UNTOLD

CHAPTER FIVE

The next morning Maria opened her eyes, the light from the cotton entered her eyes, after waking up she sat up, she looked to the side of the bed and didn't see her husband. She just has to learn to accept him for who he is and not expect any form of romantic relationship as she truly desires with him. He's not that kind of man, she stands up and comes downstairs to see if he's downstairs but she doesn't find him. She opened the parlor and couldn't find his car in the car park. He already left. She went to the dining to pick up her phone, she dialed his number and he picked up almost immediately.
"I didn't want to wake you up, that's the reason I didn't tell you I was leaving" he explained before she could even speak.
"Alright," she said.
"I'm sorry about last night," he said and she stayed quiet. "I don't like it when we argue, it's just that you always make us go around one circle"
"We wouldn't again," Maria said.
"I'll be so happy," Steve said and she nodded like he could see her.
"Alright later!" She said.
"Okay, I love you, Maria," he said.
"I love you too," She said and hung up, Maria kept her phone and went to the kitchen where she found the okro soup they didn't eat last night. She brought it to her nose and saw it was soured.
"I could have put this in the fridge last night couldn't I?" She looks at the soup she would have loved to have as breakfast.
"He bought it just the way I like it, oh! My soup!" She said like a child.
"I need this, this is what I would have loved to have this morning" She frowned and went to prepare something else to eat; just as she brought the food to the dining to eat she heard her phone ringing, she went to pick it up, it's Lucy.
"Lucy!"
"Maria, how are you doing?"
"Fine and you?"
"I'm doing well, I called because Leventis called this morning and told me two of the dresses are ready and the other three will be ready before Saturday, that he perceived they were very urgent and you can come and get the two that are ready if you want"
"Wow! In just a day? I'm so glad to hear that as if he knows what exactly is happening to me, I don't even know what to wear to antenatal tomorrow morning, thank you. I'll drop by later and collect them"
"Alright, take good care of yourself, okay?"
"I will. Thank you" Maria said and Lucy smiled.
"Okay, bye," Lucy said
"Bye," Lucy ends the call.
Maria keeps her phone and eats the food "This is fast!" She said impressed.

◆◆◆
Maria Packed her car in the Leventis car lot, came out of the car, and headed inside.
"Good afternoon ma!" The workers greeted her.
"Good afternoon, please I want to get my dress." She said politely.
"You can go upstairs" they directed her.
"Okay" Maria climbs the stairs, she sees Kunle busy with one of her dresses when she gets upstairs.
"Good afternoon sir!" She greeted and he looked up to see her.
"Oh, madam! You're welcome, please you can sit" Maria sits at the customer's seat. "Joshua get her dress," Kunle said and the boy went inside to get the dress, which he gave Kunle.
"Here sir" He stretched it to Kunle and gave it to Maria, she looked at them and smiled.
"Wow!" She said and Kunle looked at her. "This is lovely"
"I'm glad you're impressed, you need to try it, in case there are any adjustments" he suggested. "Okay"
"Sophia, take her to the ladies dressing room," Kunle said.
"Okay sir, please come ma," Sophia said.
"Okay" Maria follows her and comes out a few minutes later with the dress. "it's beautiful!" She said Smiling.
"Do you feel it needs any adjustment?" kunle asked her, even though he could see there was no need for any adjustments. Experience has taught him to see that when he may see that there is no need for adjustments, some customers will still insist.
"No, it's perfect," Maria said.
"Alright," Kunle said and Maria went to sit on her chair.
"You don't want to change?" He asked and She shook her head smiling like a child.
"I'll go like this," she said and Kunle laughed, she laughed too.
"I appreciate how you made it so quickly, I truly needed them," she said.
"I noticed," he said.
Maria looks at the other dress.
"This looks so elegant, it's just perfect".
"I'm glad that you like them," Kunle said.
"I love them, thank you, sir!"
"You're welcome"
Maria stands up.
"I think I'll have to leave now"
"Okay, you can get the remaining three tomorrow"
"Alright, thank you so much, sir"
"No problem"
Maria came out of the store with her dress, she went to her car and drove off.


