THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
EPISODE 43
One look at the grin on Ella’s face, and Ken could guess what she was thinking as he stepped out of the bathroom, “Don’t. Just don’t.” He warned trying hard not to grin as she burst into a giggle.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
Unable to help it, she disregarded his warning and went on to say it, “Why do you look so embarassed? Or are you part of the fine guys that act like fine guys do not shit? You’re not even all that fine sef.” Ella teased making Ken to chuckle weakly. It was funny that she hadn’t forgotten the words he had told her that day.
“I suppose you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to say that to me, abi?” he asked as he dropped on the bed and took the bottled water she handed him.
“You have no idea how long I waited to say those words. How are you feeling now?” Ella asked as she sat down beside him and picked up the towel again. He was looking better now compared to when she had walked into the room earlier.
Ken gulped down the entire content of the bottle before dropping it, “Those were crazy years, yeah? Sometimes I wish I could go back to that time, you know? Everything was kind of easier.” Ken said with a sigh making Ella shrug.
“Yeah. Someone once said, sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” Ella said before looking into his face, “You’re sweating now, should I turn on the AC? Wait, have you even had your bath today?” Ella asked with concern.
“No. I will once I’m done with Abel.” Ken assured her as he tried to pull the duvet over him again, but Ella snatched it off.
“Oga go and bathe before he comes. You don’t smell nice. Bathe with warm water if you’re still feeling very cold and change out of those smelly clothes while I try to fix you something to eat. I can’t believe you have just junks in your refrigerator. What do your numerous girlfriends do for you aside from sx?” She asked before she realized what she was saying.
“Nothing. They don’t do anything, and you don’t have to do anything either. You’ve done enough already. Thanks.” Ken answered with a sigh as he sat up on the bed.
“Well, Kunle asked me to come over and check on you, I can’t just leave when you’re this ill. Unless of course you have someone you can invite over and then I can leave.” Ella said in a tone that suggested that she was hoping he had someone else he could call.
“Kunle sent you over?” He asked, wondering how Pete could have known he was ill, but shrugged it off and decided to give Pete a call later.
“Yeah.” Ella said with a slight nod.
“Sorry I don’t have anyone else that want to see me in this condition. You can leave though, I’m sure I’ll get by on my own.” He said making her roll her eyes.
“Like you were getting by on your own before I came here? Just go and shower while I prepare something for you to eat. You’d need food to take whatever drugs you’ll have to take.” Ella said as she headed for the door.
“Well, if you’re really bent on cooking for me, I’d like you to prepare fried beans if it won’t be too much of a bother.” Ken said making her turn to look at him.
“You’re purging.” She reminded him.
“I know. But it’s been long I ate your beans, and I’d really like to taste it again. I know you won’t offer to cook for me again, so…” He let the rest of his words trail off.
“You’re trying to exploit the situation.” Ella said thoughtfully.
“Yes. Only if you don’t mind. But if you’re not up to it, it’s okay. I could just ask Adamu to go buy me food across the road.” Ken said giving her a pitiful look which told her he really wanted her to make the beans.
“Okay. I’ll just go see what you have in your kitchen and fix it.” Ella said before turning to excuse herself from the bedroom.
“Bell?”
“Hm?” She asked, turning to look at him impatiently.
“Shouldn’t you change from your outfit since you want to cook? You can pick something more comfortable from my closet.” He offered as he stood up from the bed and headed for the bathroom.
“I’m fine. I’ll just cook and leave when I’m done. Hopefully you’ll be okay by then.” She said with a forced smile before walking away.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
About thirty minutes later Ella walked out of the kitchen to let Dr Abel into the house, “Kemi? Wow! You look gorgeous!” Abel said with a grin as they both walked inside the living room.
“You don’t look bad yourself. It’s been what? Three years?” She asked with a smile as she offered him a seat.
“Yeah, I think we last saw around the time I just returned into the country. Where is Femi? What are you doing here anyway?” He asked curiously as he dropped his briefcase on the couch.
“Kunle asked me to drop by and check on him since he wasn’t taking his calls and then I came here and met him sick. I’ll just see if he’s out of the bathroom and let you know.” Ella said as she hurried away, while Doctor Abel followed her with his gaze.
“I heard the doorbell. Abel is here already?” Ken asked as he stepped out of the bedroom and met her halfway down the hallway.
“Yeah.” Ella said and looked him over with interest. He was now wearing a flannel shirt with matching short, “You look better.” She said with a nod of approval.
“And that’s thanks to you.”
“I should go check on the food while you speak with Abel.” She said and quickly turned around to leave when she realized she was beginning to feel less resentful the longer she spent in his presence.
“Were you able to get everything you needed to make the food?” He asked as he followed her.
“Yeah, Adamu helped me buy the items you didn’t have.” She said without turning back.
“I’ll pay…”
“That won’t be necessary.” She said, cutting him off as she headed for the kitchen while he stood there looking at her as she left.
Ella picked up her phone when it started ringing and sighed when she noticed it was a call from Tracy. She received the call and placed it on loud speaker since she was slicing tomatoes and pepper.
