Dear esteemed readers of Dear Future Husband, I would be taking a quick break after today's episode (Episode 10). Please don't shoot me... (Thanks... *wide grin*) This is because i have to prepare for my final year Exams. Please bear me with and follow my twitter accounts for updates and release of the next episode at:
http://twitter.com/IAm_Tomi or search for (@IAm_Tomi)
Also, search and follow @TeamDFH for interactions and other fun stuffs with other readers.
Please wish me the best in my Final Year Project and Examination....
Thanks a lot....
Love....
Tomi Adesina
Welcome to Tommyslav's Island! In reading you will see, it's imagination!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
DEAR FUTURE HUSBAND - EPISODE 10
DEAR
FUTURE HUSBAND – EPISODE 10
EPISODE 10
Mr. Adeoye stared at us
expecting Ben to say something. Ben blinked and clenched his fists together. I
stared at Mr. Adeoye. “Ben told me that he has never met you before and that he
doesn’t remember knowing you at all, but I am surprised to see you acting all
lovey-dovey. Enlighten me, Ben!” he said, firmly.
Ben stuttered. “I am sorry…”
“I was the one
who said hi to him.” I said, cutting in. “We just met, Sir.” I added quickly.
Mr. Adeoye stared at us.
“Really?”
“Yes,
sir. I met him here and he was putting me through a few things since we would
be working together, and he looked to me like the young brain you referred to
earlier.”
Mr. Adeoye nodded in agreement. “He is a
very smart man, anyway, you guys appeared too comfortable for a first meeting.”
He said, looking at Ben. “Kimberly, let’s leave for the office, we have to set
you up quickly.”
I nodded. “Yes sir.” and
followed him quickly.
“This would be
your office.” He said, opening a door down the hallway. “It is very spacious
and I bet you would have fun working here.” He said, closing the door after me.
“I’ll have a roster sent to you for office hours and all, but bear in mind that
we resume duties by 8am, and officially, work ends by 5pm. Overtime hours is
subject to your duty.”
We ascended the stairs and left
for the top floor. “As you know, we have a board room here. But we haven’t had
a logical board meeting in almost five years, that’s how epileptic Millaroca
has become, all our stakeholders are pulling out and intend to sell their
shares.”
“Really? How do
you intend to combat that?” I asked, wiping dust off the board room table.
He sighed. “I am hoping that
with the injection of a young and brilliant mind like yours, we can make a
rapid sale within the next one month, before this place collapses.” He started,
as he helped himself to a chair. “The stakeholders have all decided to sell
their shares, and that’s a 50% pull. If the next buyer wishes, he could turn
Millaroca into a Casino. I heard that’s his wish, he said this place is a
strategic location.”
I nodded. “Let’s say every staff
here is temporary in that case…as the next one month is concerned.”
“Correct!”
I shook my head. “That’s
unfair.”
“Nothing is
unfair in business, my dear. That’s why I need an epic story, I am willing to
invest all I have in its production and see how much sale I can pull throughout
the country and possibly continent.”
I took a deep breath. “It’s a
lot of work here then.” He nodded in agreement. “I am ready for the task ahead,
Sir.”
He smiled confidently. “Thank
you, my dear. The proposed buyer for Millaroca is still anonymous and I am
doing my best to find out the person or group, I want to save this place and
give back to the society what they once loved in us.”
I nodded in agreement. “I am
glad to be part of this short term project, even if it’s only for a month.”
He shrugged. “I hope we can
restore it to what it used to be.”
“I know we can.”
He smiled. “Please resume duty
tomorrow, I want a story that would shake Africa. Your office would be set by
then, and I can’t boast about giving you the best salary ever for this one
month affair, but I promise that it would be decent. Millaroca is banking on
you.”
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Ini flipped her hair backwards.
“I just took a wild guess, Moron. I mean reports have it that you have been
using that cream for ages what could have possible gone wrong with your cream?”
“I don’t know.
I’ll leave you to answer that. You were the one who suggested that a cream
change occurred, so what did you do to the cream, Ini Obong?”
Ini sighed. “Shola, I understand
the fact that you are obsessed with my success and you see every statement or
action of mine as an attack on you, but I can confidently tell you that I know
‘nada’ about your unfortunate accident, I mean, I have more things to do.”
“Like jumping in
and out of Michael’s bed?”
Ini burst into a sarcastic
laughter. She had swayed Shola off course. “You fool! Michael is too skinny for
a man, he has lots of tats and I don’t like that in a man, and to cap it, he
got beat by my Marcus, how more weak can a man be?”
“Oh really? Just
wait till Michael files a complaint against that tout of yours.”
Ini smiled confidently. It
looked as though Shola won’t be revisiting the issue on the cream. “I like your
cousin, he looks young, but he’s a real hunk!”
“Which of my
cousins has your slutty eyes laid itself on? Henry?”
Ini smiled. “That has to be the
cutest of your ape generic group. Yes, it’s Henry I like.”
“How ever did
you meet him?”
Ini shrugged. “It’s a small
world, sweetheart; your cousin is totally into me. You should ask him, the last
time we were together; he said he thinks I am the only Model in this country.”
