What was really going through Feire’s mind? She knew it! She has been saying it over and again that this guy is a cheat. Where and when did Kike come into this equation now? The suspense was hitting her like a hammer as she waited for him to reply her, but he was just there, his head was dropped down and that was really confirming the doubts lurking around the heart of Feire. “Desmond!” She called his name aloud again.
“She is just a friend, Feire. Why are you thinking like this?”
Feire clasped her hands together, turning at half an angle at a point, just like the way those typical African mothers’ clap; laugh and watch you as though you’d be dead if they rush you.
“Please dear, what friend? You have never told me about Kike, I am just hearing about her now.”
Mosun was trying to study the flow of the discussion. She hoped she has not caused problem now, could it be that Feire was seeing Desmond? “Em..” She tried to talk but still lost her voice.
“Can we just calm down and let me explain. Let us stop assuming things and hear my truthful part of this story.” Desmond chewed his bottom lip. “Can we sit down, please?”
“What do we have to discuss on seat? This discussion started on our feet, let us not scam ourselves here, Des. Who is Kike?”
“Kike is a lady I ran into sometimes back, I believe she should be your boss, right?” He turned to Mosun.
“Yes, something like that.” She replied.
“Okay, good. I ran into this lady at Ikeja sometimes back and she was talking to me about how she would want to build a complex at Ikeja and her plans. So I told her to give me the contract and that’s how we became friends. I was still going to tell you about her, Feire.”
Feire chuckled and clasped her hands again. “Desmond, don’t take me for a fool, please. I am sensible enough to know the truth from a blatant lie. How did you run into her? You guys just started talking? And what project is that project that you never mentioned to me, guy.”
“Babes, calm down. I was coming from her this evening. Should I put a call through and place it on loudspeaker so you would believe me? Then, how many times have you seen us go out?” He faced Mosun again.
“I don’t know the number of times, I only saw you twice.”
“The first time, dear her car broke down and she told me to come pick her up so we can have a meeting.”
Feire grinned. “Guy, you come pick her up? Firstly, why didn’t you do the meeting in her office?”
Desmond sighed. He was running out of words to explain himself. Who is this demon Mosun who just appeared from nowhere and had no sense of quietness to study an atmosphere before jumping? His points were quite whack but he knew he wasn’t lying.
“By the way, you still haven’t answered my first question, Desmond. How did you run into her?”
“Okay, can you remember the dent by the side of my car?”
Feire was losing it. She needed him to talk. Though, it appears as if nothing said would change her mindset that Desmond was playing pranks on her. She has been played. Like, just used all along. She was not even sure she still had the capacity to listen to anything, what has her question got to do with the dent by his car? She put the dent or what? She tittered and sat down, looking away from him and Mosun.
“Just let me talk, dear. You are just acting like this because you have been keeping some unnecessary things in your mind.”
She looked at him with grimace. “Because of today’s show? Desmond, reactions explain issues, not words. I saw how you reacted when she began to talk about that lady.”
“Please, Feire what is going on here?” Mosun asked. Guilt was already whipping her, she wished she tamed her tongue early enough.
Desmond reached for his phone and punched some buttons, after some seconds, the phone was kept on loudspeaker and it was obvious he was calling.
“Hey Kike.”
“Desmond, have you gotten home?” The voice asked.
“No, I am somewhere, doing something. What about you?”
“I just got home. I am very tired. Thank you for helping out today as well.”
“You are welcome. I want to ask you few questions and I want you to just answer me, alright?”
“Okay. What is it?”
“How did we meet?” He asked.
“Why are you suddenly..”
“Just answer me.” Desmond cut in again.
“Was it not your disorganized self that hit my car when you were trying to get out of the mall and I didn’t take the issue up because I can’t even talk, abeg. Then you introduced yourself and I told you about my project and that I just thought of reaching out to civil engineers and architects for the work, so we exchanged digits. What exactly is wrong?”
“The day I came to your office, what exactly did I come for?”
“Which of the days?”
