@mitchyy, lol. I always end my post for the day with, 'To be continued at a particular day.' Thanks dear.


@JojoBlue, I'm glad I made your day. Thanks dear.


@Izyyblaze, lol. Your Gio is coming. You're welcome, dear.


@Missmossy, thanks dear.


@prisomic, thanks dear.


@Jonathan2787, I'm glad you like the way it's turning out. Lol. Thanks dear.


@bummybummy, you're welcome, dear.


@djpaparazzi, thanks dear.


@pharmacistU, thanks dear. I appreciate you too.


@Amuj, it's less than twenty-fours away. Thanks dear


@Tife101, lol. It's a pen name though. Thanks dear.


@jessytra, thanks dear


@Loisemm, thanks dear. You should check out Unfulfilled Promises and Waiting For The Bouquet as well.


@all I apologize for the late replies. So busy these days. I will try my best to communicate better. See you all tomorrow by His grace. Thanking you.

Waiting patiently till 2mao

Izyyblaze:
Hmmm...finally. Okay,I sort of saw felix's and ivie's love happening...Obehi and jessica,i feel like spanking you both with a strong long stick...girls like you are the reason some guys call us all sorts. Fi and Enkay, you both are just drama queens. Gio my crush...you are really a nut job like someone rightly said. Senator!!, Senator!!...of all women, you choose to fall in love with you sister-in-law eekwa,hmmmm. Alright o.
I umm...think I need a Gio in my life **winks**.Thanks a bunch ma'm Audrey for sharing. Kudos

actually Gio is my carbon copy

I can do better than him

kingphilip:
actually Gio is my carbon copy
I can do better than him

Oh really?

Audrey, please when are u publishing after the bouquet

Its ma bday at Aunty Audrey, pls show some love...tnx in advance

Bb4u:
Its ma bday at Aunty Audrey, pls show some love...tnx in advance

Happy birthday dear. Wednesday is here already Audrey sweet *ducks for cover*

kingphilip:
actually Gio is my carbon copy

I can do better than him

Hmm...

tijehi:
Audrey, please when are u publishing after the bouquet

I don't know yet, my dear. Haven't even completed this one.

Bb4u:
Its ma bday at Aunty Audrey, pls show some love...tnx in advance

Happy Birthday, dearie. May the Lord God bless you real good. Cheers.

jaybiz007:

Happy birthday dear. Wednesday is here already Audrey sweet *ducks for cover*

You better run as well. Just heard hubby cocking his gun.

Dedicated to Bb4u. Happy birthday, dear.



*Continuation of episode 11*


Two weeks later, Senator Ekwe jogged down his spiral staircase on his way to the gym downstairs. He'd flown in from Brussels late last night and felt he needed to work out. He tried his best to work out everyday whenever he had the time. It was little wonder he looked younger than his age and as fit as a fiddle.

The handsome man smiled at the thought of seeing his kids again. He'd missed visiting them in their respective schools due to official duties but he was glad he was home. After gyming for about an hour, he would get one of the maids to awaken them and ask them to join him at the table for breakfast. Just like old times. Something was different about Gio. He couldn't place his finger on it but he knew something had happened to his son from the calls he'd made to him when he was away. The troubled boy hadn't sounded as cold as he used to be and had even relayed information about the school that he hadn't been asked. By God, if Gio was turning back to his former self, he would run to church for a thanksgiving. There was a time Gio had even chuckled. Chuckled! His cold as ice, hard as a rock son had chuckled on the phone. Miracles do happen!

Still grinning at the memory of that phone call, he strode down the corridor towards the gym. He was almost at the door when he halted. Speak of the devil! Was he hearing things? Was that Gio laughing? He hadn't heard that particular laugh in years. Was his son losing it again? He followed the sound of the music, moved quietly to the door like one in a slow motion flick and plastered himself against the wall beside the door before daring to have a quick look through the glass doors of the gym. What he saw brought him to a sudden stunned halt. His jaw automatically dropped. Gio, on black joggers and black singlet which clung to his well-toned body was leaning on a girl dressed in a brown and white tank top with pale blue joggers seated on one of the gym equipment and...kissing her. 

The senator blinked rapidly. Was he now the one losing it? Maybe he was still asleep on his bed and this was a dream. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to investigate. Gaetano dressed in a white and blue stripped swimming trunks was walking lazily towards him. He immediately removed his ear piece from his ears when he saw his father and with a big smile, came to hug him. The senator placed a finger on his lips and used his thumb to point jerkingly at the gym door. Gaetano smiled conspiratorially and moved quietly to the other side of the door and peeped into the gym. His smile broadened.

"What's going on?" his father whispered.

Gaetano shrugged and smiled mischievously. "When did you get back, Dad?"

The senator frowned. "Late last night. Now answer my question, young man."

His last child smiled again and the senator frowned. Gaetano motioned for him to follow him and they both took silent steps till they went out the side door to the swimming pool area. Gaetano placed his towel on one of the chairs and turned to look at his father.

"She's Gio's girlfriend, Nkiru Chiwendu." Gaetano grinned when his father's eyes widened. "Yeah, I was surprised too but she's the bomb. She's a nice person and fun to be with. The most shocking thing is that she makes Gio smile and laugh. He's returning back to his old self."

His father didn't know what to say. He was shocked beyond words. 

"How long has she been here?" he finally asked.

"A week. They both came here together from school."

Gaetano's father shook his head slowly and sat on a wrought iron chair beside the pool. He just couldn't wrap his head around the fact that his daily prayer was coming to pass.

He held his son's hand. "Tell me more, Tano. This is a huge shock to my system. I can't seem to take it in."

Tano grinned and sat beside his father. He had experienced the same thing. 

"I don't really know much, Dad. Gio didn't really talk to me about her. When I asked Fi, she refused saying anything. I gathered that she isn't happy about their relationship."

His father was amazed to hear that. "Why? This is a miracle! A dream come true."

Gaetano nodded. "Yes. From her inferences, I think she's just jealous of Nkiru. She called her a gold digger."

"What?"

"Nkiru isn't from a wealthy home. I think her parents might be poor. So maybe Fi thinks she's not in our class."

"Who cares about that?" His father scratched his head. "My son who hasn't smiled in years let alone laugh is doing that right now because of a girl. I don't care if she's from the slums. All I care about is him. If she makes him happy and he wants her in his life, who am I to come against such a relationship?"

"Awww, Dad. You're the best!" Gaetano hugged him. His father smiled and gave him a playful punch on the jaw.

"Let me leave you to swim while I go and interrogate her." The senator got up and stretched his stiff limbs. He really needed to work out.

"Dad, please don't be the intimating senator when you talk to her. Please be the cool dad that you are. I like her." Gaetano pleaded with both palms together. Senator Ekwe smiled and rubbed his son's head before departing from his presence. 

Gaetano watched his father leave with a smile. His fifty-five-year old father whom all the males in the house had gotten their looks from didn't look his age one bit. He looked far younger due to the fact that he was always on a diet, worked out and didn't joke with his health. He had been declared the most handsome senator in Nigeria much to his chagrin. Gaetano laughed when he remembered his father's reaction when he'd shown him a magazine declaring him the most handsome and sexiest senator the country had ever had. Gaetano smiled again as he put down his phone and ear piece. He was proud to have him for a father. Despite some insults from some unsatisfied people, majority said he'd done well for his people and should run for a third term. As Gaetano dived into the pool, he remembered his father saying he was tired of politics and wanted to retire to Italy, his favorite country in the world.

Senator Ekwe strolled into the house and wondered what face to put on. A frown of disapproval at Gio for having a female guest in his house without his permission or joy that his son had finally come out of his shell? He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before pushing the heavy door to the gym. The startled girl dropped the dumb bells at the sight of his intimidating presence at the door. Gio who had been riding the indoor cycle stopped and went to stand beside her. His dark gaze pierced his father's cool one.