“What did he say
about me?”
Ini rolled her eyes. “He only
said ‘Thank God she’s fine, I think she’s
sh*t for a model’ Yes, that’s how he put it.”
“You Lie! Henry
adores me!”
Ini smiled. “Shola Jones, you
are too self absorbed, I think you should concentrate on how you can get
yourself out there again, because, this time, the spotlight is on me. Ciao!”
she said and walked away, very relieved that she was able to put Shola away
from the thought of the cream.
Ini bumped into Marcus as soon
as she exited the clinic. “Marcus…………” she shouted with some excitement and
kissed his forehead. “You are the real deal! The Amir Khan!!! You rock! Michael
really looks awful.” She shouted dancing around him.
Marcus smiled. He felt proud
inside. “I never meant to hit him.”
“Hmmm…. What did
he do to provoke my sweet little Marcus?” she asked, pulling his cheek.
He sighed. “He spoke badly about
a person I love.”
“Awww….that’s so
sweet! So you went all knockers at him, right?” she asked. He shrugged. “I
think that’s special. She must be really lucky, can’t believe you still regard
Chioma that high.”
He grinned. “Who said anything
about Chioma?” he asked, and started to walk away.
“Oh my…! Marcus,
you found someone else!!!” she shouted and chased after him.
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Wole punched the elevator
buttons and allowed Tola in.
“I had a nice
time.” She confessed as the door closed. He smiled. “Thank you, Wole.”
He stared at his shirt. “I did
too, except for the fact that you smeared Ice cream on my shirt.”
She rolled her eyes. “But you
retaliated. I also have it at the tip of my jacket.” She replied, smiling.
“Tip versus the
whole shirt? Look at me, I look like some little kid.” He said, trying to tuck
in his shirt.
She smiled. “But you are…” she
said and stepped closer to him. He tried to avoid her stare. “Or not…?” she
asked, starting to sound sensual as she bit her lip
He clenched his fists and
stepped back. “We are in the elevator, Tola.” He struggled to say.
She burst into a mocking laugh.
“I was just messing with you.” she said, laughing. “You are such a chicken!”
she said as they got to her floor and the door opened.
Wole rubbed his hand against his
trouser as he stepped out after her.
“Tola, I am
sorry.” Tolu said standing up as soon as Tola and Wole approached.
Wole took a deep breath and
turned his face away.
Kemi bowed apologetically. “I
told him not to stay ma, but he refused.”
“Couldn’t you
have called security?” Tola asked, staring at her. “I mean this is a top firm,
no intruder should be allowed.”
Tolu went on his knees. “Tola, I
am sorry, my love. I know I hurt you, I know I made you cry, but I acted stupid
and I am sorry. I can’t live without you.”
Tola nodded. “Of course Tolu,
you can’t live without me, because you are out of money and you are in need of
some money.”
He shook his head and tears
rolled out. “Take everything from me, life is not the same without you, I want
you, I want your love, I want the old us. I want the Tola who never cared about
road side cafeterias, I want the Tola who would run across the streets for
Roasted plantain and corn, I want my life back.”
She took a deep breath and
blinked. Wole stared at her as he felt her heart break. “Tolu…” she struggled
to say.
He prostrated all out for her.
“Just take me back. I’ll never hurt you again, I swear to love you with
everything I have and I am. I am begging for one last chance, Tola Matthews. I
want to be your man, I want to defend you.” he said. He spoke calmly and in a
very remorseful fashion.
Wole tapped Kemi and walked away
with her.
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
David held Oyinkan’s hand as
they crossed the ever busy Broad road. She yanked her hand away as soon as they
reached the other side. “Stop babying me!” she said, adjusting her dangling
blouse. She had a knack for wearing tops that dropped slightly down her
shoulder. David smiled as he looked down and ruffled her hair. “And stop that,
David!” she said, stamping her foot.
He smiled widely revealing his
perfect set of teeth. “I love hanging out with you.” he said, cynically. She
hissed. “And I like the fact that you are short.”
“I am not short!
I am close to 6ft.”
He scoffed. “5ft 5.”
“It’s close to
6.” She replied, and walked ahead. He followed her. “Stop embarrassing me.” she
forced between her teeth.
He smiled and shoved her ahead.
“I hate the fact that you have to be everywhere around me…why are you always
showing your face in the office?” he asked, as they approached the office.
“Thanks to you, I didn’t enjoy lunch.” He hissed.
“Really David? I
didn’t ask you to order what I like.”
He shrugged and walked in. she
chased after him. “Back to the initial matter we discussed over lunch, how do
we make a way to see your Mom?”
He took a deep breath. “I have
no idea, Oyinkan. Dad won’t let me, we have to come up with something, although
I feel she won’t forgive me.”
“Nah…she will.
She’s a mother, a mother’s heart always forgives.”
He hissed. “Where did you pick
that stupid line from?”
She scoffed. “Dude, give me some
credit, I am brilliant.”
“Hmmm…and you
dropped out of college midway.”
She shrugged. “So? Does that
make me any less smart than you? I mean, look at me, I have helped you in this
company even without the degree.” She said as she opened the door to his
office.
