Jamaica

Chapter 51

Jamaica couldn't hold back the urge to tell Tony that she knew he was a family man. She kept staring at him as if he had committed a heinous offense, an unpardonable sin. As Tony kept staring at her, waiting for her to say something, he wondered if she would ever speak. Then suddenly Jamaica opened her mouth and began to say something. In a slow and calculated manner as if counting every word,  she said something that shocked him.

"Except, maybe you want to go back home to your family." 

Jamaica looked away as she uttered those words. She knew she couldn't take her words back, and waited in apprehension to see how Tony would react. 

"Agnes, what are you talking about?" He said, wanting to hear her repeat what she had said. Jamaica looked at him with watery eyes.

"The woman and the two kids, who are they? What do they mean to you? Is she your wife, are you married?" Tony closed his eyes briefly and shook his head. "I mean, it's not a crime to have a family, but you should have told me right from the beginning ."

Tony opened his mouth to speak but couldn't utter a single word. He had no idea how Jamaica would react if he had told her the truth. He knew the truth would greatly upset her and so he chose to counter her question by asking her a question.

"Are you my wife?" He said.
" No, Tony, but..." Jamaica was shocked by the question.

" But you are in this restaurant with me right now, abi?" Jamaica blinked as she couldn't follow his line of thought.

"I mean just because you saw a woman come into the restaurant with two young kids doesn't mean she's my wife."

"Then who is she, Tony?" Tony shook his head wondering what had got into her. He wasn't expecting her to come up with this issue as he had planned on telling her at the appropriate time. When Jamaica saw the woman, Tony saw how focused she was. Then and there he knew that she wouldn't rest until she had found out about the woman. As they both stood while Jamaica waited for him to answer her question, Tony kept wondering how she knew that the woman was his wife.

"By the way, how did you come to the conclusion that she is my wife?" Jamaica looked away while Tony, absolutely certain that she was hiding something from him, placed both hands on her shoulders and made her turn and face him. "Agnes, how did you come to the conclusion that she might be my wife?"

He looked deeply into her eyes as if searching for the answer himself. Knowing whom she was, he already knew that getting an answer from her was going to be difficult. Jamaica sighed and wiped the teardrops from both eyes. She had no intention of telling him anything, no matter the pressure she felt he would exert on her.

All she wanted was for both of them to go far away, to some place where they could be alone. But her plan for them was far bigger than them going to some quiet place.

" Let's get out of town, Tony." Tony looked surprised at Jamaica's sudden request. " I mean it, Tony." As if she was making a last minute plea, she took hold of his hand and looked at him with urgency.

" Why?" Jamaica bent her head down worried that somehow, he would not agree to her request.

" I have enough money, Tony. We can go to any part of the world. I mean, at least for some time." Tony raised his eyebrows in concern. He was used to Jamaica being difficult, but looking at her, he saw a woman in difficulty.

"Agnes what is going on?"
"Please Tony, now is not the time to ask questions, okay? Let's get out of Lagos, at least for some time."

"Okay fine, but how long and to where?" He said, just to know what her plans were. Jamaica blinked at the question as she had no idea where they could go. Tony was waiting for an answer but all Jamaica did was stare at him like she was lost. Tony moved away from her and went ahead to turn off the two remaining lights.