*Sola*
I stared deeply at him. My eyes never wavering. My attention was fully on him. His hair looked fuller and he had those pretty scrubs on his perfect chin. We were both seated on the sand, the beach water playing with our feet and finger tips. We kept staring at each other like nothing else mattered, like no one else existed. Just the two of us.
"God! you're so beautiful" his voice echoed to me in a tight-lipped exclamation as he gazed at me in wonder, studying every little details of my face.
He stroked my chin with the back of his fingers, his lips slightly ajar. I felt my eyelids unconsciously close at the feeling of his touch on my face. I wanted it to be this way. I wanted it to never stop.
"Alex," I sighed. I leaned into him, placing my palms tentatively on his chest, not sure of what was to come next. And then I felt my self being pulled seductively onto his lap, his arms moving firmly around my waste. My breathing sped up. I was so nervous and excited about this foreign feeling, this desire for him, which was spiraling uncontrollably through my body.
I felt his lips touch my neck, and I arced into him, marveling at the sensation. I gasped lightly, and my hands instinctively went around his neck. I knew he was going to kiss me, I was dying for a taste of his lips. Those soft pink lips.
"You're mine, Sola. Mine" He said and began to move closer, bringing down his dark head towards me and I did the same. His lips touched my lips.
I woke up.
I sat up and hugged my pillow to myself. I'd been dreaming. I was dreaming of Alex, who I had met only once since about a month ago, when he didn't even remember if a girl called Sola existed.
I frustratingly hit my palm hard on my forehead.
"What is wrong with you Sola?" I asked my self in the dark bode of my room. Alone.
For weeks now I'd been having dreams of Alex. Disturbing, erotica dreams, Of me and Alex together. I didn't know why, but I just couldn't control my insane attraction to him.
I had tried my best to forget him, since it seemed like he had forgotten me since that night he came to my rescue at the hotel. Not a word from him since then. Not a text. Nothing.
I so wish I could unsend the series of text messages I had sent to him, none that got a reply from him.
I picked my phone from my bedside table and rechecked the stupid messages I had sent.
Date: 18/09/2018. 10:44pm
Hi, Alex. This is Sola. I just wanted to tell you thank you for today. I hope you are back home safe. And I hope your boss did not get angry at you for helping out a stranger. Take care.
I had kept it simple and friendly. Expecting a reply. I had waited till 2:00am before I finally accepted that he must have probably been too busy or tired or just not interested to reply. But I had hope it was not the third reason.
I had waited two days again before texting him. Out of worry.
Date: 20/09/2018. 1:30pm
Alex. Hi. It's Sola here. The girl you helped out in the restroom in Eko hotel and suites at VI. I've been worried sick that you might have gotten into trouble with your boss after she caught you helping a stranger. I'm very sorry I caused you that much trouble. Can we meet sometime? :-)
I'd been completely offended when I realized that he must have read and ignored. What sort of man did that? A shameless one for real. I'd been so annoyed I had vented out on Clara, ending up telling her about the whole ordeal with the Alex driver.
"Why don't you search him online?" she had suggested. I had jumped up and hugged her for the brilliant idea I hadn't even thought of. We'd both stayed up half of the night that day, searching for Alex Okoro. But we ended up not finding a single clue that confirmed he existed.
"Sola, are you sure you didn't just imagine this guy. I mean.. Every girl loves a guy that comes to her rescue. Maybe-"
"How can I imagine someone like that Clara!" I'd bursted out in anger, Retiring to my room and crying hard into my pillow. The next day I decided to accept that he was just a figment of my imagination. Not real. But I still found my self thinking of him, thinking of his handsome face and his sweet voice. I calculated that God just wanted to keep me away from him. From men like him. And I was glad. Except I truly wasn't.
I kept wondering if the reason he avoided me was because I had put him into trouble with his oga. (boss).
I remember that night when we'd exchanged numbers before we saw his boss walking angrily towards us.
"Is that your boss? She's beautiful" I had said, noticing he had started to look troubled. "Is there a problem?" I had asked.
"Yes" he'd murmured quickly. "You have to go now Sola, my boss, she's a very difficult woman. I could loose my job if you don't go now"
My eyes had widened with alarm and I had quickly bade him my brief goodbye. Not exactly how I wanted to.
I had turned the other way to avoid the angry looking lady, But not before I'd heard her tiny, high pitched voice.
"Alex, who's the lady you were talking to?"
I had sped up my walk. Getting far as quickly as I could, before turning back. When I turned, they'd disappeared. With the car. His boss had surely gotten pissed at him and left the party too early.
The last message I sent to him, I had apologized and told him I liked him and would want us to go out sometime. I had been very brave. Only to get ignored. The third time.
I closed my eyes and lied down back on my bed.
I really need to stop thinking of him. Was all I thought about, before drifting off to sleep again.
..................................