The night of the same day Maria was in the sitting room with her system, writing when Steve came inside the house, she looked up at him and saw him.
"Welcome back!" She said.
"Thank you" He sits beside her.
"how are you?"
"I'm fine"
"I'm tired and hungry"
"I made jollof rice. Why don't you go and shower while I prepare the dining?"
"Alright, but I think I'd rather have tea tonight"
"Alright," She stands up. I'll be on it, you go and shower"
"Alright, thank you" He stood up and went upstairs while Maria went to the kitchen, she boiled the water for tea and brought everything to the dining, Steve joined her in a short while with his nightwear. He sits as she makes his tea and serves him, they eat together. After eating Steve stands up.
"I'll be upstairs, I feel very sleepy," he said.
"Okay," Maria answered.
"Aren't you coming?" He asked.
"Nah! I'll stay up for a while. I have to complete my book" she said.
"Okay, do it quickly and come to bed"
"I will"
Maria cleared the table and as she was cleaning the table she saw an invitation card. She looked at it and saw it was from Steve's workplace, they were having a get-together, she looked at the date and discovered it was tomorrow, when was he going to tell her about it, she wondered. After clearing the table Maria went upstairs with the card but saw Steve was fast asleep, she kept the card by the stool beside her bedside, she will ask him tomorrow morning. She slept beside him.

◆◆◆
The next morning Maria woke up, she looked at her bedside and didn't find Steve, she looked at the time it was 9:28 am, he was surely gone. Why does she wake up so late these days, she normally kept her routine of being up early but now she wakes up very late, she stands up from the bed and just then she sees the invitation card, she wasn't able to show Steve and the dinner is this evening. Good thing she can wear her new dress, it's elegant and she will look very beautiful in it, she brings the dress out of the wardrobe as she admires it, Leventis indeed is good and Lucy wasn't just hyping them, they truly are good. When Steve comes she'll scold him for not telling her about the dinner in time. What if she wasn't prepared? She went to the kitchen to prepare something to eat before going for her antenatal. While Maria is in the kitchen she thinks of calling Lucy, to tell her she got the dress and how impressed she is with them. She went to the dining and called Lucy, she picked up.
"Lucy!" Maria called excitedly
"Maria, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing well and you?"
"Fine, were you able to collect the dress yesterday?" Lucy asked.
"Yes and I must tell you I was so impressed, it looks like I got it in the boutique, it doesn't look self-made at all. They totally killed the designs and I feel very special seeing how they tried to meet my needs. I already love them and I'm taking my husband there" Maria said and Lucy chuckled.
"I don't just say what I'm not sure of. I confirmed it" Lucy brags "I started doing business with them last three years and since then I haven't gone shopping in the boutique. They became my boutique!" She said with humor.
"Well, they've become mine as well!" Maria said laughing and Lucy chuckled.
"I'm glad you like them"
"I love them and I can't wait to see the others, he asked me to come tomorrow"
"And they always keep to their words, that's the best part about them"
"Yes, thank you for taking me there," Maria said seriously.
"Come on Maria, don't mention, I want the best for you," Lucy said.
"Thank you"
"You're welcome, I have to go back to my work now, talk to you later"
"Alright" Maria hung up smiling and just then she perceived her food was burning, she quickly ran to turn the gas off, she looked at the pot and saw the food was partially burnt.
"Oh, Maria!" She touched her head.