“And that’s why you
lack the necessary manners to know that I should be the one to open the door.”
She rolled her eyes and swayed
into the office.
“Oyinkan, taking
David away from his office won’t help us in the business world.” Mr. Coker
said, rising to his feet. David opened his mouth to speak but Mr. Coker quickly
continued. “I have a spare key.”
David took a deep breath. “Dad,
this is my office. Do I have to change the locks like I did in London?”
Mr. Coker balanced on his left
leg with the aid of his cane. “You have become too casual, son. I don’t like
that.” He started, ignoring David’s question. “Running across the streets for
lunch, whose son are you?” he asked, raising his voice.
Oyinkan slid behind David. Whenever Mr. Coker got into ‘those moods’,
the next person had better take heed!
“I apologize Father, but I think I should
be able to decide what I want to eat and wherever I wish.”
Mr. Coker clenched his teeth
furiously. “Stupid boy!” he turned swiftly to Oyinkan. “I suggest you visit
your family more often, we have business to do here.”
“Dad! I won’t
have you threaten Oyinkan. She has no fault here; you don’t want me to eat out,
fine!”
His father nodded and smiled.
“To the second matter, I suspended you. You have no right to be here.” David
hissed. “Oh yes, you are suspended. Get out of here.”
“For how long?”
Mr. Coker shrugged. “Return next
week Monday.”
David nodded. “By then My
Mother…oh, I meant Elizabeth as you love to call her would have been dead,
right?” he asked with a cynical grin. “It took you three days of suspending me
to kill Bola.”
“Watch your
tongue, young man. Bola died due to the hospital’s carelessness.”
David fumed. “I loved that
woman!”
“Love? The only
person you have a right to love is Kimberly, and that is if you think you can
love her, else, no one else.” He shouted. “There would be no one else!!!” he
shouted.
David shrugged. “Bola was a good
girl, Dad. She didn’t deserve it.”
Mr. Coker hissed. “She was going
to die anyways.”
“She
had Cancer, she was fighting well. I was going to help her get through it.”
David replied.
He nodded. “Of course! And throw
away everything we have built!” he shouted. “Look here son, that lady died
because they were careless in the hospital.”
David shook his head in
disagreement. “Dad, you know that’s a lie. You cut the oxygen supply.”
“Think whatever
you want, it wasn’t proved that I was responsible for her death 7 years ago,
and it won’t be proved now.” He concluded and stamped his cane furiously. “Both
of you get out here now!”
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
“How
are you, Professor Mrs. Bankole?” I asked, taking my seat.
Mom smiled as she stretched her
legs out on the chaise lounge and sipped her fruit juice. “You can still call
me ‘Mom’ you know.” She said with a weary smile. Her smile had faded in
reality; I wondered how she looked stunning on Magazine covers with Dad. They
both wore the smile that made the whole world marvel and say… ‘Aren’t they the perfect parents?’
I smiled back. “How are you,
Mom?”
She stretched out her hand and
hugged me dearly. “Your mother is hanging on fine.”
We stared at ourselves and
chorused with mixed feeling of laughter and tears. “Until her dying day.” I stared at her as tears rolled down her
weary eyes. I wiped it off with my finger and she rubbed mine off too. Mom had
cultivated the habit of saying… ‘Your mother is hanging on fine until her dying
day’ whenever I enquired about her welfare.
“Kimberly…” she
started. Her voice trembled. Her hand was equally trembling as she ran it
through my face. “My baby, I am sorry.” She said. I smiled as tears rolled down
my eyes. “I wish I was as tough as you are, I would have fought for a better
life.”
I nodded as I stared at her.
“Mom, you are stronger than you know. You’ve worn a smile that has made people
believe in a better life.”
“I have lied to
people, Kim. I am not who they think I am. Look at me, I only have a
Professor’s tag, I am worse than a stark illiterate.” She blurted.
I hugged her. “It’s okay Mom.
Don’t beat yourself, you’ll fight back. I know you will, very soon.”
She took a deep breath and
stared at her wristband. “It would soon pass.” She read with a smile. I nodded
and nudged her in the waist. She smiled. I then tickled her so hard till she
went for the laugh and then the awkward
fart and then the silence followed and we laughed again. “It’s been a while
since I laughed with a loved one.”
“I am always
here.” I replied. She kissed my forehead. “Mom, I bring you good news.”
Her face lit up with excitement.
“Okay, are you in love?” I wore a grimace. “Okay, sorry love. I hope I didn’t
jinx your news.” I flashed my teeth at her and she closed her eyes awaiting the
news.
“I AM PREGNANT!”
She widened her eyes in shock. They bulged so large that I thought they won’t
shut so I immediately quit the drama. “Just Joking Mom.” I squealed and laughed
so hard. Her tensed shoulders dropped. “I got a job.”
She smiled and hugged me tight.
“That’s my go-getter!” she said and kissed my forehead. “So, where’s the new
place.”
“Millaroca.” I
said, excitedly.
Her smile faded slightly.
“Adeoye’s Magazine, right?”
