Unsteady Storm

Chapter Ten

Paula knocked at Nedu's door early in the morning while he was still asleep.

"Yes?" He groaned thinking it was Sinachi.

Paula came in. "Good morning" she greeted with a smile.

He stood up with a start. "What are you doing here?" He thundered.

She trembled. "I'm sorry... I.."

"Get out!" He said harshly moving closer.

She stepped back. "Nedu.... I..."

"Paula, use the door!"

She left quietly closing the door behind her.
Nedu felt so angry, he frowned deeply with lots of thoughts on his mind. Finally, he had a quick shower and got into his work clothes.

When he got out, Paula was waiting at the stairs.

"Nedu...."

"What did I say about my house"

"Nedu, but I apologized"

"To hell with your apology, why didn't you keep to that simple rule?"

Paula pouted and lowered her eyes giving Nedu the chance to observe the amount of care she had put into dressing up, the well arched eyebrows and crystal eyes, diamond looping earrings, the ring on her nose, luscious lips on which she applied nude lipstick, the lilac dress that hugged her body in all the right places and the perfect fitting nude shoes, she was stunning.

He swallowed at the attraction he felt for her, it was a sin, he convinced himself and he had to get away from it.

"Well... I wanted to tell you that I bought some things for you and your wife" she said finally.

He felt a slight irritation. "Such information couldn't wait till I woke up?"

She exhaled. "I've taken correction"

"What's so special about what you bought anyway....."

"I'm leaving" she said.

He paused staring at her expressionlessly.
"Have you found an apartment?"

"Yes" she muttered. "I got a call yesterday night...." She walked closer to him as she talked. ".... I appreciate your kind gesture"

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, he was totally dumbfounded.

She turned around and began to walk towards the door. "Your package is in the room you housed me in" she said without looking at him.

He was still at the same spot without a word when she opened the door and left.

***
Ije frowned and tugged at Nedu's arm. "You are being so cold today, what's up?"

Nedu chuckled. "You mean I'm not usually cold?"

Ije sat up. "Yes"

Nedu shrugged. "Some days are like that"

"Oh, shut up!" She hissed. "I know you like I know my complexion, so what's bugging you?"

"Nothing" he denied although the image of Paula still tormented him.

"Come on now, no secrets" Ije persisted.

"I'm serious, maybe it's work"

Ije folded her hands with a smile. "Or... Are you missing me too much?"

Nedu burst out laughing. "Of course". He pecked her forehead. "I'm missing my darling"

Ije giggled. "Just a week and a few days left"

"I know" he murmured pretending to be gloomy.

Ije laughed and leaned on him. "I'm missing you terribly too"

Nedu was about to say something when his phone rang, he stared at the caller's ID and got up quickly to hide it from Ije.

"Hello, Nedu" Paula said on the other end.

"Hello" he deepened his voice, anger rising up in him.

"Is it okay if you see the shop I just got?"

"No" he replied without humor.

"Oh, I just thought..." She trailed off and the call ended.

"Who was that?" Ije enquired looking at him with concern.

"My colleague, Darrell, she lost some of my documents today....". He paused, a sad feeling replacing the initial anger, he was lying to his wife.

"Oh" Ije sighed not pushing it further although he could tell she didn't believe him entirely.

"I have to go... I need to get some rest, I'm so tired". He feigned a yawn to put Ije at ease.

Ije nodded and rose up to hug him. "Be here tomorrow okay?"

"Okay". He smiled and held her closer to him.

"Okay, go and get your rest" she disengaged herself from him.

***
Dumaga picked up at the second ring. "Ah, Nedu, good to hear from you"

"Dumaga, I'm doomed"

"What's the problem?"

"Paula is back" he said simply.

There was a pause. "Can you come over to my shop tomorrow, let's talk" Dumaga said finally.

"I'll appreciate that" he sighed heavily and hung up.

Nedu lay on the couch without a word, his head was aching badly and he was very tired, so tired that he didn't have the strength to eat.

He had lied to Ije and he was terribly sorry, he felt filthy and sinful.

Sinachi approached him for the second time since he returned. "Are you sure you will not have dinner sir?"

He couldn't reply her, he was getting pissed by her endless questions.

Sinachi remained there standing like a statue, Nedu groaned, stood up and staggered out.

***
Nedu stood in front of Dumaga's shop watching the rows of shop around that area. He finally entered the shop, the shop attendants greeted him respectfully aware of who he was.

Dumaga was inside the shop arranging dresses that had just been delivered for sale, her son George held up to her jeans shouting balderdash.

"Good morning" he muttered.

She knew it was him.  "You don't look good one bit" she exhaled and drew out a chair carrying George in her arms.

He sat down crossing his legs in his helpless manner. She pulled out another chair and sat down too ready to listen to her twin.

"Paula lodged at my house for two nights" he said.

Dumaga's eyes went round in horror. "Julius Paula?"

"Who else do you know that goes by the name Paula?"

"So what's the matter, what did she do? You know that girl is a threat...."

"She kissed me" he interrupted. "And I didn't stop her"

Dumaga was about to speak but Nedu continued immediately. "And I've been attracted to her"

"You don't say" Dumaga muttered.

Nedu bowed his head. "I honestly don't know if I'm in my right senses, what if she has charmed me, because, I can't even take my mind off her"

Dumaga was shocked. "This is crazy"

Dear readers, something has gone wrong. Nedu is going crazy. How will Ije react when she gets to know Paula spent some nights in her house..... And equally kissed her husband even if it's just on the cheek..... And he's thinking of her.

There's trouble.

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Thank you.