Chapter 11 A few minutes after placing their orders, the waiter brought their food. They ate quietly, Bola was expecting her to bring up a conversation but she never did and they just ate in silence. The silence between them was odd and weird; at least, It is normal to chat while eating and then talk about whatever they have after eating but Bella never utter a word. "Hope you enjoyed your meal?" Bella asked as she picked up the wipes to clean her mouth after they were done with their food. "Sure, I did. We all know Vinnie's chefs are pros, they prepare delicious food." "Well, they're in the leading position for their outstanding characteristics and I believe their meal is also a constituent," Bella added with a smile plastered on her face. The conversation they were having was not what Bola was expecting. "Probably she's still trying to be friendly before hitting her with her main motive. "I wonder why she's going through corners before she strikes. Whatever she's preparin
Chapter 12 As Mr. Ekpeyong stepped out of the car, he walked towards the entrance of the supermarket tucking his car key in his pocket. He has made it a point of duty to come there every day even though he doesn't need what he was buying and he made sure he goes there towards the evening time so that he'd be able to see Stella. "It's just sad that she's married." At the pulse of the moment, Stella walked out making him almost bump into her. "I'm sorry about that," he apologized. "Oh! It's nothing," Stella replied with a brief smile. "Can you just stop flashing this lovely smile of yours because it seems to be driving me nuts," he muttered under his breath. "Oh, M.r Ekpeyong. Thanks for your patronage, we hope to see more of you here in our supermart." Maybe this was where Stella made it wrong because Mr. Ekpeyong construed the statement into another thing entirely."Wow! She hopes to see me?" He thought as a smile slowly crept onto his face. Stella arched her eyebrows wi
Gathering every little strength within her, she continued running as fast as her legs could carry her. She dare not stop, or else she was gonna die; not just normal death but an excruciating one at that.The strange old woman was also determined to get to her, the look on her face alone screamed DEATH. Though the woman looks feeble and frail, but her legs were strangely fast as she pursued her swiftly, holding the hem of her wrapper. She was carrying a shiny cutlass in her hands breathing heavily as she continued running. "I will chop off your head! It's just a matter of time before I get to you." She threatened, breathing heavily with her legs making a resounding sound.Stella glanced back at her as she made the statement. "Oh! Somebody help me," she cried as she was gradually running out of strength, sweating profusely with her heart beating with great ounce.There's no doubt, if this woman should get to me then I'll be dead meat." She thought as she continued running with ever
The knock on the door made Stella drift out of her deep slumber; she has been sleeping all day. After bathing the kids, prepare their breakfast, she went back to the bedroom to take a nap. Her body was oddly weak, she didn't bother to go to the mall since it was Saturday and the kids are not going to school.The strange dream she had that morning was mind-boggling and scary. Her husband was not even around, else she would have narrated the strange dream to him and then pray together."Come in," she said yawning lightly."Mummy, someone is at the door," Felix said as he walked inside."Oh! I will go get it now." She replied as she got down from the bed and headed to the bathroom to go wash her face. She carried her legs forcefully as the throbbing pain In her head persisted. Immediately Stella inserted the key in the door keyhole and turned the doorknob, she was taken aback by who she saw at the door. "Mr. Ekpeyong?" She questioned with an utterly confused look. He flashed a
Chapter 15 After forcing herself to get out of bed that morning, Stella went to the kid's room to get them dressed for church and prepare for Sunday service. Her body was still not feeling okay or normal, she was just forcing herself to do the chores that morning and there was no way she's gonna miss church service. "Mommy, are you not feeling well?" Felix questioned after noticing his Mom's demeanor that morning. "Huh! I'm fine." "But your face looks pale, Mom." He uttered with concern. "Looks like mommy is about to fall sick," Janice added. "No, not at all. I'm fine, I'm just having a minor headache." She replied with a wave of hands just to allay their worries.The beeping of her phone caught her attention, she glanced at the screen to check the caller; it was an unknown number. "Excuse me." She uttered as she picked up the call. "Morning, pretty Angel." The voice said from the other end. Stella let out a scoff. "Excuse me, who is on the line?" "This is Tochuckwu. I m
Bella stood outside waiting for Maria to come open the door. While waiting for Maria to come open the door, she brought out her phone from her handbag and dialed Stella's number. She has promised to call once she gets home."Hello, Bella. Are you at home already?" Stella's question came in immediately after she picked up the call."Yes, I got home just now. Thanks for the kind gesture you showered upon me today, I appreciate everything you do.""It's my pleasure.""Yeah, thank you. See you some other time.""Okay, bye. Take care." She said and hung up."Maria, come and open the door for me!" Bella yelled as she placed another heavy knock on the door."Gosh! Where is this lady?" She grumbled impatiently."A moment, please. I'm coming." She heard Maria's indistinct voice. "What kept you so long? I have been standing here close to an hour." She complained as Maria opened the door. "I was in the bathroom." "Whatever!" "So, are you just coming back from Stella's place or you went s
