THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
EPISODE 44
“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.
“Bella…”
“The truth Femi! I want the truth.” Ella asked as her eyes flashed at him angrily.
“I know you liked me and considered me as an older brother.” Ken said making her look at him incredulously.
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“No I’m not.” Ken said with a frown making Ella laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
“You’re either the dumbest man on this planet or you’re a terrific liar.” Ella said with a shake of her head.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Fine! If you thought I saw you as an elder brother, why the he.ll did you have sx with me? Why in God’s name did you take my vrgnity and leave me there feeling like trash? Like I was a slvt and a fking one night stand?” She yelled angrily.
“Your vrgnity?” Ken asked with a frown. He couldn’t remember seeing any bIood on the sheets and “Sht!” He exclaimed when he realized that had been the reason she had cried out when he just penetrated her. There had been little or no f®replay because they had both been very drunk, bit she had been in a worse state than he had been. He hadn’t asked her any question cause he had assumed since she has had several boyfriends she must have been sxually active.
“What do you mean your vrginity?” Ella growled at him angrily making Ken swallow nervously. He had never seen her mad before, and maybe this wasn’t the best time to test her and see how she behaves when mad. Should he just pretend to collapse so they would avoid this? He wondered looking at the floor as though to see if he could collapse on it without hurting his head.
“I’m talking to you Femi Kenneth Adebayo!” Ella shrieked angrily.
If not that she was so upset he would have been amused by how she always loved calling him by his full name, but he knew he would be in trouble if he so much as smiled now, “I’m sorry, I was drunk so I didn’t…”
“Too drunk to realize it was my first time, but not too drunk to know the right hole to insert your fking thing?” She yelled, and then raised a hand to her mouth as though realizing the kind of word she had just used.
Seeing the surprise on her face Ken sighed and moved forward to meet her, deciding this was the best time to explain, “I didn’t mean to make you feel like that. I was actually feeling guilty for taking advantage of you in your drunken state. I left because I was feeling too guilty to face you, not because of anything else.” Ken said looking into her eyes.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
*************
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.
Kimberly gave him an incredulous look like she couldn’t believe what she had just heard, “How can you ask me that? Are you crazy? You didn’t hear anything I just said? I can’t be faithful!” She exclaimed sounding agitated.
“Yes you can. And you will.” Eric said taking both her hands in his once again, “There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it. It won’t be easy at first, but you can do it, trust me. I’ll be here with you every step of it. Just give me your word and say you’re willing to try. If after the one year it doesn’t, I won’t blame you. I will leave knowing we both tried but it just couldn’t work.” Eric said making her frown.
“But why that? Why can’t you just ask for money? You could even ask my father to help you get a government contract or a job. Why this?” Kim asked in frustration.
“Because I value some things more than money. And this is what I want. So give me your word, and then we can move on with our plans to get married tomorrow. Are you willing to give this a try with me? It won’t cost you anything to pretend to be really married to me for a year. If anything you’d at least know what really being married feels like since you don’t want to get married.” Eric said making Kimberly sigh.
He was right. What did she have to lose? If anything she was the one gaining from the whole arrangement, “Okay. I will try. But if I cheat…”
“Don’t think about it.” Eric said cutting her off.
Kimberly sighed. If he believed in her this much, then she had to believe in herself too. “Okay. Let’s give it a try.”
“Good. We will just take it one day at a time.” Eric said with a smile of approval, and before she could guess what he was up to, he drew her closer to himself and planted a kss on her lips.
Kimberly’s heart skipped a beat and she blinked several times as she looked at him, “We just agreed to get married. I’m sealing the deal with a kiss.” Eric explained when he pulled away from her and saw the confusion on her face.
Kimberly swallowed, “Oh! Okay.”
“Good. So I’ll just go pick my things and…”
‘You’re still leaving?” Kimberly asked with a frown. What if he was just pretending and was planning on running away from her once he leaves here?
“Yeah. Why? You don’t want me to?”
“I thought you wouldn’t go back since we are getting married tomorrow.”
“Or you think I won’t return if I leave tomorrow?” He asked, looking at her in amusement as though he could read her mind.
