THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
EPISODE 98
“Good morning pretty!” Pete greeted immediately Kathleen received his call the next morning.
“You sound like you’re in a good mood.” Kathleen observed as she got out of bed, ready to head to the main house to prepare breakfast for Amanda and Chidi.
“I’m always in a good mood when I talk to you. Why didn’t you call me last night?” He asked curiously.
“I was busy and got carried away,” She lied.
“Busy? With what?”
“Just personal stuff. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. So why were you crying?” He asked, startling her.
“Crying?”
“Yep. And don’t lie to me. Amanda told me she showed you our photo album and then you started crying. What was that about?” He asked in a concerned tone which tugged at her guilty heart.
“It’s nothing,” Kathleen lied as she entered the main house through the backdoor in the kitchen, and went about taking out the things she needed to fix breakfast.
“If there is one thing I’ve gotten to know about you, it’s the fact that you’re not that emotional. Even when your house got destroyed by fire you didn’t cry. Apart from when we were seeing that romantic movie though, and when you cried for me at the restaurant,” he added in a teasing tone, “I know you don’t cry for nothing. So what is it?”
Kathleen drew in a deep breath, “Why don’t we talk about it when you get back?” She suggested.
“Kat?” Pete called in a dangerously low voice which made butterlies flutter in her belly.
“Hm?”
“I’m not going to take no for an answer. So if that’s what you’re thinking of telling me, I suggest you have a rethink,” He warned.
Ordinarily she would feel irritated or even annoyed by such a threat, but coming from Pete she felt warm inside, “Is it by force?” She asked.
“Yes it is. So get whatever nonsense you’re thinking out of your head.”
“Or else what?”
“Or else I’m going to kidnap you and keep you in a secluded place for a long time until you confess your love for me,” He said making her giggle involuntarily.
“Why do you keep going back and forth? One minute you seem interested and the next you’re changing your mind. What is wrong? Please talk to me. Just tell me whatever you have in your head, I need to know. Please.” Pete asked, trying not to sound frustrated.
“I… I don’t want to have to compete with your late wife.” Kathleen blurted out, taking Pete by surprise.
“My late wife? Compete? Where is that coming from?” He asked as he tried to gather his thoughts and figure out how she had come out with something like that.
“I know I sound silly, but I saw how much you loved her. You both spent lots of good times together and had so many beautiful memories. You’ve told me how wonderful and perfect she is. I don’t want to have to start trying to be her to you. I don’t want to fill her shoes.” Kathleen said, not sure if she was making sense, but she wanted to just pour out her heart and let him know how she was feeling.
“Have I ever asked you to fill her shoes?” Pete asked, trying not to sound angry with her. How could she just sit down and make up so much unnecessary drama in her head?
“No. I know you may not say it with your mouth, but…”
“Have I ever told you how annoying you can be?” He hissed angrily.
“I…”
“She has been dead for eight years. You think you’re the first woman I’ve set eyes on for the whole of eight years? You think I want you in my life just so you can fill a vacancy in my heart or my home? You know what? Forget it.” With that he hung up and threw his phone on the bed, leaving Kathleen staring at the phone in her hand.
“Forget it? But she hadn’t said no, so why was he overreacting? Wasn’t he just supposed to reassure her and try to convince her of how much he wanted her?” Kathleen wondered as she went on to prepare breakfast.
She was feeling very tempted to call him back, but she stifled the urge. If he was going to be mad at her for telling him how she felt, then he could as well be on his own. He had been the one who had asked her to explain how she was feeling, and she had done just that, so why was he overreacting? Kathleen wondered angrily as she cleaned up the kitchen and then went over to the bedroom to wake Amanda up and prepare her for school.
“Aunty Kat, are you still sad?” Amanda asked, watching her face as she went about her activities.
“No darling. I’m okay.” Kathleen assured her after bathing her, “Isioma please help me dress her up while I prepare for work.” Kathleen said to Isioma who was still lying on the bed before returning to her apartment.
As she prepared for work she made a mental note to give Chuka a call later in the day, to find out how he was doing, and confide in him about all that was going on with her. He was like a brother and an adviser to her, and she wanted to know what he thought from a male point of view.
She also reminded herself to give Kimberly a call. She was just going to find out if Kimberly had been able to read the book, and then know what she thought about it. She was going to try to distract herself as much as she could.
She was startled when her phone started ringing again and she picked it up only to see it was Pete again. What did he want? Hadn’t he said she should forget everything? Kathleen wondered grudgingly as she received the call.
“Don’t say a word, just listen!” Pete half yelled.
“Laura was a great wife, and a wonderful friend to me, and I loved her with everything I had, as I promised I would do when we exchanged our vows. But all that was till death did us part. I mourned her for most of the eight years, and I didn’t think I would be able to move on or even want any one else, but that was until I met you. I’m not asking you to be Laura, and neither am I asking you to fill her shoes. I’m just asking you to give me the chance to love you just the way you are. It’s you I’ve fallen in love with… You and your eccentric way of life and I…” He paused when he heard her gasp, and without saying another word he hung up immediately when he realized what he had just said.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
***********
“Wake up Kim! It’s morning.” Prisca said as she tapped Kimberly’s shoulder softly. Kimberly had been down so they had drank some wine, and then she had slept off without returning to her house.