Chapter 17 "Don't panic, don't look at your audience directly in the face, and make sure you don't let fear cart away with the things you have studied," Stella instructed as she was helping Felix to get ready for school. They were having an interschool debate and he was among the representative that will be representing their school. "Okay, Mommy." "Walk in there majestically and go get the award like it's only meant for you." "yay! That's it's the spirit." He exclaimed raising one of his hands in the air. Suddenly, his mood changed and he began to murmur inaudible words. "What's wrong Fel?" She asked as she sensed his sudden mood change. "Mommy, are you sure you'll be present? because the last time we had that Talent Hunt show, you and Dad couldn't make it even though you promised us that you will be there." He muttered with a sulk. "I thought we apologise already, Felix?" "Yes, but I have a hunch that same thing will repeat itself again." " No it won't. I promise!" "Ar
"Babe, the way this woman is behaving is making me suspicious," Bella admitted as she narrated how her visit to the hospital with Stella went. "What's making you suspicious?" Maria questioned."Everything! I mean everything about this woman is making me suspicious. That woman is too nice; she's nice to a fault. I never believed that she would agree to follow me to the hospital today even though I intentionally did not inform her beforehand. I only did that to test her but that woman burst my bubbles. She even bought flowers, provisions and gave me cash. Hope this woman has not know my motive? Or maybe she's just dancing to my tune so that she will catch me red-handed and probably destroy me?""Why will you even think about something as weird as that?" Maria questioned."I'm not a dummy, babe. If this woman wants to play games then I am ready to play with her. We will drag it to the very end.""It's your evil deeds and evil plans that is making you suspicious. Shey, someone cann
Truly, the past few months have been hard on Richard and his family but their tenacious zeal to save their union was enough to keep them out of the arduous phase. Although his wife was battling with an incurable malady, Richard never changed his attitude, he stuck to his vow, giving her affection, care, and compassion. It was the only thing he could do to save his dear wife from the hands of the lethal disease. Getting this kind of tenderness from Richard was more than enough for Stella to encompass this phase and get on her feet. He makes sure she visits the hospital whenever she has an appointment, goes for antiretroviral therapy, and takes the prescribed drugs. Their marriage was getting back to life, full of bliss and happiness just like it, was before the mishap launched.The vicious ally that infiltrated their life, whirled it through anguish, turmoils, and travail. Bella Jonathan was finally out of their life. If everything has gone according to the way Stella planned, th
~Recap" My God! What did we do to deserve all these from you? What was our offense?" Richard questioned in disbelief."I'm sorry I don't know, I was just following the instructions given to me.""Who instructed you?""Bella. Bella Jonathan did.""What!""Yes, Bella. Everything was Bella's plan, I only helped her to carry out the plan.""What!" They exclaimed in unison."No, this is not true. Impossible! I don't believe any of this. Why will Bella even do this to me?" Stella questioned, refusing to believe what Tochukwu just divulged. Richard did not find it hard to speculate, he has a gut feeling against Tochukwu right from time and he was aware of the obsessed love Bella has for him, but he never think Bella could take it to this extent.No! This is outrageous.""I see no reason why I should lie, the last thing I can do right now is to uncover the truth. And yes, this is true, you deserve to know the truth. I don't know Bella personally, not until she contacted me about this busi
The news hit them like a huge bomb, it was too complex to take in. Of course, they had their doubt and were strongly against such news that it was far from being possible. They went to another standard Hospital just to confirm the uncanny revelation but unfortunately, the result was the same.Richard and the kids were compelled to conduct the test just to clear all their doubts but strangely, they tested Negative which means Stella is the only one with the deadly disease. How she contracted the virus was baffling at first, but after different investigations were made, it was traced back to the one-night stand she had with Tochukwu, which revealed that she got the deadly transmitted disease from him. "Ha! All this misfortune for ten minutes pleasure? I'm doomed!" Stella lamented biting her fingers in regret, wishing she could change back the hand of time to amend things. It was hard for her to accept the fact that she was truly an HIV patient, never in her wildest dreams has she e