Steve is in his office working when David comes in, he looks up and sees it's him, he takes a seat and the two of them look at each other.
"You just think you can badge into my office anytime and just do whatever you like," Steve said.
"Shut up my friend!" David said authoritatively and Steve laughed. David picked the picture of Maria on top of the table as he still put on a serious face "This is new, your picture used to be here" he said.
"I have a wife now, you should have one too," Steve said and David smiled.
"I still don't know how you got Maria to marry you," David said and Steve smiled.
"You should get lessons," Steve said smiling but David shook his head.
"I just haven't found my own Maria" He keeps the picture back.
"There are plenty of women everywhere," Steve said.
"They are, but few wives. The last girl I thought I had found my wife in showed her true colors just last week. I need to find peace in marriage and not add to the troubles I already have" David said.
"But what about Ifeoma?"
"That story is long forgotten, that girl has eyes for big things too much, she'll wreck me," David said.
"I doubt if anyone can wreck you David, you're a billionaire"
"That's my major problem, most of them just want my money, I think where I'll go next is the church," David said and Steve chuckled.
"Devils go to church these days," Steve said.
"I know right?" David said and sighed.
"So how did the business you traveled to Abuja go?"
"Very well, everything was a success"
"Great!" Steve said and picked up the invitation card on his desk.
"So, I and the staff are having a little get-together tonight, the shareholders, suggested it, to celebrate the profits we've been making. They were honest to admit the difference since I became the manager" Steve said proudly and David smiled.
"What time?"
"7 pm"
"I'll come, just call to remind me, when it's almost time. And is Maria coming?"
"David I don't understand why you are so inquisitive about my wife," Steve said jealously. David looks at him. "I think you need to understand she's no longer the beauty queen we were both arguing about who will get anymore, she's now my wife," he said.
"Sound it to my ears as if I don't know, Steve you seemed to forget I stepped down for you, if I wanted her you wouldn't have stopped me but this friendship means a lot to me," David said not wanting to pick up offense. He knows how jealous Steve can be and the worst part is he will not even show Maria how jealous his love for her can be.
"I'm just reminding you," Steve said.
"I think I need to marry now so you wouldn't think I have eyes on your wife," David said and Steve chuckled.
"I wasn't serious with it, okay? But please find a wife" Steve said and David looked at him, he knew he was serious because he still had a fear for him with Maria.
"Soon, so about what I asked, isn't she coming?"
"No," Steve said.
"Why? You should be taking her and not me, isn't it a dinner? Maria would love to go" David said.
" No, she needs to stay home," Steve said.
"Why if I may ask" David demanded.
"Her present condition doesn't need her unnecessarily moving up and down," Steve said as he looked at the time. "It's my lunch break, let's grab lunch somewhere," Steve said.
"I like to know that condition," David asked suspiciously.
Steve stood up and grabbed his car key and wallet on the desk.
"When you get married you will know the condition," Steve said with a smirk and David smiled.
"Don't tell me only just now you have?"
Steve laughed as they walked out together.
"Guy no time oh!" Steve said almost laughing.
"I must marry this year Steve," he said feeling left behind and Steve laughed.
"No, win an award of singleness. I'll soon be a father and the children will call you uncle" he said trying to worsen David's state.
"Tell any good woman you know that I'm looking for my wife please" David said very seriously and the seriousness made Steve laugh even harder.
"I like this desperation"
They got to the car lot.
"Let me drive," David said.
"Of course, I didn't plan to drive," Steve said as they got into David's car. David revised the car.
"Congratulations, I can't believe you and Maria will soon be parents, the wedding I was best man of just yesterday" he shook his head as he thought of it.
"Thank you," Steve said.
"But I still think you should take her. She'll be safe wherever you are. I know Maria very well, she will not want to miss that party for anything"
"I wouldn't spend time there, I just have to be there as the manager. If I have my way I wouldn't even go. You know I don't like parties"
"Okay, I just hope it doesn't cause any problems for you two"
"I don't know, I hope the same too. Maria is just too stubborn. I'm very sure all the things the doctor asked her not to do are what she'll be doing and all the things the doctor asked to do she'll never do. I don't want to add to it, but the doctor said she needs to rest, they may close late at the dinner. Sometimes I even get scared when I leave her alone at home. I'm planning on getting her a nanny"
"Alright, I heard women misbehave very much when they're pregnant so be patient" David advised and Steve nodded.


