CHAPTER FIVE
‘I am so sorry Toke, I
have been busy lately.’
‘You are looking good,
what is your secret?’
‘I don't have a secret.’
It was so good to see
Tinuke again after such a long while; She had missed the gist and teasing and
it felt so good to have her back.
‘Toke, you are so lucky
getting a job at Adebayo's company, at least you are on a regular pay.’
‘It's a relief Tinuke, I
am so happy. Anyway forget about my job,’ she cut off Toke. ‘Who is the guy?
Please don't tell me you are still single.’
‘Of course you know I am
still single.’
‘Jeez!!!. Toke, please
release yourself.’
‘I am trying.’
Tinuke's boyfriend had
been ever faithful to her. They had been together since secondary school days,
precisely SS2 and even after graduation from the university they were still
together. Everyone knew they were certainly bound for the altar.
Michael had been taking
Toke out on a series of dates, but he still hadn't said anything. He had been
into her room twice and was just friendly about it. She couldn't say for a
certainty if it was just friendship or he intended to take it further.
After talking as much as
they could for the time being and a light meal, Tinuke took her leave. Toke
felt relieved that her friend was back. She would be seeing more her.
******. *******. *******
Her tears that night were
for the feeling of love. Michael had asked her out and he did it with all
sincerity. He told her he had given her enough opportunities to trust in him.
‘Toke,’ he had started, ‘I
really don't think you will take me serious because I am your boss. It might
sound awkward, but you are all I have dreamt of in a woman. The last few weeks
we have been hanging out was all I needed to study you.’
Tilting her chin up, he
looked directly into her eyes and she felt she was going to melt. She had the
thought he was going to use her and dump her but with all these she just
couldn't resist him.
‘Toke,’ he continued, ‘I
promise not to disappoint you’
‘But Michael…’ she muttered,
and went silent again.
‘Please talk to me, I am
listening.’ he insisted.
He felt his chest tighten;
he did not realize how deep his feelings were till now.
‘I told you about myself,
I don't have relations I know of and with your family, I might not be accepted
and.....’
‘Toke, please this has to
do with me and you. That is what matters to me.’
‘Let's go’,
He stood up and led her
out of Golden gate restaurant, which had become more like their favorite spot
over time. When they got to his car, he opened the door for her and watched her
slid gracefully into the front passenger seat. The moment he joined her in the
car on the driver seat he drew her into his arms, all she could whisper was his
name as his mouth covered hers and she melted into his arms. She felt so
innocent.
‘Toke, just relax and feel
free with me’, he said after he released her.
She responded with a nod
still short of words. He dropped her off at home and promised to show up the
next day being a Saturday.
******. *******. ********
A relationship like theirs
was rare to find. Despite how close and intimate they were, no one knew about I
at the office.
Michael gave everything to
Toke, his love, money, time and his heart. He spent every free time he had with
her. Even Tolu, his best friend had stopped querying him on his whereabouts
because he knew Michael was with Toke.
‘Make sure you get her to
the altar’, Tolu would say.
‘Sure thing’, Michael always
replied with a big grin on his face.
CHAPTER SIX
Toke's lifestyle had taken
a new turn since she met Michael. He was all she ever wanted in a man. The fact
that he was her employer had nothing to do with their personal feelings.
Micheal was so good to her.
Even when her friend,
Tinuke met him, she did not think Toke could get anyone better. He was just
perfect for her. Michael’s friend Tolu had met Tinuke and he also wanted to
have someone like her love him as well.
Toke had been to Michael’s
house a couple of times and it was a place to behold. A three winged duplex.
His parents and his two younger sisters; Tola and Sade stayed in the master
wing, whilst Michael had one of the smaller wings to himself and the third wing
was the servant’s quarters. Michael had his privacy and freedom to do whatever
he liked. All Tinuke kept praying for was continuity in their relationship.
******. ******. *******
‘Mrs Solape, have you
heard the gist?’ A receptionist in Adebayo Group of Companies said to another
colleague.
‘What gist?’
‘Toke of course. She
finally got Oga into her snare. I suspected all this while.’
Such were the discussions
and opinions running round the office; even to Toke's hearing but she simply
shut her ears to them all.
*******. ****** ******
She had never stayed away
from home but Michael persuaded her this time to spend the weekend at his place
and She actually enjoyed herself. All she did was sleep, eat, talk with him and
watch TV. He made love to her the first night, and was very surprised at her
innocence so he did not disturb her again. The night was only spent sleeping
and cuddling. He had plans for her. He intended to get her a new apartment and
a car. If he had his way he wanted her to stop working and set up a business
for her probably a computer center. All he needed was more time to get used to
her.
******. ****** ******
Toke had never been late
for work but she could not help it this morning. She had woken up with a
terrible headache and she had vomited all morning. She waited till she felt a
bit better before she set out to the office.
During her break, she went
to the staff clinic and was given some malaria and pain reliveing medication.
She felt very lonely because Michael was out of town to attend a seminar. When
she wasn't feeling better by the third day, she went for a blood test where she
was confirmed pregnant.
She was very scared
because it was the least expected worry. How could it be possible she was pregnant
when the coupled only once, which was the weekend she spent in his house. Will
Michael accept the baby? She had no answers to all the questions running
through her head. The only thing to do was to tell him and await his reaction.
*******. *********. *****
‘Toke, just stop talking.
What do you mean by saying you are pregnant?’ he was raising his voice.
‘Michael, but....’
‘Don’t interrupt me because
I am a hundred percent sure I am not responsible. The fact it was your first
time with me proves nothing. I was on contraceptives and I don't expect you to
be here saying this.’
‘Michael, I am not lying.’
Toke was sobbing.
‘So who is lying?’ he asked
angrily. He was not even looking at her at all.
‘Toke, look for the father
of your child and leave me out of this.’
He took his keys and
walked out of her apartment.
Only a few minutes back he
had been so excited to see her as he returned from the airport after a couple
of weeks out of the country. Nothing was adding up. He felt he had taken the necessary
precaution and would not be deceived.
The next morning Toke met
a dismissal letter awaiting her at the office. Toke felt the world was finally
over for her. Why would Michael think she could have cheated on him in anyway?
She cleared her desk and left the office.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Yippee!!! I am making
progress. I was typing and I suddenly started getting all so emotional about
the story. It felt like I did not write the story in the first place. I guess
it's good to feel this way; at least Rikky says so too.
Anyway, not much side gist
this time around, just a few questions!
How often do you have a
Plan B? A backup plan you fall back on in worse case scenarios.
To what extent would you
go to get what you want in life?
When exactly is the time
to give up on an issue or desire?
How often do you have
personal deadlines to meet?
When does one finally accept
defeat over a situation that has gone out of control?
These questions might seem
vague but they require answers. For me I definitely don’t have all the answers
yet. So, give it a thought, not focusing on any life situation in particular
and you could apply it to anyone or anything.
I think I snapped at Bolu on
THURSDAY because I was held up in a nasty traffic for four crazy hours. My Oga, sowie bout that (NO VEX).
My new gadget is so cool.
(Covers face). It's an addiction I can't help.
I love you all.
Have a great weekend.
