Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Chapter Thirty four

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This feeling, this feeling was something I couldn't quite place my finger on, something words failed to describe, but I honestly did not want it to stop just yet. The butterflies in my belly probably sang hallelujah a thousand times over, the way he caressed my face as we kissed had me wanting more of his kisses. His tongue brushed my lower lip and I moaned giving him access into my mouth. I knew we had to stop at some point but me being caught up in the moment as I was, I fisted his collar, grappling it as he held on to me tightly. We finally stopped to catch our breaths, his forehead resting on mine. He stared into my eyes and I looked away suddenly embarrassed at how I conducted myself. It wasn't my first kiss but I surely had not been kissed for a very long time, if that distant memory was enough to go by.

I mean, my crush and I had a moment back in high school where we confessed our feelings and our lips met briefly. Unfortunately, he left the school about a week later, I never heard from him again. That tiny experience had to count for something right? Right.

"Hey."He rasped. I gave him a coy smile and he chuckled.

"I missed you and I just couldn't help myself when I saw you walk in looking like that." He confessed, eyeing my outfit with an emotion, I couldn't quite decipher at the time, displayed on his features.

"I'd take that as a compliment." I said cheekily. "I missed you too." I added.

"I'm sorry for not taking your calls, its been a rough week." I apologised.

"I could tell, anyways its fine, I wasn't angry, just worried about your wellbeing." He explained removing a strand of hair from my face. I nodded.

"You look beautiful, by the way." He complimented and for a moment there, I almost got lost in his hazel eyes. They were mesmerising.

"Thank you." I blushed, looking at anything but him.

"So what can I get you? Anything you want, I'll have it brought over here." He was picking up his intercom already.

"Dave, its fine, I already ate." I declined.

"Are you sure?" He asked again.

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks."

"No problem."

We sat in silence for a few seconds as I kept observing the interiors of his office.

"Your office looks really nice."

"Why, thank you ma'am." He said with a mock bow and I laughed.

"So what's been going on with you?"

"A lot." I answered with hesitance.

"You mind sharing?" He looked genuinely concerned but I wasn't going to let him in on my issues just yet. It was just too early for that.

"I can't tell you." I said honestly, there was no point running around the truth.

"And why is that?" He frowned a little. I thought anyone in my shoes would see this as a wise decision, to not let your new partner in on all your woes at such an early stage of the relationship.

"Do you know if I could be of help?

I mean, I don't want to wake up some day and see that you're getting married to someone else with or without your consent when I probably could have done something to help, it would break me more than..." He held his tongue, but he sounded really pained. What could he have gone through in the past that made him broken? I just couldn't probe just yet, that would be unfair to both of us, him letting me in and me still holding back. In all, I just wanted to take things slow. One step at a time.

"I'll tell you when the time is right. For now, let's just drop it." I said in finality, my eyes pleading with him to drop the topic. I could tell he still wanted to press further but he had to respect my decision, I was grateful for it.

With a nod, he asked for permission to go through some files after which we would head out for his lunch break and I obliged him.

I watched him work for about thirty minutes and at about noon, he got up on his feet, pulling me with him. It was lunch time and I could tell my man was famished.

My man, that sure had a nice ring to it. I stifled a grin at the thought.

We took a private elevator, one that was strictly for the topmost officials of the firm, I was more than thankful cause the crowded ones irked me. But hold up, wasn't he too young to hold such a position? I thought back to the hassle I had to go through just to see him and I just had to ask.

"David?" I broke the comfortable silence we were enjoying.

"Hmm." He turned to me.

"Who are you?"

"I don't understand." He looked confused.

"I mean, who are you as far as this firm is concerned?"

He laughed, like, laughed really hard.

"You'll find out soon."He smirked, adjusting his collar and cufflinks, putting on his bossy face that I almost swooned over. He held out his hand to me and I stared at it.

"Shall we?"He asked with a teasing smile on his lips. Just then, the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open. I took his outstretched palm and fell into step with his quick strides.

"Good day sir." Those words rang from all corners, it seemed like the whole of the large lobby had gone still as we walked past. I watched in awe as he replied curtly to all the greetings thrown his way. Very few, acknowledged my presence but I couldn't care less, I was awestruck by the aura this man carried. I saw the receptionist stand up to greet us , eyeing our fingers intertwined , as did so many other people. She was practically gaping at us.

