STOLEN PARADISE

CHAPTER FOURTY - THREE

Love was not at fault in their marriage, Funmi kept reminding herself as if it would change the present issue. She entered the marriage with her full eyes opened, so no one should be blamed that it has failed, except herself. She could not go to sleep that night as her mind wandered to and fro, not giving her peace of mind. Antonio was Sharon's before he became hers, if he ever was. She had prayed that God forgives her for her nasty attitude towards Antonio but her heart was not at peace. She felt responsible for ruining the happiness of the couple. If she had not allowed her weak will to succumb to the emotional blackmail trap set for her by Chief Babalola when he got sick, they might be happily married at the present.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered the pain she went through when her fiancé, Dapo Olorunfemi disappeared just few months before their wedding. Thankfully, invitations were not sent out at the time and only close relatives knew about it. He left, only to be found few years later happily married to someone else. When she had confronted him, he gave her nothing substantial to ease her aching heart. She never found closure and now, her marriage was broken.

Do I have trust issues? Am I insecure? Don't I have a right to be skeptical about Antonio after all he did? Lord, where do I start because I just can't bring myself to trust him?

She weighed her options and decided she would work on her marriage, after all, Sharon has left their lives and Antonio was sincere about his love. If she did not love him, she could have allowed Clement Johnson to finish him off,

And then we will be singing a dirge and not be here at this moment. But I can't take the chance and get hurt more than this.

A message alert interrupted her thoughts. She picked her phone up and unlocked it.

Honeybunch – I am behind your door, may I come in?

She sighed and responded with a "Yes".

****

Antonio entered her room and walked towards where she sat on the sofa. He sat next to her and asked how she was doing.

She gave no reply.

"I cannot say thank you enough for saving my life. It is because of your selfless act of love that kept me alive today and I will be forever indebted to you."

Funmi remained silent and did not look in his direction.

"I know people say that if you love someone, you should let them go. I cannot bear to lose you Funmilola. I don't want to lose you."

"Why?"

"Because I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want nothing more than to grow old happily with you."

Funmi believed his words but something at the back of her mind reminded her she could not take the risk. Is Antonio worth the risk?

She slowly turned to look at him but he could not look her in the eye. Slowly she reached out and touched his face and made him look at her.

"Antonio, please don't make me regret my decision. Please don't allow me to go down the grave in anguish."

"You are not going to die Funmi." He said as a tear trickled down his face from his left eye.

"Antonio, I love you more than I can express or understand. I'm sorry that I have been mean to you. I'm sorry that I deprived you of happiness with Sharon."

Antonio removed her hands from his face but held unto them. He assured her of his love and begged profusely for her forgiveness.

She drew closer to him, locked her arms in his right hand and rested her head on his shoulder.