The gymnasium was quite large. The senator had made it so because of the house guests he had at times. Some of his fellow senators, his very close friends usually visited and made bets on how far they would go on some of the exercise machines. There were various exercise equipment in the airy room, ranging from a stepper to a treadmill, to an indoor cycle to pec deck machine. He'd spared no expense because this was his favorite place in the whole house, where he could think and let go of his anger and frustration on what his family had become.

"Morning, Dad. When did you get back?" Gio engaged his father in a staring competition.

"Good morning, sir." Nkiru genuflected and looked down at the senator's lanvin-sneakers claded feet. She rubbed her palms slowly together in a gesture of unease. She could feel the tension in the room. Oh, boy!

"Morning," the intimidating man finally answered as he stepped on the rubber rug and came into the gym. "I got back last night. How was school?" He sat down on one of the flat benches and stared at the girl whose facial expression showed she wished she weren't there at that moment. 

"School was fine...err...Dad," Gio scratched his head and his father found that endearing. Gio who had always seemed confident and self assured didn't know how to introduce his girlfriend to him. A smile escaped his lips.

"This is Nkiru Chiwendu. She's...she's my girlfriend. I invited her over to stay with us during the break," Gio finally announced with his hands on her shoulders.

Nkiru genuflected again. "Good morning, sir."

The senator smiled inwardly. He'd better put her out of her misery. She looked ready to faint.

"Nkiru. That's a beautiful name." He wanted to add for a beautiful lady but thought against it. It stunned him that although beautiful girls been throwing themselves at his son, he had chosen to fall for someone unbeautiful. She wasn't ugly but she couldn't be called a beauty either. She was just pretty. He didn't mind at all. Beautiful girls had issues. See his own Fiorella for instance. 

"Thank you, sir." Nkiru genuflected again. Gio's father smiled.

"I need to speak to Gio alone for a minute. Please excuse us," his deep tones voiced.

Nkiru spared Gio a glance and he smiled reassuringly with a nod. She quickly walked to the door.

"Please on your way to your room, tell Fiorella I'd love to speak to her."

Nkiru nodded, and curtisied again before she could stop herself. She stumbled to the door and shut it behind her. She grimaced outside the door. Fi hadn't spoken to her in the whole week she'd been there. She'd tried her best to get close to her but Fi always looked at her like something disgusting that she had thrown up. She'd given up eventually.

Whew! Nkiru let out a breath. Had she just met a senator? She hurried up the stairs. It was time to start putting her things together. After their reconciliation, Gio had convinced her to come stay with him during the hols in order for him not to miss her too much and as a cure for his loneliness. He also bribed her with helping her out with her project. She'd lied to her parents that she was staying with Hassana in order for her to get materials for her project. Hassana had decided to come and spend the hols with her married elder sister in Abuja because of her. When her parents had called the first day she'd arrived Abuja to confirm if she had arrived safely, Hassana had gladly answered their questions. She'd visited her thrice in Gio's house since their break began. Only Nkechi was aware of the true situation of things. Nkiru felt bad about having to tell such a whooper for the first time in her life but three weeks without Gio was like a lifetime to her. She'd never try such again but for now, she'd enjoy her remaining holiday with her boo, that was if his father didn't ask her to leave.

The past one week had been the happiest in Nkiru's life. She didn't get to do anything. They had servants who cleaned, washed, cooked and did practically everything in the house. Nkiru had taken exception to them washing her clothes though. Gio had told her had his mother been alive, she wouldn't have allowed them to be so lazy. Maids came to their room every mealtime to ask them what they'd like to eat. They even made Italian dishes for her at Gio's request. Amazing! The head chef had told Nkiru not to bother when she'd gone to ask if she could help with anything. Gaetano, the naughty boy had laughed her silly. She'd found herself warming up to the small boy. They did practically everything together if she wasn't with Gio. They played chess together even though he cheated. He'd taught her how to play tennis while Gio was teaching her how to swim even though she was scared of the water. She'd had fun but it was time to leave now that the owner of the house was around before he threw her out.

Her first sighting of Gio's house had been awe-inspiring. So freaking amazing that she'd cringed at the thought of him ever visiting her house. The house was big, deeply situated in Asokoro area of the federal capital. The hall was large and light and airy, the rooms leading off from it furnished with a clever mix of classical, old and new. Nothing offended the eye. There were formal rooms used only for entertaining. The kitchen was a cook's paradise, all three wings designed to co-ordinate with the pastel colours applied to the walls. And everywhere you went, you walked on the very best in Italian ceramic, passing between priceless works of art that made one stop and stare. The house was simply amazing.

Her thoughts were on Gio's father as she got to the top of the stairs. He was an older version of Gio. She knew now how Gio would look at that age. Oh, how she wanted to grow old with him. She'd wanted to tell the senator kudos for all he'd done for them in their constituency but had been too shy and tongue-tied at his intimidating presence. He had a charming smile though.

Nkiru moved towards the female wing. She opened the door and walked down the corridor to Fiorella's room. She crossed herself before she knocked. She knocked two more times but got no response. She called the petite beauty but got no response either. About to walk away, she heard a noise. Holding the door knob, she slowly turned it. The door opened without a crack. She marveled at the beauty of the obviously feminine room. She stopped her musings when she heard the sound of someone throwing up. She rushed to the door of where the sound was coming from and paused. Remembering all the insults Fi had hurled at her both in school and in the house, she opted for calling her name instead. There was no need setting herself up for Fiorella to cuss her out. After a series of throwing up, her boyfriend's sister weakly told her she'd be out soon. Nkiru walked to the door and stood there.

A very pale-looking Fiorella came out of the bathroom and sat heavily on the bed.

"Fiorella, are you alright?" Nkiru was alarmed at Fiorella's sickly pallor.

Fi laid on the bed and put a hand across her eyes. Nkiru took tentative steps forward. She asked the question again.

"What do you want?" Fi didn't even bother raising her head to look at her.

"Your dad wants to see you. He's at the gym."

Fi immediately removed her arm from her eyes and stared at her.

"Dad is back?"

Nkiru nodded. "He came back last night."

Fi put a hand across her forehead.

"Fiorella, are you sick?"

"What do you care? Please leave."

Nkiru felt the hot color of embarrassment flood her cheeks. She retraced her steps to the door but paused when she got there.

"Why don't you like me, Fi? What did I ever do to you?" Her voice was broken.

Fi sat up slowly on the bed. "You're just a gold digger coming to reap where you did not sow. I won't allow you put wool over my eyes."

Nkiru placed both hands on her chest. "I love your brother. I swear it's true. I'm not after his money or anything. I just want to make him happy the way he makes me happy. I don't intend being a kept woman. I intend pounding the pavements to get a job and make a lot of money." Her eyes pleaded desperately with the girl on the bed.

Fi pointed at the window where the sun was just rising. "Go and tell that to the birds."

A literal slap wouldn't have shocked Nkiru more. She nodded slowly and opened the door. Behind her she thought she heard Fi say that she was responsible for the predicament she was in but when she turned around, Fi had laid on the bed again with her hand across her eyes. Nkiru left the room. She'd intended going to her room to pack her things but changed her mind after the verbal blow from Fi and walked quietly to Gio's room. 

Meanwhile, after the senator won the staring match between him and his son, he got up and sat on the bicycle and began cycling slowly. Gio watched him for a moment and headed for the door. His father stopped cycling then.

"Are you having s.ex with her?"

Gio froze. He slowly moved his body towards his father. He shook his head. 

"No, I'm not."

"Good." His father continued his slow movements. "You're too young to be saddled with a baby."

Gio smiled. "I happen to know a thing or two about condoms and contraceptives."

"They are not one hundred percent safety proof." He spared his son a glance.

Gio smiled again. "Why are we having this conversation?"

It was his father's turn to smile. "I feel you're too young to be married."

"Coming from a man who married in his early twenties." Gio chuckled.

The senator nodded. "Yeah, and I haven't regretted that for one day but you're not me and she isn't your mother."

"I know that but she's different. Besides, I'm going to come into my own money a few years from now."

