HIDDEN PASSION

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lillian walked slowly down the stairs in her mother's house and made her way into the kitchen to have her breakfast. It was the day she would be going to Abuja for the business trip, but had refused to go with Nath when he was leaving the previous day. The investors were arriving the following day, anyway. So, she had some hours to herself.

Plus, everything concerning where she would be lodging into throughout the days had been sorted by her capable mother.

She made herself some pancakes and decide to take some to her mother who was in the living room. "Hi, mum." She offered the plate of pancakes to her and placed the syrup on the table before her.

"Don't tell me this is what you're going to have for breakfast," her mother questioned.

"Why do you look so pale?" Her daughter asked, ignoring her question. She had been talking her mother into retirement, but the old woman was adamant. "Do you need me to get you a doctor?"

"No, I am perfectly fine. I just decided to take the day off," her mother assured. She was feeling weak, but she would not tell that to her daughter or she would cancel her trip. She did not want that. All she wanted was for her daughter to settle down with the man of her dreams. That was why she was trying her best to bring the two together.

Lillian might not show it, but she knew her daughter was head over heels in love Nathaniel. As much as she hated the guy for what she did to her daughter, she could not help but forgive him.

"Are you sure, mom? You look —"

"Lillian, I am perfectly fine," her mother said and gave her best smile.

"Alright,then. My flight takes off at two pm," she announced.

"Oh, really?" Her daughter nodded. "No problem, then. You should have left with him,though," she added,referring to Nathaniel.

"I told you I had some things to do at the office, so," she lied comfortably.

"Stop lying. Look, I may not know exactly what is going on with you two, but I know you are old enough to know what you are doing. And I know you still love Nath,why are you denying yourself of this happiness?"

"Because someone deserves this happiness more than I do," she muttered.

"What? What did I hear you say? You should never sacrifice your happiness —" her mother commenced talking when she could not believe her ears. How could one let go of what's making you happy because you think another person deserved it?

Lillian rose to her feet and pecked her mother, making her stop her words in between." I need to get ready, mum. I'll be in my room. Call me if you need anything," she said and started walking to her room,leaving her mother speechless and ignoring her calls for her to come back and hear her out.

Grace did not know what else to do as a mother for her daughter. Should she just sit back and watch the drama unfold by itself? She had to do something.

***

Lillian got to Abuja's airport in the evening and was about to get herself a Uber to take to the hotel she would be lodging in when she sighted Nathaniel in a car outside the airport. She walked towards him with her mini bag and hopped in the car.

"I wasn't expecting you to come pick me up at the airport," Lillian stated.

"I know. I just found myself here, too. Your plane took off late, I guess. I have been waiting for for quite some time now," he said as he turned on the ignition and started driving. Her mother had actually called him and told him the assumed time of her arrival and had begged him to pick her up at the airport, otherwise, he would not have been there, knowing the lady was barely tolerating him.

He stopped at a red light on the way and took the opportunity to look at her clearly. He did not really know why he couldn't seem to get enough of her. She was simple, yet beautiful. Her eyes were focused on her phone while her fingers typed words that he could not read from his sitting position.

That was when he realized that they have not exchanged contacts. He had once asked her for it and she had politely turned him down and that made him promise himself never to ask her about it again. Even if her decline was polite, he could not help but think that the action was a hard punch on the face.

But how could they be partners and would still be unable to get in touch with each other if one was away? They are not really partners, but for the period of time they were going to spend there, she was his business partner. But he dread asking her again because he very well knew that the lady didn't like him and could be very rude most times. To him, actually.

He was brought out of his reverie when she soothingly voiced out words to him. "Isn't it green light yet? How long do you plan for us to stay here?" Her voice was comical, which made him know that she was not being rude or anything. He could not help,but think that was unusual.

He only grinned and resumed driving. "Sorry about that. I was lost in thought," he confessed and glance at her.

"Don't tell me you are worried about the investors?" She asked in a friendly manner that surprised Nath himself.

"And if I am?" He wanted to know what she was thinking. What made her assume he was thinking about the investors? Well, that could only be because it was their only purpose of being there.

"You don't need to be at all. You are really an amazing business man," she complimented. "I mean — You have partnered with our company a couple of times and my boss has always been all positive about you and your attitude to work. Your proposals aren't bad, either. So, be rest assured that these investors are yours, she encouraged.

She had made her own researches on the investors they were going to meet and had realized that another advertising company was also interested in getting them to invest in their company. And compare to the company's reputation, Nath's company had little chance. She was more than certain that the foreign investors were going to turn down Nath's proposal.

But, she had her own plan in case things turned out unfavorably as she had anticipated. Getting the investors would really do Nath a lot of good and would bring lots of opportunities as well. So, she was ready to do all it takes just for him to make it big.