THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
EPISODE 32
“Do you want to get your lunch from the car or you’re still too shy to be seen close to my car?” Pete asked as Kathleen stood up to leave the office after they had finished signing the documents.
“It’s almost time to leave. So I’ll just eat when I get home. Thanks.” She added with a polite smile.
“And your family? What arrangements did you make to pick them up? You didn’t seek permission from your head of department again?” He asked reminding her once again of the incident in the kitchen that morning. Looking into his face she could see he had remembered the ‘waka’ episode since he looked amused.
“I already made arrangements for someone else to help me pick them up. Thanks.” Kathleen said and quickly turned to leave making Pete grin.
“What’s your deal with her?” Ken asked the moment Kathleen disappeared from view.
“My deal? I don’t get.” Pete said looking at Ken with a blank expression.
“Yeah, something seems to be going on between the both of you. Don’t tell me you are already eating her, Kunle the sharp guy!” Ken hailed.
“Eat her as per she is party jollof rice abi what? Not everybody is like you abeg. Our relationship is strictly that of employer and employee.” Pete said confidently.
“So why then did her dressing change? And you both were talking with undertones of current.” Ken said suspiciously.
“Hoeshey!! Na you sabi see current. Electrician!” Pete said sarcastically.
“But seriously man, that her gown is fire!!! Office romance go sweet die! Just imagine her wearing it without undies and coming to sit on your desk for a quickie! Kai! Sweet Moses!!” Ken said excitedly making Pete shake his head.
“Thank God you have a secretary. Go and do office romance with her.”
“Ewww! Come on, that woman is married with three kids na, what will I use her to do?” Ken said, looking repulsed by the idea.
“You never see anything. Brostitute. That’s all you know. Women and sex! I’m surprised how you managed to graduate from law school.” Pete said making Ken chuckle.
“Oya deny that you didn’t think of her wearing that gown without undies.” Ken challenged.
“I’m not a pervert. I don’t spend my time dwelling on what a lady should or shouldn’t wear under her clothes. I’m a complete gentleman.” Pete said with emphasis on the ‘gentleman’ making Ken roll his eyes.
“I hear. Na me nuh be gentleman na, nuh vex.”
“But on a serious note, Femi aren’t you going to settle down? You’ll be thirty-three soon and you don’t even have a wife or a child sef. It’s not like you’re not wealthy enough…”
“Which one is thirty-three soon? I’m thirty-two abeg. Is it not next year I’ll be thirty-three? We are just in the first week of september.” Ken asked defensively.
“We both know that isn’t the point. What is your problem? What exactly are you waiting for before you get married?” Pete asked looking at him seriously.
Ken sighed when he realized that Pete really meant to have this conversation and there was no way he could wave it off, “But I’ve always told you I’m not the marriage type, abi?” Ken asked defensively.
“That was like over twelve years ago. We were just boys then. How am I supposed to take that talk seriously?” Pete had thought over the years Ken’s decision of not getting married would have changed.
“Well take it seriously now. Not everyone must get married after all. We all want different things. It’s not like I have a mother that will trouble me about giving her grandkids… My Aunty’s children have given her more grandkids than she can handle.” Ken said with a chuckle as he thought about his cousins’ children.
“You don’t want to get married? You really don’t want your own child? A mini version of you?” Pete asked with a confused frown.
“Yeah, I don’t. I’m content with playing with other people’s children and visiting orphanage homes. I don’t think I want to bring any child into this cruel world. Going to those homes weekly and seeing children suffering due to the domestic violence their mothers are facing is just not something I want my children to experience.” Ken said shaking his head.
“But that has nothing to do with you. Those men are not you.” Pete said with a frown, not understanding how Ken could think like that despite his level of knowledge and exposure.
“You don’t know that for a fact, do you? I can bet some of those men never planned to violate or abuse their wives too when they first proposed. It just happened.” Ken said with a wry smile making Pete’s frown deepen.
“How can you even vomit this nonsense? You’re one of the most gentle men I know despite the fact that you womanize. Come on man, you’re better than that. What is wrong with you?” Pete asked feeling terrible about Ken’s reasoning.