I stared at her. “Erm…Yes…Is
there a problem?”
She rolled her eyes and sipped
her drink. “I don’t think there is, but isn’t that place pretty finished? I
mean it’s been long since any civilized person paid much attention to their
Mag.”
“But Mom, you
used to love it.” I teased.
She nodded. “Until I started
reading about chastity week in-week out.”
“MOM! What are
you preaching to me?!” I asked, laughing.
She snapped. “Quit the sarcasm,
the place is so out of it…but I believe in you.” she said, with a smile.
“Thank you Mom.”
The sound of corporate shoes
approached. I turned to see Dad. “Good evening, Dad.” I greeted.
“How are you?”
he asked.
Mom and I stole a quick glance at ourselves
and replied at once. “Fine.” Mom knew better than to expect another ‘How are
you, dear?’ “Why are you here, Kim? Do
you need Daddy’s great help now?”
I
smiled with so much pride. “I came to tell ‘daddy’ that I now have a job.”
He
took a deep breath. “Really? Who employed you?”
“Millaroca Magazine.”
He
nodded with a smile. “Good for you.”
I
smiled back. “Thank you, sir.” I replied. He nodded and walked away.
“Do you want a driver to drop
you?” Mom asked.
I
shook my head in disagreement. “I’ll take a walk after dinner.”
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Wole leaned against Tola’s door.
“Hey.” He called softly.
She rose her head and smiled.
“Hi…”
He took a deep breath and walked
in, closing the door gently. “So how are you?”
“I am okay.” She
replied, firmly glued to her laptop.
He cleared his throat slightly.
“And how are things with your boyfriend?”
She stared at him and rolled her
eyes. “Tolu is fine.”
He nodded. “Of course…” he
muttered underneath his breath. He stared at her again as she had returned her
gaze to the laptop. “Did you guys…erm…did you guys get back together?”
She rolled her eyes and smiled.
“We never broke up.”
Wole swallowed heavily and let
out some air from his mouth. “Okay.” He said, standing up. “Erm…it’s late, I
think I should be going home.” He said and clenched his fists. “Good night
Tola.”
“Good night,
Wole.”
He smiled and approached the
door. “Tola, you need a ride?” he asked, wiping some perspiration from his
forehead.
“I have a car,
Wole.”
He nodded in agreement.
“Erm…yah….I know.” He stuttered.
Tola stood up and walked over to
him. “Wole, I am fine.” She said, staring at him.
“I know…”
She smiled and walked round him.
“But clearly, you are not fine. And I think you should take a seat.” She said
gesturing to a chair.
He nodded. “Of course…” he said.
Tola poured him a glass of
juice. He collected it and sipped. “Wole, I understand that you are concerned
about me.”
“Hey…” he said,
cutting in. “I love you, Tola.” He said, reassuringly with a smile.
She smiled back. “Thank you.”
He drank up. “Tola, I don’t know
about your heart and I can’t judge your heart for its feelings, but I can tell
you about my feelings, and how my heart feels and clearly I don’t know how long
my heart can beat for you, but as long as it beats for you, I’ll always be
there.” He said, and kissed her forehead.
She closed her eyes and held his
shirt. “Don’t wait for me, Wole.”
He freed himself from her grip
gently. “I’ll wait.” He said and walked out.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
The breeze blew gently and the
birds chirped delightfully as the evening fell. I swayed from left to right as
I enjoyed the delightful evening, perfect condition to walk. I could have taken
a bus home but I knew several routes to walk home and even though it might take
me an enduring 30 minutes trek, I won’t pass on the beautiful evening.
I plugged my I-pod into my ear
and let Dido’s music stream through my head and I nodded to her hit track ‘Life for rent’… “Always thought that I
would love to live by the sea…” I sang out as I walked the street…
“I have no idea
what’s happening to that dream…” a voice replied.
Urgh!!! I hate it when people
join me when I am singing except if we had it planned. I turned round to see my
‘duet partner’. Oh well…it is a woman
She laughed. “I am sorry, I
think I even missed that line…I think it’s ‘to travel the world…blah blah
blah…” she said, laughing. “I love Dido…just like my soldier.”
Okay…
this is getting freaky… I mean, who stops you in the middle of nowhere and
starts to talk about music with you. I smiled and turned to walk on.
“Hey!”
she called, stopping me in my tracks. “Don’t run away so fast.”
I stared at her from head to
toe. She was wearing a grey mackintosh and a black jean with black sneakers. I
reached into my wallet and fetched a thousand naira; she looked like she needed
help. “Please take this.”
She laughed hysterically. “Do I
need money?!”
I nodded in agreement. “I think so…”
She snarled. “Nah…I have never
needed money sweetheart, the only thing I have ever been in need of is my
soldier.”
“Your soldier?”
I asked, returning my money into the wallet.
She nodded and sat on the ‘love
seat’ nearest to us. “Please join me…” she said
I took a deep breath as I took
the first step forward. ‘Could she be a
killer?’ There was no one to call for help….Or is she a witch?!’ ‘Enough of the
weird feelings!’ I said in my heart and braved up, taking my seat beside
her.
