The Moment I Met You (Chapter 591)

By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

At Moon Corporation, and in the afternoon, just as Felix finished the board meeting and prepared to go home to prepare for Michael's wedding, Peter rushed into the office.

'Sir, let me show you something.' After Peter finished speaking, he took out his smartphone and handed it to Felix.

After Felix looked at the photos, he calmly asked, 'Peter, where did you get these?' His face was unreadable.

The photo was of Catherine and Prince eating happily at a seafood restaurant. It seemed they were chatting something that was interesting. Anyone would wonder what it was, and anyone would wonder why the two of them instead of prince and Celine.

In the photo, Catherine was wearing a casual ripped light wash jeans and a white button down shirt, complete with a brown Gucci bag, her favourite choker and brown flats. Her beautiful hair hung loose down her back.

'I don't need to ask you where you got that photo...'

'I never wish to tell you...anyway, it might be though that nothing is going on between Prince and the girl but people are saying that she might be promiscuous...Money is never her problem, so why does she have to parade and flirt around? Somehow, I still won't believe in the photo. Maybe someone must have stalked her and then took these photos... I wonder who it was that had her followed and investigated. Perhaps, it could have been a casual photo taken by someone that wanted to boost his views...these days, people do crazy things to have million of views.'

'Do you like her?' Felix turned off his computer and asked.'Tell me if you like her?' He was looking handsome in his limited edition blue leather jacket and a white shirt underneath.

'Um...sir, are you joking?'

'Hurry up and answer me.'

'I like her for you...She is a good girl. I think you need someone like her,' Peter replied confidently.

'No month- end bonus for you this month. Go to her to give it to you.' After speaking, Felix got up to leave.

'Sir, is it right for you to cut my bonus just because you're not happy with my answer? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, right?'

'Isn't answering me well part of your job?'

'But sir...I think you match each other...'

'You're fired,' Felix said in all seriousness.

'No, you can't torture me like this...I did nothing wrong. Yes, Chioma would have been perfect for you...but she's getting married tomorrow. Do you still need to stick your heart to her? She doesn't love you, so you should move on.'

'I just recorded our conversation right now. I will send it to the world...'

'I'm sorry Sir...please, don't cut off my bonus.' Peter didn't know whether to cry or laugh.

'I won't,' Felix said and Peter laughed.

After leaving Moon Corporation, Felix didn't go home straight. Instead, he went to meet with a client that just returned from London. As he drove his blue Rolls-Royce to Paradise Hotel, he casually looked out the window and saw Chioma standing under a streetlight by the curb, waiting for a taxi. Chioma was carrying bags of cooking ingredients. She seems to have purchased those items from the supermarket close by. She was wearing a green khaki jacket over a white sweater with black jeans. She pulled her hair back in a bun.

Felix pulled over and walked towards her, offering to give her a ride home. Chioma smiled but still hailed a taxi driving towards her.

As the taxi stopped, Felix smiled up at Felix and then took a step forward, and just as she was about to pull open the door, Felix walked over and grabbed her wrist. Chioma froze, not daring to look up at his face. She understood it all and tried her best to pretend not to understand anything.

'Chioma...' Felix paused before saying, 'Tomorrow is your wedding... Congratulations! For all the times I had known you, although I have never believed that you will belong to someone someday, I would still want to say that since that day is tomorrow, I am very happy that you ended up with my good brother, Michael. Always take good care of yourself and take good care of my brother too...'

Chioma felt her eyes sting, and tears began to trickle down her cheeks. She wished that she was never in such a love story as this one. Two brothers are in love with her. The other brother gave way for his other brother to have the woman that they both love. She could feel that Felix was hurting inside but would still have to silently bear the pain he was feeling. Chioma moved her lips a few times before saying, 'You will always remain dear to me.'

At this moment, tears poured down his face like pearl from a broken necklace. This was the first time Felix had cried in front of a woman. He tried his best to control it but the tears had no choice than to pour.  But then, he forced himself to smile, and gently he said, 'You will be happy with Michael... He loves you more than I do love you. I'm glad you're marrying him tomorrow.'

Chioma inhaled deeply and said, 'I wish you find someone that will love you deeply, someone that means the world to you...'

