THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
EPISODE 68
Even before the clock struck 5 PM, Pete was already outside the office, waiting for Kathleen by the car. A smile split his handsome face when he saw her walking out of the building and he hurried over to where she was, to take the box of clothes from her, while the other staff around watched them.
He had texted her about ten minutes earlier, asking her to meet him at the parking lot once it was closing hour. Since someone had had the guts to report them to his mother, he intended to give that someone something else to report as well.
“You don’t have to…” Kathleen protested.
“I want to. I don’t like my WOMAN carrying such things when I’m around.” He said loud enough for everyone around them to hear him, and gave Kathleen a pointed look, so she allowed him take the box from her while she slowly followed behind him.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
Why was he calling her his woman so openly? She wondered as they walked to the car, and then she opened the passenger car seat for her to drop the box inside, before he opened the door for her to get into the car.
“Why did you refer to me as that out there?” She asked after they were seated comfortably.
“That?” Pete asked turning to look at her with an innocent expression, and pretending not to know what she was saying, since he wanted her to repeat the words.
“As… your woman.” Kathleen said without looking into his eyes, making Pete smile. He liked how modest and shy she could be at times like this.
“Because you’re my woman. Maybe you don’t exactly know it yet, but soon you will.” He told her confidently before turning on the ignition and driving out of the parking lot.
Kathleen swallowed. His woman? Why did she like the sound of that? Maybe it was because of what Sharon had said earlier? She rested her head on the head rest as her mind drifted to her conversation with Sharon earlier, after leaving Pete’s office.
“Babe how far?” Sharon had asked immediately she received Kathleen’s call.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything? I just needed someone to talk to.” Kathleen had said apologetically.
“I was even bored before your call came in. Oga went out for his business meeting, so I’m in the room waiting for him to return.” Sharon had explained.
“Is this really the sort of life you want to be living? Waiting for someone’s husband in an hotel room while he is busy working? I’m sure even his wife has a job, but your only job is being his side chic.” Kathleen had said, unable to hold back.
“Wetin dey worry you nau? (What is wrong with you?). I think say by now you go done dey change but you still dey do holy holy (I thought by now you would have changed, but you’re still very judgemental). Did you call me to insult me? Tell me if that’s why you called so I can end the call abeg!” She had hissed.
“E never reach to vex (This shouldn’t make you angry). We both know this has nothing to do with me being holier than thou. I’m just telling you the truth as your friend, and you know it. Just remember that you will get married one day sha.” Kathleen had continued.
“So what?”
“Karma is a bch. Na secondary school girl go dey rub your husband head dey call am baby.”
“Abeg leave story jare! You haven’t seen even good girls like you that didn’t follow people’s husband but are still being cheated on? See, if my husband like, he follow primary school girl, sha let me not catch them.” Sharon had said confidently.
“Okay o! Shey I’m here? That time will come.”
“Are you wishing me evil?” Sharon had hissed angrily.
“Evil ke. You just said you don’t mind sharing na. So it’s not a bad thing. Anyway nuh be your own dey worry me. I called because something was bothering me and I needed someone to talk to. First of all, I’m kind of going on a date with my boss tomorrow.” Kathleen had announced making Sharon screech excitedly.
“Your boss? How come? He asked you out? What happened?” Sharon had asked excitedly.
“Abeg that isn’t something I can get into over the phone. Whenever we see I will give you the details. He just said he’s interested in me and asked me to go out with him tomorrow.” Kathleen had explained.
“I talk am oooo! I always knew something would sup between the both of you sha. His daughter loves you after all, and you know the only way to the heart of these single parents is through their kids.” Sharon had said happily.
“By the way, what time are you both going out? I’m returning tomorrow. So that I will come and run your makeup and pick the clothes that you will wear. I don’t want you to spoil things for us.”
“Us?” Kathleen had asked.
“Yes o. I might meet my own Mr Right at your wedding na, so we have to make sure you get the first date right.”
“I thought someone’s husband was your Mr Right?” Kathleen asked dryly.
“Thunder fire you.” Sharon cussed making Kathleen laugh.
“Don’t worry yourself, I’m sure my mom won’t let me leave the house until she is satisfied with my looks. Besides, Pete already picked out what I’d be wearing.”