She reached for a cigarette and
a lighter from her jacket. “Smoke?” I shook my head in disagreement. “Okay,
sweetheart. Erm…about my soldier…” she started.
I nodded as I listened to her…an
idea struck me that I might just be getting an inspiration for a new story.
“Yes, your soldier…”
She nodded as she continued. “I
have been looking for him for over 30 years now…” I stared at her as she
continued. “He said to me, ‘My little angel, I’ll be back to marry you.’ but he
never came back.” She paused.
I stared at her as she smiled
looking ahead. “I love hiding in this street because it reminds me of him…” she
continued. “You see these sunflowers…” she said, looking ahead. I stared at the
flowers dancing in their buds making
show stopping statements of beauty and admiration. I nodded in agreement. “He
loved them.” She said with a huge smile. “But he never came back for them, or
me…” she said, as a tear rolled down her eyes.
Her words sent shudders down my
spine and I felt my heart break for a woman’s hurt. I wiped the tear drop off
her face. “It’s okay.”
“Yes, it is…but
I got my Soldier’s villain, but I still want my soldier, I am waiting for him.”
I nodded and drew closer to her.
I hugged her. “You’ll be fine… I promise…”
“Where have you
been?!”
I turned to see an elderly woman
approaching us. She stared at my ‘duet partner’ and seized her hand. “We have
been looking all over for you, you shouldn’t wander off without permission.”
She laughed. “It depressing
there…and I am already depressed. We are a bad combination.”
“We’ll plant
more sunflowers at home. Let’s go.” She said.
My duet partner stood up and
curtsied in a French manner. “Thank you…” she said, smiling at me.
I smiled back. “What’s your
name, ma’am?”
“Elizabeth…” she
said.
I smiled. “Nice to meet you,
Mrs. Elizabeth.”
She paused and laughed. “Just
call me Liz.”
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
DEAR FUTURE HUSBAND - EPISODE 9
DEAR
FUTURE HUSBAND – EPISODE 9
EPISODE 9
Tola sat upright in her chair
and tapped her left hand on the table with the right hand firmly pursed into
her face. “What do you think you are doing, Wole Briggs?” she asked.
He smiled as his baby dimple
danced round his left cheek. “Getting a job.” He replied, unnerved.
“Have you ever
worked for anything all your life?”
He adjusted his tie. “I want to
work for something.”
“Love or a Pay
slip?”
He nodded with a reassuring
smile. “Both.”
She hissed. “Wole, I am not
tripped by this.” She started, staring at him from his head to his chest. The
table had intercepted any view to the leg which she would have done
comfortably. “This is an act. And I suggest you throw it away.”
“I
just want to work.” he replied, keeping a smile on his face.
She scoffed angrily. “Wole
Briggs, you know that if you need a job to do, the Briggs conglomerate is ever
welcoming, you could have simply walked in there. Why here?”
“I want to learn
something different. Please give me a chance.” He paused, took a deep breath
and added. “Ma’am.”
Tola shook her head with a wry
smile. “I don’t need that from you, Wole. I am Tola, and I think it should stay
that way.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “Since you have chosen to come
here and make my life a living hell, we can start by giving you an office
downstairs.” She said, standing up.
“Mr. Asolo said
I could use the one next to you.” he replied, quickly. She raised an eyebrow.
He cleared his throat and added. “Proximity.”
She nodded and shrugged. “Of
course, Mr. Asolo is the boss!” she took her seat. “Well, I don’t know why you
are here without your jacket, it doesn’t make you any less proud.” She said,
staring at his shirt.
He smiled. “I’ll put it on
tomorrow, seems you like it.” He winked.
“And your hair,
I remember it wasn’t this low the last time I saw you.” she said, turning on
her laptop.
He nodded. “It’s a new job,
appearing tidy seemed ideal to me.” he adjusted in his chair. “How come you
know so much about the last time you saw me, does this mean that you ‘like’
me?” he asked smiling.
She took a deep breath and
smiled. “Wole, you are in my face. How can I not remember everything about the
last time we met?” she asked, starting to type. “Clearly you don’t remember
much about me…” she murmured quite inaudibly.
“Excuse me?”
She shrugged with a smile.
“Never mind.” She cleared her throat. “We are going to start from Banana
Island, we have about fifteen properties up for sale. I would love us to help
some clients out this week and all….” She rattled on about other properties up
for sale.
“Did he hit
you?” Wole asked.
Tola rose her head and feigned a
smile. “Excuse me?”
“Did that
bastard touch you?”
She blinked. “I don’t know what
you are talking about.” She replied.
He swallowed painfully. “Tola,
why did you let him?” he asked, with his voice breaking slightly. Tola sighed
and rolled her eyes. “You are worth more than that.”
She sighed. “OKAY! I get it, I
know I am, but I don’t mind. Why are you concerned?” she asked.
“I love you,
Tola.”
She hissed. “Save it, Wole!”
He nodded. “Tola, please… I
can’t take it, that guy has no right to do this to you.”
