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How could you love someone this much and allow your parents' decision and choices to mar your future? Why does this matter anyway? Hasn't this happened several times and are the people involved not happy? Can't everyone just pretend not to see things and carry on with their businesses? So many questions played in Fiona's mind! There were answers, but she was unsatisfied! She wanted things to go her own way! She parked a few metres from her house and stared into the thin air!
Keji, her friend had told her "Babes, you gotta do what gotta do!". She chuckled, when she'd told her that; it sounded like a slur! But now that she's faced with the reality of making that decision, she'd gone bizarre! Flayed emotion and uncollected thoughts. She took a deep breathe and started the car, what does it matter anyway? She's an adult, and at twenty six she had the right to live her life and live it to the fullest!
She drove into her parents' house and was received warmly! She'd called her mum ahead of the visit and was pleased to know her father wasn't home!
"Look who we have here, Fiona!" Her mum had said heartily hugging her. She raised an eyebrow, something's definitely up! Her mum sure could act!
She settled herself into one of the comfortable chairs as her mother excitedly moved about!
"Remember Jude? He's in town and I heard he'll be around for long. He asked after you." Her mum offered her juice and eyed her, searching for her reaction and waiting for her response! She got it, Fiona was clearly irritated and moved restlessly in her chair.
"Mum, not again please! I could make my own choices! Stop making me feel like I have a problem hooking up with men." She blurted out. Her mum wasn't surprised, it was just the anticipated reaction.
"You sure don't. Considering that you've never brought anyone home as your boyfriend" her mother answered, sarcastically.
"And every of your friends' sonos are always showing up in town and asking after me. I met Emeka under the impression that he was after me and I discovered he'd never heard about me and was treating me with pity! Like I had an issue with men. I do not like it" She explained to her mum, her voice laced with emotion.
Her mum bowed her head as if in deep thought, let out a sigh.
For minutes neither of them spoke! Fiona's beautiful face was shielded with the long peruvian hair that hung carelessly on her head! Her eye balls were huge, and looked like they were going to give in to tears any moment from now. She'd worked at different companies before she finally settled with a top oil and gas company. She'd had different challenges with guys and wasn't willing to try anymore when she met the man she'd actually gone home to tell her mum about!
"There is someone and I want you to meet him" she walked around the house. Her mother's face lit up and then concern crept up it. "Do I know him? Is it serious?" She answered, "He's nice, caring, and loves me"
Smiling nervously, she picked her clutch bag and moved to the door. "You would meet him, tell Dad. And mum," She paused "Please be nice"
She was glad that phase was over. She told her fiance about the outcome and prepared him for the much dreaded visit to her parents' house.
They decided to make it on a sunday, her father, Lieutenant Joseph was home and was so pleased to see his daughter after all. He looked at the man beside her on the sofa and gave her a meaningful look. She shifted uneasily in her seat. The mother joined them in her sweeping gown and looked suspiciously at her daughter. She had on her the look of 'I smell a rat'. She sat beside her husband who fondly pulled her to his side. They watched a popular soap opera, Edges of Paradise and for a long time everyone seemed caught up in the family opera. Fiona's mother coughed eerily, and everyone's attention was forced to her, she batted her fake long lashes and spoke "So?"
Fiona picked it from there, "Dad, I came over some weeks ago and told mum I was going to bring over my fiance so..." Before she could complete her statement her mother cut her short!
" Yes, you did Sweetheart, but don't you think it's rather rude for you to rush us by bringing in his father instead? You should have brought the young man instead" Her mother said eyeing the man with contempt.
Fiona was shocked, how could her mother refer to her fiance that way? Yes he's older than her but what? Does age hold the key to happiness. She looked at her father quickly, pleading for help with her eyes but he seemed somewhat humbled by his wife presence and speech.
"Mother, that's not fair. How could you speak about him in that tone? This is the man I want to marry." She said with heat. At that moment her fiance was getting uncomfortable, he tried holding Fiona's hand but it was hot, his too was moist with sweat. He didn't expect things to go too well but at the same time he was caught unaware! Her mother shifted forward in her chair, "Now gentleman may we know you?"
"I'm Victor Okon, I'm an entrepreneur and run a chain of business within and outside Nigeria. I met your daughter few years ago but we started seeing each other two years ago. I like her ma and would be pleased if I could marry her." He stated flatly. He was tired and didn't like the way both parents stared at him. To him, he was doing something noble by going to their house but the look they were giving him made him feel like a child molester. Would they have preferred it if they'd met in another way, like him going there to say he's responsible for putting their daughter in the family way?
