Theresa's Pov
As I walked over to my car and entered, I stepped on the pedal, turning on the ignition, the car roared to life. I revelled at how easy and convenient it was using my car again. I knew how much I saved up for its repair. It was damaged pretty badly. I was seeing the signs but I procrastinated going to the mechanic until it got worse. To an extent that it became a kids caricature in form of bold letters written on the windshield Wash me.

Now it's fixed. Even though I'm thinking of repainting it because the blue paint has all worn off.

I could remember when I bought the car. It was a blue camry. I bought it when I was in my final year in nursing school. I really saved up for it and I felt accomplished when I bought it.

Yes, when I got married, my husband bought a black ranger rover for me without asking whether I liked it or not. I appreciated it but didn't really use it that often. After my divorce, I sold it off. Eliza was really bent out of shape when she noticed that I sold the car but we needed the money to pay off some debts I accumulated.

I noticed how Eliza squirmed in her seat when we entered the school through the front gate. I realized she was embarrassed at how her school mates were staring at the car. I decided to put it at the back of my mind and focus on the more important things. Her.

The principal really put me at ease with the way she told me that investigations have already started. I mean that girl Chika is as sly as a fox. Her parents didn't really train her well. Talk about being spoilt silly. I mean, how can she do this to her fellow teen. That girl is as black as coal.

My phone buzzed beside me, as I glanced at it, I noticed it was a text from Dr Chukwuma.

I'm already there. Can't wait to see you. 😊

I noticed my lips twitch up in a smile. It's been a while since I felt this way towards someone. I know I should take it easy with him because of my past relationship. But this is just a casual date. A friendly one. I haven't told Eliza yet but she'll catch on quickly. She's a smart girl. I don't know how she'll react but I hope she'll understand that her dad and I are never going back to each other.

As I made a U-turn and turned to my left into a narrow street, I smiled as I recalled what led to this date. I really gave Dr Chukwuma a tough time. I knew he was interested in me but I always avoided him so I won't give away my secret.

I remembered when I had to rush to work because it was so late and there was a huge downpour, my umbrella wasn't really helping. The tricycle dropped me where it was supposed to and I had to board a bus straight to the hospital. I still hadn't gotten my car back. The buses I was flagging down were not ready to stop for me because it was raining heavily. My shoes were soaked and like I said the umbrella was useless.

I stood for thirty minutes waiting for a bus to have mercy on me and stop but as they sped by, water was being splashed on me from potholes on the main road. I literally wanted to scream and yell at no one in particular.

Suddenly, a black Lexus car appeared out of nowhere and stopped abruptly in front of me. It felt strange. I've heard of abductions, kidnaps and rituals that started like this. Terror washed over me, raising the fine hairs on the back of my neck as I took two small steps backward. I quickly moved away from the car. I said a silent prayer for protection as I glanced at the car, it was still there making no move.

Finally, a man wearing a white shirt with a tie came out of the car, gesturing me to come closer. I couldn't recognize him because the rain made everything foggy. Apprehension filled me as I readied myself to make a run for it when the time came.

He reentered his car and I felt my phone ring in my bag, I noticed it was an unknown number. When I picked it up, I realized it was Dr Chukwuma, the man in the car. I sighed heavily with relief. I wondered how he got my number as I walked over to the car, opening it, I entered. I really thanked God for sending him because I didn't know how I was going to get to work.

In the car, we just started chatting, talking about random stuff. It was actually the first time I got to have a real conversation with him.

After that incident, we just hitted it off. We became fast friends. There was a time he offered to drive me home, I declined at first but he insisted. When we got home, he asked if he could see my husband and kids. I didn't know how to stop that from happening without coming off rude so I made an excuse that my husband traveled and my kids were staying at my mom's place for the weekend. And that was it.

I didn't know if he forgot the fact that I was married but there was a time he walked up to me in the midst of my co-workers and asked me out on a date. I was highly mortified and embarrassed. I didn't also fail to notice the blush on my cheeks. I pretended I was furious with him and I bluntly declined his proposal,reminding him that I was a married woman. The nurses that were with me were casting judgemental look his way. He felt embarrassed and quickly left. I felt so guilty of how I toyed with his feelings and when I apologized to him afterwards, he told me he understood and he said something that would forever be ingrained in my memory.

You don't act like a married woman Theresa. I don't see that spark in your eyes. Your eyes are dull.

I didn't know what I said afterwards but we ended up agreeing to go out on a friendly date instead.

So that was how I got myself in this situation. I must admit I'm looking forward to this date. Even though there are no strings attached but in my deepest thoughts, I found myself wishing that their would be something more.

When I found myself facing him,I couldn't help but admire him. We were at Golden restaurant. It was a table for two structure,wasn't family friendly. The atmosphere was serene and cozy. Couples filled the room focused on each other. Lewis Capaldi 'someone you loved' filled the air and did I mention that my date was gorgeous? Yep, he was. He decided to dress casually, a black polo and blue jeans.

