© Nissi Adeola
Our anniversary celebration had fallen into ruins and I am sure I would not forget it in a hurry. I picked up my phone and dialed Richard’s number again after several fruitless attempts but the phone rang off without any answer. I strolled from one end of the compound to the other in worry, dialing his number continuously. Though, I tried to stop Richard from leaving, he left anyways and I felt terribly angry that my father-in-law could be so thoughtless as to invade one of our happiest moments by bringing his ex-wife. I knew just how Richard must be feeling having experienced first-class rejection myself from the hands of my step-father (Mr. Badmus).
I had dismissed everyone to their various destinations – there is nothing to celebrate about with my husband in a bad shape. It is over three hours and Richard is nowhere to be found. I shivered from the cold outside and went back inside to get a jacket. It was almost nine and my husband was not home yet. I continued my phone call as I went into the room only to find Richard’s phone on the bed. I hissed aloud and flung my phone onto the bed, my apprehension increasing a notch. “Where are you Richy?” I groaned.
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Prisca placed Patricia in her court and placed a good night kiss on her forehead. Even though the room was mosquito free, she still used a mosquito net for pat. She climbed into bed beside Tony and smuggled closer to him to feel the warmth of his body. He held her close and looked into her eyes, “even after a child, you are looking more beautiful darling”.
She smiled, “what is with your flirtatious eyes and tone now my husband?”
“Well, if I don’t flirt with you, who else would I flirt with?” he asked
“you would not dare flirt with anyone. Remember when Richard held Belina today? I was actually jealous. I wanted you to do the same that very minute”, Prisca replied with a smile.
“hmmm, you should have told me. You know I would have done more than you bargained for” Tony said with a wink.
Prisca smiled but the smile soon faded off. “you know, I would not have taken it likely at all if our anniversary had been ruined like that. Whatever entered Richard’s pop to make him bring that woman there, ehn?” Prisca said with annoyance.
Tony had carefully ensured that they did not discuss the party by bringing up other subjects however unimportant because he knew that Prisca was obviously very pissed. He was also very angry and he had felt bad when he saw the sad look on Belina’s face as she told them to leave.
“I don’t even know what that woman is looking for. She did not come looking for him long time ago but now that she has become an empty barrel, she wants to reclaim her son. Haaa, human beings are so heartless” Prisca continued.
“don’t draw that conclusion honey, that she is back without a child does not mean that she can’t conceive again”, Tony replied.
Prisca laughed, “I know what I am saying though I don’t have any proof. Do you think she would be here if one of her rich aristos had married her? Trust me darling; the woman is just here because no one wants her fruitless ass anymore plus Richard is a multi-millionaire, now she wants to eat where she did not sow”. She hissed.
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Loretta sat down on a chair in her tastefully furnished mini-flat, crying. Though she was presently in Nigeria, her taste, class and desire for luxury was still very much imbedded in her. Ever since she ran out of her son’s apartment, she hadn’t been able to stop the tears from flowing. She remembered the look of hatred on Richard’s face when he looked at her and the tears dropped more. She had done terrible things to him in the past which she considered unforgivable.
She had treaded a very reckless life not putting into consideration what it might cost her. She had felt unsatisfied with James because he was unable to give her all the luxury she desired. Whenever he traveled, she would invite strange men into the house for sexual activities, locking her seven years old Richard out. Whenever he cried and protested, she would beat him, drag him out of the house and lock the door until she was done. This happened very frequently because James Branson; her husband; always traveled, looking for greener pasture to make his family especially his wife happy and contented. Loretta finally became fed up and decided to quit the marriage, giving the full custody of Richard to James in order to perform her escapades without the hindrances of a son.
Richard’s father, who loved Loretta with all his heart, decided to leave the States for Nigeria in order to be far away from her. Together, Richard and his father had struggled through thick and thin eventually breaking the holds of poverty. Loretta on the other hand, had several abortions which eventually severed her womb. No man could afford to marry her without a womb, despite her rare beauty. She had felt completely alone and miserable until she decided to take the only lifeline she had left. She had heard enough about James and Richard from the news and she knew that it would be even more difficult to gain their forgiveness now that they are rich.
She wiped tears of regrets off her face as she heard a knock. She was startled, wondering who might be there. She stood up and went to open the door.
“James”, she breathed as she stared at her ex-husband at the door.
Mr James Branson entered the house without saying a word, pulled her out of the entrance into his arms, closed the door with his leg and covered her lips with his. He kissed her like his life depended on it. He hadn’t been able to find love in anyother woman ever since she walked out of his life. She was the only woman he ever loved. Since she arrived about three years ago, he had tried his possible best to avoid the feelings that never left him but it kept on increasing everytime he set his eyes on her. Tonight, he hadn’t been able to bare it when he saw tears in her eyes.
Loretta tried to pull away but he held her and she gave in. the door flung open and they sprung apart like children caught stealing meat. They both faced the entrance at the same time and Loretta gasped, “Richard”.
