STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER TWENTY - SEVEN

Antonio patiently waited for his wife in their living room. He had prepared his battle plan unconsciously against Ikechukwu. They were friends but there are boundaries that should not be crossed. Funmi got ready for work and came down to leave. She found Antonio sitting down and smiling to himself. She shook her head in amusement and greeted him. Something smelled great too.

Did Antonio cook breakfast?

"Morning love." Antonio said as he stood up and gave her pecks on both cheeks. Funmi's eyes bulged in shock but he didn't end there. He gave her a bouquet of fresh red roses.

"They are from the garden. We should go there for picnics sometime." He handed her a small gift box.

There is more? What has come over Antonio?

"What is this?"

"Open it." She put the bouquet of roses down and opened the box.

"A key?" She asked in disappointment. Seriously, after the kisses and the bouquets, a mere key?

"Disappointed? That is the spare key to the master bedroom," he paused. "The key to my room, I mean our room. Move in anytime you are comfortable."

In less than 24 hours, he had turned a new leaf. Why didn't she call Ikechukwu earlier?

"Thank you Antonio." She replied shyly.

"I packed some lunch for you Mrs. Workaholic. I will drop you off at work if you don't mind and pick you after work hours. Please say yes."

Which spirit entered Antonio overnight? My God, is this how you work?

"Yes Antonio, I am grateful. Let's go."

***

Funmi was beaming with happiness at work mostly because Ikechukwu was around and a bit because of Antonio's new found "warmth" towards her. At the back of her mind, she wondered how long his act would last before she gets plunged into his darkness again. The overnight transformation really threw her overboard but what could she do than play along and continue to walk on eggshells?

Be a woman of faith Funmi! A woman of faith?

But is this not stealing someone's man?

Stealing? No ways! I'm in this marriage because of his father and now that he is well, why am I not pushing through with divorce?

She answered herself.

Because you made a promise, silly! A promise to remain with him for life.

The rest of her morning stablised as she attended meetings back to back with the orphanages' managers as well as their sponsors.

At lunch time, she opened the package Antonio gave her and after unwrapping the neatly knotted pink fabric, she she found a medium sized food flask and a small cooler box and inside was a delicious blazing hot French fries, two fried chicken thighs with stir fries. She opened the cooler box and found two extra chilled 450ml Coca Cola drink.

"My favourites!!!" She exclaimed happily. A meal very high in calories but she eats them sparingly at least twice a month. She thanked the Lord for the meal and dug in happily.

For the first time in almost 9 months of marriage, she felt she could actually win her husband's heart.

After lunch was over, she called his office to appreciate the kind gesture. His secretary picked the call on the second ring.