"Is that why she's with you?" The man paused his cycling and his eyes held his son's identical ones.

Gio's face tightened. "She doesn't know anything about it. She isn't like that. You should chat with her sometime. You'll find out she's all about making her own money and changing the world."

His father nodded. "I'll do just that. Tell her to stick around 'cause I believe she's packing her things as we speak."

Gio nodded and pushed the door open. He halted but didn't turn around when his father called his name.

"I'm happy she's in your life." Gio smiled and left. The senator burst into laughter. That was the longest conversation he'd had with his son in years and Gio had smiled thrice. He looked up the ceiling and whispered thanks to his late wife and God.

Gio met Fi on the stairs. He tried talking to her but she walked past him as if he wasn't there. He was getting sick and tired of her attitude these days. He rarely saw her and even when he went to her room to seek her out, she wouldn't open the door. He never knew she could be so jealous. And he knew his Luna, bless her loving heart, had tried her best to get close to her. He shrugged as he watched her descend the stairs. He'd give her time. He jogged up the stairs to the guest room Nkiru was occupying but didn't see her. He was however glad that her travel bag was still empty in the wardrobe when he opened it. He'd been scared she'd packed and already left. He went to his room and saw the love of his life huddled under the sheets in his bed. He wasn't really sweaty since his dad had disturbed their work-out so he decided to join her on the bed without taking his bath first. He laid on the bed beside her and cuddled her with her back to him. He kissed her on her cheek. She turned to face him. He kissed her on her lips.

"What did your dad say?" She used a finger to trail his jaw.

"Nothing."

She moved her head back a little to look at him. "No be yesterday my mama born me o!"

He laughed heartily. She was fond of speaking pidgin English which she'd learnt from her time on the streets. She was even teaching him how to speak it.

"I know say you weren't born yesterday," he replied her cheekily.

"Haba! You've killed pidgin English." She laughed. 

"I'm trying, ain't I?" He pouted.

She rubedd her hand against his cheek. "Okay. I give you two over ten."

He burst into laughter and tickled her. She laughed and tickled hm too. They engaged in the exercise for awhile until Nkiru begged him to stop.

"Don't evade my question. What did your day say about me?"

"Nothing really. Just asked if we were having s.ex." He laughed at her bulged eyes. 

"He didn't!" she refuted in disbelief.

"He sure did." He chuckled. "He doesn't want a shotgun marriage for me in case you get pregnant."

Nkiru turned a rosy hue. "I really shouldn't have come here. It was so irresponsible of me. What would my parents say if they found out? Such an indecent thing to do! What must your dad think of me now?"

Gio chuckled. "Take a chill pill, Luna. He knows we aren't having s.ex. I told him so. He know's you're different. My dad knows I've never been a flirt or a player, so for me to invite a girl to his house without his permission made him realize how special you are to me. Just before I left the gym he told me he was happy you're in my life."

Nkiru's skeptical eyes stared at his cool ones. "You're not just saying that, are you?"

He placed a hand on his chest. "I swear I'm saying the truth, Luna. Have I ever lied to you?

She smiled. "No. Well, at least I don't think so."

Gio grinned. "I've never lied to you and I never will." Nkiru smiled and he kissed her cheek but suddenly straightened and looked at her solemnly. "By the way, when are we going to start?"

She was puzzled. "Start what?"

"Having s.ex."

"What?" Nkiru sat up with speed while Gio just gazed at her through lowered lashes. "Are you for real? I don't intend having s.ex until marriage."

Gio sighed. "That's so old school. It'll draw us closer. S.ex has a way of doing that."

Nkiru moved away from him a little. "Gio, sweetheart, I really don't want to start having s.ex now. I don't want to get scared whenever my period is late in coming. Besides, we just have one more semester to finish school. Then there's youth service, getting a job..."

"You want us to wait that long before being intimate?" Her boyfriend inquired with a raised brow.

Nkiru bit her bottom lip. Gosh! Was s.ex going to break them up? She loved him so much and had been dreading this particular topic. She'd been contented with the chaste kisses they exchanged but it seemed as if Gio wanted more. Could she break her promise to her mother for the sake of love? Could she give Gio her priceless asset? She closed her eyes and thought for a moment. What if it didn't work out in the end because of their different classes in life? She'd surely die that day. Her mind's eye went through all she and Gio had been through and she decided at that moment. When push came to shove, she'd give in. She'd give her priceless asset to her most treasured asset- Gio. She took a deep breath and opened her mouth to tell him exactly that when she heard him laughing. She opened her eyes.

"You should see your face." He continued laughing. He drew her closer and kissed her. "I was only joking. My mother made Dano and I promise never to engage in s.ex until we were good and ready. Frankly speaking, I'm not ready for such a complication right now. Let's just continue to enjoy getting to know each other more. I didn't mean to put you on a tight spot. I'm sorry, mia amore."

Nkiru smiled. "That's a relief. To think I just decided to give it to you no matter what."

Gio's eyes softened. "Really?" He broke into Italian and placed kisses all over her face. Nkiru giggled.

"So you've never done it before?" she questioned and he grinned.

"Let's change the topic, please." 

She removed the pillow from underneath her head and hit him with it. A pillow fight ensued with much laughter.

Fi paused and dropped her hand which had been held in a fist in the process of knocking. She flinched inwardly. She'd come to have a heart to heart talk with her brother but here he was having the fun of his life after ruining her life. Her face hardened. They were going to pay for the mess she was in. With a sob, she walked down the corridor on legs that didn't feel strong enough to support her.

*To be continued*

*Continuation of episode 11*

The young man at the door stared with despondency at the weeping girl on his bed. She'd been like that for about an hour or so. He'd pleaded and pleaded for her to stop but she'd remained adamant in her tears. He was at his wits end at what to do. Dammit! It hadn't been planned. He couldn't seem to get that through to her. It wasn't his style to take a girl in such a rapid and clumsy manner. Shi*t! Maybe it was due to the fact that he'd been without a girl for about three months now. What was he to do? He was almost freaking out. Dam.n his third leg! Why couldn't the blasted thing listen? Maybe he should heat up a very sharp knife till it was crimson red and cut it off! Or hang himself on a tree with it. Or better still, go to Ogba Zoo and put it in the mouth of a lion. That would teach the lecherous thing a lesson! What was he saying? All those options would cost him his life as well. No need cutting his nose to spite his face.

Felix slowly made his way to the bed where Ivie lay, still weeping and sniffing with her head bent. She'd tried to flee his room earlier but he'd been able to overpower her with his stength and pleas. His room key was now in his pocket. There was no way he was going to let her go like this. She had to understand that when he'd invited her into his room after her post UTME exam, it wasn't with the intention of ravishing her. It just happened.

Placing his jean-clad knees on his carpet-covered floor beside his huge matress, he placed both palms together in a desperate plea.

"Please, Ivie, sweetheart, please I swear I didn't mean for this to happen. Please believe me. I don't know what came over me. Please stop crying. I beg of you."

Ivie cried on, unheeded. Felix felt like shaking her. His old self wanted to ask her if she had not participated in the act as well? Had she not enjoyed it also? It wasn't as if he'd raped her, so why was she laying the guilt at his doorstep? But that was his old self. The new Felix who loved Ivie to distraction was broken to see his girl weep profusely. This wasn't how he'd planned the day.

He'd woken up very early, nearly dying with anticipation of Ivie visiting him in his hostel after her exam. He'd known two weeks earlier that she was coming for the exam and when she'd called him the afternoon before to tell him she was in town, he'd rushed to his former lodge at Uncle Sam to go and see her as she was staying with some girls Obehi had hooked her up with. Having eyes only for her and ignoring every other person, he'd taken her out.

When morning came, he'd done a make over in his room. He'd washed his beddings twice, scrubbed his carpet thrice. Washed his bathroom four times and emptied his air refreshner in it. He'd sent text messages warning all his friends not to even come near his building let alone his room or else he'd deal with them. Two vim containers were emptied in trying to get his pots squeaky clean. Whenever he saw any dark spot anywhere on it, the iron sponge suffered for it. No wonder when he was through, he found holes in two of his pots and of course, cursed them to high heaven. Angrily flinging the pots through his window, unfortunately for him, both had landed on the head of the caretaker. That had caused him begging and a bottle of expensive red wine.

