THREADS OF FATE

18

The next months to come blew like a gentle breeze with the man of the house back home everything naturally fell into place.

Their child went to school normally, she went to her shop that was making great profit, he began working in his own shop after he came back from the trip in Dubai, he opened his own shop and within a few years had expanded into three company, he put his brother in charge of one of his shops, after some months he together with his wife and kids moved into a bigger better house in the good part of the city, Together they had opened up a large supermarket at a good spot and within weeks costumers were trooping in and before long the supermarket had turned into a mall, the wife was in charge of this.

Within a few years they had expanded in wealth so much that they were getting acknowledged by the media, together with Amassing wealth.

They were already well-known in the city and those that knew them before could not believe all this some thought how can they move from poverty into prosperity this quickly.

The couple was happy and grateful to God, the wife and kids continued to attend church only being able to convince him to come along, once or twice.

***********

He was driving home, he was tired after a long day at his shop, he just wanted to go home and rest up, by the side of the road stood Clarence, he wondered what she was doing there, he wanted to ignore her and drive on after all he wanted nothing to do with her, but she had recognized him and flagged him down with a wide smile, he felt it would be rude to just ignore her after she had recognized him,

He came to a halt in front of where she stood,

He smiled awkwardly at her,

"Hey, how are you doing, it's been long you know" she said, he nodded,

"Yeah right, and what are you doing here by this time" he asked out of genuine concern

"I got stranded, I lost my phone, I can't call anyone or order an Uber, I am just here waiting for any bus headed in my direction" she said, looking at him, he stared right back.

"Hmm, maybe I can drop you off" he suggested trying to stop the awkward silence after her words,

"Oh thank you" she replied as she went to sit at shotgun, she told him her address,

"I can't thank you enough, you are a life saver" she spoke once she was strapped in as the car began to move.

He watched ahead but could feel her gaze on him,

"What is it?" He asked,

"Nothing, just that you look Good" she said, he sighed deeply about to lecture her that he was married,

"No don't think that way, I am not saying it because of my feelings towards you but just that you really look Good better than the last time I saw you"

"Okay, you don't look so bad yourself "

She laughed bitterly,

"How have you been, oh sorry, I Know you have been better , I can see it"

"Really, but yes I have been better but not always though after getting sacked from your father's work things were so bad but eventually I found my foot" he said

She fidgeted with her fingers,

"I am so sorry for all I did to you, I have not been able to forgive myself and I feel so sad that you suffered because of me, please forgive me" she said,

He looked at her briefly, she seemed to have matured more, she looked apologetic, "it's all in the past after all if not for that setback I wouldn't have been where I am today"

Silence engulfed them again, she in her thoughts.

"How is your wife and kids?" She asked,

He stilled, he wasn't expecting her to ask about them,

"Fine they are fine"

She smiled, I would have loved to meet them especially your wife, I would have loved to know how she bagged a man like you"

He sighed, the old Clarence was back.

"You know something after you left, I tried being in so many relationship to fill the void but nothing worked out, I know I am silly, we never had anything to begin with, just my crazy love for you"

I still am she thought but she just said

"Yeah I guess, but I have moved on, I figured that if you were never going to reciprocate I couldn't really wait for you especially when you are madly in love with another, I'll be fine" she said,

"You will"

She looked out the window, "well this me" she said pointing at a building, he stopped, she faced him again,

"Why do you love her so much?" She asked,

"Why do you love me?, why do we love anyone?" He asked, she smiled,

"We may see again or maybe never" she got down from his car,

"Bye" she waved, he replied driving off to home.

She watched him Zoom off as her unshed tears pricked her eyes,

She brought out the picture of his wife and kids as they posed for a family portrait, he looked really happy here so did she, this woman was his happiness and there was nothing she could do,

"Why do you love me" his words rang in her head,

When he eventually got home later that night, he freshened up and then hopped into bed with the woman he loved.

**************

Few years after that incident down the line, he came into contact with one of his former coworker and got a shocking news of his life, She never did come to terms with reality, which led to her doom, Clarence had wallowed in her depression leading her to an ultimate end as she had succumbed to heavy usage of drugs leading to an overdose and so  her mortal life ended.