◆◆◆
Later the same day, Maria preparing her dress for dinner when she heard a noise like someone coming in, she went downstairs and saw it was Steve, She looked at him and then remembered the dinner.
"How are you, honey?" He asked.
"I'm fine" She picks up the invitation card she kept on top of the table.
"So what were you waiting for before you told me about this?" She asked
Steve looks at the card.
"I brought it to show you last night but I forgot, I was exhausted last night" he explained.
"So it's tonight?"
"That's what I even came to change for" He climbed the stairs as she followed him to their room, and he brought out a suit from the wardrobe.
"What if I wasn't prepared? Well, you're lucky I am" She brings out her dress from the wardrobe. "what do you think about this?" She said smiling.
He looks at it
"It's a beautiful gown"
"It's one of the maternity dresses I just made, it'll be perfect for the dinner right?"
He looks at her
"Maria, you are not coming," Steve said and Maria looked at him dumbfounded.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"The doctor said you need enough rest, I wouldn't take you to where you wouldn't rest," he said.
"I've been resting at home since morning" she answered.
"I doubt if you have, look honey" He holds her hands. "you don't want to come with me as much as I want you to come with me but we need to take precautionary measures," he said.
"Goodness! Steve, why are you making such a big deal out of this pregnancy? I'm only pregnant and not sick or handicapped, what do you mean I cannot attend a dinner of just four hours at most because I'm pregnant?" She asked.
"I don't want to take any chances," he said.
"Wouldn't I be safer where you are? Is it not better to go with me than leave me alone in the house?"
"Don't worry I already took the excuse that I will not stay long, I'll come back early for you and the child" Steve said.
"Steve I cannot believe you!"
"Maria I wouldn't let you go and that is final, okay? Let me get ready" He said and She looked at him as he went to the bathroom to shower, Maria sat on the bed not believing her eyes.
Steve comes out of the bathroom in a short while, he starts getting ready as Maria looks at him, he finishes in a short while when his phone rings up, he picks, it's David.
"Hello David, I hope you are ready, let's meet at Transamadi junction"
"Okay," David said and hung up. Steve went to Maria and Bends beside her.
"This is meant to be a couple thing and not a best friend thing," Maria said.
"I love you and that's why I'm doing this," Steve said.
"Steve you're completely misunderstanding the doctor, he also said women desire to be loved by their husbands at this time, didn't you hear that?" she asked.
"I don't know but I know you have to rest, so sleep well okay? I'll lock the door while I leave and open it with my key when I come back, try to sleep, okay? I love you" He said and stood up.
"I need to leave now, David is waiting" he continued but She didn't respond, he left the room and went downstairs, he went to his car and drove away. Maria stays in the room sadly, after some time she comes downstairs to see if he's really gone and discovers he is. Maria came inside, she sat on the chair sadly as she cried like a child. Why is her husband so unreasonable, how long will she handle all his behavior? He makes a big deal out of the wrong things and makes no deal out of the right things, why is Steve like this? How does he expect her to sleep now, how will she even feel sleepy? She sits on the chair angrily as she looks at the time, it's 8:17 pm, this night will be so long, she's been sleeping all day and is not feeling sleepy. She stands up, she knows just what to do before Steve gets back, she goes to the kitchen.

