*sola*
I didn't realize how long I'd been sitting there, on the hard woody bench, with my bag gripped tightly in my hands until the door opened.
My mind felt numb, my head was still swimming from the nausea. I took in deep, fast breaths, but it still felt shallow.
I rubbed my hands over my face, trying to make myself feel better, but everything proved useless and futile."Miss ojo?" The nurse called, snapping me out of my wild thoughts. "You can come in now."
I smiled in appreciation as I went into the small pharmacy, giving the previous customer space to walk out of the checkup room.
"Please sit." said the nurse.
I obeyed. I had been having a terrible stomach bug, causing me to vomit almost all the time which was giving me problems at my new work place.
Two months after my separa
THREE YEARS LATER. *Alex* I slowly opened the file on the Big fish hotel and resorts group, which I expected to be the latest addition to my hotel empire, and suffered an unanticipated shock. Ironically, it took a great deal to shock me, at almost 32 years of age, I had seen a great deal of bad behavior, especially when it came to women. What actually caused me to vault upright behind my desk and carry the file over to the window of my office to avail more light, was a glimpse of the startlingly familiar face in a photograph of the big fish hotel executive staff... A face I would never forget. Sola Ojo. I stared hard at the angelic face of the lady who had almost ruined and bewitched me, with her innocent looking eyes, and her voluptuous figure, which was highlighted in the most provocative manner in the photograph.
*Sola* "Well?...what do you think of it?" I opened my mouth in shock as I stared at the sleek car in front of me. It was a top-of-the-range BMW and it was parked outside the garages for me to examine.I turned back and stared at Mr Jimmy in shock. "It's.. It's really beautiful.. But.." "But nothing!" Mr Jimmy brightly prompted, smiling warmly at me. "You needed a car to transport your self, now you got one!" "Mr Jimmy.. I surely can't accept this. It's too much..""Nonsense! It's not too much. You do a much important work around here, overseeing the resorts at the beach on Taqua Bay and the hotel here at Bode Thomas. I figured all that would be too much stress taking public transport all the time, so I decided to get you this gift as a relief, and as a way to thank you for your exceptional job over here. "
*sola* I was woken up by the sound of a tiny scream from the adjoining room.. Justin's room!. I quickly bolted up, turned on my table lamp and ran out of the room in alarm. I opened the door to his much more smaller room and met him sitting up and crying silently. I was wondering what had happened to my little boy. Had he fallen off the bed? "Baby... What happened? Mummy's here.." I said in the most soothing voice I had. I climbed into his small, soft bed and held him in my arms."Mummy...Dream.." He said while sobbing silently. I bit my lower lip as I felt a rush of tears at the back of my eyelids. I kissed his little head while cleaning his tears. He leaned closer into me to hug me tightly. "So my big boy is scared of nightmares? What a shame!" I said in a cheerful, laughing voice. It must have worked because my energet
*Alex*"For such a soft, tiny hand... I must say you're a really good slapper, sugar" I said, chuckling. I quickly snapped out of my shock after Sola slapped me hard across my face. I glared at her. Normally I didn't tolerate such insolent behavior from women, but Sola had always been an exception for everything since she crashed into my life. "Don't call me that! And the next time you force your lips onto mine again.. I will give you a more harder slap than this!" She was panting loudly, her anger so strongly emitted."I don't mind being slapped by a beautiful woman, it adds to the excitement." I quipped, grinning widely at her angrily flushed face. She shook her head as if she could quite believe I was still standing in front of her."You're such a distasteful, vile man! Coming to this place and pretending like you've never met me in front of my
*Sola* It was 3:30pm and I had just parked my car into Justin's school's parking lot. The school was one of the prestigious schools here in Surulere. I was so glad that I could afford to send my son to a good school. But I wasn't going to tolerate him being bullied by some other kids. I walked straight into the principal's quarters."Hi ma, good afternoon. How may I help you?" the receptionist at the desk asked, smiling invitingly at me. I smiled back."Good afternoon. Please, I need to speak with Mr Amos."The receptionist asked me to wait while she prepared my appointment. After some minutes, she told me he was free and I could go in. I walked into his office and greeted him while he did the same."It's been quite a while Miss Ojo, how have you been?" he asked cheerfully. "Fine, fine. Thank you sir."