“SO WHAT???” She
screamed. “You are upsetting me, Wole! He hit me, FINE! We have passed that
now.” She shouted as tears rolled down her eyes. “Many women get hit, SO??? Who
cares??? No one! What do I care, Nothing!” she shouted, slamming the table.
Wole rushed to her and hugged
her tightly. “I am sorry. Please calm down.” She tried resisting him by hitting
him, but in the end his power and warmth subdued her fears and pain and she let
him cuddle her tenderly. For the first time in a long time, she felt loved by a
man.
***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
I held my bag firmly to my lap as
I watched another hour pass. ‘1:00 PM’ I stared at the cute secretary as she
struck her fingers with so much finesse against her laptop’s keypad. She smiled
at me with her silver braises and blue contact lens. “He’ll be available shortly.” She said. She had been saying the
same thing for the past two hours.
I nodded and fixed my gaze on my
Mac Book and went through my article again. The hunt for a job continues…
My phone rang and I stepped away
from the waiting room to take my call. “How may I help you, Henry?” I asked.
“It’s a new day,
be nice…” he cooed into the phone. “How’s your Job hunt going?”
I sighed. “I have been waiting
for ‘shortly’ for the past two hours.” I replied, staring at my watch. “Ya…two
hours!” I affirmed on positive confirmation.
“Shortly? Who is
shortly?”
I scoffed. “Are you that ‘not
intelligent’, Henry? The secretary has me waiting forever.” I replied, calmly.
“You
are the brilliant one. Anyway, my talk show is going to start in 30 minutes.”
I smiled. “How’s the crowd over
there?”
“Erm…this hall
sits five hundred and I can say I have about a hundred people registered at the
moment.” He replied.
I smiled. “I wish you the best.
I hope they love you.”
“They have to!”
he replied, sounding stern. “It’s about my project.” He replied, laughing. “The
topic is dragging people into this place. I am yet to see my supervisor though;
I think that man is against my progress.”
I nodded with a smile. “He’ll
come around.” I replied and flipped my head over my shoulder. The secretary had
disappeared from her seat. I guessed she must have gone in to see the boss. “I
have to go now, Henry.” I said hurriedly and cut the connection. I returned to
my seat and waited.
She returned to the waiting room
with a smile. “A cookie for your trouble?” she asked handing me a plate of
cookies and a cup of tea to go with.
“Thank you.” I
replied, placing the tray gently on the side table. I took a bite of the cookie
to ease the hunger and the tea replenished my thirst. Not that I am a huge fan
of tea, but in this situation, I would gladly have it.
I watched the time with some
more patience this time, after all, I had some cookies to comfort me. My
patience was soon rewarded as the door opened and Mr. Adeoye stepped out of his
office. He smiled at me. “Kimberly?”
I smiled. How did he ever remember me? I thought. “Good day, sir!” I replied.
“I am so sorry
for the delay. Please I would love you to join me for lunch.”
I stared at my plate of cookies.
“I just had some refreshments.” I replied.
“I insist! We’ll
talk about your employment then.”
Oh well… I smiled and nodded.
“Okay sir.”
“This way,
please…” he said, motioning to the elevator.
We took our seats in a
restaurant. “Thank you for coming here with me.”
“It’s not a
bother, sir.” I replied.
He smiled as he signaled to the
waiter. “So what would you have?” he asked.
“I just had
cookies at the office, I won’t be needing anything.” I replied, honestly.
The waiter greeted courteously
and handed us Menu Booklets. Mr. Adeoye ticked his and returned it almost
immediately. “Would you at least have a drink?” he asked.
I smiled and ticked a Chapman.
“Thank you.” I replied, and handed the book to the waiter who took his leave
immediately. “Thank you sir.” I said to Mr. Adeoye.
“Kimberly, I
never thought that you would show up at Millaroca again…I mean, we had already
said we didn’t need you then.”
I smiled. “I decided to try
again.”
“I am glad you
did. I was out of options to reach you. I asked everyone in the office, but no
one remembered you.” he replied.
I stared at him and tried to
absorb his last statement, I thought Ben knew me.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Marcus charged furiously at
Michael. “What are you doing, rookie?”
Michael took off his hat. “I am
not a rookie. I am a professional photographer
from South Africa.”
“Ogbeni!” he addressed in Yoruba, a
typical Nigerian language that’s meant for a male. “This is Nigeria, this is
the Nigerian Modeling Agency and this is my stage.”
Michael laughed. “You have no
stage! You are not a photographer. I am the photographer, I own this stage.” He
said, pointing at the stage. “You are just a manager, Ini’s puppet. Stay where
you belong, Rookie!”
Marcus scoffed. “Just because
Ini has you take her pictures, you think you are Mr. Worldwide.”
“Look here,
Marcus. I am not sleeping with Ini!” he said. Marcus’s shoulder appeared to
relax. “But I would soon.” He added, spitefully.
Marcus sent him crashing into
the floor. Both Men tossed and rolled as they battled for supremacy on who
would get the first decent punch. Marcus did as he smacked Michael’s face with
so much venom. “NEVER- EVER- TALK – ABOUT – INI – LIKE- THAT- IN- YOUR–LIFE!”
He shouted punching Michael’s face with every word.
