THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
EPISODE 66
“Which of you is Kathleen?” Mrs Howells asked from the doorway, breaking the silence which was in the office as they were all busy trying to finish up with their work before closing hour.
Kathleen raised her head from her desktop and looked at the middle-aged lady in confusion. From the looks of her, Kathleen had no doubt that she was someone influential and wealthy, especially from the sparkling gold earring and bangles she was wearing. Her skin looked flawless and the Abaya dress she was wearing looked quite classy and expensive. Not to talk of the sound of her voice or her English which was so smooth… She reminded her of Ireti Doyle, her favorite Nigerian actress.
“I take it you’re Kathleen, since everyone else is looking in your direction, and you’re looking at me like that.” She said, looking at Kathleen with a blank expression.
As though that made them all snap out of their daze, they all started greeting her Immediately, especially the old staff who recognized her as their boss’ wife.
“Yes ma. Good afternoon ma.” Kathleen said as she stood up very quickly. She couldn’t understand who the woman was since she didn’t know any rich persons in Lagos apart from Ella and… She paused when she looked at the lady’s face again, and noticed the striking resemblance between her and Ella. Her heart skipped a beat when it occured to her that this must be Pete’s mother.
“Come with me please. I need to speak with you for a moment if you don’t mind.” She said and turned around to lead the way outside, expecting Kathleen to follow.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
Kathleen followed her quickly as she kept wondering why the lady wanted to see her. What did she want to talk about? How did she even know about her? Had Pete told his mother about her? Nah! They were yet to even go out on a proper date, and even if he had done something like that, she was certain he would have given her a heads up about it. Or was it Ella? Nah! She didn’t know much about Ella, but she didn’t think Ella would do something like that. Who then could have done it? Perhaps the secretary? Maybe she was mad about cleaning the desk earlier? What could she have told the woman? Or was it the other employees? Kathleen wondered as she kept walking behind the lady.
She followed her until they both stopped in front of a black Mercedes Jeep and the lady got inside the backseat, “Get inside.” She said, and waited until Kathleen was seated before looking at her driver, “Please excuse us.”
“I learnt you’re having an affair with my son?” She asked Kathleen Immediately the driver excused them.
“An affair?” Kathleen repeated.
“Are you asking me?” She asked calmly.
“I don’t understand what you mean by an affair. I’m his daughter’s caretaker and I live in his boys quarter apartment because of a fire incident that happened at my place while I was at his place looking after Amanda. We come to work together and go home together since we live in the same compound. I don’t see how that qualifies as an affair.” Kathleen said, trying not to sound nervous.
“You live with him? Since when?” She asked, sounding very surprised.
“I don’t live with him. I live in his boys quarter. In exchange for rent, I do his house chores.” Kathleen corrected.
“And you’re trying to tell me that is all there is between the both of you?” She asked, eyeing Kathleen curiously.
“With all due respect ma, I don’t think I should be the one answering these questions. Your questions should be directed at your son, not me.” Kathleen said without meeting the lady’s eyes.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
Mrs Howells looked at Kathleen for sometime without saying anything, and then she sighed, “Do you know if he is seeing anyone?”
“Seeing? None that I know of.” Kathleen said with a shake of her head.
“There is a lady I want him to meet. So since you’re not having an affair with him, and you seem very close to him at the moment, is there a way you could help me arrange for them to meet?” She asked making Kathleen’s heart skip a beat.
She was already arranging a lady for Pete? Of course she was! What had she been thinking developing feelings for someone like Pete? He was from an influential family while she was a nobody from Delta State who was in Lagos trying to better her life. He was the first son of his family, so it made sense that his parents would want to arrange someone of their own social background for him. If he was working here against his own will, then he could definitely be forced to marry someone against his own will too.
“Did you hear me?” Mrs Howells asked again, cutting into Kathleen’s thoughts.
“Yes I heard you. But he doesn’t really listen to me, so I’m sorry, I don’t think I can help you with that.” Kathleen said apologetically.
“Hmm. That’s really sad. I was hoping you could be of help to me. No problem then, you can leave. I’ll just find my way around it.” She said with a small smile.
“Thank you ma.” Kathleen said as she got out of the car. She walked away without looking back, her heart filled with different thoughts as she headed for her office. Somehow she was having a very unusual feeling in her chest. Her heart was beating really fast and it ached so much that she felt like it was going to explode. Her eyes were kind of becoming teary too. She couldn’t believe she had stayed all these years without being interested in any man, and then just when she started to get interested in one she was….
“Watch where you’re going to.” Pete said, holding her shoulder when she bumped into him.
“Sorry.” She murmured as she moved away from him, wanting to leave but he drew her back.
“What is wrong?” He asked with a frown. He had been very upset about the conversation with his mother, and hadn’t even realized he was on his way to her office until he bumped into her.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
Kathleen looked into his face and didn’t have to contemplate whether or not to tell him she had just spoken with his mother, since if there was one thing she always found annoying in dramas, it was keeping such relevant information secret. “I was with your mom. She just left.” Kathleen said, making Pete’s face darken.
