Strong Attraction

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4
“You won’t believe what I heard today.” An excited looking Angela rushed into my room.
“Calm down and spill the beans.”
“Femi broke off his engagement.”
“Really.” I asked with less enthusiasm, whilst I was doing a perfect pirouette in my head.
“I ran into Amanda. Asked if she’d like me to manage her wedding you know as an event manager and stuff.”
“Yes…”
“She said the wedding was off. Something about her not being prepared for married life. You know like the vague answers you give strangers…”
“And what if I may ask, am I to do with this piece of information?”
“You can get back you’re man. Fight for his love.” She said dramatically as she threw herself on my bed.
“In case you’d forgotten, he dumped me and disappeared; not even a text message containing a period, or comma. He came back and got engaged and for some reason best known to him, he broke it off. Anyone expecting me to chase him, is either oblivious to our relationship, or rather lack of one, or crazy. And I’ll like him to become a forgotten topic. I don’t want to hear of him, except I have to. Please, don’t come spoiling my mood with news of him. If you’re looking for some romance, Telemundo is available. I’ll even let you watch now.” I finished as I turned back to an episode of Empire I was watching.
“Whoa! Take it easy; I totally get it forgotten topic.” She said pretending to zip her lips and discard the key.
“What’s a forgotten topic?” Priscilla asked as she strolled into my room.
“Her now single ex.” Angela said as Cia’s lips formed into an O.
******
Stephanie sat looking over files in the office, a cup of coffee placed on the table in front of her. She sighed as she took a sip of the coffee. All these late nights were getting to her, and she was yet to complete the project. The deadline was by the corner; if she lost this chance, it would cost them a lot. Her eyes moved reflexively to the package that sat on the table, and she shook her head to get the images out. Once she’d finished, she would confront him about it. In the meantime, she slammed it into her bottom drawer, she needed to focus, and that was a huge distraction. Was it necessary to awaken a sleeping lion? Yes, her subconscious echoed immediately. She needed to know how long she’d been a fool. How long she’d been so blind to see his true colors. He was a sweet talker, and she’d swallowed every lie he’d thrown her way, but soon all things would be laid bare. She shook her head again and swallowed the now cold coffee.  She quickly wrapped up the work in front of her.
A soft knock on the door successfully broke her train of thoughts.
“Yes” she replied as the door was pushed open by her secretary.
“Here are the documents for the next meeting. Also, the farm manager complained about the delay in sending over a technician. And, there are also some documents you need to sign, and these are the reports of last’s month expenditure.”
“Thanks Kelechi, leave it there. Take this and send it to May’s ventures. It needs to get to them as soon as possible. I want no excuses as this is really important for the company.”
“Yes ma’am.”
*********
“So you mean that girl hasn’t agreed to talk to you.” Greg asked in surprise.
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Femi asked in annoyance. He felt a light headache brewing. “She’s being extraordinarily stubborn.” “But you know the fault is from you.”
“I know, but she’s supposed to give me a chance to explain myself.” “You should try harder, she needs to know about that event before she hears it from someone.”
“Who will tell her? It’s been over four years.” He sighed, a bit of fear lurking at the back of his mind. “But I’ll still tell her. She deserves to know.”
“You should put more effort. Nothing’s worse than she finding out from an external force.”
“It’s never going to happen.” I said as a prayer. “What about your babe?”
‘Which babe?”
“The new babe you’ve been moving with this days.”
“You go soon meet am.” He said as Femi smiled knowingly.
“You sure it’s not Amanda?” he asked slyly as Greg chocked on air.
“No forget to send those papers for me…” he said.
“What are these?”  Stephanie asked as she badged into his office, with his secretary right behind her. Femi felt his heartbeat increase at the sight of her. Despite the fact that she was angry, she was still breathtaking.
“I’m sorry sir, I tried to stop her.” She said as he nodded silently waiting while she walked and left.
“I’ll send them to your mail bro, see you later.” Greg said as he left.
“Hey Steph.” He commented as she nodded in greeting.
“I’m delighted you decided to pay me a visit Steph.” Femi said as he inhaled. He could practically see her anger rolling off in waves around her, despite her calm fronteir. The strong scent of roses accompanying her.
“Don’t humor yourself, I’m not here on a friendly visit. What is the meaning of this package? She asked as he looked down at the brown envelope on his table. He slowly opened it, and wished he didn’t.
“I can explain…” he started but was cut short.
“You know, when I saw those pictures, I figured it was someone who planned on ruining whatever hope we had of getting together and I said to myself that I trust Femi, and he’d never cheat on me. He never cheated on me. But now, as I look at the expression on your face, I know it’s all true.” She took in a deep breath and looked him in the eye, ignoring the tears welling up there.
“I loved you, but you decided to repay me with your infidelity. We talked about it, and you were okay waiting, so why? And after doing it, you left me. You cheated on me, Stephanie Oluwasheyi Chidiebere Davis with a cheap prostitute. And yet you’d stand and tell me that you love me.” Femi reached out to her, but she recoiled like she’d touched a hot iron.
“Was it before or after we had sex?” she asked him as his face fell. To him it wasn’t just sex, it was love. They made love that day. Even though they were drunk to stupor, his brain would forever remember that night. He felt his pants grow tight, just at the thughts of her body in his.
“Steph…”
“Before or after?” she persisted. “Wait, it doesn’t matter. I was just another girl in your game.” He tried to move closer to her. She needed to see. She was just hurt. She couldn’t think of something as precious as that, as a one night mistake.
“Don’t.” she simply breathed, wiping her tears. ‘Don’t ever contact me again. I don’t know you, you don’t know me. Whatever we shared, it’s over.”
“Let me explain, please.” This was worse than he’d ever imagined. She was slipping from his fingers, and there was nothing he could do about it.
“Explain what? I’m tired of listening to your lies”
“Look, I was drunk, and nothing happened. I stopped before anything happened.”
“Just like you were drunk when we happened.”
“Why did you decide to get drunk in the first place?” she asked as she laughed sarcastically. “I mean, you’re the same guy I had to practically drag to parties. So tell me why you would get drunk.” He opened his mouth to answer, but she cut him off.
“I was going through some things?” she asked. “Is that what you’d say?”
“I was supposed to be you’re confidant, you were supposed to tell me everything; but rather, you decided to go drown yourself in alcohol and girls. I trusted you Femi, you knew my trust was stronger than my love, and still you broke it.” She wiped the tears. “You’ve hurt me so many times, right from our first meeting nine years ago, but the hurt I’ve faced today because of you, exceeds them all.” She said as she left his office.
Femi saw the emotions that danced in her eyes: anger, pain, betrayal, hurt and most of all love. The one emotion he expected to see, hate was absent and in that moment, he realized just what he’d done to the one girl he loved.
*********
The ship hasn’t gone anywhere yet, so ensure you’re still aboard.
#Fest. See you guys on dry land.
Vote, comment, share, and follow.