Security men rushed to the scene
and pulled Marcus away from Michael. “Let me go!!!” he shouted. “He
disrespected Ini.” He shouted at the top of his voice as he was being pulled
away.
“RACIST!!!”
Michael shouted as he was helped up to his feet. He was bleeding profusely from
his nose and his eye now had the traditional Red swell.
Ini stopped the security men as
she saw them pulling Marcus. “What’s going on?” she asked.
“Ini, Marcus was
going to kill Michael.”
She hissed. “Why are you
exaggerating the matter? This fellow can’t even hit anyone.”
The Security men all burst out
in a horrid laugh. “You should see Michael. For now, we have to keep this man
away.” They said and took him away.
She left for the Photo shoot
centre. “Where’s Michael?” she asked.
“Michael has been taken to the clinic for
a first aid clean up.” An attendant replied.
She hurried for the clinic which
was not too far from the photo shoot centre. “Oh my…” she exclaimed as soon as
she saw Michael’s face. “Really?” she squealed with a smile. “Marcus is a real
man!”
Michael turned his face away
from her. Ini wore a mean smile and walked out of the room. She bumped into
Shola Jones. “Oh no!”
Shola Jones smiled. “I know you
don’t want to see me, but here I am, my dear.”
“Shola,
how are you?” Ini asked, smiling.
Shola hissed. “Quit the act! I
heard you got my Etilahad deal.” She sneered.
Ini shrugged. “It was mine
before you sold your body to them, apparently after your accident; they deemed
it logical to have me back on the team.”
“I slept with
only one person, not all of them.” She replied, fetching a cigarette.
Ini smiled. “What difference
does that make?” she asked. She picked the cigarette from Shola’s mouth. “You
shouldn’t be smoking.” She said and threw it in the nearest bin. Shola smiled.
“Ah…yes, I care about you.”
“Ini Obong, you
know what this business entails, right?” Shola asked. Ini nodded confidently.
“I feel something spooky about my cream and all, and I don’t need a soothsayer
to tell me that you are behind it. You are naturally evil, Ini.”
Ini nodded in the affirmative.
“Think what you want, Shola. I think I have tried to show my care for you
during your low times, but if you have decided in your heart to blame your
unfortunate incident on me, then so be it. We’ll see how it goes.” She said,
turning away.
“Ini Obong, do
you really think I would buy that ploy of you coming to see me in the hospital
as genuine?”
Ini turned backward with a
smile. “That was the best of me.”
“Ya…right! If
that was the best of you then I am sure that you are capable of many more
evils.” She replied. Ini faced her. “I would be recuperating for the next one
month and during that period, I know you might have won the whole of Nigeria
with that skanky body of yours, but I promise to be back and better.” She said, eyeballing Ini.
Ini scoffed. “It was just a
change of cream, why do you need a month?”
Shola’s jaw dropped. “How did
you know that my cream was changed?”
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Tola ate her burger as Wole
watched. “When last did you have somebody ‘baby’ you?” he asked. She didn’t
respond, she stared at him and ate on. “It’s fine. Here’s some Ice cream.” He
added, passing a cup of ice cream to her.
“Why are you
being so nice to me?” she asked.
He took a deep breath. “Tola, I
love you.”
“Why?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but
I feel I won’t be complete without you.” he replied.
‘If only Tolu could love me’ she thought. “Thank you.” she replied.
He smiled. “But I don’t need you working at Asolo to prove that to me.”
He nodded. “I just want to learn
and of course be closer to you, I can’t deny that.”
Tola took a deep breath. “Wole,
I love someone else.”
He nodded. “I know, I’ll wait
and see if you can learn to love me, if not, I’ll move on.”
“Easier said
than done… Would you really leave me alone?”
He smiled. “Why not?! But not
for Tolu! If it’s Tolu, I’ll keep fighting for you. That jerk doesn’t deserve
an ounce of your love.”
She smiled. “There are no
reasons that explain love, Wole.”
“Well said!
That’s how much my heart beats for you, every time I see you, I feel different,
Tola.”
She shook her head and placed
her spoon into the Ice cream. “I don’t know what to do with your heart.” She
said, as she took a scoop.
“Sadly, I have
no control over my emotions for you, neither do you, I just want to be with you
and I pray that God grants my request.”
Tola stared at him and wore a
faint smile. ‘Amen!’ she said, in her
heart.
Wole took a scoop of his Ice
cream. “I love this spot a lot. I come here with my sister often for Ice
cream.”
“Well, my
‘sisters’ are fun too.”
He stared at her. “Sisters?”
“They are my
housemates, Ini and Kimberly. I don’t know if you have met Kim, but you
certainly know Ini.” She replied. He nodded with a smile. “She’s a bundle of
trouble, but she’s also very sweet.”
He nodded. “Maybe we could all
hang out sometime, just to know one another better.” He said.
She nodded. “That would be fine.
Erm…Wole, what if I am unable to love you?”
He shrugged. “I’ll still be your
friend then. I admire you a lot, I would want to keep you forever.” He replied.
Tola’s face was like it was
going to crack out of joy. Wole had said the kindest words to her on this day.