“I need to organize some things. I’ll meet you tomorrow and then we can go over to the registry…”
“But don’t we need to like give a month’s notice? The courts don’t operate that way.” Kimberly said thoughtfully when she remembered a cousin of hers had mentioned registering at the court some weeks before the marriage.
“This is Nigeria where anything can be done if you know the right people. Don’t worry, I’ll ask a friend who knows someone that works there to make it happen tomorrow.” Eric promised.
“You seem to have lots of friends with connections…”
“You mean like I have you now?” Eric asked with a wink.
“Yeah.”
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
_________
Pete raised his head from the movie he had been seeing on his laptop when a knock sounded on his office door. He could tell it was Kathleen since it was past closing hours and his secretary had left over an hour ago. He had been wondering how long it would take before she finally joins him in his office. “Yeah?”
“It’s Kathleen.” Kathleen called uncertainly from the other side of the door. She had been stalling… Praying and hoping he would wrap up whatever he was doing quickly so they could be on their way home, since she didn’t want to be alone with him in his office. But the more she had waited alone in her empty office, the more restless she had become so she had decided to come over when she remembered that Amanda would be back from school by now.
“Come in.” Pete said as he quickly removed the movie he had been watching and picked up a document while pretending to be busy.
Kathleen slowly pushed open the door as she walked into the office, “Uhm, Amanda isn’t here yet?” She asked when she didn’t see any sign of Amanda around. The office building was almost empty now since almost everyone else had left immediately it was close hour.
“She’s not coming. I asked Chidi to help me pick her up since your mom and sister are at home. I’m sure she wouldn’t be lonely.” Pete said pretending to be engrossed with whatever he was looking at.
“Oh! I see.” Kathleen said with a nod, not knowing if she was to go outside and wait, or sit down there. She really would have preferred to just go home in a BRT, rather than wait for him like this. She was feeling some sort of tension in the atmosphere between them which was quite different from anything she had felt around him before today. A part of her wanted to ask him why he had been tailing her earlier that afternoon, but another part wanted to just let sleeping dogs lie. She had been able to confirm Chuka’s claim earlier when she sighted Pete driving behind them.
“You don’t want to sit?” Pete asked, giving her a questioning look.
“How much longer do I have to wait? I could just book a bolt ride, or use the BRT.” She suggested as politely as she could muster.
“Why? You have somewhere else you want to go to? Or someone you want to meet up with? How was your meeting with your friend? Was he able to make it?” Pete asked casually as he returned his gaze to the document once again even though he couldn’t see a thing that was written on it.
Kathleen scoffed as she looked at him, so he was trying to pretend like he hadn’t at least seen Chuka? “He couldn’t make it. Something came up, so he had to cancel.” Kathleen said with a shrug making Pete look at her in disbelief.
Was this lady a perpetual liar? Like whenever she opened her mouth only lies fell out of it? He wondered, “Oh! Really?”
“Yeah.” Kathleen said, flashing him a cheerful smile.
“I see. So since you’re not in a hurry to go anywhere, why don’t you sit down? I’m still busy here.” Pete said before returning his attention to the document.
‘You’re alone in the office with her. Why don’t you try out the office table sex? It could be a mind-blowing experience, you know?’ A voice in Pete’s head whispered suddenly making his heart skip a beat. Pete stood up abruptly and moved away from the table, as though walking away from the center of temptation. He walked over to the window and stood there with his back to Kathleen.
Kathleen looked at him, wondering why he had left his seat so abruptly, before walking over to sit down opposite his desk. The edge of her dress rode up as she sat down and crossed both legs, “Are you done?” She asked, making him turn to look at her. His gaze fell on her exposed thighs, and he swallowed hard. What sort of sudden attraction was this? This wasn’t normal in any way, he thought, as he looked into her face and tried to remember what she had just asked him.
“I asked if you’re done.” Kathleen repeated when she saw the confusion on his face, and assumed he was looking at her that way because his mind was occupied with thoughts of business.
Pete knew he had to leave the office now before he ended up doing something he might regret, so he nodded his head, “I’ll just finish up tomorrow.”