"You look stunning" He told me with a smile on his face. My face flushed with awareness as I wondered if he noticed that I was admiring him too.

I scooped a spoonful of fried rice and ate it. It tasted so good and the chicken looked so appetizing as I took my knife and started cutting it, it was hard at first but I finally cut out a slice and threw it in my mouth, I closed my eyes, savoring it as it melted in my mouth.

I noticed that the guy sitting opposite me had an amused expression on his face as he stared at me.

"That good, huh?"

I nodded as I continued eating.

"So tell me, why nursing? What made you go into it?"

"Well I love the career. It has always been something I wanted to do."

"You mean like care for grumpy customers and put up with their attitude?"

I couldn't help but laugh at his remark.

" I wouldn't put it that way. They're not all grumpy. I admit everyone has their bad side but I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for it "

"Mmmh, Touchè" He said as he rubbed his bearded jaw.

"But I never wanted to work in a private hospital" I muttered.

"No one wants that."He replied drily.

I knew his status was higher than mine because he worked in a federal hospital and is thinking of opening a private practice in the near future. He was always seen at my place of work because he and the owner were friends and he was always called to help out.

"But are you working towards getting out of there?" He asked me.

"You mean by attempting the counseling exam again?"

He nodded.

" I don't know. I haven't applied for it. I guess I need to be less busy for that"

"So what keeps you occupied and very busy?" He asked as he leaned forward.

"Work, my kids"

"That's it?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Yeah"

"But your kids are all grown up, right? You mentioned that to me"

"Yeah. Eliza is 16 and John is 10."

"Okay. I get it, teenagers can be a handful but you have a husband right? They're not your kids alone, you know. If working in a federal hospital is what you really want to do and there are lots of benefits attached to it, why don't you go for it. I mean, your husband will fully support you right?"

I laughed at the sound of that. My husband? Support me?
When he was the sole reason I failed my first counsel exam. I could remember when I first met him. I was in my finals. I was having intense migraine. He was the one that attended to me. He was so caring and considerate. Advising me to take it easy and all that. I admired him then not knowing the devil behind the smiling face. We hooked up from there and he proposed to me.

When we got married I told him that I would want to put off kids for now until I got what I wanted career wise. But he wouldn't have that. He gave me all the reasons we should start our family immediately, gave me all the reasons I should stop work and put our family first. And just like that, I agreed. I always saw him as Aristotle coupled with the fact that my mother who hastened the marriage formalities, told me to snag him now that I have the chance plus the fact that I might not be lucky to get such a rich guy (who is willing to provide all my needs) again.

And just like that I agreed despite my sister's warnings to take things slow and scrutinize him first. I accepted him, throwing away my dreams. I regret every minute I spent with him, every minute he controlled, dictated but the one thing I never regretted was the two little babies I got from the marriage. They were what kept me going and what made me strong.

"Eliza!"

I jerked immediately and my vision focused on him.

"You seem dazed. Penny for your thoughts"

I chuckled slightly. "Enough about me......" I said waving my hand.
"Let's talk about you. Why haven't you settled with the lucky girl now? I mean, don't tell you haven't found her yet"

His lips twitched up in a smile.
"I wouldn't say I didn't try settling. I tried but it turned out we weren't fit for each other. Thank God she told me she was pregnant and ready to marry another before I proposed to her"

"Wow, that's sad" Honestly it was. "But you loved her, right?"

"I did. I mean, we were course mates in medical school. We were so close. We planned out our life so well that I wasn't scared of uncertainty. I guess life didn't turn out the way I expected"
His face was so solemn as if he was thinking deeply.

"Well, the right girl will come. It's just.... you have to be patient"

"Yes, of course" He smiled "I have no choice, right? I have to be patient. The right girl will definitely come."
He responded as he cast a steady glance at me.

I felt uncomfortable as I picked up my wine glass and gulped it all up. His steady gaze was really making my cheeks flush.

" How is your husband? "He asked all of a sudden.

" He's fine "I replied averting my gaze.
I felt like he could see through me with those eyes.

" Will I be seeing him at the dinner party this Sunday? "

I completely forgot about it. There was a joint dinner night this Sunday for all doctors and nurses in the state.
This was the first time such a thing was happening. Everyone was expected to bring a date. I know he will show up with his wife. I'm literally dreading it. If there's a way I can skip the event, I would do it in a heartbeat, but I can't. Everyone is expected to show up.

I want to avoid any unnecessary encounter and I don't want my coworkers to suspect anything. If it means avoiding him throughout the party, I will do it. But I know I will definitely see him.

"I don't know..... He's not yet back from Lagos" I finally responded, sighing heavily.

I don't know how I became so good at lying.

Hello guys, merry Christmas once again and I wish you a prosperous new year in advance.

Saturday is here again with a new and exciting chapter, guys.

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Thanks guys.