The Moment I Met You (Chapter 564)

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

 That same night after dinner, Chioma lay on the bed, exhausted. She had returned to Star Restaurant after visiting Jessica at the police station. Jessica was in detention because of the crimes she had committed against her, and now that she was sincerely pleading for forgiveness, she wasn’t heartless and wasn’t going to overlook her plea. She wished for Michael to let her go.

Just at the thought of Michael, she got a Whatsapp message. Chioma slowly reached for her phone. As expected, it was from Michael. She had wanted to text him and now that he had done so before her, she couldn’t help but smile.                                                                           

‘Honey, you haven’t told me whether that silly girl attacked you today.’                                                                                                                   

Chioma smiled softly and responded, ‘There is no way Jessica could attack me. My martial arts skills are better than yours.’                                       

Michael only smiled but didn’t reply.                                                                   

Then, Chioma sent him another message. ‘Michael, I love you.’                                                                                                             

After seeing these four words, Michael revealed a gently smile. He slowly stood up from his bed and headed to the window . ‘Chioma, I know that you truly love me, but what exactly do you want?’              

‘Huh?’ Chioma bit her bottom lip.                                                                    

‘You want me to let Jessica go? Have you forgotten what that woman did to you? She almost got you killed but you were saved because you had nine lives…if I don’t teach her a lesson, she wouldn’t feel the pain she made you go through so many times. I need to deal with her for hurting you. I need to send Moon Corporation’s legal team to deal with her. The insurance company and my legal team will contact her…so, is either she pay up for hurting you or end up in gaol.’       

 After he wrote, Michael turned off his phone and went back to his bed. He didn’t want Chioma to persuade him to let her go, for he might not be able to refuse her.                                                                               

On the other hand, Chioma knew that he was just protecting her. She truly appreciated that. But then, she wouldn’t be able to stand the loneliness on Nathan’s face.                                                                                      

Michael was angry, Chioma could feel it. Checking the time on her phone, it was almost nine o’clock in the night. She immediately jumped out of bed, chose a floral dress hanging in the room. She put it on and grabbed a jacket and headed out. She didn’t have time to tie up her hair, just letting it fall freely and carelessly.

After Chioma stepped into the living room, she saw her mother and Andrew drinking tea as they watched television.                                     

‘Mum, I’ll be back.’                                                                                   

Before Louisa could hear where she was headed, Chioma had already left the house. Both Andrew and Louisa glanced at each other, wondering why Chioma was leaving in haste.                                                                

Chioma took a taxi and after some minutes, she arrived at Njemanze Villa. She could see security guards at the gate. It seemed like her coming here was a waste. But she would still have to try and hope for a miracle. Chioma slowly walked over.                                                                      

‘Excuse me, please were you invited?’ one of the security guards stopped Chioma.                                                                                                    

Chioma had only been to this home once, so naturally, the security guards might not easily let her inside.                                                     

‘I’m here to see…’ Chioma did not get the chance to finish her words when she saw a black Maybach pull up by her side. Then, the car window rolled down.                                                                                               

  Edward said to the security guards, ‘Let her in, she’s my son’s fiancée, Chioma Chima.’                                                                                             

The gate was opened for her, and Chioma ran inside. Edward wondered why she was in a haste to come here. He had thought that Chioma would refuse coming to the Njemanze Villa after she was ridiculed on her first visit.                                                                                                 

After Edward stepped out of the entrance and the chauffeur heading to the garage to park the car, he caught up to her and said, ‘I didn’t expect you’d come here again. But now that you are here, I feel very happy.’ He smiled one of his rare, real, from- the- heart –smiles. She instinctively knew that he was pleased to see her here today even though she had visited uninvited. She would soon become a part of this villa, and so didn’t need invitation to come.                                                                     

‘Of course I came to see Michael because I had something very important to tell him,’ Chioma said.                                                                

‘Chioma, this is also your home. You’re welcome to come any time you want.’ After speaking, Edward did not wait for her response before heading upstairs.                                                                                                 

Chioma looked at him and muttered, ‘If you had married my mother, you would have become my father and Michael, my brother. Somehow, I am glad that there was a twist of fate. I have your son and will be your daughter-in-law soon.’ She let out a deep breath.  Then, she turned towards a servant and gestured for him to bring Michael to her.