“We should go home then. It’s getting late.” She said, and flashed him a smile. Chuka had suggested that she learn to smile more often. She had no idea why he had said so, but her mother had mentioned something similar, so she was practicing on Pete.
He blinked at her when she smiled, and couldn’t help noticing how perfect her dentition was, and the beautiful pair of dimples which decorated both cheeks. Pete shook his head and took in a deep breath to calm himself. Something was definitely wrong with him. If he was an animal, he would have assumed he was on his heat period or something and that was why he was reacting this way to her. But he hadn’t reacted like this to his secretary, even though he had noticed her trying to get his attention earlier. It was definitely Ken’s fault, he concluded as he returned to his desk and shut down his laptop.
“Yeah. I’m hungry. Let’s stop by a restaurant and eat something on our way. I’m very hungry.” He said as he dropped the documents in his drawer.
“Restaurant? Can’t you manage until we get to the house then I can fix something really quickly?.” Kathleen asked as she stood up.
“No. I’m not craving a home-made meal, besides, you’re not my maid. You’d be tired by the time we get home. So let’s just stop over at a fast-food.” He said as he walked ahead of her and held open the door for her to walk ahead of him.
Kathleen looked at him in surprise, wondering what he was up to. Since when did he start holding out doors for her? This was definitely a new development. Was Chuka right? Was he interested in her? She wondered as she walked past him, and waited for him to shut the door so they could walk out together.
Kathleen turned to look at Pete when he pulled the car to a stop in front of the same restaurant she had been to earlier with Chuka. Was this guy really serious? Kathleen wondered in amusement. He really had to be kidding her right now.
“What? Have you been here before?” Pete asked, looking at her with an innocent expression on his face which had her shaking her head mentally. This man was a mental case.
“No. Never.” Kathleen said mimicking his innocent expression. Since he wanted to pretend, then it was best for them to pretend together.
“Good. Let’s go in then.” Pete said as he got out of the car, while she scoffed as she unbuckled her seat belt and got out of the car too.
Neither of them said a word to each other as they walked into the restaurant. The waiter who had served Kathleen earlier that afternoon looked at her in a questioning manner when he noticed Kathleen was there with a different man.
“Na wa o! Wonders shall never end. You see this sister that just walked in? She was here with a different man this afternoon o! Na wa!” The guy whispered to his female colleague who was standing beside him as they both watched Kathleen and Pete head for their table.
“Maybe she’s here for a business meeting. Are you not seeing what she is wearing?” His colleague whispered back.
“Business meeting kwa? I doubt. The way she and the guy earlier were talking and laughing, me I’m not sure it’s business. Let me go and serve them. I’ll find out.” The waiter said as he hurried over to their table.
“Good evening sir/ma. What can I get you?” He asked as she handed them the menu.
“I’ll like to have a plate of Jollof rice and turkey. What about you?” Pete asked Kathleen who had brought out her phone and was about going through her WhatsApp messages.
“Thanks, but I already told you I’m not hungry. I had lunch earlier.” Kathleen said with a shrug.
“But you also said you didn’t go out for lunch, that you were in the office, so what did you eat? I know you didn’t leave the house with a lunch pack this morning.” Pete said making the waiter frown.
She had lied she hadn’t gone out for lunch? Did he just say they had left the house together that morning? Did that mean they were married? Was she cheating on her husband? Na wa! Women sef! What do they even want. See how fine this man is compared to the other one, yet she was cheating on him. The waiter thought as he eyed Kathleen with disgust.
“I ate in my office. Don’t worry about me, just eat so we can go home.” Kathleen said with a yawn.
How can she say she ate in the office? Who ever said ‘After God fear women!’ truly knew what he was saying. What a shameless lady. The waiter thought to himself as he focused his attention on Pete. Eya, poor man! See how he is talking to her not knowing she is cheating on him.
“Fine then, get something to drink at least.” Pete suggested.
“Okay. Give me a bottle of Vita milk.” Kathleen told the waiter before returning her attention to her phone. The waiter didn’t spare her a glance as he walked away to get their orders.
“So… Tell me about yourself.” Pete said, making Kathleen look at him quizzically. Why was this feeling like they were out on a date when she was only here because he wanted to eat?