“Oh, that is true.” Desmond recalled. “The two times.”
“Why these questions? Am I on loudspeaker? Or are you with your girl?” She said with a teasing tone.
“You are not serious. Just answer me.” He grinned.
“The first time, my car broke down and we needed to meet with that cement guy, so you came to pick me. The second time, it was raining that day now, can you remember?”
“Sure.”
“You came to pick me for lunch and we discussed over the lunch.”
“What discussion?”
“The Ikeja project now, and I was telling you about my stressful dad.”
“Okay, thank you. Let me call you back.” He said and ended the call. He looked at Mosun and Feire and slid his phone down his pocket, picked his handkerchief on the chair and began to walk out.
“Desmond wait.” Feire rushed to her feet to stop him.
“I am not angry, I am not just in the mood to say anything for now. I will see you later.” He told her as he walked out
Feire stood by the door and watched him leave before she turned and glared at Mosun. “You are a big goat.”
Mosun hissed, smiling as she sat down.
** ** **
Desmond entered his car and placed his head on the steering rack. He didn’t know if he told the truth or he lied. Yes, that was how the two of them met but things have gone deeper than he explained. He was not exactly wrong but he was already getting so close to Kike and he could sense that she was liking him already.
He knew all there was to their sudden closeness and friendship was not the big deal alone. She was beautiful, intellectually sound and financially loaded. He bashed her car and he was ready to amend it that day, he noticed that her eyes burned with an unusual look and interest in him and he didn’t let it slide away, he gave her his card at once. He was too charming to check once and take eyes off, she was also a wholesome and hot lady, her eyes spoke some languages to him and he didn’t hesitate to reply.
He went to her office the first time so he could help her to the meeting place not because her car was spoilt, he also knew it but didn’t know what was sponsoring his moves. He knew the truth but could not help but disguise. He was the one who also brought up the idea of them meeting for lunch so they could talk. He wanted to keep seeing that charm in her eyes, study her to know if she liked him. The purpose why he has been doing all, he didn’t even know. He was not sure if he was already falling for her or he was just playing her but he knew there was more to her case.
He jacked his head up and used his seatbelt. He had to leave there at that moment before Feire could come out and meet him. He barely kicked the engine when his phone buzzed. It was Kike. He had to just clear his mind and push it aside so Feire would not end up thinking that he has been doing all he did.
“Hey.” He knew she had called to ask why he called her the other time. His head was trying to process the best thing to say to her but nothing was flowing.
“Can you come over?” She asked him.
His eyes thinned. “To where?”
“My place. I want us to have dinner and I also want to discuss something with you. At least, today’s Friday and you have no excuse that you are going to work tomorrow.”
He sighed. “Kike…”
“Don’t Kike me, Desmond. Have some nice time, have some fun, guy.”
He chuckled. “You know the massive traffic outside there, today is Friday.”
“So? No matter the traffic, if someone is important won’t you find how to reach the fellow?”
He was quiet for a moment, trying to process what he could do. “Okay, send me the full address.”
“Yay! I would do that now.”
Desmond dropped the phone and shut his eyes, thinking. Nothing was appearing in his imagination so he let it go and drove off.
** ** **
Feire sat by the dining. She was sad that she has not been trusting her guy because of their secrecy and it was already becoming something else because of what happened. If she had not been telling him to show her to his friends and let her show him to hers, how would Mosun have known anything, not to talk of accusing him?
She was enjoying her relationship with him. He was like the best thing that has happened to her for a year now; so caring and loving, challenges her, checks up anytime she’s down, the same one who has never asked for sex.
“Why didn’t you tell me about him?” Mosun’s voice jolted her back to reality.
“Now that I did, am I not regretting it?”
Mosun left the living room to join Feire. She sat down by the chair by her side and removed her wig as she yawned. “Wig na bondage, Feire. You know, the funny thing about it is that the guys you are even trying to do everything for, they are not looking at someone, they will be busy looking for ladies with big buttocks and chest.”