She smiled and dug her spoon into the Ice cream, this time she didn’t eat it,
she smeared it on his face laughing.
Wole smiled happily. “You are
happy, right?” he asked. She nodded excitedly. “Then that’s all that counts.”
He replied and threw his cup at her.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Mr. Adeoye acted the gentle man
and opened the car door for me. “Please go in.” he said. Older men and etiquettes!
“Thank you sir.”
I replied as I took my seat on the comfy leather seats. He turned on the
engine. “Thank you for giving me a chance at Millaroca.” I said.
He shrugged. “You deserve it,
and I think you might just be the change that we need over there. So many stoic
people like me and I guess it’s time for flexibility.”
I nodded with some ecstasy. “You
are right, Sir.” I replied.
“You know, I
have some really young brains at Millaroca, but I think they have been
overshadowed by the older ones and so we have remained on the same page for a
while. Millaroca is drowning right now.”
I stared at him as he continued
talking about a Magazine press that once shook the continent but now was into
oblivion. My phone buzzed and a message came up from David. “Hi Kimberly,
Please could you find time out of your busy
schedule to accompany me to a fund raiser this weekend?
I smiled and typed back. “Most
definitely!”
“So, are you
into any relationship?” Mr. Adeoye asked.
My ear itched. I pretended not
to have heard him. “Sorry?”
He smiled. “You are as young as
my baby, I just want to know if any man has your tender heart yet?” he honked
as he took the next turn. “I am only looking out for a kid, I have a son that’s
single.”
“I am engaged.”
I replied, proudly.
He nodded. “Really? That’s
impressive. Don’t you look too young to be engaged?”
I smiled. “Not at all, my fiancé
is a loving man, that’s all that counts.”
“Do you love
him, Kimberly?”
I have never liked that question. Now, I felt like I had to tell a lie
to get out of Mr. Adeoye’s questions. “We love each other.”
“That’s
beautiful! Love is beautiful with the right person. I am still in love with my
wife.”
I nodded as he rattled on about
their love which had been on for several decades. He paused. “I don’t really
understand your last name, why is it Banks?”
I smiled. “I like to be called
Kim Banks, it would even help us with our audience, they can relate to me
better, even on social network.”
“But what’s your
full name then?” he asked, as he pulled up at the office.
I cleared my throat. I had never
enjoyed telling people that I am Professor Bankole’s daughter, anyway, I didn’t
think he would ask, I hadn’t appeared as flashy as an elite’s daughter might to
anyone. “I am Kimberly Bankole.”
“Nice one. Are
you related to Professor Bankole?”
I smiled. “There are several
Bankoles.”
“Of course, there are. Erm…please go ahead, I’ll
meet you upstairs, I have to see some friends around here.” He replied.
I nodded and stepped out of the
car and immediately left for the office.
“Kim?”
I
turned round to see Boye. “Hi Boye.” I said with a smile.
“How are you?
What are you doing here?” he asked leaning against the door.
I smiled. “I came to see Mr.
Adeoye and it seems like you would be seeing my face around here more often.”
“Really?” he
asked with a smile. “He hired you?”
I nodded with a smile. “Yes, he
did!”
“Did Ben help
you speak with him?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I
figured that I should try to see Mr. Adeoye in person if I really wanted to
work.”
“I am so happy
for you, I have gone through your stuffs and I must say, you are fantastic,
it’s going to be a revolution with you here.”
I smiled. “Thanks for believing
in me.”
“Nah…I have to!
Millaroca is definitely coming up again, we must take over.”
I blushed faintly and tried to
bow my head.
“Boye, have you
seen those papers?” Ben asked, coming out of his office. I stared at him as I
saw him. “Hi Kimberly.”
I firmed my lips. “Been a while,
Ben.”
“Of course it
has.” He replied.
Boye smiled at me. “Nice to have
you around here.” He said, shaking my hand. He turned towards Ben. “The papers
are on my desk, will finish up right now.” He said and tapped him, excusing us.
Ben stepped forward. “What do
you want?”
“Ben, why are
you making me look like the villain here?” I asked.
He scoffed. “Apart from the fact
that your millionaire of a ‘fiancé’ hit me and threw his money in my face, you
never told me about him. How do you want me to regard you?”
I took a deep breath. “We were
never dating, Ben. And you probably never asked me about him.”
“LIES! You never
said a thing about him, because you wanted to lead me on, is that how all you
wealthy people behave?”
I snarled. “Stop it, Ben! You
have to kill this complex you have. What is it about you and wealthy people?
You embarrassed me before David, and even if I was going to have any ounce of
affection for you, you killed it that day when you made yourself look little.”
“Made myself
look little? You belittled me!”
I rose an eyebrow. “You did that
to yourself, Ben. I didn’t!” I replied. He bit his lip. “Ben, I am sorry for
not saying earlier and we need to sit and talk about all these. There are many
things about me you still don’t know.”
“You never let
me in really much.” He replied, much calmer now.
“Really, Ben? I
thought you didn’t know Kimberly?” a voice howled behind us.
We turned round to see Mr.
Adeoye.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)