fast.

Sade was certain it was 'love at first sight' when she first met him. A year after the sizzling romance, he was ready to take her to the altar. Bayo was the perfect lover and gentleman, or so it seemed. He would take her to high brow eateries, and for shopping. Sade had thought the glitz would last for ever.

Not long after the fuzz, the law of diminishing returns set in. The dim in his zeal started after her second pregnancy. He would come back late amd would explain that his work was becoming very demanding, and that explained why he was coming home late. The serious cracks in the wall started about a year ago. For nights, he would simply not come home, and he would explain it was all due to the workload.

Although then, he had started his chamber and was doing well, the way he talked about workload made Sade wonder if he was the only one handling criminal cases in the whole country.

When Sade told one of his uncles about his misdemeanor, Bayo raved and accused her of fanning the embers of discord by making a mountain out of a molehill. Sade was nonplussed. Had his love for her finally gone with the wind? She did not know who else to turn to. Even the pastor of their church who she had confided in could not successfully mediate.

Femi listened in rapt attention as Sade said all these. At the end of her story, even though he had only heard her own side, he felt sorry for her.

By the time Lola got home, it was a few minutes to seven in the evening. Despite the expansion of road, the traffic had been hectic, especially between Ogolonto and Round about, Ikorodu. She heaved sigh of relief when she finally disembarked from the bus. Her mother had already started preparing the supper. She was turning the yam flour in the pot the moment Lola stepped into the house. She had already made the vegetables that would go with it. Lola was not surprised. Amala was one local delicacy that mama cherished. Dear mother. She insisted that Lola must take a rest while she would finish the cooking.

Her younger brother, Kunle would not be coming home tonight. He worked on Lagos Island and had often bemoaned the stress of traffic from his abode to his working place. To minimize the stress, he had secured a friend's place at Ikoyi where he would be staying Monday to Friday. Mama did not really like the idea, but she had been persuaded about its merits. She always acted as if her children must be protected and pampered. Lola was however grateful to her mother for her unconditional care. She hoped she too would become a caring mother like her mother.



The following morning, Femi took his time while taking his breakfast. His flight was mid-day. It was only few minutes after eight in the morning. If he should leave his house by ten, he would still have ample time to get to the local wing of the airport and board his flight. His wife was by his side at the table. The fried eggs, bread and tea was his favorite breakfast. Maggie had prepared everything before she took the children to their school, which was in the neighborhood. Since she was self-employed, she had no compulsion about early time for work resumption.

Just as Femi took the cup of tea to his mouth for another sip, his cell phone rang. He checked the caller. It was Sade. Smiling to himself, he picked the call.

'Hello, good morning. How's everything?'

'Good morning. I was on my way to the office, and I thought of saying hello.'

'That's thoughtful of you. How is the family?'

'We're all fine. How about you? How're your wife and children?'

'We're doing fine. We thank God.'

'So, when will you be in the office for me to come and say hello? Or should the greeting be in your house?'

'Er, I'll be travelling to Abuja this noon. Don't worry, when I come back in two or three days' time, I will surely be available. I'll call and let you
know.'

'Oh, I didn't know you'll be travelling. I wish you safe journey, then.'

'Thank you. I will surely let you know when I come back.'

'Alright, my regards to the family.'

'Okay, bye bye.'

Femi disconnected the line. He did not wait for his wife to ask who the caller was. 'It was the lady, my former colleague that I told you yesterday I met on my way home.'

'Oh, ' was all she could say. He changed the topic. When the breakfast was over, he decided to be on his way. His wife gave him a
farewell kiss.

'The almighty God will keep you safe. The flight will be smooth to and fro in Jesus name,' she offered. 'Your purpose of travelling will be achieved without hitches by the power of almighty God.' Femi responded gleefully. A very supportive wife she was.



Three days later, Femi was back in Lagos. The Abuja trip turned to be very successful. He had concluded everything he went for fruitfully. It was gladdening to be back to the warm embrace of his wife who enthused a lot about missing him. Femi chuckled. If he could be missed so much as a result of a few days' absence, how would he be missed if he should be gone for months?

Lola came in to tell him that the system engineer was around to work on the computer and laptops. The system was affected by virus, thus the exigency to call an expert.

'Tell him to start the work immediately. I'll soon be joining him.'

She closed the door, left his office and he continued with browsing on his i-pad. He had made it a routine to read news headlines every morning. Although much of the news were unpleasant - from kidnapping to suicide bombings - there was a need to be informed.

His phone rang. It was Sade, announcing that she was on her way to see him. Since the day he had met her, she had been calling him everyday. Even when he was in Abuja, she was the first to call to ask if he arrived safely. She had earlier called to inform that she would be coming by nine o'clock that morning. Since the address of the office was on the complimentary card he had given her, finding the place would not be a problem. Femi was still talking with the engineer when Sade came in.

Hello, dear fellow writers. This is a story of love and betrayal. Comments are highly welcomed.
Happy reading.