Later on, when he was sure his room was squeaky clean and smelt like a perfume factory, he'd gone to get goodies after picking Ivie from the exam venue when the exam was over and taking her to his room. They'd devoured the food, talked and watched movies without them feeling awkward at being alone in a room together. Until the devil had struck and had made him move to join her on the bed. And of course, that hadn't been enough, the dam.n diablo had frightened Ivie with a sudden scene from the thriller they were watching which made her jump and the motion had ended with her sprawled on his athletic body. Time had paused, he was sure the moment their eyes meshed and before they could say Jack Robinson, their lips merged ravenously and they'd started kissing each other as if oxygen could be found in their respective mouths. Clothes had been flung helter skelter and only Ivie's sharp cry when he penetrated her had brought him back to his senses. But it had been too late to stop himself. Ivie had burst into tears when he finally rolled over and tried to cuddle her. She'd continued with the tears even while they wore their clothes and he begged her to stop. He didn't know what to do anymore. He'd never found himself in such an incongruous situation before.

Ivie had inwardly been calling for thunder to strike her dead for the past hour but the thunder was nowhere to be found. How could she have been so stupid? So careless? Giving herself to a guy like Felix was stupidity at its highest order. Oh, God, but the kiss had been searing. It had scorched her. Scorched her so badly that all she had wanted at that moment was Felix's heat on her. And she'd gotten it hot and spicy. So hot that only when coldness enveloped her as he pulled away did she realize the folly of her actions. Her tear ducts hadn't been able to take it and it had poured forth its juice. Nothing had been able to stop it, not even Felix's desperate plea for her to stop. It had surprised her to see him begging and looking so depressed. Maybe he really did love her. But what where all those pictures Obehi showed her two days before of Felix and the numerous girls he'd dated? It had made her very suspicious. It was one of the things she'd planned on tackling with him, not jumping on his bed and allowing him to take her virginity as if it was nothing. A harsh sob caught in her throat.

At that wretched sound, Felix moved closer to his girlfriend. His gaze landed on the bed and the bloodstained sheet and he hastily moved it to his weeping girlfriend. He'd definitely bitten off more than he could chew.

"What do you want me to do, honey? Should I slit my throat? Will that convince you that I didn't mean for this to happen? Ivie, I love you and I want you to be the mother of my babies, my wife. I treasure you." His voice was laced with distress.

His passionate plea got her to lift her head. Fresh tear drops mixed with dried ones on her beautiful face.

"Do you really mean that?" she whispered.

"With every blood in my body," he affirmed with a straight face.

"I'm not just a conquest to you? Just another notch on your bedpost?" She blinked rapidly.

"That was my past, honey. You are my present and my future."

"Oh, sweetheart." More tears dropped as she put her hands around him. Felix heaved a heavy sigh of relief. God, he loved this girl. He was beginning to believe what Oghenro had been telling him. Either she'd charmed him or she was a mermaid in human form. He couldn't believe he was going to pieces over a girl, a girl from a specie he'd toyed with and viewed as playthings all his life. But this girl was different. She was special.

The moon moves slowly, but it crosses the town.


**********

Jessica paced her small room in a deep thought. She twined her hands together, dropped them, then used them to rub her face. She was almost going crazy with worry. What was keeping her mother? She sat on the bed but quickly got up when she heard their gate open in their compound at Ikeneagbu layout in Owerri. Rushing to the window, she felt like running from her room to pressurize her mother for details but decided not to. Her mother would come to her. She tried to gauge her mother's state of mind when she got out of the grey colored Peugeot 406 vehicle in a black maxi dress but the woman's face was blank. Jessica sat on her bed, held her phone and pretended as if she hadn't spent the entire morning worrying. Her mother came into the room, sighed and went to sit beside her daughter on the bed.

"Go and get me a glass of water." Jessica rushed out of the room. She missed her step on her way to the kitchen and fell. She got up, brushed herself and ran into the kitchen. With shaky hands, she opened the fridge, took out bottled water and went to the cupboard above the sink to get out a glass cup. She poured water into the cup and hissed at the drops that poured on the cabinet. She replaced the bottle in the fridge without refilling it and took a small tray from the plates rack and placed the glass of water on it while trying her best to make her steps slow lest she upset the content of the tray. She barely managed to achieve the feat. Her mother smiled her thanks, took the glass from the tray and emptied its chilled content down her throat. Jessica dropped the tray with the empty glass on it on her dresser and sat beside her mother. Her mother shook her head slowly.

"It can't be done."

Jessica shouted. "Why?"

"There's a force surrounding him. There's something protecting him. Mazi Atafia couldn't penetrate him."

"Ooooooh!" Jessica slammed her hands together and got up to pace the room. She'd thought getting Gio through the powerful native doctor was going to be as easy as ABC.

"Can't we try another dibia?" She paused to look at her mother who shook her head slowly.

"Uzodinma, he's the best. He's tested and trusted. I used him to get your father and other things. Why do you think your father is still with me even though we have only you for a child? You just have to forget about this guy and try to snag another rich one." Her mother watched as she paced the room, lost in thought. Jessica put both hands on her head like one in deep misery. She paused and shook her head.

"No, Mummy. I can't let him go. You need to see this guy, Mummy. He's...he's...I can't even describe him." She dropped her hands by her side and went to sit beside her mother. "Besides, I can't allow the rag he's dating to get him for keeps. I have to do something. I made them break up before. I'll do it again."

"Calm down, Uzodinma." She held her daughter's hand. "Don't take matters into your hands. If you want this guy badly, can't we remove the girl from the picture?"

Jessica's countenance lightened up like one who'd just received an alert. "Waoh, Mummy. That's a good idea. I can get him that way. Mummy, not only is this guy very handsome, he's rich as well. I can't afford to lose him o! He must marry me. We have to think of a way to remove Nkiru from the picture permanently." She worried her bottom lip. "Thanks, Mummy, for your help." Her mother smiled in encouragement.

When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him.

**********

"Meh tamu weh fo (I've told you). Ears that do not listen to advice, accompany the head when it is chopped off. " Felix's mother told her angrily pacing son. She eyed him and continued folding her clothes inside her wardrobe.

Felix felt like looking for the devil wherever he was and beating the bejeesus out of him. What did he ever do to that horn-headed, pitch-fork-carrying bastar.d that he had to put sand in his garri? Why had his mother changed her mind all of a sudden? She who had been singing Ivie's praises suddenly didn't want him to have anything to do with her. What the h.ell!

After getting through to his girlfriend that fateful evening, he coerced her to pass the night since it was late, by offering to sleep on the floor which he did. But some time in the night, he'd woken up to see her standing beside him, still fully clothed. She'd told him to come and join her on the bed as she couldn't sleep and she noticed he was shivering in the cold night air. Not one to look a gft horse in the mouth, he'd accepted her offer after telling her thrice that he was comfortable on the ground. This time around, she'd made the first move when they were both comfortable on the bed and that was how their sexual relationship began. He was even more head over heels in love with her now and had even decided to come home to Ubiaja with her to make sure she got there safely. Only for him to get home to hear his mother ranting that he shouldn't have anything more to do with her. Why? Because of the home she was from. She didn't want her only son to be used to sustain an old man's life. Such barbaric and superstitious reasoning was beyond his comprehension. That his church-going mother could believe such an outlandish shi*t astounded him. Who had even told her where Ivie was from? She refused telling him.

"Mummy, I love that girl and we're going to tie the knot in future," he pronounced squarely. No need goofing around.

His mother dropped her dress on the ground and rushed to where he was standing by the door, about to leave the room. She gripped his shirt with both hands and squeezed it tight.

"Gbe meh ah (Kill me) You must kill me before you marry that girl," she yelled at her astounded son.