David and I made it past the lobby and finally found ourselves outside the building. Okay that was crazy.

"Did that answer your question?" He questioned smugly.

"I won't believe what's in my head until I hear from you." I said plainly. He chuckled and led me to his sleek Cadillac SUV with his palm on the small of my back.

We got in the back seat, as he signalled the driver to move to his usual spot. I bit on my lower lip, expecting my answers.

"Ugh fine." He groaned. "I'm the current Vice president of Avid Oil and Gas."

My jaw dropped.

"How old are you again?" I blurted without thinking.

"Twenty six, I'd be Twenty seven in two months." He replied casually. How did I get so many young overachievers in my life?

"In case you missed it, the company belongs to my dad." He said, shocking me.

"That explains it." I muttered.

"But I worked my way up there, it wasn't gifted to me on a platter of gold, If that's what you're thinking."

I kept my mute as he went on to explain how he started working part time immediately after high school, accompanying his dad everywhere and learning the ropes of the business he was bound to take over. He schooled in Nigeria for that singular purpose, missing out on the thrill of the University life because if he wasn't studying, he was working. He did enjoy it, so it wasn't much of a problem as others thought it was for him. With time, he climbed up the ranks, and soon he was going to take over the company fully.

I was left with my mouth agape when he ended his narrative.

"Wow. I'm thoroughly impressed with your achievements so far." I applauded him and as usual he gave a mock bow, tipping his Imaginary hat.

"We're here." He gestured, I turned to look out the window. I smiled at him, he returned it. He got out and did the gentlemanly thing, he held the door open for me and shut it the moment I stepped out.

"I take it that this is your favourite restaurant, yes?" I asked as we walked towards the restaurant, hand in hand.

"Nah. First of all, it's closer to the office. Secondly, I have shares here so that means I get discounts, it only seems logical to have my meals here."

"Indeed." I agreed but I couldn't miss the opportunity to tease him a little.

"So, I take it that you didn't bring me here to impress me when we came on our first date but because it did less damage to your pocket, yeah?"

He froze, visibly taken aback by my question.

"What? No, babe, why... what? Why would you even think that?" He sputtered and I couldn't help myself, I laughed so hard.

"Relax, I was just teasing you." I nudged his shoulder playfully and he heaved an exaggerated sigh of relief. We ended up laughing about it.

We sat down at a table for two, within the west wing of the restaurant.  I ordered some basmati rice with shrimp sauce while he went for some spaghetti bolognese, topped with some fine wine. We had our meals in silence.

Those miniature meals were sure expensive, but I had to hand it to them, their meals were delicious. The only downside was, they served such small servings at outrageous prices.

Done with our meals, David and I were making our way out of the restaurant, chatting away, I didn't look where I was going until I bumped into someone who was obviously in a hurry. Whoever it was stopped to apologise and I froze as our eyes met.

"Crys... Lola." He corrected himself, thankfully. He smiled at me.

"Good day sir." I mumbled, more eager to leave.

"What are you doing here?"

I had to answer nicely as I didn't want David getting all suspicious.

"I came here for lunch with my boyfriend." I said with much difficulty. The way his eyes sparkled as I spoke was hard to miss. David introduced himself before I could speak further.

"Good day sir, I'm David Nnadi, Lola's boyfriend."He reached out for a handshake, bowing a little as Gerald shook his hand. He held my hand afterwards, and I forced a smile at him.

That smile dropped immediately I saw the next person that came in.

"Dad, you couldn't even wait for me to lock the car before..." The words got stuck in her throat when her eyes fell on me.

"Tolani?" I stared back and forth between both of them. The air had surely gone awkward. I didn't want David getting any wrong vibes so I tried to salvage the situation.

I gulped and gave a wide smile. "Uhmm, David meet my only sister, Laila, Laila meet David, I'm sure you know who he is already."

"Of course." Her face lit up in excitement.

He brought his arm forward for a handshake but she hugged him instead, shocking both of us.

"Do take care of my sister so I don't have to beat you up." She warned sternly.

"Yes ma'am." He saluted, we all laughed.

"I'm very much willing to take care of my baby." He kissed the back of palm. I fought the blush that came on with all my might but I lost that battle.

"Awww." Laila and I said in unison.

"We better get going." I said.

"Why not join us?" Gerald offered. As expected, I was about to decline when David butted in.

"I would have loved to but I really have to get back to work now sir, but I'd love to sometime later, that is, if the offer is still open."