Feire hissed. “What has that got to do with the crime you have committed?”
Mosun yawned again. “I didn’t commit any crime, Feire. I didn’t know who he was to you, or should I say who he is? See, I’m tired, someone is not even speaking correct English again.”
“Mosun, do you think Desmond was angry?”
Mosun shrugged. “How would I know? I don’t know him because you didn’t tell me about him. How could you have hidden such a thing from me, Feire. Is this how life is? When I had issues with Mike the other time, you didn’t only know I was in a relationship, you knew I had issue. Feire, I told you about every damn issue!”
“Stop making me feel guilty so as to cover up your sin!” She retorted.
“That isn’t what I am doing, bae. I am seriously pained.” She looked away. It was obvious her mind was written all over her face, but what could Feire also do? Perhaps she should have told her and also add that she should keep it a secret from any other person. She thought about doing something like that but she knew that’s how Mosun whose mouth never closes would tell another person and tell her to keep it a secret.
“I am sorry. Are you fine now?” Feire hit her shoulder.
Mosun smiled. “Okay, I have forgiven you by half. That reminds me, do you know Mike called me day before yesterday that he wants to come back, Feire.”
They began another discussion. At least that drifted Feire’s mind from thinking about Desmond and possibly calling him.
** ** **
It was already past eight. Desmond’s mind thought of a lot of things before his car halted in Kike’s compound. He was scared of the fact that she was still staying with her parents and he might meet her parents. He could not stop admiring the mighty building as he parked his car. He loved the structure of the house, they were very wealthy people, so little wonder that such a magnificent place could be theirs.
“Thank you.” Kike opened her arms to hug him as he alighted from the car. WhatsApp, another stronghold that got them closer day by day. They would always chat with each other, discuss about business and sometimes, parents issues. Desmond never knew they could flow that easily because he knew from the first sight that she was very from a very rich home and she was very comfortable. She seemed innocent, though he could see traces of feelings trying to play her gradually and he was also finding it hard to tell her that he was in a relationship.
“Follow me.” She told him as she held his hand. “What do you feel about the meeting we just had?”
Desmond shrugged. “I feel we should let this guy supply our materials, his quotation is more realistic and budget friendly.” He replied, glancing at her from time to time till they entered the living room.
As he entered, the brightness of the room welcomed him, as much as he would have loved to admire the white painted living room, his eyes caught her parents on seat and he became restless. He bowed to greet them.
“This is my friend, Desmond. I invited him for dinner.” Kike told them.
“Oh, welcome Desmond. Please have your seat.” The father offered.
Kike packed her hair to the back. She was clad in a long yellow gown, different from the beautiful gown she wore to the meeting earlier. She was beautiful, smart and looked expensive even in her causal wear. “Don’t let him sit down, I’m taking him to the balcony upstairs before we eat.”
“Okay. Welcome dear.” The mother greeted again.
“Yes ma.” He bowed and followed Kike. He was so shy and couldn’t wait to exit the place. He hoped Kike would not delay him for too long. His mind constantly drifted back to Feire as he followed Kike, he didn’t know if he was already doing something wrong. At first, he felt he didn’t want to tell her about Kike so she wouldn’t misunderstand them, now, he felt the reason was just a shadow of what he really had in mind. Perhaps, keeping Kike for some other reason.
“This house is so beautiful.”
“I don’t even like this place again. I can’t wait to leave.” She replied him.
It was as though he didn’t hear her. Shock vibrated over his face, “are you kidding me?”
“Yes. I just took you away from dad and mum because their talk would get you bored. They might start asking you where you work, and most annoying part is if he asks you if you like his daughter.” She laughed.
Desmond chuckled. “But how will I escape him when it is time to eat?” She offered him a seat at the balcony while she sat opposite him.
“He is inevitable, dear.” She laughed. “But he is cool.” She quickly added.
“It’s getting late already, Kike. I shouldn’t spend much time here.”
“I actually took my decision late. I really want to tell you about something important and if I don’t tell you today, I might change my mind, that’s why I thought I should invite you for dinner.” She replied.