"See me see trouble o. Maale, abeg free my shirt," he pleaded calmly.

"No. You must kill me today. Kill me now because I won't use my eyes to see you marry that girl and later be used to sustain the life of that useless, wicked, foolish, ugly, old man. Never!" Her voice went an octave higher.

Felix was pondering what to do when his dramatic mother lifted one hand and gripped his private part through his trouser.

"Is it because of this thing you have been using on her that makes you think you love her? I will remove it for you. I'd rather watch you become a reverend father or a monk or even a guard in the Oba's palace than watch you marry from that evil family. The old woman looks after the child to grow its teeth and the young one in turn looks after the old woman when she loses her teeth. My own case won't be different." She squeezed harder with every word.

"Jesu! Maale, stop na." Felix tried getting his mother's grip to loosen on his sensibles but her hold got stronger and he didn't want to manhandle. Just then his father opened the door and sized up the scene from there.

"Felix, useless boy. What are you doing to your mother?" he asked, scandalized.


Felix could only stare at his father. Who did it look like was doing something to the other? The man get high fever abi na colour blindness?

"My friend, come on leave your mother alone!" His irate father moved closer.

"Tell her to leave me alone," his angry son replied.

"No, I will not leave him alone. He wants to go and throw his life away on that useless girl from an even more useless family." Mrs. Eromosele tightened her grip again.

"Felix, I said leave your mother alone."

Felix nearly shouted at his father. What sort of thrash was this? Here his mother was, trying to castrate him and his father was there accusing him of holding her. All because of Ivie. He felt like going over to her house to throw her inside a drum of water to see if she'd change into a mermaid, because the drama in his life since she came into it was just too much for an ordinary girl.

"Felix, for the last time, leave your mother alone."

Shuo! Abi blindness don come for this man? How was he going to escape his angry parents now?

Oh, God, please save me, he muttered.


*To be continued.*

Chapter Seven


Letting go is the willingness to change your beliefs in order to bring more peace and joy into your life instead of holding onto beliefs that bring pain and suffering…
—Hal Tippe


Episode 12


Time flew by like the wind and Gio graduated with first class honors while Nkiru maintained her second-class-upper class of degree till the end. Her mother wept for joy when she went home after defending her project topic saying, when a man says yes, his chi (personal god) says yes also. Nnamdi came home from Aba with his fiancée and the twins came home also. It was a lively affair. Nkiru's mother killed her hens, which she'd been saving for such an event. Even their father made sure drinks flowed that celebratory night. Every member of the family got up to say a word or two about Nkiru. They were all proud of her for being the first graduate in the family. When it was her turn to say something, she couldn't utter a word for tears had clogged her throat. They all got up to hug her and she burst into tears. The love she felt emanating from her family made her highly emotional. Nnamdi who had made way for her to go to school even went as far as buying her a gift. He was very proud of her and promised to try his best to sponsor her masters degree programme if she chose to go for it. His fiancée who ran a boutique also brought some clothes for her. They weren't of the same quality with the ones she had courtesy of Gio but the gesture made her heart melt towards her prospective in-law. Nkiru was joyous that day to say the least but her joy was dented when Gio called her later that night. He was home alone. She wished she had the wings of an eagle to fly to him. She regretted not inviting him to her house. It couldn't be compared to his by a long stretch but he would have felt at home because she was a hundred percent sure her family would have welcomed him like he was one of them. She however promised to visit him soon.

The young graduate braced herself for a long talk when her mother sent Njideka to call her to her room two days after she returned home. She passed the twins and Nnamdi watching wrestling and shouting at the top of their voices on her way to listen to the sermon on Mount Olives by her mother. She wished then that she'd gone with Nkechi to her salon. She thought of sneaking out with Njideka to the tailoring shop where she was now fully an apprentice since she didn't make her papers but thought against it. She was sure her mother would come in search of her there. 

She met her father at the corridor on the way to their room. Her father rarely spoke but when he did, everyone listened. The man was tall, lanky and chocolate skinned. His children had gotten their hazel eyes from him which he'd gotten from his maternal grandfather. The ever quiet man was on his way to the living room to tell his sons to tone it down a little. He'd probably just come out of the spare storage room he'd turned into a make-shift library. Her father loved reading. She'd probably gotten her reading habit from him. The man could read anything. He had rows and rows of books ranging from adventure to crime to thrillers to espionage. He however had nothing to do with romance. He felt they were too sucky for him. Nkiru spent time in the room with him whenever she had the chance. She promised to check out his latest entries when she was through with his wife. The man still had old books sent to him from a website he subscribed to years ago through the help of a friend who resided abroad on one of his many sojourns over there.. He'd continued the reading habit after their relocation to the village to while away his time but now he was an addict.

Just as Nkiru knocked and opened the door to her parents' room, Nwaibiakpo rushed past her to tell their mother that her friend, Mama Precious was at her shop waiting for her. Nkiru nearly danced alanta in jubilation. Her mother postponed their discussion and her daughter practically ran to her room to take her bath. She dressed hurriedly and ran out of the house. She greeted Njideka who was holding forte for their mother in the shop till she was through discussing with her friend. She'd decided not to go to her tailoring shop that day. Nkiru strolled down to Nkechi's salon even though it was quite a distance from the house. She greeted people along the way who stopped her for small talk. The graduate met her sister weaving corn rows on the head of a customer and sat down close to one of the dryers. She hadn't been there in awhile. Her sister was really making an effort in getting the place successful. Nkiru stared at the different kind of weaves and attachments hung on the walls. She kept looking around from the various combs, weave brushes, make up kit, bottles of nail polish inside the show-glass to the washing area until she caught Nkechi's eye at the mirror. She winked at her and grinned. Nkechi finally finished her customer's hair, took her money from her and put it inside one of the drawers of the mirrored dresser.

"Na bank your mate dey put their money," Nkiru teased when the customer had departed. Nkechi hissed and took the towel she'd placed around the woman's shoulders to hang outside on her clothes hangar.

"Fancy seeing you here today. I thought you were going to spend the day with Mummy," she said when she got back to the salon.

Nkiru sighed. "Lucky me! Mama Precious came to see her."

Nkechi sat down on the chair her customer had vacated and turned to face her elder sister.

"Nk, when will you tell Mummy about Gio na?"

Nkiru slumped on the chair and stared at the ceiling. Her gaze moved from one end of the ceiling to the other as she irrelevantly noticed some patterns on the ceiling made from rain.

"Your roof dey leak?"

Nkechi eyed her. "See question."

She laughed and sat up. "I don't know o, Chichi. I really don't know how to tell her."

"You better tell her now. Two men have come again to ask for your hand in marriage." Her sister put a hand on her ear in warning.

Nkiru rolled her eyes. "Na by force to marry again?"

Nkechi shook her head and laughed. "Mummy is h.ell bent on getting you engaged if not married before you go for service next year."

Nkiru groaned. "Lemme start sleeping in church then for my name to be out by November, this year, so I'd be among batch C corpers."

"We're in August. Mummy can pull that feat before November o!"

Nkiru hissed. "What is Daddy saying about it sef?"

Nkechi brought out a comb and started combing her black hair. "Daddy isn't with Mummy on this. You know Daddy likes education. He doesn't mind you going for your masters degree first."

Nkiru grinned. "That's my father!"

"See you." Her sister waved a hand mockingly. "Mummy quarreled heatedly with him. She said you'd become old cargo by then."

"Old cargo? But I'm just twenty na. After my youth service if I go this November, I'll be twenty-one. Masters degree programme is roughly one year if ASUU no do their thing. Give or take when I'm through with everything, I'd be twenty-three. Is that old cargo?"

Nkechi laughed. "Mummy has planned everything o! She wants you married before then because of Njideka and I."

"But you're only nineteen and Njideka seventeen na. Make Mummy free me abeg." Nkiru hissed.

"She's also afraid no one will marry you by the time you have your masters degree."

Nkiru hissed again and frowned. "Does she think I'm going after any village champion? Me, I want a man who understands my love for education o!"