◆◆◆
A few hours later Steve and David drove inside the compound, they came out of their cars and headed to Steve's house.
"Maria will be so happy to see you, it's been a while," Steve said.
"I know right?" Dave said smiling.
"I still think you should spend the night here, we have plenty of rooms, come on, you're used to staying the night here," Steve said.
"Before you marry, we can't make your wife uncomfortable," Dave says.
"No, Maria wouldn't have any problem with that," Steve said as they entered the house. A very wonderful aroma welcomes them.
"Nice smell!" Dave said and Steve looked at him as he perceived the aroma that had filled the whole house.
"Goodness, this woman is cooking?" Steve says Angrily. "Oh God! I told you she's very stubborn, what's the purpose of me leaving her here if she didn't rest" Steve said as heads to the kitchen.
"Steve calm down will you?" Dave said after him but He didn't respond he just went to meet Maria in the kitchen, he saw her watching something on YouTube as she cooked, she saw him.
"I see you are back, welcome back! I wasn't sleepy and..." Maria was still speaking when Steve interrupted her.
"Why are you like this Maria?" He asked angrily.
"How?" She asked.
"No, I need to understand, seriously! why are you like this? If I wanted you to cook wouldn't I have taken you for dinner, do you intentionally try to piece me off with these behaviors?" He asked angrily.
"I don't understand," Maria said.
"I left you home because I wanted you to sleep as the doctor said but here you are cooking, do you think this is the right time to do this?"Steve asked and Maria looked at him upset.
"I wasn't sleepy" she defended "I've been sleeping all day"
"Every time you demonstrate childishness in every area, I thought you were a mature woman, Maria, I pictured you to be a very mature person but now I see every day how wrong I was because you are a child, you have to be because only children act the way you act, you are asked to not do this and the next thing you do is even worse than the former. Why are you like this?" He said She looked at him very offended as she turned off the gas and walked out of the kitchen.
"And you are even walking away from me?"
Maria went to the sitting room where she met David, he looked at her not knowing what to say or do. The atmosphere looked so tense.
"Eh, Maria!" Dave said unsure but she just went upstairs without answering. Steve's words really hurt her but not as much as knowing they had a guest and he still spoke to her in that manner, Dave surely must have heard everything Steve said to her. She went to the room very hurt and offended.
Steve came out of the kitchen, he went to David.
"Sorry about that, Maria just pieces me off sometimes" he explained.
"You overreacted". Dave said disappointed, Steve looked at him.
"How? If I wanted her to cook wouldn't I take her with me?"
"You simply overreacted, if your concern is only about the pregnancy then you will end up losing your wife. I think you are so concerned about the child that you are neglecting the mother, the child is in the mother Steve. Do you just want the child and no longer your wife?" Dave asked.
"Of course not David, you know how I love her, you know I love Maria so much"
"Love isn't in words only, listen to me, you need to show the child concern and the mother as well"
"Everything I do is for both of them, you don't know Maria. She acts very childishly sometimes"
"She's tender and not childish, you owe her an apology," David said.
"David having Maria as a wife is different from having her as a friend, you were only friends with her and don't know her as intimate as I do, she behaves very childishly"
"Isn't it cute? Do you want an over-serious person? Well even if you wanted a serious person Maria is who you got, you have to learn to accept her. If you truly understand your wife you will know she's a beautiful person, not just outwardly but also inwardly" Dave said and Steve looked at him as he stayed quiet for a while.
"David I don't know but I'll see how I can make things work"
"You have to and as for me I have to take my leave, it's late already, thanks to you, I and Maria couldn't even greet each well"
"I'm sorry," Steve said.
"It's her you should be saying that to, you better go and apologize to your wife"
Steve nods.
"Let me walk you out," he said.
"Okay"
Steve walked David to his car and he drove off, afterwards he came back inside, did he overreact? He asked himself. But why would she cook by this time? Instead of sleeping as he told her to. Can he ever understand Maria?

Maria sat on the bed as she cried, what is it with Steve, their marriage is not even five months and she already felt very frustrated, why was he making her tired of everything? He claims to love and only hurt her.
"Lord, have I made a mistake in marrying Steve? Did I not pray well concerning this? Why is he always hurting me?" She said with tears.
"I wish there was a way out of this Lord. I don't want to only endure this journey, Lord, I also want to enjoy it. Are we not compatible? Oh Lord please help me"
Maria was crying when she saw the door open and Steve came in.
"Maria!" He sits on the bed "Honey don't tell me that you are crying? Come on, we disagree to agree" he says but She refuses to look at him.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you or the baby, that's why I'm very concerned" he explained.
"I don't like to be pregnant," she said.
"How can you say that Maria"
"I don't know"
Steve stayed quiet seeing she was really hurt, it was never his intention to hurt her, maybe they haven't understood each other well, he thinks. Steve raised her face to look at him.
"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, I didn't mean to, I will never hurt you on purpose" he explained.
She looks at him.
"It's not just about saying sorry, then the next thing you do will hurt me even more," she said and Steve stayed quiet. He looks at her.
"I don't even know how I always hurt you, but I'll try," he said and She looked at him.
"I will, okay?"
"Come on wipe those tears, I can't bear them" he cleans her face.
"come!" She drew closer to him and hugged her.
"I love you, Maria, very much" he whispered in her ears.
"I love you too," Maria said.