As Stella was heading to the grocery store that morning, she decided to stop at Tochuckwu's place and drop off the already packaged food she prepared for him. She came up with that plan since he was not fit enough to prepare his food by himself then she thought it would be better if she can help him with breakfast once in a while. As she stepped out of the car, she walked towards the main gate, after placing a few knocks, the gatekeeper opened the gate and they exchanged pleasantries. "Who is there?" She heard the feminine voice from the other side as she placed a knock on his door. "Who could that be? Maybe one of his family members," she mulled over as she waited for someone to open the door, though she didn't inform Tochuckwu that she will be stopping by. The door creaked open, revealing that familiar face, she was quite surprised by who she saw. The lady standing before her was tying a white towel across her chest with a turban on her head as if she was about to take her
Stella was in her office that morning when a call came through on her phone. It was Richard. "Hey, sweetheart." "Babe, it's your dad again oh," he said in a disturbing tone. "My dad?" She questioned rolling her eyeballs. "Yes, he has been rushed to the hospital just now. His nanny said he slumped on his way to the bathroom." "Okay." "Come on, babe, don't tell me you are not concerned about this matter." " Why should I be bothered? That's your palaver, so you people should sort it out without calling me." "Stella, why now? Must you act hostile to him every time? why don't you just consider him for once and be concerned about his well-being." "Please, Richard, telling me this won't solve anything, don't stress yourself." "Whatever! He's at St. Nicholas hospital once you're ready, you can come and check on him. Bye." He said before he hung up. Stella let out a frustrated sigh, placed her elbow on the desk, and cupped her face into her hands. Pretending as if she d
Stella hurriedly dressed up, picked up her shoes, and took to her heels as if she was pursued by an angry mob. She cared less about the rain that was drizzling, as she got Inside her car, turned on the ignition, and drove out of his compound like a maniac. Her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly with tears trickling down her cheeks making it blur her vision. She had to pull the break and park by the roadside before she gets into an accident. Her heart was thumping with great ounces, her head was throbbing with great pains and series of thoughts was swirling through her brain. It was as if her whole body was on fire. "Ha! What have I done?" Stella yelled in frustration and anger hitting her fist on the steering wheel as if it was the architect of her problem. She still found it hard to believe what transpired between them in his room a few minutes ago. "What was I thinking?" Why did I not slap his hand off my body and walk out? Why did I let my wall of defense crash d
~Recap~Stella let out a frustrated sigh as she stared at him straight in the face."Go on, babe," he said with an assuring smile. "Okay," she blurted out adjusting her position on the bed."I slept with Mr. Tochuckwu..." This was the only simple sentence she could construct in her head, yet it was too difficult to let it out of her mouth. It got stuck in her throat like a bone. All of a sudden, the beeping of Richard's phone interrupted the tense atmosphere. "Excuse me please, let me get that," he said as he got up from the bed to pick up his phone that was on the table. Stella stared at him as he received the call, her mind scoured for a perfect way to construct the sentence without infuriating him. "Stop racking your brain; cheating is cheating, the deed has been done. Keep mum about it." The voice whispered in her ear. "Stella, this is the perfect time to let the cart of the bag, tell him the truth, and let it set you free. He won't kill you." Another voice argued."Lies!
As Richard was driving back home that evening, his mind was in total disarray as he find it still hard to believe what was divulged to him."Stella with that man? Oh No! This is unbelievable! I mean How? When? Stella? My wife? Then, who... who sent this video to me? Oh, God!" His head kept evoking these questions and the only person that could provide the answer was Stella. He wished he could disappear right away and go face Stella at once to get answers to these burning questions. As he got to their doorstep, he paused for a while and breathed out as he tried to calm his raging emotions."Lord, help me to handle this situation with wisdom." He muttered a short prayer. "Oh! You're back, welcome, sweetheart." Stella said with an innocent smile as she opened the door. Staring at her face made him doubt the video that was sent to him. Surprisingly, his raging mind calmed down a bit, he could not even raise his voice at her even after the heart-wrenching discovery. "How
The days that followed after the filthy deed was revealed, were hellish. Their home became the exact opposite of what it used to be before; Joyless and languorous as hatred seems to occupy Richard's heart. He seems to hate her guts and he avoided her like a plague. He stopped eating any food prepared at home, moved all his belongings to the guest room and he stays there all day whenever he was around. He leaves home very early in the morning and returns late at night, he barely replies to her greetings. The once love birds now live like strangers. This silent treatment was killing Stella, she could not stand it, and it was making her lose her mind. She needs help, maybe someone she can talk to, just to beg him on her behalf but there was no one she could run to. She has once considered the idea of telling one of their pastors but the shame of what she has done that made Richard treat her that way could not let her opt for the option. How will she say it without mentioning the
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..."
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