By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
By night, Michael and Chioma were spotted walking hand in hand into the night market. Michael had brought Chioma to the most famous night market street here in Lagos.
Robert, who was with them walked behind the lovey doveys. He had been the one that told them about this night market. He had been to this night market when he was younger and anytime he visited Lagos. Michael and Chioma were now wearing beige-coloured casual wear. The clothes they were donning were from a famous luxury outerwear brand. It was beautiful, stylish unisex outfit.
Michael had ordered for these outfits upon their arrival in Lagos. Robert was wearing dark grey outfit from the same brand.
Stopping at a spot, Michael turned to look at her. ‘What do you want to eat?’ Michael asked her.
Chioma took a deep breath, her eyes lit up. ‘I’m okay with anything.’ Michael turned again as they continued walking. Chioma couldn’t help but look at Michael who was holding her hand in a protective manner. He was indeed protecting her in order not to let people bump into her. She wondered what their relationship would be in a year time, wondering whether she would fit into the Njemanze family. But she was sure of one thing; Michael would always protect and cherish her. He would always love her till his very end.
Walking past a noodles restaurant, Michael looked back at her. ‘Ain’t you going to eat?’
‘There are so many nice foods here. I don’t know which one to pick,’ Chioma said as she looked around. ‘Everything seems appetizing and my glutton seems to have awakened with the sight of these delicious foods,’ she laughed. Just then, she suddenly saw a barbecue stand, and immediately tugged at his hand. ‘I think I want to eat suya.’
Looking at those oily beef, Michael furrowed his brows. ‘Isn’t that too greasy? That won’t be good for your health at this time of the night.’
‘Michael, that’s really what I want to eat,’ she said, looking up at him.
Michael pinched her nose lovingly and said, ‘Okay.’
Chioma kissed his hand playfully, thanking him. In a few minutes, they bought so many suya with chilled drinks. Robert loved to eat suya, so he was happy about this.
With the deliciousness of the suya, Chioma couldn’t help but eat her suya as they kept walking on.
‘Michael, try some.’
Michael didn’t want to eat but because of her cuteness he had to take a few bites. Seeing that she had oil on her lips, he tried to wipe them, but he had no tissue and so looking around, there was a convenience store close by, so he took her there.
‘No need. I’m okay with this,’ Chioma said unclearly as her mouth was stuffed with suya. ‘We’re heading back to Lagos early tomorrow. I think we need to hurry back to have a good night sleep.’
Michael got tissue from the store and gently wiped her mouth. When Robert and Chioma were done eating the suya, the three of them left the store and headed to the car.
As Robert drove the car to Banana Island, Chioma leaned forward as she hugged Michael, burying herself in his warm embrace. With an ear to his heart, she happily listened to his steady heartbeat.
‘Thank you so much,’ she whispered.
‘Always,’ Michael said into her ear in a mesmerising way that made Chioma to smile sweetly. Then, he stroked her hair gently as though he were petting a little cat.
The pair leaned on each other for a while before Chioma lifted her head from his chest to look at his beautiful face.
Robert didn’t say a word but his face was full of smile. To make the moment more romantic, he started playing Celine Dion’s I Love you.
At the sound of this lovely music, Chioma laughed shyly, hooking her hands around Michael’s neck, and they both gazed into each other’s eyes. Their silence was worth more than tens of thousands of words.
The following day when they reached Abuja in the helicopter, Michael drove Chioma back to her house before heading back to Moon Corporation.
When Chioma stepped into the living room, she realised that the table full of sumptuous breakfast had been untouched.
Andrew and Louisa were both sitting on the sofa watching the news of Ajegunle development. Seeing Chioma enter the house, Louisa stood up happily and said, ‘Honey, you’re back. Michael told us about kidnapping you to Lagos to show you the new project, so I gave him my permission.’
Chioma realised that his mother and brother were aware of her going to Lagos. Instead of frowning at them, she couldn’t help but smile.
Andrew looked up at Chioma as he said, ‘Little sister, you’re so lucky to get yourself an adoring man like Michael. Finally your village witches were defeated by you. Which deliverance church did you go?’
‘You’re always full of nonsense,’ Chioma chuckled.
‘Come on, we need to eat now,’ Andrew teased Chioma. ‘I know you’ll never say no to food.’
‘Of course I will never disappoint you,’ Chioma laughed.
‘I’m sure Chioma is getting butterflies in her stomach from being overjoyed and touched at the same time for what Michael did. Your guy is sometimes mysterious. But that makes him cool,’ Andrew said, heading for the dining table.
Chioma pursed her lips and glanced at Louisa. Seeing that her mother was looking at her with a blissful smile, Chioma returned back the smile.
Andrew who was now devouring his meal couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the surprise party Michael had secretly organised for Chioma. Many people had received an email from Robert in their inbox. The contents of the email were very clear. It was an invitation for them all to attend Michael’s surprise engagement party with Chioma Chima.
No one dared talk openly about it yet because it would no longer be a surprise or fun if Chioma were to know about it before the actual date. Many of the invited guests couldn’t help but wait in anticipation for the party. After all, Chioma had been branded slummy girl by many. So, they would all be there to see what Chioma was like. Besides, any news about her was of interest to everyone. Yet, most of them still wished Jessica and Michael became a couple, for in their eyes Jessica was perfect for Michael. But to Michael, Chioma was the only woman qualified to be with him.
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