The father didn't say a word and that made him wonder what kind of family they were. Then he gave it another thought and concluded perhaps, it's the way of military personnel. When it comes to family they are always cool headed but duty time, they are as hot as hell. Occasionally, when they let out their anger, they are unrestrained. Fiona's mother's eyes narrowed as she started speaking again.
"How old are you?" She had hit the nail on the head. That was the bone of contention and Victor Okon rubbed his hands. His hair a mixture of grey and black had somewhat given him out. But there was no point lying, if he ended up marrying her they would have to know sooner or later. He was a man of integrity and worth who didn't value recklessness. He was responsible.
Fiona took over, taking the bull by the horn,"He's forty-five, younger than you by three years, so what?". She spat out, a look of disdain played on her face. Her mother retorted " If he's young enough to be my brother then he's old enough to be your father" that stung, drop of tears rolled from Fiona's eyes. Her father, who'd let the conversation flow for a long time spoke,
"You ladies should keep it cool in here, why don't you go into the kitchen and get us something to drink in here? We want to have a tete-a-tete." Fiona jumped from the chair and stalked out of the living room, her mother followed swiftly. Even as the kitchen door closed, one could still hear their voices .
Her father spoke with Victor and he found out he really liked the man. But he was concerned about them understanding each other, relationships like that most times comes with a huge load of commitment. He was worried about her future, and how long it might take for them to really connect. There were lots of people in the society with that kind of situation and they were doing fine. Some too on the other hand had failed at it. They spoke for a long time and Victor was able to voice out his mind. He felt it was a normal reaction for the mother, considering the fact that they were about to give him their eyeteeth. They heard a crash followed by a loud sound in the kitchen and stopped abruptly, Fiona stormed out holding her hand to one side of her face, she picked up her hand bag and asked Victor to meet her at home. She left the house and Victor rendered his apologies. He shook the father's hands, nodded at the mother and walked out calmly.
He met Fiona outside crying, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead. He drove in silence, she played with her fingers and finally let out a sigh, she was scared of losing him and said,
"I'll do whatever it takes, I will" He didn't say a word, he just nodded!
He wondered in his mind, what's there loving someone older or younger? Isn't love the most important thing?

Twelve years later, he sat across her in the beautiful cream coloured office she used! Her name had gone from the smallest recognised entrepreneur to a multi millionaire.
There had been scandals that almost crippled her dreams, defacing and derogatory lines and phrases from the newspapers about her. She had remained calm, embittered, lonely and full of wrath, but at who?
She swirled in her chair while she held a gold pen between her fingers. She tried transferring the anger and resentment she had for the man but the pen was not a good receptor! Her eyes wandered carelessly from one plagued award to the other. They've been given to her based on merit. She scoffed sarcastically as she wondered why she never got any morally. She winced, as if trying to block out the pains. Wanted by many successful men in the country and outside, she had been able to hide her desperation with her success! She was flawed, imperfect and longed for a real relationship where she could allay her fears.
Georgina let out a deep sigh as she tried to focus on the present. Her face was devoid of emotion and her voice, icily cold. He hadn't changed much except for a few lines on his forehead and at the corner of his eyes. His features were intact and that seemed to infuriate her the more. The face she had seen in her nightmares had many scars because she had incessantly torn at it with her claws. Claws? Where the hell did she get that from?
Her gaze questioned his presence
"Good afternoon," he said softly
"You've said that twice already, could you please get to the purpose of your visit?". She said smoothly with a british accent. He flinched, that was harsh and rude.
"Look, Gina we can ..." he continued.
"Let me remind you that this isn't a social call so you might as well consider calling me Ms Edward" she interrupted, her expression unyielding.
He was loosing his patience but he controlled himself. His life depended on her and he just messed it up over a stupid prank he played on her in the University. He gave it another shot;
" Ma'am, there's this proposal I was thinking you could approve being in the position" he said teasingly. His eyes dancing with excitement. She had been foolish in the past but she got it this time around.
"How in the world did you bypass the secretary with this kinda request? You should follow protocols and not barge into my office looking for favours. You could drop it on the third floor and let it go through the right channels. If it comes back to me, fine. Favours didn't get me where I am today"
Maybe that sounded like a boast but she liked the effect it had on him. He felt stupid and robbed of his dignity. Since the moment he discovered fate had placed him at her mercy, he knew he was doomed. Without touching the document, she stretched her hand, displaying well manicured nails and picked up the phone
"Yes, a cup of iced lemonade, " she paused, "Now please".
He was dismissed, he stood up slowly, picked up his file and led himself out. She didn't even say bye.