*Alex* "Do you make a habit of keeping your clients late before you show up, sugar?" I said to Sola the moment she entered my limousine. It was Wednesday, Sola was a good 15 minutes late. I knew she did it deliberately. I studied her chic outfit. She was wearing a bright orange strapless gown. The top of the gown exposed a bit of her cleavage and I scowled silently. She looked breathtaking and I didn't want men staring at her the way I was. The gown was a bit too short, with a provocative slit on the left side, showing off her flawless skin. Her back was also bare and her make up was light and classy. God! She was so perfect."Good morning, Mr Williams." she said in a crisp, stern voice, managing to avoid eye contact with me. I smiled to myself. Today was going to be an interesting day. "Good morning, Sugar." I replied, gr
*Sola* Now he knew the truth. The lady who claimed to work with me in stealing Alex's money didn't even know me. So how could I have been the one? "Are saying that you don't recognize this lady? At all?" Alex asked, the anger was very clear in his voice.Amarachi looked confusingly towards me and Alex. "No... No.. I.. I don't recognize her sir." she turned fearfully to me. I noticed she was shaking. "Who are you miss?""I'm Sola Ojo." I replied, smiling at her. I and Alex watched as all the color drained from her face. She gasped and before I knew what she was doing, she dropped to her knees and started sobbing hysterically as she grabbed my shoes. "Please ma, I'm so sorry! The lady came to me and told me her name was Sola Ojo. I knew she was lying but I couldn't stop my self, she offered me a million to steal from t
*Alex* "Good Morning, Mr Williams. You arrived quiet early... Did you fly in at midnight?" Mr Jones, our most competent family doctor said, rising up to shake my hands with much enthusiasm. I had woken up early this morning to take a flight to Abuja, where Mr Jones resided. I had called him the night after I had found out that Sola had a child. A real living child. I'd done so because I needed to get a chance to leave Lagos, because I couldn't trust my self not to go after Sola immediately and cause more problems. "Yes, Mr Jones. I had to quickly land early because I have some urgent matters to take care of. I just needed to quickly see you for a few minutes before I leave." I explained and sat as he lead me to the dining room of his apartment."Alright, sir. Can I offer you anything?" he asked, smiling widely. "No, no.. I'm goo
SECOND EPILOGUE Four months later... My water just broke. I was behind the desk, sitting close to my husband in his office. We were in the middle of an interview with one of the investors of my newly opened company, SHADE COSMETICS AND CLOTHING BRAND. I dedicated the name to my late mother, as I've always wished to. Alex had been so supportive for the past few months as he made sure my dreams were made to reality. We were still deliberating on the location and brand style with our investors when I noticed the moisture between my legs. I was very confused at first because I didn't feel any pain.Then I felt it happen. It wasn't really painful, it was more like an urge to use the toilet. But I knew what it was. The baby is coming!. "Um.... Ale
Epilogue Three months later...*Sola* "Sola! Sola! Stand still! You'll ruin your million-dollar dress!" Amina snapped at me, She was glaring at me with a menacing gleam. "Look, I'm sorry! I'm just so...so Nervous. I can't stop shaking!" I mumbled, staring at my reflection in the mirror frantically. My eyes stayed on my middle section. I was staring at my almost-visible baby bump. Thanks to the stylist Alex had flown into the country from London, the big white wedding dress was fitted perfectly to my body, yet it managed to successfully conceal my rising bump. Five months."Ami, Don't you think... I'm getting married too early? I mean.. I know I'm pregnant already.. But..""Are you on drugs?" She asked with a dead panned expression. I bit my lower
*Sola* "What..." I trailed off. Aunty Elizabeth's face broke as she began to sob. I pulled her in, trying to comfort her. I couldn't stand seeing her in pain and grief like this. "Uncle Paul.... Why is she crying like this? What's wrong Aunty Liz?" I asked in a confused voice as she kept crying and trembling in my arms. I patted and rubbed her back. My own tears were resurfacing again. Ooooh, please stop this! I didn't want to cry again."Take this," Aunty Liz handed over a rough paper to me. "Clara wrote a letter. And it's specifically for only you to read. Take it." I collected the paper reluctantly. Where was Clara for goodness sake! Was she in prison? What's wrong? I opened the paper. My breath caught as I scanned Clara's writing. That beautiful straight writing. Just perfect. Like Clara. I began to read.