“I’m calling to make sure you’re not spending so much time at his office than you should. So tell me you’re out of there already.” Tracy said without waiting for Ella to say anything.
Trust Tracy to be dramatic if she so much as tells her she was at Ken’s house preparing him food, “Well,…”
“Bella, Abel wants you to..” Ken called as he pushed open the kitchen door, and paused when she glared at him.
“What? You’re still with that ba$tard? That was his voice just now, right? Wait, didn’t I just hear the sound of a door in the background? Where are you?” Tracy asked making Ella roll her eyes as she quickly dropped the knlfe and wiped her hand before picking up her phone.
She removed it from loudspeaker, “Sorry. I’ll call you back later and explained.” Ella said and quickly hung up before Tracy could say anything else.
“Yes? What did you want?” She asked Ken who was just standing there looking at her.
“Abel is about to take his leave. He’s asking for you.” Ken said with a stony expression as Ella walked past him and headed for the living room. He didn’t need anyone to tell him he was the ba$tard her friend was referring to.
“You just disappeared.” Abel said with a smile when she joined him in the living room.
“Sorry, I was busy in the kitchen when you came in… You’re done already?” She asked making Abel’s smile waver a bit.
“Not exactly. I still have some patients I need to attend to, but hurried over because of how worried you sounded on the phone. I’ve taken his blood sample for series of tests, and would send someone over with medicine once I get the results.” Abel explained.
“Oh! Okay. I guess it’s not as bad as I thought then. I’m sorry I startled you and made you leave your office.” Ella said apologetically.
“Nevermind that. It’s fine.” Abel assured her before turning to Ken who was now sitting down, “I’ll send a nurse over with medicine after the test result is out.” He assured Ken as he shook hands with him, before picking up his briefcase and heading for the door.
“Sorry, I’d have seen you to the door but I’m feeling pretty weak.” Ken said apologetically.
“It’s fine. Kemi can just see me out.” He said looking at Ella hopefully.
“Sure. Let’s go.” Ella said and escorted him to the door.
“I was hoping I could get your phone number before I leave. You’re not married or engaged yet, right?” Abel asked immediately they got to the door making Ella turn to look at Ken who was sitting there still staring at them both.
“Yeah, I’m not.” Ella said with a small smile as they both stepped outside.
“So can I have your number then? Maybe we could hang out one of these days.” Abel suggested as he extended his phone to her for her to input her phone number.
“Sure. I don’t see why not.” Ella said, flashing him a smile as she did as he had requested. She knew she was probably never going to take his call or go out with him, since she really didn’t like him in that way.
“Thanks. I’ll give you a call.” He promised Ella before walking away. Ella turned to see Ken standing very close to her like he had been eavesdropping on their conversation.
“I thought you said you were too weak to see him off?” She asked with a slightly raised brow as she walked past him.
“Did you just give him your number?” Ken asked incredulously.
“I’m not sure that is exactly your business.” Ella said as she returned to the kitchen to continue with her slicing.
“It is. Your elder brother is my best friend and….”
“So? What has that got to do with me giving a man my number?” She asked cutting him off.
“That man is your brother’s friend…”
“And so?” She asked testily as she kept slicing very quickly. Maybe this was going to be the best way to get him to explain what had happened between them to her.
“I don’t think Kunle will appreciate you going out with his friends.” Ken finished making Ella laugh dryly as she stopped what she was doing to look at him like he was a clown.
“I’m sure he wouldn’t appreciate knowing I slept with his best friend either.” She said making Ken flinch.
“Bella…”
“Yeah? Since you’re feeling pretty strong enough to talk, why don’t you sit down and give me the explanation you’ve been longing to render for the past couple of days? I can’t wait to be entertained.” She said with false humor as she turned to check if the beans was soft enough, and added more water to it when she noticed it was still hard.
“That was different and you know it.” Ken said making her raise a brow.
“Different? Yeah! It was a one night stand. I keep forgetting. Thankfully this is going to be different too since Abel isn’t trying to cut corners.” Ella said, deliberately trying to misunderstand and frustrate him.
“That wasn’t what happened.” Ken said through clenched teeth.
“Oh! My apologies then. I’m listening, go on. Tell me what happened.” Ella urged him on as she turned to wash the nicer dicer she had just used in slicing the tomatoes.
Something occured to Ken as he watched her, She had come there deliberately because she had wanted to hear his explanation. He had no doubt that she would have refused to do as her brother had said if she hadn’t wanted to hear what he had to say.
“I didn’t mean for any of that to happen that night. I didn’t mean to take advantage of you like that I swear. It was just… You were just…” He wanted to say irresistible but couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Since we are both adults I’m going to ask you a question. And I’d like for you to answer me honestly. Did you, or did you not know how I felt about you growing up?” Ella asked, turning to look at him directly.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
___________
Eric held Kim and said nothing as she kept sobbing and saying despicable things about herself. When he noticed she was beginning to pull herself together, he looked into her face and smiled, “Is there something about me that makes you cry all the time or you’re just naturally a cry baby?” he asked with a teasing smile trying to make her smile and feel lighter.