Before she could finish her sentence, Felix pulled Chioma into his embrace. He closed his eyes to savour this very moment that he would never have the chance again but would treasure for the rest of his life, as he hugged her. But the embrace did not last long. He didn't want to ruin her day tomorrow, for he knew that Paparazzi are always looking for scoop to report. The hug had been simple like a hug from a close friend. Smiling, he released her. Without looking at her face, Felix walked up to the waiting taxi, whose driver was Segun. Felix pulled open the passenger door, and gestured for her to enter the taxi.

Chioma quickened her step and walked towards the taxi. As she entered the taxi, she heard Felix say, 'See you tomorrow in your gorgeous white dress.'

Chioma didn't respond nor did she look at him but calmly, she greeted Segun. Segun nodded, and then looked over at Felix who was leaning down below the roof of the taxi. Felix said his goodbyes as he looked at Chioma for the last time. Then, he stood up, shut the door, and elegantly took a step back, as Segun drove off and disappeared from his sight.

Chioma watched Felix in Segun’s rear view mirror until she couldn't see Felix. She silently prayed for him to find the perfect match for him.

Meanwhile, as Felix turned to enter into his car, a cool breeze blew at him as well as a soft soothing music for the moment, flowed onto the street. It was Whitney Houston’s I will always love you that was playing. Felix stepped into his car and disappeared into the traffic.

Reaching home, Chioma carried the shopping bags into the house in a lively manner, not letting anyone notice the fact that her eyes had been moist because of Felix. Segun helped her carry in a small plastic bag. Chioma had obviously carried the heavy bags, for she didn't want to stress Segun with the heavy bags.

Segun had been friends with the Chimas for many years. He treated their home as his home. He watched Chioma and Andrew finish secondary school and got into the university. As Chioma was about to get married, he looked the happiest because he had always love the kindness Chioma possessed. He wished his son was all grown and was actually the one to tie the nuptial knot on Chioma, for she was the kind of woman he wished for his only son.

Not only did Segun bring her back from the supermarket, he offered to help her carry the bags inside. Segun was pleased with the way Chioma had grown into a very good girl.

Chioma smiled happily when she saw their old neighbours in their house, everyone busy with one thing or the other. 'Mum, can you guess what I bought today?'

'What is it?' Louisa asked with a smile, not able to figure out the items in the bag.

Chioma walked towards Louisa and opened the bags. 'Look! I bought cashew nuts, soy milk, banana milk, chicken, chestnuts, lamb, beef, vegetables and seafood. I bought them all for you, Andrew and Aunt Bisi. They're for nourishment,' Chioma said in delight.

Louisa wanted to speak, but Chioma ran off to Andrew to show off the akpu she bought specially for him. Andrew was pleased when Chioma said she was going to prepare ofe ede for him.

Louisa let out a soft sigh in her heart. You'll surely miss your sister, she thought.

After Chioma proceeded to the kitchen, Andrew said to Louisa, 'Mum, I feel like I am already missing my sister.'

Louisa smiled gently. 'Me too...that's how it is. You'll get used to it.'

Almost one hour later, Chioma was done with cooking the ofe ede. She had cooked the soup only for Andrew, so of course the food was placed in front of him. The other dishes Louisa and Bisi had cooked were served to the guests, of which Louisa, Bisi and Chioma ate as well.

Ofe ede was one of Andrew's favourite dishes but knowing that this might be his last lunch with Chioma, he was reluctant to eat the food.

Chioma was worried when Andrew wasn't eating. 'What's wrong with the food? You know I have improved a ton in cooking after learning from both mum and Chisom...also, I learnt a lot from online...'She laughed gently. ‘I’ve also learnt how to be huge foodie from watching YouTube…eat up, and don’t waste my effort,’ she chuckled.

Andrew wasn't going to reject this delicious food Chioma had worked hard to cook. Without thinking more, he finished the food and thanked Chioma happily.

After the refreshing meal, each of the former neighbours presented her with special gifts. Sola, still didn’t forget what she said about saving money for Chioma’s wedding and not condolence dues.                

 Sola walked over to Chioma who was in the kitchen, kissed her affectionately and wished her well, and then she pressed a purple box into Chioma’s hand. ‘I remember telling you about saving for your wedding,’ Sola said with a gentle smile. ‘That was true. I thought of what gift to give to you, then, I told my son to get this small gift. He bought it in Japan.’

Chioma smiled; opening the gift she saw a beautiful golden locket. Sola had matched the locket with a golden bracelet. Chioma reached out and hugged Sola. ‘It’s beautiful!’ Chioma breathed, as she smiled and thanked her.