“I don’t want to wake up.” Kimberly cried with a moan.
“You don’t have to want to. You need to.” Prisca reminded her, “Plus we have to hurry if we are going to do that engagement gig.” Prisca said, but Kimberly didn’t budge.
“And who knows? Eric might have called, but you’re not even with your phone.”
That got Kimberly who quickly sat bolt upright on Prisca’s bed, “You’re right.” She told Prisca excitedly as she ran out of the house and headed for her bedroom where she had left her phone.
Immediately she picked up her phone she noticed it had gone off, and recalled that she had failed to charge the phone, so she attached the phone’s charger to it, and after turning on the socket, she decided to bathe and prepare for work while the phone charged.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
After bathing she walked over to where her phone was charging and turned it on while still leaving it attached to the charger since the battery level was just five percent. Immediately the phone came on she saw five missed call notifications, two from an unknown number, two from Amaka, and another from her father. She had two messages too, one was a credit alert, which she suspected was from the client Amaka had brought her, and the other was from ERIC, she thought happily as she opened it and read it.
“Babe, sorry I didn’t call earlier, I forgot my phone in the cab and the driver only just returned it. I called with my mom phone but you didn’t take it, hope you’re good? Give me a call the moment you are up and see this text. I miss you already.” Kimberly smiled as she reread the last line of the text over and over again before dialing his number.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
Eric who was deep asleep sat up immediately he heard his phone’s ringtone and quickly grabbed it. He accepted the call when he saw it was from Kim, “Good morning babe, why couldn’t I reach you?” He asked in a husky tone which made Kimberly feel warm all over.
“I was at Prisca’s room. I left my phone behind since I kept waiting for your call.” She confessed.
Eric sighed, “I was very worried about you, just keep your phone with you always, okay?”
“I will. So how is your father? How serious is his condition?” Kimberly asked immediately that was out of the way.
“It’s pretty serious, but the doctor assured us he will be okay.” He assured her.
“How is your mom and sister?” She asked in concern.
“They’re both very worried, but since I’m here they are okay. Kim could you meet with Tunde Obasan today? He asked that you come over to his house.”
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
Last night at the hospital his father had told him he was to represent him at an award ceremony slated for Thursday there in Lagos, and also attend a boardmeeting with the senior shareholders and directors of their company on Friday, since he couldn’t make it because of his health condition. Now he had decided to play out all his cards today so he would be able to confess everything to her before Thursday.
“His house? Why? Why the sudden meeting?” Kimberly asked anxiously, not liking the sound of that.
“I don’t know. He just asked me to pass the message to you. He says he wants you over at his house by 10 AM. I’m sure after this meeting you can ask Prisca to represent you.” Eric suggested.
“I can take Prisca along with me, can’t I?” Kimberly asked hopefully.
“I don’t think so. Tunde doesn’t like strangers coming to his home. Why are you so reluctant about it? I thought you have always wanted to meet him? Now that you’ve seen him you’re no longer interested?” Eric asked curiously.
“It’s not that… Fine. I will go. But after today I’d rather prefer Prisca meets him.” Kimberly said as she unplugged her phone and walked over to her closet to pick out something to wear.
“That’s fine. I suppose you’re getting ready for work?” He asked, changing the subject.
“Yes. Today promises to be a busy day. I think I might just go over to Tunde’s place before heading over to the office, instead of going to the office and then driving back down to his house. And then after that I have to go over to the hotel for the surprise engagement gig. They’ve sent me the money already.” Kimberly said as she picked out a dark blue jean trouser and a oxblood turtleneck pin down bodysuit.
“Kim?”
“Hm-hm?” She asked distractedly as she held the bodysuit to her body.
“About what we were saying before I left?” He asked, making her glance up as though he was in front of her.
“Yeah? What about it?” She asked, trying to remain calm, even though her heartbbeat had doubled.
“I’m in love with you,” He said it as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
“What?” Kimberly stood still unable to process what she had just heard. Of course she had heard him. She understood what the words meant. But she couldn’t process it in her head that he was actually in love with her. Eric? In love with her? He hadn’t said he ‘thought’ he was in love with her.
“You heard me. I’m in love with you. I thought I was going to be able to keep it to myself for much longer, but I don’t think I can. Every emotion I’ve shown in front of you is exactly how I feel about you. I’m not faking it.”
Like he really loved her? Despite all her flaws? Her feelings were actually being reciprocated by the man she loved? Before either of them knew what was happening Kimberly broke into a sob.
“Come on! Why are you crying this time? I’ve told you not to cry when I’m not there!” Eric exclaimed.
“How can you say something like that and ask me not to cry?” Kimberly asked as she continued sobbing.
“Fine. Feel free to cry your eyes out.” He said, and hung up the call.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
A moment later her phone started ringing and it was a WhatsApp video call. She rushed into the bathroom and poured water on her face before taking the call. Last thing she wanted was to look awful after hearing something as beautiful as that. She would just tell him she loved him too, she decided as she took the call, but before she could say anything her phone went off, reminding her that her battery was low.
“What a killjoy!” She muttered as she plugged her phone, but she had a big smile on her face as she sat in front of the mirror and let her tears flow freely.
“God I know I’ve been so ungrateful, but thank you so much!” She sobbed.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 91 – 100
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