 ‘Sir Michael asked me to bring you to his room,’ the servant said when he returned.                                                                                

Chioma wanted to refuse at first, but then she had no choice than to follow behind. Once they got to the magnificent door of Michael’s room, the servant pointed and left her alone. Chioma turned to the door and knocked gently.                                                                                               

‘Come in,’ she heard Michael’s magnetic voice from inside.                 

Chioma carefully opened the door and walked in. she was stunned by what she saw. The room was extremely luxurious. She wondered how much was spent for the decoration of this bedroom. This villa must have cost very high, and wasn’t within the reach of an average man.                                                                                                           

However, just as she was lost in the beauty of the bedroom, a strong force pushed her against the wall. She then felt Michael’s unique scent and his mesmersing eyes staring at her, causing Chioma’s heart to beat very fast. It was not until he felt the fast heartbeat that Michael released her.                                                                                                                 

‘You’ve something to tell me?’Michael asked.                             

   Chioma blushed and said, ‘You look good in your pyjamas, so cute and adorable.’                                                                                                 

Michael looked at Chioma helplessly and said, ‘I know you came here to talk to me about something, so I will give you a chance. If you don’t get to the point, I’ll leave for the study room for a video conference.’ A pile of work was waiting for him to take care of, so he didn't have time to discuss how cute he was.

 Chioma felt that Michael was angry with her, seeing how direct he was but deep down he was very pleased to see her.                     

‘Why did you suddenly stop chatting with me? Jessica asked me to have mercy and when I got to the police station I saw how repented she was.’                                                                                                                   

‘She brought this punishment unto herself. You are not Mother Teresa; don’t listen to her just because she begged you. She should go to gaol and pay for her crimes, that way she will feel the same pain that you felt.’                                                                                       

‘I did it for Nathan. I understand that you are protecting me and I am grateful for that…but you see, I can’t stand the pain in Nathan’s eyes.’                                                                                                             

  ‘But you can stand the pain in my eyes, right?’                                    

‘Don’t misunderstand me please…I am fine. You already helped me get checked with City Hospital director. I am fine now…I just wish that you don’t use your legal team to pursue this any further.’                   

‘Why are you so stupid to pity that heartless soul? Why did she hurt you so much if she knew what she was doing was wrong? If I didn’t step in to end this, did you think that Jessica would have let you off the hook? If you forgave her, then how would she pay for her crimes?’                                                                                                               

 ‘I understand everything but please Michael…let it go. I’m fine now. She won’t bother us anymore.’                                                 

Michael once again pressed Chioma against the wall and said, ‘I didn’t insure you so that I will receive compensation…I only did that because I love you so much. Anyone who harmed you should be able to pay out a large sum, if they couldn’t pay, then they would be sued by the insurance company…the rest of the guys that had you beaten were sent to the police station…my ultimate goal was for the perpetrator to face gaol…’

 ‘If it wasn’t because I wanted Nathan to have peace of mind, I would never visit Jessica. But then, everyone deserves a second chance.’

‘I allowed you to visit her but not beg me to withdraw all the charges against her.’                                                                                                 

‘I just wanted Nathan…’ Chioma wanted to speak on but stopped.                                                                          

‘Okay, by tomorrow I will do what you want but Jessica should be ready to give a public apology…she would have to apologise to you in front of everyone.’                                                                                                      

‘Better,’Chioma muttered. She looked up at Michael and added, ‘Thank you so much.’                                                                      

Michael nodded, turned around without looking at her. It seemed that he was not still satisfied with this, but he was so much in love with Chioma that he wasn’t able to deny her request.                                               

‘I know that you are not still happy with this,’ Chioma said as she followed Michael towards the bed. He had gone to pick up his ringing phone that was on the bed. ‘The Njemanzes and Nnajis are not only long-time friends, and the elders have already forged close friendships. So, it was normal if the both parents wanted their children together. It could have been possible that you and Jessica were betrothed to each other when you were still in your mothers’ wombs. But fate had to decide that you and I fall in love instead…’                                          

  ‘Yep, I know about all those foolish nonsense. I have never agreed to anything called nonsense,’ Michael said coldly. ‘I still know that my mother made a promise with your mother about us, which I happily accepted in the womb.’