The Prank
She had walked into the cafeteria that fateful day tired and famished. She had received a few suspicious glances from people around but she waved it off and attributed it to her good looks. It was her final semester in the University and against her will, she'd found herself madly in love with Donald, some guy who had come into her life accompanied by conspiracies and arguments from other girls! She'd been forced to make a decision about him because of his insistence. And only a couple of days before, she'd graced his bed. She wasn't a wanton but she knew she was stuck. She settled quickly into chair and called the waitress.
"Hello, please what do you have?" The young lady looked at her in a funny way, discovered she probably didn't know what was going on.
"Come with me," she whispered. Gina picked up her bag and hurried after her. They got to a dark room and the waitress brought out her phone and played something on it for her to watch.
Gina gasped, on the phone was a taped film of her and Donald in bed, doing all sorts of things. She'd screamed at some point, laughed at times and of course her fine body was naked. He'd filmed their love making. Her knees gave way while she cried.
"How did you get this?" She managed to ask,
"It's everywhere, I thought you knew. Everyone has it" she said and quickly left the dark room. Gina was mad, she felt humiliated. She stormed out of the room, found her way out of the restaurant and tried to ignore the guys laughing all the way. She picked a cab and went to Donald's apartment, she was furious and demanded an explanation. Before she entered, she heard a raucous laughter from within and she paused.
He was with his friends and they were watching her too, he boasted about having her within the time planned, she just got punked. Hot stream of tears flowed down her face, she was broken and felt destroyed. She barged into the house and they all looked at her.
"What the hell did you do that for? I'm everywhere, it's online. I can't even walk around the campus without being laughed at. Are you out of your freaking mind? Do you know what this could cost me?" She raged on and on, and when she stopped to catch her breadth, they all burst into laughter again.
Without looking at her or saying a word to her, he stood up and stretched.
" I love the part where she screamed most, did you hear her begging for more?" He said to his friends, they laughed harder.
"Now my money" he stretched his hand and they started dropping money really! She was dazed and wanted to puke, she repulsed him there and then. She ran out of the house in tears.
She wanted to arrest him, but the more she talked about it the more the tape was viewed. So she remained calm and graduated amidst being called all sorts of names like 'porn actress', 'prostitute', 'LovePeddler' and so on. She lost her friends and didn't want to keep in touch.
She stopped trusting and let go of love, to her everything was just sentimental. She became impregnable to emotions. . .

Lewa picked up her car keys and swirled just in time to see her husband behind her admiring her.
"Beautiful, you are simply beautiful", he said smiling at her. She said her "Thank you" with a high pitched tone and moved towards him. He kissed her lightly on her forehead,
"So I guess I'll see you later at work?" She drawled while he chuckled!
"Sure ma'am". She left the house quickly before he could add to her list of assignments.
She drove out slowly while her mind wandered from one object to the other. In her early 30s, Omolewa almost had it all. She'd been married for 4 years to Dayo, the man who'd given her reasons to be happy and accept each day as a challenge. She worked as a manager in one of the companies he owned. She'd been trying to talk him into transferring her to one of the other companies but he enjoyed sneaking into her office during breaks for several reasons so the matter had been dismissed so many times. Not like she had any hidden agenda or whatsoever, but recently she'd been feeling like she needed a little space just to clear her head and him popping into her office or calling her in between work hours hadn't given her much time to think clearly.
She had gone shopping a few weeks ago at the shopping mall at Ikeja when she bumped into Lewis, her ex. She had seen him from afar and wanted to make a run but he caught her.
"OMG, look who we have here", he exclaimed drawing attention to her. She blushed while she tried being polite.
"Lewis, please keep it down" she said using her hands to lay more emphasis on the 'down'.
"Omolewa Ojo? Unbelievable" he shouted. Making more heads to turn in their direction. She sighed and rubbed her fingers against her forehead.
"You know,both of us would have been good together, Lewa and Lewis", seeing the wedding band on her finger, he stopped abruptly ! "Now you're married?" He almost screamed.
Lewa looked at him in disbelief, "Like seriously, you thought I wouldn't get over you or what?"
He dragged her hand and led her to a table, she sat!
"Look, I can't do this Lewis, I've been married for four years now. I've had enough of this hanky-panky, I have to be on my way!" She blurted out.
"Now don't be in a hurry baby, you can't just leave like that" she scoffed, picked up her bags and groceries and left.
She waved a hand in her own face, trying to push the thoughts away. She'd been unsettled since then, she wanted to tell Dayo about it but she didn't wanna lie. Lewis knew so many things that could incriminate her. But she didn't wanna think about it.
