GIVE IT A TITLE

LOVE ON TOP OF EVERYTHING

*GIVE IT A TITLE*
Episode 7
We reached later that evening and In no
time made our way to Clara’s family’s
residence. A magnificent mansion located in a
plush Maitama neighborhood. I just couldn’t say
a word for some seconds as I stared at the
edifice that stood before me. Clara smiled and
placed her hand on my shoulder.
‘’you like the house?’’ she asked softly.
‘’aww, so beautiful’’ I breathed.
‘’yes dad invested in real estate long before
becoming a President. We have a house keeper and
20 security guys here’’ she added.
‘’I pray to have such an investment someday’’ I
added softly.
‘’of course you will, once you are focused. You
are still very young" she replied as we
walked into the building.
9pm, same evening
Clara took me to a quiet restaurant within the
neighborhood where we had dinner. I equally
used the opportunity to question her about the
plans she had for Charles’s birthday.
‘’so concerning your friend’s birthday, is there
anything I need to know?’’ I asked softly as
soon as we settled down in the restaurant.
‘’nothing really, you have done your part by
accompanying me to this city. All you have to do
tomorrow is rest while I attend the party. I really
don’t know when the party is ending. He told me
it’s an all night event. So I guess I will be
sleeping over’’ she replied quickly.
‘’Will the party be help at his house?’’ I asked.
‘’no in a hotel’’ she answered freely while I
thought of how to attend the party
without her raising any suspicion.
‘’But is there anything wrong if I go with you?’’ I
chipped in softly. She brought up her eyes to
meet my gaze, keeping quiet for a while as she
probably pondered over my words.
‘’I really don’t want to be selfish. You have tried
a lot by sacrificing your time for me. You can’t
continue like this. It’s just as if I’m using you.
You are free to come with me if you wish to but
I’m not forcing you to accompany me’’ she
finally replied, settling my mind with the answer.
Of course my job was to be with her always and
I clearly didn’t know what to do if she insisted
on attending the party alone. Out of relief I
reached out for her right hand which was on the
table, drawing out the deepest stare from her.
‘’I always enjoy being with you’’ I breathed while
she blushed.
‘’ It hurts me that you are still unemployed. You
have a kind heart and wonderful spirit. Someone
like you deserves a better life’’ she said
making me very uncomfortable with her words. I
had to quickly change the topic.
‘’so why didn’t you take Vivian along?’’ I asked.
‘’she isn’t my servant. She has her own life and
I can’t be dragging her to everywhere I go’’ she
answered.
The rest of the evening was a bit uneventfully.
We soon returned to the house and headed to
our separate bedrooms.
—————————
By 6:55pm the next evening Clara and I were all
dressed up and ready for the evening outing. By
7:45pm we arrived at a hotel where Charles's birthday party was to happen.
Of course I was a bit nervous attending a
function I wasn’t invited and at first insisted on
staying behind in the car which left Clara
extremely surprised. It really took her an effort
to convince me to go into the hotel with her and
I kind of prayed not to run into Charles which
was really impossible because he was the
celebrant and i had this feeling that the evening
could end up very badly for me.
We barley had gotten into the exquisitely
decorated hall when two girls hugged Clara.
‘’finally you are here. You
just left Charles worried’’ one of the girls said to
Clara as they dragged her towards another
corner of the hall while I stayed back and kept
my eyes on her. I
barely had stood there for five minutes when I
felt a hand on my shoulder.
‘’what are you doing here? You thought  I won’t
recognize you or what?’’ I heard a familiar voice
ask. I turned to face Charles who looked very
angry to see me.
‘’let’s go outside and talk. I need to know
what’s going on between you and my girl’’ he
added. I
shrugged and obeyed after noticing two hefty
guys who were standing with him. The last
thing I wanted was causing a scene in front of
everyone and I equally couldn’t help but wonder
the kind of guy Charles really was. He looked
very ready to ruin his own birthday party.
Luckily he followed me outside without his two
friend making me a bit relaxed. He dragged me
to a slightly dark part of the hoteL were he felt
we won’t be interrupted. I also couldn’t help but
notice that he was nervous.
‘’I know how this happens; it all starts
innocently from friendship. Graduallyyou take
over my girl. You are already her companion and
close pal right?. Slowly I become the enemy and
the rude insensitive boyfriend. Then boooooom I
lose out like a stupid fool. I’m not stupid, what I
can’t just figure out is how you managed to get
into her life, live in her family house and be
everywhere with her. You guys are virtually
everywhere together. Who are you? Because you
are not a member of her family or in any way
related to her? I know everything about Clara’s
family but I don’t know you. Who are you?’’ he
asked with a slightly raised tone while I stared
at him, clueless on what exactly to say.
‘’I have heard stories about how close you guys
are since she returned to Nigeria but I don’t
want to fight you. I know what guys like you
need is money. Where were you when she was
just an ordinary girl where were you when she
was struggling with her studies?. Where were
you when her father was struggling to become
the President?. What you need is money,
so tell me, how much do you need to back
away?’’ he asked whil drawing close to me
as if he had another thing in mind if I tried
giving a negative reply. I kind of felt he was
drunk to be questioning me in such manner.
‘’I’m not after Clara’s money neither will you
influence me with your money. And please don’t
insult me again’’ I said defiantly.He instantly grabbed
me by the collar out of anger but before he
could go any further, I heard Clara scream out
his name as she appeared with the two ladies
she went out with a while ago.
I really didn’t know how much they overheard as
Clara angrily slapped him while the two girls
tried to hold her back.
”imagine how you are questioning a guy you
barely know” Clara shouted at him.

✔✔✔to be continued