By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
Nathan had not been himself since Jessica’s detention at the police station, and this morning when Chioma told him that she had visited Jessica and hoped to talk to Michael to withdraw the charges against Jessica, Nathan’s mood lightened.
Both Nathan and Sharon sat on the living room couch, watching news updates. Suddenly Nathan asked, ‘If Michael withdraws the charges what would happen to the insurance company, would they sue Jessica for not being able to pay the 100 million dollars?’
‘The insurance company will credit Michael, but am not sure if Michael would want to pursue the case more. He listens to Chioma,’ Sharon hopefully said.
‘And do you think Jessica will accept me if I propose again?’
Sharon sighed. ‘Jessica might.’ She slowly stood up. ‘I’m a little tired and want to nap,’ Sharon said as she headed for the stairs.
‘Sharon, I’m a little hungry.’ Nathan’s words stopped Sharon in her tracks.
‘What do you want to eat? I will prepare it myself without bothering the maids.’ Sharon was very happy to hear this.
‘Anything sounds good.’ Nathan looked at her and said.
Sharon nodded with a smile, then she turned her head around and walked towards the kitchen.
‘Ma’am, what do you want to eat? I would bring it over to you,’ a maid cheerfully said.
‘I will do it myself,’ Sharon replied gently as she went over to the fridge. She opened it to see it filled with vegetables and fruits.’
‘Ma’am, there is another fridge over there,’ another maid pointed.
Everything in the kitchen had been prepared ahead of time. Nothing was lacking in this luxurious kitchen.
Sharon took out some egg noodles and a bunch of lettuce. Then she walked to the counter. Pulling on a floral apron handed to her by one of the maids, she began to cook egg noodles with lettuce, and in about twenty minutes, she came out with a steaming bowl of egg noodles with lettuce and placed it on the coffee table.
‘Here, you go. Eat it while it’s hot.’
‘You’re not going to have a bite?’
‘I already had my lunch. I’m not hungry.’ With that said, Sharon turned around and went upstairs.
Nathan sat on the couch, grabbed the fork, and slowly began eating the egg noodles. As he ate, memories flashed in his mind. He remembered having noodles together with Jessica when they were in primary school during break.
‘Big brother Nathan, your mother cooks the best noodles. When I grow up I will leave in your house just for the noddles.’
At that moment, Nathan had looked at her and thought that her smile was even sweeter than the noodles. ‘When I grow up, I will make you my wife. That way, we will be able to have noddles together.’
Jessica blushed and ate a mouthful of her noddles. ‘Nathan, I like big brother Michael too. After he makes me his bride, I will sneak out everyday to eat your noodles.’
‘He can’t make you his bride, because he doesn’t love you. I am the only man that will make you very happy.’ He fed her with a forkful of egg noodles with lettuce. ‘Just watch and see. I will make you my bride.’
It
had been a naïve and innocent promise, but it seemed that the promise was soon
coming to past, Nathan smiled at the memories that had flashed before him, then
he began to swallow down the noodles quickly and happily.
They had created a lot of
beautiful memories together many years ago. Nathan had taken each moment they
spent together as being very important to him, and forever they would be
engraved in his heart.
Chisom
was waiting outside Grace Shopping Mall for Andrew to arrive, dressed in a
white t-shirt tucked into black cropped jeans with a matching denim jacket and
white sneakers. When she saw him elegantly walking towards her, she wanted to
run to him, but hesitated, recalling the scandal his family had faced lately.
She didn’t want them to be stalked by paparazzi. She only wanted to live a
normal life with Andrew. Besides, it wasn’t easy for Andrew to get his new job,
so anything that would bring him any sort of downfall she wouldn’t want it.
The country wasn’t easy to find work. Graduates were being laid off everywhere, and there was always so many applying for jobs every time, hoping to find even a few hours’ paid employment. Most of them, instead of going hungry had to engage in menial jobs just to keep body and soul together.
She
remembered when Andrew went out every morning and came back every evening, worn
out from fixing cars, getting himself dirty and still had little at the end of
the month. But then, Andrew’s skill with engines stood him out. He was a man
with deep interest in motorcars and hopes to set up his own automobile and bus
manufacturing company, just like Innoson Chukwuma Nwala, CEO of Innoson Vehicle
Manufacturing.
After he was fired by Ali, Andrew stayed a few months before he found work at George Enterprise. Even when he was in Lagos he didn’t make much money as a mechanic. Now that he was bringing pay packets home again, Andrew felt very happy.
Even though Andrew was aware that people were around, he still hugged Chisom tightly. He wasn’t someone that would hide his relationship, and never cared if he was stalked by paparazzi.
Andrew reached out his hand and stroked Chisom’s hair as he said in a gentle voice, ‘You’re the most beautiful woman in the world. I won’t hide by relationship with you. You’ve always supported me, I won’t throw that away. I will battle the world with you.’
The edge of Chisom’s eyes suddenly reddened as Andrew took her hand and walked inside the mall. With a blush, she intertwined her fingers with his. She was just like a princess in a fairy tale, and was pleased for this moment.
‘I feel like I’m falling more in love with you,’ Andrew said after an hour of shopping.
Chisom looked up at him and revealed a happy smile. ‘You’ve only realised now?’ she teased him. Although she hadn’t expected to hear this from Andrew, but now she heard it, he made her feel exceptionally sweet. Her heart was filled with so much happiness.
‘I don’t
mind saying it over and over again, because each day I fall deeper in love with
you.’
‘Maybe you should propose to me already.’
Andrew suddenly froze, turned his gaze towards, and gradually he felt warm smile spreading on his face. ‘I don’t need to propose to you…you’re already mine. We are only going to make our wedding preparations.’
That evening Andrew took her to the movie theatre, and kissed her on the way home.
‘I’ve been thinking, while we were watching movie, maybe we should surprise Daniel and Audrey. We need to get married before them.’
‘No, we shouldn’t rush into it.’
‘Didn’t you want us to get married soon and start making babies?’ Andrew stopped, then said, ‘We won’t be able to keep waiting. Once you get pregnant or get stalked by the paparazzi, our wedding will be in a rush,’ he teased her and she covered her face, laughing.
‘I sweetly accept my fate.’ After speaking, Chisom took his free hand. ‘We’ll announce our wedding after everything is fine.’
Andrew smiled and they turned towards the lighted street. Amidst the sea of neo lights before them, there seemed to be a camera light flashing. Andrew didn’t care at all even though he had swept his gaze to a certain direction, feeling that the camera light was coming from there.
Not too far away, the lady who was secretly taking photos in the dark was afraid and quickly hid away, scared that he might be discovered. But Andrew was quick enough to get a glimpse of what she was wearing; she was wearing a black and white striped windbreaker jacket with black jeans and leather heeled ankle boots. He had a hunch that the lady was Julia. The truth was, Andrew seemed not to care as he continued holding hands with Chisom as they walked on.
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