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A FEW HOURS LATERMolly visited Andra in the apartment. They sat down in the living room, chatting.“I feel like I’m visiting my sister in her marital home.” She said. “It sure feels like it.”Andra rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She said, indifferent about Molly’s feelings.Her demeanor did little to douse Molly’s curiosity about how everything was going.“So how are you guys getting to know each other? I mean, how is it going?”Andra could not hide her shock at Molly’s question.“What?” Molly asked, seeing the unbelieving look on Andra’s face. “I want to know. You cannot blame me for that.” She defended.“Still, I am appalled at your question.”“And why is that?”“Because we just moved in,” Andra replied. “And frankly, I have no intention of getting to know that stranger.”“Fine.” Molly gave up trying to persuade her to say something along her line of thought. She checked her phone as it buzzed with a message. Upon checking, she sighed. “Useless network messages.” She said, disgruntle
The couple’s eyes expanded with intrigue at the further revelation and they listened to him continue.“Part of my job ethics is twenty percent disclosure of my identity to the world in general. That’s because I deal with sensitive data and missions. And because I am naturally a private person, I have had no problem with this.”At their rapt attention and speechlessness, he had to apologize for overwhelming them. “I’m really sorry.”“I must confess that this is all very interesting,” Duke admitted. “When only moments ago, I thought you were a taxi driver. But still, I know your father. Everyone knows of his strong value for integrity. When he was a Judge before becoming prime minister, he sentenced one of his sons to two years imprisonment. Where is your brother now?”Dominic remembered his younger brother. The guy was a handful and was twenty when he stabbed somebody over some girl. The victim had miraculously survived with minor injuries but still, it was attempted murder. Thank God
Dominic’s phone started to ring with the same number. He didn’t have time for that. Feeling pissed off, he turned off his phone and enjoyed the silence.He spent quite some time there and when he was done, he turned on his phone and decided to head back home.By the time he got home, it was getting dark. He stepped into the house and Andra was waiting for him inside the living room in a pair of pajama shorts.Her hair was down and he liked that her pajama shorts were not skimpy but right above her knees, exposing great-looking toned legs just like the rest of her. Standing there with her hands akimbo, she looked like a nagging wife as she stared daggers at him.“The deal has just barely started and you’re already throwing lies all over the place.” She said judgmentally as his eyes rested on hers.Dominic was not ready for her tirade and didn’t waste time telling her exactly how he felt.“Look here, I don’t need you adding your shenanigans to my frustration.” He warned. “After all, I a
On the following day, Dominic and Mike sat outside the house in the garden discussing the present condition of things. On the balcony, Andra was busy with her nails.“I honestly regret hiding my identity from the onset.” Dominic confided in Mike.Mike was taken aback by his concern. “I can’t believe you’re brooding over that. I mean, your major concern should be about your dad disowning you.”“Listen, I am worried. But let’s look at this scenario. What if this was a real thing and maybe we end up falling in love? Will he disown me for that?”“That scenario would have worked best if she had a good name. But no, she has a bad reputation. And that is why like every concerned person, your father is against it. If you ask me, what your actions portrayed to the public is that your family applauds or supports such immoral behavior.”“I think the public is always quick to judge, anyway.”A moment passed, allowing them to ponder the situation. Mike sighed heavily.“I warned you about this.” He
There was a moment of silence and Andra heard her stepmother’s heavy sigh.“Swallow your pride, Andra.” She advised. “And with whatever cash you have in hand, open a new bank account and send me the details. Then I will send you something basic that you can start surviving with.”“I will pay you back,” Andra vowed, refusing to let go of her pride.“Oh, please. Just get the account. I’ will be waiting.”After the call ended, Andra realized the seriousness of her situation. She called Molly to complain about the matter.“I’m so sorry about all this, but your stepmother is right,” Molly said. “Open the account. I will also send something but it is not going to be too good. You know I have my money in fixed deposit as I’m trying to save up for my studio.”“I know.”“Now, you see why I work, right?”“Your job is demeaning.”“It is not demeaning. Making beats for musicians is not a useless job. It will help me when I eventually get my studio.”Andra sighed with frustration. “Whatever, Molly
Dominic saw the busted look on her face. He saw the look of worry and embarrassment that entered her eyes. It pleased him to see that. It meant she had some conscience. Also, she should learn not to assume that people could not understand her language. “My mother is a native of Emupo.” He informed her. “If you insult me again, you will not like my reaction.” Andra snapped out of her embarrassment. She was offended by what she considered his high-handedness. “Let me go.” She demanded. “Apologize.” He said firmly. Her eyes shone with defiance. “I will do no such…” He didn’t let her finish. “I said, apologize.” He ordered his dark and forbidden military voice, surfacing. He hadn’t meant to use that tone because it scared people, but it often surfaced when he was getting impatient or angry. Fear clouded her eyes immediately and she took a step back. “Right now.” He pressed, maintaining the forbidden tone, his eyes narrowed at her. Her frightened eyes shifted from his and landed o
That night, Andra got prepared for her night out. She had no concerns as she dressed up. Dominic’s threat of interference did not bother her. He would not dare stick his nose where it did not belong. She checked her time on the wall and saw that it was almost 9:00 pm. The party would begin thirty minutes later. She was running out of time. She grabbed her purse and headed out. Upon reaching the living room, Dominic was not there. She was relieved at his absence because she dreaded a confrontation with him deep down. She didn’t need any. She needed her peace. Andra walked out to her car and noticed that Dominic’s car was not there. She felt relieved again. He was out. Perhaps, he was busy with taxi work. Well, good for him. Andra entered her car and let herself out. She was starting to feel the inconvenience of not having a gateman. At her father’s place, there was a gateman available to open and close the gate. She missed that. The thought was on her mind as she went ahead to open
Jack’s comment had doused the tension and he extended his hand for a handshake.“Hi, Milady.” He greeted. “I am Jack and it is my pleasure to finally meet you.”Andra was instantly taken by his gentlemanly manners. She smiled at him again and they shook hands. He was right. She thought. Who said an engaged person could not have friends?“Pleased to meet you.” She said, realizing that she genuinely wanted to get to know him better. And that contract fiancé of hers could just mind his business or go to hell for all she cared.Moments later, Andra was laughing her head off with Jack as they sat at the bar slightly away from the party spot.There was an assortment of food on a large table where any interested person could just take what they wanted. The party was in full swing.Andra and Jack had drinks before them and Andra was tipsy already, her body movements, irregular and somewhat dazed.She knew she was drunk but she was aware of a level of control she still had over herself. Jack w