"Then tell her about Gio," Nkechi proffered

Nkiru's shoulders hunched. She was crestfallen. "I'm scared she might be overwhelmed by him. She might tell me to forget about him since we aren't in the same class. A senator's son. You know Mummy isn't moved by money and status at all."

"I know. She wants God fearing and humble men for us but you love Gio and he loves you. Besides, his father has accepted you. So I don't see where the problem lies."

Nkiru was lost in thought for some minutes before letting out a deep breath. "Alright. I'll try my best to tell her about him when I get home."

But Nkiru never found time to tell her mother about her boyfriend. Her mother fell very sick that evening and had to be hospitalized. Nkiru later went back to school to submit the final draft of her project. She later spent a week in Abuja with Gio and Hassana.

**********

Felix surreptitiously watched his girlfriend as she pressed her phone buttons. From the look on her face, he was suspecting that she was exchanging messages with someone. Someone so important she had stopped participating in the conversation going on.

They were at Obehi's compound. Her parents were not at home so they had the whole house to themselves. The power holding company seized power about thirty minutes ago and as a result of the heat in the living room, they'd moved outside under the large mango tree in the compound with white plastic chairs and a table to hold their drinks. He was having a canned Star larger along with Ose while Ivie and Obehi were sipping malt drinks. Obehi was dressed provocatively in a cream spaghetti gown stopping above her knees with obviously no bra as her n.ipples were clearly visible. He wasn't moved but irritated. Why would she dress in such a way? Was it that she had a thing for Ose or what? It definitely wasn't him she was trying to seduce because she'd never given any indication whatsoever that she wanted to sleep with him. He didn't do fat girls even though she'd lost some pounds in the last couple of months. She really ought to take a cue from her friend, Ivie who was dressed decently in an ankle length blue jean skirt and a yellow cotton blouse. Her beautiful hair was tied in a knot at the top of her head and her face fresh and natural. She was still the most beautiful girl he'd laid his eyes on, even in her casual state. Unfortunately, he felt as if he was losing her these days. Rumors had filtered into his ears that she was cheating on him with Obehi's elder brother. The dude wasn't anything to write home about but he had a car and was working in a bank. Of course, he hadn't believed such nonsense but suspicion had begun filling his heart when he got home for the hols and rushed to her house, longing to see her only to meet an empty house. About leaving the compound that fateful evening, his eyes had narrowed to slits when he'd watched Ehis's black Audi vehicle pull up in front of the house with his smiling girlfriend in it. Though Ivie had been estactic at seeing him, rushing out of the car to hug him, before introducing him to Ehis who he already knew, with the excuse that he'd picked her after she'd closed shop for the day and was waiting for a bike to take her home; that evening had left a mark on his mind. He'd watched her every move from then on believing she'd make a slip soon but nothing thus far. He'd even broken his rule by picking her phone to scrutinize it in her shop when she'd gone to attend to a customer. The phone was as squeaky clean as if she washed it in Ariel detergent. She was a brilliant girl; she'd probably deleted any incriminating message. What was she doing with him then? Not that his father couldn't have gotten him a car, had been planning to do just that in fact until his son had caught him with that teenage girl and their war began. Was his innocent Ivie now after wealth?

Filled with irritation, he touched her hand to get her attention. She lifted her eyes from the phone and gave him a dazzling smile that pulled at his heart strings. He loved this girl! He hadn't looked at another girl since he fell in love with her. He had to at least give her the benefit of the doubt.

It was unfortunate that despite how hard he'd tried, she'd not been given admission in his school. She'd finally gained admission at her second choice which was Ambrose Alli University located at Ekpoma. He'd supported her the best way he could financially but her fees weren't complete yet hence her delay in going over there. Her aunt was working tirelessly to get it together while her useless lump of a grandfather was gulping money due to his medical bills at the specialist hospital in Irrua. Rumor had it that he had enough money to feed the whole village in his Union bank account but was too stingy to want to use it to help his only surviving granddaughter get tertiary education. Felix's mother was particularly on his neck these days to run away from Ivie because of her grandfather's illness. It was said that whenever he was sick, it was time for another human sacrifice to keep him alive. After another death in the family, he'd regain his health. But Felix didn't believe in all that superstitious thrash.

Felix trailed Ivie's hand slowly with his forefinger, letting her know what was on his mind. Since he got back, there'd been nowhere to let off steam due to his forced celibacy in school. She'd wanted them to do it that evening he got back in her house but the sight of her with Ehis had killed his appetite for her. And since then, there'd been no appropriate place. It was either her aunt was at home or her grandfather. He didn't dare bring her to his own house because the last time she'd been there, his mother had embarrassed the h.ell out of her. Taking her to either Ken or Ose's place was out of the question. This was his special lady not those tramps he used to do such with.

Ivie smiled as she watched her handsome boyfriend's finger trail her hand. He wanted her. It was simple and clear. She wanted him too but she had to be wise. She'd been hearing rumors about his exploits in school. Obehi had mentioned it to her a time or two but she'd refused to believe it, but when she'd eavesdropped on a conversation between Obehi and a girl boasting of how she'd slept with Felix, doubt had started creeping into her mind. The girl had described in accurate and brazen details how Felix was in bed. Ivie had tried telling herself that maybe the girl was one of Felix's cast-aways but the girl had spoken of a recent encounter with her boyfriend. She had wept silently in her room that day and slowly her heart had begun to believe Felix was cheating on her when she called him and a girl answered the call. Of course, he'd called back to say the girl was a naughty course mate of his and she was even married. Stories that touch the liver!

And there was Ehis, Obehi's brother asking her out whenever he came home from Benin every other weekend. She'd tried her best to dodge him but since they were neighbours and he knew where her shop was, she couldn't avoid him. He picked her everyday from the shop no matter how much she resisted. To worsen matters, Felix had witnessed one of such occasions. Her boyfriend had been cold to her that evening and hadn't spent even thirty minutes with her before claiming he was tired and needed to go home to sleep. She'd teased him that he could sleep in her bed but he'd merely smiled and kissed her good night. She hadn't pegged him to be a jealous guy because the Felix she knew would have capitalized on their being alone in the house that evening and before she knew it, she would have been naked and panting under him. She'd eventually stopped cringing at the thought that she was having premarital s.ex, something she'd sworn never to do. Sometimes, after the act, she felt as if God would send thunder to strike her along with fire and brimstone. At such times when she was guilt-ridden, she would pray fervently for forgiveness and promise never to do it again but one touch from Felix, she would lose all sense of reasoning which his finger strokes was doing to her right now.

She stared at her phone as a message came in. She assumed it was her secondary school classmate she'd been exchanging messages with for about thirty minutes. They'd renewed their acquaintance through the help of another classmate she had met when she went to write her post UTME in AAU. They'd already said their goodbyes so she wondered why she sent her a message again. She opened the message and it blew her away. It read,

You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you with every fibre of my being, every cell in my body. Please be mine forever. I promise to treasure you always because you are my life. I love you. Your humble, unworthy boyfriend.

When she lifted her head, her eyes were locked in his dark ones. Their fingers entwined and they were lost in each other, oblivious of the other two at the table.

Ose smiled and cleared his throat before taking a sip of beer but Obehi's heart broke as she saw the obvious love radiating like a force field between the two love birds. She'd never seen Felix like this with anyone before. Would he ever look at her like this in this lifetime? The look of such pure love, as if Ivie was the only one in the planet with him. Wasn't she fighting a lost cause? It was obvious Ivie loved him too. Why would she even try to break such love? It looked like a match made in heaven. Was she such an embittered person? Shouldn't she pray to God to bring someone to love like this and have him love her in return also? Hmm...it was time to get Ehis to stop pestering Ivie even though he genuinely liked her. She didn't want karma to visit her twice. In her secondary school days, she'd made a couple break up because she'd wanted the boy but when she'd met a boy who genuinely liked her during her Jamb lessons, a girl had lied and plotted just to make their relationship hit the rocks. Who was to say the same thing wouldn't happen to her again if she succeded in making Felix break up with her? Time to have a rethink.

