Strong Attraction

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5
“I’m only calling because Steph is miserable without you and I want you two to work things out."
Angela said as Femi picked up the line.
“Well, good morning to you too sweetheart. So what’s up?”
“Steph’s dad had a heart attack, and she’s crying her heart out. She may not say it but she needs you here.”
“What do you mean by heart attack?” an agitated Femi asked as he searched his pockets for his car keys. “What’s the name of the hospital? Why didn’t she call me? How is he?”
“You do realize the sooner you get here the easier it’ll be for you to get answers, right?”
“Then tell me the name of the damn hospital.” He shouted. “Sorry.” He said as he calmed down.
“It’s St. Louis hospital.” Angela replied as the line went dead. He flew down the road and within twenty-five minutes against a normal hour, he was at the hospital. He jumped out of the car and ran towards the hospital where he saw Stephanie crying her heart out.
“Stephanie.” He breathed taking a step towards her, insecurity dancing in his eyes. He took a bold step towards her as she raised her eyes to him.
“I’m so scared. I don’t want him to die.” She breathed as he hugged her. “It’ll be okay. He’s going to be okay.” He said in an attempt to comfort her. Stephanie rested her head in his shoulders as she cried out her eyes. She fell into a quiet sleep against his shoulders, the sound of her quiet snores filling his ears. The doctor came in and he gently roused her as she groggily opened her eyes.
“What…?” she asked confused for a second, before her brain caught up with her eyes and she sprang out of her seat. They huddled into the group, where the doctor confirmed him out of danger, but would have to stay in the hospital for a few more days, for some tests to be run.
“Are you okay?” Femi asked as Stephanie took a step back.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Steph…” he said trying to come closer.
“Get out. I told you I never wanted to see you again.”
“Steph…” Angela said
“Get the hell out of here.” She screamed as he left feeling extremely embarrassed.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” Her mum said as she turned to them.
“Who called him here?” she asked in anger.
‘I did.” Angela said.
“I said I never wanted to see him?”
“Fine, you don’t want to see him. What about them? Don’t they deserve to know him? You know how much it hurt you. Do you want same for them?”
“I don’t care Angela. Not even one bit.” She said still angry.
“Keep lying to yourself.” Angela replied laughing sarcastically. “I won’t stop you. When the pain and regret comes, just know I warned you.”
*******
Stephanie let the tears flow as she cried. She was hurt, and couldn’t deny or hide it. Flashes of the images ran through her brain. She forced her eyes close, trying to chase the images, but whether open or closed, the painful image danced through her brain. He cheated on her…on her love, she’d never forgive him.
“Are you okay?” Belinda asked walking into her room. “Silly me, of course you’re not okay.”
“He cheated on me, all those years back, I gave him everything and he still cheated on me.”
“It’s going to be okay.” she said. “Femi loves you, I never thought he’ll do such a thing. Not after the way he treated you. But if there is anything you should do, it’s to move on.”
‘I can’t, it hurts too much.”
‘You have to. Unless you want the pain to swallow you. You have to move past the hurt and decide if you want to forgive him or if you want to move on from him. But no matter what, you can’t be selfish and forget that there are others who are indirectly involved in this.” She wiped the tears out of Stephanie’s eyes as she looked her in the face.
“I was selfish, and look how much it caused me, us. You can’t make the same mistake. Make a decision. Don’t let the pain bury you.” Belinda finished as Steph remained in her chest, pondering over the words, the tears flowing freely.
********
Stephanie parked her car outside the building as she put on her sun glasses. The glare of the sun on the glass building was blinding. She looked up at the top of the building, slowly reading the name. AOB industries.  She felt like a nest of butterflies were having a party in her stomach as nervousness stepped in. she took a deep breath, as she walked into the building, clutching the envelope in her hands with a death grip. She arrived at his office, after clearing with the reception. His secretary sat at her table.
“Is Mr. Jeremy in his office, I’d like to see him.” She said as his secretary looked at her.
“He’s in a meeting ma’am, he’ll be out in an hour, and you can take a seat and wait for him if you like.” She said as Steph looked at her watch. She had to be somewhere else in the next fifteen minutes. She couldn’t spare him an hour. She pulled off the flap covering the seal and sealed the envelope.
“I’ll like this to be given to him. It’s really important, and he has to get it as soon as he leaves his meeting.” She said handing over the envelope to her as she left the office. The party in her stomach had resurfaced, as she awaited his response.
******
“You mean he didn’t reply… hasn’t replied to you since that day?” Angela asked in bewilderment.
“What sort of silly question is that? Did I carry water in my mouth when I was speaking?” Stephanie asked in annoyance.
“I don’t think he saw it, or he’s taking his time to gather himself. I mean the information is too much to process.” Priscilla defended.
“Stop making excuses for him.” Angela said
“I know you want us back together, but that won’t happen by you making excuses. Two weeks is more than enough time to get your bearings and make up your mind. An acknowledgement SMS, would have done the job.” Stephanie said taking a sip out of her glass. “It’s time I moved on. Femi is a part of my life that is done.”