As he was about to reach for his phone, Chioma took his hand. Michael turned to look at her. Chioma put on a pitiful face and looked into his eyes.                                                                                                         

‘Michael, do you remember telling me at the park that you wouldn’t stop me from visiting Jessica?’                                                                  

‘Of course I do. What about it?’ He frowned at the mention of Jessica’s name.                                                                                                         

Chioma gestured at the bed and said, ‘Your bed is very comfortable to sleep on, but the cell isn’t at all. It’s not a good place. Jessica has always lived in luxury and was used to warm and soft beds. How could she stand sleeping on bunk? Can you bear the thought of leaving her with insomnia? Then Nathan would not be happy for the rest of his life.’

 Michael studied her. He felt that Chioma was trying to play the sympathy card on him so that he would forgive Jessica. Looking at the bed, he thought that if Jessica had to sleep in the prison for the rest of her life, Nathan would be the one hurt.                                                        

‘Honey,’ Chioma said coquettishly while holding him on his waist. ‘Do it for Nathan. I know that you’re protecting me and I really appreciate that. I really love you Michael, but I don’t want to be the reason why your family will turn back on their century friendship. It’s enough that her parents are detained by EFCC. Jessica is still a young girl…she hurt me because she was in love with you. I do know that her method of wanting you was absolutely wrong, but at that moment, she couldn’t think straight except to fight for the man that she was in love with,’ she paused and said after a while. ‘But now, she has realised that her love lies with Nathan and not with you.’                                                                        

  ‘Okay, okay, okay, I’ll let her go, all right?’Michael’s heart softened.                                                                        

  ‘You’re too kind, my honey!’ Chioma, indulging in her coquettish act, leaned in to give him a peck on his face.                                       

As she was about to leave him, Michael grabbed onto her suddenly. Unbalanced, Chioma fell onto the bed and fell into his lap. She looked at him in confusion. Even Michael hadn’t expected that she was going to fall into his lap, for he had only sat on the bed to talk to her and decided to make her sit beside him only to realise that she was going to fall in such a romantic way.                                                           

‘What are you…?’ Chioma paused unable to continue her statement as she stared at him in confusion.                                                                          

Michael narrowed his eyes. Gazing at her with tenderness and love in his eyes, he said, ‘You’re simply the best gift I have ever had in my life. I will adore and cherish you for the rest of our lives. I love you.’                       

Tears stole into her eyes as she stared at Michael. She didn’t know what to say but she was very certain that she would never live without this man.                                                                                                      

  ‘If loving you is a crime, then I will be glad to commit that crime over and over again.’ Michael embraced her, and then she buried her face in his chest and drank from his sweet fragrance. As she put her arm around his waist, she couldn’t stop herself from smiling at how perfect his body was. After a while, she leaned on his shoulder and fell asleep. Michael lowered his head and looked at her in admiration. He could smell the scent of a young, pure and pleasant woman coming from her. Her body carried a natural fragrance that made one feel very comfortable. It was a smell that could tempt anyone to stay close, not the smell from artificial fragrant essences, which most times are not likable.                                                                                                      

Michael adjusted himself on the bed and together the slept in each other’s arms and the video conference was forgotten. Chioma slept soundly, as his embrace was so safe and warm.

 

The following morning, beautiful sunlight shone into the room. Chioma was still sleeping soundly. Michael woke up and smiled gently at how cute she was in her sleep, she was just like a cute little pet, extremely lovable. He felt like kissing her lips, as he lowered his head. His exceptionally handsome face lowered close to her, and he could see her beautiful eyelashes clearly, but then, he stopped with the thought that it was wrong for him to take advantage of her while she was still sleeping. He could have kissed her if he had already married her. He was also afraid that he would wake her, which would make everything look awkward. But then, he was still tempted with the sweetness of her lips that he had to move closer and lightly peck her lips instead.

By the time Chioma woke up, Michael was already dressed up for work. Chioma was greatly refreshed from the sleep, and before opening her eyes, she stretched in the warm lavish bed and then suddenly felt her cheek resting on a very soft pillow which wasn’t as soft as the one in her house.

Frightened, Chioma woke up immediately. Opening her eyes wide, she stretched again and turned to gaze to the person in front of her. She was surprised to see Michael. Could it be that she didn’t remember sleeping in his room?                                                                              

‘Did you kidnap me last night?’Chioma asked as she looked at him with curiosity.                                                                                                

Michael’s sexy slender lips turned up. He laughed charmingly and said,‘Didn’t you bring yourself to me?’                                                          

‘Oh…’ she remembered why she had come here last night and recalled everything that had happened. She feigned annoyed to have slept over, but she was feeling happy inside.                 