Stella's entire body was in the blaze as several thoughts ran through her head. To say she was confused would be an understatement; one voice was supporting the idea, the other was defying, and another one was taking both sides. Her heart kept thumping with great ounce as if she was having a heart seizure. Yet, a rain of hot tears gushed down heavily from her eyes. Without giving it a second thought, she darted back and scampered to where her father was sitting. Went down on her knees, hugged his legs, and placed her head on his knees."Father, I'm sorry.""I'm so..rry.""I'm sorry." This was the only sentence that escaped Stella's lip."No, Stella. Please forgive me, I have wronged you, wreak havoc on your life, and caused you pain. I don't know if there is still space in your heart for you to set me free?" Mr. Busari voiced, with tears trickling down his cheeks.They remained in that position, pouring out their encaged emotions. The only sound that could be heard was Stella's huf
As Stella stepped out of the car, she stood transfixed on a point contemplating whether she was making the right decision. Coming to the house that haunted her does not seem like a good idea but then, Richard stood his ground reiterating that if she was not ready to come there then definitely he was not going to discuss anything with her again even though he was fully aware of the pains this vicinage caused her. "Well, I'm ready to do anything to save my marriage and if it means coming to this place then I am ready.""I have got to try this, without further ado," she muttered and with that, she walked towards the gate. After pressing the doorbell, a few seconds later the door creaked open revealing a young lady probably In her early thirties."Hi, good morning.""Oh! Miss Stella, Good evening, ma." the lady greeted with a smile plastered on her face. "Yes, ma'am, please, is Richard in? I mean Mr. Jacob?""No, ma'am, he's not back from work but you can wait for him.""Ugh! Is this
They waited eagerly at the reception for the doctor to step out of the ward where Janice was been treated. Stella sat down at the far edge of the chair, her head dropped down in sorrow. Richard was pacing around, while Bella just froze to a point not knowing what to do. They were all on tenterhooks.After several minutes of waiting restively, the doctor walked out making all of them jolt out of their worry land. "Doctor, how is my baby?" Stella was the first to throw the question at him."Hmm, we thank God, she's stable for now," he replied simply."Oh! Thank you, Jesus." Stella exclaimed jumping up in relief."For now?" Richard questioned as he reasoned on the doctor's reply."Yeah, thank God she was brought here quickly before the matter got worse, she lost a lot of blood as a result of the shock she went through. Right now, we need to donate blood to her.""Doctor, I'm available."Stella volunteered, stepping forward."But, you're pregnant, ma'am. You're not eligible." The d
"I am sorry about the news, sir." Bella blurted, breaking the deafening silence between them as they were riding back home in Richard's car. "What news?" He befuddled."About the scandal that surfaced last night, I mean about your family..." "Oh!" He murmured in a low voice. "Yeah, it's sad and those mendacious bloggers have made a compulsive, heart-rending story out of it. They're the sole reason why this is trending.""That's not even the problem, I wonder who has been prying into our family matter and then taking it over to social media. This is not the kind of life I want for myself, I cannot even walk freely; you'd see them pointing at me and saying all sorts of filthy things. Honestly, I'm tired, confused, and..." He complained with a frustrating hiss."I am so sorry about this, sir, It's sad that your family is going through this tough phase." "To be honest, I still find this hard to believe because I never expect Stella to engage in such an immoral act considering her stat
The following day, Richard was in his office busy sorting out his work that afternoon when a knock came through on his door."Come in," he ushered."Good afternoon, sir," Bella greeted immediately as she stepped in. "Oh, Bella! I never knew you came to work today, I thought your manager gave you leave?" He asked quite surprised because she just lost her father."Yes, she did sir, but I don't want to stay at home. I am not used to that kind of lifestyle and staying alone will make me start thinking of uncanny things.""Yeah, I think you're right. Hope you're doing well.""Yes, sir, I'm fine.""Hmm, it's lunchtime already, I guess you're busy, sir?" she asked with a slight grin. "Erhm, not really, I'm just trying to round up with this." "So, would you like to have lunch with me?" "Sure, this work can wait." He said getting up on his feet as they both walked out to his office and headed to the cafeteria. And that was how their friendship sprang up again, Bella goes to his office mos
Everyone who came to the burial rite was dressed in black outfits as they came to mourn with Bella over the death of her father.Just a few of her colleagues at work and Maria's long distant family were there. Bella looked awful and miserable, her eyes were puffy and swollen as a result of too many tears running out of her eyes. She couldn't stop the tears from flowing, as she watched them place him six feet below. She strode forward, clutched the shovel, and pour little sand on it. "Accept my heartfelt condolences," Richard muttered as he walked towards her occupying the sit beside her. Maria stood up and excused them. "Thank you, sir." She muttered sniffing."Please that's enough, cry no more. Life is a bale of tears and losing our loved ones is part of life right?" "Yeah, it's," she replied simply with a nod."Well, life has been like that to me right from time; life keeps snatching things so dear to me. Now my only hope is gone, I don't know how I will scale through this..."