“Let’s talk in my office.” Pete said as he turned around and led the way to his office.
“What did she say to you? Did she say something harsh?” Pete asked, trying not to let his voice give away his emotion.
“Nothing much. Seems someone reported to her that I was having an affair with you, so she wanted to confirm I suppose.” Kathleen said with a shrug, trying not to show how affected she was by it either.
“What did you tell her?” Pete asked, looking at her curiously.
“I told her the truth. There is nothing going on between us. I work as your daughter’s caretaker and live in your boys quarter apartment.” Kathleen said with a shrug, even though the pain in her chest was still very intense even as she said those words.
“And you call that the truth?” Pete asked with a scowl. He didn’t want to think all the effort he had put into getting her to relax around him in the past couple of days was in vain, or that all the progress they had made was about to be wasted.
“Yes.”
“Don’t tell me we are going back to square zero?” Pete asked making Kathleen look away. She felt like she was going to break down in tears any moment from now, and she definitely didn’t want to do that in front of him.
“Let’s just talk later. I need to finish up what’s on my desk before closing hour.” She said, and turned to leave, but Pete held her back.
“Are you running away? I never would have figured you for a coward. Did she ask you to leave me alone? Did she offer you money to leave me alone?”
“I wish she did… But then she didn’t have to since I’m not even holding on to you in the first place.” Kathleen said with a weary sigh as she pulled her arm away from Pete’s grip and headed for the door.
“Kat?” Pete called making her turn to look at him.
“I’m not going to let you change your mind. I don’t care about whatever you both talked about. And believe me when I say I’m not interested in whatever drama you’re thinking of acting right now in that stubborn head of yours. We both had an understanding, and it is going to remain so.” Pete said with a hint of finality in his voice before turning away from her.
He couldn’t deny the fact that he was feeling very angry about all that was going on right now, and he blamed his mother for this. He had every intention of letting his mother know he didn’t appreciate what she was doing.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
Kathleen walked out of the office without saying anything, and paused when she saw the secretary look at her with a triumphant, yet sardonic smile. If she had any doubt that the secretary was behind this, then it was cleared instantly. The question now was, was she going to let the secretary win like this? Kathleen asked herself as she walked in the direction of the secretary’s desk.
The smile on the secretary’s face disappeared when Kathleen stopped in front of her desk, “Well played. Very well played.” Kathleen said with a smile and then before the secretary could say anything, she turned around and returned into Pete’s office.
“What?” Pete barked, thinking it was his secretary, but stopped when he saw Kathleen.
“Were you aware your mom is trying to hook you up with a lady?” Kathleen asked, looking him straight in the eyes.
“She mentioned it, and I already told her a firm no, which I believe she got. What has that got to do with you?” Pete asked with a frown.
“She wants me to arrange for you to meet with the lady.” Kathleen explained without meeting his gaze.
“What? And what did you tell her?” He asked as he walked over to where she was standing.
“Well, I told her that I couldn’t do that.” Kathleen said before raising her head to look into his face, “I don’t exactly know what you want from me yet… but I don’t think…”
“Just shut up, please.” Pete pleaded with a sigh as he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“I really don’t think…”
“Kathleen can you just stop talking? I really don’t want to hear anything negative from you right now.” Pete said with a shake of his head.
“Well, you have to hear it. We are not from the same background…”
“Great! Just great! Did my mom also tell you that too?” He asked with a scowl.
“No she didn’t I…”
“Of course she didn’t. But your overactive imagination has obviously gone on overdrive. Just stop thinking too far ahead and let’s just continue at our own pace, okay?” Pete asked, holding her face between his hands.
“I really don’t want us to argue over this anymore. We had a nice lunch, and I even managed to get you to think about going clubbing with me. So please let’s not ruin any of this, okay?” Pete asked as he lowered his head and dropped a kss on Kathleen’s lips.
“But…”
“No buts Kat. I already told you I’m into you. Let’s just work things out between us. And don’t worry, I can assure you that my mother isn’t going to bother you, trust me on that.” Pete said as he pulled away from her.
“Okay.” Kathleen said in a small voice as she tried to clear her head, “I should get back to work.” She said and started heading for the door.
“Kat?” Pete called, making her turn around to look at him.
“Yeah?”
“Had my mom offered you money would you have taken it?” He asked making her raise a brow.
“Before nkor? You don’t know how hard Nigeria is because you’re rich. If anyone offers me money to leave you alone, I will leave you.” Kathleen said with a serious expression making Pete throw back his head in a fit of laughter.
“You almost got me there.” He said with a chuckle, and then paused when he noticed she wasn’t laughing.
“What? You’re serious?” He asked making Kathleen laugh now.
“You really think I’m joking? Just pray nobody offers me money on your head.” She said before walking away.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
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