“You mean like you’re an onion? Yes I think so too.” Kimberly said with a sniffle making him chuckle as he placed a peck on her forehead.
“You want to know what I honestly think about you, Kim?” Eric asked as he led her to the couch once again to sit down, not minding his shirt which she had stained once again.
“You must think that I’m despicable.” Kimberly said without meeting his gaze.
“How did you ever pass your English exams?” Eric asked facepalming himself wearily, “Anyway, I think you’re a sweet soul that probably experienced things you shouldn’t have experienced.” Eric said, lifting her chin so she was now looking into his face, “And why would you think you’re despicable because you thought of having sx with me? Who says I haven’t thought about having sex with you either?” Eric asked with a wink.
He had thought of having sx with her? Why didn’t he? Kimberly wondered, “But that’s different.” Kim said as she looked away from him.
“Is it? Now I want to know something. If you know you have a problem, how come you haven’t gone for therapy? You need to talk to someone about all of this.” Eric said as he turned her face once again so that she was looking at him.
“You know, when I was a teenager my father even took me to a church for deliverance and the pastor had sx with me. Can you believe he wanted to deliver me after having sx with me?” Kimberly asked with a frown.
Eric felt his hand ball into a fist beside him and had to stamp down the urge to ask for that ‘pastor’s’ number. This explained why she wouldn’t even want to go to church in the first place. How could a so-called man of God do that to a teenager?
“We will revisit this issue some other time. But right now I’m talking about a real therapist, not a pastor this time. Why haven’t you met a real therapist?”
“What can they do apart from talking for long hours and making me talk? It’s not like they’re going to say anything I don’t know already.” Kim said making Eric nod.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
“Yeah. You’re right. What was I thinking making such an outrageous suggestion? Of course you can’t go for therapy. You have no reason to pay people who studied for several years in school about these things, since you obviously studied psychology better than them.” Eric ended dryly.
“Eric this is Nigeria.” Kim reminded him with a frown as though that explained everything.
“So?”
“There are quacks everywhere in this country. And who knows the blogger’s page I might see my story if I dare share it with a therapist? I’d rather go and ask Joro or Tunde ednut for counselling instead.” Kim said with a sigh.
“And you think I’d recommend you to a quack? I’ll only get you the best I can find as long as you’re my wife. Fine, since we’ve established this, how about we just get married tomorrow? You obviously can’t travel since you have your company to run, and getting married on a week day will also give the impression that it’s a secret wedding.” Eric suggested.
“Really?” Kim asked looking at him with interest. He still wanted to go on with all of this even after hearing how despicable she was? Maybe he was doing this because it was an arranged marriage and not a real one, Kimberly concluded.
“Yeah. Or what do you think?” Eric asked looking at her curiously as though he was trying to figure out whatever was going on in her head.
“I think it’s nice. I will just inform my father about it…”
“Nah. That won’t be necessary. Let him also find out from the news. That way it will be true that we had a secret marriage without anyone’s knowledge. Prisca could stand in as a witness.”
“Hmm, okay. And about how much I’m to pay you?” Kimberly asked, reminding him that he was yet to state his price.
“This lady, it seems you’re so rich that you’re looking for a way to reduce the money in your bank account.” Eric said with a teasing smile making Kimberly giggle. She couldn’t believe she had been crying just few minutes ago and here she was giggling. It seemed like nothing had changed in their friendship even after her confession.
“That’s not it. I know you have a life you’re putting on hold to marry me, so I should make it worth your while.” Kimberly said thoughtfully.
“That’s sweet of you. Let’s put it this way then. I don’t want cash. I want you to pay me in kind.”
Kimberly’s brow drew together in confusion, sx? “By kind you mean sx, right?” Kimberly asked making Eric flick his fingers on her forehead.
“Focus! Payment in kind isn’t always about sx and a business lady like yourself should know that by now. Besides you said having sx is part of the deal so that can’t be considered payment. And what kind of a guy would I be to want something like that from you after hearing all what you just said?” Eric asked with a slightly raised brow.
Kimberly sighed, “I guess you’re right. No normal guy in his right senses would want to have anything sxual with me after such a revelation. Ouch!” She exclaimed and glared at him when he flicked his fingers on her forehead again.
“You aren’t listening to me. I didn’t say I don’t want anything sxual with you. Come on, take a good look at yourself, you’re brilliant, beautiful, sxy and you have a really sweet heart, what man in his right senses wouldn’t want more than anything sxual with you? I only meant asking for sex as payment would be tantamount to doing what those guys did by using you. Because I know you have a weakness for sx doesn’t mean I should take advantage of it.” Eric said making Kimberly scowl.
“They didn’t use me. I used them.” Kimberly corrected.
“I know that’s what you would like to think, but that’s not the truth. You have a weakness and they exploited it. If every man you approached turned you down, don’t you think you would have learnt how to control yourself better by now?” Eric asked making her frown.
Maybe he was right, but she has approached them, not the other way round. “So what do you want in return if not money or sx?”
“I want you to start therapy, and be faithful to me in that one year.” Eric said looking into her face.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
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