Why was he trying to warm up to my... I dunno, him.

"Of course, we should exchange contacts."

I watched as both of them exchanged contact details, having light conversations and laughing in between. My mouth almost fell open as I watched the scene unfold. Laila stood beside me the next minute, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"He's definitely a keeper." She whispered and I almost had a whiplash with the speed at which I turned to her.

"What the hell are you two doing here?" I hissed.

"I'm here to have lunch with my dad." She said like it was so obvious.

"Really? Your dad? You seem pretty excited about him being your biological father." I sneered.

"What's wrong with you? He's not at fault here Lola, you should really sit and talk to him, he's on our side and truly loves us."She tried to reason with me but I was not having it.

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Yeah, right."

"You need to have a rethink, Lola." She gave me a pat on my left shoulder and walked back to the men.

"Babe." David called out to me. I walked up to him.

"I have to go back to the office, I've got a meeting in a few minutes, let me have your keys, I'll have my driver bring your car here, Laila says you're staying." He said. I was stunned, Laila just had to play that game. Still not wanting to raise any suspicions, I conceded.

"Yeah sure, I'll see you soon. Take care." I gave him a hug, which he returned eagerly, planting a kiss on my forehead and one on the back of my palm. I handed him my car keys before he exited the restaurant.

I turned to Laila with a hard glare the moment he was out of sight. Her eyes pleaded with me to comply and I heaved a sigh, reminding myself that she'd do the same if roles were reversed. I was going to sit through this just because of her.

We made our way to a table where I sat silently avoiding eye contact with him.

I watched them order while I didn't since I was full already. I just had a glass of water to keep myself, more like my mouth busy as they savoured their meals.

Apparently , these two had been bonding really well, their chatters were endless. As much as I hated to admit it, he did have a great sense of humour and I found myself unable to suppress my laughter for the most part.

The driver soon came and handed me my keys with a small package from David. I thanked him and dismissed him with a tip for transport.

I peeked into the small bag and smiled. Laila hummed teasingly and I met her mischievous gaze.

"What's inside?" She asked eagerly.

"Ah ah, Tolani how does it concern you?"  Gerald playfully asked her.

"Help me ask her o." I said, happy that he was on my side.

She gasped in mock surprise.

"So it's two against one now? No problem, lemme mind my business."

We all laughed at her antics.

It was actually a box of chocolates, the same ones that made me puke on my first date. Cringe worthy, I know, but it's still a bittersweet memory.

We were done and I was about getting into my car when Gerald called out to me.

"I'd like for us to talk one on one, soon enough."He suggested. I turned to Laila who stood on the side of the vehicle, she signalled me to listen to him.

"I understand that I haven't truly cleared the air surrounding all the things you've had to go through the last few days, I owe you an explanation, you deserve it." He said softly,laying a hand on my shoulder, I didn't shake it off for some reason.

I nodded solemnly. I watched as he scribbled his address on a piece of paper and gave me a convenient time for our meeting, which I took and tucked inside my purse.

With a few words of goodbye, I drove out of the premises with Laila seated next to me.

"Please tell me you'll go see him this weekend." She said the moment I got on the highway.

"I'll think about it." I said with a blank expression, my gaze solely locked on the road in front me.

"Lola... Sometimes, this obstinacy of yours irks me to no end. You were never like this!" She exclaimed and I brought the car to a screeching halt. Ignoring her scream, I turned to her, ready to spit fire.

"Oh is that so? You want the gullible, naive and fleeceable Lola you're all used to? I'm sorry, she died the moment she heard the truth about her existence. She died the moment she realised she was just a pawn on everyone else's chessboard. Some charity case, some naive, sheltered, overly pampered child who did not have a say for herself, who could not make decisions on her own unless pushed in the 'right' direction. So, because I don't let you all, walk all over me, I'm now the most obstinate and unreasonable person ever?! Whatever floats your boat Tolani, I don't care anymore!"

She just moped at me,horrified. I turned away from her, starting the engine and speeding out of there.

I made up my mind to go see Gerald but I wasn't going to let her know that. I made my point known, I wasn't going to let anyone influence my decisions.

If it wasn't God influencing it, no one else mattered at this point because man would continue to fail me, hurt me and break my trust but God wouldn't. That was my watchword and I stuck with it, there was practically nothing else to hold on to anyways.