*Alex*
I opened my phone and read her text messages for the umpteenth time. I really couldn't help it. She just kept going through my mind. I remember her beautiful smile, her light soft skin, her lips. Those lips that I had regretted not kissing.
I couldn't continue to deny that I wanted this girl. In my bed. In my arms. I wanted to explore every corners of her delectable body, I wanted her warm hazel eyes to burn with fire for me.
I had arrived yesterday from the US on some meeting with my father's old time friends and business associates.
I hadn't expected to take so long, 3 weeks to be exact. But due to some glitches in our business centers abroad, I'd had to stay and work out the issue. All the while thinking about Sola.
Sola Ojo.
A 23 year old lady, who graduated from the college of tech finishing her OND with a good looking GPA. Working as an assistant supervisor in a local restaurant located in festac, Lagos.
Those were the information my chief of security had gotten when I'd asked him to search everything he could about her.
"Guy, you look lost" my friend, Ekene said, sipping his drink.
We were at an exclusive bar, in Lekki. A well known area in Lagos.
"I'm not lost." I said, glaring at him because deep down I knew I was lost. In my thoughts.
Ekene chuckled, taking another sip.
"When last did you get laid?"
I glanced at the stage, where a very tiny lady was dancing erotically on a pole. She was wearing practically nothing and her boobs seemed to be flying each and every way. The sight didn't move me a bit, I was shocked because it used to.
"Last week, I think" I said with a sigh. I'd had sex with a distant girlfriend, but all I'd been seeing was a certain fair, innocent looking girl with her witchy brown/hazel eyes.
"You need to get laid tonight then. An eligible bachelor like you shouldn't go a day without sex." my friend said, smiling at me.
I snorted in displease. "Please,"
"I don't have time for fun Ekene, there are so many responsibilities on my neck, I can't even spare a time for fun" I said. The words heavy on my heart.
"There's something called, mixing business with pleasure" Ekene replied.
"Or," he continued, raising his eyebrows "why do I get the feeling that you're pinning over a lady?"
He must have noticed my reaction because he burst into laughter and hit the table with his palm.
"That's it! Homeboy is finally in love!"
"Nah, not in love.." I replied. Smiling back at him. The guy was a stupid teaser.
"But there's a girl. Tell me about her. Where did you meet her? Who's she?" He asked curiously.
I explained to him how I'd found Sola in the rest room and taken her to my car, exchanging numbers and then I told him about her text which I had ignored.
"Dude! Why would you ignore her texts??"
"I didn't want to keep her hopes up, Ekene. Believe me, I was tempted to. But... She didn't look like the kind of girl to play with. I don't want to start what I cannot finish. Even though I want to." i explained.
"You're too nice for my liking. If I were you, I would have gotten down with her and had her out of my system by now. Guy you dey dull o" my friend said. I laughed lightly at his accusatory tone.
"I'm never dull, Ekene."
...............................
*sola*
"Sola, you'll have to go with Adesua, we need to be sure they're not rigging the price for us here."
Mr Ben said, dropping a large amount of money on Clara's table.
"But, Mr Ben." Clara said "It's a Monday. Food stuffs may not be readily available in the markets, I think we should just wait for the weekend"
"We're out of stocks. And the chairman will be coming in next tomorrow. There will be a big problem if he finds that out. We need to find anything we can. The kitchen must be fully stocked."
"Okay sir." I replied.
"Sola, I'm sorry you have to go through this problem because of my incompetency" Clara said to me, apologetically.
"It's fine Clara. I'll just-"
I was interrupted by the knock on the door.
"Come in" said Clara.
Joseph, the bar man walked in.
"What do you want!" Clara snapped at him.
"Sorry to disturb you" said the bar man. "Miss Sola, a man is here, asking to see you."
I wasn't expecting anybody. "who is that?"
"He said his name is Alex, ma"
My eyes widened immediately I heard the name mentioned. Could it be.. ? It couldn't.
"Sola! It's Alex!" Clara shouted, jumping up from her seat behind her desk.
"Who's Alex?" Mr Ben asked, confused.
"I'll be right back" I said, my face flaming with the heat that was suddenly gathering around me.
I got to the dining area, and there he was. Sitting on a chair that made him look too big. I felt dizzy. Every other person in the room didn't seem to matter. As if on cue, he glanced my way and stood up from the chair, and he began to walk towards me In powerful strides, like he owned the place.
As he got closer, My heart thumped and bumped as my bones began to loosen in the shell of my skin.
"Hello, Sola" that velvet thick voice, so smooth and perfect waved through me. And I felt my head bead with sweat as I fully realized he was standing right in front of me. With his hand out. I silently breathed in his smell, that perfect cologne mixed with a tantalizing smell that was totally Alex's.
I was about to reply when someone ran into me from the back. It was Clara.
"Sola! Introduce me to your mystery man!" she said so excitedly that I gave her way to get a better look at him.
"You. You-" Clara stopped short. Staring at Alex with shock.