She opened her mouth to say that, but thought better of it when she thought about her mother and what she would say if she happened to tell her that. “You know my name, I work for you, I’m the first child of my parents, I’m a Christian… what else?” She asked with a shrug.
“Why are you not in a relationship?” Pete asked the most important question on his mind. She looked really beautiful after all, and so he expected her to be in a committed relationship.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
Kathleen looked slightly taken aback by the direct question since she hadn’t been exactly expecting that. How was she supposed to answer such a question?
“Is there supposed to be a reason? Why are you not in a relationship yourself?” Kathleen retorted.
“Because I want to be single for the time being. I barely have enough time attending to the company and Amanda, and I don’t have any to spare for any woman.” Pete said and paused when the waiter came back carrying their orders.
“Is there a problem?” Kathleen asked the waiter when she noticed the way the waiter was looking at her with so much hostility.
“No.” He said as he dropped the drink and moved away from the table.
“What’s wrong?” Pete asked looking at the waiter as he walked away.
“Nothing. I just wasn’t comfortable with the way he was staring at me. I noticed he’s been staring that way since we walked in.” Kathleen said with a worried frown.
“Maybe he knows you from somewhere.” Pete said making Kathleen take a closer look at the waiter, and then it suddenly occured to her that he was the person who has served her earlier that afternoon. Why the attitude? He had been nothing short of polite earlier that afternoon so what was wrong? Or was it because she was here with someone else? That had to be it! He was probably thinking she was two-timing. Well, that was his business since she didn’t owe him any explanation. She was just going to confront him if he dared to disrespect her.
“Maybe.” Kathleen said as she returned her attention to Pete.
“And about not having any time to spare for a woman, you spared your entire Friday night on one if I remember correctly.” Kathleen pointed out when she remembered how he had spent the night away from his house because he wanted to meet up with a lady.
“That was different.” Pete said with a scowl, wondering why she was bringing that up.
“I don’t know how that is different, but it’s okay though.” Kathleen said dismissively.
“We were talking about you not me. Why are you single?” Pete asked returning her attention to the question he had asked.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve not met my kind of man. I don’t want to settle for just anyone.” She said before taking a sip from her drink.
Picky huh? Pete mused as he watched her. He wasn’t really hungry but had only wanted to sit out with her in a neutral environment and get to know her better without it feeling like a date.
“What about your friend? The one with the new job and car.” Pete asked making Kathleen stick her tongue in her cheek to keep herself from grinning. Chuka had said if he asked a lot of questions about him, then chances were he was interested in her.
“Yeah? What about him?” Kathleen asked innocently.
“He’s not your type of man?” Pete asked as he ate his food and tried not to look too interested in her response, not realizing how obvious he actually was.
Does this mean that Chuka was right? Kathleen mused. Chuka had advised that she should try to sound mysterious when Pete asks questions that involves him. She should not give him the information he wants, but instead try to make him want to know more about her as a person. Although it was a difficult task, but she intended to follow it, since he had been right thus far. Who knows? Maybe Chuka was her personal angel. She had met him on a Sunday morning after all.
“Hmmmmm…” Kathleen said, dimming her eyes as though she was trying to give his question a thought, “Now that you mention it, I suppose that is something I should find out. He doesn’t seem like a bad catch too.” She said as though she was thinking out loud.
“What? You’re thinking of giving him a try?” Pete asked curiously.
“Yeah, what do you think? I shouldn’t? It’s not like I’m in a relationship at the moment, so there’s no harm in trying. He’s my friend after all. If it works good. If it doesn’t, we go back to being friends.” Kathleen said with a cheerful smile, “Thanks for this beautiful idea. I’m so glad we had this conversation.”
Beautiful idea? Did she just thank him for this? When did he ever suggest to her to go out with her so-called friend? Pete wondered, “So what do you want to do? Ask him to date you?” Pete asked with a blank expression.
“No. I don’t have to. I think he likes me already, so it won’t be difficult getting him to make a move.” Kathleen assured him with a wide smile again.
Pete said nothing as he looked down at his food with displeasure. He sighed after a while and pushed the food away. “I’m full. We should leave.” He said as he signalled the waiter over.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 41 – 50
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