‘Is it morning already?’ She stretched her body luxuriantly, not wanting to rise from the comfortable bed.                                                                                                              

‘Come and see for yourself.’Michael held her hand, pulled her up from the bed and led her to the huge French window.

 Resting on the transparent glass, Chioma gleefully stared at the scenery outside. She was certain that everything in this villa must have cost billions of naira. She looked up at Michael and complained, ‘Why didn’t you force me to go back yesterday? My mother and brother will be worried about me.’ However, deep down she was glad to be sharing this morning with him.                                                                                       

‘Why should I take you home when I knew how much you wanted to spend the night with me,’ Michael teased her as his tall figure leaned onto the glass. He cast a glance at the beautiful flowers, and his slender lips turned into a smile. ‘If you really wanted to go you should have done so. But instead, you slept soundly…’                                          

Chioma pouted. ‘Okay, I admit that I enjoyed my sleep. I will explain everything to my mother.’                                                                           

‘I already did.’                                                                                              

Chioma turned to look at him. ‘You told my mum that I slept over?’                                                            

Michael nodded his head and smiled charmingly. ‘Yes, are you happy?’                                                                                                          

Chioma laughed happily. ‘I should have slept more.’                         

‘You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined this moment.’                                            

Chioma looked at his handsome face and smiled. ‘Honestly, I feel as if I’ve lived here before. Have you ever had that feeling? As if you have already lived in a place or seen it or maybe even heard people say something when you couldn’t possibly have done?’she breathed happily.                                     

 ‘And it feels to me as if you’ve always been here with me…you’ll soon be here, not just dream about it, but have it turn into reality.’                                                                                                       

 Smiling, she said, ‘We still have time to have romantic talks, but right now I feel very hungry.’                                                                                     

Michael smiled, then extended his hand and hooked onto her shoulders, taking her away from the French window; he led her downstairs and straight to the dining.                                                                                 

Michael looked at her and teasingly said, ‘Is that what you’ll do when I marry you? You’d prefer breakfast over me?’                                               

Chioma stuck out her tongue and sat down on an empty chair, facing the large spread of food on the table. She politely greeted Edward who was at the dining table, reading an economics newspaper.                  

Edward nodded with a smile, not feeling any form of resentment towards her like he had done on her first visit. He put down the newspaper, looked at her and asked, ‘Do you like the western-style-breakfast?’

‘I don’t know how to disappoint food,’ Chioma smiled. She was actually hungry, and wouldn’t play the game of most women, who in order to maintain their figure, only ate small food. Her stomach was rumbling from hunger as she watched Patricia walked into the dining, dressed in a Dior pale blue dress with matching high heels, looking elegant and graceful. 

 ‘What a pleasant surprise, Chioma,’ Patricia said as she pushed her chair back. She sat down and added with a smile, ‘Whatever Chioma says shall be done unto her, today everyone will follow Chioma’s wishes.’                                                                                              

    Patricia had said that to please Chioma or rather make-up for the last time she treated Chioma badly.                                                               

‘No, I don’t need for my wishes to be granted. I already have what I want before me,’Chioma smiled sweetly, glancing at Michael.                 

The family of three, plus Chioma all sat together, the four of them sitting happily. Michael sat next to Chioma, his eyes full of adoration when he looked at her.                                                                   

Chioma couldn’t wait anymore. Smiling, she picked up her cutlery as she attacked the food before her. Minding her own business, she started to eat. Michael didn’t stop putting food on her plate.                          

‘You seem to like the breakfast very much,’ Edward said calmly to Chioma.                                                                                                

Chioma’s lovable dimples gave a radiating glow, then she said after a pause, ‘I have huge appetite like my mother…’                             

‘No, you don’t,’ Patricia disapproved. ‘Louisa doesn’t eat that much.’                                                                     

  ‘Anyway, that’s the only part of my mother that you know but you didn’t know that she once lived in a big, comfortable, warm home, which had beautiful gardens. You didn’t know that my mother wasn’t born as a slummy girl but as a rich princess that was always adorned in beautiful silk robes and high-end shoes. You didn’t know that my mother was born with silver spoon, but lost the spoon when her father died…’                                                                                                                 

‘How’s that possibly?’Patricia asked curiously.

Even Edward had put back the tea he was about lifting to his lips to listen to what Chioma was saying. Michael wasn’t surprised because after he saw how interested his mother and father were curious to know about Chioma’s mother, he had secretly investigated about Louisa’s past. Honestly, he was shocked when he realised the truth about Louisa.      