"Alexander Williams. It's you. In flesh and blood." Clara whispered with disbelief, And I felt my heart froze, I felt my palms go hot.
"What?" I whispered, looking at Clara. She turned to look at me, with anger and accusation in her eyes. I was confused. What was happening here?
"You told me he was Alex okoro, this is Alex Williams, the rich guy. You lied to me Sola!" Clara accused, her voice higher than the normal.
I stared back at Alex. Fear gripping me. Was that why his face looked so familiar? And was that why I was unable to find out anything about Alex okoro? Was that why I never got a reply?
"Who are you? " I asked him in a soft whisper, I doubt if he even caught what I Said. But then he heard. And he confirmed the obvious.
"I'm Alex." he replied with a wide smile. "Alex Williams."
...............................
*sola* My head was swimming, I didn't know how to react as I stared at the man in front of me."Can we take a sit over there and talk?" he asked. Looking expectantly at me.Before I could form any reply to give him, Clara was in front of me. "Alex, did you come here to talk to me? Oh my gosh I'm so flattered, let's go take a sit" But Alex remained where he was, never taking his eyes off me as he replied Clara."I came to see Sola. Not you." His voice was firm, Like before. That voice alone could make a grown woman melt. Mr Ben came forward looking shocked and flustered at Alex. Every other staffs were also gathered around, Looking at him like he was some kind of trophy or diamond. It made me very conscious of myself."Mr.. Mr Williams. It's an honor to have you dine at our humble restaurant." said Mr Ben, shaking
*sola* I flipped the chicken lap over, checking thoroughly if it was fried enough. It was Saturday and I was supposed to go for an ushering job but the woman who ran the ushering agency had called me this morning to terminate my job because her ushers were already fully booked. I was sad because I had hoped to Make enough money to for the month and because Mrs obi who I worked for as a part-time cleaner wasn't in town for a while. But I had to look on the bright side, that would give me the opportunity to clean the whole house and do some laundry. I thought about Clara and how she had been giving me the cold shoulder throughout the week. She didn't come home last night and she still hadn't arrived all morning. I tried calling her line but it was switched off.This wasn't the first time Clara went off on
*Alex* I glanced at Sola as I spoke to my business associates from south Africa. I was talking with someone on the phone but my mind was on the terrified looking lady that was sitted beside me. Funny how she looked like a nervous virgin on her wedding night. I wanted to chuckle, but I didn't. I didn't want to embarrass her further."Yeah, okay. Thank you." I replied to the man on the phone and hastily cut the phone, dumping it carelessly into my pocket. "Alex, I need to tell...""Shhh... Don't worry about any issues, you're completely safe with me." I replied huskily."Well.. Um.. That's not.." I didn't let her finish as I pulled her into my Laps and locked her lips onto mine. I was so eager to touch her and make love to her, I couldn't reason with my brain that this might turn out to be a bad idea for me later.
*Sola* I had this overwhelming feeling of complete contentment, of peace and gentle excitement. I knew why. It was because of the perfect human being I shared the previous night with.I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the room's brightness and glanced at him. He was still deeply asleep. I stared at his beautiful face. So handsome and peaceful. He looked like a teenager right now, so very peaceful and unbothered. I was bothered. About what was to happen next after this. Would we date each other? Or was it just going to be a fling? I was scared of what to expect. I didn't want to be tossed aside like a dirty rag, after giving my all to him in such a short time."Penny for your thoughts?" I heard him whisper beside me. I turned to find him staring at me with dark, sleepy eyes. He was so very beautiful. My breath caught as I stared at him.
*Alex* I was starting to rethink my decision of letting sola's friend into my office. What would she want to talk about? I shook my head in denial as I moved to call my secretary to stop Clara from coming up here. I was about to pick up the com when I heard the knock.I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration. Too late. I reluctantly moved to the door, and opened it, revealing the infamous Clara, who was always a constant topic of sola's conversations. "Hello, Mr Williams." she said in a soft, seductive voice. "Hi, miss...?" "Clara. Clara Odeh.""I frankly do not have any idea why you're trespassing on my property, but I—" "The least you can do, Mr Williams, is to let me in so you can hear me out?" she replied, cutting my sentence.I sighed and turned back in, g
*Sola* While I waited in front of the pharmacy to meet the nurse I had an appointment with, due to the unusual stomach bug I'd been having, My mind flashed back to how everything had changed drastically in my life two months ago. I remembered waking up on that Monday morning, my head burning with a crazy migraine. I had tried to remember the activities I had done the other night, if I had taken any alcohol, but I couldn't remember.I only scarcely remembered chilling at home with Clara.I felt my eyes water as the pain crashed though me, again. How Alex had ruthlessly dumped me.That Monday, I had tried to reach Alex but couldn't. He either kept cutting my calls or ignored them. I remember how angry I felt, thinking he was just trying to frustrate me.
*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.
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