"Good morning my love, how was your night?" He greeted, exhaling a wide yawn.
"Good morning babe, my night was fascinating. She replied.
He smiled on hearing much from her, looking straight into her eyes.
Angela lowered her jaw immediately; she didn't have the audacity to look him in the eyes.
"You seem to be troubled, what's wrong?" He asked.
Drawing closer to her, he continued; "Or are you not happy about what happened last night?
"No, it's not that," she uttered; shaking her head.
"Then what? Talk to me, babe." He demanded, raising her chin with his palm, forcing her to look him in the eyes.
His eyes searched hers aimlessly. He could see the nervousness in it. "Talk to me babe, I'm always here for you". He said assuredly.
Angela could feel the curiosity radiating out of his tone. Seeing that he wasn't giving up, she decided to break the ice.
She sat upright, resting her back on the bedhead. Her jaw clenched, and her eyes were bloodshot; she blinked repeatedly, fighting the tears that blurred her vision.
Edwin sat upright Immediately. He was bewildered. Seeing the raindrops of tears falling from her eyes, enlightened him on how critical what she was about saying was.
"My dad…my dad wants to sell me off to a Mayor's son as a wife." She quivered.
"To worsen it all, he threatened to disown me if I refuse to marry him." She added, sniffing between words.
Edwin was debilitated by what he heard. The fact that he had a rival over her breaks him. His face was pale.
He moved closer to her, pulling her to his bosom, as he consoled her.
"Don't cry, my love. Your dad isn't going to disown you. It's just a mere threat so that you will oblige his request again."
"I don't want to lose you, babe. I want to spend my eternity with you. I don't think I will be happy under the comfort of another man." Angela sobbed.
"You are not going to lose me. I will always be there for you." He assured, pecking her black hair, as tears dropped down his cheeks.
It was a very sympathetic moment for the duo. The room was painted black with sorrow.
A few minutes later, they both got relieved. Angela went straight to the bathroom to have her bath, seeing that time was no longer on her side.
Her parents might start calling any moment from then.
Edwin was still seated in bed. He was lost in thought.
'I don't think I can survive without Angela by my side. I have trained her into the woman that I want to raise a family with. I can't just fold my hands and allow another man to enjoy what I've labored for.'
He lowered himself, opening the drawer that was next to the bed. He brought out a small black box. Closing the drawer, he opened the box. It contained a silver ring. He was about proposing to her before she broke the sad news to him.
He brought out the ring from its box, rubbing the shank gently with his thumb; 'how will she react if I ask her to marry me?' He thought to himself.
'Yes! we can run far away where no one will recognize us; and there, we can raise a family of our own.' He pondered, placing his index finger on his lips.
Angela came out of the bathroom immediately, She was dressed to go back home.
"Have a seat, babe." Edwin request.
His face was pale. She wondered what could be the reason behind his dull countenance. She moved closer and sat beside him.
Gazing inquisitively into his eyes, she asked; "what's wrong babe?"
Edwin didn't utter a word, he brought out the sliver right from the black box immediately.
Angela's heartbeat fastened at the sight of the ring in front of her. 'what is he trying to do?' She thought to herself.
"Please marry me, Angela. I can't watch you slip off my fingers like that. We can go far away, away from all these troubles; where no one can recognize us. There, we can live happily; and raise a family of our own." He persuaded.
Angela could see the desperation in his eyes. In as much as she would love to say yes to him, was she ready to abandon her family; and career just for the sake of being with the one her heart yawns for?
Angela regained her voice after much silence. "Edwin, you know that I can't say no to your proposal. But, I don't think now is the right time for this." She stated. " No Angela now is the right time. Let's be together, now that we still have the chance to keep in touch." He argued, holding her hands firmly, and making strong eye contact with her. "No, you are letting your emotions take the best of you, Edwin." She replied, shaking her head in total dissent. "What happens to your mother after we elope? What about your career? Your seven years in the higher institution? Are you just going to give away all? She questioned. "What is a career without the source of my happiness by my side? I don't mind abandoning my career. He talked like he was struggling to swallow down a still_beating heart. "Please say yes." He said in a whisper; as tears streamed down his cheeks. Angela turned her gaze away from him; facing the window by her left, she whimpered. She freed her hands off his grip
Immediately, two security men walked in."This is him, take him out of my office!" Edwin ordered."Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me!" Leo scolded as the security men tried dragging him out. They stopped suddenly, at his scold."Then be a gentleman, and walk out," Edwin responded.Leo's fist was clenched, and his brows were furrowed. Edwin could see the fire in his intense eye contact."This isn't over yet," he said in a cold voice. Moving closer to Edwin, he continued; "this drum you've beaten, get ready to dance to its tune." He threatened in what seemed to be a whisper."You are too vocalized, just like a woman. Real men don't do the talking, they perform the actions." Edwin replied.As Leo turned to leave, he added; "But note; no matter what you do, you can never end up with Angela. We belong to each other and there is nothing you can do about it. Just like the two faces of a coin, we can never be separated. Get that into your head."Leo turned immediately and snickered