“Really? What could that be that you couldn’t tell me over the phone or on chat?”
She sighed and smiled. “It’s too heavy to drop over the phone.”
“Okay, can we talk about it?” He asked.
She stared at him for a moment, smiling while he kept wondering what the issue might be. “I am scared to talk. I know whatever brings you here must make me tell you and if I don’t talk about it today, I might just…” She stopped and looked away.
“Kike, talk.
“Desmond, can in confide in you? And if I tell you this, can you promise me you would help me out?”
He smiled. “I would help you, Kike. Stop acting too formal with me, please.”
She gave a dry smile. It was as though her ecstasy was drying off already. She opened her mouth to talk and closed it again. “I don’t know why it is hard to tell you, I have been acting normal since yesterday that I got to know about it and I don’t know why I am suddenly scared and shy to tell you.”
Desmond laughed. He knew he was not that tough for her not to open up to him. He didn’t want to even think about anything weird, if he should open the flow of thoughts in his mind, he would begin to think maybe she likes him and would want to confess her love, or what else?
“I…” The door opened as she wanted to talk to him. It was the house help. “Aunty, mummy said I should call you and your friend to come and eat before the food gets cold.”
She nodded. “Des, let’s go and eat. We will talk after eating.”
“You have raised my mind already, I suggest we talk now and eat later.” He replied.
“But what if the food gets cold?”
“We can warm it.” He shrugged.
“What if…” She tried to think of another excuse but couldn’t get. “Let’s just go and eat, I am going to tell you. Let me try to make my lines again.” She told him.
“On top this issue? Is it that difficult?” He stood up after her and they went to the dining.”
** ** **
FEIRE
Hey guys! I guess I was not too harsh right? I was just concerned. I have been having these thoughts lurking around my mind that perhaps there is something he doesn’t want me to know because he has been hiding me from everyone and now Mosun came around. I have said it, her mouth never closes, she met him for one minute and wants to scatter a year investment. She’s a witch and Desmond knows how much I love him, why is he doing like too? Doesn’t he know how hard it is to conceal your relationship from people so close to you? And it appears like it doesn’t make sense as well, loving someone but kept from everyone because of it.
So what should I do? I don’t know if I should call him or not. I can’t go to visit because his friends might be around, today is Friday, he might also be on his bed by now because of the hectic week he’s had.
I really and truly can’t wait for the time we’d unveil this relationship for the world to know. Let me just send him a text message and go to bed too, if not, Mosun will use chitchat to shorten my life span.
** ** **
Desmond had a nice time on the dining. He was not sure he has ever been treated that way before. The table was full. There were fruits, different soups, beef, chicken and lot more. If he had his ways, he would eat more than he ate, but he must be modest enough before parents so they wouldn’t think he’s been starving.
He knew it would be inevitable to be on the same table with her father and he wouldn’t ask questions about him and also try to talk to him. He enjoyed the talk about how the man started his hustle in his early thirties and what he has become. The discussion with a rich man would definitely cause a paradigm shift and it did for him. He asked him to go think about the offer to work in his company and he would be getting double of his present salary. Who would waste so much time trying to take that type of decision? He knew what to do. Their discussion also got to the trending issues in Nigeria and the upcoming elections before Kike tried to save him from her father’s discussion back to the balcony.
“I enjoyed the foo., I love your dad and mum, and that was very welcoming.”
Kike chuckled. “Forget, if I didn’t save you from them, you people will start talking about Obasanjo, Abacha and other politicians now. You know dad has many of them as his friends, he would try to proof points.”
Thy laughed.
“So would you go to the talk now so I can leave early enough?”
“Er.. okay. Fristly, I am sorry for bringing you down here because of my talk, this is actually necessary, that’s why I called you. By the way, why did you call me the other time to ask me questions?”
He chuckled. “Don’t let another thing interrupt what you want to tell me, Kike. I will tell you that one when we are done.”
“Okay…”
…to be continued…