Chioma shrugged, taking big bites of her toast. ‘Well, my mother didn’t want to tell anyone about her past because she didn’t want anyone to think that she was telling them about it just to draw sympathy and rip people off. I knew about her past when we moved to Lagos State. She paused. ‘My mother lost everything when she lost her father to a car accident. Her mother Maria brought her to Lagos when everything was taken away from them. My grandfather who is my mother’s father worked at Jumbo oil and gas as the vice president…’                           

‘What?’ Patricia was shocked to hear this news. It was at this moment that she realised that her meeting Louisa was fate at work. Who would have thought that the girl she had looked upon with pity had everything given to her? Who would have thought that the girl, who wore clothes that had changed colour due to constant washing, was a girl that had worn branded clothes even high-end shoes?                                    

  Edward recalled what had happened in the past, and hated himself for given up on Louisa. She was very special to him, the most special even till now. Patricia knew about this but had never for once became jealous of Louisa neither had she let jealousy make her face twist in a horrifying way. She understood it all.                                                   

  ‘My grandfather’s name is Edwin Ugo,’ Chioma smiled, and Patricia almost choked on her tea.                                                                           

Upon seeing Patricia’s expression, Chioma looked at her curiously.   She felt that something could have made Patricia act very strange.                                                                        

  ‘If your grandfather was Edwin Ugo, then he had worked for my father. My father owns the Jumbo oil and gas in Borne Island,’ Patricia said after a while.                                                                                           

‘I’m sorry to have recalled your past,’ Chioma sincerely said.                         Patricia shook her head. ‘You did well…I was so stupid to have thought Louisa never had any luxury in life. I didn’t know that she was born with it, but threw her identity away when she lost her father…’                                                                                                                        

‘Everything was fated to happen,’ Chioma said.                                  

Finally, they finished eating. All the way back in the car, both Michael and Chioma chatted happily. Once the car stopped outside Chioma’s house, she kissed Michael goodbye. Yesterday was the happiest night of my life, she thought as she raced up the front door. ‘Mum? She called excitedly, pushing the door open. ‘Oh, I’m so happy today. I found the family that your father had worked for,’ she said as she went inside the bedroom. Louisa sat in the chair brushing her hair. ‘You will never guess who she was unless I told you.’                                            

  Louisa looked up in the mirror at Chioma. ‘Do I know this person?’                                                                                                                        

Chioma nodded happily. ‘Yes, you do. You have loved this person and even made a pinky promise with her…’ Chioma stopped, wanting to know her mother’s reaction.                                                                          

‘There you go,’ Louisa interrupted. ‘I have met so many people in my life.’                                                                                               

 ‘But you never made pinky promise with them, right?’ Chioma chuckled.                                                                                               

  ‘I can’t remember making any,’ Louisa said not wanting to rack her brain.                                                                                                               

‘Anyway, since you have puff in your brains, I think I should tell you that Madam Patricia was the daughter of the man that grandfather worked for. Her father owns Jumbo oil and gas…’                     

Louisa was stunned with the news. ‘How…How did you find out?’                                                                                             

‘Didn’t Michael tell you that I was at his place?’                                  

‘Oh, that reminds me. You decided to sleep in a man house than in your own house. We’ll talk about that later and I will punish you for it.’                                                                                                                              

Chioma pouted. ‘Mum, I’m not a child anymore.’ She walked over to Louisa and kissed her forehead. ‘I didn’t want to sleep over, I just fell asleep without knowing it and in the morning I couldn’t rush home knowing that I was really very hungry. I had to fully focus on eating and drinking like a country bumpkin until Madam Louisa said something that made me begin to talk about you…and when I noticed that the family were very proficient in eating western-style food and western dining etiquette, I had to pretend to eat like them, but then, you know me very well. I could never pretend when food was involved.’                           

  Louisa didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Gradually, Louisa wanting to reprimand Chioma later for sleeping over at Michael’s place seemed to have disappeared into thin air. She was indeed happy to have found out that Patricia’s father was her father’s boss.                                                                                                                              

Chioma went to the kitchen, opened the fridge she took out a plate of watermelon and began to eat. After taking a cold bath, Chioma planned on going to Star Restaurant, but unexpectedly, she received a call from Michael telling her to relax as he had told Emeka to give her a day off today. Chioma was glad when she heard this, for she needed the rest more than anything else.