Leo was in his sitting room, watching the ravage caused by the previous night's storm; in a certain rural habitat of the state. He was amazed at how a one-night rain could mount such a disaster. Suddenly, there was a gentle tapping sound emanating from the entryway to his house. "Yes, come in; the door is open!" He shouted. A young gentleman donned a charcoaled face cap, T_shirt; and trousers walked in immediately. "Good day boss." He greeted. "Hope you brought good news?" Leo asked. "Yes, boss." "You can have a seat then," Leo said moving his arm toward the direction of the couch before him. "Thank you, boss." He replied as he sat down. "So what are your findings?" Clearing his throat, he replied; "his name is Dr. Edwin Obinna Will, a 27-year-old from Imo State; Mbaitolu L.G.A to be precise…" Leo dived in suddenly, cutting what he was saying short. "So, he's from the East? Wow!" Nodding his head, he added; "I see... yes, go ahead; you can continue" "Ok, his Dad is l
He dipped the ID card back into his pocket, and smirked."Get ready for me, Edwin." He said as he left.Entering his car, he dialed the mobile number on the card, as it rang."Hello, am I unto Nurse Abigail Etiko?" He asked, staring at the card before him, to confirm if he had called the name rightly."Yes, I'm Nurse Abigail. Please who is speaking?" She asked."I'm Leo, the guy you offered to help get her girl from Edwin at the hospital." He explained."Oh.. The rich pride fellow." She recalled."So have you accepted to work with me then?" She asked."If I haven't, I wouldn't have called." He replied."I can see you haven't changed a bit." She responded."Well, you can meet me at Hard Rock Cafe tommorow by 2pm." She added."Tomorrow? Why not later this evening?" He suggested."My schedule is occupied already. I don't have any free time today. You can as well forget about it, if you aren't going to wait till then." She uttered."Fine…! You win. Tomorrow then by 2pm. 2pm it is, no excu
The next day, Leo couldn't go to the office. He had lost concentration, as the only thing on his mind was to bring Edwin down. He wore an ashed coloured jean trousers and jacket. The colour of the polo he wore inside, was blood and a mixture of the sun. In his spotless canvas, he sat relaxed in his sitting room, gazing at the silver framed rounded wall clock before him. When it was exactly 1pm, he stood up immediately, walked to his car slot, and sped off to Hard Rock Cafe. He arrived there at a half past 1pm. Not having the appetite for anything, he sat down there, waiting patiently for the arrival of Nurse Abigail. Forty-five minutes later, he became restless as there was still no sign of Nurse Abigail coming forth. "Did she just bring me out here to keep me waiting for the whole day?" He asked himself. He then took his mobile phone to call her line, but it wasn't connecting. He became vexed at that moment. His fingers struck lightly on the transparent glass table repeat
Immediately, the door barged open; as if fate had given her another chance.He quickly navigated the caress into an act of removing what seemed to have entered her eye. Abigail played along immediately; in as much as she would have reported him, she knows the consequences of her actions."What's going on here? Edwin demanded, with a surprised gaze at them."It's nothing sir, I.. I.. only helped her to re..remove what had fallen into her eye." The man stuttered."Yes.. yes," she nodded quickly; "it's not what you are thinking." She fidgeted.Edwin scanned her from head to toe with his eyes in total disgust."Then, why do you look so haggard if nothing had happened?" He questioned.She quickly buttoned up her shirt and pulled down her skirt. "I swear, nothing happened. I was just feeling hot that was why I had to dress this way; I only needed fresh air. We were discussing the upcoming project before an insect flew into my eye; he tried helping me out to remove it before you barged in o
Getting to Edwin's office, she took a deep breath and gave a gentle pound on the door before walking in.A great silence followed her as she entered. She was bewildered at how they stared quietly at her as she took some steps toward them."Good day, sir; you sent for me." She uttered nervously."You look edgy, hope you are okay?" Dr. Rey asked.She gave a hesitant glance at Edwin; trying to pinpoint if the question was an act of asking her to explain her actions. She had known Edwin to be a disciplined man; he had never hidden any injurious deed from Dr, Rey."Yes sir, I'm okay." She replied after much thought."Alright, you can have a seat then." He offered.Sitting down, she kept contemplating the reason behind her being summoned. She gave another glance at Edwin whose face went cold at eye contact with her."I know you might be wondering why I called you to Dr. Edwin's office instead of mine." Dr. Ray said after a cleared throat.She nodded immediately.Taking his gaze to Edwin, h
After the day's work, Abigail was on her way leaving when she met Mr. P who was preparing to leave as well. He was rooted at the sight of her coming forward, with his usual saccharine smile. Getting to where he stood, she spoke out; "So, I thought about it; and I have decided to give you what you are asking for." She pouted seductively. He was pleased hearing such from her; "So, what made you change your mind?" She caressed his chest up and down with the car key in her grip as she continued; "Well, I realized that the only way to take you off my neck totally is to give in to your request." "You indeed made the right choice." He said licking his upper lip in a klutzy manner. She gave a regale smile at him, blanketing the nauseation she had felt. "So, where do you want us to meet, then?" He questioned. Crossing her arms all over his shoulders, she replied; "I think your house will do." "Well…, I think it's a nice idea." He said after a little pondering. Shrugging his shoul