She stepped down from the car, and walked briskly into the building. Nodded at greetings from co-workers, smiled at a few, then entered her office! She went about her normal business till her husband came in. The telephone buzzed, she picked up without hesitation.
"I want to see you right now" his voice was strange, her fingers shook as she replaced the receiver. She stopped at his secretary's desk and gave her a questioning look, "Oga has a visitor" the young lady said uneasily.
She took a deep breathe and knocked. She entered into his office and walked towards him. The visitor turned in his seat to look at her and she froze. He smiled at her and looked at her husband, the husband looked at her and she walked to his desk without looking at him again.
Dayo stretched his hand towards her,
"Mrs Daniels, the managing director and of course, my wife!"
he introduced her drawing her to himself. She staggered a bit and before she could say a word, he introduced himself.
"Lewis Okojie, Elikem Oil and gas, nice meeting you ma'am" she shook him and knew he was up to something.
Darlyn, remember I told you...". Lewis cut her off, "Mr Daniels, you have a very beautiful wife, you are very lucky to have such a gem like her, she must be intelligent too, I mean considering the fact that she is the M.D" he said smoothly, feigning an innocence so real Dayo was grinning ear to ear with pleasure.
"Of course" , he said proudly, gave her a quick smile and she displayed her teeth in a fake smile too. She narrowed her eyes and gave Lewis a crazy look.
"You called me, is there anything I could do to help you?" She hurriedly said, sick of Lewis' presence and all.
"Yes, I want to hand over this man to you, he wants to know about the operation of one of our companies. So Mr Okojie, she would lead you through the procedures". They shook hands and she led him out of his office.
"What are you doing?" She said with clenched teeth. The anger that was seething out of her was so great she felt she was going to explode.
"Business" he said walking slowly and checking her out, she turned around,
"You're messing with my life and you call that business? Lewis, please leave." She pleaded, he shook his head, "You still have a great body, Lewa, you're as beautiful as ever" she let out a grunt and kept walking. She opened her office and he took charge, strolling in like he'd been there many times. He went to her table and turned the frame there to face him. It was a picture of her, Dayo and their son, Dara.
"Wow, you have a kid already, he's so cute! Really cute" he started caressing the frame.
"What do you want? Can we get to business?" She said snatching the frame from him. She let out a sigh.
"Does he know about his siblings? Or you are claiming he's your first?"
That hurt, she flinched, she closed her eyes, pain was registered across her face. She suddenly felt like she needed air and couldn't breathe. She placed her left hand on her forehead while her knees gave her away. He caught her just in time, he moved her to a chair. She closed her eyes, perspiration formed tiny beads on her forehead. She placed the frame on the table and loosened the first two buttons of her shirt. He watched the mounds of flesh heave.
Finding her voice she asked softly.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I want you, I want you back". Shocked, she opened her mouth and closed it back.
"Don't be ridiculous, I'm happily married. And whatever we had then can't be brought back. I love my husband"
"Oh, so you mean you're not bisexual anymore? We broke up because you were so into that shit and I couldn't bear the thought of sharing you with her. Does he know?"
"You are delusional" she said, breathing heavily.
"Maybe I am, Four babies, you didn't let them live. I'm disturbed, I want them back. I want you back"
"You weren't ready, you didn't want a baby. Please, don't do this to me!" She was confused.
"We could have a deal, you don't have to leave your husband, he's such a sweet man. But anytime I want you, you must be there. I'll keep in touch." He said and walked out slowly.
She cried herself through the day. Her husband called to check on her and she was able to smile through her worries. Bewildered, she never thought this part of her past would ever surface, and not so soon. The ordeal with Lewis began during the NYSC camp orientation. And their affair, as short as it was made her abort 4 times. He didn't want her and out of frustration she had ended up with the girl he caught her with.
Getting home that night, Dayo was loving as usual, but her body repelled every touch.
"Are you alright? You are jumpy, you now have skeleton in your wardrobe?" She chuckled and blamed it on her tiredness.
"Let me check up on Dara, I miss holding him.". She left the room and entered her son's room. He was in bed, she held him while she crooned. She cried helplessly, she didn't wanna lose him. She loved her husband but wasn't sure if he would stay or still be loving if he got to know about her scandalous past.
Should she tell? Or give in to the blackmail she already gave in to unconsciously when she acted like she had never met Lewis before!
Drops of tears fell on her son's face and he asked while closing his eyes,
"Mommy, are you crying?"
"No baby, it's water from heaven" she answered softly.