*Alex* I'm sorry... She passed away over the night....My head kept twirling around. It was like I was in a dream state. I was in denial. It couldn't end this way. No.... She can't be gone. "Alex.. Calm down.." Kene's distant voice wavered through my ears. I shook my head in denial. I couldn't accept it. I couldn't accept that Sola was.. No! Don't say it!. "Alex.. Listen to the doctor first..." Amina said on my other hand, her eyes were teary, but she didn't look like someone that had just lost her friend. I shook my head in pity. She probably also didn't believe that Sola was truly dead. She was gone. "Amina... Sola.. She's..." I whimpered. Unable to finish my sentence. The doctor was still standing there, watching the scene that was unfolding. Kene grabbed my shoulders from
*Sola* Caroline turned to me and smiled wickedly. I gulped as she took in my situation. I knew what she would do next. "You bitch! You killed Clara!" I screamed at her.She laughed lightly and edged closer to me a bit."Relax, Sola. She'll probably just loose her legs. That will teach her never to betray her partner next time." She stalked to where Justin was. "Now, it's time for him to jump downstairs too." she said with a cynical tone and picked him up."He's such a sleeper. I guess the pill worked too well." "No! No, please drop my son! Please I beg you! Just.. Kill me! But please... Let him go! " I screamed as she carried my son and walked towards th
*Third pov* Clara stared at the child who was sleeping so peacefully. She'd draped him in her own over-worn pajamas and tucked him in her bed. His bed that was upstairs in the attic was tattered and filled with bedbugs and other insects. Hell, The whole place was filled with too many irritable creatures. Caroline had picked the warehouse where her father used to store some goods before.Even through the tiredness and fear of not being close to his family, the boy had boldly told her his Name. Justin. Clara chuckled silently. So cheesy, so....Sola. Clara sat still as her mind went back to the time she had first met Sola. She felt the full force of that afternoon as her mom had informed her that her friend's daughter was there. "Her name is Solaoluwa, and she's your age mate darling
*Sola* I gulped and turned to Alex, dropping my phone speedily into my pockets as I thought of what to say to him. "Alex!... I... Um..." I was stuttering. I quickly scratched my brain to think of a reply. "Tell you that,... Amina likes your friend..!" I quipped in quickly. I saw his face relax in an easy, charming smile. He was so handsome and his olive skin was a perfect contrast to his dark, hooded eyes. I loved this man so much. This perfect man who would do anything for me. I needed to protect him now, I couldn't care what would happen to me in the process.He moved in slowly, still smiling at me with his hands tucked in his pockets. "Have you been crying?" He asked as he wrapped one arm around my waist to pull me in. I moved happily into his warm embrace and breathed in his wonderful scent. He was like my save haven.
*Sola*"Get out of the water, Justin! Justin!" I screamed in horror. A minute ago, I and my son were playing water splash on each other in the large swimming pool and then, all of a sudden, Justin was drowning, I watched how he splashed and gasped in front of me, trying to stay above the water, trying so hard to defeat it, but I was unable to move. It was like I was being held down by some unforseen forces, stopping me from rescuing my son."Mommy! Mommy!" He kept screaming, It was like the water was beating him down, trying to swallow him. I pushed my hands forward, trying to break through. I moaned and screamed in frustration. Why couldn't I get to my son?! Justin! Please! Let me save him! "Hang on, baby! I'm coming!" I screamed. But I still couldn't move my limbs. I was frozen in place.Tears of confusion and frustration streamed down my fa
*Alex* The moment I got outside the hall to pick the call, I knew something had gone horribly wrong."Hello?" I spoke silently into the phone, hoping to get a swift response.The number had picked but was still silent. I held my breath, waiting and for a response. "Hello? Who am I speaking to?" I repeated in a firmer voice. I was beginning to get impatient."You wish to know Clara's location." It was a female voice. The voice was a bit thicker to quickly decipher, but I eventually knew who it was. I would recognize that taunting tilt in her voice. It was Caroline. "Caroline," I murmured in an angry voice."I am quite surprised that you would still recognize my voice by now, honey. Is that a sign that you still miss me?" She asked with a soft chuckle, like she was enjoying