“Pete? You’re already calling him Pete? Wawu!!!” Sharon exclaimed with a giggle, “Who knew this day would come so soon? Just last week here you were always calling him names, and now you’re going out with him tomorrow. If I say I’m not happy for you ehn, I’m a liar!.”
“Abeg never happy first. His mom came to my office to see me today.” Kathleen had said making Sharon pause as she listened to Kathleen narrate their conversation to her.
“So how much did she offer you to leave her son alone?” Sharon had asked before Kathleen could finish, making Kathleen laugh out loud.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
They had obviously all seen Nollywood movies too much. That had to explain why both Pete and Sharon had asked her this same question. Shey if the world really worked that way, ladies wouldn’t make a living out of following rich men whose parents would offer them money to let him go?
“She didn’t offer me any money jare. I told her we aren’t in a relationship. I think his secretary is the one that called her.”
“That yeye secretary. The day I will ever see her ehn, I must slap her.” Sharon hissed making Kathleen giggle.
“I’m just feeling tired and discouraged. I haven’t even started dating him and I’m answering query already. I don’t just have power for any trouble. I don’t know what…”
“You don’t know what? Better don’t let that bitch win you o. You know say area nuh dey carry last, kpatakpata na draw. So kolobi him with your two hands and legs and make sure he doesn’t go anywhere. You think if the situation was reversed the secretary would leave him simply because his mother came to warn her? She knows you’re a good girl that is why she wants to threaten you.”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t have to know. I’m telling you. What did he tell his mother anyway?”
“I didn’t ask him.”
“Ask him jare. I hope you told him about your conversation with his mother? I will just slap you if you say you didn’t.” Sharon had threatened.
“I told him.”
“So what did he say?” Sharon asked, and listened as Kathleen repeated what Pete had said.
“Correct guy! And you want to leave him for those your yeye office colleagues? In fact, I’m coming to see you once I get back tomorrow. When I come we will talk more so you will be seeing my face and know I’m not laughing. So just forget whatever his mother said and focus on what is budding between the both of you. When we see tomorrow you give me the full gist of all that has happened so far, you hear?” Sharon had asked, making Kathleen sigh.
“So how are you feeling now? I hope you’ve gotten all that thought out of your head?” Pete asked, breaking into Kathleen’s thought.
“What did you tell your mother?” Kathleen asked, ignoring his own question, “I’m sure she asked you about us before coming to meet me, so what did you tell her?”
“I didn’t tell her anything. I told her I don’t owe her any explanation. Am I supposed to start explaining myself to her?” Pete asked incredulously, turning to spare her a glance before returning his attention to the road.
“Okay. It’s fine. I suppose she doesn’t want you to be with someone beneath your social class…”
“Nah! Not my mom. That has nothing to do with what happened today. Before marrying my father she was from a poor background herself. So she isn’t the type to look down on people.” Pete said making Kathleen look at him in surprise.
“Really? She doesn’t look it.”
“Is she supposed to look it? She’s just a very determined and hard-working person and that’s how she got to where she is. As a matter of fact I think you both might have a lot in common.” Pete said with a small smile.
“Don’t worry, I intend to find out whoever reported to her and I promise to deal with the person accordingly.” Pete promised.
“That won’t be necessary. Just forget it.” Kathleen said with a shake of her head. She was going to deal with the secretary her own way. She needed the secretary to die of jealousy. That was the only way to deal with people like her.
“Why?”
“Let’s not just worry about it. Besides you shouldn’t mix personal issues with your business. Just let it slide.” Kathleen said with a sigh as she rested her head on the head rest and shut her eyes.
“Are you okay?” Pete asked when he noticed how tired she looked.
“Yeah. Just tired. I think I’m having a slight headache.” Kathleen said without opening her eyes.
“Sorry about that. Try and rest your head. I’ll just stop by a pharmacy ahead so we get something for your head.” Pete said as he spared her a glance.
They both remained quiet for sometime until Pete remembered what she had said about hating impromptu plans, “By the way, I’m traveling on Monday.”
“Travelling? To where?” Kathleen asked, opening her eyes to look at him.
“I’m going to Abuja for a business conference. It’s going to last for about a week, so you’ll have to sleep in the main house and take care of Amanda in my absence.” Pete said without taking his eyes off the road as he contemplated whether it was necessary or not to let her know he was traveling with his secretary.