Femi was a devoted family man until he meets a former colleague. Sade, a beautiful and vivacious woman, is going through some trauma in her marriage and she needs somebody to share the heart burden with. Meeting Femi by chance provides the opportunity she years for.
Femi falters and it takes a while for him to retrace his steps. Temptations are not always the best. They can make or mar one's life. This is exactly what Femi has to fight against.






Tomi Danesi







This story is all a fiction. All characters and events are imagined and do no refer to anybody, dead or alive.
The story is, however, meant to encourage, inspire and urge people to remain steadfast in the face of challenges.





© 2018






Dedication

This book is dedicated to the glory of almighty God. It is also dedicated to those who believe in faithfulness in relationship.










cover picture credit: eye-for-ebony-341041-unsplash


This book is available on


https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329







The coolness of the morning could not be unnoticed. The cold, dry wind unleashed by the harmattan had come with a great deal of fierceness this time around. It was its season. People had expected it, but no one thought it would be as fierce as this. Lola switched off the air conditioner system in the expansive office. When she had first arrived that morning, she felt the need for her body to get some coolness after the bustle on the road while coming to her place of work. Thirty minutes after arriving there, she felt otherwise. She was sitting on her swivel chair with eyes glued to the computer screen as she typed a document her boss had given her.

Her mind was hovering between the work she was doing and the most prominent personal challenge she had At the age of thirty-three, her mother had been on her neck over her inability to bring home her 'future husband'. This was a big problem because many people from this part of the world placed so much value on ladies marrying on time. By the time a lady got to her thirties, the pressure would become intense. This was the category in which Lola found herself. Her mother saw no reason why she should not have settled down. The older woman had consistently argued that by now, Lola should be nursing her third child.

Lola had a good education, capping it with a degree in Mass Communication from a federal university. She was pretty by any standard. Her dressing was neither loud nor dull. She was modest in all that she did. With her job, it was apparent that she would not depend on a man for survival. That meant no man would see her as a liability. Yet, despite all the attributes, no 'serious' man had made any move to have a lasting relationship with her. Some men had come her way, but it was glaring they were just the 'play type' that had no immediate or remote plan for marriage. Lola was active in her faith - in principle and in practice.
The 'no sex until marriage' tenet drove those young men away. If she had been not so strict, she would enjoy the worldly thing to the
maximum, but thank God for her firm belief. She would rather wait until a serious guy came along. Even the guys in her church parish had been hesitant in making any amorous move. Well, all hope was not lost. She would have to intensify her prayers. This mountain of her life must come down.



Femi knotted his tie the way he liked it to be. He then put on the black coat. His wife, appreciating what she saw, smiled at him. It was her own way of playing the dotting wife.

'How do I look?' he asked, but it was a needless question as he already knew what the answer would be.

Maggie always appreciated her hubby. He gave her a peck and picked his briefcase. He was on his way to work. Luckily, the traffic was a bit light. In less than thirty minutes, he was taking the elevator to the seventh floor. His office occupied part of the floor. After breezing inside the office, he had some quiet minutes of prayer. Femi did not joke with his spiritual life. He believed in God, just as he believed that he could not achieve a thing without Him.

Femi's life had always been full of challenges but God had been helping him through. After graduating with a degree in English, he scouted for a 'good job' and when none was forthcoming, he settled for a teaching job. Many people did that as the last resort. The teaching was supposed to fill the gaps. He had planned to do it briefly, but he ended up having over a six-year experience in teaching job.

Despite the numerous challenges, he had trudged on. With dedication and unwavering commitment, he had been able to settle down and start a family. Maggie was the understanding type. She too had been a teacher and had a lot of similar experiences with her husband. Now, she was into confectionery. Over the years, she had been a loving and supporting wife. Femi knew God had really answered his prayers as far as his choice of wife was concerned. With three bright children and a loving spouse, one could say that he had a lovely family. In retrospect, he believed all that had happened to him were divinely arranged. He was grateful to God for his modest success. Indeed, nothing good came easy. Leaving the teaching job and embracing e-business was not got on a platter of gold. Now, Femi ran an on-line publishing firm which was not doing badly. He published an e-magazine as well as e-books.


During her break, Lola brought out her food flask and ate the fried plantain and egg she had brought. She ate slowly, savoring the taste. She hardly bought food outside as she preferred to cook her own food. The intercom buzzed. Her boss wanted to see her. She closed her flask and made for his office, and without knocking, she stepped inside

'The Abuja trip I told you about is tomorrow,' he told her.

She nodded. 'That means you'll be travelling tomorrow.'

'Yes.' His answers were always that simple. Lola had always known him as a simple man. For about two years now, she had been working with him. During those years, she realized what a cool man he was. He neither gave her trouble nor stressed her. In fact, he had been an understanding boss, the one that had sympathy and the one she could confide in. Lola could not have wished for a better employer.

'When will you be coming back, sir?' she asked.