“I’m okay… Just smart enough to not want to do anything I might regret in the future. You should get remarried soon though. Since I wasn’t there to witness Amanda’s birth, I should at least witness that of your next child. And I would like to be your son’s godfather. You’re a really great father by the way.” Ken said with a wink as he stood up to leave.
“Ken are you running away from this conversation?” Pete asked suspiciously.
“Maybe. But I really need to get back to the office. I still have a client to meet before I close for the day. You know how these big men behave.” Ken said with a chuckle as he headed for the door.
“You know you can talk to me about whatever is troubling you, right? You look and sound troubled.” Pete said making Ken to chuckle again.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m cool. See you later.” Ken said as he walked out of the office.
Pete wasn’t deceived by Ken’s nonchalant attitude. He could tell there was more to the conversation they had just had than Ken was letting on. And he had also noticed the circles under Ken’s eyes too. What was going on with Ken? The only person he felt Ken would likely be willing to talk to was Ella. Ella was good at making people come out of their shell, and they had been very close at some point, so he was sure Ella would be the best person to find out what was wrong with Ken. Having made that decision he took out his phone to dial Ella’s number.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
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“I beg your pardon?” Kimberly asked as she took a closer look at him. She couldn’t tell who he was since most times she had approached guys at the club she was usually under the influence of alcohol. But this guy? He wasn’t even handsome, so what on earth could have pushed her to him? Alcohol yeah, but could she have been so drunk that she would pick someone like him? She wondered, feeling slightly disgusted with herself at the thought of someone like him touching her.
“You heard me right! Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about or I would be forced to show you evidence of our wild night together.” He said with a sneer, making Kimberly’s heart skip a beat. What did he mean by evidence? Had he taken pictures or made a video clip? Kimberly wondered fearfully before taking note of the phone in her hand which was vibrating. Oh! The call! Her eyes widened in alarm when she remembered. Had he heard everything?
“Are you there?” Eric asked raising his voice to get her attention. He knew he could easily have ended the call and called her back, but he had been too curious to hear the exchange between her and whoever the guy was.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize the call had connected. I’m just outside the address you sent.” Kimberly said and disconnected the call before turning to look at Ali who was still staring at her like he was waiting for an apology.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
The last thing Kimberly wanted was for Eric to meet her here while she was still talking to Ali. She preferred that he didn’t know just how immoral she was. ‘Relax Kim, you got this! Just see him as a stubborn client, and speak to him as you would a naughty kid.’ Kimberly told herself as she took in a deep breath, “I’m sorry, but I really don’t recognize you from anywhere. Maybe you’re mistaking me for someone else…” Kimberly started.
“Me mistaking you ke? You’re Kimberly Abambam! You have a mole beside your navel and…”
“It’s okay. I get it. Let’s assume I really did have something with you…”
“We are not assuming, and you didn’t just have something, I fucked you!” Ali told her with a sneer.
“I don’t know what you want, but if it’s money…”
“Money? Yeah, I’ll be needing lots of it, especially after this silly attitude you just put up. So expect to hear from me.” Ali growled before walking away.
Kimberly tried not to shudder as she watched him leave. What did he mean by that? That wasn’t a threat, was it? What did he want from her? Maybe she should have listened to Prisca and turned down Eric’s invitation.
“Kim?” Eric called as he placed a hand on her shoulder making her jerk in shock, “Calm down, what’s wrong?” He asked when he saw how frightened she looked.
“Nothing. It’s nothing.” She said with a stiff smile and a quick shake of her head as her eyes darted to the side where Ali and the other guys were still seated observing her while laughing loudly.
Eric looked at her briefly and then glanced at the other guys before placing a protective hand over her waist as though to warn them off. He knew it was probably going to be best to pretend like he hadn’t overheard her conversation with Ali. That would help her relax and make her feel less embarassed about everything.