As she was about opening her mouth after her epiphany to apologise to the couple and set the record straight that Ivie wasn't dating Ehis and she'd told the girl Ivie had overheard talking about sleeping with Felix to lie about a recent escapade with him knowing Ivie would visit her house that morning before going to her shop, the white iron gate burst open and Felix's mother came into the compound. She looked at the locked front door and looked sideways where the youngsters were enjoying themselves. Immediately she sighted Ivie, she removed her her head gear and tied it around her wrapper-claded waist.

Felix groaned. Oh, God, not again! What was it with this woman and her troublesome attitude these days? Was it a mid-life crisis or what? Or a sick symptom of menopause? He rose fluidly and gently pushed his frightened girlfriend behind him.

"You this useless granddaughter of the devil. Didn't I warn you to leave my son alone? Felix, oyehor, (deaf person) do you want to die? I know what I did before I got you. I won't allow one useless girl and her useless family kill you. E ya ka (I won't agree)" As Mrs. Eromosele raved, she tried to get her hands on the scared as a rabbit girlfriend of her son. A sort of maiden dance began as she tried to get to her but Felix would keep moving his girlfriend behind him left and right while at the same time trying to keep her from grabbing his balls again. The last incident was enough to teach him wisdom concerning his erratic mother.

Ose tried to contain his laughter while Obehi had tears in her eyes because she'd been the one to send a text message to the angry woman, telling her that her son was at her place with Ivie. Now she regretted the action seeing the way Ivie was crying and the break dance Felix was performing to protect his girlfriend.


When there is peace in the country, the chief does not carry a shield.

**********

Nkiru was beginning to feel like a wallflower as she watched boys and girls dance to the rhythm of the music of the invited guest; Dbanj. She watched from her seat as girls paraded in the skimpiest swim suit she'd ever beheld. Most of the guys had their eyes fixed at the pool area. Almost every guy had eyes on a particular busty female whose bikini left nothing to the imagination -- Jessica. She swam like a mermaid and hauled herself out of the pool. Water glistened all over her body. A guy rushed forward to offer her a towel which she seductively used to clean her body after seating on one of the white wrought iron chairs. Nkiru noticed some guys around the pool exchanging money. She guessed they were placing bets on who would sleep with her that night. They all had the hots for her. Nkiru sighed.

It was Gio's graduation party. He had kicked against it but his dad had won eventually. It was a thing of pride to him to have his now first child a graduate without any issues and a first class holder at that. Gio however was nowhere to be found. He had showed up for the congratulatory messages from his dad and others but had disappeared after that but not before he'd gone round to make sure everyone knew she was his girlfriend. He'd forbade her wearing a bikini. He didn't want the eyes of his cousins and other guys there ogling her. Nkiru knew only a few people there from school, the rest were strangers to her and treated her that way. 

She took a sip from her drink which she didn't even know the name other than the fact that it tasted like pineapple juice with a twist of lime. She eyed the pieces of chicken on the table. She stared at the one Gio had been eating before he'd left to go and get his aunt. She picked one and munched on it. There were assorted food and drinks for everyone to eat. The ones who came to the party only to eat could be seen around the long tables that carried the different meals and small chops. They kept going to sample the different dishes there. Nkiru had heard from passersby that the large turn out was due to the odd but unique way the senator threw his parties. His parties always had a foreign theme, mostly Italian. She got to know that his last party had had the Greek mythology theme and people had been made to dress like the Greeks of old to attend the party. They'd been amazed it was just a simple pool party this time around. They had Gio to thank for that. His dad had wanted a costume party but Gio had sarcastically told him to save that for Halloween. He had chosen a simple pool party when his father had given another suggestion of an Old School party. Nkiru cleaned off the piece of chicken from the bone, dropped it on the plate and took a swig from her drink. It was time to go and search for her lost boyfriend. Feeling like a third wheel, she rose carefully and skimmed an intimidated glance round the huge compound and the numerous people around it. She clumsily made her way into the house praying she wouldn't fall flat on her face from the numerous stares she was getting.


**********


Jessica was Hot as hell. She knew it was just one person she needed to quench the fire consuming her body; Gio. But the handsome stud was nowhere to be found. She took consolation in the fact that he'd abandoned his so-called girlfriend as well. She ignored the guys around her who were actually talking to her b.reasts not her and looked around the party. Was Gio getting down somewhere? Was someone giving it to him in a hidden spot? She excused herself from the guys who moaned their disappointment at her inherent departure. She wrapped her waist with a flowery linen wrap and went inconspicuously to the hidden and dim lit areas around the huge compound. The palm trees and areas around the fence and cars accommodated guys and girls who in the various stages of UnCloth were in the art of coupling but none was Gio. She heaved a sigh of relief and decided to go into the house to search for him.


**********


Her high heels clipping on the smooth marble floor, Nkiru entered the house from the back door due the fact that the grown ups; the senator and his friends were having their own party in the large living room. Dressed  in a pale gold short halter neck Gucci dress with gold Christian Limboutin shoes and a black clutch, she didn't realize how beautiful and sexy she looked coupled with her jet black long and curly weave. She wasn't aware that no one had asked her to dance because Gio had used his eyes to communicate to his relatives and friends that she was a no-go area. He'd silently urinated on her as a mark of ownership and the guys had not only understood but respected that and stayed away from her. She'd been feeling so bad at being alone, she hadn't noticed the surreptitious glances she got.

She made her way up the back stairs to Gio's room. She pushed the door open and was shocked to see her boyfriend on his bed, designer clothes and shoes and all. She entered the masculine furnished room and shut the door behind her. She walked to the bed like a model on the runway and sat down beside him. 

"Mi amore, what's the problem?" She placed a soft hand on his folded ones across his chest but drew a blank. He slowly opened his eyes. He unfolded his hands from his chest and brought his right hand to cup her cheek. She smiled at the love like an ocean she saw in his dark eyes. He sat up and stared at her.

"What's the problem, chere?" she asked again. He swung his legs from the bed and used his hands to rub his face.

"You can't begin to imagine what I saw about thirty minutes ago," he finally whispered.

Her interest was piqued. She bent her head to one side and studied him. "What did you see?"

Gio got up and went to stand before the huge portrait of his mother and late twin brother that graced one part of his wall.

"I saw my dad and my aunt making out in his room." His quietly spoken words made the atmosphere in the room tense.

"What...which...aunt?" Nkiru stammered in obvious disbelief. Gio turned to stare at her.

"How many of my aunts do you know?" He made her question sound stupid.

"Only one. Aunty Peace," Nkiru supplied and Gio turned to stare at the people he'd lost in his short life.

She rose and went to put her arms around him. They were locked in an embrace for some minutes before Nkiru asked, "How did you find out?"

"Remember I went in search of her to inform her a friend was looking for her since her number wasn't going through?" He continued when she nodded slowly. "I went to her room but didn't see her there. I went to the kitchen where a maid I've always considered nosy told me she was in my father's room. It didn't click in my head at first until I was in front of my father's room. What would she be doing in my father's room? I don't know what got into me but I opened the door without knocking. They...they were locked in each others arms like we are presently and...kissing!" His last word was said with fury.

Nkiru tried to make light of it to calm him down. "Hope you excused yourself and told them to continue." She however failed in her quest when Gio left her embrace and went to sit on the bed.

"I banged the door shut!" he informed her. She went to kneel in between his legs, though awkwardly because of her high-heeled sandals and held his face with both hands.

"Sweetie, it's been six years. Six whole years. Your father has tried. Some men would have remarried by now," she softly told him but he jerked his head from her hands as his eyes darkened.

"What the hell are you saying?"

Nkiru got up and sat beside him. She took a cold hand of his in her warm ones.

"I'm telling you to let it go. I don't know why it had to be your late mother's sister which actually looks terrible now but I feel your dad is old enough to have a relationship with whomever he chooses."

