When Love Struck

Chapter 3

Moving to Nigeria for a year with his five-year-old daughter wasn't what the rich and popular Brian Dawson had initially wanted.

He had gotten a one-year business contract in Nigeria. To him, the one-year business contract was a perfect excuse to get away from distractions. Distractions like the paparazzi that came along with his just-ended marriage with his ex-wife.

His former marriage of six years with Caitlyn, the famous U.S. model, which birthed Cassandra had been all rosy at first. One glance at the couple, and you could tell they were in love. He had always thought he had found the one, his missing rib, not until Caitlyn suddenly backed out of the marriage leaving him with full custody of baby Cassandra.

Sitting at the topmost part of the conference table with six other of his black colleagues–three male and three female, he flipped his black office pen in between his index and middle finger as he looked from one person to the other.

Work- Like he was doing now, he sometimes wondered why he had a job that put him in the spotlight and never allowed him to have much time for his family.

"Mr. Dawson, it's time for Lunch, you should join us to try some of our African delicacies," a chocolate-skinned man spoke.

His five hours of meeting with his colleagues that seemed unending had finally ended. For the two months he had been in contact with his Nigerian colleagues, he found them amusing.

He turned his attention to the man. "Oh, wow. Then let's go." He gestured with his hands toward his remaining colleagues.

Most times, his food was often delivered to the office except on rare occasions like this moment when they all gathered to eat in a restaurant.

"You'll love them and I'm sure you'll ask for more," another man said, as they made their way outside the room. Another thing he loved about Africans, they always spoke with delight about their culture and were eager to share it with him.

Different light works went up in his head and his face turned pink as soon as the African delicacy of  Jollof rice mixed with Fried rice and a big chicken lap hit his taste buds. "Hmm, oh my God! it's so good." He closed his eyes as he savored the taste of the food.

"Mr. Dawson, this is just the tip of the iceberg, you're still yet to taste our other delicacies. When you taste them, you'll not only close your eyes, you'll jump up from your seat too." Wale, another of the men seated with him said, causing the rest to laugh in agreement.

Brian ate a little out of his chicken piece, he had to be careful with his teeth for his next dentist appointment until he returned to New York.

Throughout his merry with his friends, he was oblivious to the silent buzzing of his phone because he had earlier turned on the Do Not Disturb button while he was in the conference room.

"Gabriel, no speeding o." Wale pulled his left ear as he instructed Brian's driver. The few friends Brian related well with at work had escorted him to his car and bade each other goodbye.

He heaved a deep sigh as he relaxed on the right side of the backseat of the car. He leaned forward to remove his navy blue tuxedo, dropping it next to the white nylon that contained extra food from the eatery his friends forced on him.

Relaxing back into his seat and unbuttoning his shirt, he dug out his phone from the butt pocket of his trousers. 10 missed calls. His brows furrowed in confusion at the number of times the unknown number had called.

As if on cue, his phone vibrated in his hand with the same unknown number flashing on his phone screen. He swiped the green answer button and placed his phone close to his left ear.