“I’ll show you to my apartment.” Eric said as he led the way without taking his hands off her waist. The building was as run down as any could possibly be, and they had to walk through a dimly lit passage way of different rooms facing each other, and then they walked past the public bathroom and toilet which all the occupants of the building shared before getting to his apartment at the back.
“I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” Eric said apologetically as he opened the door for her to get in. Kimberly said nothing as she walked into the apartment. Ordinarily she would have felt somehow about the environment, but now all she wanted was to get into the house and away from the prying eyes of those guys outside.
“You’re welcome to my home. What can I offer you?” Eric asked as he let go of her waist, and flashed her a smile.
Since there was no chair in the house, Kimberly sat by the edge of the bed, but shook her head, unable to say anything since someher eyes were stinging with tears and she was feeling choked. Why was her life such a mess? What did she do to deserve all of this? Was it her fault that her mother had died and she had been made to live with aunty Ego? Maybe if her mother hadn’t died her life would have been much better.
“Kim are you okay?” Eric asked when he realized she hadn’t said a word to him nor responded to anything else he had said since they came in.
“Just give me a moment.” She pleaded, turning her face away from him. Why did it even have to be here? In the presence of Eric? Kimberly asked herself as she tried to stifle the sob that was fighting to break out from her lips.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
Eric didn’t know how to respond to what he was feeling as he watched her. He could tell she wasn’t okay, and he wanted to say something, maybe anything to help her feel better. But more than that he wanted to know what was truly happening with her. Was she feeling embarassed because of what Ali had said? Someone like her who Ali claimed picked different guys up should be used to scenes like this by now, and definitely shouldn’t be this affected by it, right?
He was startled when he suddenly heard her sniffling. She was crying? He wondered in alarm as he moved over to where she was seated and sat down beside her, “Kim? What is wrong?” Eric asked quietly.
“Just give me a moment, I’ll be okay.” She assured him as she reached into her handbag and blindly searched for her handkerchief.
“Here.” Eric said as he offered her his own.
“I’m sorry.” Kimberly said apologetically as she wiped her eyes with the handkerchief he offered and blew her nose.
“Why are you apologizing when you’re the one crying?” Eric asked as he placed a hand over her shoulder and brought her close to himself so that her head was resting on his shoulder.
Kimberly stiffened immediately she felt him draw her close to himself. Was he going to make sexual advances at her? Did he want to sleep with her too? She wondered.
“Relax Kim.” He told her quietly as though he could sense what she was thinking, and the placed another hand on her head to pat her hair.
Kimberly didn’t understand what was going on or why he was being so nice to her, but after some time she relaxed and allowed him hold her while savouring the moment and inhaling his scent.
“I really don’t get why you ladies wear makeup. It’s damn stressful, staining everything that comes across your face.” Eric muttered making Kimberly giggle as she moved away from him. Her eyes widened slightly when she realized she had stained his shirt, and the handkerchief was ruined.
She looked into his face, ready to apologise but he was smiling at her instead, “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure the dry cleaners will do a good job taking away the stains from the shirt.” He assured her.
Kimberly felt slightly embarassed that she had cried in his present, “I’m sorry I…”
“You seem to apologise a lot. I’m not entirely sure if it’s a good thing yet, but it sure makes me wonder what made you this way.” He said as he stood up, and looked down at his shirt as though contemplating whether or not he wanted to take it off.
“How are you feeling now? Can I take this off? Or should I be worried that you might start crying again? I’d really hate for you to stain another shirt.” He said, and chuckled when she glared at him, “Just kidding. Give me a moment, I need to take it off.” He said with a wink before opening the wardrobe and taking out a clean shirt.
“I’d suggest you fix your face or clean it up entirely before I come out…” Eric called as he headed for the bathroom making Kimberly quickly take out her compact from her handbag to check her face. Why hadn’t she thought of that? Kimberly wondered, and almost gasped when she saw how messed up her make-up was. No wonder he had been smiling when she raised her face after crying. Kimberly thought grudgingly, but smiled when she remembered how he had held her. He had even chuckled and winked at her… he wasn’t so bad after all.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 31 – 40
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