Gio speedily removed his hand from hers and got up to tower over her.

"If you don't have anything sensible to say, then shut the fu*k up!"

Nkiru's jaw dropped. "Gio!" Her raised voice carried far in the room. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me. I can see it was a mistake telling you about it." Gio turned his back to her. She got up and placed a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off. She put her hands around his flat stomach and rested her head on his muscular back.

"I'm sorry if you're angry about what I'm saying but it's the truth. I've been meaning to talk to you about your hold on your mother and brother. You've got to let them go, amore. It's unhealthy for you to hold on to them like this."

Gio angrily flung her hands away and turned on her with blazing eyes. "Are you drunk or something?" Nkiru stared at him, wide-eyed. "Please don't use me in practicing amateur psychology. If you don't have any sensible thing to say, get the fu*k out of my room. When you've thought of something sensible to say, come back. Otherwise, leave me the hell alone!" He turned his back on her when he saw hurt in her beautiful eyes.

"You're a first class jerk!" his girlfriend yelled, tore her gaze from him and forced herself to walk straight-backed towards the door to yank it open. The sooner she removed herself from his orbit, the better. She banged the wooden door after her. In her blind haste to get to the girls wing with tears streaming down her eyes, she didn't notice Jessica beside the stairs. The latter smiled and pushed down her bikini top a little.

Nkiru flung herself on the bed when she got to her room and wept. She missed Hassana dearly. Her friend was living it up in Dubai with her twin brother, courtesy of her dad and fiancée. Nkechi had wanted to come along but a neighbour of theirs who was getting married the following day wanted her to be the one to make her wedding hair and that of her bridal train. Nkiru felt so alone.

"You really are a jerk of the highest order," Dano said and frowned as he appeared beside his living twin.

Gio sighed. "Look who we have here. What brings you here today? Can't remember the last time I saw you."

Dano chuckled. "You're just pissed I'm not always around anymore. I believe you saw me this evening before you took Luna down to the party in your honor."

Gio frowned. "Don't call her that. I alone have the right to call her that."

Dano laughed. "Really? My! My! Someone is in a foul mood tonight."

Gio rounded on him. "Why didn't you tell me? How could they? How long has the affair been going on? Before Mum died?"

Dano moved away to stare at his portrait and that of his late mother. "Now I know for sure that it isn't your interacting with me that makes you sick. You're really sick in the head."

Gio's fist clenched. Dano noticed and laughed. "You want to throw a punch at me like the good old days?" Dano put up his fists and motioned to his brother with one hand. "OK. I'm ready. Have a go at me," he jeered.

Gio hissed and went to lie on his bed. 

"Gio, let us go. You've got her now. She makes you happy. She's mending your broken heart and filling the void our deaths created."

Gio sat up with a look of perplexion on his face. "What in the world are you talking about?"

Dano scoffed. "You're so daft! You still haven't figured out why I've been with you for the past five years?"

Gio raised the five fingers of his right hand and pointed them at his late twin. Dano chuckled but became serious. 

"Gio, let me rest in peace. Let mum rest in peace. Your refusal to let us go is making us hang in between both worlds. I've been trying to understand without success why you're so strong in the spiritual realm. Your grip is very tight."

"What? Mum is also around? How come I haven't seen her except in my dreams?"

"Dad's hold on her was stronger than yours but she kept telling him to let her go. Dad used to see and interact with her." Gio's eyes widened. "Yes, but he never told anyone. You should tell Dad to tell you the history between him, Mum and Aunt peace. Mum isn't upset one bit about his relationship with her. She's very happy about it. It means Dad has finally stopped blaming himself for her death. She's half way to the other world but you're the one still holding her back."

Gio couldn't comprehend all Dano was telling him. "So what are you saying? How do I let both of you go?"

"Be happy for Dad. Accept his relationship. He has found love again. Let Nkiru in. That place you hold dear for Mum alone, give her that place and lastly," Dano sat beside him on the bed and looked intently into his eyes. "Brace yourself to stop seeing me."

A look of sheer horror captured Gio's face. "No!" he denied vehemently. Dano sighed.

They both heard a knock on the door. Gio hung his head. He really didn't want his Luna to see him in his most vulnerable state. He'd been rude to her earlier in order for her to leave him alone to his thoughts. He knew she wouldn't have left had he asked her politely. He prepared himself for some drama and told her to come in. However it was Jessica in a bikini that would tempt a monk who came into the room. He never knew she was so endowed on her chest and the melons were straining her bikini top in such a way that any sudden movement from her would reveal her n.ipples. Before he could say anything, she quickly untied the knots of her bikini top from her back and allowed it to drop at her feet. Gio and Dano exchanged looks of disbelief. Jessica ran to the bed and saddled him. Gio closed his eyes as she rubbed her bosoms against his chest. He couldn't move a muscle. Nkiru was the cause of this. Lately, he'd been lusting after her but had noticed she wasn't ready to engage in such with him so he'd resorted to controlling himself but he was a full blooded male with a very willing and half naked female trying to kiss him.


When the cat is away, the mice will play.


*To be continued on Saturday.*


Thanking you.

jaybiz007:

Happy birthday dear. Wednesday is here already Audrey sweet *ducks for cover*

tnx dear

AudreyTimms:
Happy Birthday, dearie. May the Lord God bless you real good. Cheers.

tnx ma'am for d dedication and wishes, I'm more than grateful

Gio, plssss come back, Audrey, y did you stop there? y

all I can say is good work.pls try and make de post longer dan dis.first time commenting. love ur work..

Audrey I carry God beg u. Don't let nkiru catch dem like dt. Abeg. Dir luv is too sweet to be broken by dt idiot jessica. Remember gio has seen her make out in the school before! I don't tink he shud fall for her thrash.

Good work dear.

Awwwwww, diz is not a good place to stop

Wow... see suspense. I am enjoying this story ooo. Esp Felix's funny chapters. I laff tire for him part... Seriously, I detest girls like this Jessica... she is so pathetic

To be frank Audrey, u are not doing justice to these characters and ur descriptions are still suffering. U didn't get better after unfulfilled promises. I don't know how to begin to point them out but am sure another person must hv noticed what am trying to get at. Unfulfilled promises is more compelling and smoother. Please u are over stressing on the wealth of d Ekwes making almost unbelievable. Make ur story more real except there's something am not used to.

Any refreshment here?!

Izyyblaze:
Oh really?

Yeah AudreyTimms can attest to that

kingphilip:
Yeah AudreyTimms can attest to that

Oh yeah? Aren't you lucky then

Audrey thanks 4 d update.

The suspense z 2 much oo, plz dnt let NK meet Gio nd Jessica lik dat ooo:/:/, stil tinkn wat wil happen if NK meet dem. Tnx 4 d update, wen ar we xpectn anoda one

AudreyTimms:
@mitchyy, lol. I always end my post for the day with, 'To be continued at a particular day.' Thanks dear.


@JojoBlue, I'm glad I made your day. Thanks dear.


@Izyyblaze, lol. Your Gio is coming. You're welcome, dear.


@Missmossy, thanks dear.


@prisomic, thanks dear.


@Jonathan2787, I'm glad you like the way it's turning out. Lol. Thanks dear.


@bummybummy, you're welcome, dear.


@djpaparazzi, thanks dear.


@pharmacistU, thanks dear. I appreciate you too.


@Amuj, it's less than twenty-fours away. Thanks dear


@Tife101, lol. It's a pen name though. Thanks dear.


@jessytra, thanks dear


@Loisemm, thanks dear. You should check out Unfulfilled Promises and Waiting For The Bouquet as well.


@all I apologize for the late replies. So busy these days. I will try my best to communicate better. See you all tomorrow by His grace. Thanking you.

you are welcome Audrey, just curious why you always add lol when you are commenting on my post

Gud day n welldone for d job well done. Dis story is a bomb, may God kip on strengthen u. I sent a mail to u wit folakee@yahoo.com n ve not gotten a reply. Plz kindly help me do sometin abt it. Tanx