'I shouldn’t be gone for long. Latest Friday, I should be back. '

'Wish you safe journey, and when you're coming, remember to buy a little nice thing for me.'

He smiled at her and nodded. The relationship between them was cordial but official. Femi knew where to draw the line. He regarded her as an employee and as a 'sister'. That meant she enjoyed some privileges.

'And what d'you want me to buy?' he asked.

She shrugged and it was her turn to smile. 'Anything nice.'

He seemed to think over that for some seconds.

'Okay, I will see what I can do.'

He sighed. 'While I am away I want you to ensure that the work goes on smoothly.'

'It will,' she assured.

It was a small office. Apart from her boss and herself, there was only one member of staff left - the office assistant. It was convenient for her to take over when her boss was not around. Femi preferred an ad hoc and a part-time arrangement whenever there was much work to do than to employ them on full time. He found it easier and more cost-effective to operate that way.

After Lola went back to her office, her work continued without any hitch. The closing time was 4 pm, but sometimes, she worked up till 5 pm. Sometimes, she would even have to take some of the documents home to continue the work. Such an assiduous action had earned her commendation from her boss.

By ten minutes after 4 pm, Femi decided to call it a day. Lola too rounded off what she was doing and got set to go home. Most times, she would get a 'lift' from him. From the office at Randle Avenue Surulere, she could always drop off at Maryland and thereafter take a bus to Ikorodu, where she lived with her mother and younger brother. Since the demise of her father when she was in final year in the university, it had become the responsibility of the woman to take up the challenge of footing the school bills of herself and her brother. Mama had really done well. What a caring and devoted mother she was. Little wonder that mother and daughter were fond of each other.

It was not surprising, also, that her mother was seriously concerned about Lola's marital status. She was always quick to proclaim that she wanted the best for her daughter.


After Lola had alighted from his car, Femi turned left and headed towards Ikeja. The traffic was already building up as the car could only move at the speed of crawling on the road. It was not unusual with Lagos traffic. Just a few meters after the filling station close to the helipad, he saw a figure that looked familiar, standing by the roadside. As he passed the figure, he was convinced that it was Sade, an old friend. He maneuvered the car and parked by the roadside. He then walled back about twenty meters to where she was standing. She did not take a keen interest in the approaching figure at first, but when she looked into his eyes and recognized who was coming, she broke into a smile.

'Hey, am I seeing who I really think I am seeing, or are my eyes deceiving me?' she asked.

'Ah, look who is here; I don't think there can be counterfeit.'

'Femi, is that really you?' It was more of a rhetorical question. He spread his hands and she was in his embrace.

'Waoh, you are the last person I could think of seeing here, I was just driving by when I saw you.' He pointed at his car

'I can't believe I could just run into you like this. What an age!' The smile on her face was wide and infectious.

Sade was a good friend of his some years ago when they were in the university. It was not anything amorous but they were good friends. Sometimes, they even discussed some knotty academic issues together. That was about ten years ago. After their schooling, they had gone their separate ways for their national youth service. They had maintained contact for a while but the loss of his phone and the subsequent inability to retrieve the sim line led to a seemingly permanent break in communication.

'So what are you doing now? I can see that you're not looking bad', she teased.

He smiled too. 'Well, we thank God. I'm on my own now. I'm into publishing business. What about you? Where do you work?'

'I work for the government, at the State Ministry of Information.' Her eyes went to the ring on his left finger. 'I can see you're married. How many kids do you have now?'

He smiled again. 'Yes, by God's grace, I'm married. Three young ones are the Lord's blessings - two girls and a boy. What of you? Who is the lucky one to sweep you off your feet?'

She chuckled. 'I'm married to a legal practitioner. We have two kids, although we're still expecting one more. He feels two girls are not good enough. You must be doing well. You look fresh.'

'Ah, well. We thank God. Things have not been exactly easy but we thank God. It is all by His grace.' It was typical of him to attribute everything to God.

'From the way you talk, I think you must also be a pastor, or you're about to be.'

'You're not far from the truth, but I'm actually an assistant pastor.'

She nodded as if she already knew. She was not surprised. Femi had always talked and acted like someone with a predisposition to serve in the Lord's vineyard, as a pastor, an evangelist or a reverend.

They chatted a little bit more. Femi gave her his complimentary card and stored her number on his phone.

'I will definitely call you,' he promised. We'll talk later. Where're you heading towards? Where d'you live?'

'Ketu. My car has a fault. I'll be going by commercial bus.'

'Oh, that's completely off my route. I live at Ikeja.'


'It's alright. See you again'

They hugged again - this time around, a very short one. He waved at her and sauntered to his car, feeling slightly elated.

The Last Temptation https://okadabooks.com/book/about/the_last_temptation/23329

Nice one.

Good gesture.

Praising the Lord
Always.

Praising the Lord
Always.

Praising the Lord
With all my heart.

Praising the Lord
With all my heart
Always.

Halleluyah
My Lord is good.

Halleluyah
My Lord is good

Halleluyah my Lord
Is good to me.