“Okay.” Kathleen said with a nod even though she was already beginning to imagine how empty and boring the house would be without him around.
“So we would have to postpone the clubbing to another time. Or we could push it forward if you don’t mind.” Pete said turning to grin at her.
“I haven’t agreed to go with you yet.” She reminded him dryly.
“You can’t blame a man for trying. But seriously though, you should consider it. You might even be surprised to run into your pastor or choir master.” Pete said with a teasing smile, making Kathleen giggle at the thought of running into brother Timothy at the club.
“It’s not possible.” She said with a smile, and then on impulse sat up, “Why don’t we go to the club tonight?” She asked making Pete turn to spare her a glance?
“For real? Like you really want to go clubbing tonight?”
She knew she probably wasn’t thinking straight, but since he was traveling she suddenly had the urge to spend more time in his company. Besides after now they may never find the time to go clubbing again, especially if her mother chooses to travel back after their doctor’s appointment the coming week.
“Let’s just give it a try.” Kathleen said with a shrug.
“That’s great! I’m going to call Ken when we get home.” Pete said excitedly. He was glad Kathleen had snapped out of whatever had been in her head earlier.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
_________
“Obasan? As in daughter of Chief Obasan of iGlobal?” One of the ladies asked excitedly, and Wumi gave her a single nod.
With eyes still fixed on Amaka, she stepped out of the pedicure machine and wore her pam slippers, disregarding the protest from the young lady who was attending to her, “I suppose you’re Amaka? Wife of Senator Abamba?” She asked as she approached her.
Amaka shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she wondered what Wumi was up to. Why was she here saying things like this? Had Eric told her about what was going on between them? “Yes. Who… Who are you?” She asked without meeting Wumi’s gaze.
“I’m sure you know who I am. And you know I’m here because of you. So we could talk here, or we could talk outside. The choice is yours, but I’m not nice enough to make this offer twice, so what is it going to be? Here or outside?” Wumi asked with a slightly raised brow, ignoring the curious eyes which were watching them with interest. She knew without doubt that this was going to raise a lot of gossip and speculation, and that was exactly what she wanted. She didn’t hang around with these women or at this salon so it was going to be left to Amaka to clear the air on whatever was happening between them.
“Let’s talk outside.” Amaka said with a forced smile as she stood up and followed Wumi out, leaving the other ladies watching them.
“As you must have seen just now, I am not a fan of indirect confrontation. I like to know my enemies, and I like my enemies to know me.” Wumi said immediately she was sure they were out of earshot, “I’m sure you know why I am here.”
“I don’t…”
“I’m not here to listen to you talk. I’m here to advise you, so listen carefully and pay close attention to everything I say right now. If you know what is good for you and your marriage, get your nose out of my brother’s business. You had your turn and you blew it so I don’t want to see you anywhere around him on a personal level, and neither do I want to hear that you’re causing problems in his marriage, else you would have me to contend with. Avoid him like a plague if you don’t want to return back to whatever village you came from.” Wumi warned, and without waiting for her to say anything, turned around and returned into the salon like she had not just confronted the wife of a senator.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
Amaka remained there staring speechlessly at Wumi’s back, “Look at this small rat that even Chidinma our last born is older than o! She is warning me?” Amaka asked herself after the initial shock wore off.
Her phone rang out before she could regain her composure, and she impatiently received the call when she noticed it was from an unknown number, “Who is this?” She hissed into the phone angrily.
“It’s Tunde’s mother.” Mrs Obasan said in a very calm tone making Amaka stiffen as her heart skipped a beat.
“I believe I’m on to Amaka, Am I right?” She asked in that same calm tone.
“Yes ma.”
“Good. I understand you are Kimberly’s step mother, and as such you might start getting ideas that this is a good way to reconnect with an old flame. So I’m calling to politely order you to lose that idea. You see, when you broke his heart despite all we did for you in your University days, I was willing to let it slide since it’s a normal part of life. But if you so much as mess with his peace of mind one more time, I won’t let it slide. You might think you’re something now because you’re married to a senator, but if you mess with my son, I will make sure you disappear without trace. Try me.” With that Mrs Obasan hung up before Amaka could say anything else.
Amaka kept holding the phone to her ear long after the call had ended. Why had both mother and daughter chosen the same day and time to attack her?
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 61 – 70
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